Author's Notes: Sorry about the chapter delays but fanfiction.net is pissing us off with its not letting us get into things thing. (i.e. we are currently experiencing some technical difficulties.) Is this happening to everyone else or is fanfiction.net trying to tell us something…? Anyway, if your name is killslay, I suggest you stop reading… now, otherwise *puts on flame retardant suits* we're going to get flamed. This is purely romance, or in other words a Mary-Sue. Mary-Sue is just another name for romance. Admit it *points to everyone accusingly* you know it is. And this chapter is chalk-full of romance. You know this is what it's been leading up to. After all, the primary genre is romance.
We don't own Lord of the Rings but Elyssa is ours… and so is Haurion for that matter. Um… let's just say everyone from Elyssa's world is ours.
Chapter 5
Elyssa sat across from Legolas, simply looking down at her hands. It was July 12th. A dismal atmosphere had fallen upon the two after they had finished discussing their plans for the night. It was simple enough, they would take a taxi to Silver Ridge and there, everything would unfold for them. They mourned the shortness of their time.
Elyssa sighed, "I was just thinking…" Legolas looked up at her, waiting. "Tonight, my friend's holding a birthday party at Montecito Banquet Hall. It's a dance and I thought maybe we could go. I mean, it's really close to Silver Ridge and…" She stopped herself, she was rambling. "Well, I was just thinking."
Legolas smiled delightfully, quickly eliminating the somber mood, "I cannot think of a better way to spend my last night in your realm."
He paused, wanting to thank her for everything she'd done for him. He wanted to tell her how much she'd meant to him these past few days but Elyssa's quickly stood up and said, "Great!" her eyes brightened, "We'd better hurry and get ready."
* * *
Legolas stood at the bottom of the stairway looking anxiously above. She was taking a long time… He himself had dressed with care, wearing the clothes that Elyssa had picked out for him. He still wasn't quite used to such heavy shoes and loose garb. If he were to be chased by an Orc at that moment, he was sure that he would be caught before having the chance to pull out his bow and arrow—fast as he was. Suddenly, a pang of homesickness struck his heart and once more he longed to breath the clean air of his home world.
Elyssa chose that moment to appear at the top of the stairs. A look of unconcealed admiration filled Legolas' eyes as he gazed at her. He had always thought her fair, but tonight he wouldn't be surprised if she sprouted wings of gold and revealed herself an angel. All thoughts of Middle-Earth faded away as thoughts of Elyssa flooded his mind.
She wore a simple white dress that came down to her feet. Her ebony hair, carefully curled, fell about her shoulders. She carefully held her skirt between her fingertips as she descended the stairs, never taking her eyes off the elven prince. Legolas held out a hand for her as she gratefully accepted it, allowing him to help her down the rest of the way. The hand she gave him was cold and quivered slightly but he didn't seem to notice. Slowly, he raised her hand to his lips as he tipped his head forward. His lips barely grazed her skin in a kiss.
"You look lovely," he said softly. Elyssa never knew such simple words could cause her heart to stop and her breathing to catch in her throat. As he looked down at her as though she were the most beautiful girl in the world, Elyssa realized that she loved him. It broke her heart to know this, as she also realized that her time with him was nearing an end.
* * *
They entered the doors of the hall finding it beautifully decorated with flashy lights and party balloons. It was filled with young, energetic people pulling uneasily at their dresses and neckties. Legolas seemed to be preoccupied with the dancing couples scattered about the dance floor. Instantly, Elyssa felt him tense as the music changed to an edgy Sum 41 song. The look of utter confusion that dawned on his face made her want to giggle out loud, but she recollected herself.
"Like the song?" she asked.
"Oh… uh, yes… it is very loud."
"All our music isn't like this, I promise," she reassured the elf. Elyssa found a group of her friends at a table and sat with them. Everyone ate his or her dinner peacefully, occasionally talking politely to the elf. But soon, groups and couples began to leave the table to take a spin on the dance floor. Legolas watched them wistfully.
Finally he got up and, imitating one of the boys, he took one of Elyssa's hands, "Would you care to dance?"
Elyssa became flustered, "I don't think this is such a good idea, Legolas, I'm not very good. In fact, I do believe I suck—royally."
"My Lady, I ask but one dance," he looked down into her face and Elyssa gave into his pleading expression.
"Fine, but not here," she sighed. She led him outside, just past the doors of the hall. It was darker, but the moon beamed happily at them giving sufficient light. "Alright, are you ready?" she asked the waiting elf. He nodded.
Abruptly, ignoring the music in the hall, she thrust out one of her hands followed by another, "One-and-a-two-and-a-three-ee-macaroni!" she sang swaying her hips. "Four-and-a-five-and-a-six-ee-abalone." Her arms crossed over her chest. "Seven-and-an-eight-and-a-nine-ee-rigatoni… hey Macarena!" she finished triumphantly. Her face flushed at his expression.
"I see…" said Legolas, "I don't believe I saw anyone else dancing as you are, Elyssa."
"Yeah, well that dance is so 1997 but it's the only one I can do," Legolas gave her a puzzled look and she added hastily, "sort-of."
As though by magic, the music changed and a tender song floated about them from the hall. Elyssa looked to her toes, blushing crimson. As her lashes were long and thick, and her lids soft and creamy, the position was quite provocative. Legolas wanted nothing more than to have her peer up at him with her beautiful, dark eyes. He moved closer to her, putting a finger under her chin, lifting her face to look at his, "I am not quite sure if your ways are the same as that of the elves…"
Elyssa looked to Legolas with mirth in her eyes, "It's simple really…" She took one of his hands and placed it on her waist and took his other hand in hers. She placed her free hand on his shoulder and the two stayed like that for a few seconds.
"Time, I've been patient for so long
How can I pretend to be so strong?
Looking at you, baby
Feeling it too, baby
If I'm asking you to hold me tight
Then it's gonna be alright
"Time, am I restless or a fool?
How can you pretend to be so cruel?
Maybe it's me baby
Maybe it's true baby
Maybe it's everything we're dreaming of
We've waited long enough"
"Is this all, My Lady?" asked Legolas puzzled.
Elyssa was amused, "No, you've got to move around a bit… like this." The two began to slowly sway back and forth in small circles, "Keep going like this for the entire song."
"Oh," said Legolas relieved, "that is simple."
"The sooner you let two hearts beat together
The sooner you know this love is forever
Love needs time now or never
You really got to believe
It's gonna be strong enough"
"It's gonna be great
It's gonna be more then I can take
It's gonna be free
It's gonna be real
It's gonna change everything I feel"
"So, this is how the young people dance."
"No, actually…" Elyssa whispered, "this is how the young people dance." She took the hand she was holding, and placed it at her waist. She circled her arms round his neck, gazing up at him. Her face was only inches from his now. She carefully rested her cheek on his shoulder, one hand stroking his hair lightly.
"It's gonna be sad
It's gonna be true
It's gonna be me baby
It's gonna be you baby
It's gonna be... real
"It's gonna be love…"
* * *
In the distance, a little boy sniffed and wiped a tear from his eye. "The time is drawing near," Haurion whispered, making his way to Silver Ridge.
* * *
So how'd you like it? Was it too mushy or not mushy enough? There's only one way to let us know and that's to review, review, review. ^_^
Erika and Jerika