Chapter 16
Legolas and Emeriel arrived back at Rivendell at near the third hour of the afternoon. Lord Elrond and Emeriel's father Lord Carunden had been notified and greeted them just as Legolas was helping the Lady dismount.
"It is glad news to know you are both well and safe," Carunden spoke, embracing his child. "I thank you gracious Prince of Mirkwood for bringing her back to us unharmed. Times are evil and roads dangerous, it is a miracle that you both live." He came forward to bow before the silent figure, sincerity and relief leaking through his stature.
"It was of no grief nor heart-ache to escort your daughter back, though roads are hazardous and times folly. I assure you, she was of great help, and little trouble on this journey, and a cheerful gift to the soul." Legolas' eyes never left the blushing maid as he spoke.
"But you are not unscathed yourself, my Lord," her father replied, surveying the Prince's shoulder. "That should be seen to."
"There is no need to worry so much, it has already been good sire. Your daughter is quiet the healer, and graciously tended to it not two days ago, and it has been healing well ever since." Emeriel blushed even more at this, turning a rose colour, of which Legolas thought painted her face quite perfectly.
"I have no doubt about the young lady's healing ability, though it would still probably be best to have its wrappings seen to once more," Lord Elrond replied eyeing the make-shift bandage. "Your father would not be pleased if we were to allow his son to go wandering around injured." Legolas gave an expression of almost exasperation before slipping back into his mask. 'Obviously he has an overly protective and fussy father. I can relate to that,' was Emeriel's only thought, mixed with how cute he looked when he did that.
"Come, a feast will be prepared for your safe return this evening, but first we must get you cleaned up." Lord Elrond extended his arm inviting them to follow him inside.
The two younger elves were immediately greeted by others which led them to their rooms, and before long both were bathing in warm, scented water reliving the events together that had happened no more than a few hours earlier, but seemed a life time ago.
Mazy was soon busy fussing over the returned daughter of Carunden, Emeriel for once letting her. It felt good to be pampered right now, after the strenuous journey, which though deceivingly short, had left them dizzied with shy and hidden emotions, new to the bodies which now lay relaxed. But every second her mind strayed to long, perfectly smooth blond hair, blue- green eyes, and strong comfortable arms around her waist, with his light breath on her shoulder.
She dressed in a dream, accepting the busy practised fingers of her guardian to clothe her, unconsciously realising how perfectly Mazy could braid and dress her hair, and quickly and easily tie and knot the ties of her dress. She barely had time to look herself in the mirror, dressed in a silver and white gown, gorgeously embroidered, with hair falling in waves about her shoulders, before there was a knock on the door.
Legolas had spent much of his time thinking about the half-elven beauty, which had besotted his dreams lately. He was at this moment standing in front of her chambers, dressed in sliver-green formal robes, ready for the feast, which was soon to be in progress. Having knocked he had heard scuttling on the inside then a silent pause. I sense of déja vous came upon him. It was similar in many ways to the last feast. Except, of course this time he was making one of the biggest decisions of his (long) life. She was young, he knew that, quite a lot younger than himself, but that did not really matter did it? Of course not. Love came in all shapes and sizes, and it was well known to be quite short-sighted at times.
Legolas glanced up quickly as the door opened, there stood...Mazy. Her cheeky face smiling gloriously at him. He smiled somewhat stiffly and hesitated. She looked at him kindly, looking at him encouraging him to speak. He felt strangely nervous, which was stupid since he had done this before, pausing once more he then said, "I was just wondering, madam, if her Lady Emeriel was ready to go to the banquet?" The older woman gave him an even wider grin, if possible, and told him to wait one moment. Embarrassed and exasperated he quietly nodded then took a few steps away from the doors to catch his breath. The wall mosaics were very interesting...
Mazy stepped back into the main room chuckling to herself. Emeriel looked up, an eyebrow raised, as she adjusted the jewels in her hair, smoothing them. After a few moments Emeriel's impatience got the better of her. "What is so funny Mazy?" she asked impatiently, then, " And who was at the door?"
"His Highness, mi'dear," she managed to rely before lapsing into a bout of giggles, "to both those questions." She said after a breath. "He appears rather flustered...," she was greeted by another raised eyebrow and a 'what- have-you-done' look. " Nothing I did, I assure you...but probably rather another whom he has maybe spent some time with in the last week." She smiled cheekily, before finally letting out another laugh, " I must say though, he is awfully cute when he blushes!" Emeriel nodded, unable to speak, a smile spreading quickly over her face.
After a few more giggling moments Mazy still was unable to control her laughter, so Emeriel decided to leave, not caring about proper conduct and suspecting Legolas would be expecting her soon. Calling to her red-faced governess, she checked her appearance one last time then left, mind finally focussed on the here and now. It was amazing how just one person could shift her sense of time.
Stepping out into the breezy evening-scented corridor she saw Legolas several feet away examining a scene from a part of the wall, which told the stories of the Silmarils. He turned at her step, probably expecting her cheeky governess, as he quickly checked himself, before bowing and taking her hand.
"I am sorry if my governess disturbed you earlier...she has her strange and disarming moments mi'lord," she interrupted before he could say a word.
"Not to worry, nothing came of it that would have been of offence, mi'lady, " he accented the word, responding to her unconscious use of his formal title. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He kissed her hand, knowing that it would not release the playful annoyance. Legolas gave her one of his brilliant smiles, the only reason she did not give in that easily, even to a hunky prince who was currently spending most of the day with her, and being completely charming in every way. She was stubborn, everyone knew that, and she certainly would not deny it.
"We should be off, Lady Emeriel, the feast is about to begin." Legolas then finished, amused.
"Then do lead the way, dear prince, you would not want to keep them waiting would you?"
Legolas and Emeriel arrived back at Rivendell at near the third hour of the afternoon. Lord Elrond and Emeriel's father Lord Carunden had been notified and greeted them just as Legolas was helping the Lady dismount.
"It is glad news to know you are both well and safe," Carunden spoke, embracing his child. "I thank you gracious Prince of Mirkwood for bringing her back to us unharmed. Times are evil and roads dangerous, it is a miracle that you both live." He came forward to bow before the silent figure, sincerity and relief leaking through his stature.
"It was of no grief nor heart-ache to escort your daughter back, though roads are hazardous and times folly. I assure you, she was of great help, and little trouble on this journey, and a cheerful gift to the soul." Legolas' eyes never left the blushing maid as he spoke.
"But you are not unscathed yourself, my Lord," her father replied, surveying the Prince's shoulder. "That should be seen to."
"There is no need to worry so much, it has already been good sire. Your daughter is quiet the healer, and graciously tended to it not two days ago, and it has been healing well ever since." Emeriel blushed even more at this, turning a rose colour, of which Legolas thought painted her face quite perfectly.
"I have no doubt about the young lady's healing ability, though it would still probably be best to have its wrappings seen to once more," Lord Elrond replied eyeing the make-shift bandage. "Your father would not be pleased if we were to allow his son to go wandering around injured." Legolas gave an expression of almost exasperation before slipping back into his mask. 'Obviously he has an overly protective and fussy father. I can relate to that,' was Emeriel's only thought, mixed with how cute he looked when he did that.
"Come, a feast will be prepared for your safe return this evening, but first we must get you cleaned up." Lord Elrond extended his arm inviting them to follow him inside.
The two younger elves were immediately greeted by others which led them to their rooms, and before long both were bathing in warm, scented water reliving the events together that had happened no more than a few hours earlier, but seemed a life time ago.
Mazy was soon busy fussing over the returned daughter of Carunden, Emeriel for once letting her. It felt good to be pampered right now, after the strenuous journey, which though deceivingly short, had left them dizzied with shy and hidden emotions, new to the bodies which now lay relaxed. But every second her mind strayed to long, perfectly smooth blond hair, blue- green eyes, and strong comfortable arms around her waist, with his light breath on her shoulder.
She dressed in a dream, accepting the busy practised fingers of her guardian to clothe her, unconsciously realising how perfectly Mazy could braid and dress her hair, and quickly and easily tie and knot the ties of her dress. She barely had time to look herself in the mirror, dressed in a silver and white gown, gorgeously embroidered, with hair falling in waves about her shoulders, before there was a knock on the door.
Legolas had spent much of his time thinking about the half-elven beauty, which had besotted his dreams lately. He was at this moment standing in front of her chambers, dressed in sliver-green formal robes, ready for the feast, which was soon to be in progress. Having knocked he had heard scuttling on the inside then a silent pause. I sense of déja vous came upon him. It was similar in many ways to the last feast. Except, of course this time he was making one of the biggest decisions of his (long) life. She was young, he knew that, quite a lot younger than himself, but that did not really matter did it? Of course not. Love came in all shapes and sizes, and it was well known to be quite short-sighted at times.
Legolas glanced up quickly as the door opened, there stood...Mazy. Her cheeky face smiling gloriously at him. He smiled somewhat stiffly and hesitated. She looked at him kindly, looking at him encouraging him to speak. He felt strangely nervous, which was stupid since he had done this before, pausing once more he then said, "I was just wondering, madam, if her Lady Emeriel was ready to go to the banquet?" The older woman gave him an even wider grin, if possible, and told him to wait one moment. Embarrassed and exasperated he quietly nodded then took a few steps away from the doors to catch his breath. The wall mosaics were very interesting...
Mazy stepped back into the main room chuckling to herself. Emeriel looked up, an eyebrow raised, as she adjusted the jewels in her hair, smoothing them. After a few moments Emeriel's impatience got the better of her. "What is so funny Mazy?" she asked impatiently, then, " And who was at the door?"
"His Highness, mi'dear," she managed to rely before lapsing into a bout of giggles, "to both those questions." She said after a breath. "He appears rather flustered...," she was greeted by another raised eyebrow and a 'what- have-you-done' look. " Nothing I did, I assure you...but probably rather another whom he has maybe spent some time with in the last week." She smiled cheekily, before finally letting out another laugh, " I must say though, he is awfully cute when he blushes!" Emeriel nodded, unable to speak, a smile spreading quickly over her face.
After a few more giggling moments Mazy still was unable to control her laughter, so Emeriel decided to leave, not caring about proper conduct and suspecting Legolas would be expecting her soon. Calling to her red-faced governess, she checked her appearance one last time then left, mind finally focussed on the here and now. It was amazing how just one person could shift her sense of time.
Stepping out into the breezy evening-scented corridor she saw Legolas several feet away examining a scene from a part of the wall, which told the stories of the Silmarils. He turned at her step, probably expecting her cheeky governess, as he quickly checked himself, before bowing and taking her hand.
"I am sorry if my governess disturbed you earlier...she has her strange and disarming moments mi'lord," she interrupted before he could say a word.
"Not to worry, nothing came of it that would have been of offence, mi'lady, " he accented the word, responding to her unconscious use of his formal title. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He kissed her hand, knowing that it would not release the playful annoyance. Legolas gave her one of his brilliant smiles, the only reason she did not give in that easily, even to a hunky prince who was currently spending most of the day with her, and being completely charming in every way. She was stubborn, everyone knew that, and she certainly would not deny it.
"We should be off, Lady Emeriel, the feast is about to begin." Legolas then finished, amused.
"Then do lead the way, dear prince, you would not want to keep them waiting would you?"
