A/N: Hey everyone! I'm REALLY sorry about the 3 month absence.. school was trying to murder me! . Oh well, since it's summer, I figure I have more time to write. So... I hope you guys aren't too mad at me... and maybe you'll even enjoy this chapter! :)

A Love in the Mist

Chapter 5: Competition and Confusion

Elenya and Legolas went their separate ways to their quarters to change into something more comfortable for training in. All the while, Elenya had a little mischievous smile upon her face. She had heard little about the Prince of Mirkwood's bow and arrow skills.. the only things she had heard about in the past, were his habits of being quite a fan of the ladies. If Elenya guessed correctly, she would assume that his voice and eyes had something to do with it.

She quickly and happily shed the annoying but beautiful gown, and donned a pair of cream colored breeches and a blue tunic. She also changed into a pair of leather boots and quickly braided her hair so it wouldn't get into her face. She then retrieved her bow and her quiver of arrows and headed towards the guest quarters to fetch Legolas. Her bow was beautifully crafted, a gift from Galadriel for her birthday 250 years ago.

"I know how much you've been wanting to learn the bow, and be a warrior.. so I've made you a bow of the Giladrim, worthy of our kin."

Elenya would never forget that moment. She had found someone she could confide her hopes and dreams to, someone who would understand. Elladan and Elrohir never truly understood why Elenya had wanted to become a warrior, Arwen was just sweet and said she supported Elenya in whatever she wanted to do. It would seem that the female side of the family were always more understanding than that of the male side. Her father, especially. Elenya paused walking down the hall just for a moment and lowered her eyes to the beautiful marble floor, her eyes wandering over her attire in the process. Breeches, tunics... weaponry. She was like a more feminine version of a male elf. Was that why her father seemed... almost disappointed in her? She knew he loved her regardless, but did she just want him to love her just because she was his daughter? She had wanted to make him proud, but it turns out that being a warrior just wasn't what he had in mind. She had to become a 'lady'.

"Hmph." Elenya grunted softly to herself, and continued walking.

*******************

Legolas hurried to his room and gratefully got out of his formal clothing. It was uncomfortable to wear, especially when trying to do some training.

"I suppose it's a good thing that I ran into her.. although, I mean it in a non-literal sense." Legolas chuckled to himself, wearing a dark grey pair of leggings and a light beige colored tunic and then put a leather vest over top. Then, he waited for Elenya to come to get him. While he was waiting, he thought about how..well, odd she was, for lack of a better word.

The last time he had seen her was 450 years ago, she had most definitely changed since then. She was of average elf height, and of the usual body type; slim, lithe yet it was powerful and graceful at the same time. She had enchanting deep sapphire blue eyes, that sparkled with intelligence and wit. Her skin was fair and unblemished, and her hair was so dark that it appeared to have blue highlights in the light.

"yes, much different from 450 years ago..." Legolas murmured, thinking of her face covered with cake. He was only 300 years old at the time, still fairly young, but he remembered. A knock on the door snapped him out of his reverie, and he went to answer it.

"Ready to go?" Elenya asked, smiling as Legolas looked at her.

he looks shocked... and almost scared, for some reason. Elenya thought.

She's wearing breeches?! This maiden is just out of the ordinary... Legolas's mind buzzed, but for some reason, he admired her for being different.

"yes, let us go." Legolas smiled back, and closed his door behind him as they left for the archery range.

Ah ha... and now it begins. Elenya thought.

********

When they arrived at the archery range, it was nearly empty save for a few elves.

"We will begin at 50 paces." Elenya said, knowing it was no challenge at all, but just for the sake of a nearly formal tournament, threw it in there.

"No problem." Legolas said, gesturing with his hands to the spot where they should stand. "Ladies first." Elenya smirked.

"alright." She lined herself up and took the shot. Bam! Right in the middle! Legolas nodded, then took the same position after she had moved and split her arrow. She narrowed her eyes at him playfully. They could've kept splitting each others arrows, but she decided to make the target farther away.

"500 paces." Elenya said, and gestured with her hand, "elf lords first." Legolas chuckled, and took his shot. Of course, it landed in the middle. Elenya then took her shot and split his arrow, just as he had done to hers. Such a manner continued until they were shooting from 2500 paces. Legolas went first, and hit the center. Elenya however, just missed his arrow, and landed still within the bulls eye circle, but it hadn't split his arrow.

Legolas could tell that she was disappointed, although she tried not to show it.

"You did really well... I'm surprised that Lord Elrond allowed you to train, but I'm glad he did." Legolas said, patting her on the shoulder, and really did mean all that he said. "You would be a formidable opponent in battle, I pity all who would end up with you." At this, Elenya smiled a little.

"You were amazing as well. My sympathies to the poor soul who ends up with you as well." they both laughed a little and sat under an apple tree for a bit of rest. The elves in the archery range had gathered before while Legolas and Elenya had their little tournament, watching and waiting to see who was the better archer; the Best of Rivendell or the Best of Mirkwood? Apparently, the Prince of Mirkwood was better, but only by a hair. The Princess of Rivendell hadn't lost terribly, so the elves were still in awe of her.

Elenya quickly climbed the apple tree and picked two and passed one to Legolas, who had climbed the tree as well.

"You really did well, Princess Elenya. How long have you been training for?" Legolas asked as he bit into his apple.

"First, please call me Elenya. Secondly, I have been training for about 200 years. I'm the best archer of Rivendell." Elenya answered after she swallowed. Legolas raised an eyebrow. A female, the princess no less, the best archer? This was certainly surprising news!

"Congradulations! I too am the best of Mirkwood." Legolas smiled. They really had much in common, and it made Legolas feel as if he made a true friend. Truthfully, Elenya didn't feel bad for losing to Legolas. He really was good, so he deserved to win. But it was more fun since he was better than the elves in Rivendell, and provided more of a challenge to her. Elenya was about to say something when someone called down to her below. It was Aragorn, son of Arathorn, known around here as Elessar that had called, her 'foster' brother.

"Elenya! Atar wishes to speak with you! From what I could tell he wasn't all too pleased." Elessar said in an almost worried tone. Legolas stared at the human for just moment. Hadn't he called Lord Elrond 'atar', as in father? Surely, he wasn't really Lord Elrond's son? Legolas jerked his head at the human almost unnoticeably. Elenya notcied his movement.

"I'll explain later.. or maybe he'll explain himself. Elessar! Could you please keep company with Prince Legolas while I see atar?" Elenya asked as she climbed down. Elessar nodded, and occupied the spot in the tree that she had recently vacated.

"So... Princes Legolas, is it? How are you?" He started.

"Please, call me Legolas." Legolas smiled. There was something about this human. His presence was different from other humans, he seemed almost regal, in a sense. But this human was friendly, and from the sword her carried, he could tell was a worthy adversary.

"Care to duel?"

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Elenya took off at a jog towards her father's study. Oh what had she done now? She peeked her head in, and saw her father sitting in a large chair, with his back to her, waiting for her. She quietly walked in, knowing he had already sensed her arrival. She waited about 5 minutes before he spoke.

"Elenya, please, sit." Elenya took a seat before her father, not knowing what she had done. She looked at her hands, folded in her lap, and a few more minutes passed before Elenya swore she could feel the silence just ringing in her ears. Just when she thought she was about to burst from anxiousness, Elrond spoke.

"Elenya, I've already told you about what will happen after the 3 day ball, correct?"

"I have to find out who my husband is to be." Elenya sighed. Elrond sighed too, and that's what made Elenya look up at him.

"You children grow up so fast. Before you know it, you'll be whisked away from this place, maybe never to return." Elrond admitted. Elenya was wide-eyed. He called her here because he was sad about her leaving!

"Atar," Elenya said, rising and then kneeling in front of Elrond's chair, "Like you said before, 'it'll be later', right? So, I'm not leaving yet! The twins aren't leaving yet... Arwen's still here." She smiled, stroking his hand. "You can't get rid of us that easily!"

"Arwen, will be leaving sooner than you think." Elenya's face fell.

"W-what do you mean, atar?" Elenya loved Arwen so much, she didn't want to have her leave soon.

"Hasn't she told you? If not, then it is not my place to tell." Elenya rose from her spot on the ground, bid her father a good day and ran to Arwen's room to find out what was going on.

A/N: Hey! What did you think? Push the little button to submit a review to tell me! :) it is now 2:56 am.. I stayed up THIS late just to get a chapter out for you guys! :D Feathers of the Wind [06.21.03]