Chapter 5 The next morning, Estelbain awoke to the sound of Oivorondaer instructing the servants in packing her things. "What are you doing?" Estelbain asked. The thought of leaving greatly distressed her. "Your grandmother's orders. She said it was best to get your mother back to Lothlorien. She is a light elf, and this forest is too dark; it's not good for her." Oivorondaer answered briskly. "Too dark," Estelbain thought, " Yes there was a sense of untameness and mystery to the forest, but that was why she liked it. She had always had a soft spot for this forest in her heart. For here, she felt free and unfettered. "When are we leaving?" Estelbain asked. "Most likely tomorrow or the day after at the latest." Oivorondaer said, looking up from the trunk she was packing. "Very well." Estelbain said. She sat down next to Oivorondaer and turned to one of the servant girls, "Please find my green dress. The one that has the tight sleeves and V neck." Marta brushed her golden hair, but did not put it up, for Estelbain decided to leave her hair down today. . After Oivorondaer had finished, Estelbain went and found Legolas. "Legolas, my parents have decided to leave on the morrow." She said sadly, not looking up at him. "I know. The thought of you leaving had never entered my mind." Legolas's breath was taken by Estelbain's beauty, even so simply dressed. "Well," she said, looking up, a small grin on her face, "Let's make the best of it." Then she took his hand and went to her parent's chambers. "Mother, father, would it be all right if Legolas and I went out for a hunt?" Estelbain asked, putting on her most innocent look. "I don't know…" Her father said. "Oh, let her go. Give them some time for we leave on the morrow." Lady Celebrian answered good-naturedly. "I know when we are leaving, and I don't feel it's soon enough…" Lord Elrond muttered under his breath, then he plastered a smile on his face and said, "If your mother wishes it so then it shall be. But…" Estelbain held her breath. 'Here it comes', she thought. "Be careful, the wood is a dangerous place. Don’t go too far off and don't be gone too long." Lord Elrond finished. "Thank you daddy," Estelbain said. Kissing her father on the cheek, and then grabbing Legolas hand, she hurried out of the room before her father changed his mind. When they were out of earshot, they both burst out laughing. "I thought he was going to send Oivorondaer with us, or worse." Legolas said, still laughing. "I know," Estelbain, agreed, "he can be so difficult sometimes." "Well, let's get on with it." Estelbain said, smiling. Twenty minutes later they were just mounting their horses, lunches packed and bows ready. They started, singing as they went. This trip was not really about hunting it was more about getting away from the prying eyes of court and the smothering grasp of parents. They rode on, still singing a happy tune, enjoying the clean fresh air, the songs of the birds, and, of course, each other. They came upon a small pond with a quaint little waterfall surrounded by small, colorful flowers. They decided it would be a good place to stop and eat lunch. They dismounted and tied the horses to a tree near the pond. Estelbain took their lunch from her saddlebag, and then sat down next to Legolas. When they had finished and Estelbain had cleaned up, Legolas asked, "Would you like to take a swim?" And with that, he dived in; quickly followed by Estelbain. The water felt heavenly on the warm day. They splashed around for a while. * * * * * Little did they know they were being watched from afar? A pair of eyes watched jealousy as the young couple swam. * * * * * When they'd had their fill of swimming, they climbed out and laid down to dry out in the sun, Legolas with his head resting on Estelbain's lap, and Estelbain flat on her back, listening to the trees sing. "Do you ever wonder what it's like to be a normal elf? To lose all the formalities and the advisers, to simply be yourself and not worry about the kingdom and fulfilling your obligations?" Legolas asked, looking deeply into Estelbain's blue eyes. "I used to, all the time." She said. "But then I realized that I could do nothing to change it. We cannot change what we are born to. It's part of who we are and we just have to accept that. And from then on I stopped thinking about it and did my best to learn how to be a good queen and to keep the best interests of my kingdom at heart." Estelbain said truthfully. "I guess you're right, I never thought of it that way." Legolas said, smiling. Then he sat up and kissed her deeply and passionately. Estelbain smiled, "I was wondering when you would do that." "Well, I wonder if you expected this?" Legolas said kissing her again. "No, but I like surprises." Estelbain said smiling. They were just about to kiss again, when they heard an "Ahem!" Legolas grabbed his bow, which was never far from him, and readied an arrow. They looked up and Legolas said, "Araukapilin! You should be more careful, I almost shot you!" Legolas was annoyed at the intrusion. Estelbain began to blush now that they had been caught. Araukapilin just shrugged it off and said, "Hunting, eh? I wonder what Lord Elrond would have to say about all this." Estelbain went from a full-out blush to a few shades paler then her normal pale completion. She pictured her father forbidding her to see Legolas ever again, and of being quickly betrothed to some other elf, whom she knew not. Her father could be very unpredictable when he was angry. Legolas looked at Estelbain and, trying to reassure her said to Araukapilin, "Don't scare the princess like that! You wouldn’t do that, now would you Araukapilin?" "I guess not, seeing as that would not be a very gentlemanly thing to do." Araukapilin said, then he stalked off. Estelbain collapsed into Legolas arms. " Maybe we should go." She said, trembling slightly. * * * * * The eyes smiled, wondering ' Who is this other elf?' It was happy that the couple had been interrupted. It went on watching. * * * * * "No, we came out here to alone, and if Araukapilin knows what’s healthy for him, he will leave us alone and forget it happened." Legolas said, wishing he could … cuff Araukapilin for his stupidity. "Yes, but what if someone else comes? I don't want to know what my father would do to me or you..." Estelbain's voice trailed off, not wanting to think about it. "No one will come, and besides, your father is a very understanding man. Your mother would never let him go that far overboard." Legolas said, still caressing her cheek. "I don't know," Estelbain answered. "Have I ever steered you wrong before?" Legolas teased, smiling. "I guess not." Estelbain agreed, grinning back at him. With that, Legolas bent his head down and kissed her deeply. When they pulled apart he asked, "What would you say to a stroll? I want to show you something." He jumped up and helped Estelbain up, and then he took her hand and led her away. Soon they were in a small clearing that had a single tree in the middle. The tree was surrounded by flowers and had a soft moss covering the bottom of its trunk. "Come and have a listen." Legolas said, pulling Estelbain towards the tree. The couple sat down on the soft moss and each placed an ear on the trunk. They heard a beautiful song coming from the heart of the tree. It was soft and pale, yet happy and bright, singing of summer days long past; and of the lovers that had sat under its branches on those days. "I found this tree when I was little. I used to come here and just sit and listen. This tree can also tell wonderful stories. It's almost like a friend to me," Legolas said, "Also, its voice is almost as pretty as yours." The tree sang a song that Estelbain knew and she joined in. Together their music was so beautiful that it could have tamed the heart of even an orc. Legolas smiled, enjoying the sound and beauty of both the scene and Estelbain. When the song had ended, Legolas said, "Now we must catch something so it looks like we have been hunting." Estelbain nodded. Then they set off, walking through the forest, looking for something to hunt. Legolas saw a deer and was about to shoot when Estelbain stopped and pointed to a small fawn that was standing in some tall grass. Legolas lowered his bow and Estelbain cooed to the fawn. It bounced over. The mother watched nervously, and then seeing that Estelbain and Legolas meant no harm, she lay down for a moment's rest of her charge. "You must keep your mother very busy," Estelbain chuckled, watching the doe lay down wearily. She and Legolas began to pet the fawn, and then watched it play, giving its poor mother a rest. After a while, the fawn pranced over to its mother. The mother got up and gave an appreciative look in the couple's direction, then she and the fawn walked off. "Let's head back. If they ask, we'll just say that we saw no game worth shooting." Estelbain said smiling. "Some how I don't think they'll mind." Legolas said as he mounted his horse and Estelbain followed suit. When they returned to the palace, Oivorondaer greeted them. "Quickly princess, you must get ready. We are to have one last feast before we leave on the morrow. You must ready yourself also, Lord Legolas," Oivorondaer said, obviously peeved that they had taken so long on their 'hunting expedition'. "Right away Oivorondaer," Estelbain said, dismounting and handing her reigns to a waiting groom. Then she waved goodbye to Legolas as she was nearly dragged off by Marta. When they reached Estelbain's chambers, Oivorondaer made Estelbain scrub head to toe in cool, sweet-smelling water. Then she anointed Estelbain in lavender oil. Oivorondaer brushed the hair of the princess until it shone like gold veined with ore and sunshine threaded through it. Then Oivorondaer wove golden threads into Estelbain's hair and began to braid it, adding pearls and other gems to it as she went. She then coiled the braids in to a kind of net and put half of Estelbain hair into it. She finished by making more braids at strategic intervals, adding gems as she went. On Estelbain's face, Marta put a little light-silver eye shadow on Estelbain's eyelids, then a shimmer of powder around the corners. She also put some rouge on Estelbain's lips. Next, Estelbain put on one of her finest gowns. Her grandmother had brought it from Lothlorien with the foresight that King Thranduil loved feasts. The sleeves came to a point at mid calf and were in the shape of a bell, with the skirt of the bell billowing down. The rest of the sleeve fit her arm tightly all the way up to the shoulders. The neck was also in a low, bell shape. It was tight all the way down the bodice. The skirt was an innocent white and very full, like the sleeves. All along the dress were patterns made with golden thread, pearls, and other gems. Her cloak was creamy white with a hood and full train, fastened at the neck by a single silver leaf, inlaid with emeralds. Around her neck was the necklace Legolas had given to her. Standing there smiling, she looked just as beautiful Luthien Tinuviel waiting for Beren to come for her. Legolas had arrived and he stood dumbfounded in the doorway. He wore dark gray leggings and a lighter gray tunic and cloak. Fastened at the shoulders with the same kind of leaves as Estelbain's. Around his waist was a belt wrought of gold, and inlaid with jewels and other gems. "Legolas why do you look at me like that?" Estelbain asked, feeling slightly self-conscious. "You… you look so lovely, my love." Legolas stammered. He walked up to Estelbain and took her hand in his, then said, "Shall we go? We best not keep your parents and grandparents waiting." The young couple met up with everyone at the door where they were to be announced. King Thranduil was announced first, then Estelbain's grandparents, then and her parents. Then, under the disapproving eye of her father, Legolas and Estelbain entered together, followed by little Arwen. As the young couple entered, everyone rose and stood, all-gazing in awe at the beauty of Princess Estelbain and the handsomeness of Lord Legolas. Then everyone took their seat and the meal began. Everyone was happy and laughing, enjoying each other's company. After the meal was finished, everyone went to the courtyard where minstrels were waiting. When the music began, everyone took a partner. Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian, King Celeborn and Queen Galadriel. Even King Thranduil was showing Arwen some simple steps. And, of course, Prince Legolas and Princess Estelbain danced together. Some of the people stopped to watch them gracefully dance around the courtyard. When the music ended, everyone started dancing again. "You seem troubled my dear." Legolas said, looking down into Estelbain's eyes as they sashayed across the dance floor. "Oh, I'm fine, just a little off that’s all." Estelbain said, a glint of sadness glittered behind her eyes. "No you're not. Come, let us go for a walk and have some peace." Legolas said kindly. The young couple made their way into the forest and away from the noise of the party. When they had found a secluded spot, Legolas took Estelbain's face in his hands and turned her face so their gazes met then said, "Now, tell me what troubles you so that I might make it cease immediately!" "Oh Legolas, I feel so jumbled, I don't know what I'll do when I leave. I have so enjoyed the last few days. I don't want to go, I've been so free and happy!' she cried, throwing her arms around Legolas's neck and burying her face in his chest as tears threatened to spill forth from her eyes. "Shh, it won't be so bad I'll come and visit you often," Legolas said comfortingly. He held her close and stroked her silky hair. "Besides, you know the saying, 'absence makes the heart grow fonder'." Legolas said, not knowing what else to say, for once not knowing what to say, for in his own heart he felt the same way. He felt Estelbain to be a part of him, of his heart, of his very soul. She was the answer to his nightmares and sleepless nights, to the empty feelings that had once plagued him. He didn't know if he could go back to that either. Then, to add to it, there was Lord Elrond, who seemed unwilling to let his daughter go. Still, where there's will there's a way. "The first chance I get I'll come visit, and until then, we will have to write whenever messengers come through. Legolas did not say it, but he knew how far and few between those messengers would be. A sinking feeling came over him, but he did his best to hide it. Estelbain knew though, and buried her head deeper in Legolas' chest. Legolas lifted Estelbain's face and said, "Don't worry, as long as we have each other, we'll get through it. Now let us go back to the party before people start to wonder." He put on a brave smile. Estelbain made a slightly unprincess-like face, and muttered, "Let them wonder!" Legolas chuckled and led her back to the party. The celebrations ended early, for the travelers would set out early the next morning. Legolas walked Estelbain back to her chambers and then set off for his own. The next morning, Legolas snuck in to Estelbain's chambers long before the sun rose. He awoke Estelbain with a gentle kiss and told her to get dressed and to come with him, for he wished to say goodbye in private. Estelbain quickly dressed and left the room without a sound. As they walked deeper into the woods they held hands, neither talking, just enjoying what would be their last time together until the next time their paths should cross. "I love you. Remember that no matter what," Legolas said, "I know, and I you." Estelbain said, looking up at him as a tear slid down her pale face. Legolas wiped it away as he kissed her. The sun was beginning to rise. When they pulled apart, they sat hand in hand and watched as the sun cleared the horizon. It's pale red light warming all it touched. Then Legolas pointed out, "We need to get back before Oivorondaer notices you missing and wakes your father." "All right," Estelbain said, still staring at the horizon. They retraced their footsteps in a comfortable silence. When Estelbain returned to her chambers she found them buzzing with activity. Her maids were doing some last-minute packing, and as always, Oivorondaer was in the middle of it. Oivorondaer was so busy she just shot Estelbain a look of "and where have you been?" Estelbain settled down to let Oivorondaer brush out her hair and ready her for the day's travels. All was ready within the hour. They said their good-byes and mounted their horses. The parting was so painful that Estelbain and Legolas could not bear to look at each other. Then, just as she was leaving, Estelbain looked back and gave a small wave. This brought a joyful smile to Legolas' face.