Disclaimer: As we all know, Tolkien owns all things Middle Earth. I am
merely borrowing from the estate, and they are welcome to borrow from mine
(though they'll find it amounts to a few old romance novels and a couple of
DVD musicals).
Chapter 3 – After The First Ball
Talariel had spent the good portion of her night admonishing herself for her reaction to Legolas the previous night. It had taken many hours, but she had finally been able to rationalize that her responses to his presence were only that powerful because it had been centuries since she had last seen him. As she donned leggings and a tunic for an early ride and archery practice, she further convinced herself that her past feelings of love for the prince were just that, past feelings. Feeling confident that her sensibilities were intact, she quickly tied her long hair in a tight braid wrapped with leather lacings and headed out to the stables.
She wanted nothing more than a few more hours to herself and a hard ride was just the thing to relieve any lingering tension and confusion. There was no one in the stables when she first entered, so she picked her favorite chestnut gelding. Giving the horse a carrot, she soothingly spoke to it as she walked it out of the stable to the fresh dawn air. Swinging up onto the horse's back, she was about to kick off when she heard Maluil call to her. Looking towards him, she visibly stiffened to see him with Legolas as well as Flordin. Too late to pretend she hadn't heard him, she forced an amiable smile when they neared.
The smile Legolas gave her completely undid all the rationalization and admonishments from the previous night. Talariel knew she was in trouble, but refused to allow her discomfort to show.
The early ride had been Flordin's idea and though Legolas was still somewhat irritated at his friends' actions and their thorough obstinacy regarding the object of his affections, he found himself forgiving them without an apology and looking forward to spending the morning with them. Of course, he forced them to 'convince' him first, which was easily done when Maluil informed him that Talariel was not in her rooms and likely at the stables.
As they first approached the stables and Legolas spied a dark haired she- elf leading a gelding out his heart leapt, for he believed that she was none other than the lady he had danced with. His hope was quickly quashed when Maluil called to Talariel. His disappointment was only momentary, until he realized how much he missed Talariel and how wonderful it would be to spend the morning in the company of all his friends.
He couldn't suppress a huge grin at seeing Talariel once again. Typical of her, she refused to get off the horse to greet him properly and so Legolas was caught in the position of looking up at her. "Is this any way to greet a long departed friend Talariel?" he teased.
"When the so-called friend disappears for hundreds of years, then the answer is yes. It is exactly how one should greet this friend, for he deserves no better. Especially as he did not even bother to send word of his return" she replied haughtily.
Legolas laughed at her reply. He had missed her dry wit and biting sarcasm. She was one of the few elves who spoke to him without a care for what he thought. She had never looked upon him as a prince, only as a friend. Where all the other maidens and ladies of the realm tread cautiously, Talariel hurdled across with no concern for the consequences. Legolas loved that she was so carefree with her words around him. She kept him grounded, and a simple word or two from her could strike a blow to his pride like none other could do.
Unable to control himself, Legolas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her off the horse, ignoring her loud objections. Once off the horse it was Talariel who had to look up and she was fuming. Her ire only made Legolas laugh all the harder and he pulled her into an embrace and swung her around. "After all this time it is wonderful to see the imp of our little group. You always had a sharp tongue and I missed it sorely" he said as he hugged her.
Talariel was so taken aback and flustered by his actions that her only safe reaction was anger. When he gave her that hug and swung her around with such happiness in his laughter, she found herself shaking her head and laughing with him.
Setting her down on her feet, he looked at her and noticed that she did not look at all the way he thought she would. He frowned slightly as he wondered when she had become so appealing. Her braid had a few stray hairs loose framing her face and though her clothing hid her figure he could tell she was exceedingly well shaped and toned. Gazing at her face, his eyes dwelled on her lips for some time before he noticed her blush and pull away back to her horse.
Flordin and Maluil had entered the stables to ready horses for them, and now came out with horses in tow. As the four rode out, Talariel itched for that hard ride she had desired all morning and kicked her mount into a hard gallop, spiriting away from her friends. The three exchanged surprised glances only briefly until her laughter caught their ears issuing a silent challenge. Without further invitation, the three broke into gallops as well and attempted to catch up with Talariel. They slowed to a cantor after some time, all happily winded with their ride. They rode in silence for a short time, each enjoying being all together.
"Talariel? Where were you last night? I did not see you at the ball" asked Legolas after some time.
Flordin and Maluil burst out laughing at this question. Both Talariel and Legolas shot them looks and they stifled their guffaws as best they could.
Talariel stiffened a bit and answered "But I was there Legolas."
Surprised, Legolas replied "Why did you not greet me then?"
"Perhaps she attempted to, but you were too busy doing something else" Maluil said laughingly.
"Yes, he was much taken with a certain lady last night who refused to give her name. I am surprised he remembered his own name after she ran off, so enamored of her was he. I am fairly certain that you know her Talariel" said Flordin with a wicked grin.
Legolas watched the three exchange knowing glances. Flordin and Maluil with teasing looks and Talariel with withering stares. His friends knew the lady and were keeping her identity a secret. It was exasperating, and he wondered why they would hide and protect her from him as though he would cause her harm.
"Is that true Talariel? Do you know her?" asked Legolas.
Talariel shifted on her mount and wondered how to answer his question. "Yes, I know her, Legolas" she replied cautiously.
Maluil and Flordin couldn't contain their laughter.
Furious at them, Legolas cried "What exactly is so funny?!"
"Nothing" they replied in unison only causing them to break out in further laughter. They couldn't believe how obtuse Legolas could be at times. When the truth was finally revealed they were certain he would never forgive their laughter, but for now they would revel in his foolishness and in her discomfort. She would definitely give them a verbal beating later which they knew they deserved.
Shaking his head, he motioned to Talariel and the two struck out a bit ahead of their two friends.
"Tell me her name if you know her" he begged.
Talariel hesitated. Unsure of what his reaction would be to finding out it was her, she asked "Why do you want it Legolas?", hoping to stall for time.
"For a long while as I traveled I felt a yearning for something which I could not name. Though it waxed and waned, it was always there. When I finally came home the yearning diminished quite a bit and I knew I was on the right path to quenching it, but still it lingered. At the ball last night, it grew as the night wore on and I had not understood that all that time I had been looking for something until she was before me. The moment I laid eyes on her, not even knowing who she was, my yearning disappeared. She is my destiny Talariel and I would know her" he answered.
At his words Talariel was torn in two. One side screamed in joy that it was she who made him feel this way, and the other side wept with pain that he would choose a masked lady over someone he'd known all his life. She found she was ridiculously jealous… of herself. It was unseemly and that he did not even now recognize that Talariel was the masked lady made her angry.
"You would declare yourself to a lady who would not even tell you her name?" she asked incredulously.
"I would. Do not look at me that way, Talariel. I cannot explain it. I just know she is the one for me."
"What if she is not everything you hope she is, Legolas?" she asked quietly, her eyes downcast.
"That is impossible. My heart knows this lady and there is nothing about her that would change my feelings."
"Do not be so sure of that" she whispered in reply.
Legolas looked at his friend. Talariel hid her face from him and it was hard for him to read her thoughts. Before he could continue, Maluil and Flordin rode up to join them now that their fits of hysterics were under control. Somehow the four managed to enjoy each other's company for the rest of the morning, challenging each other with ridiculous targets during their archery practice. Overall it was a wonderful morning.
Back at the stables, Legolas and Talariel led the horses back to their stalls. "Will you tell me who she is Talariel?" he asked.
"I cannot" she whispered.
Frowning, Legolas said "I would not hurt her. Whatever her secret is, it is safe with me Talariel. There is nothing about her which will mar her in my mind."
Talariel laughed mirthlessly and shook her head.
"Tell me then, do you know if she will be at tonight's ball?" he asked.
"Perhaps" was the best answer Talariel could give him.
********
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Chapter 3 – After The First Ball
Talariel had spent the good portion of her night admonishing herself for her reaction to Legolas the previous night. It had taken many hours, but she had finally been able to rationalize that her responses to his presence were only that powerful because it had been centuries since she had last seen him. As she donned leggings and a tunic for an early ride and archery practice, she further convinced herself that her past feelings of love for the prince were just that, past feelings. Feeling confident that her sensibilities were intact, she quickly tied her long hair in a tight braid wrapped with leather lacings and headed out to the stables.
She wanted nothing more than a few more hours to herself and a hard ride was just the thing to relieve any lingering tension and confusion. There was no one in the stables when she first entered, so she picked her favorite chestnut gelding. Giving the horse a carrot, she soothingly spoke to it as she walked it out of the stable to the fresh dawn air. Swinging up onto the horse's back, she was about to kick off when she heard Maluil call to her. Looking towards him, she visibly stiffened to see him with Legolas as well as Flordin. Too late to pretend she hadn't heard him, she forced an amiable smile when they neared.
The smile Legolas gave her completely undid all the rationalization and admonishments from the previous night. Talariel knew she was in trouble, but refused to allow her discomfort to show.
The early ride had been Flordin's idea and though Legolas was still somewhat irritated at his friends' actions and their thorough obstinacy regarding the object of his affections, he found himself forgiving them without an apology and looking forward to spending the morning with them. Of course, he forced them to 'convince' him first, which was easily done when Maluil informed him that Talariel was not in her rooms and likely at the stables.
As they first approached the stables and Legolas spied a dark haired she- elf leading a gelding out his heart leapt, for he believed that she was none other than the lady he had danced with. His hope was quickly quashed when Maluil called to Talariel. His disappointment was only momentary, until he realized how much he missed Talariel and how wonderful it would be to spend the morning in the company of all his friends.
He couldn't suppress a huge grin at seeing Talariel once again. Typical of her, she refused to get off the horse to greet him properly and so Legolas was caught in the position of looking up at her. "Is this any way to greet a long departed friend Talariel?" he teased.
"When the so-called friend disappears for hundreds of years, then the answer is yes. It is exactly how one should greet this friend, for he deserves no better. Especially as he did not even bother to send word of his return" she replied haughtily.
Legolas laughed at her reply. He had missed her dry wit and biting sarcasm. She was one of the few elves who spoke to him without a care for what he thought. She had never looked upon him as a prince, only as a friend. Where all the other maidens and ladies of the realm tread cautiously, Talariel hurdled across with no concern for the consequences. Legolas loved that she was so carefree with her words around him. She kept him grounded, and a simple word or two from her could strike a blow to his pride like none other could do.
Unable to control himself, Legolas wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her off the horse, ignoring her loud objections. Once off the horse it was Talariel who had to look up and she was fuming. Her ire only made Legolas laugh all the harder and he pulled her into an embrace and swung her around. "After all this time it is wonderful to see the imp of our little group. You always had a sharp tongue and I missed it sorely" he said as he hugged her.
Talariel was so taken aback and flustered by his actions that her only safe reaction was anger. When he gave her that hug and swung her around with such happiness in his laughter, she found herself shaking her head and laughing with him.
Setting her down on her feet, he looked at her and noticed that she did not look at all the way he thought she would. He frowned slightly as he wondered when she had become so appealing. Her braid had a few stray hairs loose framing her face and though her clothing hid her figure he could tell she was exceedingly well shaped and toned. Gazing at her face, his eyes dwelled on her lips for some time before he noticed her blush and pull away back to her horse.
Flordin and Maluil had entered the stables to ready horses for them, and now came out with horses in tow. As the four rode out, Talariel itched for that hard ride she had desired all morning and kicked her mount into a hard gallop, spiriting away from her friends. The three exchanged surprised glances only briefly until her laughter caught their ears issuing a silent challenge. Without further invitation, the three broke into gallops as well and attempted to catch up with Talariel. They slowed to a cantor after some time, all happily winded with their ride. They rode in silence for a short time, each enjoying being all together.
"Talariel? Where were you last night? I did not see you at the ball" asked Legolas after some time.
Flordin and Maluil burst out laughing at this question. Both Talariel and Legolas shot them looks and they stifled their guffaws as best they could.
Talariel stiffened a bit and answered "But I was there Legolas."
Surprised, Legolas replied "Why did you not greet me then?"
"Perhaps she attempted to, but you were too busy doing something else" Maluil said laughingly.
"Yes, he was much taken with a certain lady last night who refused to give her name. I am surprised he remembered his own name after she ran off, so enamored of her was he. I am fairly certain that you know her Talariel" said Flordin with a wicked grin.
Legolas watched the three exchange knowing glances. Flordin and Maluil with teasing looks and Talariel with withering stares. His friends knew the lady and were keeping her identity a secret. It was exasperating, and he wondered why they would hide and protect her from him as though he would cause her harm.
"Is that true Talariel? Do you know her?" asked Legolas.
Talariel shifted on her mount and wondered how to answer his question. "Yes, I know her, Legolas" she replied cautiously.
Maluil and Flordin couldn't contain their laughter.
Furious at them, Legolas cried "What exactly is so funny?!"
"Nothing" they replied in unison only causing them to break out in further laughter. They couldn't believe how obtuse Legolas could be at times. When the truth was finally revealed they were certain he would never forgive their laughter, but for now they would revel in his foolishness and in her discomfort. She would definitely give them a verbal beating later which they knew they deserved.
Shaking his head, he motioned to Talariel and the two struck out a bit ahead of their two friends.
"Tell me her name if you know her" he begged.
Talariel hesitated. Unsure of what his reaction would be to finding out it was her, she asked "Why do you want it Legolas?", hoping to stall for time.
"For a long while as I traveled I felt a yearning for something which I could not name. Though it waxed and waned, it was always there. When I finally came home the yearning diminished quite a bit and I knew I was on the right path to quenching it, but still it lingered. At the ball last night, it grew as the night wore on and I had not understood that all that time I had been looking for something until she was before me. The moment I laid eyes on her, not even knowing who she was, my yearning disappeared. She is my destiny Talariel and I would know her" he answered.
At his words Talariel was torn in two. One side screamed in joy that it was she who made him feel this way, and the other side wept with pain that he would choose a masked lady over someone he'd known all his life. She found she was ridiculously jealous… of herself. It was unseemly and that he did not even now recognize that Talariel was the masked lady made her angry.
"You would declare yourself to a lady who would not even tell you her name?" she asked incredulously.
"I would. Do not look at me that way, Talariel. I cannot explain it. I just know she is the one for me."
"What if she is not everything you hope she is, Legolas?" she asked quietly, her eyes downcast.
"That is impossible. My heart knows this lady and there is nothing about her that would change my feelings."
"Do not be so sure of that" she whispered in reply.
Legolas looked at his friend. Talariel hid her face from him and it was hard for him to read her thoughts. Before he could continue, Maluil and Flordin rode up to join them now that their fits of hysterics were under control. Somehow the four managed to enjoy each other's company for the rest of the morning, challenging each other with ridiculous targets during their archery practice. Overall it was a wonderful morning.
Back at the stables, Legolas and Talariel led the horses back to their stalls. "Will you tell me who she is Talariel?" he asked.
"I cannot" she whispered.
Frowning, Legolas said "I would not hurt her. Whatever her secret is, it is safe with me Talariel. There is nothing about her which will mar her in my mind."
Talariel laughed mirthlessly and shook her head.
"Tell me then, do you know if she will be at tonight's ball?" he asked.
"Perhaps" was the best answer Talariel could give him.
********
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