5. Disclaimer: I own Thûlocuil, but just her name and character, not even her looks, the lands she dwells in or the people she meets. It's simple: the rest is not mine. (But the story is!).



A/N: I probably should not even make this comment to a review but:

You violate your own and my freedom by making age a point here. You deny yourself and others the possibility to do what you want when you are older, if you are telling yourself (or others) what they should think, feel or look like on a certain age.



You make your world smaller.

Do not do that.



Imagination is there to make our world broader and more beautiful, don't limit it.



Chapter 5: An evening stroll



The dinner was over. Thûlocuil and Legolas had retired to their rooms. Aragorn and Arwen strolled together in one of the gardens of the palace. They had done this since they were married: one last stroll before sleeping. Whatever happened during the day; whenever they were both in Minas Tirith they would have this stroll. It was sacred to them and a cherished memory of their first stroll together in Rivendell.



"You are quiet, nîn taur," (my king) Arwen said. Aragorn took her hand and brought it to his lips, drawing her to him with his other arm. He kissed her neck. "I did not mean this kind of silence... and you know that," she smiled at him. When she saw his eyes, she frowned. "Tell me, what are you thinking of my love" she asked.



He looked at her, she was beautiful as ever and she was his. There were times he still could not believe that she choose him. He smiled and then sighed. "Well, it is just that I don't like the idea of you and Thûlocuil playing games with Legolas, I did not like the way you two lied about Thûlocuil's activities." his voice was stern: "I've been talking to him today, he's just not hisself lately and..."



"Im tíron ha anim" Arwen said softly. (I see it too) She remembered the pain she saw in Legolas's eyes earlier that evening. "But I believe that Thûlocuil has no intention to hurt Legolas. She'll never be able to hurt him in anyway my love, for it would get back to herself in hundredfold." Aragorn looked at his wife in surprise. "But how would you..." "Know this?" She completed his sentence for him, "I don't know; I just feel it." "Something elvish then?" he said with a smile and kissed her once more. He himself knew he loved Arwen from the first moment he saw her. But he had known Legolas for many years and he sometimes had the feeling that for elves, being immortal, 'love' was a very lingering process. Although Arwen... "Do they know?" "I don't know," she whispered against his chest. Then took his hand and began strolling again. "I just know that Thûlocuil does not want him to know what she does, so I have to ask you: please do not fill him in."

"And what makes you think that Legolas will ask about her whatsoever? Knowing Legolas, he will not talk about this," Aragorn said.

"Promise me this: even not when he's begging you, for he will my love, he will."



Legolas heard a knock on his door. "Minno!" (Enter). Aragorn entered his room. Legolas was sitting on the windowsill. 'Stargazing' Aragorn remembered from their journey together. "Are you allright my friend?" Aragorn asked. Legolas cast him a warm smile: "You always were and will be a king that cares for his people, won't you Aragorn? Yes, I'm comfortable; it is good to see you and Arwen again." Aragorn nodded. "It is good to be seen again. It is a pity you have to leave so soon." There was a small silence, and they just enjoyed each other's company, as good friends do. "Well," Aragorn broke the silence: "I'm going to retire, if you want anything, just ask one of the servants." He turned and started towards the door.

"Before you leave, can I ask you something? About this Thûlocuil..." A silent smile crossed Aragorn's face before he turned back to Legolas, that little Evenstar of his... "Yes?"

"What do you know about her? You said that I was near the truth when I called her our solution to the orc problem, but for what I've seen tonight... I would fear for her life if she was only so much as looking at an orc from miles away. How do you explain this?" Legolas voice was even a little commanding.



"I know..., but, well..." Aragorn felt forced into a corner. Legolas was a person he trusted beyond anything and he still believed that the prince should not be played with, whatever the outcome of that game might be. But if Aragorn made a promise... Legolas was right, he thought, he always had been and would be a king, a promise was sacred to him.



Legolas felt Aragorn's hesitation, it only added to his curiosity. Why would his friend be embarrassed about this? "I do not want to embarrass you Aragorn, I just want to know..." "Well, I can tell you this," Aragorn cut in, in a determinate voice, "She is not at all like you saw her this evening. She even seemed to be impressed by your title, let me tell you: she is not! I guess that Thûlocuil is probably thinking that a prince would not approve of her activities... And that is all I am allowed to tell you, sorry." He made a dissatisfied gesture. "Bain dû, Legolas" (Fair night).

"Bain dû, mellon" (Fair night, friend) Legolas returned.



After Aragorn left the room, Legolas returned his gaze to the stars. Only, he saw none. This conversation with Aragorn had made him even more curious. Especially since Aragorn pictured a whole different person then the one he had seen this evening. He hated when people reacted different because of his title and she reacted different from how she normally would to his title! He shrugged and decided not to think about it anymore. He started to get ready to go to bed, but found himself only five minutes later: his top clothes taken of and staring out of the window. He was still wearing his white smooth silk smock with the bands across his chest unattached. He also had his tights on, yet only one of his knee-high leather boots.



Legolas sighed and made a face. This was not going to work. He picked up his already removed boot and started dressing again. He would go to the training course and have some heavy training, maybe that would clear his mind.



A/N: 22 feb 2003: just removing irritating spelling errors.

A/N: 13 sept 2003: the same.