Enyalie walked as quickly as she could back to her chambers. She proceeded through her sitting room and into her private chambers not even noticing that fresh flowers had been added all around her room. She collapsed upon her bed and buried her face in her pillow. She shouldn't be this surprised. All that he had done was gaze at her in sympathy, but she had also caught a look of soft questioning in his gaze. And he had smiled at her! Him, a prince of Mirkwood, no less!

Not that she didn't mind him smiling at her; to be truthful she liked it. But it was the questioning look in his eyes that she didn't like. All people had that look in their eyes, wondering why she looked so sad, why she came to Rivendell, why, why, why was all they ever asked. The only person who hadn't questioned her had been Arwen, her mistress. Arwen had been looking for a new handmaiden when Lindiel had gone to the Undying Lands to be with the rest of her family. And when Enyalie came to Rivendell, Arwen had asked her to take on the position as soon as she was settled.

And who could refuse the Evenstar? She was so kind, unlike some beauties. One couldn't help but like her immediately. And it was no great surprise that the heir of Isildur had fallen in love with her. Although he had been raised mostly at Rivendell, he had not met her till he was a grown man; she had been living in Lothlorien with her mother's family.

She had started her duties immediately, but Arwen liked to do things mostly by herself, so Enyalie did not have very much to help her with. Arwen said she wanted a handmaiden mostly for companionship, since many of the elves were in awe of her beauty and grace and afraid to approach her. They had become fast friends, and they didn't hold much back from each other. The only thing that Enyalie had not told Arwen was why she had come to Rivendell; it was too painful to remember. Arwen had asked her once, but she had never asked again.

Soon Enyalie would have to go to Arwen's chambers anyway to go with her to dinner. Normally servants didn't accompany their mistresses to dinner, but at Arwen's insistence, she had given in.

She crawled out of the bed and over to the wardrobe. Picking out a light green dress that complimented her eyes, she dressed quickly. After that she walked to the vanity and slowly took out the small braids that wound about her head, as not to tangle her hair. Enaylie sighed; her hair had the nasty habit of tangling throughout the day. Even though she had taken out the braids slowly, her hair still had knots, so she combed her long, dark hair until it was crackling with electricity and her arms were starting to get tired. Then she swept it up onto her head into a breathtaking updo with little tendrils coming down to softly brush her shoulders, a skill Enyalie had picked up from the Lady Arwen, although some of the wisps were unintentional.

As she left her chambers, she was still thinking of the prince. 'I wonder if I will see him tonight, or if he will be resting from his journey, she mused to herself.

She soon arrived at Arwen's chambers. She knocked briskly at the door and she heard an answering voice call "Is that you, Enyalie?"

Enyalie answered quickly, "Of course it's me, Arwen, were you expecting someone else?"

"Come on in, I am sorry that I had to question who was at the door," she said apologetically, with a slight blush open her fair cheeks. "With so many new people here you never can tell."

"You're right. Are you ready for dinner?" Enyalie was hoping that Arwen wouldn't bring up the prince, so she was trying to steer the conversation away from that little topic.

"Of course, do you even have to ask?" Arwen said teasingly. Arwen was a very punctual person; she was never late for anything.

"All right, shall we go to dinner now?" Enyalie said in a slightly exasperated voice. Arwen knew she was teasing of course; Enyalie would never become truly mad at her.

"Only if you are ready, my dearest friend." Arwen said, giving Enyalie a quick hug.

During the brief hug, Enyalie noticed that some of the ties on the back of Arwen's dress were coming loose, so she quickly did them up. She made a few touch-ups to Arwen's hair, and they were promptly on their way.

As they made their way to the dining hall, Enyalie wondered if Arwen noticed how distracted she was. I can't help that I can't stop thinking of him, she thought to herself. I hope that he is there, even if I do end up talking to him.

Of course, Arwen was very aware that Enyalie was distracted. She had asked Enyalie the same question three times, and every time she had gotten the answer "Of course Arwen. That sounds lovely." If only Enyalie realized she was asking her if she minded having warg meat for dinner!

Arwen wanted to pinch Enyalie's arm to bring her back to the present, but anyone could see Enyalie was thinking about someone. Arwen could remember when she had been like that about Aragorn, and she didn't want to embarrass Enyalie like she had been. Who this person was, Arwen would have to find out, and tonight was the perfect opportunity…