~Chapter 10: Surprise~

(Here's the edited chapter! Many thanks to my Beta again, LOTRlover23! :D thanks for the patience! :D Readers I hope the chapter will be to your liking)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything!

The encounter with Legolas was still bothering the Marchwarden of Lorien, but he decided that thinking about it would lead him nowhere so it was better just to brush it off. He even came to the conclusion that he felt no attraction at all toward Eowyn and there was no reason to be jealous.

'She's a human, we are not compatible…we are nothing but friends.' But no matter how many times he replayed those words in his mind, he was not convinced.

Haldir walked out of his room and slowly made his way in the hall where the feast was held. He wasn't really in the mood to go, for surely Eowyn and Legolas would be present.

"Haldir."

A familiar masculine voice pulled him out of deep thoughts, when he turned around he was greeted by a tall silver-haired elf, smiling widely at him.

"Orophin!"

The thoughts about Legolas and Eowyn quickly flew out the window as Haldir saw his brother. A smile spread across his face and he went to hug the other elf.

"I am surprised that you are here," Haldir said, pulling away from the hug.

"I know it's a rarity to see me for I always prefer to stay in our Realm, but I received orders from the Lord and the Lady to accompany you," Orophin told him.

"What about Rumil?" Haldir asked, he knew that the two were never without the other. Even in their duties, they were always together.

The other Elf frowned as their brother was mentioned. "I'm afraid Rumil was to stay in the Wood for some important matters."

Haldir was a little disappointed but he let it go and nodded. "I understand." Maybe his brother's presence would help him forget a certain problem that involved a particular mortal woman. "Let us go, there is a feast taking place in the Hall. I'm sure you are hungry from your trip."

Orophin chuckled lightly."You are not wrong, Haldir."

-LOTR-

When Ashelia saw that the Elven Prince of Mirkwood was headed to where they were seated, she quickly assumed that he was going to speak with Eowyn about something private so she rose and told her Lady that she would go and talk to the other servants. Eowyn let her go, unaware of the approaching Legolas.

Legolas placed a hand on her shoulder to get her attention, and when Eowyn looked up, her face was a mixture of surprise and joy.

"It is nice to see you come here in the feast, my lord." She spoke in a velvet voice laced with steel. Eowyn gave him a small smile.

The elf sat on the chair across her, he looking around first before settling his eyes on her. "Did you think that I would not grace it with my presence?" he asked, sounding a bit playful.

"You did not seem in the mood awhile ago when Haldir and I saw you." Her brow furrowed.
"Are you and Haldir fighting? Perhaps I could help..."

Legolas shook his head."Nay. There is nothing between us, my lady." He looked down and stared at the untouched food on the table."We are not fighting. There's nothing for you to worry, but I appreciate your offer to help." He smiled reassuringly at her. Legolas did not know how he could put it into words and besides, he was confused as to whether they really were competing for the woman before him.

Eowyn was not convinced but decided to just let it slide. If they were really having a problem, it would not concern her.

She decided to change the subject. "I never got the chance to spend a lot of time with you when when you first stepped foot in Rohan."

"Yes, and you do not smile back then," Legolas agreed. When they first arrived in the Mark, the Shieldmaiden was a mixture of steel and ice, her face never showing any signs of happiness.

"I can say I have changed a lot, my lord," she told him. "The War of the Ring had a catalytic effect on me."

The two continued conversing with each other, oblivious to the pair of blue eyes watching them from afar. The short blonde-haired handmaiden handed Eomer a goblet of wine, noticing how the new King looked at Eowyn and Legolas.

"You seemed bothered that Lord Legolas speaks to your sister, my king," Ashelia said, standing by his side. "Do you not like an elf for Lady Eowyn?"

Eomer took a sip before answering."I do not have anything against Legolas or the Elves..."

Ashelia smiled at this."So it is fine if the Lady marries an Elf?"

"If that's what her heart desires, she can't be controlled. She will do what she wants. She has shown that she is not a woman to be kept inside the walls, she is more than that… but I fear that her heart might suffer. I knew of her feelings for Elessar before and what she went through after that… I don't want her to feel that pain again."

By how Eomer said those words, Ashelia sensed his worry and that he really cared deeply for his sister. She could not help but to feel a little envious of Eowyn for the protection and care she received from her brother.

'But you are not meant to have and feel such thing. You are doomed and suffering awaits you before the end of your task'.

'Am I that damned and deprived of redemption? What did I do wrong?'

Tears threatened to fall down on her face and she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand. Ashelia turned her back on the feast and decided to go to the balcony for a while while she felt the aura. She stopped midstep, her eyes widening as fear flooded her chest.

"Ashelia, are you alright?" Glorfindel came from her left, he was not oblivious to the fear reflecting in her brown eyes, as if she were seeing Sauron in handmaiden didn't seem to hear the question thrown at her, she remained staring ahead, so focused that the others turned into a background and the sounds inside the Hall went mute.

Glorfindel frowned. He was about to ask her again when she made her way into the middle of the Hall and walked straight to someone. The Balrog Slayer looked for who it was that Ashelia went to; he saw Haldir with his brother, Orophin.

'Orophin?' he asked in his thoughts. 'Why him? And why did Ashelia looked so bothered?'

-LOTR-

When Ashelia reached the Lorien Elves, Orophin noticed her quickly. He was surprised at first and seemed wanted to say something but decided not to.

"I believe I do not know you," Orophin said without a hint of insult or malice, though not known to Haldir, he gave the woman a quick vague smile that he was sure she knew exactly what it meant.

Ashelia remained silent, her lips compressed in a thin line. Haldir then decided to speak. "She is a servant to the White Lady of Rohan; her name is Ashelia." He turned to look at Ashelia. "This is my brother, Orophin."

Ashelia balled her right hand into fist, not knowing what to say she just nodded curtly at them. "Aye, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance." She turned her back to leave the two Elves.

How lovely to see you here, traitor, said a voice in her mind. Her heart curled painfully at the mention of the word 'traitor' and the disgust was obvious in the one who said it.

Dare a wrong move and you shall meet your end! she replied venomously.

The unknown voice laughed. How would you kill me? You and what army, Ashelia? As far as I remember they also turned their backs to you too. There's nothing left for you. I already have made a move, though you still are unaware of it.

She gritted her teeth. Elves and Men are not to be underestimated, if not me then it will be by them that you meet your end!

How are you sure about this?

Ashelia closed her eyes and blocked out the voice in her head. She was breathing heavily as she tried to contain the brewing anger and fear inside her. She could not make a move now for it was still too soon. Her brown eyes locked on the fair-haired woman who was still talking to Legolas.

"You are my only key to redemption, my beloved Lady."

(Let me know what ya think of it, folks I accept criticisms for I know it will help me improve my writing but please no flames or something insulting. I am no Elf, okay? :) )