The courtyard of the palace has been transformed into a spectacle of festivity and light. The stars bathe the forest below in a silver glow so bright that it could almost seem like daytime. My footsteps fall silent against the soft earth, the velvet of my dress whispering over the grass as I enter into the teeming crowd, trying to take it all in. Elves of all ranks and ages dressed in elaborate gowns and rich robes fill the illuminated space in a flurry of activity, bustling around tables heaped with varieties of sweet and savory foods and indulging in the countless barrels that ring the area, full of wine. In one corner, the minstrels have already taken up a lively tune and the dancing has begun.
I watch the revelers in their merriment, my heart lightening slightly, despite the heaviness that still weighs in my chest. Blissful joy is reflected in each of their eyes as they spin and mingle around me, turning their gaze periodically skyward, their faces awash with silver light.
I follow their uplifted gaze now, a small gasp passing my lips at the sight that meets my eyes.
The night sky glows above my head, ablaze with pale fire. The distant lights of the Star-Kindler shine brighter tonight than on any other night of the year, glittering like frosty gems enmeshed in the dark heavens above, un-wavering and radiant.
I feel my chest tighten as my gaze sweeps to and fro, the wonder of it all overwhelming.
I had spent many years in Rivendell dreaming of the splendor of the Woodland Realm's Feast of Starlight, my imagination fueled by the spell-binding tales Elladan and Elrohir would bring back with them when they attended.
Now that I was here, their stories fell utterly short. Nor could my imagination have dreamt up something as enchanting as this. The celebrations of Rivendell and Lothlórien, though traditional and beloved, pale in comparison to the blessing that Varda Elentári bestowed upon this hidden corner of the Silvan's realm. The Valar-Queen's heavenly light seems to be bent entirely on this solitary haven of celebration, leaving the surrounding forest and world as an afterthought, deep in shadow.
I lower my gaze back to the revelers on the earth, a flicker of movement in the corner of my vision drawing my eye.
My heart jumps as Legolas enters the courtyard, clad in royal green and gold, and every bit as striking as the stars I had just watched. His unbound hair shimmers like spun silver in the white light, his pale eyes aglow with the reflection of the flickering heavens.
I study him as his face turns skyward, a faint smile touching his lips at the sight. He appears as enraptured with the distant lights as I had been, and yet, I think to myself, illuminated by the cold light he could almost be a star on earth himself.
I blush at my own thoughts, turning my gaze away before he can catch me staring.
I don't need his attention on me tonight. It will be hard enough to present a cheerful attitude while mourning is still heavy in my chest without adding the complicated emotions Legolas awakens in me to the mix. The last few nights I'd spent with him had been simple, barely any words passing between us. I'd come to his rooms and he'd hold me against him until I'd fall asleep, lulled by the steady beating of his heart. It was calming to feel his presence beside me, a reassurance that I wasn't alone. I haven't had the will to ponder on what it meant.
Weaving my way in and out of the revelers, I train my gaze on the wide array of food in the courtyard, ignoring the whispering in my head that prods me to look back.
I manage to select myself a delicate-looking pastry without giving in but when I inevitablely seek him out again a few moments later, I find his eyes already focused on me.
His lips are slightly parted, eyes wide as they dip down the length of my dress and up to my face again. Heat floods my cheeks, my pulse accelerating at the intensity of his gaze. I give him a shy smile in greeting, a corner of his mouth lifting in reply, though I notice the slight blush now coloring his cheeks as well.
Turning away before he can notice my growing smile, I breathe in the crisp night air, trying to regain clarity of my thoughts. My own scolding voice echoes a faint warning inside my head.
Don't take on more than you can handle.
Risking one more glance at Leoglas, I find him now surrounded by various lords, holding what looks like polite conversation with them. The easy smile on his face tugs at my heart, aching for his eyes to seek mine out again, but I find myself heeding the warning ringing in my head. Whatever is growing between us, with the current turmoil of my heart, I should not attempt to address it tonight.
With a sad smile, I slip away before he can notice me again.
~~~
The night air is cooler where I lean against the railing of one of the palaces many balconies, watching the celebration from above.
The buzz of so many people had begun to get to me so I had retreated to a secluded part of the palace; still a part of the revelry, just not directly in the throes of it.
Up here, the chilly air pricks at my shoulders, exposed by the draping neckline of my gown. I draw my loose sleeves a little tighter around me in an attempt for warmth. Turning my gaze skyward, I can't help but sigh as my eyes meet the glowing stars once again. The beauty of it is spellbinding. With so many of the heavenly lights ablaze, I can hardly pick out the unchanging constellations I have come to know well. I scan the sky, searching for my mother's favorite and it is only when I finally spot it that I realize how much she would have loved this. The music, the dancing, the beauty of it all... It's almost as if this entire celebration was designed for her. For her memory.
Something inside my chest sparks.
For me.
I shake the thought out of my head, my gaze earthbound once more.
The chill autumn breeze tickles my face as I take a deep breath, closing my eyes and relishing in the peace of the starry night. My mind drifts, soft music from the courtyard meeting my ears, along with the light padding of foot steps, only barely detectable, even to an elf. Callused fingers dance across my bare shoulders as someone comes up behind me. My heart sputters at the familiar touch, tension jumping into my shoulders but I dispell it before it becomes noticeable, maintaining my relaxed posture.
"Legolas," I hum in greeting, knowing he stands next to me without even opening my eyes. His knuckles trail softly against my cheek and I open my eyes, turning to face him. His eyes are bright as I meet his gaze.
Stepping back slightly, his hand slides down to mine. At the sight of him, his attention now wholly on me, every warning from before flies out of my head. Heat floods my body as he raises my hand to his lips and brushes a soft kiss against my knuckles, his eyes never leaving my face.
"Lady Celebríel," he murmurs in greeting, his breath warm against my chilled skin.
Despite my pounding pulse sending my every nerve humming, a smooth chuckle slips past my lips at the formal gesture, and I return it with a slight curtesy of my own. He smiles, lowering my hand.
My heart begins to calm and I manage to regain some composure as a sly smile rises to my face.
"What brings you here, princeling?" I purr, leaning my back against the wooden railing. "Shouldn't you be down there, dancing with the noblewomen?
My teasing is met by a scoff as his gaze drops to the celebration below.
"I just escaped from the countless requests," he drawls, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Even though I know he jests, my heart gives a jealous twang. He pauses, still watching the courtyard.
"Besides," he continues, his voice softer as his eyes meet mine once again. "The lady I wished to dance with was missing."
My jealousy evaporates as quickly as it came, my heart renewing its fervent pace.
He takes a slight step forward but seeming to think better of it, remains where he stands. My breath snags in my chest as his eyes flit over me before meeting mine again. He gives me a small smile.
"You look beautiful."
I can't help the slight blush that rises to my cheeks at the genuine wonder in his eyes as he stares at me.
The teasing tone is gone from my voice as I reply, "You don't look so bad yourself, princeling."
He gives me a half-hearted laugh, but the light in his eyes slowly fades, replaced by growing concern.
"Why are you up here all alone, Celé?"
The blood in my veins suddenly runs cold but I ignore it, suppressing the dread that threatens to overtake me as I hastily turn away from him, adamantly focusing my gaze back on the celebration below.
"I needed to escape," I reply, tossing his own shoddy excuse back at him. My words are meant to come off as teasing but the strain in my voice is evident, even to my own ears.
He doesn't say anything, simply coming up to the railing beside me and leaning against it, waiting. For a few moments we both remain silent, our gazes focused on the activity happening on the forest floor.
Then I sigh, a weight that I had tried to ignore falling heavy on my shoulders once again. "I think you know why."
Out of the corner of my eye, I see him turn back to me.
A warm touch settles over my hand, my stomach fluttering in answer. I glance down to see his hand atop of mine.
There is a playful light in his eyes as I meet his gaze.
"Come on." He grins, taking my hand in his and tugging me away from the railing. "I think I know something that will cheer you up."
His smile sends my traitorous heart fluttering once again and despite my previous dismay, I allow him to lead me away.