Chapter two                                                                  Darkness Falls

The smells of bacon and eggs, toasted bread and the soft morning light invaded Nieriel's consciousness as she lay on the comfortable wide cot.  Rolling over and placing one hand on the floor to find her shoes she was surprised instead with very wet puppy kisses. Whit dragged one of her shoes to the far corner of the bed and had commenced destroying it.  Hauling herself into a sitting position and shoving one foot into a dry shoe and retrieving the now wet shoe from Whit and putting it on she stumbled through the curtain wall into Arwen's room.  Arwen was already up and dressed and packed and had left a dress for Nieriel as promised.  Nieriel picked up the hem and sighed deeply.  The dress was pink and flirty, and while it was serviceable for riding it was meant for picnic parties not traveling the roads of Middle Earth.  Peering out of the tent she saw that there was no way she could make a dash for her bags in her nightdress so she would just have to wear what was left out for her.  She blushed thinking about her encounter with Legolas last night, after all it was known that no one had ever tamed the heart of the Prince of Mirkwood why would she ever think she was different from all of those other girls?  With a wistful air about her she started to comb the tangles from her hair as she did her mind wandered.  She thought about how Legolas had looked at her in the moonlight.  How he teased her about following him as a child.  Her mind raced with the embarrassment of being caught with her skirt hiked up so it would not get wet and the kiss that had rendered her senseless.  Her mind kept going back to the feeling of his strong embrace and the pleasure she had found in it.  Whit was now chewing the corner of the tent.  "Let me make you a leash and we shall get you something better to chew on."  Turning around Nieriel slipped her dress on and finding matching ribbon which was no doubt meant for her hair she made a small soft lead slipped it over her puppy's head and started out of the tent with Whit trotting beside her.  To Nieriel's delight Legolas was waiting outside the tent to greet her.

"I have something that I believe you left behind in the river last night."

Nieriel was bewildered because she was not missing and combs from her hair, which is what was usually lost on her excursions at night.  "I cannot think of anything that I might have left." 

Legolas smiled and produced a thin off white ribbon from behind his back. "I found this and thought you would need it during the ride."

In truth Nieriel did need to do something with her hair.  It was neat and combed now but after being on a horse it would grow tangled and wild. "Thank you I guess I will have to do something with my hair or it will look as unruly as it did last night.'

Embarrassment swept over Legolas's usually staid features.  "I did not mean that your hair was disorderly." His voice trailed off.

"How could there be any doubt. Could you help me put it on?" A wry grin spread across her face.

Nieriel swept her hair over her shoulders and Legolas could smell the faint perfume of water lilies and he smiled as he slipped the ribbon around her hair happy she was letting him and after tying it he bent down and kissed her where the smallest tendrils of hair curled about his fingers.

~*~

The sudden pain of being hauled up by the back of his shirt and marched around the side of the tent shocked Legolas into a sputtering speechless mass.  Before him was Elrond his eyes showing an intensity not often seen.  He thought back on what he had been doing and wondered how this could inspire such hostility.  Visions of the previous night jumped into his head what if he had been seen with Nieriel.   Legolas determined to put Elrond's mind at ease said, "My intentions are honest.  I would do naught to harm her."

"Then you will cease toying with her affections."  Elrond's eyes locked onto Legolas and there could be no doubt that his intentions were to keep them apart his dark eyes reveled the apprehension that he felt about their attraction.

Clenching his jaw out of pure frustration he spat back, "I am not toying with anyone's affections."

Rounding the corner of the tent Nieriel stopped in her tracks, she was aware of the shouting, the whole camp was aware of the shouting but she was unprepared to see her mentor and the Prince of Mirkwood toe to toe as if they were about to come to blows. "What in the name of the Valar is going on?"  Both men looked stunned, as if they had been well hidden and muffled by the tents.  "Elrond I would think that you would be more supportive of my interest and Legolas, Elrond is my mentor and like a father to me please treat him as such.  Further, I will not be dictated to by either of you."  With that said Nieriel turned and walked back into her tent with hot tears streaming down her face. 

~*~

Whit was still hungry and had started to pull at his lead she could hear the horses being readied.  She could not help but think how this day was turning out to be less than perfect. Not more than thirty minutes ago she thought that she was beginning something that could make her happy and now the reality of the situation was crashing in on her.  Legolas was known for the company he kept and he would not have even noticed her if it were not for this trip.  Was Elrond right in protecting her?  The thought of recent kiss let her mind wander for a moment and then a look of anguish crossed her face.  She could not believe that this was her first love and that it would most likely turn out badly.  Still she was a grown woman how could Elrond interfere and why was Legolas laying claim to her affections.  Arwen slipped in the tent with breakfast and a sympathetic smile.  She gave Whit a big piece of bacon and handed Nieriel some eggs and toast and an apple and without speaking sat down and put her arm around Nieriel.

"How could there fighting trying to convince each other of where my loyalties lie; so covetous of my affections and without even consulting me?"

"Nieriel, forgive my father for what he has done.  The world is changing and he feels as if he cannot control his own destiny. This is leaving him feeling graceless for the first time in many millennia."

"My privacy has been invaded and my intentions and thoughts have been laid bare for the whole riding party." Nieriel's voice overflowed with the frustrations that she felt.  "Now I shall only be known as the girl who would accomplish the impossible task of winning the Prince of Mirkwood.  I will be mocked for my folly and most likely miserable for even trying."

Arwen reached out and wiped a tear hanging form the edge of Nieriel's lashes.  "Eat something and you will feel better and take this and no one will know that you have been crying.  Besides, if you could see your Prince sitting with his head in his hands looking every bit as confused and miserable as you do, you might change your mind."

Surprised Nieriel looked up, "This is melinar, you know it was only a kiss.  I do not need to worry about being with child."

"Nieriel, for all of your healing knowledge I am surprised that you don't realize that melinar will also erase the puffiness in your eyes and put roses back in your cheeks."  Arwen gently smiled.  "My father is wrong about you and Legolas everyone else can see that you are a perfect match.  I know you are confused because the tangle of emotions that come with a new love confuse everybody there is a lot to think about, a lot that goes unsaid because you are unsure of the depth of the other persons true feelings."

Nieriel looked at her friend and decided that she was only doing what she felt would lessen any embarrassment for her.  Besides riding to the Gap of Rohan looking like a scolded youngling was not high up on her list of things to do.  Opening the bottle and smelling the draught Nieriel suddenly wondered why she had cried at all, if she was going to drink this it would seem as if she should be suffering something worse than embarrassment.  Wrinkling her nose she filled the measuring cup and downed the medicine and gagged.

"Here take a drink of water and a bite of apple to get the taste out of your mouth."  Arwen watched her friend take a swallow of water and a hasty bite of apple.

"I suddenly feel much sorrier for all of my patients." Nieriel grimaced and took another bite of apple.

Laughing Arwen announced, "We should get on our horses or they will leave without us."

"That is very doubtful Arwen."  Picking up Whit and putting him in his bag they headed out of the tent to their horses.

~*~

Gandalf was lost in the beauty of the morning.  The sounds of the meadow birds singing by the Brandywine and the sun peaking over the horizon filled his being.  He even enjoyed the bustle of the men preparing breakfast and breaking camp.  There was pleasure in the life around him.  He and the Eldar would diminish but the life of middle earth was filling that void even now with steady humming that would continue even after his departure. Something on the edge of his perception caught his attention and he closed his eyes and concentrated on it.  Darkness filled his mind he could hear chanting and feel dread a place that was like a black void nothingness.  Suddenly yelling broke his concentration and he looked up to see Elrond and Legolas facing each other in a confrontation.  Nieriel flew around the corner said something he could not hear and Legolas went and sat with his head in his hands and Elrond stalked off towards the horses.  Sighing Gandalf walked to Legolas.

"Her will is stronger than you give her credit for."  With an enigmatic smile Gandalf mused. "Even with Elrond acting like the rear end of a balrog she will make her own decisions about what she should do."

"With the exchange that she just witnessed that is what I am afraid of.  How will she trust me if I cannot gain the trust of those close to her Gandalf?"  Legolas looked forlorn.

"Elrond is losing his daughter to mortality and he is not himself." Suddenly looking serious Gandalf put a hand on Legolas's shoulder.  "Someday you may understand why this is so hard for him but for now he just needs a little understanding."

Legolas watched Gandalf take long hurried strides toward the horses.  He had felt nothing but the blush of love and now all he could feel was a cold and growing dread for this riding party.  He reached back and checked his bow and quiver unconsciously counting the arrows that he had. Then seeing Arwen and Nieriel appear form the tent he stood and followed them to their mounts.

~*~

Groaning Nieriel approached her horse Falma.  She was still sore from the long ride yesterday and she did not look forward to getting back on her steed.  She put one foot in the stirrup and felt strong hands gently lifting her to the saddle.  "Legolas, you startled me."

"I am sorry but you looked like you could use some assistance." A smile flitted across his serious features as his hands slid from her tiny waist.

Hoping to put Legolas off Nieriel resorted to sarcasm. "Riding is not something I have mastered or that I am even good at and I am sore from yesterday but I have mastered getting on the horse."

Looking at her Legolas said, "Sit back on the saddle and let your legs take some of the weight in the stirrups."

Blushing Nieriel realized the reason that she was so sore.  "I cannot reach the stirrups well enough to put any weight in them."  She was instantly sorry of her unwarranted outburst as she realized he only wanted to help her.

Legolas looked at the buckle and noted that it was on the last hole.  He adjusted the height, took out his dagger and punched a new hole in the leather.  He looked up and his eyes raked across her form.  So delicate, so soft and he looked at her foot in the stirrup so impractical.  "What happened to your riding boots?"

"They were packed before I was awake."  Nieriel shot a glance toward Arwen who just smiled sheepishly.

"Would you like me to find them for you?"

"We will be starting off soon and I don't want to trouble you."  Nieriel could not believe how attentive he was being with his affections and she started to feel panicked.

Arwen chimed in, "They are in the top of her brown bag on the second cart in the back."

Smiling Legolas said, "I will get them for you."

Walking toward the bags Legolas thought of Nieriel and of returning to Mirkwood with her.  Of course the party going to the Grey Havens would travel with them as well but they would leave while he planned to stay.  Legolas found the bag and opened it only to find that there were several silk nightdresses that he could almost see through and other intimate apparel on top of the boots.  By the time he got back to the horses he was flushed and a little unsettled.  "Let me help you with these so you don't have to get down."

"You do know I am capable of putting on my own shoes?  I am not a child."

"No, you are not a child", Legolas whispered under his breath as the soft skin of her firm leg brushed against his fingers when he pulled her boot over her foot.

Lacing up her boots he then was left with two small shoes and the party was starting off so he quickly slipped them into his quiver and mounted his horse.  He stayed right behind Nieriel and Arwen.  The entire party noticed his sudden attentiveness to this woman Gimli was smiling to himself as Sam rode up.

"Master Gimli I was thinking maybe a dog was not what Miss Nieriel needed for company.  After all I have never been as happy as I am now with Rosie and I think that Master Legolas is looking after the same kind of happiness.  And after our adventures there is nothing more satisfying than finding someone to settle down with who will make you smile even when you wouldn't think that would be possible anymore.  Still Whit will be good company for the both of them, because you can't go wrong with something that is good and faithful as a dog."  Sam looked as if he had settled the matter in his mind.

Gimli broke into laughter surprised at the perceptive nature of these Hobbits.  "Lets just hope that they are as wise as a Hobbit Sam."

~*~

During the entire ride Nieriel felt conscious of Legolas behind her, his gaze on her back.  She was becoming a little self-conscious of his watchfulness and turned and smiled at him to see if she was imagining this.  Her smile was met with a smile from him and she quickly decided that this was progressing faster than she would like.  It was not as if there was not an attraction but he was so persistent and quiet.  He was excessively easy on the eyes and thoughtful and kind and her heart beat a little faster when she thought about allowing herself to submit to his whims.  Where would that lead her?  She loved working in the healing house, would she have to give that up for life in the court?  All of those balls and pretensions and well she was just not comfortable with the idea.  Legolas was wonderful but she could not fall in love.  Soon he would forget her with all of the other ladies around and she would be content again with her books, but she felt something in her would never be the same.  Nieriel felt this was too easy she was falling for him too fast but her concerns seemed to fade like the sun in the west when she thought of the extraordinary feeling of his touch.

 The sun was setting and in the distance another tent city was set up in the softly rolling fields of Rohan this time the camp was surrounded with the Riders of the Mark who would be traveling with them to Gondor to pledge their allegiance to the new king.  Reigning in her horse at the corner of the tack tent she felt a now familiar touch lifting her from Falma.  Legolas held her closer than was necessary and she was caught between him and the horses flank.  He bent to her and firmly kissed her.  All of the resolve all of the questions were forgotten as he pulled he into the tent.  The smell of horse sweat and hay filled her nostrils as Legolas kissed her hard on the lips she could not help but to respond her back was pressed into the hay and he was pressing into her unwilling to let go.  He pulled the sleeve of he dress to expose he shoulder and shuttered at the softness of her body.  A whimper came from between them.  "Whit!"

"I did not know that you carried your dog in the bag."  Legolas could not deny he felt badly for the dog being crushed between them but he wanted to get rid squirming puppy that was taking Nieriel's attentions at least for a while.

"We should not be here what will everyone think?  They will surely notice our absence at dinner."  Blushing Nieriel started pull away.

"You are my only concern they may think what they want."  Legolas pulled her in closer and kissed her reveling in the softness of her skin intoxicated by the scent of water and lily forcing his tongue in her mouth and tasting the essence of sweet berries.  He was rewarded with a response from he that was equally passionate and heated.  When she twined her leg around the back of his thigh fire raced through his veins and his heart filled with passion.

Light coming from the tent flap startled them into looking up.  Estel looked in and smiled and cleared his voice and looked down. "I hope I am not disturbing anything.  Legolas I need to speak with you about a matter that has just come to my attention.  Why don't you see the lady to her tent and then meet me by the horses?" A wide bemused grin spread across Aragorn's face. He had ridden in to see Arwen but if he had known how smitten his old friend was he would have ridden just to see that miracle alone.

Legolas reluctantly let Nieriel go and they started toward her tent.

"I am sorry, I did not mean to cause you any embarrassment."

Nieriel smiled at him wondering how she would be able to avoid being pulled into a situation like that again.  She had to admit she was about to let him do as he pleased as her senses were overwhelmed with his touch.  She could not wait to have some time to herself to think through her feelings time that was not clouded with the recent memory of him.  Still she had to admit that she was feeling light and happy and warm and wanted nothing more than to feel him pressed against her searching her mouth and bombarding her senses. 

Legolas gently kissed her cheek as she disappeared into her tent and then turned join the conclave to hear what Arargorn had to say but his thoughts were of the recent stolen kisses and the puzzle of how to win her heart and her hand.

~*~

Nieriel was overwhelmed with questions from Arwen.  She did not know the answers to any of them including how she felt about Legolas.  She sat down in a chair next to a table set up with gifts for Arwen's wedding on it.  It seemed every province and every town had sent something for the new queen. She was thinking that they would need another cart just for all of the beautiful things that had been sent in celebration.  She thought of Arwen's wedding and the gown she would wear when she stood next to her friend and the long road to her new home.

"Who will stand with Estel?"

'Legolas, Gimli, Frodo and Sam but your place as maid of honor will be with Legolas after all he is one of Estel's oldest and dearest friends." Arwen was rewarded with a bright blush from Nieriel.

Looking over the objects to take attention away from her feelings she swallowed thickly and said, "You are not even Queen of the reunified kingdom and look at the outpouring of love from the people.  So much thought went into each item and they so perfectly represent each region, the future, your future could not look more blessed."

A necklace caught her eye. "Arwen did Estel send this to you?  It's beautiful."

The necklace seemed to hold moonlight in its perfectly round stones Nieriel slipped her hand under the beads to further admire them and in an instant slipped into darkness and as the world faded around her she heard Arwen scream.