A/N: So I think I'm gonna make this a little series of stories. Anyway, thanks for all the feedback!! And I'm still not sure if the elvish is right....soo...sorry if it is. Enjoy.

--- Fortune's Fool ---

Oh, I am fortune's fool. Legolas thought as he hastily fumbled to put on the shirt he grabbed while fleeing from his room. While fleeing from Arwen. He needed to get away from her and that cursed bed chamber.

Legolas ventured deep into the woods and finally settled at the base of a great tree. Here, among the lush greens and undisturbed brush could he sort out what was plaguing his mind. Arwen. More specifically, Arwen and himself.

What had happened up there? Or rather, what almost happened? What had he almost allowed himself to do?

Arwen. His truest friend. He had known her through many seasons, through the best and worst of Middle-Earth. The one soul that he confided everything to and who he watched grow from a free spirited elfling to the beautiful and graceful Lady of Imladris, the Evenstar of her people. Perhaps she would be the only one who ever understood him; the one who he knew, deep within his very being, that he loved. Legolas knew he loved Arwen. He felt its confirmation in every fiber of his body... but was he in love with her?

No, he wasn't.

But even as these words raced through his mind, Legolas could not forget the way she felt in his arms... her small yet delicate form pressed against him perfectly. He could not ignore the way her hair smelled of fresh lilacs and morning dew, or the way her gown hugged her every curve. He could not erase from his mind the way her violet eyes drew him in, or how she radiated with ethereal beauty in the warm morning light.

No, he did not love her.

Yet he remembered the moment where he was so close to her lips, he could practically taste her on his mouth. And, could let himself hope that she was waiting for him to kiss her? Welcoming him?

He didn't have a chance to find out. In that moment he regained his composure, remembering who she was and who he was.

He could not love her.

Legolas would not dare to betray Aragorn, who he cared for and respected deeply. He would not betray Aragorn and Arwen's relationship with his fleeting moment of lust. He would not betray Arwen to his momentary and selfish desires. And he dare not betray his own relationship with Arwen, for it was the greatest thing he'd ever known or felt, and he could not bare to be without such a friendship.

It was settled...he had made a mistake. But he would not let it happen again. Or almost happen. Legolas was sure his new feelings for his friend were all but temporary, something that he would not risk Arwen for.

--------

Arwen lay perfectly still in Legolas' bed. Her mind reeling for what had just happened. For what she almost let happen. Tears leaped to her eyes and it was all she could do but seek comfort in the dissipating heat left by Legolas. The sheets and pillow smelled of him...and of her. What was she doing? In the wake of his presence, Arwen replayed moment after antagonizing moment of that morning in her mind. Everything inside of her was jumbled and she desperately tried to make sense of it all.

Was she happy that he had tried to kiss her? Was she disappointed that he didn't? Was she grateful that he snapped out of it at the last second? She didn't know what she was feeling. Still more questions continued to plague her.

What would have happened if he didn't stop... would she have allowed him to kiss her? Would she have found the strength to resist him? And what of Aragorn?

Aragorn. Fresh tears rushed down her cheeks as she thought of the man she loved. Arwen hated herself. Mostly, she hated herself because she knew that if Legolas had not stopped the kiss...she wouldn't have. She hated herself for betraying Aragorn, for allowing herself to be tempted. She hated herself for not having enough strength and faith in their love.

How could she face him again? How could she face either of them again?

She was weak, and she hated herself for it.

No, she would overcome this. The determination of the Evenstar shone through as she resolved to be stronger than all her weaknesses. She would not be tempted again, she would not give in.

She, at least, owed this to Aragorn.

But mostly, she owed this to herself.

--------

He had been gone the entire day. Arwen was doubtful if he should attend the Sheelala celebration, the reason for his stay in Rivendell.

A knock at her door disturbed her as she placed a few sprigs of flowers in her hair. It was a message that the Prince of Mirkwood was waiting for her. Somewhat surprised, Arwen took one last look in the mirror and braced herself for the meeting with Legolas.

--------

She found him in a small open courtyard, dressed in rich warm tones of spring. His was not facing her so she took notice of the well toned muscles of his back. Impeccable. The butterflies within Arwen's stomach were now going mad with each step closer she took towards him.

Legolas had sensed her presence quite some time ago, but only now turned to face her.

I am fortune's fool, he whispered to himself once more as his eyes fell on her radiant beauty. Dressed in plums and violets, her gown gave the appearance that she effervescently floating towards him. Her hair was piled loosely on her head, a simple tiara accented the dark locks. But it was her eyes that pierced his heart.

Her eyes captured him. Glimmering violet that held both affection and uncertainty looked up at him under dark lashes.

Something moved within his heart and he cursed it for betraying him. Oh, he was fortune's fool.

"Legolas..." Arwen spoke softly as she came to a stop before him.

"Amin nauva auta yeste" He breathed. "You must forgive me. I knew not what I was doing. But you must believe me when I say that I am truly sorry for my actions. I would not betray you, or Aragorn by acting in such a manner. "

"Mellonamin, there is nothing to forgive," Her voice was soothing to his soul. "I do not doubt your loyalty or honor, for I trust you with my heart. But pray, answer me this, do you love me?"

Legolas knew not what to do. His heart was beating wildly against his chest, moved to feel things never felt before by anyone, elf-kind or mortal.

"Yes," It came out as a harsh whisper. "I love you. But it is not of romance. I love you as a great friend; of the same love a brother has for a sister. Indeed I would do anything for you and to protect you beyond all harm of this world. But nay, I am not in love with you."

Arwen knew not to be happy or saddened by the news. But alas, it was so and she supposed it was the answer she wanted to hear out of him.

She gave him a hesitant smile. "Well, we can put this behind us."

Legolas offered his arm to her and she took it gratefully as they entered the great hall.

------

The celebration lasted well into the night. As always when the two elves were together, many whisperings about their relationship were murmured from ear to ear. The way the two danced and looked at each other, one could only guess as to why they were not set to be married. Indeed, they had the blush of love radiating from their faces.

But the two had just finished a dance when a great commotion was heard on the far side of the hall. A weary and dark figure pushed past the crowd and into the light.

"Aragorn..." Arwen managed to say before she let go of Legolas' hand and ran to embrace him.

Legolas' heart grew heavy. He was happy to see his friend again, but it pained him to see Arwen's affections given so freely to the mortal.

It was then that Legolas slipped into the shadows and into the night.

Indeed, he was fortune's fool.
------

Sheelala: Spring Festival

Mellonamin: Friend

Amin nauva auta yeste: I will go first