The celebration that night was one for the beginning of summer. Kari always enjoyed them because they were held outside. The air was sweet with a warm soft wind blowing by the mountains surrounding Rivendell. It was the perfect type of weather for merry making.
Kari arrived a bit after the opening festivities, so the dancing had already begun. She quickly found Legolas, Arwen and Aragorn standing and sipping drinks at the opposite side of the grounds from where she was and needed to pass through the dancing area to reach them. As she made her way towards them, she was stopped by an elf.
"My Lady Kari, it is good to see you here," the elf said pleasantly. His name was Estorel, one of the three elves who had lingered around the practice field earlier in the afternoon. His brown hair was pulled back slightly to reveal nicely pointed ears and his grey eyes were quite mischievous looking, as though he had a secret that he would only share with a chosen few.
"My Lord Estorel, same to you," Kari replied with a slight dip of her head. She did not know if Estorel truly enjoyed her company or simply found her amusing. Whenever they spoke, he always initiated the conversation. They would speak rather easily about any topic, but his eyes unnerved Kari. She would not say they held wisdom, but they held quick wit which he used to make her laugh and feel uncomfortable at the same time. She could not deny that he was a handsome elf.
"Please, I am too young to be called a Lord," Estorel said. Although Kari had no idea how old he was, she doubted that was the case. Had he been mortal, Kari would have guessed he would have been but twenty.
"As am I," Kari said.
"My Lady Kari, you are too lovely to be a lord!" Estorel said.
Kari laughed and tried not to blush. It was silly to react to someone's words like that. She suddenly felt like all the she-elves who threw themselves at Legolas or other elves, laughing and blushing.
"But too young and not lovely enough to be a Lady," she replied.
"Nonsense. You are quite lovely. I believe you said that to encourage me to compliment you," Estorel said.
Kari blinked with surprise. No she hadn't. But now that she thought about it, she did sound like someone who wanted to be complimented. Although Legolas knew what they were doing, he would always compliment the she-elves who used such a tactic. But he told Kari that it annoyed him greatly. Now she was inadvertently doing the same thing.
"My Lady Kari, I did not intend to leave you speechless so soon," Estorel said, his eyes dancing with amusement.
She now did blush. "I do not know the proper response. If I say that was not my intention, how could you know for sure? I may just deny it because I have gotten caught. And if I say that was my intention, I appear as though I desperately need attention, which is not a very favorable image. So, I can only conclude that you said that with the intention of leaving me speechless," she replied, turning the comment back on Estorel.
Estorel laughed heartily and then blushed. "My Lady Kari, I do not have a proper response for your comment."
"Then perhaps this conversation has come to an end," Kari replied, smiling at the flustered Estorel.
"Perhaps. But perhaps that simply means we should begin dancing," Estorel said, extending his hand.
Kari smirked as she accepted his hand. "Was this your intention all along?"
"Yes," Estorel admitted as he placed one hand in hers and the other on her waist.
"You could have asked me in the first place," Kari said as they began to dance.
"And not see you blush? No, My Lady Kari," Estorel said rather flirtingly.
Kari laughed and felt very lighthearted.
"You need not call me Lady," Kari said.
"But you are a fine one."
"I prefer if you do not."
"Well, I must do as the Lady wishes," Estorel responded, his eyes glistening.
Kari smiled with amusement. Estorel was quite confident and charming, and his words made Kari feel special. His speech was much for daring now that it was simply the two of them talking instead of when they were in the presence of the other two elves on the field. Catching the attention of an attractive male elf like Estorel tonight made her feel desirable and rather powerful. It was a new feeling for her. Previously she had thought that her "admirers," as Aragorn labeled them, were simply amused by her. It was clear now that Estorel was truly interested in her.
When the dance ended, Kari pulled away and dipped her head again. "I thank you for the dance, Estorel," she said courteously.
"You are quite welcome, Kari. It was a pleasure and I do not intend for it to be our last of the evening," Estorel replied.
Kari smiled and left his company to find Legolas, Arwen and Aragorn – her original plan.
"Kari, you look beautiful," Arwem said after wrapping her arms around Kari briefly and stepping back to look at her more properly. Kari wore a sleeveless peach colored dress that flowed softly in the wind. The material was light and airy, keeping Kari cool as she danced. Kari was not usually one for intricacies on her dress, but she could not deny the beauty of the silver embroidery on her bodice in gently wave-like pattern.
"If it is a fraction of your beauty, then I am blessed," Kari replied.
Arwen smiled widely. And although Arwen knew Kari's words were words of honesty, she also knew they were words of insecurity.
"Are you not going to comment on my appearance?" Aragorn asked.
Kari smiled as she looked at Aragorn. "I am pleased that your hair and fingernails are clean," she jested.
Arwen and Legolas laughed heartily. Aragorn feigned hurt before he lunged at Kari but Kari sidestepped him quickly.
"Let us save the attacking for training," Arwen said, still smiling.
Kari hugged Aragorn's neck affectionately and kissed his cheek. "You look terribly handsome," she said to appease him.
Legolas looked at Kari, now wrapped up in a second male's arms in the past few minutes and could not help but look away. It was Aragorn, it was harmless. Although Estorel may be a cause for concern, Aragorn was not, and it was foolish that Legolas should feel that he was.
As he watched Kari continue to have her arms draped around Aragorn, and Aragorn's face beaming with affection, he wondered why she never did that to him. If ever they touched, he initiated the contact. He spun her around the practice field, he ruffled her hair, he kissed her forehead. Knowing that Kari touched Aragorn so easily but never him made Legolas troubled.
"And I agree with Arwen, you are beautiful," Aragorn said after their long embrace was over.
"If you are not careful, your compliments will make me become pompous," Kari warned.
"Well then, let us speed up the process," Aragorn said. He turned Kari so that she was facing Legolas squarely. "Legolas, tell Kari how wonderful she looks this evening," Aragorn added as he placed his hand on the small of her back.
Legolas made no reply, for he was concentrating on Aragorn's hand on Kari's back. He wanted to push it away from her.
When Legolas made no response, Kari shifted uncomfortably. "I suppose it is better if he did not, I…"
"You are stunning," Legolas said, abruptly cutting Kari off, his eyes noticeably darker.
Kari's eyes visibly widened. Never before had Legolas said such a thing. He complimented her numerous times, noting her intelligence or quickness in learning new techniques during practice, but never just her as a person.
She wanted to say something in return, but the words caught in her throat and only then did she realize that after all this time, Legolas still managed to leave her shocked and speechless. No matter how hard she tried to always appear unaffected by every touch or look or word he gave her, he still managed to undo her composure with three words and a glance.
She was still such a fool.
"My Lady Kari, my I have this dance," an elf asked, extending his hand and bow graciously to her. He was one of the others who watched their practices but did not stay to talk with her afterwards.
She looked at the elf, feeling guilty that she did not remember his name. "Oh, uh, certainly," she replied, accepting his hand. She smiled awkwardly at Legolas and proceeded to the dance floor with the elf.
Legolas watched Kari and the elf dance and swallowed hard. He was acting foolish and he could not understand why. Kari could dance with whomever she chose and he would then have the last dance. He knew and very well enjoyed that he was the principal male in Kari's everyday life and the idea that his position could be taken by someone else troubled him greatly. But it was not as though Kari was betrothed to any of these elves she danced with, and his position in her life would not falter.
The festivities proceeded and Legolas dutifully danced with every lady who asked him. Kari danced with a variety of male elves, Estorel asking for her hand on numerous songs. As he danced with a she-elf whose name he couldn't remember, Legolas watched Kari laugh joyfully as Estorel spun her skillfully across the dance area. Her hair flung around carelessly and her eyes sparkled. The dance ended and Estorel whispered into her ear.
"Shall we take a walk?" Estorel asked Kari.
Kari smiled. "Sure." He was quite a lovely dancer and she could not deny that she found him attractive.
Legolas heard the whisper even though Kari and Estorel had been across the dance area. By the time he had finished bowing courteous to his partner and looked towards their direction again, they were gone.
"Legolas! Come, you have been quiet all night. What is wrong, mellon?" Aragorn asked as he approached the elf.
Legolas smiled tightly. "Nothing," he replied as he accompanied Aragorn back to a table to converse.
Estorel and Kari walked along the fringes of the celebration in companionable silence for a while before Estorel said, "I am deeply impressed by you, Kari."
Kari looked at him quizzically. "Why?"
"You fight well, you are training to be a healer, you dance nicely…"
Kari laughed as they continued to walk, further away from the celebration but still able to hear the music.
"What?"
"Oh, it is just that I am not used to receiving compliments from people aside from Legolas and Aragorn and Arwen. It is a bit awkward to hear them from you."
"If you would let me, I would like to give you more compliments," Estorel asked, his voice noticeably deeper.
Kari stopped walking and leaned against a nearby tree. She looked at Estorel uncertainly. "What is it that you mean?"
Estorel took Kari's right hand in his hand and held in gently. "Can you not tell?" he asked softly as he stood in front of her.
Kari's breath hitched. Could he possibly mean…?
But Kari could not finish that thought because suddenly Estorel's lips were on hers. It was a soft, brief kiss but it made her lips tingle and her heart beat quicken. His lips hovered over hers after the kiss and Kari reached up so that they could kiss again. This one was longer and firmer and much more passionate. They're lips separated and Estorel's lips trailed down her jaw to her neck. He sucked gently on the junction of her neck and collarbone and Kari gasped with pleasure, throwing her head back to grant him easier access and clutching tightly to his shoulder. She felt warm and lightheaded and wanted. She had never felt so desired and that feeling alone was intoxicating.
"You are stunning," Estorel breathed as he continued to kiss her neck.
Kari's mind cleared abruptly and she separated herself from Estorel. Those were the same words Legolas had spoken to her earlier.
"I said I wanted to give you more compliments," Estorel explained, trying to figure out why Kari pulled away.
Kari licked her lips and tasted Estorel. Even though she had enjoyed this, it could never happen again.
"I…I thank you for the compliments. They mean more than you know. But this cannot happen," she said, motioning to the two of them. "I'm sorry for giving you false hope."
Estorel nodded slowly. "Because you are mortal?"
"Because I love someone else."
Realization dawned on Estorel's face, and Kari knew he knew her feelings for Legolas. "He is a fool if he does not see you how I do," he said.
"Yet another compliment," she noted.
"They are not hard to give to you," he countered.
"Thank you," she said softly. "I…I must go," she added, turning around and running towards her room. There was too much she needed to think over.
Legolas' mind was reeling from what he had seen. He had gone to find Kari because it had been time for the last dance. Also, he wanted to know she was alright in the company of Estorel, whom he had heard could be quite a charmer. Kari would not be the first female he had captivated.
He looked around the outskirts of the festivities and finally caught sight of a peach color. It must have been Kari's dress. What he did not expect to see was Estorel kissing Kari's neck, his arms wrapped tightly about her waist. And what he certainly did not expect to see was Kari's head thrown back, her arms clutching Estorel, and her closed-eyed face filled with pleasure and passion.
Legolas stared at Kari's face, completely dumbfounded. She was too young for this. What was she doing acting and reacting like…an adult? But as Legolas walked away from the couple undiscovered, he now realized that Kari had in fact, somewhere along the way, grown up.
And he was furious.
Author's Note: Thanks for the support. I updated faster this time, yay! It's much more fun to write these scenes when Kari is older and the situation is more complex.