A/N: Characters are not mine. "Spend my Life with You" by Eric Benet and Tamia. I encourage all to listen and read at the same time, it helps a lot with what I'm trying to mold into some kind of storyline...plus it's fun! A very very special thank you to anyone who reviewed the last chapter...or any chapter for that matter. I am truly grateful for all the support. Thanks and enjoy.

------

Vulnerable

------

He stroked her shoulder lightly, drawing invisible patterns across her bare back. Her skin was porcelain beneath his finger tips, soothing to the touch.

Legolas had to be in a dream. Nay, he thought, it was too good to be a dream. Yet, was it reality? He took a moment to infuse in his memory forever every movement, every whisper, every innocent touch and every passionate kiss...everything he felt and was still feeling.

She was asleep in his arms and he held her close. It was all too perfect. They were perfect together.

He lightly brushed his lips over her shoulder. She was perfect. Arwen turned over and moved to nuzzle his chest. She sighed contentedly and he swore she wore a small smile on her face. It was almost too much for him to bear. Yet fatigue drew him in and his light singing became a his lullaby.

I never knew such a day could come
And I never knew such a love
Could be inside of one

And I never knew what my life was for
But now that you're here I know for sure

I never knew till I looked in your eyes
I was incomplete till the day you walked into my life
And I never knew that my heart could feel
So precious and pure
One love so real

Can I just see you every morning when
I open my eyes
Can I just feel your heart beating beside me
Every night
Can we just feel this way together
Till the end of all time
Can I just spend my life with you

Now baby the days and the weeks
And the years will roll by
But nothing will change the love inside
Of you and I

And baby I'll never find any words
That could explain
Just how much my heart my life
My soul you've changed

Can you run to these open arms
When no one else understands
Can we tell God and the whole world
I'm your woman, and you're my man
Can't you just feel how much I love you
With one touch of my hand
Can I just spend my life with you

------

When Arwen awoke she was alone. All through the night she felt safe and warm; it had been the most magnificent evening she had ever experienced in a very long time. She was disappointed that she could not look upon her lover's face in the morning light. Already she missed his comforting embrace.

Lying in his place was sprig of niphredil and a letter addressed to her.

She smiled and opened the letter, Legolas' flowing script reached her eyes in the words of their people.

Undomiel,

I never knew such a day could come and the reality of you is better than any dream. My love, can we just feel this way together until the end of all time, can I just spend my life with you? I ask that you take time to understand what this all means to you and what path you wish to travel. But you now know where my affections lie and to whom my heart belongs. They shall remain constant, whatever your choice may be.

Faithfully yours,
Legolas

------

Arwen walked in the deserted wood of Lothlorien, taking in all she had to consider. She remembered the pain in her father's face and the departure of all her kin to the Undying Lands. She thought of all the fond memories she once shared with Aragorn and her heart was ashamed. But then as she thought of Legolas, and smelled the niphredil blooms as they tickled her nose, and she could not help but be pleased.

"Do not deny me what I have long desired..."

The words surprised even her as they fell from her lips. It was her heart that had been saying all the things it had long felt, even when her mind had not the smallest clue. She was so lost in all she had been feeling, the taste of his mouth, his strong muscles, soft caresses and tender kisses that she threw caution and logic into the wind and followed her heart.

And Arwen did not regret her decision.

It was perhaps the one decision she could live with for the rest of her life.

She had thought she knew what love felt like. What being in love and what loving someone felt like. How naive she had been. She had never known love until Legolas. Although she had been with Aragorn for many years now, being with him was placid at best. Their relationship was...comfortable.

With Legolas it was painfully intense yet extremely simple. Loving him was so simple. She did it freely and easily enough, for he was an extension of her very being. Arwen finally understood that being in love was simple. It did not have to be bitter and hard, confusing and remorseful. She did not have to sacrifice any part of her to love Legolas.

However, their circumstances were not simple.

She was married and bound to the mortal world. Long ago she had forsaken her immortality for Aragorn. Aragorn was still her husband and even now, she still loved him and respected him deeply.

In the end it came down to one simple question, was she strong enough to fight for their love?

Arwen did not know to even begin to answer.

------

Over and over again the events of the previous night played in his mind.

"Do not deny me what I have long desired..."

He was so surprised by her words, yet they breathed new life into him and gave him new hope. He could still taste her on his lips.

Then in the heat of passion, either by her own will or not, she whispered so softly that he barely made out the words, "Amin mela lle."

Could it be true? Did she love him? Had he finally proven himself worthy enough to be loved in return? It was wonderful. There was a lightness in his heart and it flowed like water through his veins. Her love gave him pure bliss and he never wanted the feeling to end.

But oh, there was still a shadow in his mind. And it was growing. His acts, while absolutely fulfilling, were the ultimate betrayal. Arwen meant as much to Aragorn as she did to him, and his actions would not be without consequence.

He was indeed, doomed. Damned to be with her and damned to be without her. But another question was stirring in his mind. His affections and where his heart lie were now obvious to both of them ... but what about Arwen? She was married and had forsaken everything for her great love, Aragorn. So how did he fit into the picture?

He dared to let himself think that she must have loved him, at least to some degree, to go against her marriage which was held in the hearts of many as a sacred love story. She must have felt something for him. Something strong enough to break down the barrier of her love for Aragorn.

He decided it was time to find out.

------

He found her standing in front of Galadriel's abandoned mirror. The air around her was heavy and everything was unusually silent. He knew before she turned around that she was crying.

When she lifted her face to his and looked up at him under heavy lashes, her violet eyes told him his answer. Immediately, he understood and she became consumed with grief, uncontrolled sobs overtook her form and she wept bitterly.

Legolas was not utterly shocked by her decision. He was just sort of ... numb to it all. Still, he cursed himself for even letting even the smallest hope survive. He had once again been played a fool. He should have seen it coming. Should have known.

He once again took pity on her but as he moved to comfort her, she jerked away almost violently, as if burned. He simply shook his head and gathered her in his arms, even as she fought him. Finally relenting, she fell into chest and cried for their untimely love. Then he wiped away her tears and kissed her forehead saying "It's time to get you home." Which only brought more tears. He kissed her gently on the lips, but did not let go and kissed him deeply.

There in his arms, locked in his kiss...that is where she belonged. Where she wanted to stay for all eternity.
She wished with her whole heart that she could just stay there with him.

------

Unbeknownst to the lovers was a pair of eyes who watched them silently in the shadows of the wood. The figure then slipped away and made haste back to the kingdom of Gondor.

------

Amin mela lle: I love you