A/N: Characters belong to Mr. Tolkien. The title "A Love Song for No One" is from Mr. John Mayer. The poem "She Walks in Beauty" is from Lord Byron and some lines adapted from "In Memoriam, A.H.H." by Tennyson. Now can you see that I don't have a creative bone in my body?? Thanks to those who reviewed ... hope you enjoy this chapter.

------

A Love Song for No One

------

For many days after that Legolas and Arwen lived quite contentedly in Rivendell. They enjoyed talks remembering the past and shared hopes for the future. They enjoyed playful walks through roads not traveled in many years. They enjoyed quiet times where nothing needed to be said at all and above all, they enjoyed each other's company.

Legolas found that he was more in love than ever. It was a blessed torture, he got glimpses of how their lives would be if she were with him forever. Sometimes he allowed himself to believe that she was his and they were in their own little paradise. It was not hard for him to imagine, in Imladris they were the only two souls, left untouched by the world outside. He wished with all his heart that it were true. He realized more and more that it was her and only her that he needed in his life. She made him better and whole. Oh how he wished they could stay hidden forever.

Soon they decided it was time to leave Rivendell for Lothlorien. They gathered what little they had brought with them and the next morning rode out in pursuit of the Golden Wood.

------

They traveled for some time and stopped frequently to rest. Legolas was constantly humming some soft tune under his breath, Arwen perceived that he probably sang it much for it seemed that he sang it without his knowing. Whenever she asked about it, he would promptly stop and change the subject. Then, after he'd forgotten that he wasn't to sing anymore, or when he thought she couldn't hear him, he'd start again. It seemed familiar and yet not at all. It was haunting...and it dawned on her that it was the song that he hummed when they were in the garden. It was soothing and she wished she knew the words, if there were any at all.

Then when they were but a few hours from Lothlorien and resting for a bit she dared to ask him again.

"Legolas, will you tell me what it is that you are always humming when you think I do not hear you?"

He was looking into the horizon, the sunset painting the sky in rich hues of pink and purple like only nature can. "It is nothing."

"Please, will you not share your wonderful song?"

"It is a love song I wrote a long time ago."

"A love song? May I ask for whom?"

"For no one."

"A love song for no one? I think you are a liar!"

"Indeed," he hesitated. Then, "I wrote it for the one I love."

"Won't you please tell me who has touched your heart?"

He thought in earnest about her question. He realized that he owned it to his heart to tell her the truth. He turned to face her and she saw that instead of blushing or fidgeting as he often did when he was uncomfortable, he looked very serious. She quit her light jesting and became concerned. He moved closer to her and enveloped her in his arms. He exhaled into her hair and kissed the crown of her head lightly. Arwen could not help but smile at his affections. But something came that she did not expect. He moved towards her ear, and in a voice that seemed to come from within his very chest, he whispered "I wrote it for you."

Then he looked at her with his deep blue eyes and softly and somewhat hesitantly began to sing,

She walks in beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellow'd to that tender light Which heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impair'd the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below A heart whose love is innocent!

It was filled with emotion that she never knew he felt...for her. His thumbs were circling the backs of her hands. She stood with her mouth slightly ajar, shocked.

"My lady, you asked me why I have not yet sailed to the Blessed Lands...why I do not visit Gondor. It is because I love you. I am in love with you. A love deeper than that given to a sister, as I have once before claimed. It is a deeper love, one I thought I could never feel. You mean more to me then you shall ever know. And it is a sweet torture to be with you but not to have you. I know that you will always be the one for me. My better half ... my whole reason for being.

I could not live to see you married, yet could not live separate from you entirely. So I am trapped. Trapped between loving you and leaving you. And I know I speak betrayal to you, but my heart has grown weary from harboring this love I have for you. So out of respect for both you and Aragorn, I have kept my distance...and my peace. It is ironic that I should have known you for centuries before Aragorn was even born, yet he came to the knowledge that he loved you before the idea even entered my mind. We love the same Elven princess and its just my luck that he realized it first.

Often I wonder how our lives would have changed if I had realized my feelings sooner...told you earlier. But that is nothing more that hopeful wishing. For in my heart I know that you could never love me."

It was not an extremely romantic declaration of love. It was exactly what it was. And know it was out in the open.

------

"Behold me, for I cannot sleep, And like a guilty thing I creep At earliest morning to the door."

Arwen knew that she should not have been there. Once again she found herself sleeping next to Legolas. She knew not what drew her to him, but like so many times before he accepted her without hesitation when she showed up next to his bed.

She kept thinking about what he had said to her earlier. He loved her. Romantic love. She was unsure of how she felt about his confession.

His words were so honest and pure. Heartfelt...and she saw for the first time his sort of miserable cage he was stuck in. Didn't he understand that she did love him? Wasn't her love enough? She chided herself for her nativity. Of course it wouldn't be enough. There was nothing worse in the whole of the world than to carry on when no one loves you.

Arwen looked at the elf sleeping peacefully next to her. And something in her heart was so overwhelmed by the love she felt for him, even if she did not quite understand it herself. All she knew, all she needed to know, was that she needed him.

Ever so slowly, she moved closer to him and gently kissed his brow. Legolas awoke immediately and confusion washed over his features when he saw Arwen. She was close to him, and was gently biting her lip. He could see her chest rising quickly as she moved to kiss cheek, realization hit him like a brick. He became nervous and panicked as she kissed his chin...tip of his nose....temple... Her hair tickled the tips of his ears as he lay panic- stricken.

Legolas tried to pull away, " Arwen, what are you doing?" his voice was husky.

She put a finger to his lips and whispered, "I want this. I want you," her voice was rich with desire.

She leaned in to kiss his mouth and it was all he could do to oblige her. He could never say no to her, even now when his conscience desperately tried to stop him.

At first it was clumsy and tender but grew more passionate as they both demanded more from the kiss.

Legolas thought he must be in a dream. Had the Valar finally heard his wishes? He was kissing her. It was everything he wanted and more. He swore he felt tiny explosions go off when they kissed. And he knew that he could now die a happy elf.

She tasted like vanilla and he gently sucked on her lip as if savoring her. She moaned into his mouth and he couldn't help but smile. He was doing that to her. Oh, it was almost more than he could bear. He brushed his tongue across her lips, finally slipping into her mouth. She sighed contentedly and leaned her body into his. She was weightless in his arms as he pulled her on top of him. He could feel her lithe body through her light nightgown.

She broke the kiss and trailed butterfly kisses to his ear. She licked his ear and felt him shiver beneath her. She smiled and nibbled on his earlobe, causing his breath to catch in his throat. Oh, the things she could do to him. He wrapped his arms tighter around her shoulders and rolled them both over. He then found the joint where her neck and shoulder met, and drove her crazy with his incessant sucking and light kisses.

Her fingers entangled his golden hair as he once again found her mouth. His hand traveled to lift the hem of her gown and drew lazy circles on her thigh. Arwen arched against him and he moved down to kiss her collarbone. Her skin was silk underneath his tongue ... and he could not get enough. She was like his drug. His tongue dared to dip even lower, but he stopped himself...unsure.

Arwen pulled him up again for a kiss, murmuring "Do not deny me what I have long desired..."

That was all he needed to hear.

------

Um, I was a little uncomfortable and unsure writing this chapter... did you like it, did you hate it?? Please review and let me know!!