The night had waned into morning by the time Legolas and Carandoliel retired for a few hours sleep. Despite the soft glow of morning sunlight which was stubbornly pouring through the arched windows, Legolas had no trouble in quickly dropping off into a dreamless sleep.
When he awoke in the early hours of the afternoon, Carandoliel was no longer beside him in their bed. He heard the distant sound of her soft humming and realized she must be bathing. Shaking off the last of his tiredness he arose and dressed, calling to Carandoliel that he would meet her in the Great Hall after he had something to eat.
The castle was alive with hustle; servants were running to and fro gathering stray revelers and cleaning up the remains of the feast. Legolas made his way past the commotion and headed for the dining hall, where a light lunch had been prepared and was waiting for him.
"Good afternoon Master Legolas."
"Araorë!" He took a seat across from the prince and smiled with what Legolas perceived to be a slight hesitancy. He noticed as well that Araorë had neither bathed nor changed from the clothes he had worn the day before.
"Where were you last night? I did not see you about the festivities at all!" Araorë shifted uncomfortably and turned his eyes towards the doors leading to the passageway.
"I was…otherwise occupied. But I trust you did not need my presence to keep the celebration lively?" He forced a smile that Legolas found somewhat disquieting. Something was troubling Araorë behind his large gray eyes, something was distracting his mind.
"I should have liked it all the same. Tell me…where were you last night?" At this Araorë's distraction blossomed into indignant nervousness and for the first time in all their long years as friends, he spoke to Legolas with the unmistakable bite of rudeness in his voice.
"It is none of your concern Legolas. You would do well to leave me to my own affairs." Silence fell like a hammer at the end of his remark and Legolas could think of nothing to say. He did not desire to engage in an argument with Araorë, he had not really meant to put him on his defensive guard.
The food in front of him was all but forgotten as his natural curiosity flooded every vein in his body. What was this secret that was so deftly being hidden underneath his very nose? He would commission his father for answers, but in the meantime he thought he would make a diplomatic attempt to salvage a decent conversation from Araorë and allow him room to unruffle his feathers.
"I meant nothing by it. Your affairs are your own, forgive me my prying." Araorë visible loosened as he forced a smile that did not extend to his eyes.
"Quite forgiven my friend."
~*~