A/N: I apologize for taking so long with this chapter. Our internet connection went down and so I couldn't update.

Chapter 10

The arrow whistled through the air and hit the target with a loud THUD! Seconds later, another arrow flew and hit the corner of the goal, bouncing off at an angle. This was followed by a groan. "What am I doing wrong?" a voice suddenly whined.

Legolas chuckled and stepped closer to Ziendriel. She was trying to burn a hole in the target set twenty feet away, with her eyes. "You are not concentrating," he admonished, though he smiled. "You are too concerned with hitting your target."

She arched an eyebrow at him. "Is that not the point?" she exclaimed, shoving her bow into his hands. The bow was actually belonged to Legolas; the one that had been replaced with his gift from Galadriel.

Again, he chuckled. "Yes and no," he answered. "If you are too concerned with your target, then your aim cannot be true, neither the release of your arrow." He handed the bow back to her. "Now, try again," he commanded.

Ziendriel sighed and notched another arrow in. As she pulled back the string, she said, "I have been struggling with this target practice for over two months now, Legolas. I believe at this point I am to give up." She suddenly turned to him and added, teasingly, "Unless you would admit to bad instruction as justification for my obvious lack of skill?" He just gave her an amused look. "No? Then I suppose I will have to think of my own excuse," she said, pretending to sigh. She pulled the bow string back once more and took careful aim.

"Hold," Legolas said, coming up behind her. His one arm slipped around to help steady her grasp on the bow, while the other gently captured her wrist. "You are pulling too hard," he told her softly. "See how your arm slightly trembles? Relax your grip a bit."

She did so, but it took every ounce of strength she had; he was too near, his breath brushing against her ear. "How will I know when my grip is correct?" she asked, nervously, trying to concentrate on anything other than how close he was.

"When sweat no longer covers your brow," came the reply, "and when your body does not tremble." His one hand came to rest on her hip and she was furious with herself when she realized that she was indeed shaking.

Ziendriel further relaxed her grip as well as her stance, earning a grunt of approval from him. "Now what?" she asked.

"Close your eyes," he commanded. When she did, he moved even closer to her and leaned towards her ear. "Now imagine the target in your mind. See it before you; remember its smell, its color. Do you see it, Ziendriel?"

She took a deep breath, then whispered, "Yes."

Legolas smiled. "Now see the tip of your arrow," he continued. "See it as you remember your target. Find the connection between the two. Imagine watching your arrow fly through the sky and implant itself into the target." He noticed that as he talked to her, her aim shifted a bit and her arm cocked back a bit more. "Now, release your arrow!" he told her.

With her eyes closed, Ziendriel did so. She let out a delighted gasp upon opening them and finding her arrow embedded in the third ring from the bulls eye. "I do believe that is the closest I have ever gotten!" she exclaimed, the grin threatening to split her face.

Legolas shared her joy. "That is excellent, Ziendriel," he told her. "You are getting better with each passing day." He bestowed upon her a smile that would rival a beaming father.

She laughed. "You sound like my Papa!" she said, teasingly.

"Now that is an interesting thought," a new voice announced. Both turned to see Lorith standing behind them, his infamous smirk upon his handsome face. "Tell me, Ziendriel:" he said, "How fares our prince with that of your Papa?"

She laughed and rolled her eyes. "Oh, he does not, dear Lorith!" she answered. "As for you, well…" She deliberately trailed off and gave him a wink.

Lorith looked at Legolas in triumphant. "Ha-ha!" he exclaimed, jesting. "You see, my friend? She prefers my fair face to yours!" He stepped forth and caught the unsuspecting girl in his arms, only to lift her off her feet and twirl her around. Ziendriel began to shriek with laughter.

Legolas took in their antics with an annoyed smile. Perhaps it was because Lorith interrupted their lesson or the way the two had banded together to tease him, he did not know. What he did know was that he was beginning to resent the appearance of his friend and the way Ziendriel responded to him.

"Alright," Legolas said, trying to keep his voice light. "That is enough. Lorith, put her down!" When he finally did so, he added, "We have a lesson to finish, Ziendriel."

She pretended to pout. "Could we not stop, Legolas?" she asked, walking over to him. "The hour is nearly done and I find that I am parched." She looked to him with pleading eyes, although her mouth fought a smile.

He looked at her long and hard, then burst into laughter. "Oh, very well!" he surrendered, lightly pushing her face away. "And, desist with those eyes of yours! I believe they are your greatest weapon!"

She looked at him, then to Lorith. "Have you paid me a compliment?" she asked, genuinely confused.

The two Elf-lords laughed. It was times like these that her naiveté shone clearly upon her face, speaking of the inexperience she had in certain aspects in life. It was what made her so appealing to Legolas and his friends.

While it was true that Legolas had been somewhat apprehensive of introducing Ziendriel to his friends, he did not regret it…yet. The three had taken to her at once, although he did not know if they did in genuine interest or to further along the possibilities of their wager. Legolas liked to think it was the former rather than the latter.

Cleaning the area so it looked as when they had arrived, Ziendriel helped Legolas find her wayward arrows. She had to admit that they were becoming fewer and fewer, but it was not as little as she would like. She had learned much from Legolas during the last two months and was grateful to him everyday for keeping his word. His patience had not yet run thin with her apparent lack of skills with a bow and she hoped it held out a bit longer.

"We will have to start in the mornings once the seasons change," Legolas was now saying, handing her the arrows that he had found. "The light will grow shorter and will not give us much time for your lessons in the evening."

Ziendriel carefully placed the bows in the quiver he had let her borrow. "Then I will allow you the pleasure of telling Velia the reason her Healer cannot come when she is expected," she said, smirking at him

Lorith snorted. "I fear that will be the end of our fair prince!" he exclaimed, clasping his hands dramatically to his chest.

Legolas chuckled. "Ah, but you forget, dear Ziendriel," he told her, tapping her nose lightly with his finger. "Velia is enchanted with me."

"As Velia herself would say," Ziendriel returned, her hands on her hips, "'Enchanted, my foot!'" The three joined in laughter.

"What have we here?" yet a new voice asked, coming upon them. "Merrymaking? Without me? I am offended!"

Ziendriel turned and spied Gragoc and Jhad making their way to them, then smiled happily. "Greetings, dear ones!" she exclaimed, waving.

Legolas smiled at the genuine happiness on her face as she greeted his friends. No, he corrected himself, our friends for she has quickly become a part of our circle. "Must you greet them so?" he teased. "Gragoc's head grows bigger with each endearment."

She just laughed at him. "You, my dear prince," she teased back, "are just jealous!" She stuck her tongue out at him, then quickly ran to the two newcomers.

He watched as she hugged both Gragoc and Jhad, frowning at the uneasiness that he suddenly felt in his stomach. It had become familiar to him and he did not like it. And it always happened when Ziendriel was present. He did not understand it.

"Why the frown, Legolas?" Lorith asked, coming to stand next to him. He followed his friend's line of vision and found it rested on Ziendriel. At the moment she was smiling warmly at Jhad. Lorith chuckled. "I see," he murmured.

Legolas looked at him, still frowning. "Pardon?" he asked. His eyes were once again drawn to the elven-maid.

"If I did not know better, my friend," Lorith said, glancing at him from the corner of his eye, "I would begin to think that you do not approve of Ziendriel in our company." He smiled to himself when he saw the prince snapped his head towards him, his body jerking in surprise.

"Wh-What?" Legolas snapped, his eyes blazing.

Lorith shrugged. "I do not need to repeat myself," he answered, "for you have heard me, I am certain." He kept his eyes forward, but could sense the annoyance emanating from the prince.

"That is ridiculous!" Legolas nearly exclaimed. "She is your friend as well as mine. Why would such a thought be entertained?" He moved closer as to keep their conversation concealed from the trio a few feet away.

Lorith chuckled. "Methinks it is because you love the maiden," he answered in a melodious tone. He nearly burst into laughter when he saw the genuine shock register on the prince's face. "I see your mind does not think so, but your heart feels otherwise," he observed.

"And what know you of my heart?" The question came out more sharply than intended, but did not offend his friend.

"'Tis written upon your face," Lorith answered, grinning. "It shines in your eyes and runs through your veins. 'Tis love that I see."

Legolas shook his head. "I love Ziendriel, 'tis true," he returned. "But as a brother to a sister. She is my friend; nothing more." It was a simple answer, but to him part of it sounded hollow to his ears.

Lorith stared at him for a moment, making him uncomfortable under such scrutiny. "Jhad is right," Lorith murmured, a bit surprised. "After all this time, you still do not see it."

"What do you speak of?" Legolas demanded, his face contorted with confusion. "What is it that I do not see?"

Lorith simply chuckled in reply. "Oh, it will come when the time is right," he assured him. "The realization will hit upon you like a giant Orc slamming you into a tree. I only hope that I am able to witness it." He smiled at the increased confusion of his friend, then added, "Ah, but we will no more speak of this until that time for here comes the lovely Ziendriel to sweep me from my cares!"

Legolas turned from his friend and found the maiden stepping towards them. "What has thee frowning so, Legolas?" she asked, a bit concerned. She looked to Lorith and scolded, "Have you been tormenting once him again, Lorith?" She attempted to give him a stern look, but failed.

Lorith shook his head. "No, milady," he answered, "He has done well with that himself." He winked good-humoredly at the two of them before walking off.

"I do not understand," Ziendriel said, her forehead crinkled in thought. She turned to him.

Legolas' face mirrored her own. "Nor do I," he told her.