Chapter 2: The Best Friend
Legolas sat in front of the mirror in his room. It was nearing the end of the day and Legolas was brushing his hair getting ready for dinner. Artina had insisted that he should dress and behave as he would at the ball to show his father. He had just started plaiting his final braid when his childhood friend Jasolen walked in.
Jasolen was slightly older than Legolas with long black hair that he rarely kept bound. His eyes shone bright green in contrast with his dark hair. He could be very mature for his age, when he needed to be, but could easily become as irresponsible and unpredictable as Legolas when Jasolen, Legolas and Serenola, an adventurous she-elf that was going out with Jasolen, were together.
In contrast to the confident, proud Jasolen that normally strutted up to Legolas, this Jasolen looked uncomfortable, nervous and most surprisingly was slouching his shoulders as he drew the spare chair over to where Legolas was securing his braid with a tie then tucking it behind his ear. After a quick check in ensure his hair was neat and his braids even, he turned to his friend, curious as to what would make his friend so nervous.
Legolas waited patiently for Jasolen to gather the courage to ask or say what he wanted to.
"It's about Serenola ... " Jasolen began uncertainly.
Legolas understood now, Jasolen and Serenola had been a couple for about a century now. Jasolen and Legolas had first met Serenola in the forest one- day while they were out hunting. She was trying to teach herself how to use a bow. She wasn't too successful. As the daughter of a 'high-class' lord and lady, she was forbidden to learn anything that was considered dangerous. Which basically meant that she wasn't allowed to learn how to use a bow, how to ride a horse besides the traditional way for a lady to ride a horse, as well as learning to use the short swords. Jasolen and Legolas taught her everything that she wanted to learn; she learnt fast and had soon been able to beat both male elves in a horse race. The three became best friends and were practically inseparable.
"I ... ah ... I'm ... um ... in love ... with her ... " Jasolen managed to stutter out.
"Tell me something I don't know." Legolas gestured to his friend slightly relieved as he had begun to think it was something more serious.
"Dina Lassie (Be silent Lassie). This is important. I seriously need your advice." Jasolen replied solemnly.
"Sorry Jas. Please continue." Legolas said trying to restrain himself from laughing at his friend's predicament.
"I want your opinion on the best way to ... " he began feeling increasingly nervous.
*Best way to what? * Legolas thought.
"... Propose to her." he said closing his eyes and looked away.
"Y-you ... want ... t-to ... marry ... Serenola?" Legolas stuttered completely taken by surprise.
"Um ... yes?" Jasolen said daring to sneak a peek at Legolas' reaction.
"That's great!" Legolas exclaimed, recovering from his initial shock. "I was wondering when you would realise that you and her made the perfect couple."
"Really?" Jasolen asked thoroughly excited that his best friend was encouraging him.
"Absolutely! Have you got the ring yet?" Legolas happily enquired.
"Yes. A mithril ring with a beautiful pink sapphire stone surrounded by several small clear ... diamonds I think that's what the dwarf's called them." Jasolen explained.
"Sounds magnificent! Must have cost a few gold coins." Legolas pointed out.
"Five hundred and forty-five to be exact. But her father approved of it and it will be worth it if she accepts." Jasolen replied dreamily.
"Well me little love-sick friend. As your best friend, and hopefully best elf at your wedding, it is my advice to you that you set up a room with candles and flowers, I'll help if you want, and during the Spring Ball, take her to the room and propose to her. For the place, I would suggest Lady Lynday's old flower house, it hasn't been used in centuries!" Legolas relayed his quickly formed plan to his friend.
"Thanks Lassie that's perfect! Maybe a bit too sappy for my tastes but Serenola will love it!" Jasolen said, already thinking as to how he is going to set up the flowers and candles.
"Call me Lassie again and I'll braid your hair Janina!" Legolas threatened.
"Call me Janina again and I'll muss your braids!" Jasolen retorted back.
"Okay, better stop it there, my new teacher is expecting to present me as the Legolas that will appear at the Spring Ball so I can't very well show up with mussed braids." Legolas said in all seriousness. Then both Legolas and Jasolen exited Legolas' room and walked to the dining hall.
Legolas sat in front of the mirror in his room. It was nearing the end of the day and Legolas was brushing his hair getting ready for dinner. Artina had insisted that he should dress and behave as he would at the ball to show his father. He had just started plaiting his final braid when his childhood friend Jasolen walked in.
Jasolen was slightly older than Legolas with long black hair that he rarely kept bound. His eyes shone bright green in contrast with his dark hair. He could be very mature for his age, when he needed to be, but could easily become as irresponsible and unpredictable as Legolas when Jasolen, Legolas and Serenola, an adventurous she-elf that was going out with Jasolen, were together.
In contrast to the confident, proud Jasolen that normally strutted up to Legolas, this Jasolen looked uncomfortable, nervous and most surprisingly was slouching his shoulders as he drew the spare chair over to where Legolas was securing his braid with a tie then tucking it behind his ear. After a quick check in ensure his hair was neat and his braids even, he turned to his friend, curious as to what would make his friend so nervous.
Legolas waited patiently for Jasolen to gather the courage to ask or say what he wanted to.
"It's about Serenola ... " Jasolen began uncertainly.
Legolas understood now, Jasolen and Serenola had been a couple for about a century now. Jasolen and Legolas had first met Serenola in the forest one- day while they were out hunting. She was trying to teach herself how to use a bow. She wasn't too successful. As the daughter of a 'high-class' lord and lady, she was forbidden to learn anything that was considered dangerous. Which basically meant that she wasn't allowed to learn how to use a bow, how to ride a horse besides the traditional way for a lady to ride a horse, as well as learning to use the short swords. Jasolen and Legolas taught her everything that she wanted to learn; she learnt fast and had soon been able to beat both male elves in a horse race. The three became best friends and were practically inseparable.
"I ... ah ... I'm ... um ... in love ... with her ... " Jasolen managed to stutter out.
"Tell me something I don't know." Legolas gestured to his friend slightly relieved as he had begun to think it was something more serious.
"Dina Lassie (Be silent Lassie). This is important. I seriously need your advice." Jasolen replied solemnly.
"Sorry Jas. Please continue." Legolas said trying to restrain himself from laughing at his friend's predicament.
"I want your opinion on the best way to ... " he began feeling increasingly nervous.
*Best way to what? * Legolas thought.
"... Propose to her." he said closing his eyes and looked away.
"Y-you ... want ... t-to ... marry ... Serenola?" Legolas stuttered completely taken by surprise.
"Um ... yes?" Jasolen said daring to sneak a peek at Legolas' reaction.
"That's great!" Legolas exclaimed, recovering from his initial shock. "I was wondering when you would realise that you and her made the perfect couple."
"Really?" Jasolen asked thoroughly excited that his best friend was encouraging him.
"Absolutely! Have you got the ring yet?" Legolas happily enquired.
"Yes. A mithril ring with a beautiful pink sapphire stone surrounded by several small clear ... diamonds I think that's what the dwarf's called them." Jasolen explained.
"Sounds magnificent! Must have cost a few gold coins." Legolas pointed out.
"Five hundred and forty-five to be exact. But her father approved of it and it will be worth it if she accepts." Jasolen replied dreamily.
"Well me little love-sick friend. As your best friend, and hopefully best elf at your wedding, it is my advice to you that you set up a room with candles and flowers, I'll help if you want, and during the Spring Ball, take her to the room and propose to her. For the place, I would suggest Lady Lynday's old flower house, it hasn't been used in centuries!" Legolas relayed his quickly formed plan to his friend.
"Thanks Lassie that's perfect! Maybe a bit too sappy for my tastes but Serenola will love it!" Jasolen said, already thinking as to how he is going to set up the flowers and candles.
"Call me Lassie again and I'll braid your hair Janina!" Legolas threatened.
"Call me Janina again and I'll muss your braids!" Jasolen retorted back.
"Okay, better stop it there, my new teacher is expecting to present me as the Legolas that will appear at the Spring Ball so I can't very well show up with mussed braids." Legolas said in all seriousness. Then both Legolas and Jasolen exited Legolas' room and walked to the dining hall.