CHAPTER 15

A/N Yes. I am a bad, bad author. My great apologies. I hope you can all still enjoy this.

Elenya sat between her parents at the grand table awaiting the second course of their meal. She was shy and quiet, unsure of how much she risked to draw attention to herself. Her mother was being social enough for both of them and for that, Elenya was thankful. She imagined these noble dinners would become easier with time, but at the moment it was all too new without the added weight of her week in seclusion.

Alatariel had been very helpful, giving Elenya a very quick brief on how to behave at dinner while she dressed her and helped set her hair. Elenya had learned a lot about her in that short amount of time. Alatariel had not been offended when asked to bed the Prince Thranduil. When she was younger the ritual was still commonly known and Alatariel felt honored to be chosen. They talked about Legolas, and how Elenya might feel some emotional ties to him right now. Alatariel gave Elenya the same advice Thranduil had given Legolas. Give it time, and clear their heads from the birthday ritual before making hasty decisions.

Legolas was sitting at the other end of the table, opposite his father. He had managed to keep a very lively conversation with Elenya's mother. It was difficult trying not to keep his eyes from wandering over to Elenya, but he tried not to be obvious. Unfortunately, if his father's pointed and amused look was anything to go by, he was failing miserably.

Feryn, Legolas noticed since he sat down, was unusually silent. His only spoke when spoken to, though answering with every bit of noble grace. His untouched wine and barely eaten first course had Legolas wondering if he were merely feeling ill.

"Are you alright, my friend?" Legolas inquired.

Feryn's head turned up from the table to look at him. "I am sorry if I have worried you, Legolas. I am not ailed by any illness."

"Are you worried about your little brother then? He will be back from his patrols in a few days. If you wish to join him you could ride out in the morning."

Feryn smiled, though it did not meet his eyes. "All is well, Legolas. I am just not much company tonight."

Alatariel has been listening to some of the conversation from the other end of the table where she had resigned from a conversation involving her husband, Elenya's father, and Thranduil.

"Is something wrong, Feryn?" Alatariel asked.

"No mother, all is well."

If not for the grace of an Elf, Elenya might have choked on her wine at hearing those words.

Still, her somewhat startling motion with the wineglass caught Feryn's attention enough to look up at her with a look on his face Elenya could not decipher.

"Are you alright, Elenya?" Alatariel asked taking in the direction his son's eyes were focusing.

Elenya hesitated slightly, Feryn's look seemed almost frightened, and she didn't know what he was trying to tell her. Everyone at the table had stopped their conversation and was looking at her expectantly.

"I am fine, Alatariel thank you." She was at a loss for words after that.

The table was quiet for a moment before Thranduil asked Alatariel's husband what wonderful things they could expect from the second meal. The other tables filled with nobility on either side of theirs had quieted momentarily also, but resumed their conversations when they heard the King speak.

Elenya was in thoughtful silence as the talking resumed around her. She had never asked Alatariel who her two sons were. She had seen her that night of Legolas' birthday sitting at the head table with the King and her husband. But how would she have guessed Feryn was her son. Legolas had just said that Feryn's younger brother was patrolling. That meant Feryn was Alatariel's oldest son, and therefore, the son of Thranduil. Right?

As Elenya sat wrapping her head around all she had just learned, Legolas sat at the end of the table in a full conversation with Feryn. He had the distinct impression the captain was trying to distract him. And the young Prince knew there was something that had just transpired that he had missed. He glanced at his father for a moment, but Thranduil was now asking Anethir about a newly appointed tailor that moved to the land from Rivendell.

After dinner, the guests moved into the adjoining courtyard and listened to each other sing in turn. Legolas wanted to get Elenya by herself for a moment and ask about the incident at dinner. After some time had passed and he felt it would not be impolite to separate from the group for a short while, he caught her attention and motioned her to follow him.

Elenya stood up slowly and bowed to her parents slightly before disappearing behind some of the curtains separating the courtyard from the forest. She saw Legolas at the distance and moved towards him.

"My lady," she heard someone say behind her. She turned and saw Feryn walking towards her. "Your mother has agreed to sing the next song, will you not come back?"

Legolas had already made his way next to Elenya.

"If you please, Feryn, I would just like to speak to Elenya alone for a moment."

"Surely you can wait until a more appropriate time when you are not both the guests of honor at tonight's festivities."

"As I said, it would just be a moment."

Legolas was starting to become angry until he saw the look in Feryn's eyes. He had never seen Feryn show any fear. But he could not find any other word to describe the look in his friend's eyes at that moment.

"Feryn, what is wrong?'

"You don't want the guests to get the wrong impression do you?"

"The wrong impression about what? What is this all about?"

Elenya could hear the voice of her mother singing coming out from the courtyard.

"If you will excuse me, my Lords, I do not want to disrespect my mother." And with a quick bow she returned to the guests.

"Feryn," Legolas looked at his oldest friend with incomprehension. "speak to me. We do not hold secrets from each other do we?"

Legolas saw a look of pain flash before his friend's eyes at that moment. But before he could question him further, Feryn had turned and all but ran back through the curtains to rejoin the party. Legolas was left outside alone with a head full of questions and doubts.

A/N okay. Next chapter will be up in less than a month. Less than two weeks if I can help it. Now that the big secret is out (i.e. I figured out how I was going to get it out) the rest is already written in my head. Kudos, to all those who guessed at my secret twist. I did try to leave clues without being overtly obvious.