Ye' Old Disclaimer: I own Kayrie and Tallia…that's about it. Oooohhh I own Thorelin too :D Wish I owned Leggy tho…*sigh* So please don't sue…I'm poor as mud.

Chapter 3

The Woodland Realm banquet was held every year and all of the elves near and far were invited. Lavish decorations, plentiful food, and elves dressed in magnificent clothing fill the palace. This year was no exception and Kayrie found herself lost in another world as she entered. Elves filled the main chamber and Kayrie herself blended in until someone might look closer and see that she is a daughter of man. She was wearing an exquisite sky blue dress with a tight bodice and flared on downwards to create the illusion that she was merely gliding on air. Sparkling beads and sequins decorated the dress and made her look luminous. Her normally straight hair was pulled up and curls tumbled across her back and some framed her face. She looked nothing like the girl that first stumbled in this world, and the elves did not miss the fact that she was indeed, beautiful. Elves whispered among themselves, silently wondering who this new arrival was. Legolas spotted Kayrie and walked over to the mystified girl. "Arwenamin, lle naa vanima." he whispers. Kayrie looks at him puzzled, curtsies and replies, "Good evening Prince Legolas. May I ask what you meant by those words, your Highness?" Legolas slightly blushes at having to explain himself and says, "It means my lady, you are beautiful." Kayrie blushes profusely at the compliment. "It is in elvish, and I must ask for your pardon for confusing you." "Oh no no, it sounds beautiful. My mother always told me about the elvish language and I always wanted to hear it, but she did not know any words." Just then, someone shouted "Legolas!" and he turned around to see a dwarf walk up to join them. "Gimli! How good it is to see you my friend. It has been a while." Gimli laughs heartily and they hug. Kayrie smiles at the exchange and Gimli takes notice of her. "Why Legolas, you never told me that such a dazzling beauty had your heart." Legolas and Kayrie exchanged looks, blushed at the assumption and hastily tried to correct it. "No my friend, we're not…this is Lady Kayrie." "Oh no, I am only a guest here…" Gimli gives both of them a look that said sure you're not and chuckles. "I hear that King Aragorn and Queen Arwen will be gracing the banquet tonight, as well as Gandalf the White and the four little halflings." "Yes" Legolas affirmed, "they will be arriving shortly. I am anxious to see them for it has been a while since we have all gathered together." Right on cue, the rest of the Fellowship arrived and they all greeted each other heartily. Kayrie looks on, amazed, as the characters from her mother's stories have come to life. Legolas turns and introduces her to each of his closest friends and they greeted her warmly. Then King Thranduil's booming voice announced the start of the banquet and everyone is called to the table. "Tula, vasa ar' yulna en i'mereth!" Legolas holds out his arm and asks, "May I be your escort tonight, Lady Kayrie?" She nods and takes his arm, "Lead on, your Highness."

Tula, vasa ar' yulna e i'mereth = Come, eat and drink of the feast

After dinner, the dance followed, and the main chamber was full of elves, humans, a wizard, a dwarf and 4 hobbits dancing merrily. King Aragorn and Queen Arwen were dancing together. The others decided to dance with each other, Gandalf with Frodo, Gimli with Sam, and Merry and Pippin. It was a sight to see and many elves smiled as they danced around the strange couples. All of a sudden, an elf was by Kayrie's side and before she knew it, she was dancing around the ballroom floor, switching partners as she went. When she turned to look for Legolas, she heard a voice, "Thorelin, would you care to switch partners with me?" Turning to see who the voice was, she discovered that it was Legolas. "Of course, Prince." and Thorelin released Kayrie from his grip and Legolas took his place. He gripped her tightly as they twirled around the ballroom floor, receiving knowing looks from the 8 friends. Kayrie had never felt so happy and carefree in her life and she intended to take it for all that it is worth. She promised herself that she would thoroughly enjoy the evening and she was not disappointed. Walking back to her room, she felt like she was floating on air, and as she got into bed, she was sure that her dreams would be filled with happy memories. How wrong she was.

"No father! No please!! I didn't mean to leave the door open! I'm sorry father!" screamed Kayrie. Her father only laughed cruelly and whipped at her with his leather strap. Welts and bruises appeared all over her body, and her father grinned menacingly. "There, now you're filled with ugly bruises and cuts, you will never be beautiful!! Now you look exactly like your mother!" Kayrie sobs and screams fill the air as her father continued to lash out at her. Tallia rushed to Kayrie's room and shook her. "Kayrie, wake up!! You're having a bad dream! Wake up please!!" Kayrie shot up from her lying position and looked around bewildered. Tallia tried to comfort her but Kayrie shied away from her touch. "Don't touch me!! Please, I'm sorry!" Tallia drew back but continued to talk to her, "Kayrie, it's me Tallia. Don't worry, it was all a bad dream." Kayrie sobbed with relief and fell into Tallia's open arms. "Tell me what happened, why were you screaming apologies?" Kayrie hesitated and in between sobs, told Tallia all about her past. "When I arrived here, I thought I had escaped him. But even now he haunts my dreams. That is why I told you that I wanted to get away from him." Tallia sighs and hugs Kayrie tight, "I'm sorry that you had to experience that. What an evil man your father is." Kayrie said nothing as Tallia rocked her in silence and she finally succumbed to sleep once more.
The next day as Kayrie slept on, Tallia sneaked out into the archery range where she knew she would find the Prince of Mirkwood. "Your Highness" she called out and Legolas turned to greet her. "Quel amrun, Tallia. What brings you here so early in the day?" Tallia curtsies and replies, "It's Lady Kayrie, my lord. Amin dele ten' he." "Mankoi? Mani marte?" "She has been having nightmares and I am just concerned about her well-being." Legolas nods, worry shown over his features as he reassured Tallia. "Uuma dela, Tallia. I will do what I can." "Diola lle, your Highness." Tallia curtsied once more and left to wake up Kayrie. Legolas stayed, wondering how he was going to help this girl that he had come to respect and care for.

Quel amrun = Good morning
Amin dele ten' he = I am worried about her.
Mankoi? Mani marte? = Why? What happened?
Uuma dela = Don't worry
Diola lle = Thank you