Pic is of Eilonwy's dress. :D

Eilonwy

A knock at my bedroom door awakens me, and I sit up, rubbing my eyes tiredly.

"Come in," I say, yawning. I brush my tangled hair out of my face with my fingers and watch as Legolas comes in holding something. When his gaze lands on me he grins, chuckling deeply.

"Did I wake you?" he asks with slight sarcasm before approaching my bed. He lays a large package beside me and then sits on the edge of my bed, keeping a gentlemanly distance.

"What made you think that?" I ask with the same teasing tone, and I roll my eyes before smiling at him. His hair is not braided on the sides today, but it is falling down his shoulders simply. His gaze is soft as it rests on me, and a small smile pulls at his lips. Legolas's expressions are usually hard to decipher, but the more I get to know him, the easier it is to see the emotions that lie within his bright blue eyes. He is much like his father in that aspect, yet Legolas's natural expression is softer, even when I cannot figure out what he is thinking or feeling.

"You slept late today," he states with a smile before he slides the package closer to me until it is touching my leg, "This is for you."

I take the package, laying it in my lap, and I begin to tear away the paper that it is wrapped inside. "Oh," I say with a laugh as I remove the rest of the paper, "A box! It is what I have always wanted!"

Legolas grins, rolling his eyes in an un-princely manner. "Would you please just open it, Eilonwy?"

I look back down at the thin, rectangular box, and I take the lid off, wondering what Legolas could possibly be giving me and why. It is not my birthday-at least, I do not think it is. I am actually not entirely sure when I was really born. On Earth, my birthday was June 6. I gasp, reaching my fingers into the box and lightly stroking the blue material that lies within. I push my covers away and jump from the bed, racing to the mirror, not caring that I am in my nightgown. The box falls to the floor and the dress that was inside springs free, and I hold it up to my body. It is gorgeous, definitely the most exquisite piece of clothing I have ever seen in my life. I am at a loss for words as I stare into the mirror at it. It is a lovely light blue color with almost unnoticeable shades of purple and darker blue mixed in, and it shimmers softly in the morning light streaming through the window. It has so much material, making it appear to be large and puffy like something a princess would wear.

I turn to look at Legolas, seeing his slightly smug smile as he watches me. He stands from my bed, walking toward me, and I want nothing more than to kiss him from utter happiness.

"Legolas," I breathe out his name, feeling as if I am in a dream, "I cannot believe you did this."

"You said you had nothing to wear to the feast," he states, stopping in front of me, "Arwen is really the one to thank. She gave the orders to her personal seamstress to have this made for you."

My heart feels as if it will burst of warmth and elation. "How can anyone make a dress this beautiful in just one day? It is gorgeous! I feel most unfit to wear it! Surely you got it all wrong and the dress is actually for Glosseth to wear?" I say.

He chuckles at my reaction, his eyes crinkling adorably as he does. "The dress is made specially for you, I promise," he says.

I place the dress delicately on my bed before turning and pouncing on Legolas, wrapping him in a huge hug. He laughs boyishly as he catches me, and he stumbles a bit before righting himself. He wraps his warm arms around my waist tightly, burying his face in the crook of my neck. "Thank you so much," I whisper to him, trying to put as much emotion in my voice as I can. I feel like words cannot fully describe how thankful and happy I am right now.

He pulls away, placing a chaste kiss on my temple before releasing me. "Try it on," he insists.

I nod and take the dress from the bed, walking toward my changing screen. I stand behind it, feeling slightly awkward that Legolas is in the room as I change, but I push the awkwardness away knowing that he is a born and bred gentleman. I slip off my nightgown and pull on my dress for the feast. I try to tie the corset back and panic when I am not able to do so. Knowing what I have to do, I nervously step from behind my changing screen.

"Legolas, will you tie up the back? I cannot do it on my own," I ask him, turning to look in the mirror, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Of course," he replies simply, and I hear him approach me. He brushes my hair to rest over my left shoulder. I stiffen slightly when his fingers brush the skin of my back, and I feel my cheeks warm. His breath caresses the bare skin of my neck and shoulder, and I softly touch the expensive fabric of my dress to try and change my course of thinking.

"This dress is so lovely," I say, trying to make this less awkward for myself, "I know I have said that many times, but I just cannot get over it. I love it so much. I will admit that I am a bit nervous for tonight. I have never been to a feast or dance before, as you already know, and I am worried that I might do something incredibly embarrassing. Also, I am shy when first meeting someone, and I cannot help but dread having to meet many new people and speak with them-"

"-Eilonwy," Legolas cuts me off, chuckling lowly at my rambling, "You have nothing to worry about; I assure you. I will stay by your side throughout the entire night."

I blush harder, not meaning to think wrongly of his words, but I cannot help it when he is in the process of tying my dress as he says them.

"You will do perfectly fine. I have noticed that you seem calm even when you are nervous, so it is not like you are going to embarrass yourself. My family, Aragorn's, and Lord Elrond's will all be there, so you should feel comforted. They already consider you family, and family members always help each other out when one is in need," he says as he finishes tying my dress. He turns me around to face him, and I look deeply into his lovely eyes.

His gaze travels down my body as he takes in the sight of me in my new dress, and I anxiously await his approval. He and Arwen had this dress made specially for me, and I want to wear it well. His gaze meets mine after long moments, and a breathtaking smile appears on his lips. "You look absolutely stunning," he breathes and takes my hand in his own, spinning me around in place. The dress fans out around me prettily.

I laugh at his words. "The dress does look stunning," I say as I look down at it, "I could die of happiness."

"The dress is only stunning because you are wearing it," Legolas says alluringly, and butterflies flutter about crazily in my stomach at the look he is giving me. I do not think I will ever get used to how handsome he is. Even after years and years, I believe he will still be able to make me feel this way.

"Oh, Eilonwy!"

I turn and see Glosseth floating into the room cheerily. I sometimes believe her spirits never dampen. I look to the doorway to see Queen Nithroel leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed and a smile on her lips.

"You look so magnificent!" Glosseth continues as she takes the material into her fingers.

"Thank you, Glosseth," I tell her gratefully, her comment making me feel a bit better about myself.

"All the young men and ellyn will be fighting for a dance with you," she says and turns to Legolas with a grin, "Good luck, brother."

Legolas's mother comes to stand in front of me. "Would you like for me to fix your hair for the feast this afternoon?"

"Yes, please. I would appreciate that very much," I tell her.

"Then I will be more than happy to do so," she says with a kind smile, "Now, breakfast will be served soon, and I expect both of you to be there." She looks between Legolas and I with a faux stern look.

Legolas looks at me, his eyes dancing with a hidden smile. "Yes, Naneth, we will be there."

"If you are not, I will come and find you myself, Legolas Thranduilion," she chirps as she walks to the door, Glosseth following behind her with a wide grin. They both disappear from the room, shutting the door behind them, and I turn to look at Legolas.

"Well, I guess I should change into another dress until time for the feast," I tell him as I walk over to my dresser. I rummage through it until I find a pretty green dress.

"Do you need me to untie your dress?" Legolas asks, and my heart picks up speed in my chest as I whip my head up to look at him, flustered.

"Oh," I say, "Um, yes, please."

He strides over to me, considering that I am frozen in place. His eyes look into mine for a moment, and I do not miss the tender look in them. He turns me around to where my back is facing him, and after brushing my hair over my shoulder as he did earlier, he begins to untie my dress. I cannot help but wonder if this is how it would be if we were to get married someday. He would do little things to help me, achieving the goal of melting my heart with each one. The thought is warm and comforting, and I can picture he and I spending the rest of our lives together, side by side. Thinking these things makes me realize something very important. I think... I think that I am in love with him. I love the way his eyes look into mine with a look that tells me he cannot wait for us to be alone. I love the way he has a certain smile and personality that he only reveals to me and no one else. I love the way he looks this morning: eyes tired, a sleepy smile, his hair unbound and slightly messy. I remember back in Lothlorien in the hot spring, how I loved the way the water droplets clung to his thick eyelashes as he spoke passionately to me. I love all of these things about him, so I must be in love with him, right? I think of him constantly, and when he is not by my side, I long for his presence.

Only one thing worries me; does he love me back?

"There," he says, his low voice close to my ear, "All done."

"Thank you," I say to him, walking behind my changing screen. I carefully remove the dress he gave me from my body, laying it on the back of a chair that is beside my screen. I then slip on my green dress which does not have any ties, and I walk out from behind the changing screen and over to my vanity. I pick up my hairbrush, beginning to work out the tangles in my hair, and Legolas comes to stand behind me, taking the brush from my hands.

"Let me help you," he says with an amused smile, meeting my gaze through the mirror's reflection. I smile back at him as he begins to brush my hair, and I pick up a white feather that is laying on the vanity, twirling it through my fingers.

"Will you braid my hair?" I ask him.

He shakes his head. "No, I love it when you leave your hair unbound," he says, and my heart leaps into my throat at the word 'love'. All I can manage is a nod in response.

Once he is done, he sets the hairbrush back down on the vanity, and I stand, turning to face him, the white feather falling out of my hand. "Thank you, Legolas," I tell him with a soft smile, "Come, let us go to breakfast."

I go to walk past him, but he grabs my arm lightly, pulling me back to him. He kisses my lips softly, his hands resting on my waist. I place my hands on his chest as I kiss him back, relishing in the feeling of him holding me close. His hand travels to my hair as the kiss deepens, and I step closer to him leaving no space between us. As we pull apart, my fingers slide down the fabric of his tunic, stopping at his stomach, and I open my eyes to look up at him. His eyes are dark with desire after our kiss, and he looks at me in a way that I am sure all women and ellith dream of being looked at. I cannot resist so I lean in, kissing him again, and he responds with the same fervor. His fingers curl in my hair at the nape of my neck, and his other arm fully encircles my waist, holding me to him tightly. Both of my hands come up to hold onto his jaw on either side of his face, pulling him closer to me as he kisses my mouth enticingly. He moves his hands back down to my waist after a few moments, and I let my hands travel down to the sides of his neck. Shivers rush down my spine as he tightens his grip slightly, his hands roaming the curves of my waist temptingly.

"Legolas," I say breathlessly, laughing lightly as I break away from his unbearably sensational kiss, "We should go or else your mother will come looking for us. I dare not think of what her reaction would be should she find us like this."

He chuckles. "You are right," he says, placing one last kiss upon my lips, "Let us go." He pulls away from me reluctantly, and he brushes his fingers through my hair, attempting to fix it from where he messed it up. He then offers me his arm, and I take it. We both leave my room, laughing and talking as we walk through the hallways of the castle.

When we reach the dining room, Legolas leads me into the loud room. I look around, seeing everyone with smiles on their faces as they laugh and talk. Gwilithon looks over, noticing Legolas and I as we sit down at the table, and he grins.

"Naneth," he says, and Queen Nithroel turns to look at him, as well as King Thranduil, "Look who just arrived! You did not have to hunt them down and drag them here after all."

King Thranduil raises his glass of wine to his lips to hide his smirk as Queen Nithroel looks at us with a soft, motherly look in her eyes. "I guess not, but do not think for one second that this threat does not stand in the future," she says as she raises her eyebrows teasingly.

"I will be sure to remind Legolas of that," I say as I glance at Legolas with a slight smirk. His facial expression remains impassive, but his lips lift slightly showing that he will not soon forget the kiss we shared moments ago.

I spear some of the breakfast on my plate with my fork and take a bite as Queen Nithroel laughs, looking to her husband with a bright smile. "They remind me so much of us when we were young," she says to him.

"Aye," he replies, his piercing gaze traveling from Legolas to me, "I agree."

Gwilithon, Glosseth, and Legolas all groan in annoyance at the same time, catching the attention of the others at the table, and Gwilithon covers his ears jokingly, "No! No stories of how you fell in love! 'Tis only ten in the morning, for Eru's sake!"

Queen Nithroel turns to him with a frown as the others at the table laugh heartily. "I thought you three enjoyed those stories," she says, referring to her children.

"Naneth," Legolas says disbelievingly.

Everyone's attention is diverted from the queen and her children as Arwen steps into the room carrying her newborn son, Aragorn and his children walking beside her. I sit up straighter, trying to get a good look at the tiny child in her arms. The chair beside me screeches against the marble floor as it is pulled back, and I look down to see Estrith crawling into the seat.

"Good morning, Lady Eilonwy!" she says cheerily.

I smile down at the child and pull her seat closer to the table for her. "Good morning, Estrith," I reply.

I help her put some grapes on her plate, and I smile in amusement as she brushes her hair away from her face cutely. She puts a grape in her mouth, looking around the table with her wide, innocent eyes at everyone else as they talk and laugh.

King Thranduil looks at her, his eyes softening. "Good morning, Calad nin," he says to her softly.

She smiles at him, showing the dimple in her right cheek. "Good morning, King Thranduil. How are you today?"

He smiles kindly at her. "I am well, child. How are you?"

She pops another grape into her mouth, smiling as a little juice from it drips down her chin. "I am well," she attempts to say with her mouth full.

"Estrith," Aragorn says with a sigh from his place at the head of the table, "Do not speak with your mouth full of food."

She nods earnestly. "Yes, daddy!" she says with her mouth still full of grape.

To my surprise, King Thranduil laughs, leaning back and propping his elbow on the arm of the chair as he leans his head on his fist. Estrith grins sheepishly at him as he continues to chuckle. She shrugs slightly. "I love grapes!"

I turn away from her, my gaze landing on Legolas's brother Gwilithon as he laughs at something Elrohir said. I have barely talked to him in the time that I have been here, yet just like everyone else, he has no hesitation in teasing Legolas and me. He seems nice, and he reminds me much of Elrohir with his mischievous smirk and mirthful eyes. They seem to be good friends, and I make a mental note to always be on the look-out around them. I do not want to be the target of their jokes and pranks that Legolas has spoken of before.

"I sense a passionate gaze coming from Eilonwy," Gwilithon says silkily as he turns to look at me, and I blush slightly at being caught staring, "Have you fallen in love with me already? I must admit that when it comes to looks in our family, Legolas drew the short end of the stick." He laughs as Legolas glares at him.

"I'll have you know that Legolas is the most handsome ellon I have seen since being in Middle Earth," I say, pushing away my shyness for a moment in order to stand up for Legolas. I ignore it when he looks at me with his eyebrow raised slightly and his lips quirked into a smile.

Gwilithon chokes on the juice he is drinking. "You haven't seen very many ellyn then," he says as he begins to laugh.

"I have not," I admit, "But I have seen you."

Everything goes silent for a heartbeat before laughter erupts at the table causing me to grin in triumph. Gwilithon shrinks back into his seat in defeat and embarrassment, and I laugh as I see both of his parents laughing hard. This is the first time I have seen King Thranduil laugh so hard and so much in one day, and I must say that it makes him look much less severe... almost kind.

"Eilonwy, you are wonderful!" Elladan calls to me from a few seats down, "Gwilithon needed someone to knock him back down to Middle Earth."

I grin at him as he laughs. "I find joy in doing so," I reply and then take a bite of one of the pastries on my plate.

Arwen calls to Glosseth suddenly, changing the subject. "Glosseth, the elves of Rivendell arrived yesterday," she says with a slight smirk.

I watch Glosseth as she noticeably stiffens. "And that concerns me how?" she asks with innocent eyes.

Arwen, holding the baby in one arm, picks up her fork with the other hand and absentmindedly pushes at her food with it. "Elwin asked if you were in Gondor," she says, "He seemed hopeful."

Glosseth looks down at her breakfast, her eyes widening upon hearing the name.

"I-," she stutters at a loss for words as a pink hue tints her cheeks.

"Elwin?" Queen Nithroel says curiously before her eyes light up, and she turns to Glosseth, "Oh, you must speak with him at the feast tonight. I am sure he will ask you to dance."
"I am sure he is soon to make an offer," Arwen says, her eyes dancing with happiness.
Glosseth's cheeks darken, and she looks at Arwen in horror. "An offer of what?" she almost shrieks.

Beside me, Legolas chuckles, but Glosseth does not notice.

Arwen laughs at her expression. "Marriage, of course! You two have been skirting around the fact that you are in love for years. It is about time for him to ask for your hand," she says as if it is the most obvious thing in the world.

Lord Elrond smiles amusedly. "So Glosseth is the reason why he seems so distracted lately," he muses teasingly, the older elves at the table laughing lightly at his joke.

"I have no idea what you all are going on about," Glosseth mumbles, placing her head in her hands, "Why do you all have to be in my business all of the time? First it is Eilonwy, and now it is me. That is not how you treat family!"
"Now, you know we are just teasing you both," King Thranduil says, and his gaze meets mine, a peculiar spark in his icy blue eyes, "'Tis what is expected of family."

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Elvish translations

Calad nin: Little light

A/N: I was going to put the feast in this chapter, but I decided to put it in the next. Hope y'all enjoy! Thanks for all of the support!  It means a lot to me! I love y'all so much! <3

See you next chapter!~Josie :D