We are (hopefully) close to being back on schedule! I should have a relatively normal life for the next couple of months, so expect pretty regular updates. If I have time, I might upload another chapter this weekend, so I can go back to updating normally on Saturdays or Sundays.
Thank you so much WoodElfJedi, emlaba, and ThranduilLoveX for your reviews! I really appreciate your feedback and ideas.
The day of the Winter Formal finally arrived. Tauriel couldn't remember an event that had been the cause of so much chaos-except perhaps the attacked patrol. But this was an altogether different kind of chaos-a great kind.
The snowstorm had hit as promised, dumping almost a foot of snow onto the forest. Thankfully, no one had gotten stranded in a snowbank or starved because of a lack of food. Within a day, the palace and the forest marketplace had been up and running and most of the forest residents had been able to move on-although they had to be careful to avoid patches of ice and branches hung low with loose snow. Amlis had passed under a tree at the wrong moment and had gotten snow all the way down his tailcoat. Tauriel had been suitably horrified and said all the right things in all the right places, but she'd had to try very hard to stop herself from laughing. She'd managed to succeed-but only just.
There was a loud knock on her bedroom door. "Tauriel! We need to go!"
"Coming, coming!" Tauriel was in a frenzy, examining her dress from every possible angle and making sure it wouldn't trip her up. She was also trying to coax her hair back into its customary braids-all the moisture in the air had driven it almost out of control.
She heard Raena sigh impatiently on the other side of the door. "Hurry up! You know they close the doors promptly at half past seven!"
Tauriel managed to tie off her braid and sighed in relief. The last thing she wanted was for Raena to get upset with her tonight of all nights. It was supposed to be a happy night, and she was looking forward to having a few hours where all she had to worry about was whether or not she would be able to find a partner for each dance. "Almost ready!" She threw on her cloak, stuffed her invitation into one of its deep pockets, and practically bolted for the door.
Raena was waiting in the deserted hallway, fingering the hem of her own cape almost nervously. "Do you have your invitation?"
"Of course. Do you?"
"I think so." She was now trying to button her own cape but her fingers were shaking so much that the holes kept missing their marks.
Tauriel rolled her eyes. "Let me help." Quickly, she buttoned the two buttons Raena hadn't been able to get and they began the short walk to the palace.
Tauriel instantly knew when they were getting close. The hangings on the walls became more and more elaborate and the walls themselves began to look less and less stained. It was clear that this was a part of the building where people paid attention to their surroundings; where things were judged by beauty and not efficiency. She also remembered ruefully that the last time she had passed through this hallway had been the day of her narrow return to the Guard building, dripping water from her little 'swim'.
They reached the palace gates at twenty five minutes after the hour. Amlis checked them in, smirking as he marked their names off the guest list. "You were almost late."
"But we weren't." Tauriel replied.
Amlis laughed. "That's right. May I take your coat?"
"You are such a gentleman, are you not?" Tauriel stepped out of her cloak and handed it to him to put away, as did Raena. She felt strange wearing a dress, almost as though she were exposed. She knew there was no reason for her to feel endangered-especially not tonight. There would be guards at every entrance and exit to the palace. It would be impossible for anything to get in or out unless it had express permission to do so from the royal family. Nothing would ruin tonight-the one night the palace opened its doors.
"I suppose so. Have a good night, ladies." He headed off a side passage, probably to a coat closet. Tauriel noted that he really seemed to be enjoying himself.
They went farther into the palace, hearing the strains of music coming from the ballroom. Tauriel could pick out familiar reels and waltzes from the days when she'd been forced against her will to take dancing lessons. She'd complained as much as she could safely get away with, but she still could dance in almost any style if she really had to.
Like tonight.
Raena was still shaking like a leaf in a gale-force wind. Unlike Tauriel, she actually enjoyed dancing and dressing up-and, also unlike Tauriel, she was still nervous. "You aren't going to faint on me, are you?" Tauriel asked quickly.
She shook her head, still seeming to be in another world. "I hope not."
"You'll do great. You know how to dance, even better than I do."
"What if I don't get any partners?"
"Well, you already have one confirmed. Anyway, you'll have an easier time of it than I will-and I know I'll be asked for a few dances."
Raena still didn't look appeased, but she'd lost her scared rabbit look, which Tauriel took as a personal victory.
Just then, they reached the dance floor. It consisted of a wide open space with a polished dance floor of white marble that had been cleaned until it was so shiny you could see your reflection in it as you danced. A band sat in one corner, playing on lutes and harps. A refreshments table had been set up in another corner, covered with all manner of foreign delicacies. Tauriel planned to visit it at least once over the course of the night-she hadn't eaten much at the evening meal. Most of the guests had already arrived, swirling around the floor in pairs or occasionally dancing alone. Elves from all social casts mingled, from the nobility to merchants to the Guard. Tauriel even saw a few palace servants, although she barely recognized them in their formal wear.
"Well, I suppose this is it." she said, eyeing the floor uneasily. "I will meet you at the front gate at the end of the ball."
Raena nodded, twining her hands together nervously. "You'll be nearby, right?"
"Of course. I'm not going to desert you, if that's what you mean."
"No, I-"
"Stop. You will be fine. Enjoy yourself, Raena. Opportunities like this come around only once a year, after all."
She smiled-finally. "You're right, Tauriel. Thank you."
Just then, a member of the Guard that Tauriel recognized but couldn't name stepped in front of Raena and bowed so low his braids almost swept the ground. "May I have this dance?"
"You may." Together, they practically glided off to join the dancing couples.
Tauriel made herself comfortable in a corner with a good view of the dancing. This is going to be a long night.
She hadn't been observing long when Riendel came over to her, out of breath from a lively reel. He was beaming as he pulled something out from behind his back-a single rose. He presented it to Tauriel with his eyes downcast, as if he were afraid to look at her. "I…I brought this for you."
She was touched. "Riendel…thank you. It's beautiful." She held it almost like it was a baby-fragile and breakable. "I love it."
He pulled her onto the dance floor, dodging dancing couples. "So," he said once they'd gotten into the swing of a stately waltz. "How are things in the Guard?"
"Pretty good. I'm not getting called out for bad form all the time. That's an improvement, at least."
"I would say so. You must be proud." Ten applicants were accepted into the Guard each year. Tauriel had been extremely lucky, getting in on her first try. Some, like Riendel, tried for years and years but still ended up getting cut from the team.
"I am. Don't worry. I'm sure you will get your chance soon enough."
He shrugged, obviously past caring. "I am beginning to think that the Guard isn't for me. I have been thinking about pursuing a new career goal."
Tauriel supposed she had expected nothing less, but the news still felt like a punch to the gut. If Riendel chose a new track of study, he'd be so busy that she'd be able to see him even less than she already did-which was practically never. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I…I think I want to brew wine."
"Oh. Well, good for you then. Good for taking that first step."
He nodded. "I just…I just thought you should know."
"I'm glad you told me."
"I mean, we can still see each other on the weekends…holidays…if you have a day off or something-"
"Yeah. We'll make time. We always have."
They finished the dance and danced another in awkward silence. There wasn't much left to say, it seemed like. Finally, Tauriel steered them over to the side of the floor, where she curtsied to him and said "Thank you for the dance."
"It was my pleasure. Happy holidays, Tauriel."
"You too." As she watched him disappear into the crowd, her heart almost twisted painfully-or it would have, if she'd been romantically inclined in any way, shape, or form. As it was, she went to get a glass of extremely diluted wine. She'd never liked the real thing.
She met up with a few of her other friends from the Guard and they talked a little bit about their new post assignments for the New Year. Tauriel's number of patrols had almost doubled, which she supposed was a good thing-although it meant a lot more work for her. However, she didn't mind-she relished any chance to get into the forest and off the beaten paths. But after a while they found other partners or drifted away until she was alone again. Tauriel didn't think much of it. She'd always been that way during formal dances-as sad as it was, she preferred people watching to actually dancing. It didn't matter whether or not she was able to find a partner.
"Are you daydreaming?"
She (practically) jumped a foot in the air. Legolas had somehow appeared next to her. She didn't know how he'd been able to sneak up on her, but there he was.
"No. Shouldn't you be dancing?"
He shrugged, watching the dancers with interest. "Most likely. Shouldn't you?"
"Maybe. Have you danced with Raena yet?"
"She's too busy. I am having trouble getting even a word in edgewise, much less asking her for a dance."
"Go ask her. She's been looking forward to it all week."
"I will-after this song. After this song I'll find a way over to her-somehow."
Tauriel smirked. "Are you having a good time?"
"Of course. It has been wonderful to have the palace gates open. I would love to meet more of my subjects…if only Adar did not have the gates shut all the time."
Tauriel didn't envy him. She didn't think she'd be able to stand being shut inside the palace, while around her the forest was green and teeming with new life. "Maybe he will change."
"I doubt it. He hasn't been the same, not since Naneth died." He sighed and shook his head. "Enough. This is not a sad occasion. We should be celebrating." He extended a hand to her. "Would you care to dance?"
"Right now?"
"Well, why not?"
"I don't know. It just seems-"
"Sudden?" Legolas cocked his head just slightly, trying to find his place in the music. "The song has barely started yet. We have plenty of time."
Tauriel tried to put words to her thoughts. "Wouldn't you rather dance with-"
"Tauriel, I would like to dance with a friend."
She bit her lip and took his outstretched hand, hoping she wasn't shaking. Oh, Raena; if only you could see me now.
The couples seemed to part before them and Tauriel could feel dozens of pairs of eyes boring into her back. However, that didn't matter as they started to dance and she was too busy worrying about where to put her feet.
Then she realized she didn't have to. Legolas led her through set after set, always keeping up with her and making sure they were on beat. He showed her where to set her feet and corrected her if she got confused, always moving ahead, ready to get her through the upcoming sequences of steps and turns. It was an altogether different experience than dancing with Riendel; Legolas was more graceful and polished. He didn't just dance once or twice a year; he was a true professional.
Tauriel was almost sad when the song ended and Legolas left her at the side of the dance floor with a "Thank you for this dance." She didn't move for a few minutes after that, watching him leave. He was so calm, so self-assured. It seemed that he never got nervous, never had problems. He was as in his element here as he was out in the forest, or in the training center before the rest of the world even though about starting the day. Of course, Tauriel knew better. Legolas had pressures anyone else could only dream of, burdens he constantly had to carry, and a father who was distant and sometimes demanding. He was just able to hide his worries better than most.
And she would be there for him, if she could.
He glanced back at her once or twice and waved, always making his way steadily to Raena. Finally, Tauriel saw them have a moment for themselves, saw Legolas ask, and then saw them take their places on the dance floor. They were both wonderful dancers, never putting a step wrong-as far as she could see. It almost felt strange watching them, like she was on the outside looking in. For as long as she could remember it had always been her, Legolas, and Raena. It never changed-until now, when nothing was the same anymore.
She danced with a few more people before the night was through and she had to meet Raena at the door. She was so tired she could fall asleep on her feet, worn out from dancing and polite conversation.
Finally, Raena came up to her almost glowing. "How was your night?" she asked as they waited for their cloaks.
"It was…nice." Tauriel wanted to tell her about her dance with Legolas, but she couldn't seem to find the words. Some things she wanted to keep private-at least for now. "How about you? How was your dance?"
Raena's eyes immediately seemed to glaze over. In different circumstances, if Tauriel hadn't been so tired, she might have laughed. "It was…amazing."
"Tell me about it. All about it. Every single little detail."
"Are you sure you won't be bored?"
"No, it's fine. I saw bits and pieces of it. It looked wonderful, just so you know."
"All right…" Raena started to talk and Tauriel tried to listen to her, but it was hard to focus. The very air of the great hall was starting to make her nod off and it was harder than ever for her to stay awake.
Finally, Amlis came back with their cloaks. "Have a good dance?" he asked.
Tauriel glanced at Raena, who still seemed to be glowing. "Yeah, I think we did." She knew she had, for one. It had been nice to see Riendel again, if nothing else.
And a few of her dances had felt…magical. Not just the one with Legolas, but a few others-most with members of the Guard she barely knew. And yet, why had she enjoyed those more than she'd enjoyed the ones with Riendel himself-the person who was supposed to be her boyfriend when the notion struck him?
Listen to yourself, Tauriel. Thinking nonsense again. You must really be tired.
"Raena?"
"Yes?"
Tauriel cleared her throat, unwilling to say what she knew had to be said. They had almost reached the Guard building and she was about half awake. Thank goodness we don't have training tomorrow. "If I ever say that formals are boring…just say that I am wrong. Alright?"
Raena laughed. "As you wish. So, you had a good time?"
"Better than I thought I would have."
"Me too."
They went their separate ways. Tauriel knew that whatever would happen in the coming months, whatever disasters would occur, nothing would take away this night.
Nothing would take away the fact that, for just a few short hours, she'd realized what it felt like to be truly carefree.
And it wasn't exactly a bad feeling.
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