Hello Everyone! I am really sorry for being so delayed in updating! I had to update my other Story, Forever Yours first because it had been even longer since I updated that one! But I am back! I have a week break starting this Wednesday so I hope I can get another chapter up!

Hope it was worth the wait!

Enjoy!

Chapter 7:

As I caught my breath, we walked off the floor and towards our table to enjoy some wine and dessert. I looked over at the blonde prince beside me and smiled. I hated dancing or any social activities in general in my world. However, that last dance was thrilling and fun. The last things I expected to have in the same sentence as dancing. I sat down next to Arwen who smiled at me.

"You're having fun."

"I am." I didn't want to feed into this delusion of hers but I couldn't lie. I was having fun. She just smiled brighter. I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to my escort who was enjoying his wine. Over the past few months, Arwen has been working on building up my tolerance for the strong alcohol, but I still can't handle much more than a glass or two. This stuff put the strongest proof of whiskey or vodka to shame.

"So how long will I have the tolerance of an elfling?" I asked to anyone listening.

"How long have you been drinking wine?" Legolas asked.

"About six months."

"A decade, perhaps longer." Legolas said looking at his glass oddly trying to avoid the others.

"Legolas knows all about the tolerance of elflings, or lack thereof. He and Tauriel broke into the king's personal store once. I still remember being there for a feast and a drunken pair of elflings stumbling into the grand hall." Elladan added laughing. I couldn't exactly picture the Mirkwood guards drunk even at a young age.

"I couldn't sit for a week. I didn't want to even look at wine until I reached my majority after that." Legolas said laughing softly. His laugh was musical and couldn't help but laugh with him.

"I am of legal drinking age where I come from but we have nothing as strong as this wine."

"Elven wine is aged for centuries before it enjoyed." My jaw hit the ground; centuries?!

"No wonder the stuff is so potent." I mumbled under my breath as I looked at my glass that only had about two sips out of it.

"T'is a shame one cannot fully enjoy our precious drink but perhaps it is for the best we don't need a drunk ellon dancing with an even more impaired elleth." Haldir said joining the conversation. I have never formally met the March Warden but he seems much more laid back than I expected.

"You get drunk at one festival and never live it down..." Legolas mumbled to his self. I looked at him, then the twins and saw mischief. I should try to save him.

"Would you like to dance again?" I asked bringing his attention to me.

"I would love to." He said extending his hand for me to take. It was a slower casual song that was simple enough that I could actually talk to him.

"Thank you for saving me from that torture. It is all jests but why must it always be at my expense?"

"Are you the youngest among them?"

"Besides my sister, yes. Haldir is the oldest, then Elladan and Elrohir, followed by Tauriel and Arwen and finally myself and Friel."

"You have friends who love you and have always been there. Some aren't as blessed." I said trying to sound neutral as if it was just a proverb. He pulled me closer seeing through my mask.

"You have friends now Lina. I don't know what life you came from but know that you have an adoptive family that loves you and friends who will support you." I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. This felt natural like I could dance all night in this Prince's arms.

"Thank you Legolas."

"You're most welcome." I didn't have to look to know he was smiling.

We danced a few more songs before I wished to retire.

He walked me back to my room and I smiled at him.

"Tonight was amazing. Thank you for escorting me." I curtsied. He took my hand and kissed it gently.

"The pleasure was all mine, Lina. I would hope to spend the rest of the festival with you."

"Tomorrow is the Garden Tours; would you consider showing a forgetful prince around?"

"I think I can fit you in. How does your afternoon look?"

"It's pretty full but I think I can make time for a beautiful maiden." I blushed.

"All formalities aside Lina, I am looking forward to spending this festival getting to know you." He said gripping my hand again.

"I am as well Legolas." I said smiling. He released my hand and I entered my room blushing like a school girl. I quickly stripped out of my dress and into a nightgown before stepping onto my balcony. I looked up at the full moon. I thought about everything that has happened over the past nine months.

"Maybe I do belong here." I said walking back into my room. Stopping to smell the rose Legolas gave me. I got into bed and had pleasant dreams that night.

The next morning I woke up to the curtains being ripped open by an overly cheery Arwen. I grunted and hid under my blankets.

"You must tell me everything!"

"Nothing happened Arwen if that's what you're asking." Her eyes dropped a little and she put out her bottom lip.

"You're worse than a pouting child! Nothing happened for me to tell!" She still didn't seem satisfied with my answer.

"The way you two were looking at each other I can't help but expect something happened." She said matter-of-factly.

"He walked me back to my room and we said goodnight. I am his guide for the garden tours this afternoon that is all."

"He picked you as his guide! That's progress Lina! A walk through Imladris' gardens is so romantic and the perfect time for stolen kisses." She said turning into that child again.

"There will be none of that I promise you. We're just friends Arwen. I barely know the guy!"

"I think that will change over the next few days. She said disappearing into my closet and returning with a purple and white cotton dress."

"This looks lovely on you and it is rather hot outside so the cotton will keep you cool." I nodded and helped Arwen get me ready. There was no use fighting her.

I sat next to Elrohir at lunch to make up for not speaking to him last night but he wasn't too talkative. He spoke in short answers even to his father and brother.

"Ro, you're quiet today; still hung over from last night?"

"You could say that. I don't feel well."

"Should you go see a healer?" I asked feeling his forehead. There was no fever but then it dawned on me that elves don't get sick unless their grieving or injured. Elrohir was neither.

"Ro what's wrong?"

"Nothing Lina, I'm fine. You're right I probably just had too much wine last night." He said bitterly and stood from the table.

"I will see you for the tours later." He said looking at his family before leaving.

"What was wrong with him?"

"Elrohir has spells like these every great while. It is his way of concealing emotions. Elladan, I ask you to go and speak with him. He will not sour this festival." Elrond said firmly.

"Of course father." The elder twin said getting up and walking after his twin.

"Was it something I did my Lord?" I asked Elrond.

"It is hard to say Lina. His temperament is very odd for an elf. We are good at hiding our emotions for a short period, but my younger son, does not like to reveal them even after some time, building its intensity."

"So he's acting human?"

"More or less." I just shook my head.

"I should talk to him."

"No, Elladan will speak with him. He always does. Besides, I believe a young Mirkwood Prince awaits you in the gardens. I smiled just thinking about spending the afternoon in the garden and talking to Legolas.

"Indeed, he is surely waiting. Princes are always prompt." I said bowing before starting to leave

"I see it."

"See what?"

"Nothing, Lina, go and have fun."

I was almost to the gardens when I saw the twins coming towards me all smiles. Elladan spotted me first and elbowed his brother.

"Lina!"

"Dan, Ro, lovely afternoon isn't it?"

"Since when do you speak of the weather with us?" Ro asked raising an eyebrow.

"Is it a crime to do so?"

"I suppose not. Are you helping with the tours?"

"Yes, I love the gardens and enjoy every moment I get to spend in them."

"Are you giving a tour to anyone in particular?"

"Legolas asked for me to be his guide." The demeanor of the twins changed immediately and Dan looked at Ro with a knowing look.

"Then we will not keep you."

"Would you want to join us? I'm sure you two know far more about the gardens than I do."

"We have tours of our own to perform. Enjoy your afternoon." They were gone moments after that. I was very confused. They have been acting so strange as of late. I shook my head figuring it was related to the festival and the fact that they have to behave.

I reached the gates and saw a huge crowd of guests. I didn't see Legolas. He had developed a habit of being early so this was unexpected from him. Then I felt a hand on my arm and looked to my left to meet cerulean eyes. I smiled as I placed my hand on his.

"I was starting to fear you couldn't clear your schedule like you said."

"Erestor wasn't thrilled but everyone else excused me from the council."

"He's a kill joy. So, is there any speech or can we get started?" I asked.

"Lead the way my Lady." He said bowing before offering his arm.

We walked further and further into the garden as time went on. I would pause to talk about the flowers I liked the most and knew some facts about. We were passing into the royal family's garden when I stopped.

"I want to show you one of my favorite flowers in all the gardens." I stepped off to a side path and towards my section of the garden that Lord Elrond gave me at the beginning of spring.

"Lord Elrond portioned off this section for me as a gift." I said reaching down to my flowers. I brushed my fingers over them and it seemed as if they reached up to touch my fingers.

"These are Lantanas. They change colors with the season and if you're around them enough, it seems as though they change to moods." Right now, the little clusters of flowers were red, pink, and yellow.

"In the fall, they should change to red orange and a darker pink and in the winter they turn to blue, white, and purple. That's why they are my favorite. They change with the seasons as the world around it does. They persevere no matter their environment."

"The life lessons we learn from nature." He said reaching down to get a better look. He pulled out a single red flower. He came to stand next to me.

"I can tell you've been through a lot Lina, but know that the seasons of life change. You will never be alone to face the difficulties now." He said putting the flower behind my ear. His hand brushed my cheek and I had to fight the blush rising in my cheeks.

"I know Legolas; that's the beauty of things. I was given a second chance. I'm starting to accept that my past is just that, the past and my future here in Rivendell is reality."

"Glad to hear; but know should you ever wish to talk, I am here."

"Now I can't go telling you everything after a few short days? What fun is that?" I said smiling as I turned back to the other flowers. I heard him laugh.

"No fun at all."

There it is I hope you liked it! Please review! I love it when I get feed back and it assures me despite my delays in updating you guys still are reading!

Until Next Time!

-B