Chapter 22

Notes of music were blowing on the wind, and the atmosphere was electric. Turi waited in the long line outside of the central hall where the ball was being held that night. It was a warm summer's evening and she and her friends, including the Dirs, were all hyped up and dressed to a tee.

'It'll be greeeat' chirped Larien, hopping up and down on the hand of her boyfriend Erolith. Carathir shot them an impatient look. 'Yes alright you two. At least you definitely have someone to dance with.' Turi laughed at her friend's nervousness. Actually she felt a bit of the same about dancing.

'I can't wait to dance the night away' Bra's voice chimed happily from behind her. She turned to him, feigning surprise. 'So you think you'll be free?' he said. 'Absolutely' nodded Turi. 'You won't forget huh?' She rolled her eyes and squeezed his hand. He did look handsome tonight.

But as she turned away, she detected nothing of the kind of deep feelings for him that she had felt for Thranduil. Nothing at all.

Her arms folded, chin tucked in, she thought about how powerfully she had longed for Thranduil once upon a time, and she was asking herself again whether she had done the right thing turning her back on those feelings.

She shook her head involuntarily, chasing her doubts away. That was just never going to happen, and she'd worked hard to make peace with that thought. In addition, rumours about the king's upcoming betrothal were still rife. The big announcement was very likely to happen tonight, elves were saying.

Finally, the line was moving. Turi grabbed Bragoldir's hand and smiled sweetly.

As they entered the hall, they were enveloped by bouncing lights from coloured candles suspended under the canvas of trees, the sounds of harps and strings, and the indescribably delicious smell of sweet buns and summer wine. Larien was now almost pulling Erolith's arm out of its socket. Turi smiled and wondered where to go and look first.

Tables were set up to the far right, richly decorated with candles and fruit. Straight ahead elves were already dancing. Light and music was coming from everywhere.

'Almién – cheers' the friends hooted as they shared a drink. Their first of many to come, no doubt.

In the midst of the hall, council elves sat at a long table with king Thranduil, the lady Reinilian beaming at his side. They were surrounded by the glittering of golden candles and decorations made from bunches of dried barley.

Carathir elbowed Tuor, and nodded at some beautiful elves with long hair chattering excitedly off to their right. They exchanged a grin, and headed over to talk to them. Turi threw her head back and laughed, admiring her friends' courage. This was the way to go.

No, maybe this really was the way to go?

Turi smiled. She let go of Bra's hand, and without another thought walked over to Thranduil's table. She felt exhilarated and reckless, wanting to prove that she was ok now, and they could talk like friends.

'This is wonderful, isn't it?' she said loudly, trying to make sure to keep her voice steady. She sent a beaming smile to the both of them. Thranduil, at first involved in a conversation with the still feathery lady Reinilan, turned on her with his clear blue eyes. Fixing her with a stare, he broke into a wide smile.

'You're talking about the decorations?' he tried, cocking his head to the side. 'Or about the wine reserve being restored?' Turi laughed out loud. 'Yes, important things first.' See? She could do this.

Looking around the busy hall, Thranduil smiled contently. 'I am happy the dance pleases you Just Turi.' She grinned at him for using their nickname. 'Well, I'm not so sure about dancing' Turi admitted, glancing around at the elves happily populating the dance floor behind her.

Thranduil turned his blue eyes on her again and offered 'Well, would you allow me to have this first dance with you?'

Taken aback, Turi managed to stammer a 'yeah ok great' as her eyes followed Thranduil who'd already gotten up and was making his way to her around the table.

Almost involuntarily, Turi looked over to Reinilian. She saw a startled look register on her face as she watched Thranduil move away, before training her eyes squarely on Turi and giving her one of her sickly sweet smiles. 'Have fun now little Sinda – Sindarin elf' she cooed.

Coming up from behind, Thranduil looped his arm around Turi's middle and gracefully swiveled her around. Smiling and keeping eye contact, he led her to the middle of the dance floor.

Putting his arms around her waist, he asked 'Is this fine for you?' His voice was sweet in her ear. 'Yes, nothing negative to report, all good here' she smiled at him, trying to keep her composure. This sure was unexpected.

Thranduil reached forward and held her closer, so Turi's forehead touched his cheek. A barrage of familiar feelings flooded her system. Say it isn't so, one part of Turi thought. The other part didn't seem to think anything at all, and focused on feeling his strong arms wrapped around her. She lightly ran her hand across his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Before long the song ended, and the brief interlude between that and the orchestra starting up again was pierced by silly high pitched laughing and clapping erupting from Reinilian at the table some distance behind them. Turi pulled herself back to the present and noticed that elves had formed a circle around them and were watching them dance.

Thranduil seemed to ignore this entirely and kept his arms around her, synchronizing the movements of their bodies. The candles were bobbing overhead, faces blurring as they danced sweetly and slowly to the melancholic tune being played.

'How does it feel, Turi?' he asked her, breathing in her neck. She closed her eyes and leaned into him. 'It feels great' she mouthed. It was like her whole body was glowing, that's how good this felt.

She made eye contact and squeezed his arm. This was a magical moment. But soon it would be over, her eyes told his, and that seemed so wrong and cruel.

Her pulled her in close again and whispered 'Gellon ned I galar I chent ln ned I gladhol – I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh. Will you smile for me Turi?' She bit her lip and rested her head against his cheek. All she could think was that she'd do anything at all for him.

Suddenly, they became aware of someone audibly clearing her throat next to them. Turi noticed Reinilian standing in close proximity, pulling on Thranduil's robes.

Turi caught how the king closed his eyes and tightened his lips for a second, before turning around and giving the feathered elf a beaming smile. 'Why of course,' he said bowing deeply 'I am ignoring our guest. Please forgive me.'

Turning back to face Turi, Thranduil stated in a voice loud enough to be heard above the music 'Thank you for these precious moments.' Taking her hand in his, he said 'Guren glassui – my heart is glad.'

He then added in a whispering tone 'Do me the honour of dancing again?' Turi smiled and nodded. 'Gwestol? – do you promise?' She nodded again happily. They clung together for another moment, until their handhold was broken apart and elves seeped between them. Thranduil followed in Reinilian's wake, seemingly unperturbed by elves around them talking and staring.

Too baffled to care either, Turi walked back to where her friends were standing. Larien sent her a knowing smile, and Turi could but shrug and smile back. She felt Bra put an arm around her shoulder. 'No way I can compete with that' he sighed. All the friends cracked up at that.

Turi wondered what exactly was going on. As deeply in love with the king as ever, she was no fool. This dance hadn't just been for the two of them.

She wondered what that feathered beast of an elf was making of all this.