Second Chances

By Sinful Starlet

Chapter Two - Closer acquaintance

Disclaimer: I did the whole 'not mine' rant in the first part, so check there if you actually want to read a proper disclaimer.

Rating: Still no idea really! PG-13/R I guess higher than the first part, but still not sure what that equates to - nothing majorly physical yet (probably in part three) in case you haven't guessed it takes me a while to set the scene!

Author's note: Not really a hell of a lot more to say yet. Story advances further as Legolas spends more time in Rivendell, and develops his relationship with a certain lady elf. I know it might seem a little slow at the beginning, but I promise the good stuff is definitely coming! (No pun intended!) *SS*

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Chapter Two - Closer acquaintance

Summary: Story continues. Legolas enjoys a short vacation in Rivendell once his business is finished, but what exactly is it that's making him stay?

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Over the next few days, Legolas spent much of his time becoming reacquainted with Elrond, because although Elrond was a reasonably frequent visitor to Mirkwood, it had been several years since his last visit, and there was much to catch up on. Legolas spoke of his father's business which was quickly resolved by the older elf, allowing Legolas some time to take his ease around Elrond's home. Elrond took quite a fatherly interest in the young prince, and as he was not immediately needed back home, he was only too happy to allow Legolas to stay a little longer.

He gradually became more accustomed to Rivendell itself, and often spent long hours in the afternoons going exploring with Elladan and Elrohir. Within the space of a fortnight, Legolas (who, being from Mirkwood, was very much at home amongst the trees) knew all the surrounding woodland of Rivendell as well if not better than his two companions.

When he was not then spending his time outdoors, he still spent much time in conversation with Elrond, who was not only a great friend but also an excellent teacher, telling Legolas great stories of their elven ancestors and the early history of Middle Earth. Often Legolas would ask questions about Rivendell and Elrond's family, which the elder was only too happy to elaborate on. Legolas subtly tried to ask about Arwen, after some fairly inconsequential questions about her brothers.

The lord was clearly not blind to the younger elf's interest in his daughter, but he could see nothing to worry about in it, and explained some of the details of her earlier life. After Elrond himself, she had been the most affected by her mother's departure and Elrond would only speak briefly about her time in Lothlorien when she went there to grieve. Legolas could see this was a subject that did not need to be pursued at that point in time, so he quickly changed the subject and continued their conversation in a little more ease.

*

Elrond and his sons were not Legolas' only companions during his stay however. Legolas found he had ample opportunity to continue his friendship with the lady Arwen herself. Arwen for herself, was glad to have a companion other than her brothers that was so close to her age (there being about only 500 years between her and Legolas, a seemingly short expanse of time for an elf). When Legolas tired of his explorations around Rivendell with Elladan and Elrohir, they would go off on hunting expeditions, leaving Legolas to Arwen's company.

The two quickly became great friends, sharing many interests and pursuits. They would spend many hours just walking the surrounding woods or sitting by the river side, sharing stories of their homes and childhood recollections. Lord Elrond was well aware of how much time they were spending together, seemingly shunning all other company, but he trusted Legolas to act appropriately, and he had to admit that it was a long time since he had seen Arwen as happy as she now was. He still worried about her virtually every day. The death of her mother at such a relatively young age had had a devastating affect on his youngest child, and it had taken many years of living away in Lothlorien under the guardianship of Galadriel before Arwen had felt able to return to her home in Rivendell.

But now she was home he thought, sighing in contentment as he watched her and Legolas in the courtyard below from his position on the balcony above. She was home and she was genuinely happy, he thought as he heard her gentle laugh ring out through the courtyard. His only concern was that she was a little too happy too soon. He would not willingly begrudge his daughter anything that made her happy, but since Legolas' arrival, he was about the only person she would see. All of her childhood friends had spoken to him about Arwen's recent behaviour, and how she would invent the slightest excuse to leave them behind while she spent more time with the visiting prince.

At first Elrond had shrugged off the concerns, it was natural to spend a lot of time with a new friend, particularly one who would not be staying at Rivendell forever, but there was something now that made him worry. At first it was only her friends that she dismissed to see him, her brothers (though she loved them dearly) were scarcely in Rivendell for longer than a few days at a time as they were so often off on one hunting expedition or another, but now she was dismissing more than them. One of Elrond's favourite pastimes was the lessons and conversations he would have with his daughter about their heritage or literature, or whatever subject they could think of.

These meetings occurred at the very least once a week, but were more commonly twice or three times over the course of each seven days. Things had started to change though, and he realised one morning that he had not had such a meeting with his daughter for almost three weeks. Though Arwen was lively and attentive when they met at meal times, she would soon want to leave to meet her new friend. Elrond let her go, but he made up his mind to talk to her and Legolas about it soon.

From his behaviour, Elrond sensed that Legolas had not fully realised the hold he had over Arwen, he was certainly unaware of the friends she was discarding to spend time with him. Elrond did hear him question her more than once as to whether she had other plans, or people to see when she came to meet him, but she silenced his concerns and insisted that she had no other plan but to spend time with him.

At first, Elrond did not see the depth of his daughter's affections for the prince, but he happened to catch the look on her face one night as she looked over at Legolas at dinner, and it was one that he could not fail to recognise. His only mistake was to interpret the expression as mere infatuation, and one-sided infatuation at that. Legolas had always been very attentive towards Arwen and had spent much time with her, but he had seemingly acted out of nothing more than strong friendship.

But things are not always as they seem...

*

One night, not too long after that, Legolas and Arwen were sitting in one of their favourite places beside the river in a small clearing in the forest. They had been there for some time, talking at first, and then later simply sitting watching the stars together, with Arwen resting her head against Legolas' shoulder. She seemed quite drowsy and sighed slightly as she adjusted position. Legolas had in fact, been waiting that whole night to talk to her about something that had been troubling him, but he had not so far been able to say it. He took this opportunity though, and helped her to sit up and turn to face him.

"What is it?", Arwen said immediately, gently reaching up a hand to touch his cheek as she sensed the worry in him. "It is nothing for you to worry about dear friend", he replied, finding a smile to reassure her, "but there is something I have needed to talk to you about concerning your father". "My father?", Arwen asked again, even more confused. "He has been watching us for some time", Legolas went on to explain, "and he apparently suspects that there may be something to concern him about our relationship", he paused before he said the next part, "...something more than friendship".

Arwen was a little flustered at Legolas' last words, had her father really noticed---. She stopped herself before she could go any further down that road, instead starting to worry about what he might have said. "He has spoken to you about this?", she said eventually. "Nothing too specific", Legolas said gently, "he is only concerned about you...you mean the world to him Arwen". Arwen was still reeling from the news of her father's interest in them, and she stood up, pacing around for several minutes before she was ready to speak again.

However, just as she was about to speak, Legolas stood and walked over to her, speaking before she had the chance. "He only wishes to protect you Arwen, I think he would do anything to prevent you from being hurt". "And I am risking that by being your friend?", she questioned at last. That was not the answer Legolas was looking for, he could see that she was holding something back, and she had to look away as he looked more closely at her.

"Arwen talk to me", he said, walking after her, as she tried to move away from him, "I know you aren't telling me something". He eventually caught her, and gently turned her round so she would have to look at him. She still could not speak at first, for weeks now she had been trying to hide her feelings for this particular elf, but apparently however hard she was trying, it wasn't working. He raised his hand towards her face, using one finger to lift her chin up so she had to look him in the eye, silently searching her face for some mark of what she was feeling.

She tried to look anywhere else than in his intense blue eyes - the elves were of course known for their beauty and grace, but she had never seen anyone as instantly attracting as Legolas. He moved closer to her and the moon caught his golden hair, so different to her raven tresses, and turned it a brilliant silver that practically glowed in the twilight. She knew that she could not be silent much longer, and judging by his behaviour and the concern in his eyes, she decided to take the risk. "My father", she began very quietly, "...he was right".

*

At first Legolas wasn't entirely sure how to take this, so Arwen could see that she was going to have to explain a little better than that. "He was right when he thought that there may be something more than friendship between us". She paused here, waiting for his reaction. Legolas was completely dumbstruck, he had no idea how to reply to her, until now his most dear friend in the whole world. "At least, there may be for my part", she said at last, unable to wait much longer, and assuming the silence to be a bad sign, "I make no assumptions about your feelings and have no expectations for anything other than friendship between us, but I can't lie about my feelings anymore".

She sighed in relief as she finished, feeling like an incredible burden had been lifted from her shoulders, and it was only now that she dared to look up at his face and see his reaction. Legolas had still not spoken, but her heart leaped when she looked into his eyes. "Prince Legolas lost for words...", she said attempting to lighten the mood, "...that has to be a first--". "Arwen...", Legolas interrupted, not sure of what to say next, but feeling the need to say something. "I'm still not entirely sure what you are saying, but if it is what I think then it is a little more serious than my apparent inability to speak".

She blushed a little at this, feeling a little ashamed and increasingly uncomfortable. "I do not know what else I can say", she said eventually, "for almost as long as I have known you, you have been more to me than a friend ever could, but if you do not feel the same way then just say so and I won't ever speak of it again as long as--", she started but was cut off by Legolas' lips pressing hesitantly against hers. "I think you've said enough", he said, when he eventually pulled away, a slight smile now gracing his face, and when she didn't reply he continued, "or have I managed to stun the lady Arwen into silence too?"

Arwen stood still, breathing heavily as she reached up a single finger to trace along her lips, "You...kissed me", she said. "I did", Legolas replied, still beaming, "something I would have done a long time ago if I had realised that the object of my affection was feeling the same way about me as I was about her", he paused for a second before adding, "sorry!", with an even more mischievous smile. "Sorry for what?", Arwen asked, still a little timidly, but gaining confidence as she stepped closer to her 'friend' in front of her. Legolas didn't answer right away, but leaned in until his lips were only inches from hers, "For not doing this the first time I met you", he whispered, closing the gaps between them and kissing her again.

This time, it was not so unexpected and Arwen was able to reciprocate fully, surprising even Legolas as the fervour grew between them. It was several moments before either of them was willing to pull away from the other, but eventually the need for air grew more apparent and they broke away from each other breathing raggedly. "Well that was...", Legolas started, not quite sure what to say. "Worth the wait?", Arwen supplied, smiling. "Something like that", Legolas smiled, leaning into her again, stopping just short of her lips again to whisper, "I love you", before he placed yet another staggering kiss on her eager lips.

*

AN. - Phew! Anybody else seriously wanting to be Arwen right about now?! Damn that sexy archer! And if you like the ending to this, you are gonna LOVE the next part! *SS*