Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story other than Raven and Ravenhooves. All are the work of the fantastic J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote LOTR and gave us the chance to experience different things and for me to write fan fics. Please no one sue me!

Flashback 2

That night at the meal, Legolas kept looking around, seeing if he could spot the nameless elven maiden he had spoken briefly with. Each time he would look up and be disappointed and he began to lose hope of seeing her again. Then his heart filled with joy as he saw Arwen, and by her side was his nameless elf. She still wore a veil over her head, but tonight she was dressed in a deep red dress that made her hair look even darker than it already did. Legolas stopped eating and watched as the two-elven maidens looked around the great hall. Arwen saw Legolas and she whispered something into his nameless elf's ears. He watched as she lifted her head slightly and looked in his direction, holding her gaze for the shortest instant. Her gaze had been long enough for Legolas to see the light shine in her eyes and he realised they were as dark as her hair was. Legolas watched as they went to turn and jumped up, running lightly after them.

'Please don't go, I still wish to know your name, for you know mine and you have seen my face, yet I know nothing about you.'

'And what do you wish to know about me Legolas?'

'Anything and everything there is to know, starting with your name. I have the sound of your voice in my heart and my head from the moment I heard it and I need to know something about you.'

'You are persistent Legolas, but not persistent enough.'

'Then what can I do?'

'I hear you are more than competent with a bow and arrow.'

'I am fairly good with a bow and arrow.'

'I want you to teach me. Even if it is just the basics for now, but I wish to know the art behind firing an arrow, for I know how to wield a sword, but I would like to know how to use a bow and arrow properly if the need depends upon it.'

'If I teach you, will you at least let me know your name?'

'We shall see. If you teach well, then I may consider it.'

'When shall we start?'

'There is no time like the present, unless you object '

'No, I do not. Let us go.' Legolas followed the two maidens, first to his chambers so that he could gather his bow and quiver and then to a clearing in the forest that was used for target practice. The nameless elf stood opposite one of the targets and then waited for Legolas to approach her. He spent a long time going over how to hold a bow and arrow before letting her to practice pulling the arrow back in the bow. Finally he felt she was ready to have a go at the target. She let the first arrow go and it hit the bull's eye of the target.

'Beginner's luck. Try again.' So she did, and again it hit the bull's eye.

'Are you sure you haven't done this before?' At this point Arwen fell about laughing and Legolas realised he had been tricked. His nameless elf was herself competent with a bow and arrow and did not need any training whatsoever. Legolas laughed along with the two elves for it had been a good trick.

'I am sorry Legolas, but it had to be done.'

'That's fine, but do I now get your name.' The nameless elf looked over to Arwen and then turned and walked away. Legolas stood there in disbelief, watching the elf disappear into the distance. He turned to Arwen who was smiling to herself.

'You are persistent Legolas, and you are rewarded for it. My cousin's name is Raven. Use your knowledge well.' Arwen went to walk away but Legolas stopped her.

'But why Raven?'

'You shall see. Given time, you will understand the reason why.' Legolas let Arwen go and sat down, sighing and thinking about Raven. Although he had not seen her face, he knew his feelings were already deep for her and that they could only grow deeper. He enjoyed the way that she made things a challenge, making it more exciting. So Legolas kept on and for six whole years, Legolas stayed determined to find out all he could about Raven. He had achieved this quite well after this time period and his relationship with Raven was now at a point when she would spend hours sitting with him, talking about her past and her dreams for the future, whilst she listened to him speak with the same grace that he showed her. But still after all this time, Legolas had not seen her face and he had not been close to touching her. It was frustrating not knowing what Raven looked like or how it felt when his skin touched hers. But he understood why she was doing it; she needed proof that all his interest was not only physical, but that they had a mental bond as well. Legolas felt that they did and it seemed Raven also felt so for she would sit closer to him now and she would look at him more, allowing him to see slightly more of her face, but there was enough covered for him to still wonder what she looked like without the veil.

    The day came when Legolas had to go back to Mirkwood to spend time with his family. It had been a long while since he had seen them and although he did not want to be parted from Raven's company, he also wanted to see his family again. He had not told Raven, hoping to see a reaction when she found out. He had made sure that one of the elves close to her had heard that he was leaving so that it would get back to her. Legolas had all his belongings ready and his horse was fed for the journey and still Raven had not shown up. It was only when he was about to mount his horse that he heard soft footsteps and a voice calling his name.

'Legolas?'

'So, you have come.'

'Of course I came. Why did you not tell me that you were leaving?'

'I did not think you would care.'

'Of course I care, I care for you very much.'

'I am pleased to hear that you do. But I must go and visit my family. I have not seen them for a long while and I wish to spend some time with that.'

'I understand that, but I do not understand why you did not tell me. Will you return to Lothlórien?'

'I shall return, that you can be certain of. I will have need to see you, if nothing else in Lothlórien will bring me back.' Legolas stood and looked at Raven. He then gasped as she approached him and cupped his face with her hands.

'Close your eyes.' Legolas followed her orders, trusting her completely. He soon felt her lips on his and he eagerly responded to her kiss as it became more passionate. Raven pulled away before neither of them could find the energy to and Legolas looked down and watched her pull her veil back over her head.

'Please let me look upon your face, if only for a second.'

'If you return like you have promised, I can assure you that the first time you see me, I shall not be wearing my veil. If you do not turn however, you will always wonder about how I looked.'

'I was going to return in any case.'

'Then you shall see my face, but until then, take care and have a safe journey. Don't stay away too long or I shall lose hope.' Legolas mounted his horse and trotted off into the distance, looking back to watch Raven disappear into the distance. He picked up his pace and hastened his journey back home.

End of flashback 2

Back in Lothlórien

'So, did you go back? Did you get to see her face?'

'Sam, do not bother Legolas.'

'I beg your pardon Mr Frodo, but you know I like these sort of stories, full of love and hope and even better if they have a happy ending.'

'Alas Sam, I am sorry but my story does not have a happy ending.'

'Yet it is happy at the moment and I wish to hear about your quest to win over this stubborn elf.'

'Very well, then I shall continue.'