Rewind
A month passed quietly around the Underground Kingdom. It was clear that every elf heard the news of the incident. Once it got to King Thranduil, the disrespectful elf was ordered to leave and instructed to never return, or at least, for a long while. No one asked or spoke to Le'ariel about it, not even Sirawen or Velhar.
Le'ariel wanted to forget about what happened and continue her days as normal as possible, however, anyone could tell it still bothered her. After her chores were done, she went straight to her room to read a book or do something on her own without any interruptions. Even her mother tried to console her with no avail.
All she needed was time.
The female elf had no idea Adanion was capable of acting that way, but then again, she really didn't know him very well. Maybe it was her fault for only wanting to see what she wanted—the part that he showed to her—and not his true self.
After coming to grips with reality, Le'ariel shook the thoughts away and reminded herself that it wasn't her fault, especially since she made her feelings clear to him from the beginning. Still, Le'ariel was hurt and disappointed by what he did.
The sun was finally setting over the horizon carrying a warm, summer breeze with it as the night darkened. The chambermaid felt suffocated in her room so she headed outside for some fresh air. She figured most of the servants were having their evening meal by this time so she hoped no one would intrude on her little adventure.
She headed to the queen's garden to see how the new flowers were blooming. The different fragrances that tickled her senses brought back memories of when Legolas had her walking blindly here almost similar to this very night. The first time she really had an insight on the prince's personality.
Looking around, Le'ariel hoped someone was there to keep her company then laughed at herself for wanting to be alone in the first place. She let out a heavy sigh and continued deeper into the garden until a great clearing was seen. She paused for a moment to take in the view.
The labyrinth... She said to herself.
Legolas's words came flooding back to her as she walks closer.
"Think of me as this maze, Le'ariel. There is still much you do not understand about me and I with you. It seems that you are very opinionated with my life and your thoughts interest me. It does not matter to me whether you dislike me or not, that I have no power over. The way I choose to live my personal life has nothing to do with my duties as a warrior in helping protect our kingdom. Though they may clash at times, I know our people come first..."
"This is where it all began," she whispered to herself. She didn't dare enter in case she never found her way out. It was only by accident she stumbled to the center the first time when she and Legolas raced through it. The thought of that day and how much fun they had made her smile at the memories. When the memory faded, the sad look on her face returned.
So much has changed...
"Le'ariel?"
"Legolas?" she whispered quietly, sounding even more surprised than the elf-prince.
He placed his arrow back in its quiver. "What are you doing here? Elves rarely visit the labyrinth these days...I thought you were a possible enemy."
I might as well be an enemy... "I was out on a stroll. What are you doing here?"
"I am always here." Legolas gave a small laugh to her obvious question.
"Oh, right..." she blushed.
This was the first time they saw each other since Legolas punched Adanion in the face. He was on his way to speak to her and just like Reylien, asked one of the guards on her whereabouts. Unfortunately, Adanion approached Le'ariel before he had a chance to make his presence known. Legolas was going to leave until the he saw his cousin grab her. It was then he ran to her rescue.
Adanion's actions infuriated the prince and he convinced his father to banish him from Mirkwood. Adanion left quietly without a word the following day.
They had so much to say yet couldn't form any of the words. The two elves spent a few good minutes in silence, enjoying the scenery until they both decided to speak at the same time, laughing at the coincidence.
"You go first," Legolas smiled. He put down his bow and quiver then focused on her again.
Le'ariel took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Well...umm...I wanted to thank you for what you did. If you were not there...I do not know what else would have happened."
"You are a feisty one, I am sure you could have beaten Adanion to a pulp in the end. I would have been scared for him from the kind of temper you carry," Legolas lightly joked to ease the tension between them.
She smiled at his attempt. "But that is the thing…you are not him. You are you."
The prince merely stared blankly at her.
"Prince Legolas, look, I am sorry for judging you the way I did in the beginning. You did present more than what I was willing to see. I was so wrapped up in your ill behaviors that I chose not to see what a noble elf you really were and how much you cared for your kin and—"
His lips suddenly cut off her words. Startled at first, it took Le'ariel a second before she let down her walls, unlike the episode with Adanion. Legolas held her tighter when he felt her body relax. He was waiting for the moment when she didn't pull away from his touch.
The prince slowly moved her onto her back while he laid half on top, sending butterfly kisses to her neck then her cheek. Placing his forehead against hers, he looked into her eyes. "Just Legolas will do. And I also care about you..." He caressed her cheek with his fingertips.
Le'ariel gave him a warm smile. "I know...I…I care for you as well," she whispered to him, closing her eyes.
"Then why do you keep running away from me?" he asked softly, caressing her hair.
Le'ariel closed her eyes again and thought back to their first kiss, the night they took the boat on the Enchanted River that led to the back stairwell of the palace. There was something about that moment that seemed strangely...perfect.
Before Legolas said his farewell to return the boat back to where it belonged, he kissed her unexpectedly and by sudden impulse, responded by returning it. Le'ariel's thoughts were so caught up in the feeling after he left that she didn't notice Elenia in the shadows of the hallway. When she stepped out, the chambermaid jumped back.
"Good evening, Le'ariel."
"La—Lady Elenia...what are you doing down here?" she asked nervously. Oh, no...did she see us?
"I was actually looking for your mother and seem to have lost my way," she explained. "I was going to see if she was willing to share some of her recipes with me."
"Oh, I see...well come, I will show you the way to my mother's quarters." Le'ariel motioned for her to follow.
Elenia smiled at her from behind as they walked. She could tell Le'ariel felt uneasy. "Are you all right, Le'ariel? I do not mean to make you uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable? Oh, no, I am fine," she lied. "What would I have to be uncomfortable about?"
"Legolas is a handsome elf, he is not? He is very sweet and caring, and even funny once you get to know him."
"Pardon?" Le'ariel glanced back, confused.
They stopped near the end of the hallway where her mother's voice could be heard laughing with other servants. "I saw the way he looked at you by the river. The kind of look he only gives to those he cares about, especially those he has feelings for."
"What do you mean, my lady?"
"I am not sure how well you know my cousin or what type of history or relationship you two may have with one another, but all those maidens that he has bedded—yes, I know of them—not once have I seen him look at any of them the way he looked at you tonight. It is alright if you want to deny your feelings. It is understandable with Legolas as the Prince of Mirkwood. But, you should not let that be a factor when it comes to your feelings for him."
"Why...why are you telling me this?"
"I simply want Legolas to be happy and to finally settle down with a nice young elf-maiden. I have heard you are quite opinionated about his personal life and I agree with you. Those maidens want nothing from him but his crown. He is the kind of elf that needs his behavior and abilities challenged and questioned for him to become a better elf—a better prince, in fact. A female that makes him think. Yes, I have heard of you as well," she smiled.
"What exactly have you heard and from whom, my lady?" The female elf now wanted to find the underlying cause of this.
"Oh, it is not important. I only ask you think about what I have said," Elenia grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "I think I hear your mother getting ready to retire, I shall go see her now before she does." Le'ariel was left speechless and was about to walk away until Elenia called her name. "Oh, and Le'ariel...you should know that my brother, Adanion, may also be after your affections."
Le'ariel opened her eyes and brought her thoughts back to the present; her and Legolas standing at one of the entrances to the maze. Whenever Legolas tried speaking to her about that night at the river, she would change the subject or simply ignore him saying she had no time to talk due to the demands of her chores.
The thought of her and Legolas scared her and Le'ariel was afraid of what the other elves would say. For so long she kept saying how she would never be like Varien and the rest of the other maidens that have swooned over the prince. She didn't want to find herself a hypocrite for spending the night in Legolas's chambers and turning into a brainless, shallow, self-centered female that the prince only cared about in the dark. Le'ariel vowed to herself that she would tell no one about their kiss or anything that might happen between them thereafter.
Not even Sirawen.
The chambermaid wanted more than one night but she was too afraid to find out if it was a possibility. Since her conversation with Elenia, Le'ariel also told herself she would try to remain as unattached to Legolas as possible. When Adanion came into the picture she thought he would help her forget about the prince, but it didn't work, so she confessed she had no interest in him. Le'ariel had to be honest. Yet, Adanion kept pursuing her and Legolas allowed him. That was something she didn't understand on Legolas's part if he felt so deeply for her.
The female elf later found out that Elenia had also talked to Legolas about that night. With her comforting words, Legolas made the decision of seeing if there really could be something more between the two of them.
When Adanion took her time away from him, the prince tried to hide his disappointment. He kept pretending—like Le'ariel—that there was nothing between them and the disappointment he felt was just a facade to convince others that it was less time spent with his cousin. Having Adanion around him made the elf-prince feel more at ease because he was not around the one who caught his own affections. And, that way, the prince could keep a closer eye on his cousin.
"I was...scared..." Le'ariel finally answered his question and explained why.
He took the time to try and understand her. After she was done, Legolas explained that he let Adanion pursue her because he didn't want to get in the way of her happiness. The elf-prince told her that whenever he saw them together she seemed so happy—happier than when she spent time with him—which he now found out was all for show. Hearing Le'ariel's words comforted him and a big weight felt like was lifted from his shoulders and the same for her.
"I assure you there is nothing to be scared about..." he replied with a warm smile.
"So...what do we do now?" Le'ariel looked deep into his blue eyes for new answers.
"I do not know...ask me tomorrow," he said, right before he kissed her once more.