NEW LEAF (Legolas FF) | ✔️

Chapter 16: Storytelling

LARALEN

Lyraesel brushes through my hair, humming to herself. She had left me to bathe in privacy but came back to help me with the dress.

It was in the color of blue and white, with silver laces, flowing down like a waterfall.

"Would you like me to style it in the elven fashion?" She asked and I watch her through the mirror, she was waiting for my reply.

"Elven fashion?" I asked and she proceeds to take strands of my hair, braiding them.

"Braids," she answers, smiling to herself as her hands set about their work. She braided most but left loose strands to fall at the sides of my face. I could not see what she did behind but from all the pulling, it must be something wonderful.

"You know," she starts as she pins my hair all over, "braiding is known to be an intimate thing. Especially among elves, only family members or yourself can braid your hair. Of course, family members are not limited to ones that share your blood." She states with a nod and I think of all the elves I have seen. Indeed, all of them had braids. She stops then as my ears pop out from their golden veil. She touches it lightly as if finding it odd and I flinch for I found it ticklish.

"Sorry, dear," she apologizes and stands back to get a better look at her work.

"There, all done." She smiles at me through the mirror and I stand up and turn towards her.

"Will you not join us?" I asked, feeling a little nervous to be in the presence of elves without Lyraesel. She smiles at me kindly before shaking her head. Then her eyes light up in remembrance of something and she walks towards a bag of some sort where she had gotten most of the things for my hair. I turn around to look at myself in the mirror. The dirt was completely washed off of me and I do not know if it was the water or elves had some sort of magic that somehow made my skin brighter and my hair softer. In fact, I looked better than I have ever been. Healthier even.

Lyraesel stands behind me and I notice how she was not that taller than me. In her hands she held a bronze circlet in the shape of woven branches. She smiles at me before gesturing for me to bend down slightly so that she could rest the circlet on my head. Now, I almost do look like the elves. Although their fairness is not something even I could compare.

"Best be off," she pushes me towards the door but my feet are suddenly made of stones. Didn't Lord Elrond say Elrohir was to escort me? Was I suppose to call him Lord now? I feel the panic rise in my throat and Lyraesel seems to notice this and stops pushing, watching me with narrowed eyes.

"What is up with you child? You are as stiff as a stone," she states, crossing her arms over her chest and her eyes study me, making me fumble with the sleeves of the dress.

"What am I supposed to say?" I finally ask, turning to her and she softens at my expression, " am I to address them as Lords? Ladies? Oh, Lyraesel," I groan, " I have no idea what to do among such fine people."

"Just be yourself dear," she pats my arm reassuringly, "no one is judged here in the house of Elrond." She stops a moment, before muttering something under her breath, "but yes," she says after some length, "I guess you should address them by the title they wear."

Without warning she shoves me out the door and I hold back a squeal, her sly smile being the last thing I see. I stare at the closed door for a moment, surprised by her action. I had not known elves to be quite queer folk. I found myself smiling and chuckling lightly at the thought of Bleon's reaction when I tell him. I take in a breath and spin around only to stop in my heels.

Elrohir was standing there, and I first notice the braids in his hair. I never really given it much thought. He stands there in what appears to be the finest velvet my eyes had ever laid upon. Something suited for someone royal, and I guess in a way he was sort of a prince. The tunic fitted him well, enhancing the aura of authority around him. A single golden brooch hung on the curve of his neck and I noticed how his shoulders looked more refined in what he was wearing compared to the armor. My eyes travel from his tunic down to his dark breeches and black boots before making their way up to meet his dark eyes. They seemed to twinkle ever so lightly, reminding me of stars in the dark sky. I finally realize I had been staring too long and avert my gaze, my cheeks burning.