Come Get Me

"I thought I heard something?"

"Ignore it."

"But—"

He stopped to look at her. She could tell by his eyes that he didn't want to hear another word out of her. She sighed and motioned with her hand for him to continue. Legolas looked around the clearing to see if any soldiers were patrolling the area. Once the coast was clear he walked out to meet its entrance. Le'ariel still quietly followed behind.

"Come." He motioned with his head.

"You still have not told me what we are doing out here, your Highness?"

"If you truly want to know me…then you will agree to what I tell you."

"Which is?"

"I will give you a head start inside the labyrinth to see if you can get to the center of it before I find you. If I find you before you get there, you have to promise to only say only good things about me to anyone and everyone at all times for an entire decade. In addition, if I need you for something, you must stop whatever it is you are doing and follow my orders, whether it is a glass of water I need or my boots polished."

"What!" Le'ariel stared at him in protest and disagreed with the deal.

"However—if you do manage to find the center where the fountain lies, I will do your chores for you for the next decade and let you say whatever it is on your mind, no matter how rude or cruel it may sound in front of me. I also promise I will hold no offense against you. During that time, you may also ask me whatever it is you wish and I will answer you honestly."

"The last time you took me here blindfolded, you said that it did not matter to you if I disliked you or your actions." The female elf crossed her arms in front of her.

Legolas impishly grinned. He forgot about that. "Well, I suppose I do now. Now that I have gotten to know you better…somewhat, anyway."

"I do not need you doing my chores for me and I do not speak badly of you!" She scoffed at the idea. "Not all the time at least," Le'ariel added quietly. "Besides, I have not seen you doing any misdeeds lately so there is nothing negative to say. And it is not like I mean to do it...I simply cannot control what comes out of my mouth all the time."

"Just like I cannot help my actions all the time," he responded. "I will give you three minutes. You better go for each second counts."

"What?" Le'ariel whined, still looking confused.

"Go!" The elf-prince gently pushed her into the tall, bushy maze.

What in Middle-earth has gotten into you! She glared at him one last time then ran inside. Furthermore, what am I doing? I cannot believe I agreed to this—more like forced into this! Le'ariel made her way slowly in the confined space in a pout. What does that prince think he is going to accomplish? This is such a waste of time for the both of us...

Le'ariel's heart beat fast in her chest as she picked up the pace. She turned this way and that way, frustrated at all the dead ends she encountered. He better not leave me inside here as a joke. My mother would have his royal head!

The chambermaid stopped to look up at the sky and saw the night lit beautifully by the stars. She thought that maybe if she understood how to read them, they could tell her how to get to the center, but that of course, was impossible. If it took Legolas hours to find the center, what made her think she could accomplish it in three minutes? Let alone, out run him?

"Are you still alive in there?" he chuckled. "Your time is up...here I come!" He ran inside, intent on finding her.

Damn! Which way do I go now?

The female elf closed her eyes and spun around. Whichever direction she faced, that was going to be the direction she was going to head for next. "East. Very, well...East it is..."

Looking behind her, Le'ariel glimpsed Legolas on another path, suddenly stopping in his tracks when he saw her. "You better keep running before I catch you," he mischievously grinned. She grinned back letting him know her capture would not be easy. As soon as she started running again he followed in pursuit.

The adrenaline rush Le'ariel felt was invigorating. She actually found herself having fun and laughing. "Hurry up slow poke!" she called to him.

"You will never reach the center!" Legolas laughed. He was glad that the chambermaid finally loosened up because he was also enjoying himself.

Unknown to the female elf, she was actually on one of the courses that led directly to the center of the maze. Legolas, of course, would make sure she didn't reach it. Le'ariel could, however, hear the flow of the fountain water that gave her an inkling that she was almost there. She and the elf-prince both sped up.

"Almost there...aaaaaahhh!" She suddenly screamed.

"Gotcha!" Legolas grabbed her by the hips sending them both in a tumble right next to the fountain. Both were face down when they fell. She looked up, rubbing her head, and saw one of the carved statues looking down at her, water flowing from its mouth. "Sorry about that. Are you all right?" Legolas quickly stood then helped her on her feet as well.

"Yes, I am fine...except for a few small bruises." Le'ariel dusted the loose grass off her dress.

Legolas did the same and apologized again. "Forgive me for grabbing you the way I did. My intentions were not for you to get harmed or have your clothing…ripped."

"What?" She looked down and examined her garment to see a hole in her skirt by the knee. The female elf frowned.

"Do not worry, that can easily be sewn. I, too, have managed to tear a piece of…fabric." The elf-prince showed her the hole in his sleeve by his elbow and laughed. Le'ariel had to admit it was an amusing sight to see and laughed along with him. "Although I am still enjoying our moment together, we should get going. Someone might have heard you scream."

"Which way do we exit? Do we go back the way we came from…whichever way that was?" She had no idea which part of the maze landed them in the center. Le'ariel was too busy running away to really pay attention to the path.

"No. Soldiers might be coming from that area. Come, following me." Legolas led her again by the hand toward another course on the other side of the maze.

Le'ariel was glad he knew where they were going for the night grew darker and made the visibility inside the maze harder, even with her elven vision. After about ten minutes of walking she could hear the sound of water again. When they reached the other side of the clearing, her eyes widened. "We are at the Enchanted River?"

"Yes, this is where the other entrances are to the maze. There are about three entryways on this side. We will have to take the ferry boat to cross back into the eastern part of the kingdom."

About halfway along its length there was an elf-path at headed west and east through the Underground Kingdom. Anyone who drank its waters or came into contact with it was put in a long, deep sleep, and the elves were no exception.

"Are you sure it is wise to travel on its waters?" Le'ariel was hesitant to go near it because of the curse it carried.

"Yes, it is perfectly safe. I have used the boat many times. We just have to be careful." Legolas first got in then held out his hand for her. "Do not worry. I promise I will not let anything happen to you," he smiled warmly.

"You better not...my mother will have your head." She replied with a nervous tone as she stepped inside the unstable boat.

Legolas smiled again. "I know she will."

The chambermaid gripped the sides tightly so that she wouldn't fall out. She tried to keep the boat balanced as she sat down. The prince looked over his shoulder to find her still nervous about the ride as he paddled slowly.

I see you are not as tough as you seem... He smiles to himself.

After reaching the concrete walkway that led to a back stairwell into the palace, Legolas let her off the boat first to calm her nerves. He tied the boat on a nearby post and carefully dismounted as well. "If you follow the stairwell then make your first right it should lead you into the lower half of the servant quarters. Once you are there, you should be able to find your way."

"You are not coming inside?"

"No, I must return the boat where we found it. If they see it here, they will know someone used it and word will get to my father. He does not like anyone traveling on the river because of its curse. Me, being his son, I know he would have a field day of punishments to dish at me, which I know none will be enjoyable. Because they never are," he smirked wearily.

"Very well then, prince, be careful." Le'ariel curtseyed.

"Thank you." He bowed and began to untie to boat.

"Oh, wait...before you go..."

"Yes?"

"What about what you said? If I reached the center of the maze?"

"Well, actually...we both tumbled into it together so I suppose we can call it a tie."

"I suppose you are correct," she shrugged nonchalantly. "We can discuss who the true winner is at another time and what I have learned from you. For now, you should get going before it gets too late."

Legolas nodded and continued on his way. Le'ariel gave him a wave and walked to the stairwell. Hopefully, she could sneak in without any detection. Legolas gave her one last look before he pushed the boat away from the shore.

Now I know what Dalorien meant about not being late for dinner... Legolas shook his head with a smile. I swear that old cook knows me better than I do myself at times.