Chapter 24
Legolas and Adrianna returned to the feast. The walk back had been silent, and Adrianna was very annoyed.
Aragorn and Arwen were dancing amidst the other couples and merry-makers of the celebration, but the table for the Fellowship was still crammed with the Wizard and the four Hobbits. The Elf and the Faye took their seats diagonal from one another before raising their goblets to their lips; catching one another's eyes as they did so.
"And where did you two run off too?" Merry asked, looking between the Prince and Princess.
Pippin looked disapprovingly at the elf, "I thought you were going to dance with the fair Lady?"
Gandalf chuckled, and both the Hobbits winced and clutched their knees as Sam delivered them both a swift kick from under the table. "Perhaps neither like to dance, Peregrin." The Wizard stated, winking not so subtly.
The Faye narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the Hobbits as they shot her innocent grins. As Adrianna raised her eyes to Gandalf, she saw the mischievous glint in his eyes which could only mean that the Wizard had told the Hobbits of her feelings for the Elf. A light tap on the chestnut haired Faye's shoulder caused her to look up, and she frowned at the hand offered to her by Eomer.
"My Lady, would you care to dance?" He asked.
She felt her right eye twitch in annoyance, but she smiled tightly as she got to her feet, "Of course."
Adrianna allowed the Rider to lead her onto the floor before she took one of his hands in her right, and placed her other hand upon his shoulder. The music was melodious, and the Faye quickly found the rhythm to match their footsteps. She was a very good dancer. Probably due to the many balls and dances she had attended in her time. But the aching of feet she disliked, which was the main reason as to why she hated dancing.
She smiled upon spotting the Elf making his way towards her, and when Eomer allowed the Prince to cut in, her smile turned into a frown. "I thought you hated dancing?" She asked, placing her hand upon his shoulder.
"I couldn't allow you to suffer on your own." He replied, "And both Merry and Pippin were insistent that I danced with you." He smiled softly, his eyes alight with amusement.
The Princess' smile returned, "Well, I am glad that you are." She replied. "For I have danced many times during our journey, and I do believe you have not."
He chuckled in response, and they continued to step in time with the rhythm of the music. Emerald eyes could look nowhere but into the clear blue ones of the elf. Her heartbeat drowned out the sound of the music until Adrianna felt as though it was just the two of them; in their own world.
As the music came to an end, the next one began and they bowed and curtseyed courteously towards one another before making their way back towards their table.
"When I get home to the Shire," Sam was saying. "I'm going to go up to Rosie Cotton and ask her to marry me!"
Frodo chuckled, "Sam, you couldn't even ask her to dance at Bilbo's birthday!"
"That may be true, Mr Frodo." Sam replied, "But I've realised the dangers of this world now, and that anything can happen. If I don't ask her, I may never be able to!"
Adrianna smiled, "I'm sure she will, Sam."
"Thank you, my Lady." Samwise nodded and grinned at the Faye before turning to face Frodo once again, "I will ask her! You just wait and see!"
"How was your return home, my Lady?" Merry asked. "Were there any suitors you had to oh-so-sadly deny your hand in marriage?"
"No. But I have had one unfortunate suitor." A light blush crept across the Princess' cheeks when she remembered a similar conversation in Lorien.
"And the blush returns!" Pippin cried, obviously having remembered his interrogation in Lothlorien as well.
Adrianna sighed, "On my two hundredth birthday, there was a Faye Lord who asked my father for my hand in marriage." She began, "My father accepted his proposal, and upon hearing the news I threw a horrid tantrum. I believe that was the most angered I had ever been," She bit her lip upon remembering what she had done. "There may have been some slight colourful language, a broken bow and a few ruined flower beds."
The Hobbits exchanged weary glances, "So there is no suitor now?"
Adrianna shook her head, "My father apologized to the Lord, who appeared to be rather quick in wanting to leave The Glade of Tarasara. I didn't speak to my father for three days; kept myself locked away in my room. To make it up to me he gave me a beautiful bracelet, a new dress and I had a new bow crafted."
"Is that all?" Pippin asked.
"And I received a horse." She added. "My father has also told me that I may chose whom I wish to marry. I expect that's because he no longer wants me to ruin any alliances with the other Faye's." The group laughed.
"That's always good." Pippin stated, enthusiastically. "You can now marry-" He received an elbow to the ribs from the Hobbit beside him, and a kick to the knee from the Hobbit opposite. The Faye blushed and looked up, her eyes meeting the mesmerizing pools of the Elf Prince. The table fell silent, and the two royals couldn't break eye contact.
"O'," Gandalf began, "Meriadoc, Peregrin? Is that a fresh barrel of ale I can see over there?" As the Wizard took the two Hobbits off in search of the alcohol, Sam and Frodo glanced at the Prince and Princess before childishly excusing themselves from the table to join Gandalf, Merry and Pippin.
Emerald eyes lowered onto elvish lips, and Adrianna blushed. "I probably should have told you this when we were outside," She began, taking a deep breath. "But I have developed feelings for you."
The Elf was silent for a second, "I was the one troubling your thoughts?" He asked.
"Well...yes." She admitted, her eyes broke contact with his as she turned them towards the wood of the table.
"Adrianna, I..." He looked over her shoulder to see the four Hobbits watching on. "I think we should continue our conversation outside."
The Faye nodded and accepted the hand offered to her by the Elf as she stood up and followed him out of the Hall doors. They took a walk along the battlements of Minas Tirith, the banners bearing the White Tree fluttered calmly in the soft breeze. Adrianna kept her eyes on her feet, and she could feel the Elf occasionally turn to look at her the longer she remained silent.
"Legolas?" She stopped suddenly and turned to face him, finally finding the courage to speak openly of her known feelings. "I think I may be falling in love with you. Falling or fallen I do not know." Her breathing hitched and her heart fluttered when his fingertips traced the point of her ear.
Slowly, he caressed the side of her face as he placed his other hand on her lower back to gently pull her closer towards his strong, warm body. Their silver circlets clinking lightly upon impact when the Prince rested his forehead against the Princesses.
"And I love you."
His gentle eyes searched hers for a second before he slowly leaned in and placed his lips over hers in a kiss that the Princess would never forget.
A/N: They finally kissed! :D
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