Wow, wasn't sure if I'd get to write today. Been really busy with College and the Literary Society, went out to lunch this afternoon and I'm tired because of the flavor enhancers they had on the seafood.
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Arianell smiled at the elleth in front of her, honestly trying to concentrate on their conversation but failing miserably. Something about what the elleth was wearing three tables over? Slyly she glanced sideways at Legolas and almost lost her train of thought. Arianell watched his firm jawline as he spoke in hushed tones with his father, who was looking rigth at Arianell! She diverted her eyes back down to her plate with a blush.
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"Come on Arianell, you danced with me once before." Arianell shook her head "That did not end well M'Lord."
Legolas stiffened, he had forgotten. He looked at her, letting down the wall that stood behind his eyes "I am sorry Meleth. I promise by the Valar that this time you will not leave my arms." Arianell stood transfixed by his eyes for seconds before he looked to the floor, when his eyes met hers again they were walled.
"Very well M'Lord."
Legolas' eyes narrowed as Arianell laughed. None around understood the joke but smiled all the same.
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Legolas held Arianell tighter for the Faery Reel, curtly denying another ellon who had ask to cut in. "Legolas" Arianell smiled at him as their pace quickened "I do not believe that was propper."
"I do not believe I care."
Arianell couldn't say anything else as the music's tempo steadily increased, she was too busy trying not to trip over her own feet. She hadn't danced like this before but Legolas was explaining to her that it was almost a game.
"As The Faery Reel increases speed so will the dancers until, losing tempo, they'll step off of the dance floor. The last few couples left dancing are, in essence, the winners...though they get nothing more than the knowledge they had survived the Reel." Legolas looked at Arianell and smiled "There is an old legend Alani, my nursemaid had told me when I was a young ellon." Arianell mutely wondered how he could keep talking while spinning so fast.
"Legend held that Fae had once graced the courts of the Elves, which court none remember. The Fae, being renouned for their love of music had wanted the feasting and merry-making to continue forever. It had continued for days on end, the musicians growing weary in their playing, some even playing in their sleep. It was then the Ancient King had decreed that the next dance was to be the last and the Fae, reluctantly, agreed. Instead of the exhausted Elven musicians continuing to play some of the younger Fae had taken their place. Smiling they announced that if any one couple could make it through their Faery Reel they would bestow upon them the greatest gift."
Arianell looked at him "Has anyone?" Legolas shook his head "Not that any remember, usually the last two couples collapse in exhaustion at the exact same time."
Arianell's eyes widened "Arianell" Legolas' voice was soft "If you do not want to do this we can drop out now."
"No!" her answer was instantaneous "I want to see what the gift of the Fae is." She smiled as he spun her faster "Or" her breath was short "Collapse trying."
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Arianell did not think the music could possibly go any faster! She had no idea how many couples were left on the floor, finding herself unable to look anywhere but Legolas' face as she focused on the pattern her feet must make and the rythmn of the music. Her legs ached and her arms were sore but every time she looked at Legolas' eyes, his bright silver-blue eyes she was compeled to try for just a little bit longer. And so it continued, into the dark hours of the night. Never could any remember a Reel that long, never could any remember a pair dancing as Legolas and Arianell danced. Yet there were still other couples on the dance floor, nearing exhaustion. Two had already been carried to the healers and Thranduil was about to consider stepping in and stopping the Reel when another couple limped over to the sidelines.
Legolas and Arianell were on the floor with one other couple now. "We're almost there Arianell." Legolas could see the other Ellon faltering in his steps. "It should not be too much longer, can you continue?"
Arianell smiled, he had been that way the entire Reel. Checking to see if she was alright, willing to stop the moment she voiced she wasn't. "I am fine Meleth, but what of you?"
Legolas' eyes twinkled and, though Arianell did not think it possible, he danced faster.
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The second couple was giving up, Arianell could see them as they hobbled towards the edge of the dance floor but found she herself could not stop dancing. As soon as the couples' feet left the floor something happened. She wondered if Legolas noticed what was going on, he had to have, for his eyes grew larger. "Arianell" he almost choked. His eyes echoing her sentiments, unsure and afraid but..."Ah" Arianell gasped as a force like lightning shivered down her spine, tossing her head backwards she watched the lights flash in front of her eyes as her surroundings faded to darkness...leaving only her and Legolas in the blinding light.
Bringing her head up she looked at Legolas' face, his grip around her waist tightened as she grabbed on to his arms. She could still feel the current coursing through her "Do...you..." His voice was ragged "...feel."
"Yes." Arianell's eyes were locked with his now, their foreheads almost touching.
Slowly, ever so slowly their breathing returned to normal. At some point in time they had stopped dancing and stood, dazed and stunned, in the middle of the floor. Arianell closed her eyes and re-opened them as the lightning effects wore off. Strangly she was not tired though her feet were impossibly sore and her spine was stiff.
The crowd was murming to themselves now and Arianell could again catch snippets of conversation
"Never before...Faery gifts, what else could it be...ages ago...odd...suited for them..."
And, from an exhausted Lord Farimir, one of the dancers who had lasted towards the middle of the Reel (suprising since neither he nor Lady Eowyn were Elfin kind) "I think they won."
Legolas smiled at his friend, his face covered in a light sheen of sweat. "Indeed." He pulled Arianell to him and walked towards the edge of the dancefloor as the crowd began to disburse. New, less tired, Musicians were brought in and those who had partaken in the Faery Reel either sat in comfortable chairs around the dance floor or hobbled off to their rooms to rest away their weariness.
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"Where are we going Meleth." Legolas only smiled and pulled Arianell to him, allowing her to rest her weight against his side.
"To rest Arwenamin." Legolas smiled at the elleth leaning against him, she was already asleep. "What is it with you and falling asleep after dancing?" Arianell looked up at him "I am sorry." Legolas shook his head "Don't be, it was meant in jest."
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The Gardens were beautiful at night, the heavy blooms perfuming the air. Arianell sat by the fountain, carefully untangling the jewels and Mithril from her untamed hair. "Allow me Meleth." Legolas came to sit behind her and she could not help but smile as his thin fingers untwined the strands of her hair. When the last piece of Mithril was unwound he pulled her against him, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder, and twined his hand with her own.
"What happened in there Meleth?"
Arianell sighed "I was hoping you could tell me Legolas. Did the Legend not say anything about the gift of the Fae?"
Legolas sighed and shook his head "Not that I remember." He closed his eyes, concentrating. "Oh, there was something, in one of the books that father had. A musician once mapped out the Faery Reel and beneath the title he had penned the words
'Borne of Ice a Fired Passion grows'."
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Legolas opened the door and ushered her in, his hand soft on her back. "I'm going to take a bath Meleth." Legolas turned and smiled devilishly at her "Care to join me." "Legolas!" Arianell meant to sound angry but she was smiling too much "I thought we went over this!" "Ah yes, your strange customs." Legolas came and stood in front of her "We shall have to marry soon then Meleth, for I do not think I can bear you in my room otherwise much longer."
Arianell smiled at him "I could always return to my own."
He walked to his bathing chambers, pretending he had not heard.
