Disclaimer: I own nothing! Zilch! De nada!
A/N: Alright, this chapter came faster then the others and I hope to keep this pace in my writing. Please review!
**.** = thoughts
Chapter 6: A Dinner Party of Many Revelations
The next day passed by quickly and soon the setting sun proclaimed the beginning of the evening's events. Eledere arrived, escorted by Thangulan, wearing a delicate satin blue dress, which brought out her sparkling blue eyes even more so. When she glanced at Neofina's attire, which was simply her archer's tunic, (due to the match she and Legolas had previous), insecurity set in.
"Am I too overdressed?" Eledere whispered in Thangulan's ear, her voice panicky.
"Now why do you say that?" Thangulan lifted an eyebrow, "I think you look beautiful."
Eledere blushed slightly, but continued to explain, "It's just that Neofina is only clothed in her archer's tunic. She seems so casual."
"Oh, she always wears that. Don't compare your etiquette to hers," Thangulan paused and then added in a light tone, "for she has none."
Eledere chuckled slightly and proceeded to approach Neofina, "Where's the prince?"
"Oh, he should be here any minute. No need to worry," Neofina winked.
As if on cue, Legolas entered the dining area, looking as handsome as ever. Eledere's breath caught in her throat and even Neofina had to admit he looked quite nice tonight. His tunic was drenched in light blue tones with dark blue accents on the neck and cuffs; it brought out his eyes as well. King Thranduil had been watching the scene from his seat and upon his son's arrival, he announced for dinner to be served. Everyone took their respectable seats: King Thranduil, Neofina, Legolas, Eledere, and then Thangulan.
"Legolas, this is Eledere," Neofina gestured toward the pretty maiden, "Gully and I meet her yesterday and thought it would be fun to bring her along for dinner tonight."
"It's very nice to meet you," Legolas replied cordially while gently kissing her knuckles, "Eledere."
Eledere felt like she'd die from utter bliss, "It's. . . nice to meet you as well." Her pale cheeks quickly becoming a shade of red.
While the two continued to converse, King Thranduil quietly questioned Neofina, "So, she's your second attempt?"
"Yes," Neofina said coolly, "A nice choice, I must say. Intelligent, beautiful, . . ."
"Spare me the details," he cut her off sharply, "Will Legolas fall for her?"
"One could hope so," she replied with an impassive tone.
"That answer's not good enough!" he seethed as quietly as possible.
"Well it's all I can give you for now," Neofina grew annoyed. She turned away from the King and her green eyes watched in amusement as Thangulan enviously eyed Legolas and Eledere. **Someone's got a crush.** As she continued to watch the three elves, a feeling bubbled up inside of her. Jealously. Jealously of how Legolas flirted with Eledere and how Eledere remarked with just as much playfulness. **Jealous? ME? That's absurd! He's my friend, nothing more. Right?** Neofina's thoughts were interrupted by a hand waving itself in front of her face.
"Hello?" Legolas said in a singsong voice as his hand wavered in front of Neofina's dazed face, "anybody home?"
"Apparently not," Thangulan smirked.
"Who? What?" Neofina quickly recovered.
"What were you thinking about?" Legolas inquired, "was it about me?" He smiled arrogantly.
"The whole world doesn't revolve around you, you know?" she retorted.
"I know, but Mirkwood does," he replied egotistically.
"Oh, get over yourself already!"
"Tried that, but then I looked in the mirror and all my doubt faded away," Legolas' blue eyes looked at her defiantly with a hint of amusement.
"Look harder," Neofina's green eyes grew dark as she narrowed them in Legolas' direction.
"Ok, ok. Let's calm down," Thangulan's voice broke through the thick tension, "No need to give each other murderous glances now."
"My glance was not murderous," Neofina sent offended eyes toward Thangulan, "it was merely challenging."
"Well, call it what you will, but I agree with Thangulan on this one," Eledere finally spoke up, "I was afraid we were going to have to call in the guards or something."
"Well, we all know Fina's temper isn't one to be messed with," Legolas taunted with a pleased smile.
Neofina's eyes bulged in shock, "My temper!" she now stood up causing a scene, "Legolas, you know as well as I do that your temper is worse than mine!"
Legolas simply kept his satisfied grin, "If my temper is so bad, then why aren't I the one standing up and drawing attention to myself? Hmm? Answer me that?"
Neofina screamed in frustration and hastily left the dining room, much to King Thranduil's relief. **She has issues, she does. Don't know why my son is so close to her.**
"Maybe you should go after her," Eledere suggested, "Talk to her. Maybe ask for forgiveness?" She was hinting things now.
Legolas snorted in disbelief, "Forgiveness? Please. She started it."
Thangulan jumped in, "Actually, you started it with the whole 'are you thinking about me' comment."
"Thangulan," Legolas said slightly annoyed.
"Yes?"
"You're not helping me here."
"I think I'm doing a great job helping you. Sometimes, Legolas, you need to be told when you're wrong," Thangulan looked at him seriously, "and right now is one of those times."
"I suppose you're right," Legolas sighed, "as always."
"I try," Thangulan smiled smugly at his friend.
"Father, may I be excused?"
"Yes, son. And when you talk to your dear friend, remind her that if she wants to continue to eat her meals here that she needs to control her temper. I'll not have another outburst like that again in my presence. Understood?"
"Clearly," Legolas nodded his head and turned to the other two remaining elves, "I'll see you tomorrow, Thangulan. It was nice meeting you, Eledere."
"As to you, Legolas," she smiled.
"Bye," Thangulan called as Legolas retreated.
"You both are excused as well," King Thranduil ordered by looking into their uncomfortable eyes.
"Thank you," Thangulan uttered and then whispered to Eledere, "would you care to join me for a walk in the woods?"
"That would be lovely."
Thangulan and Eledere set off in the opposite direction of where Legolas had headed. A clearing came into view and the couple walked to it, enjoying the cool breeze that whipped their faces.
"What a nice place this is," Eledere sighed happily while sitting against a tall tree.
"Aren't you worried that you'll get your dress dirty?" Thangulan asked, concern evident in his voice.
"I'm not as petty as most girls, you know. I'm not quite as free-spirited as Neofina, but I'm not a prim elf maiden either. I think of myself as a healthy mix."
**There is a God,** Thangulan thought in wonder as he watched the beautiful woman in front of him bask in the moonlight, "Eledere?"
"Hmm?"
"What are you thinking about?"
"You."
*************************************
Neofina ran through the woods as quickly and quietly as possible, knowing that Legolas would be looking for her soon. And soon enough, Legolas' voice rang through the trees. **Great,** Neofina thought sullenly, **I need to be alone.** Her green eyes wandered up the tree next to her and a smile crept onto her face. She climbed the large tree with ease and breathed lightly while waiting for Legolas to pass by her. Much to her dismay, Legolas was a much better hunter than she was, and therefore spotted her hiding spot within seconds.
"Neofina!' Legolas called up to her, "Come down here! I want to apologize!"
"You seem to be doing a fine job from where you are!" Neofina yelled back bitterly.
He mumbled, "Why does she have to be so aggravating?"
"I heard that," Neofina crossed her arms over her chest and sighed in frustration.
"Good for you," Legolas' voice was dripping with sarcasm, "there's no point in trying to please you, is there?"
Neofina cackled, "Please me? HA! Don't you mean you're the one who's hard to please?"
"Why do you always direct things back at me? Huh?" Legolas turned around to leave, "You know what, Fina? Forget it, just forget it. There's no point in apologizing to you. You'll probably just find someway to twist it around to blame me again. I'm sick of this."
Legolas stalked off into night, leaving a very shocked and saddened Neofina behind.
*************************************
"Come again?" Thangulan asked in surprise; he felt as though his ears were broken.
"You," Eledere blushed and repeated with more confidence, "I'm thinking about you."
"Oh," he seated himself next to her and placed his index finger along her cheek, "I see. Well, I'm thinking about you as well." He traced her soft, pink lips with his thumb gingerly, "this is a very compromising situation you know?" He didn't allow her to answer for he had already leaned in to kiss her. **This is the moment, Thangulan. It's now or never. You can do it!**
But just as Thangulan's lips were about to meet Eledere's, Legolas stumbled into the clearing, his usually perfect hair in disarray and his pale face flushed a horrid shade of red.
**Great timing, Legolas.** Thangulan shot him a look as he moved away from a disappointed Eledere.
"So-sorry. Was I interrupting anything?" Legolas looked worriedly between the elf couple.
"No, of course not. . ." Thangulan began, but Legolas quickly cut him off.
"Ok good, because I need your help, Thangulan," Legolas' blue eyes pleaded.
"Hey," Eledere spoke up, "I should be heading home anyway. Don't want to worry my brother and all. Bye boys!" Eledere smiled at Legolas and winked at Thangulan before heading off into the woods alone.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" Thangulan said with pure concern.
"I think she'll manage," Legolas smirked, "Someone's got a crush, eh?"
"One would call it that," Thangulan smiled knowingly, "And what of yours, Legolas? Apologizing go well?"
Legolas grumbled incoherently before speaking clearly, "As you can see, everything is not well. She's so stubborn. Reminds me of. . ."
"A certain elf prince named Legolas?" Thangulan cut him off.
"Precisely. . . hey! I am not stubborn," Legolas looked at Thangulan's convicting eyes and gave in, almost, "well, not as stubborn as her."
"You're worse than an elfling!" Thangulan laughed.
"Oh shut up, Gully," Legolas replied annoyed.
"Touchy touchy. I was merely giving an opinion."
"Well I don't want it."
Thangulan's eyes widened, "but is that not why you came to me?"
"Maybe it was before but it isn't now," Legolas replied disdainfully, "sometimes you go too far, Thangulan."
"What have I said to offend you?"
"Everything!" Legolas threw his hands up in the air and headed back to the castle.
"I don't understand!" Thangulan lifted an eyebrow in question.
"Just forget it. Go back to your new lover," Legolas' voice was saturated with jealously as he disappeared into the woods once again.
"Just great," Thangulan sighed miserably, "I need to find Neofina."
A/N: Alright, this chapter came faster then the others and I hope to keep this pace in my writing. Please review!
**.** = thoughts
Chapter 6: A Dinner Party of Many Revelations
The next day passed by quickly and soon the setting sun proclaimed the beginning of the evening's events. Eledere arrived, escorted by Thangulan, wearing a delicate satin blue dress, which brought out her sparkling blue eyes even more so. When she glanced at Neofina's attire, which was simply her archer's tunic, (due to the match she and Legolas had previous), insecurity set in.
"Am I too overdressed?" Eledere whispered in Thangulan's ear, her voice panicky.
"Now why do you say that?" Thangulan lifted an eyebrow, "I think you look beautiful."
Eledere blushed slightly, but continued to explain, "It's just that Neofina is only clothed in her archer's tunic. She seems so casual."
"Oh, she always wears that. Don't compare your etiquette to hers," Thangulan paused and then added in a light tone, "for she has none."
Eledere chuckled slightly and proceeded to approach Neofina, "Where's the prince?"
"Oh, he should be here any minute. No need to worry," Neofina winked.
As if on cue, Legolas entered the dining area, looking as handsome as ever. Eledere's breath caught in her throat and even Neofina had to admit he looked quite nice tonight. His tunic was drenched in light blue tones with dark blue accents on the neck and cuffs; it brought out his eyes as well. King Thranduil had been watching the scene from his seat and upon his son's arrival, he announced for dinner to be served. Everyone took their respectable seats: King Thranduil, Neofina, Legolas, Eledere, and then Thangulan.
"Legolas, this is Eledere," Neofina gestured toward the pretty maiden, "Gully and I meet her yesterday and thought it would be fun to bring her along for dinner tonight."
"It's very nice to meet you," Legolas replied cordially while gently kissing her knuckles, "Eledere."
Eledere felt like she'd die from utter bliss, "It's. . . nice to meet you as well." Her pale cheeks quickly becoming a shade of red.
While the two continued to converse, King Thranduil quietly questioned Neofina, "So, she's your second attempt?"
"Yes," Neofina said coolly, "A nice choice, I must say. Intelligent, beautiful, . . ."
"Spare me the details," he cut her off sharply, "Will Legolas fall for her?"
"One could hope so," she replied with an impassive tone.
"That answer's not good enough!" he seethed as quietly as possible.
"Well it's all I can give you for now," Neofina grew annoyed. She turned away from the King and her green eyes watched in amusement as Thangulan enviously eyed Legolas and Eledere. **Someone's got a crush.** As she continued to watch the three elves, a feeling bubbled up inside of her. Jealously. Jealously of how Legolas flirted with Eledere and how Eledere remarked with just as much playfulness. **Jealous? ME? That's absurd! He's my friend, nothing more. Right?** Neofina's thoughts were interrupted by a hand waving itself in front of her face.
"Hello?" Legolas said in a singsong voice as his hand wavered in front of Neofina's dazed face, "anybody home?"
"Apparently not," Thangulan smirked.
"Who? What?" Neofina quickly recovered.
"What were you thinking about?" Legolas inquired, "was it about me?" He smiled arrogantly.
"The whole world doesn't revolve around you, you know?" she retorted.
"I know, but Mirkwood does," he replied egotistically.
"Oh, get over yourself already!"
"Tried that, but then I looked in the mirror and all my doubt faded away," Legolas' blue eyes looked at her defiantly with a hint of amusement.
"Look harder," Neofina's green eyes grew dark as she narrowed them in Legolas' direction.
"Ok, ok. Let's calm down," Thangulan's voice broke through the thick tension, "No need to give each other murderous glances now."
"My glance was not murderous," Neofina sent offended eyes toward Thangulan, "it was merely challenging."
"Well, call it what you will, but I agree with Thangulan on this one," Eledere finally spoke up, "I was afraid we were going to have to call in the guards or something."
"Well, we all know Fina's temper isn't one to be messed with," Legolas taunted with a pleased smile.
Neofina's eyes bulged in shock, "My temper!" she now stood up causing a scene, "Legolas, you know as well as I do that your temper is worse than mine!"
Legolas simply kept his satisfied grin, "If my temper is so bad, then why aren't I the one standing up and drawing attention to myself? Hmm? Answer me that?"
Neofina screamed in frustration and hastily left the dining room, much to King Thranduil's relief. **She has issues, she does. Don't know why my son is so close to her.**
"Maybe you should go after her," Eledere suggested, "Talk to her. Maybe ask for forgiveness?" She was hinting things now.
Legolas snorted in disbelief, "Forgiveness? Please. She started it."
Thangulan jumped in, "Actually, you started it with the whole 'are you thinking about me' comment."
"Thangulan," Legolas said slightly annoyed.
"Yes?"
"You're not helping me here."
"I think I'm doing a great job helping you. Sometimes, Legolas, you need to be told when you're wrong," Thangulan looked at him seriously, "and right now is one of those times."
"I suppose you're right," Legolas sighed, "as always."
"I try," Thangulan smiled smugly at his friend.
"Father, may I be excused?"
"Yes, son. And when you talk to your dear friend, remind her that if she wants to continue to eat her meals here that she needs to control her temper. I'll not have another outburst like that again in my presence. Understood?"
"Clearly," Legolas nodded his head and turned to the other two remaining elves, "I'll see you tomorrow, Thangulan. It was nice meeting you, Eledere."
"As to you, Legolas," she smiled.
"Bye," Thangulan called as Legolas retreated.
"You both are excused as well," King Thranduil ordered by looking into their uncomfortable eyes.
"Thank you," Thangulan uttered and then whispered to Eledere, "would you care to join me for a walk in the woods?"
"That would be lovely."
Thangulan and Eledere set off in the opposite direction of where Legolas had headed. A clearing came into view and the couple walked to it, enjoying the cool breeze that whipped their faces.
"What a nice place this is," Eledere sighed happily while sitting against a tall tree.
"Aren't you worried that you'll get your dress dirty?" Thangulan asked, concern evident in his voice.
"I'm not as petty as most girls, you know. I'm not quite as free-spirited as Neofina, but I'm not a prim elf maiden either. I think of myself as a healthy mix."
**There is a God,** Thangulan thought in wonder as he watched the beautiful woman in front of him bask in the moonlight, "Eledere?"
"Hmm?"
"What are you thinking about?"
"You."
*************************************
Neofina ran through the woods as quickly and quietly as possible, knowing that Legolas would be looking for her soon. And soon enough, Legolas' voice rang through the trees. **Great,** Neofina thought sullenly, **I need to be alone.** Her green eyes wandered up the tree next to her and a smile crept onto her face. She climbed the large tree with ease and breathed lightly while waiting for Legolas to pass by her. Much to her dismay, Legolas was a much better hunter than she was, and therefore spotted her hiding spot within seconds.
"Neofina!' Legolas called up to her, "Come down here! I want to apologize!"
"You seem to be doing a fine job from where you are!" Neofina yelled back bitterly.
He mumbled, "Why does she have to be so aggravating?"
"I heard that," Neofina crossed her arms over her chest and sighed in frustration.
"Good for you," Legolas' voice was dripping with sarcasm, "there's no point in trying to please you, is there?"
Neofina cackled, "Please me? HA! Don't you mean you're the one who's hard to please?"
"Why do you always direct things back at me? Huh?" Legolas turned around to leave, "You know what, Fina? Forget it, just forget it. There's no point in apologizing to you. You'll probably just find someway to twist it around to blame me again. I'm sick of this."
Legolas stalked off into night, leaving a very shocked and saddened Neofina behind.
*************************************
"Come again?" Thangulan asked in surprise; he felt as though his ears were broken.
"You," Eledere blushed and repeated with more confidence, "I'm thinking about you."
"Oh," he seated himself next to her and placed his index finger along her cheek, "I see. Well, I'm thinking about you as well." He traced her soft, pink lips with his thumb gingerly, "this is a very compromising situation you know?" He didn't allow her to answer for he had already leaned in to kiss her. **This is the moment, Thangulan. It's now or never. You can do it!**
But just as Thangulan's lips were about to meet Eledere's, Legolas stumbled into the clearing, his usually perfect hair in disarray and his pale face flushed a horrid shade of red.
**Great timing, Legolas.** Thangulan shot him a look as he moved away from a disappointed Eledere.
"So-sorry. Was I interrupting anything?" Legolas looked worriedly between the elf couple.
"No, of course not. . ." Thangulan began, but Legolas quickly cut him off.
"Ok good, because I need your help, Thangulan," Legolas' blue eyes pleaded.
"Hey," Eledere spoke up, "I should be heading home anyway. Don't want to worry my brother and all. Bye boys!" Eledere smiled at Legolas and winked at Thangulan before heading off into the woods alone.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" Thangulan said with pure concern.
"I think she'll manage," Legolas smirked, "Someone's got a crush, eh?"
"One would call it that," Thangulan smiled knowingly, "And what of yours, Legolas? Apologizing go well?"
Legolas grumbled incoherently before speaking clearly, "As you can see, everything is not well. She's so stubborn. Reminds me of. . ."
"A certain elf prince named Legolas?" Thangulan cut him off.
"Precisely. . . hey! I am not stubborn," Legolas looked at Thangulan's convicting eyes and gave in, almost, "well, not as stubborn as her."
"You're worse than an elfling!" Thangulan laughed.
"Oh shut up, Gully," Legolas replied annoyed.
"Touchy touchy. I was merely giving an opinion."
"Well I don't want it."
Thangulan's eyes widened, "but is that not why you came to me?"
"Maybe it was before but it isn't now," Legolas replied disdainfully, "sometimes you go too far, Thangulan."
"What have I said to offend you?"
"Everything!" Legolas threw his hands up in the air and headed back to the castle.
"I don't understand!" Thangulan lifted an eyebrow in question.
"Just forget it. Go back to your new lover," Legolas' voice was saturated with jealously as he disappeared into the woods once again.
"Just great," Thangulan sighed miserably, "I need to find Neofina."
