A Path Not Taken

"Surely you jest?"

"Ah, no my friend, tis true. Poor Redular was quite red in the face. He thought the coast was clear only to find that—captain? Captain Keldir...are you listening to me?" the guard questioned the elf.

The bewildered expression on the captain's face indicated that his attention was clearly elsewhere. He automatically drowned out the last portion of his companion words as he curiously watched Legolas pass by with Le'ariel.

"What is that prince up to?" Keldir asked himself aloud.

The other guard shrugged as the sight didn't intrigue him as much. After some time, Legolas finally glanced their way and winked at the two with a mischievous grin. Keldir didn't know what exactly Legolas had in store for the chambermaid but whatever it was, he knew it would make for a good story later that evening.

"Shall we follow and see where they are headed?" Redular's curious mind asked.

"No. Let them be. We can interrogate the prince later. Come. Let us go, I must relieve the second patrol for the night."

"Yes, captain..."

I I I

"May I ask where you are taking me?" Le'ariel mustered the courage to ask as they walked down the candlelit corridor.

"Of course you may. But that does not mean I am obligated to answer," he replied.

Giving a small, frustrated nod, Le'ariel remained silent. She continued around the third corridor that led outside to the back of the palace. Le'ariel could see the sunbeams glowing brightly toward the earth with the sky turning shades of red, orange, pink, and purple swirling into a haze.

It would soon be dark in Greenwood the Great.

Just before the very last step that led to the forest, Legolas placed her into a halt. He slowly wrapped a dark, silk blindfold around her eyes and told her to keep walking forward. It was all very confusing but again, what could the female elf do? Blindly and quietly Le'ariel obeys the order with her other senses working to the best of their abilities.

As the fresh air hit the chambermaid, she immediately smelled flowers. Le'ariel was confident that they were in the outside gardens. To her left, she could hear the sound of water quietly rippling from tiny insects floating around telling her they were near the elf-made pond. It consisted of water lilies, floating and flying insects, and other various flowers in vases set on top of pillars that came around to the three steps that led inside the pond.

To her right, was the wind brushing itself against bushes of other plant life, especially the aeglos flowers. The aroma of the sweet-smelling plant tickled her senses as it carries itself all around her.

Why would the prince bring me here?

"You may stop right here," Legolas instructed. The sounds around her made her lose track of where they were in the garden. Le'ariel complied willingly and waited for his next command. "You may also take off your blindfold."

Le'ariel hesitated to untie the fabric. She slowly opened one eye followed by the other. Right before her was the Royal Maze. Le'ariel turned her attention to Legolas with a questioning look only to find him distracted with his own thoughts as he stared at the elf-made structure before them.

"Your…Highness?"

"When I was about seven decades old, I got lost inside this maze. It was newly built for my mother at the time, a gift from my father. It intrigued me so much for I had never seen such intricate work by the Afterborn. I ventured into it, but could not find my way out. I sat there in the middle crying for my mother until I was found and brought back to the palace."

"I believe my mother had told me of that story…" Le'ariel tried to recall.

Legolas nodded quietly. "Did your mother also tell you that she was the one who found me?"

Surprise and shock graced her features. "No, your Highness. My mother failed to mention that."

"I suppose she did not want to embarrass Keldir's father whose duty it was to find me, for who would have thought it would be the palace cook," the prince softly laughed. "I have been fond of your mother ever since then. Not to mention her cooking that kept me coming back." He added a smile.

"That is a very amusing story, your Highness, but I still do not understand why you have brought me here?"

Legolas responded by pretending to ignore her. He clasped his hands behind his back and stepped closer to the maze as if he was examining it. "The following day," he continued, "my mother advised me not to set foot inside again unless I was accompanied by someone who knew the paths. But, of course, I disobeyed her. I spent countless of hours inside, determined to find my own way out and eventually I succeeded. There are only a handful of elves who know the ins and outs of this maze like the route taken to their homes." he looked at her. "And I am one of them."

"Your Highness, I am afraid you have lost me," Le'ariel said quietly, avoiding his gaze.

Legolas's story didn't make sense to her. None of it did. He was a very cryptic elf. Le'ariel was still baffled about his purpose of bringing her there. Her previous fear now turned into a state of confusion.

But again, the prince merely smiled.

"In the beginning I became angry and frustrated for I still could not find my way. But going through the twists and turns and multiple dead ends, I was able to better understand it. All it took was patience to understand why it was built the way it was. Many have false ideas and beliefs that they know the paths so well that reaching the other side was a simple task. But once they find out that it is much more difficult than they originally thought, they give up, unwilling to try again. This labyrinth was not made for those who have no determination in facing challenges that are laid out before them."

The female elf stood her ground, not intimidated by his words. She already gave up trying to understand his story. The only thing she could do now was be polite by nodding at the appropriate times. The elf-prince stared at her for a few seconds then turned away again.

"Think of me as this maze, Le'ariel. There is still much you do not understand about me as I with you. It seems that you are very opinionated about my life and your thoughts interest me. It does not matter to me whether you dislike me or not, that I have no power over," he shook his head. "The way I choose to live my personal life has nothing to do with my duties as a prince and warrior protecting our kingdom. Although they may clash at times, I know our people come first."

"Your Highness, I—"

"No, please," he held his hand up to stop her words. "Do not apologize. I am not angry with you, Le'ariel." He faced her again. Legolas sighed heavily to the heavens as if something else was on his mind. He quickly shook it off with a forced grin and looked directly into her hazel eyes. "I must go. I am on third patrol tonight. Have a good evening, Lady Le'ariel."

And with that, the prince disappeared, leaving her with her thoughts. Lady Le'ariel?

She was speechless, still trying to absorb everything that just took place. Eventually, Le'ariel realized she was still holding the prince's blindfold in her hand. She opened her palm to examine it then closed it again in a tight fist and walked back to the palace…her heart racing a mile a minute.