A Sorrowful Parting

"Should the reception be green and brown, or gold and white?" Arwen asked, holding a piece of paper and ink pen. She began scribbling away before anyone answered.

"Mother, mother," Elmeraith said softly. "We can plan tomorrow. I haven't seen you in awhile and I just want to spend time with you all. No planning today."

Arwen nodded and put the pen and paper aside. "Sorry, sweetie."

Just then, Legolas entered the room. Sadness and confusion twisted his handsome face. "What's wrong?" Elmeraith asked quickly. Legolas looked down at the ground. "I'm, I'm leaving today."

Elmeraith's heart stopped and fell in her shoes. "Why? How long?" she asked. He shrugged sadly. "Before the wedding, I'm sure. The last of the Orcs in Mirkwood are causing problems and we need to drive them out. We should be back in a month."

"It takes your elves a month to drive them out?" she whined. "Why can't they do it without you?"

"It's my job, because I am prince," he looked up at her. His eyes reflected grief. "We have to fight now, for their numbers are growing."

Elmeraith shook her head in disbelief. If only it could happen some other way and time! Ellrolin popped her head in the room. "I couldn't help overhearing, but does this mean plans are off and I have enough time to get a ride home before a war?" she asked. This made Elmeraith even more miserable that her sister seemed to hate Legolas. She was against the wedding and hated the woods especially. Legolas too looked upset at her insolence.

Arwen scowled and shooed everyone from the room so they were left alone. Legolas's head bent down again. "I'm sorry. I will come back in a month and we WILL get married."

Elmeraith nodded and hid the hurt inside her. She would do anything to keep him away from war, but she was brave. "Come back quicker if you can. When are you leaving?"

"The news was brought to me this afternoon. I leave at sunrise."

She nodded sorrowfully. "And things will be all planned and ready when you arrive."

He kissed her forehead. "Come now, we have all night to be together. Let us delight in every moment we have as one," he pulled her into the bed and they slept with one another once again.



Arwen looked sadly at Aragorn. "Legolas said the plans are still on, but he's leaving for battle tomorrow, I think," she said.

"But, no, that's impossible!" Elhenin objected. "Does that mean ALL of the elves are leaving here for war?"

"Except the women," Aragorn said with a quick nod. "This is not my war and I am old, but I'd feel self-centered and childish if I didn't join them."

"You too?" Elhenin asked.

"That means we WILL have to stay here!" cried Ellrolin.

"Silence! We will hear no more of your impudence, Ellrolin!" snapped Aragorn. "Eldarion and I are leaving in the morning. We will be all right. The orcs are few for the present. Good-night."

Elhenin didn't go to sleep, but walked out of the room into the shadows of the hall. "Lenomial, are you here?" she called out. He leaped from the shadows. "Yes, I am here."

Elhenin stumbled through the dark to him. She clutched his arms. "I've heard the news. We are not going riding tomorrow, are we?"

He shook his head. "No, I am sad to say we may not. I am leaving, but I will come back and we will carry on with seeing each other. The other ladies are not like you. I had so much fun today," he said.

"As I," she admitted. "We must part now and sleep, for you must march tomorrow and I wouldn't want you to be tired and unalert.

He placed a kiss on her cheek. "Please say you will not leave. Say you'll be in the village when I return."

"I will," she answered.

So he turned and vanished in the darkness. She only hoped that she would see him again. She would never forget these big green eyes and pretty golden hair.

Ellrolin seemed to have popped from the shadows suddenly. "I came just in time to see that kiss. What did you do to deserve that from such a pretty- boy?" she teased.

Elhenin turned quickly and in surprise. "You are just jealous. Word came around what that elf boy said to YOU!"

Ellrolin felt like screaming back, but once again she had no words of objection. Elhenin turned and walked away from Ellrolin. 'Ellrolin has changed. She wasn't the fun person she used to be,' thought Elhenin.

(Ok, sorry so short. Next chapter will be really short and will have smut. I know, I know, I just cant write long smut. Kids, skip next chapter!!

Lauren)