The Brite One- Thank you once again for your comments. I would also like to thank you for your warning. I will be replacing my author's note with this chapter…so the note at the bottom of this chapter will simply be my author's note repeated. Thank you for giving me a little advice on writing for pleasure, which I do. This story would continue with or without reviews, just not on the site. It gives me satisfaction that my constant struggle with my computer is not in vain, however. I am extremely technology challenged, I can barely send attachments, so if I get reviews, I feel as though it is worth it to try and get the computer to work. And yes, the last chapter was EXTREMELY melodramatic but it was fun to write….(Legolas: HEY!) (Me: hehehehehe) And without further ado……..
~ Maris
Ch. 7 The Grand Procession
Rosie moved as if she was in a dream. Everywhere she looked, he was there, smiling, beckoning to her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop thinking about that charming Elf prince who's eyes had haunted her dreams for so long.
"Rosie, wake up! It's starting! The parade is starting!" Lily cried joyfully. "Here they are!"
Aragorn and Arwen led the parade, Aragorn on his beautiful chestnut stallion, Brego, and Arwen on Glorfindel's beautiful horse Asfaloth. Behind them rode Prince and Princess Faramir and Eowyn of Ithilien. Faramir wore the garb of a knight and steward of the Citadel while Eowyn wore a gown of midnight blue, also decorated with the White Tree and seven stars of Elendil. After them, Gimli and Gimia rode, clad in beautifully crafted Dwarvish armor, complete with jewel and mithril inlaid battle axes. Princess Valaniel rode alongside the pair, her long silvery-blond hair hung loosely to her waist and fluttering gently in the early evening breeze, like a waterfall across her rich purple gown. Following her, Legolas and Maris fell into step with the rest of the procession. Maris sat in front of Legolas, squirming slightly as he adjusted his hands on the reins so that he could tickle her without appearing to move. Arod, Legolas' powerful white stallion, moved with a strong, comfortable grace, showing no strain from carrying two people.
Rosie stood with some friends as they watched the procession. As the first couple passed, Pearl Proudfoot sighed. "Their story is so romantic; to love someone so much that you're willing to lose everything and eventually die for them."
Rosie nodded. "I guess so." She watched Faramir and Eowyn pass, Gimli and Gimia, and began to wonder if there would be ever be someone for her.
A sudden shriek interrupted her musings. "Oh holy Valar! He's so hott!" Pearl gasped as Legolas rode by. As he glanced about the crowd, his eyes met Rosie's, who just stood in shock and sudden shyness. She broke the gaze by lowering her eyes to the ground. "I think he was looking at me!" Pearl squealed.
Rosie gave an exasperated sigh. "Pearl, he's an ELF. He will marry an Elf girl. He's not interested in hobbits-at least not that way. Get over it." But another thought lagged at the back of her mind. If he and Maris are only friends, why were they riding together and why was she smiling with him?
Rosie followed the crowd to the party fields to begin the feast and party. Enormous yellow tents were set up, along with hundreds of tables and chairs, already covered with monstrous platters of food. Large loaves of freshly baked bread stood in the center of every table, with other platters of cheese and fruit and vegetables and meats around them.
Rosie felt someone watching her. She glanced up to find Legolas' piercing blue eyes just inches away from her face.
"Rosie, would you honor me with a dance?" He asked.
Rosie was stunned. While she racked her brain to find any words, a tall slim she-elf with a sly smirk slid up to Legolas and wrapped her arms about his shoulders. "Hi lover." She cooed.
"Jamiel, what are you doing here?" Legolas asked. "I didn't know that you were going to be here."
She smiled, a false, all too happy, toothy smile. "How could I resist if I knew that your highness was going to be here?" She answered coyly.
Rosie glanced at Legolas. " I would be honored to accept your offer milord." She took his hand and he led her out to the dance floor.
"Highness," Jamiel called, "I wish to speak with you later, if possible, after you stop dancing."
"Milady, I will be honored to talk with you, later." He took Rosie's tiny hands in his and began to sway and circle in time to the music. She moved closer to him and he wrapped his arms about her.
"Jamiel is watching." She whispered.
"She's always watching." He groaned. "She's Haldir's daughter. My father thinks that it would be a smart match for me." He frowned.
Rosie was bowled over the moment the dance ended. Jamiel had rammed right into the tiny 3'6" girl, knocking her into Maris.
"Easy there, little one, Legolas isn't that bad." She laughed. "Jamiel just might be though…Don't let her get to you. She's just mad because he prefers a hobbit girl with a heart and a brain to her 'Elven Beauty'" Maris slipped away into the crowd, leaving Rosie shocked.
Aragorn called to everyone to fine a seat. "Lords and Ladies, Elves, Dwarves, Men, and Hobbits, we are all here tonight to give our deepest thanks and credit to Meriadoc Brandybuck, Perigrin Took, and Samwise Gamgee. Without these brave hobbits, none of us would be here now. You have our eternal gratitude. Thank you." He bowed to the trio, smiled and raised his arms, "Let's eat!"
Rosie sat sown to find Legolas sitting next to her. Maris was on his other side, about to take a bite of a freshly baked roll when she was tapped on the shoulder.
""Excuse me child. Your father has requested that you sit with them." Jamiel purred. "Don't worry, I'll watch over the prince until you get back."
"I'm sure you will," Maris rolled her eyes. "I think Rosie can manage without any help, Jamiel." She walked away to the head table.
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"You wanted to see me, ada?" Maris asked.
// Yes, come and sit here by your mother and me. Thranduil wanted me to insist that Legolas escort Jamiel, in hopes that they would find love with one another. Don't interrupt just yet. I believe that this match is against your wishes? Is it possible that you too have feelings for him?\\
// Ada, I want him to be happy. He is a very good friend and I know that he and a certain young girl would be miserable for the rest of their lives if such a match ever occurred.\\
// Would that young woman be you?\\
// ADA! If you must know, it is Rosie Gamgee. She and Legolas seem very taken with one another and Jamiel doesn't like it. Quite honestly, I pity the poor soul who gets stuck with her.\\
Arwen laughed. //Maris! That's not very nice. It's a good thing she didn't hear you.\\
Maris frowned. // Pity. I wanted her to. She should know that no one likes her. And that Legolas wants her out of his life.\\
//Maris, drop it.\\ Arwen warned.
//Fine!\\ Maris grumbled.// Permission to return to my seat?\\
// Very well. But, Maris, please don't cause anymore trouble for Jamiel. You don't have to talk to her, but be nice.\\ Aragorn agreed.
Maris nodded and moved back to her original seat.
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"Jamiel, I think you're in my seat."
Jamiel, who had been talking and inching towards Legolas glanced up. "Look who's back. I'm afraid this is my seat now, as you left. Besides, I'm sure hi highness prefers my company to that of a half-elven child." She mocked.
"Why don't you ask him?" Maris challenged.
"Maris, why did you bring me into this?" Legolas whined. "Jamiel, please give Maris her seat back."
"Fine love, anything to please you."
Legolas rolled his eyes and plastered a large, false smile on his face. Maris bit her lip to keep from laughing as she slipped into her seat. " Know what Jamiel? Why don't you go and grace the other Elves with your presence." Maris suggested.
"Fine! You all just don't appreciate me! But you do Legolas. Why not come back to my tent with me so that I can show you how much I appreciate you?"
Legolas raised an eyebrow. "As generous an offer as that is, I'm afraid I'm disinclined to acquiesce to your request….no thanks!" He glanced at Rosie and Maris for help.
"He promised to walk through the shire with us after the feast." Rosie chirped.
"Well, I'm sure that won't take all night. Come by later and I can show you—"
" And after that he promised to go canoeing in the lake," Maris interrupted.
"Fine! You two may have gotten him this time, but rest assured that I will win in the end! You can't keep him from me forever!" Jamiel hissed as she stomped away. "Just you wait.."
(a/n)- HEHEHEHEHEHE! I love this chappie!