A/N: I return to you, my good readers, someone asked me how you pronounce "Eruwaedhiel." And so I will clarify, it is pronounced "Air-oo-ay-thiel."
"If you drop that book one more time..." Eruwaedhiel warned me menacingly.
I picked up the book I had been attempting to balance on my head off of the floor, "Apologies, Lady Eruwaedhiel."
Eruwaedhiel sighed, "Try again, hin (child)."
I placed the book atop my head and carefully proceeded to edge across the room.
"You look like you're trying not to lift your feet, take small steps, your foot gliding parallel to the floor. Your heel should touch the ground first, then your toe. Understood?" Eruwaedhiel snapped at me.
"Yes, Lady Eruwaedhiel," I replied for the dozenth time that night while simultaneosly allowing the book to slip off of my head. I groaned and snatched it up.
Eruwaedhiel sighed gustily, "Vanmoriel could've balanced three books atop her head all the while serving tea."
"Vanmoriel?" I enquired, placing the book atop my head.
Eruwaedhiel stared at me as if I were mentally impaired, "Legolas' first wife!"
Jade, who had been chuckling and watching amusedly from her vantage point in my mind, choked and spluttered.
I stopped dead in my tracks, my stop being so abrupt the book fell off once again. "Legolas had another wife?" I asked lowly.
"Oh, dear. You didn't know?" Eruwaedhiel seemed genuinely surprised.
I scoffed, "Obviously, tell me about this Elleth."
Eruwaedhiel smiled at me slyly, "Only if you walk across this room and not let the book fall off your head."
I growled, "Agreed." I placed the book atop my head and determinedly glided across the room, the book never even teetering once. Anger can be a wonderful perfectionist.
Eruwaedhiel lifted an eyebrow, "I'm surprised. And as a reward for that, I shall grant you a piece of information: Vanmoriel was from Rivendell. The daughter of Gondien, the rich advisor of Lord Elrond Halfelven. The marriage was consensual. When they presented the idea to their parents, they were enthusiastic..." Eruwaedhiel trailed off.
"What else!" I asked, my voice a horse whisper.
"First, you must serve tea, and not drop a single drop of tea onto anywhere but the teacup," Eruwaedhiel smiled deviously.
Labi vi orodrum! Jade cried in elvish, an old curse.
I had been struggling not to drip the tea all week, and no matter what Eruwaedhiel did, I failed.
"Fine," I replied monotonously. I went to the little table where the tea sat, and tapping into that resovoir of anger that was swelling inside of me, I poured the tea with the ease of a practiced noblewoman.
"Good. She was one of the most sought after elleths in both Rivendell and Lorien. It was said that she rivaled Luthien Tinuviel's beauty. Vanmoriel refused every proposal offered to her, much to fury of her mother, a good friend of Alya's. They were married for several centuries."
"What happened to her?" I asked.
Eruwaedhiel laughed, "Weave that mithril circlet into your hair." She pointed to a mithril and diamond circlet resting on her vanity.
I supressed the urge to throttle the woman as I walked stiffly towards the vanity, sat down, and in record time, weaved the circlet into my hair with much difficulty and cursing.
I turned around and gave her an expectant look.
Eruwaedhiel clapped, "Lovely. Now, Legolas and Vanmoriel were one of the happiest couples you could ever meet. After a few centuries of marriage Vanmoriel announced that she was pregnant--"
I moaned and gripped the chair with all of my strength.
Eruwaedhiel continued, unnoticing, "--Legolas was ecstatic, and so was the royal family. The entire forest was, for that matter. So a few months later, Vanmoriel rouses Leolas from sleep, says it's time and he calls the midwife (the midwife swears that Legolas needed more help than Vanmoriel). Anyway, in the midst of childbirth, she begins to bleed, they can't stop the bleeding, and she manages to give birth to a stillborn boy and..." Eruwaedhiel's voice became thick, "She died. Legolas was grief-stricken, he swore he would never marry again. And that's why you were such a shock."
Holy... Jade began but I bit her off.
Not a word, Jade. So help me I'll kill you if you say one more word, I hissed.
I felt Jade recede into the depths of my subconscious until I sensed her prescence no longer.
Finally, I turned to Eruwaedhiel, "I suddenly have a migraine, do you think we could continue the lessons tomorrow?" My voice cracked as I finished the word 'tomorrow.'
Eruwaedhiel seemed to suddenly notice my distress, "Oh, yes, of course. I'm a bit tired myself."
I marched down the corridor, tears pricking the backs of my eyes. I felt so betrayed that Legolas hadn't even bothered to mention this previous wife. Was I just a replacement? The family that he had lost, but now regained. What about Ithilwen?
I entered my room and threw myself down on the bed. Ithilwen had gotten seperate quarters several days ago that she and Dinloth shared.
Suddenly feeling dirty, I stripped off my clothes and removed the circlet still in my hair, before washing ever inch of me in the bathwater I had left when I went to Eruwaedhiel's and the maids had not removed yet. The water was freezing, but I didn't care.
Scrubbing away furiously with the lavendar soap until my skin was red, I finally let the tears stream down my face. Not tears of sorrow, I told myself, but tears of anger. Anger at the elements of fate, at Legolas, at this Vanmoriel, at Alya. I nursed my anger, pinpointing all of my energy onto it.
When I finally rose out of the tub, I could feel my resolve hardening against Legolas. How dare he...Damn him, damn him, damn him!
I dressed in my nightshift and curled under the sheets of my bed. My mind in turmoil.
The door of my room opened, I didn't turn around, I knew who it was. I recognized his footfalls.
Legolas slid into the bed beside me, his arm snaking about my waist, his neck rested in the curve of my neck.
I shied away from him, wordlessly scooting to the edge of the bed.
"What is the matter, melleth nin?" Legolas asked softly.
"Vanmoriel," I even hated the sound of the sound of her name. Curse her.
Legolas recoiled, "I wondered how long it would last..." He sighed and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't you dare touch me," I said tonelessly.
"I dare it," He replied, stroking my hair.
I jerked away, rising out of the bed, and going to the two doors that led out to the balcony. The moonlight that filtered in from the skylights in the rock illuminating the garden below.
"I am sorry, melleth--"
"Don't call me that, I don't like being made a fool of, Legolas. Nor do I like being a second-best," I said coldly.
Legolas rose from the bed and stood, my form brushing against him, I didn't bother to move. As long as my back was to him, as long as I couldn't see those eyes. Couldn't see the inevitable hurt...
Legolas jerked me roughly around, "You think you were a replacement?" He rasped, his voice thick with emotion, "Do you think that I dream of Vanmoriel as I lie next to you at night? Are you that blind, Nicolette? Do you not know what I feel for you?" He kissed me passionately, pulling my frame closer to his, crushing me against him.
I parted, my lips swollen, breathless.
He scooped me up into his arms and dropped me onto the bed, "I shall show you how I feel, and there shall never be a doubt in your mind again. I guarantee that," He said huskily as he leaned down and kissed me once more, but with more feeling.
Morning's first light streamed down onto my face, waking me.
I felt Legolas' lithe form curled next to me. I smiled and buried my face into his chest.
A recap of last night's events played in my mind. What was I angry with him about, again? Oh yes, he had a first wife and never told me. I should be mad about that!
For the life of me I couldn't be angry at him, it required too much brainpower and I was far too hazy to think angrily.
You're rather pathetic, you know? Jade said dryly.
Shut up, I'm trying to sleep, I replied, trying to sound stern.
Mm, I'll let you get back to that...makes me miss my mate...Sorry, I have a dirty thoughts appointment, get back to you later. And that was the end of Jade.
"Good morning, Melleth Nin," Legolas murmured.
"I should be mad at you, you know," I replied groggily.
"Probably," Legolas replied, trailing kisses down my neck, "But you aren't."
"Cocky little..." I muttered and turned around, snuggling into his embrace.
Legolas smiled into my shoulder and drifted back into a light slumber.
Later that day, Dinloth, Ithilwen and I walked along the paved path of the indoor garden that was the heart of the mountain-castle.
"You are a Noldor, are you not?" I asked Dinloth, as she trailed behind Ithilwen.
Dinloth nodded, "Yes, I was born in Lorien."
"I've only had the pleasure of visiting there once, and I never wanted to leave," I said, trying to be conversational.
"Yes, Lorien has that effect, though I was happy to leave for Mirkwood, my mother, Eruwaedhiel--"
"Eruwaedhiel is your mother?" I repeated in surprise.
Dinloth nodded, "Yes, by her first husband, he was killed in battle shortly after I was born. My mother, overcome with grief, could no longer stand the sight of Lorien and left with me, I returned when I came of age to train as a governess with my grandmother."
"How terrible," I replied sympathetically.
Yeah...God knows what having Eruwaedhiel as a mother could do to you! Jade said with a laugh.
No kidding, but I was talking about the fact she was missing a father, I replied sardonically.
Oh...Good point...
You think? I said humorously.
"It is all right, majesty," Dinloth said embarrassedly, I could tell she was not used to attention, she reminded me of myself as a young child.
Ithilwen tugged on my skirt, "I want to go look at the duck pond, can I?"
I nodded, "Don't lean over too far," I warned.
Dinloth watched the child, quickening her pace slightly so she could be closer to Ithilwen.
The girl isn't too bad, she's pretty shy, though, I read her thoughts, Jade said.
It doesn't take telepathy to know that, Jade, I replied teasingly, but I am still going to keep an eye on her.
You still pissed off at Legolas? Jade asked, changing the subject.
Of course! I'm still very irritated with him, it was a betrayal not to tell me that! I replied, even though my anger had been softened, I was still very angry at my husband.
Ah, you lie like a dog, Jade said dryly.
I growled.
Dinloth looked up surprisedly at me, "Pardon, majesty?"
I shook my head, "'T'was nothing, I choked. I think we should be heading to lunch. Ithilwen's starting to look like she needs food and an n-a-p." I replied, spelling out the word so I wouldn't distress Ithilwen.
Dinloth nodded knowingly, "Yes, I agree. Ithilwen! Come, we're going to go to lunch!"
Ithilwen was contentedly skipping stones across the little pond, she pouted and stomped her feet back to us.
"None of that," Dinloth said in a mildly stern tone, she took Ithilwen by the hand and march down the paven pathway, swinging her feet.
We wound our way through the genaric hallways until we finally reached the dinner hall.
The quiet hum of conversation ceased as we entered. I noticed Legolas was not yet here.
Dinloth nervously plucked at her dress, she smoothed the seam.
Those seated at the table rose and inclined their head to us respectfully. Alya merely nodded stiffly to me, a slight blow, but nothing more.
Though even this did not go unnoticed by the courtiers, several's eyes darted from myself, to Alya, and back. My god, they were practically foaming at the mouth for a conflict.
Dinloth passed Ithilwen's hand to my own and disappeared through the servant's entrance. I unsuredly sat down with Ithilwen, wondering where Dinloth had gone to.
Thranduil winked at Ithilwen, "Have you been enjoying yourself, little one?"
Alya cast a stony glare at her husband, it clearly said, 'Talking to that is beneath you!'
I sighed and silently waited for a servant to bring Ithilwen and I some food.
Ithilwen chattered happily to Thranduil, she loved a good listener and it distracted her from getting fussy (thank you God!).
"Where's Legolas?" Ithilwen asked Thranduil.
Alya gave me a disapproving glance, "Your child addresses her father by his first name?"
"Uh, when I was still ill, Ithilwen stayed with my mother. Her grandmother, wishing to spare her pain, told her that her father died. She's known that she had a father for less than a month," Please, don't ask further, please, please...
Alya opened her mouth to say something but at that moment Legolas breezed into the room.
The company rose and bowed to him, including Ithilwen and I.
He seated himself beside me and we all followed suit.
Legolas kissed Ithilwen on the crown of her head and squeezed my hand underneath the table.
Alya smiled warmly (an unbecoming look for her), "What has kept you so long, my son?"
"My horse had stone bruised hoof so I had to walk back to the castle," I remembered that Legolas often liked to ride in the mornings before he began to work.
"I see, you should not ride alone so much, my son, easy prey for an assassin," Thranduil warned.
Legolas only smiled at his father before he turned to his mother, "How goes the ball?"
Alya sighed, and smiled, "As well as to be expected. Planning the seasonal ball gets harder each year!"
"Seasonal ball?" I asked curiously.
Alya gave me the look one might give a fly in one's drink, "Yes, Lord Thranduil gives a ball to celebrate each season."
I nodded, Legolas was wrapped up in his thoughts, he turned to his mum to say something but Ithilwen tugged on my sleeve preventing me from hearing.
"I gotta go potty," Ithilwen said, her face contorted in agony.
Dinloth appeared out of the shadows and ushered her away. Creepy.
I turned back to Legolas and Alya, who looked as if she wanted to throttle something.
Legolas was ignorant of this, he kept on proclaiming, "Splendid!"
"What?" I enquired.
"Mother has just agreed that you should help her with the seasonal ball planning," Legolas said gleefully.
Oh, snap!
A/N: So what do you think? Sorry for delay updating, by the way. I'm moving, so I'm under a great deal of stress.