I think this is quite a light chapter. Still no slash, or anything beyond a U rating. I have to warn you that I do have slashy plans for the future of this story. Not saying when, not saying who, but it won't be twincest.

I gotta say thank you for the emails and IM's I've gotten, as well as the reviews, but I need more! I mean, five actual bona fide reviews here. Either that means only five people have read this, or everyone else just hated it. Either way it's a little depressing. So please, leave a review, give me a happy ;) I need you people to keep me going!


Chapter Five, Clear Sight.

The two weeks that followed Legolas' unexpected invitation were proving to pass slowly, but happily, for Aewen. Though she was never short of things to do, or preparations to make, her thoughts were all fixed upon the date set for their departure.

Elladan and Elrohir were glad to see their Niece in such good spirits. Though it was the way of the Princess to always greet the world with a smile, the darkness in her eyes would often betray hidden sorrows. The storm was gone from those grey eyes now, however, and sunlight could be glimpsed beyond the clouds. They spent much time with her, discussing provisions and other necessities for the journey, and in her reading room, marking the path they were to take upon a map, and annotating it here and there with sights not to be missed, or places relevant to their history. Every bend in the road had a story to its name, and Aewen's enthusiasm for such things was unwaning, For the first time she would see for herself what lay East of the Misty Mountains.

A horse was found for Legolas, a fine chestnut steed from the Royal stables that had the name of Berian, and it was put to graze with the white elven horses of Imladris and Aewen's own grey mare Telia. He spent much time with these horses, whispering to Berian, and learning his ways.

Eight days before they were due to leave, Legolas went looking for Aewen, finding her at the Houses of Healing, where she had been reading to Elamir. The boy was now safely set upon the path to recovery, although his dignity would be slower to mend, since he had been scolded for his foolishness by almost everyone that he knew, and some that he did not.

Aewen was in the gardens of that place, among the sweet smelling herbs that grew there, when Legolas reached her, and she saw that he was dressed as if to set out on a hunt.

Why do you carry your bow with you? She asked, for there was no reason for the elf to arm himself within the City walls.

It is long since I have had cause to use it, Legolas said, And I fear I am ill practised. Your Brother has kindly directed me to a place where I might safely reacquaint myself with my bow.

The Long Fields, in the Sixth Circle? Aewen questioned.

The same. And I wondered, if you were not busy, that you might like to come and learn something of archery. Your Uncles too may wish to join us, though I doubt they have been short of practice.

I am familiar with the longbow already, Legolas. Aewen told her guest, amused by his presumptions. And can wield a sword too, should you doubt it, for my Father did not favour Eldarion alone with his teachings. Truth be told, it was now many long years since Aewen had been given cause to lay hand to a bow, and she was not perhaps as confident as she declared herself.

A contest, then! Legolas decided, And we shall see who is the more accurate shot.

said Aewen sternly, her chin firm. Go ahead of me, if you will, and I shall tell my Uncles of the plan.

Legolas bowed low before the Lady, and left with a smile upon his lips as he hurried ahead to make the field ready for battle.

It was not more than a half hour before Aewen joined Legolas where he sat in the Long Fields. He wore the brown and green attire common to all archers from his long abandoned woodland Kingdom, and beside him was set a great bow, black, with gilded leaves inlaid upon it's length, and strung with twined elf hair. The Princess carried with her only a small practice bow, she walked barefoot, as she often was wont to do, and wore a thin, unadorned dress of the palest blue linen, that flowed about her as she walked. Her night dark hair fell about her shoulders like a cloak. Legolas looked up, and thought to himself that this was one whose soul shone brighter than any other he had known. He greeted her pleasantly, and began tightly braiding his hair away from his face.

Elrohir will join us shortly Aewen said, He and Elladan are busy at the palace, but both mean to come when they can. Her voice trailed off as she watched the wood elf's fingers nimbly working plaits into his ash blond hair.

Why do you do that? She asked.

Legolas met her gaze. So my hair will not impair my vision. An archer values clear sight above all else.

At this, Aewen's hands darted to pull her own hair back behind her ears. It was held captive there but for a moment, before spilling back forward to brush against her cheeks once more. She tutted crossly.

Legolas laughed, and got to his feet, extending a hand to the Princess. Are you ready?

You need ask it? countered Aewen, as she stood and reached for her bow.

I believe so, if you mean to compete using that bow. Legolas retorted, glancing disdainfully at the roughly hewn scrap of wood she bore. Leave it where it lays. You shall use my bow, it is light enough for you, I think, and will certainly be an improvement upon the alternative.

He lead her to the middle field, Now, I have set up a paper target against one of the trees, do you see? The shot judged most accurate shall be the one that falls closest to the exact centre.

By way of demonstration, Legolas pulled an arrow from his quiver, notching it to his bow in one fluid movement, then, with his eyes purposely fixed upon the Lady's face, sent it blindly toward the trees, to land a mere hairs breadth from the target's precise centre. Finally the elf turned to look at his handiwork, and shook his head.

Close indeed. Yet not quite accurate. teased Aewen. I believe it is my turn?

She accepted the bow from him, giving herself a moment to adjust to its weight in her hands before setting an arrow to its string. She took aim, one eye narrowed, the other fixed upon the target. There was a whistling sound as she let her arrow fly, followed by a dull thud as it embedded itself two trees away from its intended resting place.

Legolas shook his head in mock regret. Merely a fluke, I am sure. He jested. Now, let us see if I can somehow best you.

Legolas took his next shot, both of their gazes following the flight of his arrow until it landed, not in the target he had set out, but splitting Aewen's errant arrow down its shaft.

Now would you not call that an accurate shot? he said, eyes gleaming.

I should call it a waste of arrows. Aewen told him, folding her arms. I might even name it arrogant. Do your manners not require you to let the lady win? She glared at him haughtily, but there was playfulness in her eyes, and soon both elves succumbed to laughter.

By the time Elladan and Elrohir arrived at the practice fields, Legolas was sending his arrows direct into the target's centre with every shot, and Aewen was at least making the peripheries of the target on each attempt, with her arrows once or twice even veering toward its middle.

Legolas stood behind Aewen, correcting her stance and guiding her hands upon the bow, as the twins crept up, unheard, behind them. Just as Aewen was releasing her arrow, the bows of two others sang behind her, sending their own arrows cleanly into the target, while hers, released with startled fingers, soared into the treetops and was lost from sight in the leafy canopy.

Oh curse you both! Aewen cried, turning on her uncles, who grinned like schoolboys, I would have had it that time! She shook her fist at them before running down the field to hang a fresh target and retrieve her lost arrow. The others watched as she caught a low branch and pulled herself easily up into the tree.

Was she not made for the woods? Legolas observed, noting that her movements in the treetops were so light that the trees looked as though a mild breeze danced upon their boughs, and not a maiden of Gondor. I believe I see the spirit of your Mother's people in her. he said, speaking of the Galadhrim of Lorien.

Aye, and is that all you see in our young niece, Legolas Greenleaf? Elladan questioned good naturedly, For we both have seen that your eyes fall often upon her.

A little of Legolas' natural reserve returned to him at that, for he was unused to such direct questioning and liked it not. She recalls in me memories of when I first looked upon the world with exited eyes. That is all. He replied passively.

She recalls nothing in you but nostalgia, then, friend? Elrohir asked, exchanging a smile with his brother. Legolas chose not to answer, but fixed his gaze away from them.

Why I believe the wood elf might blush, were his face not from marble made. Elladan observed, walking so that he once again faced the Silvan Prince. He scolded, Will you yet deny what has been clearly seen by those who have known you some thousand years? There is no shame in what your heart yearns for.

Legolas glared at the two faces before him, that it had taken him many long months to tell apart, at the first. Elladan's eyes, half a shade darker, Elrohir's lips curling a fraction more at their edges, the two parts of one spirit that they shared. He knew them well now, and they him, but not in this matter. It may be that some among us are inclined to take lovers when and where they will, but my heart I can give away but once, and I would not give it unasked, nor in haste. I have told you all that I feel towards Aewen, which is friendship, and a warm recollection of earlier days. I will not be pressed on this.

It may be that there are some among us, Elrohir said, who are slow to know their own minds. And that may be good, for a heart should not be given in haste, but they should be wary, also, lest lack of clear sight and a slowness of thought should leave that heart cold and unwanted.

Thank you for your warning, friend. Legolas said, a little harshly, Unnecessary though it may be. Aewen could be seen running back toward them with an armful of arrows, and three fresh targets hung on the trees. A smirk curled the corner of the archer's lip. he said, Shall we see who trounces who in a little contest?

Notes on this chapter:

A couple of people asked how Aewen is prononced. Ae becomes Ai in Sindarin pronounciation, so it is pronounced eye-wen. It just doesn't look so pretty when spelt that way. ;)