To Hide a Princess

Chapter Three

begin to hum to myself to pass the time, just a simple melody that my mother used to sing to me as a child. She had the most beautiful voice.

Where the flowers bloom, where the sun does set

A lady rocks a lullaby, tossing stars to the lonely moon

Where the magic of the song, makes the fabric of the day

And where the rainbows, dance in the moonbeams

Of a lullabye

So lulla-lulla-lullaby

Would you like the stars to play with

Or the moon to run away with

If you wish, your dreams will all come true

Until then my child, I love you

That was my mother's song that she would sing every night with her pure voice. Childhood memories.

"You have a beautiful voice"

A smooth low voice comes from behind me shocking me out of my reverie. I quickly turn to see who spoke. This man I see is truly beautiful. Long silver hair fames a delicate bone structure with large silver blue eyes. A small smile lingers on his lips as he stands watching me. Fortunately my hood stops him from seeing my appraisal of him. He's tall, a few inches taller than me and clearly strong with a clearly muscular body. A silver bow hangs from his arm and I can see his quiver on his back

Legolas. A voice whisper in my head. This must be Legolas, the prince.

Another older man stands behind on the other side of the courtyard, who from deduction I assumed was Lord Elrond. He walks with an air of authority. Clearly I was inferior here since now I was a normal town person, at least that's what I hoped.

"Greetings Nellas Helyanwe, blessing upon you" speaks Elrond

"and unto you my lord" I reply, bowing my head slightly.

Legolas offers a small grin and speaks in that same smooth voice, "Now with the formalities over, let's move on to chat yes?" He gestures to three seats that have appeared as if my magic. I'm surprised I didn't notice they had appeared since my senses are on high alert. Now that I think about it though, my senses may all be on high alert but their all focused on him.

We move over to the chairs and are seated in a small circle, the candle light casting dramatic shadows over their faces. My hood remains up, I'm hoping it will obscure my identity.

Elrond spoke first, "We are delighted to hear of survival from your kingdom, especially now that the war is finally over." It appears that he does not let go of formalities as quickly as Legolas does.

"I do not wish to bring bad news, my lord, but I am the only one that I know of who has survived through these years" I replied quietly. I too was unwilling to let go of formalities. I feared it would make us too familiar with one another and I didn't want to enter into any friendship. Friendship means trust. Trust means secrets. Secrets I'm not willing to share.

"It's is sad news for sure, but let's be happy for at least you still live. For now though, tell us about yourself" Legolas spoke, drawing my gaze back to his deep eyes that I had finally managed to look away.

"I was a simple girl from a family of glassmakers. My life was nothing interesting, it's true. I lived in the eastern sector of the second moon."

"Glass making you say? An honourable trade indeed" Elrond cuts in, a small smile plays on his lips and his eyes are so full of wisdom. I fear he knows my secret.