He drew a deep breath before stepping into the warm café. Immediately, he began searching for a lonely table. The usually brief and bored cashier smiled and waved as Elentir stopped near the counter for a word. "Hey there, Starwatcher," he greeted, "Here for the usual?"
"Not today, Mr. Hank," Elentir muttered, eyes drifting from wall to wall. "I'm looking for the necklace owner."
"It's about time you two finally ran into each other—I feel like a fat Cupid who keeps dropping his arrows. She's over by the window." Elentir blinked; he didn't get it. Forgetting the comment, he nodded quickly and strode towards the window. There, in a ray of light, was Lindi gazing out onto the busy street. He very slowly slid into the chair across from her, forgetting his manners in the light of her sadly foreign Elven beauty. She turned and faced him suddenly, startled, but smiled and nodded in greeting.
"Afternoon," she uttered.
"Yes, it appears to be," he replied, slowly smirking. Her smooth cheek flushed slightly as she pulled at a strand of golden silk pouring from beneath the same knitted cap. Elentir's brow furrowed lightly as he motioned towards the hat. "You…you keep your ears covered." She nodded with a hint of shame.
"We're not all as brave as you, Mr. Starwatcher."
"Elentir," he rapidly corrected. "There are others besides you here?"
"Not anymore," she sighed deeply, gaze drifting to the street again. "It's a hard life."
"But with such adventure!" Elentir exclaimed. Lindi nervously grinned, seeing the glances they earned. "What brought you here, a maiden on your own?" he eagerly asked. She watched the light dancing in his eyes, the same glow that had caught poor Anna so off guard, as it sparkled over his genuine smile. For the first time in ages, she felt her heart awaken like it could not for humans present. She heard the question and the moment faded. "A…husband?" he asked almost reluctantly.
"Not so cheerful a reason," she confessed. He listened intently, watching her anxious behavior. "You said you have company with Lego—…the prince?" Elentir nodded.
"Very good company."
"I do not have such good company," Lindi sadly continued. "In…in Mirkwood, I was betrothed to a general who trained with…with the prince." Elentir sensed that this was not the most noble of nuptials, the ceremony which their culture celebrated with extreme care and compassion. Her expression was bordering sadness, empty and tearful. "I loved him," she smiled through glistening eyes, "but…but I discovered too late that he was not…not…not what I believed him to be." She sniffed, and his heart broke for her. "I left him before anyone could try and convince me otherwise, but I…" She covered her face with a shy grin and wiped her eyes before they could confess anything more. "I had to tell someone who understands. No one knows of my sin, and I am sure the memory of his general's ruined nuptials is still clear in the prince's mind." He allowed her to regain her flighty emotions before gently offering his own thoughts.
"I have known Legolas my entire life, although not of his dealings with war—he would have forgiven an honest heart had you come to him."
"Come to a prince to betray his archer?" she scoffed. "I'd rather spend a life among humans."
"And fate brings you here," Elentir smiled. "I shall not think of your past and only ask that you tell me everything about you." Elentir had only spent a short time away from his home, but such a beautiful reminder pulled at his heart.
"You had better get some coffee," she mumbled through a spreading smile. "But I can't say I am not glad to have a lord to confide in."
"Coffee," Elentir chuckled, "I adore coffee. Legolas does, too." She happily agreed with a bright laugh, stopped only by Elentir's gentle reaching towards her cap. She let him lift it from her ears, and his expression brightened at seeing them.
"I've never gone without my hat," she muttered.
"Why," he sighed, "they're beautiful."