Chapter Two

"Are you sure you do not want to attempt to defeat me again?" Legolas said teasingly as he watched Tinylia's last arrow just miss the center of the target.

"Oh I give up. It's pointless. You've always been the better archer and always will be." Tinylia said falling into a sitting position on the ground.

"Do not be so hard on yourself. You're a very skilled archer, one of the best in Rivendell. You will beat me, some day." Legolas said sitting down next to her and brushing a piece of her hair behind her shoulder.

"You really think so?" she asked turning towards him and looking directly in his eyes.

"I know so." he answered with a smile.

She smiled back and placed her head on his shoulder. It was beginning to get dark outside and the stars were just coming into view. When she was young she had sat outside with Legolas the same way she was now. But this time, it was different. She no longer felt like his younger sister as he gently stroked her hair. She felt something she had never felt towards anyone before. It was both frightening and exciting at the same time; she just didn't know what to make of it.

"Remember when we used sit and look at the stars like this?" Tinylia asked breaking their silence.

"Yes, I do. It brings back many memories, memories I will never forget." He responded placing his arm around her shoulders when he felt her shiver.

Legolas' feeling towards Tinylia had changed also. He no longer felt the brother-sister-love they once shared. He now felt something stronger, a feeling he had experienced only a few times before.

"Shall we go inside? You're freezing." Legolas said feeling Tinylia shiver once again.

"Alright." Tinylia said lifting her head off of Legolas' shoulder. She stood and gathered her belongings, as did Legolas.

They walked the short distance to the elven palace slowly. Legolas walked with Tinylia to her chamber, he had left his things there before they went to the training yard. He got all of his things together and placed them by the door.

"Are you staying?" Tinylia asked with a smile as she placed her new bow in its appropriate spot, removing her old one.

"Yes, for a bit, if that is alright with you." Legolas said on his way to the balcony, motioning for Tinylia to follow him.

"I don't see why not." Tinylia said. She walked out to the balcony and stood next to Legolas.

"How is your father?" Legolas asked, remembering he had not seen him while in Rivendell.

"He is in Gondor. They need him there, it is his duty." She said not looking at him, a smile tear forming in her eye.

"Why did you not go with him?" he asked, a bit curious.

"Because I wanted to stay here, for fear of not seeing you again." She answered, this time looking at him.

"Why would you not see me again?" he asked, before realizing he was beginning to ask too many questions.

"I thought that if you came and I was not here, you would return to Mirkwood, and never come back." She said looking down at her feet.

"If you were not here I would have gone straight to Gondor. I promised you I would return, and I have." He said placing his finger under her chin and gently lifting her head. "And you know I don't break a promise."

Tinylia smiled and nodded her head. She turned her head to the side and yawned, trying to keep it quiet so Legolas would not know how tired she was. She wanted him to stay, but unfortunately being more human than elven meant she needed more rest than an elf.

Legolas heard her faint yawn and smiled. He immediately remembered how he used to put her to bed when she was a young child. She would lay in her bed and he would kiss her on the forehead and say, "Goodnight, Vanya (Beautiful), sleep well." She would then smile and slowly drift to sleep.

"What are you thinking about?" Tinylia asked noticing Legolas' thinking eyes.

"About you, when you were a small child." Legolas answered snapping out of his daze.

"You are? What you made you think of that?" she asked.

"Well, I heard you yawn. It brought back memories of when I used to put to bed, when your mother or father could not." He answered.

"Yes. I remember that. You used to call me Vanya." Tinylia said smiling to herself. "I loved that name, and still do."

"Then I will still use it, it fits you perfectly." Legolas said. "Well, I will let you rest. You seem tired and I would like to spend the day with you tomorrow."

"Yes, that would be wonderful." Tinylia said following Legolas back inside.

Legolas gathered his belongings and stood in the doorway. He gave Tinylia a kiss on the forehead and before he turned to leave he said, "Goodnight Vanya, sleep well."

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A/N: Well, I hope you enjoyed the second chapter! Sorry for the long wait. I had a writer's block there for a bit, but I believe it has passed. Hopefully! Please comment! I really appreciate it!