Chapter Five: A Close Encounter in the Kitchens

Síriel was quite ashamed with herself. She had spilled wine on her Prince's tunic, and then she had embarrassed herself royally in front of him, asking what punishment she would receive. Yet she had done so only because of the way she had been treated. There comes a time in life when things are merely assumed because of prior experience.

She told her sire, naturally, of what happened. He laughed, just like Celebrindal, and told her:

"Do not assume things so quickly, sell nín."

"But you do not understand, adar. This has happened to me many times before, where I cause an accident and then I am punished for it. After being punished for the millionth time, I just assume that every time I cause an accident, I will be punished." she said. "I am treated poorly."

Gil-celeb placed his hands around her shoulders.

"Síriel, you are a strong maiden. I feel guilty for bringing you here because you are tormented so. Yet despite everything, you have not let it get to you. If anyone ever mocks you, defend yourself." he told her.

She watched as he walked away, heading to his room to rest.

'Oh sire, little do you know how it affects me!' she thought.

For a month after the incident involving Legolas at the feast, Síriel did not dare to go near the palace at all. She was occupied with other matters, and she thanked the Valar profusely for it. Many of the rafts needed repairing, and she set about the grueling task with a cheerful manner. So long as she did not need to go inside the palace, she was happy. Whenever she saw someone coming from its direction, she would conceal herself in the trees until she made sure it was not Legolas.

After a month passed, her anxiety went away. She knew there would no doubt come a time when she would find herself once again face to face with the Prince. She hoped it would be later rather than sooner.

Legolas was attempting to find Síriel. After what he had learned about her from his sire, he was becoming more and more determined to befriend her. The look she had in her eyes still haunted him at night.

All of the servants Legolas chanced to come upon whenever he was in the corridors were questioned if they knew of Síriel or not. His luck would not help him it seemed, for they all said that they did not know her. Even when he described her, they still denied having met her. She was not one to be easily forgotten. He began to become discouraged.

"No one knows her." Legolas said to Thranduil. "In fact, they seem genuinely surprised that there is an elven maiden with skin not white."

"Perhaps they are to loyal to her." Thranduil said.

"Perhaps."

"Or perhaps they do not know her indeed. She is not one who remains inside very much. She prefers the outdoors. The servants you have questioned work inside the palace. Unless they have seen her on one of the few times she has been here, then they would not know her."

"Someone must know her. She must have a friend."

Thranduil smiled.

"I see you are determined to find her. I do not know if she has any friends. As I told you, she has had a hard time since she came here. She has been looked down upon." he said. "Yet, she may have a friend."

"I will find her, adar." Legolas said determinedly.

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Síriel sighed. She had finished repairing all of the rafts. She saw her sire coming towards her. He smiled at her.

"Well done, Síriel! Now we are ready to go to Lake-town. I want you to go to aran Thranduil and ask if he wants anything special." he said.

Síriel's smile vanished.

"Must I? Can you not go?" she asked.

"Why do you not want to go?" he said.

"Because I fear to meet ernil Legolas."

Gil-celeb shook his head.

"You will go." he said. "Since you have helped me and you have not had a vacation for awhile, you can stay in Lake-town if you want."

Síriel smiled. They had a deal.

"Very well, adar. I will see you shortly." she said to him.

"You know where to find me. I will give you an hour total to meet with the King and gather some of your belongings for the stay."

Síriel nodded. She dashed towards the palace. If everything went smoothly, she would take no more than forty minutes total.

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The kitchens' doors opened. Síriel came through them, a smile upon her face. She had met with Thranduil, and had not run into Legolas. Things were looking good. She had thirty minutes to spare, so she decided to visit with her friend Celebrindal. After all, she would not be seeing her for at least another month.

"Síriel!" Celebrindal cried, wiping her hands quickly. "So good to see you! I was thinking about you. Ernil Legolas is looking for you."

Síriel frowned.

"Did he ask you?" she asked.

"I heard from some servants that he is questioning everyone who works in the palace if they know of you." Celebrindal told her. "He has not asked me yet himself. I wonder why he is asking, though."

"I will tell you why. He wants to punish me. But he cannot. I am going to Lake-town now. I have just come back from aran. Is there anything you want from Lake-town?"

Celebrindal froze. The doors had just opened.

"Ernil Legolas is here!" she hissed.

Síriel paled. She hid herself underneath a table. Celebrindal tried to assume an innocent face as Legolas approached her.

"I was wondering if you have seen a maiden with copper-red hair and golden-bronze skin. Her name is Síriel." he told Celebrindal.

"I have, but not for some time. Last I saw her was when the feast was held in your honor, ernil." she said.

Síriel tugged her dress from behind.

"You are a friend of hers?" Legolas asked with hope.

"I am." Celebrindal said, and was pulled back a few steps.

Legolas looked at her.

"Lost my balance." Celebrindal said hurriedly.

Legolas nodded slowly.

"Well, if you happen to see her again, will you please inform me? I wish to speak with her." he said.

"May I ask why?" Celebrindal said carefully.

"She interests me. I wish to know more about her."

Once Síriel was sure Legolas was gone, she emerged slowly from underneath the table. She looked at Celebrindal angrily.

"You had to tell him you know me?" she said.

"What difference does it make?" Celebrindal told her.

"What difference does it make, you ask? Now that he knows you are my friend, he will come here more often to see if chance allows him to see me. I will be risking my life to come see you from now on."

Celebrindal laughed.

"You heard him say the reason he wants to speak with you is to know more about you. But I know the real reason. I could see it in his eyes quite clearly. He fancies you, Síriel."

Síriel laughed.

"Mîbo orch, mellonen Celebrindal! However, I must be going. I will not see you for another month at least, so take care of yourself. And if you happen to see my fancier, tell him I died." she said.

Sindarin Translations:

Sell nín: my daughter

Mîbo orch: go kiss an Orc (insult)