lotrjesusfreak: I'm glad you think they are so cute together!

20JenWinchester12: Thanks for the review!


Chapter 11

Iasbelin gripped tightly to Legolas as the herald began calling the names of the important guests. The announcement started with the Captain of the Guard and his wife. The Captain was a tall, muscular, golden haired ellon by the name of Marandir. His wife, Beleth, was coveted for her beauty and charm. It was said that she was the the most beautiful elleth in all of the Woodland Realm. Iasbelin had met Marandir during formal occasions of the Guard. Marandir had held Halchon in a very high respect.

Next the King's Chief Advisor, Tararan, strode into the festival with his wife on his arm. He was a scholarly looking Elf who had his years of wisdom written on his face. He was at least thirty times older than Iasbelin and Legolas combined. He was older than Thranduil himself. He had the King's undying trust and friendship.

Iasbelin took a deep breath because she knew the next people to be called were her and Legolas. She gripped his arm tightly and he smiled down at her.

"It is not as bad as it looks." Legolas assured.

"Maybe for you." Iasbelin countered. As soon as the Elves had stopped clapping for Tararan the herald announced the two.

"Iasbelin Amrodiel escorted by Legolas Thranduilion, Prince of Mirkwood." He bellowed. Iasbelin felt Legolas pull her along. They walked through the break in some trees and into the main feasting area. She heard the crowd clap but she knew they were talking. Her Elven ears could pick up their whispers.

'Why is he with her?'

'Is she not the crazy one?'

'I thought she had already sailed or faded from Middle Earth.'

'Perhaps he is just being kind and does not want to injury her fragile mental state.'

Iasbelin could hear all of these things being said and she knew Legolas could too. Legolas kept his head fixed forward and ignored the whispers around him. He pulled Iasbelin closer to him and held her tightly. Iasbelin took another deep breath and tried to imitate Legolas' demeanor.

Iasbelin was relieved when they reached the head table and sat down in their respective chairs. She was still gripping tightly onto Legolas' arm and it was only when he cleared his throat that she realized. She blushed and quickly pulled her arm away from him. Legolas snickered and leaned down to whisper something in her ear.

"I heard them talking just the same as you did. Do not worry about them. I have learned to ignore them long ago." Legolas advised. Iasbelin nodded quietly and turned her attention to the King and Queen who were taking their seats. Legolas nodded his head to his father and mother before they sat down. Adiual leaned her head forward and talked across her husband and son.

"Hello, my dear. I am Adiual." She greeted. Iasbelin smiled back softly. She had the same eyes as her mother. "It is so nice to see Legolas with an elleth. It seems that all he does now is train. You are the first elleth he has let me within a mile of." She smiled. Iasbelin smiled brighter now. She liked Legolas' mother she was warm and comical. Legolas simply scowled and tried to ignore her.

"My dear, you are going to scare her away." Thranduil said to his wife. He turned his head towards Iasbelin. "Merry meet, Iasbelin Amrodiel. I was wondering when Legolas would let me meet you." He smiled kindly. Legolas was growing irritated with his parents and the food arrived just in time so that the conversation could cease for the time being.

The dinner conversation was polite and consisted of most of Iasbelin's life story being extracted by Legolas' mother. Legolas rolled his eyes the entire meal and Thranduil just sat quietly and let his wife chatter. Iasbelin found Adiual charming and motherly. She missed her mother so dearly and so desperately needed someone to fill that void. After about a half an hour of eating Elves began to fill the dance floor and the band began to play a lively song. Legolas was relieved when there was enough couples on the floor so that he could easily disappear from his parents. Between his mother's questions he turned to Isabelin.

"Would you care to dance?" Legolas asked. Iasbelin looked back to Adiual and smiled at Legolas knowingly.

"I would love to, Your Highness." Iasbelin replied. Legolas stood up and offered her his hand and she took it gratefully. He led her done to the dance floor and seamlessly pulled her into sync with the rest of the couples on the floor.

"You are a good dancer." Iasbelin smiled, trying to ignore the stares she was getting.

"My mother insisted that I learn." Legolas replied.

"I like you mother. She is very sweet." Iasbelin stated. Legolas laughed slightly.

"I would not use sweet. I would use nosy, chatterbox, and overbearing." Legolas sighed. Iasbelin looked down at her feet and back up to Legolas.

"I would give anything to have a mother who wanted to know the life story of every ellon I brought home." She stated. Legolas realized his error and looked at her with sad eyes.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to remind you of that." He apologized. The entire time they talked Legolas led them around the dance floor gracefully without missing a beat.

"All is forgiven." Iasbelin replied. Legolas could see the Iasbelin he had pulled away from the funeral in her eyes at that moment.

"You are doing well are you not?" He asked warily.

"Of course I am. I have come to terms with all of it." Iasbelin lied again. Legolas looked at her sternly, he had nothing other than her word to go off of. The song changed to a slower one and Legolas adjusted their position to compensate for the song change. He held Iasbelin very close as the song played.

"I don't want to lose you to insanity or depression. You have become a constant in my life. A distraction from the monogamous court life I am forced to endure." Legolas admitted. Iasbelin smiled sadly.

"You will not lose me to either of those." Iasbelin said. This time the statement was true, technically.

"Good." Legolas smiled. The song ended and Iasbelin asked if they could go sit back down. Legolas looked up to the head table and found that his parents were not there so he nodded and led her back up to the table.

"Thank you for inviting me to this. It is a wonderful celebration." Iasbelin said as they sat down.

"It was my honor to escort you." Legolas smiled. "Tomorrow I will compete in the archery competition. I would ask the honor of wearing your favor during it." Legolas asked. Iasbelin smiled.

"Of course, my Prince." Iasbelin laughed.

"And you will accompany me to the rest of the feasts and dances?" Legolas asked.

"Only if we don't have to stay the entire time." Iasbelin laughed.

"Now, that I can agree on whole heartily." Legolas replied. He raised his glass of wine to her and she did the same.

The two of them mingled with the courtiers and danced the rest of the night. The party was only half way over when Iasbelin knew she was growing tired of formal introductions and dancing. She pulled Legolas behind the head table where none of the rude courtesans could eavesdrop.

"Do you remember when you promised to show me the Library?" Iasbelin asked.

"Yes." Legolas replied.

"I grow tired of the party." Iasbelin smiled. Legolas smiled back excitedly. Only they could be excited in pouring over volumes of books for hours on end and discussing them with each other. It was a favorite past time of there's and Legolas had always promised to show Iasbelin the vast Mirkwood Library.

"Then come with me." Legolas replied. He grabbed her hand and expertly maneuvered them around the clearing so none of the Elves could see them leave.

Only Adiual had caught a glimpse of her son and his date leaving hand-in-hand from the party. She smiled and pointed the two out to Thranduil.

"At least he is looking for a wife." He huffed.

"I do not think he is even looking. I think the Valar have just put those two together in the right place at the right time." She replied.


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