Though she had been seen as a proper lady for years, Larial could never contain herself when it came to the Prince's homecomings. This time was no different. Before he could even dismount his horse, she had thrown her arms around his neck, squeezing herself tightly to him, and laughed at the shocked look on his face. She took a step back, resting one hand on her hip, and reached up to push a strand of hair from Legolas' eyes, smiling devilishly.
"Is his majesty not happy to see his best friend?" She asked, knowing how he hated being called that. When he did not immediately give an answer, she playfully poked his ribs. "Surely you have something to say."
He had many things to say. He had thought them all through before his arrival at the palace gates, but they all escaped him now she he looked at the elleth that stood before him. Surely she was not the same one that he had left behind. She stood taller now, and he noted that her 'too long' dresses were no longer dragging the ground more than necessary. In fact, the way that they fit her form in its entirety had changed quite a bit. Her blue eyes seemed to stand out more than they had in the past, the left peering out from behind a lock of her long, burgundy colored hair.
Before he realized what he was doing, Legolas leaned over and brushed the hair from her eye. He held his hand on the soft skin of her cheek more a moment before coming to the realization that he still hadn't spoken a single word to her.
"Of course I do," Legolas smiled broadly. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, pulling her close as she had a moment before. He unconsciously took in the scent of her hair through his nose. He smiled to himself because she still smelled of raspberries. Just as she had when he had left her there. "I've missed you so much, Larial. You'll never know."
Larial could sense a seriousness in his voice that was rarely there. She felt the need to question him on it, but as she pulled away slightly, and saw the look in his eyes, knew not to press on about the matter.
"You're right," she chided, a sarcastic tone in her voice. "I don't know. Would you like to know why I don't know?"
He groaned. He had known she was going to give him trouble for her many letters that had gone unanswered. He began to open his mouth to respond, but before he could, Larial placed her right index finger over his lips to quiet him. He blinked quickly, and was surprised again at the impact her simple movements were now making on him.
"I don't want to hear it, Legolas. Yes, I'm sure you have been busy what with all of your 'Princely Duties' and all, "She rolled her eyes with another sly smile, "but seriously…. I thought that maybe you had forgotten me."
"I could never! It's jus:
"I said that I don't want to hear it," She stood there for a moment, motionless before leaning up a bit to place a soft kiss on his cheek. "Your father is coming. We'll speak later at your homecoming ball. Alright?"
Legolas nodded, "Should I come by your quarters to escort you?"
"Thank you, friend, but that won't be necessary. Aundil is escorting me this evening," a slight blush crossed Larial face she had said this.
"Aundil! But you loathed his very existence when I left you. Surely you two cannot be… Can you?" He looked at her expectantly. This news did not sit well with the Prince.
"We shall talk later," Larial quickly gave his hands a quick squeeze and smiled at the King who was approaching them swiftly."
"Father, she's horrible!" Legolas threw his hands into the air, and waved them around to add to the effect. He was pacing back and forth the floor of the throne room with a very exasperated King seated in front of him.
"Surely, my Son, after all that time, you found something about her that you liked?" He knew that there was no hope in asking, but he would anyway.
"She is exactly like all of the maidens in this kingdom that I wanted to get away from in the first place! No mind of her own. Whatever I like, she likes. She spent more time staring at herself in whatever reflective surface was nearest than she did trying to piece together intelligent conversation." He paused then, and brought his hands slowly down to rest by his sides. "I cannot go through with this, Father. I simply cannot."
Thranduil sighed.
"Legolas… You knew of this a long time ago. I had thought you would have gotten used to the idea by now. Besides, I'm sure that with time, you will grow to love her just as I grew to love your Mother."
The Prince sat down for what must have been the first time since he had dismounted his horse, and let out a long breath.
"Father, I don't think that anyone would argue with me when I say that falling in love with Mother could not have been a hard task." He stood then, and without a second glace toward his Father, left the room. He needed to be alone. To think.