"Be kind to her," Ewen said simply. She turned and walked out of the
gardens, leaving Legolas there, alone with his thoughts.
Miriel stirred under her thick layers of blankets, stretched, and emitted a loud yawn.
"About time," said a sarcastic voice from the chair by her bed.
"Ewen!" Miriel sat up quickly, discovered that that was a big mistake, and collapsed on her pillows. "Ow."
Ewen chuckled. "That may not have been the smartest thing to do. Especially when recovering from a concussion"
"What? What happened to my arm? And WHY is Legolas in my ROOM!?!"
"O.K. I will say it again slowly. You. Got. A. Concussion. And. A. Gash. On. Your. Arm."
"Thank you for being ever so informative. One last thing though. Your brother? Why is he here?"
"He felt it was his duty to guard you from nightmares as you slept." There was an odd look in her eyes. "He will not do that for just anyone. He hates going into elves dreams. It makes him feel like he is an intruder, or so he says.
"Thank you," Miriel whispered. "Thank you."
"I think he has slept for long enough," Ewen whispered, with an evil look in her eyes. "He would just LOVE to know that you are awake."
"Ewen!. That's not fair! You sho-"
"Ooooooh Legolas, darling. Good morning sunshine." Ewen seemed very pleased with herself as Legolas stirred and his eyes cleared.
"Yes," he said absently mindedly, not taking his eyes off of Miriel. "Are you alright?"
"He was just worried sick. Never left this, though he won-"
"Ewen!" Two voices screamed in unison. She sighed. "You are just no fun in the morning." She turned and stomped out of the room. A thick silence fell between them. Miriel squirmed uncomfortably under Legolas's gaze.
"Well," he said reluctantly. "Since you are awake , I should be leaving now" He stood and turned to wake out of the room.
"Ummm..." His head turned. "Maybe you could help me get down to the stables to meet Ewen?" She asked in a hesitant voice. His heart leapt joyfully. He did not have to leave her just yet.
"Of course my lady." He swept her up in his arms and carried her gently down a flights of stairs on the way to the stables. 'Well, he didn't hesitate to carry me around at all now did he,' Miriel thought with a little smile. Upon reaching the stables, Ewen was standing there with a smile on her face.
"You two are so CUTE!" Legolas tenderly put Miriel on the ground. "Well you certainly took long enough. Anything happen that I should know about?"
"Wicked evil friend. I am going to get you. Ewen!!! Get back here!! I can not run that fast! EWEN!!!!"
Miriel collapsed on the ground, panting. "Arrrggggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Well then, since you've finished your little fit it's about time to get on your horse," Ewen simpered in a STICKY sweet voice as she swung up onto Piron.
Miriel narrowed her eyes dangerously, but whistled a long note and like MAGIC (muhahaha) Larkiel came galloping out of the forest looking slightly chubbier. With a annoyed look at Ewen, Miriel twined her fingers in Larkiel's mane and vaulted smoothly onto her steed's back.
"Yah!!!" whooping a battle cry Ewen sped into the forest. 'What are we doing?' Miriel thought. 'Our clearing is far to the west of here' Puzzled but determined to find out what was going on, Miriel followed her friend into the depths of the forest.
'Yet, still does she wish to speak to me alone?' Her only answer was the sound of hoof beats echoing through out the quiet afternoon silence.
Ewen pulled Piron up in a secluded clearing. She swung to the ground and stood there waiting for Miriel to dismount. Seeing a strangely out of place SERIOUS look in her friends eyes, Miriel paused.
"Are you weak from your time in the hospital? Perhaps I should help you down, as it looks like you need to be helped." Miriel dismounted with an angry thud.
"Finally. I did not mean to be rude. Of course," she said with a small smile. "Ahhh, Miriel don't hold a grudge. We need to talk." Walking over to a large bolder in the center of the clearing, she sat down and turned to Miriel expectantly. Miriel sighed and sat down.
"We need to talk about?"
"My brother." Ewen smiled.
"Oh." Miriel looked distraught. She did not understand what her heart was telling her. 'I know that I like him and yet.Fear paralyzes me. Fear of losing my freedom forever, my soul, my independence. Yet I have lost my heart. I promised myself long ago that this would not happen. That it could not happen. I am lost. Gone is my star to bring me out of the darkness that is my mind and.my heart. I cannot.but...I must..'
"Miriel? Are you alright. You seemed lost in your thoughts." Miriel nodded. Ewen looked at her strangely, a flash of understanding crossing her mind, but gone to quickly for her to really tell what it was.
"Continue."
"Well.Miriel. I guess it has to be said. My brother.he has.very strong feelings for you. You are his world. His guiding star. Did you not know this?"
Miriel looked shy and indecisive. "I did." She said quietly.
"Please. Tell me your feelings for him, so at least I may know what is going to happen to my brother. I know what it is you fear. But he could never hurt you, of all people. It is beyond his strength."
Miriel's eyes looked downward. "I-I do.love him."
Ewen smiled. "Thank Finwe for that. But you must let him know. I have a feeling something will happen at the ball tonight." She had on a very superior smile.
"EWEN!!!!! TELL ME!!!!" "Race you back!" The two companions laughed and leapt onto their horses, setting a blistering pace along the path. As they turned the corner by the stables they and their horses were both breathing hard. Ewen saw the sun setting and whispered to Miriel.
"I think we are going to be late." Tonight was going to be a huge feast with dancing(*smiles innocently*) and live music form a famous elvish minstrel. So of course neither girls wanted to go. AT ALL. Miriel sighed.
"I hate the world right now. It's evil!" She muttered sarcastically. Ewen grinned. The girls leapt off of their horses and sprinted towards their changing room. Legolas watched from a balcony above the stables. 'A great weight seems lifted off their shoulders. What could my sister have said?' he mused.
Ewen leaned dizzily against the walls of their room.
"Not the spiral staircases ever again. I don't feel so good." Miriel laughed.
"We have to change," she said in a hurried tone as she opened the wardrobe and pulled out two dresses. "One for you and one for me." Ewen gasped.
"Wow! The dressmakers really outdid themselves this time."
"For once you may be right."
"Miriel! I am always right, of course." Miriel smiled. The dresses were really beautiful. Ewen slipped on her dress. Miriel gaped.
"Do I know you?"
"Is it really that good?" Ewen said in a mistrusting voice. It was. Her dress was a pale green like the leaves of pale spring, just out of bloom. It had a long full skirt that just barely touched the ground. Sleeves spun of gossamer silk were left open at the shoulder and were left that way until they reached the elbow. At the elbow it dropped down to form a long full sleeve of a slightly dark, sheer green. The dress fit her figure perfectly, just covering her shoulders with a scooped neckline. It was belted with a silver rope studded with emeralds. Miriel was in awe. Her friend looked like a creature out of legend. "WOW."
"Put yours on and then we will see about that."
"I HATE dresses," Miriel mumbled bitterly. "Always getting in the way." Pulling the dress past her shoulders and buttoning up the back see looked at her friend. "Well. Insult away."
Ewen just stood there, mouth open. "Nimrodel?"
"Uuuuhhhhhh no." Miriel looked like a queen. The beautiful scarlet dress didn't cover the shoulders and the sleeves that came out of the were open from shoulder to elbow like Ewen's but were not gathered up like a bell. They hung loosely to her mid thigh in a sheer covering of golden silk. A straight neckline accented her pale throat and collarbone. The form fitting bodice was plain, but a gold, ruby covered cord acted as a belt. The skirt was long a full, but it parted in the middle to show a golden slip.
"Whoa.." Ewen shook her head. "Anyway, can you help me put on my jewelry?" Miriel nodded and had Ewen lift her hair out of the way so that she could hook the silver chain around her neck. Hanging from the simple chain was an icicle of emerald. It almost looked like a stalactite of emerald hanging from a chain. She wore a silver circlet on her forehead that had nothing on it but was an intricate design of swirls and loops. Miriel put on her normal circlet and was reaching for her shoes when she felt a touch on her shoulder. "Put on this necklace." Ewen handed Miriel a delicate looking silver chain with a pure crystal shaped leaf hanging from it. 'Well, that is certainly not something that happens every day.' As she slipped it on Miriel asked
"Where did you get this? It is better than the work of the dwarves and the elves together. It's priceless!"
"From a special friend." 'My brother knew she would like it. He spent twenty years just to carve the leaf and find the crystal in our store houses. The crystal was brought with Elrond from the undying lands.' Miriel pulled the necklace around her neck and clasped it with a small "Oh!" Rainbows danced across the room, light reflecting off all the delicately carved veins in the perfectly transparent crystal. Well it was transparent. As soon as it touched her pale neck a sunlit glow came off its surface and with a small flash of smoke the crystal turned a dark forest green. Miriel blinked twice, amazed at her good fortune, slipped on her shoes, swung her unmade up hair over her shoulder and stood up.
"Let's go," Ewen said in a depressed voice. They walked out of the door together, arm in arm. Miriel winced.
"These are NOT very comfortable shoes." Ewen smiled.
"Did you really expect them to be? Come on, let's go crash this party!" The elves smiled mischievously and skipped, well one skipped and one half limped half skipped, through the double doors that were the entrance to the main hall. Some minstrels were playing a slow sad song in the corner and the peaceful music drifted up to the arching rafters, partially open to the twinkling stars above. As the girls walked in the music stopped and several minstrel's strings broke with a twang. Everyone turned to stare at the two gorgeous newcomers.
"Uh oh," Ewen mumbled as a group of guy elves ran practically drooling towards them.
Giving each other a long look they turned back towards the group of elves and burst into song.
"YO HO YO HO A PIRATES LIFE FOR ME!" Miriel and Ewen were doing the can- can across the dance floor. Elves practically ran out of their way, looking very, very afraid. Miriel grinned.
"We pillage, we plunder we rifle and loot! Drink up me hearties YO HO!"
Turing to circle around the room again the girls continued singing loudly and very obnoxiously. They did this almost every time a song was played, because..well they really did NOT want to dance with any one. No one ever asked. I think you can see why. A female elf paused in their way, gave them an extremely panicked look as if to say, 'Who are you crazy elves?'
"I hope no one gets it," Ewen mumbled out of the corner of her mouth. Her reply was an emphatic nod.
"Who is that elf walking over here," Miriel said.
"Uh oh."
The elf was tall, with long dark hair. He looked to be one of the sea elves, but you really can never tell.
"May I ask for this dance?" Miriel swallowed nervously. 'Damn it! I can't say no! My feet are starting to hurt. Blasted shoes!'
"Of course good sir. May I ask your name?"
"Balkin, my lady of the sea elves and the forgotten land." Legolas watched angrily from a hidden corner, a glass of juice in his hand. 'It means nothing to her. She does not care for him. This dance means nothing.'
Gracefully taking her hand and pulling her onto the dance floor Balkin looked deep into Miriel's eyes and smiled. 'So this is the one I have been sent here to catch. There will be no problems on my side of the bargain with Thranduil. He must really be desperate to get such a beautiful creature off his hands so quickly'
'Well he looks all cocky, does he not? I was not going to do this but I am going to have to teach him a lesson. A very painful one.' A delicate smile graced her face as she slowly and carefully reached out her foot and stepped onto Balkin's foot. Hard.
He gasped painfully and his foot was held lightly off the ground as he continued dancing with a small limp, his face etched with pain. "My lady that was my foot."
"Oh," Miriel smiled. "I am so sorry. Oh, I am so clumsy." 'He does not seem to much in pain. Oh well. He will be.' Her eyes narrowed evilly. "Was that your foot too," she whispered in a childlike voice.
"Yes." His eyes grew watery and his voice sounded more like a whimper. Miriel's shoes had very pointy stiletto heels.
Miriel continued to step on the elf's foot for the rest of the ballad. It was a very long ballad, about the history of the elven and human wars with the evil Morgoth. Smiling happily to herself she walked back to Ewen.
"That was so cruel. I wish I were you. That looked fun!"
"Sadly," She replied with a very evil smile, "It was. Does that make me a malicious bitch?" Ewen smiled.
"Afraid so."
"Oh good. I thought I was being too nice, but..."
Ewen pushed her chin to the left. Miriel turned.
"What? Oh."
Legolas stood right behind her. She gulped. Ewen smiled evilly. "Would you accompany me on a walk through the gardens my lady?"
"Of course. I will be right back, Ewen." She turned and took Legolas's arm as they headed out of the hall.
"I see that Ewen gave you my necklace."
"It.it.was from you," She said almost reverently. They reached the gardens and walked though the moonlight paths. "It's beautiful."
"It is dim compared to your beauty." (STICKY)
"I.OW!" She collapsed on the pathway, white shoes stained red with blood. "I knew they were too tight." She cursed under her breath.
"Miriel, are you alright?" Legolas bent down and scooped her up in his arms. He started walking towards a small stream. Upon reaching it he sat down on a rock. "If I may," he said politely, looking pointedly at her shoes. Miriel nodded. He carefully took the off and slipped her feet into the ice cold water.
"Thank you," She whispered quietly.
"Do not thank me until you have heard what I have to say." Just then Miriel realized she was sitting on Legolas's lap. She went a very dark pink. She squirmed uneasily. "I do not mean to frighten you. Please, just listen to me. Long I have watched you grow, long have I hounded your steps. Yet I could not bring myself to show my face to you. I have labored over that necklace many long years. Perhaps you wonder about the color and aura?" Miriel nodded. His eyes fell. "It shines with the radiance of my love and it will as long as I love you, forever. It's green color, well Greenleaf you see for my name, and its color comes from your love for me. A Greenleaf." Her eyes widened in amazement. 'That took a lot of nerve.' Miriel swallowed, made a decision and softly took his hand. He brought his clear eyes up to hers and his lips held a soft smile.
"Yes?" Miriel whispered, almost afraid to move. 'Hurry up brother,' Ewen thought from her cover off bushes. 'Kiss her already'
"Amin mela lle." Miriel smiled happily. She blinked and suddenly Legolas leaned in to kiss her. Their lips meet and Miriel's heart rate got pretty damn high. 'He is a really good kisser.' It was a soft kiss. He poured all of his love and devotion inot it. 'Thank god this is nothing like Ewen said it would be. That was just scary. Their lips fell apart. Miriel looked into his eyes and said simply.
"I believe in you." She leaned her head against his chest. Legolas's heart swelled with joy. Miriel felt his arms pull her close.
'Ahhhhhhh. This is so cute.' Ewen thought.
"Ohhh Miriel , honey that was soooooo cute when's the wedding?" Ewen said as she burst out of the bushes.
"Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggg!!! Do you HAVE to ruin my only romantic moment in almost a thousand years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Of course. Oh look at the time. Got to go plan your wedding. Tata."
Legolas smiled. His sister was completely insane. It was only fitting. Miriel stirred. Legolas's attention immediately returned to her. He blushed.
"Ummmm...Legolas? I can't breathe very well right now." She smiled weakly.
'Of course. I was holding her quite tightly. I have no problem with that.' He loosened his grip on her, but still pulled her tightly against him.
"So..." Miriel blushed. "I can not thank you enough for this necklace. And tonight." She smiled just so slightly. Moonlight fell upon her shoulders, giving her a shining halo. "I have to be getting back to my rooms now."
"Of course. May I escort you back?"
"Well. Since I can not walk, I guess that would be a yes." Legolas stood and pulling Miriel tightly into his arms, he walked silently across the gardens of Mirkwood. Reaching Miriel's room, he pulled open the door and set her softly on the bed.
"Good night, Miriel." With a soft lingering kiss on her lips he turned and walked slowly out of the room. Turning to lean against the wall outside he breathed hard. 'What just happened?'
Miriel froze, putting her hand to her lips. 'Oh my lord. Did he just kiss me? Again? This can not be happening! My heart is ice. This can not be. It cannot be.'
Miriel stirred under her thick layers of blankets, stretched, and emitted a loud yawn.
"About time," said a sarcastic voice from the chair by her bed.
"Ewen!" Miriel sat up quickly, discovered that that was a big mistake, and collapsed on her pillows. "Ow."
Ewen chuckled. "That may not have been the smartest thing to do. Especially when recovering from a concussion"
"What? What happened to my arm? And WHY is Legolas in my ROOM!?!"
"O.K. I will say it again slowly. You. Got. A. Concussion. And. A. Gash. On. Your. Arm."
"Thank you for being ever so informative. One last thing though. Your brother? Why is he here?"
"He felt it was his duty to guard you from nightmares as you slept." There was an odd look in her eyes. "He will not do that for just anyone. He hates going into elves dreams. It makes him feel like he is an intruder, or so he says.
"Thank you," Miriel whispered. "Thank you."
"I think he has slept for long enough," Ewen whispered, with an evil look in her eyes. "He would just LOVE to know that you are awake."
"Ewen!. That's not fair! You sho-"
"Ooooooh Legolas, darling. Good morning sunshine." Ewen seemed very pleased with herself as Legolas stirred and his eyes cleared.
"Yes," he said absently mindedly, not taking his eyes off of Miriel. "Are you alright?"
"He was just worried sick. Never left this, though he won-"
"Ewen!" Two voices screamed in unison. She sighed. "You are just no fun in the morning." She turned and stomped out of the room. A thick silence fell between them. Miriel squirmed uncomfortably under Legolas's gaze.
"Well," he said reluctantly. "Since you are awake , I should be leaving now" He stood and turned to wake out of the room.
"Ummm..." His head turned. "Maybe you could help me get down to the stables to meet Ewen?" She asked in a hesitant voice. His heart leapt joyfully. He did not have to leave her just yet.
"Of course my lady." He swept her up in his arms and carried her gently down a flights of stairs on the way to the stables. 'Well, he didn't hesitate to carry me around at all now did he,' Miriel thought with a little smile. Upon reaching the stables, Ewen was standing there with a smile on her face.
"You two are so CUTE!" Legolas tenderly put Miriel on the ground. "Well you certainly took long enough. Anything happen that I should know about?"
"Wicked evil friend. I am going to get you. Ewen!!! Get back here!! I can not run that fast! EWEN!!!!"
Miriel collapsed on the ground, panting. "Arrrggggghhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Well then, since you've finished your little fit it's about time to get on your horse," Ewen simpered in a STICKY sweet voice as she swung up onto Piron.
Miriel narrowed her eyes dangerously, but whistled a long note and like MAGIC (muhahaha) Larkiel came galloping out of the forest looking slightly chubbier. With a annoyed look at Ewen, Miriel twined her fingers in Larkiel's mane and vaulted smoothly onto her steed's back.
"Yah!!!" whooping a battle cry Ewen sped into the forest. 'What are we doing?' Miriel thought. 'Our clearing is far to the west of here' Puzzled but determined to find out what was going on, Miriel followed her friend into the depths of the forest.
'Yet, still does she wish to speak to me alone?' Her only answer was the sound of hoof beats echoing through out the quiet afternoon silence.
Ewen pulled Piron up in a secluded clearing. She swung to the ground and stood there waiting for Miriel to dismount. Seeing a strangely out of place SERIOUS look in her friends eyes, Miriel paused.
"Are you weak from your time in the hospital? Perhaps I should help you down, as it looks like you need to be helped." Miriel dismounted with an angry thud.
"Finally. I did not mean to be rude. Of course," she said with a small smile. "Ahhh, Miriel don't hold a grudge. We need to talk." Walking over to a large bolder in the center of the clearing, she sat down and turned to Miriel expectantly. Miriel sighed and sat down.
"We need to talk about?"
"My brother." Ewen smiled.
"Oh." Miriel looked distraught. She did not understand what her heart was telling her. 'I know that I like him and yet.Fear paralyzes me. Fear of losing my freedom forever, my soul, my independence. Yet I have lost my heart. I promised myself long ago that this would not happen. That it could not happen. I am lost. Gone is my star to bring me out of the darkness that is my mind and.my heart. I cannot.but...I must..'
"Miriel? Are you alright. You seemed lost in your thoughts." Miriel nodded. Ewen looked at her strangely, a flash of understanding crossing her mind, but gone to quickly for her to really tell what it was.
"Continue."
"Well.Miriel. I guess it has to be said. My brother.he has.very strong feelings for you. You are his world. His guiding star. Did you not know this?"
Miriel looked shy and indecisive. "I did." She said quietly.
"Please. Tell me your feelings for him, so at least I may know what is going to happen to my brother. I know what it is you fear. But he could never hurt you, of all people. It is beyond his strength."
Miriel's eyes looked downward. "I-I do.love him."
Ewen smiled. "Thank Finwe for that. But you must let him know. I have a feeling something will happen at the ball tonight." She had on a very superior smile.
"EWEN!!!!! TELL ME!!!!" "Race you back!" The two companions laughed and leapt onto their horses, setting a blistering pace along the path. As they turned the corner by the stables they and their horses were both breathing hard. Ewen saw the sun setting and whispered to Miriel.
"I think we are going to be late." Tonight was going to be a huge feast with dancing(*smiles innocently*) and live music form a famous elvish minstrel. So of course neither girls wanted to go. AT ALL. Miriel sighed.
"I hate the world right now. It's evil!" She muttered sarcastically. Ewen grinned. The girls leapt off of their horses and sprinted towards their changing room. Legolas watched from a balcony above the stables. 'A great weight seems lifted off their shoulders. What could my sister have said?' he mused.
Ewen leaned dizzily against the walls of their room.
"Not the spiral staircases ever again. I don't feel so good." Miriel laughed.
"We have to change," she said in a hurried tone as she opened the wardrobe and pulled out two dresses. "One for you and one for me." Ewen gasped.
"Wow! The dressmakers really outdid themselves this time."
"For once you may be right."
"Miriel! I am always right, of course." Miriel smiled. The dresses were really beautiful. Ewen slipped on her dress. Miriel gaped.
"Do I know you?"
"Is it really that good?" Ewen said in a mistrusting voice. It was. Her dress was a pale green like the leaves of pale spring, just out of bloom. It had a long full skirt that just barely touched the ground. Sleeves spun of gossamer silk were left open at the shoulder and were left that way until they reached the elbow. At the elbow it dropped down to form a long full sleeve of a slightly dark, sheer green. The dress fit her figure perfectly, just covering her shoulders with a scooped neckline. It was belted with a silver rope studded with emeralds. Miriel was in awe. Her friend looked like a creature out of legend. "WOW."
"Put yours on and then we will see about that."
"I HATE dresses," Miriel mumbled bitterly. "Always getting in the way." Pulling the dress past her shoulders and buttoning up the back see looked at her friend. "Well. Insult away."
Ewen just stood there, mouth open. "Nimrodel?"
"Uuuuhhhhhh no." Miriel looked like a queen. The beautiful scarlet dress didn't cover the shoulders and the sleeves that came out of the were open from shoulder to elbow like Ewen's but were not gathered up like a bell. They hung loosely to her mid thigh in a sheer covering of golden silk. A straight neckline accented her pale throat and collarbone. The form fitting bodice was plain, but a gold, ruby covered cord acted as a belt. The skirt was long a full, but it parted in the middle to show a golden slip.
"Whoa.." Ewen shook her head. "Anyway, can you help me put on my jewelry?" Miriel nodded and had Ewen lift her hair out of the way so that she could hook the silver chain around her neck. Hanging from the simple chain was an icicle of emerald. It almost looked like a stalactite of emerald hanging from a chain. She wore a silver circlet on her forehead that had nothing on it but was an intricate design of swirls and loops. Miriel put on her normal circlet and was reaching for her shoes when she felt a touch on her shoulder. "Put on this necklace." Ewen handed Miriel a delicate looking silver chain with a pure crystal shaped leaf hanging from it. 'Well, that is certainly not something that happens every day.' As she slipped it on Miriel asked
"Where did you get this? It is better than the work of the dwarves and the elves together. It's priceless!"
"From a special friend." 'My brother knew she would like it. He spent twenty years just to carve the leaf and find the crystal in our store houses. The crystal was brought with Elrond from the undying lands.' Miriel pulled the necklace around her neck and clasped it with a small "Oh!" Rainbows danced across the room, light reflecting off all the delicately carved veins in the perfectly transparent crystal. Well it was transparent. As soon as it touched her pale neck a sunlit glow came off its surface and with a small flash of smoke the crystal turned a dark forest green. Miriel blinked twice, amazed at her good fortune, slipped on her shoes, swung her unmade up hair over her shoulder and stood up.
"Let's go," Ewen said in a depressed voice. They walked out of the door together, arm in arm. Miriel winced.
"These are NOT very comfortable shoes." Ewen smiled.
"Did you really expect them to be? Come on, let's go crash this party!" The elves smiled mischievously and skipped, well one skipped and one half limped half skipped, through the double doors that were the entrance to the main hall. Some minstrels were playing a slow sad song in the corner and the peaceful music drifted up to the arching rafters, partially open to the twinkling stars above. As the girls walked in the music stopped and several minstrel's strings broke with a twang. Everyone turned to stare at the two gorgeous newcomers.
"Uh oh," Ewen mumbled as a group of guy elves ran practically drooling towards them.
Giving each other a long look they turned back towards the group of elves and burst into song.
"YO HO YO HO A PIRATES LIFE FOR ME!" Miriel and Ewen were doing the can- can across the dance floor. Elves practically ran out of their way, looking very, very afraid. Miriel grinned.
"We pillage, we plunder we rifle and loot! Drink up me hearties YO HO!"
Turing to circle around the room again the girls continued singing loudly and very obnoxiously. They did this almost every time a song was played, because..well they really did NOT want to dance with any one. No one ever asked. I think you can see why. A female elf paused in their way, gave them an extremely panicked look as if to say, 'Who are you crazy elves?'
"I hope no one gets it," Ewen mumbled out of the corner of her mouth. Her reply was an emphatic nod.
"Who is that elf walking over here," Miriel said.
"Uh oh."
The elf was tall, with long dark hair. He looked to be one of the sea elves, but you really can never tell.
"May I ask for this dance?" Miriel swallowed nervously. 'Damn it! I can't say no! My feet are starting to hurt. Blasted shoes!'
"Of course good sir. May I ask your name?"
"Balkin, my lady of the sea elves and the forgotten land." Legolas watched angrily from a hidden corner, a glass of juice in his hand. 'It means nothing to her. She does not care for him. This dance means nothing.'
Gracefully taking her hand and pulling her onto the dance floor Balkin looked deep into Miriel's eyes and smiled. 'So this is the one I have been sent here to catch. There will be no problems on my side of the bargain with Thranduil. He must really be desperate to get such a beautiful creature off his hands so quickly'
'Well he looks all cocky, does he not? I was not going to do this but I am going to have to teach him a lesson. A very painful one.' A delicate smile graced her face as she slowly and carefully reached out her foot and stepped onto Balkin's foot. Hard.
He gasped painfully and his foot was held lightly off the ground as he continued dancing with a small limp, his face etched with pain. "My lady that was my foot."
"Oh," Miriel smiled. "I am so sorry. Oh, I am so clumsy." 'He does not seem to much in pain. Oh well. He will be.' Her eyes narrowed evilly. "Was that your foot too," she whispered in a childlike voice.
"Yes." His eyes grew watery and his voice sounded more like a whimper. Miriel's shoes had very pointy stiletto heels.
Miriel continued to step on the elf's foot for the rest of the ballad. It was a very long ballad, about the history of the elven and human wars with the evil Morgoth. Smiling happily to herself she walked back to Ewen.
"That was so cruel. I wish I were you. That looked fun!"
"Sadly," She replied with a very evil smile, "It was. Does that make me a malicious bitch?" Ewen smiled.
"Afraid so."
"Oh good. I thought I was being too nice, but..."
Ewen pushed her chin to the left. Miriel turned.
"What? Oh."
Legolas stood right behind her. She gulped. Ewen smiled evilly. "Would you accompany me on a walk through the gardens my lady?"
"Of course. I will be right back, Ewen." She turned and took Legolas's arm as they headed out of the hall.
"I see that Ewen gave you my necklace."
"It.it.was from you," She said almost reverently. They reached the gardens and walked though the moonlight paths. "It's beautiful."
"It is dim compared to your beauty." (STICKY)
"I.OW!" She collapsed on the pathway, white shoes stained red with blood. "I knew they were too tight." She cursed under her breath.
"Miriel, are you alright?" Legolas bent down and scooped her up in his arms. He started walking towards a small stream. Upon reaching it he sat down on a rock. "If I may," he said politely, looking pointedly at her shoes. Miriel nodded. He carefully took the off and slipped her feet into the ice cold water.
"Thank you," She whispered quietly.
"Do not thank me until you have heard what I have to say." Just then Miriel realized she was sitting on Legolas's lap. She went a very dark pink. She squirmed uneasily. "I do not mean to frighten you. Please, just listen to me. Long I have watched you grow, long have I hounded your steps. Yet I could not bring myself to show my face to you. I have labored over that necklace many long years. Perhaps you wonder about the color and aura?" Miriel nodded. His eyes fell. "It shines with the radiance of my love and it will as long as I love you, forever. It's green color, well Greenleaf you see for my name, and its color comes from your love for me. A Greenleaf." Her eyes widened in amazement. 'That took a lot of nerve.' Miriel swallowed, made a decision and softly took his hand. He brought his clear eyes up to hers and his lips held a soft smile.
"Yes?" Miriel whispered, almost afraid to move. 'Hurry up brother,' Ewen thought from her cover off bushes. 'Kiss her already'
"Amin mela lle." Miriel smiled happily. She blinked and suddenly Legolas leaned in to kiss her. Their lips meet and Miriel's heart rate got pretty damn high. 'He is a really good kisser.' It was a soft kiss. He poured all of his love and devotion inot it. 'Thank god this is nothing like Ewen said it would be. That was just scary. Their lips fell apart. Miriel looked into his eyes and said simply.
"I believe in you." She leaned her head against his chest. Legolas's heart swelled with joy. Miriel felt his arms pull her close.
'Ahhhhhhh. This is so cute.' Ewen thought.
"Ohhh Miriel , honey that was soooooo cute when's the wedding?" Ewen said as she burst out of the bushes.
"Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggg!!! Do you HAVE to ruin my only romantic moment in almost a thousand years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Of course. Oh look at the time. Got to go plan your wedding. Tata."
Legolas smiled. His sister was completely insane. It was only fitting. Miriel stirred. Legolas's attention immediately returned to her. He blushed.
"Ummmm...Legolas? I can't breathe very well right now." She smiled weakly.
'Of course. I was holding her quite tightly. I have no problem with that.' He loosened his grip on her, but still pulled her tightly against him.
"So..." Miriel blushed. "I can not thank you enough for this necklace. And tonight." She smiled just so slightly. Moonlight fell upon her shoulders, giving her a shining halo. "I have to be getting back to my rooms now."
"Of course. May I escort you back?"
"Well. Since I can not walk, I guess that would be a yes." Legolas stood and pulling Miriel tightly into his arms, he walked silently across the gardens of Mirkwood. Reaching Miriel's room, he pulled open the door and set her softly on the bed.
"Good night, Miriel." With a soft lingering kiss on her lips he turned and walked slowly out of the room. Turning to lean against the wall outside he breathed hard. 'What just happened?'
Miriel froze, putting her hand to her lips. 'Oh my lord. Did he just kiss me? Again? This can not be happening! My heart is ice. This can not be. It cannot be.'