A/N: Bonjour, loyal readers! I do believe I owe an apology for the lateness of this chapter, but as school is slightly important and my hectic schedule just got more hectic (play rehearsals) I think I've earned a few days grace... yes?

So welcome to chapter 10.

Disclaimer: (tune: Chorus of Evanescence's "Call me when you're sober") Don't hate me, if you read this, some characters are MINE: You want them? COME GET THEM... I'll fight you off.

Chapter 10 : Magical Moments

Legolas was holding her.

And not letting go.

And Caen didn't care.

At that moment, when her past was finally revealed to him, her very distant, vague past, she felt like she was completely bared. She no longer cared what happened, who saw, or what was said. It was just her and Legolas. And she loved it.

Caen could hear his heartbeat and it lulled her into a magical moment. She closed her eyes and listened to it, listened to the steady thump of his heart. Neither elf knew how long they were standing there, only that in that exact moment, they were at one with each other.

Legolas pulled back and looked at Caen. "Shall we continue with our walk?" Legolas asked, sad that he had to break the moment.

"Yeah, I'd like that," Caen said. Half of her wanted to roll her eyes at such a comment, and the other half wanted to slip her hand into his and lean on his shoulder forever. She contented herself by deciding to not do either one. However, Legolas had a different plan. He took her hand and laced his fingers between hers, drawing her body close to his.

It was moments like this, Caen reminded herself, that kept the fairytales of love alive.

The next morning, Legolas and Caen were lounging on a bench by a fountain when they heard a bell ring in the distance. Legolas jerked in surprise, causing Caen, who had been leaning on his shoulder, to lose her balance and end up with her head in Legolas' lap. Legolas was staring tensely in the direction of the main hall.

"What? What is it?" Caen asked quietly, sitting up and feeling slightly embarrassed at her thought of just staying there in his lap.

"It's the summoning bell?" Legolas answered distractedly.

"Summoning bell to what?" Caen asked, even though she already knew the answer.

"To the council."

"A council about what?" Caen asked coyly. It was fun acting like she didn't know. Just how much does Legolas trust me…?

"I can't tell you," Legolas said. Caen mentally deflated. I thought he trusted me… "I honestly don't know," he added.

Oh. Caen smiled to herself.

"Come on, Let's go back," Legolas said, taking Caen's hand and walking quickly back toward the buildings.

"You can't come, but I promise I'll tell you all about it after dinner." Legolas squeezed her hand.

"That's a lie." Caen caught herself smiling.

"What?"

"You'll tell me before dinner," Caen replied with a smirk.

"You've caught me," Legolas replied. The bell rang again.

"Now go away or you'll be the only elf who has to stand while some dwarf takes your seat."

Legolas laughed, kissed Caen on the cheek, and left.

Caen stared after him, smiling dumbly. She raised her hand to touch the place where Legolas had kissed her. Ahh! She thought to herself, alarmed. Why did I enjoy that!

Oh shit…

She was getting feelings for him. This wasn't good… this was NOT good…

Caen shook her head to clear her senses and hurried off, running to find a place to hide and watch the council. She should have been there earlier, WAY before everyone else arrived, but when Legolas had knocked on her door that morning with breakfast in his hands, Caen couldn't say no.

She ended up crawling underneath the deck-type area the Council was taking place on. Ideally, she should have found a spot where she could see and hear, but at the last minute, beggars can't be choosers.

The council was no short one. But in short, Elrond announced that the Ring was in their midst, Boromir, a human of Gondor, spoke one argument, that they should use the ring against Sauron, and Aragorn, that filthy human that Arwen seemed to so adore, convinced the council that it was inadvisable and impossible to do so. Legolas spoke too, and for a while Caen smiled as she listened to his voice.

Then, a sound from nearby. Caen whipped around, horrified, to see a blonde-haired hobbit staring right at her.

A/N: Ooh... CAUGHT! How mean AM I to leave you all like that? Well... Possibly, quite mean. ;)

Well, all I have left to say is: Thanks bunches to the people who reviewed chapter 9: Lady Anck-su-namun, Eye of Fantasy, Padme4000, Tigerlily Brown, geminitwinz, GwenevieveGreenleaf, and shikijo! Galadriel-shaped cookies for all of you!

(This is the part you don't have to read:) Austin City Limits Music Festival, guys... Last weekend... Did anybody go? I did... IT WAS GREAT! I think we need to have an ACL every month... If you can, come out next year. Guaranteed fun. And if you find me in the crowd, I'll give you $20, no lie.

Love to all!

-Ivy

9/23/06