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TELL ME WHAT YOU FEEL: 16

"Laurelas!" Laurelas stopped his walking, and turned to see a fair-haired elf standing behind him, hair long and eyes a piercing blue. In his hand, the elf held a bow, with an arrow pointing straight to Laurelas' heart. Before Laurelas could do anything, the arrow was released.
Laurelas gasped, and realized it was a dream, as he was panting and sweating, sitting upright on a bed. He looked around and noticed the walls of his room to be solid stone. One would think that a room of stone would feel cold and damp, but somehow with the fire that burned by his bedside to provide light, and the detailed, beautiful furniture that so simply filled the room, he felt it to be like home. He noticed a dark haired girl sitting on the ground with her arms folded atop the cot, sleeping soundly. Laurelas knew it was Arodiel, though he wondered why she slept by his bedside. Usually Arodiel wouldn't even stand next to him when he would jokingly tell her that they would be married someday. A smile formed on his face, as he attempted to reach over and tap her, but suddenly an intensely sharp pain struck his shoulder, and he retreated his arm to return to the position of sitting upright. He hadn't noticed before, but there was a bandage wrapped across his shoulder, reaching to encircle his waist as well. "How did I not notice this?" he asked himself, observing the bandage, gradually remembering what had happened to him. "It was worth it," he said under his breath, as he looked upon Arodiel who was obviously safe, which was his goal.
Unexpectedly, Arodiel mumbled and moaned, and awoke to see Laurelas smiling warmly at her.

"I see you've come to realize you can no longer resist me, milady," Laurelas said jokingly, his tone playful to the very last drop. Arodiel said nothing in response, not even a light chuckle, her expression on her face nothing short of relieved. She rose quickly to Laurelas, and embraced him with such emotion that Laurelas was shocked. He soon felt tears upon his shoulder, and quickly wrapped his arms around Arodiel to return her embrace, whispering to her as he did.

"What troubles you?" he asked gently, teasing no longer an element to his tone. Arodiel broke from their embrace, and shoved him in his unwounded shoulder. It caused Laurelas to chuckle lightly, surprised at how varying her moods were. "OW! What now?"

"Do not ever do that to me again, Laurelas," she said firmly, tears still running down her cheek.

"Do what?"

"Almost get yourself killed as you so unsuccessfully attempted doing!"

"I did it to save you, are you not thankful?" Arodiel turned from his gaze and crossed her arms in protest, her eyebrows furrowing madly.

"Just don't do it again," she said simply. There was a silence between them, Arodiel still with that look of irritation and anger on her face and Laurelas smiling, knowing she was only putting on a show.

"Do you remember when we were younger, the first day we met?" he asked, trying to break the tension.

"I remember. I agreed to race Amdiriel to the end of the courtyard, but I fell and scraped my knee, Amdiriel too far ahead to notice," she replied, trying to express it as if she was angry.

"Yes, I watched as you sit there, not a single tear had fallen from your cheek. You almost looked as if you were interested in the cut."

"I believe I was. I did not understand how blood resisted from coming out; I had scraped off skin yet all I saw was a patch of pink with hints of dirt in it. Then you came."

"I asked you if you were all right, and you told me you could handle yourself, but when you stood you immediately grabbed my hand and squeezed as hard as you could, the air obviously piercing your wound." Arodiel's expression dissolved, as she remembered that day all those years ago, laughing lightly.

"And you tried to pretend like my bold grasp did not hurt. You offered to 'escort' me to dinner, as those were your exact words." Laurelas only chuckled as Arodiel did, looking down to his palm. "That day, I remember returning to my mother, and I told her I met the boy I would marry someday," she said, her cheeks turning rose colored. Arodiel looked down, awkwardly shuffling her hands as she did so. She knew Laurelas would be surprised by her secret, and he was. Laurelas could only stare at her, realizing what it was she had implied.

"Arodiel..." but before Laurelas could finish, Arodiel had caught him by surprise, yet again, and placed a gentle but passion filled kiss upon his lips. Laurelas placed his hand upon her cheek, feeling like he was in heaven. For the first time in years, Arodiel revealed to him how she felt, though he's believed he knew all along. Arodiel slowly parted from him, as both kept their eyes closed, lightly gasping for air. Still captured in the moment they placed their foreheads against one another's. "What does this mean, Arodiel? I beg you to tell me; do you lead my emotions on or return them?" Arodiel was silent. She did not know why, but it was difficult for her to express how she felt.

"Laurelas, I..." but suddenly there was a knock at the door, and Arodiel broke from Laurelas' arms. She gathered her composure, and got up from Laurelas' bed, standing by it as if she was only visiting. Laurelas sighed, heavily.

"Come in," he called. An elf dressed humbly in a light brown gown entered.

"Lord Thranduil wishes to see you," the elf stated, addressing Laurelas. Laurelas threw off his covers and quickly put on his soiled, but dried shirt, his pants still intact on his body. He didn't know who Lord Thranduil was, but at the moment he didn't care. He wanted to leave the room, and for the first time, Arodiel's presence, as soon as possible.

THE SHIRE
Anárion, Maethoriel and Aeronel were following their hobbit guide, wondering when they would reach the mayor. The hobbit led the group, speaking about things that the three were not really paying attention to. Aeronel turned to Maethoriel and whispered as she spoke.

"Do you think the mayor to be a good natured fellow?" Maethoriel only shrugged her shoulders.

"Let us hope so," Anárion replied, joining in the conversation. Finally the hobbit stopped in front of a door, and motioned the three to approach.

"Wait here, I will speak to the mayor and see if he wants to see you." The hobbit turned and knocked on the round door. It took a few moments, but a young hobbit answered. It seemed the young one was dressed for bed, but his expression was nothing close to being tired.

"Yes?"

"My boy, if it isn't too much trouble, I would like to speak to your father. Has he retired for the night?"

"No, he is in his study," the boy said, stepping aside to let the man enter. He watched as the visitor made his way to his father's study, and returned his gaze to the three who had accompanied the other hobbit. He didn't speak to them, but his eyes said so much already. He was obviously questioning what they were doing in Hobbiton. Moments later the hobbit guide had returned, and a stout hobbit that looked younger in age but older compared to the boy hobbit followed.

"I am the Mayor of the Shire, what can I do you for?" he spoke, arms crossed with a look of suspicion upon his face. Anárion took it upon himself to speak for the girls.

"We've come to find shelter within the Shire, if it isn't too much to ask."

"You do realize there is an edict from Elessar that no man is allowed in the Shire?"

"Yes, I do realize, but this is a special circumstance, Mayor. We escaped from the Northern Waste; I only want to ensure the safety of my companions, as well as my own."

"And you think the Shire is the best place for this?"

"Yes, the orcs will not be clever enough to think of the Shire. They will only think of the edict, and search for us elsewhere."

"Well, I do not think I have the heart to turn you away, really. I suppose you may stay until the morning. We can figure out what will become of you tomorrow."

The three smiled simultaneously. "Thank you, you're very kind."

"Your welcome. Tell me, boy, my townsman here tells me you claim your companion to be the daughter of Aragorn?"

"Oh, yes, Maethoriel," Maethoriel approached and extended her hand to shake the Mayor's. The Mayor, however, was held back from returning the gesture by his fellow hobbit.

"I suppose my townsman here would like to know what proof do you have?"

"Well, she has her dagger, that bears the symbol of the white city. But I suppose that is of little evidence. I really do not know how else to prove it to you."

The Mayor's eyes narrowed, as he examined the girl, observing the features of her face, knowing in his heart she reminded him of Elessar, and her smile so familiar.

"Tell me, what is your name?" he said to Anárion.

"I am Anárion, son of Faramir." The hobbit almost turned pale with shock.

"Son of Faramir?"

"Yes."

"And the third one, over there? Your sister?"

"No, no, she is my second cousin, on my father's side." Aeronel approached and smiled warmly.

"Well I'll be, you don't say? Hamfast, tell your mother to prepare room in the house; we have guests staying over." The young hobbit stood motionless for a moment, surprised that his father had become so accepting of the strangers. "Well don't just stand there boy, tell your mother." The boy nodded, and ran to find his mother. The hobbit guide, also shocked turned to the Mayor.

"Mayor, with all due respect, do you know what you're doing?"

"Yes, I completely know. Don't you see? She is Elessar's daughter. She must be, for he is Faramir's son. And, come to think of it, they are all dressed as if they came straight from Gondor, though their clothes are a bit soiled. But I believe they tell us the truth. The first moment I looked into those girl's eyes, I knew." The three smiled yet again, overjoyed at their newfound luck. "And you, my dear, what is your name?" The mayor asked, turning to Aeronel.

"Aeronel, my Lord, daughter of Amrothos."

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you. My name is Samwise Gamgee, proud Mayor of the Shire. You are all welcome in my home. Please, please come in, do not be shy," he said, motioning them to enter, as they did with thankful hearts.

TBC.. a simple chapter to move the story along. Hope you liked it! Don't forget to review!