NOTE: Thanx for the reviews, all! :) Good to see you 'back', Miriellar! Btw, your story is lovely. Can't wait to read more. ALso, was a little surprised that you said their love is ditzy, but still hope you enjoy the story!

Chapter Twenty: Preparations and an Invitation

The following fortnight found the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen busily preparing themselves for The Choosing. It was the day every single elven maiden was waiting for, for at long last they would know who their Prince had chosen to spend the rest of his life with, hoping to be the one. Old rivalries flared up anew, and even strong, solid friendships were broken temporarily as each maiden sought to appear quite pleasing to the eyes of Legolas. There were countless reports of 'accidents', and the healers suddenly found themselves busy. The maidens were taking no chances.

The Dining Hall was closed to everyone except the King, his son, and those servants who were decorating it. Any caught lurking near it were imprisoned, for the Prince did not want anything to reach the ears of Síriel. Individual maidens who attempted to catch his eye and gain his attention often trailed him mercilessly in the corridors. As a result, he often took to wearing a hooded cloak so they would not notice him.

"I must say I will be rather glad when it is all over with." Legolas said exasperatedly to his sire. "How do you like it, your son slinking around in his own home, chased down by maidens seeking his heart?"

Thranduil chuckled as he looked at Legolas.

"It seems many eyes are upon you." Thranduil stated.

Legolas folded his arms across his chest and tossed his head.

"So it would seem." he said. "Do they not understand that when I pay them no attention I do not desire to speak with them?"

Thranduil smiled at him.

"They know, I am sure, but still hope the impossible." he replied.

"Women." Legolas muttered under his breath, in a disgusted way.

"Careful so that Síriel does not hear you."

Legolas laughed.

"I wish to go and see her." he told his sire.

Thranduil merely nodded.

"Do as you wish." he said. "Beware of the maidens, though."

"I will. I will slip out using the secret passageways." Legolas said.

However, that was much easier spoken than accomplished. As soon as he was in the corridors, there appeared a group of four maidens all of them intent on having Legolas catch their eye. He gave them a wide berth, then ran and took refuge in the Dining Hall. He could hear their angry voices as they screamed at the guards to be let inside.

"Are you alright, ernil nín?" a familiar voice said to him.

Legolas turned and found himself face to face with Celebrindal. It took him several moments to regain his breath to answer her.

"I am. Just a group of maidens made for me." he explained.

"Indeed. Those were the same maidens who bickered about Síriel. I passed them in the halls and they asked about you." she said.

"The same ones you say? That is interesting."

He looked around the Hall and smiled. The tables were covered with richly embroidered silk cloths, the high ceiling was hung with many assorted types of decorations, and the floors were scrubbed clean. He could see a group of servants polishing golden utensils and plates. The doors opened and a group of Elves entered carrying musical instruments. Beyond them, Legolas saw the four maidens glaring at him before the doors closed. Celebrindal laughed at the sight of them.

"It looks wonderful." he told her, indicating the Dining Hall.

"On the night of The Choosing, we plan to place golden vases on every table and fill them with woodland flowers. We are also hoping that the moon will be shining brightly so we can open the curtains and allow its light to illuminate the Hall. If not, then we will use lanterns." she said.

He could already see it in his mind's eye.

"How goes the dress and my clothing?" he asked in a whisper.

"Very well. It is halfway done. I work on it at night after finishing from here. Your sire asked me to oversee the preparations." she replied. "He also told me that he knows about our little conspiracy."

"I told him."

"I assumed that when he informed me."

Then Legolas thought of something.

"I promised I would reward you, and I hold true. I have decided to take Síriel once we are wedded and live in Ithlien. I promised Aragorn I would bring some of my people with me to dwell there and make it fair and green. My sire knows this as well, and I have his permission to take some of our people with me. Would you like to become Síriel's personal handmaiden, or would you like to be paid in jewels?" he asked her.

Celebrindal's blue eyes sparkled in excitement.

"Oh, I would dearly trade all of the jewels in this world just to be at Síriel's side! I cannot be parted from her! I will come!" she cried.

"Good, it is as I thought." Legolas smiled. "Síriel does not know. I wish to keep it a secret. I will leave for Ithilien after The Choosing is over and arrange everything. When I return, we shall wed then leave."

It was evening already. Legolas decided to see Síriel another day. He bade Celebrindal farewell and slipped cautiously into the corridors.

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The days slipped by quickly, and before Legolas knew it, it was two days before The Choosing. He had sent messengers to the southern area of his sire's realm, close to the borders of the land of the Woodmen and Beornings. He knew that the Elves who dwelled there had dealings with them, and so they would not regard Síriel with mockery. He wished her new life to be full of love and compassion, not hatred and arrogance.

"Legolas?"

It was late afternoon, and Legolas stood on the threshold of Síriel's cottage. He had not expected her to be at home.

"Come in!" she said, stepping aside.

"Why are you not working by the river?" he asked.

"My sire is gone. He left today to Lothlórien, for his family has relocated there. He will not return for a month." she said.

He saw that she was wearing gold jewelry.

"Gimli's gift?" he inquired.

"How do you know?" Síriel asked, astonished.

"He told me, in his letter."

Síriel smiled.

"He is very kind." she told him.

She went to the small table in the kitchen and began to clear the table. Apparently she had just finished eating.

"Are you hungry? I have some food left." she said.

Legolas rose and went behind her, slipping his arms about her waist. He felt her body tense a little. She turned and faced him.

"I have missed you." he told her, nuzzling her face.

"I did, too. Every day I think about you." she said, eyes closed.

She ran a hand up his chest and entangled it in his silken blond hair. His scent delighted her. She saw him smile deeply at her as he lowered his lips onto hers. Síriel felt his arms slip upward and cup her face, pulling her in for a deeper kiss. They both moaned with pleasure.

"I have a request." he whispered into her ear after some time.

"What is it that you ask of me?" she whispered back. "I am yours."

For a brief moment, he considered asking her to make love.

"That you attend the feast that is to be held in two days' time. It will mean so much to me if you do." he told her quietly.

She was quiet for some time. Legolas knew she did not like going to social gatherings because of all the ill attention she receives. But he could not tell her the reason he wanted her to attend. It would be fatal.

"Please, for my sake. If anyone says anything, they will pay dearly with their life. Do not let me down, Síriel." he pleaded softly.

She looked into his sapphire eyes lovingly.

"I will go, but only for your sake, Legolas." she told him.