Title: Double Take
Chapter: 2: Making an Entrance
Author: Alkalphiel and The Scribe
Summary: Legolas' version of "First Sight"
Feedback: Yes, please! Post reviews or email alkalphiel@yahoo.com
A/N: The Scribe: The Lord of the Rings and all its accompanying parts, characters and mythologies are not mine. This fanfiction is intended as a work of respect for and tribute to J. R. R. Tolkien's creations.
Alkalphiel: Many thanks to all my reviewers. You are the reason these stories exist!
~*~
The festival was glorious, as my father wished it to be. I'm certain that most of Mirkwood was in attendance, especially quite a few lovely ladies who took it upon themselves to gift me with their presences. I myself, anticipating this response, decided to enjoy it as best as I could.
I entered the ballroom dramatically, pausing on the balcony before making my way down the spiral staircase. The royal tailors of Mirkwood are skilled beyond words, so my clothing immediately caught the eyes of the crowd. For the occasion I wore the forest green I loved so much with gold ornamentation. The stitching on the cuffs of my sleeves and the bottom of my billowing cloak was done in a pale gold thread that nearly matched my hair. As I'd been repeatedly informed, the entire ensemble was exquisite. The small corner of vanity inside me was insufferable - there was nothing he liked more than to be the center of attention. While I've always felt that humility should play a prominent part in a prince's life, I do concede that a dose of vanity is necessary. Some part of oneself must enjoy being gazed upon, or one will feel stifled.
In this case, I found myself a little uncomfortable with all the eyes on me; recent battle experience dictated that being the object of intense scrutiny was not good. Fortunately, royal training rose to the forefront and I smiled and inclined my head regally. The Elves nearest the staircase bowed to me. I gestured to them, granting my permission to rise, and set out into the crowd.
~*~
"Prince Legolas?"
I turned to face yet another Elf maiden. My face felt a little stiff as I smiled to her.
"Your Highness, my name is Fëanora. I must say, it's an honor to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Fëanora." I bowed cordially. No spark. Not the one. Her face fell slightly as she realized that we were not a match, but to her credit she covered it well. Much better than some I'd seen.
Someone tapped my shoulder. Couldn't be one of the hopeful maidens, then - they were always too intimidated to do that. I pivoted neatly. "Mellaithwen!" She was, hands down, one of my favorite courtiers. One who refused to play the silly games so common to the court, who still managed not to offend anyone with her bluntness. Mell's good nature shone through everything she did, no matter how misguided it might be. And from the looks of the Elf maiden I could see over her shoulder, this was misguided too.
"Legolas, I have someone I'd like you to meet. Over there is a very dear friend of mine, a woman named Alkalphiel." She turned and pointed to an Elf wearing an indigo dress. It sparkled somehow, possibly because of the fine metallic embroidery that often accented dresses for occasions like this festival. I'd seen maybe a hundred gowns like that over the course of the evening. Still, something indefinable struck me as special about this gown - or possibly this woman. I was intrigued.
I saw the Lady Alkalphiel look up at me. The expression on her face reminded me of a deer I'd once surprised. I'd been traveling through the tree branches, dropped into a glade, and startled a doe. Apparently Mellaithwen and her ideas were having the same effect on Alkalphiel. I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring half-smile, but she still appeared alarmed.
My course was set. I nodded my thanks to Mellaithwen and began crossing the distance between Alkalphiel and myself. She'd turned away and was moving rapidly toward the table with the punch bowl. From what I could tell, she was moving too quickly to arrive safely. More than likely she'd collide with the table. That couldn't be right. Elves, especially Elf maidens, didn't collide with things.
I'd underestimated my effect on Alkalphiel. She'd launched herself in a true state of panic, for reasons unknown to me. At the very least, I felt that I owed her an apology for causing her such alarm.
Well, now I felt that I owed her more than that. She'd just maneuvered herself directly into the table, striking it just so that it collapsed backwards toward her. It would have taken concentration and precision for me to achieve that effect. Alkalphiel, through what appeared to be sheer chance, had started a cascade of punch that washed over her, plastering her light brown hair to her face and soaking her dress.
She could see just enough between that hair to see that, as soon as I was within reach, I'd extended a hand to her. Alkalphiel took it and I helped her to rise. She raised her other hand and lifted her hair off her face.
It was readily apparent that she was not pleased to find me on the other end of that arm. I, however, was very pleased. Her hand fit neatly in mine. Even sticky and soaking, she was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen.
I smiled reassuringly and watched as the woman who would be the love of my life cringed. At least we both clearly knew how to make an entrance.
Chapter: 2: Making an Entrance
Author: Alkalphiel and The Scribe
Summary: Legolas' version of "First Sight"
Feedback: Yes, please! Post reviews or email alkalphiel@yahoo.com
A/N: The Scribe: The Lord of the Rings and all its accompanying parts, characters and mythologies are not mine. This fanfiction is intended as a work of respect for and tribute to J. R. R. Tolkien's creations.
Alkalphiel: Many thanks to all my reviewers. You are the reason these stories exist!
~*~
The festival was glorious, as my father wished it to be. I'm certain that most of Mirkwood was in attendance, especially quite a few lovely ladies who took it upon themselves to gift me with their presences. I myself, anticipating this response, decided to enjoy it as best as I could.
I entered the ballroom dramatically, pausing on the balcony before making my way down the spiral staircase. The royal tailors of Mirkwood are skilled beyond words, so my clothing immediately caught the eyes of the crowd. For the occasion I wore the forest green I loved so much with gold ornamentation. The stitching on the cuffs of my sleeves and the bottom of my billowing cloak was done in a pale gold thread that nearly matched my hair. As I'd been repeatedly informed, the entire ensemble was exquisite. The small corner of vanity inside me was insufferable - there was nothing he liked more than to be the center of attention. While I've always felt that humility should play a prominent part in a prince's life, I do concede that a dose of vanity is necessary. Some part of oneself must enjoy being gazed upon, or one will feel stifled.
In this case, I found myself a little uncomfortable with all the eyes on me; recent battle experience dictated that being the object of intense scrutiny was not good. Fortunately, royal training rose to the forefront and I smiled and inclined my head regally. The Elves nearest the staircase bowed to me. I gestured to them, granting my permission to rise, and set out into the crowd.
~*~
"Prince Legolas?"
I turned to face yet another Elf maiden. My face felt a little stiff as I smiled to her.
"Your Highness, my name is Fëanora. I must say, it's an honor to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Fëanora." I bowed cordially. No spark. Not the one. Her face fell slightly as she realized that we were not a match, but to her credit she covered it well. Much better than some I'd seen.
Someone tapped my shoulder. Couldn't be one of the hopeful maidens, then - they were always too intimidated to do that. I pivoted neatly. "Mellaithwen!" She was, hands down, one of my favorite courtiers. One who refused to play the silly games so common to the court, who still managed not to offend anyone with her bluntness. Mell's good nature shone through everything she did, no matter how misguided it might be. And from the looks of the Elf maiden I could see over her shoulder, this was misguided too.
"Legolas, I have someone I'd like you to meet. Over there is a very dear friend of mine, a woman named Alkalphiel." She turned and pointed to an Elf wearing an indigo dress. It sparkled somehow, possibly because of the fine metallic embroidery that often accented dresses for occasions like this festival. I'd seen maybe a hundred gowns like that over the course of the evening. Still, something indefinable struck me as special about this gown - or possibly this woman. I was intrigued.
I saw the Lady Alkalphiel look up at me. The expression on her face reminded me of a deer I'd once surprised. I'd been traveling through the tree branches, dropped into a glade, and startled a doe. Apparently Mellaithwen and her ideas were having the same effect on Alkalphiel. I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring half-smile, but she still appeared alarmed.
My course was set. I nodded my thanks to Mellaithwen and began crossing the distance between Alkalphiel and myself. She'd turned away and was moving rapidly toward the table with the punch bowl. From what I could tell, she was moving too quickly to arrive safely. More than likely she'd collide with the table. That couldn't be right. Elves, especially Elf maidens, didn't collide with things.
I'd underestimated my effect on Alkalphiel. She'd launched herself in a true state of panic, for reasons unknown to me. At the very least, I felt that I owed her an apology for causing her such alarm.
Well, now I felt that I owed her more than that. She'd just maneuvered herself directly into the table, striking it just so that it collapsed backwards toward her. It would have taken concentration and precision for me to achieve that effect. Alkalphiel, through what appeared to be sheer chance, had started a cascade of punch that washed over her, plastering her light brown hair to her face and soaking her dress.
She could see just enough between that hair to see that, as soon as I was within reach, I'd extended a hand to her. Alkalphiel took it and I helped her to rise. She raised her other hand and lifted her hair off her face.
It was readily apparent that she was not pleased to find me on the other end of that arm. I, however, was very pleased. Her hand fit neatly in mine. Even sticky and soaking, she was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen.
I smiled reassuringly and watched as the woman who would be the love of my life cringed. At least we both clearly knew how to make an entrance.
