A Very Bad Habit
"What is the matter, Le'ariel?"
"What was that?" The sound of her friend's voice finally cut into her inner thoughts.
Sirawen sighed. "I have only asked you about three times!"
"Sorry. I was just thinking about Legolas."
"Did you get into an argument?"
"No, no, it is nothing like that. He seems so…distant lately," Le'ariel said as she tried to retreat back into her mind.
Sirawen wiped her wet hands on her apron. "Well, have you talked to him about it?"
Le'ariel shook her hands dry. "There is nothing to talk about. He has his duties to attend to and I must understand that. But, I feel that it has been keeping us apart lately. He rarely visits me in my quarters to keep me company these days. And when he does, he barely says a word to me and says he is tired and wants to rest." She shrugs her shoulders. "Before, we would talk and laugh for hours."
Sirawen scratched her head. "As I recall, it was you who said that he was becoming a distraction and that perhaps time apart was good for the both of you."
"Yes, yes, I know," the chambermaid rolled her eyes at her own words. "It sounded like the right thing to say at the time but now I wish I had never said it," she slouched on a nearby rock.
Her friend smiled, "You really care for him."
"What?" She blushed.
"You really care for him," Sirawen repeated.
"Well, yes...of course..." Her eyes fell to the ground. When she finally brought her gaze back to Sirawen, she crossed her arms. "And what is that smirk for?"
"You have truly changed, Le'ariel. Looking back at how you used to despised the prince to how you can no longer live without him is something that even the Valar would not miss to see if only for a moment," she mused.
"Oh, stop it."
"It is true, Le'ariel! Surely you have noticed your own behavior."
"Yes, I suppose I have gotten a bit...soft."
"Stay soft!" Sirawen exclaimed.
They started laughing and continued with their chores. Le'ariel reminded herself that she had to be the strong one since many demanded the prince's attention as well—those of more importance and of higher stature than a mere chambermaid.
Many of the nobles would probably laugh at her if she stormed into a meeting and ordered the prince to spend the day with her when there were affairs of the kingdom that needed to be addressed. But as always, the female elf tried to stay positive about their situation, yet at the back of her mind, those small thoughts of doubt and insecurity slowly crept up on her.
Would things between them really work out in the long run?
That same night, Le'ariel quietly made her way to Legolas's chambers to see if he was done with his agendas, only to find him sound asleep on his stomach with his clothes and boots still on. He must have crashed on his bed after the long day he had. She smiled at his sleeping form and tucked his loose tresses behind his pointed ears.
There was no point in staying since he wouldn't even know she was there and by the time she hoped to wake up next to him, he probably would be gone early like he usually was. Le'ariel was about to leave, but before her hand had the opportunity to touch the doorknob, she heard his voice.
"Le'ariel? Is that…you?"
She turned around, "Yes, it is. I did not mean to wake you. Go back to sleep."
Legolas groaned, rolling onto his back with great effort. He opened his arms letting her know he wanted her next to him. "Stay with me." Le'ariel smiled and walked back to him, nuzzling her face into the side his neck while he held her tightly.
"I have missed you," Legolas said, lightly kissing her hair.
"I have missed you also, my love," she gently kissed his jaw. He turned his head fully to meet her eyes and gave her a proper kiss. Being in his arms like again after what felt like centuries apart made all of her doubts disappear because in that moment, Le'ariel knew the prince really did care for her. Shortly thereafter, he fell back into his reverie with her by his side.
The following morning as the chambermaid rolled to her side to stretch her arm, she felt something she hadn't felt in a long time…Legolas's still sleeping body. To her surprise he hadn't left before she awoke. She thought maybe she had woken up in the middle of the night.
She opened his heavy drapes to find the sun shining into the mountain. No...it is morning all right.
"Good morning," the elf-prince stretched. "What are you doing over there? Come back to bed." He patted the area of the mattress where he wanted her to lie back down.
"I would love to sleep the day away with you, but I have my chores...remember?" Le'ariel returned to his bed to cuddle with him for a few more moments.
Legolas gave her butterfly kisses all over her neck and face enticing her to stay. "You have been working hard these last few weeks, I am sure Minar will not mind if you are a little late just this once."
"Just this once?" She raised an eyebrow at him.
He sheepishly grinned. "Just this once that has not happened in a long time...how is that?"
"My dear prince, you will get me into trouble again." Le'ariel pinched his ears playfully.
"That is what I am best at," he gave her an angelic look. She rolled her eyes at him. The next thing she knew, Legolas threw the duvet over their heads, burying them underneath. Only giggling could be heard after that.
I I I
"Le'ariel, where have you been?" whispered Velhar. "Minar has been asking on your whereabouts."
She straightened her apron and fixed her dark locks in a bun and stood in line with the rest of the servants so Minar could give them their chores for the day. Le'ariel didn't want to answer since Minar finally caught a glimpse of her. The head-servant walked directly to her with a not so pleased look on her face. The chambermaid kept her vision directly in front of her, slightly blurring Minar's face on purpose.
"Le'ariel, where have you been?" she asked sternly. "And do not tell me that you accidentally stumbled towards the Eastern corridor again." A few smirks and giggles were heard from the other servants. They quickly put that to a halt and don their serious facade again when Minar gave them a sharp, cold stare.
"No, Lady Minar, forgive me. I accidentally overslept," she lied.
"Overslept did you?" She looked her up and down. "Funny how I went to your quarters this morning and did not find you there. And it also does not seem like you even slept in it from how well your bed was made." Minar began pacing back and forth in front of her.
The chambermaid tried to think of another quick lie. With the apologetic look that she had mastered so well from Legolas, she replied, "Well, making beds is what I do best. But yes, you are correct, I did not sleep in my bed last night...because I was in my mother's kitchen when I fell asleep."
Minar still didn't seem convinced. "Oh, really now?" Sirawen and Velhar began to worry for their friend. If Minar got her way, Le'ariel's punishment would most likely be worse than just extra chores. Minar knew the prince would be upset if she did anything too harsh to Le'ariel so she kept her cool. Also, the head-servant didn't want her position on the line because of it. "Very well then, I will bring this up with your mother."
Now it was Le'ariel's turn to stay cool. "Yes, Lady Minar. Of course."
"There is no need Minar, I heard the whole thing." Dalorien graced them with her presence. She was also looking for her daughter when she heard the conversation take place. She decided to hide in the shadows and witness the outcome of it.
"Mother!" The chambermaid gulped down her surprise.
"Hello, Dalorien," Minar greeted her coldly.
"The rest of you can go about your chores," the head-cook ordered. They all looked toward Minar not knowing what to do.
"Well, you heard her...go!" Because Dalorien's status was higher than hers, she could pretty much give orders to any servant regardless of who they worked under, including Minar.
Once they scattered, Dalorien focused her attention back to the two left standing in front of her. Le'ariel wished she could run away with everyone else when they vanished. Sirawen gave her a sympathetic smile before exiting out the door.
"Le'ariel." The sound of her name made her cringe.
"Yes, mother?"
"You left unwashed plates last night in my kitchen sink. When you volunteered to assist me, I expected them all to be cleaned."
Minar looked confused. "You mean to say she was telling the truth after all?"
Dalorien placed her hands on her hips with Le'ariel staring at her feet. "You should have just gone to bed last night instead of trying to stay awake to wash those dishes. I had told you that another servant could have done it...and a better job at that."
"Sorry, mother," she whispered back quietly.
After her mother vouching for her, there wasn't much Minar could do. "Do not be late again this week, Le'ariel." The head-servant gave a small humpf and walked away.
The chambermaid silently watched her leave the room. Once she was out of sight, she hugged her mother. "Oh, thank you, mother! I promise it will not happen again." She released her when she all she received was silence in return. The look in her mother's eyes made it clear that she was not happy lying for her.
"This is becoming a very bad habit, Le'ariel. I am glad you have found happiness with the prince, but if you cannot set up a proper schedule for your chores and your time together, I will let Minar implement your punishments as she sees fit, no matter how harsh they may be. This is the first and last time I am going to cover for you."
"Yes, mother." Le'ariel's eyes focused back to the floor. Dalorien left without another word. The chambermaid slouched on a stool and flicked away a small piece of loose wood on the table from her frustration. The female elf let out a heavy sigh and contemplated on her mother's words.
She is right...if I do not get a handle on things Legolas and I might not be permitted to see each other any longer. At least I am still in favor with their Majesties...I think? I need to figure out something and quick.
Le'ariel stood and straightened her apron again, walking out the door to tend to her responsibilities. Hopefully, the day would shed some light for an idea to spark where she could find a way to please everyone.