Into the World of Elves

Ch 5- Did you say breakfast?

The next morning Temperance awoke to someone shaking her gently.

“GO away!” She mumbled and tried to burrow deeper in the bed.

“But you’ll be late for breakfast, my lady.” Came the amused reply.

“Mphmmph.” Temp grumbled and then shot up in the bed.

“Did you say breakfast?”

“I did. Now get up!” The maid said while pulling Temp out of the bed.

“You know I’m beginning to dislike you………. Um what’s your name?” Temp asked scratching her head and squinting at the statuesque elf pulling her into the bathroom.

“I’m Larien. Now into the tub.” She said pushing Temperance towards the steaming bath. With a joyful cried Temp pulled off her clothes and drove into the water.

“Ah.” She sighed as the water enveloped her. The next thing she knew she was being dunked and scrubbed by Larien. After a few minutes she was directed out of the tub. Larien then started to fuss over Temp and help her dress. Finally after what seemed like an eternity the Temp, Larien declared her ready.

“Alright, Temperance I’ll lead you down to the hall.” She said. They made their way in silence; well at least Larien was silent.

“I hate these dresses. Why do I have to wear dress like this? Who do I need to impress? I want my sweats back.” Temp mumbled the whole way to the hall. Larien suddenly stopped, catching Temp of guard.

“Shite!” She cried.

“You look lovely now stop worrying. That is the hall. You will be sitting with Elrond. Go now you are already late enough.” Larien said pointing to a door a few feet away.

“Let’s go this over with.” She thought as the sound of voices drifted towards her. Squaring her shoulders she started for the door.

“Lord, how many elves are there?” She asked standing in the archway looking down into the room. Looking to her left she spotted Legolas amid a group of fawning females.

“Figures.” Temp mumbled, and rolled her eyes.

“Note to self: try and retain some dignity while in the presence of Legolas.” Squaring her shoulders she moved slowly down the stair, be careful not to draw attention to herself.

“Where is Elrond?” She thought as her eyes scanned the room. Her searched caused her to notice the looks she was getting.

“This was a bad idea.” She turned to leave the room but was stopped.

“You will come and sit down.” Temp gave a small squawk of surprise as Galadriel’s voice rang in her mind. She then felt someone at her side. Turning her head she looked up into the face of.

“Come to embarrass me some more?” She asked.

“No I already have a bruise the size of your fist on my shin. I don’t need or want another.” Haldir said dryly.

“Then what do you want?” She asked eyeing him wearily.

“You looked like a lost child, I thought to escort you to your table.” He said watching as her face changed form one of skepticism to relief.

“You know where Elrond is?” Temp asked hopefully.

“If that is where you are to sit.” He said his eyes moving around the room in search of their destination. Temp was going thank him but was interrupted.

“Temperance, Good morning. You look nice.” Temperance turned to smile at Legolas.

“Thank you, Legolas. Is it a good morning?” Legolas returned her smile.

“It is. May I take you to your table?” He asked. Haldir spoke up.

“I have already told her that I would.” Haldir said.

“Haldir, How are you?” Legolas asked.

“I am good, but if you’ll excuse me I have to take Temperance to her table.” Haldir said placing Temp’s hand on his arm. They started forward but Legolas stayed them.

“I must insist.” Legolas said firmly.

“Indeed?” Haldir asked a grin spreading across his face. He was aware that Legolas was intrigued by the human girl and saw an opportunity to tease him. Legolas knew his friend’s mind well.

“ Now isn’t the time for one of your games.” He said motioning to the other elves in the room.

“Game?” Haldir asked with looking slightly shocked at the suggestion. Temp turned to look at all the others in the room. Haldir’s presence was like a murmured request for attention. Legolas’s was a slightly louder request. Throw in a human; a brewing argument, and the request becomes a command. She would have drawn less attention if she had been jumping up and down waving her arm around shouting “Hey look at me.”

“So much for going unnoticed.” She thought turning once more to the pair. She tried to gain their attention but was unsuccessful. With an exasperated growl she left them to fight.

“Where is she going?” Legolas asked in shock watching Temperance stride away, her back ridged with anger.

“I suspect to her table.” Haldir said amused at the dumbfounded look on Legolas’s face. After giving Haldir a good glare Legolas went after Temperance.

“Stupid men. I thought elves were supposed to be elegant.” Temperance mumbled to herself.

“We are.” Legolas said from behind her. Temperance sent him a glare over her shoulder.

“Then how do you explain what just happened?” She asked. Legolas sped up and taking her hand he placed it on his arm. He sent her his most dazzling smile in hopes that he could somehow lessen her anger.

“Well?” She demanded glowering up at him. Frowning at his inability to soften her, he answered.

“Haldir was only teasing me. He has a tendency to so whenever he can. He finds it amusing.” Temperance raised her brow.

“Haldir likes to tease you?” She asked.

“Yes.” Legolas answered.

“OOOOOkay.” She said with a look on her face.

“What?” He asked confused by her look.

“Nothing.” She said.

“Temperance would you like to go riding today?” He asked smiling down at her.

“No. Look there is Elrond. Thank you.” She said and broke away from Legolas. Legolas stood watching in confusion as she walked away. She seemed completely unaffected by him. Not all women found him so very handsome and it didn’t bother him but the fact that Temp didn’t, bothered him for sure.

“She’ll come around.” He said.

“You’ll come around Temperance. I’ll see that you do.” He promised to the retreating woman, a smirk creeping across his features. Temperance didn’t hear his promise only felt his stare on her back.

“Keep walking Temp and don’t look back.” She told herself. Had Temperance known the trouble she was going to cause herself with her act of indifference, she might have agreed to go riding with Legolas.

Ah but ignorance is bliss. Right?……………..