Chapter Three: The Encounter at the Feast
Síriel was wandering through the corridors looking for her King Thranduil when she heard a bell sounding throughout the corridors. She stopped a passing servant to ask him the reason of the bell.
"Why, ernil Legolas has returned, so aran nín has asked for a grand feast to be prepared in his honor." the servant replied.
"Hannon le." she told him.
"Glassen."
So that was the reason for the bell. Síriel knew it was only sounded to announce important matters, and this was important. Prince Legolas had returned. Then it was him she saw passing over the bridge. At least he returned safely. She had heard some say he would never return.
She shook her head to clear out her mind. She needed to find the King. Now she understood the purpose of her errand. Her sire had sent her to the King to ask if he wanted any special wine. No doubt her sire knew there was a feast, otherwise he would not have sent her. All she wanted to do was to get her errand done then return to the river. She had a long day's work, and wished to rest by the river. She was never a fancier of feasts. She much preferred being outside among the trees.
She had to thread her way carefully through the masses of Elves crowding the corridors, all intent on going to the feast. She looked carefully at their faces just to make sure she did not pass the King. A door opened to her left, and she spotted Thranduil.
"Aran nín!" she called to him.
Thranduil turned his head and saw Síriel. He smiled at her as she came before him and sank into a graceful bow.
"Manen le, Síriel?" he asked kindly.
"Im vaer, hîr nín." she replied quietly.
"Still helping your sire?"
"Indeed. I enjoy it very much."
Thranduil smiled.
"What brings you here? You are not known to be inside." he said.
Síriel smiled.
"Sire sent me to ask if you want some of the special wine we got last time we were in Lake-town." she told him.
"Indeed, that would be very kind of him. No doubt you know that my son has returned and I am holding a feast in his honor." he replied.
"I have just found out."
"No doubt you will attend?"
Síriel hesitated. She did not wish to be rude.
"I—I am not sure. You know how I take to these matters." she said.
Thranduil chuckled.
"Indeed I know well enough. However, you deserve to rest. As your King, I order you to attend. Furthermore, Legolas is your Prince." he said.
Síriel bowed again. She had no choice but to obey her King. She did not wish to plead with him. As much as she loved her King, she truly did not want to attend the feast. It was not that she did not care whether or not Legolas was safe, she did, but she was not a particular lover of feasts. There was also another matter, but she kept it hidden.
"As you wish." she said, and hurried away.
When she was back at home, she informed her sire of the King's wish for the wine to be brought. She also told him about not wanting to attend the feast, but going because her King had ordered her.
"Even if he did not order you, I would have. It is shameful not to attend, Síriel. It would show you do not care." her sire told her.
"It is not that I do not care, adar. I do. It is just that I do not love to attend feasts. And there is another reason, too." she said.
"Reason or no reason, you are going. Our discussion is over."
Síriel sighed.
'I will try to be cheerful.' she thought, as she went to change.
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Legolas changed and emerged from his chambers. He knew his sire was already in the great dining hall, along with their subjects, all waiting for him to arrive. He tried to calm himself down. At the doors of the hall, he took a few deep breaths. Then he opened the doors and went inside.
A thunderous applause filled the hall as the Elves all stood when he entered. Legolas could not help but smile a little. He made his way through the crowd, hearing his name called out and gasps of delight from the maidens as they attempted to get his attention. He went to his sire at the great table and sat down at his right. Thranduil lifted his hands up for silence, and the hall was immediately silent.
"My people, enjoy the feast!" he called.
The Elves murmured their approval. They all seated themselves and began to eat and drink merrily. There were many vessels of drink and platters of food, and there was a constant stream of servants going to and fro between the great kitchen hall bearing trays of food and drink. All along the tables there was soft laughter and talk. Friends who had not seen each other for some time now had a chance to visit and catch up on each other's news. The feast was a perfect chance to relax. Many minstrels played soft music. It was a most joyous occasion.
Legolas ate and drank as much as he could. When he finished, he sat back to observe his people. His sire was busy eating and speaking with his advisors. How fair the people seemed to Legolas, fairer than he had ever known them to be. He knew it was because he had been away from his home for nearly a year. Everything would look better.
He reached for his goblet of wine and raised it to his lips, only to find it empty. He rose to go and refill his goblet.
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Síriel managed to remain cheerful throughout the feast. At least they were gone, away to Imladris. Today she was spared the trouble of pretending to be delighted to see them when she felt otherwise, ever since she had found out. She had finished eating long before everyone else had and was helping the servants bring in more food. She had checked the large wine vessels and saw that they needed refilling. Not that it was a surprise. Elves, those of Mirkwood especially, are very fond of wine.
She had carried a barrel of wine over to the table and refilled the vessels. Just as she was turning around, she bumped into someone, causing what little wine was left so spill on the Elf's tunic.
"Oh, I am so sorry!" she cried, quickly placing the barrel on the floor and picking up a cloth. "Here, let me help you."
She chanced to look at the Elf and nearly died from humiliation and embarrassment. It was Prince Legolas. She sank into a bow.
"It is alright. It was my fault." Legolas said.
The maiden did not reply. She stood as if frozen.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
She lifted her head and Legolas had a chance to study her. She was tall and fairly slender, with straight copper-red hair and green eyes. This puzzled him, for Elves did not have copper-red hair or green eyes. What puzzled him the most was her skin. It was golden-bronze in color, not dark enough to be called black. She had her own unique beauty.
"I am fine. I did not mean to spill the wine on you, ernil." she replied in a whisper. "What punishment will you give me?"
Legolas smiled.
"Your punishment? There is none." he said.
Síriel sighed in relief, then turned to leave.
"Yet, I do wish to know your name." he called after her.
But she was gone.
Sindarin Translation:
Aran nín: my king
Hannon le: I thank thee
Glassen: my pleasure (literally, you are welcome)
Manen le: how are you
Im vaer: I am fine
Hîr nín: my lord