The merrymaking circle was in full swing. About twenty off-duty guards, several nobles, and a few lords and ladies of the castle were fully enjoying the warm glow of the fire, the music being played by a few drunken minstrels and the barrels of Dorwinion wine that someone had snuck out of the castle.
As Linnah, Selihl and Adriel emerged from the woods, masks in place, no one took any particular notice of them, except for a drunken guard, who walked up to Selihl and bowed deeply, slurring the words, "Mhy lurd."
Linnah and Adriel had to cover their mouths to hide their laughter as the guard kept stumbling past them.
"See?" said Selihl. "Not a problem." He turned to Adriel and bowing formally, asked, "Will the lady honor me with a dance?"
Adriel curtsied politely and replied, "I would be honored, my lord." She squealed in delight as he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the circle of bodies moving in rhythm around the fire.
Linnah watched them dance for a minute, a huge smile on her face, unaware that she herself was being watched. A handsome, masked guard approached her and asked her to dance. She accepted and he took her hand and led her to the circle around the fire.
Unlike the formal dances inside the castle, there was no rhyme or reason to the movements of the dancers. Some were dancing close, while others slightly separate from their partners. Linnah's partner pulled her close and she could feel the heat of his body under his tunic as he moved. The music changed and the beat got faster and faster. Linnah started to feel a little dizzy as the guard spun her around and skipped in time. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Selihl and Adriel laughing as they tried to keep up.
After a moment, the music slowed once again and Linnah had time to catch her breath. She looked up into the guard's smiling face and clear blue-gray eyes and started laughing as well. The guard asked her if she would like to take a break, so he might introduce himself properly. She nodded her head and they stepped out of the dancing circle. He motioned to an area across the clearing were they could sit and talk.
"You dance very well, my lady," said the guard jovially as they walked.
"Thank you, so do you," replied Linnah, sitting on the low grass next to a tree. The guard was about to sit next to her and then asked, "May I get you a drink?"
"Yes, thank you, I would like that."
She watched him move over the soft grass to where the wine was being served. Another of the king's guards was handing out large goblets filled with the sweet smelling nectar. She watched him take two and return to her. She then realized that he looked familiar to her, but she couldn't quite make out who he was under the mask. "My lady," he said as he handed her a filled goblet. He sat down next to her.
Linnah took the goblet and taking a sip, looked around the clearing at everyone. Several elves were dancing with Adriel and Selihl. A few had coupled and were sitting around on the large roots at the foot of the enormous trees surrounding the circle, talking or being more intimate. Some were sitting near the minstrels enjoying the music and others were just milling about through the small crowd. Linnah was slightly surprised to see that some of the couples were a mix of guards and higher ladies of the court.
The wine was extremely potent and after just a few sips she was feeling its warming effects. The guard leaned in close to her and said, "My name is Aeron. I have not seen you at our circles before. What is your name and where are you from?"
"Um..." Linnah looked into her goblet for an answer. Quickly she replied, "Rivendell, my lord."
"Rivendell?" asked Aeron thoughtfully. "I don't recall receiving any visiting parties from Rivendell recently. You would think a Captain of the Guard would know these things."
Linnah's eyes opened wide and she said quickly, "Oh, I forgot something that I left over on the other side of the clearing." She stood abruptly and said, "I'll be right back."
The guard looked puzzled and said, "Alright, if you must. Hurry back, please. I am very interested in knowing you, fair lady."
Linnah turned away from his warm smile and striking good looks. She made her way quickly across the clearing. But, just before reaching the other side, a tree root tripped her step. She felt her balance give and she started to fall. Before she made contact with the ground, strong arms caught her and held her firmly upright.
Legolas was never one to wear a mask to the merrymaking circles, but tonight was an exception. Extra masks had been laid out for those who wanted them and before he was noticed, he quickly grabbed one and put it on. He had watched Linnah dancing with Aeron, who was not only the Captain of the Guard, but the King's favorite of all his command. The prince had been frozen to his spot by the very sight of Linnah dancing. Her sheer dress was long and had flowed about her feet. He had never seen her dressed in this manner and she looked beautiful. Her dark hair was free of restraints and it had flown behind her on the breeze caused by her movements. He had felt the sudden urge to cut in just so he could run his hands through it.
He had seen them stop and move to sit down across the clearing. Linnah then had stood up abruptly and left quickly, walking into the crowd. The prince had lost sight of her briefly and moving in the same direction, he now saw her being held close by some lord. He quickened his step and made his way through the crowd toward her.
"Oh no," he thought, as he realized the lord holding Linnah was Orlindel. He stopped in his tracks and quickly thinking that his hastiness could cause her identity to be revealed, he moved nearer to a tree next to him. He squatted down next to one of its large roots and watched them carefully, ready to intervene if Orlindel made one false move.