As soon as the morning sun set, Lothlorien was in an excited rush. Servants came rushing in Lelouche's room at daybreak, and quickly got her ready for the days festivities. Several elleth sorted through her clothes, looking for something appropriate to wear, as many others washed, and fixed Lelouche's hair and makeup. As soon as she was dressed, her two personal guards escorted her to the dining hall, where she ate breakfast with Ada, Nana and Lord Elrond. Breakfast was a quiet affair with soft congratulations on her coming of age.
Lelouche quietly excused herself from the table, and was about to walk away when her Ada's voice stopped her.
"Yes?" Lelouche asked turning to look at him. His sky blue eyes so similar to her own twinkled at her softly.
"After the festival I would like to have a word with you in my study."
Lelouche quickly looked at Elrond. Noticing her look, Elrond reassured her. " Don't worry I will be there, as my gift involves what your father has to say."
Lelouche nodded. "I will be there.", she said simply, before walking out of the dining hall. As soon as she left the dining hall, her guards immediately escorted her towards the warden competitions. The warden competitions were where elves who wished to become wardens, compete for the chance to be chosen into the ranks. Many times has Lelouche dreamed of one day doing the same thing. But she had always been to young. Though now she has reached of age, Lelouche still couldn't compete due to the fact, her Ada has forbade it until after her birthday.
By the time she reached the competition, it had already begun. Many young elves were sparring while the marchwardens watched closely. As Lelouche took her seat above the field, she spotted Haldir among the elves on the ground. For almost an hour Lelouche watched the elves competing. She was so entranced by the competition, she didn't notice another person taking a seat beside her, in the royal section.
"Enjoying the show?" A males voice spoke distracting Lelouche. Quickly looking to see who spoke, she noticed Rumil sitting next to her smiling. Rumil is Haldirs younger brother and Lelouche's archery teacher. Because of Rumil, she was the third best archer in Lothlorien, being only Rumil, and her Ada ahead.
Lelouche grinned at his presence, happy to see him. "Yes very... I wish I was down there with them." She said wistfully.
"Do not be so sad, you are now of age. You will be one of those men at the next competition. So enjoy the festival being held in your honor." Realizing something, Lelouche's eyes narrowed at Rumil. "What?"
"Aren't you supposed to be patrolling Lothlorien right now, so nothing goes wrong with the festival?"
Rumil grinned guiltely. "I was but I needed a break, and I saw you, and couldn't help but give you congratulations on becoming fifty years old."
Lelouche laughed, "ok you have congratulated me, now shoo before your dear brother sees you shirking your duties."
"Ok will but you have to promise me something first." Rumil grinned at Lelouche's exasperated expression. "You have to save me a dance tonight."
I smiled softly and nodded.
"Na lû e-groaned vîn Princess." Rumil said bowing lowly
"N'i lû tôl" Lelouche replied watching leave the stand. After his departure Lelouche continued to watch the competition. After what felt like an hour a sentinel came with the message that the feast was about to begin and Lelouche's presence was needed. With one last longing look at the competition, Lelouche left with a sigh.
With each step towards the palace her chest twisted with nervousness. Lelouche scolded herself realizing her weakness. She is a princess, she shouldn't be nervous. She should be a role model. Someone the people look up too. Someone with grace and subtle kindness. Lelouches face scrunched up. She was tired of pretending of being something she wasn't. That was why she wanted to join the wardens. There she wouldn't be some princess with some sort of expectation on behaviour, she could be herself. She felt like as soon as she entered the room she would just disappoint everyone. She wasn't some princess, she was just a small girl with unkempt hair and a dirty face. Worst of all she feared embarrassing herself in front of Elrond. Lelouche stared at the double doors in front of her wearily. They seemed so haunting and foreboding. With a huge deep breath and a surge of her dwindling courage, Lelouche opened the doors.
Light flooded in her vision and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. When they did, Lelouche's breath caught in her throat. The hall was filled with elves from all around middle earth and they were all looking at her. Slowly exhaling, Lelouche quickly walked to the end of the table, to her spot by her ada.
Lord Celeborn smiled proudly at his daughter. Lelouche nervously smiled back. Lady Galadriel stood up and the noise in the room was silenced immediately. The elleth smiled softly and her gray eyes shined with a soft kindness. "I would like to propose a toast to my lellig, Princess Lelouche of Celeborn, on reaching the age of maturity. These past fifty years have been a treasure to me and Celeborn, and i hope to treasure the future too with my dear daughter. Gi mellin." The last statement was directed towards Lelouche. Lelouche smiled softly, silently hoping no one could see the blush staining her fair cheeks. As nana sat down there were several clinks of glasses together, then chatter seemed to fill the dining hall.
"How was the warden competitions?" Lord Celeborn questioned Lelouche with a grin.
Lelouche replied immediately, all signs of embarrassment forgotten. "Oh it was magnificent. The new recruits showed much potential."
"Is that so? And how was Haldir?" Ada inquired chuckling at Lelouche's bubbly excitement.
"Haldir was perfect. He wasn't too lenient and he wasn't too harsh. Rumíl is the one you have to worry about."
"Oh?" Ada arched an eyebrow.
"Yes he decided to shirk his duties just so he could wish me congratulations."
Nana and ada chuckled. Elrond seemingly overhearing the conversation said," Rumíl? Isn't he your archery teacher?"
Lelouche froze and her face immediately started to burn red. Apparently Lady Galadriel took notice of Lelouches state and answered for her, "why yes he is. Thanks to his careful guidance. Lelouche is now one of the top three archers in all of lorien."
"Is that so? That is an amazing feat I would love to see your skills one day princess." Elrond said with an arched eyebrow in disbelief.
"Yes it is amazing." Lord Celeborn agreed as he took a sip of his wine. "And she plans to enter the warden competitions. She hopes to one day be a Marchwarden one day."
"That is impressive but i feel Haldir is too attached to his position. I do not believe he will give it up so easily." Elrond chuckled. Lelouche's cheeks only burned brighter.
"Haha, yes I will not easily leave my position to pennith. But one day she may prove worthy of it yet." Haldir said suddenly from behind. Lelouche looked up and saw Haldir smirking down at her. "But that will be after she grows some." Lelouche glared at Haldir but he only chuckled and ruffled her hair before taking the seat to her right, across from Elrond.
After that the conversation seemed to fade as Haldir drew Lelouche's attention. I am such an idiot she thought. She couldn't speak to him and she basically made a fool of herself.
"Breathe pennith." Haldir whispered in her ear, and touched her shoulder comfortingly.
