Chapter 13
Eradrin ran to her room, and stood still, waiting for Liliana to catch up. Liliana ran, panting, up to Eradrin. The elf's expression changed slowly from tiredness to laughter. "I told you! You like him!" Eradrin blushed again. She pushed her door open and stepped into her room, flopping on the bed. Liliana followed her and started laughing all over again. Eradrin stuck her tongue out. Then she giggled too. "Okay, maybe I do like him. But please don't make fun of me!" Liliana nodded. "Okay, Eradrin, but it's still funny!" Eradrin frowned. "How is me liking Legolas funny exactly?" Liliana shook her head again. "I don't know, it just is. Maybe because you've never liked anyone in THAT way before." "Or maybe because you're squeamish!" Eradrin teased.
The rest of the day, the two friends hung out, walking around outside in the forest and by a river. At one point, Liliana snuck up beside Eradrin and pushed her in the river. Eradrin crawled out, soaking wet. "Oh Lil, why'd you do that?" Eradrin asked, shivering. Liliana laughed. "Well, it was funny." They walked back through the gates and said goodbye. Liliana started to walk away, then turned around back to Eradrin. "Oh, I forgot to mention this," Eradrin turned her head to the side with a questioning look. "Thranduil is hosting a banquet tonight. We are all invited." Eradrin exclaimed, "Well why didn't you tell me before?!" And raced back to her room.
The elf hurriedly dried her hair and slid into a light blue dress with matching sandals. Then she raced out of the room and down the hall. Then realizing she had no clue where the banquet was being held, she stopped one of the guards and asked him, "Where is the banquet?" He pointed her in the opposite direction that she was running. Eradrin thanked him, turned around, and ran down a long shadowy hallway.
Eradrin ran around a bend and gasped. In front of her, down quite a few stair steps, she looked at a huge lighted room with complexly carven pillars along the walls. Near the front was a long table with chair neatly surrounding it, and near the back was a waterfall that fell among some rocks at the bottom. Next to the waterfall, two huge doorways led outside to a huge patio. At the table, elves talked happily, sitting in chairs or walking to them. Eradrin saw Liliana waving her over. She ran up and plopped herself into a chair next to her friend. Soon after, Thranduil raised himself up from a marvelous throne at the table's end. He quieted everyone, took a deep breath, and said, "Let the feast begin!" The elves cheered and began diving into the food, talking and laughing with each other. Eradrin ate to her fill, and got up from the table. "I'm gonna walk around for a bit." She told Liliana, and left. Most of the elves were done eating and were mingling with each other, having a fun time. Eradrin walked out onto the balcony, and leaned against the railing, staring out over the treetops. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, surprised, and saw Legolas standing in front of her. She stood still, not knowing what to say. Legolas didn't know what to say either. Finally he said, "Mae govannen Eradrin." Eradrin blushed. "Mae govannen Legolas." She replied. He drew in a deep breath, then said, "Eradrin, please, meet me here at midnight." Eradrin looked at him. "Okay, I will come." She whispered. Legolas flashed her a relieved look, then whispered, "Until then." And walked away, disappearing back into the crowd. Eradrin's followed him all the way, until she couldn't see him anymore. "Namaarie Legolas." She whispered.