When You Say Please

The snow in the Woodland Realm finally slowly melted showing sign that spring was approaching. The birds were chirping happily early that morning with the sun beaming down over the Mountains. Not much else happened during the winter months. Things went quite smoothly in fact, with not so many incidents with a certain elf and another elf that were trying to avoid close contact.

Since that day in the Houses of Healing, Legolas never brought up the subject of their conversation to Le'ariel again because whenever they were in the same room, her body would tense up. She tried hiding it but Legolas clearly saw she was uncomfortable and didn't want to make things more difficult between them.

He thought she might run her mouth at him again if he forced her talk about it, which in every case was never a good idea. The chambermaid always seemed so poised and collected but now, she seemed more vulnerable somehow.

"I am such an idiot..."

"You are what?"

"Huh? ...Oh...nothing..."

"Are you talking to yourself again?"

"I think so."

"You do that lately, especially when you are day dreaming."

"I do not day dream."

"You say that, but you have been lately, as I said."

"What was that?"

"Oh, never mind!"

"Sorry, Sirawen. I guess you are right. What is wrong with me?" Le'ariel sighed. She remembered Velhar telling her the same thing before that she plainly denied.

"It is not bad to day dream as long as you do not let it get in the way of your chores. I do it all the time!" she laughed softly.

Le'ariel smiled. "Now you are beginning to sound like my mother."

"So...what exactly have you been day dreaming about, hmm?"

"Nothing, really."

Sirawen threw her hands up, frustrated. "You always say that it is nothing!'"

"Because it is the truth."

"Oh, come now, Le'ariel. You and I both well know it is something! You would not ignore what bothers you so much if it really was nothing. I see the disheartened look on your face when you think no one is looking. Am I not your friend?" Sirawen asked a little hurt.

The chambermaid was taken aback. Was she really that obvious? It surprised Le'ariel because she was never really one to wear her feelings on her sleeve for everyone to see. Then again, it was Sirawen, her best friend. They practically knew each since they were hundreds of years old, which in their lifetime was longer than forever.

Le'ariel was always used to others confiding in her, not the other way around, and it wasn't something she was really good at. She never liked to burden her friends with her troubles for she was supposed to be the strong one.

But why do I feel so weak?

She looked at Sirawen and apologized again. "It is not that I do not trust you for I do. I just...I am not ready to discuss certain matters in my life with anyone, even with myself. If that make sense..." she stared off in the distance. The wind picked up brushing her dark locks across her face.

Sirawen gave her a comforting smile and touched her hand. "I understand. I merely do not like to see my friends struggling with their problems. You know Velhar and I are always here if you need us."

"Yes, I know. Thank you."

"We should hurry back inside. It seems our sunny morning is quickly fading."

The clouds started to cover the sun and the wonderful warmth it provided while they folded the tablecloths. Soon, little droplets made their way to the earth. The two servants hurriedly gathered their materials and ran inside to the Underground Kingdom.

Adanion stood by a windowsill when he saw them enter the palace, laughing with tablecloths in their arms. They must have come in for it was now raining outside. His plan of keeping Legolas and Le'ariel away from each other ended up working on itself out, since he didn't really have to do much. They did his work for him, keeping their own distance from one another.

The only thing in Adanion's plan that didn't go accordingly to what he hoped for was more time with the chambermaid. Even with him, Le'ariel kept away and was harder to find than she normally was when he wanted to see her. Adanion had to think of another way to win Le'ariel's affections again. Lady Varien and her arrogant ways no longer wanted to associate herself with him either.

She had other plans of her own when she was banned from tending to the prince. While Legolas was healing, he had the maiden escorted away by guards when her persistent ways got on his nerves. He even threatened to throw her in the dungeon if she didn't leave him alone.

Days later, and feeling much better, Legolas was a no-show for the evening meal with his parents. He decided to go the archery range and hunt for small game with Keldir until the captain finally convinced him it was time to return to the palace. In addition, the rain was not to the captain's liking.

Upon entering the Underground Kingdom, word reached the elf-prince that because he never showed up for supper, the pie Dalorien baked for him was untouched. It sat in the Northern Kitchen on a counter waiting for him. Legolas's eyes lit up with joy as he rushed to his favorite dessert.

I I I

To his surprise, another elf beat him to it. The fork in their hand dropped to the floor upon realizing who just entered. "A little late an evening snack is it not," he grinned.

Le'ariel quietly picked up the fork and placed it back on the table next to the half-eaten pie. "If I knew you were still going to end up eating the pie then I would have left it alone."

"And how do you know I was here for the pie?" he asked inquisitively.

"My mother only makes this kind of pie for you, so it is quite obvious. What other reason would you have to be here this late?"

Legolas nodded with a smile. "I should ask you the same thing."

"I could not sleep. I thought that maybe if I finished your pie, my mother could just make you another one tomorrow," she replied sheepishly for getting caught red-handed. Le'ariel looked up at Legolas who was now on the other side of the room with his back to her, shuffling through the silverware until he found another fork.

"Not a big deal as long as there is still pie to eat."

"I will leave you to it then," she began to stand. "Good night, pri—"

"Wait! Stay..." he turned around, his blue orbs shining in the dim candlelight.

Le'ariel looked away after realizing she was staring into them. "It is late and I have to wake up early tomorrow for my chores."

"You always wake up early for your chores. And you have eaten most of the pie already, why stop now?" He stepped closer to her. "As you said, I can ask your mother to make me a new one tomorrow."

"I really should go..." the female elf replied quietly.

"Please? You are always leaving...even for just a bit longer."

She hated when he begged because he sounded like a little elf that you couldn't say no to. Le'ariel remained sitting for moment, thinking about his request, and finally said, "You better start eating before I finish it all by myself."

Legolas smiled and took a piece into his mouth. Dalorien entered the kitchen early the following morning and saw an empty pie container with two forks lying perfectly next to it. She smiled at the sight then walked away to get the morning meal prepared.