A/N: Hey Fam! So sorry for this being posted so late! For some reason, my children were just loving the idea of needing my attention every single time that I would sit down to write, and they had short nap times. Not going to lie, I had a hard time writing this chapter, mainly because I wasn't feeling that motivated to write it and was wanting to work on my other projects(such as drawings and such), but I pushed through that writers block and here we are, Chapter 16! Hallelujah! Thank you to all who have been with since the beginning or those who have just now picked up this story! I really appreciate the reviews that I get from you all, and I look forward to receiving more! Next chapter the T.E.R.D squad leaves Rivendell and onto their journey. What, pray tell, will happen you ask? Follow & Favorite the story to be updated when I post next! Don't forget to leave a Review! I like those too.

Ohhh, before I forget, I drew out Tori's draw and posted it on my deviant art page: wickedlyblond/art/Tori-Turuhalme-dress-842679326

Hope you guys like! I sure had fun drawing it!

Namárië,

Tasarin

Chapter 16: Turuhalme Final

We stared at each other in silence for a moment and then my brain caught up with me. I slammed the door and winced as he let out a tenor pitched yelp. Why did you do that, you igit?! I hadn't finished wrapping his present yet that I had planned on giving him at the ball.

"Sorry! I'll be just a minute!" I called over my shoulder and cursed as I rifled through the messy stack of papers in search of the necklaces I had crafted. I should have just cleaned this all up earlier!

"Are you well?" Legolas' muted voice carried through the wooden door, clearly laced with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine! I just forgot something!" I called and mentally high fived myself when I found his necklace. I walked over to the wardrobe with it and pulled out a kerchief embroidered in a dark leafy pattern. I wrapped the necklace up carefully and tied a ribbon around it before stashing it into a hidden pocket of my dress. Oh how thankful I was that Liaviel had thought to add them.

Finally ready, with his gift properly hidden, I opened the door once more. Legolas had dressed in silvery white formal wear. His pale hair pulled back in his normal braids and a very thin circlet sat upon his brow. Its gleam contrasted well with the grey of his eyes. He broke eye contact first and looked straight at the door jam and cleared his throat.

"Is everything alright?" I couldn't help the small feeling of annoyance. He refused to meet my gaze, but responded.

"I see you have not finished dressing, shall I remain outside until you are ready?" I looked down in surprise. Did I forget something? I went through a mental checklist. Was the bodice of the dress on straight? Yes. Did I forget to button up the back of the dress? Maybe a few buttons on the neck part. I left the door open and walked back to the mirror to inspect. Everything was in place and I turned back to Legolas in confusion.

"I am dressed though." His eyebrows knit together in response to my words.

"You are?" I walked back to the door and stepped just shy of a foot from him and looked up; he still avoided my gaze.

"Legolas, I'm sure that the craftsmanship of my doorway must fascinate you greatly, but I'm down here." His shapely lips lifted slightly at the corners and he sighed before turning his gaze on me. His eyes never wavered from my face and I groaned.

"I am fully dressed, you know?"

He nodded as if thinking to himself before finally looking down at my dress again. He lifted a hand and rested it hesitantly on my shoulder, pinching the fabric between two fingers, "Forgive me. I have not seen any type of fabric so sheer used for anything other than an overskirt."

I looked down again in surprise at the sudden revelation. It had crossed my mind many times that short skirts were completely inappropriate, but what I had not expected was that the top of my dress would be seen as something potentially scandalous as well. I couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up my throat. Here I stood completely covered and I was still considered to be underdressed. Hell, the nighty I wore every night was something my mammy would've worn and even that was considered lingerie here. The ridiculous thought of being caught in a pair of lacy underwear and bra set popped into my head and I giggled even harder. The reaction to that would be something to see!

"You forget that I was raised in a world with a completely different culture than that of Middle Earth, Legolas. I am not changing, so you're going to have to accept that I'm wearing this to the ball." I said through the giggles and his eyes softened a little.

"Very well," I held my door open a little wider to invite him in, but he shook his head lightly, "I must decline your offer. It would be inappropriate for me to be in your room unchaperoned. I will wait here until you are ready to leave." So chivalrous! I thought to myself as I turned back to my bed and picked up the circlet. I placed it upon my head then lifted up the necklace; catching a glimpse of my pigsty of a desk and frowned in disdain. I really should have cleaned that!

Avoiding eye contact with a certain part of my room which will not be named again until further notice, I tried putting the necklace on myself a couple of times, but gave up when it kept getting caught in my hair. I walked over to Legolas by the door and handed him the necklace and turned away from him, lifting my thick curled mass of hair away from my neck.

"Can you clasp it for me?" He was utterly silent, I couldn't ever hear him breath. I almost twisted around to see if he had turned to stone, when he finally moved. The warmth that he normally radiated fell like a waterfall on the nerves and skin of my back and neck. He carefully lifted the necklace over my head and clasped it.

There was a pause as his hands hovered just behind my neck before I felt his fingers graze the exposed skin as he buttoned up the dress the rest of the way. I'd be lying if I said that I had intended him to button the rest for me-I had honestly forgotten about them. I couldn't stop the shivers that traveled down my spine or the raised gooseflesh that ran down the length of my arms at his touch. I felt very grateful that I had sleeves to hide them, even if the fabric was translucent.

I was lost in the lingering feeling of his calloused fingers on my neck when the absence of his warmth brought me back. He cleared his throat again and I turned. His face was a careful mask, but strained. Over the weeks that I had spent training with him made me become very familiar with his expressions.

"Are you alright?" He smiled tightly and gave a curt nod, but held out his arm to me. I took it, and he led me away from the room and to the ball.

…

The ball was set outside of the Hall of Fire so that if there were those who wanted to warm up by the great hearth, they were able to. Tables of fine wines and ales were set up to the left and right of the fireplace and races of all kinds mingled with goblets in their hands. No music had started playing yet, since Lord Elrond had to give another speak; I was starting to notice a trend with that elf.

I felt nervous as Leglolas led me. I had not forgotten that every ellith of Rivendell would be watching the prince closely to see who he had asked. At first I was worried, but then I started noticing that instead of envy and anger in their eyes, I found condescending pity. As if they found me to not be a threat and not worth the bother. No, I found that as we kept walking past them, they completely ignored me as many sent open looks of pining and fluttery eyelashes to the prince.

By time we had arrived, I was livid and barely holding onto my rage as an elleth waltzed right up to Legolas, gave me a stare down the nose type of glance with a poorly hidden smirk before turning an innocently coy smile on the ellon. So it's going to be one of those nights, eh?

"Thranduilion," She bowed gracefully, completely missing the sour look on his face that slipped through his calm facade before fading, "May I trouble you for the first dance?" He didn't even bat an eyelash as he pulled me a little closer, moving a hand to rest at the middle of my back. I stiffened slightly, but not enough for the elleth to notice.

"I am sorry, My Lady, but I have already promised myself to my partner for the first dance." He smiled apologetically. The elleth sent me a lukewarm stare before smiling again at the prince.

"Then perhaps after the first dance?" By the Valar she is persistent! Holy Hell, if I don't live through the rest of the night I am blaming Legolas! Completely fed up with being belittled, I grabbed the hand that rested on the middle of my back and placed it on my hip and cuddled into Legolas' side, and wrapped a tiny arm around his torso. He shivered and looked down at me in surprise, but I turned my attention onto the elleth who was now glaring at me.

"I'm sorry, My Lady," I stole Legolas' words from moments ago and smiled, "But I have already promised myself to my partner for the rest of the night. Please understand and accept my condolences." Rather smug with the look on her face, I pulled Legolas along and away from the statuette. His faculties must have returned, because his hand slipped away from my hip and neatly fell to his side. His other hand had gone to some of his hair and started to twist the ends.

"I suppose I should thank you for that," He must have found some fascination with the strands that he played with, because he lifted the ends up, as if inspecting for split ends, "Now I will not be disturbed for the rest of tonight." I shrugged.

"It's the least I could do to those who have been insulting me with their stares." He looked down at me curiously.

"Surely you must know that they mean you no harm?" His silvery blue eyes bore into mine and I couldn't look away.

"Eyes are a window to the soul, Legolas. I could see the ill wishes and condescension hidden in the depths of their eyes as clear as day. That elleth was no different."

"You cannot know that is what they think." He stated with serious eyes and I finally looked away, unable to handle the weight of them. I played with some of the ruffling on my dress.

"Sometimes I feel like a can." I said in a whisper and looked back into his intense eyes. For a while, we just stared. His eyes slowly softened as the time passed. Finally he broke the connection that we shared as his eyes focused on something behind me.

"Look, Lord Elrond wishes to address us." I turned and faced the elf lord.

"Tonight, under these stars, we gather as friends of old and new." He spoke smoothly in the common tongue for all the guests, "May we forge friendships and alliances that will outlast the darkness and forever shine brightly as the stars that watch over all of Arda. Tonight before we start, there has been granted, a special request." He turned to me then with a warm fatherly smile and held out an inviting hand. Legolas looked down at me with his eyes filled with questions and I just smiled.

I could see Kara had already made her way up to where Lord Elrond stood, and joined them. The musicians that we had been practicing with left the crowd as well and took their places by their instruments. Lord Elrond bowed and left his place to join the rest of those watching. In the dancing firelight of the hearth, our dresses sparkled and glowed. I learned then, that the top wasn't the only thing to be translucent. With the fire behind us, I could see the shadow of our legs through the gowns, but nothing else was visible-thank the Valar for that!

We got into place and met eyes before nodding to each other and the music started. I let the emotions flow freely, showing them on my face for the whole of Imladris to see. Jumping, spinning, let the music take me as the lilting sounds of the music vibrated through my body. I kept my eyes trained on Kara the whole song and didn't look away until the very end when the music faded.

It was quiet, eerily quiet, and I was starting to worry as I looked away from Kara into the crowd. All eyes were wide and many had mouths open agape in shock. I felt suddenly very self conscious under the weight of their scrutinous eyes. I glanced nervously over at Kara whose eyebrows pinched together in concern. Had we just broken some unspoken custom and disrespect everyone in the whole bloody city? A moment later, a thunderous applause broke the silence and we both blew out relieved sighs. We bowed and made our way back into the throng just as the music started up again.

"That was such a beautiful dance, Little one! Where did you learn?" Arwen stopped me with a big sisterly hug and I grinned.

"I had always been good at dancing, but I refined my talent back on earth." She hugged me again and patted my hair softly. She looked at my hair and her features were overtaken by a wistfully sad look, before it was replaced by happiness. I wonder why she looked so sad?

"I am sorry to interrupt, but may I have this dance?" Aragorn cut in, looking tall, dark and dashing. He held an inviting hand out to Arwen and she beamed brightly, seemingly glowing brighter than before and they were off. There were many couples that had started to partner up for the first dance and I slowly made my way to the tables of refreshment. I grabbed a crystalline glass of deep red liquid and lifted it to my lips to drink some when a firm hand gripped my wrist.

"I do believe that you owe me the first dance." Legolas smirked down at me as he grabbed the glass from my hand and set it back down on the table, before he pulled me with him out into the snow. The steps weren't too complicated to figure out, and soon, I was gliding over the floor with fluid steps with the Prince of Mirkwood leading.

"You dance beautifully. I did not expect that." He said after a moment, bending down a little to whisper. It was just loud enough for me to hear, but quiet enough that the music would drown out his words to anyone else. His breath was warm against my ear and it tingled.

"What were you expecting?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"If our training results were anything to go by, I wasn't expecting much." He laughed at my scowl and dodged a punch I was aiming at his arm, but spinning me away from him, before pulling me back in, but kept a little distance.

"Ouch, my pride is wounded! Do you know of any treatments to aid in my recovery?" He grinned in response.

"Perhaps the snow will soothe your wounds. Come, let's take a walk." As the song ended Legolas pulled us further from the crowd and further into the falling snow. The hem of my dress whispered over the snow covered ground and was the only sound. Not even our feet crunched and compacted the snow; Everything was still. We found a bench under a bare willow tree and Legolas cleared it of snow before we sat down. Our breath billowed out and curled into the air, sending little snowflakes spinning and turning like little wispy fairies.

I held a hand out to catch the snowflakes. The delicate and intricate little flakes still took my breath away. How had I never noticed this before back on earth? I stole a glance over at Legolas to see that I had been caught. Even in the low light of the moon and stars, his eyes still glowed silver. I looked away and fiddled with the gift in my pocket, debating whether or if it was a good time to give it to him.

"I wanted to give you something," I started shakily, suddenly extremely anxious as I clumsily pulled the hastily wrapped gift from my pocket. Before I could decide against shoving it back into my pocket, I handed it to him and watched him. His eyes were filled with genuine surprise as his eyes bounced between my eyes and his gift.

"You seem to keep surprising me. I remember you mentioning that you had made gifts, but I did not expect to receive one as well." His eyes lit up with excitement as he pulled at the ribbon and carefully unfolded the fabric. His hands stopped and he slowly lifted the thick chain up. The leaf charm shimmered in the moonlight. He fingered the charm with a small smile before he met my eyes again. They were filled with such deep gratitude that I was surprised. If I had known that the prince would react like this, I would've given it to him sooner.

"Thank you, it is a wonderful gift."

"I can help you put it on if you'd like to wear it," He nodded and carefully dropped the necklace into my hand. He sat still as I drew closer until I stood between his legs and lifted my arms around his neck to clasp the necklace together. I tried to ignore the fact that his face was mere inches from mine. I also tried to ignore the fact that his warm breath was caressing across the skin of my neck and ear. I hurried and stepped back, internally shivering over the feeling that his breath had over me.

"I wanted to say thank you for teaching me to defend myself. I know that I haven't always been the most...pleasant person...er, elfing to deal with, and for that, I'm sorry," I peaked at him and saw a smile and it encouraged me to continue with what I was about to ask next, "With this gift, I wanted to forget the rough start we had and offer you...If you accept that is-" I whispered under my breath, "-... I'm just going to say it now. Will you accept my friendship?" Oh for shite sake! Just talk normally you pansy! I stared down at my hands, and stiffened when I felt a calloused finger lift up my chin.

His eyes were gentle, filled with kindness. So much so that I relaxed instantly and warmed from the inside. I lifted a hand out to him and smiled and he took in his large one. I was hoping for a friendly handshake, but Legolas shot that down by bringing my hand to his lips again, lightly kissing my fingers. I couldn't hide the light blush that flushed across my cheeks and it wasn't lost on Legolas. His keen eyes seemed to take everything in with an almost calculative look.

"Friends…" He mused, his eyes never leaving mine, before a delighted smile graced his lips, "I would like that very much."