Dressmaking!
The two of them ran panting into the palace. The orcs had given up chasing after the first kilometer or two, and the two had spirited side by side back to the palace. "This way!" Legolas pointed to his right. "We have to tell Lord Elrond of this!" She nodded, as they sprinted through the palace halls, stopping only at massive twin doors. They paused to catch their breath. "Okay, let's go in." Joari said, as he opened the doors.
Inside, Elrond was in a deep discussion with Gandalf. The old wizard's face was furrowed, and Elrond himself did not look as if he was in the best of spirits. "What brings you here?" he asked the two.
Quickly, Legolas explained what had happened in the forest. To his surprise, the elf king and the wizard did not seem surprised or even shocked at the news. Instead, Elrond shook his head and sighed. "It has begun." Gandalf intoned. He shrugged, "It was bound to happen sooner or later." Elrond looked at the wizard, with what seemed to be a trace of hopelessness. "What are we to do?" "Us? There's nothing we can do, so we might as leave it for the moment." He turned to the couple. "There will be a council tomorrow concerning this. For the moment, can we have your word that this will not be made known? It will damper the spirits of the guests tonight…" Both of them nodded, still at a lost for words.
When Elrond and Gandalf fell silent, Legolas felt it was a indication to leave. He motioned to Joari, and they headed out.
When the doors behind them, Joari turned to the elf. "I thought you said that orcs usually never ever cross that boundary! Shouldn't there be a nation–wide alert by now?" Legolas too was frowning. "There must be more to this then meets the eye. Couldn't you see that somehow they were expecting such news?" They both thought silently, each deep in thought. "Okay, enough!" Joari exclaimed.
The elf stopped his contemplation and turned to her. "Pardon?" She rolled her eyes. "Let's stop all this. The council thing will settle it tomorrow anyway. Anyhow, I've got to go prepare for tonight's ball don't I? It's formal isn't it?" He stared at her, with a glint in his eye. "You mean the answer to the question is…?" She gave him a small grin, "Just meet me outside my room k? If we're early, maybe we can catch the sunset or something." With that, she floundered off to the general direction of the rooms, leaving him to digest her answer. Many elves stopped to look at the elf prince, who was openly grinning. "How rarely he smiles! He must have had some good news for him to be grinning so!" Legolas ignored them, walking off to prepare for the night's celebration.
Joari walked around, her irritably growing by the second. Why am I so stupid? She screeched silently. How am I gonna prepare if I don't even know where my room is!? I can't possibly go borrow one of LEGOLAS' suits for a ball!!!! She grabbed a passing elf on the arm. "Excuse me, but I don't suppose you could tell me where Lady Joari's room is?" The girl-elf looked at her curiously. "I do. Would you like me to lead you there?" Joari heaved gratefully, "Would you? Thanks!"
The girl smiled and started walking. Joari quickly fell into step with her. "I'm Araya." The elf introduced herself. "Actually, I'm supposed to be the lady's personal maid. It's just that she hasn't appeared since yesterday, so I went to have a walk around." Joari winced. "Sorry for interrupting your stroll. I really couldn't help it." "It's alright. I was just about to head back anyway." They stopped outside a pair of intricately carved doors. Araya smiled apologetically at Joari. "Sorry, but I'd better warn you. I don't think she would have arrived when I wasn't around. But we can always try." She turned and opened the door, not seeing the grin that had appeared on Joari's face. She tapped the girl on her shoulder. "Actually, I happen to be Joari. Sorry I didn't mention it myself earlier." The girl whirled around, shock evident on her face. "Lady Joari! Pardon me for my rudeness! I didn't realise it was you!" "Enough already!" snapped Joari at the girl. "I like you, so its sorta unnerving when you start apologizing for nothing! You weren't even rude anyway!" "Of course, mistress." The trembling girl replied. Oh man, she's really afraid of me, Joari thought to herself. "Araya, do me a favour," Joari said gently, "don't call me mistress or anything. Just Joari okay?" Araya nodded. "Yes mis… Joari." Joari smiled.
"Okay, now that we've gotten that settled, let's get down to business. Do you know where I can get a dress for tonight's ball?" Araya tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Well, I can make you one, if you could tell me the specific colour and type of material you need." Joari face clearly showed her surprise. "You mean that you can actually sew?" Araya nodded. "All elf women can sew. We're taught to from a young age you see." "Wow." Joari whispered in awe. "I can't even sew a button to save my life, let alone make a dress!" Araya smiled. "Why don't you tell me what you would like? Then we would be able to finish before tonight." Joari nodded and told the elf what she wanted. After a few minutes, the girl finished, and Araya went off to get what she would need.
Joari gave herself a much-needed bath, thinking about the river as she did. After she had finished, she came out, but her clothes were no where to be found!
"Araya! Are you there?" she cried, near panic. Araya came straight away. "Ah, you've finished with your bath. Now we can begin with your fitting." "Fitting? I'm naked! I was hoping you could pass me some clothes!" Araya folded her arms. "Joari, that's the way it's done. Now do you want that dress or not?" Joari dropped her head in defeat. "Yes ma'm. No comments allowed though." Legolas, you had better be worth this, she thought to herself. After Araya had taken her measurements, she got Joari a dress. "I'll do the best I can for your design, though I must say I've never come across any like it. Any second thoughts?" Joari shook her head, and Araya began her sewing.
As elf maid's needle dipped in and out of the material, Joari lay back in her bed, just slacking around. She ran through the events that had occurred as soon as she had entered Middle-Earth. Orcs, Elves, Wizards, Kings… it must have been that book, she concluded, as Araya called her from her daydreams to try on the dress.
"There," Araya said, as she finished the last touches of the dress, "Done." Joari looked down at her dress, "It's perfect! Thank you!" She exulted, fervently touching one of the ruffles. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. "It looks like he's here already Araya. I'll see you later at the ball! Go dress yourself up now, my orders!" Joari commanded, as she ran to the door. "Joari, wait!" Araya called. She passed the girl a blue velvet coat. "Just in case it gets cold." Joari snickered. "In this dress? Man, I'll be sizzling hot tonight! I may even get a sunburn!" But a notion entered her mind and she put the coat on.
She opened the door and stepped out, letting it close after her. He held out his hand, "May I?" She gracefully accepted, placing her hand on his. "So, are we gonna see that sunset or what?" she asked. He shook his head rather apologetically. "I'm afraid not. The ball has already started you see." "What!? This early?" he looked at her, obviously amused. "Well, the sun has already set you know." She gasped. "What? Did I really take that long? Or was my internal clock seriously screwed?" Legolas sensed her consternation, though he didn't understand half of what she had said, and tried to placate her. "Do not worry about it, there has been no harm done."
They stopped outside a doorway. Lights, music and laughter were flowing out of the room. She looked at him and shrugged, her coat falling away. "Looks like our stop is here." She said, her eyes twinkling, noting his every reaction.
Legolas almost choked at the sight of it. The cut of her gown was daring, leaving her shoulders and significant part of her upper torso bare. It was blue, and the gown broke away from eher shoulders in complex folds and ruffles. The deep blue gown was almost like a breaking wave, and she rose out of it like a sea nymph or goddess rising from the sea. She was bathed in the soft light and her head seemed to have a blue halo around it. Yet again, Legolas was at a loss for words, not knowing how to convey his feelings. Joari smiled at him. Somehow, his reaction makes it all almost worth it, she told herself. "Why is it that you're always speechless when you see me? Is it because of this?" she laughed, deprecatingly touching one of the ruffles in an off-handed way.
Legolas blinked. "My lady, the very sight of you makes me unable to think. You are indeed ravishing." (Heh, notice the brush up of his vocab?) Joari tried a curtsy, "Why thank you Legolas. It was nice of you to say so. Shall we?" she said, motioning toward the doorway.
As they stepped in, a hush fell over the crowd. Heads swerved, as they watched the couple step regally into the room. The musicians started playing soft music, as they walked slowly through. At last, they approached Arwen and Aragorn, who formally greeted them. When the little innuendo was over, things went back to normal. Well, almost normal. "Congratulations!" Joari beamed at Arwen. Legolas was saying about the same thing to Aragorn. "Have you seen Joari's dress? It's enough to rob even an elf of his wits!" Legolas murmured. Aragorn smiled. "It is isn't it?" The two women stood side by side, the elf princess gleaming like a pale flame and the girl in a burst of blue light. Other well-wishers pushed forward with their congrats.
As expected, most of the male elves headed towards Joari while the female elves targeted the handsome prince. As she danced dance after dance, she couldn't help but glance over at Legolas, who was surrounded by a bevy of beautiful girls. For a moment, she felt an irrational stab of jealously. He's supposed to be my escort. She complained silently. The little voice chuckled at the back of her mind. Why don't you do something about it? Like what? Steal him back? Why not? The voice intoned, before falling silent. "Some help you are," she grumbled, startling the elf that was talking to her. "I'm sorry, what is it you require me to do milady?" Oops, did I say that out loud? "Er… nothing. It's just that I see some of my friends over there. Would you excuse me?" she said, before walking out of the startled elf arms.
She headed for the sorry group huddle in the corner. "Hey, what are you guys doing here?" Merry looked up at her miserably, "Well, you can't expect us to do anything much when everyone here's so formal…" Pippin continued, "and at least twice our heights!" That gave Joari an idea. "I see. Why don't we all go out then? I'm sure you guys would know of some good taverns around here!" Even Frodo, who wasn't the tavern going type, greeted her idea enthusiastically. "Great, let's go!" Pippin said. Joari looked at them, grinning. "Hold on a minute. I'll meet you guys outside k?" With that she walked of, leaving a group of very much cheered up hobbits behind her.
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Soo what will happen after this? What does Joari have in mind to steal Legolas back? What do you think? Reviews please!
