"Arwen?" the air cooled her face and the grass tickled her skin. His voice seemed so distant and she longed to run towards it. His voice meant safety care and happiness. "Arwen." Came his voice again. She flickered her eyes open and his face came into view in front of her.

"Legolas." She smiled. "How long have I slept?"

"Long. All through the night. But it is early morning. You will be able to return to your quarters without being noticed." Legolas explained with a stretch.

Arwen breathed a heavy sigh. She had hoped that the prince had not heard her. But he did.

Legolas cocked his head. "What troubles your already troubled heart Evenstar?"

Arwen looked up at the ever lightening sky. "Leave it be." She said simply shaking her head.

The prince did just that. He had been friends with Arwen since they were Elflings and he knew what was best for her now. He sensed something was seriously wrong. But he didn't pry. Instead he gave her his hand and pulled her to her feet delicately.

"Thank you Legolas." Arwen tried to say but it came out as a mere whisper. She sniffed and the breath hitched in her chest. "Amin hiritha" I'm sorry she croaked. Her eyes began to sting. They were already puffy and red from crying the night previous. She fell to her knees as sobs racked her slender frame.

"Arwen do not be sorry. This is what is to be expected. Estel was a wonderful person. But I am sure he does not want you to be so upset. He wants you to get on with your life." Legolas whispered in her ear as he put his arm around her gently.

The Evenstar tried to stand but Legolas stopped her.

"Havo Dad" Sit down he sighed. "You cannot go back like this. I shall tell Elrond you came for a walk with me. If he asks."

"You are too kind to me fair Sindarin Prince." She smiled weakly.

Legolas watched her as she rubbed her eyes furiously. "Do not do that Undomiel." He brushed her cheek and she collapsed against his chest. "Do not cry." He shushed her gently.

Arwen felt her heart beat rocket as Legolas brushed a tear from her cheek. She thought about it for a second and pulled back quickly.

Legolas shot her a puzzled and concerned glance.

"I-Im..I'm ready to g-go back now" Arwen got to her feet uneasily and put a hand on Legolas' shoulder for support.

"Erm. Yes. Lets go." Legolas put out his arm which she cautiously took. The pair walked slowly back to the last homely house in silence.

"Arwen, where have you been?" Boomed Elrond from somewhere round about.

Arwen looked over her shoulder and saw her father storming through from the dining room towards her.

"I went to check on you and you weren't there!" Elrond eyed Legolas warily. "You have been with her Prince Legolas?"

"Yes milord. I felt I needed a walk and I thought Arwen could do with one too."

"Very well. Both of you off to your rooms. Breakfast will be ready soon."

Legolas bowed slightly and helped Arwen up the stairs. He stopped outside of her door.

"I can remember when we so young." He smiled weakly. "I remember you. Such a tom boy." He placed his hand on her cheek. "So strong and so determined. So much like me." He paused. "I lay awake and tried so hard not to think of you Arwen. Each night. But who can decide what they dream?" he looked at his feet as if they were the most interesting thing about.

"And dream I do." Arwen finished for him. "You saw me mourning my love for you."

"I- I did?"

"Hmm. Earlier. You asked me what was wrong and I said it was naught. It wasn't. Legolas-I..."

Legolas leaned in and kissed her head lightly. "Mellonamin" My friend he whispered. He pulled back and left their faces inches away from each other.

There was silence for several moments whilst Arwen ran it all through her mind. "Yes" she began. "That is what it was." She felt her eyes burn suddenly and turned away her face towards her door. He could not see her cry. But why not. He has seen it before. Arwen kicked herself mentally. Why was she feeling so awkward all of a sudden?

"Arwen, please." Legolas soothed. "Do not cry."

"I cry because I am upset. I am upset because I know not why I am crying." Arwen said gently as she turned to face Legolas once again. "It's a vicious circle Legolas." She gestured a circle with her hands. She felt her knees go weak suddenly and she collapsed into his shoulder.

Legolas sighed. A servant walked past and cast the pair and uneasy glance, which Legolas fiercely returned. He leaned past the weeping Arwen and pushed open the door and took her inside.

He laid the Evenstar on the bed. She seemed so fragile again, like she could be broken if handled strongly.

Arwen pulled herself up and stared at the prince as he wandered over to the balcony and stared out at the ever lightening day. She felt herself shudder, though it was not because she was cold. Her breath hitched in her chest and a stifled sob emerged as a mere whimper.

"Your heart yearns for Estel. Amin sinta lle awra ar' amin hiraetha." I know your pain and I am sorry Legolas explained, but even Arwen's best friend knew not what was going on in either of their heads, as he usually did.

"Nay" Arwen wiped her eyes roughly. "Nay, 'tis not that." She shook her head and got limply to her feet, using the bed post to steady herself. "I know not what I feel. Grief, loss, pain." She paused and looked into Legolas' pools which are his eyes. She felt herself drowning. She tore away her gaze and felt the need to drown again. "Betrayal"

"Betrayal? Who is betraying thee Arwen?"

"Ú. No. I am not being betrayed." A lone sob escaped the elf's delicate mouth. "I feel I am betraying Estel. All because.." She broke off as she felt Legolas arm slip round her shoulder in a gesture of comfort. He had done it so many times before. So why did Arwen feel as though she was melting at his very touch?

Legolas felt Arwen stiffen under his arm. "Arwen" he turned to her, his hands firmly placed on her shoulders. "What is going on? I understand you have suffered a loss greater than any here. But you wish to take it out on me?"

Arwen's eyes flashed with confusion. "I do not take it out on you Legolas"

"Then why do you stiffen as I speak to you and when I comfort you, you turn away." Legolas ran his fingers through his hair in an exasperated fashion.

How could she tell him? How could she tell him something she did not know the answer to? "I did not do it intentionally." She looked at her feet, her cheeks glowing red. Suddenly it hit her. She snapped her head up suddenly and felt herself shiver.

"Arwen?" came Legolas' concerned voice from beside her.

A voice from the halls below them aroused Arwen from her thoughts. "Ada canmen." Father calls us. she explained hesitantly. "I must change, as must you."

Legolas wandered over towards the door. He turned just before he left. "If you need to talk Arwen, I am here."

Arwen nodded. "Diola lle. thank you Legolas."

The prince turned away and walked towards his quarters. What was going on around him?