The next day, Valia was woken up by a servant who claimed he had been ordered to wake her by the Prince. After she had changed into the clothes given to her, done her hair up and washed her face and teeth, she followed the servant into a larger hall than the night before. Much larger. Standing in the hall on his own was Prince Legolas. She walked into the hall which was decorated with elven silks. This must be for the 6th day of Astron, the elvish new year she thought. "Ah, Valia!" Legolas called. He made his way over to her. "What did you want to see me about?" She asked, quite shocked that he was even talking to her. "If it's about that bow again.." "No, no." He interrupted her. "Tonight, as you already know, is the new year ball and I just took a guess that you didn't know how to ball dance." Legolas explained himself. "And you are quite right, but I don't wish to learn so good day." She turned to go but Legolas grabbed her arm. "Wait." She turned and looked at his hand on her arm and he whipped it away. "You, have turned into, a very beautiful woman and I guarantee you, males will ask for a dance. Many will. Are you going to turn them all down and sit at the side whilst everyone dances?" He asked. "It may interest you to know, Prince, that I have not been invited to the ball." She smiled at him. "My sister will invite you. It has already been discussed. I have invited 2 of my friends, as Gimli was called home this morning, and she has invited you. Now, will you let me teach you?" Valia looked Legolas straight in the eyes. ''Oh, ok then. It's not exactly like I really have anywhere else to be anyway.'' She conceded to his wish. ''Good, I was hoping you would say that.'' Legolas' eyes lit up. ''Now, take my hand and follow my lead. It's really very easy once you know what to do.''
Legolas placed one hand around Valia's slim waist and with the other, took her hand in his. ''Relax, I don't bite. Not if you don't want me to.'' Valia's eyes widened in shock and Legolas chuckled silently at her response. ''Just listen to the music, let it guide you.'' The pair glided slowly across the gleaming wood floors. ''Ouch!'' Legolas cried out as Valia not-so-gracefully stood on his foot. ''Shit, I'm sorry!'' Valia blushed a shade of crimson red. ''That's ok, it's only a foot, I'll live. Now come on, close your eyes and lean into my chest. Let me guide you.'' Valia glanced nervously at Legolas before shutting her eyes and hesitantly leaning into his chest. 'That's much better! See how easier it is when you put your trust in the hands of another? '' Legolas ran his eyes over Valia's shimmering black ponytail. ''Why do you not wear your hair lose? It would make you even more beautiful.'' He reached up and gently released Valia's hair from its' bond. ''See? What did I tell you? Beautiful.'' Legolas smiled down at her then pulled her into his warm body, smelling her hair and contemplating his next move. He softly gripped her fair face and leant down to kiss her soft lips. Valia allowed herself to linger in the embrace, enjoying the feeling of comfort and closeness. Legolas jumped a little as Valia suddenly pulled away. " This, isn't right. Thank you very much for teaching me to dance, I'm sure it will come in handy. Goodbye." She said hurriedly, her eyes on the floor. Turning from him she swiftly left the room and Legolas to stand on his own once more.
Aragorn found Legolas outside, practising archery. "Hello Legolas." Aragorn greeted him. "Hi." He snapped and shot an arrow. It was flying at such a speed that it went through his target. "Woow, powerful shot. What is wrong now?" He asked. Legolas turned to face him, lowering his bow. "When I first saw her, she was not what you would call beautiful. I felt something about her I didn't like. I wanted her to go away, hell I almost killed her, but now, she's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen and when she does go away I want her to come back." Legolas sighed. Aragorn thought for a moment. "When Arwen is around me, my heart goes weak, its not a feeling I enjoy so I wish her away, in my head. Then I get a feeling of loss in my heart, which I also do not enjoy."
Legolas pulled another arrow from his back. "Yea, but that's different. You are in love with her." He shot the arrow and Aragorn rolled his eyes. Before Legolas had the time to draw another arrow, Aragorn was in front of him with his hands on each of his shoulders. "Listen to your self." He demanded in his usual low husky voice. "Listen to the way you speak of her." Aragorn pleaded. Out the corner of his eye he saw Valia and Mae walking out of the castle gardens. They were laughing together, carrying flowers and dressed in light gowns that were caught in the morning breeze. He turned Legolas to look at them. "What do you see?" He asked. Legolas sighed quietly, but not quietly enough as Aragorn picked up on it. "Her dress brings out her eyes. White. Shows her curves when the wind blows. She still has her hair down." A small smile played across his lips. Aragorn patted his shoulder and left him to his archery.
That night at the party Valia curtsied to her 5th partner and sat down to rest for a moment. "I don't know how you do it." She laughed with Mae, who had taken the seat beside her. "Ha, yea, it's a knack." Her eyes searched the room. "A maid told me he had gone out hunting. He should be here soon, he was cleaning himself up a bit." Valia smiled. "Was it that obvious?" Mae asked biting her lip. "I don't think you stopped smiling all day." Valia laughed. "Don't say anything to Legolas, aye." Mae begged her playfully. Valia drew a line over her lips. "Sealed." She whispered. "Speak of the devil." Mae looked over Valia's head. Valia turned to see the Prince, dressed as usual in flowing, white, slightly feminine, silks, smiling down at her. "May I have a dance?" Legolas asked her. "I don't know if that's a good idea." She mumbled. "Please, I wont pull anything." He used his eyes to beg. "Ok, but just one." Legolas nodded and lead her out onto the dance floor. When the music started Legolas placed one hand on her back and held the other within his. Valia noted that so far he was the easiest person to dance with. "Answer me one thing, this morning, when I kissed you, why did you recoil?" Legolas asked, searching her eyes for an answer. "Simple. You are a Prince and I am a wild elf."
Across the hall Aragorn and Mae were dancing, they watched Legolas and Valia. "They haven't yet broken eye contact." Mae noted out loud. "I have no doubt that your brother has feelings for her." Aragorn stated as the dance ended. "And I also have no doubt that Éomer, would much rather be dancing with you." He demanded and he lead her off the dance floor towards a waiting Éomer.
Valia and Legolas danced in silence until the song came to an end. As it did, Valia attempted to draw away from him but Legolas kept a grip on her. "Another dance." He pleaded. Valia rolled her eyes. Legolas grinned and pulled her close to him once more. He timed his moment carefully so that when his lips touched Valia's she was completely caught of guard. Although, somehow, she managed to pull away. "Where are you going? The night has only just begun." He ran a hand over her soft cheek. "No, master Legolas, for us it has just come to an end." Valia held his gaze for a second then swept from the room, leaving Legolas to stare after her in bewilderment.