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 am going away for a week, so there will be no updates till after then. So I, the nice person I am, will put two chapters up now! Enjoy, and please review! ;o)
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For the next few days, Alarien stayed in her room as much as possible, spending time with Arwen. Occasionally they walked in the gardens, and sometimes, in the very fringe of the forest. Alarien had said nothing of what had happened on the day Legolas had woken up to Arwen, although her friend knew that something was troubling her. But Arwen's nature was not overly inquisitive and she did not pry. She knew that Alarien would tell her if she wished to. Twice, Landir sought her out to go riding with him, and she accepted both times, enjoying the freedom and escape it gave her from her troubles. For four days now she had not seen Legolas. Most of her was glad and pleased at this fact, but some small part was disappointed, when he was near she seemed to feel brighter, more alive. But the majority won her over and she kept to her plan of keeping out of the places where he might be.
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It was now only two days until the competition and Legolas had been practising as much as his injured shoulder would allow him to without causing it more harm. He had remained in bed for a few days; to please the healers, but he needed his time and had insisted on being allowed his freedom again. Landir had been surprisingly civil to him recently, although he was obviously pleased that his chances of winning the competition were greatly increased by his brother's injury. Legolas guessed he had been a bit shaken at his near death experience, and he hoped that showed his brother felt some concern for him, however small. The whole business with Arwen was really getting to him. The more time that passed without seeing her, the more he thought about her. He knew she was avoiding him; she had taken to having her meals in her chamber, where he expected she spent most of her time. When she wasn't out riding with his brother, he thought bitterly. He had seen them from a distance the day before, riding on the plains on the other side of the forest. It hurt him more than he was willing to admit to himself that she didn't want to see him, and he contemplated deliberately seeking her out. No, he thought, it would be a bad move for him, the competition was only a few days away and he needed to keep a clear head. His emotions were running amok even now, and he didn't think meeting would solve anything with her; it was liable to make things worse. He resolved to go and find her after the competition had finished.
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That night, after they had finished dinner, and Legolas was just leaving the hall, Thranduil called after his son.
"Legolas, I wish to have a quick word with you." He wondered what his father wanted, he had spoken to him only the day before, when Legolas had told him all about the attack on himself and the Arwen in the woods, filling in his description with what she had told him had occurred after he had lost consciousness. Although he had not said much, Legolas knew he was proud of him for trying to protect Arwen before himself. He also knew how relieved Thranduil had been that he had recovered fully; he knew how much he and Landir meant to their father. He waited for his father to catch up and together they walked outside, standing in the courtyard looking up at the stars.
"What is it you wish to talk to me about, father?"
"My son, it appears to me that there is something that troubles you. I have noticed it for a while now. I know that you may not wish to tell me, but I am giving you the chance to do so, if you desire to have my counsel."
Legolas turned away and leaned on a nearby tree. It was several moments before he spoke.
"Yes father, there are several things that trouble me. But mostly, it is just things that I need to sort out by myself." He laughed wryly, "Mainly confused emotions I would have to admit. But it does not bother me so much at the moment. My mind is concentrating on the competition. Do not worry about me father, I can handle it." His father smiled at his son's teasing tone of voice. Putting his hands on his son's shoulders, he became more sincere.
"I am sure you can, Legolas. But I am always available if you need to discuss something."
"I know." He watched as his father turned and walked back into the palace. He remained outside, savouring the cool night air, and listening to the faint voices on the wind. He heard the door to the palace and he turned to see who it was. To his surprise, he found it was Arwen. She had not seen him yet, and he watched as she walked out into the courtyard, humming softly to herself, braiding her long silky hair that she had pulled over one shoulder. Suddenly she saw him and stopped dead, her face going visibly paler, even in the moonlight.
"L-Legolas. I didn't expect to see you out here tonight," she stammered, obviously nervous in his presence. She dropped her braid and it slid back over her shoulder and unravelled.
"I was just talking to my father."
"Yes, I passed him on my way out. I trust you are almost fully recovered now. Landir tells me you have been practising for the competition. How does your shoulder feel?"
"It is almost completely normal again, thank you." As the thread of conversation grew to a close, neither could think of anything else to say, their eyes flitting around, determined not to meet the gaze of the other.
"I'm not sorry for what I did, Arwen." She looked at him, surprised, and a little put out.
"Well you should be. It was not right of you to do what you did."
"Maybe so, but I still don't regret it and I don't think you do either." He was kicking himself mentally. Why was he getting into this now? What was it he had decided about waiting till after the competition? Alarien likewise was very irritated. She had managed to avoid him completely for days now, and he had ruined it all by appearing out of nowhere and talking about the last thing she wanted to be reminded of right now. It was hard enough keeping in control when he was around. She tried to keep her tone indignant, but she could hear it failing.
"What makes you think that? As I seem to remember, it was you that kissed me, and I pulled back straight away. Don't you think that means something?"
Exasperated and angry at her denial, his handsome face clouded and flushed, he stepped closer to her and spoke.
"Why are you so determined to be guarded towards me? I have seen you with Landir and you are different. I don't hide from what I know is right. Why should you?" With that he turned and stalked away, his lean, athletic figure cutting across the lawn. After a few moments, he heard light, almost inaudible footsteps behind him and felt a soft hand on his arm. He swung round, coming face to face with Arwen. She looked strangely calm: he had expected her to be furious.
"I'm sorry. Maybe you are right." She said quietly before taking his hands, entwining his fingers with her own. She raised up her head and looked straight into his eyes, allowing their gaze to envelope her. Slowly, the distance between their faces decreased and finally, their lips met. This time, she didn't protest or pull away. In her many years, she had never experienced a kiss like this one. It was all at once tender and passionate. She knew she had never felt so alive as when he kissed her, the feel of his soft lips on hers, his tongue exploring her mouth, as though he wanted to know every part of it, sometimes gentle a butterfly, sometimes more passionately, filling her mouth with his sweet taste. It felt like hours had passed when they finally broke apart, breathing quickly, their hearts beating double time. He placed a soft kiss on her forehead before drawing her closer to him, enfolding her in his arms. She allowed herself to relax in the bliss she felt, then suddenly realised with a shock what she was doing. How could she have been so stupid? She broke away from him and stepped back. Without a word, she bolted, running into the palace and not stopping until she reached her room.
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A/N: Love it? Hate it? Let me know.