*FANFIC IS BASED ON THE MOVIES WITH SOME INFO FROM THE BOOK (I've watched the movies at least seven times each and have skimmed through/read a little of the books, so most of my story is based on the movies, like how Legolas acts/looks like)*

I do not own any of the LOTR characters, and I made up Araithia. Rated T for some violence and romance, but will maybe be switched to M later on in the chapters.

Enjoy!

Drinks were quickly passed around at the tavern. The moral was extremely high after the Battle of Helm's Deep and the soldiers expressed their spirits with lots of laughter, chatter, and of course: singing. In the mist of all the drunken choruses and celebrating, a slim figure leaned against one of the bar poles and observed the party instead of being part of it. His crystal clear blue gaze pierced through the pipe smoke, focusing on the two dancing hobbits on the table, who were singing about their beloved Green Dragon Inn. He muttered something in Elvish, something about the admirable foolishness of Hobbits, then proceeded to straighten up and head for the door leading to the rooftop and to quietness. Before he could reach the door, a firm hand clasped onto his shoulder. "Legolas," said Gandalf. "Where are you going? Should you not be drinking with the rest of the soldiers? Today was a mighty defeat that showed Sauron the strength of men, something worth celebrating."

"I've had my drinks, thank you, but the noise is getting unbearable and I would like some time to think." The old wizard nodded understandingly. He loosened his grasp and waved his friend onward to his destination. Legolas slowly made his way up the stone stairway to the roof. He could feel the vibrations of dancing feet as he pulled the hood of his cloak over his head.

The cold night air hit him the instant he opened the door. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting the wind glide across his face and wash away the stench of sweat and beer. The warrior turned to face the moon to find another cloaked figure bathing in the light. Puzzled, he walked over and stood next to them. The silence was overwhelming, but not strong enough for Legolas to go back down to join the wasted men. Finally, the shadowy figure spoke.

"Why aren't you celebrating with the rest of your friends? After all, the victory at Helm's Deep was one paid with the death of many fine men." They spoke gently in a raspy voice, as if they had a bad cold.

"Today was a long one and I do not exactly feel up for more drinks and dancing." Legolas proceeded to tilt his head up, facing the dark night sky.

"The stars are veiled," the stranger said. "I can't see anything." The Mirkwood elf turned towards the figure, slightly shocked by the comment. With the huge victory at Helms Deep and another up coming battle, the last thing he expected someone to say was a comment about the stars.

"Most men would not say that. Their minds would either be clouded by beer or be thinking about the events that unfolded today."

"Ah, you are right. Though I must say that I'm not like most men. For starters," the figure turned towards Legolas and raised their hood to reveal a helmet that made it almost impossible for anyone to see who was under it. They then lifted up the silver helmet and a wave of hazel hair immediately tumbled out, stopping at their ribcage. In a much higher and clearer voice, they continued to speak, "I'm not a man, but a woman. Secondly, I'm not a mortal, either. I am of Elvish kind, your kind."

Suddenly, the male elf started to notice how similar her features were to his. The luscious hair, fair complexion, slightly pointed ears, and high cheek bones, and especially how she looked like she had bathed in liquid moonlight. She bowed her head and spoke, "I am Araithia, daughter of Araithron."

He bowed to the she-elf and proceeded to respond. "I am Legolas Greenleaf, son of Thranduil." He looked up and their eyes met. For a few silent moments, the beautiful honey eyes of the daughter of Araithron and the sky blue eyes of the son of Thranduil were glued together in a gaze. Legolas could feel his heart pounding louder as her eyes started to twinkle. Feeling as though his heart might pound out of his chest, he broke eye contact and cleared his throat. "What brings you here?"

"Elrond sent out messengers to gather Elves to help the men at Helm's Deep fight. He reached out to my father to ask for help, but my father said that we barely had any men to spare, since we needed them to help ensure the safety of the she-elves traveling to the ships leaving for the Greyhavens. I took a few men and we stole weaponry and left for Helm's Deep."

"Why the male disguise?"

"Who would let a woman fight?" She replied, steel in her voice. "Elvish women are looked at as jewels by men, not as living breathing things. We are hardly even taken serious by our own. We're just beautiful figures and voices with opinions, not people who go into war and fight." Araithia's voice grew louder, each word said with anger. She seemed to have noticed the rant she just let out and quickly redeemed herself as cool and collected.

"That is why I pretended I was a man." Araithia realized how much she had spilled the Legolas and felt incredibly stupid. She knew that they were both on the same side, but she felt uneasy about all the information she gave out, especially the last part. Where did that come from? The elf thought. What made me say so much to him? Why did I say so much to him? It must have been those eyes, those dreamy brown eyes. Or the way he spoke so softly and swiftly. Or maybe it wa- She realized what she was thinking and shook them out of her head. "I must go. I need to go speak with my men."

Legolas nodded as Araithia put the helmet and hood back on and watched as she took a few steps away from him. He turned back to face the open night sky, but heard Araithia speak to him again, this time in the low raspy voice she had the first time he talked to her.

"You know what I just told you? My disguise and reason for it?" The blonde elf turned around to see Araithia standing only a foot away in a shooting position, arrow notched in her bow, pointed right at Legolas' own throat. Where'd she get that? He thought. It wasn't there a minute ago

"I'd like to stay in this war and to do so, I need to have that be kept a secret, you understand?" The look in her golden eyes showed him that she wouldn't give a second thought about letting go of that arrow if he even thought about telling someone about her disguise. He nodded and she lowered her arrow, not all the way, though.

"Good. I've trusted you with a secret, Legolas Greenleaf, one that only a few know. I hope to not have to kill such a handsome face." She put her bow and arrow under her cloak and stood face to face with him.

With a low bow, he said, "You have my word, Araithia, daughter of Araithron." Though the helmet covered most of her face, he could sense her smile underneath the thick silver hat.

"Until we meet again," and with that, she turned and walked to the door leading to the tavern below. This time, Legolas watched and made sure that the she-elf had really left this time before looking out over the distant landscape. He spent the next few minutes confused, not sure what to make of Araithia; the conversation that they had, the revealing of who she really was, the death threat, but in the end, he was sure of one thing: he could not wait until they met again.