~*~
Legolas had been traveling, peacefully riding to see more of Middle Earth than just the dank forest in which he lived. He was nigh on fifty-five years old, finally mature, and yet barely so.
One night he had been resting in the western edge of Rohan, peaceful in his open-eyed "sleep", and he was approached by a young woman, nearly his height and with raven hair and fair skin. Just a woman, no fair Elf-maiden was she; and yet he found her captivating somehow.
He had awoken and greeted her in his own tongue. "Suilad."
"Hello," said the girl, in a somewhat frightened tone. "I'm...I'm Cadewyn. W-who are you, and why, pray tell, are you in my field?" She had gained some confidence at the end of her sentence, appearing nervously assertive. Attractive in an unknown way. And so the trap was laid.
Legolas decided to assert himself somewhat in return. "I am Legolas, son of Thranduil, and Prince of Tar e-N...Mirkwood," he said, nearly lapsing into Sindarin. "I merely travel, I shall do you no harm."
Cadewyn continued. "Well, I have a small cottage not far from here; if you wish to have any lodgings, I could lead you there."
"I would be pleased by that, Cadewyn."
So she led on.
A few minutes into their walk, five Orcs ambushed them. Legolas cursed, drew his daggers, and said, "Cadewyn! Stay behind me!"
To his surprise, she drew a dagger also and said, "I shall be alright."
She had no need of it, for Legolas kept the Orcs from her and had slain them all within a few minutes. "Hannon le, Legolas," came from behind him.
The Prince's eyes widened a bit in surprise, and he said, "Aiya, so you know my language."
She laughed in embarrassment. "I only know a little." They began walking to her home, and in no time, they were there.
"I thank you for your hospitality, and your home is quite charming," said Legolas softly.
She blushed again, and he though, "My, what subtlety..." Nevertheless, he was flattered that she appreciated his comment, and she giggled as if she could read his thoughts.
"I-if you're hungry, I can make you something, I have salted meat and bread that I made this morning..." she continued talking, listing foods, and Legolas said, "I would be very pleased to share my miruvor and have some fresh bread."
Cadewyn brought out some bread, thickly sliced, and soft churned butter. Legolas brought out a flask and poured some sweet miruvor into the two wooden cups on the low table. He buttered a piece of bread with the small spade on the table and bit into it. It was not terrible, but it was nothing like Elvish food...
Deciding that the silence was too much, Cadewyn said, "Well, is there anything you'd like to know, Prince, as I'll be your host for some time?"
He smiled at her lilting accent and her country speech. He had no idea that it was all a facade.
"Yes, well...from what land do you come, who is your family, do you live alone?"
She giggled. "Well, three questions. It's a start. I've always lived in Rohan, my family...well, I am just from a small family, no name that you would know. And yes, m'lord," she laughed girlishly again at this 'title', "I do live alone." She finished the sentence with a slight lowering of her chin and a seductive look in his direction.
Legolas was not phased by this hint. "There is her subtlety again..." he thought to himself. "Well, it must be lonely sometimes."
"Oh, I suppose so, but when my horse is around I spend time with her, she is a very sweet horse, though she be a bit flighty sometimes," Cade said, leaning forward on her elbows on the table.
Legolas became slightly annoyed with this apparent skirting. The girl could at least be straightforward with him! "Cadewyn, do you mind my asking, are you..." he paused, unsure of the words to use, "are you purposely being...or...trying to be...seductive?"
She had him. "Why-I-yes. I am," she rushed out the rest of the sentence, "I must admit I found you terribly attractive from the moment that I saw you and I just-" she stopped, and breathed, and in this space Legolas said, "I do not mind, Cadewyn. You are quite the charming young maid yourself."