To Hide a Princess

Chapter Seven

Elemmire's POV

I spend a wonderful lazy day on myself doing nothing in particular and being so totally selfish in my time. It was wonderful, the first time that I can do anything I wanted and be frivolous and careless and, well, be a young girl again I suppose. I go to a small café and buy a small hazelnut pastry. I take this to a park and sit down listening to the musicians playing there.

It is very sweet there are children playing and an old couple of elves wandering along gazing into each other's eyes. I continue wandering through the streets enjoying all the smells wafting from the bakery and the freshness of the spring air. Then I spend a while under a waterfall overlooking the palace and the town. I quickly sketch a map and then draw the beautiful scene before me.

Then my gaze is turned by a sight in the palace. Bright light is reflecting off one of the small pools. A tall figure with silvery hair stands by it, looking forlorn. I recognise then instantly as Legolas. Then a beautiful tall girl with long brown hair appears out of one of the surrounding arches.

She approaches Legolas and they hug quickly. They seem to talk for a while and then she kisses him on the cheek and they both leave in separate directions.

I don't realise I'm crying until I see a tear on my drawing. Who was I kidding? Of course he doesn't actually want me. He only wants me in the palace for his bit of charity so that he can feel good about himself. I would never be good enough for a prince, especially not him. I'm a broken killer, what could possibly appeal from that.

I stop my tears quickly after that, just sitting and humming all of my mother's old songs to myself. It is the best way to cheer up I had found. See, my mother might have died but she left her legacy for sure. She was a strong woman and I'd do anything to be like her. She was my mother and a perfect mother, caring and sweet and she tried to teach me everything I needed. I was a stubborn child, I still am. At the same time though she was a queen, sharp and decisive but merciful and always doing the best for our people. It was a prosperous kingdom and one that all its people loved.

Well it's amazing how far I've come. Now a princessa on the run hiding from her soul mate in another kingdom with a secret identity. It was a change for sure but the wilderness was a bigger shock. Now I live in luxury compared to those three years fighting, starving and living in the outside.

I slowly wander back through town towards the inn as dusk begins to fall. I promised I would play for the innkeeper. I had found out now that his name was Findecano Carnesir, but I was told to call him Fin. He is a very nice man and he already acts like a father to me. It's very sweet, he is determined to spoil me even though he's too old and it's hard work for him. He just loves the inn and people too much to stop working there and running the place.

I arrive promptly for the beginning of dinner. He says I can play for as long as I like and he's grateful that I do it at all. Really it's him being kind, allowing me to keep my tips and all. He's like my father has returned in a different more aged body. Fin is already dear to my heart, even though I have only known him for two short days.

I pick up the harp from the corner and sit on my stool, hiding in the shadows of the corner. Here I begin to play. Into my music I pour all of my feelings, the sadness of a lost home, how exhausting the wilderness was, how grateful I was to fin and all of the warm loving feelings that I can remember from Eldarwen. Then I play a few happier traditional songs from my kingdom for celebratory occasions and good times, a few nursery songs, sang by the little children. I finish with some lullabies I remember as a child.

I forget everyone else is there and I sing as I remember singing before all of my troubles, before my kingdom burnt, before my family was killed and before I met Legolas. I sing like I remember my mother used to sing. It's a beautiful thing.

Once I am finished, I delicately place the harp back down in its corner and I go to the bar. Everyone has left and Fin is wiping down all the surfaces.

"Fin?" I say softly

"Milady, again it was beautiful. Thank you so much, you bring this place alive again. I forgot what beautiful music could be like"

I can sense that there is a story here but I don't want to pry. I'm sure that he'll tell me in his own time.

"Thank you for letting me play, I had forgotten how much I love to play and it's wonderful to remember again."

"Ah milady, I almost forgot"

I give him a questioning look.

"People kept on trying to give you tips but you were so absorbed in your music that you didn't notice, I collected it all at the bar. Here let me..."

He trails off as he goes to get the money. As he returns I stand there shocked, there is more money than I ever thought I could earn on the harp, it is certainly enough to last me the next two days.

"Really Fin, I couldn't accept all of this, it's yours too!" I protest,

"Honestly dear, I have my share, this is all yours" he says smiling. I give him a quick hug, strange for me to do this, and he begins to walk away. However my years in the wilderness did indeed teach me some stealth. I crept up behind him and stuck a third of my money in his back pocket before disappearing up to my room. He is truly a lovely man, he deserves it. I should try to avoid getting close to him but I already am. I know I shouldn't but is it really a crime to crave the attention after being lonely for three years.

It's a shame I suppose that I'll have to leave soon.

But I can't let Legolas find me.