A/N : Thankyou to OneWorld-OneDream for her kind review :) I hope others follow her lead because, although 'Story Traffic' tells me how many have visited, a review is just a bit more exciting! Hope you enjoy this chapter, and please bear with my writing style - LOTR (although I love it!) is not a fandom I've dabbled in before :)

Chapter Three: Against A Birch Tree

A crimson droplet of Dorwinion wine fell onto the breast of Indil's dress as she bumped into Herendil, forcing him to grasp at the glass as it fell towards the floor. "Indil, you have been drinking too much!" he laughed, resting his glass on a nearby table. "Come, put it down and let us dance. It may be Legolas' majority, but he is not entitled to all the fun." Taking her hand, he caught sight of the Prince traversing the floor with a bronze haired beauty. He winked at his friend, sharing a devious smile, before whisking away Indil, and losing themselves amongst the throng of dancers.

Legolas turned his attention back to his partner, whom he continued to twirl around. "Come now my Prince, is your attention elsewhere?" she teased, brushing her thumb against his jaw. He shook his head.

"No, Vanyalosse, though I admit, this dance is rather tiresome. Care for a stroll?" he offered. The elleth took his arm and let him guide her through the crowd, weaving in between a pair of lovers here, some tipsy wardens there, and leaving some loose-tongued gossips behind them.

The two tread lightly down the lane until Vanyalosse turned around, a coy smile on her face. "Well?" she asked. "What shall we do now that we are alone?"

Legolas suppressed a smile. "We're going to walk. After all, did I not suggest a stroll?" The lithe frame next to him sighed and continued to move down the path. She was restless; she knew that this was her chance, perhaps her only chance, to ensnare the Prince. Oh, all the years she had known him, talked to him in the court. Like many other ellith, she fancied him...but she had many fancies, many conquests. No one ellon could tie her down. And Legolas knew this. Vanyalosse knew that he knew this. But neither said a word.

The Prince chuckled. "You do not appear to be enjoying yourself. In which other activity may you find pleasure?" His lips quirked to the side, knowing.

She raised an eyebrow. "You need not ask that to which you already have the answers." The elf pressed her against a birch tree, curling a piece of Vanyalosse's hair around his finger.

"True," he stared at her locks, distracted. "Findesselya vanya." Legolas shook his head a little, and his lips quirked again. "Mayhap I should just give you what you want." He kissed her lock of hair, and then her temple. Vanyalosse tilted her face upwards as he claimed her lips brazenly, feeling his slender fingers snake through her hair.

The distant laughter of a group of ellyn interrupted the two, and Legolas pulled away, cheekily sucking on her coral pink lip. "Was that at all to your satisfaction?" he questioned, his voice smug.

The bronze beauty pouted demurely.

"Not yet."

The archer gave a soft chuckle before claiming her lips again.

x

Reaching the exit, Herendil swerved to avoid several young ellith whom had just appeared in the opening, before making his way out into the garden. Clusters of elves were around the moss covered fountain, others were seated under towering trees, but amongst them he saw nought of his dear friend, and so he moved on.

Weaving his way through the untamed maze of blossoms, a stray branch flicked across his face and became entangled in his golden locks. Herendil sighed with frustration as he untangled his hair. "For Eru's sake! Forever, it seems, he is at my side, and yet now when I have been sent for him, he can not be found." Releasing the intruder, he set upon his task once more. To his relief he found his friend just moments later, arms entwined around his former dance partner, engaged in what Herendil knew to be his first kiss. Or, by that stage, one of the few that followed it. He coughed, and the two broke apart.

"Is anything the matter?" the Prince inquired.

The other nodded. "Aye. His lordship has had word that Lord Elrond has arrived." Legolas' eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Currently he abides in his room, but he shall make an appearance shortly. Your Ada wishes you to be present for his introduction to our company."

"Well ofcourse," Legolas beamed "it has been years since we've last seen each other. I wonder what has passed in Imladris? What news has he brought, I wonder..." The two headed for the Great Hall, still deep in conversation.

The elleth was left behind, forgotten, but this did not worry her, for she had gotten what she had wanted. She had gotten a Prince's first kiss, and it was the most valuable trophy in her collection. Vanyalosse may have been taught the finest of manners – been dotingly instructed in the art of becoming a lady – but she would still have her fancies, her little games. With each goal completed, another would appear and take its place. No one person could tie her down. With interest she noted a young warden, who laughed merrily with his friends as they strode her way. Well now, she thought, he's not yet been debauched.

x

King Thranduil excused himself from the group of friends with whom he had been bantering with, and strode towards his son. Legolas smiled. "I hear that we have company."

The King nodded. "Aye, and they shall be joining us directly."

"And do you know how many have come?" the younger elf asked curiously.

"The party consists of a dozen elves. I know not the names of all who have come, though this shall be answered in due course." He replied, his gaze wandering over the merry congregation. "Though I am slightly worried," the great elf continued "concerning this sudden arrival. Not a word has Elrond sent to me of his intention to visit Greenwood – mayhap this was not his original destination...or mayhap my mind is too suspicious" he mused.

"I daresay the latter, Ada. " His son teased lightly. "You always have had a suspicious mind. As you will remember, you were constantly pulling me aside and questioning my motives during my childhood."

"And as you will remember, with such a mischievous son I was quite justified in doing so. Your curiosity has landed you in one bad situation after another –"

"And has also done much good as well." Legolas interjected.

Queen Alassea gracefully moved over to her little family, and put a hand on her husband's. "Shush now! You mustn't bicker in front of so many people – even if it is with a good heart. However, we have more important matters to discuss. The party from Rivendell must now be considered, and we must strive to accommodate them as best we can – I do hope that they enjoy their stay." She added. After a moment, the queen continued. "How dearly I have missed Celebrian! However, I do not hope to see her this night, for a party consisting of only a dozen is surely too small to contain any ellith. I shall content myself with hearing news of Imladris instead." She sighed, and then shone her smile in the direction of her son. "Though mayhap not too small for the company of Arwen."

Legolas returned her smile nervously, though why he felt so was unclear to him. Arwen was but ten years his junior. A trifle. She would be grown now – what would she look like? More importantly, what would he say to her? Conversations spoken as elflings would no longer do. But putting all that aside, they were still friends. The two had promised to remain so. Legolas had looked forward to meeting Arwen again for so long – surely their camaraderie would return.

The musicians, and the congregation, quietened upon sighting the Lord Elrond in the magnificent doorway. He and Thranduil strode towards each other, and embraced accordingly. "Elrond, mellon nin, it is good to see you. I hope that all is well, considering such a surprise visit." Thranduil greeted him.

"All is as well as can be. I visit Greenwood with no urgent news or dire threats. I gather my letter has gone astray?" Elrond queried.

"A letter? Well, as you say, it has not arrived. But let us tarry not on such things." The King waved his hand in the direction of Legolas. "Today marks my son's majority. Pray come celebrate with us."

With a flick of his hand, the harps and other instruments began to play once more, and the party from Imladris dispersed amongst the crowd.

"Legolas!" Elrond greeted the elf warmly. "I wish you all the best on such an important day. Your Ada has written favourably of you, and I must agree with his description. You have matured well."

Legolas bowed his head momentarily. "My Ada is biased – but I thank you none-the-less." As the three sat at a carven table, he observed. "A party of only a dozen – a very small number. Who else has accompanied you?"

"Glorfindel and Erestor, you see, are over there conversing with Analton and Corintur, your own advisors. My sons...well, they are about, though I can not see them. Most probably amongst the ellith at this stage...Four others are my most accomplished warriors, and over to the left there is Yulion, a rather interesting type. He invents different wares, and is quite fascinating. Two ellith have also accompanied us," he added, and Legolas looked up. "A seamstress and her assistant sent to your dear wife by Celebrian's recommendation."

Legolas frowned. "But she, or Arwen, did not come?" he asked, a little despondently. Elrond smiled reassuringly.

"Do not think that it was by choice, for the two, along with a handful of other ellith were meant to visit also, but as is oft the way, a minor disaster occurred on the eve of our departure. Arwen was conversing with Alar – you met him upon your last visit, he is a little older than my own sons – and he was teasing her about her drawing skills when she turned to hit him – playfully, I am sure – and fell down the stairs. To her great misfortune, she had broken her leg, and although it would not have taken overly long to heal, it would have been impractical to allow her to journey with us. Celebrian and the other ellith elected to remain behind, as all were unwilling to leave Arwen alone to travel to Greenwood, when my dear daughter was perhaps the most excited of us all."

Thranduil chuckled. "Then your daughter has not lost her spirit, it appears."

Elrond shook his head. "Oh no. Each day that passes leaves her livelier than the next – only in the company of strangers does she remain shy. To the rest she is quite amiable, and very pleasing company too." He said fondly.

"Ah! Legolas, look how you have grown!" teased the twins, who immerged from the crowd, identical faces beaming.

"Come now, introduce us to your friends and we shall make a good time of it. Indil – I think that was her name – told us that you were good friends, and if that is the case, I'd like you to introduce us properly." Grinned Elladan.

"Aye, she's such a pretty creature." The other added.

" Well endowed, you mean to say." Legolas corrected them, rolling his eyes. "Fine, if you wish so, though she's of little interest if you want to talk of anything remotely intelligent." He said, standing up.

Elladan continued to grin. "Not to worry, that's of no concern."

Legolas shook his head. "Do you honestly think that the two of you can claim her? Whilst Herendil is with her, no less."

"Aye ofcourse. Your friend is too honourable and ultimately Indil is wanting more than just conversation – she is paying too much attention to his body, and not his words, and those are not the actions of an elleth in love, only one in need." Elrohir explained.

"And so she is to find us much more agreeable than your friend, however amiable he may well be." Elladan added.

And with that the introductions began, and so it later came to be that a slightly inebriated elleth and the peredhil twins wandered off into the night to enjoy some intimacy, whilst Legolas and Herendil danced long into the next morning.

xxx

Elvish Translations:

Elleth/Ellith – Female elves (s & p)

Ellon/Ellyn – Male elves (s & p)

Ada - Father

Findesselya vanya - Your hair is pretty

Eru - God

Naneth - Mother

Mellon nin - Friend

Peredhil – Half elven