A/N: Chapter 12 follows, but I first wanted to thank and address some of those faithful reviewers that have been following this story so closely.
Satiana: LOL! Okay, you were right! The better description is an Ent. And Legolas is totally clueless because he's a GUY! I don't know about you, but most of the guys I've ever known have been just as (if not more) clueless!
pellogoien: I've never been a big fan of those LOTR fanfics that has one of the main characters that are 1) not the same race (elves, human, etc) as his/hers love interest (from what I understand, most human/elf relationships are unusual), 2) sacrifices something important (i.e., immortality) to be with that love and 3) dies and leaves the other to be doomed to grief. I'm sure there are many good stories that have these elements, but I haven't seen or read that many. I'm a sucker for happy endings. And, as for the "bedding Ziendriel" thing, well…we'll get to that soon enough. J
Silmarien forever: Which Disney movie? Beauty & the Beast ? (I'm probably totally off!) I totally take this as a compliment because I LOVE Disney movies! Thanks!
Meggie-s: "This cannot be good." Indeed.
MEN!
Oh! I totally agree! LOL!
Quenya: Thanks for being "obsessed" with my story. "Ziendriel" is a name I came up with for a story I wrote in the fifth grade (she was a princess, I think).
Sanely Challenged: Considering you mostly read slash, thanks for taking the time to read my story.
Jen: I'm trying hard to keep this reasonably believable; I hope I'm doing just that!
Nessie: I'm a sucker for accents, I guess. I did have an Oliver Wood story posted on ff.net awhile ago. But, they deleted it because I didn't update as much. Maybe I'll repost it for you. J
Also thanks to everyone else who have taken the time to read and review. Your reviews are greatly appreciated. I'm glad so many of you have enjoyed it this far and will continue to read to the end. Thanks again! Oh, and please, do not hesitate to give me any suggestions and such. I aim to please!
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Chapter 12
Tiri Amberwood stepped back from the king's bed, admiring her handiwork. She smiled proudly at the freshly made bed, her eyes roaming the evenly laid blanket and the symmetrically placed pillows at the head.
If there was anything that she excelled at, it was this. From a very young age, Tiri had been trained to do so by her mother, another chambermaid. In fact, the responsibility as the king's chambermaid had once belonged to her mother and just recently passed on to Tiri. It was a duty she took rather seriously, for she knew her calling was to serve. Generations of her family had served families of royalty and she knew no other way of life.
Tiri stepped forward to smooth the heavy blanket once more, then nearly jumped out of her skin when the doors to the room burst open. She bit back a scream as she whirled around and cursed herself for her actions. She had always been easily frightened, something a bit unusual for an elf.
The prince strode into the room, his strides hurried. His eyes glanced about the room before falling upon her. "My father," he told her, "Know you where he is?"
Tiri felt as if her tongue was tied. She had never seen the prince this up close before and she marveled at his beauty. Never had she seen someone so handsome.
"N-No, your Highness," she squeaked, her mouth gone dry, "I-I mean yes."
Legolas inwardly sighed, but smiled at the timid servant before him. "Where?" he asked, gently.
"His private st-study," Tiri answered, swallowing hard. She chanced a glance at him and nearly swooned.
Legolas noticed, but did not acknowledge it. He needed to speak with his father with the utmost urgency and did not have the time to help a swooning maiden recover. "I thank you…uh, your name please?" he asked, somewhat sheepishly.
She curtsied. "Tiri, your Highness," she replied, keeping her eyes averted from him.
"I thank you, Tiri," he said, nodding slightly. He turned on his heel and exited the room, leaving the young servant perplexed.
Thranduil stood before one of the many bookshelves in his private study, contemplating the titles that sat before him. He had finally found a spare moment to indulge himself in one of his favorite pastimes of reading and now had to overcome the difficulty of choosing one to settle down with.
His hand reached up to the fourth shelf, intent on retrieving a volume of poetry when a sudden, loud knock broke into his thoughts. He turned towards the door that led out to the main hall and found his son in the entry way. "Legolas?" he called, "Come in, son. Have I forgotten a meeting with you?"
The prince shook his head and stepped into the room. "No, Father," he replied, closing the door behind him, "But, I request a moment of your time, if I may?" He bowed, then wrung his hands slightly.
Thranduil recognized it as a sign of distress; as a child, Legolas had done it in the many times he had been troubled. "Of course, my son," he said, motioning him to a nearby seat, "Please, tell me what troubles you?"
Legolas wryly smiled. "What makes you think I am troubled?" he asked.
"Your fingers could never sit still, for one!" Thranduil exclaimed, covering his son's idle hands with his own, then laughed as Legolas blushed. "Tell me," he commanded.
Legolas sighed. "I have put myself in a very precarious situation," he explained, his eyes downcast, "I fear any action on my part will only hurt those involved."
Thranduil looked concerned. "You speak so gravely, my son," he said, somewhat worriedly, "What is this you speak of?" He had known Legolas to have been in risky situations before, but he had never seen him so worried over them.
Again, the prince sighed. "I am in love with Ziendriel," he answered, almost miserably, "I've only realized this just this day." He slunk down in his seat, his chin bowed down upon his chest.
Thranduil fought back the laughter building in his throat. "Love will always be precarious, son," he said, the smile in his voice, "If you are not experienced." His eyes twinkled as his taunt of age sunk into the younger elf's understanding.
"You are teasing me!" Legolas exclaimed, straightening up. He looked indignantly at his father.
Thranduil chuckled. "Forgive me, my son," he begged, "But, your misery was an opportune moment."
Blue eyes blazed. "Father!" Legolas exclaimed.
"Forgive me, forgive me!" Thranduil said, his hands patting the prince's arm in comfort. When Legolas calmed, he asked, "Why is this revelation met with misery? Surely it is a wonderful thing to realize love!"
Legolas groaned. "Of course it is!" he returned, "But, not when that love is not returned!" He shook his head sadly, the misery clearly pronounced in his eyes. "I love Ziendriel," he added, "I know it to be true within my heart. She is the one I have been waiting for; I have no doubt of it. But, she does not return that love; that much I am also sure of."
Thranduil stared incredulously at his son. Surely he was jesting..? "How is it that you know the feelings of Lady Ziendriel's heart?" he asked, gently.
"She is my friend, Father" he answered, "We have become so that we are able to read into one another's minds and hearts with the slightest glance. I see it with my mind; it is obvious."
Thranduil wanted to chuckle. How can he trust his eyes when it took him this long to see the truth of his feelings? He thought, amused, His eyes were deceived, but his heart was not. He should learn to listen to his heart.
"You are not mistaken, my son?" he asked, gently. His own eyes, as well as the eyes of every servant in the hall, told him of the love Ziendriel held for his son: it was in the way she smiled at him, the way she lightly touched his arm when she spoke to him, the way her eyes danced when she had his attention. It was these things that spoke volumes of her love for his son that extended way beyond the bonds of friendship.
Legolas sighed, so disheartened, Thranduil felt his heart breaking. "I am not, Father," he answered, "I would that it be true, but it is not. My heart sings with recognition but it also breaks for it will never hear an answer." He stood from his seat. "I can do nothing save continue our friendship," he added, softly.
"Even when your heart will protest?" his father asked, "If you love this maiden, if she is the one to be recognized and accepted by your heart, your soul, why must you not tell her?"
"It is because of my love for her that I will not do it!" Legolas almost shouted, "I could never hurt Ziendriel; to do so would tear my own heart!" He began to furiously pace the floor. "Her happiness is what matters and by revealing my true feelings would warrant her unhappiness. If by having her as just a friend would protect her from such misery, then so be it!" he added, vehemently.
Thranduil shook his head, then sighed. "I fear there is nothing more to say of this," he observed, "You have made your decision and I will do my best to stand by you." But, it does not mean that I will not help you to see the truth, he thought, In truth, I will make you see the truth. And I believe I know of a way.
Tiri stood by the open window of the king's private study, just out of sight. She stood on the narrow ledge for a moment, then carefully made her way back to the balcony that had served as her leverage. She stepped down over the railing and quickly smoothed down her dress, as her eyes scanned the hall for anyone passing by. Once she saw that no one was there, her face pulled into a deep frown.
"The mistress will not be pleased to hear this," she muttered, darkly.