I made my way into the main hall, where my father and mother were greeting King Thranduil.
"Ah, Amalynn, you look splendid!" My father greeted me.
I smiled at him, "Thank you."
My mother even gave me an approving look.
"Now, Amalynn," my father started, "I'd like you to meet King Thranduil."
I curtsied, "How do you do?"
He bent and kissed my hand, "It's pleasure to meet you, Princess Amalynn, you look ravishing." He said it like my father would.
He turned to my father, "Alionwyn! You really have outdone yourself with this welcoming!"
My father laughed, "You expected less, my old friend?"
Footsteps came sounding down the hall, announcing yet another visitor. A tall elf walked through the front doors. He was very handsome, with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. He had laughter lines around his eyes, and long eyelashes. He was frowning, and my eyebrows furrowed as I tried to figure out why. Perhaps he also hadn't wanted to come to this…ordeal.
"Ah, Legolas! There you are!"
Thranduil turned to us, "This is my son, Legolas. Son, this is King Alionwyn, Queen Arwen, and their daughter, Amalynn."
His eyes had quickly passed over my parents, but when I was introduced his eyes strayed for just a moment longer. He walked forward and clasped my father's hand, kissed my mother's hand, then paused briefly, but leaned forward and kissed mine. I knew I must have been blushing. Something I usually never did, I'd had my hand kissed thousands of times before.
He'd already turned back toward my father, "Thank you for having us, King Alionwyn." His voice was strong.
"Please, call me Alionwyn, Legolas. We're not here for formalities!" The irony of the situation being that we were exactly here under the pretense of formalities. With war threatening our door step, I knew that there was stress behind my father's smile and booming laughter.
We made our way toward the throne room, which held numerous dancing couples. I sat quickly, not wanting to attract an invitation to dance. I ignored the indignant look from my mother. A good princess would mingle, accepting any and all dance invitations. I enjoyed watching the other couples sway, they appeared far more graceful than I. A feat easy to accomplish. I'm usually rather light on my feet, being an elf and all, however the creator must have passed over the pots bubbling with charm and grace, having bestowed neither in me. Hopefully father would ask me, he just sat my feet atop his and we swayed, it wasn't harmful or embarrassing.
I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I almost didn't hear the soft sound of someone clearing their throat above me. I looked up to see Saelnir. I knew I must of looked angry because he cleared his throat again.
"My lady, may I have the pleasure of this dance?" A nasty answer resounded in my head, but I knew I must so I only said, "You may."
Saelnir was the elf my mother had picked out for me to marry My father, however, didn't know anything about this. I disliked him; he was vain, cruel, and saw myself only as a prize. He took my hand tightly and pulled me out into the dance area. He put his arm around me and pushed us far too close together.
"How fare you today, Lady Amalynn?" He smiled a cruel smile at me.
"I was having a rather nice day…" "Your tone strikes me as one of discontent…"
"What tone?" I asked, though I knew perfectly well what he spoke of. He pulled me even closer and moved us near a dark corner of the ballroom. I stepped on his toes, feigning clumsiness as an excuse.
"You act as though you're dancing with a snake." He grunted.
"More of an ass." That shut him up, for a moment.
"Your tongue is like fire, my lady."
"And yet, you are not burned?" He pulled us even tighter together, so much that it hurt.
I whimpered, "Does this hurt, milady? Maybe it will teach you some manners."
"Might I cut in?" I looked up, and smiled without meaning to. Legolas was standing there, thankfully, and not another of my "gentleman callers."
Saelnir rolled his eyes and let go of me, "I suppose so. Perhaps you can teach her to watch her tongue around her betters." I grimaced.
Legolas said nothing, only bowed to him and watched as he stalked off.
It was quiet as Legolas pulled me gently to him and took my hand. I was surprised that he didn't notice my heart racing in my chest.
"Thank you, Prince Legolas." "Think nothing of it."
I supposed he wasn't much of a talker, so we danced in silence.
"Your father is very kind." His voice startled me.
"Yes, I adore him…" I smiled toward where he sat, then I saw my mother's expression. She was livid. Splendid. I shook my head and turned back toward him.
"Your mother does not receive your adoration?"
"We don't get along quite as well. She doesn't approve of what I spend my time doing."
"Which is?"
I laughed, "I explore our lands. I climb trees and ride h-." I stopeed, my breath catching in my throat.
Most men thought of this behavior as a challenge. Something they could break me of. Along with the pleasure of gaining the power of a king I had sworn to myself I would stop bringing this up so that my family would not encounter danger because of me.
"That doesn't sound very terrible." I relaxed, then, tensed again as he abruptly changed our topic of conversation. "Saelnir is a very interesting choice for a suitor."
"I loathe him… Mother thinks he is the right choice because he is steady and stable. His family has wealth as well. What does it matter? We are all doomed in this coming war…"
Legolas snapped his eyes to mine. "My lady, war is terrible but to give up all hope is worse."
I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. "I apologize, sir. I did not mean to sound hopeless."
He relaxed and sighed, "No, I need to apologize. Here I am, admonishing you for saying what you believe. My lady, I am truly sorry for the position you have been put in,"
"I-" I was interrupted by the doors being shoved open, and a messenger running in. He rushed over to King Thranduil and my father and handed them a note.
My papa took it and read with a frightened face. He gave the letter to King Thranduil, then rushed to my mother. He grabbed her hand and signaled to Legolas.
The prince took my hand in his and pulled me toward the door and down into the cellar. As the door was closing I heard the guards quietly telling our guests to move into the barracks.
"Legolas? What is going on?"
"I am not sure.."
The cellar door opened again and my mother, father, and King Thranduil were ushered down the steps.
"Father?" I said, frightened.
"Saruman…he is creating an army… We must hide for the night and set out in the morning for Rivendale. It is the safest place now."
"Dearest, they are not at our doorstep. Why do we not continue our party with our people. We can set out in the morning." My mother was always an advocate for our impeccable image.
"He has already sent out the Nazgul, Minada."
The usual look of serenity disappeared from my mother's face and she turned and looked at me.
"Are we safe here?" Mother whispered now.
"I am unsure. I think it is best for us to hide here for tonight."
King Thranduil cleared his throat, "Legolas and I will go and be on watch. We will stop any who try to come and harm this kingdom."
Legolas stood up straighter and looked down at my hand, which was still in his. My cheeks burned as I dropped it. I did not understand how I still could feel embarrassment at a time like this. He smiled at me, but it did not reach his eyes.
"It was my pleasure to dance with you tonight, Princess. I will keep you and your family safe, you have my word."
I nodded, "thank you."
He shook my father's hand, then, with one final look at our three faces, left with his father.
We made a makeshift bed out of flour, then fell into a fitful sleep.