So, as I promised, I am re-writing! Yay! Here it is, Weeping Silver! (2.0) (No, I don't own LOTR or any of its characters…just Amaniel...yeah I decided to change her name to something actually Elvish)

"Legolas, hurry! We're going to be late!"

We ran as fast as we could, not caring about how our appearances would look after the run. Behind me, the Prince of Mirkwood laughed, taking large strides with his long legs. Soon, he caught up to me, running by my side. "Come now, Amaniel, we'll only be late if we keep going at the pace you're going!"

I glared, "You try running in a dress!"

"I'll pass."

I laughed and increased my speed, my feet barely touching the ground. Honestly, this was all Legolas's idea. He insisted we took a walk that morning all the way to the waterfall. However, he never anticipated us staying out so long. Not that I minded, I enjoyed the Prince's company, he was a nice change compared to all the over-bearing males of the court. No, Legolas was kind, open-minded, and enjoyed adventure almost as much as I did. He never reprimanded me if I tore my clothing or mussed my hair or rolled in the soft, grassy meadows of the countryside. He was there to comfort me when I needed it. Also, he was the first ellon I have met to not fall for the "jewel of Lindon", Meldamiriel, my arch-nemesis. "I see the town!" Legolas shouted, "We're almost there!"

I smiled, pumping my legs faster than ever. We halted at the bridge to adjust our appearances before entering the city. The guards gave us odd looks but commented not. Legolas and I approached the veranda where the others had already gathered. Among them were Legolas's father, Thranduil, and my father, Orion, and my mother, Airedhiel. They gave us disapproving looks as we entered the veranda, but said nothing as we took our seats at the long table. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure and dispose of the initial giddiness I had upon entering with Legolas. Speaking of the blond Prince, I looked over at him and gave him a soft smile, acknowledgement that I was not so easily placed in a regal state as the rest of my family. My father stood and addressed the gathered assembly, as is our custom for gatherings such as this one. The opening was short, likely to allow more time for other announcements, such as the one Thranduil stood to make, "People of Lindon, myself and my son thank you for your gracious hospitality. Unfortunately, our time here is coming to an end. In approximately three days' time, my son and I leave for our home. Once again, I thank you all for your kindness and bid you a good evening."

As he took his seat once more, the assembly burst into light applause. I, however, was not so happy. I glanced over at Legolas only to find him looking at me already, a sad look in his beautiful blue eyes. "Waterfall" he mouths and I nod subtly, turning my attention back to the other announcements, but my mind dwells on other things. For example, the fact that I am now faced with the possibility of never seeing my best friend again. Lindon is not a popular city to be visited and the only reason Legolas and his father came were for diplomatic reasons. They're stay was amounted for a month, but when times grew hard they agreed to stay for another six months.

Over these seven months, Legolas and I grew very close, so close, in fact, some of the other elves of the city would always ask where the other was if we were alone. Legolas had taught me so much about the outer world as well as ways to improve my skills as both warrior and politician. I had shown him the secrets of the forests that I was fairly certain only I knew about. Yet, what scares me most is my growing affection for him. After all, chances were he would find a beautiful elleth noble and take her for wife, and why not? He is, after all, a Prince. The chance of him and I being together were slim to none. Honestly, I did not know if he even returned these affections. I slipped my hand into a hidden pocket in the folds of my dress, clasping the small silver box I intended to give him upon his departure. As I traced the shape of the box, I came to my decision, I must tell him, and soon.

~~~o0o~~~

When the gathering ended, I looked for Legolas, only to find that he had been taken by his father for a talk. I stayed nearby, not close enough to eavesdrop, but I noticed wild hand movements made by Legolas. Thranduil held up a hand and walked away. Legolas threw a punch at the closest pillar, and I but my lip, worried for him, but before I could approach, Meldamiriel stepped from the corridor and approached him, her long, white-blonde curls swaying with the over-dramatic sway of her hips. Now, I inched closer, listening in on what the false siren had to tell him. "Hello, my dear Legolas," she greeted in a honey-laced voice.

Legolas's distaste was clear, "Meldamiriel, how…nice…to see you here."

I smiled; even when he hated whoever he spoke to he always attempted to be a gentleman. Meldamiriel giggled flirtatiously, "It's such a shame you must leave, and we have hardly spent any time together. You've been spending all your time with…her."

"Yes, I have, you have a problem with whom I spend my company?"

Meldamiriel smiled, "No! Of course not! It's just…well, she is not that attractive and she is so…unrefined. You need a proper lady, one who will follow you without question as well as bear striking beauty. I do believe I fit into that category quite well."

She grinned seductively at him and my blood boiled. She sidled up to him, but all attempts to be a gentleman had left him. He shook her off, "Now you listen well, Meldamiriel, Amaniel is the most beautiful elleth in Middle-Earth, not only on the outside, but on the inside. She is kind and loyal but she is not so submissive. She stands for what she believes in and has not given herself to three ellon in the past two weeks."

At this, Meldamiriel blushed furiously, whispered many hurried apologies and fled the area. Legolas smiled and walked off in the direction of the waterfall. I myself remained behind the column, hardly able to believe my ears. Legolas believed me…beautiful? No, that is not possible; I am not what he believes me to be. I tentatively stroke my wavy, dark brown hair that flowed to my hips, then, filled with a new found confidence, I set off to the waterfall.

Legolas was already there by the time I arrived. He leaned back casually against a tree, his eyes closed, his breathing soft. He looked so peaceful, and I approached him slowly, sitting beside him in the soft grass next to the waterfall. I bit my lip nervously, then reached out and stroked his long, blond locks. They were soft and silky and felt good between my fingers. "Having fun?"

I jumped back like a startled doe, quickly righting myself, then I looked at him again, fighting the blush that rose to my cheeks, "May I remind you, I caught you doing the exact same thing last week."

Now his cheeks became tinted pink as the memory arose fresh in both our minds. He cleared his throat, "You had leaves in your hair, I was simply getting them out."

"Legolas, we were sitting on a rocky part of the hill where no leaves ever blow."

We stared at each other for a while then, unable to contain ourselves, burst out laughing, rolling on the grass as though we were little elflings once more. By the time we finished, we were lying on our sides facing each other, smiles still on our faces as our laughter subsided. I then noticed just how close we were, his face mere inches from mine. He reached out, stroking the side of my face gently, "Have I ever told you that you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen?" he told me.

I laughed softly, "Not nearly as lovely as yours. They remind me of the sea at midday, when it is at its brightest, most beautiful color."

Legolas chuckled, "You have been practicing poetry again haven't you?"

"No, just speaking the truth, mellon nin."

Legolas smiled, "I wish I didn't have to go. I shall miss you dearly."

"I shall miss you too."

We lay there in comfortable silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's company. Once again, I reached in my pocket, fingering the small silver box resting there. This was it, now or never, for if I told him the very day he left…well, I'm not sure what would happen, but now simply felt right. Taking a deep breath, I looked in his eyes and asked, "Legolas, how do you think of me?"

He gave me a puzzled look, "What do you mean?"

"Do you believe me a friend? A sisterly kind of person?"

Legolas hesitated, then inhaled deeply as though he made a decision he was unsure of. Then, he looked me straight in the eye and told me, "Amaniel, most would hide from the truth, insist that you are merely a friend and that they harbor no romantic affection for the other. I will not do that to you. I have but three days left in Lindon, and I want to spend them knowing that you know this. Amaniel, daughter of Orion, Lady of Lindon, you mean the world to me, and I have come to realize this affection is far more than just friendship. My greatest fear is…that you do not return it…"

He stared at me with his mesmerizing cerulean orbs, almost as though he was begging for me to affirm his suspicions. For that moment, I could not react, I was speechless. He…returned my affection?! I bit my lip, unsure what to say…oh, what am I thinking?! I know exactly what to say, "Then fear no more."

I pulled out the small silver box, presenting it to him. He accepted it, opening it and gazing admirably upon what was inside. It was a small silver leaf with two arrows resting on top of it in the shape of an X. In the middle of the arrows was a simple emerald, the green shade his favorite color. The pendant hung on a simple chain made of the finest silver. For a moment, he gazed upon it, speechless, and I feared he did not like it. Oh, how wrong I was, for before I could react, he reached out and captured my lips in a passionate kiss. Acting on instinct, I kissed him back, savoring his musky scent, his strong hands caressing my face and running through my hair. I could die right now, and have not a care. Legolas pulled away and I whimpered upon the loss of contact, "Do not worry, we have three days, there will be other times. However, I also have a gift for you."

From a hidden pocket in his tunic, he produced a small, violet box, my favorite color. I accepted it, opening it and looking inside at its contents. I about fell backwards, for inside was another necklace, the very same one I had given Legolas, except for the gem was a perfectly cut amethyst. "This really was meant to be," I say, looking back into my love's eyes.

"Forever and always."

I jolted out of bed, touching the pendant hanging around my neck. Tears slipped out of my eyes as the flashback faded into a distant memory. Quietly, I slipped out of bed, my bare feet making no noise on the cold wooden floors. I put on my lavender robe and stepped out onto the balcony. Once again, I touched the pendant, grasping it in my hand as the memory of Legolas seared fresh in my mind. I missed him, oh how I missed him. From the beginning I had known, he was my other, my mate. At this point I would give anything to see his smiling face just one more time, see his sparkling blue eyes and feel his loving embrace.

Approximately three years ago, my father sent me here, to Rohan, to keep an eye on the king. To my dismay, Saruman had taken hold of the aged king through his adviser, Grima Wormtongue. Oh now there was a man I would love to use for target practice. When I first arrived, he had set his sights on King Théoden's niece, Eowyn, my only friend in this place besides her brother, Eomer. A year into my stay, she begged me to do something about Grima. He had taken into slipping into her chamber at night and watching her sleep, something that scared her even more than Saruman's indirect presence in Rohan. Reluctantly, I did, and that something made him cast his eye upon me. Now, he follows me at all times throughout the years, never leaving my shadow. Thank Valor the man knows I could kick his slimy ass into next century before he could utter a word.

"Legolas, meleth nin, wherever you are, I pray we find each other soon."