A long rest in the comfort of his own bed had done her father a world of
good. At dinner he was he usual jovial self, regaling Legolas with tales
of his misspent youth, tales Elora had heard time and time again. Her
father was always the consummate storyteller and would vary certain facts
in his stories, depending on the audience he was speaking to. For instance
if he were telling something to a group of ladies, he would change the
number of suitors he had to best for the hand of Elora's mother from three
to ten. In the case of Legolas, a famed warrior, the exploits from the
battlefield increased in intensity and the peril was exponentially greater
as well.
Elora dutifully sat and listened with an amused expression on her face. Every so often she would look at Legolas, who was once again dressed in the tunic of shimmering silver. More often then not, his eyes would meet hers. She knew that decorum dictated that she turn away from him, that she stop encouraging him, but he was becoming her obsession. Decorum and tact be damned. Something was drawing them together, something stronger then she has ever known with any other man, and she was going to act on it before he rode out of her life. Tonight.
Chapter 4
The first day of the journey back to their home had passed quite pleasantly, with spirited conversations and much good humor. For the most part, the topics revolved around her father or Legolas. Elora was content to listen and learn as much as she could about their captivating escort. However, things took a surprising turn when she became the center of attention. The sun was beginning its decent into the cool of the late afternoon when Legolas made a rather interesting comment.
"The King told me of the first time you came to The White City, Lady Elora..with your husband."
Elora was unsure how to react to the question. Part of her was horrified at the idea that the King had revealed potentially embarrassing information about her. The other part was worried that Legolas was under the impression she was a married woman, openly flirting with an unattached elf.
"That is correct. We came just shortly after we were married. I fear I may have left an indelible impression on King Elessar."
"He was concerned you were going to faint away right there in front of the entire court," Legolas teased.
"He and my husband both," she giggled. "I was so young. I had no idea what to expect. And my husband, well he was no help, a brave warrior, yes, but a courtier, no. Luckily the Queen took pity on me and I was able to salvage some dignity."
"Oromendil was a longtime friend and a valiant comrade in arms. It was a great honor to present my daughter to him in marriage," her father said with undisguised pride.
"I have heard of this man," Legolas said. "Did he not accompany you to Minas Tirith?"
"Minas Tirith? Oh many a time. Why once we were to receive commendations from the King for."
"I think father, that the Prince is asking where my husband is now," Elora interjected tactfully.
"Oh, I see." Elorihm nodded, understanding at last.
"I am a widow, my lord," Elora said to Legolas. "I lost my husband to sickness five years ago."
"I regret any pain my questions may have evoked," Legolas's face was clouded in concern.
"Oh there is no pain at the memory of my husband," Elora quickly replied. "He was a good man," to which her father heartily agreed, "and I was happy with him, however short the time was."
"How did you come to dwell in your father's house again?" Legolas asked.
"I was his second wife, you see. So when he died, his eldest son became lord. As I had no sons by my husband, it was decided that I would return to my father and help my new sister-in-law learn how to properly run a house. Something it turns out is taking quite a while to accomplish." She cast a side-long look to her father, who could not help but laugh at her insinuations about his son's wife's abilities or lack thereof.
"Elora is her mother reborn," Elorihm announced. "And a great comfort to me." Father and daughter shared a warm smile.
"She is a remarkable woman I am finding," Legolas agreed, causing Elora to blush profusely. The idea that the handsome elf had been regarding her at all sent a thrill of excitement down her spine.
"I am humbled by all this praise," she said. "I fear such talk will cause my head to swell to gigantic proportions and I'll just float away."
"We'll have none of that!" her father grumbled. "For I am hungry and it is time for us to stop and eat. And I am in no cook."
"Thank you father for gently reminding me of my place in this world," Elora sighed dramatically. Soft laughter could be heard from the third member of their party.
Elora dutifully sat and listened with an amused expression on her face. Every so often she would look at Legolas, who was once again dressed in the tunic of shimmering silver. More often then not, his eyes would meet hers. She knew that decorum dictated that she turn away from him, that she stop encouraging him, but he was becoming her obsession. Decorum and tact be damned. Something was drawing them together, something stronger then she has ever known with any other man, and she was going to act on it before he rode out of her life. Tonight.
Chapter 4
The first day of the journey back to their home had passed quite pleasantly, with spirited conversations and much good humor. For the most part, the topics revolved around her father or Legolas. Elora was content to listen and learn as much as she could about their captivating escort. However, things took a surprising turn when she became the center of attention. The sun was beginning its decent into the cool of the late afternoon when Legolas made a rather interesting comment.
"The King told me of the first time you came to The White City, Lady Elora..with your husband."
Elora was unsure how to react to the question. Part of her was horrified at the idea that the King had revealed potentially embarrassing information about her. The other part was worried that Legolas was under the impression she was a married woman, openly flirting with an unattached elf.
"That is correct. We came just shortly after we were married. I fear I may have left an indelible impression on King Elessar."
"He was concerned you were going to faint away right there in front of the entire court," Legolas teased.
"He and my husband both," she giggled. "I was so young. I had no idea what to expect. And my husband, well he was no help, a brave warrior, yes, but a courtier, no. Luckily the Queen took pity on me and I was able to salvage some dignity."
"Oromendil was a longtime friend and a valiant comrade in arms. It was a great honor to present my daughter to him in marriage," her father said with undisguised pride.
"I have heard of this man," Legolas said. "Did he not accompany you to Minas Tirith?"
"Minas Tirith? Oh many a time. Why once we were to receive commendations from the King for."
"I think father, that the Prince is asking where my husband is now," Elora interjected tactfully.
"Oh, I see." Elorihm nodded, understanding at last.
"I am a widow, my lord," Elora said to Legolas. "I lost my husband to sickness five years ago."
"I regret any pain my questions may have evoked," Legolas's face was clouded in concern.
"Oh there is no pain at the memory of my husband," Elora quickly replied. "He was a good man," to which her father heartily agreed, "and I was happy with him, however short the time was."
"How did you come to dwell in your father's house again?" Legolas asked.
"I was his second wife, you see. So when he died, his eldest son became lord. As I had no sons by my husband, it was decided that I would return to my father and help my new sister-in-law learn how to properly run a house. Something it turns out is taking quite a while to accomplish." She cast a side-long look to her father, who could not help but laugh at her insinuations about his son's wife's abilities or lack thereof.
"Elora is her mother reborn," Elorihm announced. "And a great comfort to me." Father and daughter shared a warm smile.
"She is a remarkable woman I am finding," Legolas agreed, causing Elora to blush profusely. The idea that the handsome elf had been regarding her at all sent a thrill of excitement down her spine.
"I am humbled by all this praise," she said. "I fear such talk will cause my head to swell to gigantic proportions and I'll just float away."
"We'll have none of that!" her father grumbled. "For I am hungry and it is time for us to stop and eat. And I am in no cook."
"Thank you father for gently reminding me of my place in this world," Elora sighed dramatically. Soft laughter could be heard from the third member of their party.