A/N: Not mine. Also, though it's unknown, in my story Leggy is an only
child. Arwen and Leggy appear to be 12.
I'm sooo sorry this took so long. Please don't kill me and I really hope it was worth the wait.
------
Dancing Lessons
------
Laughter was heard in the hall followed by a loud crash. The laughter stopped.
King Thranduil glanced at his wife as she tried to keep from smiling. He just shook his head. Oh, may the Valar help him...
"Legolas! Arwen!" he called to his son and his best friend. A few moments passed before the door opened slightly and the Prince of Mirkwood slipped inside, followed quietly by the lady Arwen.
The two young elves stood before the King and Queen, eyes averted to the ground.
"What was that noise?" Thranduil asked his son in their native tongue.
"Well, Arwen and I were just playing....and-and..." the blonde prince stammered.
"It was my fault!" Arwen piped up from beside him.
"No! It was me. I-I knew you wouldn't be able to catch it but I threw it anyway..."
"If only I didn't catch like a girl..." came the sad remark.
"But you are a girl."
"Still, I shouldn't have to catch like one."
"Enough!" Thranduil's booming voice silenced the ramblings of the Elven children immediately. He paused for a moment before continuing in a more gentle voice, "I don't care who did what. I just hope you both learned something from this. No more throwing anything indoors or around anything that could break. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord," Arwen and Legolas replied in unison.
"Legolas...Arwen, please sit with me," Legolas' mother graciously motioned for the young elves to sit beside her. They willing obliged her with happy hearts for she was kind and beautiful. She sat between them and held their hands gently and their scolding was soon forgotten.
King Thranduil moved to sit opposite his wife, child and Arwen. "Now Legolas, you know that the centennial ball will be held in six weeks time."
"I do."
"And we feel that it would be appropriate to formally introduce you has heir to the Kingdom," his mother added.
"Ada, I do not understand. Everyone knows that I am Prince and your rightful heir," Legolas' fair face was contorted in confusion.
"Not everyone, my love," Legolas mother reached to smooth his unruly golden hair and her touch brought him comfort.
"There are many elves whom you have not yet met that will be attending. It is also custom that a Prince should have a coronation and be properly introduced. And I know this will be a somewhat arduous task for you, but starting tomorrow you shall brush up on the history and names from each house of Elves attending the ball. You shall also prepare a speech to address all our guests ... and above all, you shall have dancing lessons."
"But Ada!" Legolas nearly jumped out of his seat when he heard the word "dancing." He heard Arwen stifle a giggle.
"Calm down my son, it shall not be as tortuous as you imagine."
"Nana!" Legolas tried to protest to his mother, "Why dancing lessons?!"
"Because there will be many young Elven ladies and princesses who shall wish to dance with you. And what shall you do then?" she tried to coax her son into sitting back down.
Legolas sat down in a huff and tried to block out Arwen's muffled laughter. Dancing with "ladies and princesses?" He shuddered at the thought. This would be torture for him indeed.
"Besides," his father continued, "you can ask Arwen to be your partner during the lessons as not to be so dreadful for you. I'm sure the lady wouldn't mind at all. You do like to dance right Arwen?"
Before she even knew what was happening, three sets of eyes were glued to her...waiting for her answer. "I do, my lord. Very much indeed."
"Very good then, tomorrow you both shall begin dancing lessons."
Arwen had visibly paled and when she looked towards Legolas, he had the biggest smirk on his face. How had she gotten trapped into dancing lessons?
------
Day One
Legolas' mother took it upon herself to teach her son and his best friend the art of dance. If only she knew what she was getting herself into.
"Your hands are sweaty!"
"It's not my hands, it's your hands!"
"Ow!"
"Sorry."
"Please please Legolas, my feet beg you... TRY not to step on my toes!"
"It's not my fault...I can't see them!"
"Ow!"
"Sorry."
It was going to be a very long six weeks indeed.
------
Day Four
"How are your toes feeling today?"
"I have no worries. Today I have come prepared...look, extra cushioning!"
"Brilliant, I'm sure you'll need them."
"I know."
------
Day 11
"And one-two-three, one-two-three-don't be so stiff Legolas."
"Yes Nana."
"...two-three... Be graceful."
"Yes Nana."
"One-two-three-try not to look at the floor darling."
"I'll try."
------
Day 24
"Twirl two-three...and spin-SPIN!"
**thud**
"Ow!"
"I'm sorry Arwen!"
"It's...okay."
"Legolas, what happened?"
"I got confused between spinning and twirling..."
------
Day 39
"Quick feet! Remember quick feet!"
"Arwen, you're going to fast!"
"I am not. You're going too slow!"
"Children, watch the tempo..."
"No Arwen, we're gonna get mess-"
**Thud**
"Ow."
------
Day 55
"No way."
"Please, Arwen, you must try."
"But you KNOW Legolas is just going to drop me!"
"We'll take it slowly ... step by step. He won't drop you, I promise. Right Legolas?"
"Yes Nana."
"Now come, this is how you properly dip a lady..."
**Thud**
------
Finally the day of the centennial celebration was at hand. Elves from all over journeyed to commemorate King Thranduil's reign.
Legolas pulled at his collar. He was dressed in the greens and browns of his home, but the were made of rich fabrics and adorned with intricate gold designs. The braids in his hair were pulled much too tight and the whole of it just made him uncomfortable.
"Legolas!" he turned around and was dumbfounded. Arwen was walking briskly towards him, wearing matching shades of green and gold, and smiling brightly at him.
"Are you nervous?" she asked as she grabbed his hands. To him, her big doe eyes looked enticing that he almost forgot she was speaking to him.
"No, not at all."
"I am too," she replied, not missing a beat. She grinned at him knowingly and he couldn't help but smile back.
"Legolas, here you are. Come, it is time," Thranduil said as he ushered his son towards the grand hall.
Arwen gave her friend a quick hug and whispered, "Don't worry, you'll be wonderful," before giving him a light kiss on the cheek.
His skin tingled the rest of the night.
------ Arwen sat with her brothers at one end of a very long table, while Legolas was with his father somewhere about the hall. She hadn't been able to speak with him the whole night and she grew increasingly lonely. Sure, there had been a few nice Elven boys who came to speak with her, but were no sooner chased away by her brothers. It didn't matter either way though, she wanted to spend time with her best friend.
The dancing started soon afterwards and Arwen jumped at the opportunity to show off all she'd learned with Legolas. Only she found that there was the longest line of girls waiting to dance with him. Not only that, but she'd have to take a number.
Arwen sulked as she sat and watched him dance with the other girls. A dark cloud formed over her head as she saw him spin and twirl those girls who didn't know the first thing about dancing. They fumbled over the easiest steps and giggled over how blue his eyes were.
And the worse part was, he didn't seem to care. It seemed to Arwen that Legolas was enjoying himself out there while she sat alone. A few came to ask her to dance and while she accepted, it was never more than uncomfortable shifting of weight from one foot to another.
She longed for a real dance.
Before she even knew where the time had gone, King Thranduil was thanking all the guests for their attendance. The ball was over.
Then Thranduil introduced Legolas to the congregation as his son and rightful heir to the kingdom. Arwen watched as Legolas kneeled before his father and ceremoniously recited the traditional words of acceptance and gratitude spoken in their native tongue. He then received a crown of gold leaves and a great green jewel encased in a gold band from Thranduil's finger. It signified his heritage as the son and Prince of Opher's house.
The young prince turned then and spoke to those gathered in the hall. He thanked them, of course, for their presence and continued support of their kingdom. He thanked his parents and other elves in particular for their guidance. He made a personal declaration to the his people that he would do anything in his power to preserve their way of life and would continue to look out for their best interests.
The crowd cheered and clapped for him. Whispers around the crowd were that he was going to make a fine King someday...and that sparkle in his eye told them that his destiny would far surpass any other from his house.
"And finally, I would like to thank my best friend, the Evenstar, Arwen. She has put up with an awful lot to be my friend, and I am truly grateful. She is my guiding light..."
Arwen felt her face flush with heat and her chest constrict. She willed herself not to cry, even as Legolas walked over to her and offered his hand.
"...so would you do me the great honor of dancing with me?" Arwen willingly accepted.
The music started for just one more dance, and all the hall stopped in amazement as the two elves danced. They hit every step, every spin, twirl, lift, dip with ease. A glow radiated from them to be seen by all...and Arwen was greatly despised by the other girls.
Though the young prince and princess cared not as they danced the last dance.
------
Fin
------
I'm sooo sorry this took so long. Please don't kill me and I really hope it was worth the wait.
------
Dancing Lessons
------
Laughter was heard in the hall followed by a loud crash. The laughter stopped.
King Thranduil glanced at his wife as she tried to keep from smiling. He just shook his head. Oh, may the Valar help him...
"Legolas! Arwen!" he called to his son and his best friend. A few moments passed before the door opened slightly and the Prince of Mirkwood slipped inside, followed quietly by the lady Arwen.
The two young elves stood before the King and Queen, eyes averted to the ground.
"What was that noise?" Thranduil asked his son in their native tongue.
"Well, Arwen and I were just playing....and-and..." the blonde prince stammered.
"It was my fault!" Arwen piped up from beside him.
"No! It was me. I-I knew you wouldn't be able to catch it but I threw it anyway..."
"If only I didn't catch like a girl..." came the sad remark.
"But you are a girl."
"Still, I shouldn't have to catch like one."
"Enough!" Thranduil's booming voice silenced the ramblings of the Elven children immediately. He paused for a moment before continuing in a more gentle voice, "I don't care who did what. I just hope you both learned something from this. No more throwing anything indoors or around anything that could break. Understood?"
"Yes, my lord," Arwen and Legolas replied in unison.
"Legolas...Arwen, please sit with me," Legolas' mother graciously motioned for the young elves to sit beside her. They willing obliged her with happy hearts for she was kind and beautiful. She sat between them and held their hands gently and their scolding was soon forgotten.
King Thranduil moved to sit opposite his wife, child and Arwen. "Now Legolas, you know that the centennial ball will be held in six weeks time."
"I do."
"And we feel that it would be appropriate to formally introduce you has heir to the Kingdom," his mother added.
"Ada, I do not understand. Everyone knows that I am Prince and your rightful heir," Legolas' fair face was contorted in confusion.
"Not everyone, my love," Legolas mother reached to smooth his unruly golden hair and her touch brought him comfort.
"There are many elves whom you have not yet met that will be attending. It is also custom that a Prince should have a coronation and be properly introduced. And I know this will be a somewhat arduous task for you, but starting tomorrow you shall brush up on the history and names from each house of Elves attending the ball. You shall also prepare a speech to address all our guests ... and above all, you shall have dancing lessons."
"But Ada!" Legolas nearly jumped out of his seat when he heard the word "dancing." He heard Arwen stifle a giggle.
"Calm down my son, it shall not be as tortuous as you imagine."
"Nana!" Legolas tried to protest to his mother, "Why dancing lessons?!"
"Because there will be many young Elven ladies and princesses who shall wish to dance with you. And what shall you do then?" she tried to coax her son into sitting back down.
Legolas sat down in a huff and tried to block out Arwen's muffled laughter. Dancing with "ladies and princesses?" He shuddered at the thought. This would be torture for him indeed.
"Besides," his father continued, "you can ask Arwen to be your partner during the lessons as not to be so dreadful for you. I'm sure the lady wouldn't mind at all. You do like to dance right Arwen?"
Before she even knew what was happening, three sets of eyes were glued to her...waiting for her answer. "I do, my lord. Very much indeed."
"Very good then, tomorrow you both shall begin dancing lessons."
Arwen had visibly paled and when she looked towards Legolas, he had the biggest smirk on his face. How had she gotten trapped into dancing lessons?
------
Day One
Legolas' mother took it upon herself to teach her son and his best friend the art of dance. If only she knew what she was getting herself into.
"Your hands are sweaty!"
"It's not my hands, it's your hands!"
"Ow!"
"Sorry."
"Please please Legolas, my feet beg you... TRY not to step on my toes!"
"It's not my fault...I can't see them!"
"Ow!"
"Sorry."
It was going to be a very long six weeks indeed.
------
Day Four
"How are your toes feeling today?"
"I have no worries. Today I have come prepared...look, extra cushioning!"
"Brilliant, I'm sure you'll need them."
"I know."
------
Day 11
"And one-two-three, one-two-three-don't be so stiff Legolas."
"Yes Nana."
"...two-three... Be graceful."
"Yes Nana."
"One-two-three-try not to look at the floor darling."
"I'll try."
------
Day 24
"Twirl two-three...and spin-SPIN!"
**thud**
"Ow!"
"I'm sorry Arwen!"
"It's...okay."
"Legolas, what happened?"
"I got confused between spinning and twirling..."
------
Day 39
"Quick feet! Remember quick feet!"
"Arwen, you're going to fast!"
"I am not. You're going too slow!"
"Children, watch the tempo..."
"No Arwen, we're gonna get mess-"
**Thud**
"Ow."
------
Day 55
"No way."
"Please, Arwen, you must try."
"But you KNOW Legolas is just going to drop me!"
"We'll take it slowly ... step by step. He won't drop you, I promise. Right Legolas?"
"Yes Nana."
"Now come, this is how you properly dip a lady..."
**Thud**
------
Finally the day of the centennial celebration was at hand. Elves from all over journeyed to commemorate King Thranduil's reign.
Legolas pulled at his collar. He was dressed in the greens and browns of his home, but the were made of rich fabrics and adorned with intricate gold designs. The braids in his hair were pulled much too tight and the whole of it just made him uncomfortable.
"Legolas!" he turned around and was dumbfounded. Arwen was walking briskly towards him, wearing matching shades of green and gold, and smiling brightly at him.
"Are you nervous?" she asked as she grabbed his hands. To him, her big doe eyes looked enticing that he almost forgot she was speaking to him.
"No, not at all."
"I am too," she replied, not missing a beat. She grinned at him knowingly and he couldn't help but smile back.
"Legolas, here you are. Come, it is time," Thranduil said as he ushered his son towards the grand hall.
Arwen gave her friend a quick hug and whispered, "Don't worry, you'll be wonderful," before giving him a light kiss on the cheek.
His skin tingled the rest of the night.
------ Arwen sat with her brothers at one end of a very long table, while Legolas was with his father somewhere about the hall. She hadn't been able to speak with him the whole night and she grew increasingly lonely. Sure, there had been a few nice Elven boys who came to speak with her, but were no sooner chased away by her brothers. It didn't matter either way though, she wanted to spend time with her best friend.
The dancing started soon afterwards and Arwen jumped at the opportunity to show off all she'd learned with Legolas. Only she found that there was the longest line of girls waiting to dance with him. Not only that, but she'd have to take a number.
Arwen sulked as she sat and watched him dance with the other girls. A dark cloud formed over her head as she saw him spin and twirl those girls who didn't know the first thing about dancing. They fumbled over the easiest steps and giggled over how blue his eyes were.
And the worse part was, he didn't seem to care. It seemed to Arwen that Legolas was enjoying himself out there while she sat alone. A few came to ask her to dance and while she accepted, it was never more than uncomfortable shifting of weight from one foot to another.
She longed for a real dance.
Before she even knew where the time had gone, King Thranduil was thanking all the guests for their attendance. The ball was over.
Then Thranduil introduced Legolas to the congregation as his son and rightful heir to the kingdom. Arwen watched as Legolas kneeled before his father and ceremoniously recited the traditional words of acceptance and gratitude spoken in their native tongue. He then received a crown of gold leaves and a great green jewel encased in a gold band from Thranduil's finger. It signified his heritage as the son and Prince of Opher's house.
The young prince turned then and spoke to those gathered in the hall. He thanked them, of course, for their presence and continued support of their kingdom. He thanked his parents and other elves in particular for their guidance. He made a personal declaration to the his people that he would do anything in his power to preserve their way of life and would continue to look out for their best interests.
The crowd cheered and clapped for him. Whispers around the crowd were that he was going to make a fine King someday...and that sparkle in his eye told them that his destiny would far surpass any other from his house.
"And finally, I would like to thank my best friend, the Evenstar, Arwen. She has put up with an awful lot to be my friend, and I am truly grateful. She is my guiding light..."
Arwen felt her face flush with heat and her chest constrict. She willed herself not to cry, even as Legolas walked over to her and offered his hand.
"...so would you do me the great honor of dancing with me?" Arwen willingly accepted.
The music started for just one more dance, and all the hall stopped in amazement as the two elves danced. They hit every step, every spin, twirl, lift, dip with ease. A glow radiated from them to be seen by all...and Arwen was greatly despised by the other girls.
Though the young prince and princess cared not as they danced the last dance.
------
Fin
------