A/N: I know you have all been waiting to see what would happen when Kalen and Legolas met again. Well, your wait is over. Other than that little note, just wanted to say 'HI' to you guys. The reviewers that have kept up with me are the best, and it's because of you that I keep this story going. Love to you all!
Oh…another note…I decided to use italics for thoughts, and no, Silinde is not in love w/Kalen.
"I'm sorry, but I think I may have heard you incorrectly. Did you say 'Legolas'?"
Silinde nodded, and the rapid descent of her heart into her stomach began. Kalen managed to release a quiet groan and closed her eyes. This could not be the same Legolas that had kneeled before her in confession. He was no prince; of that much she was sure. Wasn't she? She soon realized that he had never spoken of where is home was, and the mention of his royalty had been absent.
Kalen eyed the door nervously, waiting to see the man who was prince. She whispered silent pleas to the Valar, begging for a reprieve, for if her Legolas entered the room it would only signal her doom. The first figure to enter was the dwarf Gimli. Her defeat was at hand. Legolas would be the next to enter, and when he spotted her….she dared not think of what he would say or do.
'It is said that dwarves resemble one another. I beg of you, Eru, let it not be my old comrade Gimli, but another of his kind.'
But her silent appeal would be in vain. Gimli gazed around the room, and having spotted her, brought a broad smile of recognition to his lips. His face seemed to brighten at seeing her, and truth be told, she was filled with joy at seeing him as well. Her joy lasted but a short moment, and her insides began gnawing in anticipation with coming face to face with Legolas.
The room fell completely silent when he walked in the room, but Kalen could hear her own breath being caught as he entered. The pale green tunic that he wore fit his upper body, tapered at his waist, and gave his eyes the appearance of being a brighter and paler blue. When the doors closed behind him, Legolas looked in the direction of his fathers seat. His eyes wandered to the seat that was usually reserved for him, but found that another now sat there. It was Kalen. He would never mistake the midnight hair or the green of her eyes. The feeling of happiness that had begun to fill his heart was trampled in an instant when the memory of their parting replayed itself in his mind. What business did she have there, in his kingdom, seated at the side of his father? His dark brow furrowed in anger, and his furious gaze pierced her as he noticed Silinde close at her side.
'Why are you doing this to me?'
"Excuse him, my lady. He has not been himself since his return from Rivendell."
Scrambling to speak to Thranduil, Kalen began thinking of excuses for a quick departure from the hall. She would have to leave before the food was served, and her reason for leaving had better be good.
"I must apologize, my lord, but if I may excuse myself. I fear my stomach has gotten the better of me. I was not feeling well earlier, and I would not wish to be ill in front of everyone. Least of all, the prince."
"Of course. I suppose we can save the introductions until the hour of our council, tomorrow."
And with his leave, she made a brisk escape past Legolas and quickly exited the room. Silinde stared toward the doors as she left the room, confusion growing in his mind. He wanted to follow her, but decided to wait and greet his prince when he reached the table.
"Legolas! I am pleased to see you, though you do not look well. Are you alright, my friend?"
"I am fine, Silinde. What is that woman's purpose for being in Eryn Lasgalen?"
"Did your father not tell you? She is an emissary of her people and will be speaking with King Thranduil and yourself tomorrow." Silinde stared in the direction of the door. "I fear she may be ill and should see to it that the issue is resolved before the night's end."
Gimli stared pensively at Legolas. He knew the hearts of his friends were troubled indeed, and wished to see the issue resolved as much as Silinde, though only he truly understood the severity of the problem.
"Perhaps you should go to her, and speak with her yourself, Legolas."
"No. She will not find Silinde's presence as vile as mine. Go to her Silinde and see if you can solve her 'issues' before the night is over".
Legolas chuckled mockingly at his own words, and Silinde stared down at Gimli.
"I am missing something, am I not?"
Gimli nodded and began fingering his long beard.
"It is a very long story, and one not worth repeating in its entirety. Legolas, you will have to face her, be it now, or tomorrow. It would be wise to be done with it now."
Nodding his agreement, Legolas turned and bowed slightly toward Thranduil. When his father had nodded his approval, Legolas followed after Kalen. He walked the hallways searching for her, and soon found her leaning against a terrace that overlooked the river.
"Why have you come here?"
His masculine voice startled her, and realizing he had followed her, she closed her eyes tightly. The hope of gathering her bearings before facing him had been lost. She answered without turning and continued to stare at the rushing water beneath the terrace.
"I guess I am to be in your service, my lord."
"In my service? How does your presence serve me? Your presence does nothing but torment."
"I did not know that this was your home, Legolas, or I would.." her words were interrupted by the impatient prince.
"Or you would not have come? You would have spared me the humiliation?"
"No, I would not have come, but only to spare the both of us, my lord."
Legolas snorted at her address of him as 'lord', making it obvious that he was still angry at her treatment of him in Rivendell. Had she rejected him gently, his anger would be nonexistent, but she had treated him like the lowly creature her people perceived men to be.
"Lord indeed. I think it best that you appeal to my father directly, whatever your wishes are."
"If that is what you desire."
She dropped her head and turned to him. How desperately she wanted to look at him, to look into his eyes, but her fear stopped her. She knew she would want to have confessions of her own: about how she had lied in Rivendell, and about how she realized that she truly loved him. She thought that she might do it, had it not been for his icy glare. Once more, her head thought the better of it, and she bowed slightly to him before attempting to leave. She walked a few steps and when she had reached him, felt the warmth of his hand as he took hold of her bare arm. She would have no escape from facing him at such close proximity, and brought her gaze upward until their eyes met.
He had defeated her, having made her look into his eyes, and satisfied, released his hold of her arm. Without saying a word, he made his way to the edge of the terrace and looked over it. He didn't want to love her; he wanted to hate her, but looking into her eyes he knew it would never be so. His words in Rivendell had been spoken in truth. She would always be the one that he carried in his heart. He turned to face her, but found that she had gone and Gimli now stood in her place.
"Perhaps we should leave, Gimli. It ails me to know that she sleeps under the same roof bearing such disdain of me."
"It is not like you to turn and run from your battles. This thing must be straightened out, if only for the sake of your mental well-being."
Legolas nodded. He knew this issue would have to be resolved, but doing it would be a serious battle indeed. She had returned to the same Kalen he had encountered at their first meeting, and it had not been easing changing her behavior. If she wished to think of him as beneath her, he would have to prove her wrong and return to the Legolas he had been before Eru had played this cruel joke on him.
