A/N- Oi!!! I'm back again! :everyone groans in horror: Shut up! Did
everybody enjoy chapter 2???? :loud chorus of no's and boos: QUIET!!!
Well, the elves DID seem kinda out of character didn't they? And I
apologize for that but I had writer's block. What the heck. But I'm so
glad that everybody that reviewed my fic wants me to continue! I got 14
reviews! Wow! Shiara: But Dragonfire-sama, your other fics got a whole
LOT more reviews than 14. Dragonfire: Hai, but I wasn't expecting reviews
for this one! Anyways I don't care, because I like this story and where
it's going! Ray: Where's it going? Dragonfire: I don't know but I like
it! Ray and Shiara: sweatdrop
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A figure clad in white stood at the window, staring out at the night sky. After supper, Legolas had finally been able to rest, lead to his room by a number of maidens who fell over each other trying to gain his attention. After politely shaking them off, he was faced by Pippin and Merry who mercilessly teased him with an imitation of fluttering eyelashes, and Gimli, who was smirking at him at every chance.
Well, with all that going on, he had had no chance to talk to the only person he wanted to see. Shiara had disappeared right as the maidens had started to push him towards the rooms. Legolas tried to ignore his growling stomach as he remembered his father's words. He had come to his room as soon as the girls had left.
'Father, I don't understand. You're perfectly able to rule and I'm not fit to be king!'
King Thranduil shook his head. 'Legolas, my son. You are my only son, the only heir to Mirkwood. It is your birthright. But even without that, you would still be chosen to become king. You are able in everyway.'
'But--'
'Legolas!' he said sharply. 'I'm old! I may not look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my bones! Mirkwood needs a strong and able ruler! The forests are one of the largest in the world, they must be guarded, protected,' he sighed. 'I cannot do that anymore. And the ring--the ring needs protection.'
'What?' Legolas jerked his head up and looked at his father. 'Ring? What ring?'
[Three rings for the elven-kings under the sky...]
His eyes widened. 'No...'
Thranduil held up his hand. On his finger, a shining gold band with an emerald gem.
Legolas's eyes flared. 'Why did you not tell me this?? You had no right to keep something so important hidden from me! I'm your SON!'
'It had to be kept secret,' he said coolly. 'Just the week before you had come back, the guards caught someone with a knife at the entrance to my chamber. He was trying to kill me to take the ring.' He walked to the door and exited, but not before saying, 'I am sorry to bother you about this grievious business on your first day back. Legolas, my son.'
{Sorry...} Legolas pounded his fist on the windowsill. {He is not...}
How could he be king? When young, he had always imagined himself sitting on the wooden throne, holding the carved oak staff that was his father's, ordering his guards to bring him food. But now that he knew how difficult ruling a kingdom was, he just wanted to live out his days in peace, with his friends, without a care. Legolas had never liked fighting; he had only gone on journeys, participated in guards, gone with Frodo...because it was expected of him. Because it was duty.
He flung a crystal glass across the room. He hated duty.
He stiffened when a hand rested on his shoulder.
Then he relaxed when a soft voice said, 'Legolas?'
Legolas turned around and found himself looking into troubled blue eyes. 'Why do you fear becoming king?' Shiara asked.
She watched him as he lowered his head, his blonde hair tumbling past his shoulders. 'I will not be able to rule the kingdom. I am not able.'
She laughed. Legolas raised his head, looking at her puzzled. 'Not able?' she asked. 'Of course you are! You're the strongest, most good-hearted elf there is!' Shiara looked up intently into his stormy grey eyes. 'And anyways,' she said quietly. 'I believe you.'
Legolas turned around, and she watched him anxiously, wondering if he'd give more argument. But what he said next, was the last thing she was expecting. 'Shiara,' he said suddenly. 'I'm sorry I don't have a present for you on your birthday. And--' he paused. 'I'm sorry I left you like that. You're right, it would have been better if you had gone.' Legolas turned around, grinning. 'I deserved all that pain in my ear.'
She laughed back. 'That you did!' And for a moment, it seemed like everything was the same. That he had never left. Then she stopped and looked up at him smiling. 'A present is not needed my dear friend. You here, is present enough.' And with a brief hug to the surprised Legolas, she left.
Legolas was not able to keep the blush that was slowly creeping up his cheeks from coming. Grinning idiotically, he flopped on the bed, thinking to himself that it was good to be home.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning dawned cheery and bright. Beams of sunlight shone through the glass panes of Gimli's window. As he blinked and stirred, the door opened and Shiara lightly stepped through. She smiled when she saw the dwarf awake and set down a tray full of food on his table. 'Arise, Master Gimli!' she cried cheerfully. 'The morning is beautiful and the forests of Mirkwood are singing with joy!'
Gimli arose from the bed stretching. 'Indeed yes,' he said. 'Made even more beautiful by the lovely maiden standing in front of me.'
Shiara laughed. 'Hear this! I know not why my people dislike dwarves, for they are the kindest and most flattering creatures of Middle-earth!' As Gimli reached for the tray and began eating, she went to the window and opened it wide, allowing the dew-scented air to flow through the room.
She looked back at the dwarf, who was now cramming cakes into his mouth, washing it down with a draught of cold mint water. 'Gimli,' she spoke. 'Thank you, for keeping Legolas safe, and taking care of him.'
Gimli looked up surprised. 'You are welcome Lady! But nay, he was taking care of me.' Then he added unwillingly, 'Thrice, I would have been dead if not for Legolas.'
'Nonetheless,' she replied, staring intently at him. 'I thank you, for helping him get back in one piece to Mirkwood. I have missed him.' Then with a sudden light laugh, she walked to the door. 'Now! I must go wake the Prince of Sleepers! You are welcome anywhere in the threshold of this place Master Gimli. I will see you at midday.' With that, Shiara exited.
Gimli looked after her with a thoughtful look on his face. Then, on sudden impulse, he bowed very low, the tip of his beard touching the floor. 'I'm sure you do Lady. You may not have the title, but you are fit to be queen, like Galadriel herself.' (A/N-Did that make sense?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When midday meal was over, the afternoon was spent when Shiara volunteered to give the visitors a tour after Frodo and Sam came late saying that they couldn't find the banquet hall again. They were accompanied by Legolas, who when asked by an 'innocently' curious Galier, quickly lied, saying that he couldn't remember where most of the rooms and places were.
Legolas was not planning to say the real reason why he was going anytime soon, which was of course, to spend more time with Shiara. {Really,} he thought, irked after Shiara had teased him greatly about how the prince's memory was failing in his-here she sighed dramatically-old age. {I've got to come up with these things quicker.}
'And this,' Shiara was saying. 'leads to where the bows and quivers are kept. You are welcome to practice if you like.'
In spite of himself, Legolas was intrigued, remembering himself practicing with Linel and Galier before he had left. Excusing himself, he ran lightly to his room in the upper floors to grab the bow that he had gotten in Loriethen and went back to the door. Upon entering, he found Linel, Galier, and Shiara in the room examining replenishing the arrows in some of the quivers and talking. Galier looked up and said, 'Legolas! Come join us! We were about to go and practice.'
He nodded, then looked at the maiden, who was now wearing a short leather tunic. 'I thought you were showing the others the halls.'
She looked up smiling. 'Nay, we finished just as you left. The Halflings went off to the pantries in search dessert, they said.'
Linel laughed. 'A pleasant folk, they are. I envy you Legolas, to have traveled with characters of such pertness; they must liven up the gloom in the day!'
Legolas nodded. 'That they did. It was grievous indeed when we had to part; Frodo and Sam went to Mordor, and Merry and Pippin were captured by orcs.'
'Orcs!' Shiara exclaimed. 'Those happy folk? It is saddening to think of them in the clutches of those hideous monsters!' She whirled angrily on the prince. 'And you LET them?'
Legolas looked surprised. 'It was no fault of mine; I was not even there!'
'But you did not follow them? Fie and folly on you, Prince! That was cowardly!'
'Are you suggesting that I am a coward?'
'Aye, that's exactly what I'm suggesting!'
'We tracked them over two-hundred leagues, through fen and marsh and you say-'
Sensing an argument, Linel quickly took the two of them by the arm and lead them outside. 'Come now! Let us not argue on a beautiful day like this!'
After readying their bows, the four immediately got into a competition on who could shoot the target most accurately. Galier shot first and his arrow landed in the center, as was expected of wood-elves. He smiled, satisfied, but the smile quickly faded into a glare as Linel's arrow became embedded just a hair's breadth away.
Then Shiara stood and her rowan made bow twanged with a slight hiss, and the arrow tip landed directly in the middle of the other two arrows. Legolas, Linel, and Galier all gaped and clapped her in approval. She pretended to fan herself smiling. 'You humour me.'
'You have greatly improved!' said Legolas astounded. 'Your arrows have become amazingly accurate.'
Shiara felt herself blush at his praise. {He has never praised me before.} 'Why thank you,' she swept a mock curtsey. 'And now, it's your turn, o prince.'
'Don't call me that,' he replied automatically. 'And Shiara, your curtsies have improved too. Your knees no longer creak.' Linel quickly restrained his step-sister from clobbering the prince as Legolas aimed at the center. 'Well, I know not how I can get any closer to the center, as your arrows have all pierced it.' Squinting one eye, as the string on his bow grew taut, he aimed again and fired.
The arrow neatly split Shiara's in half as it thudded into the center. Legolas gave himself a satisfied smile as he saw the other three's eyes widen. Deliberately keeping his tone light, he said, 'I cannot get any closer. Will that do?'
'Legolas, whence did you come by such a bow?' Shiara breathed. 'It is indeed powerful if it can split through arrows like that!'
'Nay,' Legolas smiled softly at his friend's amazement. 'Nay, I think it is caused by the continuous practice I have had shooting clumsy orcs in the head. Though they're not much practice.' He drew in a startled breath as Shiara came closer and the scent of her hair drifted up to his nose when she impatiently brushed it aside.
'Oh,' she breathed, fingering the string of the bow. 'Verily, it is beautiful.' She ran her hand around the body of the bow.
'Yes, it's beautiful.' he murmured, though not talking about the bow. He was instead looking down lovingly at the maiden next to him. How she had grown since he had left her! He had always loved her, but never like this! Trying to will his hand not reach out and touch her, he continued to listen to her soft voice exclaim over the quality of the wood and such, not really listening to her words, just hearing her sweet clear voice. Both of them had completely forgotten the other two.
Meanwhile, Linel and Galier were watching their prince and lady interact. 'Come,' Galier said quietly. 'I think it would be best to leave the two now.'
Linel nodded as he heard Legolas tell Shiara of Galadriel and how she had given it to him as a gift. They were now sitting on the ground, their heads almost touching. The two silently slipped through the entrance door, unnoticed.
Soon, the couple's talk turned from the bow to what had happened in Mirkwood while the prince was gone. The spent the rest of the sunlit hours like that. Shiara chattered, Legolas only interjecting questions and some exclamations. He was content to listen to her voice and watch her lips move forming her beautiful words. Just once, he wanted to touch those lips with his own. Then, disgusted with himself, he went back to listening to her.
'Remember those stairs where you tripped while carrying that basket of raspberries? Galier told the little ones that the stain left was made when an elf who ate too many berries exploded!' She laughed merrily. 'They wouldn't eat anymore that day, no matter what Linel and I said!' Both of them laughed at that; Legolas because of the happy tone in her voice, and Shiara because of the memory.
Then, Shiara looked up, the dying rays of sunlight gleaming on her black hair. 'Oh! It is already near to dusk! Legolas, we must prepare for supper, you especially; they will be asking to hear your tales while you were gone. I would like to hear them also, come, let's go.'
He unwillingly stood up, not wanting to leave her. Turning around, he offered his hand to Shiara. Looking up she grinned then said haughtily, 'I can get up by myself, thank you all the same your Highness!' She took his hand anyway, but as she got up, her foot slipped on a patch of grass and with a cry she fell backwards, bringing down a surprised Legolas on top of her.
When Shiara opened her eyes, she found herself staring into pools of grey. Legolas stared back, feeling flushed. Both felt the red creeping up their necks and onto their faces and both vainly hoped that the other could not see it. Shiara could vaguely smell the scent of leaves and rain that always seemed to hang around the prince. The obvious choice was to apologize and get up, but it came to neither of their minds, being so close to each other.
'I thought you could get up yourself.'
Shiara knew then that her brain was not functioning properly as his breath blew harshly on her face. 'I'm-sorry,' she stuttered, but stopped again, when he carefully brushed aside a strand of hair that was lying across on her face, looking at her with soft eyes.
Then abruptly, Legolas realized what he was doing, and that he was lying on TOP of her. Quickly, he rolled off before Shiara could say anything, then pulled her up. 'I'm sorry.' she said again, not looking at him.
'Quite alright,' he said politely. 'Come, we must prepare.' Then silently, he held the door open as the two walked back inside like complete strangers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N- Well! How was that for romance and excitement, eh?? Argh, I'm tired now. I hope you guys are enjoying it, I sure am! Hopefully, the elves sound better. There will be more excitement and romance in the next chapter, so stay tuned! (that sounded stupid) Does anybody want to join my mailing list? I'll email you when I update the story! Just add your email in the review! Well some of you are already on the list without even asking, but that's ok! ^^; And thanks lots to Jenn and Roses, who helped me a lot! Roses, don't worry about the sea thing, I'll get to that! Ja, minna, and REVIEW!!!!!!! (Honestly, I LIVE on those things)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A figure clad in white stood at the window, staring out at the night sky. After supper, Legolas had finally been able to rest, lead to his room by a number of maidens who fell over each other trying to gain his attention. After politely shaking them off, he was faced by Pippin and Merry who mercilessly teased him with an imitation of fluttering eyelashes, and Gimli, who was smirking at him at every chance.
Well, with all that going on, he had had no chance to talk to the only person he wanted to see. Shiara had disappeared right as the maidens had started to push him towards the rooms. Legolas tried to ignore his growling stomach as he remembered his father's words. He had come to his room as soon as the girls had left.
'Father, I don't understand. You're perfectly able to rule and I'm not fit to be king!'
King Thranduil shook his head. 'Legolas, my son. You are my only son, the only heir to Mirkwood. It is your birthright. But even without that, you would still be chosen to become king. You are able in everyway.'
'But--'
'Legolas!' he said sharply. 'I'm old! I may not look it, but I am beginning to feel it in my bones! Mirkwood needs a strong and able ruler! The forests are one of the largest in the world, they must be guarded, protected,' he sighed. 'I cannot do that anymore. And the ring--the ring needs protection.'
'What?' Legolas jerked his head up and looked at his father. 'Ring? What ring?'
[Three rings for the elven-kings under the sky...]
His eyes widened. 'No...'
Thranduil held up his hand. On his finger, a shining gold band with an emerald gem.
Legolas's eyes flared. 'Why did you not tell me this?? You had no right to keep something so important hidden from me! I'm your SON!'
'It had to be kept secret,' he said coolly. 'Just the week before you had come back, the guards caught someone with a knife at the entrance to my chamber. He was trying to kill me to take the ring.' He walked to the door and exited, but not before saying, 'I am sorry to bother you about this grievious business on your first day back. Legolas, my son.'
{Sorry...} Legolas pounded his fist on the windowsill. {He is not...}
How could he be king? When young, he had always imagined himself sitting on the wooden throne, holding the carved oak staff that was his father's, ordering his guards to bring him food. But now that he knew how difficult ruling a kingdom was, he just wanted to live out his days in peace, with his friends, without a care. Legolas had never liked fighting; he had only gone on journeys, participated in guards, gone with Frodo...because it was expected of him. Because it was duty.
He flung a crystal glass across the room. He hated duty.
He stiffened when a hand rested on his shoulder.
Then he relaxed when a soft voice said, 'Legolas?'
Legolas turned around and found himself looking into troubled blue eyes. 'Why do you fear becoming king?' Shiara asked.
She watched him as he lowered his head, his blonde hair tumbling past his shoulders. 'I will not be able to rule the kingdom. I am not able.'
She laughed. Legolas raised his head, looking at her puzzled. 'Not able?' she asked. 'Of course you are! You're the strongest, most good-hearted elf there is!' Shiara looked up intently into his stormy grey eyes. 'And anyways,' she said quietly. 'I believe you.'
Legolas turned around, and she watched him anxiously, wondering if he'd give more argument. But what he said next, was the last thing she was expecting. 'Shiara,' he said suddenly. 'I'm sorry I don't have a present for you on your birthday. And--' he paused. 'I'm sorry I left you like that. You're right, it would have been better if you had gone.' Legolas turned around, grinning. 'I deserved all that pain in my ear.'
She laughed back. 'That you did!' And for a moment, it seemed like everything was the same. That he had never left. Then she stopped and looked up at him smiling. 'A present is not needed my dear friend. You here, is present enough.' And with a brief hug to the surprised Legolas, she left.
Legolas was not able to keep the blush that was slowly creeping up his cheeks from coming. Grinning idiotically, he flopped on the bed, thinking to himself that it was good to be home.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The next morning dawned cheery and bright. Beams of sunlight shone through the glass panes of Gimli's window. As he blinked and stirred, the door opened and Shiara lightly stepped through. She smiled when she saw the dwarf awake and set down a tray full of food on his table. 'Arise, Master Gimli!' she cried cheerfully. 'The morning is beautiful and the forests of Mirkwood are singing with joy!'
Gimli arose from the bed stretching. 'Indeed yes,' he said. 'Made even more beautiful by the lovely maiden standing in front of me.'
Shiara laughed. 'Hear this! I know not why my people dislike dwarves, for they are the kindest and most flattering creatures of Middle-earth!' As Gimli reached for the tray and began eating, she went to the window and opened it wide, allowing the dew-scented air to flow through the room.
She looked back at the dwarf, who was now cramming cakes into his mouth, washing it down with a draught of cold mint water. 'Gimli,' she spoke. 'Thank you, for keeping Legolas safe, and taking care of him.'
Gimli looked up surprised. 'You are welcome Lady! But nay, he was taking care of me.' Then he added unwillingly, 'Thrice, I would have been dead if not for Legolas.'
'Nonetheless,' she replied, staring intently at him. 'I thank you, for helping him get back in one piece to Mirkwood. I have missed him.' Then with a sudden light laugh, she walked to the door. 'Now! I must go wake the Prince of Sleepers! You are welcome anywhere in the threshold of this place Master Gimli. I will see you at midday.' With that, Shiara exited.
Gimli looked after her with a thoughtful look on his face. Then, on sudden impulse, he bowed very low, the tip of his beard touching the floor. 'I'm sure you do Lady. You may not have the title, but you are fit to be queen, like Galadriel herself.' (A/N-Did that make sense?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When midday meal was over, the afternoon was spent when Shiara volunteered to give the visitors a tour after Frodo and Sam came late saying that they couldn't find the banquet hall again. They were accompanied by Legolas, who when asked by an 'innocently' curious Galier, quickly lied, saying that he couldn't remember where most of the rooms and places were.
Legolas was not planning to say the real reason why he was going anytime soon, which was of course, to spend more time with Shiara. {Really,} he thought, irked after Shiara had teased him greatly about how the prince's memory was failing in his-here she sighed dramatically-old age. {I've got to come up with these things quicker.}
'And this,' Shiara was saying. 'leads to where the bows and quivers are kept. You are welcome to practice if you like.'
In spite of himself, Legolas was intrigued, remembering himself practicing with Linel and Galier before he had left. Excusing himself, he ran lightly to his room in the upper floors to grab the bow that he had gotten in Loriethen and went back to the door. Upon entering, he found Linel, Galier, and Shiara in the room examining replenishing the arrows in some of the quivers and talking. Galier looked up and said, 'Legolas! Come join us! We were about to go and practice.'
He nodded, then looked at the maiden, who was now wearing a short leather tunic. 'I thought you were showing the others the halls.'
She looked up smiling. 'Nay, we finished just as you left. The Halflings went off to the pantries in search dessert, they said.'
Linel laughed. 'A pleasant folk, they are. I envy you Legolas, to have traveled with characters of such pertness; they must liven up the gloom in the day!'
Legolas nodded. 'That they did. It was grievous indeed when we had to part; Frodo and Sam went to Mordor, and Merry and Pippin were captured by orcs.'
'Orcs!' Shiara exclaimed. 'Those happy folk? It is saddening to think of them in the clutches of those hideous monsters!' She whirled angrily on the prince. 'And you LET them?'
Legolas looked surprised. 'It was no fault of mine; I was not even there!'
'But you did not follow them? Fie and folly on you, Prince! That was cowardly!'
'Are you suggesting that I am a coward?'
'Aye, that's exactly what I'm suggesting!'
'We tracked them over two-hundred leagues, through fen and marsh and you say-'
Sensing an argument, Linel quickly took the two of them by the arm and lead them outside. 'Come now! Let us not argue on a beautiful day like this!'
After readying their bows, the four immediately got into a competition on who could shoot the target most accurately. Galier shot first and his arrow landed in the center, as was expected of wood-elves. He smiled, satisfied, but the smile quickly faded into a glare as Linel's arrow became embedded just a hair's breadth away.
Then Shiara stood and her rowan made bow twanged with a slight hiss, and the arrow tip landed directly in the middle of the other two arrows. Legolas, Linel, and Galier all gaped and clapped her in approval. She pretended to fan herself smiling. 'You humour me.'
'You have greatly improved!' said Legolas astounded. 'Your arrows have become amazingly accurate.'
Shiara felt herself blush at his praise. {He has never praised me before.} 'Why thank you,' she swept a mock curtsey. 'And now, it's your turn, o prince.'
'Don't call me that,' he replied automatically. 'And Shiara, your curtsies have improved too. Your knees no longer creak.' Linel quickly restrained his step-sister from clobbering the prince as Legolas aimed at the center. 'Well, I know not how I can get any closer to the center, as your arrows have all pierced it.' Squinting one eye, as the string on his bow grew taut, he aimed again and fired.
The arrow neatly split Shiara's in half as it thudded into the center. Legolas gave himself a satisfied smile as he saw the other three's eyes widen. Deliberately keeping his tone light, he said, 'I cannot get any closer. Will that do?'
'Legolas, whence did you come by such a bow?' Shiara breathed. 'It is indeed powerful if it can split through arrows like that!'
'Nay,' Legolas smiled softly at his friend's amazement. 'Nay, I think it is caused by the continuous practice I have had shooting clumsy orcs in the head. Though they're not much practice.' He drew in a startled breath as Shiara came closer and the scent of her hair drifted up to his nose when she impatiently brushed it aside.
'Oh,' she breathed, fingering the string of the bow. 'Verily, it is beautiful.' She ran her hand around the body of the bow.
'Yes, it's beautiful.' he murmured, though not talking about the bow. He was instead looking down lovingly at the maiden next to him. How she had grown since he had left her! He had always loved her, but never like this! Trying to will his hand not reach out and touch her, he continued to listen to her soft voice exclaim over the quality of the wood and such, not really listening to her words, just hearing her sweet clear voice. Both of them had completely forgotten the other two.
Meanwhile, Linel and Galier were watching their prince and lady interact. 'Come,' Galier said quietly. 'I think it would be best to leave the two now.'
Linel nodded as he heard Legolas tell Shiara of Galadriel and how she had given it to him as a gift. They were now sitting on the ground, their heads almost touching. The two silently slipped through the entrance door, unnoticed.
Soon, the couple's talk turned from the bow to what had happened in Mirkwood while the prince was gone. The spent the rest of the sunlit hours like that. Shiara chattered, Legolas only interjecting questions and some exclamations. He was content to listen to her voice and watch her lips move forming her beautiful words. Just once, he wanted to touch those lips with his own. Then, disgusted with himself, he went back to listening to her.
'Remember those stairs where you tripped while carrying that basket of raspberries? Galier told the little ones that the stain left was made when an elf who ate too many berries exploded!' She laughed merrily. 'They wouldn't eat anymore that day, no matter what Linel and I said!' Both of them laughed at that; Legolas because of the happy tone in her voice, and Shiara because of the memory.
Then, Shiara looked up, the dying rays of sunlight gleaming on her black hair. 'Oh! It is already near to dusk! Legolas, we must prepare for supper, you especially; they will be asking to hear your tales while you were gone. I would like to hear them also, come, let's go.'
He unwillingly stood up, not wanting to leave her. Turning around, he offered his hand to Shiara. Looking up she grinned then said haughtily, 'I can get up by myself, thank you all the same your Highness!' She took his hand anyway, but as she got up, her foot slipped on a patch of grass and with a cry she fell backwards, bringing down a surprised Legolas on top of her.
When Shiara opened her eyes, she found herself staring into pools of grey. Legolas stared back, feeling flushed. Both felt the red creeping up their necks and onto their faces and both vainly hoped that the other could not see it. Shiara could vaguely smell the scent of leaves and rain that always seemed to hang around the prince. The obvious choice was to apologize and get up, but it came to neither of their minds, being so close to each other.
'I thought you could get up yourself.'
Shiara knew then that her brain was not functioning properly as his breath blew harshly on her face. 'I'm-sorry,' she stuttered, but stopped again, when he carefully brushed aside a strand of hair that was lying across on her face, looking at her with soft eyes.
Then abruptly, Legolas realized what he was doing, and that he was lying on TOP of her. Quickly, he rolled off before Shiara could say anything, then pulled her up. 'I'm sorry.' she said again, not looking at him.
'Quite alright,' he said politely. 'Come, we must prepare.' Then silently, he held the door open as the two walked back inside like complete strangers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N- Well! How was that for romance and excitement, eh?? Argh, I'm tired now. I hope you guys are enjoying it, I sure am! Hopefully, the elves sound better. There will be more excitement and romance in the next chapter, so stay tuned! (that sounded stupid) Does anybody want to join my mailing list? I'll email you when I update the story! Just add your email in the review! Well some of you are already on the list without even asking, but that's ok! ^^; And thanks lots to Jenn and Roses, who helped me a lot! Roses, don't worry about the sea thing, I'll get to that! Ja, minna, and REVIEW!!!!!!! (Honestly, I LIVE on those things)
