Disclaimer: Anything you don't recognise is mine and everything else belongs to Tolkien.
A/N: If anywhere in the story it says 'Arterial' instead of Alarien, then it's just because I clicked on the wrong thing in my spell check, because I when I pasted it into a new html file from word I had to go through it and re-format it which was sooooooo boring, and so maybe I made some mistakes!
I'm really sorry about the f**k-up in the format of chapter 6, but I have sorted it out now. It was just messed up for a bit!
And there is a little more action in this chapter you'll be pleased to know! Blondie gets mad…
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Just as he was about to leave his chamber to go down to lunch, Legolas heard his door open, and he turned round to see who it was entering his room without knocking. Landir stalked in, a smug expression marring his otherwise attractive face. Legolas inwardly sighed, evidently his brother had done something he wished to brag about. He waited for the first snide comment.
"I noticed you practising this morning, dear brother. It looked to me that you will need a good deal more practice than that to maintain your little 'winning streak'" The last few words were dripping with sarcasm but Legolas hardly noticed: he was doing his best not to listen.
"Yes, Landir, I agree with you. I am in great need of practice if I wish to pose any threat to a skilled competitor such as yourself." Two can play at that game, he thought, taking pleasure from his younger brother's sour expression.
"Yes, well, there's one thing I can almost be certain you won't win."
Deliberately keeping his brother guessing, Landir noticed Legolas was paying attention now, though he was obviously pretending not to. After a moment Legolas spoke slowly.
"And what would that be younger brother? If you have a point to make, please go ahead and make it and stop wasting my time."
"Well it was my exceeding pleasure to be sought out by the Lady Arwen this morning. Together we went by horse on a tour of Mirkwood. In fact, I have only just parted company with her. I wonder why it is that she didn't seek you out this morning? Obviously she prefers my company. I wouldn't be too upset about it Legolas, you always have your precious sports and that little fan club of yours that you call your friends. I must say though, the pleasure of finally beating you at something is ever more increased by the value of the prize that I have won." Without waiting for his brother to retort he swept out of the room leaving the door open behind him. Unable to control his anger, Legolas followed him silently down the corridor, grabbing his shoulder and slamming him against the wall. He saw an expression of pain flicker over his brother's face before it changed to a smug satisfaction at having so successfully angered his elder brother. He smiled silkily, noting with pleasure the stormy eyes flashing and burning in the usually placid face that was now contorted with anger.
"Now, now Legolas. It would do you good to learn to control that nasty little temper of yours. Besides, anger is not very becoming" He wrenched himself away from his brother's strong grip and continued down the corridor, immensely pleased with himself. Legolas watched him, fuming with anger at his brother, but more at himself or not being able to control his temper and giving his brother the pleasure of knowing that he had wound him up so easily. He was breathing quickly and his previously flushed face had now gone pale. He had shocked and scared himself; he had never felt so uncontrollably angry. It was as though after years of searching for a weak spot, Landir had finally found one, and in one carefully calculated move, pierced it, letting all the rage that had built up inside him over the years of his brother's taunts and insults spill out. He completely regretted his actions, but he had had no choice in the matter, his rage had been his master. After years of not rising to Landir, he had finally succumbed, and he knew that his brother would be feeling immensely pleased with himself. Retreating back into his chamber, Legolas sat down heavily in his chair, with none of his usual natural fluidity of movement, and placed his fair head in his hands. He remained in the same position for some time, not heeding even his hunger.
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Alarien, Landir and Thranduil all noticed Legolas's absence at dinner. To Landir, it gave him another reminder of his triumph over him. To Thranduil it gave both concern and irritation and to Alarien it gave relief and, though it was deeply hidden and smothered by her conscience, some disappointment. She quickly forgot whatever else she was feeling for Landir seemed to be in very high spirits and was eager to talk. Thranduil left after the first course to seek out Legolas, leaving Alarien and Landir alone in the smaller dining room used for everyday meals. She remarked to him that she had seen Legolas practising in the courtyard and asked him if there was something special he was training for. Landir explained to her about the contest and they talked about the rules and stages of the competition until they finished their meal. As Alarien stood up to leave, Landir followed her motion and they stood facing each other. He reached out a hand and tilted her face to look up at his and Alarien remembered that Legolas had done the exact same thing after they had danced the night before.
"You are very beautiful Arwen, yet you seem so unaware of it." Alarien was now accustomed to being referred to as Arwen and it no longer took her a few moments to realise it was in fact her who was being called. Confused, she couldn't think of anything to say, so she lowered her gaze and looked at her feet while she searched around for the right words. After a few moments she spoke, once more raising her eyes to meet his.
"I thank you for your kind words, for I was quite unaware that you saw me in such a way." That was neutral wasn't it? She thought, please don't let him say anything else like that. He laughed lightly, and took his hand away.
"Indeed I do see you in such a way. It is impossible to see you any other way." With a neat bow he left, leaving her standing a little bemused in the empty hall. She remained there for a few minutes, reflecting on the change that had come over her in the last few days. Somehow she felt both more confident and more timid than she had before. The friendliness of the elves at the celebration dinner had made her feel comfortable and she realised that she was beginning to get over her shyness around strangers. And yet, around Legolas she felt almost afraid of him, his presence did things to her emotions that she didn't really understand. She recalled what Landir had said. Was she really beautiful? He couldn't mean it, he would not have said it if he had met the real Arwen. She wondered why he had said that. Would he have said it if he had known who she really was? So many questions were in her head right now, and she couldn't make sense of any of them. Gathering her thoughts as best as she could she left the room.
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By the time Thranduil had reached Legolas' chamber, he found it empty. He had a good idea where he might be, he knew there was a place in the nearby forest that his son had frequented all his life, finding it a place of solitude and calm. He made his way there and, as he had expected, found his son sitting almost motionless on the large rock in the middle of the stream. Thranduil smiled as he remembered how, still only a child, Legolas had discovered that rock, an island in the rushing water. His smile quickly disappeared when he picked up the aura of unease that hung about his son. He debated whether or not to make his presence known and talk to his son there and then, or leave him to his thoughts. He chose the latter; knowing that Legolas would come to him if he needed his advice on whatever it was that troubled him. As silently as he had appeared, he left, Legolas still unaware of him; lost in thought and contemplation.
Arwen saw the king come out of the forest and enter the palace as she sat by her window, calmly writing songs and music that she could imagine the elves of Lothlórien performing with great joy. Sometime after she had returned to her room she heard Alarien enter her chamber next door, though she soon heard her leave it again and listened as her light footsteps moved down the corridor.
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After parting from Alarien (or Arwen as he knew her) at the end of their meal, Landir had once more returned to the weaponry where Alarien had found him that morning. He had been examining the bows and trying to decide which one he would use for the competition. He was more accurate with a short bow, but a long bow guaranteed more power. He thought bitterly of the bow that Legolas used, a gift from their father. It was a fine weapon, strong, sturdy and beautiful too, with runes and patterns carved and painted on it. Although he had played the competition down to his friends, it meant an awful lot to him. If he could win it, a smile spread across his face as he imagined himself, being hugged by his father, surrounded by cheering people as he held the trophy aloft while Legolas, defeated and dejected, stood to one side. He smiled at his thoughts, then left the weaponry, making his way to his own practice ground.
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A/N: Hope you like this chapter. If so, please review and tell me!