So it's been a little less than a year since I last updated, thanks to the most recent favoriters for making me write more. You guys rock. I'd say that I'll update more often but I think we can all agree it might be a while. So no promises with how fast this might get done, but it will eventually.
Chapter Eight
As it turns out, I was incredibly wrong about the dwarves having no tale worth telling. King Thranduil returned later than all of us expected with battle weary soldiers. It was a shock to say the least, especially to poor Queen Elowen who did nothing but worry the entire time he and Legolas were gone. He told her a long tale, that I later weaseled out of Legolas, about treasure and dragons and orcs and even of Beorn, a favorite tale to tell around Ciril campfires. The man who could change into a black bear was my favorite tale and to hear from Legolas that the tale lived somewhere between the Anduin and Mirkwood was the most fascinating part of the story to me. After he told all he knew, I went to the library to look for any books that might have more stories about him.
This tale was popular conversation for weeks as everyone prepared for a celebration feast to be held under the leaves of the great forest, a joint celebration of the Prince and the King's safe return and of the coming of autumn. There were many similar festivities for the other seasons, but I had not attended one yet, I loved Mirkwood and all of the people that lived there, but I was not one of them and so opted out of them. But as I said before, there is a first time for everything, and there were sure to be more tales told of the battle. From a child, my father always told me I had an unhealthy interest in battle for a woman, but I merely replied every time that there was no reason a woman could not be just as interested in battle as silly old men.
The autumn and spring feasts were the most elaborate of the festivals of the elves here in Eryn Lasgalen. A huge gathering of the people would make their way into the forest waving streamers and banners, singing and dancing and laughing the whole way. Everyone helped carry some food or drink and as the sun set, big bonfires were lit, glowing brightly in the twilight. It was a time of celebration and fun, and we elves do like to have a good time. In Ciril, I was the most giggly child in town, even when I turned 22, before the attack, I laughed more than half the children. But elven laughter has the power to spread and cheer those around them, and that's exactly what I did back then. I smiled to myself as I remembered all of the wonderful feasts and gatherings I'd been to as a child with my family. Pulling myself back to the present, I yanked on a simple gown in a beautiful autumn red and hurried downstairs where they were handing out baskets of food that needed to be carried into the forest. A large one full of bread and butter was shoved immediately into my hands and I made my way outside to join the growing numbers of people happily waiting in front of the palace before we all set out into the woods. Volinde found me standing on the fringe of the crowd, streamers and flowers in hand, Elindir not far behind carrying a cask of wine. I wrapped one arm around my friend while keeping the other on my basket.
"You came! Finally! I thought I was going to have to drag you out of the library!" She laughed brightly, her face flushed with joy as Elindir caught up.
"Well I figured any elf who does not speak elvish is strange enough, I cannot go any longer without having been to a true elfin festival," I smiled back. Volinde laughed and set down the streamers and flowers to braid some colorful ribbons into my hair while we all waited for the King to lead us into the trees.
"Ah, here we go! And not a moment too soon, I'm hungrier than a halfling!" Elindir exclaimed as the King strode magnificently out of the palace, his family following closely. Everyone quieted down as the King made motions to speak.
"My people, tonight is a night of celebration! Smaug the dragon is dead and a share in his treasure is ours!" A few people laughed. I, for one, had never understood the King's love of gold. "More than that, autumn is here! Reds and golds are everywhere and tonight we rejoice in this beautiful place and all it has to offer! Let us dance and sing as we elves are meant to do!"
Everyone cheered loudly and rushed forward. Once in the woods a few different fires were set up within sight of each other and all of the people moved about them all laughing and setting up our feasts for the evening. I followed Volinde and Elindir closely, wanting to have some familiar face through the evening, but found myself straying to and fro talking with so many of the other friends I had made during my time here. All of the food was set up and distributed in no time and once the King started in on his dinner, we were all welcome to as well. After that it was a beautiful night, everyone eating, drinking, and laughing the whole time. Once the main course was over, several desserts found their way around all of the fires as many elves broke out instruments and the dancing began. Most dances were just fun tomfoolery but there were a few structured ones that made everyone seem as if they were floating on air they were so graceful. I had never learned to dance like they were, but I took much joy from seeing them at it. Some things are so beautiful that while you might at first feel sadness that you do not know how to participate, you are soon distracted by the flowing skirts and flitting feet that you find yourself laughing and singing along even though you do not know the words.
It was while watching Volinde and Elindir dancing that I first felt this fleeting sadness deep in the pit of my stomach. It confounded me that I should feel sadness towards my best friend and her love, so I decided to take a small walk to breathe the cool air. I walked slowly moving about the trees, always in sight of the bonfires so that I would not lose my way. As I passed one of the smaller gatherings on the edge of the party, I noticed a beautiful girl and handsome boy dancing, they looked about fifteen, merely infants to the elves, but were dancing in such a way that it seemed as if they were some pair of lovers, thousands of years old, reincarnated through these children. It made me smile this time, and the thought struck me that I was not sad for Volinde or Elindir at all, rather I was feeling sorry for myself, having no one to dance with, however haphazardly. I was lonely. Despite all of the marvelous friends I had made, my heart still longed to belong somewhere. I was too young to think of it when I lived in Ciril. True, most girls around my age had married, but my parents always reminded me that there was no hurry, that I had only to find my one true love, and since I was blessed with immortality, it may take as long as it likes to find me. Simple logic, and completely true, but I still wanted someone to hold me like that, and dance with me like I were the only woman in the world.
After another moment of watching the elflings dance, I attempted to shake the thoughts from my head, there really was to reason to rush, after all, but the yearning was still there, only buried for now. I picked my way through the trees back to Volinde who was now resting while Elindir left to find more cakes. She put her arm around me when I sat.
"Are you enjoying your first elfin fesitval?" she asked, glowing. I smiled and nodded.
"It's like a dream out of one of the books in the library." Volinde laughed at me and I could not help but laugh along. "It's true! The dancing is amazing, not to mention the songs and stories. It's truly breathtaking. I only wish I knew all of the dances, even the children know!" I exclaimed, and we both broke down into giggles.
"You certainly missed a lot, living with men. But look here, it seems you might learn to dance after all," she said, looking pointedly across the fire. Legolas had just joined our circle and was making his way, with Elindir and Calanon, to us.
"Do my ear deceive me or do you honestly not know how to dance?" Elindir poked fun at me.
"Alas, it's true! I spent more time following the boys around fighting than with the girls. I somehow managed to escape all of the lessons, and now I wish I hadn't," I replied, staring again at those twirling around the fire. Everyone laughed at my childhood preferences, relating that for elves, it was not such a chore to dance. I certainly understood what they meant.
"Come now!" Elindir downed his goblet of wine and stood. "I can't stand this any longer! My dear Volinde, I must ask you to pardon my absence while I teach your friend to dance!" Without any more ado, he grabbed my hand and jerked me upright, dragging me to where the others were dancing, much to everyone's amusement.
"Before you take on this task, friend, I must warn you that I am likely to throw a tantrum when this doesn't go well," I joked.
"Don't worry so much Alasse, I taught all of those elflings you talked of earlier. I can handle you."
A few decades down the road, I was to learn that I had been the most difficult student he had ever had, and ever would for that matter. Elindir did not let on once though and showed only the utmost patience while teaching me all of the small steps that formed the elaborate dances. Later on, when the music picked up pace, Calanon grabbed a lady's hand and joined while Legolas and Volinde talked off to the side. Amidst all of the fun being spun about, I found myself continually glancing at them, trying to guess at their conversation. At one point, Volinde seemed to embarrass him, no doubt by bluntly confronting him about something personal, but it seemed all in good fun, since neither was offended. I could hear nothing over the roaring fire, but saw them both spare an eye my direction before I spun right out of the circle of light to get some water. Elindir kindly escorted me to a nearby stream and I filled the cup I had been using for wine earlier.
"Do you still find the dances so amazing now that you have learned them all reasonably well?" he asked as I sat on a rock by the water.
I nodded, "They're definitely not as graceful when danced by someone as new as me, but it's just so fun, it's hard to care." He nodded his agreement and joined me on the rock.
"Now that you have learned the dances, is there anyone in particular that you're planning on asking to join you in one?"
I was puzzled again. "What do you mean?"
"Your interest in your dear friend, the prince, has made itself apparent tonight," he grinned. "You were staring at him the whole time you were dancing!"
"I was curious about what he and Volinde were talking about!" I said defensively. Elindir dropped the subject, but the whole walk back to the fire he had that knowing smile. Of course I could tell myself all I wanted that I was just curious about their conversation, but once Elindir put the thought into my head, it stuck. I frowned a little and furrowed my brow. Elindir joined our group immediately, however I stood just outside the ring of light, watching. I couldn't tell if the feelings I'd had were only identified now that they had been pointed out to me, or if I was only imagining them to be there now that someone had accused them of being there. As Legolas laughed at something Isal was saying, though, I think I could tell that there might be some truth to what Elindir had said.
I shook these thoughts from my head. If I spent too much time dwelling on them, I might just find myself in love with someone who would never think to love me. I grabbed a goblet of wine and another cake on my way back to my circle of friends, trying to avoid looking at Legolas as often as my eyes wanted to. I couldn't help finding pleasure in hearing him laugh so freely, joke and have fun. The man was unbearably beautiful to take in, especially on a night like this. Curse Elendil for bringing these thoughts to my attention! I couldn't be so distracted for long, though. Soon the music picked up into fast paced dances and Volinde took my food and drink, shoved them into Elindir's hand and dragged me towards the fire to dance. There was a lot less pressure dancing with Volinde. There were no special routines to follow, you just moved where the music lead you. We laughed the entire time. That is until her husband to be decided to cut in.
With no partner, I walked my way back over to the remnants of my circle of friends, which consisted of Legolas, who had taken over holding my food and drink. I grabbed both from him, uttering a thank you almost coyly. What was wrong with me? I'm not coy! I'm boisterous and loud! My mind insisted upon these fact while I blushed.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" Legolas asked, the fire causing his eyes to glow even more warmly than they usually did. I simply nodded, not trusting myself to speak. We refilled my wine on our way out of the firelight and shared the goblet between us. I felt I might make our walk awkward, but we talked and laughed as we always did. Only this time, I noticed the way his cheeks dimpled when he smiled so widely. We made our way deeper into the forest, but never so deep that you couldn't see the stars through the trees, nor so far that you could not hear the music coming from around the nearest fire. Seeing the fires from this far away, you could truly see the magic of the elves, it was breathtaking. I had stopped talking, I was only looking on, wondering what fate had lead me to this point in my life.
"I don't think I have ever seen you so quiet," he smiled. I laughed.
"I was only wondering how I got to this point in my life. It has been a... strange journey, I suppose is a good way of putting it."
Legolas's brow furrowed. He was thinking something that he wasn't sure he ought to say. I watched the battle go in inside his mind, amused at his confused face.
"As strange and sorrow-filled a journey it has been, I find myself glad that you found your way here," he said as though he tried very hard to put the correct words together. I allowed myself to touch his face, smooth his worried brow.
"If there is one thing I have learned, it is that there is no getting around fate. I am glad that I am here as well." I smiled. He sighed, relieved he hadn't offended me. As if he could offend me, I thought. The music at the nearest fire slowed. It was a soft romantic tune and I found myself lost in the moment, staring into his eyes. And it was like I had no control over my body. I felt myself leaning towards him, and was delighted to feel him lean back into me. His soft lips found mine in the darkness and I swear I had never felt so perfectly wonderful in all of my life.