Aarien stood outside the queen's chambers and took a deep breath. Today was the day she would meet the queen. She had been working for Queen Ismilaien for two days now, but the queen had always been unavailable, but had promised to meet her today. Aarien knocked softly on the door.
"Come in" came the voice from inside.
Aarien slowly opened the door, and stepped inside.
"Good Morning Aarien. I am sorry I have not had the chance to remind myself of you. The last time I saw you, you were only a little elleth." The Queen got up from her bed and came over to Aarien. She held her at arms length.
"You look just like your mother." Ismilaien said after a pause. "Has my son been to see you yet?"
"Yes my lady. Yester-eve"
"Can you brush my hair please?" asked the Queen, "It is too long you see, and I cannot do it myself"
"Of course, my lady"
Aarien went and got the brush from the dresser while Ismilaien sat down on the chair. She began to brush the Queen's blonde hair in long smooth strokes.
Flashback
Aarien laughed as Legolas chased her through the forests of Mirkwood. He was hot on her heels as she rounded a corner and found herself right in front of a river. Legolas came flying around the corner and tackled her to the ground. They rolled down the riverbank until they landed with a splash in the river. Aarien fought her way to the surface, and found Legolas treading water next to her, laughing. Brushing her hair out of her eyes, she glared at Legolas.
"Ooh, you are going to be in big trouble" she said.
"With who?"
"Me!" she yelled, before dunking him under the surface of the river.
He fought his way back to the surface.
"And why is that?" he said as he coughed up water.
"Do you know how long it takes me to get these knots out of my hair? You my friend will be brushing it for me" She swam to the edge and pulled herself out of the river, her dress weighing her down. She undid her bodice enough to free the brush she had hidden in it, and laced herself back up again.
"Here" she said to Legolas, as he climbed out the river.
He took it, laughing at her.
"Sit down then" he said.
She flopped down onto the grass, curling her legs beneath her. Legolas began to brush it, gently loosening the knots in her hair.
"I see what you mean," he said, grunting as he loosened a particular knot.
End Flashback
"Aarien?" asked Ismilaien, breaking her from her daydream.
"Yes my Lady?"
"Are you alright child?"
"Yes my lady. I apologise, I was lost in thought"
"You appeared to be asleep, I hope my talk did not send you to sleep!"
"No my lady, I am sorry"
Ismilaien nodded but did not say anything. She knew of what Aarien saw when she was daydreaming. She knew that Aarien and her son were childhood friends, but she did not think that they were so close to each other. Ismilaien turned back so that Aarien could continue with the brushing and sighed. She would need to speak to Thranduil about this.
Several hours later Legolas was pacing his bedroom floor. All night his thoughts had only been of Aarien. His dreams had only been of Aarien. Why could he not get her out of his mind?
Because you love her, said a voice in his head.
You cannot prove that, said another.
Legolas shook his head. He went over to his bed and sat on it, putting his head in his hands.
"What am I to do?" he said into the silence.
There was a knock at the door.
"Son?" asked Thranduil, "Are you in there?"
"Yes adar" Legolas sighed.
Thranduil entered the room, closing the door behind him.
"Son, why have you not attended the feast? Your mother is asking for you"
"I am simply not hungry, adar"
"I know there is more to it than that Legolas, but if you will not tell me..." Thranduil turned to go. He stopped, resting his hand on the doorknob.
"Is it because Aarien is back?" he asked.
Legolas' breathing quickened.
"No adar"
"Do not try to blind me with lies Legolas, I can see past them"
"Seeing her, adar, has made me remember the times when... when."
"When you loved her," the King said sadly.
Legolas watched him, noticing the change in his father.
"I have noticed this Legolas. Why do you think I sent her to Rivendell?"
"YOU sent her to Rivendell, I thought she went there because her mother wanted to be near her father, Elrond"
Thranduil sighed.
"That was what she was told, and you it seems"
"You lied to me! If she had stayed, I might have actually had a chance for love. Instead you throw me at this Lady Arariel, in the hope that I might marry her!"
"I am sorry my son. I did what I thought was best..."
"What you thought was best?" Legolas got up from the bed and walked over to the balcony, seething.
He leaned on the railing, staring at the grounds below.
"I see that you may need sometime alone, I shall leave you, and advise your mother as to why you did not join us for dinner"
Legolas made no reply, but instead focused on a maiden walking through the grounds.
Thranduil left, leaving his son to his thoughts.
Aarien! Legolas thought as he watched her step into a pool of light. Her features were emphasized by the moonlight as she continued walking back to her hut. Legolas turned away from the railing and walked back inside, his mind swimming with what his father told him. Sighing he sat down on the bed and resumed his position, with his head in his hands.
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