DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN LORD OF THE RINGS

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ONDRAYA'S P.O.V.

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I had a little trouble walking. Without Legolas's strong arm under mine, I felt unsure-unsteady. The whole night had been a rush of fury. Starting with my first introduction to Rivendell, Haldir and Fionan's secrets, Traven returning with the rather unwelcome news from Dagrius, and then meeting this Legolas... I didn't like the dizziness his absence gave me. I preferred not to rely on anyone.

But as I approached my companions once more, I did my best to wipe the weariness from my face and appear completely normal.

"Back." I smiled at them. I got no reply, as everyone's jaw was hanging loose. My brow furrowed. "What? What's wrong?" I questioned, looking from one face to the next.

"Ondra, that was Pr..."

"Dinner is almost ready. We should take our seats." Haldir cut Imeron off. My expression grew to one of even greater confusion. Something was up here. I didn't like not knowing. Bad enough that Haldir kept the Lady Galadriel's secrets from me... He was hiding something else now too. I shot him a glare to show my disapproval.

Upset, I reached for the chair nearest me and was about the plop down (very ungracefully) into it, when Fionan grabbed my wrist. "Got a problem, Elf?" I growled.

"A lady does not pull out her own chair. Everyone is going to think that all the gentlemen you are with are discourteous." He scolded quietly, pulling it for me.

I sat and folded my arms over my chest defensively. "God forbid that." I muttered darkly.

The three of them exchanged looks. Then there was an awkward silence.

Imeron cleared his throat. "Right. So... Where did you go, Ondra? One minute you were chasing me, and the next, you're nowhere to be found."

I shot him a glare too. My mood was not improving. "None of your business, Imeron."

"Well I just thought that..." He started.

"There's your problem, bud, you think too much. And sometimes, you don't think enough." I interrupted, crossing my arms and slumping poutily in my chair.

The rest of the court was seated by now, and servants exited the kitchen with trays full of appetizers. It was mostly salad, but they had many Elven delicacies as well. I didn't touch any of it. My appetite was sorely lost.

Again, poor, stupid Imeron tried to start a conversation. "So, Ondra, you..."

"If I were you, Imeron, I wouldn't say anything stupid."

He said something stupid.

"I heard you promise that elf two dances. I had no idea that you went for the royal type."

Fionan quickly dropped his fork and slapped a hand over Imeron's mouth; Haldir hung his head in his hands. It looked like he was ready to give up.

"What did you say?" I asked, eyebrow raised and interests perked.

"Nothing. He was merely babbling stupidly as you said he shouldn't. You know how he is." Fionan hastily answered, still not removing his hand from Imeron's face.

I kicked Fionan under the table. He quickly released his hold on Imeron. "Now that was hardly uncalled for, Ondraya!" He barked.

I ignored him and stood up, storming over to the other side of the table. Imeron's arm was taken in mine. He winced as I yanked him from his seat. My knuckles were white from my grasping his wrist so hard.

"Milady," Haldir pleaded, trying to ignore some of the looks I was attracting. "You're causing a scene." He whispered.

"If someone doesn't tell me what's going on, you won't get a scene, you'll get a whole bloody performance!" I snapped loudly, dragging the reluctant Imeron out of the hall and into a separate area. I didn't stop until we were out of even the elves' hearing range.

"Now-explain!" I demanded, pushing him against the wall and tapping my foot impatiently. My blood was boiling.

"Ondra, I merely meant that I..."

"DON'T beat around the bush! Tell me what going on, and tell me NOW!!" I ordered, cracking my knuckles for an extra affect.

"Didn't you know?" He murmured, puzzled.

"KNOW WHAT!!?"

"The elf that you," he swallowed. "The elf you promised the dances to is the prince of Mirkwood."

I stepped back, my eyes wide. "Ex-excuse me?"

"Prince Legolas." He affirmed.

I didn't say another word. I just sort of...froze. I wasn't scared or angry or upset. I was just...blank.

"Um...Ondra? Hey? Ondraya?"

I opened and closed my mouth-unable to get the words out. I must have looked like some kind of fish.

"Come on, Ondra. We should probably get back to dinner." He decided finally. I nodded mutely.

We silently made our way back to the dining hall. We received a few stares as we walked through the doorway, but most disregarded us, as we were no longer making a fuss.

Still without a word, Imeron pulled my chair out for me, and I sat. I didn't reach for a fork or knife, nor did I even consider eating; I wasn't all that hungry.

Fionan eyed me. "I don't think I've ever seen you sit so straight before." He commented dryly.

It was true, my back was straight as a board, my lips were pinched together, and one eyebrow was raised defiantly. My hands, although resting calmly in my lap, were clasping each other so tightly that the knuckles were turning white.

"Well, today seems to be a day for many shocking things." I replied smugly.

All three of them exchanged looks-for what seemed like the millionth time that day. Haldir heaved a sigh, and the other two shook their heads. All returned to their dinner.

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All of the food was soon finished, and the elves were leaving the table for the dance floor. Many were strolling about and socializing some more.

I -having had enough-was ready to return to my room. But suddenly Fionan whispered something to Haldir, and all of us were walking across the room towards a large cluster of especially noble-looking elves.

"Excuse me, Lord Elrond," Fionan gave a small bow to an elf with long chestnut hair. Had he been human, he would have looked to be in his early or mid forties. I wondered that an elf could appear so...old. Weren't they all youthful and the perfect picture of beauty?

"Ah! Fionan! It has been long since our last meeting!" This Elrond exclaimed.

"Too long, Milord. I trust you know Haldir of Lothlorien?" He held his hands in Haldir's direction, who gave a flourished bow.

"Yes. Guardian of the Lady's Woods. It has been many years since our last meeting as well." Lord Elrond stated. "Tell me, what brings you to Rivendell?"

"I'm afraid that I am business for the Lady of the Light, Milord." Haldir sighed.

"Nothing too grave, I hope?"

"No. It is merely an issue that...might be of interest to you."

"I see..."

There was an awkward silence. Everyone stared at their boots or watched other elves chatting. No one seemed to know what to do.

I, however, was thinking, and thinking very hard. This Elrond...he seemed familiar. The melodic rumble of his voice was almost hypnotic. It made me, well, sleepy.

"Tell me," Lord Elrond broke the silence. "Who are your lovely friends?"

"Oh! Of course! So sorry, milord! This is Imeron, a long-time companion of mine. I have known him for many years." Haldir declared, and Imeron bowed, that lopsided grin on his face.

"This is the Lady Ondraya. She..." He paused. At first I thought it was because he didn't know where I was from or who my parents were. Usually you state such things when introducing someone. But then I noticed his hesitancy and realized that he had just stopped himself from revealing something to me.

"She just joined our company." He finally finished.

I tried my best to erase the scowl that threatened my features, and gave Lord Elrond the best smile I could manage. He kissed the back of my hand politely and I curtsied.

"A pleasure, milord." I mumbled.

"Yes, yes it is." He paused, still not releasing my hand, and gazing at me in a most peculiar way. I squirmed somewhat.

"Ah! Lady Ondraya! There you are!" A pleasant voice called.

I snapped out of the trance that Lord Elrond's eyes had put me under.

"Oh, hello." I nodded towards Legolas, who was slipping between people.

"You have already met Prince Legolas?" Lord Elrond questioned, an eyebrow raised.

"Yes-although he failed to mention the 'prince' part." I muttered.

Legolas looked humbled. "I assumed you knew." He stated quietly.

"'Assume' makes an ass out of 'u' and 'me'." I declared, crossing my arms and facing the other way.

"Ah, milady, I hardly find that appropriate and..."

"Yes, Haldir, I know. Completely unnecessary and uncalled for. Must you baby me so?"

As usual, he looked completely upset over my striking comment. Oh well. He had better get used to it.

"Um, yes, well... Are you quite ready for those dances that you promised me, milady?" Legolas questioned awkwardly.

"Yes. Let's dance." I nodded, and he gently grasped my hand, leading me away from the others. "I must warn you though, I hardly like to dance. You're going to have to be patient with me."

He looked astounded. "You don't like to dance!?" He asked incredulously.

"No. I always hated it when..." I stopped myself from saying 'when Dagrius made me dance with him'. When Dagrius ordered a girl to dance with him, it usually led to other, less preferable things...

"When my instructors tried to teach me." I finished. It was a lie of course. I'd never had any instructors. But he wasn't aware of that, and what he didn't know, didn't hurt me...

The band started a quick, upbeat song. I grasped a bit of that god-awful gown, and took Legolas's hand with my other. He slipped his spare arm around my waist.

"Do you know this dance?" He asked as we started to whirl around the dance floor.

"No. I shall just follow your lead."

The rest of the song was too quick. We weren't able to talk much more because it left us breathing hard. But it was jolly and I felt a rush of adrenaline course through me.

Everyone's feet, even though most of the dancers were elves, hit the floor in a steady rhythm that matched with the music. It was akin to the swift beating of my racing heart.

All too soon, the tune ended, and all of the couples clung to each other for support while they attempted to catch their breaths. I, however, clutched a chair. I refused to lean all over a man that I hardly knew.

"Are you all right, milady?" Legolas questioned. He had already caught his breath.

"Hm? Yes, yes, of course." I replied, waving him away as politely as I could.

A slower song began. "May I have this dance as well, milady?" He asked, giving a playful bow.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and grinned slightly. "Yes. I suppose so." I replied-just as playfully.

He grasped my hand again and led me back out onto the dance floor.

This tune was much more relaxing. It was slow and deliberate-requiring every pair to entwine against each other. Looking out over Legolas's shoulder, I realized that the candles had somehow been magically dimmed. I also realized that over half of the girls in the room were staring -or glaring, really-at me.

I crossed my eyes and stuck out my tongue.

Legolas laughed. "What are you doing?" He whispered.

"Your fan club was watching us ever so intently, so I gave them something to stare at." I explained simply, shrugging. He gave another little laugh.

"My fan club?"

"Yes. I am speaking of all of those little gold-diggers who are angry with me because I prevented them from dancing with you. Which means, of course, that if you don't dance with them, you shall not instantly fall in love with them, and they, in turn, will not have access to your crown and abundant wealth." I explained sarcastically.

He tried his best to stop the laugh that threatened to erupt from his throat. "Oh? And how am I to know that you also are not one of these 'gold- diggers' as you call them?" He questioned.

"Simple. I liked you before I knew you were royalty. By the way, why did you not tell me that you were the prince visiting from Mirkwood?" I asked.

"I assumed you knew. As you mentioned, most girls know and adore me." He stated.

"Think a little highly of yourself there, don't you?" I murmured. He looked appalled.

"Oh no! Of course not! I only meant that..."

"Calm down," I laughed. "I know what you meant. I was just toying with you."

He immediately relaxed and smiled again. It was a very charming smile. "Tricky little girl, aren't you?" He commented.

"One of the best." I replied, winking.

He snickered again, and the song slowly whittled to an end. The candles seemed to brighten again.

"Now that you've danced with me, do you like to dance?" He asked, ushering us to the side so that we were not in the way of others.

I laughed. "Hardly. I think that those were the worst two dances I've ever had in my life." I teased right back.

He chuckled. "I'm glad to hear that."

I smiled. "Well, you had better go find some other saucy girl to dance with. I've had about all that I can take of this whole partying thing. Besides," I pointed to a group of girls who were eagerly watching us. As soon as they realized I was pointing to them, though, they all quickly turned away and appeared to be busy talking to each other. "I think your fan club is going to riot if you don't give them attention soon." I stated, laughing.

He laughed somewhat as well. "Yes. I'm afraid that you're right." He turned his gaze back to me. My eyes locked with his. They held the same hypnotic power as Lord Elrond's, and I found that I could not look away. "I'm also sorry to hear that you're retiring for the night."

I chuckled some more. "So sad. Too bad." I joked. He grinned.

"Goodnight, milady." He bowed.

"Goodnight, milord." I curtsied. He gave me a kiss on the back of my hand and walked off.

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Ok. This chap, I'm just gonna list all of you AWESOME, AWESOME reviewers =)

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Reviews=Happy Me

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