The Letter

The rosy color on her face grew pale. Le'ariel didn't know how to react to the letter she received. It still felt surreal no matter how many times she read it. Sirawen and Velhar were waiting for her to speak and tell them what the letter contained.

The chambermaid remained silent for what seemed like an eternity to the two servants until Sirawen finally broke down. "Le'ariel, so tell us! What does the letter say? Do not keep me in suspense for I can no longer take it!"

Even Velhar let out a sigh of relief that one of them finally said what they both were thinking. The two female servants sat down on the grass while Velhar choose to stay leaning against the tree that shaded him from the sun. Le'ariel quietly folded the letter back in its original form and placed it in her apron pocket.

Le'ariel let out a deep breath before answering. "He said he is deeply sorry for his behavior and that he did not mean to disrespect me in such a manner. He also said that he still feels horrible about it to this day and has been trying to find a way to make it up to Legolas and myself."

"What else did he say?" Sirawen urged some more.

The female elf took a longer pause. "He wants us to visit him in Rivendell. He said he has gifts for us that he made himself and would be honored if we accepted them as a peace offering."

Velhar scratched his head. "Why does Adanion not bring them here himself?"

Sirawen looked at him as if the answer was as obvious as the sun. "After everything that has happened, do you really think he would be that well accepted by the nobles? Everyone in the whole kingdom knew about it! Honestly, Velhar..."

The elf remained quiet but still rolled his eyes at her remark. Le'ariel continued. "He said he contemplated it, but he would rather have us visit Rivendell so that he could show us a wonderful time there as we did with him in Mirkwood. Before everything happened that is."

"Seems as if he wants to go all out for the two of you," Velhar gathered.

Le'ariel nodded. "He also mentioned a grand feast and celebration for us..."

"How exciting..." Sirawen tried picturing it in her head and then quickly added, "Are you going to tell Legolas?"

"Of course she is!" Velhar answered for his friend. He then looked at Le'ariel closely as if she was somehow confused by the question. "You are going to tell the prince...are you not?"

"Wait..." Sirawen put her hand in the air, changing her posture as if a brilliant idea just stuck her. "If Adanion is inviting the both of you, should he not have sent Legolas a letter as well? Surely he knows of it. I mean, it would be odd if he only sent one to you, would it not? They are cousins and he also did the prince an indirect injustice."

The chambermaid smiled nervously. "Actually, he did not send one to Legolas."

"What?" Their eyes widened in surprise.

"In the letter, Adanion states that he has sent numerous letters to Legolas but not one did he answer back. He was hoping that I could convince the elf-prince to journey to Rivendell."

Velhar rubbed his chin. "That sounds tricky."

"What do you mean?" asked Sirawen.

"Well... if the prince has not replied to any of Adanion's letters, what makes you think that he will be excited to hear the news? I can picture him dismissing the whole idea—probably even ripping up the letter he sent you." He nodded at Le'ariel as if he agreed for her.

"Do not listen to him, Le'ariel. Legolas would not do that. Who knows, he may agree to it?" Sirawen elbowed Velhar in the leg since that was the closest body part she could hit. She glared at him for saying such a thing. Velhar shrugged, bewildered by her actions.

The chambermaid let out another sigh. "Honestly, Legolas has not mentioned Adanion once since that day, not even in passing. I feel as if his name is forbidden to be spoken when I am around him. And Velhar is right...what makes me think Legolas will not be angry about the letter?"

"I do not think I have ever seen Legolas angry?" Sirawen said out loud.

"Neither have I, really, although we have had our arguments," Le'ariel replied.

Velhar finally sat down next to them in the sunshine. "Still...I do not see the prince as the quiet, calm, and collective type."

After a while of discussing whether or not Le'ariel should tell Legolas about the letter, the three sat there quietly, pondering on the prince's reaction. Only the sound of the wind and the birds could be heard in the background while each one fell into their own daydream.

"Ahem." All three heads jolted to the shadow standing in the way of the sun.

"I did not know sitting on the grass and daydreaming was a part of your chores today."

They stood quickly, brushing themselves off to look more presentable. And just like in the military, they stood in a perfect line as if they were waiting to be inspected. "We had finished early and thought to take a short rest," Le'ariel spoke up. She did well to avoid the eyes of her foul-faced inspector.

"Well then...if you are able to finish your tasks so quickly maybe I am not assigning enough work for you. Or maybe what you have is simply too easy?" Minar walked about them in a slow-paced circle. She could tell something was going on but wasn't exactly sure what it was. "Starting tomorrow you will each receive another task to complete before noon…for a whole year. Do I make myself clear?"

They hid their cries of complaints under their responses. "Yes, Minar."

After feeling satisfied, Minar dismissed them to the kitchen to help with the afternoon meal.

I I I

Velhar crossed his arms. "Well…I think the only way to truly find out what Legolas thinks is to tell him," he said after chopping up vegetables in the Eastern Kitchen.

"Yes, but I am still concerned about his reaction." Le'ariel replied.

"Then wait a while, Le'ariel," Sirawen grabbed her friend's hand. She lent a supportive smile then headed off to help in another section of the kitchen. "Let me know what happens when you do!" she waved goodbye.

"Yes, do let us know," Velhar squeezed her shoulder then followed in pursuit of the other servant.

Le'ariel was now alone, faced with the dilemma of whether or not tell Legolas of the letter. In her mind's version of the news, he didn't take it so well. Then again, she was sure it was the same thoughts her friends had.

It was comforting to have Sirawen's positive outlook on things but Le'ariel understood her friend also carried doubts in her mind. Nevertheless, being the good friend she was, Sirawen usually kept it to herself. Who knew if she ever told Velhar or anyone else of her true concerns?

Velhar, on the other hand, was more straightforward with his thinking when it came to certain situations. He usually spoke his mind before thinking things through, thus a glare or jab in the ribs from Sirawen.

They could be such opposites at times, but Le'ariel appreciated them both. She saw it as having the best of both worlds. She smiled to herself of all the times Velhar hid or ran away from Sirawen's wrath whenever she didn't agree with him on one thing or another.

Le'ariel felt her apron pocket again to make sure the letter was still securely tucked away. She walked in the opposite direction of her friends where she knew her mother would be. She thought about mentioning it to her but her mother would most likely try to persuade her into telling Legolas right away or if she didn't, the head cook would do it for her.

There was too much thinking involved that Le'ariel grew frustrated. She had other things to do and worry about that she decided to put the letter and getting the nerves to tell Legolas on pause. Right now, her main concern was to help get the afternoon meal ready.

I I I

The elf walked cautiously down the dark hallway. The only light to guide his way were the dim candles sitting on the walls made of stone and the small torch he carried. He stopped walking when he reached the corner wall where he was previously instructed to wait. As soon as he leaned against it, he heard a voice on the other side.

"Did you give it to her?"

"Yes, I did." he replied quietly.

"And what does she make of it?"

"I am not sure. She still seems very hesitant on the matter."

"Will she tell the prince?"

"Again, sir, I do not know. And who knows how long it will take her to get the courage to do so? Le'ariel is not the type to be told what to do unless it is from someone with authority."

The Elf smiled. "But even then she does not make it so easy. Let us hope that Prince Legolas does not accidentally find out for a fowl king's presence is never pretty…or his son's in this case. Not many see it, but Legolas can have a temper like his father."

"Yes, sir," Velhar nodded, his eyes still focused on the ground.

"I will need you to see to it that Legolas does not go snooping around the chambermaid's quarters."

Velhar cocked his head up. "But, sir! I have done what you have asked of me. Now, how am I supposed to do that? I cannot tell the prince what to do!"

When he turned the corner to face the other elf, he had already vanished. The servant was only met with silence and the dancing candles on the walls. He let out a frustrated sigh and walked back the way he came.

What have I gotten myself into?