Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR. I also don't own Caleniel, Cadunír, Rodwen, Thinedhel, Elvellaswen, Gaenír, or Aearoniell; they belong to Tador and Aearoniell, who have given me permission to use their characters for my own twisted ideas.

Lady Caleniel

By: Mika Saito

Chapter 12-

Legolas returned to where he had been standing at the window earlier. He knew Cadunír would question why he was there, but he was sure Caleniel would be fine with him staying while she told her father of what was really happening. Besides, he could be of assistance when they started talking about ways to 'get rid of' Gaenír, he didn't want to think about Caleniel actually killing Gaenír, she seemed to innocent for that. Cadunír smiled at Legolas, a question in his eyes, before he turned to address his daughter.

"What was it you wanted to tell me, my daughter?" Caleniel opened her mouth to speak, remained silent for a moment, and then closed her mouth looking thoughtful. Did she really need to tell her father the truth? Legolas could easily help her without her father knowing, but was it wise to try it? Caleniel glanced anxiously at Legolas. This could be the only time she had a chance to tell her father the truth and request his help.

"It was nothing Father," Caleniel sighed at last. Legolas jerked his head up and looked at her in surprise while her father shot her a worried glance. "Legolas has helped me with the problem father, I didn't mean to worry you," Caleniel continued to weave the lies together smoothly. Legolas had not really helped her solve the problem, yet. Cadunír watched Caleniel for a moment before shaking his head and moving toward the door.

"If you are sure of that, my daughter, then perhaps now would be a good time to make your appearance in the banquet hall." The reminder of where she was supposed to be brought a blush to her cheeks, and a sudden thought to her mind. If they were late for the feast that the King had ordered to celebrate her return than Gaenír was there and had probably noted her absence, as well as the Princes.

"Father. Did Gaenír say anything about my absence?" Caleniel asked carefully.

"Yes, he did. He was about to come and get you, but Rodwen suggested that I find you." He turned to face his daughter. "Why do you ask?"

"Gaenír is fiercely protective of me father, I don't want to upset him with the knowledge that I was talking to the Prince." Caleniel spoke slowly, her mind trying to keep the pieces of the lie together. It would not do her any good to have her father catch a fray edge and get suspicious.

"I won't mention it to him, my daughter, he won't know." Cadunír smiled kindly at her and made to open the door.

"He would put the pieces together on his own, father. No doubt he has noticed that both the Prince and I have been missing thus far, so if we were to both show up after you came to get me he will put the pieces together." Cadunír nodded slowly, seeming like he was going to say something.

"I will go down first. I can tell my father I was lost in thought and lost track of time." Legolas nodded slightly and left before either could say anything in return. Caleniel did not say anything as she took her fathers arm and left the room a few minutes after Legolas had.

Caleniel sipped her wine while she looked around the large white room. Thranduil had apparently changed the private dinner into a celebration, but it was better this way, Caleniel decided. Sure, she had to sit between Gaenír and Rodwen with Aearoniell on the other side of Rodwen and Elvellaswen sitting across from her, but that did not bother her much. Taking another sip of wine Caleniel turned to face Gaenír.

"Gaenír," She pondered. He turned his head to observe her.

"Yes Caleniel?" He asked, raising an elegant eyebrow questioningly.

"Do you think Legolas is sexy?" Gaenír gaped at her in surprise while Elvellaswen burst out laughing.

"I…." Caleniel started, but Rodwen, who had heard her question, clamped her hand over Caleniel's mouth.

"You're engaged to Gaenír," Rodwen hissed in her ear, "it is not a wise idea to ask such thing of him about another elf." Caleniel nodded and Rodwen removed her hand.

"Of course you don't," she said, returning her attention to Gaenír. "You're so much sexier than he is." Gaenír gave her a curious look, glancing at the glance of wine in her hand. Before turning to answer a question Cadunír had just asked him.

"Was that better?" Caleniel asked, giggling, as she turned to face Rodwen. Elvellaswen was laughing softly; causing her to be on the receiving end of several concerned glances from Haldir, who was sitting next to her.

"Yes, you covered your mistake quite well, but I'm sure you'll regret what you said in the morning." Rodwen chuckled.

Caleniel shrugged and turned back to Gaenír, whose attention was on her father, she did not care what happened in the morning, she was having fun tonight.

Remembering Rodwen's, reminder she boldly reached under the table and put her hand on Gaenír's thigh. He did not seem to notice, so she took it a step farther. Slowly she started to rub his thigh, he shot her a curious glance, then ignored her. Smiled drunkenly she rubbed closer to his inner thigh. Gaenír squeaked in surprise and quickly grabbed her hand, entwining their fingers so that she could not keep exploring. Cadunír raised an eyebrow curiously, then just shook his head and continued the conversation he was having with Gaenír. The next moment Gaenír felt a tug on his hand and there was a soft thump. Rodwen and Gaenír turned at the same time to find that Caleniel had fallen out of her chair and now lay laughing in an awkward position on the floor.

People had already begun to rise from the tables to dance, so the embarrassing incident was mostly unnoticed. Gaenír stood and helped Caleniel to her feet, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her from tipping over, as she seemed so adept at it. He excused himself from the conversation with Cadunír, and led Caleniel toward the dance floor.

"Let go Gaenír," she giggled while she tried to pull free of Gaenír's grasp.

"We need to talk, somewhere away from you Father and servant." Gaenír told her, struggling to keep his voice normal.

"What do we need to talk about?" She sighed and resigned herself to being in Gaenír's arms as they danced.

"I want you to stay away from the Prince," Gaenír told her firmly. Caleniel started giggling again.

"And why would I want to do that?" Her words were slurred.

"Your drunk." He sighed. "Go to your room, we'll have to talk about this later." He left her standing in the middle of the dance floor laughing. He went back to the tables and took a seat next to Aearoniell, whispering something in her ear. She glanced at Caleniel who was leaving the room behind another elf who was already too far out of the room to tell who it was.