Chapter Five: Legolas Returns, Troubles abroad

Limalo walked into the hall. The sun was shining again and it was a new day. She walked up threw the halls of the castle towards a balcony that overlooked half of Gondor. She leaned down on the railing and looked out sighing.

"An Elf has never sighed like you have just done"

Limalo turned to see Legolas standing behind her.

"Legolas, your back" she said smiling. He walked over to her and looked out over Gondor.

"Beautiful in the morning isn't it" Legolas said then turned to her "almost as beautiful as you"

Limalo raised her eyebrows, then blushed turning her face away.

"What's wrong" Legolas asked suddenly concerned

"I.I think I have to go" she said starting to walk away

Legolas nodded "then I'll meet you later"

Limalo tried to smile at him but her face fell as she rushed out of the area.

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

Merry looked at Pippin as he finished off the rest of his meal. Pippin just sat there not eating a thing.

"Pip are you alright?" he asked

Pippin looked up at him. Merry could tell that he had been crying all night. His eyes were red and puffy.

"I.didn't sleep much," he said "And I don't think I'm hungry"

"I think the little master is sick" Gimli said wiping his face "for a hobbit not to eat would be a dreadful disease"

Legolas soon walked in and towards the table. His face betrayed him.

"What's troubling the Elf?" asked Gimli

"Limalo" Legolas said. "She seems so distant"

Merry lifted his drink to cover his face.

Pippin lifted his fork and pried at the plate in front of him.

Legolas continued to tell Aragorn and Gimli what he thought was wrong and how she had been acting.

"I think I need some air," Merry said standing up

For the first time Gimli and Legolas noticed Merry's new height.

"What has happened Meriadoc?" asked Legolas shocked

Merry looked down "what do you mean?" he asked

"You're no longer a little master" Gimli said jaw dropped

"Oh" Merry walked out of the room.

"Master Pippin I think you should go back to sleep, you seem sick" Aragorn said

Pippin slumped over as he dragged himself out of the room.

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

"Merry, I don't know what is the matter with me! I'm betrothed and I used to love Legolas but I can't anymore."

"I'm not sure what it is."

"You don't even.have any idea?"

"I know what I want it to be." His hand moved to gently cup her face. "But that's not fair to hope for."

"What.what is it?"

"I want it to be because you.love me. But I can't ask you to love me. Not when you're betrothed."

"Merry.I already love you. But.I can't be with you because." Merry drew in a sharp breath.

"Because.why?"

"Because I.can't ask you to feel the same way about me. I want it so badly, but.I know there's no way you could love me the same-" she was cut off by the soft lips covering her own and the arms wrapped around her, feeling every inch of her back, and then the warm tongue caressing her. Then the hobbit pulled away.

"How could you ever think I didn't love you?"

"How could you ever think I didn't love you?" she shot back, before he wrapped her in his arms again and they tumbled to the moss underfoot.