Arwen was bored. She had been sent to her room by her father Lord Elrond. As had Legolas by the king. She felt hurt in a way. It wasn't *her* fault the vase fell over. She didn't make it shatter on the floor. 'Great' she thought to herself. 'My last day here and I am bound to my quarters' She moved towards the door and pressed her tiny elfin ear against it. She heard no sound or movement from outside. She opened the door quickly and slipped out down the spiral stair case. She knew where she was headed. She just needed to do it quickly. She tip toed along many winding passages until she found Legolas' room. She knocked gently and walked in. But he wasn't there. A noise directed her attention to the window. She looked down and there was the prince sliding down a pipe. He looked up suddenly. She smiled.

"What are you doing in my room?" he asked

"Looking for you." She heaved herself over the edge of the window and began to slide down the pipe. She didn't notice Legolas trying to catch a sneaky peek at her underwear as she lowered herself to the ground. "Why did you leave?"

"Bored." He shrugged. "You're leaving today" he sighed and pointed to Lord Elrond's servants loading up the horses.

"I know. It isn't fair. I have only just got here."

Legolas grinned. "You've been here for a week Arwen."

"Still. I wish we could stay longer. I dread going back to Rivendell." She sighed deeply.

"Why? You've always lived there right? You were dying to return when you first arrived."

"Yes but I didn't know that Id have somebody to play with." She blinked and looked at the ground.

Legolas though for a moment. "hide!" he laughed

"Hide?"

"Hide."

"Hide?"

"Yes. Hide. H-i-d-e. Hide. So they cant find you. Then you don't have to go back." The prince smiled happily as if he had just declared he could end the wars of middle-earth.

"Where shall I hide? My father will find me Legolas there isn't much point."

"Girls really *are* stupid" he fumed. "You hide in one place and then move to another and he wont see you until its too late. And you all shall have to stay another night."

"Right." Arwen looked around. "where do I hide?"

"To the tree house!" Legolas and Arwen ran through the forest down the many winding paths to there first meeting place. But somebody beat them to it.

"Mae Govannen" smiled Lord Elrond said but he did not smile.

"Hello father." Arwen looked at her feet and fell silent.

Legolas jumped infront of the little elf. "You cant leave." He yelled much to Elrond's surprise. Much to Legolas' too.

"Ah. I can tell you shall grow to be a *fine* warrior when you are older my boy." He gave Legolas a piercing look which made the prince step out of the way letting the lord get to his daughter. "Arwen. We must leave now. A hand maiden packed your things. I knew where I would find you." He paused "You must apologise to the king for breaking the vase."

"It wasn't *me*" she protested in anger. But to no avail. Her father simply lifted his hand and silence fell. He walked behind the children as they walked towards the castle.

"I'm *so* sorry Arwen" whispered Legolas. "It was *me* who knocked over the vase. It should be *me* who apologises."

"Its OK. Do not trouble yourself about it. This way I shan't be punished when I return home. " he replied.

Once Arwen said sorry and farewell to the king, she was forced to mount her fathers horse behind him. She struggled and hopped down , not gracefully I might add, and stood next to Legolas.

"Namarie." She whispered in his ear and swiftly kissed his cheek, remounted the horse and disappeared into the distance.

Legolas stood frozen for several minutes before whispering to himself "Namarie serme."

His father came and stood behind him. "You shall see her again son." He explained. "Didn't I send you to your room?" Legolas quickly made up an excuse about coming to say goodbye. His father nodded understandingly.