And Then There Was Fiction - Chapter Three · Jun 28, 07:28 PM

The lush table settings greeted the hungry company; luscious, blood red napkins, set delicately beside twinkling wine glasses. Colin led the way to each of the table settings(each with an indicated name written on a folded paper, laying on the dark red plates). After being seated, two chairs seemed noticeably empty. Susan, who was seated next to one of the empty seats, leaned over to check. “Erik,” she read, turning to her fellows.

“He’s probably wandered off someplace.” suggested Barbossa quietly, stroking his chin in a very thoughtful fashion. The company agreed mutually.

Legolas turned to the second empty chair, “For whom, may I ask, is the other setting?”

Dumbledore, sitting at his own place setting with a broad grin on his face, gave Legolas a look of elation. “It simply must be Mr. Sparrow. He is the only one not present, correct?”

A few people nodded, but one or two whispered, “Who is Mr. Sparrow?” After all, he had been hardly seen, going directly to the wine cellar immediately after arriving.

As though he knew he was being discussed, the aforementioned Mr. Sparrow stumbled into the room on tipsy feet, his formerly very distinguished-looking appearance disheveled; and he fell into the door frame, gripping it tightly. “I’m sorry for being late.” He slurred, his speech obviously dead-drunk. Susan gave Edmund a look to silence him, the boy looking completely elated at the prospect of the new visitor. Being the naughty sort of boy, he believed drunks to be the most fun to play pranks on. Susan would not allow this, knowing that a report of Edmund almost killing Mr. Sparrow would not be very pleasurable for a grown-up even such as the Professor.

Seating himself rather sloppily into a chair, Jack surveyed the room. “Well?” He said, “Are we going to eat, or what?”

With that, the group turned as the cook(namely, Laurence Shannon), came out with plates of food. Delectable dishes passed before the company, and they all began to take their fill, eating with amiable silence. Once in awhile, a member of the group would speak up to commence small talk with another. It was altogether a lot more enjoyable then the beginnings of the evening had promised.

Just as most were pushing their plates away, unable to eat another bite, the door from the main hall opened, and a young girl walked in. She was brimming of youth and curiosity, with short dark hair, that looked nearly black. Her bright eyes looked like a strange blend of dark blues and greens, with a pale gray tint to them. She looked all around the table for a minute, with the guests watching her expectantly. Smiling shyly, she met the eyes of Legolas. “Hi….” she murmured. “Can I join you?”

Dumbledore gave her his bright beaming smile, his eyes twinkling behind his spectacles. “Of course you may, my dear! It just so happens, a friend of ours was unable to join, and there is a spare seat. I’m sure nobody would mind if you sit!” He looked around at everyone else, holding his hands up in an elegant fashion.

There was a mutual nod, and she felt an increasing nervousness as they all watched her sit. It just so happened that Erik’s chair had been set in between Susan Pevensie, and Legolas Greenleaf. When Legolas stood up and pulled out her chair for her, the girl turned a shade of brightest pink. “Thank you.” She whispered, so lowly that if Legolas had not happened to be an elf, he would not have heard her.

“My pleasure, Miss.” He said amiably, seating himself. Turning to the rest of the table, he spoke. “I find the human food here has a distinct resemblance to my own, curiously. Have any of you noticed how filling each bite is, or how blissful each taste to the tongue?”

Dumbledore nodded, and the newcomer seated next to Susan sighed contentedly, watching Legolas. She was given a look from each member of the company, and was quickly silenced. Dumbledore, positively grinning at her antics, sent a reluctant Edmund to retrieve a plate from the cook for the young lady.

Barbossa, turning to her, inquired, “And what is your name, miss?”

Hesitating in front of such a scrutinizing company, she had to be encouraged twice by Susan before she mumbled, “Morgan….”

“Morgan what, my dear?” Coaxed Dumbledore, looking her straight in the eyes, urging her to continue.”It is alright. We are just a bit nervous tonight.”

This seemed to assure her at least a little, for Morgan raised her head a bit higher, and stated with semi-stability, “Morgan Rhea, sir.” She turned to smile up at Legolas, leaning toward him and softly whispering, “I’ve always wanted to meet you.”

Legolas raised a delicate eyebrow, and Morgan felt her heart flutter. He was so….sophisticated…

The man was in no way young in a mortal sense, neither was he mortal. Being as Elves are noticeably slow-maturing, they often live for centuries without appearing older than a day. Legolas was now becoming quite middle-aged, Elf-wise; he seemed to humans about his mid-twenties. With long, fair locks, and an equally flawless complexion, he might not have come across as strong and serious as he truly was. In today’s society, one may even lay claim to his indifference as selfishness and perhaps even a confusion as to personal gender. This was definitely not the case, in any fashion. Elves are quite proud creatures, and interestingly perfect in appearance with their immortal powers. One with nature and its powers, Elves go about their lives determined to maintain a balance in the world. Legolas was no exception.

What might have sealed his fate with today’s society, however, was the fact that this tall, beautiful, proud being was of royal blood. Legolas was the son to the King of Mirkwood, a forest seemingly untouched by the threads of time, its mysteries haunting all that pass the ominous trees. A prince, he was nonetheless confused by Morgan’s attentions to his person. He asked himself if he had acted in any way to make her assume he returned the emotion.

The rest of the party watched on, in either indifference or a fleeting interest. Susan was in awe of Morgan’s brashness, and decided she immediately liked the girl.

— MaskedNicci

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