Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OCs!

Author's Note: To tell you the truth, I honestly feel sorry for Mary Sue, but I won't give away what I'm planning to do with her. Let's just say everyone in this story, or rather almost everyone, is going to end up happy when this is through, but that won't be for a while… Thanks so much to all reviewers! Warning: Some fluff ahead, but no lemons yet so don't worry!
01/19/06 - Just more grammatical changes made. Goodness, this chapter is way too much for me to handle in terms of drama. I can't believe I wrote this nonsense, haha.

The Imperfect One
By: JDArc

Chapter Seventeen: The Return of the Eavesdropping Prince

Haldir found Elenmírë crouched down below a natural roof of two intertwined mallorn-roots, and the She-Elf was shaking with emotion, but with her head bowed, it was difficult to discern what exactly she was feeling. He approached cautiously, not knowing just how to greet her.

"Go away," she grumbled. Ah, sad then, Haldir decided, taking no heed to her words as he crawled under the roots and sat across from her. She made no effort to raise her head in acknowledgement and instead chose to ignore him as she struggled to control her tears. He said nothing and studied the young She-Elf until she stilled and grew quiet, and only then did she dare lift her grey eyes to look at him.

Elenmírë studied the silent Elf before her as he watched her with a quiet confidence and wisdom she had only seen among those much older than herself. He intimidated her; he exuded great poise and certainty in all he did, making her feel much younger than she was. And yet, he was patient, never fully demanding her attention and waiting until she was ready to face him. He showed a maturity that reminded her so much of one she missed dearly: her foster father, Lord Elrond, but Haldir was far from being a father figure in her eyes. He was also a skilled warrior; she had heard tales of him from her brothers far before she had handled a blade, and it even felt a bit surreal to be sitting across a figure she had heard great stories of from when she had been a small child. What amazed her more was that he chose to sit there with her, a teary mess, until she calmed down. Her eyes locked with his, she was once again amazed by his beauty before Mary Sue's earlier words repeated in her head. Could this great warrior truly be interested in her? Once again, she found herself agreeing with Mary Sue's sentiments: it did not make any sense. A smug smile appeared on his face as he tilted his head under her gaze, knowing fully well that she was observing him. She blushed and turned away.

"Do I make you uncomfortable, my Lady?" he questioned, his voice soft.

"No, I just didn't mean to stare so rudely," she answered, feeling her face grow hot with embarrassment.

"You're welcome to look, my Lady," he said, grinning a bit wider.

"I shouldn't," she replied sternly, her tone serious. If Mary Sue was right (Elenmírë loathed the idea of that), and Haldir did have some fascination with her, Elenmírë knew she had to stop it before it grew into something bigger. She cringed inwardly at silently admitting that the human girl did make some sense, and it had been that fact alone that caused Elenmírë to flee once more. She let out a sigh and shook her head to relieve herself from her thoughts.

"I understand," Haldir said simply, giving a little shrug, but he did not move from his spot, keeping his eyes on her. She squirmed under his gaze, and the corner of his lips twitched slightly in amusement.

"Why did you follow me? she questioned, drawing her knees to her chest and crossing her arms over them, almost as if to shield herself from him.

"You seemed distraught," he replied. "I did happen to overhear a bit of what had been said between you and Mary Sue, but it was not deliberate. You both were rather loud." There was no pause in his assured speech, and although Elenmírë was amazed at his bluntness, she groaned at what he might have heard.

"So you know of Mary Sue's suspicions then," she said, knowing that with Haldir, it would be a waste of time to bother with euphemisms.

"Yes." He waited quietly, deciding not to elaborate, making it harder for Elenmírë to find the right way to ask him of his true feelings. She opened her mouth and closed it again, frowning at her lack of expertise in the art of conversation.

"So…?" was all she was able to mutter, cursing under her breath. She shook her head in agitation, silently berating herself for being idiotic, and Haldir reach across, placing his hand under her chin to still her movement. Slowly, she looked up into his face, her cheeks coloring slightly.

"Yes." His eyes softened slightly, but he nodded firmly, answering her silent question.

"B-but, why?" she stuttered in amazement. "Do you mean to tell me that Mary Sue was right?" Haldir paused a moment as he thought before he gave an answer.

"Honestly, I was protective at first," he began unabashedly. "You were of my kin, and you were near death, and I felt I needed to help you. Of course, I was curious as to how it was possible that one so young could be so disheartened. And because you did share the talan with Merry and Pippin, they were quick to inform me of their rather biased opinion of you while I tended to your illness." She cracked a small smile and gave a light laugh.

"What did they say about me?" she questioned, curious as to how her tiny friends really viewed her.

"At first, they threatened to forfeit my life if I did not help revive you," he chuckled, a light twinkling in his eyes. "After I reassured them again and again that you would be fine, they wallowed a bit on the fact that you were no hobbit lass and expressed their mild jealousy of your engagement to Boromir." His face grew serious once again, and his eyes searched hers, but for what, she did not know. "Your hobbit friends were happy for you, yes, but they also said something was amiss. They said that you might not have thought they would have noticed, but they knew you were not initially pleased, especially when the company arrived in Moria." She looked away guiltily. "It was because of Legolas, was it not?" She nodded in answer, unable to find the courage to speak the confession aloud. "With Merry and Pippin speaking on and on about your bravery, your beauty (Elenmírë snorted and muttered quietly, "They are blind, honestly!" ) and your compassion, I admit, I became intrigued and wanted to discover as to why such a person with such qualities could be so…for lack of a better word, depressed. And when you finally did regain consciousness, our conversations have always kept my interest, which is saying something. Despite your low view of yourself, you are a…captivating creature." She blushed as he grinned again.

"You do me too much justice, Haldir," she protested, shaking her head.

"You wanted to know," he said innocently, while shooting her a devilish smile. They were silent for a moment, and once again he reached across and caressed her cheek. "It did start with my wanting to protect you I admit, but now, you are by far one of the most interesting creatures I've come upon. I find myself wanting to discover the mysteries you hold, Elenmírë."

"I am nothing more than a plain Elf, a warrior," she argued, shaking her head. "You mistake me for something more, Haldir."

"Your view of yourself may not be the same as that of those who see you in another light," he answered in response. "Remember what I told you before? Your naïveté is rather endearing-"

"Haldir, please," Elenmírë insisted fervently, "you mustn't continue with…with whatever it is you are feeling."

"If that is your wish, then so be it," he stated quietly. A flash of disappointment darted across his face, but it was gone so quickly, she was sure she had merely imagined it. "Do you love Legolas?" he asked suddenly, catching her off guard. She started and became silent, her brow furrowing with thought.

"I remember when I first met him," she began, "and I-I thought he was the most beautiful thing to ever grace Middle Earth." She smiled softly at the memory. "I cannot explain what it is when I am with him. He looks at me, and suddenly, I find myself in a trance with no one else in focus but him. But do I love him?" She shrugged, suddenly unsure of her exact feelings for him. "He complements me. In areas where I am weak, he is strong, and he looked passed this ugly exterior to see me-"

"Did Boromir not do the same thing?" Haldir cut in.

"He did, much sooner than Legolas," Elenmírë admitted, hiding her face behind her hair when strands fell across it as she ducked her head. "With Mary Sue stalking Legolas everywhere he went, I was surprised he even noticed me, but he never showed what he felt until it was too late, and I was with Boromir. And now we're all in this big mess." She sighed and looked up with tired eyes. "Which is the only reason why we, too, must avoid any further advancement beyond friendship." Haldir took her hand in his, squeezing it softly.

"Like I said before, I understand," he said with a quiet, sad smile. "I will do nothing to jeopardize your relationship with Boromir, or Legolas, if that is your wish."

"Thank you, Haldir," she said returning his sad smile with one of her own. "I'll confess, however, if situations were different, I would have returned your affections a hundredfold." The twinkle returned to his eyes.

"If ever you change your mind…" His voice lingered off as he raised a single eyebrow in a questioning arch, but there was mirth in his tone, and they both shared a light laugh.

"If only things were different," she repeated softly, a wistful look glazing over her eyes.

"But the circumstances are what they are, and we must do what we must to deal with them properly," he answered, the depth in his eyes and words reflecting his wisdom. "Though, a part of me wishes that the situations were indeed different…" They openly studied each other, and for a fleeting moment, Elenmírë felt the bizarre urge to curse everyone else and throw herself into Haldir's arms. Haldir was far wiser than both Legolas and Boromir and, with his calming demeanor, was an even better complement to Elenmírë's childish impulses and indecisiveness. Without question, she knew he could easily surpass her skills as a warrior, and that was a quality she held in high regard. He cared not for her looks, or lack thereof; he had told her before, and although it might have insulted most of female kind, she embraced his indifference to her appearance with fervor. With growing unease, she realized how much she truly did desire to follow her instinct and bind herself to the Elf before her. It would make so much sense to leave Boromir and Legolas behind and find happiness in the Woods of Lórien…

Her mind became sober as she remembered with a twinge of guilt the reason she was in Lothlórien in the first place, and she scolded herself slightly for the hypocrisy she had committed the moment she accused Mary Sue of being selfish. I really am the selfish one, she thought to herself forlornly, a frown taking hostage of her lips. She tore her eyes away from Haldir and furrowed her brow as she scolded herself. I am not here in Lothlórien to find love! I'm here on a quest, bound by a pledge I made to protect the Ringbearer and the Prophesized One! O Holy Valar, Mary Sue was right! I accused her of what I was culpable of the entire time…

Tears prickled the corners of her eyes, and Haldir started at her sudden change of moods. He leaned closer, gently wiping her tears away, his face full of concern.

"If you wish to weep, do not hold back," he advised gently. "It is best to release your distress than to hold it inside where it may eat at your spirit. Let the sorrow flow free from your system, Elenmírë. Find emotional liberation with your tears." When he offered her open arms, she did not resist and collapsed against him, her body shaking with sobs. "You do not have to be strong at all times, Young One," he whispered. "I will not judge you."

Elenmírë began to mumble incoherently into his shoulder as he swayed her in his arms, one of his hands reaching to stroke her hair while the other gently rubbed her back soothingly. He started to hum, and the tone was now familiar as it was the same lullaby he had sung the night when the hobbits and she were startled high upon the talan by some dark creature with the two bulging eyes. Elenmírë found herself comforted by the song and quieted her cries in order to hear Haldir's soft, soothing voice drift around her. She felt her heart soar with each rising note and when the song diminished, she felt her breathing calm down to a steady pace.

How long they stayed that way, they did not know, nor did they realize that a certain Elven Prince had also been watching them for nearly half of that time. Legolas had been concealed behind a root of another mallorn-tree several yards away, in perfect position to hear everything effortlessly, and the two Elves had been so engaged in their conversation that they did not notice as he slipped into hiding.

Legolas's eyes were narrowed as he stared at the intimate embrace between the two friends. He wanted to yank her out Haldir's arms, and his own limbs tingled with remembrance at how it had felt to hold her the way the Lórien warrior was enfolding her. He inhaled deeply, desperately trying to calm his jealousy. If anything, he knew he had to approach her at least neutrally; he did not want her to run from him as she had before. He knew he would not let her go that willingly again. Unable to take more of the sight of Elenmírë in the arms of another, he disclosed his secret hiding spot and stepped out, revealing himself to the two Elves, who abruptly pulled apart. He forced his face to remain blank as he walked toward them, even though emotions were battling for control of his features.

"Legolas!" she breathed in surprise, her face an open window to her conflicting feelings. Her grey eyes were wide with shock before they narrowed angrily at his habit of watching her. "What, were you spying on me again?" she hissed, and Haldir started at this new information.

"Again?" he repeated, turning his suspicious eyes to the Prince of Mirkwood. "You've done this before?"

"More than once," Elenmírë sneered, crossing her arms heatedly.

"I apologize," Legolas replied slowly, lowering his eyes from hers only to land on her lips. He gulped, knowing fully well how her lips tasted beneath his, and he longed to taste them again. "Please, if I may, I desire to speak with you, Elenmírë."

"I have nothing to say to you, Legolas," she replied flatly, her eyes cold.

"Then speak not, but listen instead to what I must say," he said slowly, though a hint of panic and pleading could be heard in his undertone.

"No," she growled emphatically, and Haldir stood to block Legolas's way.

"Do you deny the Lady's wishes?" he said softly, though the threat in his voice was unmistakable, and Elenmírë suddenly looked up fearfully at the growing impatience on Legolas's face. Oh no, she thought in alarm, this isn't what is supposed to happen! Immediately she got up, and placed a hand on Haldir's arm, drawing his attention to her.

"I can handle this, Haldir," she whispered gently, her eyes growing soft as she took in the look of protectiveness and concern on his face. "But I give you my thanks." His hand covered hers, giving it a tender squeeze. She smiled before turning her gaze to Legolas, who steeled himself as if facing judgment. "Fine," she said tiredly. "Say what you must, but we will converse in private." She turned back to Haldir, and on impulse, she flung herself at him and gave him a tight embrace. "Thank you. For everything." She pulled away to catch the look of suffering on Legolas's face which he immediately removed, and she followed him.

They walked in no particular direction, and when they were finally out of Haldir's hearing range, Legolas exhaled quietly, stealing glances at the She-Elf walking beside him. She was no beauty by any means, but with his odd logic, that was part of why she was beautiful to him. She felt his stare and looked up at him, and the immediate connection was made between them as grey met blue. She blushed fiercely at the obvious love she saw reflecting there and looked away, unable to understand just why he would chose her.

"What did you want to say to me?" she asked, her voice cracking. He reached out his hand to her arm, stopping her in her tracks, and they stood close, facing each other. Immediately, Elenmírë took a step back to put more distance between the two of them, and smirking slightly, Legolas took a step forward. Her eyes widened as she backed away, but he continued to advance, ignoring her muffled gasps of protest. Then she could not retreat any farther for her back made soft contact with the solid bark of a mallorn-tree, and Legolas closed in on her, his eyes concentrating on nothing else but on the grey of her eyes.

"I just wanted to say," he began, brushing his lips against her cheek, delighting in her shiver, "I love you." She turned her face to the side, blushing fiercely, unaware that the movement exposed the sensitive skin of her neck, just below her ear. Instinctively, Legolas's lips found their way there, and he nuzzled her neck, succeeding in emitting a whimper from her.

"Legolas, no," she protested weakly, turning her head back to it's original position, but now his lips were nearly over hers, and she pressed herself even farther into the tree, as if she were trying to mold herself to it.

"I heard almost everything, Elenmírë," he whispered just against her lips. His hot breath tickled the sensitive skin, and she felt faint, now grateful for his arms around her for if they hadn't been, she would have surely fallen, weak from desire.

"What did you hear?" she rasped, afraid that if she moved her lips too much, they would come in contact with his, and she knew if he claimed her mouth, she would not have the strength to deny him.

"You said I complemented you, did you not?" he muttered, his eyes turning a dark cerulean shade as his voice grew with intense passion. Her greys widened, and she looked frightened, unable to vocally confirm it. Instead she opted for a simple nod, but she dared not move too much for his lips were now nearly on hers. Elbereth, help me, she thought fleetingly. "Then why do you fight me?" he asked, his voice riddled with pain. "Why do you turn me away and deny me when you need me the way I need you?" His fingers went to her cheek, tracing soft lines down the curves until his fingertips reached her lips, and she inhaled sharply, her lips tingling with impatience for his. "I see it in your eyes," he growled intensely. "Answer me, melamin. Why do you deny me?"

"Boromir," she murmured. "Have you forgotten the simple fact that I am already engaged?"

"Does he make you shiver like that?" he snarled in a dangerously low tone as his fingers continued to caress the plump softness of her lips. "Do you find yourself drowning in his eyes like this?" Oh gods, Legolas, what are you doing to me? her mind was screaming. Leave me, please, before I do something I'll regret-

Her thoughts were interrupted as he did exactly as her thoughts asked, and he stepped away from her so suddenly, she almost fell with shock. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him in disbelief.

"Wh-wha…Why…?" she stuttered stupidly, suddenly incredibly confused with his actions. He stood before her now a step away, and her body ached with longing, missing the warmth and strength he had provided and had taken away so cruelly. He stared hard at her, his breathing shallow, and yet he kept his arms to his sides, his hands clenched into tight fists.

"Do you want me?" he demanded, and she could only gape at him. "Tell me, Elenmírë, did you mean what you said when you told Mary Sue to take me away?" Her lips trembled as she looked at him, torn as to respond with a lie or with the truth. He took half a step closer, and she trembled visibly, wanting to give into the yearning to confess her true feelings for him and to close the distance between them.

"Legolas…I…" Her voice failed her as she stared up at him in defeat and shrugged helplessly.

"I leave the choice to you, mela," he whispered. He spread his arms in an open gesture. "These arms are open to you if you so desire to be with me, Elenmírë, but you will have to take the first step. I will not force you." Her jaw dropped at him, and she gawked in incredulity.

"And wha-what if I do not take your offer?" she whispered, her voice wavering. He met her grey eyes with his azure ones determinedly.

"Then I will grant your earlier wish, and go to Mary Sue," he answered with a note of finality. "I'll only do what you ask of me. I love you too much to protest."

"Bu-but why now?" she cried out in desperation. "Why ask me to make this choice now?"

"I'd rather have closure before the journey becomes too threatening, Elenmírë," he sighed tiredly. "The dark times ahead will only prove to be too much if we do not settle this while we can. Do you honestly think we can fight to the best of our abilities with this on our minds?" He let out a bitter, humorless laugh. "You distract me. I cannot even concentrate on the goal of our mission because I've wallowed too much." He lowered his voice to a hiss. "Give me peace, in one way or another, Elenmírë. I cannot continue on this journey without an answer." He gazed at her imploringly, standing tall in all his glory as an Elven Prince. "What is your decision, melamin?"

TBC..