A knock on the door startled Luin. He raised his head from the pillow and got out of bed. He had not recently awoken, the dawn light having brought him from sleep. But instead of rising immediately, he had spent the next hour enjoying the feel of soft sheets and a comfy mattress. Time was spent debating on the current situation and dwelling on his interactions with the prince. The shared dreams nagged at him. He couldn't quite make out where Legolas stood on the subject. Would they both just ignore it and continue? It's not like the dreams happened every night, only frequent enough to be unusual.

The knock made Luin blink. Thinking it was a servant with new clothes or breakfast, he rose and strode over to the armchairs. "Come in", he called. The door opened with a click and there were a few soft footfalls as the door closed again. Luin had began sweeping his hair up in his hands to braid when a cough startled him. He looked up to see Legolas, dressed in his dark green uniform, standing in front of the door.

The prince's ears and cheeks were very lightly tinged red and he averted his gaze in a slightly flustered manner. Luin felt his own cheeks redden as he remembered his state of undress. He dropped his hair and pulled the nightshirt further down. It wasn't the most scandalous situation he'd been in. He travelled often and was used to having to dress and undress around others. There had been times where he had to be mostly naked in order to tend to a wound and he wasn't ever embarrassed or ashamed. Nakedness is natural. Just something about Legolas' reaction made Luin feel as if he should be embarrassed. This elf's gaze just seemed different.

"Oh my apologies", Luin said smoothly, not letting this new flush affect his words. "I thought you'd be a servant with new clothes. Mine are rather unsuitable and these are all that they left me". He gestured to the night shirt and the prince blinked.

"No, I should apologise. I did not announce myself at the door", Legolas replied hastily. Luin frowned slightly. Every time they talked, Legolas had addressed him with the tone and manners of court speak between nobles, formal and unemotional. He had seen Legolas speak informally to his guards and to the dwarves. Why did he continue this formality here? Was it because he was a wizard?

He waved a hand dismissively before returning to braiding his hair. "You can stop with the formal speak Legolas", he declared in a more relaxed tone of voice. He let some of his native accent slip through, curling the words as he changed from elvish to the tongue of men. "It's too early in the morning and are we not past that stage? We share dreams, do we not? Doesn't that automatically grant us a more intimate relationship?"

Legolas' lips quirked into a slight smirk. It was the first time Luin had seen him smile. It transformed his moonlike beauty from cold to soft and glowing. "I agree Luin", he replied in a visibly at ease manner. His posture calmed and he stepped forwards. Luin took a moment to enjoy the syllable's of his name through the Mirkwood accent. It was softer than the rough accent of the dwarves and he quite liked it.

Legolas gestured towards Luin's sleepy state of attire. "I shall ask the guards to bring you a change of clothes. In the meantime would you like assistance with your hair?" Obviously Legolas meant sending for a servant or a maid to help tie his hair back.

Luin raised an eyebrow, lips curling into a sly smile. He glanced at the prince and wondered how far he could push it. If Legolas was as interested in the red haired elf as he had seemed, then this would fail, but if Luin had read his glances correctly, then it could be interesting. "Why?" He grinned, deciding to go for it. "Is the prince of Mirkwood offering?" His voice was more teasing than flirtatious but it got the point across.

Legolas froze, surprised by the bold statement. He must have experience with flirting before, being the only Sindar elf and the only heir to the throne. It did not help that he was handsome as well. But Luin doubted elves had rarely been so bold. Elves wore their hair long as a sign of maturity and pride. To ask for someone specific to help braid their hair was a common courting gesture within elvish society. Maybe he had been too forward. With a mental sigh, he turned away to look out of the windows and at the sunlit forest. Had he had come on too strong? Perhaps the prince really was into the red haired elf.

Slightly disappointed and slightly ashamed, he stood up from the armchair and walked back over to the bed. He sat cross legged on the mattress where he could stare out of the window while basking in the morning light. As he closed his eyes to enjoy the light on his face, Luin heard the door open and close. The prince must have left.

Shrugging, Luin began to meditate. Thranduil had said that the feast was during the afternoon. He doubted that he was allowed to wander the castle, guest or no. So he was stuck in this room until it was time for him to be shown to the elven court like some rare artefact, revealed like a mystical jewel. He was used to it. There was no point in trying to escape before the feast anyway. His plan would have to wait.

The door clicked open again and Luin heard the sounds of footsteps and the rustle of cloth. Opening his eyes, he turned to watch as Legolas placed a bundle of folded midnight blue cloth, the exact same colour as his previous robes, on to the table. Thinking that the prince would then leave, Luin closed his eyes again.

Something moved behind him and he jumped. "Stay still", Legolas' voice breathed behind his ear. "I don't want to pull your hair". Luin felt his face warm as his face flushed red. He didn't think that the elf would actually rise to the bait. Arwen would be laughing if she could see him now, blushing like a innocent teen.

Nimble fingers ran through the inky strands and Luin tried to quell the rising goosebumps. He like having his hair braided. It was a sign of trust to let someone near your unprotected neck so freely. Luin had his hair braided often. Hell, Kili and Fili had done it at Beorn's house a few days ago. He enjoyed the soothing motions and warm feeling. But having Legolas sitting on the bed behind him made Luin feel like he had his back to an open fire.

The prince's hands worked gently and with skill. The barest touches of skin against Luin's scalp and ears. Archers hands, so used to the calluses of a bow that it was ingrained. He could feel their heat as they worked in agile movements. Luin breathed out slowly and tried to return to the meditative calm he'd had only moments ago.

"I was expecting you to leave", Luin said, giving up on meditation. There was a intake of breath behind him and the hands stilled for a quick moment.

"So was I", Legolas answered with a sigh. "I surprised myself. You are a untrusted guest, a foreigner. By rights I should not even be here".

"Oh? Why are you here then?" Luin was intrigued. What exactly went on behind the prince's cold exterior? He wanted to find out.

"My father wants you watched", Legolas' tone was blank, factual. Luin felt him softly brush some hair aside above his ear, draping the lock over his shoulder. "He is curious about you. You are so different, it makes him smug now that he has such a treasure in his kingdom".

"Him and every other person who has heard of me", Luin said bitterly, voice souring. "I am not a prize to be treasured or shown off for the rich and powerful".

"I am curious about you too", Legolas stated. Luin opened his mouth to reply that he was not some jester to be gawked at, when Legolas interrupted him. "Seeing you in my dreams made me curious. I want to see you fly on your swords, fight with a dancers grace. I'm curious to why you would join a band of dwarves on a suicidal quest when you know you will be treated differently where ever you go. I am curious about your birthplace and how you do such marvellous things. I'm curious about you for more than your looks or rarity".

Legolas broke off suddenly. Luin was speechless. It had been a while since anyone outside of Rivendale had wanted to see past the exterior. For it to come from the child of Thranduil and the prince of Mirkwood, it surprised him. He didn't see the surprised blush on Legolas' cheeks, too busy thinking to turn around. After a minute, the prince resumed his work.

When it was done, Luin felt Legolas tie his braid together with a leather cord before rising. The prince headed towards the door and Luin got up hurriedly. "Wait", he called and Legolas froze. "Did you mean that?" There was something vulnerable in his voice that made Luin want to strangle himself. But still, despite his annoyance at himself, he waited for the answer.

Legolas seemed conflicted. He clenched and unclenched his hands. "I should not be doing this", he stated firmly. "I should not be here. It is ridiculous for me to feel this way. You are untrustworthy and unknown. I should go, I will return later to escort you to the feast. Be ready". With that, he marched out of the door. It clicked shut behind him.

Luin was left standing in the centre of the room. His fingers running softly over his beautiful braids, staring at the closed door. Sighing deeply, he turned away. They had a quest to fulfill. He needed to get the dwarves out of the dungeons soon. It would be best not to get attached.

AN: Legolas does not have much of a crush on Tariel here. Basically the arrival of Luin made him realise that he likes her more like a sister.
Poor Legolas is having to deal with a lot of new emotions.