* Disclaimer: Okay, I decided that I need a new disclaimer because the old one was getting monotonous. So, here's my new "I own nothing" spiel: Unfortunately (for me) I do not own any of Tolkein's characters (good for the characters). I do own Amariell (and family members), however, and am quite proud of the way she has turned out. pats self on back. Yes, well, what can I say? My fabulous writing abilities surprise me too! *looks around* I am NOT narcissistic, just….assertive! Okay, so Tolkein owns all the cool characters, places and events contained herein. Except for the events that I made up and/or fiddled with…but let's not get into that yet, shall we? Finally, god bless you J.R.R. Tolkein for coming up with awesome characters that I can toy with in my spare time. holds up a banner that says, "GO J.R.R." all right, enough of this silly stuff…time to get serious
Supper at the palace.
The knock on the door startled Arcollo, even though his daughter had told him she was expecting someone. The elder elf had tried his best to get out of Amariell who, exactly, she was expecting. His efforts proved futile, however, as Amariell had simply given him a devilish grin and dashed off to her room to get dressed. Thus, Arcollo had resigned himself to sitting in the main room of his house, either waiting for his daughter to emerge, or for the impending knock she had promised. As Arcollo moved to open the door, he was aware that all movement from his daughter's room had ceased.
When Arcollo opened the door, he simply stared, which he knew was not polite, but he couldn't think of anything else to do. The face that smiled back at Arcollo was one the craftsman did, indeed, recognize. He simply had no idea what the fair haired elf was doing at his door.
Legolas cleared his throat and regarded the interior of the house. "Is this where the fair maiden Amariell lives, sir?"
Arcollo nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for Legolas to come in. Suddenly he found his voice. "Yes my lord, this is the humble home of my daughter, Amariell. Please forgive me my lord, it is not every day the Prince of Mirkwood visits and asks for my daughter. Will you not take a seat and wait but a moment? I will go and get her."
Legolas nodded and Arcollo disappeared around a corner. Legolas sat down on the nearest chair, which he noticed was carved elaborately with many a design and, here and there, an Elvish blessing. He also noticed a pile of newly crafted bows and a few quivers full of arrows that were lying next to the chair. Legolas bend down and picked up the bow at the top of the pile and the quiver full of arrows that was nearest his reach. He turned the quiver around in his hands and, despite himself, let out an amazed gasp. As he turned the quiver he noticed a brightly colored bird was etched into its fine leather. The body of the bird was etched in gold paint, while its tail was many a color, and stretched almost all the way around the quiver. Around the top of the quiver woven in an intricate knot was a band of gold which dipped down to line the inside of the quiver as well. The band of gold looped down in a massively intricate design of curls, reaching almost all the way down to the bottom of the quiver. Despite all the gold detailing the quiver was amazingly light. Never before had Legolas seen a quiver of such beauty.
Inside the quiver were stuck twenty of the most beautifully crafted arrows he had ever laid eyes on. They were made of the strongest Mirkwood timber, but they looked elegant and Legolas almost couldn't understand who would want to shoot such a fine piece of art. From the arrow head to the feathered tail, inscribed in a deep, almost blood red paint, were various Elvish blessings and chants, some of which even Legolas did not recognize. The feather at the end of each arrow was the same color as the writing on the shafts. Legolas pulled an arrow out of the quiver and touched the tip of the arrow head. A thin pinprick of red blood appeared where he had touched the point and he recoiled.
"Amazing." He uttered softly, under his breath. He replaced the arrow into the quiver and now turned his attention to the bow. It was crafted out of the same timber as the arrows, but it was much thicker. On each end of the bow, where the string was fixed, were more elaborately carved designs. In the center of the bow, the designs wrapped all the way around. Legolas stood, placing the quiver and arrows on the seat, and ran his hands over the bow. It was smooth and beautiful, but it looked like it needed to be broken in. He pulled back on the string and nodded to himself. Yes, it did need to be broken in. Taking his archery stance, Legolas pulled back on the bow, bringing his right hand to his cheek and tilting his head slightly to the side.
At that moment, Arcollo walked back into the room. He looked at Legolas, bow in hand, and in his archery position. Arcollo's eyes drifted over to the chair on which lay his newest quiver and arrow set. Arcollo didn't know if he should say anything, so he just stood there and watched the Prince of Mirkwood. Luckily, Legolas noticed him at that moment and his arms dropped. "Forgive me, sir. I did not mean to handle your bow or quiver. It is just…" He trailed off and replaced the bow and quiver back on the floor. He turned around to face Arcollo. "You have a rare gift, sir. Never have I seen such beautiful craftsmanship. Your bows and quivers are some of the finest in Mirkwood."
Arcollo bowed slightly. "Thank you, my lord. I do not mind at all if you try them out. Who better than the best archer in all of Mirkwood? Although, I am quite sure you own bows and quivers much better than the ones I craft. You are, after all, a prince, my lord. I suspect you have only the best."
To this Legolas nodded. "That is true, sir. But these," He gestured to bow and quiver while he addressed Arcollo. "These are unlike any I have ever seen. I should like to purchase them from you if I may."
"I…I would be more than honored to give them to you, my lord." Arcollo stammered and stared back at Legolas. As he opened his mouth to say something else, Amariell walked into the room.
It took all of Legolas's self restraint not to gasp. The green leggings and brown tunic that she had been wearing just a few hours earlier were gone and in their place was a floor length, lavender colored gown. The material was that of raw silk, the most beautiful (and most expensive) material in all of Mirkwood. The sleeves came all the way down to her wrists, flaring out in a bell shaped pattern, while the neckline of her gown plunged, tastefully, showing only the slightest bit of cleavage. There was intricate beadwork around the neckline of the gown, in a pattern of leaves. Around her neck, Amariell wore a white stone which glittered with specks of green, orange, pink, red, purple and blue. Amariell's long, curly brown hair was swept up in an elaborate design of curls and carefully placed, tiny, lavender colored flowers to match the dress. Her non-eleven ears were in plain view and Legolas found himself staring at them. He had seen men before, all throughout his long life, but never had he been so captivated by their round ears. Despite her amazing beauty, Legolas sensed that Amariell was uncomfortable in her attire.
As if reading his mind, Amariell looked in the mirror behind her and sighed. "I don't know if I like my hair. Do you think it's too done up, Legolas?" She turned to face him and cocked her head to one side, waiting for him to answer.
All he could do at first was shake his head. He didn't notice the tiny smile that played across the lips of Acrollo as he watched the young prince eye his daughter. He recognized the look in the elf-boy's eyes. It was the same look that Arcollo himself had given his wife upon their first meeting. Eventually, Legolas found his voice. "I think you have a beauty even the Lady Galadriel should be wary of."
Amariell scowled at him and shook her head, frustrated. "I didn't ask you that, Legolas. I asked whether or not you thought my hair is too done up. I think I should keep it down." She moved her hands up to the crown of her head and was about to release the clip that held her mound of hair in place when Legolas let out a cry must unbecoming of an elf.
"No!" He shouted, even before he realized what he was doing, and dashed towards her. She stared at him, taken aback. He shook his head and smiled at her, hoping that the embarrassment he felt wasn't showing on his fair complexion. "Please, do not change a thing. You look lovely, Amariell and will undoubtedly be the envy of all the elven maidens at supper tonight."
A worried look passed over Amariell's face and her striking blue eyes filled with concern. "Are there going to be a lot of elven maidens at supper tonight? Because that's all I need, to make more enemies than I already have. I don't think I need your court to be among them."
Legolas laughed and extended his arm to her. She took it and they turned toward the door. "Do not worry, Amariell. No one in my father's court will dare say anything bad about you. You are my guest, after all. Besides," He turned to smile again at her. "If anyone talks ill of you, they will no longer find themselves in my company."
"I do not need you to fight my battles for me, Legolas. But I will let you know if anyone speaks ill of me." Behind them, Arcollo cleared his throat and Amariell stopped in her tracks.
"Father!" Amariell whirled to face him and bit her lip. "I forgot you were there. I am so sorry." She disengaged her arm from Legolas's and slipped into her father's embrace.
"Have fun, meleth nin*. And please do try and curb your tongue. You are going to be in the company of royalty, after all." He pulled away from his daughter and kissed her forehead.
Amariell smiled at her father and kissed his cheek. "I will try, father. But I cannot promise anything." Throwing him a mischievous grin over her shoulder, she returned to Legolas's side and hooked arms with him again.
Legolas bowed at Arcollo. "I will return her safely, sir." With that, he and Amariell left the house and ascended upon the horse that was waiting for them outside.
Left inside a now quiet house, Arcollo sighed. "It is not my daughter I am worried for."
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Amariell and Legolas arrived at the palace a few minutes later and were immediately ushered into the great dining hall. When Amariell entered the massive room, she gasped lightly under her breath and clung to Legolas's arm tighter. He smiled over at her and led her to the table, around which a dozen or so elves were already seated. Amariell was seated beside Legolas, who was to the right of his father, Lord Thranduil. To Amariell's right sat Pellen, dressed in his finest and chatting affectionately with an elf-maiden next to him. He turned in his chair now, looked Amariell over, and nodded.
"I think I like you better in archer's attire, but your dress does bring out your eyes." A few elf-maidens giggled and stared at Amariell. She sank low in her chair and hoped she wasn't turning as red as she thought she was.
Next to her Legolas hissed at his friend. "Pellen," He warned. "That is enough. Do not address Amariell unless you have something nice to say to her."
This reaction from Legolas made Amariell even more embarrassed and she sank even lower in her chair. The elf-maidens ceased their giggling, but looked upon Amariell with eyes full of jealous and contempt. It was the voice of the Lord of Mirkwood who caused everyone to turn their attention away from Amariell.
"So, tell me, Amariell is it?" All Amariell could do was nod as she gazed upon the elf who so resembled the one sitting next to her. She knew now where Legolas had gotten his striking good looks. Thranduil continued. "Have you ever been outside of Mirkwood?"
"No, my lord, I have not. Mirkwood is the only place I know."
"Than you do not know of your heritage? Where you are from?"
At Thranduil's questions, Amariell swallowed hard. She could feel all eyes on her and she wanted nothing more than to scream and hide under the table. She felt Legolas's eyes on her, burning into her cheek, and she looked over at him. His half smile that told Amariell wordlessly he was sorry. Under the table she felt him grasp her hand and squeeze gently. Amariell turned her attention back to the Lord of Mirkwood.
"No my lord," Amariell shook her head and held his gaze, for she felt a sudden comfort from Legolas's gesture. She was no longer embarrassed, but energized. She felt as if she could take on questions from the entire hall. "I do not know of my heritage. My father was never able to find out anything, either. All I know about my race is what I have learned through Elvish texts and talks with my father."
Thranduil nodded and sipped his wine slowly. When he was done, he threw his son a look that Amariell could not read, and regarded her again. "Would you wish to know of your heritage, Amariell? That is, if there was some way of finding out where you are truly from, would you wish to know?"
Why was he asking her such questions? Did he have a way of finding such matters out? "In all honesty, my lord," Amariell considered her words carefully. Taking a deep breath, she sighed. "I do not know. All my life I have been surrounded by elves. While I have not received the warmest welcome from all, the elves of Mirkwood are all I know. I suppose if I could find out where I am from, I would like to know. As far as that knowledge changing how I feel about my home and my family…"
She trailed off and looked now at Legolas, not caring if everyone at the table was able to read her expression. Amariell looked upon him, eyes full of love and of sorrow. He returned her look and squeezed her hand tighter. She literally shuttered as the energy from the contact coursed through her body. "I will never think of any other place in Middle Earth as home, my lord."
Again, Thranduil nodded. He beckoned to an elf that was standing to his right, who bowed, and left the room. "Very well, then. We shall eat." A half dozens elves emerged from a door on the side of the hall. Each carried two trays, which they set down in front of each diner. The rest of supper passed with very little conversation. The elf-maiden that was sitting across from Amariell engaged her in small talk a few times, but mainly, Legolas and Amariell talked to one another. He asked her about her father and her older brother, Allon, who was currently in Rivendell selling his father's bows and quivers and visiting a friend.
"How long has Allon been in Rivendell?" Legolas asked as he brought a forkful of greens to his mouth.
Amariell took a sip of wine, feeling her ears growing hot and tingly. This was the minor allergic reaction she had to wine, but it wasn't bad enough to make her stop drinking. The wine of Lord Thranduil was the finest she had ever tasted and she was already on her third goblet. She set her goblet down and wiped her mouth with her napkin. "Allon has been in Rivendell for five months so far. He wrote to me a little while back and said that he would be coming home soon. I cannot wait to see him. I miss him very much." At the thought of her older brother, Amariell's face grew somber. "Besides my father, he's the only other elf who cares about me. It never bothered him when his friends would come over and make fun of me because of my ears. He would just laugh at them and say, 'Her ears may be dull, but she's smarter than the lot of you fools combined.' Then he would turn to me and kiss my forehead."
Amariell sighed sadly at the memory. She really needed to stop drinking the wine. It was beginning to make her light-headed and Amariell was afraid she might say something she would regret. Legolas whispered something into her ear, but she was too rapt up in thoughts of her brother to hear what he had said. She turned and looked quizzically at him.
Legolas knew the look and he leaned in again to whisper his words into her ear. The close proximity to her ear gave him the chills and it took all his elven self-restraint not to stick out his tongue and trace its roundness. "Your brother isn't the only one who cares for you, Amariell." He saw and felt her shudder as his hot breath touched her ear.
She drew back and stared at him, not sure what to say. Perhaps the wine had gotten to him as well. She just gazed at him, sure that every emotion she was feeling was passing for all the hall to see over her face. She was about to reply, when Lord Thranduil pushed back his chair and stood up.
"Well, that was a lovely supper indeed. I am going to retire now, for as most of you know, I have a long journey I must go on tomorrow morn. Please, there will be dessert and entertainment for a while. Stay and enjoy. I bid you all a very good night." All the elves at the table rose and bowed to their Lord. Amariell, did so also, but only because Legolas grasped her hand and drew her up with him. She was quite dizzy and her head swam as she bowed.
"Legolas, my son," Thranduil turned to the younger elf and gestured for him to follow. "A word."
Legolas dropped Amariell's hand and went to his father, who placed his hand on his son's shoulder and gently guided him out the door. Amariell suddenly felt very alone, and, realizing she was still the only one standing, sat down quickly. She grabbed her goblet and downed the last of her drink.
Pellen turned to Amariell and addressed her for the first time since his snide remark before supper. "Best to leave the wine alone, Lady Amariell. Too much and Legolas might have to carry you home." As had happened before, the rest of the table laughed at his remark. Amariell simply stared at him and got up out of her chair. She threw her napkin down on the chair and lifted her dress as she turned around and moved away from the table full of laughing elves. Pellen made another comment, but Amariell wasn't paying attention and didn't hear it. It must have been directed at her and snide as well, for the table erupted in laughter for a third time that night.
With an infuriated growl, Amariell whipped around and addressed Pellen's back. "If you are going to insult me, Master Pellen, at least be elf enough to say it to my face. You coward."
Pellen, who had been about to take a sip of wine from his goblet, stopped midway to his mouth and got up. He set his goblet down on the table and turned to look at Amariell. His voice was not angry or embarrassed as he regarded her, rather it held an amused tone. "Why, my Lady, I have already told you what I think about you. Perhaps your ears are not as sharp as you would like to think." He paused and then added, disdainfully. "Firieth."
Amariell trembled with rage and thought for a moment that she was truly going to kill Pellen. She stepped closer to him and gaped at him, eyes aflame. She opened her mouth and was just about to utter the most insulting Elvish thing she could think of, when off to her right, Legolas stepped forward.
He spoke to the entire hall, but looked only at Pellen. "You all will all leave now. You have outstayed your welcome." Amariell had never heard Legolas speak with such a commanding tone before. His voice was calm, but his look was not. His eyes sparkled with distaste as he continued to glare at his friend. His tone softened somewhat as he spoke again, this time talking to Amariell. "Amariell, would you care to walk with me? I would like to discuss something with you."
She nodded, watching as the rest of the hall filed out, murmuring amongst themselves. Amariell had no doubt that their words were full of contempt for her, but she did not care. She turned to Legolas and waited. He moved next to her and smiled apologetically. She shook her head and they turned to walk out into the night.
Pellen's voice stopped them. "I am sorry, Lady Amariell. It appears that I, too, have been affected by Lord Thranduil served."
Amariell looked back at Pellen and shrugged. "You are unkind by nature, Master Pellen. The wine does not magically bring out the part of you. At least you could be elf enough to admit your shortcomings instead of hiding behind a drink." Amariell finished, her voice not angry, but even.
Legolas looked over at his friend, who was staring back at Amariell, unable to believe that she would speak to him so frankly. "We will discuss this later, Pellen. I wish to be alone with Amariell now, though." His voice was gentler than before, but he still didn't look his friend fully in the eye. Pellen nodded and left the hall.
"I am so sorry, Legolas. I did not mean to make waves."
He looked her in the eyes, those beautiful blue eyes, and shook his head. "You have not made any waves, Amariell. Pellen deserved everything you just told him." Legolas laughed. "It's a pity no one told him that sooner. Might have changed the way he has turned out."
Amariell frowned doubtfully. "Three thousand years of thinking he is better than everyone else? I don't know, Legolas. He will not change overnight, no matter what is said to him." She looked into his eyes, scanning the depths she saw there. "But enough of your closed-minded companion. You wish to talk with me?"
By the time Legolas had remembered the reason for asking her on the walk, they were already out by the small pond and garden. There was a light breeze in the air which rustled the trees around them, but other than that it was a lovely spring night. Legolas led Amariell to a small bench that sat at edge of the small pond. He gestured for her to sit and when she did he, still began to talk. "My father is going to Rivendell tomorrow. The lord there, Elrond, has asked my father to travel there on some business that not even he will discuss with me. This troubles me, but is not the reason I asked you out here."
He sat down next to her and smiled. He noticed that she was listening attentively, most likely because he mentioned Rivendell. He took her hand and was very pleased that she didn't recoil. "If you so wish, I can have a letter sent to Rivendell, to your brother. My father said he would take it and give to Allon, personally."
Amariell's eyes lit up and, unable to control her actions, leaned in and kissed Legolas on the cheek. "Oh thank you….thank you so much. I haven't been able to write him back because there is no one I know heading that way." She smiled brightly and it was all Legolas could do not to grab her and hug her tightly. "I so desire to write him and see how he is fairing in Rivendell. Thank you so much, Legolas."
He wanted to her to kiss him, but not on the cheek. He ached to taste her, knowing that she would taste sweet. He didn't know what was wrong with himself. He was not one to fall head over heels for a woman he had just met, not to mention a mortal woman. He could not resist her and he did not know why. What was drawing him to her? Why did he feel like she was his other half? Perhaps it was because he had not known a woman's touch in almost two decades? He rejected that thought as soon as I popped into his mind. No, that wasn't like him, either. The way in which he wanted Amariell was more than just physical, although a strong sexual energy had passed between them more than a few times since they had met.
Amariell shook his leg lightly. "Legolas? Legolas, are you okay?"
Legolas snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head to clear his mind. He returned her concerned gaze and smiled. "Yes I am. I am sorry. I was…thinking."
She frowned at him. "Then you did not hear what I said?" He shook his head, a hint of embarrassment passing over his flawless cheeks. She continued. "I asked you if we could go inside so that I may write my letter now. If your father is leaving tomorrow morn, than I must write the letter as soon as possible."
To this Legolas nodded and got off the bench. "We can go to my chambers. I have ink and some parchment that you may use." He turned around to lead her, but then looked at her again. "Your father, will he not worry about you? Perhaps I should just take you home and then return early tomorrow morn for your letter, before my father leaves."
"No. That will be too early for you to get up and travel all that way to get my letter. Besides," She stepped closer to him, her eyes aflame with lust that she was not afraid to show him. She knew he felt the same way, she could feel the energy passing between them. She grabbed his hands with her own and pulled him closer to her body. Whispering she said, "I do not want to leave yet."
That was all Legolas needed to hear. He dropped her hand and cupped her face in his hands. Slowly and ever so gently, he brought her lips to meet his own. Her hands went to his back and she hugged him to her. The kiss remained soft, but full on, and quite passionate. They stayed in their loving embrace until, finally, Amariell pulled away.
She gasped for air, but her hands remained on Legolas's back. She licked her lips, his taste still on them, and looked deep into his eyes. There she surveyed his reaction. He made no move to break away. He had moved his hands from her face to her back and held on to her much the same as she held him, and he had the most contented look on his face. Amariell smiled and leaned in to kiss him again. Legolas did not resist, instead he pulled her even tighter against his body, and kissed her deeper than the first time. He felt her shudder under his kiss and she moaned wantonly into his mouth.
It was Legolas who drew back this time. He was short of breath as well and he inhaled deeply. "Please, Amariell, do not think that I do this with all the maidens I ask to supper. I feel…" He searched for the right word and she looked at him, knowing what he meant, but letting him finish. "I feel connected to you. I cannot explain it. Never in all my thousands of years of life have I ever felt this way about anyone."
Amariell didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She felt the same things he had just described. She had not known him for even a day and already she knew she was going to spend the rest of her mortal life with him. She brought her hand to his face and caressed his cheek as she spoke. "I cannot explain it either, Legolas. I feel just as you do." She laughed a bit as he leaned into her hand and kissed her palm. "I know you do not act this way with all the maidens. I don't know how I know this, exactly, but I do know it. I have never felt this way about anyone, either. These feelings exhilarate and petrify me at the same time."
"Do not fear this, Amariell. These feelings are new to me as well, but nothing that we should fear. It is right, what we feel. I know it is. We were meant to meet and fall in love. I know this and believe it to be true with all my heart."
"As do I. And I will not fight it, not at all." With that she kissed him again, this time letting her tongue slip into his mouth. He reached his hand up and undid the clasp that held her hair. A cascade of reddish-brown curls tumbled down over his hands and face. The flowers that had been in Amariell's hair fell to the ground, some landing on his tunic and the front of her dress. Legolas did not care, though and he continued to kiss Amariell's lips. Again they parted and she stepped back. She shook her head and the rest of the flowers fell out of her hair.
He beamed at her and ran his hand through her soft curls. "You look so beautiful with your hair down, Amariell. It is such a unique color, so beautiful. It's a welcome change from the dull browns and blondes of the elf-maidens."
Amariell grinned and tosses her long hair over her shoulder. "Come," She stretched out her hand and Legolas took it. "We can talk about my uniqueness inside. I must write the letter to my brother."
Legolas laughed and led her to his chambers.
*yeah, I know, it's long. But well worth it, right? Oh and HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!! I love the holiday season! Makes me all giddy and Martha Stewart like. Okay, you know the drill: click on that review button and MAKE SOME NOISE!!
