A/N: Thanks to Ducky'sgirl4ever for the encouragement and now on with the story.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea. Oh and the OC that you will be meeting.
Spring Blossoms
Chapter 2
Morning dawned, bright with the promise of new opportunities and Glorfindel found Legolas curled up with his head leaning upon his knees and resting up against the thickly paned window, eyes dimmed in sleep. He frowned at the sight of dried tears upon the fabric of his loose pants. The quick blue eyes caught sight of the remnants of the meal upon the coffee table and the neatly piled clothing that had been placed upon the foot of the bed, both cleaned travel clothes and new garments for his use while he was among them at Imladris, placed there most likely by one of the household servants when they entered to wake the prince, but did not when they saw his state. Shaking his head he walked over to the young elf's side and place a hand upon the shoulder, which was promptly removed when the muscles tensed along with a whimper escaping the hidden mouth as he tried to move away from the hand and coincidentally closer to the window, which Glorfindel knew was not strong enough to take much more pressure even from the light body of the prince. Instead he sat down next to the prince on the cushions and called gently, "Legolas, my prince, it is time that you should awaken in order to break your fast." At first there was no response, followed by a shiver running through the entirety of the lithe body and then the head raised, bloodshot eyes still dulled by weariness and a slight look of surprise at his presence. "Good morning, Legolas," he said gently, "How are you on this fine morning?"
The prince twisted his head around for a moment as if taking stock of not only where he was, but by the twisted grimace on his features, trying to work the stiffness out of his neck from the less than comfortable position that he had been sleeping in. There was an audible popping noise and a look of relief passed over the fair features. "I am well, Glorfindel, and I think, perhaps more than ready for a meal." A small smile crossed his features as he slowly unfolded his stiffened muscles, and stood to his feet stretching until a yawn passed his lips. He looked over to the golden lord and said, "If you will give me but a few moments I will dress for the day and then you can show me where the dinning hall is?"
Glorfindel nodded and answered, "That is indeed my purpose in coming to see you this morning." He then watched as the prince grabbed a shirt, tunic, and pants from the bed, pausing only long enough to make sure that what he grabbed matched, and then retreated into the bathing room. He came back out only a few moments later ready for the day, and then pulled on his boots and tied back his hair in his customary warrior braids with dexterous fingers fairly flying through the copper colored hair. He then nodded an affirmation that he was ready to the seneschal's questioning glance, and followed the golden lord out of the door and down the corridors of the manor leading to the Great Hall where the population of Imladris ate together.
They reached the Great Hall quickly, only passing a few in the corridors as Legolas had awoken late, but that seemed not to concern Glorfindel in the slightest and as such, the prince tried not to let it bother him to much as well. The bright emerald eyes stared at the splendor of the halls around him, unashamed to show the awe that he was feeling. He had not had all to much of a chance to explore the architecture of the famed halls of Elrond at his previous visit. Glorfindel smiled at him warmly at the innocent awe present on the fair features and he led the way to the head table where Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, and Erestor were all seated, escorting him directly to a seat of his own. The morning meal passed quickly, it was uneventful, and the twins were very glad to see that the prince had returned once more to his optimistic, more mischievous mood from the previous afternoon.
After breakfast Legolas found himself immediately approached by citizens of Imladris who wanted to meet the famed prince of Greenwood. They had heard rumors he had spent time in Imladris a century ago, but none of them had actually seen him at the time. He heard all questions possible from those of his father, mother and fictional siblings that he may or may not have due to the romantic liasons of his fathers or even his own. The members of the crowd seemed to rotate around him so that he ended up having to answer such personal questions what seemed like many, many times. After about forty five minutes the twins came by the crowded area and saw the harried look in the expressive eyes and carefully forced their way into the center of the group and laced their arms around the prince's shoulders with looks of concern plastered on their faces. Elrohir leaned in close to Legolas's ear and whispered, "Don't worry, Legolas, we're going to get you out of here. To make this work just look worried and act as if I have just given you grave news. They will have enough consideration to give you time to receive the rest of the report and leave you in peace to give thought to what has happened. If you understand what I am telling you blink twice now."
Legolas did as asked and then lowered his eyes to the ground and felt his face pale as to make himself follow the younger twin's directions he forced himself to think of his mother. The twins then tightened their grip on his shoulders as if offering him the comfort that would accompany the news they had supposedly given him, and unknowingly, were actually giving him the comfort they were pretending to do. A passage was opened through the wall of bodies and gently they led the elven prince out of the Hall and to the same garden they had originally led him too all those years ago. When they reached the stone bench all three sat once more and Legolas put his face into his hands and breathed deeply. Elladan put a comforting hand on his back and asked, "Are you alright, princeling?"
"I will be alright in a moment," Legolas murmured into his hands taking several deep shuddering breaths before he lifted his head once more and offered a smile to both his friends. "I am sorry, to play along I had to think some rather…uncomfortable thoughts, along with the questions that they were asking," he closed his eyes and suppressed a shudder. "It will pass, I promise."
Elrohir smiled at him softly. "I'm sorry, we were trying to find the quickest way to get you away from the crowd."
Legolas shook his head, "It is alright. Thank you for your aid." His eyes focused on something that neither of the other two could see. "I think that I shall wander through the gardens. I will see you both later, at the feast at the latest." He then stood and wandered off one of the paths, waiting until he was far enough away that neither of them could see and jumped into the branches of one of the trees, and made his way through the trees as he continued his way through the gardens. Eventually he came into the boughs of an ancient oak that felt his unrest and offered to give him comfort, and he found himself reclining back against the trunk and closing his eyes to center himself while the comforting sound of water trickling into a forest pool that was a few yards away from the tree filled the air, savoring the solitude.
He jumped when the stillness was shattered by the bell-like laughter of elven maidens that ran past the base of the tree. He was so surprised that he almost jumped right off his perch, much to the amusement of the oak. With a look of embarrassment to the tree he silently moved forward until he could look through the leaves to see just who it was that had disturbed his quiet. He felt blood rush to his face as he caught sight of three fair elven maids preparing to go for a swim in the clear, cool waters of the pool. Two of the maids had hair the color of ebony framing their pale features and while they were beautiful, it was the third figure's appearance that made the Prince of Eryn Lasgalyn's breath catch in his throat. She had a beauty that knew no peers with hair the color of burnished gold with a multitude of red highlights shining in the rays of the sun while her skin was sun kissed in contrast to her companions' paleness.
Legolas quickly retreated back into the sheltering branches of the tree with a bright blush taking over his features, his heart pounding at the prospect that the three could possibly catch him watching, as he tried to force his mind away from the beautiful maiden and be patient while he waited for the three to finish their swim in the waters so he could leave without the fear of being caught. Unintentionally he overheard their talk, and was surprised to hear that it centered around the feast that was going to take place that evening in his honor. He also felt the blood rise in his cheeks once more as he heard the conversation turn to focus on him.
"I hope that he is good looking as Fuinalas says he is. Then, even if he doesn't look in my direction, I can enjoy looking at him." The prince of Eryn Lasgalyn swallowed forcefully, worry rising in his heart that tonight would end in the same way as all the feasts his father held, with his embarrassment.
"I hear that he is quite the gentle elf, and soft spoken," the beauty commented in return, her voice sounding like the sweetest notes of song that Legolas had ever heard. "I however, will reserve my opinion until I have the chance to speak to him for myself, just as I would for any other."
He then closed his eyes and pretended that he were anyone else, knowing that at this point, if he attempted to leave, they would hear the rustle of the leaves and know that he had been there, not only humiliating him, but ruining any hope of gaining the respect of that elven maid. It seemed to take them forever to finish with their bathing, but eventually silence reigned in the wood once more, and Legolas heaved a large sigh of relief. He waited for several minutes to make sure that the maidens were gone for good before he jumped down and walked away after trailing a hand on the trunk of the oak in farewell and gratitude. He remained in the woods, meandering through the paths, finding himself just to the outside of the walls of Glorfindel's cottage, but wanting to be alone in order to try to sort out his feelings now as well as his memories, he wandered in a different direction, hoping to not meet up with anyone else in his wandering.
When next he noticed, the sun was beginning to approach the western horizon, and he ran back to the house of Elrond and quickly bathed before changing into the formal robes that had been delivered to his rooms. They were very fitting robes and he had to admit that he looked good in them. They were in the traditional cut of the nobles of his father's court, with fine shirt, tunic, and pants under a flowing robe that terminated around the knees. This set of clothing was made of the finest silks and velvets with the outer robe being the deepest brown embroidered with golden thread and green highlights. The rest of the pieces were in variations of the same color and together they brought out the emerald color of his eyes.
He was just finishing braiding his hair in it's customary three braids, tied off with a leather tie embossed with the crest of his house when there was an insistent knocking upon his door. He breathed deeply a couple times to prepare himself before walking over to the door and pulling it open just as another round of knocks began. On the other side were both Elladan and Elrohir, looking dashing in matching formal clothes of black tunics and breeches that were accented with silver bringing out the color of their stormy gray eyes. "Legolas!" Elladan began, "Are you finished preparing? The feast is almost to begin!"
Legolas smiled gently in return to his friend's dramatics. "Indeed," he said with a hint of playfulness in his voice, "You would not expect me to be late to a feast that is being held in my honor?"
Elrohir chuckled at that statement before returning, "From what I hear you disappear from most state functions as soon as decorum allows." He reached forward and grabbed one of the prince's arms, dragging him from the room so they could continue their talk on the way to the Hall. "I would not want you to miss the fine food that has been prepared so that you may avoid all who may wish to ask you questions."
The prince decided that there was no use in denying the fact that he was not fond of feasts and meetings, so he just shrugged in a non-committal fashion. "I attend them. That is more than my father did when he was younger. The food at the feasts is generally worth the attentions that I am given."
Elladan openly laughed at this and patted his friend on the back. "Let's hope that remains true." He then pushed open the large hall doors revealing that the main hall was already full of Imladrian citizens as well as other guests to the famed House of Elrond. The three friends made their way to their seats at the main table, near Elrond and his main advisors.
Legolas' eyes were then caught by the opening of the door once more to admit the trio of elven maidens that he had seen from the tree earlier in the afternoon and his breath was taken away when he caught sight of the same maiden that had caught his attention earlier. Glorfindel followed the prince's gaze as he suddenly dropped out of the table conversation and smirked when he saw the cause of his distraction. "Ah, I see that a pretty little gem has caught your eye."
The blonde jumped slightly at the sound of the Guard Captain's voice and tore his eyes away from the beauty that had come before him to catch the bright blue gaze of the ancient elf. "What makes you think that, Glorfindel?" he asked as his eyes once more caught by the beauty as she walked across the room to take a seat at one of the large tables down the room.
One of the elder elf's perfectly shaped golden eyebrows arched gently upward as he sarcastically answered, "Why nothing at all, Prince Legolas. Though I may tell you her name, you have only to ask."
Legolas was silent for a moment before smiling slightly at Glorfindel, "What is the fair maiden with the burnished gold hair, eyes the color of the sky on a clear summer's morn, and voice that sounds of the fairest song."
The golden haired warrior's face broke out into a wide, bright smile as he clapped his young friend on the shoulder and noticed Legolas's eyes gain a dreamy quality. "Her name is Inwë."
"Inwë…" the prince breathed as he watched a smile break upon her face as she took her seat at the table.
The Great Hall of Imladris was filled to the brim with jubilant elves while he looked around himself at all the cheery faces, trying to ignore the fact that his eyes were almost constantly attracted by the face of the elven maiden that he now knew was named Inwë. At several points during the feast, her clear blue eyes flashed in his direction causing a blush to rise in his cheeks at the prospect of having been caught watching her unguardedly. His embarrassment only increased when he would see Glorfindel grinning unabashedly at the pinkness of his cheeks and the direction of his glances. Sometimes he became so distracted by his glances that he earned himself a sharp poke in the arm by the blonde lord to bring his attention back to the conversation surrounding him.
A few hours later the feast finally drew to a close and as the prince rose from his seat he jumped slightly as his arm was grabbed in the vice like grip of Glorfindel. "Come with me, Legolas. Your looks will get you no where in her regard, so I will introduce the two of you. I promise that she will not bite…at least not hard." At the anxious look that appeared on Legolas's face Glorfindel laughed once more and pulled his friend through the crowd.
"Inwë," he called out in a strong voice. When the head of burnished blonde hair turned to face the ancient lord he smiled, his teeth flashing a blinding white and he pulled Legolas right up beside him. "May I introduce you to Legolas Thranduilion, Crown Prince of Eryn Lasgalen. I am afraid that you caught his attention earlier tonight and he has been distracted since. I could not let him leave the room tonight without meeting your acquaintance."
Legolas felt the blood rush up into his cheeks as the sparkling blue eyes turned to his face and a bright smile was directed towards him. He took the slightest moment to steady himself inwardly before catching one of her delicate hands gently with his own, raising it in order to press his lips to the back of her hand in a courtly manner. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Milady," he said politely, hoping fervently that he did not sound too forward, he would hate himself if he offended her on their first true meeting.
He felt a small smile spread across his face as she laughed gently at his greeting before her musical voice sounded happily, "The pleasure is all mine, Prince. I hope that you and I have the chance to become friends during your stay. But I must request that you call me by my name, I require no formalities."
"I will call you by your name if you shall call me by mine," Legolas offered, cheeks remaining colored as his mind began to imagine what his name would sound like passing through her perfect lips.
She smiled more widely and bubbled, "As you wish." She then turned away and began to walk away. He perceived this action to be her rejecting him due to his request. The happiness that he had felt began to drain from his heart and his gaze dropping to the floor to hide his disappointment. "Oh and Legolas," his ears perked back up again and he looked up back at her face which held a playful look. "I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow." She then walked out of the hall.
Legolas's face split into the widest smile he had ever had on his fair features and he hugged Glorfindel in his excitement. "Thank you, Glorfindel!" he exclaimed before running off to the gardens to exclaim his delight to the stars. He then sat beneath their beauty, too excited about the next day to retreat to his rooms for rest just yet. He wondered the paths for a long while, sharing his elation with the trees before dropping down to lie upon thick, long grass growing upon a small hill. He whispered, "Inwë…" to the stars before drifting into elven dreams that featured her fair figure walking along his reverie's paths.
A/N: I'm back and so are updates! Sorry for the delay, but school comes first and hiking through the hills, mountains, and plains all day does not give any time for the writing and posting of stories. Please review to let me know what you think, good or bad!
