A.N.

kawaii ningen kitsune: Thank you very much for the review.

All Readers: I would like to inform you all that I plan to finish this story on or before christmas. Will post more chapters by next week. And in line would this, i would like to us you all for any suggestions . . it will help me with writing the chapters faster. Thanks in advance.

CHAPTER 23: True Feelings

The sinking sun was already behind the western ridge of the mountains when the Fellowship, Theoden and the Riders of Rohan set out again from Isengard. They were to ride until they reached the valley where they would rest. In the morning, they are to set out at a much faster pace back to Helm's Deep instead of going straight to Edoras. Gandalf had feared that the paths were being watched.

Two hours or so before midnight, they all finally arrived at their destination. There they set up camp and rested. Two guards were set per watch as the rest wrapped themselves in cloaks and blankets and slept.

Further down the campsite stood a lone figure hidden in the darkness keeping watch at both the guards and the sleeping people. And behind the figure stood a great tree of which another figure hid. Keeping watch over the standing figure.

It was the first time after Lenae had appeared that Legolas finally had a chance to really look at her. She was totally different from the elf he met back at Lothlorien. She was now more dark, cold and powerful. Peeking out once more from behind the tree, he concluded that he definitely did not what she had become now and greatly missed the person she was at Lorien.

She knew of his presence the very moment he crept towards the tree. She just did not react because she wanted to know what his intentions were. But since he stayed in his place for some minutes now, she finally decided to let him know that she knew he was there.

' How may I be of service to you Legolas, son of Thranduil, prince of Mirkwood? ' Lenae called out loud enough for the hiding prince behind the tree to hear.

Upon hearing her call out to him, Legolas came out from behind the tree. He then slowly approached Lenae who still had her back to him. Upon reaching her side, he replied

' Amin merna quen (I wish to speak). . . . to you '

' Manka lle merna (if you wish). . . . so be it ' she replied in a cold monotonous voice without even giving him a glance

Legolas had wanted to ask her so many questions. He had already thought about it while he was still hidden behind the tree. But now, he did not know what to ask or say . . .he was at a loss of words. Sure! She had agreed to talk to him but he did not expect her to say it in such a cold manner. But nevertheless, this was his chance . . .maybe even his only chance to get to talk to her in private or even get to talk to her at all. He must make the best of it. Its does not matter to him if her replies were to be short and without feeling, at least he will be able to talk to her and that's what matters most.

'Mani marte? (what happened) . . . Manke nae lle? (where were you?) ' he asked

' For your first question . . think you already know the answer . . the second, I went back to Valinor '

' Sut naa lle umien sinare? ' (how are you doing today) he asked again, trying to change the topic hoping to get a better answer

' I am fine '

Taking a deep breath, Legolas tried to ask another question hoping to get a longer answer.

' I heard you mention the name Saeth when you were battling the Orcs . . .who is he if I may ask . .is he related to you? '

' My apologies my Lord, I will not answer that question for it is none of your concern. ' Lenae replied in her cold monotonous voice

' Do . . . ' Legolas started to ask when Lenae held her hand up, signaling him to stop.

' I suggest you go straight to what you really want to talk about . . . you still need your rest for the journey tomorrow and as for me I no longer need it '

Pausing, then nodding, Legolas accepted Lenae's words. She was right, he needed some rest for the journey ahead and she was also correct in assuming that the past questions he had asked were not what he really wanted to say. Taking another deep breath, Legolas gathered his courage and began to speak.

' Before I begin . . I want to talk to Lenae the elf . .not Lenae the new commander of the shadows nor to Gwanath, last of the dark elves. '

' What do you mean? ' she asked icily

' What I mean is that I want to talk face to face with the Lenae I befriended at Lothlorein . . The Lenae I cared for and help recover. The . . . . '

Legolas once again was not able to continue speaking . . . . suddenly before him stood the Lenae he met at Lothlorien. The Lenae with dull silver hair, pale skin and dark blue eyes.

' Is this what you mean? '

' Yes '

' Mankoi? ' (why)

' Because she is or you are the one I got to know and . . . . love ' Legolas had said the last word so softly that even with elvish hearing, Lenae was not able to hear it.

' Mani ume lle quena? ' (what did you say)

' Amin mela lle ' (I love you)

Legolas spoke out loudly this time . . so loud that Lenae feared that the people at camp might hear. Luckily no one in the camp stirred. Giving him a glare, Lenae spoke up.

' No! . . .you cannot love me . . . you should not . . . '

Lenae fell silent when Legolas placed his finger on her lips. This simple gesture stopped her from saying anything further.

' You cannot tell me what I should and should not do. And you cannot stop me from feeling what I feel for you now. '

When Legolas removed his finger from her lips, Lenae paused a minute before asking a question.

' Mankoi? '

' That I cannot answer because I too cannot explain it myself. I do not know why I love you . . I just know it . . .I just feel it . . .and deep down in my heart I know that it is true and real '

' Amin uume (I don't) . . .I . . .you are not supposed to fall in love with me . . you were not even supposed to see me at all . . .it is against all the rules . . .it is wrong . . .this feeling of yours will only bring you pain . . I . . '

Lenae began to babble, but for the second time that night Legolas silenced Lenae. This time he did not use his finger but instead he used his lips. Legolas had kissed Lenae softly on her lips. The kiss was so soft that it felt like a butterfly had gently landed on them. When the kissed ended, Lenae was stunned. Her mind and mouth did not seem to be working at all. Closing her eyes and taking a deep calming breath, she was finally able to speak.

' Mankoi lle uma tanya? ' (why did you do that) she asked softly

Expecting an immediate reply from Legolas, Lenae braced herself for his answer. But He did not speak. Because she had asked so softly, she thought that he might not heard it. Opening her mouth to ask it again . . .Legolas replied.

' I did it so that you would stop talking . . . I did it so that you would stop thinking to much . . .I did it because I love you and I wanted to let you know how I really feel. And I did it so that you will know that I will continue on loving you even if you do not love me '

Looking at Legolas' eyes when he spoke. She saw it in his eyes . . he was telling the truth . . he really did love her . . .she could even feel the love he had for her just by looking at them. Lenae was at a loss of words, she did not know what to say or do . . so she just stood there staring at him and into his eyes. Both of them stood like that for what seemed to be ages, staring into each other's eyes when finally Legolas spoke.

' Quel esta ' (rest well)

He then bowed to her and began to walk away.

Watching Legolas leave, Lenae was suddenly filled sadness and longing. Ever since Lothlorien she knew that she loved him but did not know how he felt for her. But now she knows . . He loved her . . . She knew that it is wrong . . . but she did not want Legolas to leave her. It was totally irrational, but she wanted to be with him always . . . or even just for a day . . . a day to fell his love and show her love . . . a day spent with him by his side . . . a day to feel happy . . .just one day

' Wait! ' she cried out

Stopping instantly, Legolas turned to face her. The next thing that occurred shocked him for he was then immediately encompassed in a tight hug.

' I love you too . . . .my dear prince ' she whispered into his ears as tears began to flow

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In a corner of the camp, the hobbits laid down upon a pile of old bracken by themselves. The rest of the camp had already been asleep for an hour or two but Pippen was still constantly tossing and turning. This in turn made the bracken crackle and rustle waking Merry up.

' What seem to be the problem? ' asked Merry

' I cannot sleep! ' Pippen replied

' Something is bothering you? '

' Do you remember the glass ball I picked up in Isengard? Gandalf seemed pleased about it. I wonder what it is. I am sure Gandalf would not tell us, but I still want to know what it is. '

' It is best you go to sleep Pippen. Gandalf will tell us what that object is when he thinks it's the right time, it may be sooner or later. But for now just let it be, Gandalf may have a good reason why he did not tell us all about it. ' Merry replied while yawning then he went back to sleep.

Pippen could hear the soft snoring Merry made. He then knew that Merry was already fast asleep. The only problem is that sleep had eluded him. His thoughts were constantly on the glass ball. With his curiosity getting the better of him, Pippen stood up and slowly approached the sleeping Gandalf. Kneeling in front of the soundly sleeping wizard, Pippen saw that Gandalf had tucked the ball in between his arms. Looking around, Pippen saw a stone as big as the ball. He then took it and gently replaced the ball for the stone. Hastily bringing the ball some distance away, Pippen then sat down with it in between his legs, then he stared into it. Not long after, Pippen gave out a loud piercing cry.

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Legolas and Lenae had opted to rest on the branches of the tree where Legolas had hid earlier. Both of them were in their trance like sleep . . . they both had smiles on their faces . . . . Legolas' arms were wrapped around Lenae and she had her head resting upon his broad chest. Everything was perfect when . . . a loud piercing cry woke them. And with a blink of an eye, both of them vanished.