A/N: Okay, it has been more than a week since I last updated my story. Sorry about that, I was away from home and didn't have any time to write. I will try to update once a week in the future, but I cannot make any promises.

Anyway, here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

After Elrond had spoken, the feast resumed in its usual rhythm. The elves didn't eat much, although there was plenty of food on the table. Eating just wasn't the main reason for having a feast, conversation was. There was no better place to meet new people than a well-organized party where the music was playing, people were dancing and wine was flowing. And the feast in Imladris could definitely be considered well-organized.

Right on clock, when Elrond's speech ended, the last beams of sunlight reflected from the chandelier and the candles were lit as the gentle darkness of a spring night wrapped the valley in its embrace. Then the musicians began their performance, quietly at first, but then growing louder as the first elves started dancing, swinging lightly in the rhythm of the music. Others, those not so keen on moving just yet, stayed at their tables, talking and drinking. Young women, that hadn't yet found a husband, were discreetly looking around, trying to hide their eagerness to be noticed and asked for a dance. It was an old elven custom for men to ask a woman to dance and for that reason quite a few women hadn't had much luck with finding a partner, especially if they didn't know anyone who could introduce them.

Namiriel was also sitting at the table, but not because nobody had asked her to dance. She had had one dance with her brother and a few more with elves she didn't know very well, but now she was again sitting on a chair, trying to look like she was intently listening to the conversation at the table. In reality, her eyes wandered around the room, trying to grasp everything that was going on. There was Thannor on the far side of the room, drinking wine with some of his friends. She saw Elrond dancing with his wife and Círdan, who was speaking to another elf. From his clothes, Namiriel could gather that the elf was from Lórien, but that was all she knew about him. Arwen was also dancing with someone near the musicians, but Namiriel couldn't exactly see who it was.

Suddenly, she noticed Thannor standing up, telling something to his friends and starting to walk towards her. From his confident gait and determined expression, it was obvious that he was going to ask her to dance. And Namiriel already knew what she was going to answer.

"Lady Namiriel, would you do me the honor and dance with me," Thannor said and bowed. Namiriel sweetly smiled back at him and said: "It would be my pleasure." She took his hand and they walked to the dance floor, just as a new tune was beginning. It was cheerful and light. Thannor pulled her closer to his side and put his hand around her waist. His grip around her was strong and firm and Namiriel was glad to notice that he was a really good dancer. He could feel the rhythm of the music, his movement being precisely in the pace. The dance was fairly fast with many swirls and a bit of skipping, the rhythm being a little polka-like. This didn't leave much chance for a conversation and in a way Namiriel was glad that she didn't have to talk to him. So she could just relax and enjoy his company.

When the dance ended, Thannor exclaimed, panting a little: "Elo! We probably got the fastest dance of the whole night."

"I think you can be sure about that," Namiriel laughed. They began walking back to their places at the table and Thannor asked: "How do you like the party so far?"

Namiriel swirled happily and said: "It has been quite a bit of fun. I have met so many new people and everyone is so beautiful and nice like the flowers in spring!" Then she added: "But unfortunately I haven't had the chance to dance very much."

"Oh? In that case would you have another dance with me?" Thannor asked cheerfully.

"Perhaps that can wait," another voice said from behind him, making both of them turn around startled. Seeing who it was, Thannor quickly bowed and Namiriel curtsied.

"My king, I…" Thannor started, but Thranduil calmly ignored him, slightly bowed to Namiriel and said: "Lady Namiriel, would you dance with me?"

"Gladly," She answered, overcoming her surprise, and took the king's hand. She went with him to the dance floor and left Thannor standing there, quite perplexed.

A new tune had begun. It was significantly slower than the last one and the couples were moving in a circle. Thranduil and Namiriel held their hands and joined the others, moving along the line of dance with a lightly hopping step. The closest equivalent would probably be the Ländler, an Austrian folk dance.

"I am sorry if I startled you back there," Thranduil told her, although he did not look very sorry.

"There is no need for an apology, I just did not expect a king to ask me for a dance," Namiriel answered.

"And why not, if I may ask?" he said with a smirk.

"I…," Namiriel started, but didn't know what to answer. Thranduil laughed and changed his grip, putting his hands on her waist as they danced forward. His hold was gentler than Thannor's, but firm nevertheless. Namiriel felt an ineffable sense of safety in his arms, as if she couldn't fall as long as he was holding her. This made her gain a sense of confidence, but it also frightened her to feel so comfortable between the arms of someone she barely knew, especially since that someone was a king. Like Thannor, Thranduil was also a very good dancer, but his step was lighter and his bearing was statelier.

Namiriel decided to change the subject of their conversation and said: "Imladris is quite beautiful at this time of the year."

"Yes, very beautiful. While I personally prefer rustling forests to the bleak and high mountains, it would be nice to wander around the countryside near Imladris," Thranduil spoke thoughtfully. Namiriel's eyes began to shine and she said: "I am going riding tomorrow, if you wish, you could accompany me, my king."

"I am afraid that is impossible. We are leaving early tomorrow and I cannot spend more time here than necessary," he said wistfully.

"Oh, then I must wish you a nice journey," she regretfully uttered.

"Thank you," he said. They swirled around each other and when Namiriel looked at him, she could see him gently looking at her. There was no trace of his previous sternness. Why such a sudden change of mood,Namiriel thought, but did not dare to ask.

When the dance had ended and everyone had clapped, Thranduil said: "You have been blessed with a sense of music, my lady. It was a pleasure to dance with you."

"And you, my king," Namiriel answered, "are a very fine dancer as well."

"I have had a lot of time to practice," he said with a smirk. "I wish you a pleasant evening and I hope to meet you again," Thranduil told her and bowed. Namiriel curtsied, politely lowering her head, and when she looked back up, the king was nowhere to be seen.

She went back to Thannor, who was sitting at the table with a displeased look.

"The king didn't want to dance any more?" He asked, pretending like he didn't care.

"Please, Thannor. You know as well as I do that I couldn't have refused," she said sitting down beside him.

"No, you couldn't. But he also needn't have treated me like a lowly silvan elf."

Namiriel remained silent for a moment. Thannor was right, the king hadn't been very polite with him, but yet she knew that he hadn't meant any disrespect. Thannor was, after all, a commoner, unlike her.

"Come, forget about it. Let's dance," Namiriel told him cheerfully and they went back to the dance floor.

The party went on went on for a long while, even when the musicians got tired, the people still continued celebrating as long as the wine was flowing and the first morning light touched the peaks of the Misty Mountains.

A/N: "Elo!" means something like "wow!" in elvish, for those of you who are wondering.

As always, I appreciate both positive and negative feedback!