"Careful, beautiful one," said Orlindel to the dark maiden in his arms. She seemed familiar to him, but his mind was clouded with drink, blurring his memory and dimming his senses. He released her and stepped back slightly to look her over. The sheer lavender dress she was wearing hugged her frame tightly just to the top of her hips before it flared out loosely, it was especially snug in the chest area. It was low cut and revealed much of her décolletage. Her hair was a cascading mane of dark reddish-brown that flowed over her shoulders to her back. He tried to make out the color of her eyes in the firelight, and was surprised to see that they were dark and not a shade of blue. The lavender mask she was wearing only served to bring out the green in them. He smiled at her, his mind turning over how he could lure her into his bed.

"Oh, thank you," said Linnah, trying to steady herself. Then she stiffened as she looked up into his face. Orlindel wore no mask and she knew immediately who it was that had helped her. She looked around quickly for Selihl and Adriel and realized they had disappeared from the circle of dancers.

"Are you looking for someone? Did you not come alone this evening?" asked Orlindel smoothly.

"Um, no. I didn't. I came with friends, but they seemed to have gone somewhere," replied Linnah, still looking for her friends, but realizing with some relief that the lord had yet to recognize her.

"Well, that matters not. I am here with you now and we can partake in the festivities together," said the handsome lord, smiling broadly. He narrowed his eyes at her and said, "Have we met before?"

Linnah averted his stare and said quickly, "No, that is impossible. I just arrived from Rivendell this afternoon."

"Hmm. That explains your dark tresses." He smiled again. "Come, let us see how a maiden of Rivendell dances," said Orlindel jovially, taking Linnah's goblet from her and setting it on the ground with his. He took her hands and led her to the circle.

Legolas stood and as he watched them move toward the center of the circle, near the fire, he helped himself to a goblet of wine. It was obvious by their exchange that Orlindel had not recognized her. He was now dancing Linnah in circles in time with the lively music. Legolas drank deeply from his cup and followed Linnah with his eyes. Orlindel seemed to be behaving himself and Linnah seemed to be safe for the time being, dancing in his company. He looked over at Aeron and was not surprised to see that he was already engaged in conversation with another maiden.

A very intoxicated lady came over to the prince and wrapped her arms around his waist. She kissed him hard on the lips and seductively said, "Come with me outside the clearing."

Legolas gently pushed the lady away from him and replied apologetically, "I am sorry, not tonight my lady...Maybe another time."

The lady pouted, but complied and ran off to find another more willing partner. Legolas looked back at the dancing elves, but Orlindel and Linnah were gone. He immediately scanned the area for them, but to no avail. He noticed Linnah's friends sitting against a tree on the far side of the clearing. He crossed through the crowd to them. They were kissing and did not notice him immediately. He cleared his throat loudly and Selihl turned his head to look up. Adriel was still kissing Selihl's face and neck and only stopped when she realized that Selihl had gone rigid under her lips.

"Selihl, what is...it? Oh, by the Valar," said Adriel as she followed Selihl's eyes to the prince's face. Neither of them was drunk as yet and could easily distinguish the prince's features under his mask.

"Oh, um, we...that is I...," said Selihl nervously, jumping to his feet. Adriel followed suit and held onto Selihl tightly as if to shield herself from the presumed wrath of the prince. "Your Highness...," continued Selihl trying to think of the right words to say.

Legolas put up a hand to stop the outflow of babbling and said, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. I have a more pressing matter to discuss."

Selihl and Adriel visibly relaxed and looked at him eagerly.

"Have you seen Linnah?"

"Linnah, your Majesty?" asked Selihl a little taken aback.

"Yes, Linnah. I know she came here with you. She seems to have disappeared. Did you see where she went?"

Selihl and Adriel honestly had no idea where Linnah was and they told him so.

"She was last with Orlindel, are you sure you haven't seen her?"

"Lord Orlindel is here?!" asked Selihl shocked. "Oh no, we had better leave. I'm wearing his clothes!"

"Are you sure she was with Orlindel?" asked Adriel worriedly. She had never told her friends about her own encounter with the lord. It wasn't the most pleasant experience and truth be told, she just wanted to forget it ever happened.

"Yes. I suggest you two leave for your own sake. If I see Linnah I will tell her why you left and will escort her back to the castle myself."

"Thank you, your Highness," said Selihl hurriedly. He then took Adriel's hand and led her quickly from the clearing. As they left, Adriel turned back to look at the prince, projecting her thoughts inside his head. "Find her, please find her."

Legolas nodded in the affirmative and turned to look outside of the circle.