Legolas lay his blanket out and sat down on it, all the while casting cautious looks at Savina, who remained determinedly faced away from him. At last he spoke in a quiet, sad voice, "you are angry."
Savina kept silent, she'd never felt so puzzled in her life over anyone or anything. Legolas was everything; he was handsome, virtuous, a skilled warrior, and a prince. Being near him was like being drunk or just woken up from a deep sleep. But still, something held her back; something deep inside of her wouldn't let her give herself over to him. He treated her like a child half of the time and like he wanted to kiss her the other half…apparently she wasn't the only one who was confused.
For a while the only sound was Legolas fluffing his pillow and laying down. Then he spoke again.
"Why are you angry with me?"
Savina thought of answering, she had every intention, but she didn't. The words simply wouldn't come out. She heard the rustle of sheets and Legolas stood up and she felt her bed move as he sat down on the edge of it.
His voice was heavy with unhappiness, "I don't know what I have done to make you hate me…"
She turned her head to look at him, "I don't hate you," she protested quietly.
"If only you would tell my what troubles you…" he trailed off and looked into her eyes.
Savina held his gaze for a moment, then turned her head away again, "you talk to Aragorn as if I'm a child you can't hear your words. But when we're alone…" she let her sentence fade.
Legolas sighed, a quite sound, and looked at his hands, "you're right. But I never meant…" he paused and looked at her, "I'm an elf, Aragorn is a human – a ranger at that, he expects me to be strong and cold."
"Aragorn has never been cold to me," Savina said flatly.
Legolas stood up and began pacing the room, "I didn't mean cold, I meant cool and business-like. I'm an elf; a quiet, sensitive, art-loving and beauty-appreciating elf. I'm not used to all this traveling into doom and death and…" he stopped pacing and looked out the window, "when I'm alone with you I feel like an elf…like myself again, instead of the questing traveler I'm supposed to be."
Savina stayed silent, she understood him perfectly, she'd often felt that way after her father disappeared, torn between the mature young woman she was supposed to be and the fun-loving girl she always had been.
Legolas sat down on the edge of her bed again and spoke in a fierce whisper, "I may not know exactly what I am or how I feel, but I do know that…" he paused and exhaled slowly, then continued in a calmer voice, "I know that when I see you or hear your voice, I feel like…like."
Savina sat up and turned to face him, her stomach was filled with butterflies and her heart was in her throat, but she knew what she had to do. She could feel all of his confusion and uncertainty radiating from his body…he was sitting so close to her. He needed reassurance and everything told her she needed him, too. Whatever small voice that had been holding her back was silent.
"I don't quite know what I'm saying…I don't think I've ever been found speechless, and now I'm babbling like an idiot-"
"Shut up," Savina said crossly as she held her index finger lightly against his lips.
Legolas went silent and looked at her in surprise.
Without waiting, Savina put her hand on Legolas' cheek and pulled him toward her.
Their lips met, softly.
Suddenly self-conscious, Savina broke the kiss and turned her head away from him.
His voice was soft and low, "you would give me a taste of heaven and so quickly take it away?" He leaned toward her and kissed her softly on her neck, making chills run through her body.
She turned her face toward him and he kissed her firmly, she closed her eyes and put her arms around his neck.
Legolas wrapped one arm around her waste and the other reached up to stroke her hair.
Their kiss broke and he brushed his lips against her forehead.
His arms tightened around her and they held each other tightly.
Suddenly guilt overwhelmed Savina, what would Aragorn say? This was wrong, all wrong. They were companions, not lovers. They has a quest to fulfill, a quest that would not be complicated by the insecurities of an elf prince and the girlish desire of a young girl.
She raised her head to look at Legolas and gently pushed away, "Legolas…"
He closed his eyes as if he were feeling great pain.
"We cannot do this," Savina said in a voice barely above a whisper, "we have to go to Mordor to save your companions, the hobbits-"
"Merry and Pippin…" Legolas bowed his head.
"Your love for them runs deeper than any love you could ever have for me, and I will not impose myself on that love over a silly desire. I can't. My father always spoke against such things as this."
Legolas looked at her suddenly, "you're words ring true, you're father was a wise man," he paused, "but I cannot force my emotions to be something different."
Savina shook her head then looked into his eyes and told the biggest lie she'd ever told, "Legolas, I do not love you."
"Then that is it," Legolas said slowly, "I will kiss you the kiss of one you loves in vain," he kissed her softly on the forehead, then went to stand at the window, "I will guard you while you sleep."
"Legolas, you should sleep," Savina began.
"I will guard you while you sleep," he repeated in a louder voice.
Savina felt like her heart had been ripped from her chest, but she thought that maybe for once she'd done the right thing. She lay down and pulled the covers up to her chin, wondering what the next day would bring.