Of Elves and Humans

Chapter 5: Cakes and Meetings

Dedicated to UnworthyLegolasLover

"Step forward, child. I am not going to harm you."

Emilla stepped closer till she stood in front of the table. Her eyes moved anxiously back and forth. "A-are you..."

"Speak freely, penneth."

Emilla swallowed. "You are the elves everyone is talking about, the ones that saved little Marli."

"Correct," came the simple response.

Emilla shifted on her feet. She didn't think she would be so rattled; she had dreamed of this moment her whole life. "Why do you hide your face?"

At this Legolas chuckled. "Perhaps it is because I did not wish to be seen."

Legolas then moved his hand to his hood; he caught both Emilla and Galidar by surprise when he pushed his it back to reveal his face. He saw the girl's eyes widen and a broad smile illuminated her face creating the most adorable dimples. "My name is Legolas, and this is Galidar."

Galidar removed his hood and grinned.

Emilla's smile widened; her eyes moving from one elf to the other. "I'm Emilla-"

"-Emilla!" Talmara's voice shouted from the backroom.

The girl chewed her bottom lip and huffed. "We are baking cakes today, you would like to help, wouldn't you?"

Legolas laughed in amusement. He found he liked this child, and her innocence brought a new light to his spirit. Galidar too smiled, he hadn't seen his prince so carefree since before the War of The Ring.

Before Legolas could reply, Emilla took his hand and tugged it. "Oh please will you?" she said looking up at him with wide pleading eyes and a slight pout in her lips.

Legolas raised an eyebrow and glanced over at Galidar who was still grinning from ear to ear. He sat back in his chair and drank deeply from his wine. He was grateful that the main room was empty, save for the bartender that eyed them suspiciously; He found he couldn't say no to the young girl.
"I cannot say my expertise is in cake baking, but there is a first for everything."

No one would think Emilla's smile could get any wider, but it did, and her face beamed. "Will you come too, Galdar?" she struggled to pronounce his name.
Galidar shook his head. "I will stay here and drink. I've had enough of Legolas for a lifetime." he winked, and Legolas scowled at him.

She nodded. Taking Legolas' hand, she leads him to the kitchen.

Legolas glanced through the arch doorway. The kitchen was spacious with counters running along the walls decorated with dried flowers. There was a large hearth in the middle of the room and to the side a stone stove with a built-in the oven. An open window let in the fresh air and sunlight, making the room feel welcoming. Several little girls sat at a table working with vegetables while a woman placed cakes into the oven.