Legolas?

He shook his head slightly and tucked his head deeper into the pillows.

Legolas, wake up.

He blinked sluggishly, his limbs feeling heavy. What?

Wake up. It's almost noon, and while Father understands you might need some time to rest, lunch will be pressing the issue.

He frowned and forced himself to sit up. Are you sure it's almost noon? I feel like I haven't slept in a week.

Her voice was softer when she responded. I'm sorry to tell you, then, but yes, I'm sure. You need to get down here, and then you can take a nap until dinner if you wish.

With a sigh he ran a hand through his hair and forced himself to his feet. He was so sluggish it felt as if he had fought all the cursed Uruk-hai to ever step foot on Middle-Earth and then fallen into bed, only to be woken just after he finally got his eyes truly to head into dreams. Fighting with the urge to fall into bed again he got dressed, and dragged himself into the great hall for lunch.

After a while, he stopped one of the passing elves. "Where is Leherim?"

"She is in Mirimir's room for lunch, I shouldn't wonder, my lord."

Mirimir. Legolas thanked the elf and rose to his feet, after nodding at his father. Quickly he walked down the halls, until he was before Mirimir's room. He could feel her there, so he opened it without knocking. "Now, why wasn't I invited?"

"Your duty was to show up at the hall today," Leherim stated quietly.

He shrugged and picked up a piece of the bread lying untouched on the edge of Mirimir's tray. "And I did. And now my time's my own… at least until dinner, at which time you are undoubtedly required… if not by your father, then by your husband, true?"

"Very," Leherim agreed with a soft sigh. "But it's much more peaceful here."

Legolas smiled softly, looking over at Mirimir. She glanced over her shoulder at him, her dark hair slashing over her face. She lifted a hand and lightly brushed it out of the way, tucking the short strands behind her ear. Several promptly fell again. "Your plants have done well," he murmured softly.

She looked at him for a long moment, then smiled faintly and bowed her head. Pleasure and relief came through to him.

Standing so close to his sister, he couldn't tell from which one it came. "Have you come to eat in the great hall yet?" he asked Mirimir, touching one of the velvety leaves of her largest plant.

She shook her head, and the blast of misgivings he got was obviously from her.

"It's all right, you don't have to," he assured her, sending calm through the connection as best he could.

A faint smile played across her lips as she closed her eyes, the tension leaving her shoulders. A soft 'thank you' was in her eyes when she opened them.

He bowed his head slightly and looked around the room of plants, smiling at the evidence of her one hobby—besides reading everything in the library. "What's this?" he asked, picking up a piece of parchment. A small flower was drawn on it. "Mirimir?"

Her ear tips blushed and she drew her knees to her chest.

"It's quite beautiful," he praised softly, smiling faintly as the blush spread to her cheeks. "Leherim?" he asked with a frown when his sister frowned, her eyes going glassy.

"Elrohir," she explained softly, her eyes focusing though her frown remained. "You must excuse me," she murmured softly.

With a faint frown lingering Legolas watched her walk quickly from the room, her gown sweeping out behind her. He gave a mental shrug and turned back to Mirimir, only to find she'd moved to the chair beside the shelf and was curling her legs beneath her. He set the paper aside and settled himself on her bed, watching her for a moment. Slowly he smiled. Did you go hear the story of my travels?

Her grey eyes lifted, the blush lingering for a moment before she nodded.

"Would you care to hear what I left out of the mass telling?"

Her eyes shot to his and her lips parted, before she gave a quick nod and settled herself so she was delicately poised on the edge of her chair, listening eagerly, looking so like elf-children did when they listened to Gandalf that he couldn't help but smile as he began his tale. She seemed utterly fascinated by anything that had to do with other species, often reaching out her hand to touch the back of his, telling him without forming words—even in their minds—to go back, and explain more carefully.

In the middle of explaining a teasing competition between himself and Gimli—

Legolas!

Could this wait just a minute?

No! Get down to the great hall this instant!

Why?

Does dinner sound familiar to you? The Wood just got its prince back, and they're in no hurry to allow you a night of peace. Wherever you are, stop what you're doing, and get down here!

With a sigh he ran a hand through his hair. Annoyance flickered through him for an instant.

Mirimir touched the back of his hand, tilting her head at him, confusion coming through the contact.

He smiled faintly, and shook his head. "It is apparently time for me to temporarily take my leave. I am required at dinner in the great hall." He bowed his head to her and got up, turning to go to the hall, when he felt her hesitation.

He turned back with a frown, only to have her suddenly against him, her head leaning against his shoulder. He smiled tiredly and slipped his arms around her, kissing her temple even as Leherim butted in again.

Legolas!

I'm coming, I'm coming.

Somehow, I doubt it.

He chuckled softly and released his hold on Mirimir, stepping back. He tilted her head up, kissing her on the tip of the nose. "I missed you, too," he murmured with a grin. Not missing the soft blush on the ear tips which peeked out from dark slashes of hair, he quickly made his way to the great hall.

Well, I'm here. Now what?

Well sit down!

With a roll of his eyes he did as she bid, bending to kiss her cheek before sitting. Happy?

"More so," she agreed.

Elrohir rolled his eyes. "So that's it?"

"Yes," Legolas agreed with a faint smile. "Your wife has been hassling me about joining you for dinner. Though I must say, my previous company was rather more pleasant than most of those here."

"Mirimir?" Leherim asked softly.

"Yes," he agreed.

"The elf who doesn't speak?" Elrohir asked, frowning at his goblet.

"Yes, for whatever reason."

"You think she's capable of it?"

"I think she is… after all, what elf has ever been incapable of speech? I've not heard of a single one."

"Nor have I… Although Father would be the one to ask."

Leherim looked at him in some amusement. "That would be a bit difficult, wouldn't it?"

Elrohir shrugged. "Letters work as well now as they once did, and he'll be expecting us to assure him we've arrived, anyway."

Leherim's ears grew rosy, and she lowered her eyes. "Um… A messenger was already sent out with that information."

Elrohir shook his head at her before tilting it to rest against her temple. He kissed her cheek before straightening. "Well, there's always the next letter."

"That there is," she agreed with a slight smile. "You really think she just chooses not to speak?" she asked, turning to Legolas.

"She chooses not to truly communicate in any sure form. She knows how to write—I've seen her scrawling out things which she invariably hides—but she doesn't even use that to speak with us."  The flickers of emotion he got from her had been the closest thing to communication, and most of the time that was purely without intent on her part. Knowing she wouldn't even send thoughts to him… it made him sure there was more to her silence than inability.

The meal was served then, and Legolas carefully avoided his wine all through and after the meal, though he did dance a few times—both with his sister and other she-elves. The elf from the previous evening was one, and he found himself floundering for her name… which was very embarrassing, since what little he remembered of the night seemed to indicate they had shared his bed for a while.

A serving elf came up, holding a tray of goblets. "Wine?" he asked softly. "Your highness?" Legolas shook his head and waved him off, at which point the elf turned to the she-elf whose name he was trying desperately to remember. "Lady Eiectorm?"

"No, thank you," she murmured, turning her attention back to Legolas.

He was just thankful he had her name. Still, knowing her name didn't help knowing he wasn't entirely sure if they had spent a good portion of the night together. In the end, he did the only thing he gracefully could do—he invited her back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He may not be ready to fall in love, but he was obviously a bit more amenable to female company. As for how he'll be acting about the lady Eiectorm, I had fun with her name. If you can figure it out, you'll know what's going to happen, or at least a bit about her.

It's nice to hear people don't mind skipping the quest. Eventually there will be a bit of traveling, but for now, it's the walls of Mirkwood who see what's going on. And you, of course.

Farflung: Um… yeah, he got hit in the morning, alright. Stay tuned for more idiot elf prince…