Replay

Months passed and Legolas was still in his same old routine. The Masquerade Ball is nothing more than a memory now. He was disheartened that he didn't get to find out who the elf-maiden was, but it was most likely his fault (again) for not noticing her sooner.

There was a chance he could have danced with her at some point during the night but because he was too busy ignoring everyone, she could have gone completely unnoticed right underneath his nose. Why didn't she stand in line with the rest of the elf-maidens for a dance? Maybe that was why she looked uncomfortable when she finally caught his eye? Whatever the case may be, she left before he had a chance to find out who she was.

There was also no way he was going to look for an elf-maiden he didn't know how to describe except for having long, dark hair and hazel eyes. The entire female populace of his kind would probably show up at their front gates claiming to be her. Legolas always felt uneasy when forced to entertain a crowd that could attack him at any moment.

He preferred finding a bride as merely another task on his list or some other duty he had to fulfill. As cliché as it sounded, Legolas wanted to marry for love. The king wasn't a very emotional elf when it came to his feelings, but Legolas saw the love and warmth in his father's eyes whenever he looked at his mother.

As strong as his father was, the king turned into putty in his mother's hands. She held more power in one look than the king had in his entire being. It truly took an amazing female to render the king in such a fashion. And that was what Legolas wanted, an elf-maiden who was strong, yet as gentle, as he was. She had to be out there...somewhere.

The agreement between he and his parents was for him to find his bride within the next decade, meaning this decade. The prince needed to act quickly before his father chose for him. If it ever came down to that, Legolas hoped his mother would do the actual screening of the potential candidates. She knew her son better than her husband and Legolas would trust her decision.

However, he was not going to make it so easy for his parents as to give up so quickly and have them take charge. No. He was going to take matters into his own hands and finally do it his way.

His mother asked him to join her at her private gazebo for afternoon tea. Legolas hadn't been to that area since he surprised Le'ariel there with breakfast. It was an unpleasant walk for him, agreeing to the invitation. The prince tried to avoid places that remind him of certain events. It was better that way. It kept him from moping around.

As Legolas got closer to the clearing, he could hear voices...other voices besides his mother's. He wondered who else she invited. The invitation that was slipped under his door by a servant didn't mention other guests.

"Legolas, there you are." The queen motioned for him to join them at the table. He stood in place for a moment not expecting his father and two other elves with her. "Here, my dear, sit next to me," she said with a smile. He obeyed her wishes and sat next to her, bowing to his father and their guests.

"Good to see you again, Prince Legolas."

"Thank you. You as well, Lord Yulor." He then turned to his daughter. "And, of course, it is also a pleasure to see you, Lady Reylien."

"Good morning, Prince Legolas," Reylien smiled shyly. Legolas glanced at his mother but she only smiled back innocently. Then he looked at his father. He gave him an I-had-nothing-to-do-with-this look.

"Lord Yulor and his daughter just returned to Mirkwood from visiting Lothlórien so I thought why not welcome them back by inviting them for tea and maybe have them share stories of how the Golden Wood is as of late," the queen said casually.

"Yes, thank you very much for your hospitality, Your Highness," Lord Yulor replied and turned to Legolas. "Tell me, Prince Legolas, how was the Ball for you?"

Lord Yulor seemed to have a pleasant look on his face as if he was merely making conversation. Legolas couldn't tell if there was something else behind the question. He wasn't expecting it to be brought up so quickly after just barely sitting down.

"It was...interesting." And that was all he said.

The prince smiled politely as a servant poured him a cup of tea. Lord Yulor looked stumped, expecting a more detailed answer than what he gave. He eventually just nodded at the prince's cryptic answer.

"Yes, it was." Reylien agreed a few moments after to break the awkward silence. Her father raised an eyebrow at her. She smiled back politely. He couldn't tell if there was something else behind her words.

"Interesting how, my dear?" the queen suddenly asked.

All eyes went to her. Reylien turned a slight shade of pink. She wasn't fond of attention drawn to her as she wasn't as articulate as some of the other elf-maiden. "Well...there were plenty of elves, more than the usual gatherings we have had here in the Great Wood. I also noticed more of the nobles conversing with each other about the Orc problem..."

Thranduil furrowed his brows. "Yes, they have been more of a problem lately."

"It seems that things are beginning to stir in the East," Lord Yulor added.

The topic of discussion quickly changed as the king and his friend began to talk about the creatures venture into their territory and what sort of things could possess them to cross their boundaries. The two Elves threw out ideas and theories, agreeing and disagreeing with each other. Legolas felt like he was at council meeting. He wondered when they were going to get to the subject of Lothlórien. That was, of course, their purpose of being here...wasn't it?

Queen Terulien noticed Legolas and Reylien's lack of interest in their discussion. She, too, remained quiet as her husband and the elf-lord lost themselves in their conversation. The queen placed a hand on Legolas's arm. "Dear, why don't you take Reylien for a stroll in the garden? I am sure there are plenty of new flowers that have bloomed?"

Legolas inwardly sighed but complied with her request. He figured it was better than being an audience to their fathers' talk about politics, which is something he had grown accustomed to drowning out. He quietly cleared his throat and asked Reylien if she wanted to leave to go explore. She nodded happily. They glance back and neither father even noticed they were gone. The queen smiled her farewell.

"So, milady...tell me where you would like to go?"

"Anywhere," she smiled again shyly.

"Really, what would you like to see? You have been gone a while. I am sure there is something you have not seen in many winters."

Reylien thought for a moment. "Well, actually there is..." Legolas waited for her to finish. "I have heard how magnificent the Great Maze is and the beautiful fountain in the center. I have never been there before as my father thought it to be too dangerous for me. He says Elves are known to get lost inside."

The prince frowned. Anywhere but there. It was the least likely place he thought she would want to see. That place held more memory for him than all the wonderful, majestic places in Lothlórien combined.

Reylien noticed the change in his mood. "We do not have to go there, Prince Legolas. If you also see it to be too dangerous, we can go elsewhere?"

He shook his past memories away and smiled. "No, if you would like to go there, I will take you."

"Are...are you sure, Prince Legolas?"

"Just Legolas, please. And yes, I am sure." He took her hand and led the way. She was surprised by his actions but let him tug her along.

Reylien bit her bottom lip and discreetly kept glancing at the prince holding her hand, which involuntarily made her blush. Reylien tried concentrating on the walk to the maze instead of the warm, tingling feeling she had all over her body. Although she had been with the prince already, the elf-maiden still found him to be intimidating. "Here we are..."

She came out of her daydream when she heard him speak. She hadn't realized how far her reverie had taken her. They were now standing on top of a small hill that sloped down to an entrance. Reylien was amazed at the sight. "I did not realize how big this maze was. Now I understand how one can easily get lost in it."

Legolas softly laughed. "Yes, it can become quite overwhelming if you do not know your way."

"I take it that you have been inside many times?"

"Yes...a few times," he smirked.

Her shy, quiet smile returned. "Do you think...I mean if it is all right...if..."

"Would you like to see the fountain in the middle?" he asked. The elf-maiden nodded.

Lord Yulor's daughter still had many hesitant qualities about her. She was still so timid around him that he had to push a conversation out of her sometimes. Legolas was used to having elf-maidens be more direct toward him when they want something. Reylien was definitely different and her personality amused him.

"Thank you, Prince Legolas—oops! I mean, Legolas," she corrected herself.

The prince tried to hide a smile and decided to do the same thing with Reylien as he did with Le'ariel but with a different incentive. If he had to be there, he was going to make the best of it. Reylien, of course, wasn't the adventurous type, but he still wanted to find out how well she would do.

"Let us make the way to the center a little more interesting, shall we?"

"What do you mean?" Reylien looked nervously at him.

"I will give you a head start to see if you can find the way to the center yourself. If you can find it, I will show you the easiest way to the fountain the next time you decide to visit. And, if you like, I will be happy to accompany you." Legolas smiled that smile of his that made many maiden's hearts melt.

Reylien felt the blood rushing to her cheeks, which made the prince smirk even more. Of course, he knew what he was doing. "What if...I cannot find the way to the fountain? What if I get lost?" Her eyes showed panic as she stared at the maze before her.

"Do not worry," Legolas placed a comforting hand on her arm. "I will be right behind you. And if you stray from the path, I can easily find you." The smile on his face was reassuring. She trusted him enough that this wasn't some cruel joke he had of wanting to leave her inside. "So, what do you say?"

"Umm...okay...very well."

He took her by the hand again and led her to the entrance. "If you feel that you have gotten lost, just call out to me and I will follow your voice."

"You promise to stay true to your word about showing me an easier path next time?"

Legolas crossed his heart with a smile. "On my honor as a prince. But—you must get to the center first. Are you ready?"

"I...I think so?" She took a hesitant step and looked back at Legolas who was still smiling at her. The elf-maiden finally fully stepped inside the grassy walls, feeling her way around.

"Start running, Reylien! You will get there quicker," he yelled out to her.

She didn't know which way his voice came from but she picked up her pace. The adrenaline was rushing to the surface of her skin and her heart beat so loudly in her chest that the whole experience was overwhelming. She had never felt this type of freedom before.

"Are you coming, Prince Legolas?" she called out from where she was.

"Just Legolas!" She heard him respond from somewhere. "And, yes, I am right behind you!" Reylien looked back but she couldn't see him. He was probably picking up his pace, listening to the rustling grass beneath her footsteps, she thought. She, too, picked up her skirts and started to jog faster. It wasn't that easy running in a dress.

This was such a fun experience for her that she hoped she makes it to the center. Her father didn't know what he was talking about. The maze wasn't dangerous at all. There were no enemies or obstacles in the way, except for the grassy paths and a few vines here and there. But, those small things she could handle.

The best part of the maze was the prince following in pursuit. He was used to elf-maidens chasing after him, and the fact that he was now the one doing the chasing was flattering to her. "If you do not hurry, I might just beat you to the center!" she teased.

Legolas was just a few paths behind her. He didn't want to catch up so she could find the center for herself. He slowed down when she took a wrong turn, sometimes even stopping at a corner so she wouldn't see him if she had to double back. It took Reylien a lot longer than Le'ariel did but he didn't want to ruin it for her since she sounded like she was enjoying the game. He heard her laughing then suddenly scream. The elf-prince ran as fast as he could to her.

"Reylien, are you all right?" When he got to her, he saw her on the ground holding her ankle.

"I was not paying attention and tripped over a vine. I think I might have hurt myself."

He touches her ankle and her face scrunched automatically. "It looks like a light sprain. Nevertheless, you should not be walking on it. I will take you to the Houses of Healing." He gathered her into his arms and carried her back effortlessly.

The elf-maiden's famous blush returned as she wrapped her arms around his neck for support. "I am really sorry, Legolas."

"Do not worry, there is always a next time," he smiled. "Your safety comes first. Since you tried so hard, the next time you are willing, I will go ahead and show you the easier path."

"Thank you," she replied, however the words 'next time' made her frown.

"Is your ankle hurting?" asked Legolas. He wasn't sure if he was carrying her too tightly or walking too bluntly, causing her to make that face. "Would you like for me to slow down?"

"No...it is not that," she half-smiled and frowned again. "My father will not be pleased to see me this way. He will think I am being careless again. If you have not noticed, I am not as…coordinated as the other elf-maidens."

He smiled to himself at the obvious. "Do not worry. I will take full blame for your mishap. It was me, of course, that convinced you inside."

"Well...you did not really need to do a lot of convincing," she replied with her pink cheeks. Legolas kept his smile hidden as they headed silently back to the palace.