A/N: Two Towers opens tomorrow! WAHOO! Sorry, couldn't help myself! J

Chapter 15

            From behind the great doors that lead into the Great Hall, Ziendriel could hear the muffled sounds of the ball. She could hear people talking and the music playing, and felt her anticipation growing. She could not remember the last ball she had attended, nor the feelings she had experienced there. In a way, tonight's ball would be her first.

            And, it terrified her.

            She stood nervously off to the side of the doors, wringing her hands and chewing on her bottom lip. She didn't know how long they had been waiting to enter the hall, but to her, it seemed like an eternity!

            Legolas watched her silently, amused as usual. With all the nervous energy she was emitting, he should have been nervous as well. He could feel her anxiousness strongly, even though he stood a few feet away. He slightly shook his head and chuckled.

            Ziendriel turned on him, her hands on her hips. "I am so delighted I could amuse you, your Highness!" she exclaimed, the sarcasm dripping off her words.

            He chuckled again and walked over and took her into his arms, allowing her to bury her face into the crook of his neck. "You worry needlessly, Ziendriel," he scolded, holding her tight, "If you continue, I do not doubt you will make yourself sick all over the shiny floors of the Great Hall."

            She saw the image that he presented in her mind and sighed against his neck. "You and my mother are definitely not helping!" she said, her voice muffled.

            He weakly laughed, his thoughts momentarily thrown by her warm breath against his skin. It was then he realized what they were doing and tried to release her.

            Ziendriel, however, held fast to his waist. She turned a playful smile to him, her eyes dancing. "I told you I would not let you go," she said, softly laughing. She was jesting again, but she did not know the emotions she stirred within him.

            Legolas felt himself begin to panic. If she does not release me, he thought somewhat frantically, I will not be responsible for my actions! He gently grabbed the arms that held his waist and firmly pushed them away.

            Ziendriel noted this action with puzzlement and caught his hands in hers. "Legolas..?" she asked, tentatively. She sought his eyes with her own and became concerned when he did not immediately look at her.

            I can't think! I can't breathe! He thought, wildly, She is too close! He tried to move away, hoping to catch his breath, but once again, she would not let him. He struggled a moment, but she had a surprising viselike grip.

            "Legolas!" she cried, truly worried now and puzzled by his actions. She held fast to him, pulling him towards her, "Legolas, please! What is wrong? What did I do?"

            Legolas heard himself groan. He wanted to tell her that it wasn't her fault he was acting this way; it was through fault of his own that could not be around her. He wanted to tell her he could not breathe when she stood so close to him, couldn't think when she smiled. He wanted to tell her all of this, including his love for her, but he couldn't.

            Instead, he kissed her.

            It happened so fast, that Legolas was just as surprised as she was. One moment he was struggling with her, the next found his lips pressed against hers. He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, saving her from stumbling backwards. Ziendriel's eyes were wide with shock, her arms rigid at her side, her body frozen and tense.

            And then, to his amazement, Legolas felt her body relax against him, her arms coming to loosely wrap around his neck, as she kissed him back. He had kissed many maidens before this, but he knew that this kiss was different. It was slow and gentle, as if they had all the time in the world to explore one another's lips. There was a definite passion between them, but they felt no hurry to discover that as well. They were content with their kiss, as well as the freedom it allowed their locked up emotions.

            A discreet cough suddenly interrupted them, causing their lips to break apart. Both turned to face a blushing guard, his eyes downcast. He, along with three other guards had been appointed to escort them into the Great Hall. "Uh, I believe the king will be announcing you soon," he said, shifting uncomfortably.

            Legolas cocked his head to one side, as if listening. He turned to Ziendriel and said, "He is right. The people are beginning to settle down and the musicians are finishing their melody." He released her then, a smile tugging at his mouth.

            Ziendriel blushed and quickly set about to smoothing down her dress and hair. She did not want to see the embarrassment in her parents' eyes if they saw her disheveled state.  She gently rubbed her cheeks, then wiggled her shoulders to adjust the bodice of her gown. "Alright?" she asked Legolas, nervously biting down on her lip.

            He smiled and kissed her gently, causing her to blush again. "People will begin to wonder what we have been doing behind these doors if you continue that," he whispered to her, referring to her flaming cheeks with a slight pinch.

            She giggled and slapped his hand away. "If they do," she whispered back, "then it is entirely your fault!" She stuck her tongue out at him.

            He moved to retaliate, but was prevented from doing so when the doors before them began to creak open. He sent her a look that clearly vowed his revenge, then offered her his arm. She took it with a deep breath, then straightened her back.

            Please don't let me fall on my face! She thought.

            Jerec Yalith held his breath as he, along with the others in the crowd, watched the double doors open. The guards took an agonizing length of time to open them, which only led to the disappointment of not being able to see his daughter and the prince at once. They were standing in the shadows of the darkened banquet hall, waiting for their announcement.

            Erom, Thranduil's head valet, cleared his throat. It was a signal to get everyone's attention. "Presenting," his deep voice boomed throughout the hall, "Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and Lady Ziendriel Yalith." His arm gestured towards the doors.

            Legolas and Ziendriel stepped forward into the brightly lit room, causing an immediate flurry of reactions. There were gasps and exclamations of surprise and bits of delighted laughter, as the couple walked further into the room, then made their way to the platform where the king waited.

            Jerec watched as his daughter walked with the prince, her eyes shining through her apparent discomfort of being stared at. He saw her nervously search the crowd and almost immediately found him. Her face brightened as she smiled at him and Jerec could only laugh to himself as he returned an encouraging nod. He released his breath with a silent rush and began to relax.

            Ziendriel felt her step lighten after seeing her father. She walked with more confidence then, knowing there were a few in the crowd who were proud of her. She stole a glance at Legolas from the corner of her eye and tried not to let her smile grow any broader. Their kiss was still fresh in her mind and she knew that if she did not watch herself, she would be grinning like a fool before all the people of the kingdom.

            Legolas gently led her up the stairs of the platform, stopping a few steps before the spot where his father stood. Looking his father in the eye, he began to bow, pleased that Ziendriel was already deep into her customary curtsey. When he glanced up again, he was stunned to see the knowing look in his father's eyes, the smirk that tugged at one corner of his mouth. I know what you have done, son, his eyes seemed to tease.

            Thranduil was trying hard not to laugh at his son's expression as he bowed in return. It was not hard to guess from the boy's face and the way the girl's eyes shone that something had happened. He might be older and wiser, but he was not blind. Besides, it reminded him of his years with Legolas' mother, before she had sailed across the sea to Valinor. He smiled at this.

            Legolas was now leading Ziendriel to the top of the platform, gesturing her into a cushioned, high-backed chair. Thranduil waited until Legolas took his place standing beside her chair before speaking. "I welcome you all, noble and gentle-people alike!" he announced, "It has been many years since our last cause for true carefree celebration and I would that I could change the tide! Hence, tonight will be a celebration of many things: of our freedoms, of our lives, of our past, present and future! Tonight, we celebrate with our hearts!"

            The people cheered, causing the Great Hall to rumble with noise. Thranduil smiled at this and clapped his hands. "Let the merrymaking begin!" he exclaimed. This was greeted by more shouts as the musicians began to play.

            People immediately began to move about, some clearing off the dance floor, others capturing partners for a dance. Soon, there were more than a dozen couples twirling on the floor, a sight of true grace and beauty.

            Ziendriel watched them with shining eyes, marveling at the beauty of such a dance. She eagerly clasped her hands in her lap as she watched, so engrossed, that she nearly missed the offered hand before her.

            Legolas stood before her, his hand outstretched. "Shall we, milady?" he asked, smiling.

            Ziendriel returned the smile and took his hand. She stood from her seat as gracefully as she could, knowing that there were still eyes on her. She curtseyed. "I would be delighted, milord," she answered. She followed him down the steps and onto the dance floor. She positioned herself close to him, allowing his one hand to rest on her hip, the other to take her hand. She placed her free hand on his shoulder, then blushed when he pulled her a bit closer.

            Legolas smiled at her, then led his partner towards the other couples. He soon had her gliding and twirling along with them, adding a few extra turns of his own. This made Ziendriel laugh in delight, causing some in the crowd to turn and smile.

            "I cannot believe that that is Ziendriel!" one woman whispered to her companions, as they stood watching from a distance, "For a moment I thought Emor had her confused with Ariel!"

            One of her friends nodded. "She is unlike anything I have heard or knew about her," she admitted, "Was she not plain before?"

            Another shook her head. "I do not believe so," she replied, "One cannot go from plain to…her!" The other women nodded in understanding, knowing that she spoke of beauty.

            "Of course, she is not quite the same as her sister Ariel or Elyse Silverstream," the first woman decided, "I do believe those two will always be in a class of their own."

            "Oh, I agree!" said another, "But, you must admit that Ziendriel does possess her own beauty. It is no wonder that there are tales of her and the prince." At this the others nodded.

            Unbeknownst to the group of noble ladies, Lady Adrianna Roseleaf stood behind them, listening to their conversation. With each new remark, the young elven-lady's face had darkened with anger. She quickly slipped away from them, unnoticed. "This changes everything," she muttered, darkly.