The dining hall was ablaze in torchlight and movement. Minstrels were playing once again. Elvish songs drifted in the air. Servants were moving quickly around the grand table, pouring wine and laying out platters of food. The king was seated at one end of the long table. To his immediate left were Gandalf the Grey (or Mithrandir as the Elves called him) and Aragorn, Son of Arathorn. At his right hand side were Legolas, his nephew Lord Orlindel and the fair Lady Elessa. Beyond them on either side were other advisors, nobles, Lords and Ladies.
Earlier that evening, upon arriving at the castle, Gandalf and Aragorn had handed over Gollum, kicking and screaming to the palace guards. Linnah had been standing off to one side of the Great Gates singing quietly to herself. Her song was creating images of a blond female elf and a dark haired human male, which swirled in the air before her like smoke. Gollum, taking notice of her and the ghostly images, had become unusually quiet. Feeling his gaze upon her, Linnah at once stopped singing and looked directly at the creature. Gollum had narrowed his eyes at her keenly and a twisted little smile lit up the corners of his sharp toothed mouth. The ranger and the wizard took no notice of the queer interaction and Linnah had run immediately inside.
As soon as they had been assured Gollum was safely locked deep below the castle, Aragorn and Gandalf entered the Great Hall and were greeted by King Thranduil, Prince Legolas and Lord Orlindel. Once the usual pleasantries were exchanged, they had made their way into the Banquet Hall.
The king and Gandalf were now talking at length, catching up on lost time and of news of the outside world.
The kitchen was buzzing with word of who the guests were and why they came. Linnah was standing near the sink and helping to wash dishes with Adriel, trying unsuccessfully to wipe the image of the vile creature from her mind. He had been staring at her with an intensity that burned her soul. She did not hear Meena when she asked her to take a platter of fruit out to the grand table.
"Linnah...Didn't you hear me?" asked Meena, verbally shaking Linnah from her thoughts.
"What was that, Meena?"
"Please take that platter out to the grand table, Dearest."
"Oh. Certainly..., sorry." Linnah dried her hands and picked up the large silver tray. She started to make her way out of the kitchen when Selihl, entering quickly, grabbed a piece of fruit from off the top of her tray.
"Selihl! That's not for you. Go find something in the servants' pantry," said Linnah, scolding her childhood friend. Like Adriel, he was the same age as Linnah and had grown up in the servants' quarters as well. He was Gillel's son and was constantly trying to please him, though more often then naught Gillel failed to notice his accomplishments. He was tall and blond like all of Mirkwood's inhabitants, though his hair was more the color of spun gold and his large blue eyes were flecked with green. When he smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkled, making it seem as if they smiled as well.
Selihl laughed at her and taking a bite, said, "As Lord Orlindel's personal attendant, I believe I am allowed to partake in the royal food."
"Oh, aren't we proud?" mocked Adriel from across the kitchen. "If you are so inclined, why don't you just pull up a chair next to him and then you can eat directly from the king's table?"
Selihl walked over to Adriel and hopping up to sit on the counter next to her said, "I would, but then I would miss out on watching you scrub the dishes...Such fascinating work."
Adriel playfully splashed dish water in his direction. He moved, but not quickly enough and his sleeve took the brunt of the attack.
"Oh! Thanks so much, Adriel," he said sarcastically. "Now I have to change before my father sees me." He jumped off the counter and walked away toward the servants' quarters, shaking his head and keeping his wet arm far from his body.
Linnah and Adriel met eyes, and burst out laughing. Just then, Gillel entered the room and the two ceased immediately.
"Have any of you seen my son?" asked Gillel to the room.
When no one immediately responded, Meena spoke up, "I believe Lord Orlindel sent him on an errand."
"I see. If you see him, please tell him I wish to speak with him when his duties permit."
"Certainly." Then noticing Linnah leave the kitchen, Meena shouted after her, "Linnah, be sure to place that tray near the king."
"Yes, of course," answered Linnah over her shoulder. She carefully carried the tray out of the kitchen, up the short stairway and into the Banquet Hall. Passing a few kitchen servants on their way back, she walked toward the king's end of the table.
Music, laughter and lofty conversation rang about the cavernous hall. Linnah could not help but feel the joy in the air. She smiled to herself. Then it occurred to her, just before she saw him that Lord Orlindel was most likely seated next to the prince and his uncle. Linnah paused momentarily in her tracks. She assured herself that seeing him mattered not and kept walking. The king, the Grey Wizard, who she heard referred to as Mithrandir and the dark-haired ranger were deep in conversation when Linnah approached. The three were leaning in towards each other and in order for Linnah to set down the tray she had to lean in between the king and Prince Legolas. She tried her best to ignore Lord Orlindel, who thankfully was distracted in his own conversation.
"Here, let me help you with that," came a familiar voice. Legolas stood to take the tray from her.
"I've it, My Lord. Thank you," said Linnah politely, leaning forward and placing the tray in front of the king, who paid her no notice.
Legolas, still standing, watched her set the tray down. A stray hair came away from its braided home and Linnah absently tucked it behind her delicately pointed ear. The candle light made her skin softly glow. She fussed with the placement of the tray, making sure it was just within arms reach of the king. Legolas realized that she did this without caring that the king would never notice her hard work. She smiled gracefully to herself when she felt it was just right. The king accidentally dropped his napkin and she picked it up immediately and placed it back near his plate. Again, the king failed to acknowledge her. The graceful smile never faltered, though.
The prince felt a pang of emotion in the pit of his belly. She indeed had grown in grace and beauty and he tried to dismiss his feelings, as it made him uncomfortable to think that he could desire her. And though he was unaware of what had gone on in his own chambers earlier, he was sorry for his cousin's inappropriate behavior the night before.
Linnah straightened up and started to leave. Legolas gently touched her arm. "Linnah," said the prince quietly. Linnah looked down at his hand on her arm and then into his eyes. She could not discern the look on his face. What was it she was reading in those eyes? His hand was so warm on her skin. It was the first time he had ever touched her and for a moment she felt like the room was spinning.
"Yes, My Lord?" asked Linnah softly, looking at him worriedly.
"Ah, I..," the prince began. He couldn't believe he was at a loss for words. He felt the need to apologize for his cousin's behavior. He needed to tell her how beautiful she looked. He needed to tell her...but this was not the time. And then there were her eyes, the way she looked at him with so much worry... His expression changed and he let go of her arm speaking softly, "Please let Gillel know that we need more wine."
Linnah blinked her eyes a few times and stared blankly at the prince. Finally she said, "Oh, of course Your Majesty." She knitted her brows thoughtfully as she walked away towards the kitchen.
Legolas sighed to himself as he watched her walk away. As he sat back down, he noticed Aragorn was watching him. Before anything was said between them, Lord Orlindel asked Aragorn, "So I hear that you lived among Lord Elrond's people? I hear they don't take part in merrymaking, is this true?"
As Aragorn started to reply, the Lady Elessa took the opportunity to lean into the table and ask Legolas, "Prince Legolas, do mind taking a turn with me? I need some fresh air."
"Of course, Elessa," said Legolas, sliding back his chair and standing. He and the Lady excused themselves and proceeded to a side door that led outside to a large balcony overlooking the expansive gardens. The gardens were surrounded by the natural walls of the hallowed out rock and stone. The only way in or out of the gardens would be through the castle. The evening was warm and the air was fragrant with the smells of the cooked foods mingled with the bouquet of the flowers in the well lit gardens just below. The torch light shining out of the dining hall was the only light on the balcony.
As they walked, Legolas offered his arm to Elessa. She took it and they continued for a while in silence.
"What is it, Elessa?" asked Legolas curiously.
"It's nothing, really," answered the Lady, unable to hide a nervous smile.
"Ah, but I know you too well..."
"Aye, Legolas, you do. I am troubled by something, though I am unsure how to speak to you of it."
"Elessa, if you have something to say, speak plainly. I have never known you to hold your tongue in the past," said the prince with a knowing smile. He and the Lady came to the balcony railing. They stopped and leaned against the railing, looking out over the garden.
"It's in regards to Linnah."
"Linnah?" exclaimed Legolas, very surprised. Linnah was the furthest thing he thought would be on Elessa's mind. Was his exchange with her at the table so obvious?
"Yes. I requested her to attend me this evening. She arrived late and much disturbed. When I asked her of where she had been, she told me she had just come from seeing you."
"Seeing me?" asked Legolas confused.
"Yes. She said she had just come from your chambers."
"My chambers?" he wondered to himself. Then the realization of what must have happened suddenly assailed his mind. "Oh no, Orlindel was using my bath. He must have done something."
Lady Elessa watched Legolas's eyes and continued. "I pressed her on the matter, but she would not speak of it. She said that her only reason for being upset was in angering me with her tardiness."
"And you did not believe her reason?" asked Legolas, revealing nothing by his face.
"No. I did not." Elessa was more concerned about getting to the bottom of this, then in insulting the prince. She took a deep breath and asked, "What did you do Legolas?"
"Why do you assume I did anything?" asked Legolas, chuckling nervously. Then to spare Elessa the embarrassment of her husband's actions, he acted aloof and lied, "I remember her saying something about running late to attend you, but any number of things could have occurred between my chambers and yours." Feigning disinterest, he asked, "Besides, what care you for a simple maid servant?"
"Why was a 'simple' maid servant in your chambers, Legolas? You usually do not have anyone attend you."
Legolas smiled at Elessa sweetly and gently placed a hand on her cheek, trying to distract the Lady. He did not recognize her sharp intake of breath at his touch. He was completely unaware of her deeper feelings for him, that she had never fully bonded with her husband in the hopes that someday he might come to her and she then could give that hidden part of her to only him. "Are you jealous, Elessa? Is that what this is about?"
The Lady abruptly brushed away his hand, her inner pain revealing itself in the form of anger. She narrowed her eyes and said, "Do not toy with me, Prince of Mirkwood. I've known you far too long. Linnah is not just some 'simple' maid servant!" She quickly tried to regain her composure and the sharpness left her voice, but not her eyes. She continued, "It did not take a lot of conversation with her for me to realize that she is much more than that. I asked her to be my own personal attendant and as such, Linnah becomes my concern. Especially in cases where you are involved."
Legolas looked back at her stunned. Then he looked away from her angry stare as it hurt him to see her this way. It was getting difficult to hide the truth from her. He sighed and perpetuating his lie said, "Alright Elessa. You are right; Linnah and I were together in my chambers."
The Lady crossed her arms over her chest and watched him intently.
"I can assure you, I did not cause her any harm," he said, still avoided her gaze. "At least that is the truth," he mused silently.
"Are you sure you caused no harm Legolas? When I saw her, her spirit seemed greatly troubled by your 'harmless' interaction."
"What did he do to her?" wondered Legolas worriedly. He was about to excuse himself to confront Orlindel, when looking down, his eyes widened at movement in the distance. It was Linnah. She was walking slowly among the flowers and was well out of earshot of he and the Lady.
Elessa followed his gaze and noticing Linnah as well, said quietly, "I suggest that you offer your apologies to her, Legolas. She deserves whatever kindness you can bestow upon her."
Elessa was right, but for different reasons then his. He then thought of Gillel's visit earlier and his assumption that he had tried something with her. "He must have seen her in the hall before coming into my room. No wonder he thought..." Legolas clenched his teeth and thought, "Orlindel is like a spider in our woods, entangling me in his web of lies."
Linnah was far too innocent for Orlindel's lecherous behavior. And taking into account her youth and bloodline, there was no telling the damage that his cousin had inflicted on her. Without meaning to, he spoke aloud, "You should have seen the look in her eyes in the Banquet Hall. I sensed her worry and confusion and it overwhelmed me."
"Then you have experienced just a taste of what it must feel like for her," said Elessa, her voice soft.
Snapping back in line with his story, Legolas took her hand and brought it up to his lips, giving it a gentle kiss saying, "Thank you, Elessa. Thank you for...protecting my honor by forcing me to set things straight."
"It was not your honor I was thinking of, Legolas. It was hers."
"And it is yours that has caused me to lie," he thought sadly. Outwardly the Elf Prince just nodded in agreement. He bowed slightly to Elessa and left the balcony, heading towards the garden.