AN: Thanks reviewers, I love you all! (This includes fire-vampire, nilimade, and Myri78.) To fire-vampire: Yes, although Sauron has been defeated, I don't see how all the bad in Middle Earth just suddenly disappeared. After all, look at the scouring of the Shire. So, I decided that the orcs/goblins in the Misty Mountain region still existed. Just thought I'd clarify that. Thanks for the compliments!
Thranduil's Scheme
Legolas and Gimli walked out of the healing rooms. The elf looked at Fiondra with gratitude in his eyes. "The healers say you did a good job of tending to my wound. It is likely that I would not have lived if you had not cared for me. I am in your debt." He bowed and Fiondra felt her face flush.
"No, Legolas, I am in yours for your pardoning of my family." Fiondra dropped a curtsy and Gimli guffawed.
"Enough of this nonsense. It seems as though the both of you are even," the dwarf said. Legolas and Fiondra smiled at each other.
"We should see where Gimli will be staying. And you if your home is now occupied," Legolas said to Fiondra. She nodded in response and they set off toward the palace.
Every elf that they passed either bowed or curtseyed to Legolas. In return, the prince inclined his head at each in turn, although some were nobles and some commoners. 'He will make a just king some day,' Fiondra observed approvingly.
They reached the palace and Legolas led the way to the throne room. Thranduil peered down at them from his ornately carved throne. His visitors did the appropriate niceties and he started to speak.
"Lady Fiondra, your..." He faltered for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. "Your old home is now the home of another family. I have arranged for you to have a room in the palace for the time being."
Fiondra murmured her thanks as a dark-haired elleth came up to her and curtseyed. "I will show you to your rooms, milady. Please follow me." Fiondra excused herself from King Thranduil's presence and hurried after the taller elleth. "Here are your chambers, milady. If you need anything, please call me. My name is Arien. "
Fiondra smiled and said, "Thank you, Arien." The maid curtseyed again and went back down the long hallway. Fiondra pushed aside the heavy curtain and stepped inside.
Her mouth dropped in surprise. She had never had a room quite so lovely, or so perfect. The bed was built around four-birch trees that served as bedposts for a thick feather mattress. The room was decorated in varying shades of green and blue. It had a view of the forest, where the creek slowly made its path to the village. Fiondra glanced out the window, but then decided to rest before the banquet that night. She lay down on the soft mattress and was soon oblivious to the world around her.
X X X X X
In Thranduil's study, Legolas was discussing Fiondra's banishment with his father. "Ada, I don't understand what the problem is. Both her parents are dead and I only did what I thought was the right thing to do."
Thranduil frowned. "Mayhap that is true. But how do you know that she doesn't still harbor plans of revenge. She could easily attempt to kill us all."
"She could, but she won't. Fiondra only wanted to come home," Legolas tried to explain to him. "She proved herself to be courageous, loyal, and compassionate. I also find her to be intelligent, witty, and, well..."
He had trailed off and Thranduil noticed that his normally composed son seemed rather embarrassed. "And what, son?" he asked Legolas, sounding somewhat pleased.
Legolas mumbled, "Exceptionally beautiful."
Thranduil laughed loudly. "What's this? I thought you had sworn off love. Hmm..." His gray eyes narrowed in thought and he smiled.
Legolas frowned. "What are you up to now, Ada?"
The elder elf shook his head and smiled slyly. "You'll see later. Speaking of which, you might like to go dress for the feast tonight. I'll see you there."
He started to exit but Legolas called after him. "Ada? You might want to send for clothes for Fiondra. I'm afraid if she shows up in her old, work- worn clothes she will be mocked by the court."
Thranduil nodded and said, "A good idea. I will arrange it immediately."
He left the room, with Legolas staring after him warily. There was reason to worry. Thranduil's schemes always involved Legolas and they almost always ended in disaster.
X X X X X
"Milady? Are you awake?" a voice called.
Fiondra groggily sat up. Arien was peering at her from behind the curtain that as a door. "I am now," Fiondra replied. "Please come in."
Arien glided in, her arms laden with assorted items. "The feast will start soon, milady. I have some clothing for you that the king sent for from the seamstresses. Would you like to try a dress on for tonight?"
Fiondra nodded eagerly and murmured, "How very kind of the king. I must thank him. I wonder how he knew my size..."
The other elleth smiled. "I took your clothing out of your pack and put it away in the wardrobe for you. I merely took some of it to the seamstresses and told them your build and your coloring. They did the rest. I hope you don't mind, milady. The king thought that your clothes might be a bit worn, so he decided to give you some new gowns, and he wanted it to be a surprise for his son."
Fiondra looked startled, but she said calmly, "You were very clever to think of taking my other clothes, Arien. But please, call me Fiondra."
Arien shook her head. "That wouldn't be proper. I am only a maid and you are a guest in the king's palace. As a compromise, I will call you Lady Fiondra. Now, shall I help you dress for tonight?"
Fiondra nodded and smiled. The two ellith started looking over the elegant clothes.
X X X X X
Fiondra made her way to the banquet hall. Other elves passed her, all of them in groups of two or more. A cluster of friends, a family with elf children, a young couple obviously in love. Fiondra looked at each longingly. She felt lonelier here than she had in her tiny cottage. She sighed and continued on her way.
X X X X X
Legolas watched as Fiondra entered the enormous dining hall. He was rather shocked at her appearance, but in a good way. Before he had only seen her dressed in subdued, earthen colors. He gazed at her, surveying her clothing in approval.
Fiondra wore a gown of rich, cerulean blue, with flowing sleeves and a trailing skirt. The dress had copper trim that accented highlights of the same color in Fiondra's hair. There was no adornment on her neck, which gave her a look of simplicity. Long, brown tresses rippled down her back with a few flowers entwined in the smooth strands.
Legolas stood up from his seat on the right hand of the king to help usher her to a seat, but Thranduil laid a hand on his arm and said, "She will come."
Sure enough, a servant went to Fiondra and took her by the arm. He led her to Thranduil's table at the head of the room and she curtseyed. "Majesty. I must thank you for my clothes. I truly appreciate them."
Thranduil smiled. "It is of no matter. You see, it was my son's idea. You should thank him." He looked to Legolas, whose face had grown rather flushed.
Fiondra now dropped a curtsy to Legolas. "Thank you, Legolas. The clothes are all beautiful. You have my sincere thanks." She gave him a smile and Legolas felt warmth wash over him.
"You look..." He swallowed. "Very pretty tonight. Here, let me seat you."
Legolas went to escort her to a seat next to his own, so that she was also seated next to Gimli. "Here?" Fiondra asked in alarm. "But I am not royalty or a guest."
Legolas grinned. "You're a guest in the palace aren't you? Besides, you'll make good company and I thought Gimli might enjoy sitting next to you too."
The dwarf greeted her and she sat down in the chair that Legolas held out for her. He pushed her chair into the table and then sat down. Fiondra smiled at Gimli and then at Legolas, no longer protesting at the seating arrangements.
Once the elves from all over the woods surrounding the palace were seated at the great oak tables, the king stood and spoke to them. "Much time has passed since my son, Legolas has sat down to eat with us. Tonight this feast is held in honor of him and his companion, Gimli, son of Gloin. We also honor the Lady Fiondra, long in exile, but now pardoned by Legolas. We will hear the entire tale of the War of the Ring tonight after we dine. But before we do, I would like to announce that at the Midsummer Celebration this year, my son will be looking for a bride. My time in this forest will soon be over and many of you will come with me to the Undying Lands. Legolas will take over the kingship and to do so, he will need to be wed. So, all maidens here tonight, prepare yourselves for a ball and a myriad of other events. Now, let the feast begin!"
Thranduil sat down and the food was served. Legolas gaped at him first in shock and then in anger. Fiondra quickly busied herself with her meal. Gimli turned his laugh into a cough and thus the feast began with an alarming bit of news as an appetizer.
X X X X X
That's it. Next chapter coming soon. If you have any ideas let me know. Please review!