The Spring Festival Part I

"Mother, you did not—"

"And why not?" She was cut short. "He is a perfectly nice elf."

"That is not the point, mother..." she whined.

"Then what is the point?" Dalorien waited for an answer.

"Well, I…simply do not want to go!"

"Sorry dear, but you are required to be there whether you like it or not. Only this time, you get to be an actual participant." Le'ariel looked at her mother as if she was about to cry like a tiny elfling. Dalorien stopped what she was doing and softened her features. "Look, Le'ariel...not many elves in our position get to enjoy something like this firsthand. We usually are the ones behind the scenes making sure everything is running smoothly, and when things get so hectic, before you can even sit down and see the guests arrive, it is over in a blink of an eye."

"It is not so bad," Le'ariel mumbled.

"Do you really not like him?"

"This ordeal feels slightly foreign to me. I am not a maiden, I am servant."

"A beautiful servant who will be in a beautiful dress come next week," her mother smiled. "I would have not agreed for him to take you if I did not think he would treat you with the utmost respect."

"I know, mother."

"Just enjoy yourself...for me."

Le'ariel gave one final sigh and nodded with a forced smile. "For you, mother. But only for you."

"Go about your duties now."

"Yes, mother."

I I I

"I am so jealous, Le'ariel, you get to be in the spring festival!" Sirawen picked up one of the smaller blankets and started dancing around Legolas's chamber with it as if it was her dancing partner. Since she was up early, she agreed to help Le'ariel with her chambermaid duties. Their first room was the prince's. Le'ariel motioned for Sirawen to stop in case Minar walked in on them.

Briefly mentioning to her friend that she would participate this year, she didn't give much into the detail of things. Sirawen was happy for her and didn't mind not knowing the entirety of it, so the chambermaid left the subject alone. Le'ariel knew that her friend would eventually start asking questions and would wait until then.

The spring festival was celebrated only once every turn of the century marking the day the Wood Elves settled in the land under King Thranduil's rule in the Northern region of Mirkwood. It was a momentous occasion, a very proud moment, as they looked back at the hardships they faced at Amon Lanc and how they persevered underground away from Sauron's evil.

Le'ariel had no idea of the shocking news when she started her day that an elf—that elf—wanted to take her to the spring festival in a week's time. Servants weren't normally asked attend, but it did happen from time to time, usually brought by nobles from other neighboring Elven regions. Here in Mirkwood it was rare indeed.

Still, she couldn't get over the fact that he asked her mother's permission first and didn't even bother to ask her directly. It was a sweet gesture, but at least he should have asked her as well. Le'ariel knew how to speak for herself. However, maybe he went around her so she couldn't get the opportunity to make up excuses?

"Clever elf," she told herself.

"Did you say something, Le'ariel?" Sirawen asked as she tried to inconspicuously walk around Legolas's room to see what different things he had lying around that may have some interesting story to tell.

"It is nothing. Will you stop that!" the chambermaid hissed over at her.

"What?" Her friend looked innocently at her.

Le'ariel rolled her eyes. "Come, we still have to go to their Majesties' room." Le'ariel picked up the sack full of the prince's dirty clothes and proceeded to walk out of the door with Sirawen in tow when she suddenly bumped into something hard. She dropped everything in her hands. "Ow! What the...Prince Legolas!"

Sirawen, who bumped into her, was still getting over the unexpected halt of her friend.

"My apologies, Le'ariel." He picked up his laundry. "I should have paid more attention to what was in front of me."

"What? Oh, no...not at all. I mean, this is your room so why would you?" she politely smiled without looking at him.

Sirawen witnessed the odd conversation before her. Legolas apologizing so nicely to Le'ariel and Le'ariel telling him it wasn't a big deal? She was used to Le'ariel giving the elf-prince the cold shoulder or that icy stare she was known for. They seemed so...civilized? And Sirawen swore she saw Le'ariel blush.

"Hello, Sirawen."

"Wha...oh...hello, Prince Legolas!" He snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Excuse us, we should get going." Le'ariel shot her a look that signaled for them leave as soon as possible.

"Oh, yes...umm...good day, your Highness!"

Legolas watched the two female elves almost stumble over each as they sped down the hallway. He let out a sigh at his cowardly behavior and silently closed his door. He wished he could have said more to her but Sirawen was there and things were awkward enough.

Besides, Le'ariel didn't seem so interested in talking to him right now. "Perhaps I will speak with her at the spring festival?"

I I I

"So, what was that all about?" Sirawen asked, breathing heavily from their brisk walk from Legolas's room to his parents.

Le'ariel closed the door. "What was what?"

"I saw the way the prince was staring at you. And you probably noticed it, too, from the way you were blushing."

"What? I was not!"

"It sure seemed like it."

"What in Middle-earth would I be blushing about?" Le'ariel scoffed at the ridiculous idea.

"You tell me? But then again, you do not tell me much these days..." her friend mumbled.

The chambermaid stuffed the last piece of clothing into the sack then sat on the bed. "There is nothing to tell you, Sirawen...really."

"Then why does the look in your eyes say so much more?"

Le'ariel sighed again. "If I tell you something do you promise not to make it such a big deal?"

"Of course I promise!" She placed her hand over her heart.

"Most of all, please do not go telling others."

"I will take the secret to my eternal grave."

"I mean it, Sirawen."

"Yes, I said I promised! So what is it? What is the big secret?"

"My mother told...that I...spring festival..." she whispered into her ear. Sirawen gasped, putting her hands over her mouth to muffle her screams, in shock at what she heard. She hugged Le'ariel. "Not so loud, Sirawen, I told you!"

"Sorry, I am just so excited for you, Le'ariel!" She giggled into her hands. "That is such great news. Why did you not want to tell the other elves? I wonder what Velhar would think?"

"No one, Sirawen, even Velhar! I do not want my participation to be a big deal. It was my mother's idea, not mine. I only agreed to go for her. Besides, they will all find out soon enough."

"Oh, Le'ariel, you make going sound like a death wish! Your date for the evening is not so bad looking you have to admit," she nudged.

"Yes, I suppose..." the chambermaid rolled her eyes with a smile, "I only hope he does not expect anything from me by agreeing to accompany him."

"I do not think his intentions are to upset you. No elf likes seeing you upset. It is not a pretty sight," her friend joked.

Le'ariel threw a pillow at her.

I I I

"You look wonderful," Dalorien gushed at her daughter. They were able to use one of the empty rooms in the east wing so she could prepare for the evening's festivities.

"You are so lucky Le'ariel. I wish I could attend." Sirawen leaned against the bed post, drooling over her dress.

Because Dalorien had a higher-ranking position than Minar, she was able to get the materials for Le'ariel's dress that the head-servant wouldn't normally let anyone use, except if it was for a special occasion. Although Minar gave a slight attitude once she found out who it was for, there was nothing she could do but obey the head-cook's wishes. The finest tailors in the palace were summoned to work on the dress in their spare time. When they were told the dress was for Le'ariel, they started on it right away.

The long dress was a pastel green with gold embroidered designs on the chest with a low open back and no sleeves. Her dark hair was partially done up with small pearls placed in between the tightly done curls. Le'ariel gave a slow turn in the mirror and smiled.

"It is a beautiful dress."

"No, my dear, it is you who makes it beautiful." Her mother kissed her on the cheek.

It was still somewhat hard for Le'ariel to believe that the elf staring back at her was her own reflection. She was so used to wearing what seemed like rags and an apron all the time that a part of her felt guilty, as if the dress really belonged to the queen and that she must return it immediately or get into trouble for having it on. The other part of her, however, felt like she was doing it for herself. For all the hard work she put into the palace, she deserved a night off to enjoy whatever the night brought.

Shortly, a quiet knock came to the door. Sirawen jumped to her feet. "That must be him!" she whispered loudly.

"Well, child, do not just stand there. Open the door!" Dalorien pointed.

The servant opened the door as wide as it could go, revealing Le'ariel's date for the evening. He took a step inside and was immediately awed by her beauty. "You look like a princess," he said and handed her a rose. "It was the most beautiful rose in garden but now it does not seem so special next to you."

Le'ariel blushed. Dalorien kissed her one last time on the cheek and told him to take good care of her daughter. Sirawen wasn't ready to leave yet but according to the cook she was. The female elf was dragged out of the room by the arm by Le'ariel's mother. The two elves stayed quiet until they were alone in the room.

"Thank you for accompanying me to the spring festival..." he said. "I did not ask you directly in fear that you may say no." The elf laughed nervously. "However, if you do not enjoy yourself, I promise I will not stop you from leaving...although I hope will you stay with me for the entire evening."

"It is quite all right. As of now, I do not see any reasons as to why I would not stay."

The smile on her face gave him comfort. "Shall we?" he smiled back.

"Yes," she nodded, looping her arm into his. "By the way..."

"Yes?"

"Thank you for inviting me…Adanion."