A/N Again, many thanks to Celridel for taking the time to beta this chapter
A few days had now passed since Estella arrived at the Mirkwood Palace and she still had no idea who anyone was aside from a few Elves.
She had already met Innor, the head healer, whom she had come to be good friends with. Innor had given her a unique herb which helped her sleep at night since nightmares about her mother's death plagued her. He assured her they would soon pass; however, it might help if she were to open up to someone about them.
Estella had also met Legolas Greenleaf and quickly learned he was the crown prince of Taur-nu-Fuin, making him next in line to the throne. She was beginning to like him enough she felt she could soon open up to him about her life. As of yet, she was not at that point but was beginning to get there.
The third Elf Estella already met was Legolas' father, King Thranduil, who she was not quite sure about yet. He was a very mysterious Elf who kept to himself most of the time. He seemed to delight in riches, and a wine called Dorwinion. But the first thing Estella learned was the temper of the Elvenking. He did not trust people very easily, but when he did open up to you, it meant he cared deeply for you.
Finally, the last person she already knew was her handmaid Raiwen. Legolas insisted she needed one even though Estella was adamant she could take care of herself, but after Legolas kept pushing her on the matter, she finally accepted. Raiwen was a shy elleth of no older than eight hundred years. Estella quickly became dear friends with her, after learning that the young Elf-maid also lost her mother when she was about Estella's age during an Orc attack. Her father had sailed West when she reached her majority, leaving his daughter to fend for herself. Fortunately, Thranduil offered her a position on his staff, helping the other maids with the royal house work.
Mist was swirling around the dampened tree trunks that morning, when Raiwen said, "Prince Legolas insists you get out and meet the residents here. It will not do you any good to live among us and not know your way around."
Estella sat, soaking in a warm bath, waiting for Raiwen to come back with dresses, but her mind was wandering far abroad. As she finished rinsing her hair, there was a soft knock.
"Who is it?" Estella asked in a normal voice as she had learned very fast elves had very acute hearing, something which she was still getting used to among her now excellent eyesight.
"It is I, Raiwen, my lady. May I come in?"
Estella hastily leaped from the bath and wrapped a soft plush towel around her. "Yes, you may come in."
Raiwen was laden with at least a dozen dresses, and other, various clothing. She laid them down neatly on Estella's bed and smiled sweetly at the younger elleth who had a look of shock on her face.
"These are all for me?" Estella asked in awe. "They are so beautiful; I have never had such nice clothing before."
Raiwen laughed. "Yes, Lady Estella, they are for you, and if you need more, Lord Legolas said all you need to do is ask." She took some bands from around her slender wrist. "These are for your hair, and," she produced a crown from her dress pocket. "A circlet as well. Since you are a royal guest, you must be treated as such."
"I do not know what to say. Thank you Raiwen." Estella turned back to the dresses, choosing one that was a beautiful light green with white trimming on the sleeves. When Estella finished getting into her gown, Raiwen helped her with her hair and then turned her around to look at her.
"There my lady, you are perfect. Legolas will be here any minute to take you on that tour. Now if there is nothing else you will be needing, I will be on my way to help the other servants finish up laundry."
Estella shook her head no and smiled. "I'm fine, thank you Raiwen."
"You are very welcome my lady. I will be back later to help you get ready for dinner. You will be eating with the royal family tonight." Raiwen left, leaving Estella waiting for Legolas to show up.
Estella sat on her bed and waited, playing with the pendant which had belonged to her mother. She never took it off as she felt close to her mother when she wore it. Tears sprang to her eyes but quickly wiped them away when she heard a soft knock on the door.
"Come in." She stood up to meet Legolas's bright blue eyes. "My lord…"
"Please, just Legolas," he cut her off gently. "Are you ready to go?"
Estella nodded her head. "Yes, I am, my lor...I mean Legolas," she rapidly corrected herself.
Legolas chuckled, a glint in his eyes. "Then let us be off." He held a hand out to her, and as she took it, they left. "By the way, you look beautiful my lady."
Estella turned her head and smirked up at Legolas. "Aha! If I cannot call you my lord, you cannot call me my lady."
Legolas laughed. "As you wish, Estella."
The first place Legolas took Estella was the kitchens. "Here are the kitchens. As you can see, the staff is busy preparing the evening meal for tonight."
Then, Legolas introduced her to a tall, slender, red-haired elleth who stopped dressing the bird she was making for dinner and bowed to Legolas. "Here is the head cook, Beririel, who makes the best fruit pie in Arda."
Beririel blushed though a smile hovered around her face. "My lord, you should not make such comments." The Sindarin words rolled off her tongue easily. Then she turned to Estella and bowed as a sign of respect. "You must be Lady Estella. Word of your arrival has spread swiftly."
Estella looked at Legolas for him to translate and after he had told her, she smiled blushing. "Please, just Estella," she corrected.
Beririel shook her head no, and Legolas explained to her while he could refer to her as just Estella, the rest of Mirkwood had to refer to her as 'my lady.' Estella knew there was no point in arguing, so she sighed and told her it was nice to meet her.
When they left the kitchen, Legolas then took her to the pantry where the wine was kept. "Here is where the best of my father's wine is stored and where my father's personal messenger Feren, and Galion, my father's butler can be found."
No sooner had he finished speaking when two ellyn appeared. They were both dark haired and tall, although one had his hair pulled back and had what looked like a clipboard in his hands.
"Ah," Legolas exclaimed. "As I said, they are here. I would like to introduce you to Feren and Galion. Right now, Galion is busy taking inventory to make sure my father is not short on wine. It is never a good thing if he is."
Feren and Galion bowed to Estella, causing her to be taken aback as she felt she did not deserve such royal treatment. Galion noticed the look on her face but chose not to comment; instead, he spoke to her warmly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. Feel free to visit us here; we can always open a bottle of the king's wine for you to taste." Estella laughed. She noticed Legolas shake his head at the words of his father's butler as he translated, but apparently, the prince did not mind his antics. With a few simple words, Galion made her feel welcome.
After their stop in the wine cellars, Legolas took her to the training grounds where she met Lethuin, the king's best hunter, and Cabrion, the head stable hand. Also, Haerelion, the head trainer, who Legolas informed her was the one who trained Thranduil, and himself, was there, his sword dancing in skillful lines across the sky as he seemed to be going through a challenging training routine. Some recruits were watching him from the sidelines, mesmerized by the craftsmanship he showed with the weapon. Legolas decided not to interrupt the older ellon, instead ushering Estella back into the palace.
When they finished taking the tour, it was time to head to the dining halls where Legolas and Estella would meet Thranduil for a private dinner. Estella never had such different variety of food which consisted of fruit, fish, bread, cheeses and what she had been told quail they got by trading with the Men of Laketown. She had even been introduced to the Dorwinion wine Legolas told her about earlier, which was his father's favorite. It was a very rich but strong wine, and she could only take a few sips before she felt slightly affected from it.
When they finished eating the main course, they had dessert. It was the famed fruit pie Beririel made, and after Estella had just one taste, she knew why the prince so highly praised the pie.
After dinner, dessert and an evening of socializing with Legolas and Thranduil about how she was getting along here and a little about where she had come from, she was tired, and Legolas led her back to her rooms.
"I hope you enjoyed yourself today Estella," Legolas said. "If there is anything else I can do to make you feel at home here, please tell me. Sleep well."
Estella smiled softly. "I did enjoy myself tonight Legolas, thank you."
Legolas smiled back and left to return to his quarters. Estella exhaled deeply and after changing into her nightgown got into bed. She said a prayer to her mother and fell sound asleep while holding the pendant in her hands.