NOTE: The dancing I attempted to describe is the Arab way of dancing, which I was a professional at when I was younger. Legolas is correct; it is dangerous indeed, because the movements are very seductive! ;)

Chapter Twenty-four: Legolas Leaves to Ithilien

The palace was still discussing the unexpected events that had taken place at The Choosing. Most of the maidens were willing to wager their lives that Síriel had somehow managed to bewitch the Prince. For surely, he could not have fallen in love with her in his right mind. The words he had spoken about why he loved her still lingered in their minds, and it was this, more than anything else, that drove them to say that Síriel had bewitched Legolas. He hurt their pride. As for the other Elves, they were feeling remorseful. Their Prince had spoken truthfully. As a result, Síriel was often stopped in the corridors and was given many apologies. She was quite surprised, believing they would hate her even more. Only the maidens detested her, though a few did apologize.

"Well, I must admit to you my amazement." she told Legolas.

It was two days after The Choosing. Síriel and Legolas were sitting outside by the riverbank, admiring the setting sun. Birds were singing gaily in the treetops. The river gurgled merrily beneath them.

"What are you amazed at?" Legolas asked her.

"Your people. I have been stopped in the corridors many times than I can count and have been given sincerest apologies. It is only the maidens who bear hatred towards me, the vast majority of them, anyway. A few have repented. I have heard an interesting rumor, Legolas. It is said that I have bewitched you to love me." Síriel told him.

Legolas, who had been listening to her as he lay lazily on his back, rose, his hands propped up, holding him upright. He laughed loudly.

"They are correct, in a way, for you have bewitched my heart." he said. "I am glad to hear that some have realized their fault and acknowledged it. I feared they would become haughtier."

Síriel nodded.

"As did I, which explains my amazement." she said.

Legolas beckoned her to his side. She sat beside him and he drew her face towards him, placing her onto his lap. He ran his hands through her hair, taking in her every detail, pausing to gaze into her emerald eyes. It would be his last night with her for some time. He was leaving for Ithilien the following morning, just after dawn. It would take him a little over a month each way. Legolas planned to stop first at the southern region of his sire's kingdom and take with him those Elves willing to accompany him. Already he received messages from them saying that at least one thousand were waiting patiently for his arrival. Once in Ithilien, he hoped to make the necessary arrangements with Elessar and Faramir, Prince of Ithilien, and oversee the beginning of the preparations. He hoped to stay no more than a month in Ithilien, which would mean a total of three and a half months away from Síriel and his home.

"Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" he whispered to her.

"I have just been informed I bewitched your heart." she replied.

He attempted to kiss her, but they heard the faint sound of the meal bell ringing from the palace. They rose to their feet and made their way leisurely, savoring each other's company. Legolas delighted to hear Síriel sing a love song to him in Sindarin. However, as they entered the palace she ceased her song. They entered the Dining Hall and seated themselves at the high table. Thranduil smiled in greeting. After the meal was over, they spent some time with the King.

"Well, I am quite tired, so I will wish you a goodnight." Síriel said.

Legolas and Thranduil wished her a goodnight's sleep. She went to her room. Just as she was undressing, she was surprised to find Legolas already there, a mischievous look in his sapphire eyes.

"Legolas!" she exclaimed.

"I thought perhaps you wanted help." he teased, undressing.

They made passionate love that night. Legolas rested with her.

The following morning, Legolas awoke to the sound of music. He saw Síriel standing before a table with a music box on it, her feet tapping in time with the music. To his complete delight, she started dancing. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was not elven dancing. The music was not elven, neither was the song, for he could not understand the words she sang. She had tied a sash tightly around her hips so that they were clearly defined. Her hands were moving in intricate patterns. Her movements were fluid, perfectly flowing with the music, especially her hips, which seemed to have a separate existence from the rest of her body. At one point, she bent back and moved her shoulders in a rather seductive manner. For how long he watched her, Legolas knew not.

"That is very dangerous dancing." he told her when she finished.

"It is the way of the Beornings." she said, putting away the box.

He rose from the bed and saw that she had placed for him a pair of leggings and a matching tunic. However, he bathed first before dressing.

"I have some news for you." he told her.

Síriel turned and looked at him.

"I will be leaving today and will not return for some time. There is a matter of utmost importance I must see to." he said.

Her face fell.

"It must be done." he said sadly.

The morning meal that day was silent. Síriel did not eat anything. Thranduil tried to comfort her, but she refused his offer of help. She went with Legolas to the stables as he went to prepare Arod.

"You will return, though?" she asked him tearfully.

"I will. I promise." he told her, kissing her lips tenderly.

He did not linger long with her. As soon as he mounted Arod, he was gone, but not before saying farewell to his sire and Síriel. He sped through the opened gates and did not dare to look back. He feared that his heart would not be able to withstand the look he knew that was on Síriel's face. If only she knew that he was doing this for her!

It took him five days to reach the southern portion of the kingdom and gather to him the Elves willing to go to Ithilien with him. Most of them were males, but there were a few maidens. He was glad that they all had steeds. He feared they would be going on foot, which would slow their journey down considerably. After that, Legolas and his company took to the shortcuts. They rode hard for the next month, stopping only to eat and drink. They rested while they were astride their steeds.

So it was on the morning of the thirty-third day since Legolas had left Síriel, that the Eryn Lasgalen Elves found themselves looking at a white blazing flame. They had reached the Citadel. Word spread quickly through the Circles of the City of their arrival, so that when Legolas and his companions finally reached the steps leading inside the Citadel, they found King Elessar waiting for them with a smile on his fair face.

"Ai, na vedui (at last)! Mae govannen, mellon nín (my friend) Legolas!" he cried.

The elven Prince smiled and embraced Elessar. His people bowed.

He turned at the sound of a familiar gruff voice saying:

"So, the Elf Prince has finally decided to grace us with a visit?"

"Gimli, my dear friend!" Legolas exclaimed, embracing him.

Then all went forth into the Citadel.