Ah, here it is. Nice long chapter for all you lovely folks. I may or may not post another chapter this week (I am doing terrible getting my work done lately, and it's bow season), but this should tide you over for a while. If you haven't, check out some of my other stories while you wait for another chapter. Enjoy!
Thranduil could barely believe how well his gift worked. Ellissiel was constantly in the stables with Arahil, tending to his every need and talking sweetly to him. By the time her begetting day arrived, the colt was so attached to her that when let out of his stall, he would follow Ellissiel everywhere without a lead or other incentive. Thranduil found her out in the woods, the foal galloping around as she laughed, talking to him happily.
"Good morning!" she called when she saw Thranduil walking towards her. "What are you doing out here?"
"Looking for you," he said as Arahil trotted up to him so the elf could scratch his ears. "How is he doing?"
"Absolutely wonderful. He has started accepting the blanket I put on his back, and he responds very well to voice commands."
"I knew he'd be a smart one," Thranduil said, looking at the horse. "He is progressing fast. You'll still have to wait a few years before you ride him though."
"I know, but until then I have Arandil," she said happily. "I took him out yesterday, by the way. He is such a good boy."
"He likes you almost as much as I do," Thranduil said before he could stop himself. He winced, but Ellissiel took no notice.
"I am happy to hear it. Why were you looking for me?"
"Oh," said Thranduil, glad his mistake had been forgotten. "I was going to make sure you weren't going to skip out on me tonight. You did promise to go to the festival."
"I know," Ellissiel said with a sigh, running her hand down Arahil's neck. "I didn't forget, though I had hoped you would."
"No such luck," Thranduil said with a grin. "I took the precaution of informing your sister that you intended to go, so she will make sure you do."
"Do you not trust me?" Ellissiel said, acting hurt. Thranduil just smiled and tapped her nose, making her scrunch up her face.
"Not when you did such a good job avoiding the last one."
"Well I don't have falling stars as an excuse this time. Though it will be a beautiful harvest moon."
"Get your fill of the moon early then, because I expect you to dance with me all night."
"You will change your mind quickly," Ellissiel said as they started back towards the stable, Arahil trotting between them. "I am a poor dancer."
"I don't believe that."
"It's true. Besides, surely you will want to dance with other ladies there. I'm sure they will be very disappointed if you don't."
"There is only so much of their attention I can take at one time," Thranduil said with a grimace. "I would much rather just dance with you and maintain my sanity. Call it your gift to me in return for Arahil."
"Fine, but you will regret it," Ellissiel said as Thranduil turned to head back to his room while Ellissiel continued into the stable. "Don't say I didn't warn you!"
"I'll take my chances!" Thranduil called back with grin.
When Ellissiel got back to her house, she was immediately ambushed by her sister.
"It's about time you got home! I was afraid you weren't going to get home in time to get ready for the festival."
"It's not even midday yet. How long do you think it takes to get ready?"
"Don't be snippy with me. Quick, eat lunch and we'll get started."
"What about you?" Ellissiel said as her sister ushered her into the kitchen to eat. "Don't you have to get ready?"
"It's far less important that I be ready than for you to be," Quessiel said, forcing Ellissiel into a seat and pushing a plate of food in front of her. "I'm under orders."
"Just because Thranduil asked you to make sure I go doesn't mean you have to bully me for the next eight hours," Ellissiel said sourly.
"Yes it does," Quessiel replied, watching Ellissiel eat. "It is implied that I am suppose to make sure you dress appropriately as well."
"I think you are making some big assumptions," Ellissiel said grumpily into her soup.
"That's your opinion. You will thank me later. Or at least Prince Thranduil will."
"We will see," Ellissiel muttered.
After she finished her soup, Quessiel dragged her into her bedroom and forced her onto the bed.
"First, we'll start with an outfit. You must have something appropriate to wear."
"I doubt it," Ellissiel said, crossing her arms with a smug look on her face. "I've never gone to one of these before so why should I?"
"Not to worry, I have the solution right here."
"Naneth? Why are you helping her torment me?"
"She's not tormenting you, dear," Minuial said with a smile. "She is helping you."
"Ha. That's not how I see it," Ellissiel said as Minuial entered, carefully carrying a midnight blue gown with silver trimming. "You don't actually expect me to wear that, do you?"
"Yes I do," Minuial said as Quessiel took the dress and held it up to examine it. "It won't hurt. I promise."
"This will do nicely," Quessiel said with a grin. "Where did you get it?"
"I knew Ellissiel was going to the festival awhile ago, so I had this made for her," Minuial said, setting down a wooden box on Ellissiel's dresser. "I also brought some jewelry that might go with it as well."
"Is all of this really necessary?" Ellissiel said, pouting on her bed.
"Yes it is," Quessiel said firmly. "You don't want your prince to be disappointed do you?"
"He's not my prince. I think he's just doing this to pick on me."
"I wouldn't count on it," Quessiel muttered so Ellissiel couldn't hear her. She continued in a louder voice so the room's other occupants could hear. "Either way, you are going to look good for the festival. What do you think we should do with her hair?"
Althrin knocked on Ellissiel's door sometime after dark, hoping she was around. He was going to ask if she wanted to go sit up on the hill and watch the harvest moon with him for her begetting day. The festival gave him the perfect excuse to go do something with her, as Thranduil's obligations meant he would be at the celebration. He clutched a small package in his hand to give her as well.
"Good evening Althrin. What can I help you with?"
"I was looking for Ellissiel, my lady," Althrin said.
"I will go get her," Minuial said. "Please, come in and sit." Minuial disappeared for a moment before returning, Ellissiel in tow. Althrin stood up, shocked at what he saw.
"I knew it was too much," Ellissiel said bitterly. She was wearing a dark blue gown trimmed in silver, with silver shoes and a necklace of silver stars. Her hair was mostly down, but had been braided over each of her ears, with the braids meeting in the back to form a single larger braid.
"You look amazing," Althrin managed to get out. After a moment, when the shock wore off, he realized how uncharacteristic her clothes were. "Why are you wearing that?"
"To suffer," she said, glaring at Quessiel as she walked by.
"She is going to the festival tonight and had to dress appropriately," Quessiel answered, returning the glare.
"Why are you going to the festival?" Althrin asked, disappointed. "I was hoping to go sit up on the hill and watch the harvest moon."
"Oh Althrin, I am sorry. I promised Thranduil I would go to the festival. I owe him, after he gave me Arahil."
"That's okay," Althrin said, thinking it was far from okay. "Perhaps you can leave early and come up to the hill with me?"
"I will certainly try," Ellissiel said with a smile. "Since my irritating sister has kept me inside since noon."
"It's for your own good," Quessiel called from the other room.
"Great," he said, feeling slightly better. "I got this for you for your begetting day." He held out the package he had been holding. Ellissiel took it from him, grinning happily as she sat down to open it. He sat beside her, wringing his hands nervously, hoping she would like it.
"Althrin! It is beautiful!" she said, holding up a silver necklace with a charm made up of a blue sapphire in the shape of a star and crystal moon. "I love it."
"I had hoped you would," he said as she hugged him.
"It will go great with this dress. Will you put it on?" she asked, handing it to him and taking off her other necklace. He carefully took it out of her hands and as she pulled her hair out of the way, he put it around her neck.
"That really completes the outfit," Minuial said, entering the room and smiling at her daughter. "You look beautiful, Lissi."
"Thank you naneth," she said, for the first time not regretting having to wear the gown. "You didn't know about the necklace, did you?"
"No I didn't," Minuial confessed. "But I'm glad I settled on that color."
"It suits you," Althrin said, marveling at how wonderful Ellissiel looked. He didn't get the chance to look for very long, however.
"Alright, Lissi, time to go," Quessiel said, entering the room and taking charge again. "You don't want to keep the prince waiting."
"I'll see you later, Althrin," Ellissiel said as she stood up and let her sister shoo her out the door.
Althrin sat there for a moment, deep in thought, until Minuial interrupted him.
"Are you alright, Althrin?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
"Yes, sorry, my lady," he said, smiling up at her. "I should be going now. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Althrin."
"You are surprisingly calm," Balamaethor observed. Thranduil just smiled, pulling on his sleeve as he looked in the mirror.
"I don't have to worry about Lissi not coming this time," Thranduil replied. "I enlisted her sister's assistance."
"How does Lissi feel about that?" Balamaethor asked.
"She's going along with it reluctantly. She feels she has to in payment for Arahil."
"And it doesn't bother you that you are manipulating her?"
"She will enjoy herself, she just needs the initial push out the door," Thranduil said confidently. He was quite happy with himself at the moment. He had successfully got Ellissiel to agree to go to the festival, and he had gotten her a begetting gift that he was certain she would love.
Thranduil was dressed this time in a dark crimson tunic and black legging, while Balamaethor wore a dark orange and yellow tunic with brown leggings. As tradition dictated, they dressed for the season.
"Raina is letting you wear that color?" Thranduil asked, looking over at his friend as Balamaethor pulled on his boots.
"She picked it out," he said, smiling. "Pick on me all you want, you would do the same if Lissi picked something out for you." Thranduil knew that there was truth in this statement, so he refrained from responding. "Anyway, I'm ready when you are."
"I'm ready," Thranduil said.
They walked down to the festival much the same as they did before. Once again, Thranduil was set upon by ladies as soon as he arrived. Not seeing Ellissiel anywhere, he accepted a dance with a young lady with light brown hair, carefully avoiding Lady Brilnariel, who was attempting to get between him and the other ladies.
He had only danced with a few elleths before Balamaethor and Raina appeared at his shoulder, dancing close enough that Balamaethor could whisper in his ear.
"She's here."
Thranduil looked around in the direction Balamaethor indicated, and saw to his delight that Ellissiel had arrived, dressed in a beautiful dark blue gown. He didn't care that it wasn't necessarily seasonal. She looked magnificent, if slightly uncomfortable.
"Excuse me," he said to the lady whom he currently danced with, extracting himself from her grip before the song ended and hurrying up to Ellissiel.
"May I have this dance?" he asked with a smile when he appeared at her elbow. She looked around at him, returning his smile.
"Of course, my lord," she said, taking is proffered hand and letting him lead her out onto the dance floor.
"You look radiant, Lissi," he said as they began moving with the music. "And since I didn't say it earlier, happy begetting day."
"Thank you, on both accounts," Ellissiel said with a smile. "I hope you appreciate what I went through before Quessiel was satisfied to let me out of the house."
"Oh I do," Thranduil said smirking. "I will have to extend my appreciation to her later."
"It's not all her work," Ellissiel said, glancing down at herself. "My mother bought the dress, and the necklace is from Althrin. He gave it to me today for my begetting day."
"I see," said Thranduil, not happy their conversation had strayed to Althrin, but doing his best to be pleasant about it.
"Speaking of which, with your permission, I would like to leave before midnight," she said, not noticing the change in tone. "I told him I would go watch the harvest moon with him for awhile."
"Certainly," Thranduil said, wishing he could strangle Althrin for ruining his perfect moment. "But at some point I need to give you your present."
"I don't think you can top Arahil," Ellissiel said happily. "But I look forward to seeing you try."
"Perhaps I can't," Thranduil said, happy to be on a different topic. "But I think I put forth a satisfactory effort all the same."
"Stop teasing me, or I will make you go get it right now," Ellissiel said, punching him playfully.
They danced for quite a while, enjoying themselves immensely. Thranduil was happy to be dancing with Ellissiel, and Ellissiel was happy she had Thranduil and did not have to sit on her own watching the dancing like she had expected she would whenever she contemplated going to these festivals. They were only interrupted when Novathin appeared and requested a dance with Ellissiel.
"Of course, my lord," Ellissiel said, letting go of Thranduil and taking Novathin's hand. Thranduil was less than pleased about the arrangement, but let his friend take Ellissiel away from him for a dance. Unfortunately, that freed him up to be attacked by ladies who sought to dance with him. He went through several more dance partners, watching Ellissiel as she danced with Novathin, then Lithiavas, and then Balamaethor. Thranduil was thankful when Balamaethor took her hand, because that freed Raina up to dance with him. He liked Raina, and was grateful to get a chance to dance with someone who wasn't shamelessly trying to flirt with him.
"How are you this evening, my lady?" he asked pleasantly.
"Quite happy, my lord. I would ask how you are, but I think I can guess," she said with a smile. "Balamaethor tells me you have been spending a great deal of time with Lady Ellissiel."
"We are getting along quite well, yes," he said, knowing he was going to have to do better than that to satisfy her natural curiosity.
"I heard about the horse as well," Raina continued, watching to see what his reaction would be. He just smiled pleasantly as they continued swaying with the music.
"She loves horses so much it was a shame she didn't have one," he said as if he was simply taking pity on Ellissiel.
"Don't hide your feelings from me, Prince Thranduil," Rania said, giving him a knowing look. "I've heard enough to know that you aren't just being generous."
Thranduil didn't get a chance to respond, however, because there was a shriek behind him, which caused the music to stop instantly. He and Raina hurried over to where the commotion had started. He was surprised to see Ellissiel in the middle of a circle of onlookers, one of her sleeves torn and her hair falling out of the braids, framing the angry look on her face, with Balamaethor standing next to her nervously. Across from them stood Lady Brilnariel, who was brushing her hands down the front of her dress, looking at the other elleth haughtily.
"You are nothing but a dirty little horse thief," Brilnariel was saying to Ellissiel. "I thought you had enough sense not to try and pretend to be a something you aren't. Because you certainly are not a lady, no matter how you dress."
"I may be a horse thief, but at least I'm not a pig in a dress," Ellissiel said, angry tears in her eyes. While Brilnariel looked at her in shock, she turned and pushed her way through the crowd. Thranduil quickly tried to follow her, but the crowd began moving around, getting in his way as he push his way through towards where Ellissiel disappeared.
"Oh, my lord, I was hoping to find you. Would you honor me with a dance?"
"After seeing that display, Lady Brilnariel, I can think of a great number of things I would rather do than dance with you," Thranduil said angrily, finding an opening and squeezing through to disappear into the night after Ellissiel.
By the time he escaped the crowd, Ellissiel was long gone. However, he was fairly certain he knew where he would find her. His guess proved right, as he found her sitting in Arahil's stall, her arms wrapped around her knees, her face buried in the front of her dress. Thranduil slowly opened the door, making Arahil look around at him from where he stood, hovering beside Ellissiel. Without saying anything, Thranduil sat beside Ellissiel, putting his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer to him. He could feel her body shaking as she cried silently, and he let her continue, waiting patiently for her to regain her composure.
"I'm sorry," she sniffed finally, not picking up her head. Thranduil looked down at her, concerned.
"There is no need to be sorry. I don't know what Brilnariel did to you, but I know it wasn't your fault."
"No, I'm sorry for agreeing to go to the festival. This wouldn't have happened at all if I had stayed at home, or gone out to see the moon instead."
"Don't say that," Thranduil said, rubbing her shoulder. "Lady Brilnariel was out of line to say you didn't belong there."
"But she's right. I shouldn't pretend to be something I'm not."
"You aren't pretending. So you may have stolen some horses when you were little, and you may have chosen to do other things besides dance and feast in the past. So what? That doesn't mean you don't belong at the festival."
"You are too nice to me, Thranduil," Ellissiel said, looking up at him with bloodshot eyes. The tears on her cheeks made his heart break.
"Nonsense," he said, kissing her forehead without thinking. "I can't think of a single person who I would rather spend time with than you. Were you at least having fun before Brilnariel accosted you?"
"Yeah," Ellissiel said with a sniff, putting her chin on her knees. "I was."
"Good," Thranduil said with a smile. "So was I."
"I guess I'll never forget this begetting day, will I?" Ellissiel said with a small laugh.
"No, you probably won't," Thranduil agreed. "Speaking of which, I still have to give you your gift."
"You can give it to me tomorrow," Ellissiel said. "I would rather stay here for now."
"Not a problem, it is with Arandil's tack right now," Thranduil said, standing up. "I'll be right back."
A few minutes later, Thranduil returned, sitting back down next to Ellissiel, putting a long thin package in front of her.
"I hope it isn't horse treats," Ellissiel said, folding her legs down so she could put the package on her lap.
"No such luck," Thranduil said with a laugh. "Go on, open it."
Ellissiel untied the string and began carefully peeling back the paper.
"Oh Thranduil," she said softly, holding up a green and brown tunic, golden stars embroidered artistically down the front. "It is beautiful."
"Since you have your own horse, I think it's about time you had a riding outfit. There are also leggings and a split skirt in there, depending on what you decide you want to wear."
"Thank you so much," Ellissiel said, putting down the tunic so she could wrap her arms around his neck in a hug. "I love it."
"I had hoped you would," he said happily as she let go and looked back down at the outfit. "I look forward to the day I get to see you wear it while riding Arahil."
"I look forward to that day, too," Ellissiel said, looking up at him. "Do you have to get back to the festival?"
"No, I'm not needed for anything at this point. I've made my appearance and that's all I really am required to do. I can stay with you as long as you want me to."
"Good," Ellissiel said, leaning her head on his shoulder, making him smile.
They sat in silence for a time. Thranduil's mind was wandering freely, but it always came back to the elleth whose heartbeat he could feel against his arm as she held it tightly. At this point there was no question in his mind that he loved her. He would have liked to have taken her in his arms, confess his feelings, and kissed her passionately right then and there. But he knew that wasn't the best idea after the day she had had, so he chose to be content having her sitting so close to him.
Eventually he realized her breathing had slowed down, indicating she had fallen asleep. With a smile, he kissed the top of her head before carefully extracting his arm from her grip and standing up. She moved slightly as he bent down, picking her up gently, but she stayed asleep, his gift to her still on her lap. Her head rested on his chest as he exited the stall, carrying her out of the stables in the direction of her house.
"Quessiel told me what happened," Minuial said as she held the door open so Thranduil could bring her daughter inside. "Thank you for bring her back."
"Of course," Thranduil said as Minuial led him through the house to Ellissiel's bedroom. Gently, he put her down on the bed, laying her gift on the bedside table and pulling the sheets up over her as she rolled over onto her side. He would have liked to have kissed her cheek at that point, but decided against it, since Ellissiel's mother was standing right behind him. He satisfied himself by tucking a loose hair behind her ear, his fingers gently rubbing against her cheek and brushing the tip of her ear. Tearing his eyes away, he turned to leave, Minuial closing the door behind them.
As he made to leave, Minuial stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"I am very glad that Ellissiel met you, Prince Thranduil," she said softly, looking up at him. "I know your friendship means a great deal to her."
"Thank you, my lady," Thranduil said, smiling down at her. "It means a lot to me to hear you say that." Minuial took her hand off his arm, and Thranduil left without another word.
Ellissiel was eating lunch when Althrin knocked on her door the next day.
"Good morning!" she said happily, letting him in. "How are you today?"
"A little upset, to be honest," he said, looking down at her. "Why didn't you come watch the moon last night?"
"I am so sorry, Althrin! I completely forgot. I kind of had a bad experience at the festival and got distracted."
"What happened?"
"I think Lady Brilnariel was jealous that I am friends with Prince Thranduil. She attacked me, tearing my dress sleeve."
"Are you alright?" Althrin asked, looking her up and down for signs of further injury.
"Of course. No real harm done. I was a little upset, but Thranduil made me feel better about the whole thing. Guess what he got me for my begetting day?"
"I have no idea," Althrin said, his voice betraying his resentment. Ellissiel failed to notice, and just disappeared into her room before returning, carrying her gift.
"It's a new riding outfit! Now I don't have to wear a dress and leggings anymore."
"Wow, that's great," Althrin said, sounding like he thought it was not at all great. But once again, Ellissiel was distracted as her father came in.
"Well since you were asleep when you came home last night, we didn't get to give you our begetting gift either," Dintieron said with a smile. "Come with me." Ellissiel and Althrin followed him into his study, where he bent down behind his desk, coming up with a beautiful leather saddle.
"Oh ada!" Ellissiel said, moving forward to run her hands across the smooth surface, fingering the elegant designs on the edges. "It is amazing."
"It's only right for you to have a proper saddle when Arahil get's big enough to ride. I know you have a few years, but I couldn't let Prince Thranduil best me in gift giving."
"Oh ada, I knew you were going to say that," Ellissiel said with a laugh, hugging her father and rushing away to hug her mother, Althrin standing to the side, forgotten.
Thranduil sat in the library with Balamaethor, deep into a book about the wars between the Dwarves and Elves. He looked up as he heard footsteps approaching. He smiled when he saw that it was Ellissiel, dressed in the riding tunic and split skirt he had given her.
"Good morning, my lords," she said happily, spinning around when she reached the end of their table. "What do you think?"
"I think it suits you perfectly," Thranduil said, glad she was enjoying his gift. "I assume this means you are going riding?"
"Yes, I was going to take Arandil out for a few hours. You don't need him do you?"
"Nope. I'm stuck in here until dinner."
"Sad for you, good for me," Ellissiel teased. "Oh, and I wanted to thank you for trying to help me last night, Balamaethor."
"Of course, Lissi. I just wish I had been more successful."
"There's only so much you could have done without manhandling her. Anyway, I'm off! I will see you both at dinner."
"Have fun, Lissi," Thranduil said, watching her disappear back out of the library.
I don't know, what do you guys think of the scene with Brilnariel? I felt like it was necessary after talking about her before, but I really don't like it and may rewrite it later. In the mean time, I didn't want to harp on it. It feels too cliched. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to your reviews!