Authoress Chat: I apologize right now if I have made you wait. I have begun to torture myself and I have great things that must begin to work. That small thing being said, I thank you for the love. The last chapter was the first chapter that people actually reviewed to so thanks. So…let the madness ensue…

Chapter Twenty-One- Bad Romance

Barawen found her way out of the bath and was gifted a gown of light blue, It trailed to the ground and flared at the arms. Binding the arms at the elbow and waist, was white and silver threads and upon her crown a silver threaded headpiece, adorned by white beads. It sat lightly on her head and gently above her brow.

Éowyn wore a yellow dress of similar construct, with a white sash and white headdress of her own, covering her hair, revealing but the section towards the small of her back. On her brow there resided great joy and she was eager to enjoy the cheer with her brother and friends…and her new-found interest, Faramir.

They walked together to the Hall, and began to mingle with the Men of Gondor. Enjoying herself, Barawen took up a glass of sweet wine and walked with her friend, eyeing them all, scanning the room for one in particular.

"It is good to see others so gay. They heighten my own spirits," Barawen said, sipping from her glass and feeling it pass through her like water.

Éowyn nodded.

"I am glad. This is a great day, to be immortalized forever by all free people. We have seen the fruit of our labors."

Looking to her side, she saw Faramir and pointed to him.

"I'm going to talk with him. I will…see you later."

Barawen laughed.

"Do not worry about offending me. Go and see him. I will entertain myself in your absence. Do not keep him waiting," she smiled, shooing Éowyn away.

Barawen saw herself to a table and began to eat. She did not engage in much chatter, instead listening to all that happened around her and eating her feelings.

/ / / / /

Legolas and Gimli screamed to get ready as it was quite late. They had spent much of their time chatting idly. Most of it was about their plans after Aragorn's coronation. But there were other things that needed to be discussed.

"What if you are correct?" Legolas asked, re-braiding his hair. "What if I have become enamored of the Lady Barawen? What does that mean?"

Gimli took a deep breath in.

"Lady Barawen? I thought you had agreed to drop the titles of your names in favor of more familiar terms. I haven't heard Thranduilion in-"

Legolas sighed loudly, clearly meaning to end the inquiry, massaging brow.

"Enough. I know what I must do then. I just have to summon the courage to do so."

/ / / / /

Barawen had since been joined by the company of Éomer and Aragorn. They chattered merrily as they enjoyed their fill of alcoholic beverages. The elleth, barely affected by the beverages, enjoyed the vibrant energy of them that were most affected by the victory.

"He was barely able to control himself. He jumped off of the horse and onto that foul beast!" Éomer laughed.

Barawen found her body wracked with laughs as well, despite being preoccupied with her own feeling. They swirled dangerously inside of her, hither and thither. She had been so indescribably happy when Legolas was proven to alive and when he held her close…she didn't ever want that feeling to stop. She was so bogged down with thought that she began to consider withdrawing. Before she got the chance, she gripped firmly on the shoulder from behind. Turning around, she was highly pleased with who she saw.

"Legolas."

His eyes were smiling as he whispered.

"I need to talk to you."

She nodded and took his hand, helped off of the bench. Barawen then began to walk behind him. When they were safely out of the dining hall and down an empty corridor, they began to talk.

"You are very…adequately dressed," she began.

Though, in her eyes, he was a far cry from 'adequate.' No…a more fitting description was exquisite. His tunic had been crafted by the Elves, blue and crisp as the morning sky. She was completely taken by the sight, her heart threatening to beat itself clear through her chest. But, by the grace of the Valar, she managed to speak intelligibly.

"What did you need to discuss?"

He paused to take in the sight of her.

"I felt the need to speak candidly with you. And may I say that you look similarly…adequate."

She looked at him, smiling.

"Well…I was not under the impression that you were previously hiding anything. But I will gladly listen."

He gulped, pulling himself together and began.

"I have been struggling for a while with the bond that has been forged between us. It is not the bond which was summoned by your parents. I have long before felt the desire for your company and companionship and-"

He stopped, as she had gone absolutely blank and trembled slightly. Her hands found their way to her mouth, as she pressed her body against the wall. He could not be sure of her feelings, as they all hit him at once.

"I am sorry if I have offended or frightened you. I just could not hold my thoughts any longer."

She had tears in her eyes, but blinked them back, her pride fighting valiantly with her reason. Sinking to the floor, her knees weak, she pondered why the words she had longed to say herself frightened her so. Legolas' look was grim.

"Please…say something."

"I have spent centuries in misery, missing the companionship of love. And I thought that companionship had been lost to me forever. But here I am, drawn into you and unable to express the depth of happiness that such simple words have tided. I fear the thought of losing you more than anything. I meant what I said; I could not possibly forgive myself for losing you."

Legolas knelt down to her and cupped her face gently in his hand. Her hand held tightly to the one that ran across her alabaster skin. It was warm as sunlight and made her feel more strongly than she had felt in many years.

"Do not weep. And do not fear that which is not yet upon us. The future is bright and clear. I wish to court you."

She fell into his arms gingerly, clinging to him with a tender passion.

"Yes, Legolas. I will allow you to court me."

She detached herself somewhat quickly, gazing into his eyes and drinking in the features of his face, whilst he did the same. And as though they could read each other's minds, Barawen and Legolas were soon caught by the other's lips and shared a moment of intimacy which seemed to move earth and sky and put pause to the flow of time.

A/N: Don't slay me! I COULDN'T RESIST IT ANY LONGER!!! I wanted them to kiss AGES ago. How much longer could I have kept their love bottled up? I held off their confessions until all three of us threatened to explode under the pressure. IF YOU LIKED IT REVIEW!! I have new COOKIES…