A/N: Here's the next chapter! Duh! *at myself* And oh yeah, Shalane didn't think that kissing Legolas was right as she's the more conservative sort. She's Chinese, remember? g

Lessons

Six: A Stroll Under Moonlight And Starlight

   Night settled like a soft blanket all around, broken only by the light of the full moon.

   Shalane tossed in bed, unable to get to sleep with Legolas so near to her, though she usually had no trouble sleeping even in his presence. In frustration, she threw her blanket off and sat up.

   "Could you not sleep?" Legolas's voice drifted over from a shadowy corner of her room.

   "No. What 'bout you?"

   "Elves need but two hours of meditation-sleep, m'lady," Legolas answered. There was a moment of silence, then, "Would you honor me with a walk in the woods, lady?"

   "Sure." Shalane shrugged. "Why not?" She rose and joined him as he crossed to the window.

   Legolas vaulted out onto the narrow ledge outside with surety, and held a hand out to Shalane, who accepted it. Together, they scaled down the roof and made it to the ground safely. Weirdly, Shalane didn't feel any fear as Legolas assisted her, even though she had slight acrophobia.

   The moonlight seemed to pave a way especially for them, and even in the dark, Legolas's steps were sure as he led the girl.

   "So, uh, why couldn't you sleep?" Shalane asked as she stepped over a barely visible root Legolas had pointed out to her.

   "My reasons are my own," Legolas said, though not rudely.

   "Okay."

   They reached the small clearing, and took their usual spots. There was silence for a long while before either of the spoke.

   "So how are you, uh, coping here?" Shalane stumbled over her words. "I mean, since you came not from here and all."

   Legolas eyed her, raising a brow. "You do believe my words now?"

   Caught by her own words, the teen stammered, "I—I mean, you were the one who told me that after all!" She scowled, not liking the embarrassment she felt. Why the heck was she acting so strange around Legolas anyway? Lucky for her she did not notice how his hair now gleamed a soft silver-gold, and how his face was so fair and beautiful, and—

   "Stop those thoughts!" She hissed to herself, surprised that she could even have them.

   Her scolding of herself was low enough so that no man could have heard her, but Legolas was no man.

   "What thoughts did come to you?"

   Shalane's head snapped up to glare at him. "That's not your business, Legolas."

   "Yet those thoughts seem to trouble," he said softly. "Is that not so?"

   "You're darn nosey, aren't you?"

   "Yea, for I care, Shalane."

   She stared at him, and he at her, and it seemed that he did not expect himself to say those words, and to admit his feelings.

   "Y-you—"

   Legolas sighed, realizing that he could not take back the truth. He crossed the clearing to where Shalane sat, and drew her up.

   "I care for you, Shalane," he repeated, and his lips descended gently upon hers.

   Shalane accepted the kiss from Legolas for a short moment, then pushed him away frantically. "This isn't right!" She gasped.

   And she fled from him.