Legolas entered his room. He had come by way of the North end of the hall, just missing Linnah running from his chambers. He had been reading quietly in the library, but realized he really needed to take a bath and wondered if Orlindel was done using his wash room.

"Are you finished in there, Orli?" called Legolas as he stepped into his chambers.

Orlindel smiled to himself and answered, "Not quite, but I will get out of your way." He wrapped a towel around his waist and gathering up his clothes, exited the bathing room.

Legolas looked at him and asked, "So was my bath to your liking?"

"Very much, thank you."

Legolas noticed something odd about the look in his cousin's eye and asked, "Is there something you are not telling me?"

Orlindel laughed and said, "You are so suspicious, Legolas. I have nothing to hide."

Legolas eyed him carefully. "Knowing you as I do, Orlindel, I refuse to believe that."

Orlindel just smiled and walked away, waving good-bye over his shoulder. "See you at the evening meal."

The prince watched his cousin depart with an unsettling feeling. Though he loved him dearly, he was ashamed of Orlindel's exploits and wished that he would control his urges and be a proper husband to Elessa. She deserved better from him. Legolas looked down on the bed and noticed his weapons laying there askew. He was puzzled. Ethas never just left them on the bed. Legolas shrugged, shook his head and walking into his bathing chamber, began removing his clothes.

Gillel was just on his way to inquire after the prince, when he saw Linnah run past him at the entrance to the stairway. He let her go without question, but made a mental note to ask her about it later. The king had asked Gillel to have Legolas meet him in his throne room before the evening meal. The only reason the king had given was that he had a private matter to discuss with the prince.

Gillel came to the prince's chambers. The door was ajar. Clearing his throat loudly, he knocked on the door frame. "Your Highness?" asked Gillel.

"Yes, Gillel. Come in," answered Legolas from somewhere inside his room.

Gillel entered the prince's empty room and made his way into the bathing chamber. Legolas was now naked and refilling his bath. Gillel took no particular interest in the prince's lack of clothing. He had seen it all, during his hundreds of years attending the head royals. Nothing surprised him anymore.

Gillel stood next to the prince's tub and clasped his hands behind his back. The prince did not turn to look at him. "Your Highness, the king wishes to speak with you before tonight's feast," said Gillel.

"Regarding what?"

"His Majesty did not supply that information. I would think, though, that it might have something to do with the guests that are arriving this evening."

"His chambers or the throne room?" asked Legolas, now stepping into the fresh water.

"The throne room, sir."

"I see. Well, let him know I will be there shortly," said the prince, resting back inside of the tub.

"Very good, Your Highness," said Gillel, bowing. He was turning to leave, when the prince stopped him.

"Gillel?"

"Yes, Your Highness," answered Gillel as he turned back to face the prince. Legolas looked up at the familiar attendant.

"I need to speak with you for a moment." He motioned for him to sit down on the stool. Gillel took the seat Linnah had just moments ago occupied and waited for the prince to speak.

"You have known me all my life and I trust you implicitly." Legolas paused. "I have been turning something over in my mind for some time and it still persists to haunt me..."

"Go on."

Legolas hesitated for a moment and then asked bluntly, "Do you think that I shall be a good king?"

Gillel was taken aback by his question. "Your Highness, though my opinion is of little consequence, I believe that you will." He pressed him a little. "Why do you ask?"

"I feel like there is something on the horizon that beckons me, pulling me away from my duties here. I wish that I had been given the gift of foresight...But, alas I am not so fortunate." He paused again and looked at Gillel seriously. "I don't feel comfortable mentioning this to my father, but I am not sure that I will take the throne if and when it becomes available."

"Your Highness, surely..."

Legolas interrupted him with a deep sigh. "Please don't be so formal, Gillel. It is something I have never gotten used to all these years. You've known me all my life and more than anyone, after 521 years, you've earned the right to call me by my first name," said Legolas.

"All right, if you wish it. Though, after 865 years, I know no other way," replied Gillel smiling. Legolas smiled back and Gillel continued, "Though others are beginning to leave our shores, your father has no immediate plans to leave and there are more than enough years left for you to decide about the throne, Legolas." The butler looked at him evenly and sighed, continuing softly, "I know that you are more comfortable outside these walls then in, but things may change. In the meantime, you must do what is expected of you. Your father leans heavily on you to support his decisions. He respects your opinion, but he needs you as his ally. You are right not to tell him of your feelings just yet." He paused thoughtfully and said, "I am not sure what it is, but something has been troubling your father these last few days."

"I have noticed it too," said Legolas. He leaned forward in the bath. "Thank you for speaking with me so frankly, Gillel. I will meditate on this more." Gillel started to rise from the stool, but Legolas made a motion with his hand to stop him. "I have something else to ask you."

"Yes?"

"About Linnah."

"Linnah?"

The prince nodded his head.

"The handmaiden?"

The prince nodded again.

Gillel furrowed his thick, blond eyebrows perplexed. "What would you like to know?"

"Is she...intimately acquainted with anyone that you know of?"

Gillel assumed he knew where this line of questioning was going. It was not the first time a royal had inquired about someone under his supervision, in fact he was fielding questions from Lord Orlindel regularly. In these matters, he usually tried to keep his distance, but Linnah was an entirely different matter. In a way he felt fatherly towards her, being that he had some hand in raising her. Linnah though, was not aware of Gillel's feelings towards her, as Gillel never expressed it outwardly.

"Legolas, she is so innocent...," said Gillel, trying to find the right words.

"I am aware of that," said Legolas.

Gillel sighed softly and said, "No, she is not intimate with anyone I am aware of."

The prince visibly relaxed at this answer and said, "Very good. I am pleased to hear of it."

Gillel wondered why Legolas was so interested in Linnah's private affairs and then suddenly he thought: Linnah running down the stairs looking upset, the prince's door wide open, finding the prince naked upon his arrival.

"Your Majesty," he began, speaking formally again, "She is truly unspoiled. Please tell me you didn't..."

"By the Valar, no Gillel! What do you take me for?" said the prince surprised. He was confused as to why Gillel would assume he would try something of an insidious nature with her. Especially when it was his cousin he was worried about.

"Your Highness, I am sorry if I have offended you," said Gillel quietly.

"Look, I appreciate your concern, but Linnah is in no danger from me Gillel, I assure you. Worry not, my friend."

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Gillel rising to leave. "I will leave you now so you may make ready."

"Thank you, Gillel," said the prince kindly. Gillel bowed to the Prince. As he left the room, he worried for Linnah. Orlindel had asked about her earlier and now the prince was making inquiries. Should he question her about what had happened and possibly subject her to embarrassment and humiliation? Or should he just let this be? It was all very unsettling and the butler, not sure what to do, made his way slowly down the hall, back toward the stairs.