Chapter 2:
Dancing duels
"What did you say Zef?" asked Zefron. Zefra was looking around looking very scared.
"I wrote it in the book," replied Zefra. "I hope Ada doesn't think anything of it…"
"ZEFRA!" roared Acon coming out of the palace again and nearly running over to the small crowed. Elrond, Celebrían and Thranduil came out and watched as Acon went over to the elflings.
"I didn't mean to Ada. I tell the truth!" cried Zefra backing up to the fence with tears starting to form in her eyes. Acon didn't listen to her and grabbed her by the arm.
"I told you no more of that stuff," said Acon dragging his only daughter to the place.
"Leave her alone Ada, it wasn't her!" said Zefron making an attempt to get his sister away from his father. But he wouldn't listen and pushed his son onto the ground then pushed Zefra into the arms of two guards.
"Take her to her room and lock the door," he said then apologized to his guests and ushered them back into the palace. Legolas helped Zefron up from the ground.
"What's going to happen to her?" he asked watching the two guards take her kicking and screaming, into the castle.
"I don't know. I wish I did," replied Zefron tears starting to form in his eyes.
"Come on, lets go practice archery Zef," said Cúion trying to cheer up his little brother.
"No, we all should go and get ready for the feast tonight," said Zefron starting off for the palace when he suddenly stopped. "Elladan, Elrohir… didn't you have a little sister awhile ago?" Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other with horror in their eyes.
"I think I saw her run after Zefra," said Cúion after thinking a few seconds.
"Follow me," said Zefron running to the front doors and opening them up. Since it was Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas's first time ever being inside they were quite amazed at it. Just the architecture of it was astounding.
While the boys were searching and admiring, Arwen was trying to find Zefra's room. Suddenly she heard female voices coming down the hall towards her. She thought quickly and just walked calmly past them listening to their conversation.
"Princess Zefra had better shape up soon or the King will really hurt her next time," said the first she-elf. They didn't even notice Arwen as she slipped past them and down the hall.
"Princess Zefra? Are you here?" asked Arwen in a voice not much louder than a whisper.
"Lady Arwen?" replied Zefra from behind her bedroom door. Instantly a door to Arwen's left was opened up and Zefra poked her head out of it. "Come in." Arwen quickly walked in.
"How are you doing? I hope he didn't hurt you too bad," said Arwen looking around at Zefra's room in awe. It was quite beautiful with a balcony that overlooked nearly the entire Kingdom. There was also a large closet and a small closet. And a bureau located by the balcony.
"I'll be fine. I have survived worse," said Zefra walking over to her large bed and looking at the dress her mother, Caleniel, placed out for her to wear that night. "Your room is right across from mine, I can help you pick something out for tonight."
"I would like that greatly princess," said Arwen smiling. Zefra laughed.
"There is no need to say my title here," said Zefra walking out of her room after hanging up Zefron's cloak. Arwen quickly followed her and within a half a hour they finally decided on a simple pale blue dress with little jewels around the collar. "It used to be mine, but since I don't have a little sister of my own you can have it."
"Thank you Zefra. Now I look like a princess too!" exclaimed Arwen twirling around in her pretty new dress.
"Arwen!" called Elrohir as he and Legolas from down the hall.
"Go out and show off you new dress I'll see you later," said Zefra before running over to her own room and closing the door.
"Hello Elrohir, Legolas. How are you two doing today?" asked Arwen as the two stopped at her door.
"Where were you?" demanded Elrohir bending down and giving his little sister a hug.
"I was with Zefra. She's really nice," said Arwen going over to her mirror and starting to brush her hair. "I'd go and get dressed, dinner is in an hour you know."
"I think she's right El," said Legolas looking at himself. "We don't look very presentable." Elrohir looked at himself and laughed.
"Come on, let's get Zefron to show us our rooms," and with that, the two elves left in search of Zefron and Elladan. Arwen was about to knock on Zefra's door when a she-elf started walking down the hallway with her black hair flowing behind her.
"Hello little elfling. You must be Lady Arwen," she said. Arwen nodded.
"Who are you?" asked Arwen.
"I am Queen Caleniel, Zefra's mother. I came up here to tell you that your grandparents are here," was all she said before Arwen squealed in delight and started to run towards the throne room when she realized who she had been talking to.
"Oh I'm sorry," she said as she curtsied then continued on her search. Caleniel laughed as she knocked on the door once then walked in.
"Need help with your hair Zefra?" she asked walking gracefully into the room where her daughter had just finished getting dressed. Her dress for that night was a dark green with gold etched into the bodice it also had a green see-through material sewn on the back and two edges were attached to gold bracelets on her wrists. The sleeves went to her elbow and she wore a leather band on her right wrist, much to her mother's disappointment.
"I guess so Naneth," replied Zefra sitting on the chair while her mother brushed and braided her long blond hair in dozens of small braids then into a fancy bun at the top.
"Come, time to meet everyone. And please try not to set fire to the curtains this time," said Caleniel walking out of the room with her pale yellow dress flowing behind her.
"The dress makes me look like a butterfly," muttered Zefra looking herself over in the mirror holding her arms out to let the fabric hang down. She walked over to her jewelry box and picked out a simple gold necklace with a ruby pendent.
"Zefra. We have to go now and get introduced to everyone," said Zefron knocking on her door. Zefra quickly put on a bit of lip colour and walked over to her door and opened it.
"Say nothing," she said when she saw her brother open his mouth to say something. They walked in silence to the door to the Ballroom where Cúion had been pacing impatiently. Zefra noted that both her brothers were wearing pretty much the exact same thing, fancy over tunic and leggings and a cape, the only difference was that Zefron's was dark green and Cúion's was blue.
"Presenting Prince Cúion, Prince Zefron and Princess Zefra." The announcer said as the doors opened up and the three walked through.
"Look on the bright side Legolas," said Elladan putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "At least Zefra looks more ridiculous than you." Legolas gave him an amused look.
"I think we're about the same," said Legolas who had on very puffy light blue robes and a small crown of silver. Zefra walked over to them with her "wings" flowing behind her.
"I heard that," she said looking Elladan straight in the face.
"I'm sorry for that comment princess," said a stunned Elladan. Zefra was about to say something worse back at him when her twin grabbed her and pulled her over to her spot. About an hour went by and all was relatively quiet but then the music got into a faster pace.
"Let's show these outsiders what dancing really is," whispered Zefron to his twin. Zefra got a sly look on her face she walked over to the musicians and told them the song they were to play. Zefron and Zefra walked to the middle of the room where everyone was watching them.
"The twins of Foresthem challenge the twins of Rivendell to a dancing duel," said Zefra loudly.
"You'd best accept my sons," said Elrond. "The elves of Foresthem take this duel very seriously. Make Rivendell proud."
"We have no choice but to accept," said Elrohir to Elladan who nodded and the two stood up. Zefra gave them a wicked smile.
"The only rules are that you are not to stop and as the music gets faster so are you," said Acon standing up. Zefra quickly took off her shoes and set them at the side. The musicians started off quite slowly but quickly got very fast. Zefron was the first one out because he went over on his ankle so it was two against one.
"Give up Zefra," said Elladan as him and Elrohir turned to face Zefra.
"Just wait until I get started," replied Zefra as the music got faster. Elrohir was next out because he tripped over his own two feet.
"Beat him Zefra!" called Zefron from his chair as he motioned the musicians to play their fastest. Zefra's feet were going faster than she ever imagined and Elladan was doing his best to keep up but failed and stopped leaving Zefra the winner.
"Presenting the winner," said Cúion walking up and giving Zefra a crown of flowers and silver.
"You are a worthy opponent Elladan," said Zefra before returning to her seat. Elladan and Elrohir were surprised that she knew who was who. Because they were accidentally dressed the same. There was more dancing but neither set of twins joined in. Suddenly Zefra stood up with a panicked look on her face.
"Zefron I think it's going to happen again," she whispered to her brother.
"We have to get out of here," replied Zefron getting up and limping towards the door with his sister's help because of his sprained ankle. Galadriel who was there, looked at the two strangely. When they finally reached the door they both froze.
"What's happening?" said Elrohir motioning to the twins who were drawing much attention to themselves. Elladan and Legolas shrugged their shoulders. Zefra's hand had been on the handle of the door and now she was shaking so badly that it was in threat of falling off.
"Not again," said Acon through clenched teeth as he rose from his chair. Finally the two moved and Zefra started screaming as loud as she could, Zefron just stood in shock. Caleniel was first to get to them.
"Hush my child. Please be quiet," she said to Zefra who was now laying on the ground curled up in a ball crying and still screaming. Galadriel walked swiftly over and kneeling down beside Zefra, calming her down by saying things in her mind.
"Get them to their rooms," ordered Galadriel motioning to the Elrohir and Elladan to pick them up which they obeyed instantly."I will show you where they are," said Cúion walking over to Galadriel.
"Please do," she said following Cúion out of the room with Elrohir carrying Zefra and Elladan carrying Zefron leaving a room full of questions behind them.
