AUTHOR'S NOTE / ALTERNATE ENDING

To Elise: No, I'm not mad.. I think Elfwine is a stupid name. What was Eomer thinking? Perhaps it's a nickname. Either way, I'm doing this whole alternate ending for you. So, smile. J

And to anyone who is thinking it, I'm not compromising my story. But I am taking into account that Elise is constantly reviewing my story and boosting my ego. She deserves to marry Legolas. Besides, I'm a big fan of the alternate endings that some movies have on DVD so why not try to make my readers happy? After all, they have stuck by me for ten chapters.

Okay.. so, to do this and not feel bad for Elfwine, I am re-writing from chapter nine a bit. So just bare with me.

Legolas was greeted first by Elfwine, whom Aragorn had made stay behind. The King did not want Eomer's only son to die under his care.

"Legolas," he said. "What news do you bring?"

"All is quiet for now," he responded. Legolas did not stop walking but made a straight path towards the Houses of Healing.

"You are headed for the Houses of Healing are you not?" Elfwine asked.

"Yes."

"I will go with you. It is almost lunch time and I am meeting Elise there."

"Yes, it seems the royal family never leaves the place."

They walked in silence for a bit and then Legolas ventured to pry.

"Are you in love with the King's youngest daughter?"

Elfwine did not respond right away. He merely tried to hide a sad smile playing on his lips.

"No, it is Gilraen I love."

"Then why are you always with Elise?"

"I have tried to approach Gilraen, but she is always so concentrated on her work that she does not even notice me. Elise saw this after awhile and was trying to help me."

"Well, I would never have guessed it," said Legolas.

"Elise thought that I had talked to her father about marrying one of his daughters, but I informed her that I had not spoken to Aragorn about any such topic. Now she believes it is you who are trying to arrange a marriage."

Legolas stopped walking. He thought about how he asked Aragorn to help him find a wife. But one of his own daughters? That would be a high gift indeed.

"Legolas," Elfwine said, "if you are in love with Gilraen, then I would understand. I will try not to be too angry. But if you do not, then I ask you to give me a chance to win her heart."

"My friend," Legolas began, "I would not come between you and your lady. It is true I asked Aragorn a favor a couple of weeks ago, but I did not imagine he would intend to offer me one of his own daughters."

"Would it be so bad? Do not think of Gilraen for my sake, but what about Elise? She is considered by most to be the most beautiful of the three. She is a bit flighty for my taste, but she is a very considerate person and has shown me nothing but kindness."

Legolas resumed walking and Elfwine followed.

"I had not thought of them at all actually. And now I must think on all this since you have put new thoughts into my mind.

Right then they reached the Houses of Healing and went inside together.

They walked down to Arden's room. Outside the door stood Elise. She smiled when she saw them approach.

"Elfwine, Legolas," she began "so good to see you. I take it by your daytime appearance, Legolas, that all has gone well in south Gondor?"

"Indeed it has my lady. Is Arden awake? I should be glad to finally speak with her."

"I am afraid not. She was very tired from trying to walk and is taking a little nap."

"Well then," Legolas said, "Why don't we all go have lunch together?"

"That is a great idea," Elise said.

"Will you come, Gilraen,' Legolas said.

"Sounds good," she replied and they walked off together, but not before Legolas could send Elfwine a small wink of conspiracy.

While Legolas, Elfwine, Elise, and Gilraen were at lunch, Aragorn came to see Arden with Eldarion, his oldest son and heir. He had just come back from the front lines indefinitely.

"Arden, you look much better than I feared," Eldarion said.

"Thank you, I think."

Aragorn went and sat in a chair by Arwen. Eldarion took a seat on by the foot of the bed.

"I take it the threat is over for now?' Arden asked.

"Yes, I believe they were just trying to keep us on our toes," Aragorn answered. "We sent word to Rohan a few days ago not to come."

"How much longer before you can leave?" asked Eldarion.

"Gilraen won't let me. She says she can keep a better eye on me here. But I can walk around a bit with the use of a cane. The pain in my side has not fully left me and it's hard to put any weight on it."

"At least the wound has stopped bleeding," Aragorn said. "I couldn't bear to lose you."

"Where is everybody?" said Eldarion. "I was hoping to receive a big welcome."

"None as big as your vanity," Arden joked. "Well, our sisters have gone to lunch with Legolas and Elfwine."

"Oh, in all this tragedy we forgot about Legolas and Elise," said Arwen.

"There were more pressing matters at hand," said Aragorn. "Do you think we made a mistake, perhaps Gilraen and Legolas would make a good pair? He has been spending a lot of time with her this week."

"Did I miss something?" asked Eldarion.

Aragorn and Arwen shared a look. "I think we should tell them," Arwen said.

"Yes, I think we should," said Aragorn and then turned to his children. "About two weeks ago Legolas asked me to find him a wife. Arwen and I thought it would be nice if he married on of our own daughters."

"And you chose Elise, how fitting," said Arden.

"If I did not know you I would say you sounded jealous," said Eldarion.

"No, just amused," she said. "How did you come to that conclusion father?"

"I confess. I was spying on all of you," Arwen said. "I thought both you and Elise had a good relationship with Legolas, but you have always said you do not wish to marry and we will respect your wishes."

"Thank you," Arden replied looking pleased that her parents understood her.

"Come Arwen," said Aragorn, "let us resolve this matter now. Arden, feel better, we will come join you for dinner tonight."

Aragorn and Arwen got up and walked out the door. Eldarion stayed with Arden and the two siblings caught up on each other's lives.

Meanwhile, on the way to lunch, Legolas walked next to Elise, and a few feet in front of them, Gilraen and Elfwine walked side by side also.

Suddenly, Elise grabbed Legolas by the arm. He turned to say something to her but she put her hand over his mouth and dragged him off to the side.

"Legolas, there is something I have to tell you about Elfwine and Gilraen," she whispered and took her hand off his mouth.

"If it is about Elfwine being in love with her I already know. He confessed because he thought I was trying to marry her."

"Were you?"

"No. Listen, I have a confession to make. I did ask your father to find me a wife, but I did not imagine he would mean to offer me one of his own daughters," he whispered.

"A HA! I knew it!"

"Well no use whispering now."

Elise laughed and dragged him further down the corridor.

"What about Elfwine and Gilraen," he said.

"Leave them alone. Perhaps this is just the chance he needs."

She stopped walking at the end of the hall and turned to Legolas.

"I did not know you were the my father was talking about, but I did suspect it, "she said. " I think my father chose me for you. I am the only one he pulled into his study to talk about the matter a second time."

Legolas looked down at her and smiled.

"Then Aragorn wants to offer me the best thing in all his lands."

She smiled back at him.

"But Elise, we can talk to your father. He will not force us to marry,' he said seriously.

"I know. But I am not wholly against the idea. Are you?"

"Honestly, I have never considered it. Not because you are not wonderful, you are. I just never thought I wanted to be married until recently."

"Then give me a kiss, and if that goes well then we can see about the rest," she teased.

Legolas held her face in one of his hands, and ever so slowly leaned his face down and placed his lips on her mouth. He lingered a bit, and then pulled back.

"So, what do you think now, Master Elf?" Elise said a little flustered.

"I think I will try that again," a grin at the edge of his lips

And he leaned down quicker this time, and caught her mouth in another kiss.

At that moment Aragorn and Arwen, who were headed for the dinning halls to find Legolas and Elise, caught them in their second kiss.

"What did I tell you, Estel?" Arwen looked over at her husband, proud of her matchmaking skills.

Aragorn just smiled.

Okay. I hope that was enough for you Elise voters. And now, for anyone that is left. Here's what really happened according to me. Discard everything I rewrote for this alternate ending.