The Spring Festival Part II

Seeing the Spring Festival from the servant tents where the preparations were done was very different from experiencing it firsthand. Le'ariel felt overwhelmed by all the attention she received from the elves Adanion introduced her to.

He didn't seem bothered by the nobles knowing she was a servant and it made the air a bit more breathable for Le'ariel. Most of the nobles were used to seeing elves of lower stature in the festivals and didn't mind as long as they knew a thing or two about manners. There were a few in the past who hadn't quite live up to their expectations.

The festival was somewhat like the Narbeleth Gathering, held outside, except because it was in the spring, flowers of every kind that complement the decorations were placed all over the area and on the tables. The elves in attendance from other regions greeted each other and talked of their travels. The night began with smiles and laughter.

The trumpets finally rang as their Majesties arrive at the celebration. They all stood and welcomed them to their seats. Behind the king and queen were Legolas...and his date. Le'ariel paused for a second when she saw him. She gathered her composure and continued clapping and smiling for the Prince of Mirkwood.

Le'ariel was surprised his date wasn't Lady Varien but Lady Reylien instead. She wasn't a very well-known maiden, mostly known to be very shy, so Le'ariel was confused why he picked her for his date that evening. There were other maidens she knew who would give their right arm just for a glance from him. But, as long as it wasn't Varien, he could have brought a Troll for a date, which would have made her cared less.

In fact, she liked Reylien.

Adanion pulled out her seat then sat down beside her. Surprisingly, Legolas's assigned seat was next to her and Reylien to the prince's other side. The elf-prince introduced his date for evening and quietly sat down next to Le'ariel with little or no eye contact at all. Legolas's demeanor made her uneasy. Le'ariel slightly sat facing Adanion and the multiple conversations he was in with other nobles at their table.

Eventually Legolas did the same with his back to her, greeting guests on the other end of the table. He couldn't understand why he was acting so strange around Le'ariel. Was it because she was with Adanion?

A part of him hoped his cousin wasn't trying to pursue the chambermaid again because that would leave less time for them to spend time together like before. But then again, it didn't really matter when Legolas barely spent time with his cousin these days anyway. Lady Reylien wasn't exactly his ideal date either, but his father persuaded him to take her as a favor to the maiden's father. He hoped his son could open up her social skills, which Legolas really wasn't that interested in doing. It was more of a babysitting job than anything.

After the meal, some of the elves stood to stretch their legs or walk around and mingle with the other tables. The musicians played their instruments and soon, the elves took to the dance floor. Adanion excused himself to say hello to an old friend of his from Rivendell leaving Le'ariel, Legolas, and Reylien the only ones left at the table.

The air began to thicken again around Le'ariel. She also wanted to excuse herself but her body wouldn't cooperate with her wishes. She saw Reylien whisper something to Legolas and with a nod from the prince, she left. Thranduil's son and Le'ariel finally made eye contact, giving each other uncomfortable smiles. "Reylien wanted to greet some friends as well," Legolas explained to her.

"I see..." she nodded.

"Look, Le'ariel—"

"Le'ariel! Come, let us dance!" Adanion suddenly appeared, cutting off Legolas. He saw them alone and refused to let the prince to get the upper hand with his date. He wanted to make sure her attention was only on him tonight.

"Sorry, Prince Legolas...I have to go..."

"Of course." He stood politely as she made her way to the dance floor. Legolas knew Adanion well enough to know how he worked around maidens and his interruption wasn't by coincidence. The stern look on the prince's face finally caught someone's attention.

"Is something the matter, your Highness?"

"Pardon? Oh...no. Hello, how are you?" he smiled.

"Very well, thank you," Dalorien answered.

"Please, sit down for a while and keep me company." Legolas patted the seat next to him. "No one else will," he muttered afterwards.

"Where is your maiden?" the head-cooked asked as she sat.

"Mingling."

"And why are you not doing the same?"

"No one to mingle with."

The cook angled her vision where Legolas was blindly staring and smiled. "Ah...I see." Dalorien placed a hand on his shoulder to pull him away from his thoughts. "Why do you not go dance, Legolas? It will be good for you."

"I do not know where my maiden is."

"That is quite all right. Once you are out there she will find you. If not, there are others you can dance with until then. I must go now to tend to the desserts. The night is still young, my dear prince."

"Thank you, Dalorien."

"For what?" She winked back.

Since there were no signs of Reylien coming back anytime soon, Legolas made his way to the dance floor as Dalorien said he should. There were maidens flocking in groups, smiling and gossiping about him in the corners, hoping he would ask one of them to dance.

The prince politely smiled and walked around in the shadows. He stopped short and leaned against one of the trees to watch the next dance begin. Legolas finally saw Adanion and Le'ariel enjoying themselves in the midst of the crowd. Velhar was trying to make his way in between the dancers with a tray of wine in his hands, which seemed a bit odd for him to be doing when he could easily walk around the rim of the dance floor.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Adanion asked Le'ariel.

"Yes, very much, thank you," she replied.

"So, does this mean that you will not leave me in the middle of the festival?"

Le'ariel grinned. "No. I will not leave."

Adanion gazed at her and she finally didn't mind at all. It was a beautiful night and the wine was beginning to sink in. He leaned in to give her what seemed like a kiss when they heard Velhar shout, "Watch out!" The servant tripped on a loose board and accidentally spilled wine on Adanion's formal shirt.

The angry elf wanted to chop his head off, but because he was Le'ariel's friend, Adanion kept his cool and laughed it off. "It is all right, Velhar. Accidents happen." He placed a very firm hand on servant's shoulder. Velhar winced at the grip and gulped in fear that he would not see tomorrow. "Excuse me while I go change," Adanion said to Le'ariel then stormed away.

Le'ariel hit Velhar in the arm. "Velhar, you idiot! What was that about?"

"I am sorry, Le'ariel! It was an accident. The board came loose. I promise I will make it up to you." Velhar cleaned up the mess and took the empty wine glass back to the servant tents.

The chambermaid sighed, standing there embarrassed with no date. She was about to head back to her seat to wait for Adanion when another elf grabbed her arm. The feeling of his hand made Le'ariel's heart jump to her throat. She had a feeling of who it was without even looking yet in their direction.

"May I have this dance?"

Then, as if on cue, a slow song began to play for them. Hesitantly, Le'ariel's body turned to face Legolas. Without a word, they started to dance. They searched each other's eyes like they were looking for answers that the other couldn't verbally give. Before either one realized it, the song was over. They stood still in each other's arms until a familiar voice broke moment they shared.

"Ah, cousin! Thank you for keeping my maiden company." Adanion took Le'ariel's hand.

"Of course." The prince backed away and bowed.

"Thank you for the dance, Prince Legolas." Le'ariel curtseyed.

"Prince Legolas, there you are." Lady Reylien showed up out of nowhere. "I went back to our table but you disappeared."

"My apologies, I should have waited for you. Would you like to dance?" He extended his hand to her. Reylien blushed and nodded shyly.

By the time his attention returned to his cousin and the chambermaid, they too, seemed to have vanished. The elf-prince only gave in to one more dance before escorting Reylien back to their table. He finished the miruvor by himself and felt the elven liquor even more after his last sip. Reylien looked concerned but was too timid to say anything about his behavior.

"I see you have drunk enough for the both of you."

"I have drunk enough for the whole of Mirkwood, my friend."

"Lady Reylien, would you mind if I talk with the prince alone?"

"Of course not, Captain Keldir. I will be with the other maidens if you need me, Prince Legolas."

"Yes, thank you, milady," Legolas bowed his head. Normally, he would have properly stood as she left, but he didn't have it in him for any formalities at the moment. Once Reylien was gone he looked up at Keldir. "What is it that you want?"

"Someone is a bit moody tonight." The captain sat in Reylien's seat.

Legolas slouched further into his. "And what do you mean by that, captain?"

"I have been watching you since you and Reylien sat back down. She looked bored and you, well...drunk and unhappy. Was her company really that dreadful?"

"It is not her. Well, maybe it is? I am not enjoying myself as I used to, perhaps because she is different from all the other maidens. Who knows?" Legolas traced the rim of the wine glass with his finger.

Keldir eyed him. "Do you mean Lady Reylien or...Le'ariel?"

"What?" The elf-prince adjusted his posture. "Are you implying something?"

"I have seen the way you stare at the chambermaid…especially tonight, after her and Adanion left. Why not just tell her how you feel, Legolas?"

Legolas scoffed at his words. "What in Middle-earth are you talking about, Keldir? I do not have feelings for her. Me? A Prince of Mirkwood and her…a servant? Do not be absurd."

"I am simply stating what I see."

"You see nothing. Please stop with your assumptions."

Shaking his head, the captain stood. "As you wish, your Highness. Just remember that although Le'ariel is merely a servant, she is still a beautiful elf, and is liked by many in the kingdom—even your parents. She is opinionated, stubborn and is not afraid to stand up to you. And you let her because she fascinates you. Seems like a perfect match if you ask me."

"That is enough, Captain Keldir," Legolas gave him an icy stare, although his head was swimming in miruvor. "I do not need advice from you regarding my feelings or my love life."

"Of course not, your Highness. My apologies, Prince Legolas. I did not mean to get out of line. I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening." Keldir bowed and left Legolas to his thoughts.

Legolas let out a frustrating sigh once Keldir was gone. What does Keldir know? He knows nothing. How dare he give me advice on love? Does he even realize whom he is talking to? How many maidens I have had the pleasure of knowing? The elf-prince continued to drown in miruvor hoping to shut out the night.

After they ran out of miruvor at his table, Legolas was about to ask a servant for another bottle when he saw Le'ariel and Adanion in the distance. His cousin was taking Le'ariel away from the festivities. Whatever he was saying made Le'ariel laugh. He could tell his cousin was trying to get her away from the crowd so they could be alone and clearly, she was willing to follow. Legolas let go of the empty bottle in his hand and didn't even notice dropping it on the ground.

"Prince Legolas, are you all right?" Reylien finally returned.

Legolas smiled at her. "Yes, I am now."

Reylien smiled back shyly because of the way he was looking at her. He took her hand and immediately left the festival as well.