Italics = elvish. I'd make an idiot of myself if I tried to write in elvish
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Em moseyed back to her road after her lesson with Legolas. Amothien greeted her the moment she entered.
"Well hello there. Had I thought you would be so long looking at the gardens I would have told you to be back earlier, but then again who could resist looking for hours at the gardens." Amothien said wistfully.
"Your in a good mood." Em smiled back at her.
"With much reason to be at that, sure the ball is little hours away." Amothien said as she walked over to the wardrobe. "And your dress is just ready."
Amothien pulled out a magnificent dress, the colour when the light of the morning star shines on icicles. It had little jewels hanging from the low v-shaped neckline, and the long sleeves also cut it a v-shape. It had a bell shape design to the bottom and was tight at the top, the skirt reached as far as Em could tell well past her feet and would trail a little on the ground behind her. For once Em was not dreaded the dress she would have to wear.
"Wow…" Em gasped, the dress was really stunning.
"The ball has a theme that all of the gowns and suits must have something about nature on it. My own dress has waterfalls, as it's central idea. It is quite amazing how the seamstress has made it look, but your dress is most incredible also." Amothien said as she draped the ball gown on the chair and stepped back to look at it with Em.
"Yes, it should look a picture on you." Amothien said as she nodded her head. "The dress should fit you perfectly. I will return when I have gotten ready to fix your hair into place. Until then."
Amothien left the room while Em still stood looking awe-struck at the dress.
"Wow…"
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Em was standing in front of her mirror, a small smile playing at her face as she twirled round to see the dress better. Eventually Amothien returned.
"Wow…" Em said as she saw Amothien all done up in her ball gown.
Amothien was right when she had said it was an amazing dress. It started a very dark blue and then after going through lighter and lighter blues made its way to white. It had a bell shape like Em's dress but much shorter sleeves then ended at her shoulders with pieces of fabric hanging from either side. Her long blonde hair was held back three times on each side of her face near the front by two dark blue, two light blue and two white gems in her hair.
"Almost ready." Amothien said to herself as she inspected Em. "Sit down."
Em sat down and soon Amothien was busy brushing, pulling, pinning and curling her hair, as soon as that exercise was finished she began putting a little make-up on her. When she had finally stopped this bizarre form of torture Em opened her eyes fully and looked at herself.
Em had the top half of her hair tied back with a few long white ribbons that fell down her back with her hair, intertwining themselves with her locks. The rest of her hair fell in curls. A delicate circlet of silver with a pure crystal at the front was placed on her head so the end of the crystal just fell between her eyes. Her usually pink lips now had a distinct crimson stain that stood out beautifully against her snow-white face. Her grey eyes had a tear shape gem placed under the side of each eye; somehow Amothien had managed to make it look like raindrops had fallen on her long eyelashes.
"How did you do that?" Em asked as she pointed to her reflection in the mirror.
"My dear, I have been putting make-up on myself, and others, for the better part of two thousand years." Amothien said intelligently.
"What! How many years?" Em asked taken back.
"Many, many years little one." Amothien said as she walked over to the wardrobe door, her long gown swishing behind her. She removed a blue velvet box and brought it over to Em, where she took out a pair of what looked like glass-like shoes.
"Here you are." Amothien said as she gave the shoes to Em who immediately placed them on her feet.
Five sweet chimes rang out in the palace. Amothien looked over at Em and smiled.
"Are you ready for the ball?" Amothien asked as she grasped Em's hand and led her away.
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THE BANQUET HALL.Legolas was dancing effortlessly across the ballroom floor with yet another elf maiden in yet another fabulous gown when Amothien and Em entered. Em looked around her and for the first time in a long time since she had came to Mirkwood she felt out of place, a complete outsider. All the elves glided across the marble surface of the floor in olden dances, that Em though looked deceptively easy as the well-practiced elves move smoothly in the dance. Em could only see less then a handful of other humans, and she wasn't even sure if they were humans at that. King Thranduil had yet to arrive so his seat at the head of the room was currently empty. Em looked nervously around as Amothien was greeted warmly by a number of elves, all who inquired about Em. She saw a pair of chairs behind a pillar and decided to sit there, away from the stares of curiosity.
"Amothien, I'm just going go sit down." Em said quietly and left Amothien's side before she could reply.
Legolas smiled when he saw Amothien and Em had entered the hall, as he danced with his twelfth dance partner of the night already. It was his duty as a prince, according to his father, but it got wearing after a while. Legolas had to turn several times with his partner at this part of the dance and lost sight of Em for a second. When he turned again and was back in the eye-line so he could see her, she was looking nervously around and fidgeting with her sleeves, then he turned and lost sight again, when he looked back at her she was nowhere to be seen. Legolas spent the rest of the dance checking, discreetly, around the hall but couldn't find her until…
"There…" Legolas muttered to himself, distantly.
"What, your highness?" asked the beautiful, brown haired elf in his arms, as the dance came to a close.
"Pardon me?" Legolas asked as he snapped back to reality. "Ooh, nothing. Thank you for the dance, milady." Legolas said respectively as he bowed before moving to where Em was sitting.
"Hello there. Surely your not bored already?" Legolas laughed as he sat down next to Em.
Em looked up wide-eyed. "What? No. Hi." She said rapidly.
"So you're sitting over here by yourself because…" Legolas asked as he sat, staring at Em until she answered.
"No reason." Em said briskly.
"Really…" Legolas said, not believing a word she said, stilling trying to make eye contact.
Em sent him a few fleeting glances as she said. "Okay, it's still a bit weird being around loads of elves and all, especially when they're all looking really, really…I don't know…elfy?"
"So your nervous then?" Legolas replied.
"Yes." Em answered sheepishly as she returned eye contact.
"Well you know Amothien and me well and we're both elves. It's not that bad, no reason to stay nervous." Legolas said comfortably as he took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
Em shot him a forced smile, but looked less uneasy.
"Would you like to dance with me?" Legolas asked as he indicated to the floor.
"I'd have thought you'd have had enough dancing for a while. Aren't you tired?" Em asked.
"Truly, I am a small bit tired yes but I would still love to dance with you."
"Also, do you remember how long it took me to half get that dance, while everyone dancing makes it look dead simply." Em said quietly.
"It is fun…" Legolas said beguilingly.
Em just made a face.
"It really is fun, once you try it." He attempted again.
Em just looked skeptically at him.
"For me?" Legolas tried.
"Legolas, I am not going to make a fool of myself in front of a room full of elves." Em whispered to him.
Legolas looked around the room until he spotted when he was looking for.
"How about if none of the elves see us dance?" Legolas asked intriguingly.
"How could we do that? They would be in the room and all have eyes." Em reasoned.
"But if they wouldn't see, you would dance with me?" Legolas smiled.
"Yes, but they will see me dance like a yak so that won't be happening anytime soon." Em crossed her arms in front of her chest to emphasis her point.
"So you will dance with me." Legolas said as he got up and effortlessly pulled Em to her feet beside him and led her around the hall to the destination he had in mind.
A voice stopped them in their tracks. "Legolas Greenleaf, you are not planning on introducing me to your friend then."
Legolas and Em turned around to face a unbelievable dazzling lady in a white gown that shone like her. She had long gorgeous onyx black hair and a warm smile.
"You must be Lady Em." The stunning lady said as she gave Em a hug. "My name is Arwen. Legolas has told me much about you." She smiled kindly at the girl.
Legolas seemed to blush slightly at this remark.
"Hi Arwen." Em greeted timidly.
"I was planning on the two of you getting to know each other later." Legolas said.
"Then I will talk to you later Lady Em." Arwen smiled at Em and then began speaking to Legolas in a beautiful, exotic language .
"She is as beautiful as you said Legolas. As pale as an Angel." Arwen said sincerely.
"I know. I was planning on going to the alcove to dance, I hope you don't think me rude." Legolas apologized
"Of course I don't think your rude Legolas, but why are you going to the alcove to dance?" Arwen asked puzzled.
"Em is a bit nervous around so many elves." Legolas replied.
"As she would be." Arwen smiled at Em who returned it with a slightly nervous smile of her own. "She seems very nice"
"She is as sweet as a Nightingale."
"You have become very poetic I see." Arwen laughed, "I shall talk to you both later. Goodbye for now, Em."
"Bye, Arwen."
Legolas continued to lead Em to the destination.
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THRANDUIL'S STUDY
King Thranduil sat behind his desk, busily writing something. A knock interrupted his train of thought.
"Yes, yes. What is it?" Thranduil said slightly annoyed.
"The ball has started. Will you be joining soon?" Asked a young elf standing in the doorway.
"Soon, soon. I just have to finish this then I will join in the celebrations." Thranduil said as he dismissed the young elf.
He got back to scribbling away, until a second knock rang out in the room.
"What is the matter now?" He asked, trying to not sound annoyed at the second interruption.
"Quite a lot, but there is no reason to get annoyed." Said a stern voice, making King Thranduil look up from his work.
"Gandalf, Radagast, good to see you both but also worrying why have you both returned so soon? What is the news?" Thranduil asked as he rose to greet his two friends.
"The news could be better." Radagast said as he gripped Thranduil's hand.
"Do not keep me in the dark, what have you both found?" Thranduil asked as the three men sat down.
"I traveled to Lothlorien and Rivendell, both Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel agree that Lady Em should go to Lothlorien. Perhaps that would distract her from whatever is troubling her. Lady Galadriel wants to help her, all of Radagast's search point's to the same conclusion that Lady Em must leave Mirkwood as soon as possible for Lothlorien." Gandalf said.
Thranduil sat in deep thought for a minute before he asked, "When will she return?"
"We do not know if she will return at all." Radagast answered.
"I see. Must she leave is there no other solution?" asked Thranduil.
"It is the only solution." Gandalf said sternly. "Something is wrong and can only be fixed in Lothlorien."
Thranduil sat thinking as he listened to the pair.
"Something is grieving the girl and she must leave soon." Gandalf emphasized
"So would my son grieve if I took her away from him." Thranduil said.
"Yet, he would grieve more if she died." Radagast said quietly but sternly
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THE BANQUET HALLLegolas pulled Em behind a dark red cloth picture depicting a great battle, which Em thought was just hanging on the wall and that nothing but wall was behind it. The hidden part of the hall was not gigantic but it was by no means small.
"Would you be so kind as to grant me the pleasure of this dance, Milady?" Legolas said jokingly as he bowed and offered Em his hand.
"Why of course Milord." Em said as she attempted a curtsy.
Legolas quickly stood up and pulled Em nearer to him. "I'II go easy on you because you're only learning." Legolas said teasingly as he took Em's hand and started dancing.
Soon both were dancing across the floor laughing happily.
"You're dress is very pretty, you look like an ice princess." Legolas said as they continued the elvish waltz.
"Thanks, but you really should be complimenting Amothien she picked it out." Em replied.
"Yes, but I am sure no one could look as stunning in it as you do this night." Legolas said as he looked down into Em's eyes.
Em broke eye contact after a few moments and blushed as she avoided Legolas gaze.
"Thanks." Em muttered
"See you are getting much better." Legolas said after a few silent minutes, just before Em tripped on his foot but was caught in his arms.
Em shot him a doubtfully look. "Ooh yeah. Really graceful now." She said sarcastically.
"Well, at least you didn't hit the floor. I'd say that would be consider an improvement." Legolas joked.
Em laughed at his joke. "Or you're getting better at catching me."
Both laughed slightly and then a voice interrupted their conversation.
"Legolas, your father sent me to tell you to come to his study now. Gandalf and Radagast are there." Arwen said as she stepped in from the curtain.
Legolas looked over at Em.
"I will keep Lady Em company until you return." Arwen said. "I would advise you to go now, it seems important."
"I will return soon. Thank you for the message, Lady Arwen." Legolas said as he bowed and left the hidden corner.
"Let us sit down." Arwen smiled as she indicated to a pair of chairs.
"I always knew Legolas had a hidden talent to take a girl's breath away." Arwen joked lightly. "You seem less nervous then earlier."
"Yeap. Nice to meet you Arwen." Em smiled as she sat down next to the elf.
"Likewise. I hope we will become friends while I stay here; Legolas is always talking of you. I feel like I know you well enough to be your sister." Arwen joked.
"I'd like us to be friends. I haven't talked to much people while I've been here." Em confessed.
"All the elves are very nice here. I always enjoy visiting it." Arwen said.
"So you don't live here then." Em asked.
"No, I live in Rivendell." Arwen said. "It is in appearance different to Mirkwood, but both are elf cities."
"Sorry, you said about Legolas 'a hidden talent', what did you mean?" Em asked curiously.
"Well, Legolas is usually very work orientated, and is usually busy with one thing or another and not ladies." Arwen answered simply.
Em just nodded as if deep in thought. "You said he told you about me, what do you mean?"
"Little things. Like how happy he was when you told him your name, but he refused to tell me what it was, or how much fun he had teaching you to dance, or how worried he is about you. He is very sorry about the diary incident, I hope you still do not hold it against him. He is still annoyed with himself about it." Arwen said.
"He told you about the diary thing." Em gulped.
"He was unsure what to do, and wanted to talk to someone." Arwen explained.
"I don't hold it against him, still can't really believe he took my diary in the first place." Em said as she looked at her hands.
"You should talk to him more. He becomes much to worried much to easily." Arwen said.
"I think we'll make good friends." Em said as she looked up and smiled at Arwen, who returned the gesture.
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THRANDUIL'S STUDYLegolas knocked upon the door of the study and walked in to find Radagast and Gandalf talking with his father.
"You wanted to see me father?" Legolas said.
"We all did Legolas." Radagast said
"We have attained some information and have settled on a course of action which we must inform you about." Gandalf said.
"It is for the best, my son, please here us out." Thranduil soothed as Legolas looked on worriedly.
"What are you all talking about?" Legolas asked confused.
"Not what, who." Gandalf corrected.
"Alright then, who are you all talking about." Legolas asked although he was getting an idea.
"You already know the answer, Legolas." Gandalf said.
"Em…" Legolas said as all the pieces fitted together.
"I think I should tell him alone." Thranduil said in a commanding voice.
"As you will it." Gandalf said as he and Radagast left the room.
"It is all for the best." Thranduil said.
"You have already said that but have failed to mention what is all for the best." Legolas said.
"We all have settled on this matter, Lady Em is going to Lothlorien to the Lady Galadriel. She is leaving in the afternoon." Thranduil said.
"Why would Em need to see the Lady?" Asked Legolas.
"You should know that of all people Legolas. Something troubles her, when we all sought console from the wisest, Lady Galadriel said to bring Lady Em to her and Lord Elrond agrees." Thranduil said. "We are unsure if she will return to Mirkwood or what will happen."
"I will go with her." Legolas said at once.
"We are unsure of how long she will be gone for." Thranduil said.
"I shall stay with her." Legolas said.
"I do not want you going…" Thranduil began.
"No." Legolas yelled at his surprised Father. "I am going to stay with her."
Legolas got up and opened the door to leave.
"She does not love you." Thranduil said sternly, as he stood behind his desk.
"Not yet." Legolas replied without turning his back to face him.
"He's not trying to hurt you, he's trying to help you." Radagast's voice said behind Legolas as he walked down the hall.
"Interesting why of helping someone." Legolas said as he started walking back to the banquet hall.
Radagast fell into step beside him. "Emotion or reason, now which one do you obey?" Radagast asked.
Legolas knew the answer very well; he had always been taught the answer since he was an elfling. He let out a heart-felt sigh as he stopped walking and answered. "Reason."
"Then surely you understand why Lady Em must go to Lothlorien." Radagast said.
"That does not mean it hurts any less." Legolas said as he leaned against the wall and sat down on the cold floor as Radagast did the same.
"She must receive help for whatever is troubling her." Radagast said.
"I know. It is what is right for her, I will stand by her for this." Legolas said solemnly
"You are confused." Radagast observed.
"I don't understand why I feel so…so…"
"So cut up inside." Radagast helped.
"Yes. If this is love then why do I feel so cut up inside, surely love is a wonderful thing. It is more precious then emeralds, and dearer than fine opals. Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it nor is it set forth in the market place. It may not be purchased of the merchants, nor can it be weighed out in the balance for gold." Legolas ranted. "Why would love hurt…"
"You do not want her to go to Lothlorien." Radagast said as he looked at his crest-fallen friend.
"She will take her away from me…" Legolas mutter unhappily.
"You do not know that for certain." Radagast reasoned.
"Yes, but there is a chance. My father said himself she might not return but I have to return." Legolas said.
"You love her then?" Radagast said.
"I think it is love, I am certain I am falling hard for her." Legolas said.
Radagast smiled at his young at heart friend. "What is meant to be is meant to be, storms may gather and stars may collide but love remains strong."
"I have to talk to her…" Legolas said more to himself then Radagast as he stood up and left.
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THE BANQUET HALL"He's been gone ages." Yawned Em.
"You are very tired." Arwen observed.
"Yeap, a little, I'II wait until he comes back though." Em said wearily.
"Child, you are about to fall fast asleep. Go to bed, Legolas will understand you are tired, he won't hold it against you." Arwen said.
"You sure he wouldn't mind?" Em checked.
"I would not want you waiting up for him when you are tired." Arwen said.
"You'll tell him that I went to bed won't you?" Em asked.
"Of course." Arwen laughed, Em yawned again. "Go to bed."
Em rose and stumbled out of the banquet hall.
A few minutes later Legolas rushed in searching for Em, but only finding Arwen.
"Where is she?" Legolas asked.
"You just missed her. She was very tired and has retired." Arwen said.
Legolas turned to see if he could catch up with her.
"Ooh and Legolas." Arwen said.
"Yes?" Legolas said.
"I like her." Arwen smiled.
"Good."
If Arwen smiled Legolas beamed as he tried to follow Em.
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Em's P.V.O.
I yawn as I stumble down the corridor from the banquet hall. I think it will be a miracle if I get back to my room. Bloody corridors. I hit my toe off the ground as I drag my feet. I guess I'm more tired then I thought. I mumble a few choice curses and then stop walking. I don't want to go back to my room, I'm tired but… I'II go to the gardens until I'm really tired. Bloody corridors.
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Legolas' P.V.O.
I don't know what I'II say to her, but I have to say something. I don't want her to go to Lothlorien. I want her to stay with me. I want her to want to stay with me. I hear a few muttered things but can't make out the words but it is her voice. I'II talk to her. I hope I know what I'm doing…
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Em slowly walked in the gardens to the little part of the garden her and Legolas had danced in earlier that day, well yesterday now. It was a dark, cloudy night so only the moon could be seen.
Legolas followed her silently, a few feet behind.
Em sat down by the bench, leaned against it, and closed her weary eyes.
"Like an ice princess…" Legolas murmured to himself.
Em's eyes shot open immediately, startling Legolas, they appeared glazed but then appeared normal in the twinkle of an eye.
"What?" Em asked.
"I wanted to…nothing." Legolas said as he sat down beside the girl as he saw how tired she was. "What are you doing out here anyway?"
"Nothing. You?"
"Nothing. Want to do nothing together?"
"Sure." Em smiled sleepily.
The pair sat in a comfortable silence until Em yawned.
"You are tired." Legolas said as he wrapped his arm around and Em snuggled up closer to him and lay her head on his shoulder.
"Kinda." Was the answer.
Em's eyelids began to drop and soon they were closed but she was not asleep.
Legolas sigh, kissed Em's forehead and said gently. "I think I love you…"
Em's eyes looked up at him sleepily. "What…?" she muttered.
"Nothing…Go back to sleep." Legolas said as he swooped her into his arms and walked back to her room.
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"You did not tell her." Arwen said disbelievingly.
"That is right." Legolas answered as he lay on the couch in Arwen's room.
"You had the perfect opportunity and you did not tell her." Arwen said as if she still couldn't believe it.
"That is right." Legolas said again.
"You had the most romantic setting possible and you…"Arwen began.
"And I did not tell her." Legolas finished. "I tried but it wasn't the right time."
"When will be the right time, if it is not the night of a ball, outside in the gardens with only moon light." Arwen said
"It will be the right time, when everything is perfect. It was not perfect then."
"When will it be perfect then?"
"In time."
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Thanks to all reviewers
SexyElvenFreak: Thanks for your review. I guess you like it and want more chapters, huh? :)
Andray: Sorry I didn't update sooner. Hey what's wrong with active imaginations? Mine keeps me very entertained during school, except now I duck and cower whenever someone mentions cows…cows *Shudder*
Ariach: Thanks loads for your reviews. Not quitting stories, I will go back to the other story after my …*Shudder* exams, or on the holidays. Always nice to have a constant and loyal reader:) You love my story! * Blushes*
Insane Orli: Thanks for you review. See I updated:)
Youko Demon: Awkward pigs are happy pigs? Cool! I want to type more but a wasp is trying to assassinate me…I can hear the buzzing coming ever closer.
Jerica: Sorry I couldn't update sooner. School and stuff (i.e. world domination, kidnapping bands, and a very interesting story involving twelve hogs heads of strong bear and Bizzy D from Sum 41)
Melissa Greenleaf: Thanks for liking the yoda thing. I though it was sweet/funny but then again I also thought the little girl from The Ring was just misunderstood…
Nevweh: Too bad about the Spainsh thing. I saw X2 it sure does rock. I LOVE PYRO…next topic. That thing with the special sounds dead funny. Ooh, if you have nothing to do might I suggest asking random people what the think of Jude Law? Best answer (from a boy) so far are: "O come on, I'm straight and I fancy him." I always do this, some guards are scare of me…the last one tried so harder to get away…*sighs* they never learn they cannot escape hyper school girls… MUWHAHA!
Lilena: Yes I'm evil. I'm planning something, I have the ending to this story already so I know what's going to happen, and besides good stories always have some tragedy…hehehe
YOUR JUST JEALOUS CAUSE THE VOICES ONLY TALK TO ME!!!
ImpC