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DINNER
* Right before they all sit, everyone is waiting for Aramir and Arasil
Aragorn and Legolas stood conversing opposite the entrance of the great hall. " Do you plan on making the announcement tonight Elessar?" Aragorn nodded his slowly graying head. " Yes. I'm hoping for quite a turnout. It will bring the kingdoms together again. They will unite once again, this time in peace." Legolas nodded solemnly and the two old friends sat together in comfortable silence waiting for the arrival of Aragorn's youngest. Suddenly the herald's horn broke the slight buzz of conversation.
" Enter the Lord Aramir Frodo Samwise and the Lady Arasil Undomiel Estel !" Legolas and Aragorn turned their attention to the entryway. Legolas noticed Aramir walk in with a beautiful white-haired elf maiden on his arm. ' Where is Arasil? Did the herald not announce her also." Aragorn watched the face of his longtime friend carefully as he answered, tipping his wine glass in the direction of his daughter. " How can your keen elf eyes see Aramir and not Arasil?" Legolas continued to look puzzled as he searched for her.
" She is on Aramir's arm after all." At this Legolas's eyes widened, full of surprise. Arasil looked every inch the she-elf. Her face was no longer dirty but clean and smooth. Her dress was silver and hardly intricate, but had a simplicity that contrasted her complex persona. Her mithril eyes shown in amusement as Aramir fixed his silk tunic to no avail. She clucked at her brother and straightened the collar. He smiled awkwardly as his little sister mothered him unknowingly. But it could not just be the dirt and clothes that kept him from recognizing her. Legolas turned to Aragorn as the moved steadily to the head of the table." Her hair. This morning it was golden as wheat and now it is the purest white. How is it that she does this?" he put the question to Aragorn who smiled lightly. " Gandalf visited when she was twelve summers. She complained that she could never move about freely because her hair made her too noticeable. So the sly wizard taught her methods in which to disguise herself. I shudder to think what else The White Wizard taught her during those months." Aragorn then sat next to Arwen at the head of the table and Legolas took the seat to his left. Aradorn then Aramir sat to their right and Arasil took the seat next to Legolas. As soon as everyone was seated Aragorn stood.
"Welcome honoured guests. The reason I have called you all here is to make an announcement." The room, filled with a hundred or so nobles of Gondor looked at their king with interest." There will be a tournament of combat in which all nobility is invited to join. At this very moment every other kingdom is holding this decree. The tournament will take place in the two kingdoms of men and the forests of Fangorn. The first will be held in Gondor on the next full moon." A buzz went through the crowd and died as quickly as it came." Each kingdom in the Middle-Earth shall recieve notice in hopes of sending their most worthy warriors to the competition." Aragorn gestured dismissivly. " Now enough of this buisness. We feast tonight!" A cheer went up and the food was served. Legolas marveled at the food of men. They ate heartily of rich foods and conversed to great extent. He was in converstion with the Heir of Isildur when he notced that Aradorns' attention was wavering as his eyes filled with amusement. He was looking to the left of Legolas and the elf turned to investigate the source of the usually somber princes amusement.
Arasil was moving the the rest of her meal as the dinnermate to her left contininued his incessant monologue." ......six new horses. All of them bred in Rohan. They are fine steeds indeed." The charming tawny-haired youth smiled roguishly." Mayhaps, princess you would care to visit the stables of my house and gaze upon them. With my company of course." Legolas realized then that a handsome young lord was speaking at Arasil. The one way conversation obviously bored her because she seemed to be too uninterested to reply. Suddenly she placed her napkin on the table and turned her beaming smile to the young suitor. " Of course, and perhaps I may show you my steed for Eomer King of Rohan sent me a kingly horse indeed. I ride the offspring of the Lord and Lady of Horses. Shadowfax is the sire of my steed Aryante ( elvish for daybringer) and he is the swiftest of all horses in the land, excluding his father of course." At this one would think the chastised suitor would turn away from the forward princess and yet he was persistent indeed. The music began to play and he stood and held his hand out to Arasil. " Lady Arasil, may I have this dance?" As she was about to spit out a biting denial of his offer when her silver eyes met the stern brown gaze of her father. " Of course." She accepted less than gratefully and yet her acceptance was enough to light the eyes of the handsome young lord. He swept her away and Legolas returned his gaze to Aradorn whose eyes were lit up with mirth.
" I do not see why she rejects Lord Jaxom so. The ladies of Gondor line up for his favour and Arasil can barely tolerate him." Arwen shook her head in worry. At this Aramir answered his beloved mother," It is because he is so very dumb. After all, every time she rejects his proposal he returns for more punishment. None the wiser and a good deal more persistant." Aragorn cleared his throat at his youngest son's rude statement. Aramir stood up and began to retreat towards the dance floor. But before he made his way to the young lady beckoning discreetly to him he let one last remark slip past his mischevious lips," Someday she will just say yes just so that he may cease his asking." At this Legolas stiffened. Arasil was sensible, surely Aramir jested? Aragorn ignored his son and held out his hand to Arwen. " Most beautiful Evenstar, will you bestow upon me the grace of your presence on the ballroom floor?" He requested of his wife with laughter in his eyes. Arwen smiled and placed her hand in her husbands as he led her to the dance floor. Legolas's attention was brought back to Aradorn as a beautiful and bold Lady of Gondor approached him for a dance. A lady Aradorn seemed quite familiar with. " I am deeply sorry Lady Adyana but I fear I must rescue Lord Jaxom from Arasil. For I know that she is a most graceful dancer and she has laid her heel upon his foot too many times." The young couple both looked saddened and Legolas stood swiftly, " I believe that my feet will withstand her missteps." Aradorn beamed at his godfather," Besides I have not yet held a decent conversation with her." Legolas then set out for the dance floor with purpose. He tapped Lord Jaxom on the shoulder. The young Lord looked ready to challenge when he realized that it was the Prince of Mirkwood who desired a dance with the beautiful princess. He then stepped aside and Legolas swept Arasil into his arms. His eyes met her grateful ones. " Mellonamin. Thank you." she sighed heavily." I fear that while his intentions are the best he might have killed me from the boredom I was forced to endure."
Legolas threw back his head in laughter," Ah 'tis the burden of the beautiful to be loved by all and to shun them for their admiration." Arasil thinking that he was speaking of his woes smiled mischievously as she looked past his shoulder." Yes. That is too true." As they turned Legolas glanced over her head and groaned inwardly at the swarm of woman watching him. His embarassment would have reddened his cheeks if another group had not formed at the opposite end of the ballroom." Before you finish your laughter princess perhaps you should set your silver gaze upon the other end of the room." Arasils brow furrowed as she searched the opposite end. Her furrowed brow turned to a scowl when she saw the group of men waiting for the end of the dance. She then set her gaze on Legolas,"Does it not tire you immensly? To be sought after by so many for reasons that have naught to do with the mind and everything to do with title?"
Legolas thought back to his youth." At first I was delighted by the attention," he mused. Thinking of the the many elf-maidens that he had caused to be maidens no more." but as I grew older I found myself lusting after adventure not females. I found myself traveling to new lands and joining a fellowship most thought doomed to fail."
" To have lived then. Perhaps I would have had more freedom. A chance to live life. Like Lady Eowyn what I fear most is a cage, gilded or not. I wish that I could have journeyed with the fellowship. The closest father and mother have allowed me to an orc is the stories they tell."
" You would not have liked living then. There was a darkness that still weighs heavily upon my heart. " Legolas responded vehemently. His gaze softened." Do not worry about cages. I fear that there is none in Middle-Earth that could hold you." Arasil looked into the oceanic gaze of the prince when suddenly her father and mother approached them. Aragorn held out his hand to his daughter, " May I have this dance ?" Before she knew it she was being whirled around the dance floor by her father. She watched confused as Legolas led her mother in a dance.
Aragorn watched as his daughter watched wistfully as Legolas spun his wife around the floor.
" Arasil," She turned her attention to her father with an expression of genuine innocence and it occured to Aragorn that she knew not her own thoughts concerning the elven prince. " The next full moon is in one week." He stated the observation and Arasil's expression turned quickly to one of disgruntled decisiveness. " Yes. I know." she repomded with determination. He smiled warmly at his daughter who was so much like him. " I am to understand that you have made your decision then." Her expression then turned to unyielding stubborness. " I have. Father. I Arasil Princess of Gondor am to compete in the tornament. As a commoner."
DINNER
* Right before they all sit, everyone is waiting for Aramir and Arasil
Aragorn and Legolas stood conversing opposite the entrance of the great hall. " Do you plan on making the announcement tonight Elessar?" Aragorn nodded his slowly graying head. " Yes. I'm hoping for quite a turnout. It will bring the kingdoms together again. They will unite once again, this time in peace." Legolas nodded solemnly and the two old friends sat together in comfortable silence waiting for the arrival of Aragorn's youngest. Suddenly the herald's horn broke the slight buzz of conversation.
" Enter the Lord Aramir Frodo Samwise and the Lady Arasil Undomiel Estel !" Legolas and Aragorn turned their attention to the entryway. Legolas noticed Aramir walk in with a beautiful white-haired elf maiden on his arm. ' Where is Arasil? Did the herald not announce her also." Aragorn watched the face of his longtime friend carefully as he answered, tipping his wine glass in the direction of his daughter. " How can your keen elf eyes see Aramir and not Arasil?" Legolas continued to look puzzled as he searched for her.
" She is on Aramir's arm after all." At this Legolas's eyes widened, full of surprise. Arasil looked every inch the she-elf. Her face was no longer dirty but clean and smooth. Her dress was silver and hardly intricate, but had a simplicity that contrasted her complex persona. Her mithril eyes shown in amusement as Aramir fixed his silk tunic to no avail. She clucked at her brother and straightened the collar. He smiled awkwardly as his little sister mothered him unknowingly. But it could not just be the dirt and clothes that kept him from recognizing her. Legolas turned to Aragorn as the moved steadily to the head of the table." Her hair. This morning it was golden as wheat and now it is the purest white. How is it that she does this?" he put the question to Aragorn who smiled lightly. " Gandalf visited when she was twelve summers. She complained that she could never move about freely because her hair made her too noticeable. So the sly wizard taught her methods in which to disguise herself. I shudder to think what else The White Wizard taught her during those months." Aragorn then sat next to Arwen at the head of the table and Legolas took the seat to his left. Aradorn then Aramir sat to their right and Arasil took the seat next to Legolas. As soon as everyone was seated Aragorn stood.
"Welcome honoured guests. The reason I have called you all here is to make an announcement." The room, filled with a hundred or so nobles of Gondor looked at their king with interest." There will be a tournament of combat in which all nobility is invited to join. At this very moment every other kingdom is holding this decree. The tournament will take place in the two kingdoms of men and the forests of Fangorn. The first will be held in Gondor on the next full moon." A buzz went through the crowd and died as quickly as it came." Each kingdom in the Middle-Earth shall recieve notice in hopes of sending their most worthy warriors to the competition." Aragorn gestured dismissivly. " Now enough of this buisness. We feast tonight!" A cheer went up and the food was served. Legolas marveled at the food of men. They ate heartily of rich foods and conversed to great extent. He was in converstion with the Heir of Isildur when he notced that Aradorns' attention was wavering as his eyes filled with amusement. He was looking to the left of Legolas and the elf turned to investigate the source of the usually somber princes amusement.
Arasil was moving the the rest of her meal as the dinnermate to her left contininued his incessant monologue." ......six new horses. All of them bred in Rohan. They are fine steeds indeed." The charming tawny-haired youth smiled roguishly." Mayhaps, princess you would care to visit the stables of my house and gaze upon them. With my company of course." Legolas realized then that a handsome young lord was speaking at Arasil. The one way conversation obviously bored her because she seemed to be too uninterested to reply. Suddenly she placed her napkin on the table and turned her beaming smile to the young suitor. " Of course, and perhaps I may show you my steed for Eomer King of Rohan sent me a kingly horse indeed. I ride the offspring of the Lord and Lady of Horses. Shadowfax is the sire of my steed Aryante ( elvish for daybringer) and he is the swiftest of all horses in the land, excluding his father of course." At this one would think the chastised suitor would turn away from the forward princess and yet he was persistent indeed. The music began to play and he stood and held his hand out to Arasil. " Lady Arasil, may I have this dance?" As she was about to spit out a biting denial of his offer when her silver eyes met the stern brown gaze of her father. " Of course." She accepted less than gratefully and yet her acceptance was enough to light the eyes of the handsome young lord. He swept her away and Legolas returned his gaze to Aradorn whose eyes were lit up with mirth.
" I do not see why she rejects Lord Jaxom so. The ladies of Gondor line up for his favour and Arasil can barely tolerate him." Arwen shook her head in worry. At this Aramir answered his beloved mother," It is because he is so very dumb. After all, every time she rejects his proposal he returns for more punishment. None the wiser and a good deal more persistant." Aragorn cleared his throat at his youngest son's rude statement. Aramir stood up and began to retreat towards the dance floor. But before he made his way to the young lady beckoning discreetly to him he let one last remark slip past his mischevious lips," Someday she will just say yes just so that he may cease his asking." At this Legolas stiffened. Arasil was sensible, surely Aramir jested? Aragorn ignored his son and held out his hand to Arwen. " Most beautiful Evenstar, will you bestow upon me the grace of your presence on the ballroom floor?" He requested of his wife with laughter in his eyes. Arwen smiled and placed her hand in her husbands as he led her to the dance floor. Legolas's attention was brought back to Aradorn as a beautiful and bold Lady of Gondor approached him for a dance. A lady Aradorn seemed quite familiar with. " I am deeply sorry Lady Adyana but I fear I must rescue Lord Jaxom from Arasil. For I know that she is a most graceful dancer and she has laid her heel upon his foot too many times." The young couple both looked saddened and Legolas stood swiftly, " I believe that my feet will withstand her missteps." Aradorn beamed at his godfather," Besides I have not yet held a decent conversation with her." Legolas then set out for the dance floor with purpose. He tapped Lord Jaxom on the shoulder. The young Lord looked ready to challenge when he realized that it was the Prince of Mirkwood who desired a dance with the beautiful princess. He then stepped aside and Legolas swept Arasil into his arms. His eyes met her grateful ones. " Mellonamin. Thank you." she sighed heavily." I fear that while his intentions are the best he might have killed me from the boredom I was forced to endure."
Legolas threw back his head in laughter," Ah 'tis the burden of the beautiful to be loved by all and to shun them for their admiration." Arasil thinking that he was speaking of his woes smiled mischievously as she looked past his shoulder." Yes. That is too true." As they turned Legolas glanced over her head and groaned inwardly at the swarm of woman watching him. His embarassment would have reddened his cheeks if another group had not formed at the opposite end of the ballroom." Before you finish your laughter princess perhaps you should set your silver gaze upon the other end of the room." Arasils brow furrowed as she searched the opposite end. Her furrowed brow turned to a scowl when she saw the group of men waiting for the end of the dance. She then set her gaze on Legolas,"Does it not tire you immensly? To be sought after by so many for reasons that have naught to do with the mind and everything to do with title?"
Legolas thought back to his youth." At first I was delighted by the attention," he mused. Thinking of the the many elf-maidens that he had caused to be maidens no more." but as I grew older I found myself lusting after adventure not females. I found myself traveling to new lands and joining a fellowship most thought doomed to fail."
" To have lived then. Perhaps I would have had more freedom. A chance to live life. Like Lady Eowyn what I fear most is a cage, gilded or not. I wish that I could have journeyed with the fellowship. The closest father and mother have allowed me to an orc is the stories they tell."
" You would not have liked living then. There was a darkness that still weighs heavily upon my heart. " Legolas responded vehemently. His gaze softened." Do not worry about cages. I fear that there is none in Middle-Earth that could hold you." Arasil looked into the oceanic gaze of the prince when suddenly her father and mother approached them. Aragorn held out his hand to his daughter, " May I have this dance ?" Before she knew it she was being whirled around the dance floor by her father. She watched confused as Legolas led her mother in a dance.
Aragorn watched as his daughter watched wistfully as Legolas spun his wife around the floor.
" Arasil," She turned her attention to her father with an expression of genuine innocence and it occured to Aragorn that she knew not her own thoughts concerning the elven prince. " The next full moon is in one week." He stated the observation and Arasil's expression turned quickly to one of disgruntled decisiveness. " Yes. I know." she repomded with determination. He smiled warmly at his daughter who was so much like him. " I am to understand that you have made your decision then." Her expression then turned to unyielding stubborness. " I have. Father. I Arasil Princess of Gondor am to compete in the tornament. As a commoner."