A/N: Okay, this chapter will be a bit longer than usual. I've gotten many reviews already! I was thinking about writing another story. However, I'm not sure if I should write it because it's a very VERY sad story. It is based on "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Please give me some advice on whether or not I should write it!

Beth walked shakily to her bed and sat down gently. 'Why did I do that?' she asked herself. 'You can't be falling for him, can you?'

She looked up and spotted her reflection. 'No, you aren't. You can not. He's an arrogant prince. I'm merely luring him away from Rhia and Eli then I'll stop this act,' she vowed to herself. She smiled then got up to change. ****************************************************************************

Legolas strolled back to his room whistling. On his way, he met Naleese. When she spotted the prince, she faked a huge smile and fluttered her eyelashes. "Why, Prince Legolas, what are you doing wandering the halls?" she asked with a sickening sweet voice.

Legolas cleared his throat and replied, "I just escorted Lady Bethany to her room. Lady Naleese, what are you doing wandering the halls?"

Naleese's smile froze in place as a frown flashed across her face. "Why, I was going to my rooms. I need someone strong to protect me on my way there," she said as she approached Legolas.

Legolas smiled back and said, "Then I shall escort you to your room, milady."

Naleese faked a shocked look then replied, "If you insist," with a huge grin. She immediately latched herself to his arm as they strolled down the halls. When they passed her group of friends, she stuck her tongue out as she held Legolas closer. The ladies looked at Naleese with envy then walked away with their noses turned up.

Legolas shook his head with a light chuckle. They met Rhiannon and Elihor on their way to Rhiannon's room. Legolas' smile immediately disappeared when he met Elihor's eyes. When he turned to Rhiannon, he gently pushed himself away from Naleese's arm and bowed elegantly. "Lady Rhiannon."

Naleese nodded her head toward them. Rhiannon frowned slightly when she saw Naleese accompanying Legolas but nevertheless curtsied. "How are you tonight, Legolas?" she asked politely.

"I am fine, Lady Rhiannon. I hope you had a fine time tonight?" he replied.

She nodded her head. "Lord Elihor was just leading me back to my room," she said.

Legolas looked grimly at Elihor who returned his gaze with a pleading look. "Oh, really?" he asked.

Rhiannon asked, trying not to pry, "Might I inquire where Lady Bethany is?"

Legolas snapped back to Rhiannon. "She is safely in her room."

Naleese, feeling forgotten, touched Legolas' arm. "Prince Legolas was just taking me back to my room," she said coldly.

Rhiannon glared at her then nodded. "Yes, I am tired and wish to retire."

Legolas bowed one last time and gave Elihor another glare before letting Naleese latch herself once more. Naleese looked grimly at Rhiannon then walked away, dragging the prince with her. When they rounded the corner, Legolas pushed himself away from her.

"Are you all right, Naleese? You seem to be in a hurry," he said trying to keep the irritation from his voice to no avail.

She sighed. "I am sorry, my prince. I, too, am looking forward to the comfort of my bed," she said as she fluttered her eyelashes again.

Legolas sighed. "Then let us go."

On the way to her room, Naleese thought a long time. 'Is Legolas after Rhiannon or Beth?' She smiled evilly. 'No matter. I'll get rid of both of them.'

Legolas looked at Naleese from the corner of his eye. She had a smile on her face but not a happy one, more like a wicked one. He shook his head. Women never ceased to baffle him.

When they finally arrived at Naleese's room, he gave a bow and said courteously, "I hope the lady will sleep nicely tonight."

Naleese fluttered her eyelashes and said seductively, "I will sleep better if I knew someone was next to me to spring to my rescue if I need it."

Legolas, catching the meaning quickly, cleared his throat. "I am afraid I cannot accompany the lady tonight. Perhaps some other time,' he quickly said.

Naleese pouted a bit and stomped her foot in frustration. "Fine! But if I get abducted in the middle of the night, I'll know who to blame!" and ran into her room.

Legolas shook his head and walked slowly back to his room. ****************************************************************************

For the rest of the week, Beth and Legolas seemed to get a bit closer than they were before. When he was with her, Legolas forgot his anger towards Eli. He even occasionally forgot about Rhiannon. Beth made him laugh with tales her mother had told her long ago.

Beth enjoyed his company. That was plain and simple. She never really felt any anger toward him anymore. Occasionally he would say something that would make her frown but she could not stay angry at him for long. He made her laugh with tales of the maidens here in Mirkwood.

The next ball did not take place until a week after the previous one (Balls were always once a week). Beth studied the closet again. The same dilemma every week. But this time, she could not find a suitable dress at all.

'How about the pink one? No, I look too fat in that. How about the light blue one? No, I've already worn that. How about the green one? No, I look like a grasshopper in that.'

"Aaah!" she screamed. This wasn't working. Where was Kaylyn? She should have been here by now to help her choose. She sighed. 'I'll just skip this one. I'm sure Legolas wouldn't mind.'

She sat down on the bed and studied her reflection. 'Hmm... I don't look too bad,' she marveled at herself. It was true. Her face was pale but not too pale. Her cheeks had a tinge of pink. Her lips were red naturally. Her hair flowed gently over her shoulders. Her bust was not too big but it was not too small. Her waist is small and curved gracefully.

A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. "Come in!" she called. The door creaked open and there stood Legolas.

That evening, he wore a light green tunic with matching leggings. His hair was neatly combed and rested on his shoulders. He looked at Beth with a frown on his face. "Beth, what are you doing? You are not even changed yet!"

Beth looked sheepishly at him and said, "I could not find anything to wear."

Legolas sighed. "Who picks your dresses?" he asked as he headed to her closet. HE started looking through all the dresses.

"Well, usually Kaylyn does. If I try to pick, I would turn down every single one," she replied softly, slightly embarrassed of having the prince pick a dress for her.

Legolas stopped and held a white one up with a smile. "I think this will look good on you tonight," he declared.

Beth stood up and looked at the dress he held. She shook her head. "No, I don't think so. It is a bit too formal."

Legolas rolled his eyes. "You were right. You turn down every single one. At this rate, we will miss the ball!"

Beth turned up her nose. "I am sorry if I have better taste than you."

Legolas chuckled. "Okay, just put it on."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Beth, you need to wear something besides your leggings and tunic!"

"Fine, but I'm not wearing that. It looks like a bridal dress."

"Well, pretend you are a bride."

"But I'll be going down with you!"

"Well, pretend you're my bride!"

Beth gasped at his last comment. Legolas, however, looked unmoved by it.

"Well, are you going to put it on?"

Beth sighed. It seemed as if she had no choice. The ball would start any time now and she still wasn't ready. "All right," she grumbled.

Legolas smiled in triumph and handed the silk dress to her. However, he did not move.

Beth cleared her throat. When he still did not move, she said exasperatedly, "Well, aren't you going to give me some privacy?"

Legolas snapped out of his trance and blushed slightly. "Oh! Um... Of course," he said as he hurried out of the room.

Beth shook her head and began to change.

Outside Beth's room, Legolas was mentally kicking himself. 'What did you do that for?' he asked himself furiously. He sighed. Maybe he was falling for her. 'What? Falling for her? Instead of Rhiannon?' he asked himself. He shook his head. 'Do not forget why you made the deal with her in the first place,' he reminded himself.

The door opened. Legolas spun around and saw Beth standing there, blushing furiously. Indeed, she did look like a bride. "You look beautiful," he breathed, forgetting everything he had told himself before.

Beth blushed even more and said, "Well, we aren't standing here all night, are we?"

Legolas smiled and offered his arm. "Indeed, we are not. I must show you off to all of the lords and ladies this evening."

Beth took his arm with a smile.

When the couple walked through the dining door, everyone looked up from the table. Legolas helped Beth into her chair and sat down next to her. His father boomed heartily, "Ah, my son has finally found a bride. And from the looks of it, they seem to be ready to marry!"

Beth looked very uncomfortable then. 'Oh, Eru, help me! I do not wish to be here in this dress!' she thought as she saw many elves look at her with either hatred or awe.

Legolas, sensing her discomfort, leaned toward her and whispered, "Ignore all of them. Just enjoy yourself."

Beth smiled up at him and felt a bit better. She started a conversation with Rhiannon who was, again, sitting across from her.

One of Legolas' friends called to him, "So Legolas, you've finally found another elf to your fancy, eh?"

Legolas simply smiled at him and turned back to Beth. He felt relieved when she did not seem to hear the comment.

"Aye, Legolas, you are a lucky one. All the other male elves are very jealous of you," Elihor said, smiling warmly at his friend.

Legolas smiled though his eyes contradicted it at Eli. "Yes, they are, aren't they?" he said with a certain coldness in his tone.

Elihor's smile quickly faded. He asked, "Can we speak privately in the gardens, Prince Legolas?"

Legolas nodded his head. "Certainly, Lord Elihor," he responded.

Rhiannon eyed the two suspiciously but did not utter a word.

Out in the gardens, Elihor pleaded, "Legolas, do not be this way. I am merely being friendly with her."

Legolas raised his eyebrows in mock amusement. "Oh, really? Then why is it that you jump up to dance with her whenever the music starts? Why is it that you walk her back to her room all the time?" he asked.

Elihor chose to ignore these questions and asked one of his own, "Why is it that you asked her to the ball?"

Legolas said defiantly, "I am able to choose my own partner, aren't I?"

Elihor smiled a bit and commented casually, "Aye, you are, but not every elf would pick the maiden that threw a pie in their face!"

Legolas turned away in anger. It was true, he had to admit. But how was he supposed to explain it? '"Oh, I am taking Beth to the next 3 balls because I just want to make Rhiannon jealous"?' That wouldn't work. He did not mean to harm Beth. In fact, that was not his intentions at all. He just hoped his plan would work and Beth would forget about him. Besides, she did not seem to want to be more than just friends.

Elihor shook his head. "I am merely trying to protect all of us, Legolas. I do not wish to see you harm Beth. She is a very nice girl and has been through a lot in the past. She does not need you troubling her."

Legolas shot back angrily, "What I do to her is none of your concern! If she does wishes to have you protect her, she will tell you. Do not assume that she needs your protection. And about her past, that's her problem. If she does not wish to get hurt, she should not have returned!"

Elihor looked surprised at Legolas. Then to Legolas' astonishment, Elihor got angry. "How can you be so cold-hearted, Legolas? I thought you were a very caring man and that you will one day become the greatest king of Mirkwood. Yet, you always never cease to amaze me. How can you not care about her feelings? She has been hurt and tormented before Legolas! She does not need that from a person she thinks is her friend! I do not know your intentions but I know that they are not good! Cease this nonsense, and leave her be!"

Elihor took a deep breath and added more gently, "Think about it Legolas." Then Elihor left Legolas in the gardens and headed back to the dining hall.

A/N: So, what do you think? I love their conversation in the gardens! Poor Beth! I wonder what'll happen next...