Chapter 9:

Morié sighed in relief as she walked into her chambers but gasped as she saw the dress hanging over her bed. It was made of deep blood red material, the sleeves sweeping down to cover her wrists with much silver embroidery on it. It made her blush as she attempted to put it on by herself. Turning as her aunt came into the room, she smiled as Celebrian fixed the back and then turned her around to face her instead of the mirror. Beckoning her niece over to her vanity, Celebrian began to brush the long silver hair as Morié sighed and fingered the necklace around her pale neck. Finished, Celebrian put makeup on and then giggled behind her hands as Morié stared in disbelief at her reflection. The hairstyle made her look much older than her 2100 years on Arda, swept up into a coiffure that focused on her beautiful swan-like neck and not her face. Replacing the gauze veil Morié had been covered with and pinning it back onto her niece's hair, Celebrian whispered encouragement as she painted Morié's nails blood red, placed amber beads of perfume at her wrists and neck and then put a pair of special earrings in.

Satisfied, Celebrian backed away and whispered to her husband outside the door, As Morié exited the room, Elrond took her arm again as Celebrian gallantly accepted the hand of Glorfindel, dressed in his best suit. As they walked slowly down the hallway and into the Hall of Feasting, the music stopped as people stared in awe at the ethereal Morié Losille. Then, an elegantly dressed Elf walked over and bowed to Morié as the others looked on in envy. Curtsying deeply, she smiled up at him and took his offered hand as the music began to play once more and other couples joined in.

The music drifted on into the night, but the strange elf beckoned Morié outside and they walked along the walls of Imladris hand in hand. The male elf was just about to start quoting some poetry when he noticed that Morié had a strange far-away look in her eyes, a look that sent waves of sympathy down his spine. Stroking her hand, he smiled as she came back.

"Hin lín bain sui Ithilgalad buin Aear," murmured the elf as she looked at him with a smile in her eyes.

"Goheno nin, Man i eneth lín?" asked Morie as she looked down at the ground to hide her blushing cheeks."

"Legolas Thranduillion I eneth nin", said the elf quietly. "I was sent here by my father, King Thranduil to seek your beauty."

"Hannon le, Prince Legolas. I have indeed heard of both you and your father. They say that you are the best archer in Mirkwood, do they not?" asked the elleth innocently.

"They do indeed, brennil nín" admitted Legolas with a wink.

"Well, Prince Legolas, it was a pleasure to have met you and I look forward to seeing your talent tomorrow. Now we must return to the feast, as they will be wondering where we are and what we are doing. I cannot be so obviously rude to the other elves who have gathered here tonight, it would be improper." With that, she offered him her hand and they walked back into the Hall as the music began afresh....

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2100 years on Arda - Arda is Middle Earth and 2100 years equates rougly to 21 years in human life

Hin lín bain sui Ithilgalad buin Aear - our eyes are as beautiful as moonlight on the Sea

Goheno nin, Man i eneth lín? - Forgive me, what is your name?

Legolas Thranduillion I eneth nin - Legolas Thranduillion is my name

Hannon le - I thank you

Brennil nin - My lady