Title: First Sight
Chapter: 4: Holding Pattern
Author: Alkalphiel and The Scribe
Summary: Continuation of potential disaster . . .
Feedback: Yes, please! Post reviews or email alkalphiel@yahoo.com
A/N: The Scribe: Usual disclaimers apply.
Alkalphiel: I have no further comment at this time.
~*~
I waited alone in the room for only a few minutes before the servant returned. He carried a dark green gown, embroidered with a pattern of leaves in a subtle thread. Indeed, I had to look closely to discern that I was to wear what looked like a piece of the forest.
"My lady." He laid the dress on the bed, bowing.
"That's not necessary," I told him, more sharply than I intended.
"I shall wait outside. Please bring me your dress and anything else that needs cleaning. Suitable replacement shoes and jewelry are being found for you." With another bow, the servant left the room.
I was astonished. In one evening I had managed to ruin a lovely outfit, offend the Prince of Mirkwood, and be completely overrun by a palace servant. There was nothing for it but to change my clothes, washing the sticky residue off of me in the adjacent washroom, and report to the servant elf for new shoes and jewelry. Before I knew it, I'd been dispatched back to the dancing and merriment.
No sooner had I re-entered the room than Mellaithwen rushed up to me with glee in her eyes. "So?"
"Nothing, Mell. Nothing. He was simply being courteous to me. And whatever you're about to say - don't say it. Please don't."
Mell leveled a hurt look at me, but whatever she was about to say was preempted by the arrival of Telepechorien and Gorothfanaion. Tele had grown statelier since her marriage, although she had never been one to rush about as Mellaithwen and I did. She turned to Gorothfanaion and nodded, and he immediately stepped forward and asked Mellaithwen to dance. Mell accepted.
Telepechorien looked at me. "Alkalphiel, are you all right?"
"Of course, Tele. I'm just a bit tired, and sick of being badgered to find my soul mate. It will happen in its own due time." If it happens at all, I added in my head.
"Ahh. And that is all? You seem troubled, more than simply exasperated."
I've never been properly grateful for having such perceptive friends, and I wasn't about to start now. "I am fine. Perfectly fine. Come, let's sit down."
"Fair enough. That's a lovely new gown."
Iluvitar bless Telepechorien for changing the subject. We made our way to a table and watched Mellaithwen and Gorothfanaion dance. I was just working up the courage to ask Tele how it felt when she knew that Gorothfanaion was the one, when I was interrupted.
Quellepaural stood beside my chair, looking down on me. "Might I have a word with you, my lady?"
"Yes, certainly. Excuse me, Telepechorien."
She waved me off and returned to her observations, a fond smile lighting her face when she saw Gorothfanaion and Mellaithwen.
Stepping off into yet another side hall, I faced Quellepaural. "Yes?"
"What did you tell the prince about me?"
"Only what he asked to hear. I have not spoken of you to any but he, Quellepaural. And I spoke to the prince because I dared not defy royalty. Why do you ask? I received the impression that I and my affairs did not concern you."
The look in his eyes was ice. It was nearly impossible to believe that I had once thought this elf to be my soulmate. "I know what you felt when you were with me, Alkalphiel. What you thought you felt. And what you deceived me into feeling. You are a treacherous one, and when the prince uncovers the truth of this matter, I am certain you will be banned from Mirkwood. For your own sake, I would encourage you never to speak of this again."
"I . . . I shall not. Excuse me." I walked away from the guardsman, my heart beating like that of a trapped wild thing. Telepechorien gave me an odd look as I sat down. I could not meet her eyes. When I realized that Mellaithwen and Gorothfanaion were walking towards us, I began to cast about for reason to escape. At that moment, an unfamiliar elf approached me.
"Lady Alkalphiel, if you will come with me?"
I had no choice but to follow him off to another of the many rooms of Mirkwood. It was either that or stay and face the inquisition of my friends. Shortly I found myself once more in the guest quarters to which Prince Legolas had brought me.
"Please wait here. King Thranduil and Prince Legolas will arrive soon." The servant bowed and departed, leaving me with a growing sense of disaster.
Chapter: 4: Holding Pattern
Author: Alkalphiel and The Scribe
Summary: Continuation of potential disaster . . .
Feedback: Yes, please! Post reviews or email alkalphiel@yahoo.com
A/N: The Scribe: Usual disclaimers apply.
Alkalphiel: I have no further comment at this time.
~*~
I waited alone in the room for only a few minutes before the servant returned. He carried a dark green gown, embroidered with a pattern of leaves in a subtle thread. Indeed, I had to look closely to discern that I was to wear what looked like a piece of the forest.
"My lady." He laid the dress on the bed, bowing.
"That's not necessary," I told him, more sharply than I intended.
"I shall wait outside. Please bring me your dress and anything else that needs cleaning. Suitable replacement shoes and jewelry are being found for you." With another bow, the servant left the room.
I was astonished. In one evening I had managed to ruin a lovely outfit, offend the Prince of Mirkwood, and be completely overrun by a palace servant. There was nothing for it but to change my clothes, washing the sticky residue off of me in the adjacent washroom, and report to the servant elf for new shoes and jewelry. Before I knew it, I'd been dispatched back to the dancing and merriment.
No sooner had I re-entered the room than Mellaithwen rushed up to me with glee in her eyes. "So?"
"Nothing, Mell. Nothing. He was simply being courteous to me. And whatever you're about to say - don't say it. Please don't."
Mell leveled a hurt look at me, but whatever she was about to say was preempted by the arrival of Telepechorien and Gorothfanaion. Tele had grown statelier since her marriage, although she had never been one to rush about as Mellaithwen and I did. She turned to Gorothfanaion and nodded, and he immediately stepped forward and asked Mellaithwen to dance. Mell accepted.
Telepechorien looked at me. "Alkalphiel, are you all right?"
"Of course, Tele. I'm just a bit tired, and sick of being badgered to find my soul mate. It will happen in its own due time." If it happens at all, I added in my head.
"Ahh. And that is all? You seem troubled, more than simply exasperated."
I've never been properly grateful for having such perceptive friends, and I wasn't about to start now. "I am fine. Perfectly fine. Come, let's sit down."
"Fair enough. That's a lovely new gown."
Iluvitar bless Telepechorien for changing the subject. We made our way to a table and watched Mellaithwen and Gorothfanaion dance. I was just working up the courage to ask Tele how it felt when she knew that Gorothfanaion was the one, when I was interrupted.
Quellepaural stood beside my chair, looking down on me. "Might I have a word with you, my lady?"
"Yes, certainly. Excuse me, Telepechorien."
She waved me off and returned to her observations, a fond smile lighting her face when she saw Gorothfanaion and Mellaithwen.
Stepping off into yet another side hall, I faced Quellepaural. "Yes?"
"What did you tell the prince about me?"
"Only what he asked to hear. I have not spoken of you to any but he, Quellepaural. And I spoke to the prince because I dared not defy royalty. Why do you ask? I received the impression that I and my affairs did not concern you."
The look in his eyes was ice. It was nearly impossible to believe that I had once thought this elf to be my soulmate. "I know what you felt when you were with me, Alkalphiel. What you thought you felt. And what you deceived me into feeling. You are a treacherous one, and when the prince uncovers the truth of this matter, I am certain you will be banned from Mirkwood. For your own sake, I would encourage you never to speak of this again."
"I . . . I shall not. Excuse me." I walked away from the guardsman, my heart beating like that of a trapped wild thing. Telepechorien gave me an odd look as I sat down. I could not meet her eyes. When I realized that Mellaithwen and Gorothfanaion were walking towards us, I began to cast about for reason to escape. At that moment, an unfamiliar elf approached me.
"Lady Alkalphiel, if you will come with me?"
I had no choice but to follow him off to another of the many rooms of Mirkwood. It was either that or stay and face the inquisition of my friends. Shortly I found myself once more in the guest quarters to which Prince Legolas had brought me.
"Please wait here. King Thranduil and Prince Legolas will arrive soon." The servant bowed and departed, leaving me with a growing sense of disaster.