Legolas turned his eyes upward to meet Raelyn's gaze. She shook herself out of the trance and curtseyed low in acceptance whispering "I'd be honoured Legolas."
Legolas led her to the centre of the dancefloor and Raelyn gulped as she tried to ignore the intense stares she was receiving when the music began to start.
"One, two, three, spin behind – that's it… and back to me… See you've got it…" Legolas whispered reassuringly to Raelyn as she completed the movements.
Raelyn began to feel her heart flutter – what is happening she thought. Every time her eyes met Legolas's her stomach would backflip and she could hardly tear her eyes away. What is happening she thought again – is something the matter with me? Stop! Concentrate or you will make a fool of yourself. But Raelyn could not concentrate, her thoughts drifted to something her mother told her.
"Love is… catching yourself staring…. Your heart beats faster… you feel like you've had too much wine - though you've had none at all… every touch and every thought turns to him." Her mother had told her.
The music crescendoed and ceased. Raelyn spun back around curtseying to Legolas with her face turned low. She knew what was happening and she knew there was nothing that could be done about it. She had fallen in love.
Raelyn stepped back and caught a cynical glimpse from King Thranduil but Legolas's warm smile distracted her again. He led her away so that the other elves might dance.
Raelyn and Legolas sat alone by a bonfire. "So, Raelyn… you must tell me more about yourself."
And that was all it took. Although Raelyn wanted to appear as composed as possible her life story came spilling out. Her childhood in Rohan, her wariness of Harrin, the constant comparisons to her brother and all her shortcomings. She went on about the restrictions she faced on a daily basis as result of the prophecy, her escape and finally the death of her beloved mother.
Legolas listened attentively and Raelyn couldn't help but feel comforted. Legolas shared how he had lost his mother too, though he knew very little of the details.
As they talked longer, deep into the night, they wandered away from the celebrations. Legolas spoke of how the stars were the first things the very first elves saw and how from that moment they held great importance to his race. They laid upon a bed of snowdrop foliage and gazed up into the heavens. Thousands of glistening stars littered the sky. Legolas pointed out hundreds of constellations as he explained how inextricably linked light and memory was to his people.
After he finished speaking he looked at Raelyn in the starlight. She sparkled and Legolas could not help but notice she belonged amongst those stars. Not knowing what came over him he leant across and placed a long, tender kiss on Raelyn's glowing lips.
Legolas jolted; backing away from Raelyn. What have I done? Legolas thought. She is betrothed to another. I cannot interfere.
"I-I am sorry Raelyn – I do not know what came over me." Legolas stuttered, confused.
"Please, don't be sorry." Raelyn started as she sat up "I-I am leaving tomorrow and I n-needed to tell you something before I do."
"Raelyn." Legolas said in disbelief - half hoping she would stop.
"Please, I need t-to tell you… h-how I feel…" Raelyn went on noticing how fearful Legolas looked. "These few days have been the happiest, most rewarding and wonderful times I have ever had." And with renewed courage "I wanted to say, despite everything that has been and that will be. I cannot possibly marry Harrin now… because… I love you."
Relief and joy washed over Raelyn like a waterfall but it was short lived when she saw Legolas's reaction. He was stunned and confused. Raelyn had never seen him look so distressed. She cannot love me, she cannot love me Legolas repeated again and again in his mind. Do not feel relief or joy for she cannot love me. She cannot be mine for she is another's.
"Raelyn…" Legolas began with a heavy heart. "I could never stop you from fulfilling your duty. This was wrong."
"But Legolas… these days, the dance, that kiss!" Raelyn spluttered in disbelief with tears in her eyes.
"They should never have happened…" Legolas replied solemnly "…I do not love you."
Raelyn's eyes gaped and Legolas carefully pulled her to her feet. Before he could say anything more she ran. As fast as she could possibly run, she ran. Straight back to her room, locking the door she collapsed in sorrow on her bed. She wept all night.
Immediately after the words I do not love you left his mouth, Legolas's heart snapped. He felt it shatter within his chest. He fell to the floor on his knees. Why did love have to hurt so much? Why must this have happened? If he interfered with the prophecy he was sure to ruin her life. That was the only consolation he grasped to. With tears in his eyes and a broken heart he returned to his own chambers.