Disclaimer: At least I have been able to remember to put this on so far. The LOTR characters are still not mine, the ones not recognized from the books are.
James8 is beta-ing for me. (Thanks for the review to!)
I want to thank the people reading my story so far. Emily it is grand to see you reviewing me again. I hope you enjoy it! Mdm Nightcrawler, Maria, Zammy, EmySumei, non-christian, and anonymouse, I am working on the next chapters now. Thank you for the reviews!
Haldir lives!
Speaking in "quotes".
Thinking in italics.
Chapter 4
Elegain stood in front of her closet wearing a light bathrobe trying to figure out what to wear for dinner this evening. I wonder what Haldir's favorite color is. There was a soft knock at the door and her mother entered carrying a wrapped package that she sat down on the bed beside her.
Lady Gaealis smiled thoughtfully at her daughter, "I thought you would like something new for your birthday." Elle smiled gleefully and sat down on the bed next to her mother to open the package. The soft tissue paper fell away to reveal a supple blue material that seemed to flow through her fingers. She stood and held the material up finding intricate elvish patterns stitched along the hems of the neckline, sleeves, train, and around the waist. A silver cord lay on the bottom of the box presumably as a belt.
Elle couldn't believe her eyes, "Mom, this has to be the finest dress I have ever seen!"
"Just imagine what you might say when you actually put it on." Lady Gaealis laughed at her daughter's reaction.
"It would have to be a very special occasion for me to put on such an extravagant dress." Elle placed the dress onto a hanger in her closet smoothing the material so it would not wrinkle.
"Your father ordered it specifically for your birthday from the Lorien elves. Haldir and his group brought it along from the elven seamstress who made it. I believe your father expects you to wear it to dinner tonight." Lady Gaealis stood up to leave her daughter to dress. "I'm sure Haldir would notice the dress."
Elle blushed, "Mother!"
"I just thought I'd mention that." Lady Gaealis teased her daughter lightly. She pulled the bedroom door shut behind her leaving her daughter to her thoughts.
Elle pulled the dress out of the closet and stood in front of the full-length mirror next to her closet holding the dress to her. She smiled as she ran her hand over the light, silky material; Haldir probably would notice this dress. It is from his home and has elvish markings on it. Elle slipped off her bathrobe and gingerly pulled the light blue dress on. The dress fit her form perfectly without clinging to her too tightly. It circled around her shoulders and the bell sleeves ended at her elbows. She pulled the silver cord around her hips a couple of times and tied it in a classic knot allowing it to trail down her side. She gathered her blonde hair into a loose bun letting several tendrils hang around her face. Elle finished by touching her lips with a red gloss her mother had given to her. She inhaled deeply and stepped in front of the mirror to see how she looked. Not bad, Haldir might notice.
XxXxX
Elle took another deep breath before entering into the dinner hall. The number of people who had gathered in her parent's manor surprised her. She walked down the first step and was greeted by a loud "Happy Birthday Elegain!"
She blushed but smiled widely, "Thank you!" She laughed out loud at the applause.
Her mother and father waited at the bottom of the stairs smiling proudly at her. There were murmurs through the small crowd as she hugged her parents.
"Did you invite all of Limduin Daddy?" Elle took another look around the room recognizing everyone.
"Of course Elegain, Limduin is not that big. Why not invite all of our friends to your sixteenth birthday party?" Lord Gaealis climbed the first three steps of the main staircase and clapped his hands to gather the attention of his people, "My friends! Tonight we gather not only for my lovely daughter's sixteenth birthday…" There were loud cheers and even some whistles throughout the hall and Elle's cheeks started to glow a little bit more. "…but also our Lorien friends join us!" Another loud uproar from the crowd burst forth. The elves smiled appreciatively at the crowd. Lord Gaealis continued, "Eat, dance and be merry for tonight is a celebration of friendship and family!" The crowd continued the roar of approval as the music began.
Elle was wished happy birthday by several people as the music began. She greeted everyone happily, but her eyes wandered towards the table where the elves were gathered with some people from the village. She didn't have much time to dwell on what Haldir was doing.
"Elegain, may I have the first dance?" Lord Gaealis held out his hand to his daughter.
"Of course Daddy." He swung her around the floor with ease among the other dancers. "Do you like your present?"
"It's the prettiest dress I have every seen Daddy." Elle hugged her father, "It must have been very expensive though."
"That, my dear, is none of your concern. Besides, you will only turn sixteen once. It makes you look older though, I'm not too sure I like it now." Lord Gaealis smiled down at his daughter teasingly.
"Don't worry Daddy, I am sure I will grow out of it quick enough."
"Elle the dress is finely made and can be altered as you grow if need be. You are too young to think so old. Tonight is your night to have fun. Stop worrying so much." They bowed to each other at the end of the song, but before Elle could turn away Lord Gaealis laughed, "Do not pull a dagger on our guests again Elegain, even though Haldir found it rather… spirited." He turned away before she could say anything.
People approached Elle all through the night to wish her a happy birthday and compliment her on the beautiful dress. The evening grew into night and still Elle had been unable to approach Haldir. Some people had already left, and the party was winding down. Elle turned and came face to face with the elf she had been searching for.
"My lady Elegain," Haldir quirked a smile and bowed, "may I have this dance?"
Elle bowed, "It would be an honor, lord Haldir." He moved in closer to her, held her right hand, and grasped her waist with his left. I'm dreaming, dreaming, dreaming! His hand is holding my waist and we are almost holding hands! Well, we are, but… Elle felt as though her heart was going to come out of her chest. Haldir was leading them through the small crowd, but Elle did not notice anyone except for Haldir. His eyes are fathomless.
"My lady?"
Elle snapped back to reality, "I'm sorry lord Haldir, what did you say?"
He grinned, "You look lovely tonight."
"Oh, thank you. The dress is exquisite." Elle chewed the inside of her lip trying to remain calm. He did notice!
Elle allowed Haldir to spin her around the room and followed him easily. Thank the gods Mother insisted I practice my dancing. Elle sighed softly, I never want to stop. The music ended all too quickly for Elle and signaled the end of the party. She bowed to Haldir again, "Thank you my lord."
"Thank you lady Elegain." Haldir returned the bow, "And goodnight to you."
Elle breathed deeply as she walked to her room. She made it to her room and took off the elven dress. She hung it carefully in her closet, using her hand to smooth away any wrinkles. She crawled into bed, He noticed the dress and he danced with me. I don't think I will ever wash my hand again.