It was evening in the late autumn of the year 3017, or the season of Firith as it was known to the elves, during the Third Age of Middle Earth. Although much of the world around them was uneasy with the possibility of war, a great feast was taking place in the Banquet Hall deep inside Mirkwood Castle.
Isolated in the northern part of Mirkwood Forest and completely built inside of a mountain, Mirkwood Castle was a cavernous place, though not as dark and dank as those of the dwarf lords. The Entrance Hall, gently sloping downward into the Great Hall, was floored in polished green marble. The floor beyond into the Banquet Hall was that of dark, hardwood. In the Great Hall, gigantic columns of carved white stone towered high to the cavern's ceiling, which was left rough in it's natural form. Elvish markings and etchings wound their way around these columns, retelling stories of old. The Great Hall was brightly lit with large torches and smelled of clean rain and forest leaves. Though the castle and all its halls and chambers were built within the mountain, the air inside was fresh and clean.
There were several balconies located at the rear of the castle, one of which was just outside the Banquet Hall and overlooked a large garden. The expansive garden was itself encased in the surrounding mountain. One could reason that this mountain could have once been a volcano, as the opening at its peak was large enough to let in sunlight and moonlight, but because of elven magic, not large enough to cause concern of a security weakness. In fact, if one was near the opening from the outside, they would walk right over it, thinking it solid.
The Banquet Hall was now fully alive, lit by torches and candlelight. Jovial music was being played in one corner by the King's minstrels. Lords and Ladies sat with other nobility, talking and eating at a long table capable of seating a hundred guests or more. King Thranduil and his son Prince Legolas, sat at the head of this table. Servants bustled around it, bringing platters of richly smelling food and refilling goblets with potent wine.
One of these servants was an half-elven maiden with looks unusual to Mirkwood. Her name was Linnah and the wavy hair that hung softly to the center of her back was a deep mahogany brown. Her body, unlike the others in the castle, held more curves. Her face was slightly rounder than most others, but her complexion, like all of Mirkwood's inhabitants, was fair. Though those around her hadeyes in varying shades of blue, hers were a hazel mixture of green and brown. It was with these hazel eyes that she glanced up the long table at the prince.
Prince Legolas was sitting about fifteen seats away from where Linnah was now standing. He was talking with the Lady seated to his immediate left. As Linnah watched him, she poured wine into a Lord's goblet.
The prince was very animated in some retelling of events. His smile was warm and genuine, but his eyes twinkled with a slightly mischievous light. He was obviously now teasing the Lady, because she was shaking her head and giggling into her napkin.
Linnah made her way to the next empty goblet and as she poured, allowed herself yet another tentative glance up at the prince. Legolas was drinking deeply from his goblet, but above the rim, his crystal blue eyes were now fixed on her. Linnah gasped inwardly and immediately cast her eyes away. She tried hard to concentrate on her task at hand, but she could still feel his eyes upon her. The color started to rise in her cheeks and feigning an empty pitcher, she turned away from the table and headed toward the kitchen.
Linnah made it about three quarters of the way out of the hall, before she felt soft breath on the back of her neck.
"Why are you leaving? It is plainly visible that your pitcher is only half empty and goblets are waiting to be filled."
"I apologize, my Lord," said Linnah turning to face who she thought was the prince. "I, I..." She found it difficult to form words as to her surprise, it was Lord Orlindel, not Prince Legolas that now met her eyes. It was amazing how alike their voices sounded.
Lord Orlindel was the king's nephew. He had returned earlier that day from spending several months serving as an advisor to Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel in The Golden Wood. Though he was married to Lady Elessa, an elf of kind heart and gentle nobility, he was himself arrogant and egotistic. It was also no secret among the servants and a few others in the castle that he was prone to indiscretions with several maidens on staff.
Linnah's height stopped at his chest and he looked down at her with a smug smile. His face was fair and regal with a strong jaw line and cleft chin. His eyes were the color of sapphires and his lids were heavy from his apparent over indulgence in drink.
"I...," she repeated, stepping back slightly. She abruptly found herself backed against a large column.
"Yes, we've established that," said Orlindel lightly.
"...Was just going back to the kitchen to ask Meena something."
"Meena is over there," said Orlindel smoothly, motioning to the king's end of the banquet table without turning his head.
"Oh, so she is. Um, well then, I will await her in the kitchen," said Linnah nervously. She curtsied to the Lord. "I beg your leave, my lord."
Orlindel laughed at her nervousness and said, "If your question to her is that important, I will grant your leave." Then, before Linnah could move, he dropped the tone in his voice and whispered suggestively, "But why don't you bring some of that wine to my chambers later? My wife will retire to her private chambers straight away after the meal."
Linnah turned a deep shade of red and thinking quickly answered, "My Lord, I'm afraid that would not be possible. I will be needed in the kitchen after the meal...and as it takes several hours to clean up entirely, I would be remiss in keeping you waiting." She then added, "Though, I could have someone else bring it to you."
"Nay Linnah, I fear the wine would not be as sweet if delivered by someone else's hand." Placing his hands on the column on either side of Linnah's head, he leaned his body in dangerously close and said, "I have yet to show anyone what I have brought back from Caras Galadhon, wouldn't you like to be the first to see?"
"I believe I would like to be the first, cousin," came a firm voice from behind the lord's back. Orlindel straightened immediately and turned to face Legolas. The prince eyed him carefully, waiting for a response.
"Some other time, perhaps?" said Orlindel with a smirk.
Legolas turned his attention to Linnah. "I believe Meena was looking for you. You will find her in the kitchen."
Linnah curtsied politely and left. It wasn't until she was inside the busy kitchen that she noticed her hands were shaking and her heart was beating furiously.
When Linnah was out of earshot, Legolas glared at his cousin. "You shame yourself. She is but a child, Orlindel."
"Do not speak as if you were not also watching her this evening. I saw you Legolas. You've noticed the changes in her as much as I. Linnah is certainly no longer a child, quite the contrary. She is more than ready to engage in..." he raised an eyebrow, "merrymaking."
Legolas looked at him in disgust. "You will find your wife on the balcony, Orlindel. I have spared her eyes from your activities this evening, yet again."
Orlindel smiled broadly and started to walk past the prince. He stopped and leaned his face in close to Legolas, whispering in his ear, "You have to wonder though, cousin, if there is a difference with one such as her." Before Legolas could respond, the lord placed his hand over his heart, bowed his head deeply and departed.
Legolas watched him leave and shuddered with the thought of Orlindel touching Linnah. He sighed and turned to look towards the stairs that led down to the kitchen. He would never admit it, but Orlindel had touched on the truth. The prince had watched Linnah with much interest, though from afar all these long years and had indeed noticed a change of late in Linnah's appearance and demeanor. By all elven standards she was far past adolescence and old enough to...
"Would the prince honor me with a dance?" asked a Lady, jarring Legolas from his thoughts.
He smiled charmingly and answered, "Of course. It would be my honor, my lady."