"I hope this room will be comfortable for you during your short stay here, My Lady." Legolas began while opening a tall, thin wooden door. The door was intricately carved with ornate flowers and forest leaves. The room was quite spacious with a large, soft bed, beautiful writing desk and roaring fireplace.
"It looks lovely," Raelyn replied "but you must call me Raelyn."
"Yes, My Lady Raelyn." Legolas answered.
Giggling a little Raelyn replied "No, no – just Raelyn."
"Of course, My Lady Raelyn the Just." Legolas said with a smirk as Raelyn laughed even more. "Alright, I will" he continued "but only if you call me Legolas."
"Consider it done, Legolas." Raelyn replied with a nod and headed inside.
"Goodbye… Raelyn" Legolas called with a smile as he strolled away.
It was getting quite late and Raelyn was tired from the unexpected week she had. She immediately sunk into the soft bed and drifted to sleep. Although she had never visited the elves before she was surprised by how safe and welcome she felt in their Kingdom.
Raelyn woke relaxed and refreshed the next morning but noticed that the lovely warm fire had gone out. It must have gone out very recently as a block of charred wood laid away from the fire billowing black smoke. The smoke was streaming out through the crack under the door. Raelyn figured it must have accidently rolled from the pile in the fireplace while it was alight. She hopped out of bed placing the wood block safely back in the fireplace when suddenly there was a large bang at her door that made her jump.
"Raelyn? Raelyn!" Legolas yelled frantically.
"What is it Legolas?" Raelyn called out in reply. Throwing a shawl around her shoulders and she began fanning the smoke away.
More relieved, Legolas responded "I saw the smoke coming from your door. Are you alright?"
"Yes of course! Just some wood from the fireplace must have come loose. No need to not worry." Raelyn replied chucking softly to herself. "One moment, and I will be with you."
She swiftly got dressed throwing on a pale blue dress, stockings and coat that were left for her in a closet. She did her best to whip her hair into a bun. Raelyn quickly washed her face and hands from the cinders and pinched her cheeks for colour. She stepped out the door to find Legolas waiting. He swiftly stood up from the railing he was sitting on, smiled and bowed politely.
"Before Turuhalmë this evening, I have to ensure the surrounding forests are safe. Would you like to accompany me on a patrol?" Legolas offered.
Raelyn nervously looked at the long bow Legolas had beside him. His quiver was full to the brim with arrows and he had a long white knife strapped to his back.
Legolas could feel Raelyn's uneasiness but reassured her "It will be quite safe, do not worry. I just always come prepared."
Although still a little unsure, Raelyn agreed and the two set off into the surrounding forests on their horses. Legolas complimented Raelyn on how skilled a rider she was for someone of such a young age.
The forest was beautiful and buzzing with small creatures. The sun shone through the canopy giving the forest a light and warm feeling, even if it was winter. Fresh snow hung about the trees and on the ground. The forest smelt so fresh and lively.
"This forest is nothing like what I had heard of it." Raelyn murmured remembering the fierce descriptions she had heard of it in the past.
"Yes, it is much changed," Legolas replied "It is far more like Greenwood again than the Mirkwood it was."
"You must have seen much through your life time Legolas…" Raelyn trailed off.
"Yes, many changes, many people, many friends… many struggles. I am glad the world is in far greater peace now that it used to be."
"What was it like? Living through the War of the Ring… and being a part of the famous Fellowship." Raelyn openly wondered.
Although the elves were rarely talkative outside their kin, Legolas began to tell her everything. His childhood and the changes to his beloved forest. The growing and waning evil throughout the ages. The friends he had gained and lost – especially the little dwarf Gimli and the valiant Aragorn. His first vision of the sea.
Raelyn listened intently to all he had to tell – not taking a single statement for granted. The hours flew by in each other's company and when two came full circle it was nearing sunset.
"Thank you for today Raelyn…" Legolas said when they reached the gates of the Kingdom again "it has been most enjoyable being able to speak so freely with you. I look forward to hearing more about your life tonight. Let us stable the horses and ready ourselves for the celebrations. I will meet you there. Don't be late." He urged before hurrying off.
Raelyn readied herself with the help of the dressmaker she had met the previous day. The dressmaker had prepared her the most beautiful silver gown to wear that night. It glistened like starlight.
"I wonder who will have the honour of the first dance tonight, My Lady…" The she-elf pondered. Raelyn looked inquisitively at her but said nothing. "Every Turuhalmë the King has the honour of the first dance… but as our Queen is no longer with us he passes the honour to Legolas."
"Who does Legolas dance with?" Raelyn replied.
"Well, as Legolas himself has no wife or partner he never dances the first dance. Instead, he passes the honour to a valued elf of that year. Sometimes a valiant warrior… or an exceptional healer… or perhaps a much improved youngster or significant member of service. It is always interesting to see who he chooses… it is a great honour."
"Have you ever been chosen?" Raelyn questioned.
"I have actually, little one. For my many years of service as royal dressmaker." The she-elf replied lifting her chin proudly with a chuckle.
"And who did you choose to dance with?" Raelyn asked with wide, glistening eyes.
"A very handsome elf named Lainor. He was a great tailor… Alright, we'd best hurry now, My Lady." The dressmaker concluded.
The two quickly made their way to the celebrations. The forest clearing was already bustling with elves chattering and laughing around the blazing bonfires. Everyone suddenly hushed as King Thranduil and Prince Legolas entered. They looked spectacular in their decorative silk garments.
"I would like to welcome each and every one of you to our annual Turuhalmë celebrations." Thranduil announced "I would like to remind you all to take the time to rejoice, reflect and relax. We are so fortunate to live prosperously in peace. The thoughts of those missing here weigh heavily upon our shoulders – may they be remembered always in our hearts and in our stories."
The crowds murmured positively in agreement and gratitude.
Thranduil raised his hands. "Tonight I pass the honour of the first dance to my only son, Prince Legolas." He concluded by laying his hand on Legolas's right shoulder.
Ever so quietly the dressmaker whispered into Raelyn's ear "Now Legolas will lay his hand upon the right shoulder of the one he passes the honour too - oops, I must be quiet he is heading this way."
Raelyn stood as high as she could on her toes. The elves surrounding her were so tall they nearly blocked her view entirely. She could not bear to miss the moment the elf would be chosen.
Legolas slowly made his way through the crowd smiling and nodding to the elves he passed, sometimes sharing a brief comment or greeting. All of a sudden the elves in front of Raelyn split to reveal Legolas. He stopped before her and after taking a deep breath he bowed very low.
The entire crowd's eyes widened and yet Legolas did not cease his bow. Raelyn had no idea how to act so she shot a desperate and confused sideways look at the dressmaker. The dressmaker appeared as stunned as everyone else but leant subtly towards Raelyn and whispered "He isn't passing the honour to you… he's asking you to dance…"