Chapter 10

Lindethiel was nearly fully recovered from her ordeal and eager to leave the healing hall. The feast was to be held that evening and Thranduil's halls were filled with cheer.

After Legolas had stepped out and Narinya had bathed, Melda assisted her into a striking dress, soft folds of cobalt blue pooling around her ankles. Melda had of course altered this one as well, but it did not detract from the beauty of the gown. The sleeves reached her wrists while the neckline plunged in a way that revealed neither too little nor too much, the hem embellished with a smattering of jewels that caught the light.

Melda sat Narinya down and began pulling her hair into its desired result. Narinya was always impressed at the speed with which Melda could produce a finished coiffure but remembered that the handmaiden, even with her appearance of youth, was quite experienced.

"You'll have to be careful tonight, if you don't want to draw suspicion to yourself," Melda said quietly.

Narinya nodded, thinking over the coming evening and trying unsuccessfully to keep her anxiety at bay. There was little time left now to keep her secret, and she needed to be the one to tell him. To try to explain.

"I'm going to tell him tonight, Melda. I have to. I cannot be a coward any longer."

Melda put a hand reassuringly on Narinya's shoulder.

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Legolas returned to their room later that afternoon. He stood in the doorway observing the scene before him. His wife was sitting with her back to him, her head turned to allow Melda the angle that she needed to finish pinning the last pieces of hair in place. When she had finished, she placed Narinya's silver circlet delicately atop her head.

Melda stepped back, satisfied with her work, "There you go; you look truly lovely. I'm sure your prince would agree."

Legolas was leaning against the doorframe, "He does agree."

Narinya had not noticed him behind her and her face flushed at his words.

"Your highness, I'm going to find you an appropriate tunic to wear tonight, I'll return shortly." Melda then hurriedly disappeared from the room.

Narinya stood to greet him, hoping her blush was not as obvious as it felt.

He stepped toward her and took both her hands in his. She welcomed the feeling of his warm skin against hers.

He brought his face down to hers, meeting her soft and slightly parted lips with his own. She gladly returned his kiss, and as she did, the worry and dread that had been hanging heavy over her retreated, replaced instead by a new warmth. They spent several moments like that, both forgetting about everything but each other.

"Here we are, milord!" Melda interrupted, walking into the room holding a blue tunic for the prince, in a similar shade to the dress Narinya wore.

Legolas stepped back, letting go of Narinya's hands. She promptly folded her arms across her midsection.

He turned to the handmaiden with a smile, "Thank you, Melda."

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Legolas offered his arm to Narinya and they walked into the full dining hall. Many eyes were on them as they entered the room, and Narinya had plenty of reason to be self conscious.

Legolas knew that Narinya was not quite used to the attention that came with her title when attending such events, but he felt more anxiety emanating from her tonight than he had expected. She was eager to sit down at the table and once she did, she seemed far more relaxed.

Thranduil's strongest wine was served, saved for very special occasions, but she took water instead. Lindethiel was seated next to Narinya. The princess was looking much better and was in good spirits. The table was filled with friends of the royal family.

Narinya was thankful that dinner was slow. She made a sincere effort not to devour her food and instead participated in the many conversations going on at the table. Hearty laughter filled the air in the hall.

Legolas looked across the table at his wife. He was content this evening. Tonight, Greenwood honored not only Lindethiel for her bravery and survival, but also Narinya for sending riders that brought his sister home safely. He observed her, her grey eyes sparkling as she smiled and conversed with those near her. He thought of how he had resigned himself to this marriage out of a sense of duty to the realm and his father, assuming he would simply tolerate his bride. And yet, he had found in her so much more than he had expected.

Tonight was the night he would tell her how he was feeling in full.

After a short while had passed, beautiful melodies filled the hall and several elves made their way to the open parts of the room to dance. Lindethiel could only dance when the rhythm was quite slow, and so after sharing a short and careful dance with her father and then her brother, she stayed seated alongside Feredir.

Legolas thought back to his wedding day, the last time he and Narinya had attended a celebration this large. That day had been something less than wonderful, and he intended to make it up to her.

"Would you care to dance, Narinya?"

She observed the elven couples filling the floor and was tempted to join them, "Thanks to your lessons, I think so, yes."

He took her hand as she stood to join him.

The walls were adorned with candles that gave off a warm glow. Narinya gazed at Legolas. The soft light fell across his face, casting shadows that only served to make his strong features more dramatic. She smiled, the realization that she was married to him setting in again. She had been thinking about him a lot lately.

As she settled into the music, the soft light, and Legolas' capable lead, she felt her concerns slipping away. As the evening went on, she joined in the larger group dances and even partook in one that required changing partners several times, but always she wanted to be back in her husband's arms. Despite the fact that many ellith followed Legolas with their eyes, he was only looking at Narinya.

But, after several hours, the crowd in the hall began to disperse. As the number of guests lessened, so did Narinya's joy.

Tonight was the night she would finally tell Legolas what she had struggled to keep hidden for so long, and her heart was again heavy with worry. She thought of the new affection she had found from him of late: the easy conversations, the warmth in his eyes when he greeted her, and the kiss they had shared just hours before. She knew what she had to reveal could very well change everything and would certainly break the trust and friendship they had recently found in one another.

A final song began to play, an elven melody of old that provided a tune for the traditional last dance of the formal gathering. Legolas found his wife and she again accepted his hand.

"Thank you again, Narinya. For everything," he said quietly, his warm breath caressing her. He could swear he felt her quiver under his touch, and it ignited something in him, the atmosphere between them suddenly charged with anticipation.

His hands rested on her hips while she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her shoulders leaned forward, but she was careful not to let him pull her too close. Even so, she felt the sudden shift between them and saw the heat and want in his eyes. It reminded her of the look Calanon wore the night she had made such a grave mistake by laying with him.

She rested her head on his shoulder to break the intense moment and breathed his scent in deeply. It was subtle, but had the slightest hint of pine. She wondered if it was because as an elfling he had spent nearly all of his time in the forest.

His cheek now rested against the side of her head and he smiled, pulling her waist closer to him, wanting to feel more of her.

However, he did not receive the reaction he had expected. She abruptly pulled away, stepping quickly backward and bumping into another couple in the process. Legolas tilted his head slightly and gave her a questioning glance. Several other couples nearby were watching the scene unfold. He wondered if he had misread her enthusiasm earlier that day during their kiss.

"Legolas, I'm sorry… we need to talk. Can we go to our chambers?"

The couples that had stopped dancing hastily resumed, but continued on listening to the exchange. Legolas stepped close to her again, "Yes, but first let us finish our dance."

"Nay, I think we should go now." Narinya did not know how long her courage would hold.

Legolas gave a stern look to a couple that was quite openly staring at him and his wife. They mumbled their apologies and began to dance again. The song was almost over now.

Narinya fought back the tears that threatened to fall and was staring pleadingly into Legolas' eyes, awaiting his response.

Legolas nodded and linked his arm with hers, deeply confused by her urgency to depart and the sudden change in her. He walked quickly by his father and said good evening, "Pass our farewells onto the rest of the guests."

The remaining guests in the hall began whispering speculations as their prince and princess exited from the hall.

As soon as they were far enough for privacy, Legolas stopped for a moment and turned to face her, "Perhaps you could be a bit more subtle next time."

Narinya said nothing in return, simply continued walking. There was no going back now and she doubted there would ever be a "next time."

Legolas quickened his pace to walk beside her and took her hand in his, hoping to put her obviously troubled mind at ease. She let him hold her hand, but her stride did not falter.

Narinya was both relieved and dismayed when she saw the door of their chambers.

She walked inside and closed the door after Legolas, leaning against it and exhaling.

The prince stood looking at her expectantly, waiting for her to speak, "What is it, Narinya?"

She worked to gather her courage, but her voice was shaking when she spoke, "I… I have something to tell you."

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