~The Drunk Prince of Mirkwood~
"Taurorn, what is the meaning of this? Where are we going?" Aerlaer asked as he dragged her outside.
"You need some air." He answered simply and still holding her hand, pulled her down to sit beside him, hidden against a pillar.
"Why are we hiding out here?" She demanded suspiciously glaring at him.
"I had to get you away from him, unless you want the entire hall to know your feelings." He said quietly and she looked at him confused. "Your hair, it started sparking."
"Oh." Aerlaer took a sharp breath in. "When?"
"A little, while you were fighting one another but then when he floored you, it started a little again then but it was when he kissed you."
"Oh Silaear!" She cursed and looked at him wildly. "Do you think he noticed?" Taurorn laughed.
"Of course he noticed but I don't think he figured out why, I think most people thought it was from the exhilaration of the fight."
"It was exhilarating." She breathed. "I have never been so challenged in knife and combat skills."
"Why did you kiss him back though, I am confused, who beat whom? Surely that was not a draw?" Taurorn asked curiously.
"It wasn't, I did best him, but only just, it was more luck I think."
"Then why did you say you drew even?"
"Because I didn't want to wound his pride and you know as well as I do what Elrohir and Elladen would have done with that knowledge." She chuckled.
"Do you even realise how kind you are?" He shook his head with a smile.
"I wouldn't want to do anything to hurt him." She replied as she drew her knees up to her chest, feeling suddenly awkward by her earlier actions.
"You really care for him, don't you?" He asked softly and nudged her with his elbow.
"Yes, unfortunately." She sighed. "To him, I think I am just his companion, who just so happens to be an Elf with brilliant fighting skills." She stood up and walked towards the edge of the stone platform and looked up at the bright moon and stars. Taurorn came to stand beside her.
"Gimli was right you are like starlight this eve, more so now you are surrounded by them." He commented.
"I'm glad you think so." She sighed again, thinking of how Legolas had agreed so quickly it was her fighting skills to be admired. "Come, we have lingered out here long enough, let's head back in." She said and together they returned to the hall.
…
"Aerlaer, I must say I haven't seen such a close fight like that in a very long time." Gandalf chuckled, eyes twinkling. "Your grandmother will be gladdened to hear you have inherited her exceptional knife wielding skills" he said mysteriously and Aerlaer made to ask which grandmother but he had turned back to the Hobbits. They were dancing an energetic jig upon a table whilst singing a light hearted song about their favourite tavern. Aerlaer laughed at their antics along with Taurorn and Aragorn, who had joined them.
"You can keep your fancy ales.
You can drink em by the flagon!
But the only brew for the brave and true…"
Pippin faltered and watched Gandalf uncertainly.
"Pippin!" Merry called to him and as if a spell had been broken, he re-joined Merry in song.
"…But the only brew for the brave and true, Comes from the Green Dragon!"
The men and women clapped and cheered as the Hobbits then sculled down their tankards of ale.
"I win!" Cried out Pippin, somewhat breathlessly, but Aerlaer sensed his heart was not in it for usually he was the cheerier one of the two. Something rests heavily in his mind. I wonder what it could be?
She felt a hand on her back and, pushing her worry for Pippin momentarily aside, she let Aragorn lead her and Gandalf away from the bustle.
"Any word of Frodo?" He asked the Wizard quietly, once they were in a private part of the great hall. Aerlaer looked up hopefully to Gandalf, but he only sighed.
"No, nothing at all." He answered despondently and Aragorn briefly looked disappointed.
"We have time. Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor." The Ranger said confidently.
"But do we know that?" Gandalf asked. "Does he truly move closer or have I truly sent him to a pointless doom."
"Mithrandir, nothing you do is for naught and the ring is still hidden, or Sauron would have made it known he possessed it again." Aerlaer replied, hoping to comfort her old friend.
"What does your heart tell you?" Aragorn asked gently.
"That Frodo is alive." Gandalf murmured after a moment, renewed hope forming in his wise old eyes. "Yes, yes he is alive." He smiled and Aragorn and Aerlaer returned the sentiment.
"And Sam is too." Aerlaer murmured and both the Wizard and Ranger nodded in agreement.
"Princess Aerlaer?" At such a strangely formal address, she turned, surprised to see it was Eowyn, looking mildly flustered. "Forgive me, but Prince Legolas requests your attendance at his table."
"Pardon?" Aerlaer all but spluttered incredulously at Éowyn, who shrugged helplessly.
"His words not mine." She explained and Aragorn snorted.
"So the young Prince of Mirkwood has decided to reclaim his title." Gandalf chuckled.
"So it would seem." Aragorn replied, bemused. "Aerlaer I'll accompany you, see what mischief he is up to." He turned to Taurorn. "Maybe you would like to keep the Lady Éowyn company while we attend to the, Prince." He suggested in mild sarcasm at the title. Nodding, Taurorn turned to make conversation with Éowyn.
"I saw what you did there." Aerlaer snickered as they walked towards the other end of the hall to the table the blonde Elf sat at with Elladen and Elrohir.
"Oh, Aerlaer you've come to save me!" Legolas cried out to her gleefully and her eyes took in the sight of the grinning Elf and then slid to Éomer, who was also sitting at the table who smirked at her deviously. Aragorn groaned.
"How many has he had?" The Ranger asked as he eyed the Elf who was grinning stupidly at Aerlaer.
"Twenty eight." Éomer answered, still smirking.
Twenty eight! He turned back to the blonde Elf, shaking his head.
"What's the problem Legolas?" Aerlaer asked him, trying not to laugh at him.
"Elladen, and Elrohir, are being most discourteous trying to get me to spill my deepest and darkest secrets to them." He said impertinently.
"That's the last thing we need." Aragorn muttered under his breath.
"And have you?" She asked and glared at her two cousins pointedly who had the decency to look guilty.
"Well no." He replied thoughtfully.
"Then you have nothing to worry about." She laughed.
"But I've revealed something terrible to them!" He cried out in exasperation, causing a couple nearby riders to chuckle, including Eomer who leaned against the table, a foot casually resting up on a chair seat. "To everyone! My father will have my head for what I have revealed!" He all but wailed and Aerlaer was surprised to hear real worry in his voice.
"It can't have been that bad." She said as she and Aragorn sat down across from him beside Éomer, who now sat too.
"It's really not. The man said quietly, shaking with laughter.
"Oh but it is!" Legolas insisted.
"What did you tell them?" Aragorn asked, amused, and Legolas gasped in horror.
"I cannot tell you! It is the great secret of the Greenwood!" He replied dramatically.
"What if you whisper it to me so no one else can hear? You have my word I will not tell another soul." Aerlaer promised softly and Legolas looked at her firstly undecided, and then leapt up and swiftly moved around to her side. For a drunken Elf, he has lost none of his grace yet. He took her arm, pulled her up and marched her a few steps away before shooting a glare towards Éomer and the twins. He then bent down and proceeded to whisper in her ear.
"I've told them that my father isn't really as terrifying as everyone thinks that, that in his spare time he likes to chase..." Legolas lowered his voice more and stepped a little closer so absolutely no one could hear. "Butterflies." He finished and pulled back and looked worriedly at her. The mighty Thranduil, indulged in chasing butterflies? It was all too funny and Aerlaer struggled valiantly to hold in her laughter.
"Do not worry so Legolas, I do not think you have compromised the safety of your father's realm, or his integrity." She consoled him, keeping her face as serious as his.
"Are you sure?" He asked, searching her eyes uncertainly. And she bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from grinning.
"I am certain. Besides he is probably chasing them to hone his hunting skills. Butterflies are very elusive." She added, hoping to ease his worried, silly head.
"But of course! That's what he would be doing." He said with relief and grinned lopsidedly. He is so drunk. Suddenly he took her hands. "We should dance." He declared and she looked sceptically at him. Very drunk.
"Legolas." Aragorn said warningly and the Elf glanced at him in confusion before turning back to Aerlaer.
"Forgive me! I have forgotten my manners!" He cried and dropped her hands and stepped back, graciously offering her his right hand. "Would you care to dance with me, Princess Aerlaer?" He politely asked with a charming smile and bright, hopeful eyes. Aragorn sighed and Aerlaer caught his eye roll.
"This is hilarious." Elrohir snickered from the table.
"But Legolas there is no music." Aerlaer laughed lightly, hoping to deter him from his mad idea.
"Prince Legolas, I am a Prince, you know." He corrected her with a dashing and roguish grin. He's completely lost his acorns! She shook her head at his antics.
"Yes we all know its, Prince Legolas." Elladen muttered dryly but the smirk on his face bellied his words. Aragorn chuckled, seeming once again amused by his friend.
"Will you dance with me, please?" Legolas asked again. "I promise you I'm an excellent dancer." He said trying to convince her to say yes.
"I know you are…Oh alright then, I'll dance with you." She decided to humour him, realising he probably wasn't going to take no as an answer, being a prince and all. She laughed lightly as his face lit up happily.
"We need music." He declared. "Where is Merry and Pip? Someone tell them I request their vocal talents." He said regally and Éomer spluttered on his drink.
"I suppose the women here would enjoy a little bit of dancing." Gamling chuckled and Éomer nodded.
"I'll fetch the Hobbits." He offered and stood up to find them.
"Have you tried this?" Legolas called to Aerlaer and Aragorn as he let go of her and practically skipped over to a passing servant and took three tankards from him and handed one to each of them, keeping the third for himself.
"Are you sure you need another pint?" Aragorn asked as he took a drink from his tankard.
"I do not think I could ever grow tired of drinking this. It's delicious!" The Elf declared, and took a long drink. Aerlaer smirked behind the rim of her own drink. Éomer had certainly gotten what he wished for.
...
He felt wonderful. His friends were about him and so too was Aerlaer, and she had agreed to dance. It was going to be such fun.
"What shall we sing?" Pippin asked him and he laughed.
"Nothing slow and boring." He ordered. "Something fun." Both Hobbits nodded and he noticed Merry was holding a strange stringed instrument.
"What is that?" He asked curiously.
"This is a cithara. It's like a lute but much better." Grinned Merry and strummed the instrument's strings which made a deep but melodious noise. He looked to Pippin who nodded with a cheery grin and then Merry began to strum the first notes of a song and Legolas quickly put his drink down and then snatched Aerlaer's from her hand.
"Time to dance!" He said happily as he picked her hand up in his and her joyful, laughing smile warmed his heart as Pippin began to sing to the music.
"I used to want to be
Living like there's only me
But now I spend my time
Thinking 'bout a way to get you off my mind."
Legolas lightly spun Aerlaer around enjoying the rhythm of the song and the beat Pippin was clapping out. He was vaguely aware of others beginning to dance too but his main focus was on Aerlaer, as he lightly spun her around him, her face alight with mirth and her eyes dancing.
"I used to be so tough
Never really gave enough
And then you caught my eye
Giving me the feeling of a lightning strike!"
Ha! She gives me the feeling of a lightning strike! Legolas thought and grinned at the elleth.
"Look at me now, I'm falling
I can't even talk, still stuttering
This ground of mine keeps shaking. Oh!"
Aerlaer danced in closer to him and he placed a hand on her waist and pulled her closer to him and smirking, whispered into her ear. "You do dance wonderfully my dear, but can you keep up with an Elf from the Woodland Realm?" Her eyes gleamed and a smirk of her own played on her lips.
"Try me." She said challengingly and he swiftly sent her spiralling away and around as Merry and Pippin began the chorus
"All I wanna be, yeah all I ever wanna be, yeah, yeah, is somebody to you,
All I wanna be, yeah all I ever wanna be, yeah, yeah, is somebody to you."
This song is excellent! Legolas decided as he and Aerlaer spun swiftly around at speeds which would have dizzied the humans.
"Everybody wants to be someone's heir,
But every time I look at you I just don't care."
"I'd like to be an heir." Pippin mused and Legolas laughed.
"Pippin!" Merry caught his attention and both their voices sang true again.
"Cause all I wanna be, yeah all I ever wanna be, yeah, yeah, is somebody to you!"
As the chorus ended, Legolas slowed himself down to the rhythm and Aerlaer gracefully circled back to him and took hold of his free hand, making his fingers tingle warmly. She was all bright smiles and laughter and warm, sparkling eyes. Even her hair sparked a little.
"I used to run around,
I didn't wanna settle down.
But now I wake each day,
Looking for a way that I can see your face."
She danced in close. "This is such fun!" She giggled and he let out a light laugh as she let go of one of his hands again and skipped and twirled about him at arm's length. Her dress spun around her, illuminated by the firelight.
"So I've gotten you to laugh,
But I swear I need more than that.
I need to know your lips,
Nothing ever mattered to me more than this."
About them Elladen and Elrohir were both larking about dancing together and had chimed into the next verse of the song. He realised Aerlaer too had joined in, that wild yet warm look shining bright in her eyes which drew him in.
"Look at me now, I'm falling
I can't even talk, still stuttering
This ground of mine keeps shaking."
"Oh oh oh, now everyone!" Called out the hobbits and Legolas found himself singing along with all the others and with Aerlaer.
"All I wanna be, yeah all I ever wanna be, yeah, yeah!
Is somebody to you!
All I wanna be, yeah all I ever wanna be, yeah, yeah
Is somebody to you!"
Again he spun Aerlaer quickly around the floor, marvelling at her deft yet graceful footwork. As they kept singing. His heart felt light and joyful.
"All I wanna be, yeah all I ever wanna be, yeah, yeah
Is somebody to you!
All I wanna be, yeah all I ever wanna be, yeah, yeah
Is somebody to you!"
"Yeah you!" Cried out the Hobbits as they ended the song chuckling in mirth.
"Oh, that was wonderful!" Aerlaer exclaimed as she performed a twirl back towards him.
"You kept up perfectly, I am surprised. Do your kin dance like that too? He asked curiously. Slowly, to his dismay, her elated smile faltered. "Aerlaer?"
"No, they do not." She murmured and he tried to discern the look upon her face. Was it wistful, no, sad? That was not quite right either. Confused, yes, perhaps a little, but why?"
"Have I upset you somehow?" He asked.
"No, no, Legolas of course not. You merely reminded me of something, that is all." She smiled at him and it was genuine. Still, she had piqued his curiosity.
"And what was that?" He pressed, grinning, hoping she would gladly tell him.
"It is nothing, really." She let out a small laugh. "Truly you are a wonderful dancer."
"Am I the best? The best you have danced with?" He smirked playfully. She frowned a moment and seemed to truly contemplate his question. "Do you know of someone better?" He teased.
"A long time ago, perhaps, but yes Legolas, you are truly the best." Her words made him beam.
"Good, I bet whoever that other was, they couldn't dance as well as the Prince of the Woodland Realm!" He chuckled and she too laughed, although it seemed almost flat.
"I suppose not."
"Oh, do not tease me so, come tell me, who was it? I must know." He nudged her shoulder, eager to find out why she seemed so contemplative.
"I actually have no idea, it was at a celebration a few decades ago, I never caught their name." She shrugged and then grinned.
"Well, if you do not know, I am by default, the best you have danced with." He declared, earning a once again cheery laugh from her. Everything was truly wonderful, and then a certain person appeared beside Aerlaer, crushing all of Legolas's bliss.
"Very quick dancing both of you." Taurorn said in a way of greeting and Legolas tried to keep the scowl from his face as Aerlaer's lit up. He felt the stab of pain in his heart again, as the reality of his situation hurled into him.
"And a nice dancing partner you had there." She replied to the Ranger and he sidled up to her.
"I need to speak with you about that." He said in a low voice, taking her hand. "Sorry to steal her away, Legolas." He grinned awkwardly in apology and Legolas just shrugged. "You can't steal from me what I don't own." He laughed dryly. "I was getting another drink anyway." He lied and then realised he still held Aerlaer's other hand. Quickly he let go, turning to stride purposefully away in search of a drink to rid himself of the desolate pain in his heart which had resurfaced upon seeing Taurorn take Aerlaer's hand. A hand which could never be his to hold.
...
Aerlaer watched, confused as Legolas walked away. One moment he had been joyful, the next cool and indifferent. She made to follow him, to ask what bothered him but Taurorn began dragging her to a quieter area of the hall.
"Taurorn what is the problem?" Aerlaer growled out, annoyed to be dragged away from the other Elf. He turned to face her apologetically =.
"Sorry about that." He checked to make sure no one important was nearby and dropped his voice. "How well do you know the Lady Éowyn?" Aerlaer studied him.
"You do not ask for your own interest, do you?" She finally stated.
"No, I do find her likable and she is undoubtedly beautiful, but no. I ask for Aragorn." He replied and Aerlaer struggled to mask her shock. She could see the twins hovering nearby and the last thing she needed was those two eavesdropping. She stepped towards him, embracing him in a hug.
"Twins are lurking." She explained quietly, knowing they would see the embrace as a sentimental gesture and not potential gossip or conspiracies.
"Now you better explain." She murmured as the twins started laughing with the Hobbits and Éowyn, continuing on their way.
"I am under the impression she has feelings for Aragorn." She felt him shrug.
"Why do you think this?"
"Just that she seems to light up in his presence and when not in it, her eyes seek him out. Much like you towards a certain Elf, now I think about it." He mused.
"I do not." Aerlaer hissed.
"Oh, but you do." Taurorn chuckled and Aerlaer remembered what he had said earlier about her hair sparkling.
"Oh goodness! Did my hair spark again before?"
"I'm not sure, I was dancing too remember. I might add I was Éowyn's second choice as a partner, she asked Aragorn first." Aerlaer chewed her bottom lip, thinking. Éowyn did seem to seek Aragorn's company. But surely only as a friend? She found her own eyes searching the crowded hall for Legolas as she thought about the Éowyn predicament.
"He's having another drink, I don't believe it." She muttered, shaking her head as Taurorn rumbled with laughter.
"You did want to get him drunk."
"No, Éomer wanted to get him drunk, I just simply devised the method in which to do so." Aerlaer replied coyly.
"You are a sly thing." He murmured.
"I think you may be right about Éowyn, she was very interested in where the Evenstar came from and then asked me if Elves marriages are like that of the race of men."
"Interesting. Then how do you think Aragorn thinks of her?"
"His heart is Arwen's, he will not stray from her. Éowyn is a friend in his eyes." Aerlaer said, a little saddened by the realisation the proud and kind Lady of Rohan cared for the Ranger, but would never have those feelings returned. How could she explain to her friend, any feelings she had would not be reciprocated by him? "I will try and talk to her. I would not want her to hold out to a hope of something which is not there." Aerlaer decided as she released Taurorn from her embrace. "Now I think we should return to Legolas, he's had four more drinks since we left him."
"Not that you were keeping an eye on him or counting or anything." Taurorn teased quietly and she elbowed him for his cheek.
"Shush you."
Legolas was sitting on a bench, slumped back against the table behind him when Aerlaer found him. He was looking rather contemplating behind the tankard he had his fingers elegantly laced around.
"Oh, there you are Aerlaer!" He said happily when he realised she was now standing before him and then shot a look towards Taurorn and simply nodded coolly to him before turning back to her.
"Legolas are you okay?" She asked as she peered down at him. He was grinning stupidly again.
"It seems I am turning into a…" He let out a dramatic sigh, and half closed his eyes before continuing; "A legless, Legolas." He chuckled to himself and as if to prove his point, stood up before her, wobbling a little.
Aerlaer darted forward, grabbing his arm to steady him. "Ah, your hand is so warm." He sighed contently and Aerlaer turned to Taurorn and mouthed "Are they?" To which the young Ranger, smirking, shook his head.
"I think you need to stop drinking now." She said, turning back towards the slightly swaying Elf.
"But it makes bad things go away." He replied and turned unsteadily to pick up the nearly emptied tankard on the table. Aragorn beat him to it, appearing from the crowd, and whisked the drink away from his hands.
"Aerlaer is right Legolas, you've had enough." He said authoritatively and Legolas muttered under his breath, a scowl on his face.
"Maybe I have." Legolas decided, looking to and from Taurorn and Aerlaer who were standing closely next to each other still peering at him. "I think maybe I shall retire for the evening." He made to walk off regally but he was unsteady upon his feet and stumbled slightly.
"Need some help there, Legolas?" Elrohir asked, grinning as he and Elladen walked by him.
"Absolutely not." Legolas retorted, making his way unsteadily from the hall.
Aerlaer watched him leave, worried. "I'm going to head to bed too, I think." She said and Taurorn shot her an amused, knowing smirk. "He is likely to fall down the damn stairs." She muttered as she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek good night, and nodding to a worried looking Aragorn, made her way from the hall.
…
Legolas had made it halfway up the stairs and that is where Aerlaer found him, sitting on a step leaning against the balustrade. He looked slightly dazed, watching her as she nimbly ascended the stair, stopping before him.
"I thought it would be a nice place to sit." He said cleverly and she shook her head smiling, and held out her hand.
"Come on you, let's get you into bed." He stood up, a roguish smirk forming on his face.
"Why Aerlaer, how forward of you." He quipped playfully, cocking his head to the side.
"Or I could leave you here?" She suggested, smirking, hoping he was too drunk to notice the slight colour she could feel warming her cheeks. Thank goodness, I do not really blush like some elleth do!
"Lead the way, my Lady." He replied graciously and shaking her head, she placed a supportive arm across his shoulders and keeping his hand in hers, walked beside him up the stair.
The corridors were dark but for the warm light of flickering candles upon the walls and Aerlaer purposely walked, putting herself on the balcony side of the walk ways, for the other Elf's safety. When they reached the entrance to his guest chamber, she stopped him, pulling gently on his arm and he turned suddenly to her. Under the flickering low light of the candelabras, his eyes look to have a fire within them, warmly smouldering.
"Gimli was right. You do look as if you are clothed in starlight." He murmured thoughtfully as he gazed at her.
"It's just a dress." She replied quietly and he nodded, still looking thoughtful and she began to feel a little annoyed under his gaze, but his next words startled her still.
"Aerlaer." He sighed. "You really are so beautiful." Before she could react, he stepped in close bringing his free hand up to hold her cheek and leaning down, carefully kissed her. It felt as if lightning had struck her, and she could feel the volts of energy racing through her veins and then he stepped back and she remembered where she was and let out a shaky breath.
"Legolas, you are drunk." She managed to utter warningly but her words felt unsteady to her. He just kissed me. His eyes were darker, and were a mix of curiosity and pain as they widened.
"Forgive me! I didn't mean to!" He gasped, his expression turning to one of horror and he turned and stumbled towards his door. She watched, still rooted to the same spot as he turned the handle, and shot through the door and away from her like a stag in flight.
Heart pounding, a sense of desolation shadowed her heart. He was drunk and he had not meant what he had done, and it was all her fault. She had helped get him into his inebriated state, and now she had paid the price. He didn't mean it.
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