Emeriel was woken to the sound of her Lady-in-waiting scuffling about the room. She still felt the effects of too much wine and could not be bothered to get up. Dulling her mind she attempted to get some more sleep, but was horribly shaken by Mazy.

'Lady Emeriel it is time to get up!' her normally soothing voice, carried agitation and annoyance.

'Jusa ffw moor minits,' Emeriel mumbled stuffing her head back under the pillow. Just then a knock on the door saved her from having a lecture, on how a lady should be up early and ready when anyone calls. She heard Mazy's sound shoes move towards the door. Turning over, she winced as sunlight poured onto her face. Groaning with irritation she sat up.

Mazy returned, with a 'I-know-what-you-did-last-night' look. Confused in her dazed state, Emeriel tried to recall the previous night.

'A mighty handsome Prince is asking, when you would like to take the tour through Rivendell,' her teasing voice appeared, and seeing Emeriel's realisation, and embarrassed expression, chuckled to herself. We may have finally found love, was the phrase ringing in the older woman's heart. It cheered her greatly, for she thought Emeriel definitely deserved it.

'Oh…hmm…tell him I'll be ready in half an hour,' Emeriel's earlier dark mood had now dissipated, leaving her light headed and unbelievably happy.

'Very well miss,' Mazy smiled back at her.

Hearing Mazy reply, Emeriel got up, moving to the bathing room. Her bath was waiting as usual, warm with lots of bubbles, just how she liked it. She slipped in relishing the warmth, relaxing her already relaxed muscles further. Feeling the affects of the wine also leaving her body, she set her mind on remembering the night before. As she played the images in her head, her heart was taken further. She stayed there for long minutes, memorising every single detail of the drop dead gorgeous Prince, Legolas. Sighing again, she got out, wrapping the soft fluffy towel round her and started to get dressed. Mazy had chosen up of her more glamorous dresses, a pale green, with silver ivy spreading over the chest piece and half along the skirt. She came in to dry her hair, brushing it long, leaving it to sweep at her waist.

Finishing the look with the leaf necklace her father gave her, and satisfied with what she saw, she waited impatiently for her host to arrive. Just before Mazy started to ask questions about the mysterious elf, who had whisked her away the whole night, the knock on the door sounded. Almost jumping out of her skin, Emeriel moved to stand a few feet behind Mazy who had moved to door. Her stomach was flip-flopping all over the place.

The door opened and Legolas stepped in giving a deep bow. 'Milady, I'm sorry if I caught you unprepared earlier this morning.'

'Please excuse me for it, yesterday was very...exhausting,' she felt a blush rush across her face. As if able to feel her discomfort, Legolas abruptly changed the subject. Damn, my perceptiveness! Offering his arm he spoke, 'Have you had breakfast? If not, I fear you might be too late, but I'm sure I could find something,' turning to Mazy he spoke, 'I hope you don't mind.'

Almost too eagerly she took his arm. They left Mazy standing at the door watching them go. They walked down the golden halls, flowers were in bloom and the sun poured through the delicate arches of the elven architecture. It was wonderfully peaceful. Here she was in one of the most beautiful cities of Middle-earth, with a hunky, blond haired, blue eyed, elven prince right by her side, leading her to who knows where. Normally she would have been wary of strange men leading her away somewhere but then she did not really give a damn at the moment. Emeriel could not have been happier. Though they walked in silence to their unknown destination, she caught his gaze drifting towards her every now and then, though his eyes were set ahead. Feeling a bit mischievous, and wanting to tease him a bit, she pulled in closer to him, occasionally drawing her eyes to his when she knew he was looking, smiling sweetly, yet almost like a I-know-something-you- don't-know!, and put the playful expression, which all her people knew her by, on her face. She felt she was almost draping herself over him, but was sure it was not quite so noticeable if anyone happened to walk by.

Legolas, being so much older than she was, recognised the display quite quickly, though it had taken him a while to finally control himself. He had to admit she was very hypnotic, even if she was only half-elven, she still held many handfuls of grace and beauty, but then just to make her that more attractive, she also held the playfulness of a men. Under all that false calmness and modesty, required by formalities in new surroundings, lay a girl, cheeky, mischievous, and slightly wilder than that of elven maidens. He loved it. It was exciting. He smiled at the playfulness of her, he could match her. He led her out in a courtyard, and called to one of the elves near by, to watch out for their return. A jet-black stallion magnificently stood in the middle of the jewelled courtyard. It was waiting, saddled and bridled, with bundles of food, decorated with gold bracelets and a beautifully woven blankets.

'I hope you don't mind milady, but I thought that a picnic, could not be missed in such splendid weather,' Legolas said turning to her, smiling.

'Oh, I quite agree with you,' she replied, her smile even more brilliant and excited than before. Taking her hand up gently, he led her up to the horse, and in one swift movement, tooking her breath away, swung her gently onto padded saddle. Smiling down at him, she watched him jump nimbly up beside her.

'His name is Afod, son of Arod, the steed who took me into battle at Gondor.'

'He's beautiful...you were in the battle of Gondor?' her voice was measured, but a little concerned, yet tinted with interested.

'Yes, maybe I will tell you the tale,' his voice licked passed her ear.

'I would love that,' she just barely managed to whisper. He was so close. Sitting just behind her, his warm breath on her neck, and his arms around her. He took the reins up and wrapped his left arm around her middle. He was so gentle... and extremely charming. And of course very sexy! The girls must really go for him. Lucky for me them!

Afod walked on without the slightest signal (good old elven ways!) and they were soon out of the gates. The woods soon surrounded them, hiding them from prying eyes. Everywhere smelled of acorns and pine corns. Whisperings of trees were heard and a green glow settled around them. Tightening his grip around her ever so slightly, Legolas urged Afod into a canter. The wind whipped their faces, pushing Emeriel back into, Legolas' warm body. She had never felt so alive! She only wished it would never end!