Just My Imagination

"Oh, I always get excited during this time of year!"

"And why is that?"

Le'ariel hung the last of the decorations on the pole in one of the four corners on the wooden platform that was laid outside for the Gathering.

"Because it is a time for celebrating, laughing, dancing, and enjoying one's self," Sirawen explained. "You do know how to have a good time, do you not?"

"Of course, I do. But before that can happen, we have to finish setting up the lanterns so we can see the laughter and the dancing, and the nobles making a fool of themselves after one too many glasses. And I do not think their Majesties and their guests would appreciate eating their food in the dark."

Sirawen gave her a friendly shove and took some of the lanterns she was carrying. Once they were in place, they were to notify Minar so she could get someone else to light them properly. Luckily, she never asked them to do it themselves for fear that they might break a lantern and have some incident happen. Not having that responsibility was a task the two servants were glad to give up for fear as well that they could catch something on fire.

"Just look at everyone, Le'ariel. You can truly tell the Gathering is about to start!"

The chambermaid looked around and saw the servants hurrying to get everything prepared on time. They were all wearing their best uniforms for the occasion. The food was finally brought out onto the tables, the lanterns and torches lit, and the musicians playing a soft melody.

"Do not just stand there you two! Make way or get trampled over!" Dalorien came from behind carrying a roasted pig on a huge tray with three other servants. Once the pig was on the table, she wiped her hands on her apron and slumped in a chair. "Even after all these centuries, my nerves are still jittery!"

"And after all these centuries, you still manage to out-do yourself with your meals and food decorations, mother." Le'ariel squeezed her shoulder.

"Yes, she is right, Lady Dalorien," Sirawen smiled. "Everything looks perfect!"

"Thank you both. I wish I could stay and enjoy my work but the kitchens beckon me once more," she sighed. "I have to make sure each course has the correct number of meals at the correct times."

"You do too much, mother."

"That I do...that I do. Nevertheless, you know what? Each day I cook and see others delight in my food brings me that much more happiness." She kissed Le'ariel on the cheek and went off again.

"Your mother is truly amazing, Le'ariel."

"Yes. She is..."

I I I

"Are you Dwarves ready yet?" Keldir paced outside Adanion's chamber. He had been there for what seemed like hours and couldn't take the wait any longer. He opened the door slowly and shook his head. "Of the all times you could have done this..."

The cousins were half-dressed and arm wrestling on one of the dresser tables. Both barely notice the captain as they were stuck on trying to defeat each other. Legolas finally won, standing up in victory pose with his arms in the air.

"You see, cousin, I told you! You cannot beat me!"

"Boast all you want, cousin! I may not be fighting as many battles as you these days, but I still have a thing or two left in me." He flexed his muscles.

"Legolas? Fighting battles?" Keldir sounded stumped at his words.

The two turned toward him, somewhat surprised. "Keldir, I did not hear you enter?" said Adanion.

"Because you elven-children were too busy playing your games. And by the looks of you, do I also need to finish dressing you like your mothers?"

They looked at each other and started laughing. Their tunics were unevenly buttoned and Adanion was still barefoot. "We will be dressed...umm...shortly," the prince said, still chuckling.

"You should have been dressed hours ago. The Gathering is about to start and your parents—the king and queen—are looking for you," Keldir replied exasperatedly.

"Why are you in such a hurry? Waiting to see the lovely maidens, perhaps...hmm?" Adanion winked.

"Very amusing. I am hurrying you Trolls along by order of the elven-king. He sent me here to make sure the both of you arrived on time."

"As Captain of the Guard, are you not supposed to be in line with the others to start the commencement of leading my father and mother to their table?" Legolas asked curiously.

"Yes, and I am late! So, be quick about it or all three of our heads will be on the chopping block."

Keldir picked up his helmet and walked out, leaving the door opened, instructing them to follow behind him as soon as possible.

"Keldir always gets so...diplomatic and proper this time of year. Thanks to my father," Legolas said as Keldir disappears.

"So it seems," Adanion added quietly then suddenly shoved him onto the bed and ran out the door. "See you outside!"

"Why you little…very clever!" Legolas quickly got on his feet and followed in pursuit, grabbing his royal crown in the process.

I I I

"Look at all the nobles! How beautiful and dashing they look," Sirawen sighed with awe.

The servants helping for the night were inside huge tents set up in the eastern part of the garden. Some were setting up the next meal and washing the dishes, and others like Sirawen, were watching the festivities.

"Sirawen, help me carry this!"

"Oops! Sorry, Velhar."

She picked up the other end of the tray that held fruits and other desserts on it that she was supposed to help Velhar carry before she got swept away with the dancing in the distance.

"Where is Le'ariel? She was supposed to help carry this thing out there, too." He sat the tray down on the nearest table he could find before Sirawen was able to get a good grip on it. "We two cannot carry this all the way there by ourselves!"

"She was summoned by her mother to help do the finishing touches on the next course, Velhar. Lady Dalorien instructed me to take her place," Nandas, who was another servant, just arrived to tell him.

"Very well."

I I I

"It appears that my father and mother are about to retire for the night."

The prince saw them standing and nodding to the guests signaling their exit. The king looked at them from the distance and gave their table a nod as well. Queen Terulien showed her friendly smile and waved goodbye and the three did the same.

Legolas sat in between Keldir and Adanion. "Is there more miruvor left?" Adanion impishly grinned.

"My friend, we never run out of miruvor during the Gathering," Keldir laughed.

Once the king and queen were no longer in sight, they loosened their buttons to a comfortable fit. "How can you stand wearing all these layers and sashes and decorations and what not," Adanion adjusted his collar. He felt like he could breathe again.

"Years of practice," Legolas winked as he took another sip of the elven-wine.

"Your Highness, would you like anything from the tray? A piece of fruit or dessert, perhaps?" Sirawen approached their table. Velhar and Nandas held on even tighter as she let go of the tray.

"No, thank you, Sirawen."

"I would!" Adanion reached over. Velhar and Nandas lifted the tray higher so he could pick what he wanted. Sirawen placed a new plate on the table with a fresh napkin for his food. "Thank you, milady."

"You are welcome, sir," Sirawen smiled shyly. Velhar inwardly rolled his eyes.

"And for you, Captain Keldir?"

"No, thank you. I am saving room for the next course," he smiled, placing both hands on his stomach.

"Very well, captain," Sirawen did a small courtesy and helped place the tray on the long table with the other appetizers.

I I I

"Prince Legolas's cousin is much more handsome up close," Sirawen squeezed Le'ariel's side to get her attention.

"What?" Le'ariel looked up from the plate of food she was decorating.

Her friend rolled her eyes. "Adanion, Le'ariel...you know...the handsome elf sitting outside next to the prince? His cousin? Any of this ring a bell?"

"What about him?" she asked nonchalantly. "Has he done something?"

Sirawen shook her head at her friend's oblivious nature. "Yes, he has."

"Well, what is it then?"

"Only stare at you and smile at you whenever you are near!" she threw her hands in the air for effect. "I have never known any of the nobles enter our kitchen and say they were merely passing by and thought to help out. Particularly help a chambermaid whose station is not in the kitchens. Of all the other cooks he could have assisted, he helped you chop vegetables…vegetables, Le'ariel!"

"So? He was only doing what he could in the amount of time he had there."

"But vegetables? An elven-child could chop vegetables and peel potatoes blindfolded. It is not a hard task to accomplish to where you would need two elves and two pairs of hands. And it is not like you had that much to do."

Le'ariel fully turned to face her friend. "What are you implying, Sirawen? That Adanion is interested in me, a commoner, when he and Legolas could have their pick of whoever is naive enough to fall for their charms and bed them for the night? According to what I have heard, Adanion is not as innocent as he seems. Though they are two different elves, he and the prince share similar personalities. I do not need to hear about a second Legolas running around in the middle of the night."

"Oh, come now, Le'ariel! At least give him a chance. He cannot be that bad. I, myself, have not seen him flirt with the other maidens as Legolas usually does. I mostly see him writing in the gardens under a shaded tree as if pondering on what to write in his love letters to you," she let out a slight giggle.

"You and your imaginations," Le'ariel couldn't help but let out a small laugh herself. "Well, if that is the case, I would not just throw myself at him! And, you forget…he is Legolas's cousin. And a noble, which is unheard of."

"Oh, so what! I am not surprised he fancies you. You are a beautiful elf, even if you are a commoner. Do you remember that noble named Garfiel, also from Rivendell, who visiting his sister here?"

"Hmm...I think so. Her name was Lytara, was it not?"

"Yes! I heard from her handmaid that he wedded a commoner, who by the way, was well accepted by his family and is now a maiden of high stature. So, you see? A noble being with a commoner is not frowned upon as most would think." Sirawen poked her in the arm.

"But that was in Rivendell, not here in Mirkwood. And she was most likely a commoner whose family owned a small farm...not a palace servant."

"That does not matter. My point is, if he did take an interest in you…do not be so quick to turn him away. I am not suggesting to throw yourself at him, but give him a chance to see what his true intentions are. Play hard to get if you must!" her friend winked with a smile.

Le'ariel laughed. "That should not be a problem. I cannot fall for any elf's charms so easily when I see them overused on the elf-maidens in court. However, I suppose we shall see." She dismissed the rest of the conversation with her hands. "I have too many things going on to be thinking about such possibilities."

"But, still! Think about it." Sirawen called to her as she exited the tent to help deliver the next course.

While the chambermaid placed the food and plates together on the tables, she tried to stay away from the table where Adanion and the rest of his company sat. Her mind couldn't help but think about Sirawen's words and in case her thoughts distracted her, Le'ariel also avoided eye contact in their direction. She felt someone from behind watching her movements but pretended not to notice. She bowed politely to the guests like the rest of the servants and headed back to the tents.

After the meals were done being served and everyone had their fill, the remaining nobles took to the dance floor again. The music and laughter grew louder and more pitchers of miruvor were brought out. Dalorien gave Le'ariel, Sirawen, Velhar and a few others permission to stay outside in the area designated for them to watch and maybe even participate in the merriment. During the Gathering, no matter your station, you were allowed to participate on the dance floor.

The servants and nobles who were still in their seats or on the sidelines clapped happily along to the beat of the music. Adanion decided to partake in playing one of the stringed instruments and once the song was over, he received great applause from the crowd. He modestly thanked everyone and handed the instrument back to the musician who owned it so they could begin another tune.

"He is not only handsome, but he can play an instrument as well..." Sirawen discreetly elbowed her friend, keeping her attention on the dance floor. "And look who is approaching."

Turned her gaze away to the left, Le'ariel saw Adanion make a beeline toward her. She gave him a quick half-smile and continued to clap with everyone, focusing on the dancers. Sirawen quietly moved away as he got closer. The chambermaid gave her a pleading look to stay but it was too late.

"Good evening, Le'ariel."

"Good evening to you as well, sir."

"Please, call me Adanion. You always address me so formally...it is not necessary, really."

"Very well...Adanion." It was easier to address his more casually than Legolas because he wasn't in direct line to the throne.

"Much better," he smiled. "I was wondering if I may ask you for a dance? Your friend Sirawen said you are a very graceful dancer."

"Oh, did she?" Le'ariel quickly glared at her friend who tried to hide behind Velhar. Sirawen smiled sweetly when they locked eyes.

"May I?" he extended his hand to her.

Le'ariel hesitantly placed her hand in his and the next thing she knew, they were dancing and twirling to the melody of the music. Adanion was a very good dancer. He found himself staring at her every now and then, which made the female elf somewhat uncomfortable.

When the song was over, she curtseyed and thanked him for the dance and excused herself, saying she had other things to attend to before the night ended. The prince's cousin understood and bid her a good night with a kiss on the hand.

I I I

"Legolas?" Keldir placed an arm around his shoulder. The prince was standing off in the distance, leaned against a tree. He turned to him with a surprised look on his face. "Are you all right? Staring off into nothing again?" he grinned.

"I suppose I was," he let out a halfhearted laugh.

"There is someone here to see you."

Legolas looked behind Keldir and saw Lady Varien. "Good evening, milady," he said politely.

"Good evening, dear prince," she smiled seductively. "May I have a word with you?"

"Of course." He gathered a forced smile and followed the elf-maiden.

Keldir merely grinned again and walked off. Varien took Legolas by the hand and led him somewhere more secluded. He turned around one last time, as Le'ariel was about to disappear into the tent then returned his attention back to Varien, still not knowing where she was taking him.

Le'ariel briefly looked his way before she was completely inside the tent, wondering if the prince has been watching her?

No, it must only be my imagination...