Linnah walked quickly into the busy kitchen the next morning. She was on her way to Lady Elessa's chambers. Entering from the servants' quarters, she did not notice Gillel standing on the other side of the kitchen. Her mind was elsewhere and she was terribly late for her duties.

After her bath, she had found it impossible to sleep. Linnah had worried that if she had allowed herself to fall asleep, she would awake thinking it had all been a strange and beautiful dream. So she laid on her tousled sheets instead, replaying the events of the evening over and over in her mind. She could not help but worry that Lord Orlindel would awaken, realizing the maiden in lavender had been her. She had best be careful and avoid him for now.

Linnah's body ached in strange places, but she was more acutely aware of her heart skipping a beat every time she thought of the prince's words..."you must always remember, in my heart you are my Lady and nothing less."

Now crossing the kitchen, questions filled her mind. Could she possibly mean that much to the prince? But questioning that would not be giving herself enough credit and he had admonished her enough for thinking beneath him. She tried not to consider what would happen the next time she saw him. How could she possibly handle his eyes upon her without her knees going to jelly? Could she look upon his mouth without remembering all the places it had traveled on her body? Could she look upon his strong hands without thinking of the way he had touched, grabbed, and caressed her as if she were his Great Bow? In thinking this, the dull ache between her legs became more of an ache of desire. Gillel appeared before her suddenly, cutting off her thoughts of the handsome prince.

"Oh no, Gillel," Linnah thought as she finally saw him. "I hope he does not notice a difference in me."

"Ah, Linnah, there you are. I was wondering when you might show yourself this morning," said Gillel seriously.

"I am sorry for my tardiness, Gillel. Though, I have not the time to speak with you about it."

Gillel raised an eyebrow at her.

"I mean no disrespect, Sir. It is only because I have to yet to attend Lady Elessa this morning and as you have noted I am running a bit late."

"Yes, well I won't keep you long, Linnah...On second thought, let me escort you to Lady Elessa's chambers and then we can talk on the way."

"As you wish, Gillel," said Linnah politely. "Let me first quickly pick up the Lady's morning tray."

Gillel nodded.

Linnah went over to Adriel, who was working near a small oven.

"Where have you been?" whispered Adriel to her friend. "Selihl and I were worried."

"I was in my room, but I can not speak with you about it now. Which one is Lady Elessa's?"

Adriel pointed to the middle of three trays on a nearby counter. Linnah picked up the tray which held various fruits and rolls, a small arrangement of meats and cheeses, a fragrant tea, and an ornately decorated cup and plate. She carried the tray back toward the head butler. Gillel and Linnah left the bustle of the kitchen together and entered the stairway that led up to the Great Hall.

"Tardiness aside, how are you this morning Linnah?" asked Gillel.

"I am well," answered Linnah smiling broadly in spite of herself.

"That is good, then. You seemed very upset yesterday afternoon."

"I did?" Linnah was not sure what he meant. To her best recollection, she had not seen him at all yesterday afternoon.

"Yes. I wanted to speak with you last night on this; I saw you running down the stairs that lead away from the hallway of Prince Legolas's chamber. You were so upset as to not see me. Is there nothing you wish to say to me on that account?"

"Oh," said Linnah trying her best to remember her departure from the Prince's chamber, but her emotions clouded the memory. It was possible that King Thranduil himself could have passed her in that hallway then without her noticing him. "I am sorry I did not see you, Gillel. It's true that I was upset at that time. But...," she tried to think of the best way to put it. "But, it was a foolish misunderstanding on my part and everything has since been put right and as you can see, I am much improved today."

Gillel lifted his eyebrow once again at the young elf. "Oh. Is that so? Are you sure there is nothing else to report on the matter?" He looked at her seriously as they ascended the stairs. He knew she was holding something back and continued, "Please respect my post, Linnah. I am in charge of more than just the King's needs and servant's comings and goings. My duty also encompasses the temperaments of those under my tutelage." He struggled with the right way to word his feelings. In his heart, he worried for Linnah, though he felt it would diminish his station if he admitted this concern for her in a fatherly way.

They were now leaving the kitchen stairway and making their way in the opposite direction of the Banquet Hall, crossing the Great Hall toward the Northern stairway that led up to the royal chambers. Linnah could not keep her eyes from scanning the hall for the prince. She was relieved that she did not see him, as Gillel would surely pick up on her nervousness. She then realized that he was probably still in the meeting he had spoken of, with his father, Aragorn and that mysterious gray wizard.

Gillel continued, carefully choosing his words. "You are an important part of the inner workings of this castle, Linnah. Especially now that Lady Elessa has requested your permanent attendance. I would hate to see any trouble come your way that might distract you from properly fulfilling your duties."

"I appreciate you saying so, Sir. I am honored that the Lady has thought so highly of me. I can assure you it was just my own ignorance that led to the outburst you witnessed yesterday. It shall not happen again, I promise."

They quickly ascended the stairway that lead to the first level of royal chambers. Gillel eyed Linnah suspiciously for a moment. What was she hiding? What had happened in the prince's chambers? "Alright then," he said finally. "See to it that it doesn't and I will assume your tardiness will not happen again as well," said Gillel ending his sentence with a stern look.

"Of course," said Linnah, grimacing. She was forgetting that important detail.

The two reached the doorway to Lady Elessa's chambers. Gillel nodded his good-bye to Linnah and she turned to rap softly on the chamber door.