Chapter 5: Sentimental Moments

~Riharu~

She seemed sort of spellbound by that Elfling. She really sucked at hiding her feelings and thoughts. Shouldn't I be worried about the guards we left in the woods instead of Enchantment who has the safety of these walls? I know I'm just a guard and she's a princess but. . .

She's kind and beautiful. She isn't self-centered like most Witches, and that's a good sign. She said butterflies pranced around in her stomach when I was next to her. It was in her mind that she said this. But still. She said it.

I'm just lying there on the bed when I hear a knock on the door. I get up to answer it and, to my complete surprise, it's Enchantment.

"Enchantment?" I ask, accidentally forgetting the "lady". I quickly correct myself, "I mean Lady Enchantment! I'm terribly sorry."

She just laughs and lets herself in, closing the door with my hand still on it. See? Way too nice to a lowly guard like me. She looks up at me, craning her neck just a little bit, and says, "It's okay. I imagine you know why I'm here?"

I walk over to the bed to take a seat. After taking a deep breath in, I say, "The jewel."

"Read my mind." she says, taking a seat next to me. She smiles at me, waiting for my incite or getting ready to vent. . . I'm not sure.

"Well, Lady Enchantment, there are a bunch of guards under this roof. They are definitely wary of everything. I mean, they are Elves after all."

"Of course. Where do you think I could find the jewel?" she asks me with her soft eyes. Strangely, I could melt right here under her gaze.

"Why don't you ask Legolas?" The words just slipped. Why would I say that? How hard is it to mask your frustration at her and him, Riharu?

The next five seconds tears me down slowly in tension. She just stares at me. Her lips slowly drawing apart as she's trying to piece together what all of this is about.

She finally stands up and looks at the door. Why won't she talk to me? Is she waiting for an apology? Still facing away from me, she says, "I didn't know you felt that way." She turns to me swiftly, folding her arms at her chess with a quizzical look but still vulnerable almost, "Actually, how do you feel? About me that is."

I stand also. She doesn't need to know anything about my feelings towards her. As long as I keep masking it, she will never know. It's for the better. Her response would just hurt me more. I know she doesn't exactly feel the same. Ever since we were little I was always giddy around her. Then we were teens and I cared for her more than as a friend. Something inside me changed and I started to like her more and more. But we've grown and it's our first time seeing each other in years.

As I'm lost in thought, she turns back toward the door, obviously thinking about leaving. I put my hand on her shoulder and turn her around. She looks so shocked by my action. Like she doesn't know whether to slap me or yell at me for getting all too comfortable.

I tell her, "Look—I didn't mean it. Just. . . we'll find it together, okay?" She just nods. I pick up my weapon belt, heading for the exit but turn away from the door to tell her, "First, I must find out if they have found our men." I walk out of the room, down the winding halls and down some steps. I don't know where I'm going but I must see to it that my guards are brought in safely. They have families to go home to.

~Enchantment~

He must find the guards and I must find that jewel. But it was really weird when he told me that I should ask Legolas. Was he jealous? I just want to take my mind off all of that. It's crazy as a matter of fact. A guard whom I'm not supposed to fall in love with because of his rank believes that I am falling in love with an Elf also whom I'm not supposed to fall in love with because of his race. At this point, I think I'll just stay away from love.

I walk out of his room and into the halls. I'm going to find that jewel. And I'm going to leave unnoticed, with that jewel in hand. Whether I have to use my powers or weapons or trickery, I'll get that jewel. Good thing I had my bow and quiver on me instead of the packing donkey. Along with my sword, daggers, and two small axes.

Now I find it kind of pathetic how I didn't use it when we encountered that spider. No matter how scared I was, I still could've shot an arrow or two.

Even though there are no windows, everything is lit brightly. Actually, maybe Legolas could help me out. I'll just have to hide my true intentions. I have no idea how I'm going to do this, but I can try.

I walk through halls, rooms, across tiny bridges . . . yep . . . I'm lost.

To my rescue of being lost for almost 15 minutes, I see an elvish girl and ask her where I can find Legolas. She says he went into the forest and that I can wait in the dining area. She points it out and I make my way to the dining area.

I sit at a table, waiting for Legolas. What am I even going to say when he passes through here?

'Where is the Klobi Jewel?'

He'll think I'm crazed. From friends to potential enemies. That's when I see him and my guards. . . and Riharu. Legolas is talking to some elvish girl with a bow. Well, she's definitely not like most girls. My guards look like they got lost in a freaking tornado. Riharu looks happy to have found the guards. How long was I lost?

Legolas notices me and then Riharu does. Getting unbelievably nervous, I stand up and start to walk away. Then I turn back around to at least check on the guards who was willing to give up their lives for me. But I get really nervous again when I see Legolas and Riharu in the same place at the same time, that I turn around once more. Okay! Now I look like a fool. I hear Riharu tell Legolas that he'll get me. No-no-no! Should I run? I start to walk away but I'm too late.

Riharu appears in front of me. He starts to laugh. He struggles to stop himself, when he does, he says, "Was that a little dance you learned?"

I laugh sarcastically. I turn around 180 degrees and then turn back to Riharu, copying my actions from earlier. He covers his stomach, laughing wildly. Not able to keep it in anymore, I laugh too.

"Eat lunch with us." he says after calming himself down. He gestures to where Legolas, the girl, and the two guards are now sitting. Wow, they move fast.

"I would love to. . . but I've got to find Klobi before the Feast of Starlight so that way I can steal it during the feast." I say very low.

"And you will. With my help, remember?"

"Okay. I guess."

We walk to grab some food and sit down at the table with Legolas and the rest of them. I sit in between Riharu and Jui, but I'm right across from Legolas, who's sitting next to the elvish girl. She's sitting next to Koir.

The girl is really pretty. She has red, long hair. A small braid goes a long way down on top of her hair that is hanging. Green eyes. No doubt this is Legolas's future wife.

She sees me looking at her and says, "I'm Tauriel. I'm the Captain of the Mirkwood Elven Guard." She looks at my hair, and adds, "Wow. Only the highest of Elves and Wizards have silver hair. But yours is so curly and long. How is that?"

"I was born with this hair, unfortunately." I say and start eating some soup.

"Not unfortunately. Your hair is very beautiful." Legolas says out of nowhere. He cracks the smallest smile ever, barely noticeable. I can feel Riharu tense up beside me at Legolas's comment and smile. Riharu opens his mouth, about to say something. I stomp his foot. The face he makes at me is oh, so priceless.

"So have you two ever been in battle?" Jui asks the two Elves. They both nod.

"Have you ever been in one, princess?" Tauriel asks me. Is she cracking some subliminal joke at me? I feel like she's asking that because I am—in fact—a princess and she thinks I'm fragile and needy. Not my fault she isn't princess material. Riharu bumps my shoulder. Probably listening to my thoughts, yet again.

"Well, depends on what kind of battle. I've been in a singing battle before." I smile, hiding my want to jump across the table and choke the perfect little red-haired Elf.

"I didn't know you could sing." Koir says after being inactive for so long.

"Yeah, and I write songs too."

"And she's skilled with a bow and arrow. A sword too. She's just not ordered to fight. But she's trained in case it's urgent." Riharu adds. Even the Elves get a little shocked at my supposed skills. But how would Riharu know? I've never trained with him before. Is he keeping tabs on me?

Everyone eats a little more. Okay, I'm not about to get anything from Legolas. Plan B. "Legolas, where is your father? I need to talk to him really quick." I ask Legolas. Why not get information from the source itself?

"He's in his bedroom. I'll show you the way." Legolas says, getting up from the table. He tells Tauriel something in Elvish and she goes away. I tell Riharu to take the guards to where they'll be staying in Spanish. Riharu does as ordered. Legolas just looks at me in astonishment.

"What?" I ask him.

"That's a beautiful language. That's it."

"Thanks. Um, should we go?" I tell him, attempting to end the little conversation since time is not on my side. He nods and starts walking. I follow very closely. Maybe a little too close. I can feel his warmth.

We're walking, hopefully getting close to King Thranduil's room, when Legolas decides to break the silence. He says, "If he seems agitated, it's because a creature named Gollum attacked him."

"Oh, I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm used to people talking to me in a mean demeanor. But I'm not saying he will!"

He just chuckles and says, "So, you can sing?"

"Yes. According to a lot of people back home, I can sing very well."

"That's wonderful."

"Is Tauriel your significant other?" I swear, sometimes I never think about what I'm about to say!

"No. Why would you think that?"

"I don't know. She's pretty."

"Yes, but she is just a friend."

"Hey, how come I never see your mother around?"

He looks down. Oh no. Grief and a feeling of being lost clouds his aura.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know. I'm sure she was wonderful."

"I would hope so. I don't have many memories of her. She was killed when I was young."

"Sorry. We can change the subject. Was the spider killed?"

He chuckles softly and says, "Yes, it was slain. Why do you wish to change the subject to a terrible fear of yours?"

"Because it's better than discussing your hurt at the loss of your mother." I say softly. I almost whisper it. I like to make people happy, not sad by bringing up terrible periods in their life.

After I see he's not responding, probably lost in thought, I ask, "Well, what are you afraid of?"

"Balrogs. Most Elves are."

"I've heard of them before but I've never seen one."

"And hopefully you won't, Lady Enchantment."

"Hopefully. So are spiders something common in Mirkwood? If so, maybe I should be on my way back home." I laugh a little at the last part.

"Yes, they are. Do not worry. I can protect you from any spider. That way, you can stay longer." He smiles. But it soon fades after he realized what he just said.

He's such a nice Elf. We can stay friendly if he doesn't find out that I'm the one who stole the jewel. If I steal it. These Elves aren't my problem, so why should I steal something my mother wants? Not at all me. After talking to Legolas and the Elvish girl who helped me find my way, and maybe even Thranduil, I'm not sure I even want to steal the Klobi Jewel. I never really did anyways.

We reach silver double doors. It's really big with white stained glass. The perfect privacy. It has swivel lines and swirly designs around the ends and in the middle. When we walk in, I'm in even more awe. A beautiful king-sized bed with a fabric roof lay in the middle of the room. Two bookshelves on either side of the room. A candle lit chandelier above a round table that's far off to the right of the room. His own bathroom. Of course his own bathroom but shiny brown floor? Sheesh. Couldn't this king at least make the dining area look as grand as this? Talk about self-centered. All these beautiful things. . . but no Thranduil.

"Where is he?" I turn around to ask Legolas.

"He was here earlier. Wait here. I'll go and get him." He tells me before leaving. He likes wearing that serious face. I wonder if Elves smile a lot. Who knows? But he's gone. Now's my chance.

I start to snoop around. I open a chest full of letters and . . . tiaras. He wears tiaras? Not wanting to waste more time, I look in his closet. A bunch of dressy robes and a couple of boots. I dig in deeper, wanting to find that cursed jewel. Needing to find that jewel. I pull out a blue locket instead. A sapphire with white sparkles scattered over the blue, a dim black circle on the ends. It acted just as a moon. Could this be the jewel? Is it just part of a locket?

I slide my fingers across the stone and then it glows. It pulsates. I watch the glow die down and rise up, die down and rise up. I take my fingers off and it stops glowing. I feel major vibes from this locket. I open it up only to find a drawing of an Elf woman. It's in Thranduil's closet, she's an Elf, she's pretty with long hair. . . This must be his wife.

I hear a gasp behind me and my spirit almost jumps out of my body. Oh no.

Thranduil and Legolas are standing in the doorway. Legolas walks closer and says, "What are you‑"

"Thief!" Thranduil yells, cutting his son off. Legolas closes his eyes and breathes in. Thranduil walks very close to me, gently pushing Legolas out of the way. 'Think, Enchantment, think!' I yell to myself inside.

"Yo-your Majesty, I-I can explain."

"Be my guest!" The anger on his face is terrifying. Maybe I should stop worrying about being scared of spiders and start being more scared of Thranduil's wrath. I just stare at him. Frozen in fear. "Why were you snooping around! What are your true intentions?" He yells at me again.

"I heard something in your closet. Um, m-multiple whispers. So I-I opened it. So yeah, I did that and—uh, and I saw something glowing at the bottom underneath a few things. So I picked it up," A sweat bullet slides down my face but I continue, "Th-that's another one of my powers. I can hear the spirits attached to an item. This locket was your wife's. I was just answering her call. I'm sorry. It will never happen again." It was a lie, but I pray to the stars, it's one that can save my butt. I start to hand the locket to him and he jerks it out of my hand.

"I don't believe you." He says, his tone lowering a little. But now it's just downright frightening.

"Ada—" Legolas says. An elvish father. Maybe I should start using my language more. Enchantment! Would you please focus on the situation right now?!

"No, Legolas! She speaks a lie." Thranduil shouts, taking me out of my argument with myself.

"I do not! If I should lie about this, then you are welcomed to burn me alive at the stake!" I yell, getting louder with every word. The shock on their faces would be priceless if I wasn't in such of a dire situation.

I got their attention, now, to make them believe me. I start to tear up. I tell them, tears streaming down my face, "Go on! Please burn me! My aunt was burned at the stake. I taught myself not to let it scare me. I tell you that I can feel your wife's spirit, and you repay me by believing me to be a thief! How undeniably rude! I have been through so much that I don't even care anymore. You can take my life and rid me of my misery, or you can let me live and just believe the truth that I speak!"

Thranduil is just as speechless as ever. Legolas starts walking towards me. I'm starting to believe my own lie that I want to be comforted by him. I back away. One foot, and then the other. I don't want to hurt him verbally, so I'll just send him a message with my body language. I poured so many emotions into what I said that now it's just flowing with my movement. He turns around and starts speaking to his father in Elvish. I start to walk pass them and then I see something. . . A tear trickle down Legolas's face. Why is he crying over that? Was it that deep?

I make it to the door with one foot out of the threshold when Thranduil says, "You can stay. And there's no need for you to burn. . . I believe you. Please stay for the feast." When he said he believes me, he said it so soft that now it hurts me that I lied like that.

I made the scene, I need to finish it with a bang. I pause for a few seconds. Counting to six. Trying to settle my sob hiccups. And then. . . I simply walk out. Neither of them come after me. I head to Riharu, Jui, and Koir's room. I'm positive that was the jewel.