Midsummer
"I'm quite thankful that King Thranduil let me leave early," Arien said to Fiondra while slipping on a petticoat. "If he hadn't, I would never have enough time to ready myself for the ball. And thank you for allowing me to dress over here. Alqua has taken over my home. It seems ever since she found out that you and I have become friends, and Aglarsîr and I have been...seeing each other, I am suddenly her worst enemy. Except for you. She is suspicious of my every action."
Fiondra fastened her chemise. "I can't imagine it's too pleasant having to endure her day and night. You're welcome to stay here as long as you'd like. What's the use of a spare bedroom if no one uses it?"
Arien smiled and slipped on her new white dress. "Thank you. I think I'll take you up on that offer, at least for tonight. If your plan works, I foresee that Alqua will be in a nasty mood."
Anxiously, Fiondra said, "I hope you're right. I hope it does work." She turned to her own gown and put it on.
Arien gasped in delight. "If Legolas ever thought he was in love with my cousin, he won't after he sees you. You're an absolute vision!"
Fiondra blushed. "Thank you. I might say that Aglarsîr will feel the same for you." She walked over to her mirror and peered at her reflection. The white gown fit her well and added healthy glow to her skin. Her eyes looked large in her anxiety and she tried to calm herself. Her hair...was a fright. "I'll fix your hair, if you'll fix mine," she bargained with Arien desperately.
Arien laughed lightly. "All right. I'll let you do mine first, as yours will take longer. I've already brushed through my hair."
Fiondra swiftly twisted multiple strands of Arien's ebony hair and let a twist hang on either side of the elleth's face. She made one larger twist to hang down on top of the rest of Arien's silken tresses. Satisfied, "Fiondra told her, "You're gorgeous. The contrast of your black hair and the white gown is stunning. Aglarsîr doesn't stand a chance."
Arien's cheeks flushed. "I wish..." She sighed, but then brightened. "Your turn!" She pushed Fiondra onto a wooden stool and brushed through the thick locks of hair. She nimbly twisted the strands together the same way Fiondra had, but instead created a net across the rest of Fiondra's brown hair.
When Arien had finished, Fiondra stood up and walked to the door. "Ready?" she asked her friend.
Arien gave a shaky smile. "Ready as I'll ever be."
They walked out the door, each carrying a glowing lantern to guide them through the dark night. On their way to the palace, other elves passed the two ellith. When the palace came in sight, Fiondra cast a silent prayer upwards. Eru, help me to succeed with my plan so that I will still have both Legolas and his love. This night could either be wonderful or horrid for me. I must not fail. Without Legolas, what is eternal life? Nothing but sheer pain. No wonder Mama gave up after Ada died. It was too hard for her to go on. Eru, help me!
X X X X X
Legolas put on his tunic of white silk over his soft gray leggings. He quickly pulled on a pair of gray boots and started to leave his room. Stopping suddenly, he turned and went back to his room reminding himself, Not yet; crown and Fiondra's necklace. He placed the traditional Mirkwood crown on his head; the silver crown with emerald leaves and diamond flower buds. He went to his bed and reached into a drawer on the stand next to it. Legolas pulled out the wooden box containing his mother's necklace. He sent a plea to the heavens. Eru, let Fiondra accept this as a symbol of my love for her. Let her know that it is given to her with all my heart and soul. Let her know how much it meant to both my father and mother.
Legolas noticed the lanterns of elves that were slowly arriving for the ball. He hurried to his father's room. Thranduil was also watching the lights of the elves below. Interrupting his father's thoughts, he asked, "Am I presentable, Ada?"
Thranduil turned to look at his son. "Could you not wear robes for one night?" He gestured to his own heavy, silver brocade robes. "Would it be too painful for you?" Legolas shrugged and Thranduil shook his head. "I guess you'll do," he said. "Now, do you have the flower?"
Legolas raised his eyebrows. "What flower?"
Thranduil groaned. "Don't tell me that you've forgotten that tradition too?"
Legolas grinned sheepishly. "I was more worried about saving Middle-Earth than some flower tradition, Ada."
Thranduil sighed and explained. "Each ellon picks a flower with a special meaning to give to one elleth. If the elleth cannot name the message, the giver of the flower can claim a kiss. If she does name it, she can demand one thing of the ellon, be it kiss or otherwise."
Legolas' face brightened. "I can get a kiss?" he asked eagerly.
Thranduil warned. "Only if the elleth doesn't guess the meaning. I'm assuming you'll give your flower to Fiondra?"
Legolas nodded. "Of course. Do you have a book on flower meanings?"
Thranduil went to a shelf and pulled off a slim volume. He handed it to Legolas, saying, "Your mother gave this to me aster I accidentally gave her the wrong flower at one ball."
Legolas gave a sly smile. "What flower was that?"
Thranduil grew flustered and didn't respond, but Legolas kept pestering him for an answer. Reluctantly, the older ellon said, "A Sweet Pea." At Legolas' raised eyebrows, he sighed. "Meaning lasting pleasure."
Legolas burst out laughing and Thranduil indignantly huffed, "Well, see if you can do any better!" Seeing his son's grin, the king knew Legolas would not soon forget this. "I'm going to the banquet hall now. Don't be too long; the ball will start soon."
"Yes Ada," Legolas said, and started rifling through the dictionary. Azalea – first love, which doesn't fit...Daisy –innocence, not what I'm looking for...Gardenia – you are lovely, true, but not good enough... "Aha!" He put the book back and quickly sprinted out to the gardens to find his flower.
X X X X X
Fiondra nervously looked around. "Do you see Legolas?" she asked Arien.
Her friend shook her head. "No..." she said slowly. "But there's Aglarsîr!"
Arien's face lit up as the tall ellon strode over to them. "You two look exquisite tonight," he said appreciatively.
The ellith thanked him. Then in an undertone, Fiondra asked, "Is everything going to work out?"
Aglarsîr nodded. "We only have to wait until the food is served."
Fiondra relaxed a little bit. "Should we be seated?" she suggested to Arien and Aglarsîr.
Aglarsîr offered an arm to each elleth. "Miladies, let me find us a table."
X X X X X
Legolas reached the hall, flower tucked into the belt at his waist. His blue eyes searched the room for Fiondra. He hadn't yet found her when Gimli came up to him.
"There you are lad. Your father said you'd be out looking for a flower, but I see you've found it." The dwarf gestured to the light purple blossom. "May I ask what it is for?"
Legolas briefly explained the custom to him. When Gimli asked him what the flower stood for and what was its' name, the elf refused to divulge the answers. "If I told you, that would ruin the fun for later on. Wait; you'll see after we eat."
"Speaking of which," the dwarf began with a smile, "It looks as if the food is ready. Let's sit down."
The friends sat at the head table, next to the already seated Thranduil. "I notice my father didn't press you to wear white," Legolas commented to Gimli. The dwarf looked down at his outfit of dark gray and brown. "I'm not exactly an unmarried elf, now am I?"
Legolas wryly said, "That is quite true." He grinned at his friend and again let his eyes roam the expanse of the room.
Gimli did the same, and soon sat up a little straighter in his chair. Curiously, he questioned, "Isn't that Lady Fiondra?"
Legolas turned to follow Gimli's gaze. Fiondra was being seated by none other than Aglarsîr. Why is she with him? So intent in his anger, he didn't notice the other elleth at Aglarsîr's side.
Gimli looked at Legolas cautiously. When he was content that the elf wasn't going to burst out in a jealous rage, he said consolingly, "You know she wouldn't betray you, lad. Fiondra's too much in love with you."
"I hope you're right," Legolas said, still unsure. He continued to watch Fiondra and Aglarsîr, and he felt his heart get brutally stabbed when she laughed happily at some comment the handsome elf made. He swallowed hard. She still loves me...Right, why am I kidding myself? I haven't spoken to her in two months! Aglarsîr could have easily charmed her in that amount of time. He always was better at that than I...
Oblivious to his son's inner turmoil, King Thranduil stood up to get everyone's attention. He exclaimed, "Welcome, my good elves, and dwarf, to the Midsummer Ball! Tonight marks the start of Midsummer, and as you well know, tomorrow will be completely set aside in celebration. But tonight is for the lovers, both young and old. Let us now feast, so that later the ellith may guess at their flowers. Eat, and be merry!"
X X X X X
Alqua kept her eyes on Fiondra from across the room. When the food and drink had been brought out, she had enjoyed watching the other elleth pale. The fool is really going to give him the potion. What luck! Fiondra quietly slipped the potion into her own drink and took it in her hand. She got up, and slowly walked to Legolas, her eyes cast toward the ground. Yes...Do it now! Alqua perched herself on the edge of her chair in excitement. Fiondra reached the table and... What is she doing!
The elleth tipped her cup over and let the contents hit the floor, where the poison sizzled and sent up wafts of smoke. Alqua nearly shrieked aloud. No! The stupid wench ruined everything! Then she realized she had to leave. She will tell of my treason! Panicked, the blond elleth turned to flee.
"I wouldn't think of running anywhere," a male voice said grimly. A blade came under her chin to touch her throat.
Alqua stiffened. She grated, "Aglarsîr, I could destroy you for this!"
"You're not exactly in any position to threaten me," he said. "Just sit still and listen."
Alqua complied only by force. She sat there, trying to ignore the astonished stares of the elves around her.
X X X X X
Fiondra started to tremble in sudden relief and surprise. Legolas is safe. Nothing else matters right now. I better had explain myself. When she spoke, her voice was strong, masking all evidence of her previous fright. "Your Highness, Legolas, Gimli, all good elves gathered here tonight," she began, gesturing toward all in the room. "Treason has been committed in Mirkwood. The traitor sits there." She pointed to Alqua, and all heads snapped in that direction to gawk. Whispers echoed throughout the room, gossipers already starting their work.
Fiondra continued. "Alqua wished for me to poison you with a potion of her creation," she told Legolas firmly. "That very poison now lies on the floor. It would have made you fall in love with her, instead of your heart's desire."
Fiondra watched Legolas' face harden familiarly at this news. She continued in a quieter voice. "I couldn't let her destroy what we shared," she said in a shy voice. "I miss you, and have not seen you in months, but my feelings have not changed." Legolas looked at her expectantly and she said simply, "I love you. I desperately hope that your heart is no longer confused. These last few months have been torture for me."
Legolas stood up and went to her. "Believe me, life hasn't been easy for me either. But know this; I am sure and so is my heart." He bent to kiss her, but right when their lips were to touch, Thranduil 'ahem-ed' loudly.
"Much as I'd enjoy watching my son profess his love to you Lady Fiondra, everyone's food is getting cold. And typically, the romance is supposed to be for later, after we eat. Basically, you two, do you mind?" He smiled pointedly.
Legolas led a blushing Fiondra back to her seat amidst catcalls from some of the other male elves. When she was again in her chair, Fiondra added, "By the way, Aglarsîr's really been on your side all along. Give him a chance to talk later, all right?"
Warily, Legolas asked, "Then you aren't involved with him?"
She looked startled, but quickly recovered and laughed. "He's hopelessly in love with Arien here, my dear friend." Arien delightedly giggled and waved to Legolas, who bowed in return.
"I'll give him a chance to talk right now," the Prince said soberly. "I still have to go deal with Alqua." He excused himself, and went over to where the treasonous elleth was still held by his old friend.
Fiondra sat down and heaved a sigh of relief. Let the fun begin. She smiled at Arien and ravenously dug into her food.
X X X X X
A/N: I did not make up the flowers and their meanings. I've gotten the information from other sources. I've always loved the fact that in the Victorian era, men used to send bouquets of flowers with secret messages to the women they were courting. I'm a hopeless romantic, so I thought I'd throw that in there, with a slight twist of my own. You'll see which flowers Fiondra and Arien receive in the next chapter.
I hope you like how everything worked out. It wasn't the most ingenious of ways, but it did work, and you'll also see what happens to evil Alqua and good old Aglarsîr in the next chapter. I promise I'll update ASAP. Thanks for reading, and please review! The more people that do, the faster I write. (Hint hint). I need input to continue this story, my dear fanfiction friends. Namarie for now.