When we arrived back, there was an anxious party waiting for us. "Lord Elrond, your patient has awoken!" Shouted someone. I jumped off Runya, and he was about to charge back to his stable, but I gave him a warning glance, and he played innocent. The others did likewise, and we ran upstairs. (Well, Legolas and I ran, but Lord Elrond and Arwen walked quickly)

As I reached the door, I saw Scarlet sitting up in her bed, with several Elves fussing around her. I saw the ring glint on her finger, and I smiled, as my eyes filled up. Arwen came up behind me and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. I pushed the door open, and walked in.

"How are you feeling?" I asked her.

"Glad to be alive on such a beautiful day!" She replied with a grin. My heart soared, hoping she might recover, but one look at Lord Elrond sent my hopes crashing to the ground. I felt awful, but I knew she had got her wish to see Rivendell.

"Will your keepers permit you to come outside?" I asked. Lord Elrond looked at them, and they reluctantly agreed. Legolas carried her out and down the stairs, because she was too weak to walk.

Lord Elrond held me back to talk to me. "I fear she will not remain with us long."

"But she says she feels fine!" I protested.

"It is often so. I am sorry." He bowed his head, a mark of respect, and together we went outside.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Scarlet was sitting outside on a chair, with Legolas sitting talking to her. 'What a great last day.' I thought ruefully to myself. She had always wanted to visit Rivendell, and was a great admirer of Legolas. I went and sat down beside her.

"Scarlet has been telling me of your adventures. And pigeons." He grinned, and looked confused. I looked at Scarlet, and grinned widely. Pigeons. We sat and chatted for hours, several others stopping by to see what the guests were like. Finally, I noticed the sun was getting low in the sky.

"Shall we have something to eat?" Asked Lord Elrond. "If you wish, I can have someone bring some food out to you."

"Thank you. I would like that." I smiled at him gratefully, for understanding my need to spend time with my friend.

"I will stay with them." Legolas elected himself. Lord Elrond and Arwen headed off to the hall, leaving the three of us to chat together and laugh at tales of pranks we had played on people. Soon, someone arrived with a platter of food, and we tucked in hungrily. We were halfway through pudding, flicking strawberries at each other, when I noticed Scarlet was starting to become drowsy.

Just then, Lord Elrond and Arwen came back. "Would you get a drink for Scarlet?" Asked Lord Elrond. I headed off in the direction of the kitchens.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas' Point Of View

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Rachael went away, Scarlet swayed slightly, and I put an arm out to steady her. She turned to me with a sad look in her eyes.

"I know what's going to happen. Before you say anything, I want to ask you something. Will you look after Rachael for me? When I go, she's going to think it's all her fault, but I need her to know that I went with Jonas of my own free will. I've got a letter in my room; I want you to give it to her. Please?"

I nodded, but was surprised that she knew.

"Yes, I will do as you ask. I can feel the sadness inside her. She loved you like a very dear sister, and will grieve for you for many years."

She smiled, one thing off her mind.

"Thanks for being there when you were needed, Legolas." When she said my name, it sent a shiver through my body, but I this was not the time for such thoughts. "Protect her once I've gone."

"She will not be the only one grieving." I replied honestly. I knew I should not really be saying this, but I wanted her to know.

She became embarrassed, and as a light breeze blew a lock of hair across her eyes, and I tucked it back for her. She blushed at my touch, and before I could stop myself, I reached down and kissed her gently, the sun throwing a warm, orange glow on her hair. She kissed me back, but then she suddenly pulled away, and her eyelids fluttered, and her breathing became shallow and quick, and I lowered her gently onto the grass.

"Lord Elrond!" I called, as he hurried across the grass. Behind him, I saw Rachael return. She dropped the glass, and flew across the lawn.