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Aurora looked down and felt her face flush. This is embarrassing. Aurora Kyla is not shy. Why am I blushing? She looked up and was about to say hello to him, when a flash of red and gold swept past his face.
"Dear Legolas, I am sorry I have kept you waiting," said the beautiful brunette elf wearing a red and gold dress, touching his cheek. Aurora noticed Legolas looked slightly uncomfortable with this new visitor, but returned her touch with a short kiss on the cheek. Damn. Of course. She sighed, but then wondered why she was getting so disappointed in the first place. This is ridiculous. I barely know him.
"It is alright, Rulallia," he said, smiling at her, "dinner has yet to begin."
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, beautiful elf maidens appeared from the silver trees, carrying trays of what looked like roast boar decorated with leaves and flowers. Practically drooling all over the table, the smell and sight of food made Aurora realize how hungry she was. She almost had to restrain herself from attacking the meat once it was set on the table before her.
"Attention, friends and people of Mirkwood," all eyes turned to a tall elf standing at the head of the table, "we have a very special visitor here tonight. I would like to introduce you to Princess Aurora Raluck, daughter of King Raluck. She is here to help with the treaty between her father and I." Aurora's eyes widened as she felt a hundred pairs of eyes turn upon her, and her heart started to pound as she realized she was expected to stand.
"Er...thank you, King..." Sh.t... what was his name?! she thought frantically, something with a Th.. "Thranduil?" She sat down and grinned at him nervously, hoping she had gotten it right. He relieved her worry by smiling back at her.
"A very warm welcome on behalf of myself, my wife, and my son, Legolas." Oh my god...so he's a prince now too? Aurora thought, astonished. "Very well then, let us begin our dinner," King Thranduil exclaimed.
As the trays of boar, as well as platters of vegetables, sweet candied fruits, and several other delicious things she couldn't name came past her, she helped herself until she was so full she felt like she would burst.
"I've never seen you so hungry," Eiliya said in astonishment, "have you eaten at all today?"
"Mmfno," Aurora mumbled through a mouthful of candied apples. She looked across the table at Legolas, who was wrapped up in discussion with the beautiful elf on his right, but glanced sideways at her and almost laughed at her puffed up cheeks full of food. Aurora groaned inwardly. Great. The Prince of Mirkwood saw me looking like a chipmunk.
"So, Princess Aurora," asked Rulallia, her hand on Legolas's shoulder, "tell us about your travels. I have heard you have been to many far away lands."
Aurora glanced at her nervously and swallowed her food.
"My...travels?" she started, trying to think of what to say..."Well, let's see...I've been to Rivendell..." she said, remembering the name from her conversation with Legolas earlier. Rulallia and Legolas were both staring at her intently, waiting for her next reply. "Have you heard of Los Angeles?"
Once again, obviously not.
"Los Angeles," Legolas asked, perplexed, "where is this strange place you speak of?"
"Oh, it's near...uh..."
"Aurora, dear, it's time for the dancing to begin," Eiliya interrupted. Phew, Aurora thought gratefully, I'm saved. A beautiful elf man started to play a silver instrument, and an elf maiden started to sing a strange yet beautiful song. Is anyone here NOT gorgeous?she sarcastically thought.
"Princess, would you like to dance?" asked a incredibly handsome blonde elf, offering his hand out to her. Guess that answers my question, she smiled.
"Certainly," she grinned at him, "but may I have your name, please?"
"My name, fairness, is Damaen," he said as she took his hand to dance. Cute,she thought, definitely cute, but nothing compared to...as she turned around to see Legolas, she felt a tiny pang of jealousy at the sight of him dancing with Rulallia. Stop this, Rory, she gritted her teeth, this is childish. Right then she couldn't help but feel a little elated when she thought he looked at her, but her hopes were dashed when Rulallia placed her hand on his cheek, leading his eyes onto her own.
Just enjoy the night, Rory, she sighed, you only live once.
**********
Aurora tossed and turned that night after she got back from the dinner. She still had no clue where she was, who she was, or if she would even wake up in the same place. She needed somewhere to collect her sanity. Throwing off the bed covers and silently stepping onto the floor, she made her way out the door and down the hall.
All around her was a symphony of silence. She stopped in front of the waterfall, the moonlight wrapping around her like a blanket as she watched the silver water dance across the rocks. Looking up at the sky, she felt her throat tighten at the sight of the stars.
"At least one thing is familiar in this strange place," she whispered, feeling a tear trickle down her face.
"So," a voice said, startling her,"we meet again."
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