Well here's chapter 6. This was originally part of the last chapter, but it was just too long to be manageable so I had to cut things. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, I love hearing from you guys, and your encouragement always keeps me going. Please feel free to email me, my address is on my profile page, or leave a review when you've read this.
Thanks to María (Thuriniel) and Khazar, my fabulous betas, without whom I'd be lost!
Hope you all enjoy this, take care,
Ems
A Bump In The Night
Eldirn did not want to be at the festival.
She had made that clear to her father and mother constantly for several weeks before the event, ever since her mother had decided that she needed a new dress and began cutting, stitching and hemming. When Eldirn had first tried it on and caught her image in a mirror, she was horrified by the expanse of skin that was exposed across the chest. She and her mother fought over that for many hours that night and for all the next day, until Eldirn declared that she would not be going to the festival with the dress like that. Rodwen, [Noble woman] desperate for her daughter to leave the house and meet new people, gave in and the level was raised. Eldirn was pleased when the dress was finished, and thanked her mother, but she felt worse was to come.
The day of the festival dawned bright, hot and sticky. Eldirn was woken by her mother. "Come come, Eldirn, there is much to do today," Rodwen called amiably as she roused her daughter from her dreams. Eldirn rolled over trying to hide from the bright Sun and the stifling heat. Rodwen pulled the soft sheet from the bed, the only thing covering Eldirn's naked body and Eldirn snatched at it in vain. She curled up in a ball to try and preserve her modesty, but her mother admonished her, "Honestly sellen [my daughter] I have never met an elf so modest as you. It is unnatural!"
Rodwen tossed a robe at Eldirn before leaving the room. Eldirn pulled the robe around her shoulders and stood up. Her mother had left her a bowl of warm water to wash her face . She knew she would be taken to the bathing houses later. She detested that place. To have to walk around naked brought her shame, not pleasure; she would prefer to soak in the little tin bath her father had bought her as a present when she came of age. Other relatives sent jewellery or other fine gifts, but her favourite was the simple bath, a present that spoke of great thought and love. She did not think anyone had been so happy to receive a plain bit of tin ever, except perhaps a dwarf.
Eldirn put on a simple dress and joined her parents to breakfast. She could not conceive how it would take an entire day for them to be ready for the feast that evening, but if anyone could spent hours getting ready it was her mother. Eldirn envied her father who would be out of the house working for the King and being useful for many hours yet to come.
During the morning a crowd of other mothers and daughters arrived. Their only discussion was of dresses and who would dance with whom. The news from the Halls was that Galuwen had claimed the first dance with the only unmarried member of the Royal Family. There was much excited talk of Legolas, and Eldirn did not want any part of it. She when they had been children, and played together for a few years. And she knew enough about Legolas' character to know that he was probably forced to ask Galuwen to dance by his father. If what her father had told her about Legolas being in serious trouble for an incident in Rivendell was true, then that seemed more than likely; Thranduil had always found interesting ways to punish his son. There was nothing about spending time with Galuwen that was not a punishment.
Eventually, everyone left and her mother bustled about clearing things away. Eldirn helped her with the cups and the leftover pieces of cake and washing. They had a small lunch together and another, tiny fight about the bathing house. Eldirn firmly did not want to go, but her mother was not giving her a choice. They would go early to avoid the crowds of people, a concession to Eldirn to get her to go, and hopefully miss the storm that Rodwen felt sure would materialise from the empty blue sky.
They eventually left in the middle of the afternoon, Eldirn with a face like thunder and the sky mirroring her looks. They entered the baths, which were starting to fill, just as the sky began to crack and the lightning fork down to the ground. Eldirn hurried as she washed her body, spending almost no time soaking in the warm water. Her mother was talking away to someone she had not seen for several months, so when Eldirn had washed her hair and rinsed it clean she felt safe enough sneaking out of the water and drying quickly. She was soon sitting in her robe on a bench that surrounded the pool, waiting for her mother,
lost in thought about her studies.
The storm had stopped by the time her mother left the water and dried herself, still talking to the other elf. It was late afternoon when they returned to their home and Eldirn set about getting dressed. She carefully brushed her hair so it would dry without tangles. Her hair lay thick and damp down the centre of her back, leaving a slowly growing wet patch in the middle of the light brown robe. Her mother bustled in with the dress Eldirn was to wear on a wooden hanger, hung it from the rail that surrounded Eldirn's bed and picked up her daughter's hairbrush. Despite Eldirn's protestation her mother furiously brushed her hair once more and then wrapped it in rags so it would dry with some curls
Eldirn knew it was a hopeless quest. In her youth, she and her mother had tried this many times, and each time her hair retained its waves for a few minutes before the weight of the strands pulled it all straight down and Rodwen would despair. But she submitted anyway. Rodwen then bustled out once more to see to her own hair, which did retain its curl, and after about half an hour she returned to find her daughter's hair almost dry and Eldirn's head most firmly in a book.
Rodwen took the book from her daughter's hands and snapped it closed. "None of that tonight, sellen [my daughter]. Come, we must get you ready. You hair is almost done I see. Let us hope it decides to co-operate this one time."
Sighing,Eldirn pushed the chair back and then stood in front of her mother.
"Very well, Naneth. Do your worst." Rodwen frowned at Eldirn. It was unnatural that an elleth, so soon come of age and womanhood, to dislike the festivals and ceremonies of the Greenwood. When she was growing up Eldirn had loved to dress up and walk around in her mother's dresses, but she had lost that innocence and become closed and sarcastic, almost weary of the world.
Rodwen took Eldirn by the shoulders and moved her until she was next to her bed. Reluctantly, Eldirn undid her robe and let it drop to the floor just before her mother threw the new dress over her head. Smoothing out invisible wrinkles over the shoulder and down the sleeves, Rodwen appraised her daughter. Even with her hair in rags and a face as black as jet accompanied by a scowl the length of the Misty Mountains, Rodwen thought her daughter beautiful, very beautiful in fact. If only she let herself go a bit more around the people she did not know and made a better first impression, instead of sitting in the corner only being drawn out of herself to make sardonic comments! Rodwen undid her daughter's hair and gently pulled the hair into shape. She turned Eldirn around to face the mirror and a flicker of a smile went across the young elleth's lips. So her daughter was almost normal, Rodwen thought silently.
"Well, you finish yourself off. I need to dress and then find your father something acceptable to wear. That ellon would wear sack cloth if I let him!" Eldirn smiled as her mother flew from the room. She almost felt sorry for her, having two disagreeable people to dress as well as herself.
Eldirn studied her image in the mirror, staring at herself for minutes at a time; not thinking, simply looking, as if she was seeing herself for the first time. She liked the dress, but she knew that it would have looked better if she had not made her mother alter it and change the neck. As the time passed, slowly and almost imperceptibly the curls of her hair began to fall out and her straight hair returned. Eldirn smiled, feeling more herself as the hair on her head seemed her own once more, and stood up and looked out of her door. She saw her father's boots close to the door and realised he must have returned silently,
"Nana?" She called, "Naneth?"
Rodwen poked her head round the door of Haedron's dressing room.
"My hair has come out again, but I will do something with it." Rodwen flung up her hands in despair and went back to persuading her husband that he could not wear blue and green together.
Picking up her hairbrush, Eldirn removed the last of the waves before pulling out the modest box where she kept her jewellery. She rooted around through the necklaces and hair clips until she found the one she wished. Taking the tiny slide that had once belonged to her father's mother, Eldirn pulled a few strands of hair from the top of her head and clipped them together. The rest of her hair she let pool down onto her shoulders and back settling where it chose. Eldirn licked her dry lips to make them shine and went to sit in the main room of their house.
She heard her mother speaking in low tones to her father in their bedroom. She must have managed to get him to wear something she approved of, Eldirn thought. They emerged together arm in arm, smiling. Eldirn ran back to her room for the soft shoes she would wear for the night. Her mother and father stood ready, patiently waiting for her while leaning silently on each other's arms. The family swept from their house and walked through the trees to the feast.
Every year Eldirn was amazed by the setting. The trees and bushes had grown and shifted during the year, gently growing together so that one day the branches would knit together above the ground, giving them a roof of bark and leaves. They took their seats at one of the long tables that covered the grass, her father not important or rich enough to merit a seat at the King's table. Eldirn narrowed her eyes as she saw Galuwen's eyes fixed on Legolas and she shook her head slightly. Poor ellon.
Thranduil's speech passed her by, as did most of the meal. She was observing the people around her, laughing inwardly at their silly mannerisms and habits or concentrating on eating her food gracefully. She was pleased when the feast was over and the tables were cleared away. Chairs were placed around the sides of the clearing. Eldirn retreated into a far corner, where the colour of her dress helped her to blend in to the bushes behind her and allow her to slip into the background. Sitting quietly in the dark, she watched the elves dancing and laughing, and sometimes glancing in her general direction.
Sometimes her father would try and get her to dance, but she refused to let him introduce her to any sons of elves he knew. Haedron could not find the will to produce discord on such a pleasant evening so he returned to his wife, leaving his daughter happily to herself. By midnight he had had enough. He had watched during the night as Eldirn had refused every single offer of a dance that had been made to her, preferring to sit on her own and watch. He excused himself from conversation and made his way to his daughter's side.
She stood up as she saw him coming and immediately said, "Adar, I am not dancing and I do not wish to."
"Eldirn, I would see you dance, see the skirts your mother laboured over move gracefully across the floor."
"No, Adar, I am quite happy where I am." She emphasised her words with her arms.
"One dance, sellen, just one dance. That is all I ask. It would make us so happy."
"No, Adar, you brought me here against my will. The least you could do it let me sit through the night in peace." Her hand cut through the air, punctuating every phrase, every important word.
"Eldirn, you will dance with one person. Do it as a favour to me. You love me, do you not?" Haedron felt ashamed he had resorted to emotional blackmail. What would it take to get his daughter to dance?
"Yes I love you Adar. You know I do."
"Then make me happy, my child," he pleaded. "Promise me to dance with the next ellon who asks you."
"Aye, I promise." Eldirn gave in; she cared too much for her father to give him any cause for pain. She sat down and folded her arms, a scowl gracing her features as she realised she had been manipulated into making a promise she did not wish to keep.
*
Eiliant was still walking with Legolas. Five paces from Eldirn she held out her hands to her old acquaintance,
"My little Eldirn, it must be years since I saw you last! Not since just after you came of age. You look well. How is your family?"
"My lady, we are all well, thank you very much for asking. Adar and Naneth are here tonight dancing somewhere." Eldirn gestured into the crowds of elves in the general direction her father had gone.
"Yes, we saw you speaking with your father just now."
A blush spread across Eldirn's face. "He made me promise to dance with whoever asked me next." Eldirn lowered her eyes to the ground, away from Eiliant's caring gaze.
Her attention was snapped back as Eiliant clapped her hands with joy. "Why that is excellent news! I believe you used to know my brother Legolas, Eldirn." Eldirn could only nod as she looked into Legolas' deep blue eyes. She quickly pulled her eyes away from his, concerned by the look she saw there. "He has come here to ask you to dance, although goodness knows why he needed me to hold his hand."
Eiliant reached her hand back behind her and found Legolas' arm. She jolted him forwards.
Reminded of his purpose Legolas schooled his features and bowed slowly. "Lady Eldirn," he prayed no one heard the nervous wobble in his voice, "would you be so kind as to give me the pleasure of a dance?" He reached out a hand towards her. Eldirn smiled and took it, allowing herself to be lead in amongst the throng of elves, for the next dance was about to start.
Watching them go, Eiliant clasped her hands together and smiled. She felt her husband put his strong arm around her waist and he pulled her close, kissing her temple.
"Ahh, young love," he whispered in her ear.
"Do not get ahead of yourself," Eiliant reminded him.
"Well at least it means I will have something new to tease Legolas about. I do not think he has ever asked anyone who he actually liked to dance before."
"Oh, leave the poor thing alone. Let him get on with things himself. Find yourself something else to do."
Thalion raised his eyebrows at his wife and slowly drawled in her ear, "Distract me, melethen [my love]."
Eiliant dragged Thalion into a natural alcove in the line of the trees to show him the error of his ways whilst Legolas negotiated the dancers, leading Eldirn to a gap near the centre of the clearing. Eldirn took Legolas' second hand nervously. She had already felt hundreds of pairs of eyes on the back of her neck and could hear the quiet meetings of minds as people tried to work out who she was. Eldirn accidentally let her eyes meet Galuwen's over Legolas' shoulder. Her gaze was met by daggers. Eldirn's eyes widened in fear; she felt under attack. Thankfully the music began and Legolas swept her along.
They had spent a minute together in silence, each too wrapped in their own thoughts to even be aware of the other. Legolas was the first to remember his place and as he spun Eldirn in his arms he said to her, "My lady, forgive me, I have been rude and not asked how you have been since I last saw you."
Eldirn's tongue let loose before her head could control it and she said, "I have grown." Automatically her free hand flew to her mouth and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and shame about having addressed the prince so.
Legolas, however, did not appear to care. "I am perfectly aware of that lady, for there was once a time when you surpassed me, but now you do not reach past my nose!"
Eldirn smiled to find his memory so correct. She had indeed taunted him the last season they had played together. "I only teased you because it was the only thing I surpassed you at," Eldirn admitted gently. She did not allow her eyes to make contact with Legolas', but he spun her away from him so he could bow exuberantly.
"Flattery indeed, my lady. I thank thee." There was a comical look on his face and Eldirn could not help but laugh. She blushed further, glancing furtively left and right to see who else had witness Legolas' complete lack of dignity. Thankfully, she saw, not many, but enough, especially among their families.
"Come here," she said, merriment peppering her voice, "everyone is looking." She took his hands again and firmly pushed his body along for a few steps so they would continue to dance.
Legolas soon took the hint and held Eldirn firmly in place, his face a picture of mock-concentration and every step the epitome of control and grace. Gradually both their mouths become stretched as they held in smiles and laughter and their faces began to go a distinct shape of pink. Both were trying to hold onto the over-formality they had created in their dancing, but neither wanted it and both found it very funny. Thankfully the music ended before they burst and in the ensuing noise of applause and discussion over partners Legolas and Eldirn let out their laughter, holding onto the other's forearms for support, as their bodies ached from their sniggering. Eldirn wiped tears from her eyes and held her stomach where the muscles hurt. She looked at Legolas who was in a similar state and their eyes met.
Legolas took her left hand in his right and bowed properly. "Thank you my lady, I greatly enjoyed our dance. It was definitely my favourite of the night."
Eldirn felt her cheeks get even hotter and swore that they must be lighting up the entire glade because suddenly everything seemed brighter. "Now you flatter me. I am sure there are many of the ellith here who are far superior to me when it comes to dancing."
"I have been dancing with you since we could barely walk. Things are always easier with whose you know and are familiar with. Do you not think?" Legolas asked.
Eldirn looked at him with a cheeky smile on her lips and an eyebrow arched. "It is said, Highness, that familiarity breeds contempt."
Legolas' face cracked into a smile, "I believe one dance in forty years is not over familiar Lady Eldirn. In fact I think it is an utter disgrace, considering the fun we used to have."
"Many things have changed other than our heights," Eldirn said in a low voice.
"Very true," Legolas said with equal gravity well aware of the change that had come over his friend. His face brightened. "However, I am willing to risk your contempt and ask for a second dance, if you will accept."
"I am at your command, Ernil nín [My Prince]." Eldirn curtseyed formally. She was trying to collect herself and bring back the sense of dignity their conversations had begun with.
He took her hands and rested her palms above his, level with their hips. "Eldirn."
Her eyes widened at the use of her name. She looked at him, his face closer than it had been before, his eyes full of a meaning she could not fathom. Legolas moved even closer.
In a soft voice, with a note of sadness that was not lost on Eldirn, he said, "Eldirn, I do not wish to command you. I would have you here with me of your own will, neither your father's nor mine. I would like to dance with you some more because I have enjoyed myself immensely, but if it cannot be so then I shall hope for another time when we can do this again."
Eldirn swallowed loudly. For a moment Legolas was mesmerised by the movement of the skin on her neck and around her mouth. He watched as her lips struggled to form words.
"I…I," she stuttered. She swallowed once more and closed her eyes, controlling herself. "I wish to dance with you, Highness."
Legolas smiled and allowed his fingers to mesh with hers once more. There was not time to say anything else because the music was struck up once more. Legolas led Eldirn to their place in the lines for the stately dance.
There was little time for chatter between partners, but at the first opportunity she could Eldirn asked Legolas, "Highness, can you tell me why Lady Galuwen is staring at me as if I were an entire nest of orcs?"
It was true, the look of daggers had now become one of such malice and anger that whole armies had been slain by less. It did not worry Eldirn personally, she and Galuwen moved in different circles, but her father could make great trouble for Haedron and that concerned her.
Legolas however, seemed to find the whole situation amusing. "Well you see, my dear Lady Eldirn," the 'dear' was not lost on those around them, "I have danced what must be nigh on eighty dances now, with eighty different partners. She was the first I danced with, but you are the first I have danced more than once with."
Eldirn coloured. She realised what a great compliment she was being paid. Perhaps some of the more important ellith could expect two dances in a night, but almost never two in a row and certainly not after a lowly elleth like Eldirn.
He saw the panic spread through her features, and the grip on his hand tighten in fear. As Legolas held her close to his body for an instant he said, "Do not fear, I shall protect you from her. I have greatly improved at my sword skills since you saw me last."
Eldirn could not help but laugh. It was this kind of whimsical, silly conversation that she found humour in. No one could resist it when accompanied by a look of utter seriousness and concern on Legolas' face. Legolas knew she thought he was joking, but he was completely serious. Sooner than he could have wished the dance was over and as the partners curtseyed and bowed to each other Legolas took her hand and kissed the top of it.
Eldirn batted his face away with the tips of her fingers. "Please, your Highness?"
Legolas smiled understandingly, but he was confused. When had his playmate become so shy?
"Would you like a drink?" Legolas asked her, eager to spend more time talking. Eldirn thanked him and followed in the direction of a table set with glasses of wine. Handing Eldirn a goblet Legolas looked at her, his head cocked to one side, "Tell me Eldirn, tell me what has changed. Tell me what you have been doing these past years."
Eldirn lowered her cup from her lips and said softly, "As you wish my Lord."
Legolas winced as she gave him another title he did not care for. "Please, Eldirn, no more formalities. We were once just Eldirn and Legolas, and we can be so again. Are we really so changed?"
"I learnt respect for title and rank as I grew, if that is what you are asking," Eldirn said frankly.
"Then if you would prefer that I ask you as a Prince to refrain from calling me so, what would you say?"
A half-smile appeared on Eldirn's lips. "I would say that that really defeats the object of the whole thing… Legolas."
Legolas smiled broadly at the first time she said his name and Eldirn returned it, albeit, very shyly. She looked around the room avoiding Legolas and spotted something of interest that peeped out of her mouth before she could stop it, "Our fathers look deep in conversation."
Legolas spun round to where she was looking and gave her a cheeky grin. "Then let us go and say hello."
Before Eldirn could stop him Legolas had set down their goblets and taken her arm. She reluctantly walked along beside him through the gaps in the people until they reached their fathers.
"Suilad [Hello] Adar, Suilad Haeron." Legolas said. Eldirn smiled at her father and then turned to acknowledge the King.
"You Highness." She curtseyed deeply.
Haedron looked at the change that only two dances could bring about in his daughter. Already there was an overflowing of mirth in her eyes and a pink colour danced across her cheeks.
It was Thranduil, however, who spoke first. "Legolas, Eldirn, you both look like you are enjoying yourselves."
"Oh yes father, Eldirn is a marvellous dancer."
Eldirn's eyes almost flew out of her head. "I think your son exaggerates somewhat, Sire."
Thranduil waved this aside. "Nonsense! We were watching you together and you looked very talented. You have been keeping your daughter under wraps from us for too long, Haedron."
"I beg to differ, Sire, but it is my daughter who keeps herself hidden. Rodwen and I practically had to drag her here by the ears."
Eldirn was growing more and more distressed and angry by the character assault that was being made upon her.
"You mean to say that your daughter would choose a quiet night at home compared to a night like this."
"Sire, I come to this festival every year," Eldirn ventured.
"Just not any of the others," Legolas finished for her. "So this is why I have not seen you for so long."
His eyes were on hers again. Eldirn felt small and scared under his stare.
"Lady Eldirn, may I borrow my son from you for a moment?" Thranduil asked her, more to see her reaction that anything else. Eldirn simply nodded and Thranduil knew it was relief he saw in her eyes, although whether it was the conversation she was weary of or Legolas himself, he was yet to tell.
Thranduil ushered his son away to give him a quiet and hurried lecture about not scaring shy ellith who do not like large occasions, while Haedron took his daughter to sit down. Eldirn rubbed her forehead with her thumb and forefinger while he spoke.
"Sellen, I was so proud to see you dance out there with the Prince. And twice! Fancy that! He favours you much."
"I do not know I deserve it," she said quietly.
Haedron frowned. "What ails you, Eldirn? I thought you were quite enjoying sitting in the corner. I am sorry that you were forced two dances instead of one, but when the Prince asks, I assume you cannot refuse."
"He gave me chance to say no, but I chose not to. I do not know why, I wish I had. You should have seen the way Galuwen looked at me, Adar. Oh, what will her father do?"
"Hush child. You need not concern yourself about that. The King is well aware of the looks that spoilt elleth gave you and we could guess what she would say to her father when they return home. You must not worry about me, I can care for myself. Your mother may treat me like an elfling, but I did not expect it from you."
Eldirn smiled and rested her head on her father's shoulder. "Would you be cross if I said that I wanted to leave?"
"Your mother and I will only stay another hour or so. Wait for us and we can all go back together. I do not want you walking in the dark alone."
"Adar, you know I am perfectly capable of finding my way from here to our house."
"It is not fit for a young lady such as yourself to be wandering around at all hours of the night."
"I could walk Eldirn home, Haedron, if you wished." Eldirn had not heard Legolas approaching, but strangely his voice behind her was not entirely unexpected.
"I am not sure your father would be happy with that," Haedron warned Legolas.
"On the contrary, it was his suggestion. He thought you might like a walk through our gardens tomorrow morning as well," Legolas said, smiling at Eldirn.
"Do you not have work to do, Highness?" Eldirn reverted to the formal language in front of her father.
"I am at my father's disposal, and if he suggests I take you for a walk in our gardens, then that is my task."
"I would not wish to inconvenience you," Eldirn said, knowing full well Legolas meant nothing by the work task, but she wanted to see him think on his feet.
"My Lady, I only use the work task because it will be a supreme effort to find things to amuse and entertain your great wit and intellect."
Eldirn's hand went to her mouth as she held in a giggle. She saw her father look at the young prince with consternation. "Very, well, if my father agrees, that is. Adar?" Eldirn turned to Haedron, who had no power at all but to nod his approval. Eldirn took Legolas' hand and went through the gap in the trees and back out into the forest. Haedron stood up and shook his head as if waking from a strange dream. He went in search of his wife, to tell her the circumstances surrounding their daughter's return home.
As soon as they had moved out of the glade and away from the noise Legolas gently let go of Eldirn's hand. She only realised the lack of contact when the cool night air hit the warm palm of her hand. It was about half an hour's walk to Eldirn's home if they walked quickly, but Legolas seemed to have no inclination to raise their pace to anything beyond a slow meander.
They strolled in silence, breathing in the fresh air. Eldirn had not realised that the clearing had been so hot with all the elves gathered there. She was soon chilled by the cold breeze that blew thought the Wood, clearing out the last of the stale air. Eldirn had been holding up the skirts of her dress with her hands to stop the hems trailing through the damp grass, but instead she let them drop to the ground and rubbed her arms to try and warm herself up.
Legolas had been struggling with himself, trying to find something to say, but in that instant the words just fell out "I am sorry that you are cold."
Eldirn looked at him and frowned. "It is completely your fault, after all."
Legolas stopped, completely confused.
Eldirn saw the consternation on his face and laughed. "I was joking you silly elf. It is not your fault at all."
Legolas laughed lightly, still slightly confused by the joke. "I am still sorry. I wish I had something I could give you to wear, but when Adar had these clothes designed I do not think he really thought things through this far."
He meant it wryly, but Eldirn did not miss the regret that tinged his tone. She looked into his eyes, and saw it there, too. She pitied him for whichever transgression was now haunting him and causing so much pain.
"My mother makes my clothes so I think you get off lightly," she said, trying to lighten the mood. "Your father seems to have good taste at least. You should have seen how this dress looked originally!"
Legolas smiled at her. "It cannot have been that bad. I cannot imagine anything looking bad on you. And I am sure your mother is very talented dressmaker," Legolas added, praying his second outburst in only a minute had not offended her.
"I did not like it that, is all. It was like going out half naked." Eldirn folded her arms and quickened her stride.
Legolas chuckled. "Then 'tis a shame it got altered, my lady."
"Legolas Greenleaf, you may be a prince, but that would not stop me giving you a hearty slap across the face for such cheek!" Eldirn joked, but her entire stomach was flipping over, petrified by what he had said. In the relative safety of a dark night with her face turned from him, her eyes went wide in fear. Her fingers gripped her arms tightly as she tried to hold in the strange mix of emotions that was developing deep in the darkest parts of her being.
Legolas took one of her hands from her and guided it to rest in the crook of his elbow. He led them along a bit faster. He decided to start a conversation with her no matter what, even if it did involve getting injured in the process. They had quite some time still to walk together and he could not bear to spend it in silence.
"Eldirn, do you play or sing?"
"I play the harp," she said, pleased the conversation had taken less nudity-related bent and onto something more acceptable. "My mother taught me."
"The harp is an unusual instrument for a wood-elf," Legolas said truthfully, for it was.
"My mother is from Rivendell. Many of her family still live there. Your father sent my father there a few centuries ago and they fell in love. She gave up a lot to move here and get married, but it is something that I shall be forever thankful for," she finished with a smile.
"I had never realised your family came from Rivendell. If I had known I would have asked after them while I was there, offered to carry letters."
"I saw you out of the corner of my eye while I spoke to my father," she said in a knowing voice, "and I know for a fact that you did not remember who I was, let alone knew who my mother and father were. You and your brother."
"You have my deepest apologies," he said sincerely, "but you were to first to admit that you had grown and changed."
"Very well," she said grudgingly, but with a teasing light in her eyes that Legolas could see even in the dark.
There was a quiet moment and then their laughter burst out and rang through the trees. Legolas laughed hard and loud, wondering why he had let Eldirn disappear from his childhood. She would have been a good friend through some troubled times, making him laugh and keeping him in check. Eldirn laughed letting her inhibitions go and surreptitiously she let her grip on Legolas' arm tighten so she would not have to think about where she was walking quite so hard. The wine she had drunk was finally beginning to fog her brain and her steps had become unsure and muddled. They walked and talked together for some time and eventually Legolas had to admit he no longer knew which path to take to lead the lady home.
Eldirn gave directions to him. "You stay on the main path until you reach the old, twisted oak tree. See? There it is." She pointed out in the darkness and by the light of the Moon Legolas saw an ancient tree, bowing with age and with a trunk so wide it would have taken many elves just to surround it. The tree formed a marker for a sort of crossroads on the path. "Then the path to our home leads off in the direction of the third lowest branch. Or at least the third lowest branch this season. Who knows what will grow and wither during the coming months?"
Legolas walked carefully around the tree, feeling in the dark for its outstretched limbs. Eldirn remained behind him, smiling while watching him carefully. There was a hollow thud and a sharp cry of pain from Legolas. Immediately she was by his side. He had walked into one of the lower branches and it had hit him full in the face.
"I did not see that one coming," he said wryly. He put his hand to his face, but felt no blood. She turned his body so the moonlight fell on that side of his face and examined him close up, feeling his features in the dark.
"You are not cut," she said with more relief than anything. "You may have a bruise, I cannot see for sure."
"Thank you Eldirn," Legolas said, watching the way she gazed so intently at his cheek, concentrating hard, "but could you please just tell me which way to go?"
"Actually you just bumped into it," she murmured, still looking at the area around his eye for damage.
"Very well," Legolas said gallantly. "Do you make all visitors new to the area go through the same ritual?"
Her search for injuries over, Eldirn bobbed along beside him as they strode off slightly westwards. She could not tell if he was annoyed or not.
"Well, if you had decided to visit during the day you would have seen my father's name carved into the branch." Her voice was playful. "The tree is half dead, it does not feel it," she added quickly.
"That is a shame," Legolas said quietly into the night, slowing down his steps.
"For you or the tree?" She mused aloud, but mostly to herself, shivering once more in the cool air.
"The tree, of course!" Legolas laughed, and Eldirn joined him. He let go of her hand and pulled her closer to take her arm once more. One whole side of her body now met his and their warmth was shared. "Come, you will be less cold once you get home. Let us walk faster."
Eldirn consented silently and their conversation stopped as all their thoughts went into walking as quickly as they could and watching where they were stepping. Eldirn used her free hand to lift her skirts to above her ankles so she kept up with Legolas easily. Soon she could see the outline of their modest home with one candle burning on the ledge of the porch to light their way home. Her mother always thought of the smallest details.
Legolas bent to pick it up and handed it to Eldirn. Both looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
Eldirn broke the silence first. "Are you sure you can find your way home?"
Legolas nodded.
"Your face does not hurt, does it? I have something you could put on it if you wished? I am so very sorry, I should have warned you about the…"
Legolas cut her off; she was babbling. "Eldirn, I am perfectly well, let me assure you."
She smiled and breathed out deeply to control herself. She held the candle to his face, using the light to examine him. "It will bruise, I am sure. What will your father think of me? You do me the favour of seeing me home in the night and I send you back battered and bruised!"
"Adar will simply think that we were up to our old tricks again, and tell me to have pride and not let ellith beat me up," Legolas said deliberately to worry Eldirn.
She did not fall for this, however. In the candlelight Legolas could see her dark eyes narrow.
"You had best go," Eldirn said, torn between a deSire to have him gone and a deSire to have him stay. One more dance. She wanted one more dance, although she could not tell why. Perhaps she had drunk more wine than she had thought, Eldirn told herself as the confusing emotions became almost too much for her.
"I know," Legolas said softly, but he did not step away. "I had a lovely time tonight, Eldirn," he said, his voice seemed so quiet he seemed almost ten leagues distant, not barely ten inches. He did not give her a chance to reply, not wanting to ruin his image of a perfect night by hearing her tell him she had hated every minute together. "Would, would it," Legolas stumbled over his words. "May I call on you again? Soon? Adar did suggest a walk in our gardens tomorrow if the weather stays fine."
"Providing you do not knock yourself out on the way here," she said in a voice just above a whisper, "I would like that very much." What was she saying? Eldirn's head berated her mouth for being so quick with its words.
Legolas' mouth formed a beautifully hesitant smile and it was matched by an equally unsure one gracing Eldirn's features. Legolas took her free hand and stepped back one pace. "Then I shall see you very soon." He brought her hand to his lips in a gesture that they had mimicked many times as children, but in that instance it was anything other than comic or innocent. Legolas turned and walked carefully out into the black forest.
Eldirn watched until she could no longer see the light colours of his clothes. Setting the candle back on the outer step for her parents, she turned and walked into the darkened house. She found her room easily and after a short struggle with the fastenings in the back of her dress, she shrugged it from her shoulders, letting it pool on the floor. Eldirn removed the clip from her hair and roughly combed it with her fingers. She climbed into bed and pulled the curtains around her.
That night two elves dreamt of their early childhood. Separately they remembered the same memories of each other and the smiles this brought to their faces were still there as the Sun dawned the next morning.