Yet another song had finished and Aerlaer stood with the blonde woodland elf as they filled two plates with a small portion of nuts and berries and then she followed him as they retreated to sit down on a bench near the tree line. Aerlaer looked cautiously towards the throne across the glade and was gladdened to realise seated, the King's piercing eyes would not see her. She watched amused as the blonde elf casually tossed hazelnuts from his plate into the air, catching them in his mouth.

"Show off." She laughed and he grinned at her.

"They are so good, try one!" He said and picked another hazelnut from his plate and tossed it to her and laughing she caught it in her mouth and crunched down on it.

"You know mixed with apple it actually tastes even better if that is even possible." She mused as she took another bite of an apple she had selected.

"Really?" the blonde elf asked intrigued and took a bit of his own apple, crunching thoughtfully. "Your right this is the best combination!" He exclaimed excitedly and Aerlaer grinned at his enthusiasm. He is so genuinely fun to be in the company of. she thought happily. I wish this eve would not have to end. She took a sip of her wine. it was her third chalice. I think I will not drink any more after this one, I am already feeling a tingling effect and it is still three quarters full! It was quite different from the wine her father imported from Rivendell. She swirled it around in the chalice watching the deep red liquid create a whirlpool.

"You said you are training, what is your strongest skill do you think?" The elf asked, bringing her from her reverie.

"I am quite a good archer I think but I really excel in knife combat." She replied to him with a proud grin.

"I am quite good with my two blades, If I ever do see you on the training fields, perhaps we could indulge in a little knife play?" He suggested.

"Oh but I might best you." She teased and peering up to where his eyes were behind the mask she glimpsed a flash of a challenge in them.

"Do you think so?" He asked with a smirk and she nodded.

"I know so." she grinned and he laughed.

"Well then I think we will have to find out. I will be even more sure to keep an eye out for you now." He cocked his head. "Although you could make it much easier and perhaps tell me your name?" He replied casually.

"That information in which you seek shall remain a mystery." she replied coyly and he shook his head and sighed in exasperation.

"You know you do a lot of exasperated sighing." She teased as she allowed a servant to take her empty plate and now empty chalice, noting with bemusement the elf bowed to them both as he left. The customs here are much more proper then the relaxed manner of the herd. It reminded her of the couple times she had been to Lothlorien to see her grandparents.

"If you would but tell me your name I could change my sighs to ones of relief or happiness." The blonde elf replied and she quirked her head to the side feigning worry.

"Are you trying to say you are not happy?" She asked innocently as they stood up and he led by the hand back to the other dancers. she liked how her hand felt in his. it felt right.

"I must confess I have not felt this happy in a long time and certainly have I not felt this happy in the company of another." He smiled warmly to her and she sighed a happy sigh. "Was that a happy sigh?" He asked with a grin and she nodded as a grin spread across her own features.

"Definitely a happy sigh." she replied as they danced to a fun song and they once again spun around the dance floor. the beat of the music seemingly in sync to her joyful heart.

...

Thranduil had been conversing with a group of elves of his court and as he finished the conversation and looked up and around him his eyes fell on his son. He had noticed earlier he had danced with the wild elf and unease settled in his stomach as he realised it did not look as if Legolas had left the young elleth alone since. The song was now of a slower place and the two elves looked far too comfortable in one another's arms for his liking. Any other court elleth and it would not have bothered him but all elves knew the story of how Galadriel's youngest daughter had been spirited away by a young Prince Falas and joined the herd. He was not going to lose his only son to the herd. He looked far too happy in her presence and he was worried he was already too late. Quickly he stood up and descended his throne, intent on getting to his son through the throngs of dancers. I will not lose him too.

…

An ellon also of the same coloured hair as the nameless elf Legolas danced with appeared by her side. "We must leave he said urgently and she looked to the strange elf, startled. She turned back to Legolas and he could see the undecided look in her eyes.

"I have to go." She said worriedly, glancing around and let go of him, backing away cautiously towards the tree line, where the other elf had disappeared.

"No! Wait! Please don't leave." He called and followed her and she stopped, again undecided. "Stay a little longer, the night is still young." He said softly, hoping she would. She looked into his eyes and then behind him and then towards the dark of the trees.

"I, I can't." She said despondently and he realised she looked as if she might flee like a deer at any moment. He reached out and grasped her hands in his, taking a step closer to her.

"Why not? What are you afraid of?" He asked gently and again she glanced behind him.

"I am not supposed to be here." She admitted worriedly.

"Who are you? Please tell me so I can find you." He pleaded but she shook her head sadly.

"I cannot tell you, I am sorry." She replied and pulled her arms out of his and made to turn away but quickly he grabbed her again, this time gently by her arms.

"No, I must know who you are." He said again and she shook her head again, chewing on her bottom lip.

"I must go, I want to stay but I cannot linger." She stepped towards him and placed a feathery kiss on his cheek. "I wish I could tell you." She murmured sadly and went to pull away. He didn't know what he could do to keep her there. He could not force her to stay and suddenly overcome he pulled her back towards him, holding her by her shoulders and brought his mouth down on hers, carefully kissing her, not giving a damn who saw him do it. He felt a hand come to rest over his heart and then her lips moved under his and she kissed him back and he felt sparked to life by their touch and all too soon she broke away from him, breathing unsteadily by the force of what he had just done. He too fought to draw air back into his seemingly constricted lungs.

"I may not know your name but I now know the sweetness of your lips." He sighed as he let his hands fall from her shoulders.

"Perhaps one day, we will find one another." She said softly and casting another glance over his shoulder and then looked back to him, masked her sadness with a dazzling smile. "Gotta dash!" she said and spinning, bounded swiftly off into the trees.

Legolas watched stunned as she vanished from site. Why am I still standing here, I can't just let her go! He made to race into the woods after her but he felt a hand clamp down on his arm and spun around startled to look into the steely blue eyes of his father.

"Do not follow her Legolas." He said warningly and Legolas looked at him confused and upset and wrenched his arm from his father's grip.

"Legolas that is an order!" The King growled but the younger elf looked at him defiantly and then spun and took off into the woods.

"Legolas!" Thranduil called angrily but his words fell onto unhearing elven ears.