Chapter 4
Adette's POV
"Please don't fuss over me Arwen." I pleaded, watching her rummage through the wardrobe. She seemed set on which dress she wanted me to wear.
"I'm not fussing Adette." She answered, still looking. She let out a groan when her search came up empty. She wasted no time in stampeding across the room to the small closet where a few more articles of clothing hung.
"Godamnit Arwen just leave me here!" I flopped back on the bed, my arms flung out on either side of me.
At Arwen's request, the journey was postponed until tomorrow morning. She insisted on holding a banquet before we departed for some reason. For some other reason, all of the women were dressing up. I didn't like it at all.
"Amin utue ta!" She cried, rushing around to my side of the bed.
(I found it!)
"Amin uuma malia." I grumbled, my eyes still closed. I refused to look at whatever dress Arwen had picked out for me to wear. Whatever it was wouldn't make me feel comfortable…only a tunic could do that.
(I don't care.)
"Adette open your eyes." She commanded in a soft, velvety voice. I could just see her face, hurt that I didn't trust her. With a groan, I opened my eyes.
The dress was a butter cream color, the top just a smidge lighter than the bottom. I was shocked to see that it had no sleeves or straps, although the top of the dress came up an inch or two below the crook of my neck. There was a lighter, transparent material sewn over the bottom of the dress, however you could still see that real bottom beneath it.
"Sana sina." She laid the dress beside me as I sat up. "Lle anta amin tu?"
(Take this.)(Do you need help?)
When I shook my head she smiled, knowing full well that she had made a good choice. I saw a slight smirk grace her features before she left me to change into it. I slipped out of my tunic and leggings, leaving them strewn on the floor.
I had my back turned when the door opened.
"Alright Arwen, if you want to help me. Could you pull the dress over my head?" I hugged my breasts as the breeze blew through the window, creating goosebumps all over my skin.
Her footsteps crossed the floor to me, and I felt her hands pulling my arms down from my chest. They, in turn, then went on to fondle them tenderly. The calluses went unnoticed.
"Legolas Greenleaf!" I exclaimed as if scolding him. I whirled around to face him, seeing that he was already dressed for the banquet. He was wearing a tunic of silver that shined like the moonlight. He wore forest green leggings and his hair was done the way it usually was. He looked absolutely godlike.
"Arwen said that you were having trouble." He grinned, eyeing the dress that laid out on the bed.
"Did she?" I shivered from the wind, rubbing my arms. "Legolas, I'm cold."
"Perhaps I should dress you then?" He took the dress from the bed without another word and lifted it carefully over my head. He held all of my hair in one hand while pulling the dress down with the other. I helped him straighten it out and then stepped back so that he could see me.
"Aiya amin lirimaer." He breathed, his icy blue eyes accessing the site before him. The way he looked at me made my breath catch in my throat and for a moment I couldn't breathe.
(Oh my lovely one.)
"Diola lle."
(Thank you.)
I went forward to straighten the collar of his tunic. I felt his eyes watching me the whole time I did. When I went to pull my hands back he took them into his own, and placed them on his cheeks. He leaned down as if to kiss me but instead pressed his forehead to mine.
"Are you ready to go?" His breath tickled my face and I couldn't help but smile.
"Just let me brush my hair." Arwen had gone to such trouble for the dress, I figured I could at least appear decent.
He nodded and pulled back so that I could do just that. I heard him trailing behind me as I moved towards the mirror and reached for the golden handled brush. Everything in Rivendell was so extravagant – even grooming products.
"Let me." Legolas took the brush from the vanity and motioned for me to sit down. "Kwara sina ten'amin." He handed me a black ribbon.
(Hold this for me.)
I looked straight ahead at the mirror, watching as Legolas gently pulled the brush through my long hair. I had considered chopping it off but I knew that he would shoot me with an arrow.
"You look deep in thought." He commented, meeting my eyes in the mirror. He raised an eyebrow as he pulled a section of hair back. He repeated this on the other side of my head and I realized that he was going to do my hair just like his.
"No…just wondering what you would do if I cut my hair."
He held out his hand for the ribbon I had been holding for him.
"Diola lle."
(Thank you.)
"Lle creoso." I watched him tie the sections of hair back with the ribbon. "What would you think if I cut my hair?"
(You're welcome.)
"Adette, you are always beautiful to me. If you cut your hair I wouldn't think you any less beautiful." He stepped back so that I could get a good look at my hair. He had done a good job, but of course, elves were perfect. How I envied them.
"Well good because I think that, for the journey, I'm going to cut it." I got up from the chair and turned to see the look of regret on his face. I smiled.
"How short?" I watched his eyes slowly moved down to where my hair rested.
"To my chest I think. Would you be very heartbroken?" I teased.
"Of course not dúlin." He placed a kiss on my forehead and then offered me his elbow. Legolas, always the gentleman. I linked my arm through his and we proceeded out the door and down the halls.
The banquet was being held in the great hall. It was in the center of the labyrinth of halls, the biggest room in all of Rivendell. It was a circular building with a domed ceiling, on which was painted a beautiful scene of elves in an enchanted garden. The room was used for banquets and for meetings with important guests. Arwen had insisted on using it for that night's farewell banquet.
Torches were lined along the halls, guiding those who were not familiar with the maze, to the great hall. I knew that Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin were probably very grateful for this. It was so adorable the way they looked at everything, for they had never left the Shire. I thought it fascinating.
As Legolas and I neared the doors to the great hall I spied my brother and Arwen in the garden together. Arwen looked beautiful, like an angel in her gown of pure white. It looked to be a very thin fabric for I could see the outline of her body through it. Her hair was curly and pieces were tied back to intertwine with a crown made of pearls. I could see that she had painted glitter onto her eyelids, for it caught the moonlight and sparkled.
"Adette?"
I looked away from the two lovers to see Legolas looking down at me. He then saw what I had been looking at in the garden and frowned. He knew that I was insecure around Arwen for she was the most beautiful elf in Rivendell.
"Adette, lle naa menel."
(Adette, you are heaven.)
I blushed at his words and he smiled. Even in the dim glow of the torch he could see my cheeks grow pink when he complimented me. He always knew the right thing to say. Again, how I envied the elves.
Legolas and I went to the doors but were stopped by a guard.
"Names?" He asked, reaching for the door handle.
"Legolas and Adette Greenleaf, Prince and Princess of Mirkwood." Legolas took care of that, although I didn't like the whole 'Princess' thing. I didn't like the way people reacted to me when they found out I was royalty. I was jealous that Aragorn had escaped his title.
The guard nodded and opened the door.
"May I present Prince Legolas Greenleaf and Princess Adette Greenleaf of Mirkwood!" He shouted into the room. It echoed off of the walls and everyone turned to stare as Legolas led me down the stairs. His eyes burned into mine, refusing to look away until everyone else did.
When we reached the bottom we went to Dínendal and Lenwë. They were both still dressed in their matching cloaks, their hair done like Legolas and I's. They looked up from their wine goblets when they saw us and smiled.
"Lle maa vanima." Dínendal told me, kissing my knuckles.
(You look beautiful.)
"Diola lle. Lle tad maa quel." I took my hand back and Legolas took his arm from mine. He turned to me, motioning to the long table along the wall.
(Thank you. You two look good.)
"Malia ten' fion?" He asked me.
(Care for some wine?)
"Naa lle amin tualle?" I asked in an amused tone. He chuckled and walked away to go retrieve the wine.
(Are you my servant?)
"Dínendal, Lenwë…manke naa lle autien sii'?"
(Dínendal, Lenwë…where are you going now?)
Dínendal and Lenwë were hardly ever in Mirkwood. They usually traveled Middle Earth and only came back to Mirkwood to rest and for special occasions. I missed them dearly when they were away, for they were two of my closet friends.
"We have no specific destination Adette. You know that." Lenwë smiled.
"I know, I was hoping that you both would come along on the journey. I know not when I will see you two again." I bit my lip, wondering if I would ever see them again. They must have read my mind for they set down their goblets and hugged me.
"We will meet again Adette. Don't you worry about that." Dínendal assured her. Before pulling away he pressed something into her hand. "Tessa sina ten' amin."
(Hold onto this for me.)
I looked down to see that he had given me his pendant. He had received it when he had saved Legolas from death years ago. It was silver with an emerald stone cut into the shape of a leaf.
"Oh Dínendal…" I looked up. His eyes were filling with tears as were mine.
"When we meet again, I want to know that you've kept it safe."
I nodded, blinking back my tears as Legolas returned with two goblets. I didn't want him to worry so I plastered a smile onto my face, winking at Dínendal. He laughed.
"Aranel." He handed me a goblet.
(Princess.)
"Don't call me that. You know I don't like it." I took a sip of the red wine. The color troubled me, reminding me of blood. Would there be much bloodshed on our journey? I did not have time to think about it, however, because Boromir walked up to our group. Legolas stepped in front of me protectively, although he knew it wasn't necessary.
"I wanted to apologize for my actions this afternoon." He nodded towards me over Legolas's shoulder. He went to take a step around him but Legolas grabbed his shoulder.
"You are forgiven." He said coldly, still gripping his shoulder.
"Come now Legolas, if we are to journey together we should become friends. I came to ask if I could steal your wife for the waltz." He may have asked Legolas but he was looking to me for approval.
"If she wishes."
I didn't want to go into the journey holding grudges, although Boromir was a stupid man. I nodded my head and took his hand. I looked back at Legolas one last time before allowing Boromir to lead me to the center of the room. Other couples were waltzing already.
He bowed to me and in turn I curtsied. He then put one hand on his hip and held one of my hands with the other. I placed my free hand on his shoulder and we began moving about the room. Boromir was a clumsy dancer, although I was used to being led by Legolas, who was as graceful as a swan.
"Adette, I wanted to speak with you about a private matter." He muttered, leaning down closer to my ear.
"What is it Boromir?"
"I wanted to warn you of trouble."
"Trouble? What trouble?" I moved closer to the side of his face, curious as to what trouble he was speaking of. I wondered if there was a skirmish going on somewhere between some of the fellowship.
"There will be trouble for you if you come along. Let us not be frank, I don't like you and you don't like me. I can promise you that if you choose to come, there will be danger."
I pulled back suddenly. This man was threatening me and I knew that if Legolas found out, he would rip Boromir's throat open with his bare hands. One quality that my husband had that could be poisonous was that if anyone threatened me, his temper could not be held.
"I do not fear you Boromir." I snapped softly.
"Oh, I think you do." He smiled evilly.
A tap on my shoulder stopped our dance. I only prayed that it wasn't Legolas as I turned. To my surprise it was my brother, who looked angry. He hardly ever looked angry, for he had a serenity about him that was so calming.
"May I cut in?" He asked curtly, leading me away before Boromir could give him an answer.
My brother and I waltzed away from everyone, finding an isolated corner. We continued to dance although neither of us was paying attention.
"How much did you hear?" I asked him quietly, quickly looking towards the corner that Legolas was standing in. He was talking to Lord Elrond and I knew he had not seen Aragorn lead me from Boromir.
"Everything. Adette, I will not tell you not to come. That is up to you, but if you do come, please promise me that you will be careful." Aragorn hugged me. "I don't want to lose you sister."
"I will be fine taur'ohtar." I assured him, returning his embrace. "Please promise that you won't tell Legolas. He will kill Boromir for sure."
Aragorn laughed as he pulled back, pushing a piece of hair away from my face.
"Yes he would." He sighed and touched my cheek. "I never realized how much you looked like our mother. You're such a beautiful woman Adette."
"Thank you Aragorn. You look very handsome, like our father."
He kissed my cheek, tugging my hair as he did so. I tugged on a section of his own hair and he grinned.
"Arwen will be wanting a dance." I smiled, remembering poor Legolas. He was probably worried about me.
Aragorn and I parted, and I returned to my husband's side. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped when I grabbed my goblet and downed all of the wine in one gulp. When I set it back down I let out a burp muffled by my hand.
"Mani marte?"
(What happened?)
"Amin fauka." I touched my throat, trying to change the subject. Legolas grinned, raising an eyebrow. He knew something was up.
(I am thirsty.)
"I can see that," he took my empty goblet, "I'll be right back dúlin."
While he was gone I searched the room. Boromir had disappeared, probably to go sulk somewhere. I spied the Hobbits standing alone, talking amongst themselves. Merry and Pippin were drinking while Frodo and Sam just simple stood.
I picked up my dress and crossed the room, avoiding the dancers, and made my way to Frodo. His eyes widened in surprise and then he smiled.
"Hello Adette."
"Hello Frodo. Would you dance with me?" I held out my hand to him, seeing him blush a furious red.
"I can't…dance." He mumbled, looking down at his bare feet.
"Don't worry Frodo, I'm not that great myself." I grabbed his wrist and pulled him out into the center of the room. He didn't resist as I placed him on my feet and bent down to place my hand on his shoulder.
"Look, she's a giant compared to him." A drunken man laughed, pointing at us.
Frodo looked very embarrassed, and averted his eyes from mine. I was not going to let him feel that way. I slowly kneeled down on the floor, ignoring the gasps from the women as I 'ruined' the dress, and was now at his height. I placed a hand on his shoulder and took his hand with my free one. He followed and we slowly moved about, for I was on my knees.
"Frodo you're a wonderful dancer." I lied as we stumbled about, slowly getting better.
"You're so kind Adette. Thank you." He smiled, and I think that he was enjoying himself. It made me happy to see him so pleased.
"I'd do anything for my friends."
When the song ended, I kissed Frodo on the cheek and again he blushed. He rubbed the spot I had kissed.
"Thank you for dancing with me." He said shyly.
"Thank you for dancing with me."
I slowly stood as he toddled away, back to Sam and the others. Pippin slapped him hard on the back when he rejoined them. I laughed.
"'Quel undome arwenamin." Came a familiar voice behind me. I turned to see Legolas standing there. He took my hand and kissed it.
(Good evening my lady.)
"'Quel undome ernil." I replied, bowing my head a little. He lifted my chin, looking deep into my eyes. He still had the power to make my knees weak with those two wondrous creations.
(Good evening prince.)
"Lle merna salk?"
(Do you want to dance?)
I nodded, and he immediately slid a hand onto my waist. With the other he held my hand up high by our shoulders while I placed my other hand on his shoulder. He then proceeded to sweep me around the floor. His grace was purely impossible and yet it was so natural. He pulled me very close, once again ignoring the gasps from the women.
"Amin mela lle." He murmured, spinning me out and then back in. Once I spun back in, my hair flipping out, I breathed the same words against his neck.
(I love you.)
He then continued to guide me along the floor. It was as if we were dancing in the sky, free and weightless. I dared to giggle like a young girl as he dipped me close to the floor, keeping me protected in his strong arms. He would never let me fall.
I closed my eyes as he leaned down and our lips met. It was such a soft kiss that I could barely feel his lips against my own. My eyes fluttered open and I saw Legolas looking around. It was then I noticed that the floor had vacated and it was only us.
"We should go." He whispered, slowly letting me up.
"Amin weera." I whispered back, seeing everyone staring at us. Aragorn and Arwen were beaming from ear to ear, speaking in hushed voices as they watched us.
(I agree.)
Without a warning, Legolas lifted me up into his arms. I let out a surprised yelp to which he only chuckled at. He then rushed to the stairs and took them two at a time. I wrapped my arms around his neck, worried that in his rush he might trip. But I knew deep in my heart that that was impossible.
"Manka naa lye autien?" I asked as he carried me down the hall.
(Where are we going?)
He set me down on my feet, straightening out the bottom of my dress. He looked down the hall excitedly, his face glowing.
"Khila amin."
(Follow me.)
I picked up my dress as he scurried down the halls, leading me to an unknown place. I nearly tripped over my feet once or twice but always caught myself before I could hit the floor. Legolas seemed to notice, and slowed down a bit.
We finally came to a little clearing just outside the palace. Legolas turned and took my hands in his, walking backwards through a forest of evergreen trees. He pushed back branches for me as we walked through and pointed out mud puddles for me to walk around.
When we reached our destination I recognized the place instantly. It was the waterfall that spilled into a good sized pond, surrounded by oddly shaped rocks.
"It's beautiful Legolas." I said, moving closer to the pond.
"Not as beautiful as you dúlin." He watched as I slowly stepped out of my shoes, kicking them aside. I then untied my hair and wrapped the ribbon around my wrist. Legolas was there to help pull the dress over my head and while he folded it across a stone I jumped into the pond.
The water was cold but so refreshing. I had been overheated and sweaty from dancing and from the wine. I came up from the water, smoothing my hair back over my shoulders. I opened my eyes to see Legolas staring at me as he took off his own clothes.
"The moonlight makes you shine." He whispered, slowly coming into the water. I barely heard him as I studied his body. His muscles were perfect, as if chiseled by a famous sculptor. His skin was pale but it suited him wonderfully. I could see his eyes sparkling in the dark.
"Tula." I demanded softly, opening my arms to him.
(Come.)
He did as I asked and stepped into my embrace, his arms wrapping around me too. He rubbed his face against my neck as he leaned down, kissing my shoulder and collar bone tenderly. His hands slowly moved up from my waist to below my breasts. His thumbs stroked beneath them as his chest guarded them from the cold.
I kissed the side of his neck, gathering warmth from his skin. I traveled his abdomen and chest with my hands, gently massaging him in areas I knew made him moan. He moaned softly against my skin making me shiver.
"Please Legolas, please." I begged, my arm going around his shoulders. I cupped his cheek with my free hand, looking into his eyes. He knew what I wanted.
He put his hands on my hips and gently led us deeper into the water so that only up from my neck was showing. He held me against him and gently slipped inside of me. I moaned softly against the crook of his neck as he continued to thrust inside of me, being very careful so that he didn't hurt me.
When we were both tired, Legolas carried me back to stones. I didn't protest for I was exhausted. Without putting me down he grabbed a blanket from behind a stone.
"Did you know that we would be here?" I asked. He only smiled as he laid the blanket out on the ground. He then pulled his tunic over both of us although I warned him that it would be stretched out. He wrapped his arms around me and we fell asleep beneath the stars.