So sorry this took so long to get out to you. I will do my best not to make you wait as long for the next chapter as this one. Its already 3/4 of the way to be completed it just going to take some thinking. Legolas is being stubborn.

Only one more chapter and then the epilogue so I hope all of you have enjoyed this. I have been tossing a sequel idea around with my Beta, so we shall see how it goes.

Hope you all enjoy.

And once again a big thank you to those who have reviewed my story. You guys are the absolute best reviewers!

Faeryn

And remember I do now own anything related to Lord of the Rings.

I stared at my brothers, my right eyebrow twitching as it threatened to shoot up, and glared.

Hotly.

Apparently they had forgotten what I could do to them if I so chose. Narrowing my eyes, I crossed my arms and smiled at them.

As brightly as I could.

They froze.

"Come on now, Celede." My eldest brother Tadrien said, his expression panicking. "You know it's just a little bit of fun teasing."

My smile widened.

Tinand winced. He gave Tadrien a look that clearly stated that it was in his best interest to be quiet.

Ah, I love revenge!

I don't know where mortals got this calm, cool, and collected image of elven siblings because we adore making each other's lives miserable. Elves simply love fun. Whether it comes in the form of pranks, or laughter, or simple picking on each other, we have perfected the art of annoyance.

And I have not only learned which buttons to use, I have had a LOT of experience at being creatively evil, between these two and Legolas.

Let's not forget my astounding gratefulness to my mother.

Picking up my bag, which had been cleaned and dried by some beautiful individual the night before, I headed inside to let them think of all the dangerous things I could do to them in revenge.

Personally, I was leaning toward the apples in my pack. They were on the ground, I was in the flet, they were targets standing still.

Does anyone else see this picture?

That night I cooked dinner. Since cooking is one of my rare talents, I bullied my brothers into getting me some fresh rabbit. We had some very tender rabbit for dinner, along with some shoots I had located after I tried to find the two apples I had hurled at my brothers.

I think one of the reasons they were happy to find the rabbit was because they already had one set of knots and they really did not want another.

Dinner went off without a hitch, and then they wanted to know all about Legolas and me.

This, of course, was information I was unwilling to give.

This led to a long match of tickling, wrestling, shrieking, mass cursing and threatening, and hysteria. A normal day in the life of my brothers and I.

Of course after they both were sitting on me and tickling my feet and ribs, I agreed to tell them that I was in a relationship, or that I thought I was in one. I informed them with a rather breathless voice that I had not actually discussed it with Legolas and wouldn't it be good if I did so first?

They of course, found this highly amusing, but I must say I withstood the torture well. I refused to give anymore information and began to practice my Nazgul impression until they agreed to quit.

The next morning they both woke up with lots of sap glue in their hair and assortments of weeds. I was very proud when I heard their creative language; I am still far better at twisting words; however, and I smiled to myself.

I headed towards the trunks my mother had hidden in my flet, some old dresses of good silk were inside that could be cut down easily, and I headed towards an old friend's house.

Palia was a good friend of mine; one I kept hidden in the background I must admit, who was quite shy and very good with materials. She could turn potato sacks into a dress that looked attractive. I know because she has.

That was a long story that is best if I never go into.

But I had received an invitation to a royal dance and banquet. I planned to skip the banquet, but I figured I would dance a dance or so with my brothers and then beg out.

I just want to take this opportunity to say that the only reason that I am even going is because of some creative blackmail from my brothers. Let me put it this way, it involves me, mud, naked elves from Lothlorien, and something about telling Legolas.

Apparently Haldir had kept my brothers well informed of all my embarrassing activities. That one, however, was not my fault and I planned on giving Haldir his later.

Anyway, if you remember, the dresses my mother gave me were entirely too frilly and had too many layers, but Palia was more than capably of fixing that.

If I were forced to go to a ball then I would go in a dress that I approved of. Not my brothers or anyone else.

Besides, Palia always had a slight crush on Tadrien. It really was the cutest thing because Tadrien had no idea that the cute, shy elf was interested in him. After thinking about it, I headed back and grabbed a pale blue dress to go with the amber colored one I was taking.

Maybe I should invite company.

Palia was surprised to see me. When I say I keep her in the background, I mean it in the best way possible. She is one extremely shy elf and would DIE if she was forced to go out into the open.

Which was another reason why she was going to be dragged into the open.

Palia was surprised to see me, which I expected, and I almost caught a hint of dismay in her expression when she saw my arms full of silk of two different shades. The fact that my expression was evil meant nothing.

A few minuets later, I found myself explaining what I had planned for the evening.

"But Celede, that really isn't my scenario." Palia's tone held a slight note of panic.

My grin, which had faltered when she had waved a cloth cutting knife thing around, turned very evil. "Tadrien will be there."

He mouth clicked shut and she blushed as red as the apple I had eaten for breakfast. My smile widened and she sat down and buried her head in her skirts, and I watched in horror as her shoulders began to shake.

Did Nimrodel ever practice jumping into the river by head diving off a tree first? I had made her cry!

"Palia, what is wrong?" If there was slight panic in my voice, I am sure you can understand why!

She sniffled and looked up at me with the largest, gray eyes I have seen in a long time.

"I can't go!" Her eyes were tear filled and she looked completely lost. "I always get so embarrassed, and I will stutter, and..." Palia looked like she was going to be sent away. "I really like your brother."

I snorted then. I had decided to handle this in my usual way. "Of course you like my brother. Why do you think I want you to come?"

Palia shook her head but I cut her off. "Palia, are you so scared of taking a chance?"

Palia gave a rather unlady like snort and I must say, I was very proud of her. That type of attitude you just don't get from many of the elves these days. Sticks in the mud, all of them!

"Your accusing me of being afraid to face my fears when Legolas has been chasing you for only Valar knows how long?" It was the longest rant out of her in years.

There was hope.

Of course, she turned the color of an overripe tomato once she got it out, and I laughed at her. Poor dear.

"It was a completely different circumstance," I argued. "I was never attracted to Legolas until.... a few days ago. You, on the other hand, have been in love with my brother for some time." I cupped her face in my hand and smiled at her. "My brother has never shown interest in any Elf so maybe he is just waiting to make a move on you."

Palia sniffled and looked at me. "You just don't want to be the only one forced into a dress."

Caught red handed.

"That's not true. I really do want you to go with me Palia." I smiled my most award winning, shiny as the EvenStar smile. "And the fact that you will be forced into a dress is just an added bonus."

She offered me a wavering smile then, and nodded.

Yes! I am the absolute best! I bet that not even Luthien is as good at match making as I am.

Of course there was the rumor that she could shoot a bow and arrow properly, but I shall try to move past that.

~*~

Okay, Palia and I both agreed that sneaking into the Royal palace after the eating was done was the most prudent idea. Who wanted to sit down with a bunch of stuffy Royals and possibly spill something on a gown you have just spent the entire afternoon working on?

Let me phrase it this way, sewing is NOT one of my strong points. I have discovered I should stick with the small tears and replacing buttons and leave the rest to those who are skilled.

Which I am not.

Back to the fact that we skipped the banquet. I might have a few things to answer to for missing it, but life goes on. However, the maid in front of me with a disapproving look on her face was enough to send me into hysterics.

That wanted to search my person for any large blunt objects such as candlesticks.

I personally,found this hilarious. But I did not say that to the little woman in front of me, with her hands on her hips, and an almost Thranduil scowl on her face.

Apparently she had been working here for some time.

After both of us had been searched, Palia with an understandably baffled expression, we moved toward main hall.

It was with silent agreement that we slid into a shadowed corner and watched the festivities. I had promised to be there; I had not promised to make a spectacle of myself and dance.

There was a limit of what I was willing to do. Remember that I had learned how to dance under sheer protest and actually choosing to dance was filled with even more protestation.

Unless the King asks you to dance, then you smile, nod and grit you teeth, and try not to smart off too badly.

Which is why I had a fake smile plastered on my face and my teeth were gritted so hard together that I was afraid that Eowyn and Arwen in Gondor could hear the noise they where making.

"Ah Celede, I did not see you at dinner tonight." In other words, he and his son had looked for me, held a spot for me, and had guards and maids ready to escort me to the table.

Opps. I am SO depressed.

"I am afraid I missed it." In other words, you did this on purpose so your son would see me because otherwise he would never have found me with the throng of she-elves around him, and yes I did miss dinner on purpose.

Thranduil smiled at me. "I hope you will not miss again." Or I will send guards after you.

Yes I caught the unspoken message and no, I cared not a whit.

Of course, as you can imagine, that once the dance was over, then I was on the dance floor once again.

Guess with whom?

"Legolas, is there a reason your arms are about to crack my ribs?" My tone was light, and I looked at him the way I would look at a decomposing orc.

He lowered his head till we were almost eye to eye. "You missed dinner."

Here I go again.

"Before you EVEN start, first of all, see that lovely elf who is shying away from my brother as he tries to get her to dance? Her name is Palia and she is a friend and is terribly shy. Dinner would have traumatized her. Second of all, I am not too fond of particular court ladies and I may have traumatized them. Third, I do not CARE to eat with a bunch of stiff necks and pretend to be interested in what they have to say. I don't care what you and your father want; I will eat in peace and that is that." I finished my teeny tiny rant with a look that could have caused the One Ring to spontaneously combust.

He lowered his head to my ear and let me know exactly what he thought of that. Let's say it involved a balcony, privacy, and some major lip action.

Use you imagination; he certainly did.

I sighed and leaned against him. I had practically admitted I liked him somewhat so I guess it was okay to take advantage of his warmth and ability to guide me around the room.

For one dance at least.

He made some comment about it, and I snorted. Did he think that just because I had semi allowed myself into a relationship with him I was going to make it easy on him? Had he been drinking dwarven ale again?

I, however, found myself outside on the balcony later on. But I would like to stress the fact that I was ALONE. No elf Prince hidden on my persona, thank you very much!

But a bickering Elven woman named Halia interrupted my haven.

Have I mentioned that I really, really don't like the elf?

She did not seem too happy with me. Actually, the rude Elvish words that came out of her mouth were rather uncharacteristic of her normally "I am fragile" routine.

The resounding slap she gave me actually hurt.

She turned then, in a swirl of skirts leaving me with a smarting face and a shocked expression. Actually, the swirl of skirts reminded me of an Elf Lady leaving after she has had something improper suggested to her face, and she has slapped the MALE Elf.

I am not male.

I will not admit if I cried; my eyes simply watered. But I did slide down some balcony steps and found a still pool to look at my bruised face in.

It was going to be PRETTY tomorrow.

I looked down at my skirts and wondered if I was going to be able to outrun Legolas if he decided to kill someone. Outrun to the target and get between him and her.

I wanted to be the one to kill her.

But I honestly had no intention of doing any bodily harm just yet. Of course, I had yet to deal with a certain Prince.

Have I mentioned the Valar's extremely twisted sense of humor?

A warm arm wrapped around my shoulder and I almost winced. Luckily, he was on the side that was not branded a stinging red that was slowly turning blue.

Until Thranduil walked over to my other side.

Nazgul Dragon Dung!

I racked my brain for all attempts of hiding. The arm that was currently situated around my shoulder could be a problem however.

I attempted to smile, pretending to smile at the stars, my face stretching painfully. I realized that was a bad move.

I could cross the Balcony in five seconds.

That was when I realized that Legolas had been talking, and he was looking at me funny. Apparently he wanted me to make some type of snazzy comment. I, in a movement of pure brilliance, turned my head into his shoulder and laughed.

Hopefully it had been a funny comment.

I felt his head move as he turned to look at Thranduil and I thought about taking off at a dead sprint to my brothers Talan because I just KNEW what was going to happen next.

"Celede is something wrong?" His voice was beyond gentle, and I tensed.

"What would make you think that Legolas?" My voice was muffled, so I was hoping the slight panic that was beginning to coil in my stomach was also hidden.

"Celede." He tried to raise my face, but I must say I did everything to keep it buried in his shoulder.

Including sinking my teeth into his shoulder.

To say he yelped is a slight understatement.

After I had convinced him that moving me was bad, he wrapped a steel arm around my waist so that I could not bolt, he really knew me too well. I heard movements and then the balcony doors shut. I heard footsteps and then Thranduil spoke.

"Celede, what are you hiding?"

"What makes you think I am hiding something?" First rule learned as an Elfling: when you get your hands caught in the cookie jar, pretend you are just putting the cookie back and stall as long as possible with as many questions as possible.

"Celede, it's not that bad."

"What is not?" My voice was still muffled and every time he attempted to move me, my teeth found his arm.

"Celede stop acting like an Elfling."

My behavior is keeping you from flying off the handle you dumb elf! But of course, to say this out loud meant some serious flying fur.

I squeaked with surprise when a pair of arms wrapped around my waist. Before I could sink my teeth back into his shoulder, I was yanked away. Luckily, I had worn my hair down and it covered my face.

Warm hands covered my shoulders, and I almost groaned when Legolas' voice echoed through my ears.

"Celede, what is wrong?"

"Nothing." My voice was low as I mentally began to curse the Valar and their need to be amused.

His gentle fingers brushed the hair away from my face, and I watched as his hand stilled. Glancing up through my lashes and hair, I noticed his face looked as if it had been cut out of stone.

I was set on a bench and gulped as I sat facing two elves, one older and wiser, the other angry and tense, both looking as if they were ready to carve someone into small pieces of liver.

Awe, they cared. Somehow this brought me little comfort.

"It's not what you think," I hastily began, trying to diffuse the situation.

Two pairs of ice blue eyes practically glaring are enough to shut most elves up. Unfortunately, I have never been accused of having a pause button from my brain to my mouth.

"Neither one of you are taking this the right way and--" My mouth kept on running.

"Celede." Legolas started.

"One of you is going to SAY something that is going to get ME into a LOT of trouble--" My words were cut off by a very amused Thranduil. He simply placed a hand over my mouth.

Is biting a King's hand a BAD thing?

Legolas managed to not laugh, it was a slightly hysterical snort that took its place, and Thranduil gave me a very...interesting...look.

"Well, you two should know by now that I am very capable of taking care of myself."

Have you ever seen two royal elves competing for the towering award? I don't suggest you do, or better yet, don't have them practice around you. It's very awe-inspiring and very, very nerve wracking.

Once again, I blame my parents for their gene pool. It's their fault my mouth runs two hundred leagues a minute.

I won't go into details about what Legolas and Thranduil had to say about my attitude and my mouth, because it's really not worth repeating. The fact that it went in one ear and out the other had NOTHING to do with it.

Thranduil left soon after that, and I was left with an angry Royal Elf.

He has nothing on an angry boarder guard, or better yet, ME!

Legolas opened his mouth, but I shut it with my hand. "Don't you DARE patronize me Legolas Greenleaf."

He opened his mouth, and for the first time since we were Elflings, I let loose on him. " I don't want to hear IT! I told you that I can handle it, I told you that you need to let it be, and then both you and your father go off and rail at me! Granted, I have never allowed myself to let mere lectures bother me--" He started to move,but I put a hand out and stopped him.

"Don't. Move."

He froze, staring at me in surprise.

"I am very disappointed in you Legolas. If you want to be in a relationship with me then you are going to have to learn how to trust me to take care of my own problems. I am not telling you who slapped me, but if makes you feel better, it was a she-elf."

I spun then, but he grabbed my wrist. "Celede I wasn't trying to patronize you." His voce was lower than I have heard it before, and I must admit it sent shivers up my spine.

I turned and tentatively smiled at him. It's hard to stay mad at someone who looks THAT good, but hey, I have maybe a tiny bit more resistance than most she-elves. "Legolas, it's not just you. There is quite a bit I have to think through," most of it is you, but you don't need to know that, "so I think I am going to go now."

His eyes darkened, and I saw him struggling. "Please." My tone was pleading, and I must say, very nicely done by me.

He nodded.

I slipped back into the ballroom and told Palia my plans. Well I tried, but I had not the heart to interrupt her and my brother from their conversation.

Okay my brother was talking, she was blushing, but it was progress. So I slipped out and started the walk back to my brother's Talan.

Let's say that my walking talents have not gotten better, and by the time I made it back I could have sworn I broke my little toe, and I was totting a new Club.

Maybe I would give it to Eowyn as a wedding present.