Here is an update! My graduation open house was this weekend so now I have a little more time to write. Research note: When I give the elves something like a last name it is really just saying who they are the son or daughter of. It is how they are identified among people. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter Two
"Legolas!" One of the Elrondian twins shouted when I entered the palace. I could not tell which it was at first. Once I could see him clearly I recognized the scarred cheek and placed my old friend Elladan. His brother, Elrohir, was only seconds behind him.
"Mellon (friend)," Elrohir smiled and embraced me. "We are so glad you could come and celebrate with us. Of course the real celebrating will have to be done after Ada goes to bed," he said with a roguish grin. "I trust you Woodland elves brought that especially potent wine of yours."
I laughed. "Of course. Ada brought a few barrels with us."
"You know it is not a celebration without the wine from Eryn Lasgalen," Elladan said with a chuckle.
"For such a celebration I must clean the travel off of me," I said. I shouldered my bag and allowed the twins to show me to the room that I would be staying in. The royal home in Imladris was so much different than the caves I inhabited in Eryn Lasgalen. It was so refreshing to have windows in the corridors. I could still hear the gurgling water when I got into my room. It seemed to be calling to me and I decided that I could not bathe in the bathroom when there were such welcoming streams all over. Surely I could find an isolated spot.
I grabbed a bar of soap from the bathroom and a fluffy towel. I slipped out of the palace without being hindered and slowly made my way along the flowering paths of Imladris. The scent of the place was so different than what I was used to. It was fresh, where my home was dank and musty; it was light and airy, where Eryn Lasgalen was sometimes suffocating.
Finally, figuring I had walked far enough from the rest of the people in Imladris I made my own little path to a small pond with water feeding into it from a waterfall. As I emerged from the brush I saw something that I definitely had not expected.
The dark haired woman from earlier had obviously had the same idea that I had. She was standing beneath the waterfall with her head tilted back, the water running through her luxurious black hair. She did not see me and with the water falling over her I was sure she could not hear me either, or else she would have been angry to see me there. I knew I should pull myself away, but I could not stop looking at her. Her hair was covering her ample breasts and it hung to her waist. I could not see beneath the water's surface and was standing transfixed staring at the woman.
My pulse quickened and a heat spread through my entire being. She was exquisite, like nothing I had ever seen, and honestly I had seen my fair share of elf maidens. Suddenly, her head snapped up and she was looking directly at me.
"What are you doing?" She demanded, covering herself the best she could with her hands, even though I could not see anything anyways. Her pale cheeks flushed and I quickly removed my gaze from her.
I shook my head, bringing myself back to the moment. "Nothing, I merely had the same idea that you did. I had no idea that this area was occupied."
"It clearly is," she snapped. "Turn around."
I quickly did as she bid me and turned my back to her. I had a smile on my face as I heard her scramble from the pool and wrap the towel around her. "Goheno nin (forgive me)," I said quietly. "I meant no harm."
Vanmoriel pulled her dress over her head and the next thing I heard was her stomping through the brush and moving back toward Imladris. I was still smiling as I stripped down and dove into the pool. The image of the beautiful woman was burned into my mind as I swam and bathed myself for the birthday celebration.
I returned to Elrond's home a few hours later and put on my celebratory clothes. I braided my hair differently than I normally did. While I was in Eryn Lasgalen, unless there was a formal occasion, I wore my hair in the typical archers' braids, but for Elrond's birthday I braided my blond hair in the way of a Prince of Eryn Lasgalen. The braids were more intricate and less functional.
My door opened and Calanon walked in. "Well who needs a mirror when I have you, Calanon?"
"You flatter yourself, little brother," he laughed and sat on the edge of my bed. His hair was braided in the same way that mine was and we were wearing outfits of similar green. I could only shake my head.
"We should go," I said. "We do not want to be late to Elrond's celebration."
Calanon nodded and we left my rooms and made our way to the dining hall. A lavish table was set up and some people had already gathered around it. "And what might a Dunedain Ranger be doing all the way in Imladris?" I asked with a smile.
The man turned to look at me and gave me a grin. "I could ask the same of a Woodland elf." He grasped my forearm and I his. "It is good to see you again, Legolas."
"Good indeed, Estel," I chuckled.
"Legolas," a sweet voice said my name behind me and I turned to see Arwen. She was a picture of elvish beauty and I wrapped my arms around her, bestowing upon her a brotherly hug.
"It is good to have you here," she smiled and went to stand next to Estel. I smiled at the pair of them.
"It is wonderful to be back." Arwen and Estel both had a happy glow around them and my heart was warmed to see them together. Estel was hardly ever in Imladris and they were apart often.
"Oh Vanmoriel," Arwen called. I turned to see the woman from the pool. Arwen beckoned her over. "I want you to meet Legolas. He was a childhood friend to us."
It was my turn for my cheeks to burn scarlet. The woman surveyed me coolly and I wanted to shrink away from her gaze.
"We met earlier actually," she said evenly.
"Wonderful," Arwen smiled. The group sat down and I was seated next to Estel.
"What happened with Vanmoriel, mellon (friend)?" He asked curiously.
"A terrible misunderstanding, I am afraid." I put some of the light food on my plate and began to eat, saying no more of said misunderstanding.
Throughout the night there were speeches, long speeches, in Elrond's honor and there was much talking late into the night. Finally, music started up and the mood lightened considerably.
Estel and Arwen were the first ones to begin to dance. They moved so gracefully, a truly elvish couple. The looks that were exchanged between the two were truly heartwarming. Arwen looked at Estel as though he was the sun itself and he looked at her as though she was the only other person in all of Arda.
I glanced at Vanmoriel and decided to gather my courage. I stood and walked to her, extending a hand. "Would you dance with me so I can attempt to make a better impression on you?"
She looked up at me and eventually smiled. "I suppose you can try." She stood up. "Though I think you should have asked me to dance before you saw me naked," Vanmoriel whispered as we moved nearer to the dancing couples.
I was very taken aback and had not expected anything like that to come out of her mouth. I had to laugh though. I placed my hand on her waist and took her small hand in mine. "You will have to forgive me for that," I said quietly. "I honestly had no idea you were there. Perhaps you should begin singing while you bathe, to warn people of your whereabouts."
Vanmoriel gave me a bright smile. "A very good idea. I forgive you for I really do believe that it was an honest mistake."
"I assure you, it was." I led us around the floor to the elegant steps of the dance.
"You know I was looking forward to meeting the Elves of Eryn Lasgalen, but that was not quite in that manner." Her eyes were sparkling with her good humor.
"Well let me introduce myself in the proper manner then," I said seriously. "I am Legolas Thranduilon of Eryn Lasgalen."
Vanmoriel laughed lightly before introducing herself. "I am Vanmoriel Alyanian."
"It is a pleasure, Vanmoriel," I said, taking her hand and kissing the back of it gently.
Finally, Elrond and Ada went to bed, bidding everyone good night. It was already quite late, but mere seconds after the elders had retired for the night Calanon came in rolling a barrel of our most potent wine. Many of the rest of the party had retired also and the Elrondian twins, Estel, and the Thranduilon brothers were left. We all poured the wine generously into our goblets and sat around the table and talked for a long while.
As the sun was coming up Calanon was speaking of the pressure of finding a wife. He was the Crown Prince of Eryn Lasgalen and if he were to rule he would need an heir.
"Maybe you might find a worthy woman of Imladris," Elrohir suggested.
"What about you, Legolas? Has any elleth of Imladris caught your eye?" Elladan prodded.
I gave them a small smile. "Perhaps."
I hope you liked it. Let me know if you have any pointers or suggestions. I take constructive criticism as well as I do praise!
Happy reading,
Avonmora