A Different Light
Midday was fast approaching. At the rate it would take to clean the dirtied items again, missing a meal would befall on Le'ariel—all credit given to a certain elf. Instead of getting more water from the well, dug deep beneath Thranduil's halls, she decided to walk to the Luin River(1).
A bridge was built from just outside the underground fortress delved in Emyn-nu-Fuin(2) for access to the Luin. The small stream was the safest place within their northern boundary as the Enchanted River was forbidden due to the curse it carried. Anyone who set foot into its black water immediately fell into a long enchanted sleep.
Strong elven ropes held the wooden structure together, created shortly after Sauron forced the Wood-elves from Amon Lanc where their people once resided long ago. The waterfall of the Forest River(3) to the chambermaid's left shoulder rushed toward the rocky bottom. It, too, rising from the Grey Mountains proved to be an unsafe area while it flowed roughly on a southeasterly course.
Le'ariel couldn't see the elves patrolling the area but she knew they are there, quietly hiding in the shadows of the trees. Black squirrels and other small animals from the darker side of the Wood tended to cross the bridge from time to time, usually out of curiosity. Upon the king's orders, any creatures hailing from the outer boundaries that didn't face their main gates were to be shot on sight for Sauron's evil intentions are carried onto them.
Stepping safely off the bridge, Le'ariel preceded to the secluded clearing of the Luin. She sat on her legs and rolled the sleeves of her blouse up until it reached her elbows.
She watched a rainbow appear over the waterfall, the edge of its drop splashing with specks of water from underneath the colors. The sun's rays were now cast overhead in her direction as she squinted her hazel eyes away from the bright light.
"Yes, yes, I know," Le'ariel sighed. "No enjoying nature's beauty until my chores or rather, Sirawen's chores, are done." Le'ariel softly laughed to herself. She felt the sun against her that morning, like her mother's spirit telling her to stay on task.
The chambermaid took the soap from her pocket and dipped it in the water, starting a good lather against the fabrics. Shortly after, her stomach's plea for nourishment called out in urgency. If she hurried with the washing she could still hopefully find something leftover in one of the kitchens.
But, as luck would have it, the slippery soap escaped her hands. "Blasted river!" she bitterly called to it as the soap floated downstream. "Now, I will have to journey back to the palace to get another one." But just then, as if by magic, another appeared by her side. "Where...where did you come from?" Le'ariel questioned the object.
"From Tathes, a washer from the laundering section of the palace," she thought it replied until she realized the words came from someone behind her.
Le'ariel slowly turned her upper body around to see who it was. "Prince Legolas? What are you doing here?" she asked surprised.
"It looks as if you need some help." He sat himself next to her.
"Help?" The chambermaid gave him a confused look.
"Yes, help," Legolas softly laughed at her expression. "I am here to pay my debt to you for concealing my whereabouts to your mother," he smiled.
"Your Highness, really, it is not necessary. I can manage on my own," she told him, watching him mimic her techniques.
"I do not doubt your abilities, but a promise was made and a promise I shall keep." The prince continued scrubbing.
"If you insist…" Le'ariel goes back to her own washing. They sat silently for what seemed like ages, tending to their duties. Le'ariel wanted the wind to carry her voice but she wasn't sure what to say. She had little experience conversing directly with the prince and so said nothing.
"May I ask how you attained your scar?" Legolas finally asked, Le'ariel thankful for the break in the awkward silence. He noticed the tiny mark on her forearm when he sat down beside her. The silence, also, was not to his liking.
"In one of the kitchens when I was a little over a century old, your Highness," she answered. "The scar is a reminder of my first cooking lesson." Le'ariel smiled to herself of the memory.
She was playing with her doll instead of paying attention in how to take baked goods out of the oven. When she reached for the bread inside, the warmth of the oven overwhelmed her causing her to jump back. Her arm brushed against its side, thus scarring her for life.
"That experience made it clear that was not meant to be a cook like my mother. Lady Minar, noticing how well I cleaned up after myself, suggested that I try becoming a chambermaid. And, here I am now. A chambermaid…"
"Then why are you doing the washing?"
"My first duties are cleaning the chambers in your wing of the palace, but I also try and help in other areas to keep myself busy. I am a servant, after all, and Lady Minar has no problem assigning work to those who run out of things to do. I would rather pick my own chores willingly than rely on her to assign them for me, which is not always the most pleasant of things," she explained. "Besides, if not for the extra work, I would most likely be lost in our forest, enjoying the beauty we have preserved in this dangerous land."
"That does not sound so awful," Legolas sighed. "I would rather spend my days taking in the wonders of this world than patrolling the borders. But anyhow, how did your mother react when you told her you would not be a cook?"
"She reacted more or less the same way when you and Keldir almost burned the western kitchen down, your Highness," she grinned.
"Yes, well, I too, paid for that," he chuckled. "Besides not being allowed in the kitchens, my father had me patrolling from dusk till dawn for a full winter! I believe if your mother had it her way, my punishment would have been much more severe."
"True," Le'ariel grinned again. "My mother, your Highness, can be very inventive when it comes to punishments."
"So it seems…" replied the elf-prince. Before she could ask what he meant, Legolas stood up from the river's edge and wiped his wet hands on his archer uniform. "There. All done." He ringed the last tablecloth dry and hung it on a nearby branch.
"You have some skill with soap, I see." The cloths he washed seem cleaner than hers.
"When I was much younger, about half-a-century-old, my mother took me around the servant quarters so I knew firsthand how the other side of our palace ran. Believe it or not, I have done the duties required in every station."
"Very impressive, your Highness."
"As the Prince of Mirkwood, I command you to call me—"
"Legolas!" Keldir suddenly called from across the bridge. The guard motioned with his hand for the prince to follow him somewhere.
Legolas waved back then returned his attention to the chambermaid. "If you will excuse me, other duties are calling."
"But, of course. I thank you for your help, Prince Legolas." Le'ariel bowed her head.
"Legolas," he corrected. "And, you are welcome."
"I cannot call you by your given name!" She looked horrified. If anyone heard the informal way she addressed the elf-prince, a string of punishments would ensue.
Legolas understood and nodded. "How about this then…you call me by my given name when no one is around?" Le'ariel, still looking apprehensive, he sighed. "What if I gave you an order?"
"I suppose if it is an order, I cannot disobey you."
"That settles it then."
"As you wish...your Highness," Le'ariel secretly smirked.
The prince playfully rolled his eyes. "Have it your way, milady," he exaggerated his farewell bow. "Your mother has also advised me to send you to the kitchens when you are finished here. Good day, Le'ariel."
"Good day."
She watched him walk back across the bridge, rather confused.
Is that really the Prince of Mirkwood walking back to the underground palace? He appeared to be the same elf to her that was constantly with maidens but yet…he wasn't. He seemed so different. This elf was kind, polite and even...charming.
I suppose there are two sides to every story…
Author's Note:
1 The Luin River doesn't really exist. According to my sources, besides the Enchanted River and the Forest River that ran through northern Mirkwood, there was only one other unnamed stream. Just decided to give it a name. ;) (No bridge either)
2 Emyn-nu-Fuin: The Mountains of Mirkwood
3 The waterfall of the Forest River was added by me...don't really know if it even had one.