Anticipation

[Arwen]

Arwen walked into the main room, biting her lip, her eyes sparkling in anticipation. She was looking forward to having a good time and had thoroughly enjoyed getting ready for the Ball. She was another person for the night and she swore to herself that she wouldn't worry about anything, she would just have a good time with whoever came to her, and she wouldn't search anyone out.

She wanted to dance, but was apprehensive about going up to someone and asking, even under the veil of an Elven princess. So she stayed on the sidelines, watching the others dance, and hoping that someone would ask her.

[The Dread Pirate Roberts]

The Dread Pirate Roberts slipped through the crowd, all but invisible in the crush of colorful gowns and brightly decorated masks. His intent at the moment did not involve dancing, but watching the costumes, looking for a likely Buttercup to his Westley, if only for a short time. His eyes caught on the princess, and his lips curved. He headed toward her, stopped before her and bowed. "My lady," he said in greeting.

[Arwen]

Arwen's lips curved up in a small smile and her head bowed slightly. "Sir," she said, acting much more calm than she felt. The adrenaline rushed through her, the only clue the tight ringing of her hands in front of her, and even that was mostly hidden by her flowing sleeves. He was handsome, mysterious. "I haven't seen you dancing," she commented, mostly just for something to say. "I would think that a man such as yourself would be the center of attention," she said, her eyes smiling.

[The Dread Pirate Roberts]

The pirate's lips curved into a half smile, and his eyes gleamed. "Ah, but I have been the center of your attention, haven't I?" he teased, calling the princess on having noted his behavior. "May I have your name, fair maiden?"

[Arwen]

Arwen raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling at the tease, "I am just an observer, watching the dancers, I am sure that if I had seen you I would have remembered." It told that she hadn't been watching him, even if it was true that she had caught sight of him once or twice. "I am Arwen, and you would be?"

[The Dread Pirate Roberts]

"The Dread Pirate Roberts," the pirate said, mock menace edging the words, though his eyes gleamed with amusement. "Most infamous for never leaving captives alive, and as you can see," he said, gesturing with a light sweep of one arm, "I have no captives, and so it is true."

[Arwen]

"Oh really, so you're as dangerous as you are handsome," Arwen said, grinning. She didn't stop her eyes from looking at him, she wasn't herself tonight, she could do whatever she wanted, no guilt. "Or do you just tell everyone you kill your captives and really just send them to a paradise island?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

[The Dread Pirate Roberts]

The pirate's lips spread into a broad smile at that, a hundred conflicting thoughts and responses vying for attention, all overshadowed by one simple thought; tonight was a dream made reality through masks and pretense. "I never said that I killed my captives," the pirate said carefully. "And as for paradise, it is in the eye of the beholder." The pirate extended one black-gloved hand and slipped it beneath Arwen's, lifting her hand for a soft kiss against the back.

[Arwen]

Arwen blushed lightly, her eyes sparkling, at the touch of his lips on her hand. "So what is Paradise in your eye?" she asked, grinning. At the same time she started wondering what she would answer if he turned the question back on her, and if she would give her paradise, or Arwen's. She knew that either one would involve peace and solitude, or perhaps the company of one or two others.

[The Dread Pirate Roberts]

"Any place is paradise," the pirate said, "when one has love." His hand lingered a moment longer against Arwen's before releasing her. He wondered if he wasn't laying it on a little thick, but couldn't seem to help himself. "And what is your paradise, that I might know where I am taking you." The pirate blinked as he heard his own words. That hadn't been entirely what he'd meant.

[Arwen]

So the pirate was really just a softy at heart, Arwen smiled at that thought. "A quiet place with," she nodded lightly to him, "The one you love." Her hand still burned with the feel of his hand, a soft, pleasant tingle ran up her arm from the last little bit of contact. "How do I know you would take me captive? How do you know that I would let you?" It was an empty threat, she would go with him, should he so much as imply that he wanted her to.

[The Dread Pirate Roberts]

"Ah, but I have already captured you," the pirate boldly declared. "And now that I have you captive, shall we retire to paradise?" The pirate's eyes shone, with a mixture of humor, anticipation, and perhaps hope as he gestured to the open doors leading out to the gardens. He had intended on filling himself with the noise and glitter of the ballroom for as long as he could stand the vibrant activity, but now, with the opportunity presented so neatly, he could not resist.

[Arwen]

Arwen smiled and nodded, locking her arm in his without pausing to ask permission. "That would be wonderful," she said, then gestured with her head to tell him to lead the way. While she had wanted to dance, she wouldn't pass up an opportunity to go out to the gardens, besdies, there was the entire night in front of her. There would be time for dancing later.

[The Dread Pirate Roberts]

Without another word, the pirate led Arwen toward the garden doors, his lips curved into an undeniably pleased smile.

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