The Masquerade Ball

Everywhere Legolas glanced, he saw groups of elf-maidens whispering to each other with their eyes on the prize. Even some coyly winked in his direction. The prince smiled politely to the crowd, but was inwardly rolling his eyes. He stayed composed as he walked behind his parents, keeping his pace in sync with theirs. The elves bow their heads as the Royal Family passed them by. A banquet feast was always held before the commencement of any ball or festival.

Once Legolas and his parents were seated, the rest of their guests followed. King Thranduil gave a short speech welcoming everyone and shortly thereafter, the feast began. The prince's eyes quickly dart around the room to see if he recognized some of their distant guests. He saw a few acquaintances from both Rivendell and Lothlórien, but couldn't help and wish—even just a little—that she was there.

But what reason would she have to return? Legolas noticed his cousins, Adanion and Elenia, weren't present either. But then again, Adanion had no business showing his face in Mirkwood. Elenia, he guessed, would have attended to show respect and support for the torture his parents were putting him through. He assumed she was busy with her young elf-child. Either that or she didn't feel comfortable returning after what her brother had done. But, whatever the reason, it no longer really mattered to him.

Dalorien always made such great meals that made elves in the other Elven Realms come to Mirkwood just to try her dishes. And tonight was no exception. However, Legolas barely touched his plate. He kept playing around with the food in front of him, aimlessly daydreaming as he swirled whatever he touched with his fork. Keldir nudged him on the side with his elbow to bring him back from wherever his thoughts had him wandering.

"Can you please try to make it look like you are at least enjoying the food?" Keldir whispered. "It is not wise to offend Dalorien's cooking."

Legolas straightened his posture and took a bite of the next thing his fork touched. The food in his mouth had no flavor to it as if there was something wrong with his taste buds. He knew the food to be good…it just was registering in his brain. "It is...delicious," the prince lied. Keldir raised an eyebrow and shook his head wearily.

"Are you ready for dessert, Prince Legolas?" He nodded at the servant who took his half-eaten plate away and replaced it with a slice of pie. "Lady Dalorien said it was your favorite."

"Thank you," he smiled kindly. The servant returned the gesture and offered dessert to the rest of the table. A part of him felt guilty for not visiting Dalorien as often as he used to. It became hard venturing into the kitchens since Le'ariel left. Because she was her mother, a part of her remained close to him. She had the same hazel eyes as her mother and it hurt to be reminded of her whenever Dalorien looked at him the same way Le'ariel did sometimes.

Dalorien never blamed Legolas or treated him any differently since her daughter left. She understood the prince needed time to heal and if it meant staying away from the kitchens, then so be it. He was always welcomed whenever he wanted to return. She baked him his favorite type of pie to try to brighten his mood tonight.

A smile always formed on his lips whenever he tasted it, and just as she predicted from the corner where she stood, his disheartened features changed into a wide grin. He silently thanked Eru for having the loving cook around.

Legolas wondered what Dalorien thought about tonight, the actual purpose for this ball. Was she happy for him or disappointed because it wasn't her daughter? Dalorien was a good-hearted elf and she probably wanted him to be happy, he presumed. The prince never wronged Le'ariel in anyway and he deserved to happy too, didn't he?

The next thought to enter Legolas's mind was her. Again. Was she happy? Miserable? Did she miss him? Thought about him? It was all frustrating and at times, confusing. Why did he even bother to keep these lingering thoughts on his mind?

Of course she was happy. If she wasn't, Le'ariel would have returned by now. Maybe Adanion did win her heart after all, and who knows…what if she was married herself? He shook the thoughts away knowing that it was his fault he didn't stop her when he had the chance.

"Prince Legolas?"

"What?" he said, not meaning to sound so agitated at the captain.

"The guests are moving to the Ballroom."

He looked up and saw half of them were out of their seats, exiting toward the Great Hall with the king and queen within the crowd. "Oh." Legolas finally stood. He was lost in his reveries again. "My apologies, Keldir." The captain dismissed the apology with his hand as he was used to having to wait for him to snap back to reality. Legolas smiled at his friend's patience. "Thank you."

"We should head off as well. If you do not show up soon, your father and mother might think that I am not doing my job," the captain lightly joked.

"I will make sure they know that you have been a very good handler," the prince chuckled. Keldir rolled his eyes and tells him to get going.

I I I

The music in the room was already underway by the time they entered. His parents stationed themselves on their thrones, smiling at the elves around them. Thranduil saw his son and gave him a look. Legolas nodded to let him know he understood what he was supposed to be doing. His mother asked him to try to find an elf-maiden tonight, to give one of them a chance and to not be so quick to dismiss them. An eager line already formed in front of him. There were servants staffing the line to keep the elf-maidens from pushing and shoving each other. They were assured that each one would get a chance to dance with the Prince of Mirkwood. By order of the king, everyone put on their masks. It was a Masquerade Ball after all.

Legolas danced with each elf-maiden—two per song to get through the line quicker. It was like a form of speed dating except on the dance floor. He let them talk about whatever they wanted while he politely smiled and nodded his head as if he were listening. Occasionally, he would dance with an elf-maiden who was too enamored with him to say anything at all. Those quiet ones he liked the best. Still, not one caught his interest as he continued in a graceful waltz.

After a few songs in, his prediction of the night came true. He was utterly bored. Legolas concluded that his parents designed this to be a Masquerade Ball so that he could see the beauty within the elf-maidens instead of focusing on their features.

The prince thought that maybe if he was able to focus more on what they actually looked like, it wouldn't be half as bad as it was. At least he had something to actually pay attention to. He was trying, but trying took more effort than he imagined.

"Good evening, Prince Legolas," the next elf-maiden in his arms greeted.

"Yes, good evening to you, as well," he replied for the millionth time without really paying attention to her.

"It is nice to see you again given our last...umm...meeting." Her words made the prince look more closely at the female elf who he noticed was blushing, even under her mask. The way she averted her eyes away from him and the way her hands clammed up, it could only be one maiden.

"Lady Reylien?" he asked surprised. She only nodded. "My apologies, I did not recognize you."

Reylien laughed quietly. "Well, I doubt you would, really...with the mask and all."

"Oh, yes...of course," Legolas chuckled. "I have not seen you lately, except for your father when he meets with the king." And truth be known, he hadn't seen any of the elf-maidens since Le'ariel left. They were all just blurry figures to him as they passed him by in court or in the market place. All of their advances going unnoticed.

"I have been in Lothlórien, Your Grace, visiting relatives. I just recently returned."

"Well, it is nice to see you," he genuinely smiled. She smiled in return with another blush on her features.

It was finally good to see a friendly face among the crowd. Legolas felt like he was thrown to a horde of Wrags when he first entered the ballroom. The elf-maidens look as if they were going to eat him alive! But, seeing Reylien here brightened his mood, somewhat. Legolas found someone who he could consider a friend within the mass of female elves waiting for their turn.

The elf-maiden was aware that of some of them proceeded to give her dirty looks as the elf-prince smiled and laughed with her. He noticed, too, but he didn't care. He was finally beginning to...enjoy himself, at least for the moment.

Reylien was a sweet elf-maiden who wasn't tainted with the lust for power and riches like some of the other female elves. Her father was very strict and she obeyed his every command like a good model daughter. Legolas felt bad for being the culprit who took her innocence away. She should have given it to an elf who loved her, but she insisted on that elf to him—although he carried no real feelings for her that night. And, of course, he was happy to oblige at the time. However, Legolas was no longer that kind of elf. If he could go back now, he wouldn't have attempted such a thing. Reylien deserved better.

"Thank you for the dance, Prince Legolas," Reylien curtseyed when the song was over.

"It was my pleasure." He bowed after her and kissed her hand.

She was the only one so far to dance a whole song with him. They said their farewells as she parted in the direction of her father who was by the king and queen. Legolas saw his own father looking very pleased under his mask. Legolas nodded to show the king that dancing with Reylien was him trying.

After Reylien left his side, Legolas glanced around the room. There were still plenty of guests dancing and mingling. He was about signal the servant to bring forth his next partner when another guest caught his eye.

An elf-maiden talked to a few of the nobles on the other side of the dance floor. She wore a golden, backless gown with pearls woven into her long, curly hair. Her mask was the same color as her dress with feathers and sparkles in the design. The prince waited for her to look his way so he could see her eyes. As if she felt herself being watched, she still continued her conversations, smiling and nodding at the elves around her. Slowly, she turned toward the prince who was standing in the middle of the dance floor, looking directly at her. The servants manning the line weren't exactly sure what he was doing and hesitated to bring forth his next dance partner.

His eyes widened with a questioning disbelief when he locked eyes with her. The elf-maiden seemed uncomfortable under his curious and shock stricken gaze. She politely excused herself from the group's conversation. Legolas was about to pursue her when a servant stopped him. "Your Highness?"

Legolas turned him and saw another elf-maiden was brought for him to dance with. She smiled shyly, waiting for him take her hand. The prince looked back into the crowd but the elf-maiden he was curious about was gone when the crowd in the corner started to disperse in different directions.

"Your Highness...?" The elf-maiden in front of him began to panic. "You...you do not want to dance with me?"

The prince relaxed his features and smiled. "Of course, I do," he answered sweetly. Her worries instantly disappeared at this charming smile. He always did have a way to smooth things over.

The elf-maiden noticed him constantly looking elsewhere instead of paying attention to her and wasn't happy about it. "Is something the matter, my prince? Would you prefer to dance over there?" She also hoped for a full dance with him.

"No, milady. Right here is fine," he replied politely. "I just thought I recognized someone, but no matter." Again, he smiled his famous smile at her. She melted in his arms and enjoyed the rest of their dance in silence...just how he liked it.

One by one they came, and one by one, they left his arms without receiving a second glance. The elf-maidens walked away disappointed, pouting, and angry—others crying. Some of their fathers tried reasoning with the king, promoting how their daughter was the one best suited for the prince.

King Thranduil dismissed them all saying was up to the Prince of Mirkwood to choose a suitable bride for himself since he, himself, is already married. The king and queen agreed that Legolas could choose who he wanted at this point; this idea belonging to the queen, of course. Queen Terulien only wanted to present her son with his options and from there he was on his own. She made it clear to her husband that he was not to interfere with anything.

I I I

The night was coming to an end and Legolas still showed no signs of interest in anyone. The king was restless in his seat. The queen placed her hand on top of his. "I do not think tonight will be the night, my love. But it was worth a try. And more importantly, our son tried."

The king rubbed his temples and sighed. "A decade. He has but one decade and that is it." He stood along with his wife and announced they would retire for the evening but wished for their guests to continue without them.

Once Legolas saw his parents leave the room, he relaxed. Keldir joined him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have but two elf-maidens left, prince."

He sighed with relief. "Finally..."

"So...not one? Not one worthy enough to be with the Prince of Mirkwood?"

"There are two more. We shall see," he smiled slyly.

Keldir shook his head and grinned, signaling the servant to bring the next dance partner. He pat the prince on the back and went back to his post. He had a feeling the king and queen's plan would fail. Keldir knew his friend well enough to know that he wouldn't really accept this form of courtship.

And, just like the rest, the remaining two walk away disappointed. When he was able to, Legolas made a run for it, in case there were any late arrivals that wanted his attention. He quickly said his farewell and disappeared.

The following day, the prince asked to see the guest list from the Ball. They always kept a list in order to send out the 'thank you' cards. "No, I only need the list of guests from Rivendell." The servant in charge of the list handed him what he asks for. "Thank you. I will return it shortly."

He sat himself at one of the empty tables searching the names that were written on the parchment. There were many names he had never heard of before.

"Is there are particular name you are looking for, Your Highness?" asked the servant. He was curious to find out what name the prince was searching for.

"No, thank you," Legolas quickly smiled and gave him a look of dismissal. The servant bowed his head and went back to his work. When he left, Legolas continued to look for any names he thought sounded familiar and when he found one, the image of that elf-maiden looked nothing like the one he saw the previous night.

The prince had gone through the entire list and still couldn't put a name to her face. Regardless, he couldn't help but think it was her...for her eyes gave it away. The servant noticing he was done with the Rivendell list offered the other one to him, just in case. He politely declined and returned the list to him.

"I must have been mistaken." Legolas gave him a half-smile. The servant saw a look of disappointment on the prince's face as he left.