Chapter Eleven: Legolas' Conspiracy
Several months passed since the incident in the woods. Síriel was so busy helping her sire she hardly had a chance for any time for herself. She still had not gotten a chance to give Celebrindal her gift, for after tending her, the kitchen-maiden was busy as well. The hunting party Legolas had gone on had been successful, bringing in several large deer.
"Adar, I wish to see Celebrindal." she told her sire one day.
Gil-celeb looked up from his goblet of cordial.
"Very well. You have not had a proper break since that incident in the woods. Give my regards to her as well." he said.
Síriel threw her arms around her sire's neck and kissed him.
"You are the very best sire in the entire world! I would not know what to do without you. I love you very much." she whispered.
He brushed back his blond hair from his blue eyes and smiled.
"I love you too, Síriel." he replied.
He watched her fly to the door, then run to the palace, her copper-red hair streaming out behind her and glinting in the sunlight. Eru knew how much he loved his daughter. She was the dearest thing to him. Often times when he looked at her, he would remember her mother, Therassa. Síriel had her same eye color, which was what attracted him to her, and laughter. She even had her beauty, though Gil-celeb admitted to himself that Síriel was much more beautiful than her mother had been.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside the palace, Síriel was cautiously threading her way through the masses of Elves intent on going to the dining hall for the evening meal. She was well known to them now, for Thranduil had informed them of the incident that occurred to her in the woods. He had also informed them that anyone who dared to insult her would dearly pay. He made it clear that even if his own advisors were found guilty, they would pay as well. All were equal under his laws.
The maiden reached the kitchens just as the last servant walked out, carefully balancing a vessel of steaming soup. Síriel made sure the servant was well out of her way before going through the doors. She did not have a desire to be scalded at all.
"Síriel, mellonen!" Celebrindal called.
She was seated at the table, eating on her own.
"Are you hungry?" she asked Síriel.
"Actually, I am." Síriel replied, sitting beside her.
"Here, help me eat, then." Celebrindal said, giving her a spoon.
The two friends visited as they ate their food. Celebrindal told Síriel that Thranduil had informed everyone of the incident in the woods and if anyone insulted her, they would dearly pay.
"So that is the reason why everyone was smiling politely at me. I understand now. I was wondering what the reason was." Síriel said. "Yet, I would rather they liked me without being forced to do so."
After the meal ended, Síriel finally gave Celebrindal her gift. It was a beautiful necklace of pearls with one crystal in it.
"It is very beautiful!" Celebrindal exclaimed. "It must have cost you much, though. You should not have done it."
"Nad dithen carnen an gwend." Síriel told her.
Celebrindal embraced her.
"Well, I must be off. I only came to give you your gift." Síriel said.
She rose and left.
Celebrindal was admiring her new necklace when the kitchen doors opened again. Prince Legolas came through them.
"Maer fuin, Celebrindal." he said.
Celebrindal bowed.
"That is a lovely necklace." he observed.
"Síriel gave it to me." the maiden replied.
"Is she gone?"
"I am afraid so."
Legolas sighed in relief.
"For the reason I came here she must not be present." he said.
Celebrindal cocked an eyebrow.
"Ú-chenion." she said.
Legolas drew a chair beside her and sat down.
"Since you are her dearest friend, then I know you have her best interests at heart. Furthermore, I need to tell you this in order for my purpose to succeed. Can I trust you not to tell anyone?" he said.
"Gweston, hîr nín." she said solemnly.
Legolas smiled.
"Very well. Ever since I have met Síriel, I have been thinking about her. I now am sure that I am deeply in love with her. But I do not know if she loves me. I can only hope she does." he began.
Celebrindal smiled.
"I have known that you love her for some time." she told him.
"How did you know?" he asked, astonished.
"Your eyes, ernil. They express your feelings very well."
"I have been told that many times. So, you are willing to help?"
"I am. How can I assist you?"
"You do know that this year my sire will be hosting a rather important feast where I will be expected to choose the maiden I wish to spend my entire life with?" he asked, and Celebrindal nodded. "Well, I have chosen Síriel. I will inform my sire of this, but our people will not know until later. All of the maidens will be hoping to be chosen. Everyone will be anxious to know who I pick."
"How will I be able to help?" Celebrindal wondered.
"A rather important part of the matter is that the maiden's dress will be matched identically by me. In other words, what Síriel will be wearing, I will be wearing as well." Legolas said.
"But how will you know what she will be wearing?"
Legolas smiled mischievously.
"Usually, the young Prince waits until he sees the maiden he desires, then disappears and changes. However, I wish to alter that. When we enter together, she entirely oblivious of what is to happen, we will be dressed identically. You will make the mantle for Síriel, as well as my matching outfit consisting of a robe, tunic, and a pair of leggings." he said. "I trust that you know how to sew, Celebrindal?"
Celebrindal smiled.
"I see. What a clever conspiracy! I do indeed know how to sew, and I happen to know her measurements, having made for her clothing in the past. All that I need to know are your measurements. What color should I make the mantle and your garments?" she asked.
Legolas thought for a few moments.
"Red, a hue that will bring out her full beauty and compliment her hair. It will also go nicely with her skin color." he said. "I am sure she will be going with her sire again to Lake-town, so I will have them bring back some red silk material."
Celebrindal laughed.
"I see you have put much thought into this." she commented.
Legolas smiled broadly.
"Much thought? I have not put much thought into it." he chuckled. "Only during the nights. I am glad you can help me, Celebrindal. This will not go unnoticed. You will be rewarded richly. I promise."
Celebrindal waved her hand.
"Buion na 'ell! She deserves much happiness. This is also a way I can pay her back for the necklace without her knowing." she said.
Legolas thanked her. He returned to his chambers to rest. He wanted nothing more than to wed Síriel. She was the only one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, the only one he would ever love. The only question was, did she love him? He hoped she did.
Sindarin Translations:
Nad dithen carnen an gwend: just a little thing done for friendship
Maer fuin: good evening
Ú-chenion: I do not understand
Buion na 'ell: I serve with joy