Chapter Two

When Aeila opened her eyes she was surprised to see a roof over her head. She'd been on the road for so long she had almost expected to see blue sky, scattered with the fading stars of night as the sun slowly made it's way into the world. As she stared at the smooth wood ceiling of her bedroom, everything came rushing back.

She quickly sat up, wondering what time it was and why the room was so cold. Her nightdress was long but it had no sleeves and her bare arms tingled in the air. Was it morning yet? Why was everything so quiet? It was almost eerie, that smooth silence, until all at once she realized.

There were no birds.

To her surprise she felt a deep sense of sorrow wash over her, enough to fill her eyes with tears. Birds were just birds, and she'd never paid them much attention before, but suddenly in this overbearing, unfamiliar silence, she longed for them. Perhaps she would have to wait a hundred years. Perhaps she would never hear their sweet, chirping song again. She hugged herself, feeling very alone. What was wrong with her? There were so many wonderful, interesting things about this new home. Yesterday she'd been nearly bursting with excitement.

The door creaked open, startling her.

"Aeila?" said a voice.

In the dim light of the room, she could see a small figure peering at her with shiny eyes. She pushed back the covers of her bed and opened her arms. "Come on," she said.

The elfing leapt to the bed in three strides and hopped onto the mattress.

"My room is cold," Tauriel explained, trying to shove her little feet under Aeila's blanket. She paused for a moment, then wrinkled her nose. "Your room is cold too."

"It's freezing," Aeila agreed. "We will talk to Valion about that."

They sat huddled together in the darkness for a few peaceful minutes. Aeila guessed that it must be nearly dawn, though there was no way to be sure. She slowly combed through Tauriel's hair with her fingertips.

"Aeila?"

"Yes?"

"What do you think about my new friend, Legolas?"

Aeila paused. Tauriel was very good about asking one thing and meaning another. She pondered the question long and hard before answering. "I thought he was nice," she answered as evenly as possible.

"His hair was so light, wasn't it?"

Aeila pretended to be distracted with fluffing the pillow for a few minutes. Finally when she realized Tauriel was still staring at her, she said, "Yes his hair was light. I've never seen such light hair."

"I liked it." Tauriel was staring straight into Aeila's eyes now. "How about you?"

Aeila could feel her cheeks turning pink. Thank goodness the room was dark. "I-I guess I liked it too," she answered a little unsurely. She had to be very careful what she said to Tauriel, because Tauriel always reported everything to Valion, who was very strict about the rules of courting and male elves, etc., at least when it came to Aeila.

Aeila's first and only kiss had been on her begetting day when she was just barely coming of age, when Tethian, one of her male friends, had felt very brave and kissed her on the mouth. Aeila had let him, not because it felt good but because she was very curious and also very naive and unsure of the proper protocol. Tethian hadn't asked, he just leaned over and did it. It had been strange, that soft brushing of lips. There were no fireworks, no bells ringing like some of the other elleths whispered about. Tethian had pulled away blushing, muttering something about how pretty she was. All in all Aeila had felt rather underwhelmed by the whole experience. But a few of her friends saw, and the word got back to Valion, and they'd had a very long, awkward talk that night. From then on, if Tethian or any other elf stood too close to her or talked too quietly with her, Valion would rush in with a flaming sword. Well, not literally, but still!

It was all ridiculous anyway because the only elves who gave her the time of day were her friends, whom she loved and cared for but could not bring herself to feel attracted to. Her brother was protecting her against an imaginary danger.

She had no wish to repeat that awkward lecture.

Which was why she was choosing her words very carefully now.

Tauriel wrinkled her nose. Aeila couldn't really see it in the dark room, but she knew Tauriel was doing it anyway.

"I thought he was handsome," the little elf announced.

"Good for you," Aeila replied, shaking her head. When Tauriel matured into a young lady, her father was really going to have his hands full.

"I thought maybe you liked him," Tauriel continued.

Aeila shrugged her shoulders. "Well he was very nice and helped us find our house..." She floundered for something else to say. Tauriel was still staring at her, probably hoping to hear Aeila announce an engagement or something. That was the other half of the problem. Valion stood on one side, trying to keep her virtous until she found The One -or until Valion found The One for her- and Tauriel was on the other side, trying to push and pull Aeila into romantic relationships. She was always assuming things and that wouldn't be so bad except she always innocently related them to her overprotective father.

Oh, Aeila's life was very complicated, indeed.

"Well maybe we'll get to see him again today," Tauriel said finally. "I wanted to look at his knives. Did you see his knives, that he wore on his back?"

"I saw them." They had looked very dangerous.

A knock came at the door and then Valion's voice. "Aeila, our guide is here. Quickly get dressed and come out to greet him. He will join us for breakfast."

They ate breakfast at a round table that was situated in their main room. This room had windows looking out at the city and was brightly lit. The guide turned out to be a very pleasant, jovial elf with chestnut-colored hair, grey eyes, and a very wide, white smile. "Good morning," he said as Aeila and Tauriel entered the room. "I am Celthon of Mirkwood. The King has appointed me as your guide for the day."

"For the day?" Aeila repeated, glancing at her brother. Hadn't the King promised them a guide for a least a week?

Valion just shook his head and gave her a look that said, drop it.

Aeila pretended to drop it but she was annoyed all over again with this King who in addition to completely disregarding them yesterday, was now going back on his word and altering the agreement with her brother. She raised her eyebrows and silently poured herself a glass of water.

"I will show you around today," Celthon said over breakfast. "It is really not that difficult. There are four main roads for north, south, east and west. If you memorize that, the rest is easy. Everything is very organized. It's almost impossible to get lost!"

Celthon laughed, winking at Aeila, who blushed. He had a very nice smile, and she wished she could smile back, but Valion was watching her like a hawk. A mother hawk who was guarding the nest. She focused on buttering a scone.

As a matter of fact, Valion had a dilemma that he was desperately trying to solve. He needed to spend most of the day, most of every day from now on, with the King's soldiers. There would be no one to look after his sister. He wasn't sure he liked that. He especially didn't like the huge smiles their guide kept giving Aeila.

She was more than three hundred years old. Maybe it was time for him to let loose a little bit. He stared across the table at Aeila's pretty face and clenched his teeth. Letting loose was hard for him. He just didn't want her to get hurt! He had seen bad things happen before. He had seen enough suffering. And he intended to protect Aeila, from every type of predator. Not that this royal guide was a predator, per se, but...

He sighed, knowing there was not much of a choice.

"Father, may I be excused?" Tauriel had already gotten down from her stool but she was still standing respectfully by the table. She had that look on her face that said she wanted to do something and if she did not do it soon, she would burst. Valion smiled, touching her cheek.

"Where are you planning on going?" he asked. "You know you will need to stay with Celthon, otherwise you will get lost. This is not like Rivendell where you can simply run outside whenever you feel like it."

"I want to find my friend," Tauriel explained.

"When you're ready I can show your father to the training hall," Celthon offered. "Then we can go wherever you please." As he said this he turned and smiled at Aeila again, and a realization hit her that they would be together, alone, away from Valion's sharp eyes. Aeila wasn't sure if she was excited or anxious about that. Then she remembered they would not be alone, Tauriel would be there, and she felt both annoyed and relieved. Males made one feel the strangest things!

Valion was greeted respectfully in the training hall. Aeila watched in satisfaction as he spoke with the admiring soldiers. Even the Captain bowed his head and thanked them for making the long journey. Apparently some people still remembered that her brother was a archer of great renown.

Just as they were going to leave him with his students, Valion cornered Aeila with a look on his face that made her cringe. He took her elbow and pulled her away far enough that Celthon would not be able to hear. Then he took a deep breath.

"Before you say anything," Aeila said bravely. "I'll say what I have said a thousand times. I am not a elfling anymore. And I am not foolish. You need not fear for my safety, Valion."

His eyes searched hers carefully. To her surprise, he dropped her elbow and slowly nodded. "You're right," he said. "You are a lady. I know I must give you some freedom, but..." He leaned into her and his eyes were filled with such tenderness that she almost wondered if something was wrong with him. "You must be watchful, my sister," he whispered. "Please. There are those in this world that would do you harm."

She frowned up at him. "Not another elf, Valion, surely." As if any of the Mirkwood elves needed to be feared. Why was he always so superstitious?

"What I mean is, things are not always as they seem." He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and sighed harshly. "You are very beautiful Aeila and I don't want someone to take advantage of that. Just remember what I've told you."

"Yes." She quickly kissed him on the cheek and then turned to run for the door. She could hardly believe that he had called her beautiful and a lady and that he was deciding to give her some freedom. It felt wonderful and strange and exciting. Just like this new home.

Aeila soon learned that Celthon was wrong. He was very wrong. One could get extremely lost if they were not familiar with the city. There were simply too many paths and ladders and fountains and staircases. All of it was beautiful with very exotic furnishings. As they strolled down the winding paths, it almost felt like she was wandering in a dream.

"You're sure my friend lives here?" Tauriel asked.

Celthon chuckled. He was leading them up the north hall towards the court hall. "I am very sure," he said. "The question is, will he be home or not? He's very busy you know."

Aeila wondered why he'd come to be their guide yesterday if he was so busy. She was deciding she did like him, quite a bit. He seemed very nice and Tauriel was right, he had very strange and beautiful hair.

They came into an enormous room with floor-length tapestries hanging from the walls. It was lit by many torches. Many people bustled throughout the room, Aeila decided it must be a public, common place. Her eyes scanned the crowd, trying to find a glimpse of their friend. Tauriel's friend. Was he her friend? Did she want him to be?

"I don't see him," Tauriel said.

"Just a moment. Stay here and I will go ask after him. Court has adjourned so I think I might be able to find him." Celthon disappeared.

Aeila saw an vacant bench so they seated themselves on it and waited. "What are you going to say to him?" she asked. "If he comes."

"I just want to look at his knives," Tauriel shrugged. "I don't know exactly what I'm going to say, I don't plan out my conversations with my friends." She gave Aeila a look. "Are you nervous about talking to him?" Her eyes immediately lit up and Aeila could practically see the wheels turning in her head.

The older elleth scoffed. "Of course not."

"Then why were you asking me what I was going to say?"

"Look at that," Aeila said, changing the subject. She was pointing to a blue, silver, and gold tapestry that hung on the wall behind the bench. It depicted a silver-clad elf warrior astride a great golden elk. Aeila could not remember reading about such an elf in any of her books. "Who do you suppose that is?"

Tauriel was noting the tapestry with interest, she could see the elf warrior grasped a long beautiful sword in his hand. "I don't know. What's that beast he's riding on? It's not a horse."

They tapestry discussion managed to last until Celthon reappeared.

"Legolas!" Tauriel hopped off the bench.

There was the blonde elf, now dressed in a dark gray, formal sort of tunic with fine embroidery. He was smiling, that small, pleased smile like he had yesterday. "Hello little one." He bowed slightly. "Celthon told me I was needed." He looked at Aeila who was still sitting primly on the bench and nodded to her momentarily before looking back down at the red-haired elfling. "How can I be of assistance?"

"Well," Tauriel said, putting one hand on her hip. "I wanted to see your knives," she explained. "But I can see you're not wearing them today. Why are you dressed up like this?"

He smiled again. "I usually dress this way when court is in session." He shook his head. "Between you and me, I don't like this stiff attire at all. And I wish I could wear my knives every day, but that is not proper etiquette for court."

"Court sounds boring."

Legolas leaned down and spoke quietly. "It is," he said gravely. "It is very, very boring."

He was leaning over and was almost at eye level with Aeila. She watched his pink lips moving as he spoke to her niece, and wondered what it would feel like to kiss him. She pictured it for a few seconds. He was handsome, but the thought of kissing him didn't make her envision fireworks. She frowned slightly. She had not grown up with this elf. She barely knew him. And he was attractive, by all accounts. So why didn't she feel the urge to kiss him? Maybe she needed to try it some more and then it would start sounding more appealing.

Legolas glanced up at her and saw her cheeks were pink. He wondered what exactly she was thinking. The small elleth, the red-haired one, spoke to him very easily, and in a way that no one had spoken to him in a very long time. He liked her very much. But this other elleth, the quiet, dark-haired one... she sort of unnerved him. Yesterday she'd seemed quite annoyed the whole time he was there until he was leaving. Then she'd thanked him politely. She seemed to be upset about something but he wasn't sure if it had to do with him or with everything in general. Her face was pretty, like all elleths, but it was her long dark waves of hair that kept catching his attention. She was very unique. He supposed he did not dislike her, but would that change as he got to know her? Would he even get to know her? Probably, because he was now 'friends' with the little red-head and she was the red-head's relation.

The little red-head, Tauriel, he reminded himself, was still talking. About the drudgery that was court. He smiled, loving that fact that he now had someone to complain about court with him.

"If you want to see my knives," he said, "I am free for the rest of the afternoon. If you come with me I will show you."

"I do!" Tauriel turned back and grasped Aeila's hand, pulling her off the bench.

As they followed him through the crowd, Aeila realized that many elves stopped what they were doing to stare at her. Their gazes seemed more curious than unkind, but she was suddenly hit with the reminder that she was an outsider here. Her dark hair made her stand out like a black sheep. It was made all the worse because everyone seemed to know and like Legolas, if their smiles and greetings were anything to go by. They greeted him but gave Aeila only quick, questioning glances. She stared at the ground, feeling shy and childish.

"Are we going to your house?" Tauriel asked, apparently unaffected by the many pairs of eyes that were on her.

"To the training room," Legolas answered over his shoulder. "I have a cabinet there where I often store my weapons."

"Does it have a lock on it?"

He could not hide the smile that spread over his face. "Of course."

"Well I hope you always remember to keep it locked," Tauriel continued, in an almost mother-like tone. "You know? Because it seems like someone might want to steal your knives."

Legolas nodded soberly, though if she could have seen his eyes, they were sparkling. "It is a lock spell," he explained, wondering why he bothered to tell her so much. Perhaps it was because unlike so many of his 'friends' she actually seemed to enjoy listening to him. "I have simply to close the lid and the cabinet locks itself."

Aeila stared at the back of his blonde head in wonderment. Valion knew a couple basic healing spells, and one of her friends that had trained under Rivendell's lore master knew a sleeping spell. That was the extent of magic Aeila had seen. How strange these Mirkwood elves were, and how mystical. It was like something out of one of her books.

The training room was smaller yet more opulent than Aeila had imagined. They entered through a wide, carven door that looked like two young trees whose slender, tangled branches formed the archway. Inside was a round room that looked barely large enough for a single fight, let alone a group of training soldiers. The floor was smooth and inlaid with blue and red gemstones in an intricate pattern, like a kaleidoscope. It was a rich, beautiful room, fit for a prince. Aeila stared in wonderment as she tried to take it all in.

"This is beautiful," she said, mostly to herself.

"It is very beautiful," Celthon agreed. She jumped to hear his voice so close to her ear.

"This is where you train?" Tauriel's eyes were shining brighter than silver lamps that hung from the high ceiling. She could see several incredible swords hanging on wooden plaques on the walls. Wall. It was a round room, with one perfectly smooth wall that wound all around until it met itself again. And there were shields, beautiful black and silver shields, and helments on posts, and against the far wall an extremely splendid suit of armour encrusted with pale silver and tiny white gemstones.

"I train here when I want a little privacy," Legolas said, thought he didn't think they were even listening. His eyes skirted around the room. It wasn't anything special to him, he'd known this room since he'd been a little elfling hundreds of years ago. But the two elleths were still staring around themselves in awe.

"Look at that armor," Tauriel said almost reverently. It was exactly the sort of armor she imagined Gil-Galad would have worn as he rode fiercely out to battle back in the younger years of the world. She didn't know such armor actually existed.

"It is the King's armor."

Aeila raised her eyebrows. The suit, complete with leg guards and gauntlets was so flashy, so over the top that it looked more like a costume than anything else, certainly not attire for battle. "Who wears that sort of jewelry in war?" she muttered quietly.

She saw Legolas glance up at her. His lips quirked. "The King."

The King. The King who called her brother to travel miles and miles and then forgot about him like he were some plain common elf and and not anyone important. Aeila tried to imagine him, carelessly posing in this overly fine suit. She laughed. "And can the King actually fight when dressed in so much splendor? Or doesn't he fear that his fine suit will be soiled?"

"You'd be surprised." Legolas was smiling for reals now. He could hardly believe she had said that. When was the last time someone so young had said something that disrespectful about Father? This elleth was in fact growing on him.

Aeila saw him smile and felt elated that she had made it happen. Perhaps he felt about the King the same way she did. The thought made her like him even more. She bravely smiled back at him for a few moments before casually looking away with her heart pounding. Just smiling at him like that had felt very forward.

"Would you still like to see my knives or are you only interested in the King and his finery now?" Legolas asked.

"Of course I want to see your knives, silly," Tauriel gave him a little pat on the side of his leg, as if to reassure him that even though his weapons may not be as fine as the King's, they were still perfectly interesting and impressive.