Chapter 20
The next few days went by in a blur of preparation; King Thranduil of Mirkwood arrived with the other Princes of Mirkwood and met his soon to be daughter-in-law. Lord Carunden decided to extend their stay so they could have the wedding in the lush grounds of Imladris, and Emeriel's trio of friends had arrived this morning. Food and drink was being prepared for the special day in less than a week, dresses made, flowers brought and the ceremony rehearsed.
It was one of those days when the sun was not yet high in the sky, but the heat had reached its peak. It was almost unbearable to stay inside for any length of time so the girls had decided to take a walk in the gardens, Emeriel deciding to give Estriel, Jaena and Alcarin a tour of the grounds. With the she-elves being out, Legolas was being measured for his wedding tunic, with him were his close friends Elrohir, Darain and Danel. Darian and Danel were elves from Mirkwood, sons of Lords from the House of Thranduil, and had been friends of Legolas from almost birth; they had travelled to Rivendell to support the groom before the wedding. Both were also single.
Elrohir had become good friends with the Mirkwood elves as they alternated visits between the two kingdoms every ten years for business and pleasure. Many a good meeting had been interrupted by the four young elf-princes, leading to a few disasters...Elrohir was also single.
Right now the four friends were out of trouble, being measured for their tunics (Elrohir, Darian and Danel were to be at the wedding, Darain the best man), and discussing the things which all men talk about - hunting, women, sports, politics etc., as well as their joyous past-times.
"I remember when Tariel visited us during our fortieth summer in Mirkwood," Danel was saying, "You were so mean towards her, Legolas. Always leaving her to find her own way home and stealing her pony and food, it's such a difference now; looking back you could hardly guess it was you that caused her so much grief, except maybe for the blonde hair." Danel smiled, picking up another apple, aggravating further the tailor behind him. He was once more roughly returned to place so they could continue.
"Well I never said I didn't have regrets, and I feel awful about it now. I hope to reconcile Tariel some day. I haven't seen her in many a year though, Lord Finniel and Lady Pelina of Burunel have been away from my father's kingdom for several centuries, and have little time away from their precious social affairs to venture back for our splendid annual feasts." Legolas chuckled, watching the tailor fitting Danel once again place the First Lord of Mirkwood's son back into position.
Darain, finished, stepped down from his platform, and put his tunic back on. "Elrohir, do you think your father would mind if I went out for a bit?"
"Not at all, just remember to be back for dinner, I don't want to have to come and get you again, the last time was bad enough," Elrohir replied, flashing a brilliant smile. "I don't think Agariel was too pleased either, with you ruining her glorious sunflowers of course," his sarcastic side showing though.
"No, indeed," Legolas looked at his friend fondly. "Darain, if you would wait one moment, I would come with you, I am almost done." Darain, nodded and Legolas stepped down.
"You aren't seriously thinking of leaving him with me are you?" Elrohir complained looking at Danel who was once again causing the poor tailor more grief by flicking through the various tunic designs spread on a table. Legolas turned back giving him an innocent last smile, and was out the door without another word.
Elrohir turned back grumbling, "For goodness sake hold still Danel!"
*
Emeriel had spent the whole day giving a leisurely tour of the Imladris grounds. The girls delighted in the silent gardens and beautiful murals and statues, whispering among themselves of thoughts and memories long past. It was evening when they returned and dinner was about to be called. Dispersing into their chambers, each prepared for the banquet ahead.
It was Estriel who was the first to venture out of her room, clothed in beautiful green velvet, trimmed and embroidered with silver. Her hair fell loose, as was her preference, and her reddish-brown locks were threaded with silver ribbon. Her steps were almost silent as she waited for her friends, glancing at the variously scattered statues.
It was on this moment that it so happened that Elrohir made his way to the banquet himself. Muttering about some earlier conservation, he was at first quite oblivious to the silent lady. He was walking towards her in a swift easy motion, and Estriel had full view of his perfect face, dark lashes lacing across pale cheeks and blue eyes vague with distraction. Elrohir finally noticed her as he drew to about three feet from her and stopped, not expecting to see anyone else along this hall.
"Excuse me mi'lady, but are you lost? The banquet is down this way and about to start, you should get back to it immediately." His voice floated over Estriel, caressing her.
"No, my lord, I am only waiting for Lady Emeriel, Alcarin and Jaena. They have not yet appeared from their chambers." Estriel spoke with an air of light-headedness, her mind only registering the beauty before her.
"Ah, that will explain it, and Legolas will probably be along soon," Elrohir replied, and just after Legolas did appear (surprisingly enough).
"Elrohir, you should be at the banquet, your father and brother are looking for you. And Danel about something or other that I did not catch. I believe it was something about this afternoon?" Legolas teased. Noticing Estriel, he bowed and spoke once more, bowing, "You must be one of Emeriel's friends, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"You too, of course," Estriel curtsied. "Elrohir, why don't you take this charming young lady down to the banquet hall, I'll make sure the others know where she is."
"Oh, of course," he bowed offering his arm, "mi'lady." Estriel took his arm and they started to wander down the hall. Watching the two descend the stairs, he turned back to the doors leading into Emeriel's chambers. The doors were open and Emeriel stood there, dressed in a red corset dress, with white lace and gold embroidery. Her golden hair, braided, was entwined with red silk and piled on top of her head in gentle curls.
Legolas stepped forward, eyes unable to come away from the beauty before him. She took his arm and they walked away from the rooms. Picking up the other two maidens, they all descended down into the feasting hall.
Sorry it took so long to come, but love you all for waiting.
The next few days went by in a blur of preparation; King Thranduil of Mirkwood arrived with the other Princes of Mirkwood and met his soon to be daughter-in-law. Lord Carunden decided to extend their stay so they could have the wedding in the lush grounds of Imladris, and Emeriel's trio of friends had arrived this morning. Food and drink was being prepared for the special day in less than a week, dresses made, flowers brought and the ceremony rehearsed.
It was one of those days when the sun was not yet high in the sky, but the heat had reached its peak. It was almost unbearable to stay inside for any length of time so the girls had decided to take a walk in the gardens, Emeriel deciding to give Estriel, Jaena and Alcarin a tour of the grounds. With the she-elves being out, Legolas was being measured for his wedding tunic, with him were his close friends Elrohir, Darain and Danel. Darian and Danel were elves from Mirkwood, sons of Lords from the House of Thranduil, and had been friends of Legolas from almost birth; they had travelled to Rivendell to support the groom before the wedding. Both were also single.
Elrohir had become good friends with the Mirkwood elves as they alternated visits between the two kingdoms every ten years for business and pleasure. Many a good meeting had been interrupted by the four young elf-princes, leading to a few disasters...Elrohir was also single.
Right now the four friends were out of trouble, being measured for their tunics (Elrohir, Darian and Danel were to be at the wedding, Darain the best man), and discussing the things which all men talk about - hunting, women, sports, politics etc., as well as their joyous past-times.
"I remember when Tariel visited us during our fortieth summer in Mirkwood," Danel was saying, "You were so mean towards her, Legolas. Always leaving her to find her own way home and stealing her pony and food, it's such a difference now; looking back you could hardly guess it was you that caused her so much grief, except maybe for the blonde hair." Danel smiled, picking up another apple, aggravating further the tailor behind him. He was once more roughly returned to place so they could continue.
"Well I never said I didn't have regrets, and I feel awful about it now. I hope to reconcile Tariel some day. I haven't seen her in many a year though, Lord Finniel and Lady Pelina of Burunel have been away from my father's kingdom for several centuries, and have little time away from their precious social affairs to venture back for our splendid annual feasts." Legolas chuckled, watching the tailor fitting Danel once again place the First Lord of Mirkwood's son back into position.
Darain, finished, stepped down from his platform, and put his tunic back on. "Elrohir, do you think your father would mind if I went out for a bit?"
"Not at all, just remember to be back for dinner, I don't want to have to come and get you again, the last time was bad enough," Elrohir replied, flashing a brilliant smile. "I don't think Agariel was too pleased either, with you ruining her glorious sunflowers of course," his sarcastic side showing though.
"No, indeed," Legolas looked at his friend fondly. "Darain, if you would wait one moment, I would come with you, I am almost done." Darain, nodded and Legolas stepped down.
"You aren't seriously thinking of leaving him with me are you?" Elrohir complained looking at Danel who was once again causing the poor tailor more grief by flicking through the various tunic designs spread on a table. Legolas turned back giving him an innocent last smile, and was out the door without another word.
Elrohir turned back grumbling, "For goodness sake hold still Danel!"
*
Emeriel had spent the whole day giving a leisurely tour of the Imladris grounds. The girls delighted in the silent gardens and beautiful murals and statues, whispering among themselves of thoughts and memories long past. It was evening when they returned and dinner was about to be called. Dispersing into their chambers, each prepared for the banquet ahead.
It was Estriel who was the first to venture out of her room, clothed in beautiful green velvet, trimmed and embroidered with silver. Her hair fell loose, as was her preference, and her reddish-brown locks were threaded with silver ribbon. Her steps were almost silent as she waited for her friends, glancing at the variously scattered statues.
It was on this moment that it so happened that Elrohir made his way to the banquet himself. Muttering about some earlier conservation, he was at first quite oblivious to the silent lady. He was walking towards her in a swift easy motion, and Estriel had full view of his perfect face, dark lashes lacing across pale cheeks and blue eyes vague with distraction. Elrohir finally noticed her as he drew to about three feet from her and stopped, not expecting to see anyone else along this hall.
"Excuse me mi'lady, but are you lost? The banquet is down this way and about to start, you should get back to it immediately." His voice floated over Estriel, caressing her.
"No, my lord, I am only waiting for Lady Emeriel, Alcarin and Jaena. They have not yet appeared from their chambers." Estriel spoke with an air of light-headedness, her mind only registering the beauty before her.
"Ah, that will explain it, and Legolas will probably be along soon," Elrohir replied, and just after Legolas did appear (surprisingly enough).
"Elrohir, you should be at the banquet, your father and brother are looking for you. And Danel about something or other that I did not catch. I believe it was something about this afternoon?" Legolas teased. Noticing Estriel, he bowed and spoke once more, bowing, "You must be one of Emeriel's friends, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"You too, of course," Estriel curtsied. "Elrohir, why don't you take this charming young lady down to the banquet hall, I'll make sure the others know where she is."
"Oh, of course," he bowed offering his arm, "mi'lady." Estriel took his arm and they started to wander down the hall. Watching the two descend the stairs, he turned back to the doors leading into Emeriel's chambers. The doors were open and Emeriel stood there, dressed in a red corset dress, with white lace and gold embroidery. Her golden hair, braided, was entwined with red silk and piled on top of her head in gentle curls.
Legolas stepped forward, eyes unable to come away from the beauty before him. She took his arm and they walked away from the rooms. Picking up the other two maidens, they all descended down into the feasting hall.
Sorry it took so long to come, but love you all for waiting.
