Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. Nope, that belongs to Tolkien.

So . . . reviews are coming . . . slowly but, well, I don't really think I can even say that they're coming in surely. (Then again, I'm not doing a very good job of updating regularly...hmmmm) Sigh, I knew this was going to be hard to write in the first place (Knowing full well that the reviews may not come in as much as my other fics . . . by the way, go check them out!! Sorry for my blatant plug!) Anyhoo, if you would be so kind as to review I would be very pleased.

Chapter 3: Quarrels & Requests

Iliana stood just outside the banquet hall and peered into the room. Ever since she was a child, she was always uneasy when it came to feasts and gatherings. Actually, the particular part that came to mind was the entrance. Iliana did not strive to make herself the center of attention, nor did she wish to just blend in to the background. She merely wanted to be able to enter a room without the stares. The stares that weighed upon her and seemed to reduce her with their critical eyes. Eyes that studied her, picking her apart piece by piece.

Leaning back on the wall behind her, Iliana sighed and chided herself for being so childish and silly. She knew it was a foolish thing to be anxious about but there was nothing that she could do to prevent the uneasiness that welled up inside her. Glancing up quickly she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror that hung just opposite her. She ran her hands over her soft green dress, smoothing out the wrinkles that had formed. Eyeing her appearance critically, her hands moved up to her hair, fixing the braids that fell interspersed in her long hair.

As she peered out into the hall again, she heard light movement behind her. Without turning her head Iliana found that Legolas had appeared beside her and was peering out into the hall as well.

"Whom do your eyes seek, dear Iliana?" Legolas teased, his eyes twinkling with merriment. "Which elf lad has caught your fancy?"

"You will never change." Iliana said sternly, trying to fight back the smile that was tugging at the corners of her lips. Hitting Legolas lightly on the arm, she drew back from her position to lean on the wall once again. "You know as well as I do that it is not an *elf lad* I seek in the crowd."

"You must really get over this silly fear." He scolded lightheartedly.

"I will have you know that it is neither a fear, nor is it silly." She asserted. "And if I remember correctly, you are not one for large gatherings either."

"Well, you may be correct in that, but at least I can deal with them with a certain ease." He countered, flashing her a confident smile.

"Oh, is that what you call it? Ease? Very interesting. I would have called it evading conversation, but with style." She said laughingly as his eyes flashed momentarily.

"It is not conversation that I shy away from-" He began to protest.

"Certainly not. Not even the whole of Middle Earth could prevent you from speaking." She continued, thoroughly enjoying their lighthearted quarrel. Even more so, her seemingly eventual victory.

"At least I make the effort to *enter* the room rather than watch the goings on from afar." He shot back, not willing to give up so easily.

"Is it wrong that I prefer the solitude of my own company and the silence of this entryway to that of a boisterous crowd?"

"It is not wrong in any respect."

"I am glad we agree on something." She smiled. "What was it again that we were quarrelling about?"

"It seems that when we go off on one of our debates that we seem to lose the original argument altogether." He laughed. "Now, are you inclined to enter the hall and partake in the merriment within?"

"Aie, how quickly one's memory can return to them." She sighed, peering inside once again.

"Come, I will give you strength." He said, offering his arm to her. "Let us give them something to stare about."

"Even if there is nothing to stare about?"

"Well, they will just have to figure that out on their own now, won't they?" He winked at her laughingly.

Pushing back a curtain that was draped partly across the doorway, they entered the hall. Several eyes turned towards them and they nodded in acknowledgement of the young prince. Legolas returned their stares and greeted them with as much grace and ease as one could imagine. Despite her earlier jests, Iliana admired his confidence and poise. Following suit as best as she could manage, Iliana began to find her discomfort fade.

As the night wore on, Iliana began to feel more at ease as long as Legolas stayed close by for he seemed to have a calming effect on her. So she was much displeased when he was called away by the request of his father. Bidding her farewell until he returned, Legolas reassured her that she would be fine on her own. Watching him vanish through the crowd, Iliana sighed and glanced about the room nervously. Out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of a group of young elves looking in her direction. She tensed when she saw one break away from the group and make his way towards her. 'This is going to be a long night,' she sighed again.

* * * * * * *

Out on the terrace, Iliana lounged back on a bench partially hidden by a bush that crept over the bench and onto the ground. Staring up at the clear night sky, Iliana let herself relax and listen to the ever-present whispers of the trees. Her mind took to wandering as it so often had the tendency to do. However, this night her mind had a more direct focus. Her thoughts kept drifting back towards Legolas and his upcoming journey to Imladris. When he had first informed her of this she was determined to join in the company that was to partake in this journey. She was not about to allow Legolas to venture out of their borders without her there beside him. She had also desired to see the home of her father, perhaps to learn more of his life. Yes, Iliana was determined to follow Legolas no matter the consequences. But now, she began to doubt herself.

How could she possibly think that she could protect Legolas in this quest far better than she could protect himself? True, she was skilled in many forms of combat, but she was far from the level of Legolas. Then there was the second reason for her coming: her father. She could not think of anything more selfish than that and it appalled her to think that she even considered it.

Iliana continued to debate with herself, eventually deciding that she had come to a mental standstill. Shaking these thought from her head she concentrated on the stars above her again. After a while, her solitude was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps. They were light and almost imperceptible, as is normal for those of elven blood, but they were still heard. Iliana smiled as she guessed to whom those footsteps belonged and prepared for her attack.

"If you wish to sneak up on someone, then I suggest you use a bit more stealth when you walk. Honestly, you sound like a group of oliphants!" Iliana jested, not looking up.

"I am much sorry, my lady. I knew not that you were out here." Came the polite but somewhat hurt voice of someone Iliana had not expected.

From her place on the bench, Iliana lifted her head quickly to see the form of Nuelen, confusion written upon his fair face. Laughing softly to herself, she sat upright and rose from the bench. Plucking a stray leaf that clung to her hair, Iliana fought back the urge to dash from the terrace out of embarrassment. Glancing up at Nuelen she saw that it looked as if he was thinking the same. His head was bent downwards as if he were examining the stonework of the floor.

"Nay, it is my fault." She began, smiling at Nuelen in an effort to put him more at ease. "Please, forgive my harsh words, I did not mean them. They were meant merely in jest." She saw his face grow more confused. "I mistook you for someone else." "You need not apologize, for I could never be mad at someone as lovely as you." Nuelen bowed low with a sweeping gesture of his arm.

"Now you jest with me, Nuelen." She laughed at his exaggerated gesture.

"Never." He replied, his eyes twinkling. "I only hope that your intended victim is aware of his most dire fate."

"You need not worry, my friend, he is much capable of caring for himself." Iliana assured.

"Of that I am sure." Nuelen said with a knowing smile. "But now I will take my leave of you. I meant not to disturb your solitude. I will go in search of my own." He nodded politely before turning to leave.

"Nuelen." Iliana called to him as he reached the end of the small courtyard. "There is no need for you to leave. I would greatly enjoy the company."

"Then it would be my pleasure to join you." He turned to face her with a grateful look upon his face.

They talked quietly for quite a long time that Iliana almost forgot of the plan that had formed in the back of her mind. Her more adventurous half had won over at last and, throwing caution to the wind, she prepared to set her plan into action.

"Nuelen," she began sweetly. "You are to accompany Legolas to Imladris, are you not?"

"I am." He replied cautiously.

"Then I would ask a favor of you." Iliana stated outright.

"What would that be, my lady?"

"I would ask that you help me in joining your company." She said quickly. "If not that, then make it possible for me to track the trail in which you follow."

Nuelen was silent, his face showing obvious confusion. Regaining his composure, he looked up into the face of Iliana and saw the seriousness that shone in her pale green eyes. At a loss for what to say, Nuelen remained silent.

"Why do you not go to Legolas with your request?" Nuelen said, breaking his silence.

"He would not allow it." She replied. "He would not understand my reasons." "And what if I do not allow it?" Came the quick response.

"I would hope that you are not so quick to pass judgment."

Nuelen fell silent once again, torn between his heart and his mind. The rational part of him was quick to refuse such a peculiar request. But there was another part of him that saw within Iliana a kind of desperation that caused him to think twice about refusing. He knew that even if he said no that she would look for another way of going about her plan. What scared him is that without his help she might be stepping into something more dangerous than it needed to be.

"You need not respond to me this instant." She broke through his thought. Her voice showed traces of disappointment as she was quickly losing hope. "But please, Nuelen, do not throw aside my words. If you were to help me in this it would mean more to me than you can ever imagine."

Iliana was throwing all that she had within her at the conflicted Nuelen. She knew it was a hard matter for him to decide and it was a terrible place she put him in, but she had to try. She searched Nuelen's eyes for any sign of submission but found only uncertainty.

In the tense pause that claimed the terrace, the sudden movement of Nuelen's eyes towards the pathway leading to the hall made Iliana stiffen. Nuelen stood and gave a short bow that confirmed Iliana's sense of dread. Glancing over her shoulder she saw Legolas staring at them with curiosity. Rising from the bench, Iliana made her way to Legolas.

"We were just discussing you, my lord." She said laughingly, trying to cover up her nervousness.

"Oh, you were?" He replied skeptically. "Nuelen, do not believe a word she says about me. I assure you they are all lies."

"You have no need to fear. No insults were thrown in your absence, my lord." Nuelen laughed.

"Perhaps not yet." Legolas threw and accusing glance at Iliana.

"Perhaps." Nuelen repeated. "But as for now, I fear I must take my leave. I have much preparations to attend to."

"Of course." Legolas replied. "I bid you good night, my friend."

"You as well, my lord." He answered with another bow. "Good evening, my lady."

"Do not exhaust yourself with work, dear Nuelen." Iliana advised, her eyes relaying an underlying meaning. "Sleep well."

(A/N: Ok, I know it took me a while, but hey, no reviews, no new chapters {sorry to those who did review, I do appreciate it!!} I'll try to be good in the future!! So, anyway, comments, questions...you know what to do!! Until next time!!)