The Breakfast Room
"No, not again..." Le'ariel blinked and sat up in bed, wiping a strand of hair from her face. She let out a heavy sigh, frustrated, and moved from under her covers. She shook the feeling away and got ready for the day.
The female elf got up an hour earlier than she normal to help her mother prepare a grand breakfast for their guest who just arrived the day before. Who would have suspected it to be Adanion's sister, Elenia? Everyone, actually, except for Adanion, Legolas and Keldir that's who.
Elenia gave specific instructions not to let the three of them know as it was to be a surprised visit. She figured her brother, being close to their cousin and Keldir, they would accidentally tell him of her coming. He was happy to see his sister since it was many years since he returned to Rivendell.
"It is good to see you both! I have missed this place," Elenia smiled and looked around at their spacious breakfast area.
"As you, my dear. Tell me, where is your young one?" asked Queen Terulien.
"I am afraid I was not able to bring Darion, your Highness. He has just started lessons with Lord Elrond and I did not want to stop his studies so abruptly for the visit. Tolas, my husband, would have come as well but he is busy with Lord Elrond's request of rewriting some of our old manuscripts that need to be retranslation and transferred onto new parchment."
"That is a big task to accomplish," commented King Thranduil.
"Yes, it is. That is why I have left Darion with some of the elder females to watch him."
"So sister, how long will you be staying here? Surely a few weeks, yes?" Adanion asked, popping a grape into his mouth.
"Perhaps a week or so, brother. I cannot leave Darion alone for too long. He gets to be quite a handful for the elders after a while," she laughed softly. "I also made a promise to him that I would return shortly. He has never been without me for more than a day."
"Well, it is good to see you, cousin Elenia." Legolas raised his glass followed by everyone else at the table. "We hope your short stay with us will be a pleasant one."
"Thank you."
Just then, a servant walked in and bowed. "Breakfast is ready to be served."
"Very well." The king motioned for them to enter. "Let us see what marvelous dishes Dalorien has prepared for us!"
One by one, trays and carts with different pastries, breads, fruits, and juices were brought in. Among one of the servants serving the food was Le'ariel. She bowed and smiled politely at Elenia and avoided direct eye contact with Adanion and Legolas. Adanion was waiting for her to look his way so he could acknowledge her with a smile, but she simply ignored him and asked one of the other servants serve him in her place.
He hid his frown and continued to ask his sister questions about their home. Le'ariel acted the same way with Legolas. But unlike his cousin, he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.
"She is very beautiful," Elenia whispered to Legolas.
Legolas looked up from his plate with crumbs on his face and a blank, surprised expression. Elenia suppressed a laugh when she saw what his face looked like. Even her son wasn't as messy during breakfast time.
The elf-prince swallowed his food with difficulty then quickly wiped his mouth with a napkin and cleared his throat. "Umm..yes...well...uhh...her mother makes very good pastries, do you not agree?" He was unprepared for her question so he changed the subject.
Legolas figured his response was a close enough answer to her question, which it wasn't. His female cousin simply nodded and said nothing more. Adanion tried to eavesdrop but the queen had his ear occupied, telling him an old story, so he was forced to pay attention to her as to not seem rude.
Breakfast went well for the remainder of the morning and Le'ariel only came in when she absolutely had to; continuing to look happy and polite around the nobles like how a servant was supposed to appear. However, once she was back in the kitchen, her glum and stern expression returned. No one knew exactly what the matter was and didn't dare ask because they could tell Dalorien's daughter was in a foul mood.
"Le'ariel?"
"What? Oh! Sorry, mother. Did you need something?" The chambermaid turned red. She accidentally yelled at her without realizing who she was. She thought it was another servant coming to bother her to tell her to bring something else to the nobles.
Dalorien placed her hands on her hips. "What is the matter with you today? I hear rumors that you have been stomping around this kitchen like you are trying to cause some kind of earthquake."
Le'ariel sat down. "Nothing is the matter. I am sorry, mother. I only...I have not been sleeping well." She quietly explained.
"Why is that, child?" Her mother saw the dismayed look on her daughter's face.
"I do not know..." she shrugged.
From the look of things, Dalorien knew her daughter was hiding the truth regarding her difficult nights but decided not to press the subject. "Look, my dear, whatever it is that is bothering you, I am sure it will work itself out. You not only work too much, but you also think too much." She cupped her chin.
"Thank you, mother...I know." Le'ariel forced a smile.
"Now, please...calm yourself down before you burn, spill, or break something in here."
Le'ariel laughed for the first time all morning. "I will do my best."
"Good. That is all I ask. You may go now and finish your other chores. Thank you for your assistance this morning."
The female elf was about to leave the kitchen when she heard a noise in the far back of the room that sounded like pots and pans falling. She quickly rushed to the scene and found one of the servants clutching his arm on the floor. Others, who get there before her, carefully helped him to his feet and took him to seek medical attention. Apparently, he slipped on the wet floor and broke his arm when he landed.
"I cannot go," the elf winced. "Who will clean the breakfast table? Knowing Minar, she will have no sympathy for my broken arm. I can already see her assigning more work when I heal...I am sure of it!" He frowned at the thought. Everyone remained quiet, avoiding his request. The others weren't too thrilled with taking on the extra work.
Looking around, Le'ariel sighed and stepped forward. "I will go clean the table for you, Paltos. Go and get your arm looked at by one of the healers."
"Oh, thank you, Le'ariel. Thank you! I promise I will return the favor."
She waved goodbye as he left and then headed towards the breakfast room. "I suppose turning down the beds can wait..." she sighed again. Right before she entered the dining hall, she stopped as she heard someone still inside. She slowly peeked through the door that was opened ajar to find some other elf already putting plates away.
"Oh...hello," he said.
"He...hello..." she slowly walked in, "What are you still…doing here?"
"Clearing the table...what does it look like?" He replied without looking at her.
"Yes, I know that...but why? This is a servant's responsibility."
He shrugged. "Not much else to do right now."
"You? Running out of things to do?"
"Yes," he rolled his eyes. "Even I get bored."
"I did not think an elf such as you would be clearing a table out of boredom?"
"Am I not here?"
"I still feel as though you are not telling me the entire truth." Le'ariel folded her arms. "Come now, what is the real reason why you are here."
"Fine. If you must know..." he paused.
"Well?"
"I needed an excuse," he finished. He stopped putting the plates onto the cart and finally looked at her.
His sudden gaze made her blush. She matched it for a few seconds then quickly composed herself by smoothing down her apron with her hands even though it wasn't wrinkled. "An excuse for what, if I may ask?" Le'ariel walked over to him, placing the remaining plates and silverware on the cart.
"You sure do ask a lot of questions," he shook his head with a smile.
"Yes…but you let me," she smiled back.
He agreed with a nod. "It is because you have not asked me anything that I have not wanted to answer."
"Not yet," she corrected with a smile in her eyes.
"Yes, not yet..." Legolas returned the look.