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!
Thanks to all those who have reviewed so far and please keep on doing so! It's so nice to get feedback.
Lady Alarien- that's cool you have the same name as my character! Originally, she was called Alatariel, which is one of Galadriel's other names, but I didn't think it worked, so I changed it a bit to Alarien! And yes, Arwen does come from Rivendell, but her mother, Celebrian, was the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn, and so Arwen spent many years with her grandparents in Lothlórien. It makes sense that she would spend many years there at a time, as elves are immortal, and therefore have a lot of time to kill!
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Inside the tent, Legolas was waiting patiently for his turn. It had transpired that he had been put near to the bottom of the list of competitors, just before Landir. He pondered on the reason for this, but finally settled on coincidence. Nobody else was aware of the competition between them. Gilendil was currently leading, followed by Felarond and Malgoral, and had obtained an almost perfect score, though he had lost some points for technique. Hearing loud cheering and clapping, Legolas assumed that Karolas had taken his turn and was returning to the tent. As he saw his friend enter the tent, he noted quickly the disappointment on his face. He smiled as he saw Legolas and wished him good luck, and at that moment, Legolas heard his name being announced. He picked up his bow and quiver and walked out of the tent, amid loud cheering and applause. Shutting out everything but the target from his mind, he took up his stance behind the line and notched an arrow to the string. When given the instruction, he let it fly.
Alarien watched him attentively from her seat with Thranduil under the canopy. She saw how he shot as though the bow was merely an extension of his arm, and the fluid and swift gracefulness with which he performed each stage of the event. He achieved a perfect score for both technique and accuracy, and she felt her heart swell as she saw the pleasure on his handsome face. She stood up and called his name along with the others, clapping so hard that her hands hurt.
Thranduil watched her out of the corner of his eye, noting the enthusiasm with which she was now applauding his son, and the attentiveness with which she had sat, perched on the edge of her seat, as he had been shooting. He smiled; there was an innocence about the couple that was both endearing and painful to him. He was delighted that his son was so happy, but it reminded him clearly of himself and his own love, Aarien. He quickly expelled the thought from his mind and concentrated on basking in the success of his elder son. He too applauded loudly and smiled proudly down at his son as he walked over to bow to the royal household, as was customary for all the competitors. As he straightened up, Legolas caught a glimpse of Arwen, a smile gracing her fair face. He could not help but smile back and he saw the pleasure sparkling in her emerald green eyes as she realised he was looking at her. He turned and walked quickly back to the tent and almost collided with Landir coming out, his face darkening as he saw Legolas, and he spat out:
"I might not be able to beat a perfect score, brother, but I can certainly equal it!" With that he stepped around his elder brother and went out into the clearing, amid the cheering. Legolas sighed; it was just typical of Landir to ruin the elation he had been feeling, well, he wouldn't let anything spoil his mood, and he took a seat next to his friends and waited for Landir to finish.
Several minutes later Landir stalked into the tent, a smug expression on his face at having achieved what he had intended. He and Legolas were now tied in first place. He didn't say anything in front of the others, but it was clear to Legolas from his expression what he was feeling. The competitors began to pick up their equipment and leave the tent, and as Legolas was leaving, he felt a sharp tug on his bad shoulder, eliciting a gasp of pain as the hand squeezed his wound. He turned to face his younger brother who had a nasty smile on his face.
"Weren't expecting that, were you, brother? Well, you should not be expecting an easy victory this year."
"Landir, I never expect an easy victory. It is my opinion that the best elf will win, be it you, or I, or another. Now, if you'll excuse me…" With that he stepped around his brother and walked out of the tent, leaving Landir fuming at his retreating back.
"Why, Landir!" He spun round as he heard the melodious voice say his name, and saw Arwen standing in the other entrance to the tent. He smiled as he beheld her, the sun shining in her hair and on her skin, so that she almost glowed. Alarien smiled back, her initial disappointment at not finding Legolas not replaced, but momentarily substituted by a need to congratulate her friend on his performance. She came further into the tent and held out her hand for him to kiss. He did so softly, brushing her skin with his lips.
"I must congratulate you, tied in first place with your brother, you must be pleased!" Not realising her poor choice of words, regarding the jealously Landir harboured for his brother, she did not see the flash of distaste that passed over his face, before being quickly subdued. He managed to smile, though it was not quite a true smile, and replied:
"Indeed, I am…very pleased." She looked around the tent.
"I see the other competitors have already left, it must have been an annoyance to go last." She looked back and realised with surprise that he was studying her face. She felt herself flush, and felt him run his fingers gently across her cheek.
"It has been a while since we talked, has it not?" He asked, his blue-grey eyes regarding her.
"Yes, it has been several days, I believe."
"We must not let so much time pass between our conversations, my Lady."
"No, indeed." She raised her glance from where it had been focussed on the floor and saw he had moved away and was standing by the entrance to the tent.
"The hour grows late, will you allow me to escort you back?" Pleased to be going somewhere other than the solitary tent, she smiled and accepted the arm he offered her. Together, they walked back, Landir deliberately keeping the pace slow so as to make the journey as long as possible. Having her by his side felt so right, with her arm in his, her fingers resting lightly on his skin. When she was near him, he found himself feeling enlightened, as though every nerve was alight. He was wondering what these feelings meant when he realised with disappointment that they had reached the palace. As they parted, he took her hand again, and placed his own over hers, so that it was sealed between both of his.
"It gives me great pleasure to know that I have your support, my Lady."
With that, he bowed and walked away. Alarien watched him leave, a distinct relief flooding her. The way he had been looking at her had made her feel ill at ease, and she was almost pleased when they had parted. It was not that she did not like Landir, for she did, but she knew from the way her heart felt so full of love, that there was no room in it for anyone but Legolas.
From his balcony, Legolas had watched his brother and Arwen return to the palace, arm in arm. Quelling the jealously that flared up in him, he tried not to think about the way Landir had taken her hand, and the way he had been looking at her. He realised with shock that his initial fears were almost certainly true; his brother too had fallen for Arwen. Legolas knew that he could never let her go, and that he would fight for her, even against his own brother, so passionate and all consuming was the emotion that flowed through his veins. I would lay down my life for her, he thought, because to live without her would mean death anyway. His instincts had been confirmed, Legolas had never felt so much at the mercy of another, and it frightened him, he had never before felt so vulnerable, and he realised it was because he had never really loved before, until now.
Bringing himself back to the moment, Legolas pondered over the fact that there were a few days before the next event, and wondered how he would spend his time with her. There were so many things to tell her, so many things he wanted to make clear to her, but there was hardly anywhere in the palace that they could be alone. Suddenly a thought came to him, and he wondered why he hadn't thought of it before. He quickly began to make plans in his head, smiling at the thought.
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A/N: Please review and give me your opinions!