Disclaimer: All characters belong to Tolkien Estates (Unless indicated)… No money made don't sue…It's not worth it.
Chapter 3
ThoughtsLegolas stood and walked to the door. He looked at Ainulindalë. She walked to him and he offered her his arm, which she took. They left his room and walked down the corridor.
Many people stared, wondering who the elven maiden was and why she was with the prince. Legolas was almost laughing at the way servants, and guests, were reacting. Some stared while others whispered.
Ainulindalë blushed at all of the attention that was thrown upon the pair. Finally, they arrived at the kitchen and slipped quietly through the door. The kitchen was bustling. A particularly fatigued looking woman was "commanding" the staff.
"Hyanda put the extra plates on the smallest table in the dining hall. Nimbreth, we do not need the soup just yet, but take the bread up!" She turned to talk another servant but spotted Legolas. She smiled warmly. "Leaf! How are you, my prince?"
"Quite well, thank you. Iriador, this is my friend, Ainulindalë. We do not wish to attend tonight's banquet and were wondering if you might be able to spare a loaf of bread and some wine?" Legolas asked sweetly and innocently like a child of two hundred years.
"Of course," Iriador replied.
"Thank you," he said happily. Iriador left and, within moments, returned with a basket.
"There you are," she said handing the basket to Legolas. "Be sure to water down the wine. It has been unusually strong this year."
"O.k. we will," Legolas answered as he turned to follow Ainulindalë to the door.
"Oh, and Legolas?" Iriador called.
"Yes?" He turned back.
"Be sure to tell Thranduil that you will not be attending the feast. We do not need another tumult like last year, do we?" She said with a wink. His ear tips flushed pink again.
"No, certainly not," he answered a little embarrassed. For last time he did not tell his father that he would not be attending, Thranduil sent out the royal guard to find him when he was sleeping in his room.
Legolas thanked Iriador again and he & Ainulindalë left the kitchen. They walked down the long hall.
Ainulindalë gazed around; mirrors adorned the walls along with garlands of vines and tiny white flowers. The smell was intoxicating. Her head was swimming by time they returned to Legolas' room.
"I will be back in a moment. I have to tell father I will not be attending tonight's festivities," Legolas told Ainulindalë.
"Alright," she said as he handed her the basket and strode out the door.
Ainulindalë looked around the room. She spotted a small table, walked to it and placed the basket on top. She began to lie out its contents. There was: whole wheat bread; honey; butter; raspberry jam; fresh fruit such as apples strawberries and blueberries; fresh flowers; tea; white wine; red whine; glasses; and finally for some strange reason Iriador put some chocolate into the basket. How she fit it all in Ainulindalë will never know.
Legolas walked toward the great hall. He could hear the merriment and the effects of the ale. This was truly a joyous occasion for Celebiathion, Legolas eldest brother, was getting married, in three days time, to the second princess of Imladris, Lossenethiriel.
Legolas walked through the doors in search of Thranduil. He looked for a moment, before he stopped a servant.
"Elemmiire, have you seen father?" He asked the young elf.
"I believe, he is enjoying some ale with lord Elrond," he answered before bustling off to the kitchens.
"Thanks!" Legolas called to his retreating back. He marched through the great hall until he reached the high table where only the noblest of elves were permitted.
"Ah, Legolas! Come here, dear boy!" The ale's effects seemed to bed strong in Legolas' father. "Where have you been?"
"I-," he started.
"I would like you to meet lady Arwen, princess of Imladris," Thranduil said merrily. He motioned to his left, opposite of lord Elrond. Where a beautiful dark haired elven woman sat. Her hair cascaded over her slender, pale shoulders. Legolas would be lying if he said he didn't think she was beautiful. She smiled at him.
"Pleased to meet you, my lady," Legolas said with a slight bow.
"As to you, kind sir," Arwen said happily. Legolas got a sudden idea.
"For give me father, Lord Elrond, princess, but I am going to retire for the night. I feel a bit ill, perhaps too much ale. Nonetheless, I will be in my quarters if any emergencies arise. Good night," and with that Legolas turned and left the three in the great hall.
"I shall never understand that boy," Thranduil sighed to no one in particular as he watched his youngest son exit the dining hall.
"He's just like his mother, Thranduil," Lord Elrond said sympathetically.
* * *
'I hope he does not think there is a possible marriage between Arwen and I. She loves Aragorn even though she has not told them. I cannot believe they think that the two of us has not met.' Legolas thought as he walked down the main corridor. He walked up the stairs and down another dimly lit corridor. Then, he arrived at his room. Slowly, he opened the door. Ainulindalë looked up and smiled.
"I was beginning to think you had gotten lost," she said happy to see Legolas back.
"Sorry, father was enjoying the ale. Lord Elrond was there with his daughter, Arwen. They just had to introduce me," he said in turn.
"Oh," she said quietly. "Well, are you hungry?"
"Ravenous," he replied.
"Good, for Iriador went beyond a loaf of bread and some wine," she directed his attention to the small table with a wave of her hand. His mouth dropped.
"That's a lot of food. How did she fit it all in that small basket?" He asked amazed at the amount of food on the table and the size of the basket.
"I have no idea," she said picking up a slice of bread and spreading honey onto it.
Soon, they had eaten the bread and honey. And drank most of the white wine. Ainulindalë looked to the clock. It was two thirty in the morning.
"It's late," she said turning back to Legolas. He turned his head to the clock and back to her.
"So, it is," he said. Ainulindalë got up from her seat and sat her wine glass down.
"Is this where I am to sleep?" She motioned toward the bed closest to the fire.
"Oh, no. That is where I will sleep. You may have my bed," he replied.
"Are you sure you want to sleep there? I would be just fine there," she asked not wanting to take the oh-so comfortable looking bed from him.
"Yes, I am," he replied.
"Alright then. Good night. Oh, and Legolas?"
"Mhmm?" He answered.
"Announce yourself if you come over during the night, I'm going to kick to kill, for I have no nightclothes," she told him a little embarrassed to be relaying this information. He laughed.
"Why, that completely slipped my mind. I shall return in a moment with what I can find," he said getting up from his seat.
"Oh, no. It's alright I-," she started.
"No, no. It's not all right. I do not want you to be cold," he said and with that left the room.
Moments later, Legolas returned with a beautiful, shimmering, silky white night gown. It seemed to turn a soft crystal pink wherever the light touched it.
"Here, this should fit," he said handing the gown to Ainulindalë.
"Thank you, so much," she said taking the gown to the bathroom. Once again, the gown that he had brought fit like a dream. She couldn't help but twirl in front of the full-length mirror. This was, by far, her favourite thing to wear.
When Ainulindalë stepped back into Legolas' room, Legolas was in a white undershirt and brown leggings. He sat on his small makeshift bed, staring out the window. Ainulindalë cleared her throat and he snapped his head back toward her.
"Looks beautiful on you," he said quietly.
"Thank you," she blushed. She climbed onto the bed and lay atop the blankets. "Good night, Legolas."
"Good night, Ainulindalë. I may be out on the balcony when you wake," he said lying down and gazing out the window again.
"Very well," she yawned. Then, she fell into sleep.
'Why do I fuss over her so? Why do I feel as if being without her, even for a moment, is as if without life?' Legolas thought as he lay upon his bed staring at the stars. 'I've never met anyone like her. All of the princesses, my father has hopes of me marrying, fail in comparison to her. Stuck up tramps are what they are. But this woman has shown me more life, more passion for life in itself in the past few hours, given the circumstances, than any of them in my entire being.'
Legolas sighed as his mind raced with unanswered questions. But soon he let sleep capture and take him to a world less complicated. His dreams.
Another chapter done, does anyone want to review? Is it really that bad? *Sniffs* Should I go on? Does it make sense and run smoothly?