b Amiriel's POV /b
He stops in front of me and looks into my eyes. I struggle to control my breathing; I can hear my heart pounding in my chest! I think it is no longer a secret how attracted to him I am, for I can read it in his eyes. But does he share my feelings?
He holds out his hand to me and calls me by my name, asking me to dance with him. My Prince – you need not ask me twice! I step forward and my stomach churns as his warm hand wraps around mine. He leads me across the floor and stops near the center. He turns to me and draws me close; his hand upon my waist and my hand on his shoulder. Valar – I need air! I can scarcely breathe!
He leads me in a slow waltz, allowing me time to calm down. So perceptive – nothing seems to escape his eyes. I see his gaze flick to my hair and his eyes glint before his gaze returns to my face. He tells me that I should wear my hair down more often, for I look beautiful tonight. He finds me beautiful? Oh, how I wish this dance would never end!
In turn I compliment his choice of tunic, saying that it brings out the colour of his eyes. His brilliant smile widens at that. Feeling more comfortable now, after seeing his disarming smile, I comment that should he smile like that much longer it would freeze on his face. He only winks at me and says it is all for the better, for when he frowns, the i ellyth /i think they have displeased him. I think back to the time when he frowned at me as I prevented him from leaving the healing wing. I say that his frown has little effect on me. He laughs – oh, that beautiful, melodic laugh – and says that such a resistance is a rarity amoung those he knows.
We are silent for a while, and I am thankful that this is a long dance. Glancing up at the dais tells me that the King, Lord Voronwë and Lord Morion are grinning knowingly at us. I ask Legolas why they look at us so and he explains that they think he has fallen for me. I do not ask him if it is true, regardless of the fact I desperately want to know. It is not courteous and I fear his answer; for should he not feel as I do my heart will shatter.
However, my heart leaps at his ext phrase. 'I have been taken by you for quite some time now.' I look up at him and see his softened gaze trained on me. I want to say something but I cannot find the words, and I doubt my throat will allow any speech. Instead, I smile, and he understands my loss for words, for it is not every day the Prince confesses he has eyes for an i elleth /i .
He then switches to another topic of discussion, inquiring about my mother and my own well-being. I recover from my shock at his confession and tell him of my mother's latest fashion creations. He nods and says that should he ever require a unique article of clothing, he would visit my mother. Oh, how happy my mother would be to be of service to one of the Royal Family! I feel an overpowering sense of gratitude towards Legolas and I thank him. He responds that it would be the least he could do after all those times I have tended to his wounds. The he voices the fact that he thinks I enjoyed it. I feel a heat spread across my cheeks. Valar, please do not allow him to read the emotions in my eyes at the moment!
The dance draws to a close and he pulls me a little closer to kiss my cheek. Fire shoots across the spot where his lips touch my skin, and then he proceeds to whisper in my ear, telling me to meet him in the gardens after the celebration. I feel my heart leap for joy in my chest as we part and he smiles at me before turning to do what duty asks of him; to dance with the other i ellyth /i .
I want this evening to end so I can be alone with Legolas and confess my feelings to him. I want to feel his hands at my waist and his lips on my own. Can I contain myself until then? I shall soon find out.