A Ball and...
"The first question I ask myself when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is why do I think it's not beautiful. And very shortly you discover that there is no reason."
-John Cage
There were a few lights on in Nancy's apartment giving it a dull but comfortable glow. It was silent throughout the apartment seeing as it was well into the night. Peaceful slumber had laid its blanket over Nancy's place and everything seemed frozen in time. Nancy slept soundlessly after the long day of shopping she had. Spending time with Edward's niece had been what she expected, which was fun, but she never expected to find out so much about Lizzy.
That teenager was a flower just waiting to blossom and once she did, the world would be want to have a glimpse. She worried about her though. How things that should have been small like shopping at the mall, she made sort of a big deal over. Lizzy made things greater than what they were. Nancy felt the need to express her concern to Ed, but felt it wasn't her place to. It wasn't her place to pass judgment or act as a parent. All she was to do was watch over the girl until her uncle came back.
The phone next to her bedside rang loudly, bringing Nancy from slumber. She rolled over and groggily reached for the phone.
"Hel-hello?"
The sound of her boyfriend's voice greeted her ears.
"Nan, I'm sorry to wake you so early. God, what is it, two in the morning there?"
Nancy breathed in and rubbed her eyes. She leaned in closer to the nightstand to read the digital clock there. Green numbers blared 2:30.
"Mmmhm, two thirty to be exact. Not that I'm not happy you called but-"
"But it's early. I just called to tell you that we closed things and I've got the job."
Nancy stood from her bed, relief hitting her as he told her the good news. It was exactly the sort of thing he needed. Now perhaps his and Lizzy's life would move further.
"Really now? That's wonderful. So when are you coming back?" Nancy walked barefoot from her room to the kitchen. She cradled the phone on her shoulder as she opened the refrigerator and peered in.
"I should be coming home sometime tomorrow evening. I've got some um- legal work to look up."
There was a certain tone in Ed's voice that she picked up on but did not know what to make of it. Finding nothing she wanted in the fridge she closed it and with kneaded eyebrows asked whether of not everything was all right.
"Fine. Everything is just fine," Ed answered. "I should be asking you the same question. I know-" he paused as if trying to bring himself to say the next words. "Lizzy can be a handful." He hated to think about his niece but Nancy did not know the true nature of his and Lizzy's relationship.
Nancy walked down the hall of her cozy little loft and peered into the room that accommodated her guest. The door made a small insignificant creak but did not wake the sleeper. Lizzy appeared to be in a very deep restful sleep. She lay curled in a fetal position with the blankets drawn over her shoulders. Right now, she couldn't see how Lizzy was what Ed said as a handful.
"Ed, Lizzy has been anything but a handful," Nancy turned away from the door and whispered into the phone. A smile plastered itself on her face as she remembered the day she had with Lizzy.
"Well...yeah okay. You know this call is costing me about probably two dollars a minute."
She stopped herself from letting out a loud guffaw and moved away from the sleeping teenager.
"You're funny but I'll let you go. Just know that Lizzy is fine. Ed, I know you're worried about her but she's almost eighteen."
Nancy walked across the living room, trying to sound a little more serious. She felt that maybe Ed wasn't giving her enough space to grow into herself, which was, she figured, the reason for her behavior. Maybe with the death of her family, Ed had taken Lizzy and become too protective of her.
What Lizzy needed was a chance to let her true colors reign in. Ed quickly made up the excuse that someone was at his door. Did she buy it? Of course not. She knew when to recognize a hasty brush off. Without a proper good bye she pressed the end button on the cordless.
She was a bit aggravated by Ed not showing concern for Lizzy. The phone was tossed onto the couch. Nancy crossed her arms deciding against going back to bed. There was no way she was going back to sleep when her mind kept thinking about the teenager just in the other room.
But why did this girl consume her thoughts all of a sudden or matter so much to her at all? Perhaps there was something there in Lizzy. Something in Lizzy that went undetectable and made you want to care about her.
"So lemme get this straight. Thranduil puts on a huge ball every year so elf boy might find some girl? Well, that's gotta be humiliating."
In a robe, sitting in front of the vanity while Ellesa did her hair was Lizzy. It was a surprise to Lizzy that Ellesa and herself had spent most of the day in her room preparing for the ball. For Lizzy, it had been boring as hell getting primed up for this thing, but she coped, just liked she did when she spent time alone in her uncle's house. At least it was a different type of bored. At least there was no anxiety attached to this boredom...well a little but not a lot.
Ellesa parted Lizzy's hair with a fine comb and laughed heartily. She had to grip the back of Lizzy's chair for a minute to gain composure.
"It-It goes unsaid." Ellesa struggled between breaths. "The king, he hosts these balls hoping that some fair maiden will steal Legolas' eye and put his future forward. Everyone knows it but no one speaks of it."
"So why doesn't he just pick someone," Lizzy leaned forward and took a jar from the vanity's surface. Unscrewing the lid, she expected to hear some fairytale garble goop.
Ellesa shook her head. "Finding ones life partner takes time. You can not just pick someone Lizzy."
Lizzy sniffed the contents of the jar and placed it back onto the vanity. She leaned into the chair as Ellesa began braiding her hair. You couldn't just pick a person that was interesting?
'Then how do people get together,' she pondered.
"The problem is that the prince makes no effort in finding a partner. You can imagine that it infuriates the king from time to time." Ellesa reached forward and retrieved a blue ribbon to tie up the braids she had made.
"Because he wants elf boy to procreate and stuff right?"
The way that Lizzy said it did not sound too kind at all. Boy, did she have a way with words. Ellesa pulled her hands through Lizzy's dark hair and admired the work she had done.
"King Thranduil just worries for his son is all."
Lizzy observed her hair in the mirror and was more than satisfied. Her hair had never looked this good. There were braids spread across her head in various spots and they along with a portion of her hair was pulled into a bun in the middle of her head. The rest of her hair in the back was left to cascade down her shoulders.
Ellesa went over to the bed where the dress Lizzy was supposed to be wearing was. She picked it up and marveled at it for a moment. The time had finally arrived for Lizzy to prove herself to not just Isris that she could be graceful when in the public's eye, but to everyone.
"How come you and elf boy don't go out?"
Ellesa put the dress down and sat on the bed, not sure how to answer the question. "What do you mean by 'go out'?"
Lizzy sighed and stood from her chair. She felt like she had to explain everything to these elves. "You know...have a relationship."
Ellesa watched Lizzy wag her eyebrows in a very uncharacteristic kind of way. The two of them stared at each other for a minute without saying anything. Then it dawned on Ellesa. Her mouth formed an 'o' and her blue eyes went wide with realization.
"Why would you ask that?"
"I dunno. Everyone seems to have the gagas for him," she shrugged.
"Well I can tell you that I simply don't feel attracted to him. Yes, he is handsome and a superb friend but I just do not feel anything. Does that answer your question?"
Lizzy nodded feeling uncomfortable with the conversation now. It wasn't like she cared about the elven prince too much anyway. Ellesa stood and made her way to the door. Along the way she said, "I trust you can dress yourself. I have to go prepare."
Lizzy nodded, "Yeah I can." And in an effort to seem more kind she told Ellesa thanks.
Ellesa spun around and smiled. "You are most welcome.
Once the door had clicked shut, Lizzy laid across her bed and pondered what would happen that night.
----------------------------
Up and down, Renomere tossed the black slim rectangular box. He was bored sitting on his friend's bed and to pass the time he had taken to throwing the box in the air and catching it. What was inside was a mystery to Renomere and he wasn't too curious. He had just dug it out from one of Legolas' drawers. It was dreadfully boring to sit there with nothing to do but chuck a box in the air and catch it.
Renomere had been ready for hours. In fact, the day had long set into evening and the stars were only just beginning to sparkle in the sky. Renomere was dressed in a simple light green tunic and matching pants. He thought that it was perfect for the night. That evening he could not wait until he got to dance, dine with all the maidens that were sure to be there.
He thought of the women, their laughs and the curves of each of their bodies. Renomere caught the box and didn't toss it up due to his daydream of women. He got so hung up in the image he did not notice Legolas come from the bathroom.
Legolas emerged from the bathroom fully dressed and ready to get the night over with. It was true that he did not want to attend the ball and thought it was only an event that wasted his time, but a part of him could not wait to go only to witness Lizzy's acts. He seriously wondered whether or not she'd survive it. Practicing was one thing but actually going out and doing it...Legolas took the circlet from his desk and placed it on his head.
Even more than hating the ball, he loathed the circlet he was made to wear. The advanced leaf pattern set in silver was no more than a sign of what he was, a prince. To him he was just as equal as everyone else in his father's realm. He turned around to look at Renomere lightly tossing the box back and fourth between his hands with an odd smile on his face.
"Give me that," Legolas said snatching up the box and glared at Renomere. That awoke Renomere from his thoughts to focus on the present day.
"I've seen you've finally decided on something to wear."
Legolas set the box down on his desk and went over to a mirror to straighten his tunic. Renomere stood from the bed and casually walked around the room, his eyes casting now curious glances at the box on Legolas' desk. Perhaps, it was just some box that held a meaningless trinket given to Legolas by his father. Maybe it was something much more than that.
"Legolas?"
"What is it?"
Renomere picked up the box and was about to take a small peak inside when quicker than lightning; Legolas removed it from his grasp.
"Aw, come on now. What is inside?"
Legolas gave a small smile while looking down at the box in his hand. It was only something small, something he picked out at the jewelers in hopes of her liking it. "Come, we must go. We are late enough as it is." Legolas pushed. He pocketed the box. Renomere forgot about the box, his mind now set to the category of women. Renomere said something along the lines of 'I wonder why' in response to what his friend had said.
The two of them parted down the hall, Renomere going downstairs and Legolas set to Lizzy's room. His mind pondered of how she would look in the blue dress she'd retrieved herself. He thought about how much she would wail and moan about having to go and how he would silently agree.
'You are thinking too much about her,' his mind said. 'You should concentrate on other things.'
Trying to do that, he moved faster through the deserted halls. As he reached her door though, he found that he could not.
"I am being silly," he spoke as he lightly rapped on her door. He convinced himself that his thoughts were only of her because he was her escort and not by choice he added.
'This was the type of girl who could be rude and violent at anytime,' a voice inside his head spoke.
'But what she has lived through, have you so easily forgotten? Her family lost to her, the abuse she endured alone,' another voice inside his head spoke.
Lizzy was a withdrawn defensive person because of the things that happened to her. He didn't even think she had made an effort to make friends. And why should she when so many things complicated her life? It was like she had been trapped in a dark room almost her whole life. Legolas knocked on the door once more.
He could only imagine going through what she had. Just thinking about her story made him feel powerful empathy towards her. Legolas wished there was something he could do to make her life better.
"Lizzy," he called out, twisting the knob to her door. He entered her quiet room to find her sitting at her vanity staring at her reflection.
"Lizzy, we are late."
Lizzy smirked. It figured that Ellesa would get Legolas to escort her to this ball. Lizzy did not bother to look from her reflection. No, she wasn't going mental like she had in the cave. It was more of a shock than anything that she could appear this way. Lizzy actually thought she was pretty.
After spending so much time living in the shadows, she believed she believed she was not at all the best looking girl. Often, she'd look at the battered picture of her mother, the only thing she had of her's and thought of how beautiful she was and how she'd never measure up to that.
"Lizzy..." Legolas trailed off. She had stood from her chair and faced him.
The dress she wore could not have found a better match. The color of the dress, blue, shimmered slightly in the light. The small almost undetectable flowers woven into the dress added an elegant touch to the whole thing. It made Lizzy appear much more feminine than she ever had. The fabric clung to every curve that she had and the sleeves flowed out slightly passed her elbows.
"Never thought I'd look like this...ever," Lizzy half laughed while slightly putting herself down. She glanced at Legolas to see him gawking at her and quickly looked to the floor. It would have be a shock, which she knew, with the hair and the dress. It wasn't easy getting used to it for herself. How many minutes did she spend just looking at herself?
"If you stare any longer you'll burn a hole through my forehead."
Legolas cleared his throat and blinked. "My apologies, it is just that you look ravishing."
Lizzy looked at Legolas and couldn't help but think that he was pretty hot himself. He wore a silver circlet that shown quite well with his hair being tied back. He had on a white tunic that had a collar in the shape of a sender v. The collar bore a silver trim just as his sleeves had. The color of his breeches was dark, almost black but not quite. The boots he had chosen matched the color of his pants and went up the middle of his calves.
There was a certain air to him that was very different than what she was used to. It was like he had changed almost. For a minute she stood there studying him, trying to figure out what it was about him that changed.
"What is it," Legolas asked, fearing that there was something wrong.
Lizzy shook her head after not being able to put her finger on it.
"Nothing, nothing. I guess you look...pretty spiffy yourself."
Lizzy gave him a once over and started for the door. Her intent was getting the event over with. Anything that involved socializing with groups of people was not her cup of tea. Seeing as she had to prove a certain jackass wrong, she began to feel even more eager to get to the ball.
"Come on, let's go so-"
She felt a tug on her arm and turned around.
"What is it?" Lizzy looked quizzically at Legolas and then to the hand that held onto her arm.
Part of the reason why he held her back, yes was because he was trying to avoid the inevitable but most of the reason was because of the gift he wanted to give to her. At the time, it felt right to give it to her, not later. He felt like she deserved a small token of their newly acclaimed friendship. Legolas bypassed the fact that his father was probably sending someone in search of them and guided Lizzy by the shoulders and away from the door, back to her vanity. Legolas smiled at the look she was giving him.
"Sit down."
"What for," Lizzy narrowed her eyes at the elf.
"Will you stop being inquisitive and sit?"
Lizzy took her time sitting down, all the while eyeing Legolas.
'What is up with him,' she wondered. She crossed her arms and looked up at him.
He was reaching in the pocket of his tunic for something. Lizzy wondered what it could be that kept them from going to the ball. Legolas pulled out a black box and handed it to her. She took the box with both hands and looked at it, flipping it over.
"What is this," Lizzy took her eyes from the box to look at Legolas.
"Open it," Legolas smiled.
With all the suspicion in the world, she took a deep breath and opened the top of the box. Peering inside, there was a bracelet made of small round jewels colored cerulean and in between each one was a tiny crystal.
'This must be a mistake,' she thought, looking at the bracelet. Why would anyone want to give her anything? It was the same thing she had wondered with Nancy. She didn't deserve this and didn't believe she ever would. the bracelet was beautiful no doubt, but she couldn't wear something like that. Lizzy felt that she was almost unworthy of it.
Lizzy put the top back on the box. "I can't accept this."
Legolas frowned, thinking she had not liked her gift. "Why not?"
Lizzy breathed and looked at the box finding the words she was about to say difficult. "I can't accept this because I don't deserve it. I was nothing but mean and- and nasty to you."
Legolas understood that she was attempting to punish herself, but it was quite unnecessary. He felt that she needed a tinge of other emotions besides the ones she had become accustomed to.
"Lizzy, that is in the past. I have well forgotten it and you should also."
Legolas took the box from Lizzy and opened it. He took the bracelet from the box and set the box on the vanity. Legolas held each end of the bracelet before Lizzy's eyes. Without thinking, she picked up on Legolas' actions and raised her right wrist to him. With a pleased look, the elf clasped the bracelet on. Quickly before Lizzy could snatch her hand back, he grasped it and took a look at the dark bracelet against her pale skin. It shimmered more vibrantly than it had in the box.
"It suits you, does it not?"
Lizzy stood from her chair to get a better look. She didn't seem to mind the fact that he was still holding her hand. More than anything, she was mesmerized at the fact that something so beautiful was being given to her. let alone belonged to her.
"How much did this cost?"
"Prices are of no worries to me," Legolas replied still looking at the bracelet.
"Was it like a lot of money because I don't want to keep anything too expensive." She was afraid to lose it or break it or god knows what.
"Lizzy my friend it is quite alright."
She then did something- that would forever shock and stupefy the elven prince. He observed her grey eyes feeling some sort of emotion while almost quivering within their sockets. Lizzy wrapped her arms around him, engulfing him in a hug. Legolas at first did not comprehend what was happening. It took him a while to connect everything and hug her back.
This was not at all something he had expected. This was not the response he had factored in with Lizzy. Although, it was quite nice to be hugged by her instead of being speculated against, he felt things were quite suspicious.
"Is my mind playing tricks on me or are you really hugging me," Legolas jested.
"I've never gotten something like this before, elf boy. Thank you so much."
Legolas' eyes went wide once she had thanked him. He held her at arms length and looked at her with utmost seriousness. "Has some illness befallen on you?"
"What're you talking about?"
"I'm speaking of you being polite. Have you a fever of some kind?" Legolas brought his hand to her forehead just as he had witnessed a healer do once before.
Lizzy swatted his hand away.
"I'm fine, okay. It's just that I've never gotten a gift like this."
She looked once more at the bracelet, never thinking that Legolas would've given her something like it. Legolas noticed the smile that crept onto her lips, the smile that as rarely displayed for anyone. He could not help but think that if giving her such a simple bracelet made her this happy and pleasant; he would have done so a long time ago.
"Well you are very welcome mello-nin."
She looked up from her bracelet. "What does mello-nin mean?"
"It means friend."
Lizzy nodded at the new found information. Maybe this elf wasn't such a bad person. Maybe he wasn't the type of prince she had painted a mental picture of. Maybe, just maybe they could become good friends. Who would have known a little girl like her would be getting chummy with royalty? It was a dream literally. Though it wasn't a dream she dreamed of having, it'd have to do.
"If we're done here, we should go."
Legolas nodded in agreement. It was already unwise of them to keep his father waiting. He offered his arm to Lizzy who now had to transform herself into a befitting lady for the ball. Now, that he had saw her, he had full confidence that she would get through the ball. She may not have appeared all that tough on the outside, but on the inside she had a heart made of fire. Lizzy placed her hand in the crook of Legolas' arm; ready to face whatever was outside her door.
This time there was nothing to hold her back, not even the insecurities that a ball could bring.
They started out of the room and down the hall. She noticed that Legolas didn't seem to be in a hurry to get to where they were going. He walked at a leisurely pace, forcing Lizzy to do the same. She said nothing to him on the subject and enjoyed the quietness. There was no one in the halls, so she concluded everyone was at the ball. She couldn't wait for this all to be over just so she could go back to that big luxurious bed.
Half way to the ball, they were met by Ellesa and Elrendor each with a concerned face on and highly wealthy looking dress attire.
Lizzy raised her eyebrows at Ellesa. "Well, well why don't we look hot."
Ellesa ignored Lizzy's bright smile and turned her attention to Legolas. The news she found out from Elrendor could sabotage everything. This simply could not wait.
"Legolas, Elrendor had delivered some...disturbing news."
Legolas looked between the two of his friends. Already he knew that this was not something he needed at this time. He could just tell by looking into Ellesa's face that it was not at all a bright side to whatever she was about to say. "What is it?"
Elrendor explained, "It is Isris. He plans to make a complete mockery of our Lizzy here."
"Huh," was all Lizzy's reply. Why would he try and make a mockery out of her? What did that have to do with trying to behave at this ball? Lizzy looked between the three elves, feeling like she was the only one confused with the whole situation. Was she dense or something?
"Just small things he plans on doing, spilling his drink on her, tripping her. Only juvenile things to try and get her riled up."
Now Lizzy understood. He was trying to make her pissed off so she'd blow her lady act. God, she hated that donkey of an elf.
"Man, if my life were a movie, it'd be a blockbuster hit," Lizzy mumbled, pulling her hand from Legolas.
Legolas over looked the comment from Lizzy having not known what Lizzy meant anyway. A shadow passed over his face making him appear very scary. He was quite tired of this thing Isris had against Lizzy. At first he had thought things between them were nothing more than a playful rivalry. Obviously, after Lizzy jumped on him this was something much more. Now, after hearing Elrendor it had to be pure hatred.
"How did you come about this?"
"Funny story really. I went to the-" Elrendor started but was cut off by Ellesa.
"He went into the local bar, bought Isris more than enough of the strongest ales and listened."
Elrendor looked at Ellesa in an annoyed way but it was only for a second.
"Never mind, it does not matter," said Legolas.
"Well what are we going to do about the matter?"
Lizzy saw the general concern pasted on Ellesa's face. She knew one thing, they didn't have to stand there and think about how to avoid a complete idiot. She wasn't going to let him walk all over her. She only let that happen with her uncle and even those days were over with. Worst came to worst, Lizzy would fight fire with fire.
"I'll tell you what I'll do about the matter," Lizzy began wagging a finger.
"You will do nothing," Legolas spoke grabbing her hand to prevent more wagging. "Isris will not do anything while Lizzy is in the presence of either me or my father."
Lizzy shook her head, not liking what he was saying. "Are you saying that I have to stay with you all night"
Elrendor laughed and Legolas glared at Lizzy. Clapping her hands together, Ellesa proclaimed how wonderful the idea was.
"The two of you need to get to the ball now. When we left your father looked pretty angry," Elrendor said once he stopped laughing.
Legolas sighed at that small note. Ellesa smoothed out the front of Lizzy's dress and Elrendor pulled her along so they could get back to the ball. Lizzy looked up at Legolas and in a mundane voice said, "It looks like I'll be having oodles of fun."
-----------------------------------
"Where is that boy?" Thranduil held his wine glass tightly in his hands as he stood scanning the crowd. He should have known his son would have tried to find a way to escape the ball. Legolas had never actually liked social events. Ever since he had been a young lad, he would find innovative ways for messing things up. As he stood there thinking things over it only made his
temper worse. He managed to smile though, every now and then to passing guests.
"Calm down my friend," Malen, the advisor of Mirkwood's king said with a smirk. Elrendor had received his stature from his father, which was clear, but the softness he had inherited from his mother.
"Legolas knows how important this is to you. He will be here."
Thranduil looked to his friend and his friend's wife, Etheral. He knew he Malen was right in that aspect. Legolas would come but he would not stay for very long. "You are right. I just wonder when he thinks it is appropriate to make an entrance."
Etheral laughed. "Legolas is a good son Thranduil, you should have no worries."
Malen spotted his own son entering the festivities of the night once more with a smiling Ellesa. He grinned at the sight of them and pointed them out to Thranduil and Etheral.
"Yes, they do make a lovely couple," Etheral nodded.
Thranduil took a swig from his glass. "Now if only my own son would find a match."
The music being played for the couples on the dance floor came to a slow stop and everyone broke away. Thranduil put his glass on the table wondering what was going on. An announcer stood by the door and then he knew. He smiled but pondered how long his smile would last this year. Everyone now had his or her attention on the door, eagerly awaiting the one who would walk through it.
In a loud booming voice, the snooty looking announcer said, " Entering now is Lady Elizabeth Abigail Montgomery and Prince Legolas Thranduillion."
Lizzy glared at the elf by her side. Currently she was trying to suppress a boatload of anger.
"Remember when I told you not to tell anyone my name?"
Legolas looked down at Lizzy briefly and back to all those who were waiting for them to come in. He knew already where she was getting at.
"You can beat me up so to speak later. Are you ready?"
Lizzy took a big breath and focused on getting into character. She gave a slight polite nod and together the two of them took their first steps out. She felt the stares of hundreds of eyes, but did it bother her? Did it affect her nerves at all? No. The only reason anyone was looking at her was because she was hanging off the prince's arm. To her, she had just entered into a room full of high class, high maintenance stuck up people. Unbeknownst to her, Legolas was thinking the same thing. This year, he had already decided he would spend two hours at the most at his father's ball. He only wondered how he would make his escape.
The attention was finally beginning to dwindle from them as the music started back up. Coupled went back to dancing and others went back to their conversations. Lizzy was amazed by the fact that it wasn't at all what she had envisioned. She was thinking something along the lines of Cinderella but it was more like fancy medieval. Without realizing it too much, Legolas was guiding her away from the entrance and towards his father.
"Ahh Legolas, Elizabeth," Thranduil greeted them the two of them with hugs. Lizzy put on a smile that seemed flawless, but grimaced when the king used her real name. Oh she was sooo going to kick Legolas' ass.
"I wondered where you were!"
Thranduil turned his attention to Lizzy. He was marveling at how astonishing she looked. "My you look lovely. It is no wonder Legolas kept you a secret."
Lizzy gave a confused look to the king and then looked to Legolas.
"Father," Legolas warned.
Thranduil ignored his son. "The two of you look so marvelous together." He pushed the two of them together making them collide rather harshly. "Why hadn't I thought of it before," he mumbled walking away from them.
"No offense, but I think there is something wrong with your father."
"Tell me about it," Legolas rolled his eyes.
Lizzy looked around, surveying everything around them. She had officially deemed this ball a yawn and she hadn't even been there for ten minutes. She hadn't really attended a party other than her drunken uncle's ones, but the ones she had seen on TV and whatnot consisted of loud hype music, alcohol and wild dancing. This right here was just lame.
"So...what do you usually do at these shindigs?"
"Ball," Legolas corrected crossing his arms. "I usually sit at one of the tables until a pack of maidens insist that I dance with them."
Lizzy nodded thinking how much of a dork this elf was. "So...how come none of them are asking you to dance now?"
Legolas looked around after Lizzy posed the question. It was odd, but none of them seemed to even cast a look his way. it was quite odd indeed.
"Hmm, it is strange but I am enjoying it." Legolas smiled at Lizzy. Lizzy returned the smile and glanced over his shoulder. Instantly, her mouth set to water and her eyes were big. Before she had got to Middle Earth she had Chinese food but that had been a while ago, a long while ago. Legolas turned to see what Lizzy had been staring at. He then understood that her stomach had taken over her brain. The food was being brought out.
"It seems that our night might not be so long."
"How do you figure?"
Legolas led Lizzy to the table they were to sit at, which was a table filled with nobility pretty much, though Legolas whispered to her that they never restricted tables to those of noble blood and those who had none. Legolas pulled out a chair at the end of the table right by where his father sat. Lizzy was somewhat surprised by elf boy's manners and the fact that he was treating her so nicely. She remembered her own manners and placed her napkin in her lap. Glancing down the table she spotted Ellesa and Elrendor. She thought they would be sitting closer to her and felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Down the line, Renomere was having a lively chat with two females. She would have even been relieved if Elrendor's parents sat next to her. Instead, her archenemy plopped into the seat next to her. Isris smiled dazzlingly at her and she looked away as a plate of something was placed in front of her.
Legolas who seated himself across from Lizzy, was watching Isris closely. If he tried anything, he would be ready to leap over the table, no matter how un-princely it was. Lizzy did not deserve any extra drama.
Lizzy wrung her hands together out of a bit of nervousness, but then forgot it all when Gilrayen sat next to Legolas. She could not help herself from smiling.
"Hello prince. How are you enjoying the ball."
Lizzy watched Legolas wipe all emotion from his face. "I'm having a lovely time."
Once everyone was seated, Thranduil stood and silence swept through the room.
"Welcome. Welcome everyone to my home. I am so glad everyone could make it. Though I did not quite expect for everyone to come so soon especially all of the young ladies here. I take it you are all here to win the heart of my son."
Laughs and girlish giggles sounded through the room. Legolas covered his face with a hand. Every year it was the same thing with his father, he would stand up and say something to embarrass him or call him out. Legolas dared a look at Lizzy to see if she were laughing more at him than at his father's comment.
She wasn't laughing at all, she was shooting Isris dirty looks as he was patting her hand.
It took Lizzy all of her will power not to sock Isris in the face. He was whispering comments about how delicate she looked and how beautiful she was but only by human standards. All these things he was saying only to rattle her up. It was really bold of him to do so as the king spoke. Lizzy remembered the bet and kept her eyes on the goal.
"Enough said, let us feast and be merry." Thranduil sat down and everyone began eating.
"So, Elizabeth which name do you prefer," Thranduil asked taking a bit of fruit from a plate. "Lizzy or Elizabeth?"
Lizzy turned her attention from Isris and smiled towards the king. "It really doesn't matter which one." She spoke the truth. Now since everyone in the joint knew her full name it didn't matter. She highlighted the mental note in her head that said kick elf boy's ass.
"Your name is most charming."
"I must agree, my king," Isris spoke aster a swallow. "It has a certain charm to it indeed."
Lizzy glanced as him then to Legolas who was trapped in a pointless sounding conversation with Gilrayen.
She remembered her manners enough to thank the two of them.
"I have not had the chance I wanted to speak with you," said Thranduil.
Lizzy didn't feel much like eating anymore. "What did you want to talk to me about?" She tried to ignore the fact that Isris was including himself in her conversation with the king.
"I wanted to know a bit about your world."
Lizzy had no problem speaking to the king about her world. Her world being the general things, not anything about life with her uncle. She explained electricity, cars and what not. Thranduil seemed fascinated by the fact no one really traveled by horses. Isris asked an occasional question that she pretended not to mind to answer. So far everything was going all right. That was what she thought.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you but someone, I can not say who is in the west wing's library waiting to see you." A messenger spoke to Thranduil, tearing the king away from the most intriguing conversation he had had in awhile. Thranduil nodded in thanks to the messenger. He turned back to Lizzy and sighed. "My apologies dear. We shall continue this conversation another time."
"It's cool. Not like I'll be going anywhere."
Thranduil laughed and patted Lizzy's arm before disappearing off.
For a minute Lizzy listened to Gilrayen's soft voice speaking to Legolas about how things were ran in her house. The teenager turned her attention to the food in front of her and picked up her fork.
"Elizabeth, your world is quite interesting," Isris began a little loud. Lizzy put her fork down next to her plate and looked at Isris.
"Thank you," she spoke curtly.
"I wish to know more of your family though, if you do not mind my asking." Isris continued ignoring the uncomfortable look that passed on the young lady's face.
"What is your mother's name?"
"I'd rather not talk about my family."
"Surely you have a mother?"
Legolas looked up from Gilrayen's conversation to look at Lizzy and Isris. He wasn't the only one to look Isris' way. A few others had turned their attention his way. Ellesa, Renomere and Elrendor being among them.
"My mother's name was Laura."
"Her name was Laura." Isris shook his head, tapping his finger on his chin. "Gorgeous name, but you said...what happened to your mother?"
"Isris," Legolas seethed catching the attention of more. "Leave things be."
Lizzy stared down at her silverware.
"I only wish to know the dear girl's history prince."
The teenager was reaching her boiling point. She knew Ellesa was praying that she didn't haul off and hit Isris but she would have to pray harder. He was trying to put her business before everyone, to make her seem low. He was doing this because he knew she would erupt, if not now eventually. Well, she would show him a thing or two million.
"Isris-"
"Legolas it's alright," Lizzy said, her grey eyes meeting Legolas' fiery blue ones. She didn't grasp the fact that he was beyond angry with Isris. Instead, Lizzy turned to Isris and uncharacteristically gave him a small sad smile. To see Lizzy do that sent chills of worry up the prince's spine.
"My mother was murdered along with my two brothers."
Isris bit down an evil smirk, knowing full well she would break down here in front of everyone.
"You live with your uncle correct?"
Lizzy blinked. How did Isris know that? He was never around when she spoke of her life. Unless he had been and she nor anyone else knew about his presence. For a moment she was speechless and a moment was all Isris needed.