Disclaimer: I still don't own Tolkien's characters, I only worship. Also, Tolkien owns the name of the female original character.

AN: I got reviews!!!!! Ahem *composes herself* I'm not ashamed to admit that I look for approval from others. Thanks Aranel and Kitera-Matar! About the dark-hair issue, I read the books before I saw the movies and I've always pictured Legolas as being dark-haired. Please take the time to critique the story; it's one of the main reasons why I posted it.

Chapter 2: A Tale of Two Trees

While Legolas relaxed in the bath, the female Elf left the man, who introduced himself as Boromir, in the Hall of Fire. He had arrived from the south and requested to speak with Lord Elrond about important matters. So Ninquelote had brought him to the great hall and quickly left him. The man had been very curious about the house, Elrond and many other subjects pertaining to elves in general. As much as she loved her people's history, the barrage of questions from the visitor had quickly irritated her.

Free from the intrusion, she started walking back to the library, which housed many books chronicling almost all of the known and, to many, unknown events of the First, Second and Third Ages of Middle-Earth. When the old hobbit had settled in Rivendell, Elrond had requested that certain volumes were to be found and brought to him. Sadly, the library was in a sad state and the books had taken a few weeks to find. When the hobbit, Bilbo, had no more use for most of them, Ninquelote was awarded the privilege to organize the whole library to make the works easily accessible.

As she walked inside the library, she thought to herself, 'Perhaps Bilbo would like to read some poetry written in Sindarin. I know he prefers to read and write in Quenya, but it would be nice to hear how his poems would sound in Sindarin. His poems are quite interesting.'

Once again, Ninquelote was distracted from her work. She began to look through the stack of books containing poetry written in Sindarin, which were stacked against the wall opposite the main door. The elf started humming as her nimble fingers gently browsed through the books. After finding one that struck her fancy, she gracefully sat down on the floor. She stayed on the floor for almost an hour; her attention was intently focused on the writing.

That was how Legolas saw her as he entered the library. A slight raise in one of his eyebrows indicated his puzzled thoughts, 'Why is she not in the great hall celebrating with the others?'

Legolas didn't delve more deeply into that thought and with his hands clasped behind his back, he started to peruse the thick volumes on a shelf. Unfortunately, that particular part of the library had not been organized and Legolas had a hard time figuring out which section he was looking through.

"Can I help you?"

Legolas turned to see that the girl was no longer reading her book but looking up at him from her place on the floor. He walked towards her, knowing it was impolite to talk to a lady from that distance. When she saw him move towards her, Ninquelote gently set her book aside and stood up.

"As long as you are offering, I am looking for Quenta Silmarillion."

"It is in the bottom right-hand shelf of that wall," she said, pointing to the wall to his left.

"Ah, thank you. You have saved me from looking through all of the books in the library. My name is Legolas, from Mirkwood."

"I am Ninquelote."

"Nimloth? You were named after a tree? [1]"

"I shall let that comment pass, Greenleaf. I have received enough teasing about my namesake from my brother and am quite used to it."

"May I go on? I have many more quips and it has been awhile since I've had an audience."

Ninquelote sighed and said, "Yes, you have my permission."

"Excellent. Tell me, has a man recently plucked your fruit?" his bright blue eyes filled with mirth.

She merely shook her head and said, "Not only was that not even worthy of a smirk, it was also scandalous. Perhaps a better representative should have been sent instead of you."

"I place the full blame on my recent bath. It has rendered my wit utterly useless."

"Then please honour me with your quips when your wit has been unclogged."

"Sarcasm does not suit your fair face, perhaps leaves and branches should adorn you."

"Hmm, no, it is still clogged."

"Perhaps a little reading would help the unclogging process. I have been looking forward to reading Silmarillion."

"And I have been looking forward to cataloguing these books."

"I repeat: sarcasm does not suit you."

Ninquelote gave him a quick smile before glaring at a stack of books equal to the height of an average elf. She had never in her 1850 years thought that she would ever despise them. But after missing countless feasts, they became the bane of her existence. She realized that these were childish thoughts, but Ninquelote loved songs, music, poetry and stories. 'All elves love these things. You do not deserve any special permission to neglect your work.' She silently scolded herself unaware that Legolas was finding great amusement in watching her facial expressions change rapidly.

"I will gladly help you, if you will let me."

Ninquelote came out of her silent musings and took in what he had just said

"Will you? Of course I will. Thank you." She gushed.

Legolas saw that her face brightened at the thought of her workload being lightened. 'The council will not be held for a few more hours, I could use my free time to help her.' He had never looked through all the books in Elrond's library; this was also a good opportunity for him.

While they worked, their conversation mostly consisted of tales, songs and poems. Legolas sang many songs, while Ninquelote chanted verses of poetry and each shared their own cherished stories. That was how they spent their first night, and morning, together.

[1] Nimloth is the White Tree of Numenor. Isildur plucked a fruit from it before it was destroyed. Nimloth 'White Blossom' is the Sindarin form of Quenya Ninquelote.

AN: Would Gimli saying, "I told you so" be out of character? Anyone willing to help me find a more appropriate way to say that?