@Aranel of Mirkwood : Send my regard to Legolas-the-poster! (I also talk to Orli's poster everyday! I have no boyfriend, remember?)

Here's the next chappie! And things are not going to be funny at all!

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Keldarion frowned as the throb in his head worsened. He had been having this headache since returning from the river, and that was a couple of hours ago.

The prince was standing in front of the mirror, straightening his attire as he prepared himself for dinner. He was having trouble plaiting his own hair, which was extremely strange. Looking down at his slightly trembling hands, Keldarion wondered, What's wrong with me? I'm not getting ill, am I?

There was a brief knock at the door before Legolas pushed it open and strode right in. "Hey, Kel! Aren't you ready yet?"

Keldarion stared back at his brother without answering. Legolas instantly knew something was wrong. He rushed closer to his brother. "Kel? What is it?"

Keldarion showed his brother his hands. "Err…I'm not sure. I don't know why but I seem to have forgotten how to braid my own hair."

Legolas blinked. He looked down at his brother's hands and saw how they trembled. Keldarion was also frowning, as if in pain, and Legolas bet that he was not feeling fully well.

"Here, sit down," Legolas said, steering his older brother towards the bed. Then he placed his fingertips on Keldarion's temples, forcing his inner energy to heal his brother from whatever sickness that ails him.

And that's when he sensed a dark chilling force that emanated from Keldarion's body.

Legolas flinched and pulled back in surprise. He sharply stared at his brother's face, looking for any sign of the darkness that he had felt just now but found none. Keldarion gazed back at him anxiously. "What? What's wrong, Legolas?"

The younger prince shook his head. "I…I'm not sure. How are you feeling, really?"

Keldarion smiled sadly. "My head is pounding, can you believe that? I can't even remember the last time I had a headache so strong. And look at my hands. They are shaking."

Mutely, Legolas placed his fingertips on Keldarion's temples once more and continued his healing, ignoring the dark energy that slapped back at him while doing so. We'll talk about this after dinner, he vowed.

A moment later, Keldarion sighed contentedly. "That feels good. Thank you, Legolas. The pain is gone now."

Legolas nodded. He took a hairbrush and began to comb down his brother's glorious long mane before deftly plaiting a thin braid at the back. Keldarion sat silently during all this, letting his brother have his own way. He smiled a little as he recalled the thousands of times he had plaited Legolas' braid since he was a tiny child. The kid could never sit still! he thought, amused. He was always such a bundle of excess energy waiting to explode! Ai Elbereth! Who am I kidding? He still is!

"There. Finished," Legolas finally announced.

"Good. Let's go then." Keldarion stood up but was stopped by his brother before he got to the door.

"Kel, are sure you are all right?"

Keldarion frowned. "Of course. You just healed me, didn't you?"

"I know but…" Legolas sighed. "Just tell me if you feel anything wrong, will you?"

Keldarion placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "Don't worry, brat. I'm fine now. Let's go."

Legolas shuddered involuntarily when, again, he felt the dark energy coming from his brother's fingers. He said nothing about it though. If Keldarion had assured him that he was well, how could Legolas say differently?

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Ah, look at you, Celeborn, the lord of Lothlorien, the head of the Lórien elves of the Golden Wood. Oh, and Lady Galadriel! How wonderful! Can you see me, Galadriel? Do you know I'm here? Or do you still need your mirror to see?

Oh, look! What an exquisite beauty your granddaughter is! Arwen is her name, isn't it? She looks so pure and divine. How I'd love to taste her delectable lips and savor her sweetness! How I want to drink her blood as well as the rest of you to quench my long thirst!

Not long now, Celeborn! You are going to fall!

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Keldarion gripped hard at the long stem of his wine glass, frowning slightly. His headache had returned with a vengeance. And this time, he thought he might also be hearing things inside his skull.

He glanced once again at Arwen who sat beside Lady Galadriel, conversing softly to each other in low tone. Arwen looked so lovely tonight in her cream-colored gown made of finest silk. Her long abundant hair was arranged demurely, showing off her white slender neck and her beautifully arched eyebrows.

Arwen had been ignoring Keldarion ever since she entered the dining hall. Obviously, she was still annoyed with him about the incident in the garden several hours ago. Legolas, who sat beside Keldarion, realized this and he couldn't help but grin in amusement as he glanced between them back and forth. Then his smile faded when he saw the deep frown on Keldarion's forehead. "Kel?"

Keldarion was startled. "Wh…what?"

Legolas grew more anxious as he stared closely at his brother's pale face. "Is something wrong?"

The elder prince sighed softly. "My head is pounding again."

Legolas' eyes widened. This is strange, he thought. I just healed him! How does he get another headache so quickly? "Want me to heal you?" he offered.

Keldarion shook his head, and immediately wished he hadn't as the pounding in his head got worse. "I'll be fine, thanks. Maybe it will get better if I go lie down." His brother watched wordlessly as Keldarion rose from his seat and walked towards his father and Lord Celeborn.

"My lord, father, I wish to retire for the night," he said softly, much to the two lords' surprise.

"But we've just eaten and it's still early. Aren't you well?" Thranduil asked. He also noticed his son's pallor and pained-filled expression.

"Don't worry, father. I'm just having a headache. Nothing serious."

"Why don't you let Legolas take care of it?"

"He already did but it came back. Maybe it will disappear after I get some sleep." Keldarion bowed. "Good night, my lord, father." He then turned to Galadriel and Arwen. "My ladies."

They all nodded back at him. After sending a rueful smile at his younger brother, Keldarion strode out of the hall. Then everyone's eyes were on Legolas. The prince squirmed in his seat. "What?"

"What did you do to him?" Thranduil asked.

"Me?! Wha…I…I didn't do anything!" Legolas cried out in shock.

"I heard that you dragged your brother into the river this afternoon," Celeborn voiced, smiling at the fidgeting prince.

Legolas rolled his eyes. "I didn't! He jumped in himself! And that was after he threw me in. Haldir and Rumil had assisted him."

Their eyes widened. "Haldir and Rumil?"

"Why do I find it hard to believe?" Arwen voiced out, stifling her laughter behind her long elegant fingers.

"And why don't any of you believe me?"

"Not that we do not believe you, Legolas, but 'Mischief' has famously become your middle name," Galadriel said, gazing fondly at the Mirkwood prince. "I've heard about the latest stunt you pulled. My granddaughter may not want to have you anywhere near her hair from now on."

Legolas blushed crimson, as did Arwen, while Thranduil and Celeborn burst up laughing.

Sending a killing glare at the 'prankster' elf prince, Arwen gracefully rose from her chair. "I'll go see if Keldarion is all right. His headache might have been caused by the tight knot you made of our hair."

After Arwen had left, the three elder elves stared at Legolas. The prince had the grace to look abashed. "I was just teasing those two."

"We know that, dear," said Galadriel, smiling affectionately. "Now, finish your pudding before it melts."

Legolas rolled his eyes again. "Yes, my lady," he obediently said.

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Arwen knocked softly on Keldarion's door but there was no reply from within. Taking a deep breath and hoping that she was not being too bold, Arwen turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.

She found the Mirkwood crown prince fast asleep on the large bed. Keldarion was lying flat on his back, clad only in his leggings and under tunic. Arwen was about to turn around to leave him in his peaceful slumber when she realized that he had not taken off his soft boots.

Moving silently so as not to disturb the sleeping prince, Arwen sat down on the edge of the bed and gently took off his footwear. Keldarion sighed softly but did not awaken. After placing the boots beside the bed, she reached over and planted a kiss on his forehead. "Sleep well, your highness."

But as she turned to leave, Keldarion's hand suddenly came up and grabbed her wrist. His eyes were no longer glazed, and they were staring sharply back at her with full clarity. "Going somewhere, sweety?"

                Her mouth dropped open. "You are awake? You should've said something!"

                Still gripping her wrist, Keldarion rose from the bed lazily. "I've been waiting for you."

Arwen began to get uncomfortable. "Kel, let go of my wrist."

"Why, my dear? Surely this is what you want. I know you can't resist me." Keldarion pulled her closer to him and wrapped the other arm around her trembling shoulders.

"Stop it, Kel! What are you doing?"

"Oh, come now, Arwen. I'm giving you what you want; Me. What else did you enter my chamber for?"

She began to get really scared now. "Kel, what's the matter with you?! Unhand me now!" Arwen frantically pushed against his chest but Keldarion was stronger and more muscular. He was a mighty warrior and could kill an enemy only by a single blow. Her strength was no match against his.

"Let me taste your lips, my dear. Let me be yours. And be mine, Arwen. Be mine." Without warning, Keldarion's lips swoop down and claimed hers almost brutally. She struggled for release. Long before, she had craved for his kiss but not like this! Valar, not like this!

Arwen raised her hand and slapped his face with all her might. "How dare you!" she screamed at him. But he only laughed and lunged at her again.

TBC…