Title: Pseudonym

Author: Lauren

Editor: Ed the Editor (whom really exists)

(for disclaimer and summary see chapter 1)

To my reviewers:

Lady Idhril - I think you are the only one who liked that chapter because you were the only one to review. Even my editor didn't review like she usually does. Oh well, she'll owe me twice the review now. I'd type more, but I got a sore on my thumb and every time I hit the space bar a sharp pain shoots through my hand, interesting...

A/N: Warning! This chapter contains a little romance. You were warned, but read it anyway, I think I did good on my descriptions.

~*Chapter 6: Nightmares And Celebrations*~

There was a flash of lightning and the sound of thunder split across the sky. Duriel was dreaming. The face of a man flashed across her vision. She saw a room that looked oddly familiar, but she couldn't place it. The scene flashed and all was dark. There were voices in the background, but she didn't understand them. A drop of rain hit her on the head and she saw the elderly lady. She was repeating the same word over and over. Aralataien. The scene flashed once more before her eyes and she saw her father, he was toying with a dagger. She then noticed something she hadn't noticed before. It was Elenion chained to the wall. Her father turned and slowly walked towards the prince. She watched in horror as her father thrust the dagger into Elenion's chest. He slumped down in his chains. As the dream faded she heard laughter ringing in her ears.

Duriel woke and sat up with a scream, breathing heavily and shaking. She heard footsteps and a dark form appeared in the doorway. "Elerana, are you all right?" A brief flash of lightning showed Elenion half dressed, holding a dagger.

"I'm fine. It was just a nightmare." She slowly lowered herself back onto her feather pillow.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," she said too fast and sharply. "No, I'm fine."

"Very well." His voice almost sounded hurt as he turned to leave.

"Elenion?" He stopped and turned questionably. "Uh...would you...um...mind staying here with me?"

"Sure." She scooted over and allowed Elenion to lay down next to her.

"Thanks." When he didn't get a response, she fell into a dreamless sleep.

~**~

Endmacar followed the well-known passages to his brother's room. The sun was shining and he was so joyous he doubted anything could bring him down. It was his five hundredth birthday and there was going to be an immense party most of the day.

He swung around his brother's doorway to be greeted by an empty bed. 'Now where has he gone off to? He usually isn't up this early.' He walked down the hallway to Duriel's room. 'Maybe he went to visit her'

Endmacar stopped at the sight before him. His eyes widened, there was his bare-chested brother lying next to that...that elf. "Elenion!"

At the sound of his name, Elenion woke with a start, almost falling off the bed in the process. Duriel slowly sat up behind him.

Elenion flashed bright red, stuttering out a response. "Um...um...Endmacar...it's not what it seems."

"I don't care. Elenion," Endmacar pointed out the doorway, "Out. Now."

Elenion got out of the bed, stood, stretched, and walked past Endmacar, out the door. Endmacar gave Duriel a death glare before turning furiously out of the room.

The hallway before him was empty and he heard the distant sound of a door being shut. Endmacar ran down the hallway to Elenion's shut door. He opened it to find an empty room and an open window. Running to the window, he looked out into the morning sun. There was no trace of Elenion, so with a sigh, he left the room to get ready for his party.

~**~

Duriel heard a knock on her door. Sure that Endmacar would not allow Elenion to see her for awhile, she didn't answer. When the knock became more persistent, she got up and opened the door. She was surprised to see two serving girls.

"Lady, we have come to prepare you for the feast tonight," surprised she had even been invited, she remained silent. The young girl continued, not giving time for questions. "You have been invited to attend by Prince Elenion. He has had a dress made specifically for you. He bids you be ready quickly and meet him in the front hall in two hours. We have a bath drawn and waiting for you."

"All right?"

"Follow us then." Duriel walked precariously out of the room and followed the servants down the hallway a short distance to a bathing room.

The bath was like a small pool. The servants left her and she quickly undressed and slid into the warm water. She smelled all the different soaps and decided on one that smelled like springtime rain.

'This could possibly be one of the best days of my life.'

~**~

Elenion waited silently in the front hall, avoiding his brother. However, he was mainly waiting for Duriel.

He watched as servants passed in and out of the doors carrying various foods, but his attention was soon diverted by the elf on coming down the stairs.

She was wearing the deep green dress he had specifically had made to bring out her features. It was low cut, showing the rise of her breasts and a twinkling star necklace. It went down from there to bring out the slight curve of her waist. It cascaded down from there to the floor, swirling around as she walked. The edges of the sleeves swept the ground next to her.

Her hair was like a dark waterfall about her shoulders, pulled back from her face in three separate braids forming into one in the back.

She walked with the natural grace of the elves. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, she looked around nervously.

He stepped out of the shadows and snuck up behind her.

Duriel sensed the elf behind her, and whirled around. Elenion started as she did so. He was wearing a silver tunic that sparkled as he moved, a royal blue undershirt, and light blue leggings. On his brow was a silver circlet intertwined by a vine with small leaves on it. His golden blonde hair had been brushed thoroughly and pulled back into his warrior braids.

"Elerana, you look...um...you look good." He built up his confidence and offered her his arm, "May I escort you outside?"

She took his arm and smiled. They walked out the doors together.

~**~

Adrian watched coldly as Elenion led Duriel out to the feast. She was getting too close to him. He knew the look that was beginning to show in her eyes. She was falling in love with him. That would never work when it came time to kill him off.

He snuck out the back way of the palace and found the group of men waiting in the forest.

"I need a message sent to my father, immediately."

~**~

Elenion and Duriel walked out into the courtyard where many others were standing about. The sun shimmered off the water of the fountains. The steady buzz of bees going about their work filled the air. Near the middle of the courtyard rows of tables were lined up with food. Servants ran about carrying food, bringing plates, and straightening napkins.

Elenion led Duriel to the head table. The king sat at the center on a dais and Endmacar sat to his right. Elenion took his place to the left of his father and Duriel next to him. She watched as the courtyard began to fill with elves. She also noticed that Endmacar kept glancing at Elenion.

The feasting lasted until dark. Around that time a band began to play sweet elvish music and many elves got up to dance. Elenion glanced at Endmacar before turning to Duriel. "Elerana, I was wondering, would you like to dance, I mean if you want to..."

"I'd love to." Elenion excused himself and took Duriel's arm. He led her out onto the dance floor as the band struck up a slow song. He placed his hand in hers and uncertainly placed his hand on her waist. She took his hand and placed her other hand on his shoulder.

~**~

(A/N: This is a random song insert that seems to go along with this part.)

"You and me dancing the night away


You can feel my heart beating so hard.


We look eye to eye


And I'm swept away."

(One Slowdance ~ Rufio)

~**~

They swirled around the dance floor gracefully. They melted together and became one as they danced away. She looked into his eyes and he, blushing, looked away. He could feel her heart pounding in her chest. The rest of the world went dissolved into oblivion.

After the dance was over he led her into the gardens and they sat on a bench staring at the stars. The silence was so peaceful.

Elenion took his eyes off the stars to look at the star before him. The wind toyed with her hair making her irresistible. "Elerana, I have something to tell you-" Elenion began as he fiddled with the small patch on the shoulder of his tunic. "I-"

He was broken off when he realized how fast his heart was beating. He was scared. His face seemed to get closer to Elerana's every second. He leaned forward and brushed his lips with hers. She pulled away slightly, but, much to her surprise, Elenion leaned in to her again and kissed her more passionately.

It felt like eternity for the two elves, even though it lasted mere seconds. When they broke apart they looked into each other's eyes. Vanimle sila tiri, melamin. {Your beauty shines bright, my love.} Elenion leaned in for another kiss as the stars twinkled merrily overhead.

~**~

Adrian did not like the scene he had walked onto. There was Duriel kissing that blasted elf prince. This had gone way too far. It had to end now. Before he could walk into the clearing, Endmacar chanced upon the scene. He smiled wickedly, even better.

~**~

"ELENION!" The two elves on the bench broke their kiss. Elenion looking fully embarrassed. "What on Arda are you doing with that elf?"

His embarrassment faded quickly as he retorted, "Kela, Endmacar." {Go away.}

"MANI?" {WHAT?} he shouted at Elenion.

"Maybe if you don't understand elvish, you will understand the common tongue, go away, Endmacar."

"Tula yassen amin. Sii'!" {Come with me. Now!}

"N'uma." {No.} Elenion stared at his brother through angry eyes.

Endmacar stared back with equally angry eyes before turning and storming away.

"Maybe we should go to bed. The hour is late. We may talk about this in the morning." He leaned down and kissed her lips before heading back towards the palace.

Adrian stepped out of the darkness as Duriel stared after the prince. "Duriel," startled by the use of her real name she turned around to find Adrian staring at her with a scowl on his face. "You can't just go around kissing those you are suppose to be killing. Now you are going to come with me to meet the group of men tonight to help give the report. Come now."

She looked back at the palace before following Adrian into the night.

~**~

Unknowingly to the two walking through the dark, another being followed them closely.

~**~

A/N: Ohhhhhhhhhhh, a cliffy. I wonder who is following them? Wait a second, I don't have to wonder, I already know. Muhahahahaha!!