*Seven Words, Seven Syllables*

Summary: after a lovely hangover, guess who he finally meets up with.

A/N: I'm sorry, but I had to add in the hangover! I just couldn't help myself! ^_^ ooh... Drunken Boromir... oh the possibilities! ^_~

***

"Oh, Valar, what happened?" the words escaped out of my mouth as blinding sunshine peeked in through the curtains and shone in my face.

I rolled over and shoved my head under a pillow. I had absolutely no memory of the night before, but I could guess by the not-too-familiar taste in my mouth that I'd gone drinking. How much and with who, I had no idea. I could only hope that I didn't make too big a fool of myself.

*

Grumbling, I slumped down in my chair at the noon meal - having slept through the morning one - and tried shading my eyes with a hand. My throbbing headache only increased when my father nudged me angrily and whispered a lecture to me.

Trying my best to ignore him and concentrate on not screaming in pain - which really was quite hard - I finished eating as soon as I could and got the hell out of there.

*

"Shady trees, cool breeze... No one around. Perfect," It was less painful to be out in the gardens, where no one was there to bother me or annoy my - very gradually - leaving headache.

Sighing contentedly, I stretched out at the base of a tree, hoping the grass wasn't wet.

Closing my eyes, I slowly dozed off.

*

"Psst," a voice hissed softly in my ear. "You awake?"

Groggily, I lifted my head off the grass, noticing my head didn't hurt anymore. "Obviously," I muttered, sitting up.

A soft laugh, and a hand was extended to help me up.

"You're back already?" I asked. "How was the hunt, Elrohir?"

"It was excellent, thank you. I heard about the quest. I wish you the best of luck."

"Oh, thank you. But we don't leave for two months..."

"I know. But it never hurts to have luck too soon," Elrond's son smiled.

I nodded.

*

Elrohir and I walked and talked for awhile, making our way through the gardens and through the main house, long before we realized we'd spent the entire day doing just that.

When we made it to the table for dinner, Elrond gave his usual speech, but Elrohir and I ignored it, making silly gestures at one another.

Hiding a snicker, we stopped when Elladan tossed us a look. So we sat impatiently, waiting before we could start eating.

As Elrohir snuck in one more sign, I caught sight of someone. By this point, you'd think I would tire of seeing him out of the corner of my eye. But that was kind of how I liked it; he would sneak into my line of vision. But that's not to say that I like how it made me feel.

I stopped my laughs before they could get out, and my face fell. Or maybe it did; it did something that made Elrohir turn to see what I was looking at. He nodded in understanding and lowered his head.

Legolas made his way into the room, glancing around, then quickly made his way to the table and slipped into a seat at the far end, away from me.

I hoped that he wasn't mad at me for the way I'd behaved the other day, at the council.

Silently, I ate what was on the plate in front of me, not tasting it, but not caring either.

If he completely hated me, I'd never care again.

*

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"I..." Shrug.

"It seems that you would like to. Am I right?"

"Elrohir, you're always right."

"Then talk."

Pause.

"Then shall I just guess the truth out of you?"

Nod.

"You're in love with an Elf."

Nod.

"And not just any Elf, someone important..."

Avert gaze.

"You've fallen in love with the Prince of Mirkwood."

Pout. "How did you know?"

"I've seen how you look at him, Boromir."

"And how do I look at him?"

"You... You look at him like you've lost him."

I slumped in my chair. "No, I don't."

"Yes, you do. And you know it."

I tried glaring at him, but I knew I wasn't threatening in the least.

"What happened between you two?"

Sigh.

Elrohir moved from his spot on the couch to a chair beside me, staring at the shelves of books across from me; Elrond had reminded me about being allowed in the library, so I'd spent most of the evening hiding in here by myself. Until Elrohir had found me about a half-hour ago, and told me about his trip.

"I met him... about ten years ago, on my first trip here. I fell in love with him right away. I guess he felt the same way..."

Elrohir raised an eyebrow. "You 'guess'?"

"Oh, please! This is hard for me to say!"

He raised his hands. "I'm sorry. Continue."

"Fine. We loved each other. We were going to get back together, but eventually, all our plans fell apart and we didn't see each other again for three years. We were thrilled to see each other then, but... I don't know. He had to leave me... This is the first time we've met up since then. Seven years, I think."

There was a silence, and Elrohir rested a hand comfortingly on my shoulder.

"What do you think I should do?" I whispered.

"I think you should go see him."

*

I spent the next day contemplating Elrohir's words. There was some good advice in those seven words. Seven words, seven syllables. Wasn't seven supposed to be a lucky number? I'd heard that somewhere.

But maybe he was right. Legolas wasn't going to come to me. And if he was, it probably wasn't going to be anytime soon.

Well, not soon enough for me.

*

I knew what room he was staying in; Elrohir pointed it out for me.

I stood in front of it, trying to knock, but too scared to.

What if he didn't want to talk to me? Or if he was mad at me? But what for? For what happened at the council? What-

"Boromir?"

...If he were standing right behind me?

I turned, slowly, trying to smile and hide my worries.

"Legolas. Hi," my voice was choked.

"Hi... What are you doing here?" he stood tall, almost formal.

"I, uh..." Damn. I hadn't thought of what to say. "I..."

I think he smiled for a split-second, but I can't be sure.

"Do you... want to go get a drink?" he asked casually.

I glanced at him. "I thought Elves don't drink."

He flashed me a nervous smile. "We don't."

*

In the chairs away from the big table in the main room, Legolas and I sat, very formal across from each other, our drinks resting on a small table beside the chairs.

Because the room was big and we didn't want others to hear us, we had to pull our chairs close together so we could talk quietly.

I tried not to let it bother me, but during our conversation, I wasn't always able to hear him - I don't have Elvish hearing, you know - and he kept having to lean against me to speak into my ear.

We managed to keep our conversation away from things concerning ourselves, and onto topics such as our kingdoms, the others in the Fellowship, how all Dwarves look alike...

Soon, we forgot some of our worries and were snickering behind our hands like old friends.

Old friends.

It seems so odd to speak of him like that. I mean, yes, it's just what he is, but he's also more. Or should that be 'was more'?

*

A few hours flew by before we realized we'd been stifling yawns for some time.

Giving up, I smiled and told him I needed my sleep.

He walked me to my room, and we stood there for a minute, and it reminded of when we used to sneak into each other's rooms.

"I'll... see you in the morning, then," Legolas looked unsure of himself.

"Oh..." I rested my hand on the doorknob, thinking. "Yea... I'll see you then."

It seemed to take me a long time, but I managed to get the door open, and I stood there for a moment, Legolas watching me.

"Hey, uh, Legolas?" I turned and looked at him.

He gazed back at me, almost intently.

"Well... Seeing as how late it is and all... And your room is all the way across the main house... Um..." I blushed and tried to avoid his eyes.

"Yes?" He gave me a small smile. He knew what I was getting at.

"Do you want to stay in my room tonight?" I rushed, my hand fidgeting with the hem of my shirt.

A smile crossed his face. "I'd love to."

***

A/N: awww how was that? Worth it? ^_^ almost anything is worth those two getting together. ;) look for the next part soon! (and sorry this one took so long!)