Chapter 7:
"Lara, did you make sure father invited everyone?" Legolas said barging into the study.
"Yes, I made sure he did don't worry. Who ever you're looking for will definitely be there"
"Thank you" he said giving her a kiss on the cheek, "have you seen Adelaide?"
"She's out in the garden I believe"
Legolas ran out into the garden to tell Adelaide the good news. She was walking along the tree lined path toward the fountain in the middle of the garden.
"Adelaide! Lara has told me that my father already sent out the invitations!"
"That's good to hear" she gave him a weak smile and kept walking.
"What's the matter?" he said. He stood in front of her to stop her from walking.
"Nothing is the matter. Does there always have to be something wrong?" she looked at him and knew that if he asked her anymore she would surely tell him about Banquo but she wasn't ready to, "I've just got a slight headache" she said making up any reason so Legolas wont pester her.
"I hope it's nothing serious" Legolas said.
"Have you seen Banquo?" she asked. Her mouth was working faster than her brain and as soon as the words left her lips, she instantly regret it.
"No I haven't seen him since yesterday. I'm going now to see him. Would you like to come with me?"
"No I'd rather not thank you"
Now it was evident that Adelaide was upset because of Banquo. Legolas decided not to question her just yet until she's had time to cool off.
He walked over to the stables to get his horse. "Good day sir, your horse is ready" said the stable manager. He climbed on and kicked it with his foot but it wouldn't move. "Come on Chelsea! I'm in a hurry" the horse still wouldn't move. Legolas gave it one last hard kick and it leaped up in the air making Legolas fall into the mud.
"Are you ok sir?" the stable manager said giving him a hand up.
"Great! My royal cloak is dirty!" he took it off and handed it to the stable manager. "See that it gets clean."
"Would you like another horse sir?"
"No I will walk"
He couldn't be bothered going back to his room to change and resolved to just go the way he was to Banquo's house to see him.
On the way he passed through the market place and as he walked, he couldn't fight thoughts about the mysterious girl from the charity fair. How could someone he met for such a short time leave such a big impression on him? Or was it because she didn't throw herself at him like all the other girls do that made him want to know more about her? What was so good about her anyway? She could be nothing like what he imagined. May questions twirled around in his head but where interrupted when a man bumped into him from behind. He was carrying so many boxes that he couldn't see where he was going.
"I beg your pardon sir, I did not see you" he said and he kept walking.
Legolas was puzzled by such behaviour and watched the man walk through the town in a zigzag fashion.
As he watched, Legolas saw a young maiden carrying two large bags of fruit with a little boy next to her holding a small bag walking in the opposite direction to the man with the boxes.
The man with the boxes didn't see the girl and bumped straight into her knocking the bags out of her hands and making the fruit in the bags roll all over the ground. She dropped to the ground straight away to pick them all up before they got squashed by bystanders.
Legolas ran over to help her. "Please let me do it" he said to her and she stood up and watched him put all the fruit back into the bags.
Legolas finished packing the fruit into the bags and stood up to give them to the lady and as he did, he realise that it was none other than the mysterious girl from the Charity Fair!
"Thank you kind sir" she said sweetly.
Legolas was speechless and couldn't help but stare at her.
"You're the one that painted the dragon for me at the fair!" said the little boy.
The maiden looked at him for second and said "you are right my love, he is the artist from the fair"
"Yes that would be me", he said with a smile, glad that she remembered him.
"Thank you again sir for helping me" she said looking into his eyes. He felt as if her eyes had put him in a trance, he could not take his eyes of hers no matter how much he tried.
"Layla lets go I'm tired" he brother called out, tugging at her cloak.
Their gaze broke when she looked down at her brother blushing at what had just occurred. "Yes my dear, we will go now"
Legolas still stared at her, "Layla. That is your name. It is very beautiful"
"Thank you", she hesitated for a minute, "I must go home now. Can I have my things back?"
"I will carry them for you if you like"
"You're too kind sir"
She walked ahead holding her little brother's hand and Legolas caught up to her.
"So are you going to the ball?", he desperately wanted to hear her talk more and tried to start a conversation.
"I have been invited. I daresay everyone has. But I am not sure if I can come"
"Why not?"
"Because I don't have anything fit to wear to a ball. Everyone will be dressed elegantly and it would be a crime if I don't"
"It doesn't matter what other people think. You should come anyway" she smiled at his comment.
"Will you be there?" she asked.
Legolas was surprised at her question but then realised that she still didn't believe he was the prince. He looked down at his clothes and remembered that he didn't have his royal cloak on so there was no way she would believe him now.
"Yes I will, so you have to be there too" he said.
She blushed and looked to the ground.
They came to a small white cottage and as they approached it, Leith let go of his sister's hand and ran to the door and opened it. Layla led Legolas in to where the kitchen was and he put down the bags. Then he made his was back outside the door to leave. Layla went after him and stood at the door.
"Thank you so much sir. You have been very kind to us." She said again.
"It was nothing" he turned to leave but decide to take a chance "what are you doing now?"
"Nothing, I might read a book"
"Would you like to go for a walk with me?"
"Thank you yes" she said taking his hand and closing the door behind her.
They walked to Moltolas River and talked non stop the whole time. It was not a long walk from her house but they walked very slowly. When they got to Moltolas he said "this is it. The ultimate getaway"
"Its very beautiful" she sat as she sat on the grass under a tree. Legolas sat beside her.
"Do you meet Adelaide here everyday?" she enquired. Legolas told her all about Adelaide and Banquo. It just came so natural to tell her these things and she listened attentively.
"Not everyday, but most of the time. When we were kids we came here everyday and sometimes we would camp out here in the holidays. Just the three of us" he recalled, staring out into the river.
"Just the three of you" she repeated and he looked at her again.
"You know, I feel like I've known you all my life"
"Really? Me too. It's a strange feeling is it not? I think will be become good friends"
"So do I" but of course he didn't want to be just good friends. No one he had ever met had slipped into his heart so easily and so quick as Layla.
They heard a horse coming closer and someone jumped off and come toward them.
"Legolas where have you been I want to talk to you" Banquo said through gasps.
Then he saw that there was a female next to Legolas. He quickly collect himself and said "oh, I am sorry I did not realise that you had someone with you. I will see you later then"
"No wait", Layla said as she stood up, "you do not have to leave." She turned to face Legolas "it's getting late. I must go. Thank you for your kindness" she curtsied and then left.
As soon as she was out of sight, Banquo said "was that.?"
"Yes it was" Legolas interrupted excitedly.
"Really? How did you find her?"
Legolas proceeded to tell his friend what had happened at the market place.
After that they sat silently looking out at the river.
"Its amazing how quickly we connected. I feel like I've known her all my life and I can tell her anything" Legolas said breaking the silence.
"Yes" was all Banquo could manage to say, he kept thinking about Adelaide. 'I HAVE known her all my life' he thought, 'but I can't even tell her how I feel'.
"I mean, I could've just left her at home like that, but I didn't I took a chance, something just came over me and I took a chance. It must be fate!"
"Aha" was Banquo's reply.
"Then I brought her here and we made mad passionate love"
"Aha"
"Banquo!! Did you hear anything I said?" he said grabbing Banquo by the shoulders and shaking him.
"Sorry, sorry. I just have other things on my mind" he said.
"What is it? Anything to do with Adelaide?"
"How did you know? Did she tell you anything?"
"No she didn't. I'm guessing it has something to do with her. I saw her just now at the palace and she was not in a good mood. What is it that you wanted to tell me?" Legolas asked.
"Oh it's nothing" he didn't know how to tell Legolas what happened and decided not to say anything at all.
"Banquo, you know I can read you like a book. Something went on between you and Adelaide and I demand to know what it is! I could help you!" Legolas said rising to his feet.
"Alright, I will tell you"
Legolas sat back down next to Banquo.
"We. how should I put this? We kissed" he said blushing
Legolas laughed, "you mean a peck on the cheek?". He knew his friend was very shy when it came to things of this nature.
"No you halfwit! I mean a real kiss!"
Legolas fell on the floor laughing.
"Oh I wish I never told you!" Banquo said angrily.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry" Legolas said between laughs.
He calmed himself down and sat up and said "please, Banquo continue. What happened after that?"
"I just panicked and I left. I left her here by herself"
"Why?"
"I don't know what came over me. She would never want me now"
"How do you know that? Banquo, when I saw her today she asked about you"
"Really?" Banquo's face suddenly lit up.
"Yes. She has been at the palace all day. Go and talk to her. It's worth a try"
Banquo stood up and when to leave "thank you" he said and left.
"Lara, did you make sure father invited everyone?" Legolas said barging into the study.
"Yes, I made sure he did don't worry. Who ever you're looking for will definitely be there"
"Thank you" he said giving her a kiss on the cheek, "have you seen Adelaide?"
"She's out in the garden I believe"
Legolas ran out into the garden to tell Adelaide the good news. She was walking along the tree lined path toward the fountain in the middle of the garden.
"Adelaide! Lara has told me that my father already sent out the invitations!"
"That's good to hear" she gave him a weak smile and kept walking.
"What's the matter?" he said. He stood in front of her to stop her from walking.
"Nothing is the matter. Does there always have to be something wrong?" she looked at him and knew that if he asked her anymore she would surely tell him about Banquo but she wasn't ready to, "I've just got a slight headache" she said making up any reason so Legolas wont pester her.
"I hope it's nothing serious" Legolas said.
"Have you seen Banquo?" she asked. Her mouth was working faster than her brain and as soon as the words left her lips, she instantly regret it.
"No I haven't seen him since yesterday. I'm going now to see him. Would you like to come with me?"
"No I'd rather not thank you"
Now it was evident that Adelaide was upset because of Banquo. Legolas decided not to question her just yet until she's had time to cool off.
He walked over to the stables to get his horse. "Good day sir, your horse is ready" said the stable manager. He climbed on and kicked it with his foot but it wouldn't move. "Come on Chelsea! I'm in a hurry" the horse still wouldn't move. Legolas gave it one last hard kick and it leaped up in the air making Legolas fall into the mud.
"Are you ok sir?" the stable manager said giving him a hand up.
"Great! My royal cloak is dirty!" he took it off and handed it to the stable manager. "See that it gets clean."
"Would you like another horse sir?"
"No I will walk"
He couldn't be bothered going back to his room to change and resolved to just go the way he was to Banquo's house to see him.
On the way he passed through the market place and as he walked, he couldn't fight thoughts about the mysterious girl from the charity fair. How could someone he met for such a short time leave such a big impression on him? Or was it because she didn't throw herself at him like all the other girls do that made him want to know more about her? What was so good about her anyway? She could be nothing like what he imagined. May questions twirled around in his head but where interrupted when a man bumped into him from behind. He was carrying so many boxes that he couldn't see where he was going.
"I beg your pardon sir, I did not see you" he said and he kept walking.
Legolas was puzzled by such behaviour and watched the man walk through the town in a zigzag fashion.
As he watched, Legolas saw a young maiden carrying two large bags of fruit with a little boy next to her holding a small bag walking in the opposite direction to the man with the boxes.
The man with the boxes didn't see the girl and bumped straight into her knocking the bags out of her hands and making the fruit in the bags roll all over the ground. She dropped to the ground straight away to pick them all up before they got squashed by bystanders.
Legolas ran over to help her. "Please let me do it" he said to her and she stood up and watched him put all the fruit back into the bags.
Legolas finished packing the fruit into the bags and stood up to give them to the lady and as he did, he realise that it was none other than the mysterious girl from the Charity Fair!
"Thank you kind sir" she said sweetly.
Legolas was speechless and couldn't help but stare at her.
"You're the one that painted the dragon for me at the fair!" said the little boy.
The maiden looked at him for second and said "you are right my love, he is the artist from the fair"
"Yes that would be me", he said with a smile, glad that she remembered him.
"Thank you again sir for helping me" she said looking into his eyes. He felt as if her eyes had put him in a trance, he could not take his eyes of hers no matter how much he tried.
"Layla lets go I'm tired" he brother called out, tugging at her cloak.
Their gaze broke when she looked down at her brother blushing at what had just occurred. "Yes my dear, we will go now"
Legolas still stared at her, "Layla. That is your name. It is very beautiful"
"Thank you", she hesitated for a minute, "I must go home now. Can I have my things back?"
"I will carry them for you if you like"
"You're too kind sir"
She walked ahead holding her little brother's hand and Legolas caught up to her.
"So are you going to the ball?", he desperately wanted to hear her talk more and tried to start a conversation.
"I have been invited. I daresay everyone has. But I am not sure if I can come"
"Why not?"
"Because I don't have anything fit to wear to a ball. Everyone will be dressed elegantly and it would be a crime if I don't"
"It doesn't matter what other people think. You should come anyway" she smiled at his comment.
"Will you be there?" she asked.
Legolas was surprised at her question but then realised that she still didn't believe he was the prince. He looked down at his clothes and remembered that he didn't have his royal cloak on so there was no way she would believe him now.
"Yes I will, so you have to be there too" he said.
She blushed and looked to the ground.
They came to a small white cottage and as they approached it, Leith let go of his sister's hand and ran to the door and opened it. Layla led Legolas in to where the kitchen was and he put down the bags. Then he made his was back outside the door to leave. Layla went after him and stood at the door.
"Thank you so much sir. You have been very kind to us." She said again.
"It was nothing" he turned to leave but decide to take a chance "what are you doing now?"
"Nothing, I might read a book"
"Would you like to go for a walk with me?"
"Thank you yes" she said taking his hand and closing the door behind her.
They walked to Moltolas River and talked non stop the whole time. It was not a long walk from her house but they walked very slowly. When they got to Moltolas he said "this is it. The ultimate getaway"
"Its very beautiful" she sat as she sat on the grass under a tree. Legolas sat beside her.
"Do you meet Adelaide here everyday?" she enquired. Legolas told her all about Adelaide and Banquo. It just came so natural to tell her these things and she listened attentively.
"Not everyday, but most of the time. When we were kids we came here everyday and sometimes we would camp out here in the holidays. Just the three of us" he recalled, staring out into the river.
"Just the three of you" she repeated and he looked at her again.
"You know, I feel like I've known you all my life"
"Really? Me too. It's a strange feeling is it not? I think will be become good friends"
"So do I" but of course he didn't want to be just good friends. No one he had ever met had slipped into his heart so easily and so quick as Layla.
They heard a horse coming closer and someone jumped off and come toward them.
"Legolas where have you been I want to talk to you" Banquo said through gasps.
Then he saw that there was a female next to Legolas. He quickly collect himself and said "oh, I am sorry I did not realise that you had someone with you. I will see you later then"
"No wait", Layla said as she stood up, "you do not have to leave." She turned to face Legolas "it's getting late. I must go. Thank you for your kindness" she curtsied and then left.
As soon as she was out of sight, Banquo said "was that.?"
"Yes it was" Legolas interrupted excitedly.
"Really? How did you find her?"
Legolas proceeded to tell his friend what had happened at the market place.
After that they sat silently looking out at the river.
"Its amazing how quickly we connected. I feel like I've known her all my life and I can tell her anything" Legolas said breaking the silence.
"Yes" was all Banquo could manage to say, he kept thinking about Adelaide. 'I HAVE known her all my life' he thought, 'but I can't even tell her how I feel'.
"I mean, I could've just left her at home like that, but I didn't I took a chance, something just came over me and I took a chance. It must be fate!"
"Aha" was Banquo's reply.
"Then I brought her here and we made mad passionate love"
"Aha"
"Banquo!! Did you hear anything I said?" he said grabbing Banquo by the shoulders and shaking him.
"Sorry, sorry. I just have other things on my mind" he said.
"What is it? Anything to do with Adelaide?"
"How did you know? Did she tell you anything?"
"No she didn't. I'm guessing it has something to do with her. I saw her just now at the palace and she was not in a good mood. What is it that you wanted to tell me?" Legolas asked.
"Oh it's nothing" he didn't know how to tell Legolas what happened and decided not to say anything at all.
"Banquo, you know I can read you like a book. Something went on between you and Adelaide and I demand to know what it is! I could help you!" Legolas said rising to his feet.
"Alright, I will tell you"
Legolas sat back down next to Banquo.
"We. how should I put this? We kissed" he said blushing
Legolas laughed, "you mean a peck on the cheek?". He knew his friend was very shy when it came to things of this nature.
"No you halfwit! I mean a real kiss!"
Legolas fell on the floor laughing.
"Oh I wish I never told you!" Banquo said angrily.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry" Legolas said between laughs.
He calmed himself down and sat up and said "please, Banquo continue. What happened after that?"
"I just panicked and I left. I left her here by herself"
"Why?"
"I don't know what came over me. She would never want me now"
"How do you know that? Banquo, when I saw her today she asked about you"
"Really?" Banquo's face suddenly lit up.
"Yes. She has been at the palace all day. Go and talk to her. It's worth a try"
Banquo stood up and when to leave "thank you" he said and left.