Disclaimer: Once again, I am but a mere fanfiction writer. Spare me your lawsuits, for I am making no money from this work of fiction. I make no claim to the name or charcter of Legolas, or the elven languages, which are Mr. Tolkien's. Some magic spells are mine, but the rest belong to the genius of J.K. Rowling. Thank you…

A/N: Enough snooty disclaimer talk, read and review…

Chapter Two: Insults

Elorelei rode back home, mind still raging at Legolas's last comment. "Tea?" She thought angrily as she rode through the village. "I'd show him tea." She prayed that her last arrow had fixed him (even though she'd used a word from a mortal's vocabulary and not an elf's) and set Iledian loose so she may graze a bit before it was time for them to leave. Iledian was going with Elorelei on her journey and would stay with her even if she were going into a pit of fire snakes. Keeping her hood up and her face down, Elorelei managed to pass through the village unnoticed. If she had been recognized, the village children would've wanted her to come and play. Though she loved tumbling around with them, Elorelei felt she'd better get home and soon.

She was right.

"Elorelei, where've you been? You're carriage will be here less than an hour!" Once again, the family servant, Maehar Silvermoon, knew exactly what was what around the castle, even if the King himself didn't.

Elorelei heaved a great sigh. "Maehar, you really need to take a rest. Maybe go down to the dale, have a nice long nap."

Maehar looked disgusted by the idea. "Your mother, Queen Minele, is expecting you to leave in proper dress-"

"I know who my mother is, she's Queen, whoopdeedo. I don't need to be told." She admired the large amout of uncaring she'd used then absorbed his other comment. "I AM properly dressed!" said Elorelei indignantly. She gestured to her outfit. A common hunting outfit, moss green and brown, with a hooded cloak.

Maehar looked at it with dislike. "The arrival of the pupils to the Castle is a sacred event. Perhaps a dress?"

She looked Maehar squarely in his eyes. "No."

"I'm afraid it has already been chosen and you WILL wear it. Your father has consented."

Elorelei knew her father's word was law, she couldn't disobey. Appaled and a little sickened, she stood, unable to react.

Maehar seemed to soften. "Elihar's in your room and awaiting your company." He nearly let himself smile when her face lit up.

"Eli! He's returned?"

"Yes, but don't-"

Maehar shook his head as he saw his words were in vain. Elorelei had sprinted off down the corridor in a silent run.

Eli smiled as he saw the running figure approach him. He knew she would probably be scolded if anyone saw her acting so openly emotional and unladylike, but he soon found he didn't care when she leapt into his open arms, smiling.

"When did you get back? I've been exploring all over but it's not the same without you." Eli had been Elorelei's only friend when she first came to be in the kingdom. They spent many hours together and had a binding friendship. Even after Eli was called away to enhance his powers as a healer. Now he had returned, but now she was leaving. Eli, who was the only son of Maehar, had long, brownish-blonde hair and a fair face. He was fifty years older than Elorelei and skilled in the ways of old healing magic, which most healers considered to be folly.

"I wanted to see you off to the castle," said Eli, his silver eyes beamed at Elorelei.

To his great surprise, her face fell. "Ugh, this castle place brings me nothing good." She sighed. Eli made a face. "Except for you of course, Eli. But you've only come to say goodbye, haven't you?"

He nodded. "It won't be goodbye forever. I will be able to visit you, I am taking steps to becoming a member of your father's council."

Elorelei looked at him in sheer wonderment. "You, Eli? On a council?"

He rolled his eyes. "Always supportive, eh, Lori?"

"I don't want to go, is that so wrong?"

"You are to be Queen one day-"

"No, Fili may be King. I do not want the responsibility that comes with a kingdom." They spoke of Elorelei's baby brother, Filior. He was born a time after Elorelei was and would've inherited the throne. She still intended to surrender the throne to him, once he was old enough to take it. If he proved himself capable of taking it.

Eli shook his head. "Lori..."

Before he could say any more, Minele's voice reverberated off the walls of the palace.

"ELORELEI! Your carriage is here!"

Elorelei snapped her head to face Eli. "I don't want to go," she mouthed, her eyes faded into a look of helplessness. Eli sighed and gave her another hug.

"I know," he said, petting her hair. "I know."

*~*~*~*

The last of Elorelei's things were packed onto the Castle's specialized carriage. She sat on the stone steps in front of the palace doors, sulking. She wore a long, flowing, dark blue gown with a jeweled brooch. She'd utterly refused to wear high-heeled shoes and (with her father's asmued agreement) was instead wearing shimmering sandals. Eli sat with her, watching her things being put into a large compartment.

"Don't worry," said Eli, as Minele gave Elorelei a satisfied look. "You'll have some company on the trip. Usually it's two or three elves to one horse-drawn."

"Oh, wonderful." Elorelei let her voice drip with sarcasm as two more, smaller carriages came up. Out of one, stepped a small, dainty creature with long, straight blond hair. She had clear blue eyes that matched her gown perfectly, she looked at her surroundings in an unimpressed way, her eyes slit and her nose in the air.

"That is Celidia Softwind," Eli nudged Elorelei and gestured towards the fragile beauty. "She's a nobleman's daughter from the West, very skilled in making clothing and-"

"And she looks like a total prat," said Elorelei suddenly with mock surprise.

Eli glared at her. "How about you give a description of your other guest?" He waved his hand at the other carriage and out jumped a familiar and ambitious looking face.

Elorelei slouched. "Legolas Greenleaf, primped and pampered nosy Prince of West Valley most likely now carrying a grudge against me."

Eli gave her a look. "What for?"

"I shot at him twice and threatened his life." She shrugged carelessly and stood up from the steps.

He sighed once more before speaking. "Will you at least try to make friends?" He begged, offering his arm, as was custom, and led her down to the others.

"I did. The spell went all wrong and I just ended up making overly-excitable shrubs." As soon as their feet touched solid ground, Iledian trotted over and nuzzled into Elorelei's shoulder. Careful to mess up her mane, she petted the horse and made sure Minele saw. Upon seeing Eli, Iledian made for his pockets, and he often had a treat for her.

"Here, you greedy animal." He offered up a small yellow herb and she inhaled it. "It will keep you from starving on the long walk. Not that I care." He joked. The mare nudged him in the ribs as thanks, then stood by the carriage. Elorelei winced as she saw her horse trussed up in beads and flowers, her mane combed and brushed, and decorated lavishly like a shrine.

Filior snickered as his sister approached, reminding him strongly of the snooty kinds of ladies that came into the court during on of his father's parties. He was a small elf, looking like a lot like a six year old mortal, blondish, but still shocking white, hair framed his face, embedded with sea-green eyes. Lumaeus said they came from his grandmother, but everyone seemed to look away when he said this.

"Be quiet, Filly, it won't be any fun for you either." Elorelei snapped playfully.

Legolas immediately recognized the voice. He looked up and could not help but scowl at the sight. It was the same girl that had attacked him. He felt something should be done, but not with so many nobles and royals present. He'd get his revenge in his own way. He didn't like the way everyone seemed to be watching him, labelling him 'the mischievious young prince'.

An escort appeared from inside the carriage. "How do you ride, your highness?" He was addressing Elorelei.

She blinked dumbly at him. "Uh, mostly bareback but I will ride sidesaddle on occa- OW!" she cried as Eli's elbow connected with her ribs.

"She'll ride regularly until you reach the Glimmering Mountains. From there she may ride on horseback," said the annoyed elf, trying to ignore King Felair, who was nearly bursting at the seams with laughter.

"Ah, and you, miss?" asked the escort.

Celidia answered sharply (she was a bit peeved that she did not hold the title of "highness") that she would ride through the trip without a horse and Legolas did the same.

"You'll be home before you know it, sparrow." Felair comforted his daughter as she hugged Eli, Filior, her grandfather, Minele, and finally himself.

"Behave." Minele warned.

Elorelei openly laughed as she climbed in the carriage. "Me? Misbehave? Wouldn't dream of it..."

Filior watched the carriage roll out of sight, wondering if his sister would be the same when she returned home.