Hi everyone! Here's Chapter 9 for your enjoyment. Thanks to all of you who reviewed the last chapter. I'm really pleased to see that the number of reviews increases with each chapter I post.
As usual I must thank Maria and Khazar for their continuing help with my writing. Maria is especially good at listening to me moan when things don't go quite so well as I'd hoped.
Please R&R and let me know what you think of things. Take care,
Emma
A Fleeting Moment of Happiness
The two weeks had passed far too quickly for Eldirn. She had not seen Legolas since he had asked her to dine with him and his family, but he had stopped by the house several times when she had not been there and left her little notes carrying his greetings and anticipating when he would next see her. Each one had brought joy and pain in equal measures and Eldirn began to regret the renewal of their friendship. Every day she asked herself the same questions - how could she have allowed this to happen when she was departing for Rivendell before the season was over and how could she tell Legolas the truth without losing the friendship that she held so dear?
Eldirn was pondering these questions again as she sat in the bath on the afternoon of the dinner. As she washed her skin and rinsed the dirt from her hair, she thought about the night to come. She thought about her manners, how to greet the King, whether she should call Eiliant by her name as she used to before she married, or use Your Highness, and most of all, how she should not allow herself to care anymore about Legolas Greenleaf than she already did.
"Eldirn, are you finished in that bath? Come on, we have not got all night to get you ready!"
Inwardly Eldirn groaned. She did not know which ordeal she feared more, eating with the Royal Family, or having her mother make her presentable for their company.
"Coming, Naneth!"
Eldirn wrapped her hair in a towel and tied a loose robe around her waist. She opened the door and her mother virtually pulled her out and into her bedroom.
"Eldirn, please! We have not got time to dawdle. It is already late-afternoon and the Prince said he would call for you in the early evening in his last note, did he not?" A dreamy look came over Rodwen's face for a moment. "I remember the days when your father left little notes for me when I was still living in Rivendell and he was on an errand from the King. Ai, i rîn lend [Ai, the sweet remembrance]!"
"Naneth, please! Do not say things like that!" Eldirn stopped in the doorway into her bedroom. She saw her dress; it looked so strange and beautiful hanging there.
"Eldirn, you know you will look beautiful. The dress is perfect. You are perfect," her mother stressed quietly.
"Nana, are you sure this is a wise thing to do? There is Rivendell to consider."
"Eldirn, you are going to dinner, not a marriage feast."
"I do not wish to mislead him, to mislead myself. I care for him, and I do not wish to leave here knowing he is hurt."
"You have no choice," Rodwen said firmly. "There is nothing that can be done now."
"Do you think I do not know that!" Eldirn cried shrilly.
"Then you must tell him soon," Rodwen said gently, laying a comforting hand on her daughter's cheek.
Eldirn took a seat in a chair and started to rub her hair dry while her mother bustled about the room behind her. Eldirn became absorbed in her task, quieting her mind by focussing all her attention on her hair. Suddenly her mother cried,
"Ai Elbereth!"
Eldirn was so shocked her head snapped round to look at her.
"Thranduil knows about Rivendell!" cried Rodwen. "It was in the treaty they signed, but not with your name mentioned, and your father wrote to the King to request guards to escort you over the Mountains safely."
Eldirn was silent for a long time. She stared at a spot somewhere on the wall of her room and Rodwen watched her, getting more and more concerned. Then, Eldirn said quietly,
"I cannot do this. I cannot go and lie to Legolas in front of his father. Why am I doing this?"
Eldirn held her head in her hands and Rodwen wrapped her arms around her daughter. Rodwen pressed their cheeks together.
"You do it because your heart tells you to, sellen [my daughter]."
It was merely a whisper in her ear, but Eldirn knew it to be true. She closed her eyes as if in pain. "My heart tells me this is right, but my head tells me otherwise," she answered.
"You think with your head too much iell dithen nín [my little girl]. There comes a time when we must all listen to our hearts for there lies the true path to happiness, though that happiness may only be fleeting." Rodwen paused to let Eldirn think on those words and then handed her the hairbrush. "Brush your hair, iellen [my girl]."
Rodwen left Eldirn and she was left to contemplate her mother's words. Did her mother speak the truth? Was following her heart the only way to true happiness? Was that what the night was for, her chance at happiness, though it be short-lived? She knew there was but one way to find out. She would have to follow her heart and dine with Legolas.
Eldirn finished brushing her hair and looked at the dark strands as they flowed down about her face. Curling the front part around her fingers, she studied herself for a moment, and then turned to look at the dress. She had made her decision and standing up, called her mother back into the room.
"I am ready," she said firmly, her voice empty of any note of doubt.
Rodwen smiled happily. She knew enough of her daughter to know that Eldirn would not refuse the chance to see Legolas.
"Very well," Rodwen said. "Let us begin." She handed Eldirn a shift to wear under her dress and Eldirn pulled it over her head. Rodwen took the dress from its hanger and looked at Eldirn. Her daughter nodded.
The dress was pulled down over Eldirn's head and then she presented her back to her mother to do the laces up. Rodwen pulled on the strings.
"Too tight! Too tight!" Eldirn cried as the air was forced from her body.
"Do not be silly! You are not used to it, that is all," Rodwen chided.
"Naneth please! I cannot breathe!"
"You have breath to argue, that is breath enough." Rodwen said, firmly tying a knot at the bottom of the laces. "There, now look at yourself."
Eldirn looked at herself in the glass. She could not believe the elleth who stared back at her was herself. The dress was so different from anything she had ever worn before, or ever dreamed of wearing. It was such a fine material, cut to fit her precisely so that it clung to her upper body like a second skin. Her eyes flashed with a new light. She would have gone so far as to say she looked pretty, even if her hair was wild from her struggling as her mother did up the bodice. She heard her mother say gently in her ear,
"I have never seen an elleth so beautiful as you look, Eldirn, and we have not even finished yet."
They both heard a voice call from outside, "Eldirn? Eldirn! Rodwen! Are you here?"
"It is Meliel," Rodwen realised. Eldirn was still looking at herself; she was too busy to notice. "I will fetch her."
"Suilad, Eldirn," Meliel said softly, entering the room. Eldirn spun around when she heard her name, the skirt flowing about her ankles. "Oh my," Meliel whispered, her hand coming up to cover her mouth.
"What?" asked Eldirn, concerned. "What is wrong?"
Meliel approached Eldirn, appraising the dress.
"Absolutely nothing, Eldirn. You are beautiful." Eldirn blushed. "Do not blush," Meliel ordered, "the pink does not match the dress."
Despite herself Eldirn smiled and she allowed herself to be sat down whilst Rodwen and Meliel fussed about with her hair. It took them a good hour to pile it all on top of her head in a clasp with tiny plaits embedded in the hair.
There was a loud knock at the door and all three of them gasped.
"The Prince," whispered Rodwen. She kissed her daughter on the cheek and then left to welcome Legolas. Eldirn's mind suddenly went blank.
"Shoes, Eldirn," Meliel reminded, teasing her gently.
"Oh yes," Eldirn replied in a far off voice, slipping her feet into the soft shoes that had been made specially for her.
"You look so beautiful, Eldirn," Meliel said. "Do not let them frighten you and remember to smile. Now go!" Meliel commanded. She pushed Eldirn from her bedroom into the main room where Legolas was waiting.
As soon as Legolas saw movement in the doorway to Eldirn's bedroom he leapt to his feet. He was not prepared for the figure that appeared, though. His eyes widened in surprise and delight as Eldirn walked towards him. He could see she was hesitant and nervous, he had expected that, but to see her look so beautiful, that he could never have imagined. Her hair was drawn up on the top of her head, calling his attention to the white expanse of her neck. His eyes followed the line down. The bodice accentuated her narrow frame and teased him as to what lay beneath. He had to drag his eyes away from watching the swell of her breasts as she breathed in and out. His gaze trailed down her body, noticing the elegant way the skirts moved as she walked towards him, but his eyes were soon drawn upwards again.
As Eldirn stood before him she noticed that there was such a look of admiration and desire in his eyes as he looked her up and down that she could not help but blush. Eldirn knew she should be angry at such an obvious personal appraisal of her, but she was pleased by it. Happy even.
Legolas saw the flush develop on her cheeks and followed it right down her neck to her chest, his eyes tracking its progress. He realised he had been staring, looked into her eyes and smiled. Never had he seen anything so wonderful as this.
Legolas took her hand and brought it slowly towards him. He touched his lips to her skin and a shock passed through her body that gave her such a thrill she was sad when it was over. Her body felt empty suddenly, devoid of something vital.
"You are beautiful," Legolas said quietly, causing Eldirn to blush again.
She could not meet his eyes but mumbled, "Thank you."
Across the room Rodwen and Meliel exchanged a glance and small smiles. They watched the young couple in front of them as Legolas still held Eldirn's hand between their bodies. Meliel gently cleared her throat; if Legolas and Eldirn did not leave soon they would spend the whole night staring at each other. The sound roused Legolas from trying to get Eldirn to meet his eyes again.
"We should leave," he said. Eldirn nodded and turned to her mother and friend.
"Goodnight Naneth, goodnight Meliel."
"Goodnight my ladies," Legolas said, bowing his head to them, but never really taking his attention from Eldirn.
Legolas led her from the house by the hand and then placed it in the crook of his arm as they walked into the forest. "I had been hoping to see you these past two weeks," he said casually.
"I am sorry I was never at home when you called," Eldirn explained. "I have been very busy with Naneth, and one of our friends has just been blessed with a child. I have been to see her quite a lot. Thank you for all your notes," she said, finally looking at him again. She saw him smile and it spread to her face as well.
"My pleasure. I have been delivering many messages for my father. I like being out in the forest at this time of year. Everything is in bloom and the birds are singing all day long."
"Yes, it is the best time of year," Eldirn said looking around her, slightly out of breath. She was having trouble keeping up with his pace as the dress restricted her movements somewhat. "Legolas, would you mind if we walked more slowly?"
"Of course," he replied. "Are you not well?" He asked, concerned.
"Oh yes, quite well," she replied. "It is just this silly dress! I cannot walk as fast as I would like."
Legolas immediately slowed his pace. He looked at Eldirn, who nodded her approval at the new speed. "I happen to like the dress though," Legolas said, keeping his eyes straight ahead and trying not to smirk too much.
"Why am I not surprised?" Eldirn asked sarcastically.
"Did your mother make it?" Legolas asked, pretending he had not heard her last comment.
"Aye she did, but Meliel had a hand in its design. I have been overseeing the process, but Naneth would not let me get involved beyond choosing the material. I think she thought I would try and change it."
"Why would you do that?"
"So I could breathe and walk properly?" Eldirn suggested.
"Overrated qualities," Legolas teased. "It is quite marvellous, and so are you," he said tentatively. "More than quite marvellous."
Eldirn tightened her grip on his arm, softly placing her head on his shoulder. "As are you Legolas Greenleaf."
They walked in silence for a while, but Legolas enquired as to her friend's baby. Eldirn chattered away about the new infant, his little face and little mannerisms, her previous nerves momentarily forgotten. Before she knew it they were at the foot of the Royal Talan. Her legs froze and she looked at Legolas, silently pleading with him not to make her climb the steps.
Legolas put his hand over hers. "We will not be eating you, Eldirn. There is no need for you to be afraid. If it is my father you are worried about, do not fear him, you have met him before."
At the mention of Thranduil, all Eldirn's thoughts went into a panic. How could she look into the King's eyes when he knew she was leaving? What would he say to her? What would she say to him?
"Eldirn, please?" Legolas begged. His eyes looked so hurt at the thought she would not walk with him up the stairs that Eldirn could do nothing but nod her head. The less hurt she caused him the better.
Legolas took her hand from his elbow and entwined her fingers with his. He brought their hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Slowly he led her up the staircase.
The steps wound tightly around the tree and by the time she reached the top, Eldirn's head was spinning. The guards moved apart at the head of the stairs. Eldirn thought she recognised one as a friend of Aegas', but she could not be sure. They held the doors apart and Legolas walked into the entrance of his parents' talan, the talan he had lived in until only a few years before. He pulled the next door open himself, and then, letting go of Eldirn's hand, ushered her in before him.
The room was grand, nothing like anything Eldirn had seen before. The tree trunk rose right through the middle of it; the walls were adorned with candles and garlands so it was light and beautiful. All the furniture was carved out of the rarest woods and with designs so small that all their details could not been seen without looking at them very closely.
"Eldirn!" Cried a voice. Lady Eiliant was walking towards her.
"My Lady," Eldirn said formally, giving a slight curtsey.
"Oh none of that," Eiliant said and gave Eldirn a kiss on the cheek. "How do you fare? Your dress is wonderful. Made by your mother I suppose. I wish I had the talent to make myself dresses like that," she said wistfully.
"I am sure my mother would be able to help you, my la…" She stopped and received a harsh look from her friend. "Eiliant." They both smiled.
"Come, you must meet my husband." Eiliant drew Eldirn further into the room to where her husband stood. Eiliant looked back over her shoulder at Legolas, who mouthed to her, "Thank you."
Eiliant smiled. She had thought it sweet when Legolas asked if he could introduce her first to Eldirn so she would not feel too afraid. Now Eiliant was looking forward to introducing her friend to her husband, as they had not met before she married. When Thalion had returned from the borders earlier that day he had been delighted to learn that they were expecting Eldirn's company at dinner that evening. Eiliant had had to give him strict instructions not to frighten the girl or do anything to embarrass his brother, despite how good an idea it might seem at the time.
"Eldirn, this is Thalion, my husband."
"Your Highness," Eldirn said curtseying again.
"Please, Eldirn, call me Thalion," he said. "I am very happy to see you again. Who would have thought that the little girl who used to fight with my brother would grow into someone so beautiful?"
Eldirn coloured again and looked at the floor.
"I am sure I do not deserve your compliments, Thalion," she whispered. "No one's compliments."
"Eldirn, please do not be shy," Legolas said to her softly. He gently stroked her fingers where they lay clasped over her stomach. "You know we never did listen to Thalion much, did we?"
"That much is true," Thalion added. "I forget the number of times you did the exact opposite to what I suggested."
"If they were suggestions then we really did not need to follow them," Eldirn said cynically. And then she remembered where she was, and who she was with, and clasped her hand over her mouth. She gasped in horror at her boldness. The other three laughed loudly.
"You are still always correct, Eldirn," Thalion said between laughs.
"I am so sorry!" She cried.
"Nothing to be sorry for," he smiled.
"Now tell me Eldirn," Eiliant said, taking the elleth by the arm and turning away from the other two, "what was my husband like when he was younger, before I knew him?"
"Well," Eldirn said allowing herself to be carried along with Eiliant's conspiratorial tone, "to be honest, Eiliant, he was horrid. It was always 'Legolas, what would Adar say if he caught you swimming in the river?' or 'Eldirn, what would your mother say if she saw you rolling in the mud?'. He was forever trying to spoil our fun, and then he used to drag Legolas along by the ear to see his father and be punished for whatever we had been doing that day."
"How awful for you! He sounds so boring."
"Really, I must protest!" Thalion cried. "Legolas, stop laughing," he elbowed his brother in the chest.
"She speaks the truth, Eiliant," Legolas added. "Thalion used to spoil all our fun and then tell Adar what we had planned. The number of times I got punished for things I had almost done!"
"Well at least he changed for the better," Eiliant said confidently and kissed her husband softly on the lips for a moment. Eldirn looked away embarrassed, but not before she had caught Legolas looking sickened.
"Come and sit down Eldirn," Legolas suggested. "It does not appear that Naneth or Adar are ready yet. Would you like a glass of wine?"
"Yes.., no, wait, no thank you." Eldirn changed her mind when she realised her hands were shaking. The last thing she wanted to do was spill wine everywhere. Legolas took her hands in his.
"You are trembling," he observed. He swept an errant braid behind her ear and heard Eldirn suck in a steadying breath. "Sit down, and I will pour you half a glass. It will calm you a bit. Agreed?"
Eldirn could only nod and perch on the edge of one of the sofas. She was still on fire where his fingers had traced the skin behind her ear. He had even given the skin behind her jawbone a gentle caress with his thumb before removing his hand and leaving her light-headed and out of breath.
"Here," he said, offering her an elegant glass goblet.
"Thank you," she said, finding her voice again and taking her first sip. It was stronger than she had prepared herself for and her mouth exploded with the flavour.
"Good, is it not?" Legolas commented, taking a drink from his own glass and sitting down next to her.
Strangely, Legolas' presence so close to her comforted Eldirn. Thalion and Eiliant sat down opposite them and Legolas asked his brother about his time with the Guard.
"Very dull, I am afraid," Thalion admitted. "Not a single thing for two weeks. I thought we might get a few curious Men, but not one. Mind you, I did learn a few new card games I could teach you Legolas. I probably should not teach them to you though, Eiliant. They would probably shock you too much."
"You always come back from the borders with disgusting new games that involve drinking vast amounts of ale, or with horrid stories to tell everyone, why should I expect these to be any different?" Eiliant said mischievously. "It is terrible Eldirn, I send my husband away to defend our land and he comes back full of stories too foul for polite company."
"And full of ale," Legolas added with a grin on his face. Thalion put his hands up in protest but was laughing with the rest of them
Eldirn risked a giggle and took another sip of her wine. Legolas had been right, she did feel a lot more relaxed. At least, she was not shaking anymore.
Suddenly a door that she had not noticed was opened and in walked the King and Queen. Eldirn stood up as they entered, subconsciously smoothing her hair and skirt. She was glad to see that the others stood up with her.
"Thalion!" Cried the Queen. Thalion went to give his mother a kiss while Thranduil approached his other son and his guest.
"Eldirn, good evening," Thranduil said.
"Good evening, Your Majesty," Eldirn replied with a deep curtsey.
"How did you enjoy our garden when you walked round it after the festival?"
"Oh, it was beautiful, Sire. The flowers were in bloom and the colours were amazing. I have never seen anything quite like it."
"My wife will be pleased you approve. She is very fond of that garden. Malnarthan?" Thranduil called to her and she stopped talking to her son. "Malnarthan, Eldirn was just saying how much she liked our garden."
Eldirn curtseyed to the Queen while Thranduil addressed them both.
"I am so glad. What did you like the best?"
"The flowers," Eldirn admitted, "though Legolas tried to persuade me otherwise."
"You liked the weeping willow we had the picnic under," Legolas accused.
"That is true," she conceded, "but I still preferred the flowers. I like the yellows and the blues."
"Well, I like green," Legolas sulked.
"There, there, do not be upset," Thalion said, patting his brother on the back. This time it was Legolas' turn to elbow his brother.
"Can you two ever settle disagreements without resorting to violence?" Malnarthan asked her sons.
"No!" They both said in unison. Eldirn could not help but laugh to herself.
"Let us all sit down, I am sure dinner will be ready soon." Eiliant suggested.
Thranduil took the arm of his wife and Thalion the arm of his. This left Legolas looking hopefully at Eldirn. She did not have to walk with him to dinner, though he wished she would. He offered his arm to her and she took it willingly.
The dining room was even finer than their sitting room, with a wide wooden table in the centre of it, surrounded by cabinets full of fine porcelain and glasses. Thranduil took his seat at one end of the table and Malnarthan at the other. Thalion took a seat to the right of his father, Legolas sat on Thranduil's left. Eiliant sat next to her husband, so that left Eldirn with no choice but to sit between Legolas and the Queen.
As she gently lowered herself onto the chair all the advice of her mother came flooding back. Sit up straight, do not eat too fast, do not drink too much, remember to say please and thank you, do not forget to compliment the cook… A plate of food was put in front of her and Eldirn was so wrapped up in remembering what to do that she did almost forget to say thank you. The others picked up their cutlery and began to eat what would be the first course of many. Eldirn took a tentative bite of what was in front of her.
"Eldirn, dear," Malnarthan said at her elbow, "Legolas says you play the harp exceptionally well."
"I think he exaggerated my talents, your Highness," Eldirn replied meekly. "I do not think my playing could be called exceptional."
"Nonsense," said Thranduil pompously from the other end of the table, "we did not bring up our sons to tell falsehoods."
"I…I…I did not mean to insult you, Sire." Eldirn said, panicking. She had only been there a short time and already she had insulted the King. What would her father say?
"Do not worry yourself, Eldirn," Malnarthan said, kindly placing a hand on Eldirn's. "I think my husband meant to compliment you rather than upset you."
"Oh…" Eldirn said, feeling rather silly. "Thank you."
"And besides," Eiliant interjected, "I know you play very well. I have heard you many times before."
Eldirn picked up her glass of wine and blushed furiously as she drank. Legolas watched her surreptitiously out of the corner of his eye and then more obviously as she began eating again. He looked at the dainty way she cut her food, opened her luscious, pink lips and then slid the morsel over her tongue. He was mesmerised by the way her lips moved as she chewed or the occasional way her tongue darted out to clean some bit of sauce that had gone astray.
"Legolas?" Thalion asked in a louder voice than necessary. He had noticed what had attracted his brother's attention and caused the rapturous look on his face and wanted to put a stop to it before things got out of hand.
Legolas heard his brother call his name and he suddenly remembered where he was and who else was there.
"Legolas," Thalion's voice said with more than just an edge of amusement, "I fancy going merrymaking tonight, will you join me?"
"Of course, Thalion, I think that would be most enjoyable," Legolas replied. "I always enjoy an evening out in the forest. Eiliant will you be joining us?"
Eiliant looked slyly at her husband. She knew his plan. If two is company and three is a crowd then four is just two times two.
"Yes I think I will risk a night out with you both this once," she assented.
Thalion placed a hand on her leg. She knew him too well to be blind to his plan. All it needed now was Legolas to find a tongue in his head and the nerve to ask Eldirn to join them. They did not have to wait long. Thalion and Eiliant watched eagerly as Legolas took a long gulp of his wine and turned to the elleth next to him.
"Eldirn, would you join us tonight?"
"Oh," she said mildly shocked by the invitation, "I would not want to intrude."
This comment was immediately disagreed with by the others. Thranduil and Malnarthan remained silent, though not without keeping an interested ear on the conversation.
"It will be fun," Legolas said. "We have never been merrymaking together properly after all." He tried coaxing her into agreeing. "Do you remember the last time we tried though?"
Eldirn could not help but let out a small giggle at the memory.
"I remember very well," Thranduil interjected without looking up from his plate.
"What happened? What did you two attempt this time?" Eiliant asked knowingly.
"Do you want to tell the story?" Legolas asked Eldirn, but she shook her head. "Well we were about eight were we not Eldirn? We decided we wished to follow all the elves into the forest and go merrymaking with them. I had always wanted to join them and I think Eldirn got swept along with it too. Thalion caught us as we were sneaking off through the trees. He had probably been following us as usual," Legolas added with a glint in his eye.
"Ridiculous notion," Thalion said, "I had better things to do." Eiliant patted her husband's hand sarcastically and turned her attention back to Legolas.
"Also as usual he grabbed me by the ear and dragged me to see Adar who promptly banned me from going off into the forest after dark. We thought it was very unfair. So when Adar went to dine we gathered a group of friends and started merrymaking in his study. After all, he had not said anything about that."
"Oh no! Oh Eldirn, that does not sound like the you I know!" Eiliant added critically, but with a jovial tone.
"I seem to recall that I came back for something or other and caught you with a candle and a small pile of kindling, ionnen," Thranduil said with a smile. Legolas pretended not to hear.
"What I want to know is who realised that Thranduil had not banned them from merrymaking inside?" Eiliant asked, looking from the grinning Legolas to the shamefaced Eldirn.
"We never did get to the bottom of that one," Thalion said. "Neither of them would say."
"Well, I would say it was Eldirn," Eiliant postulated. "She has that sort of mind, though perhaps Legolas was more involved in the actual doing."
"And I always thought it was Legolas. Eldirn just did not seem to have the cheek in her to think of that sort of thing." Thalion said.
Eldirn and Legolas exchanged a look before Eldirn looked Thalion straight in the eyes.
"I think you overestimated my character, Thalion," she said quietly. "I am sorry, Sire," Eldirn said to Thranduil who appeared mildly amused by it all.
"Well I would never have guessed." Thalion was amazed. "And when you two played that horrid trick on me the next week as I was resting?"
"Legolas," Eldirn said quickly. "It was all Legolas' doing."
"Now see here Eldirn, if you had not come up with the idea of getting revenge in the first place none of it would have happened," Legolas protested.
"Aye, but I was theorising, I did not mean for you to go and do it!" They all laughed together.
"Now back to the matter in hand," Thalion said. "Are you coming merrymaking with us Eldirn?"
"Yes do, Eldirn. Please?" Legolas added.
"I will have to go home for my cloak, but yes, I would like to come," Eldirn decided finally. She had heard her mother's words on happiness in her head and resolved that if she put aside all the lies she would have a happy time.
"Oh, you can borrow one of mine," Eiliant offered. "Our talan is on the way."
"Thank you, that is very kind." Eldirn replied.
Dessert was brought and they all ate in silence, except when Thalion asked if he could commandeer a bottle of his father's wine. Thranduil agreed after Malnarthan had scolded him for caring more about his cellars than about his sons' enjoyment.
A servant collected the empty bowl from in front of Eldirn and she turned to thank them, then she turned to Malnarthan.
"This really was such a lovely meal, your Highness. Thank you so much."
Malnarthan gave her a genuine smile and inclined her head slightly. Thranduil rose and all the others followed suit. Legolas, Thalion and Eiliant said goodbye to their parents while Eldirn lingered feeling uncomfortable. She went to take her leave of Malnarthan first.
"Thank you once again, your Highness."
"You are very welcome, my child. It has been lovely to see you again after all this time, and Legolas does seem very fond of you."
Eldirn had no reply to this. She simply smiled and curtseyed and turned towards the King. Malnarthan had followed her children from the room and Eldirn was left alone with Thranduil.
"Eldirn, I will speak plainly," he said quickly. "You must tell Legolas that you are going to Rivendell and you must do it soon or I will have to do it for you, and tell him I will. Do not doubt that. I will not stand by and let him be used."
"Oh Your Majesty, I do not use him, I could never do that to Legolas! I…" Eldirn was alarmed and one hand flew to her face in distress, but she managed to stop herself before she told the Elvenking everything.
"Say what you feel Eldirn, I would like to know your mind."
Eldirn thought for a brief moment and then said very carefully,
"I do not know exactly what it is I feel, but I know I do not want to lose his friendship or to hurt him. I do not know where to begin to tell him what will happen." The colour rose in her cheeks and she found she could not meet the King's gaze. She tried her best to hold down the sob that was welling up inside her.
Thranduil was relieved. He did not think the little girl he had known could have intended for this to happen. How unfortunate it was for them both that they should find themselves again with such little time to be together. He put his hand on her shoulder and spoke gently.
"I am glad that you feel such. I did not wish to doubt you, Eldirn. You will tell him soon, but not tonight. He deserves this good memory as well. You both do."
"Thank you, Sire," Eldirn said again. She did not know what else to say and stood frozen to the spot, looking at her hands.
"Goodbye, Eldirn," Thranduil said almost wistfully.
"Goodbye, Sire," Eldirn said and she curtseyed, though her mind was clearly dwelling on something else.
She turned and left the dining room to find the others waiting for her. Eldirn walked with Eiliant to her talan. Legolas had been worried when he had seen Eldirn emerge after only a few moments with his father with such a look of distress on her face. He was not allowed to contemplate this further, though, as Thalion handed him a bottle of wine and hid another under his own tunic. The brothers went quickly and nimbly down the steps of the talan and left Eldirn and Eiliant to walk together.
The ladies slowly followed the ellyn along a small path and then soon reached the talan Eiliant shared with Thalion.
"We shall not be long," Eiliant called to her husband who appeared to be discussing with Legolas reasons why it was perfectly plausible for two bottles of wine to be missing from their father's stores instead of the expected one.
Eldirn followed Eiliant up the stairs and they entered Eiliant's dressing room.
"Right here is a cloak for you Eldirn, see it goes perfectly with your dress, but before you put that on would you like me to loosen that bodice for you? You cannot dance if you cannot breath."
"Oh, Eiliant, I am sure that is the best thing anyone has ever said to me!" Eldirn was ecstatic.
"I am sure I know others who will say better," Eiliant said slyly. She said no more though as she untied the knot at the bottom of the bodice and one by one, loosened the strings. She was about half way up the back when Eldirn spoke.
"Eiliant, how do you tell someone something that you know they do not want to hear, something that will hurt them?"
Eiliant thought for a moment before replying honestly.
"The truth is always preferable to falsehood. You cannot deny what must or will happen."
Eldirn contemplated this as Eiliant finished tying the dress and then wrapped the cloak around her shoulders.
"Thank you," she said quietly.
Eiliant gathered up four goblets before she left the talan.
*
It was twilight and the sky was still light, but the ground was dark as they walked deeper into the trees. Eiliant was leaning on her husband's arm and Legolas had taken Eldirn's. They could all hear the music and laughter as it filtered through the trees towards them. Looking out of the corner of her eye, Eldirn could see Legolas' smile getting larger and larger with every step they took.
Eiliant handed round the goblets and Legolas offered Eldirn a glass from the bottle he held. She declined so Legolas placed their bottle and glasses by the foot of a tree and took Eldirn's hand to lead her to the darkened edge of the dancers. Once more, Eldirn was forced to ask herself how he knew her inner thoughts. How did he know to lead her into the shadows and not by the fire?
The music was lively and seemed to be coming from the very trees themselves. Lifting her head Eldirn saw that throughout the glade musicians were positioned high in the branches or on small platforms built for the purpose. Legolas twirled her into his arms and Eldirn squealed in shock.
Legolas took one of Eldirn's hands and wrapped the other gently around her waist. Dancing in the forest was so different from dancing in the festivals. There were no formalities when merrymaking, no steps, not cordialities that must be observed. They were free to dance how they felt and when they felt. The music was lively and Legolas danced himself and Eldirn in and out of the few trees that grew in the circle. She laughed until tears were brought to eyes. Legolas looked on with great joy swelling in his heart.
Legolas watched as the pink colour rose in her cheeks, though not through embarrassment for once, and lights twinkled in her eyes. Her smile seemed warmer to him than the fire and as she sang her voice was sweeter than the nightingale's. They danced for so long that darkness had fallen and it was almost midnight. There was a break in music and Eldirn stepped back to lean against a tree.
"I do not think I have ever danced so much before," she said breathlessly.
"Would you care for a drink?"
"Oh yes! Yes please," Eldirn said eagerly.
"Rest here, and I will fetch our glasses," he said generously.
Carefully Eldirn lowered herself onto the floor and settled herself in between two crooks of the tree. She watched Legolas' retreating figure, but soon lost him amongst the crowds of elves dancing and singing, or just talking together.
Legolas quickly found where he had left their drink and picked up the bottle and glasses, brushing off a bit of dirt. He heard steps behind him and turned to see his brother.
"You and Eldirn look as though you are enjoying yourselves," Thalion said.
"We are, thank you," Legolas said, though feeling there was more to this conversation than Thalion was letting on.
"Many people have been commenting on you and Eldirn. Eldirn especially."
"She will not like that," Legolas noted. "What have you been saying to them?"
"I have just said that she was a good friend when you were both young and you have recently become reacquainted, that is all. Though they usually reply with something like 'If I looked at my childhood friends like that my wife would never forgive me!'" Thalion laughed, but Legolas did not.
"You should not encourage them, Thalion. Do you not remember how it was for you?"
"Aye, I do, tithintôr [little brother]. I apologise. But did you not think that this was how it would be? Are you so naïve?"
"I did not think it would feel as though everyone was speaking about me."
"Oh, it is not everyone. Some are too involved in each other to care about you and Eldirn." Suddenly, Thalion's face turned serious. " You like her very much, do you not?"
"More than anyone I have ever met before, or think I will ever meet. She is precious to me," Legolas admitted.
"Then you must show her this. And do not scare her."
"Thalion, I know. I have known Eldirn far too long not to see past the image she tries to give other people. She is better at it now then she was at fifteen, but I still know. I have a present for her too," Legolas added shyly.
"I am sure Eldirn will love it," Thalion said, strangely proud of his little brother. "And speaking of Eldirn," he said pointing over Legolas' shoulder, "she looks as if she is attracting some unwanted attention."
A couple of drunken guards had approached Eldirn, who was now on her feet and pressed back against the tree.
"What are they doing?" Legolas asked, peering through the crowds.
"Trying to coax her to dance?" Suggested Thalion.
Eldirn looked positively terrified. Quickly Legolas darted through the elves to get to her. He slowed down just before he reached her and said loudly,
"Eldirn, I brought our drinks. Do you want to go for a walk while we break from dancing?"
Hearing a voice the guards immediately turned round. They were not so incapable that they did not recognise their Prince. Offering him a solemn salute and then muttered apologies they melted back into the throng gathered around the fire.
"Is everything well, Eldirn?" He asked her gently. He noticed her swallow hard and then smile at him.
"Yes, thank you. They simply would not take no for an answer, that is all."
"Would you still care for that walk?"
"Yes, I would. Some cooler air would do me good, I feel."
Legolas took her hand and led her into the forest. They soon came upon a fallen tree and Legolas took off his cloak and chivalrously spread it down on the log for her to sit on. He poured them both a goblet of wine and they drank in silence.
Eldirn knew her mother had been correct. She was feeling truly happy. The worry of Rivendell was gone from her head and she felt as though she belonged with Legolas. He made her body come alive with every touch and with every kind gesture or softly spoken conversation.
"Eldirn?" Legolas said, putting a stop to her little reverie. She saw him fumbling in a pocket. "Eldirn I have a gift for you." He pulled out a tiny parcel wrapped in silk and gave it to her.
Eldirn looked at the package in her hands and then at Legolas, whose face encouraged her to open it. Carefully laying it on her lap she unfolded the corners of the cloth. Her breath caught in her chest when she saw what lay there. A beautiful silver chain, with a small seven-pointed star hanging from it.
"Oh Legolas, it is beautiful!" She gasped. "I cannot take this from you."
"You will and you must, Eldirn. Please? I should like to see you wear it now. Let me put it on for you."
Eldirn had no choice in the matter as Legolas fastened the clasp behind her neck. The cool metal of the star came to rest on her skin. One of Legolas' fingers swept out the path of the chain along her chest leaving behind a trail of sparks until it reached the pendant. Legolas stopped and caressed it with his finger.
"Shall we return to the dancing?" Legolas asked. Eldirn could only nod.
The mood of the merrymaking had quickly changed. The music was now slow and sensual. Eldirn could do nothing but let Legolas hold her close to him, their bodies brushing together with every move they made. His hand rested possessively on her hip and she flet his fingers scorching her body through the fabric of her dress. His closeness set her ablaze with feelings she did not understand and could not control. Together they moved in little circles practically on the spot.
Despite this, the gift of the necklace laid heavily on her mind. It was a gift she did not deserve. How could she have refused it when the refusal would have crushed him? Eldirn felt so deceitful. She knew she had not lied outright, but the deception of Legolas was worse somehow. There had been ample of opportunity for her to broach the subject of Rivendell, she had even tried that time in the garden, but she did not have the courage to tell him in the face of his antipathy towards the subject.
Eldirn sighed sadly, but Legolas misconstrued it as a sigh of pleasure and held her even tighter. He rested the side of his head against hers, their temples pressed together. She leant into his embrace as one of his long fingers traced small circles in the small of her back. She sighed again, but this time with a smile on her face. Such sweet torture he was forcing upon her, though he did not know it. Eldirn allowed herself to lean into his embrace and closed her eyes.
Legolas felt the way she pressed her body to his, sighing contentedly for a second time. Her breath tickled the tip of his ear and it was all he could do not to groan. Her soft skin pressed against the side of his cheek. It was warm and inviting. He thought again of her lips, their generous shape and their pink hue, and wondered how soft they would be when pressed against his own. There was only one way he would ever know.
Very slowly he moved his head back and saw Eldirn's dark eyes flutter open to watch him, her gaze locked on his. Shyly Legolas moved his hand from her back and brought it to her face. Softly his three longest fingers traced the length of one side of her face. He cupped the side of her face, his thumb caressing the skin under her lower lip. His focus shifted from her eyes to her lips and he saw the way they opened delicately of their own accord. He bent his head slightly, but suddenly the lips were gone.
Eldirn had read his intentions and panicked. She took a step back away from him, her heart thudding in her chest. The mixture of emotions was clear on her face for Legolas to read - confusion, fear and pain. It mirrored his own.
"I must leave," she stuttered.
"No, please! Please stay, Eldirn," Legolas begged, stepping closer to her, but she moved out of his reach once more. He wanted to apologise for what he had just tried to do, but found he could not.
"I am sorry, Legolas. I… I just cannot stay."
Eldirn turned to leave but Legolas was faster than she was and he ran around her to face her once more.
"Shall I walk you home?" He asked.
"No, 'tis not far," Eldirn said. Her fingers went to the fastenings of the cloak around her neck and she pulled hurriedly at the cords. "Here is Lady Eiliant's cloak."
"Will you not need it?"
"No thank you. Please thank her."
There was a flash of indecision in Eldirn's face and for a moment Legolas thought she might stay. Her fingers played absentmindedly with the star on the chain, and Legolas took small triumph in that. Perhaps she had not rejected him totally. However the determination soon returned to her face and Legolas knew there was nothing to do but say,
"Goodnight, Eldirn."
"Goodnight, Legolas," was all she said in reply.
Eldirn moved quickly through the trees she knew so well, ignoring the paths and soon she was home. There were still candles burning in the house and she found her mother awake writing letters.
"I thought you would need help getting out of the dress," Rodwen said and followed Eldirn into her bedroom. "Who loosened this for you?" She scolded gently. "Did you have a good time?"
Rodwen got no response as Eldirn stood stock still with a blank expression on her face. Her mind was so far away from where they sat. Worried, Rodwen asked,
"Are you well sellen? Nothing untoward happened did it?"
Eldirn spun round, her face more distressed than Rodwen had ever seen it.
"I must tell him everything tomorrow, Naneth, and I think it will break my heart."