Disappearing Act
"Dream still bothering you, Le'ariel?"
"What? Oh, yes...somewhat. How did you know?"
"You are rubbing your neck again like you have not gotten a good night's rest. Why will you not tell me what it is? It must be some dream if you are still dreaming about it. Whatever it is you are dreaming about."
"It is nothing, Sirawen. Really. I do not want to talk about it. I just want it to go away!"
"Well, maybe if you talk about it?"
"Clever try."
"Maybe it has to do with Adanion...hmm? That is why you are not telling?" Her friend impishly grinned.
"Not in the least!"
"Or maybe Prince Legolas?"
"Please give it a rest already," Le'ariel rolled her eyes.
"Fine, fine. I suppose I will change the subject."
"Thank you."
"So, I was passing by the West Kitchens earlier this morning and guess who I happened to see?"
"A Balrog?"
"Very funny. I saw Legolas talking to Paltos."
"And?"
"Well..." Sirawen shrugged, "I am not really sure? Paltos was smiling and bowing, thanking the prince for something. Legolas, however, looked uneasy with all the gratitude and the bowing he did. From the look on his face, the prince seemed like he wanted to escape."
"I am sure he had more important things to do."
Sirawen placed her hands on her hips. "Oh, sure. You mean like last week?"
"What about last week?"
The servant rolled her eyes. "Do I have to really spell it out for you every time, Le'ariel?"
"What?" Le'ariel eyes widened with a puzzled look on her features.
"Tell me, Le'ariel, what really happened in the breakfast room that morning?"
Now it was her turn to roll her eyes. "Not this again..."
"As I recall, you disappeared shortly thereafter. With the prince, no less, from what another servant tells me. Something must have happened between you two or he convinced you go somewhere...again. Should I assume that he is now your new Adanion?"
"There goes your imagination again..." Le'ariel let out a frustrating sigh. "What does the point of your story about seeing Paltos and Legolas have to do with the prince and me, or Adanion and me, or me, Legolas and Adanion? Honestly!"
"Well...you did take Paltos's place in the breakfast room that day."
"Are you suggesting I knew Paltos was going to get himself injured and knew Legolas would be there so I decided to volunteer my time to help him out just to see the prince? Or perhaps, Paltos hurt himself on purpose?"
"No! Of course not! I only meant that it is such a coincidence that you both happened to be there at the same time. With the two of you avoiding each other and all..." Sirawen cleared her throat.
I I I
In the archery range
"Avoiding each other? That is absurd!" Legolas laughed.
"Well, it is true." Keldir shot his arrow toward the other side of the field.
I I I
In the courtyard
Le'ariel rolled her eyes once more.
"You are avoiding each otherrrrr..." Sirawen sang.
I I I
Back in the archery range
"You are too amusing. And my mother..." Legolas reminisced back at a conversation he had with her about her claiming she also noticed them avoiding each other.
"What?" Keldir heard him mumbling to himself.
"Nothing," he smiled. "Anyway..."
I I I
Back in the courtyard
"As I was saying, if I were avoiding the prince, it is not like I have never done it before," Le'ariel replied.
"Yes, well...this case is different."
I I I
Back in the archery range
"Different? How?" Legolas had a stumped look on his face.
"She did that when she was mad and upset at you for doing or saying something idiotic. Clearly, that is not the case this time," said Keldir. Legolas glowered at him.
I I I
Once again in the courtyard
"What in Middle-earth are you talking about?" The chambermaid still looked confused and frustrated.
Sirawen sighed. "You are a stubborn one..."
I I I
Once again in the archery range
"I am not being stubborn. I have no reason to be!" Legolas let out an amused laughter.
Keldir raised an eyebrow to show he wasn't buying it and released his second arrow.
I I I
Again, in the courtyard
"I am leaving. I do not need to explain or defend myself in regards to anything, whether it has to do with Legolas, Adanion, Eru or whoever else! This is getting ridiculous!"
"Le'ariel I—" Sirawen softly called after her.
"What is the matter with your friend?" asked Elenia, who Le'ariel bowed to quickly as she passed by in a huff.
"Oh...hello, milady," Sirawen curtseyed. "It is nothing. I am simply being too nosey. That is all."
"Give her some time to cool off. If you are friends I am sure she will forgive you."
"I hope so, milady."
"So do I," Elenia gave her friendly smile.
"Sister, there you are!" Adanion waved from the other side of the courtyard.
"Hello, brother. I was just about to come see you. I am ready to depart this afternoon."
"I have food and a few items packed for you to take home. Once the horses are ready, I will let you know."
"Thank you. Well," she turned to Sirawen again, "it was nice to meet you, no matter how brief the moment."
"As you, milady," Sirawen smiled back.
"Come brother, I would like to say goodbye to everyone before I leave."
Adanion followed behind with a goodbye smile to Sirawen. Once they got some distance from the servant, Adanion's expression changed to a more concerned look, not for his sister's journey but from what he overheard from the conversation that took place.
Is Le'ariel really hiding something between her and Legolas or was everyone turning this nothing into something? Legolas never really expressed any interest in her...or did he and Adanion merely failed to see it? This, Adanion knew, would require some investigation.
Where did Legolas go after the breakfast room? He didn't see him for hours after they finished the morning meal. Later, when he saw his cousin again, he provided no explanation of where he was. However, no one asked the elf-prince because he tended to disappear on his own when he wanted to be alone. Where he went, not even Keldir knew.
Let the games begin, dear cousin. The elf said to himself.
Le'ariel will be one female elf he would sure to give Legolas a difficult time in taking from him...if that were the case.