Chapter One – Spring Feast

ONE YEAR AGO

Lord Elrond and his daughter, Arwen, always held a feast at the beginning of each season. The spring feast was always Legolas' favorite. It was when Rivendell was the most beautiful. The trees held the yellow, pink, and white blossoming flowers, while the fields beneath the city were adorned in wildflowers of any imaginable color. The river that flowed through Rivendell, which froze over in winter, was thawed and created music in the air as it splashed and babbled. Yes, spring was Legolas' favorite time to be in Rivendell.

That spring, however, Legolas was anticipating the spring feast more so out of curiosity. His cousin, Arwen, had sent him an interesting letter that winter. In it, she spoke of an elf-maiden who had been staying with she and Lord Elrond while he had healed her father, who had been injured near Rivendell. Arwen had developed a fast friendship with the elf-maiden and had an inkling that Legolas would be interested in getting to know the elf-maiden as well, but that he would want to get to know her much differently than Arwen had. She then went on to tell him that she had invited the elf-maiden, and her father, in advance, to the spring feast.

Legolas wondered about the elf-maiden that Arwen had written about. Ever since Arwen had begun her relationship with Aragorn, she was quite fixed on finding a partner for Legolas. She worried that he spent too much time on everything else but finding a mate. She often introduced Legolas to elf-maidens from Rivendell or old family friends, but nothing had ever come of those meetings. Legolas would always be kind and polite to the maiden, but, at the end of the night, when they parted ways, they never spoke again.

As he rode into Rivendell the morning of the spring feast, Legolas shook his head with a chuckle. He knew just how the night would play out, but he was curious, nonetheless. But, he pushed the elf-maiden to the back of his mind as he seeked Aragorn out, excited to see his dearest friend after having not seen him for many months. The two spent the rest of the morning, and most of the afternoon, catching up on what had been going on in one another's lives. They parted ways when Arwen found them and scolded them both for not being ready for that evening's festivities.

Legolas hadn't bothered to bring along a proper tunic for the feast, for he knew that Arwen would have one waiting for him in the guest bedroom he stayed in. That particular evening, she had picked out a very nice tunic. It was made from silver material and had a high collar. Along with the tunic were a fresh pair of crisp, white tights and a set of silver slippers. When he had dressed in the outfit his cousin had chosen for him, Legolas looked himself over in the mirror long enough to make sure he was dressed properly.

A knock came at the door just as Legolas was about to leave the room. He wasn't surprised to see Arwen on the other side of the door when he opened it.

"Arwen, coming to check up on how well I cleaned up are you?" Legolas asked with a grin. He stretched out his arms and spun dramatically for her. "Are you pleased?"

"Almost." Arwen gave him a smile. "Please let me do something with your hair."

"Alright cousin, I will let you have your way." Legolas bowed to her before heading over to the vanity. He sat down in the chair.

Arwen stood behind him and brushed through his long, blonde hair first. She was gentle as she ran the brush through each section. After she had finished, she opened one of the vanity drawers, searching through them. Once she had found what she was looking for, she pulled it out and showed it to Legolas.

"It is like a laurel that has been cut in half, and without the leaves." Legolas commented, running his finger along the polished, light colored wood.

"Yes. I think it will look handsome intertwined with your beautiful hair." Arwen then set about carefully placing it around his head. It went across his forehead and ended just behind his ears. Arwen brushed certain sections in front of it, and then stepped back. "Now I am pleased."

"Thank you." Legolas stood and turned towards his cousin. "I would offer to escort you to the feast, but I know that there is a certain ranger who is waiting to do that."

"Legolas," Arwen stepped forward and brushed her fingers along the length of his cheek, "I want very much for you to find love. I hope that tonight you find it."

"Perhaps I will." Legolas replied.

From there, Arwen left to go and find Aragorn. Legolas made his way to the feast hall, where it was heavily decorated in intricate floral arrangements and garlands of sweet smelling herbs that hung from the candles on the walls and from the chandeliers. There were already many of the guests there, standing around, conversing and drinking wine. There was a troupe of players, ready to play music for the evening once the dinner was over with.

Legolas stood close to the stairs leading down to the feast hall, waiting for Aragorn and Arwen. He assumed that Arwen would introduce Legolas to the elf-maiden once she had arrived. While he waited, he looked over all of the maidens present, wondering which of them he was going to be escorting for the evening.

Aragorn arrived not long after Legolas had, with Arwen on his arm. They both wore matching colors: red and gold. When they reached the end of the stairs, Arwen immediately went to where Legolas stood. She took his hand, beaming, and began to lead him through the gatherings of people.

"Wait here." Arwen suddenly told Legolas, her beaming smile growing wider and wider with excitement. Legolas couldn't help but smile back at her at seeing how happy she was. He did as he was told and waited where she had left him.

A few seconds later, Arwen was returning with the elf-maiden on her arm. She had curly, red hair that billowed out around her, and framed her sun kissed face. Her green eyes were locked onto Legolas'. She appeared bold and unafraid.

"Legolas, this is Valaina. Valaina, this is Legolas." Arwen introduced the two, her voice bubbly and excited as she looked from his face to hers. She unwound her arm from around Valaina's.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Valaina. I have heard many good things about you." Legolas took Valaina's hand in his and gave it a quick kiss. "I trust you had a safe and pleasant journey?"

"I did thank you." Valaina replied, her voice clear and unwavering. Her eye contact faltered for the first time from Legolas' as she shook her head with a slight smile. "I almost forgot. Arwen extended an invitation to my father, but I forced him to decline due to his injury. I invited my cousin along instead."

"Of course! How rude of me." Arwen appeared to remember Valaina's cousin at the same moment that Valaina had. "I was going to introduce her to the escort I had for her this evening, but I think I will introduce her to Legolas first."

Arwen disappeared for a second, and reappeared with Valaina's cousin. Legolas couldn't help the way that he looked so quickly away from Valaina. When he saw the elf-maiden on Arwen's arm, he could barely even be bothered to breathe. Her dark, brown hair was wavy, and fell freely down her front a few inches past her waist. Her eyes were wide, as though she were seeing everything for the first time, and almost as dark as her hair. Her skin was pale, but glowed in the candlelight in the most angelic of ways.

"Legolas, this is Belleruraina." Arwen introduced the two, her voice with a bit of a question in it when she caught Legolas' stare.

Legolas was definitely aware that Belleruraina was beautiful, and he was even more so aware that he was attracted to her physical appearance. But when their eyes met, and he saw her blush and his excellent hearing picked up on the sudden, quickening beats of her heart, he was smitten with her.

Legolas was crestfallen when Arwen whisked Belleruraina away to introduce her to her own escort. However, he wanted to make his cousin happy, and so, he offered Valaina his arm and led her to the table where the dinner would be eaten. He was very gentlemanly; pulling out Valaina's chair and then pushing her closer to the table.

But, he could not deny himself as his eyes flickered from face to face, looking for Belleruraina's. They finally settled upon her. He was slightly surprised to see that she was already looking at him. When their eyes met, hers suddenly disappeared from his. Legolas would have been hurt had her face not flushed a lovely red like it had before. Though Belleruraina's eyes were on the placemat in front of her, Legolas didn't tear his from her.

Suddenly, though, Belleruraina's eyes slowly moved back up to Legolas' face. Their eyes met once more, but this time, their gaze wasn't broken. At least, not by Belleruraina's shyness.

"…Legolas?"

"Hmm?" Legolas quickly turned towards Valaina. She appeared annoyed, but her face changed once he had acknowledged her. He listened while she spoke, and then asked her question once more. He answered her politely, and then, when she turned to the person sitting next to her, Legolas turned back towards Belleruraina's direction.

He noticed that she was silently giggling. He cocked an eyebrow and pointed to himself, wondering if it was he that had made her laugh. She nodded in response, covering her mouth with one of her hands to hide her continuous, quiet laughter. Legolas couldn't help but smile. He had never before been so smitten with a maiden.

Dinner was interesting. Legolas tried to continue his gentlemanly ways by holding the occasional conversation with Valaina. He felt a pang of guilt, for Valaina truly did seem like a bright and intelligent maiden, but he couldn't help the way that he felt for Belleruraina. He found himself sneaking glances at her while he half listened to Valaina talking. He studied the way Belleruraina sipped her wine (very rarely did she), ate her food (daintily when she thought someone was watching, but she took bigger bites almost secretly), and how often she blinked (there were moments when her eyelids seemed to almost flutter).

Once the dinner was finished, Legolas led Valaina towards the area of the hall where couples were dancing. No matter where they were dancing, his eyes always located Belleruraina. She never did dance with her escort. Legolas could hear him ask her to dance, but she always turned him down. He wondered why.

"You are not as stealthy as you think you are." Valaina finally said as she danced with Legolas.

"I do not understand." Legolas asked confusedly, turning his attention to Valaina.

"You have been trying to sneak looks at my cousin all evening." Valaina said with a smirk. "I must admit, though, you did try very hard to be discreet. That was very polite of you."

"Was I that obvious?" Legolas asked, giving up the pretense.

"Well, it was not just your glances that tipped me off." Valaina pointed towards an elf standing alone. He grinned at her when he saw her looking at him, and she smiled back. "He and I have been sharing looks most of the evening as well. Had you truly been interested in me, you would have noticed."

"I am sorry to have been so rude Valaina. I truly am." Legolas replied apologetically.

"There is no need to apologize. You should go to Belleruraina."

Legolas brought Valaina's hand to his lips and gave it a grateful kiss. Then, without another word, she headed over to the elf she had pointed to. Legolas, on the other hand, turned towards where Belleruraina had been standing with her escort. He was puzzled to see her not standing there. He looked around the room for a few moments before his eyes found her heading up the staircase and out of the feast hall.

Legolas quickly followed her. He left the feast hall and looked around, only to find that he had lost Belleruraina. He smelled the air, trying to pick up her scent. She had smelled heavily of lavender. He closed his eyes and took in a breath. He followed the scent of lavender, and sure enough, came upon Belleruraina in the garden near the healing pavilion. She was standing in the moonlight, looking up at the sky.

Slowly, Legolas approached her. When he was standing a few inches behind her, he stopped. She hadn't moved since he had come upon her. He wondered if she had heard him approach.

"It is a beautiful night." Belleruraina suddenly murmured. Her voice was soft.

"Aye," Legolas agreed, taking a step towards her, "very fitting."

"For the night of the spring feast?" Belleruraina asked sincerely. Legolas found it endearing that she honestly had no idea what he was getting at.

"For the company I am in." Legolas replied, taking another step.

Belleruraina turned around to face him. In the moonlight, her skin still held that glow. That, plus the way that the light hit her hair and created almost a halo about her, made her look like an angel. Legolas almost burst when, even in the dark, he could make out the blush upon her face.

"Valaina…" Belleruraina's voice trailed off as Legolas shook his head before she could finish. He took one final step towards her, closing most of the distance between them. He enjoyed the sound, once again, of her heart beating quickly.

"I make you nervous."

"Yes." She answered him simply, though he wasn't asking. She averted her eyes from his, only for him to tip her chin up with one of his fingers.

"I am very glad that your cousin brought you along." Legolas whispered, slowly moving the finger that had been beneath Belleruraina's chin to her cheek. He gently ran the backs of his fingers along her skin. It was just as soft as her voice.

"As am I." Belleruraina sighed, closing her eyes.

Legolas reluctantly removed his fingers from Belleruraina's face. At the same moment, she opened her eyes.

"Why did you deny your escort a dance?" Legolas asked suddenly, remember what he had overheard inside.

"I…" Belleruraina's voice trailed off. She cleared her throat. "I am not a good dancer. My father tried to teach me when I was an elfling, but gave up on me."

"Will you dance with me?" Legolas asked, offering his hand.

"Here?" Belleruraina asked confusedly, looking around at the garden before meeting Legolas' eyes.

"Aye."

"What if-"

"Please dance with me." Legolas pleaded quietly, offering his hand once more. He waited patiently for her to decide. He was pleased when Belleruraina slowly put her hand in his. Legolas took her waist with his free hand, and waited for her to find a comfortable place on his broad shoulder.

In one quick movement, Legolas had picked Belleruraina up off of her feet and set her back down so that her feet were mounted on his. Then, he began to dance. He liked the way that she kept looking down at their feet in amazement. It made him smile, and warmed his heart.

They danced for what seemed like hours. During all of their dancing, Belleruraina bravely leaned her head on Legolas' chest. He, in turn, pulled her closer to his body.

"Legolas?" Belleruraina suddenly spoke, lifting her head from his chest.

"Aye?"

"Those who are close to me call me Belle."