heehee! I got a mean chapter here! hope u like it *giggles evilly*.
Chapter 3
The Ball
Legolas made a slow recovery in his chamber. He couldn't speak right for weeks and at very little. The pain in his chest made a sharp jolt whenever he breathed in or out. He had a nasty bout of fever for the first three days, but it finally broke after he had been soaked in cold water. His head throbbed so hard that he could never keep track of time or people who would visit. He had a short case of amnesia and couldn't recall why he had gone into the water. Neenuvar visited once and told him the whole story. Legolas barely listened.
'Why do you torment me so?' he asked. Neenuvar risked a meaningful grin.
'I find it fun.' she said. 'To see your father turn against you and you be neglected so.' she ran a finger down his chest and applied pressure right where she knew it would hurt him. Legolas was careful not to show any sign of pain and was too weak to push her hand away. 'Believe me, things are going to get a lot rougher in this place.' with that, she stood and left.
*
Legolas was surprised to find that things had gone much easier from then on. The teasing and bullying lightened up for at least a year and Legolas actually felt a little happy. He tried to act nicely towards Neenuvar, but found she didn't deserve his respect.
Thranduil however found that he was slowly growing apart from his son. Every time he considered talking to him about it, but found an excuse to assist Neenuvar instead.
The entire kingdom had fallen in love with her sweet face and innocent posture. The men always bowed to her and stared after her when she walked by.
Legolas spent less time the palace then he should have. He could feel the entire kingdom turning him away like a homeless person with no purpose. He would sit in the trees in the forest for days, listening to their leaves and their whispering voices. The branches would sway and pull him into their own, calm trance.
One night while he was returning from the woods, Neenuvar met him halfway into the courtyard.
'We need to talk.'
Legolas followed Neenuvar out into the hedge maze. The shrubs on each side stretched high and tangled with ones on the opposite side. The thick leaves hid the two from view. Legolas walked silently with his hands behind his back. He recalled long ago how Neenuvar had said she didn't want him to die at the river, and that she had plans for him. He stopped dead in his tracks and stared at her as she stopped as well.
'What do you want?' he snarled, feeling very angry at his stupidity to let themselves be alone. He could feel threat coming from her like the water's surface feels the wind, with a rippling affect. First strong, then weak, the stronger, then so faint he wasn't sure it was there at all.
'Legolas, I know I've been so mean to you and that I've made you miserable.' she looked down at her feet. 'I know that Thranduil is growing less and less tied to you and he seems more interested in me. I know that you no longer feel like you should. There seems to be no reason to be proud or brave.'
'That's not true.' he said, glaring down at her. 'I have my own reasons.' He could feel the anger beginning to boil up inside of him like a brew. Neenuvar laughed.
'You may have you own reasons to be happy, Legolas,' she replied haughtily. 'But I can only think of how much they will hurt you in the very near future.' She looked at the prince up and down. 'If I were you, I'd listen to what I have to say and obey my orders.' Legolas shifted his feet, suddenly feeling as though he was about to be forced to do something he'd regret.
'And if I don't?' Neenuvar smiled.
'All the better... for me.' a sudden flash of burning pain pierced through Legolas's bones like needles and ricocheted off the surface of his skin back into his body. He cried out, but the sound came out only a hiss, like the wind in the leaves of the great oak and strong aspen, that hid among the sounds of the actual trees.
He was soon doubled-over with pain and agony. He cried out several times, but only the hiss escaped his lips. As quickly as it came, the pain stopped and Legolas was left in the bent position, sweating a trembling. His breathe came in sharp gasps.
'Your mind is the only one I can't read, Legolas.' she said. 'But you are the only one whom I can torture and whisper to without the movement of my lips.' Legolas slowly straightened up, feeling very stiff and weak.
'What do you want me to do?' he asked. Neenuvar smiled.
'I thought you'd see things my way.' Legolas avoided her eyes, not wanting to see the triumph in her face. He didn't want to go through that terrible pain again. 'In three days time there will be a ball in the palace. I would like you to court me there and pretend to like it.' Legolas stared at her.
'Court you?' he repeated. 'You mean like a couple?' Neenuvar smiled and nodded.
'Not only will we get closer, your father will start to think better of you, won't he?' Legolas gazed.
*
In three nights he was in his chamber, dressing himself in several dress robes. He debated whether or not he should wear his long over-jacket or his cloak. He finally decided to where the cloak but he removed the hood by the ties that held it. He didn't like the way he looked so spiffed up, but he had no choice. He had to be recognized as a member of royalty and the partner with Neenuvar who everyone got along with.
After straightening his cloak and smoothing out his shirt he left the chamber and went down to the gallery.
The chandelier above had been lit with candles and it filled the room with an orange light. All the elves present looked very splendid, some with their hair done up and their coats off. Their dresses were all very beautiful and fitted each of them well. Legolas smiled to see that the men all around had dressed not as carefully as him; he swore that one even had socks that didn't match.
He took a quick look at the place and saw that Neenuvar hadn't arrived yet. He stood straight and bowed to the guests that passed by politely. Deep down he knew he was regretting what he was about to do. He felt a figure approach behind him. Closing his eyes, he turned around.
His breath was taken away. Neenuvar's hair was gleaming and curled with flowers sprinkled in the silver tresses. Her eyes had been colored with a sharp white that matched her dress. Her lips shone and her hands were soft and smooth. The dress she wore was simple, but on her, gorgeous. It fitted her perfect body with ideal comfort and decency. He felt a tingle make the hair rise on his scalp and the back of his neck. Neenuvar approached and wrapped her arm casually around his.
'Don't forget you have to act like you're enjoying your time with me.' she thought to him. Legolas was pulled awake from the trance when she started to walk. He couldn't help but stare at her. Even though she was the most cruel and evil elf he had ever met, he couldn't help but think how beautiful she was.
When they entered the crowd, all conversations stopped. Every head turned towards them and faces of shock and pleasure crossed their faces. Legolas had not told anybody he was going to 'court' Neenuvar and it came as a surprise to all.
When Legolas reached Thranduil, the king beamed. 'Treat her well, m'boy' he said to Legolas as he headed towards the doors of the ballroom.
The dance crawled by to Legolas. There was little talking and much silent dancing. A dreary tune was played from lyres, harps and horns on a small stage in the center of the dance floor. Legolas observed most of it from his seat atop a throne until Neenuvar took his hands and pulled him out on the dance floor.
Legolas stared into her great blue eyes, unaware that she was pulling him closer. He was in a complete trance and a smile was fixed on his face.
'If I didn't know better, I'd say you were enjoying this.' Legolas's smile widened.
'Why do you have to be so cruel?' he asked quietly. 'We could be so perfect together.' Her great blues reflected in his and glistened.
'You are beautiful...' she though as though considering the idea. 'But I want something more. I want Mirkwood and I will change it to the great Greenwood one more.' Legolas's eyebrows furrowed, but the smile remained.
'Why would you want the kingdom?' he asked. Neenuvar moved closer into him.
'Why wouldn't I want the kingdom?' she rebounded. Legolas knew he should be angry, or furious, or even a little bit frightened. He had just pulled a confession from an imposter even though he was the only one who could hear her. He wanted to put the guards on her. To watch her rot in the dungeons for the rest of her years.
However, he could only smile. If just looking and Neenuvar's beauty pulled you into a trance, then dancing with her made you completely under her spell. Legolas suddenly realized there were some traits about her he liked. She was mysterious, calm, and beautiful. The way she danced pulled Legolas out of the real world and into his own little bubble of happiness. Without thinking, he said: 'I could dance forever.' he hadn't felt this way in years since Neenuvar arrived and he had begun to be neglected. Neenuvar grinned up at him with a flash of red in her eyes. Legolas suddenly let go of her waist and backed away. He hadn't seen that awful color since they had first taken Neenuvar into their home.
'I could too,' replied silently. 'But I've got work to do.' A placid grin crossed her face and she turned and left.
The ball grew livelier after she left. Elves began to talk to one another and Legolas could speak and joke with his father. For once he had a chance to be happy, but the strange color in Neenuvar's eyes had a deep hold on him, like guilt or despair. On the outside, he was the happy prince of throne. On the inside, he was this troubled being with much on his mind.
The next day, he was running for his life.
Chapter 3
The Ball
Legolas made a slow recovery in his chamber. He couldn't speak right for weeks and at very little. The pain in his chest made a sharp jolt whenever he breathed in or out. He had a nasty bout of fever for the first three days, but it finally broke after he had been soaked in cold water. His head throbbed so hard that he could never keep track of time or people who would visit. He had a short case of amnesia and couldn't recall why he had gone into the water. Neenuvar visited once and told him the whole story. Legolas barely listened.
'Why do you torment me so?' he asked. Neenuvar risked a meaningful grin.
'I find it fun.' she said. 'To see your father turn against you and you be neglected so.' she ran a finger down his chest and applied pressure right where she knew it would hurt him. Legolas was careful not to show any sign of pain and was too weak to push her hand away. 'Believe me, things are going to get a lot rougher in this place.' with that, she stood and left.
*
Legolas was surprised to find that things had gone much easier from then on. The teasing and bullying lightened up for at least a year and Legolas actually felt a little happy. He tried to act nicely towards Neenuvar, but found she didn't deserve his respect.
Thranduil however found that he was slowly growing apart from his son. Every time he considered talking to him about it, but found an excuse to assist Neenuvar instead.
The entire kingdom had fallen in love with her sweet face and innocent posture. The men always bowed to her and stared after her when she walked by.
Legolas spent less time the palace then he should have. He could feel the entire kingdom turning him away like a homeless person with no purpose. He would sit in the trees in the forest for days, listening to their leaves and their whispering voices. The branches would sway and pull him into their own, calm trance.
One night while he was returning from the woods, Neenuvar met him halfway into the courtyard.
'We need to talk.'
Legolas followed Neenuvar out into the hedge maze. The shrubs on each side stretched high and tangled with ones on the opposite side. The thick leaves hid the two from view. Legolas walked silently with his hands behind his back. He recalled long ago how Neenuvar had said she didn't want him to die at the river, and that she had plans for him. He stopped dead in his tracks and stared at her as she stopped as well.
'What do you want?' he snarled, feeling very angry at his stupidity to let themselves be alone. He could feel threat coming from her like the water's surface feels the wind, with a rippling affect. First strong, then weak, the stronger, then so faint he wasn't sure it was there at all.
'Legolas, I know I've been so mean to you and that I've made you miserable.' she looked down at her feet. 'I know that Thranduil is growing less and less tied to you and he seems more interested in me. I know that you no longer feel like you should. There seems to be no reason to be proud or brave.'
'That's not true.' he said, glaring down at her. 'I have my own reasons.' He could feel the anger beginning to boil up inside of him like a brew. Neenuvar laughed.
'You may have you own reasons to be happy, Legolas,' she replied haughtily. 'But I can only think of how much they will hurt you in the very near future.' She looked at the prince up and down. 'If I were you, I'd listen to what I have to say and obey my orders.' Legolas shifted his feet, suddenly feeling as though he was about to be forced to do something he'd regret.
'And if I don't?' Neenuvar smiled.
'All the better... for me.' a sudden flash of burning pain pierced through Legolas's bones like needles and ricocheted off the surface of his skin back into his body. He cried out, but the sound came out only a hiss, like the wind in the leaves of the great oak and strong aspen, that hid among the sounds of the actual trees.
He was soon doubled-over with pain and agony. He cried out several times, but only the hiss escaped his lips. As quickly as it came, the pain stopped and Legolas was left in the bent position, sweating a trembling. His breathe came in sharp gasps.
'Your mind is the only one I can't read, Legolas.' she said. 'But you are the only one whom I can torture and whisper to without the movement of my lips.' Legolas slowly straightened up, feeling very stiff and weak.
'What do you want me to do?' he asked. Neenuvar smiled.
'I thought you'd see things my way.' Legolas avoided her eyes, not wanting to see the triumph in her face. He didn't want to go through that terrible pain again. 'In three days time there will be a ball in the palace. I would like you to court me there and pretend to like it.' Legolas stared at her.
'Court you?' he repeated. 'You mean like a couple?' Neenuvar smiled and nodded.
'Not only will we get closer, your father will start to think better of you, won't he?' Legolas gazed.
*
In three nights he was in his chamber, dressing himself in several dress robes. He debated whether or not he should wear his long over-jacket or his cloak. He finally decided to where the cloak but he removed the hood by the ties that held it. He didn't like the way he looked so spiffed up, but he had no choice. He had to be recognized as a member of royalty and the partner with Neenuvar who everyone got along with.
After straightening his cloak and smoothing out his shirt he left the chamber and went down to the gallery.
The chandelier above had been lit with candles and it filled the room with an orange light. All the elves present looked very splendid, some with their hair done up and their coats off. Their dresses were all very beautiful and fitted each of them well. Legolas smiled to see that the men all around had dressed not as carefully as him; he swore that one even had socks that didn't match.
He took a quick look at the place and saw that Neenuvar hadn't arrived yet. He stood straight and bowed to the guests that passed by politely. Deep down he knew he was regretting what he was about to do. He felt a figure approach behind him. Closing his eyes, he turned around.
His breath was taken away. Neenuvar's hair was gleaming and curled with flowers sprinkled in the silver tresses. Her eyes had been colored with a sharp white that matched her dress. Her lips shone and her hands were soft and smooth. The dress she wore was simple, but on her, gorgeous. It fitted her perfect body with ideal comfort and decency. He felt a tingle make the hair rise on his scalp and the back of his neck. Neenuvar approached and wrapped her arm casually around his.
'Don't forget you have to act like you're enjoying your time with me.' she thought to him. Legolas was pulled awake from the trance when she started to walk. He couldn't help but stare at her. Even though she was the most cruel and evil elf he had ever met, he couldn't help but think how beautiful she was.
When they entered the crowd, all conversations stopped. Every head turned towards them and faces of shock and pleasure crossed their faces. Legolas had not told anybody he was going to 'court' Neenuvar and it came as a surprise to all.
When Legolas reached Thranduil, the king beamed. 'Treat her well, m'boy' he said to Legolas as he headed towards the doors of the ballroom.
The dance crawled by to Legolas. There was little talking and much silent dancing. A dreary tune was played from lyres, harps and horns on a small stage in the center of the dance floor. Legolas observed most of it from his seat atop a throne until Neenuvar took his hands and pulled him out on the dance floor.
Legolas stared into her great blue eyes, unaware that she was pulling him closer. He was in a complete trance and a smile was fixed on his face.
'If I didn't know better, I'd say you were enjoying this.' Legolas's smile widened.
'Why do you have to be so cruel?' he asked quietly. 'We could be so perfect together.' Her great blues reflected in his and glistened.
'You are beautiful...' she though as though considering the idea. 'But I want something more. I want Mirkwood and I will change it to the great Greenwood one more.' Legolas's eyebrows furrowed, but the smile remained.
'Why would you want the kingdom?' he asked. Neenuvar moved closer into him.
'Why wouldn't I want the kingdom?' she rebounded. Legolas knew he should be angry, or furious, or even a little bit frightened. He had just pulled a confession from an imposter even though he was the only one who could hear her. He wanted to put the guards on her. To watch her rot in the dungeons for the rest of her years.
However, he could only smile. If just looking and Neenuvar's beauty pulled you into a trance, then dancing with her made you completely under her spell. Legolas suddenly realized there were some traits about her he liked. She was mysterious, calm, and beautiful. The way she danced pulled Legolas out of the real world and into his own little bubble of happiness. Without thinking, he said: 'I could dance forever.' he hadn't felt this way in years since Neenuvar arrived and he had begun to be neglected. Neenuvar grinned up at him with a flash of red in her eyes. Legolas suddenly let go of her waist and backed away. He hadn't seen that awful color since they had first taken Neenuvar into their home.
'I could too,' replied silently. 'But I've got work to do.' A placid grin crossed her face and she turned and left.
The ball grew livelier after she left. Elves began to talk to one another and Legolas could speak and joke with his father. For once he had a chance to be happy, but the strange color in Neenuvar's eyes had a deep hold on him, like guilt or despair. On the outside, he was the happy prince of throne. On the inside, he was this troubled being with much on his mind.
The next day, he was running for his life.