NOTE: I need a suggestion for a title! :) AngryTolkienPurist, I did not use Illuvatar, I used Eru, and do you say I should not use Gray company Elvish to much? These are Sindar, not Noldor.

Chapter Thirteen:

Síriel emerged from the cellars with her heart pounding fiercely and a wide smile on her face. They had shared a kiss together! She was surprised to find that it was still noontime. Time had ceased when she was with Legolas. At least she finally knew how he felt towards her, and how she felt towards him. There was no doubt in her mind now at all.

Legolas waited awhile to make sure that Síriel was gone before making his way out of the cellars. He did not want anyone to guess; he wanted it to be a complete surprise. He would let them know on his own timeframe. There was no need to rush the news. He now knew exactly how Síriel felt towards him—the same way he felt towards her. There could be no mistaking the way she had kissed him in return and the way she had caressed his face so intimately. He still could feel her fingertips.

"She loves me, just as I love her." he told his sire when he rejoined him in the throne room. "There is no doubt in my mind now."

Thranduil looked at him.

"How do you know, ion nín?" he asked.

Legolas flushed.

"Just from something that happened." he said.

Thranduil turned his full, undivided attention to his son.

"And what, may I ask, happened?" he asked knowingly.

Legolas did not reply, as he expected. Thranduil sat back in his chair and gave a rich laugh. He shook his head.

"I know. No need to tell me." he said. "At least you know now her feelings towards you. It will be easier when the time comes." he said.

"Indeed, sire. It will be easier." Legolas affirmed, relieved. "Of course I can trust that you will tell no one?"

"I know nothing, ion nín."

Legolas smiled his thanks.

"Hannon le, adar." he said.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Síriel wanted to tell her dearest friend, Celebrindal, of what happened between her and Legolas in the cellars. She was too happy to keep it to herself. Celebrindal had to know.

The kitchens were busy. Many servants were hurrying to and fro, intent on getting the cooking done in time for the afternoon meal. Síriel had a hard time wading through the sea of servants, food, and tables strewn about the vast kitchens' halls. She gave up hope of finding her friend when she finally spotted her at the very end, directing servants.

"Celebrindal!" Síriel called to her.

The kitchen-maiden looked up from her work.

"Oh, Síriel! I am sorry I did not hear you. We are quite busy, you see, trying to get the afternoon meal ready in time." she said.

"I will be concise then. You will never know what—" Síriel began.

Just then, there was a terrific crash as one of the servants dropped the large pot of boiling water she was carrying. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but Celebrindal was quite furious.

"How many times have I told you to be careful?" she told the servant. "Síriel, as much as I would like to speak with you, I cannot. Do not be upset with me!" she added, turning to her friend.

"I am not." Síriel told her.

She pursed her lips and left the kitchens. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise, though, because when both friends began speaking to each other it was hard for them to stop. Síriel left the palace and went to her cottage, where she packed a small bag for the journey to Lake-town. Then she made her way to the river, where her sire was busy directing the other Elves who usually accompanied them.

"Ah, there you are!" Gil-celeb said when he saw her.

Síriel handed him the list she had made in the cellars.

"I see…none of the light wine. We have enough. Very well. But we do need a vast amount of the red wine…everything else is in stock." he said as he looked at it. "Did the King request anything?"

His daughter nodded her copper-red head.

"He requested several things, sire." she answered, pulling a slip of paper from her tunic's breast pocket. "He wants more wine, which we already know, more food, and anything fit for decorating purposes. He told me to make sure that they are highly decorative. We are to settle for nothing else, even if the price is high. He also requests that we bring with us two rolls of red silk material, enough for a mantle, robe, tunic, and leggings. And a matching pair of soft shoes as well, for a maiden."

"Very well. When we reach Lake-town, I will take the others and get everything else, while you will get the things that the King has requested. I hope that we will take no more than two days in Lake-town. Five days going each way makes ten days total. So, altogether, if everything goes according to plan, we should be back here in twelve days." Gil-celeb said.

Síriel nodded.

"I hope we return quickly." she said whimsically.

Gil-celeb looked at her.

"Why is that? Usually you cannot wait until we leave for Lake-town to escape from here. Why have you changed your mind?" he asked.

She was spared a response to him as she saw Celebrindal coming towards them. Síriel took use of the opportunity and left her sire's side.

"I only just managed to have some time for myself, so I slipped away from the kitchens. I hope you are not upset with me because I did not speak to you when you came in the afternoon." Celebrindal said.

Síriel smiled at her.

"I am not upset. I understand. In fact, even if you did have time, I would not have told you because there were too many people." she said.

"You have a secret, then?"

Síriel nodded and blushed.

"Come, let us go somewhere more private…" she answered.

The two maidens went deep into the woods. Síriel did not tell her what happened until she was absolutely certain that no other Elf was around them. Even then she spoke to Celebrindal in a whisper.

"So, you are in love with him?" Celebrindal asked.

They were walking along the riverside. Ahead of them were Gil-celeb and the others. It was nearing evening, time to leave for Lake-town.

Síriel nodded shyly.

"You were right, Celebrindal. Not all who are elite are corrupt. Legolas understands how I feel. He understands me." she said.

The kitchen-maiden smiled knowingly to herself.

"Well, I wish you all the best in your future, Síriel. As much as I would like to stay and visit with you, duty calls. Have a safe journey to Lake-town, and I will see you when you return." Celebrindal said.

The two friends embraced. Síriel watched her friend make her way back to the palace. She continued walking towards her sire when she felt someone grab her around her waist and drag her into the trees.

"It is me, Síriel. Avo 'osto."

Síriel relaxed as she recognized Legolas' voice.

"Man le carel s?" she asked him.

"I have come to see you off, to say farewell." he replied.

She blushed, and lowered her gaze. Legolas placed his hands under her chin, forcing her to look directly into his eyes. He then ran one of his hands through her hair, while pulling her face closer to his with his other hand. They both closed their eyes as their lips met, and Síriel's arms went around his neck. She moaned slightly.

They did not notice the figure watching them until it was too late.

Sindarin Translation:

Avo 'osto: worry/fear not