Chapter 13

Emdiril sat in the main hall, green eyes curiously watching the stranger. Many elf-maidens had gathered around him asking him questions and laughing alongside him. Though he was no elf there was no denying of his beauty, therefore many ellyth wished to pursue him. Emdiril was intrigued by Boleslaw and she wondered if he knew more than what she did. Though he had arrived in Caras Galadhon a few days prior she had not had the courage to approach him on the matter. Nor did she know how to make a start on such a conversation as she did not want to come across as insensitive. Something within her pulled her towards him, as though there was a bond without her even knowing him. Part of her wondered if it was because he was her kinsman, another part wondered whether it was all in her head.

"Emdiril Riverstone" a male voice stated from beside her, "It seems I owe you."

Emdiril stood and looked up to try and recognise a face. Grey eyes met hers and he bowed his head at her in respect.

"You know my full name," she said as she folded her arms across her chest, giving him a pointed stare. Not many people knew.

"Aye…" he lifted a hand to scratch the back of his neck, "I can be rather resourceful when I wish to be." His eyes sparkled and his teeth shone white as he smiled.

"I see…" Emdiril nodded understandingly, not thinking much of it.

"Forgive me if I have disturbed you milady. I must admit I am not quite used to this much female attention," his eyes pointed towards the Elves whose eyes still watched over him. Emdiril chew on her lip to fight back a smile.

"Being different can cause such attention." Emdiril agreed before laughing.

"You must speak from experience," Boleslaw laughed as well, "I have noticed the rude Marchwarden not taking his eyes off you the entire time you have sat here."

Emdiril's eyes widened at his comments as she took a quick glance around. Indeed, there was Haldir, sat not too closely but not far away either. His eyes were digging into her skull causing Emdiril to avert her gaze.

"Experience," Emdiril tried to joke in an attempt to wave the matter off. Grey eyes looked at the redhead questioningly and Emdiril sighed before she walked off.

"Forgive me, my lady," Boleslaw took quick steps to keep up with her, "Sometimes I know no boundaries."

Emdiril nodded her head once and continued her march. She had no real destination, she just wanted to get away. She stopped in her tracks as Boleslaw continued following her.

"Forgive me, is there something you need?" she eyes him questioningly, raising a single eyebrow.

The man opened his mouth to speak then close it again. "I feel… out of place. You are the only one who is not an elf. I thought perhaps you would know the feeling."

Emdiril's eyes softened and she let out a small sigh, "I apologise. I do know what you mean. For a while I was the only one who did not have hair which is always in place as well as perfect skin or striking blue eyes that make you stop breathing because of how beautiful they are…" she drifted off, lost in thoughts of a certain elf.

"You mean the Marchwarden?" Boleslaw cut in, earning himself a glare.

"Haldir is an unspoken matter."

"You love him. Why must he be an unspoken matter?" the man questioned, shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly.

"I do not love him," she shook her head in irritation, he really did not know boundaries. Her blood was starting to boil and her hands were starting to shake in anger. She did not fully understand why she became so emotional which only angered her more.

Boleslaw sighed before pressing his lips together in a thin line. "I have done it once again. Crossing boundaries…" and he rolled his eyes more at himself than her.

"Aye." Emdiril agreed but decided she did not possess the energy to be mad at this man.

"Do you fight?" he asked as his grey eyes stared at her hands which she held in a fist by her sides.

She shook her head no in response, intrigued by the sudden question.

"I could teach you. You look like a fighter." Emdiril's heart softened at his comment. She took it as a compliment and it made her feel empowered.

"In return, you could teach me more about… us." He continued as a motioned a single hand between the pair.

"All right," Emdiril agreed, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "We start practice tomorrow. Now we must get ready."

"Ready?" Boleslaw repeated with a perplexed expression on his face.

"Yes, we celebrate Yavannie this night. A Harvest festivity to honour Yavanna, Queen of Earth." Emdiril explained, a teasing grin forming on her face, "Tis why the elf-women spoke with you. They all wish to dance with you tonight."

Grey eyes widened in shock causing Emdiril to throw her head back in fits of laughter before she placed a hand on his broad shoulder.

"Good luck," she teased, amused by his uncomfortable state.

Yavannie had always been one of Emdiril's favourite celebrations. Tables stood on the wood's grounds and were covered in all kinds of foods such as bread, corn or even the first few pumpkins, as well as wines and tea. Everyone always dressed in their most beautiful gowns and made an extra effort with their hair. Not the Elves had to. During Yavannie everyone came together as one, thankful for everything they had been gifted with by the Valar. Somehow it was festivities such as these that had always made Emdiril feel as though she was apart of the Elven community. Not one elf cared about her different looks or race whereas usually there had always been a few who were unsure of her. Taking a sip of her fine, alcoholic beverage she leaned against a tree, simply watching the Elves dance and laugh. Elladan and Elrohir stood out with their darker hair. Both were dancing with beautiful maidens, boyish grins reaching from ear to ear. Her green eyes wandered towards another, catching Arwen pouring yet another glass of Elven wine. Her cheeks were rosy and Arwen wore a lazy smile on her face as she entertained a young elf's interest. Emdiril could not help but laugh softly, warmth spreading through her body. Her heart sang with glee and Emdiril let the happiness take over. She had not felt this content in a long time.

"Are you not dancing?" Boleslaw's voice startled her and she stared at him long and hard, narrowing her eyes.

"My apologies…" Boleslaw grimaced, "I am hiding, too." Furrowing his brows he motioned towards the group of Elves, "I do not know if I can dance with them all. So many elf-women spoke with me today. I am not ready for them."

Emdiril's eyes sparkled with amusement as she took another sip of her wine. She checked the contents of her glass before reaching out a hand, offering the man her glass.

"Wine?" she asked simply, waiting for him to accept her glass.

"Wine." He took it hesitantly but with a smile nonetheless.

"Do not worry. I have more," she said as she revealed two bottles beside her with a devilish grin, "It's quite strong so it shall do its purpose."

The pair then sat down beside the large tree trunks and drank, Emdiril occasionally filling up his glass while she drank out of the bottle. She reckoned that she looked very unladylike but did not care much for what anyone else thought as she got merry with her newfound friend.

"So I take it you are avoiding someone as much as I am avoiding the many women?" he asked, taking another swig of his drink.

"Yes," she admitted, the drink making her answer honestly. She could not deny the fact her head was starting to spin a bit, but she had enjoyed her night, "I am avoiding Haldir." Her eyes found the Marchwarden who stood alongside his brothers. A sigh escaped her lips as her eyes followed his every movement. An elleth stood opposite him who placed a hand on his chest as she laughed. She had beautiful, golden locks, plump red lips and her eyes shone as brightly as the stars in the sky. Rolling her eyes she looked towards Boleslaw who had been watching her.

"I know who you are avoiding," he stated bluntly, yet there was a gleam of innocence within his eyes, "I just do not understand why."

Emdiril looked at the floor, memories of their time shared in Mirkwood flooding her thoughts. A sad smile appeared on her face before she looked towards the tall Elf.

"Haldir and I were close. Closer than we first realised perhaps. I have disappointed him and something has shifted between us." With that she tore her eyes away again, forcing a smile. "It is fine."

"Aye, I see…" Boleslaw nodded in understanding as his grey eyes now looked towards the elf. "Unspoken business," he repeated her earlier words as he nudged her in the side in order to cheer her up. Emdiril laughed before she stood up slowly.

"Look at you, getting me drunk the night before my training. Probably did it purposely so I wouldn't kick you off your feet tomorrow," she laughed as she shook her head in order to sober up.

"My master plan," Boleslaw chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, "got to be one step ahead somehow."

"Thank you for the evening, however I must go to bed immediately or I may pass out somewhere inappropriate," she smiled at the man, grateful for his companionship. Though she would have been fine on her own, she appreciated his efforts.

"Good night milady" he waved his hand, a lazy smile on his face.

As Emdiril descended into the trees she cast one last glance in the direction of the Marchwarden. She stood on the staircase, frozen in place as she noticed his blue eyes looking directly at her. Though there was a great distance within them she could see an unfamiliar emotion within his eyes and the pain on his face. Gathering herself, she quickly walked up the stairs. Part of her wanted to walk towards him, take his pain by giving him a hug yet another part told her she was to blame. She had hurt him and she would not hurt him again. He deserved more.

A/N: Hey, I am back! Sorry for the slightly longer wait. I hope you enjoy, thank you for all the favourites and follows, I do appreciate it! Let me know what you think!