Chapter 10

Troubles

A/N:: Hello! Thanks for the reviews. Its great to see they are all positive. Where are the canon police? Hmm… not reading my story, that's for sure. The usual disclaimers apply.

***

Watching rain fall down and listening to the constant dripping that came from somewhere in the cave can be quite hypnotic, as Laera found out. She could not keep her eyes open any longer and slowly, she gave into the slumber that had been subtly pulling her eyelids downward. Yawning, she buried herself under the covers and fell asleep.

Legolas glanced at her, smiling as a soft snore emanated from beneath the covers. Reaching over, he brushed a wet tangled lock from her brow. She hadn't even waited for her clothes to dry. He took a stick and poked at the small fire he had going inside the cave. It had taken him some time to search for dry wood; the rain had done a good job of soaking nearly everything. But he had found some cedar wood from a fallen tree. It had been sheltered from the rain by the branches of another tree.

He watched quietly as the flames danced and died before his eyes. He himself was confused about his own feelings. She was the only person who could ever get him that angry…she alone was able to cause him to lose his composure. There have been times when he felt like wringing her neck… Yet, as she was the only person who can get him upset, she was also the only one who has ever made his heart rate increase with one of her rare smiles. Only Laera was able to make him laugh and grin like he was a little boy again. No other Elf held his favor like she did… and she didn't even know it. Or did she?

A new option presented itself all of a sudden. Did Laera suspect anything of his feelings? Did she feel the same? The question caused his breath to catch in his throat as an image of dark eyes and a laughing mouth flashed before his eyes… eyes that would shine for him alone. He had no idea how Laera felt. She seemed to be angry with him a lot. But lately… there have been times when he would catch a little something deeper than the look of comradeship within her dark eyes. And other times, when he was with Rhovan, a look of something else.

Slowly thoughts of their last day together years and years ago once again entered his mind…

~~~~

A small boy crashed through the woods eventually stopping at a bridge. He placed two hands on his knees and gasped for air. When his heart slowed to its normal beat, he sighed and looked over the edge of the bridge into the crystal waters below. What had he been thinking? Laera would never say yes. She hated him!

Slowly, he took a small object from his pocket and held it up in the moonlight…a stem of the meril flower twisted in the shape of a ring. It looked nothing like his father's rings. It was not even pretty. Frowning, he drew back his arm and hurled it into the dark depths of the river below. Sighing, he walked unhurriedly to his chambers… wondering if he would ever see Laera again.

~~~

He took the stick and placed it beside him on the dusty floor. He shouldn't even be thinking of romance when he was there for a greater purpose. Gandalf needed him… he would not allow himself to be distracted. Sighing, he followed Laera's example and fell asleep.

***

Arwen sat comfortably in a chair, watching the sick old wizard with growing concern. He was not getting better. What would Middle-Earth do without Gandalf? What would Arwen do without Gandalf? Her eyes misted as a memory of a kind man telling her stories forgotten now over the years danced before her eyes.

"Poor, dearest Gandalf," she whispered, taking his hand in hers.

To her surprise, he began to stir. Groaning softly, his eyes fluttered open and he smiled upon seeing Arwen. "My dear girl… you look so sad."

Smiling through her tears, Arwen leant over to kiss the old man softly on his forehead. "Do not dare think of leaving us, Gandalf," she warned. "Do so, and you shall answer to me."

Arwen flinched as she watched Gandalf laugh with difficulty. "Where is Laera?"

She stiffened and her eyes quickly lowered. "Laera is not here… I do not know where she is exactly."

Gandalf's eyes clouded with sudden worry. "No…"

His fears were confirmed as Arwen solemnly nodded her head. "I should have never let her go," she cried, eyes flashing. "Because of my carelessness, I may never see her again!"

"I believe there is more in Laera than you may believe, Arwen," he said, wiping a fallen tear from Arwen's cheek. "She will return."

"You know this?"

"She is alone?" he asked, ignoring the question.

"Legolas might have found her… I am not sure."

"Do not despair, Arwen. Laera will return." She smiled fondly at Gandalf. He seemed so sure. His confidence gave her a new hope.

"How are you getting along? You do not look well and I do not believe it is just Laera's absence," he asked suddenly. At this, Arwen laughed. It seemed ironic that Gandalf be worried about her when his own condition was so critical.

"There is nothing else that troubles me."

Gandalf gave an exaggerated pout. "Come now, I believe this is the first time you have ever lied to me."

"You are too smart for me, Gandalf," she laughed, her eyes still sad.

"Is it the ranger?" he said, eyes twinkling merrily. He laughed softly at her flushed cheeks and downcast eyes. "Have you told him?"

She shook her head. "I do not know how he feels. I do not want to ruin our friendship… it is very dear to me."

Gandalf said nothing. He was not a meddler and the business of Arwen and Aragorn's were their own. He patted her hand gently. "My poor girl," he whispered. His eyes drooped and he sighed deeply.

Arwen rose and kissed Gandalf once more on his gray head. She felt was wearing him out and he looked like he needed some sleep. "Rest, dear wizard," she whispered, tiptoeing gently out of the room.

A/N:: HAH! It is unanimous! No Rhovan! *phew* I didn't want her to go in the first place, honestly. Just thought it'd be interesting.