Chapter 4
"Really, I have no idea why you never drink wine, Prince Legolas!" cheered one of my elven friends, Rhilen. Well...frankly, every elf is my friend, as my father said before, I was just that friendly. The whole room was celebrating the rising of the stars, our usual round of holidays and drinking was always a time to rejoice in, since my father was usually so strict and didn't allow any time for silly things.
I sat in my chair calmly, watching as my elves hooted and drank rounds and rounds. We weren't as wild as dwarves, yet in holidays...many elves got very drunk. Me? Wine and beer were never pleasantries to me, so I ate some fruit instead. Yet, as my mind and body forced me to enjoy the fun and joy that was spreading across the kingdom, I could only think about my father talking to Thorin Oakenshield. I wonder what they might say to each other. And I wonder, if Tauriel has told my father her report. For six hundred years, father has favored her as an elvish woman, yet with her sudden, strange bond with that archer dwarf...things could change. She seemed to always get in trouble, and sometimes...it was me who had to be involved.
I turned around, trying to act as if I was actually enjoying, not thinking. I smiled at my crowd of friends, "Well, I suppose you all know how I am not so fond of wine or beer...they aren't very satisfying, I only drink if I need to. Being drunk was never my forte."
Roaring laughs stretch through the room and another friend, Fëdu, grins holding a cup of beer and dumping it down. "Oh, so I suppose our dear Prince Legolas is so regal and prince-like that he can't even drink one teensy cup of beer!"
Laughing continued. Lethfan my other friend, laughed the loudest. "Oh, and he's so pure, that his very breath smells of flowers!"
Roaring laughter spread and I shook my head, chuckling. I knew they meant no harm...that they are only teasing and admiring me. "Well, smelling of flowers isn't so bad, isn't it? It's better than your mouth smelling of mud!"
A round of 'oohs' spread around and more laughter and Lethfan did a face as if he were really insulted. I knew he was gone, over and dreaming drunk but well...I suppose I would let them enjoy. I scanned the room, full of warriors and several high-ranking officers. I took my time to greet everybody since I am a prince and I have manners but then realize this: Tauriel isn't here.
Tauriel never drinks like I do, yet she always comes. I dunno...does something, occasionally dances which is one very awkward sight but she always comes. It's an elvish custom...we never miss tradition. Where in the heavens is she? Ugh...spinning some trouble? Probably. Eavesdropping? Maybe. Either choice was not good. Besides, it was already night, the stars were rising and we could see the light and hope the stars gave to us. For a while, we watched as the night shone and silence came to us all. It was too late to be reporting to my father, wasn't it?
After a silence of admiring the stars, I looked at my friends. "Please excuse me."
"Where are you going, Prince Legolas?" asked Khanmel innocently. "We have not yet seen a comet yet...those are the best and they always come very beautiful during holidays."
"Indeed, it is known," the others said.
"I'll be back in a few minutes," I said. "I just have to do something quick...erm, I have to find Tauriel."
"Finding Tauriel, huh Prince Legolas?" Varrhir asked. Then snickering spread throughout the room along with little smiles, whispers and loud laughs.
"Yes," I said frowning at them. "I'm going to find Tauriel, she never misses the comets and loves them as much as we do. What is so funny?"
I knew they were covering themselves from laughing and continuing their snickers since they were also polite to the king's son, but finally, Ethriel was able to control himself to say, "Nothing Prince Legolas, we all agree it's a great idea to find Tauriel."
Some snickers followed but I shrugged them off as I walked down the stairs. The maze of floors and bridges were familiar under my comfortable step. I wouldn't want to disturb father and that Oakenshield, so I went down into the dungeons. Maybe a round of checking my prisoners would help ease my worries about Tauriel and that is when I saw the most horrifying thing in history.
Tauriel was there, yes...that was good but she was talking to that dwarf! THAT DWARF! Our feuds go millions of years ago with roaring, bloody wars and hear she is, pleasantly chatting with this vile creature as if they were in a simple picnic! I stand at the edge of the corner of a road branch, staring at them, my face cold, hard and emotionless. Gravely, I listened to Tauriel tell the dwarf about our customs and festivities. I supposed they had already presented themselves for they talked comfortably. A strange tinge of emotion bubbled inside me. Tauriel and I had been friends for six hundred years yet we had never talked like that, never so comfortably, and she had never smiled at me like that. A smile so pure, so radiant and so happy. She even looked slightly drunk and giddy.
I sighed softly, and gravely looked upon them. There was nothing I could do, could I? Ruining their 'little moment' would be something rude and...I was a prince. Despite the strange, unidentified feeling I had inside me, I was polite and I was good-hearted. I was Legolas Greenleaf, Legolas Thranduilion. Even though I wasn't Thalen, the crown prince and heir...I was still a prince. So in grave, cold spirits, I turned my back to Tauriel and archer dwarf, and walked back to the festivities.
My father taught me to lie at an early age so lying to my friends was easy. They believed me quick, with only a drop of suspicion in them but they had no idea of the gut-dropping feeling I had right now. But I was fine...emotions should only affect me, not them. Worrying them would ruin all the festivities, and I didn't want to do that.
Comets flew and stars shone and for once, I was sort of relieved. Happy really and the mood stayed merry until morning, where we all remained laughing and some singing. Tauriel had not come at all, which was surprising and despite the fact that I had enjoyed our festival...I still didn't forget what Tauriel did.
In daylight, work started. At night we might have partied but it wa time to regain consciousness and go back to work. Or whatever we needed to do. The first place I went was the archery range, they had some moving targets there. Even though I had completely mastered the art of archery...practice was good. I shot and shot, hitting the targets well enough when suddenly, the great horns rung.
And what did those horns mean? They meant danger.
AN: Hahaha...I'll need some help to remember some specific fight scenes onwards but I suppose I'm trying my best, am I not? Comment constructive reviews! :)
