The next day Legolas found himself at a loss. There was only a day left until the ball and he had everything ready except for a date. He had been so sure that he would be going to the ball with Amara that he hadn't asked anyone and now every acceptable woman had been asked. Of course if asked by the Prince just about any woman would drop her date in a heartbeat, but Legolas did not want to be responsible for ruining anyone else's evening, so that morning when his servants came to tend to him, he asked each of them if they knew of anyone without a date. So far no one knew of anyone the Prince could take, and this presented a problem. For a normal function it would be fine for the Prince to forgo a date and go stag but this was a special event and it was important that he did not show up alone.
While walking the halls going through a mental list of every female he knew Legolas quite literally ran into his father.
"Father!" Legolas yelped in shock.
"Son. Got something on your mind?" King Thranduil asked chuckling.
"Uh yes, actually, the ball. It seems I'd forgotten to get a date." Legolas admitted as he and his father began to walk together.
"I thought you might." The King said, receiving a look of shock from his son, "You've had a lot on your mind recently. It has shown much more than you realize."
Legolas gave his father a sheepish look and rubbed the back of his neck, not knowing what to say.
"This is why I took the liberty of asking Kulda, a woman from King Estel's party, if she would go with you. I hope you don't mind" he informed Legolas.
"Not at all. You've actually saved me some grief." Legolas was truly relieved that his father had found someone for him to go with; it meant he could stop searching and put his efforts into other more important matters.
"Well good. Now that you should have some free time, perhaps you could help me with some preparations."
Legolas quickly agreed to his father's request thinking that he couldn't be needed for more than a few hours. Unfortunately for Legolas he underestimated the amount left to do for one day and found himself being in need late into the night.
Amara spent the day before the ball locked away in her room staying out of sight and out of the way. Earlier that morning she had tried to find her way to the kitchens to find something to eat and had nearly be stepped on and squished several times. While the castle had bee buzzing with activity for the ball for two weeks the day before had been beyond insanity. What seemed to be thousands of graceful elves had been rushing around avoiding each other by mere millimeters, so Amara had found it safest to just sit in her room reading and playing solitaire.
After her ridiculously boring day Amara was looking extra forward to her lesson that night with Legolas. As she watched the sun go down from her window Amara waited impatiently for Legolas to knock on her door. Amara waited and waited, but the sun went down and it grew darker and darker until the only light she saw came from the few candles she had lit around her room.
After hours of waiting a sudden knock startled Amara who was lying down on her couch counting the rocks that made up her ceiling. Shooting to an upright position Amara rushed to the door. "Finally, you're late! I've been waiting forever." she said opening the door.
"I'm sorry milady, I'll be sure to be on time tomorrow." Said a small elf who bowed slightly.
"Oh, no sorry. I thought you were some one else. You're right on time." Amara said holding the door open for the elf, who quickly went to work turning down her bed.
Amara went back her position lounging on her couch as the small elf finished her work and quickly took her leave. Amara laid there for a while longer before deciding that Legolas wasn't coming. Upset and bored Amara decided to just end her day and go to bed, after all the sooner she fell asleep the sooner the next day would come and she'd finally have something to do.
Amara went to her bureau and grabbed a nightgown and moved into the bathroom to change. As she was changing in the bathroom she missed the knock on her door.
Not hearing a response from anyone after knocking, Tavas silently opened the door to Amara's room. He expected to see Amara and Legolas sitting on the couch talking or reading, too engrossed to have heard his knock, as often was the case, but instead he found an empty room. Thinking correctly he thought that Amara might be in the bathroom, and went to knock on the door. Before his hand even reached the door to knock it was pulled back eliciting a yelp from both Amara and Tavas.
"Sorry, I did knock." Tavas said while Amara tried to slow her racing heart.
"It's alright." Amara said getting back her breath and stepping out into her room. "I wasn't expecting anyone tonight it all."
"Aren't you and Legolas having a lesson tonight?" Tavas asked curiously turning to follow Amara who had headed back to the couch she had spent all day on.
"I thought we were but he never showed."
"Odd." Tavas said sitting down in a chair next to Amara's couch.
"You haven't seen him have you?"
"No, I haven't seen much of anyone. I finished all my duties for the ball yesterday so I spent all day training."
"Oh." Amara couldn't help herself she kept glancing towards the door as she listened to Tavas.
"He didn't inform you that he wasn't coming?" Tavas asked as he watched her eyes flicker over to the door.
"No. I haven't seen or heard from anyone all day."
"Yes they've all been pretty busy."
"Yeah. I know, the ball tomorrow seems to be pretty important."
"People are looking forward to it, and I have to say I don't think it's for the dancing either." Tavas had managed not to ask about the night Amara and Legolas had been found in the garden together but he was still itching to know what had happened and now seemed as good a time as any to ask about it. "I'm afraid you will be quite the center of attention again."
"I know." Amara said. "I've heard the rumors."
"Rumors?" Tavas asked feigning ignorance.
"Oh come on, don't pretend you haven't heard them. Hell I know you're dying to know if Legolas and I are going together aren't you?" Amara smirked at the shock that entered onto Tavas' face.
"Am I really that transparent?" he asked.
"It's natural to be curious. Legolas is your brother, and I'm your friend. I know I'd be curious in your place."
"I admit I am curious, especially because of the way you two have been behaving." Tavas paused to see if Amara would say anything. Instead she looked down at her hands. Tavas took a breath. "Amara what happened the other night?"
"Nothing." Amara said looking up at Tavas.
"Nothing?" Tavas asked skeptically.
"I was crying, Legolas found me. I finished crying and a guard showed up. That's all."
Tavas stared at Amara, as far as he could tell she wasn't lying but something just didn't feel right about what she was saying. However he could tell that she wasn't going to say anything more and he quickly dropped the subject. "Alright, oh I forgot to tell you the Tinue is planning to ask you for a dance tomorrow night,"
"He is?" Amara asked smiling, glad for the change in topic.
As Legolas was finally let go of his duties he slumped his way back to his rooms. He had never been so tired in his entire life. Everyone he had come across the entire day had had several things they needed him to do. He couldn't believe how much work actually went into a ball. Looking out a window, he realized how late it really was and groaned.
Finally making it to his rooms Legolas felt too tired to make it all the way to his bed and flopped down on the couch. He sighed and began to let his mind rest when he felt something poking him in the back. Reaching underneath him he found a small children's book. He quickly tossed it aside, before realizing that he had forgotten to meet with Amara.
"Crap!" Finding a sudden burst of energy Legolas leapt to his feet and raced to Amara's room. Reaching her door in near record time Legolas opens the door without so much as a knock, and finds the room entirely dark. Legolas looked out the window and noticed how late it really was. Feeling stupid Legolas began to slowly back out of the room. A small movement caught his eye before he made it fully out of her room. He looked quickly over his shoulder and gave a lingering look to the sleeping girl before leaving. Shaking his head Legolas walked slowly back to his room, no longer as tired as he had once been.
Legolas changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed and stared at the ceiling. As much as Legolas was looking forward to the next day and all the festivities he couldn't help but wish that Amara would be there by his side. With that final though Legolas drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Amara was woken by Aara shaking her awake. "Do you have any idea how deep a sleeper you are?" Aara asked as she went to pull a dress out for Amara.
"I've been told very. What time is it?" Amara asked getting out of bed and taking the offered dress.
"Almost noon, you've slept away the whole morning." Aara said rushing Amara into the bathroom.
"Noon? I have to go get my dress." Amara informed Aara by shouting through the thick bathroom door.
"Well then hurry up."
Amara changed and Aara got her ready for the day, and with a final promise to be back later to get ready for the ball with her left to go attend to the few duties she had for that day. Amara then made her way to the dress shop to pick up her dress.
She entered the shop and found Hithaeglir working on a green piece of fabric. She coughed loudly to get the woman's attention. As Hithaeglir raised her head and recognized Amara she smiled and walked into the back, bringing out a big white box. "Here you are milady. If there is anything wrong with it please let me know immediately."
Amara thanked Hithaeglir and took the box back to her room and laid it down on her bed. She opened the box to find a mass of deep red fabric. She pulled the dress out of the box and noticed it was floor length. There was a large ruby that rested at the top of the dress right where the neckline was at its lowest. There were also tiny ruby fragments placed along the hem line that Amara only noticed due to the scraping sound they made along the floor. A knock on the door took Amara's attention away from her gown which she quickly put back in its box as the door to her room opened.
"Amara?" Amara turned around at the voice.
"Hey Legolas" Amara greeted her friend, "How are you?"
"Fine, I, uh, I just stopped by to apologize for not showing up last night. I got caught up in preparations and work."
"It's alright" Amara told him. "Tavas showed up to keep me company."
"Oh good." The two stood there awkwardly for a moment before Legolas noticed that Amara was standing in front of something. "What's that?"
"What's what?" Amara asked, having forgotten the box behind her.
"That" Legolas said pointing behind her and stepping closer.
Turning around Amara looked around confused before noticing the box. She picked it up and turned around. "Oh this? It's my dress." She told him.
"Oh. Could I see it?" Legolas asked reaching toward the box.
Amara quickly moved the box out of Legolas' reach. "Oh I don't think so." She said smiling.
"Why not?"
"I want it to be a surprise." Amara said.
Legolas smiled sweetly, "please?" he asked.
"No." Amara told him, holding the box behind her back.
"Come on!" Legolas said trying to reach around Amara for the box.
"No!" Amara squealed and laughed as she sidestepped out of Legolas' reach.
The two quickly became caught up in a game of keep away, both laughing heartily as Legolas chased Amara around the room. At one point Amara managed to get the coffee table between herself and Legolas and this kept him at bay for a few moments before in one fluid movement Legolas leaped across the table and knocked Amara back onto the couch, causing her to toss the box across the room as she fell back, Legolas landing directly on top of each other. As he moved to make a mad dash for the box Amara quickly grabbed his tunic and pulled him back towards her, effectively ripping the tunic open and causing Legolas to fall hard on top of her, knocking the wind out of Amara.
Seeing that Amara was in pain Legolas sat up effectively straddling Amara as she attempted to regain her breath. "Oh Eru, are you alright?" He asked.
Amara coughed hard and breathed in deeply "Yeah I'm alright." Amara replied before looking up at Legolas and losing her breath all over again. As Amara looked up she saw Legolas' face coated with concern, still flushed from laughter and minimal exertion, his hair falling haphazardly around him. Amara moved her eyes down away from Legolas' face trying to keep from turning red with embarrassment. This, however, had the opposite effect as the rip she had torn in his tunic showed his hard smooth chest beneath it. Desperately needing something to happen to bring attention away from her she commented on the first thing she saw. "Oh God, I ripped your shirt."
"Huh?" Legolas asked. He had gotten lost looking at the flush on her cheeks and watching small beads of perspiration fall from her hairline. When she spoke it broke him out of his trance. He looked down and saw that he did indeed have a fairly substantial rip down the front of his tunic. "Oh..." looking even further down Legolas saw that his legs were on either side of Amara and that her dress was beginning to bunch upward. Quickly Legolas all but jumped up from his position. "It's alright. I'll just get it mended later. I have to change anyway for the ball."
Amara sat up and cleared her throat. "I'm really sorry." She told Legolas.
"It's fine really. Are you alright?" He asked, as he watched her place a hand on her chest as she breathed in carefully.
"Yeah, just knocked the wind out of myself when I pulled you down." Amara's face turned red as she made the statement, though she tried desperately to keep it from happening.
"Anything I can do?" Legolas asked.
"Could you get me a cup of water from the bathroom?" She asked.
Legolas nodded and headed into the bathroom. He quickly returned with a cup of water that he handed to Amara as he sat down next to her. When she finished the glass Legolas quickly got up grabbed the glass and got her another. As they sat on the couch, Amara drinking the water slowly there was a knock at the door; Legolas got up to answer it.
"Hello Aara." Legolas said, opening the door wider to let her through.
"Hello Legolas." Amara greeted him, stepping through the door and making her way to the bed where she laid down a gown and a box of hair supplies. After putting down her things Aara turned to take in the scene before her, Amara was sitting looking flushed and somewhat disheveled while Legolas stood having just closed the door behind Aara, shirt torn, and hair a wreck. It was only through years of practice that Aara was able to keep from shooting questioning looks at both parties. She decided to stick with a safer route for letting out her curiosity. "Amara are you alright?" she asked, watching Amara's face redden.
"Yeah, I just knocked the wind out of myself." Amara answered.
"How'd you manage to do that?" Aara asked.
"We were having a bit of a scuffle over the contents of a box." Legolas answered for her.
"Box?" Aara asked looking around for a box.
"Yes. This one." Legolas said spotting the box on the floor and going to pick it up.
Amara saw that Legolas was heading for it and jumped up, grabbing it from his hands as he straightened after picking it up.
"What's in the box?" Aara asked as Legolas glared at Amara.
"My dress for the ball." Amara told her.
"Amara refuses to let me see it. She claims she wants it to be a surprise, but I think she merely wishes to torture me." Legolas said.
"Well, speaking of the ball, "Aara said. "It's time we start to get ready. You should be getting ready as well your highness."
"Ah yes…"Legolas muttered taking stock of the state of his clothing." Well then I guess I'll take my leave, and you will get your wish of surprising me later tonight."
Amara and Aara said goodbye to the Prince and the moment he was out of sight Aara dropped all pretenses and gave Amara a very accusing stare.
"What's that look for?" Amara asked.
"Knocked the wind out of yourself?" She asked accusingly.
"Yes. We were wrestling with the box… I pulled at him and he landed on me and it knocked the wind out of myself." Amara explained. This only caused a more intense stare to be shot her way. Letting out a huff Amara stalked off to the bathroom. "I'm going to go put my dress on now."
Aara chuckled at Amara's behavior and began to put her own dress on.
Amara took her dress out of its box and examined it again. Holding it in front of herself as she stood in front of her mirror she swished it back and forth, and noticed that it sparkled only slightly as she did so. Looking closer she saw that this was due to very thin silver strands flowing through the fabric. "Wow" Amara muttered. She stopped her examination of the dress and stripped down. She pulled the dress over her head and found she couldn't bring herself to look at the dress on her.
She began to leave the bathroom, counting on Aara's reaction to tell her how she looked. As she began walking out she realized the back of her dress was trailing behind her as though it were weighted down. Twisting so that she could see the back she saw an intricate design of varying shades of red thread, rubies and diamonds fanning out starting at a single point at the base of her back, going down the very end pf the gown. Bringing her head back around she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror by accident and finally took a good look at herself. She had only had one requirement when she asked Hithaeglir to make her a dress and she had surpassed any expectations Amara could have had. Amara looked like a porcelain doll in her gown. He cheeks glowed redder and her eyes looked brighter next to her skin, which looked paler than she remembered next to the deep red. The dress wrapped around her torso and flowed out behind her dragging behind making her look more graceful than she truly was. The only thing that looked off about her was her hair; it didn't look nearly nice enough for her outfit.
She shook her head and walked out of the bathroom. She watched Aara's face as she turned from doing her hair facing a mirror to looking at Amara who for once didn't feel self conscious at what she looked like.
Aara gasped and dropped her brush.
"You like it?" Amara asked, smiling from ear to ear.
"You're beautiful." Aara said.
Amara smiled and went to sit down and wait for Aara to finish with her own hair. Aara snapped out of her stupor and picked up her brush, going back to doing her own hair. "As if all eyes wouldn't already be on you," Aara said glancing over at Amara.
"At least this time I'll be okay with it. They'll have a real reason to look now." Amara said confidently. Amara looked at Aara in her simple pale purple gown. "You look beautiful Aara."
"Thank you." Aara said
The two spent the next few hours doing their hair, picking out jewelry and sitting around talking before Aara left to put her things away and go meet her date, while Amara sat and waited for Prince Aenoscal to come and get her. As she waited she became more and more nervous and as a result began to pick at her bandages, which tonight were hidden beneath silver bangles that clanked when she moved. She didn't really need the bandages anymore but she knew this time there was a scar left over and she didn't want to see it.
A knock on her door brought her back to reality, standing and straightening her dress Amara called out "Come in."
The door opened and revealed Prince Aenoscal dressed in royal purple formal tunic and leggings, his short hair tucked behind his ears and held in place by a silver winged crown. "Wow." Were the first words out of his mouth as his eyes widened and jaw dropped.
Amara laughed and bowed her head, still unused to the reaction she was responsible for. One of her curls fell in front of her face and she brushed it back.
"You, you look…" Aenoscal stuttered.
Amara laughed. "Thank you." She said saving him from finishing his sentence. "You look very handsome." She told him.
"Uh, thank you." Aenoscal managed to spit out. "We should go." He said putting his arm out for Amara to take. Walking over to the Prince Amara took his arm and walked with him to the Grand Ball room where the ball was to be held. As they approached the noise from the room was blasting out proving that most of the castle was already inside. The doors to the ball room were opened by two guards. Amara and Aenoscal stopped at the top of a large staircase and were announced. Having heard Amara's name every eye in the hall turned as she descended the steps, and the whisperings, murmurs and outright gossiping began.
The first of the murmurings was of the fact that Amara did not show up with Prince Legolas, the second was of the fact that she showed up with the human prince, a perfect match according to some, it was better that she be with a member of her own kind, and third was how amazing she looked. Amara tried to ignore all the murmurings except for the last. As beautiful as all the people around her were at all times she was elated to have them think of her as even a little attractive. Amara followed Aenoscal around as they talked to various royal members of staff that Aenoscal was required to talk to.
As Aenoscal was discussing something with another older man Amara's mind drifted, but she was brought back to reality when she heard the Harold that introduced her and Aenoscal introduce two more names, one she recognized and one she didn't.
"Haryon Legolas ar Heri Kulda."
Amara turned to watch Legolas and this strange woman walk gracefully down the stairs. She noticed the girl who looked haughty and uninterested and wore a blue dress that matched Legolas' formal clothing. It was Legolas who Amara couldn't take her eyes off of though. He looked so regal, so sure of himself as he swept his eyes over the crowd below him, almost all of whom were staring at their Prince. Legolas seemed to be looking for something, and as his eyes found Amara's he seemed to have found it. Amara smiled as she locked eyes with the Prince, she turned her whole body and put out her arms to show off her whole dress. Legolas smiled widely at her, taking in her appearance he had stopped halfway down the stairs. Amara chuckled to herself and then turned back to the people around her, none of whom had caught the exchange, they however seemed to be the only ones.
Everyone who had been watching the prince had noticed his pause on the stairs and had followed his eyes to see what had caught his attention. The result was even more speculation and gossip.
As the rest of the royals and guests arrived the dance floor began to fill more and more, and thankfully Aenoscal had fewer and fewer people he was required to talk to. Amara was getting more and more bored with each conversation she listened to. When she could no longer keep from drifting off completely she made an excuse and went off to get a drink from a table. She found a table with champagne and grabbed a glass, moving to the side to watch the dancers. As she watched it reminded her of the dancing at the balls in Disney movies she had watched as a child. She suddenly fancied herself Cinderella wandering around before the Prince asked her to dance. As she replayed the scene where the two meet in her head, a real life prince was making his excuses and finding his way over to her.
Amara jumped slightly as she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Oh God, Legolas, you scared me."
Legolas laughed. "I'm sorry." He apologized. "So this is what my tunic was ripped for." He said looking Amara up and down.
"Yes it is." Amara said giving a slow small twirl so that Legolas could get a full view of the dress.
"Then I must say, the damage was worth it." Amara blushed at the compliment. It was a habit she was beginning to pick up, and not one she wanted to keep. She said the only thing she could think of. "Thank you."
The two were saved from having to say anything else as Aenoscal quickly joined them. "Legolas, my friend, you look very royal tonight."
"As do you my young friend." Legolas said giving a handshake to Aenoscal.
"Yes well I fear that is mostly due to my date this evening."
Amara blushed again, "I wish people would stop complementing me. My checks are going to permanently turn red."
"Well I know a way that would divert people's attention from your looks." Legolas said.
"And what's that?" Amara asked.
"Dance." Legolas said.
Amara raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds like a good idea. What do you say?"Aenoscal said holding out his hand.
"Why not?" Amara said taking his arm. "People will stop thinking me so beautiful when they see me tripping over my two left feet."
Amara's comment had all three laughing and as Legolas watched Amara and her date walk out to the dance floor he made his way back to his date and duties for the evening. He would be sure to ask to cut in later, after convincing his own date to take a turn on the floor.
Amara had not been underestimating her dancing abilities. She stumbled around the floor, more being dragged than led by Aenoscal; she had to apologize several times for stepping on the poor boy's feet. Both she and Aenoscal were thankful when the song ended and they could quickly make an escape from the dance floor. The dancing did, however painfully, serve its purpose and Amara no longer felt as though people were staring at her thinking she was beautiful, she now felt that they were looking at her and whispering about her being a clumsy human. These thoughts were verified when she heard a woman speaking in Sindarin not knowing that Amara could now understand it very well.
Feeling much more like herself after overhearing the woman Amara was far more comfortable as she was being introduced to several people from the royal party traveling with Aenoscal and his father. One of the women in his party admitted a wish to dance, but she had no partner so getting permission from Amara Aenoscal asked the woman to dance leaving Amara with her first group of humans in quite some time.
"It must be fascinating living with elves." A tall bald man commented to Amara.
"I suppose." Amara answered awkwardly, not quite knowing what to say. In truth Amara hadn't noticed much difference between humans and elves, other than the obvious physical characteristics, and if she really thought about it, she had no idea what it would be like living with these humans, they were so different from people she was used to living with.
"You suppose?" He prompted.
"I've been here for a long time. Living with them is…normal, for me." Amara admitted.
"I see, becoming a native." The man and a few other people around laughed.
Amara looked around the room, watching the elves and humans dancing on the floor, her eye caught sight of a dark green tunic lined in gold. "It could be worse." She said a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Legolas danced several dances with his date. She was good a fine date, she was clever and witty, spoke only when necessary and was an accomplished dancer in her own right. While she had none of the grace of an elf she did not trip or lag behind in step. Legolas had watched Amara dancing from the corner of his eye, she was a full on klutz and he had decided against asking her to dance, for fear of losing his feet. On more than one occasion during a conversation he had accidentally laughed out loud at the sight of her. Luckily he had been able to cover up each of the incidents.
He was now on his third dance with Kulda and was quickly becoming bored. Suddenly he felt a pair of eyes on him, he knew there were plenty of people watching him, but these eyes felt oddly magnetic. He looked up over Kulda's shoulder just in time to see Amara look back at a tall balding human man and say something to him, and suddenly he couldn't wait for the end of the song.
For the rest of the dance Legolas made sure to know where Amara was at all times. When the dance was finally over he guided Kulda slowly from the dance floor toward the group Amara was standing with. He was please to find Aenoscal returning to his date as this gave Legolas a more appropriate reasoning for coming over.
"Scal, my friend, still enjoying your evening I trust?" Legolas said placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Very much so, Lady Maya here was kind enough to dance with me just now." Aenoscal told Legolas.
Legolas smiled and looked over toward Amara. "A change in partner? I suppose that was a choice made for your health?"
"There may have been some self preservation involved in his decision I'm sure." Amara said.
"Surely." Legolas smiled.
Legolas and Amara gave a few small attempts at brining others into their conversations or entering into other people's conversations, but inevitably they forgot about the others there and became lost in their own conversations. Legolas was acutely aware of their detachment from the others around them and it made him slightly unnerved, so when Aenoscal asked Kulda if she would like to dance Legolas gladly seized his opportunity.
"Well since your date has hijacked mine, I believe it only fair that I take you." Legolas said.
"Seems fair to me" Amara commented staring wistfully at the dance floor. Although she was an awful dancer the people on the dance floor looked so graceful and she longed to be able to be half as good as them.
Legolas noticed her watching the dancers intently. "Would you care to take a walk with me?" Legolas asked.
Amara looked over at Legolas and nodded, taking the arm he offered. Legolas led Amara to the other end of the ball room where a large balcony protruded out over one of the gardens. Out on the balcony it was quieter and much more open. There were very few people out on the balcony, mostly couples looking to get away from the dancing crowds or smaller groups of people out gossiping over some topic or other. Amara began heading straight toward the railing around the edge of the balcony and was confused when Legolas stopped her in the middle of it.
Legolas said nothing but took her arm off of his, taking hold of her hand in his and stepping closer toward her. He took her other hand and placed it on his shoulder, and finally placing his hand on her waist.
Amara realized what was going on and spoke up. "I think it's in your best interest to not even try this. I've already maimed one prince tonight,"
"I'll take my chances" Legolas said moving one foot, and forcing Amara to follow.
Amara was absolutely no better dancing with Legolas then she had been with Aenoscal. Her utter failure at anything even seemingly graceful, did not however frustrate her, she instead, after tripping for a fourth time began laughing. Legolas soon followed suit and the two began to draw stares from those around them.
Amara pulled away and tried to stop her laughter. "I'm awful at this."
"Yes, you are," Legolas responded through his own laughter.
Still laughing Amara playfully pushed Legolas back and completely disentangled herself from him and headed to the railing. She braced herself on the railing until her laughter calmed. Legolas watched her as he attempted to control his own laughter. When it was under control he walked over and leaned against the railing next to Amara looking out over the garden. "I have never met anyone as bad at dancing as you."
"Shut up." Amara laughed, nudging Legolas with her shoulder.
Legolas looked out even harder into the trees across from the gardens. "I love that about you." He said.
Amara looked over at him, shocked to hear him say that. He wasn't looking at her; he was just looking out over the horizon. Amara didn't know what to say so she kept quiet.
Legolas was somewhat thankful for the silence, and yet horribly terrified by it. Taking a deep breath Legolas took one more leap of faith. "I'm finding that there's a lot about you I love."
Legolas took a chance and looked at Amara. She was staring blankly at him. He laughed nervously. "Sorry. It must be the stars." He said. "You know the romance of the moment." By now Legolas was praying for Amara to change the subject and forget he had said anything, he felt as though he had made the biggest mistake ever by saying anything at all.
As Amara listened to what Legolas said she froze. She was still staring at him when he finished speaking and she could tell by the look in his eye that she was making him uncomfortable. She didn't know what to say. In the back of her mind Amara had know about Legolas' attraction to her but she had been able to keep it in the back of her mind ever since she had decided to see how things went between them. Amara had been sure that there would be too many differences and things would be very bad between them, she wasn't prepared for things to go well and for her to like him. Unfortunately Amara was now being forced to confront the fact that this is what had been happening. She was finding herself liking everything she found out about Legolas. Still unable to admit to falling for the elf man, Amara was now forced to admit at the very least a crush on him.
Legolas had now been the first to voice the attraction between the two and Amara had to say something, but she had no idea what. Legolas had gone back to looking away from Amara. Taking a breath Amara decided to admit out loud to Legolas that she liked him as more than a friend. "Legolas..." She began. Legolas turned to look at her and everything Amara had meant to say flew out of her head. She turned her body to face him and began to stutter, "I…uh, that is…"
Legolas gave her a confused look and turned his body toward her mimicking her movement from earlier. "What is it?"
Amara wasn't sure what she was doing, she felt as though she was no longer in control of her body. Stepping forward close to Legolas she leaned forward looking right into Legolas' eyes begging him to understand her.
Legolas was very aware of Amara's closeness, and he could have sworn he was imagining her leaning toward him. Legolas searched Amara's eyes for answers. He couldn't believe that this was happening, but he was unwilling to let the moment pass, so hoping against hope Legolas leaned down to Amara and me her halfway hesitating for a moment before resting his lips against hers.
As Legolas' lips fell against her own, Amara came back in control of her body, and she felt like she was hit with a tidal wave. Every sense and every nerve in her body was working overtime. She could smell Legolas' woodsy and leathery scent mixed with some flowery perfume special for the occasion, she could hear the wind blowing around them, and the soft upbeat tune from inside the hall, and she could feel his lips moving against hers tentatively.
Feeling emboldened for some inexplicable reason Amara closed the small gap left between them and wrapped her arms around Legolas' middle.
As soon as he felt her arms wrap around him, her hands angled up resting on his shoulder blades, Legolas put his own arms around Amara, one hand holding her mid back and the other cradling her neck. Their kiss deepened, but was still tentative, both people holding back for their own reasons.
When the kiss ended Amara and Legolas pulled apart but neither dropped their arms, still wanting to hold on to each other for a moment longer. Legolas was the first to speak. "Are you sure?" was all he could think to say.
Amara breathed in and felt no conflict for the first time in a long time. "Yes." She replied. They smiled at each other and then let go of each other.
The two joined hands and walked slowly back inside the ball, unaware of one very angry pair of eyes following them the whole way.