A/N: Not mine. Just to answer some questions, the Messenger from the last chapter basically got a bunch of guys together that didn't like Arwen, to arrest Legolas...acting "on behalf of Aragorn." And I don't think it was ever in Tolkien's plan to have Arwen and Legolas be a couple. Shame, right? Luckily, there's fan fiction! Sorry this chapter is so extremely crappy. I don't know what I was thinking, but here it is anyway. Last few lines are from "In Memoriam, A.H.H" from Tennyson. Special thanks to those who reviewed, it means so much.

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Correspondence

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The morning sun had barely tipped the city in golden light when Legolas arrived at the stables. He was hurriedly preparing to leave before anyone took notice of him. Suddenly, a tiny figure appeared at the entrance of the stable.

Legolas cast his glittering eyes towards the cloaked figure, took leave of his horse Arod, and slowly approached the visitor. She pulled back her cloak and revealed herself to be a hobbit. Legolas was abashed.

It was Elanor the fair, daughter of Samwise Gamgee and the Mistress Rose, and maid of honor to Queen Arwen. She was fair of face with golden hair, and her very welcoming and warm aurora brought a smile to Legolas' face as he remembered the hospitality of his hobbit friends.

She gave a curt bow and approached him carrying a bundle in her hands. "I bring provisions from King Elessar, for your journey."

He kneeled to reach her height and graciously thanked her. But when he went to remove the bundle from her he was surprised to see that she would not let go. Elanor removed a hand that she had been laying on top, to reveal a letter sealed and addressed to him. "I also bring correspondence and a token from my lady."

She also revealed a small ring, made in the fashion of the Elves, that held in its centre the likeliness of the niphredil flower. Elanor thought that the elf looked very remorse and tense, a direct change from the lighthearted mood she had witnessed just moments ago.

"Thank you," he said, so softly that she could barely make out his words. She handed him the bundle and disappeared. He placed the letter in his breast pocket and made ready his departure.

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Unknown to Legolas, or perhaps not, was that he was being watched. Aragorn, who had known of his plan to leave unnoticed, watched from distant shadows as he received the supplies and rode off into the mists. There was, for a brief moment before he mounted his horse, a strange look over the elf's fair face.

He looked...pained.

But then it was gone and he rode away without looking back.

There was something so final about watching Legolas leave. It was as if something had finally locked in his heart, sealed away never to be opened again. Aragorn doubted that he should ever see the elf again.

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The lady Arwen lay awake in bed, unmoving. She dared not stir for fear of herself. She didn't trust herself enough not to run after Legolas, so instead she stared at the bright, cold sky out of her window, imaging what was happening below.

At last she heard the quick gallop of horse steps and released her breath. It was final and done, there was no way of turning back now. She and Legolas would never again be.

Last night, after she retired to her bed chamber she hastily but sincerely wrote everything she was thinking and wanted him to know. She hoped it would be enough.

As for herself, she knew it would never be enough. She would live the rest of her days having known real love and its remarkable wonder, and the torment of having it lost. Her bed and her life would forever be cold. The memories of Legolas her only warmth late at night.

She could remember every jagged breath, every sigh of contentment and gasp of surprise. Burned into her soul were his eyes, dark and clouded with desire, yet intense with affection. His hands and mouth exploring every inch of her, his strong arms holding her ever closer. She could imagine the feel of his muscled back and chest, hidden underneath delicate skin, beneath her fingertips. She could feel his phantom kisses along her neck and collarbone, and his hot breath whispering in her ear.

No, it would never be enough.

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Once out of the boundaries of the reunited Kingdom, Legolas slowed his pace. He had no where to be, and no where to go. Still, he traveled a great distance, only stopping once for rest. At last, darkness fell upon him and he stopped for the night. The entire day he didn't let himself think of the letter in his shirt, though he felt its weight with every second as it burned a hole in his chest. Finally, in the cover of darkness he allowed himself to indulge in her.

Sitting by a fire, he carefully pulled out the letter. He hesitated before breaking the seal, not knowing what he should find, yet very much aware of what would be written. As he read her words he fingered the ring in his hand.

My Dearest Legolas,

As much as I love you, and I do very much, I cannot unmake what is already done. Indeed, that choice is long over. As much as I would love to be with you, in your arms..my strength, your eyes...my hope, you kiss...my life, I cannot turn away from who I am now. You may call me a coward if you wish, for that is what I am. My love, I tried to be stronger for us...for you, but I do still care for Aragorn and my life is with him. You must understand that I have paid so costly a price for my choice. I have caused so much pain to so many...and to throw it all away now would be impossible. And the price too great.

Indeed, I am still paying.

Perhaps my reasons are petty excuses. Still, this is the path I must follow through to completion.

I hope you can one day find it in your heart to forgive me. My path is hidden from me and clouded in misery. I am lost and trapped. Trapped between two worlds and two loves. Thus is my fate. And I seek no comfort. I am not deserving of such a gift. I am not worthy of your kind words or gestures. Or love. I shall be left in my miserable state. I cannot love you, and I cannot leave him.

I am hopeless.

So, my love, I beg you, love me no more! Sail away and leave me. Go beyond the confines of this world where my love cannot reach you. Or harm you any longer.

Arwen
When he finished reading, Legolas slowly folded up the letter and slipped it back in his pocket. He took a moment to calm himself. She was infuriating. He was angered, rather than consoled, by her words.

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Arwen had just finished rereading books and other literature from her people when Elanor brought her a letter, sent in secret, from Legolas. With trembling hands, she broke the seal and read the words which she guess were hastily written.

My darling Arwen,

Believe me, I would sail to the Blessed Lands if I could. I should...Valar knows I deserve to see the golden coast. But what would become of us then? A bitter parting beyond the end of the world. You do not know what you desire of me.

You once defied everything you knew and held dear, your very existence as you knew it, all in the name of love. And that love turned out to be less than true.

You say you love me, so why isn't it enough to bring you courage? Isn't it worth trying for? Isn't it worth dying for? Was I just an escape? Someone that you could take comfort in when you were vulnerable? These wounds to my heart I received unwillingly and unjustly. Compare to these wounds, the scars on my back I welcome gladly.

Indeed, I pity the fool who knows what it feels like to be loved by a queen. No, my love, I shall remain here as reminder of what you could have had, but were too scared to take.

Legolas

PS Tell me, love, do you sleep well at night?

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Elanor was worried. While reading the letter, the Queen had turned a ghostly shade of white, almost like death. Her eyes became dark and tears gathering in her eyes, though they did not fall.

"My lady, are you well?" Elanor asked hesitantly. Arwen did not stir for quite some time.

"Yes, you may leave me now."

When she was alone, Arwen sat down and began to furiously write a reply to Legolas' rude and vicious letter. When she was finished, she felt oddly at ease, unleashing all thoughts and feelings onto the page. Then, taking the letter in her hands, she crumpled it up and threw it away. She began to draft another letter.

My Beloved,

Did you know that my father had such high hopes for our union? In his eyes, you were my salvation. I tell you this because your words made me think of something. My whole life I have been living in the shadows of those around me. My father, Aragorn...even you. But now I will not be judged by the company who keeps me. Everyone will by judged by the company whom I keep.

Never more will I live my life for anyone but myself. I have you to thank for that. You showed me my weakness, so now I will be strong. Not for you, but for me. I will be she who I always wanted to be, she who I am destined to become.

So you see, my love, you did bring me salvation.

Now I say that it matters not to me whether you choose to stay or leave, because I know that you and I will both survive. You will travel your path as you choose, as will I. And they will not be the end of us.

I do not therefore love thee less. You have brought me a gift far greater than that of immortality or the gift of the Blessed Lands. I will never experience a love like ours again...and that matters not because I will always have this love. Our love.

Far off thou art, but ever nigh; I have thee still, and I rejoice; I prosper, circled with thy voice; I shall not lose thee though I die.

Namarie, Undomiel

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She never got a response.