Chapter 13

King Thranduil was hosting a ball.

The excited anticipation over the news ran through the inhabitants of Mirkwood with infectious speed, causing soft-spoken Elf-maidens to scream like children and the males to strut like peacocks. (A/N: I don't know if Middle-Earth had any peacocks, but I thought the description best portrayed what I wanted; I apologize if I offend!). It had been quite some time ago that the king had thrown a ball (the homecoming of the prince had not counted because it had originally begun as a banquet; in his excitement and joy of having his son return, Thranduil had forgotten to inform the musicians), but it was a very welcomed event, for Thranduil was known for his merry-making at celebrations such as this.

Legolas had been beside himself. "I have never fancied these things!" he had grumbled, once he had received the news. "Why must I endure this torture my father continues to assault me with?" He began to pace the floor of his bedchambers and muttered to himself.

Gragoc, who had been discussing the details of their upcoming hunting trip with him, chuckled. "It cannot be that bad, Legolas," he said, grinning. "And, it is only for one night."

"You will not have to dance with every eligible maiden and their mothers for the entire night!" Legolas said, miserable at the thought. He knew this ball was just an excuse for his father to find him a wife. And after telling him of his feelings for Ziendriel, how could his father possibly think of hosting a ball with such a purpose?

"I will try, make no mistake about that!" his friend jested, his mischievous smile growing. When it succeeded into making the prince smile, he added, "Why not invite someone to escort? You will not be obligated to dance with so many if you are already occupied."

"And whom, may I ask, should I take?" Legolas asked, but regretted it once he realized what he had just done. When Gragoc's smile grew wider, his fears were confirmed. No, he thought. No, no, no!

"Ziendriel," Gragoc answered, simply.

Legolas inwardly groaned. "That is impossible," he stated, turning away. Please, just let it be! he begged silently.

But, Gragoc did not. "And, may I ask why not?" he demanded.

The prince thought fast. "If I was to escort her," he explained, "she would be under the scrutiny of every single elf in this kingdom. You know she does not do well in that sort of situation, nor would I intentionally put her there. As her friend, I will not."

Gragoc snorted in disbelief. 'Friend' my foot! he thought. All this time has passed and he still does not see that he loves the maiden! "You will be there with her," he argued, "as well as myself, Lorith and Jhad; we will protect her." He knew of the fright Ziendriel experienced at being in the forefront of things, but he also knew that the presences of himself and his friends always calmed her down.

"Yes, but who will protect her from the three of you?" Legolas remarked, sarcastically. His thoughts wandered back to their many encounters and the way she always greeted the four of them: hugs, kisses on their cheeks, then her brilliant smile. With his newly admitted feelings for her, the thought of Ziendriel bestowing another elf with the same honor was infuriating!

Gragoc saw the flash in the prince's eyes. If I didn't know better, he thought to himself in surprise, I would have mistaken that look in eyes for jealousy. Lorith has told me of his conversation with Legolas that day in the woods; could Legolas be jealous and not know?

"No response?" Legolas was now saying, the teasing light returning to his eyes. He stood before his friend, his arms haughtily folded across his chest.

"Oh-ho!" Gragoc cried. "Do not mistake my silence for acquiescence to your alleged wit, my friend! I thought it best to let you have this one in light of your current miserable state!"

Legolas smirked at him. "'Miserable state'?" he repeated. "The ball is my reason; what is yours?"

Gragoc's eyes grew wide in surprise. "I will show you!" he exclaimed, grinning as he launched himself at his friend. Legolas was ready for him and met him halfway, causing the two to fall to the floor. Legolas immediately flipped Gragoc onto his back, then proceeded to trap him in a headlock.

"Yield!" Gragoc yelled, no doubt alarming the servants passing by in the hall. "I yield!" He took a deep breath when Legolas finally released him and massaged his neck. "I fear the disposition of your dwarf friend has rubbed off on you, my prince!" he complained.

Legolas just smiled. "That is nothing to what Gimli has taught me, my friend," he said. "You would do well to remember that the next time you are encouraged to attack me." He stood, then helped his friend up.

"So, will you ask her?" Gragoc queried, smoothing down his tunics. Though he was nearly three thousand years old, his mother would not take his disheveled state in stride.

Legolas looked puzzled for a moment, then nodded. "I suppose," he murmured. "I am sure she will be far better company than the other maidens." He spoke with such a sigh that Gragoc laughed.

"Such spirit!" he jested.

Ariel Yalith frowned as her eyes fell upon her older sister. At the moment, Ziendriel was curled up on the window seat of their kitchen, her nose planted firmly in a book. Ariel didn't know why her sister wasted such time with the dusty, dirty things; they were so boring! Most of the books her sister read held such history that Ariel thought redundant and useless. Why would anyone—except for the Elders, of course—want to relive a battle or event that happened centuries ago?

In her own way, Ariel knew she was smart. She knew of the best way to pinch her cheeks so her natural blush would appear, or how to make her hair curl the way she wanted, or even the best way to smile at a man to make him think only of her. She was quite clever at these things and knew her sister would be, too. If she would detach herself from that book! she thought, almost angrily.

After the initial shock of hearing the rumors of Ziendriel and Legolas, Ariel had calmed herself down to hear her sister's explanation. Ariel had felt her body relax when Ziendriel had explained that she and the prince were friends and truly had no designs to capture him for herself. Ziendriel had spoken with such sincerity, that Ariel and felt foolish for even thinking it of her sister. The tension between them had almost instantly disappeared after that.

Ariel knew she was beautiful and had long ago accepted it. She refused to feel guilty over it when she encountered jealousy or malice from some of the other maidens in the land. It was not her fault she had been blessed with this gift! Those less fortunate would have to learn to accept it and themselves.

She marveled at her sister's genuine acceptance of herself. She knew of the tales that constantly followed Ziendriel, speaking of her plainness. Ariel knew that if it had been her (and thank Elbereth that it wasn't!), she would have locked herself away in her room and refused to come out.

But, not Ziendriel. She continued to live her life, always smiling, always greeting the day with hope and innocence. She seemed truly happy with herself and her life, and Ariel could only allow her that, because she did not understand.

"What are you reading now, sister?" Ariel was now asking, walking further into the room. She was pleased when the older girl immediately put her book down and turned to her. If there was anything Ariel didn't like, it was to be ignored.

"I will not bore you with the details, dear one," Ziendriel answered, smiling. "For I know you will reprimand me for engaging in such a hobby." She patted the cushion beside her. "You wish to speak with me?" she prompted, noticing the scroll in her hand.

"Yes," Ariel answered. "This arrived this morning. It's a proclamation from the king!" Her face shone with excitement as she unrolled the parchment. "Look!" she added, thrusting it at her sister.

Puzzled, Ziendriel began to read. Her brown wrinkled in thought. "A ball?" she asked, looking up. "For what reason?"

Ariel shrugged. "Does it matter?" she demanded, standing from her seat. "A ball, sister! There have been far too little of them, in my opinion. It was as if the king did not have time for them anymore!"

Perhaps it was because he had better things to do, Ziendriel thought, wryly. Like protecting his lands from the threat of Mordor? Aloud, she said, "Well, you certainly have your wish. I suppose I shall summon Jura to begin work on your new gown?"

Ariel squealed with delight. "Oh, yes!" she exclaimed, happily. "I will have the most beautiful gown, you will see! Jura is the best and has never let me down. Unlike that dressmaker of Elyse's," she added, smugly.

Ziendriel sighed. When it came to friends, Ariel had the worst. They were all beautiful like her and very competitive. So much so, that it sometimes went beyond the point of malicious. Ziendriel didn't know why her sister put up with her so-called 'friends.' Who needed enemies when you had friends such as those of Ariel?

Ariel began to count the many ways she needed to prepare, essentially ignoring her sister. Ziendriel did not mind; she often found it amusing once Ariel set her mind to something. Even if that something was in seven day's time.

Ziendriel laughed silently to herself, then stopped when she heard a knock on the front door. They usually did not get visitors at this time in the evening and if they did, the knock would have come from the door that lead to the tunnel. She listened as their servant walked to the front door and answered it.

"Milady?" the servant called, as she rounded the corner. Her eyes fell upon Ziendriel. "Milady, you have a visitor," she announced.

Ziendriel frowned; she never got visitors! "Yes, Juiel," she said. "Who is it?"

Juiel blushed. "It is the prince, milady," she answered. "Prince Legolas."

At this, Ariel had grown quiet. Her eyes looked first to Juiel, then to her sister. "The prince is here?" she hissed. She began to smooth down her dress and fluff her hair. Once that was done, she began to pinch her cheeks, then her lips.

Ziendriel found this highly amusing, but dared not laugh. "Calm yourself, Ariel," she told her, soothingly. "I will go and see what the prince is need of." She turned and began to exit the room.

Ariel followed closely. "Not without me, you won't!" she whispered, almost tripping on her sister's feet.

The two found Legolas sitting in their front room, glancing curiously about. Once he saw them, he immediately stood and bowed his head in greeting. "Ariel," he murmured, and she curtsied. He moved forward to hug Ziendriel, but her eyes warned him not to. She discreetly glanced at her sister, her eyes meaningful.

Legolas understood. Since their friendship had begun, Ziendriel had told him of her situation with her sister. Although it amused them both, Legolas had agreed that they both had to be careful around Ariel. He simply nodded to the elder girl, who curtsied in response.

Ariel immediately went on the attack. "We are quite honored with your presence, your Highness," she said, sweetly, "To what do we owe this pleasure?" Her smile turned positively feline over the last word, causing Ziendriel to roll her eyes and Legolas to bite back his laughter.

"I see you have received my father's announcement," he said, quickly. "You will be there, of course." He looked expectantly at Ziendriel, who looked away.

"Of course," Ariel purred, stepping closer to him. She ushered him to the nearest couch and gently pushed him down. She sat so sloe to him, she was almost on his lap. "Comfortable?" she asked.

Legolas cleared his throat. "Thank you," he said, somewhat uncomfortably. Ziendriel hid her smile.

"Your father's announcement has caused quite a stir!" Ariel was now saying. "I do believe there is not a single soul who is not riddled with excitement!" She lightly touched his arm and smiled.

Legolas weakly smiled back. "Yes, well," he managed, for he suddenly felt as if there was a lack of air to breathe. "I have come to ask your sister a question in regards to the ball." He gently unhooked her fingers from his arm and turned to Ziendriel.

She saw the intention in his eyes and silently begged him not to. Please! she begged. Not in front of Ariel!

Her sister, however, gave him no choice when she announced, "We have no secrets within this family." What could he possibly have to ask?

She asked for it, Legolas' eyes told Ziendriel, his smile telling her that he would enjoy this. She knew he frowned upon her sister's past behavior towards her, but did not think he would go back on his word.

"Perhaps," he told Ariel. "But, all the same, I would have a moment of privacy with your sister." He stood then, and held out his hand to older sister. "A walk?" he suggested.

She gratefully took his hand, then sent an apologetic smile to her sister. Not surprisingly, she was frowning. "I will return in a moment," she told her. Ariel simply nodded, then began to pout.

"Good day, milady," Legolas said, glancing briefly at her. He quickly hid his smile, then led Ziendriel outside.

"You are horrible!" Ziendriel laughed, once they were a safe distance away from the house. She lightly punched his arm.

"The face of hope on one sister and the look of horror on the other," Legolas said, chuckling. "A highly amusing sight!" He dodged another punch. "Hold!" he exclaimed, smiling. "Or you shall never know the purpose of my torment of you!"

"Ha!" she said, punching him anyway. "I already know it! It is because it amuses you so!" She stuck her tongue out at him.

"True," he replied, nodding, "But, incorrect! I have come to ask you to the ball."

She laughed, not understanding. "Your father has already requested my presence," she answered, "as well as everyone else in the kingdom."

Legolas groaned. "Ziendriel, you fool!" he said, but not unkindly. "I am asking you to come to the ball…as my escort."

That silenced her quickly. She stared at him, her mouth slightly agape, her eyes wide. "Before you protest," he continued, "I have the assurances of Gragoc, Lorith and Jhad that they will protect you from the sinister eyes of the kingdom. You cannot ask for better protection than that."

She shook her head, smiling. "Then I fear the five of us will not be in attendance very long," she jested. "I do not doubt that the antics of the three of them during such merrymaking will have your father banishing them. And us as well, by association."

Legolas chuckled. "You agree, then?" he asked, hopefully.

Ziendriel nodded, surprised at herself. Her time with the prince had opened a whole set of new experiences to face and she marveled at her boldness to be his escort. "I will have to keep a close watch on you and your friends," she warned, "for I admit that it has been quite awhile since I have been to a ball; I will not have you ruining my experience!"

He deeply bowed "As you wish, milady," he said, solemnly, causing her to laugh. He crossed his eyes at her, then added, mischievously, "But I cannot promise that we will behave should any mischief presents itself."

Ziendriel just laughed.