Now what everyone was waiting for. By now I think everyone can guess where this is going. Elise people beware!

Gilraen rushed out the door and right into Legolas.

"It seems women are throwing themselves at me," Legolas joked. "First your mother, now you."

"Legolas! Sorry. I have to go see father. You haven't spoken to him yet have you?"

"Yes. He was on his way to the dining hall. I ran into him on my way here. Why did you leave lunch so quickly?"

"I had to bring Arden her lunch. I suppose I missed father since I took the back exit through the kitchen. Did you talk to father about.anything important?"

"I told him Elise and Elfwine were at the dining halls. Is everything all right?"

"Yes, Legolas. Oh, Arden's waiting for you inside, wants to go for a walk."

"A walk? Is she well enough?"

"Just do not forget her cane!" Gilraen shouted as she rushed off.

Legolas watched her run off and then went inside the room. Arden was sitting on the edge of the bed tying her robe shut.

"So I finally get to see you awake," he said a bit angrily.

"I am sorry Legolas. I know I have been very stubborn lately," she said. She got up from the bed and reached for her cane. She began to walk over to the door.

"Are you in too much pain?" Legolas said. "Do not put on a brave face for me. You will further injure yourself."

"It is fine, Legolas. I need to work my muscles again. Will you take a walk with me?"

"Of course," then he opened the door for her.

They walked down the halls towards the small garden/patio that was in the Houses of Healing.

"Do you understand why I was being so stubborn," she said. "It is very hard to be a woman in the army. Those soldiers made it harder for me than for a regular man. I do not need to be seen so vulnerable after all I had to go through. I might have to start all over."

"But it would do you good to remember that I am the one that defended you to the captains. Aragorn may have approved you joining, but I am the one that took over your training when I saw that they had singled you out."

"And that is why I am hobbling on a cane here for you," She snapped. Then realizing she was being rude, she sighed. "I am sorry. I do not mean to sound ungrateful."

"Accepted."

They reached the patio and Arden sat on a nearby bench to rest her legs. Legolas sat beside her.

"Legolas," Arden ventured. "Do you want to get married?'

"Why? Are you asking?" he said looking at the sky.

She smiled. "No. Father said something about you wanting to marry. That is all."

Legolas turned to look at her then.

"Is he going around telling everyone?"

"No! He just told Eldarion and I a few minutes ago."

"Well, yes it is true."

"But why do you want to marry? I thought you heard the call of the sea, and would leave us at any moment."

Legolas just looked at her seriously for a moment before responding.

"Why would I leave you?"

"The sea. Mother says once an Elf hears the call they will not rest until they heed it."

Legolas held her hand in his. "I will not leave for a long time. The call may be strong but I will not leave you. "

Arden became a little uncomfortable. She sensed there were strong emotions coming from Legolas right now, but did not know how to react. Instead, she stood up, still holding his hand and led him to continue their walk. They circled the garden slowly.

"Alright, but what about the marriage part?"

Legolas thought about it for a moment.

"I believe I should tell your father that I do not wish him to find me a wife anymore. The idea seems slightly silly now. What happened was that I spent all these years in the company of your family. Aragorn's happiness at marrying Arwen was only matched by the joy on his face when Eldarion was born. I began to think on my own life and I realized I would never know that joy. My time here is over."

"You wanted to be a father?"

"I wanted it all. But it was silly of me to think Aragorn could just arrange a marriage and I would be happy."

Arden stopped walking and stood there, still holding his hand.

"But that is tragic. If you never found a woman in Gondor then perhaps you should travel, stay a bit longer in Middle Earth."

Legolas just gave her a sad smile.

"You know," Arden said. "Father was planning on marrying you to one of my sisters."

"Including yourself?"

"Yes. Mother was spying on all of us."

"I knew she was lying that day with Gilraen. So how do you know all this?"

She laughed. "Why, mother confessed to the whole thing."

Legolas laughed. "You should have seen her stumbling for an excuse that day."

Arden continued to smile, picturing her mother at a loss of composure.

Perhaps, it was seeing Arden smile. Perhaps it was the cool air that brought a rose to her cheeks. Perhaps it was the way the light wind was blowing her hair and robes a bit. It lightened her appearance from the usual indomitable air to something softer and feminine. Or perhaps it would have happened anyway, but Legolas looked at her in that moment and something clicked in his head.

With his free hand, as she was still holding his other one, he guided her face to look at him and leaned down to kiss her.

Arden saw his intention and immediately backed up and turned to go. But since she was still holding his hand, Legolas pulled her back, held her face again and kissed her before she could escape.

Arden was stunned, but only for a moment. His mouth made something snap inside her as well. She let go of her cane and put her weight on her good side. Legolas continued to kiss her, and Arden wrapped her arm around his waist, as the kiss became more passionate.

And that is how Aragorn, Arwen, Gilraen, Elise, and Elfwine found them as they were returning from the dining halls.

"This is what I was trying to tell you," Gilraen said.

"I wonder if Legolas still needs your help?" Arwen jested.

Aragorn tried not to laugh.

WooHoo! Finally. Anyone still out there?