Part IX : The Feast
~Legolas~
I gasped as my eyes met Estella's beauty when she entered the Hall. Her hair was brushed and delicately braided. She wore a simple dark blue dress with flower and leaves embroidered around the neckline and the trail of the dress swept the marble floor lightly as she walked gracefully. The dress was skillfully sewn with sleeves hanged loosely and the dress had a low neckline, which exposed her fair skin. The fabric shimmered as if it caged the melancholic light of the moonlight as it smoothly wrapped her slender figure. There was a mithril necklace with an exquisite sapphire pendant glowing around her neck, adding the luxury of her appearance. She was astonishingly beautiful like I never saw her before.
She wore a broad smile as she approached me," You look silly starring at me that way. Stop it."
"Looks like I am not the only one around here looking stupid. " I grinned. "Look around, those male-Elves are drooling when they see you. And the maiden Elves! They might drop dead any minute envying you. "
It was true. I saw some jaws dropped and some seemed to have heart attack seeing her. They couldn't take their eyes of her. I believed none of them ever imagined the boyish maiden Elf they knew would able to look so graceful and fair. They kept starring at her along the Feast; at least until Arwen made her entrance.
Arwen was always looked a lot fairer than Estella, but tonight they were like twins. They had same brown eyes and hairs and they dressed up in almost alike dresses. Only the fabric was different from Estella's. Arwen's dress was made with dark blue velvet with little gems shaped like stars stitched to the fabric giving impression of a night sky painted with stars. She also wore exactly the same necklace as Estella's.
"This is Arwen's idea. She insisted we wore the dress and jewels my mother made for each of us when we celebrated our 100th birthday. I didn't have any other formal dress anyway, so I agreed." She smiled.
"Well, well, well. You two looked like twins. The fairest ones I ever saw my whole life."
"Thank you very much for pairing my humble feature with Arwen's. I couldn't do it without Arwen helping me on my hair."
"She must. I don't think you could even brush your hair." I teased her, still impressed by their appearance.
"At least I know how to think." She laughed again. Her eyes fell on some girls on the corner who stared at her in obvious loath for jealously. "They give me idea. You must dance with me tonight. I am more than eager to torment them." A mischievous grin spread on her face.
"Bad girl." I grinned wider. I bowed to her and asked, "Shall I have the honor to dance with Aranel (Princess) of Lothlorien tonight, my Lady?"
Estella gave me her hand and replied, "My honor to dance with Prince of Mirkwood, and Prince to every girl's dream, my Lord." She restrained herself to laugh, and I could see that she tried very hard to look serious and proud.
We couldn't stop ourselves from giggling as we danced together. " I think we cannot pass this night alive, Estella." I smirked. "The envious girls looks like they 're ready to murder you and the drooling guys are ready to shoot their arrows on me." Estella finally burst into laughter and we both laughing and dancing at the same time. Our laughter finally died and we danced slowly, following the rhythm. I wrapped my arm around her waist while we were looking at each other eyes, enjoying the music. We were so close with each other. I could smell the scent of her floral perfume lingered around her. I could hear her heart beating. I wished the time would stop.
"Well, you never tell me you have such a beautiful lover, Legolas." I turned and saw Aragorn smiling at us with Arwen holding his arms.
"We are not dating, Estel. We are merely friends." Estella smiled at Aragorn. Her words sent a longing to my heart, reminded me about the talk we had earlier. My eyes turned grave, but I kept my voice as merry as possible, I didn't want to ruin the happiness, "We are not as fortunate as you, my friend."
I saw Aragorn and Arwen smiled and looked at each other's eyes with pure love. I envied them deeply. Would I ever found the joy they shared?
I didn't have much time contemplating and pitying myself. The Hobbits entered the Hall, scurrying their bare feet, laughing and chatting cheerfully.
"Wow, you have pretty girlfriend! " Merry exclaimed.
"No, I am not his girlfriend." Estella laughed.
"Yes, you do. Why not? You two make a perfect match." Sam continued.
"Oh hush you naughty Hobbits, we are just friends. " I answered them. Estella looked at me smiling. It was obvious she was pleased with my answer.
"Yea right." Pippin grinned.
"Trust me. We are friends." Estella tried to convince them, but in vain. She slipped her hand away from mine, realising that we still held our hands after we stopped dancing.
"Noooo! We wont trust both of you! " Merry and Pippin laughed together.
"Then trust me. They are friends." Suddenly Glorfindel appeared behind us. I turned around and saw him smirking, but there was slight jealousy in his eyes.
"Hey come on, I see the way you two looking at each other." Aragorn didn't sense the awkward atmosphere between Glorfindel and us. He surely didn't know Glorfindel's intention to court Estella.
"You can fool no one, Legolas." Merry spoke up again, still laughing.
"I think we better get some food. I am hungry and the food smells very appealing." Estella excused herself from us and went to the long table.
~Estella~
I took a plate and started to eat when I felt Glorfindel sat right next to me.
"You look so beautiful tonight, my Lady." Glorfindel tried to make a conversation with me. He had eyeing me since I entered the Hall. I wanted to have some fun without my problem haunting me so I had ignored him completely.
"Thank you, my Lord."
"Glorfindel, Estella. You can call me Glorfindel."
I ate quietly. When I finished I quickly excused myself from him. I wanted to join the Hobbit at other side of the table where they sat and devoured their meal as if they hadn't eaten in months. They were such merry creatures and their company was always pleasing to have.
"Wait. Estella, I have something to talk about. Will you accompany me?"
I was pretty annoyed by his request, but I had no choice. I followed him slipped away from the Hall and went out to the balcony.
There was a long awkward silence between us until he finally broke the silence, "Estella, I love you."
I stood quietly. I looked beyond Rivendell avoiding any eye contact with him, tried to think what I must do.
"Estella." He called. He sounded desperate.
"Yes? "
"Why are you ignoring me? "
I really didn't know how to answer him. I was silence. I knew I had to tell him my feeling, but I was afraid.
"You don't love me, do you?" His voice softened.
"You are a noble and kind Elf and I am honored among maiden Elves for having your favor on me, but I am afraid that I don't love you my Lord. Yet, I assure you that even if I do, that won't make any difference."
"What do you mean, Estella?" He looked bewildered at my reply. He surely never expected such a statement came from my mouth and I was too, shocked at my own courage to speak them out.
"I don't intend to marry my Lord, for some private reasons."
"And that is?"
I sighed. I hoped he would understand me. "My work as a healer consumes all my time and energy. I don't have much time for myself, let alone having a family. Please understand that. "
"I don't expect you to take care at me as other wives do, Estella. I love you and I want to share my immortal life with you. I have lived twice you know, but I never have anyone to share my life with."
I looked into his eyes. I saw loneliness there, loneliness of immortal with no one to share love. I felt sorry for him, but his request was too much for me. I couldn't help him. "I am sure Eru had provided best soulmate for you, my Lord. But I am not the one. Please don't force me into marriage. None of us will be happy."
We fell into deep silence again. Glorfindel seemed to ponder my words. I really wish I could go back to the Feast but I didn't dare. It wasn't polite and I always tried to get away from him as soon as we met. I was sure he was hurt by my actions. So then, I was greatly relieved when Aragorn and Gimli came to us.
"There you are Estella. We are searching for you everywhere. Gimli wants to meet the girl who wins Legolas heart. " Aragorn laughed.
I stole a glance to Glorfindel. He was looking away, immersed in his own mind about the subject we had just discussed. I didn't know if he had heard Aragorn or not.
"Ah its you, my Lady. The Lady of Light's daughter." Gimli bowed.
I smiled to him. I knew Gimli was very fond of mother and he liked me very much, especially he knew that I was kind and respectful to Dwarves as well as to other races.
"You said you and Legolas are just friends. " I turned around and saw Glorfindel frowned. Oops, he heard it.
"Yes. We are, my Lord. It's just a misunderstanding. Legolas and I are just bestfriend and nothing more."
"No one blames you if it is true." Glorfindel spoke again. I could sense no jealousy or anger in his voice; he only wanted to know the truth.
"Someone might get wrong impression considering our closeness with one another, but we are friends. No more and no less."
Aragorn and Gimli looked at me, puzzled, but they didn't say anything. "Well I think I better go back to the Feast." I hurriedly walked to the Hall before anyone could raise any question again.
____________________________________________________________________________ _____-
Is it good? Is it bad? Pls pls tell me. I am really curious. Your review meant a world to me!!!
~Legolas~
I gasped as my eyes met Estella's beauty when she entered the Hall. Her hair was brushed and delicately braided. She wore a simple dark blue dress with flower and leaves embroidered around the neckline and the trail of the dress swept the marble floor lightly as she walked gracefully. The dress was skillfully sewn with sleeves hanged loosely and the dress had a low neckline, which exposed her fair skin. The fabric shimmered as if it caged the melancholic light of the moonlight as it smoothly wrapped her slender figure. There was a mithril necklace with an exquisite sapphire pendant glowing around her neck, adding the luxury of her appearance. She was astonishingly beautiful like I never saw her before.
She wore a broad smile as she approached me," You look silly starring at me that way. Stop it."
"Looks like I am not the only one around here looking stupid. " I grinned. "Look around, those male-Elves are drooling when they see you. And the maiden Elves! They might drop dead any minute envying you. "
It was true. I saw some jaws dropped and some seemed to have heart attack seeing her. They couldn't take their eyes of her. I believed none of them ever imagined the boyish maiden Elf they knew would able to look so graceful and fair. They kept starring at her along the Feast; at least until Arwen made her entrance.
Arwen was always looked a lot fairer than Estella, but tonight they were like twins. They had same brown eyes and hairs and they dressed up in almost alike dresses. Only the fabric was different from Estella's. Arwen's dress was made with dark blue velvet with little gems shaped like stars stitched to the fabric giving impression of a night sky painted with stars. She also wore exactly the same necklace as Estella's.
"This is Arwen's idea. She insisted we wore the dress and jewels my mother made for each of us when we celebrated our 100th birthday. I didn't have any other formal dress anyway, so I agreed." She smiled.
"Well, well, well. You two looked like twins. The fairest ones I ever saw my whole life."
"Thank you very much for pairing my humble feature with Arwen's. I couldn't do it without Arwen helping me on my hair."
"She must. I don't think you could even brush your hair." I teased her, still impressed by their appearance.
"At least I know how to think." She laughed again. Her eyes fell on some girls on the corner who stared at her in obvious loath for jealously. "They give me idea. You must dance with me tonight. I am more than eager to torment them." A mischievous grin spread on her face.
"Bad girl." I grinned wider. I bowed to her and asked, "Shall I have the honor to dance with Aranel (Princess) of Lothlorien tonight, my Lady?"
Estella gave me her hand and replied, "My honor to dance with Prince of Mirkwood, and Prince to every girl's dream, my Lord." She restrained herself to laugh, and I could see that she tried very hard to look serious and proud.
We couldn't stop ourselves from giggling as we danced together. " I think we cannot pass this night alive, Estella." I smirked. "The envious girls looks like they 're ready to murder you and the drooling guys are ready to shoot their arrows on me." Estella finally burst into laughter and we both laughing and dancing at the same time. Our laughter finally died and we danced slowly, following the rhythm. I wrapped my arm around her waist while we were looking at each other eyes, enjoying the music. We were so close with each other. I could smell the scent of her floral perfume lingered around her. I could hear her heart beating. I wished the time would stop.
"Well, you never tell me you have such a beautiful lover, Legolas." I turned and saw Aragorn smiling at us with Arwen holding his arms.
"We are not dating, Estel. We are merely friends." Estella smiled at Aragorn. Her words sent a longing to my heart, reminded me about the talk we had earlier. My eyes turned grave, but I kept my voice as merry as possible, I didn't want to ruin the happiness, "We are not as fortunate as you, my friend."
I saw Aragorn and Arwen smiled and looked at each other's eyes with pure love. I envied them deeply. Would I ever found the joy they shared?
I didn't have much time contemplating and pitying myself. The Hobbits entered the Hall, scurrying their bare feet, laughing and chatting cheerfully.
"Wow, you have pretty girlfriend! " Merry exclaimed.
"No, I am not his girlfriend." Estella laughed.
"Yes, you do. Why not? You two make a perfect match." Sam continued.
"Oh hush you naughty Hobbits, we are just friends. " I answered them. Estella looked at me smiling. It was obvious she was pleased with my answer.
"Yea right." Pippin grinned.
"Trust me. We are friends." Estella tried to convince them, but in vain. She slipped her hand away from mine, realising that we still held our hands after we stopped dancing.
"Noooo! We wont trust both of you! " Merry and Pippin laughed together.
"Then trust me. They are friends." Suddenly Glorfindel appeared behind us. I turned around and saw him smirking, but there was slight jealousy in his eyes.
"Hey come on, I see the way you two looking at each other." Aragorn didn't sense the awkward atmosphere between Glorfindel and us. He surely didn't know Glorfindel's intention to court Estella.
"You can fool no one, Legolas." Merry spoke up again, still laughing.
"I think we better get some food. I am hungry and the food smells very appealing." Estella excused herself from us and went to the long table.
~Estella~
I took a plate and started to eat when I felt Glorfindel sat right next to me.
"You look so beautiful tonight, my Lady." Glorfindel tried to make a conversation with me. He had eyeing me since I entered the Hall. I wanted to have some fun without my problem haunting me so I had ignored him completely.
"Thank you, my Lord."
"Glorfindel, Estella. You can call me Glorfindel."
I ate quietly. When I finished I quickly excused myself from him. I wanted to join the Hobbit at other side of the table where they sat and devoured their meal as if they hadn't eaten in months. They were such merry creatures and their company was always pleasing to have.
"Wait. Estella, I have something to talk about. Will you accompany me?"
I was pretty annoyed by his request, but I had no choice. I followed him slipped away from the Hall and went out to the balcony.
There was a long awkward silence between us until he finally broke the silence, "Estella, I love you."
I stood quietly. I looked beyond Rivendell avoiding any eye contact with him, tried to think what I must do.
"Estella." He called. He sounded desperate.
"Yes? "
"Why are you ignoring me? "
I really didn't know how to answer him. I was silence. I knew I had to tell him my feeling, but I was afraid.
"You don't love me, do you?" His voice softened.
"You are a noble and kind Elf and I am honored among maiden Elves for having your favor on me, but I am afraid that I don't love you my Lord. Yet, I assure you that even if I do, that won't make any difference."
"What do you mean, Estella?" He looked bewildered at my reply. He surely never expected such a statement came from my mouth and I was too, shocked at my own courage to speak them out.
"I don't intend to marry my Lord, for some private reasons."
"And that is?"
I sighed. I hoped he would understand me. "My work as a healer consumes all my time and energy. I don't have much time for myself, let alone having a family. Please understand that. "
"I don't expect you to take care at me as other wives do, Estella. I love you and I want to share my immortal life with you. I have lived twice you know, but I never have anyone to share my life with."
I looked into his eyes. I saw loneliness there, loneliness of immortal with no one to share love. I felt sorry for him, but his request was too much for me. I couldn't help him. "I am sure Eru had provided best soulmate for you, my Lord. But I am not the one. Please don't force me into marriage. None of us will be happy."
We fell into deep silence again. Glorfindel seemed to ponder my words. I really wish I could go back to the Feast but I didn't dare. It wasn't polite and I always tried to get away from him as soon as we met. I was sure he was hurt by my actions. So then, I was greatly relieved when Aragorn and Gimli came to us.
"There you are Estella. We are searching for you everywhere. Gimli wants to meet the girl who wins Legolas heart. " Aragorn laughed.
I stole a glance to Glorfindel. He was looking away, immersed in his own mind about the subject we had just discussed. I didn't know if he had heard Aragorn or not.
"Ah its you, my Lady. The Lady of Light's daughter." Gimli bowed.
I smiled to him. I knew Gimli was very fond of mother and he liked me very much, especially he knew that I was kind and respectful to Dwarves as well as to other races.
"You said you and Legolas are just friends. " I turned around and saw Glorfindel frowned. Oops, he heard it.
"Yes. We are, my Lord. It's just a misunderstanding. Legolas and I are just bestfriend and nothing more."
"No one blames you if it is true." Glorfindel spoke again. I could sense no jealousy or anger in his voice; he only wanted to know the truth.
"Someone might get wrong impression considering our closeness with one another, but we are friends. No more and no less."
Aragorn and Gimli looked at me, puzzled, but they didn't say anything. "Well I think I better go back to the Feast." I hurriedly walked to the Hall before anyone could raise any question again.
____________________________________________________________________________ _____-
Is it good? Is it bad? Pls pls tell me. I am really curious. Your review meant a world to me!!!