Adanion
The next few weeks weren't as bad as Le'ariel thought they would be. The prince kept to his word about obeying her orders and available on her time—not his. He actually lightened her duties to focus more on their little project, much to Minar's dismay.
They placed golden silk sheets on the bed and the woven designs on the comforters were made especially for their guest with hand-carved pictures on the bed post. The furniture was polished until it gleamed in the sunlight and dark, red velvet drapes hung around the balcony window complimenting the other colors in the room. Legolas was admiring their work when Le'ariel walked in with fresh flowers in her hands.
"This should do it." She placed them in the vase sitting on the table next to Legolas. The chambermaid examined the room and slightly moved a chair closer to the dresser before smiling again. "I believe we are done."
"Adanion's chamber appears to be quite nicer than mine. I might just decide to switch rooms with him." Legolas chuckled.
"With a few color changes and furniture movement, I am sure your own chambers will look just the same."
Legolas nodded then turned his attention to her. "Le'ariel, thank you for helping design Adanion's chambers. I know that we have had our...well, umm...difference of opinion on things and mishaps in the past...but I truly hope you still do not hold so much against me."
"I suppose I was wrong to prejudge you based on my eyes and what I have heard instead of knowing the facts for myself by conversing with you directly. For that, I apologize, your Highness. As for my thoughts regarding certain behaviors you possess, I stand firm in what I believe in to be right and wrong."
The prince sighed. "Fair enough. I will not try and utterly convince you—least not yet—that I am the most honest elf and prince you will know. I am well aware of what you are referring to and I do not deny that I do take advantage of my title in a misbehaving way at times. However, I hope from spending almost every day with me these past few weeks, you were able to see that I am not entirely that terrible?" he smirked with a boyish grin.
"I suppose, your Highness," Le'ariel rolled her eyes with a smile. "Still, you have a long way in utterly convincing me how honest of an elf and prince you are. Remember, your Highness, I am not a maiden who easily swoons at your feet." The chambermaid turned to leave the room.
In fact, I am not really a maiden at all…
"And that—I am thankful for!" Legolas called out as she walked away. Le'ariel pretended not to hear so she could attend to her other chores before the prince's guest arrived.
"Namaarie..." Legolas shook his head and smiled to himself. He was not lost on him how she still refused to call him by his name. You truly are not one of the maidens who swoon at my feet...
I I I
"Legolas, you old goat! Nae saian luume'(1)." Adanion embraced his cousin in front of the palace gates.
"Old goat? I may be a few hundred years older than you but I am still quicker on my feet!" He ribbed back.
"And ah, Captain Keldir of the Mirkwood Guard, sut naa lle umien(2)?" He walked over to him and embraced him as well. "Normally, I would not be so affectionate but since it is you two, you I will make an exception today."
Keldir chuckled. "You have not changed a bit. Lle maa quel(3)."
Adanion winked back. He resembled Legolas on his mother's side but with darker features, enjoying his time writing and playing elven musical instruments. And like his cousin, he also enjoyed riding in the outdoors and had been trying to convince Legolas for centuries that he was much more skilled in the elven-blades than him.
"Actually, in a sense I have changed, my friend. Having my ink and parchment and the beautiful music of our people at my side, I feel more at one with nature and able to appreciate what we have in these lands more than before. I like my quiet life in Rivendell."
Legolas placed an arm around his shoulder. "If I were an elf-maiden, your words would have taken my breath away." He batted his long eyelashes at him.
Adanion laughed softy at his cousin's humor. "All right, fine—perhaps not too quiet of a life in Rivendell. Still, tis nice to get away from maidens who just happen to show up out of nowhere singing awful sonnets to please you, hoping you would write a song about them and have it sung all over Arda."
"Sounds familiar," Keldir smirked. "Aside from the singing."
"Do tell, captain," Adanion asked curiously.
"Nothing. Ignore him," Legolas gave him a quick glare. "Come, cousin. Let us get you settled into your chambers that we have prepared."
"We? As in, you actually helped with something?" He looked impressed.
"Very funny."
Adanion smiled. "I know how you have helped your servants as an elfling with your mother's guide. Speaking of which, I would very much like to see their Majesties."
The elf-prince gestured for him to walk ahead with him, Keldir at a slower pace behind. Servants were summoned to bring his belongs inside and his horse to be fed and groomed in the stables. Other servants who hadn't seen Adanion before quietly looked onward with curious glances and whispered to each other at the handsome elf.
"Adanion! Was your journey well?" King Thranduil came down from his throne to welcome his nephew. "Tis been ages since you last graced us with your presence."
"Greetings, Heruamin. Yes, it has. I plan to stay for a while longer this time and get reacquainted with Greenwood the Great...with your permission, of course."
"By all means stay as long as you like! You are family. Maybe you can teach your cousin the fine art of the quill and music also while you are here." He glanced at his son. Legolas only smiled politely.
"But of course, Heruamin." Adanion bowed with a smirk toward Legolas.
"Adanion?" The queen called as she entered the throne room.
"Greetings, Arwenamin!"
Queen Terulien walked over to him with an embrace. "Tis good to see you!" she warmly smiled at him. "How is your sister fairing?"
"Elenia is good. Her new elfling is healthy. I will send her your regards when I write."
"Very well, diola lle."
The king and queen left the three in the throne room to do whatever they pleased for the rest of the day. Adanion looked around and marveled at the structures around him. New sculptures were built and new engravings in the walls have been carved since the last time he visited.
He walked over to the window to see what the elves were doing outside as Legolas and Keldir discussed what they could do with their guest after the midday meal. Adanion smiled at the elflings playing their games and at the midst of observing the market area, a certain female elf suddenly caught his attention.
She had a basket hanging on her arm, picking tomatoes and carrots and other vegetables available in the cart. The female elf was dressed in a simple dress with her dark locks flowing freely upon her shoulders. She gave the vender some coins and waved a goodbye and went about her way.
"Legolas! Come to the window for a moment will you," he gestured with his hand, not taking his eyes off of her.
"Is there a fight in the market square?" Keldir asked.
"No, no. I merely have an intrigue. Hurry! The both of you, come to the window." The prince and captain followed his request and focused their eyes on where he was looking. "Do you see that maiden walking?"
The two looked at each other with confusion written on their faces. "Yes, what about her," asked Keldir.
"Do you happen to know her name?"
"Yes..." Legolas trailed off.
"Well, then! What is it?" Adanion chuckled at his cousin's silent behavior. "Is she a maiden you are interested in? Is that why you hold your tongue?"
Keldir held back a snicker. "Her name is Le'ariel Goldenfig. She is a servant."
"Goldenfig…Goldenfig…ah, yes! Dalorien's daughter, the palace's head cook. I remember. How interesting..."
"In what sense?" The prince was curious to know.
Adanion began to walk backwards out of the throne room so that he could still face his cousin and friend. "That is for me to know...and you to...well, we shall see," he laughed and made his exit. Keldir chuckled and followed him out of the room.
Legolas was right behind them not looking very pleased.
Author's Note: Here are some of the translations:
(1) It has been too long
(2) How are you doing?
(3) You look well