Disclaimer: I do not own any of the LOTR characters, places, songs or poems.

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'In her heart she knew,

But her soul just couldn't see,

Even in his protecting arms,

She thought this love just cannot be.'

Chapter 11: Come what may

Aerin sat on her canopy in her room, she was desperately trying to sort out all these mixed emotions she was feeling ever since she had came to Mirkwood.

For the last couple of days she'd tried to avoid both Legolas and Alderon. Aranwe was the only person she wanted to see.

After that faithful day of the picnic, she had told her best friend everything about her doubts about her wedding and her feelings for Legolas.

There was a knock on her bedroom door.

"Come in," Aerin answered softly.

Aranwe stuck her head around the corner of the door.

"Are you quit sure you do not want to attend the ball tonight?" she asked Aerin, smiling mischievously at her.

Aerin had decided not to go to the ball. She couldn't face all those people, especially not Lady Galadriel, she was afraid her aunt would read her mind as she so often had done.

"I told you I am not going, mellonamin, my friend, why do you keep asking?" sadness resounding in her voice.

"Because I have your dress!" Aranwe stepped into the room with the dress draped over her arm, she was grinning sheepishly.

Aerin didn't want to admit it but she was still a bit curious about this dress.

"You should really try it on. The seamstress really put a lot of effort in it, she told me this is her best creation ever," Aranwe tried to convince her.

"Then you should wear it yourself, for I am not going, remember," Aerin told her, firmly.

Aranwe giggled at her friend's stubbornness. "This dress is made for a queen, it is far too beautiful for me to wear. You seem to sometimes forget that I am just lady Galadriel's servant, besides I have some news you might want to hear," Aranwe told her with a mysterious tone in her voice.

Aerin's curiosity was aroused immediately and she gave Aranwe her full and undivided attention.

"What kind of news, pray tell?"

"First try on the dress," Aranwe grinned, her eyes gleamed.

"That is blackmail, Aranwe Goldwing!" Aerin exclaimed.

"Yes it is, now put on this dress or I will not tell you my news," Aranwe commanded her, holding out the dress to her friend.

Aerin took the dress from Aranwe and grumbled while putting it on.

Aranwe was in awe.

The dress was absolutely magnificent.

It was made of pure white silk with silver trimmings and long sleeves that almost reached the ground. It had a low cut neckline that uncovered the porcelain skin of her delicate shoulders, small diamonds were sown onto the dress, sparkling like hundreds of stars in the night sky.

Aerin twirled around in front of her mirror. It was the most beautiful dress she had ever seen in her entire life and it fitted her perfect, just like a second skin.

"You look absolutely marvelous. It is a pity to waste such a beautiful dress. Do you not agree?" Aranwe told her in an attempted to convince her to go.

Aerin sighed and thought it would indeed be a waste of a magnificent dress, still she couldn't gather up the courage to go.

"Now its your turn. Tell me about your news," she demanded as she crossed her arms, looking straight into her friend's eyes.

"O yes, I have spoken to Haldir today, he sends you his greetings," Aranwe told her cheerfully.

"Is that all?" a sad smile appeared on Aerin's face.

"No that is not all, impatient one, he has managed to convince Alderon not to go to the king and he told Haldir that he does not blame you for what has happened," Aranwe gave her a satisfied smile.

"O," was all Aerin could say, she felt disappointed and relieved at the same time.

"You are not happy about this news?" Aranwe asked her worriedly.

"It is not what I had expected, I guess," Aerin shrugged.

"Than what did you expect?" Aranwe asked her not understanding.

"I do not know," Aerin muttered.

Than it dawned on Aranwe. "You expected to hear news of Legolas, did you not?"

Legolas, his very name made her heart skip a beat and memories of their kisses appeared in her mind.

"Alas, good friend, Haldir did not say anything about him," Aranwe sympathized with her.

Aerin's heart saddened a bit, she missed Legolas. Although she did her best to avoid him as much as possible, she always hoped to catch a glimpse of him.

Every day she wondered if he loved her as much as she loved him and if he was thinking of her.

Legolas rode through the forest on his horse. It seemed to be the only way to avoid his brother. He tried not to think of Aerin but it seemed impossible, she had captured his heart and was on his mind constantly.

He thought back to the conversation he had with Haldir a couple of days ago. Haldir seemed to understand him, to know how he felt.

Haldir had asked him what his intentions and feelings were towards Aerin, then he asked him if he understood the sever consequences of their action.

Finally he had told Legolas to come to his senses, that this was an impossible love and maybe the best thing for him to do was to leave Mirkwood till after the wedding.

Legolas knew that Haldir was right, it was the only right and decent thing to do.

He had decided to leave after the ball. He wanted to see Aerin one last time before he went, it would possibly be the last time he would see her or Mirkwood ever again, for he feared his heart would break and he would wither away the minute she would be married to his brother and be lost to him forever.

Aranwe's efforts to persuade Aerin to go to the ball paid off. She helped Aerin with her dress and her hair.

Haldir agreed to escort Aerin to the ball.

"What about you, who will escort you to the ball?" Aerin asked Aranwe nervously.

"Do not worry about me, my dear friend, Haldir asked Glorfindel to escort me," Aranwe reassured her, while placing a silver circlet upon Aerin's head.

There was a knock on the door.

Aranwe opened the door.

"Aerin, your escort has arrived," Aranwe told her, excitingly.

Aerin turned around and walked towards the door, where Haldir was waiting for her.

Haldir's mouth dropped open when he saw her, he immediately bowed before her and kissed her hand.

"Vanimle sila tiri, arwenamin, your beauty shines bright, my lady."

Aerin blushed slightly.

Haldir held out his arm for her.

She gave her friend one last look.

"I will be with you in a short while, all will be well," Aranwe reassured her.

Aerin and Haldir walked through the corridors.

Aerin still felt a bit nervous.

How will I react when I see Legolas and Alderon?

She tried to focus, which seem to be very difficult indeed.

Haldir glanced at her and saw the tension that was written all over her fair face. "Do not worry, try to enjoy this evening. Everything will be all right," Haldir told her in a confident manner.

" I wish it was that easy, my friend," she replied softly.

They arrived at the steps that lead to the ballroom.

A servant announced them.

"Entering, Lord Haldir and Lady Aerin of Lorien."

All eyes seemed to be fixed on Aerin and whispers could be heard all through the room.

Aerin stood still and looked down at all the elves that were present. The little courage she had disappeared when she saw that Lady Galadriels eyes were also fixed upon her.

"I will be by your side the entire evening, if you wish it," Haldir whispered to her.

She nodded and took a deep breath as they started to descend down the marble staircase.

Legolas couldn't believe his eyes. She looked more beautiful than he had ever seen her, the stars would fade in her presents he thought to himself. He wanted to be by her side now more then ever.

Legolas saw his brother walking up to her, again he felt the painful sting of jealousy.

Aerin was sitting next to Aranwe, who had just arrived. She secretly glanced at Legolas who appeared to be in deep conversation with his father, and then like he had read her mind, he looked straight at her with his warm blue eyes and smiled at her before turning back to his conversation.

Aranwe danced with Haldir and Glorfindel a couple of times.

Aerin enjoyed seeing her friend dance with Haldir. Haldir, who normally, never danced! Well Aranwe could be very persuasive if she wanted to.

Aerin too was asked to dance a couple of times, which she refused politely.

She was glade that Alderon hadn't made an attempted to dance with her, she saw him talking on the other end of the room with one of his officers.

"Are you enjoying yourself, my sweet child?" a voice asked from behind her.

She turned around, it was king Thranduil himself.

"Yes, your majesty. The ball is absolutely splendid," she replied, trying to sound cheerful.

"Then why are you not dancing? The king asked her, while examining her face carefully.

"I enjoy seeing other people dance, my king," Aerin stammered a bit unsure where this conversation was leading.

"Nonsense, you are far to young to just sit around without dancing," The king scolded her mildly.

Before she could say anything else the king continued.

"I see my son Alderon is nowhere to be found, so I suggest you dance with my other son," the king smiled.

Aerin froze on the spot. 'Dancing with Legolas, my Legolas,' a tiny voice said in the back of her mind.

"I have to refuse, your majesty," Aerin stammered, shaking her head.

"Do not worry my son is perfectly capable of dancing without stepping on your toes," king Thranduil laughed.

It was inevitable, Aerin had to dance with Legolas.

Legolas bowed before her.

"Will you permit me this dance, my lady?" he tried to sound as formal as possible.

Aerin nodded her consent and took his arm, together they walked towards the dance floor.

Aerin was sure that Alderon was watching somewhere.

Legolas couldn't believe it. Here he was holding the woman he loved in his arms.

"Please tell me this was not your idea," Aerin asked him nervously, aware that they had the full attention of everyone that was present in the room.

"I promise you, I did not no of my fathers intentions," Legolas, who was well aware of what she was thinking, replied.

She saw the truth that lay in his magnificent blue eyes and she believed him.

"Well I had promised you my first dance, guess it is just your luck," she sighed, giving him a quick smile.

"Not luck, Lothamin, my flower, faith has brought us together again," Legolas told her in a dreamy way.

'Yes, faith had brought them together for the last time.' He thought bitterly.

"Then faith has a strange kind of humor to do it like this," she whispered.

They danced until the orchestra stopped playing. Aerin had to admit that she was enjoying herself very much and wished the music had never stopped.

Legolas and Aerin were on their way back to their seats, when Alderon blocked their passage.

"You could not stay away from her, could you?" he hissed, looking furiously at Legolas.

"I did not," Legolas tried to defend himself, but was cut of by his brother.

"Spare me your lies, wethrinaer, deceitful one," Alderon narrowed his eyes.

"He is telling the truth, Alderon, please do not make a scene," Aerin pleaded.

"The only one who is making a scene is him," Alderon pointed his finger accusingly at Legolas.

Legolas kept his face expressionless, but his hard, cold eyes revealed his true feelings.

Aerin looked from one brother to the other. Now more than ever she regretted listening to Aranwe, she should have never attended this ball.

"Antola ulua sulrim, onooromin, much wind pours from your mouth, my brother," Legolas said with a calm voice, keeping his eyes on his brother.

"I told you, I am no longer your brother, nadorhuan, cowardly dog," Alderon spat back.

Alderon made a fist and wanted to give Legolas a blow.

"That is enough, stop this childish behavior right now," Aerin hissed at both elves.

"Nothing happened Alderon, do you understand me?" she spoke to him like she would speak to a little child.

"So you are taking his side now!" Alderon accused her blinded by his anger.

"Leave her out of this. We shall settle this matter later, there are too many eyes upon us here," Legolas reminded Alderon of where they were.

Alderon looked around and nodded, without saying another word he turned around and walked away.

"Are you alright, my lady?" he asked concerned, examining her pale face.

Aerin only nodded, she was near to tears.

Legolas had excused himself right after he had brought her back to her seat and Alderon was nowhere to be seen.

She prayed to the Valar that they would not fight over her.

"I am just tired and wish to go to my room," she muttered softly.

"Shall I escort you?" Haldir offered.

"No thank you, my good friend," Aerin declined his offer.

Aranwe, who had witnessed everything and had followed their conversation, stepped in.

"I will walk you to your room, I think it is also time for me to retread," she looked at her friend.

Aerin gave her a grateful smile and accepted her offer.

They walked silently through the garden.

"So what was that all about?" Aranwe asked bluntly.

Aerin, who had been in deep thought, looked surprised at her friend.

"What was what all about?" she asked innocently.

"Do not try fool me, I saw everything," Aranwe scolded her.

"Than you know," Aerin muttered sadly.

"Alderon was furious because I was dancing with Legolas," she explained.

"Than why did you not refuse to dance with him?" Aranwe asked not comprehending.

"And arouse king Thranduils suspicion, I think not," she reasoned.

"Alderon also accused me of picking sides," Aerin told her.

"Did you pick sides?" Aranwe asked her reasonable.

"Of course not!" Aerin replied a bit insulted.

Aranwe raised her eyebrow at her friend's sudden outburst.

Suddenly Aerin stopped walking.

"Ssssst, dina, be silent," she whispered to Aranwe, while putting a finger to her lips.

Aranwe followed Aerin's gaze and saw a figure standing at the end of the great corridor.

The candles that were lighted accentuated his slender figure.

It was Legolas.

He didn't seem to be aware of the two women who were watching him closely.

"Do you hear it?" Aranwe whispered.

Aerin nodded.

Legolas was singing.

The words of the song moved her like no song had ever before, it was a sad song, a song of eternal love:

Never knew I could feel like this,

Like I never seen the sky before,

I want to vanish inside your kiss,

Everyday I love you more,

Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing,

Telling me to give you everything,

Seasons may change, winter to spring,

But I will love you until the end of time.

Aerin could feel the pain in his words as he sang, it almost brought her to tears. She slowly approached him.

"Aerin what are you doing?" Aranwe whispered, unable to stop her friend.

Legolas turned his head and looked at her.

Aerin began to sing as she kept walking towards him:

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place,

Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace,

Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste,

It all revolves around you.

Aerin held out her hands for him and he took them, holding them tight, never wanting to let go.

They smiled at each other and started to sing together:

And there's no mountain too high,

No river to wide,

Sing out this song and I'll be by your side,

Storm clouds may gather,

And stars may collide,

But I love you until the end of time.

They kissed passionately.

"You should not be here, we should not be doing this," Legolas reminded her.

"I know," was all she said.

He gazed into her emerald green eyes and saw the love they held for him.

"Amin mela lle, I love you," he whispered to her.

Aerin's heart swell up with love, the words she so longed to hear, finally he said them. How she loved him. A single tear rolled down her rosy cheeks, all she could feel was total happiness.

"Why are you crying, melamin? my love," Legolas asked, while gently wiping the tear from her soft skin.

"I was not sure you loved me, I thought you.," she stammered, looking at him.

"Did you think I was using you?" he asked, giving her such an intense look, that it almost stopped her heart.

"I do not know," she lowered her gaze and shrugged her shoulders.

Legolas placed her hands on his chest, so she could feel the beating of his heart.

"My heart only beats for you," he told her with a hoarse voice.

"You rein as queen in my heart, mela en' coiamin, love of my life, you and you alone," he kissed the palm of her hand.

"Amin mela lle, Legolas, I love you, I will always love you until the day I die," she told him and placed her hands around his neck.

Again they engaged in a passionate kiss.

"Stay with me tonight?" Legolas asked her softly, unable to think clearly.

Aerin just nodded her head. Legolas swept her from the ground and carried her away in his arms, he kissed her and smiled.

"Sina dome aru a'lye, this night belongs to us," he whispered in her ear.

Aranwe thought this would be the right time to leave them alone, she wondered if their love would survive Aerin's wedding. Does true love conquer all? She asked herself.

Aranwe decided to cover for her friend and went up to Aerin's bedroom.

She opened the door.

The room was pitch black and she walked up to Aerin's nightstand to light a candle.

Suddenly a hand covered her mouth.

Aranwe struggle and tried to kick her attacker.

"Be still wench," an unfamiliar voice hissed in her ear.

Aranwe kept struggling and saw a change to bite in her attackers hand.

He let out a cry of pain.

"You insufferable witch!" he spat at her.

Before Aranwe knew what happened she was knocked to the ground and everything turned black.

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Disclaimer: This is my longest chapter ever! There's quite a lot of mush in it! The poem on the top of this chapter is from an unknown poet, the song lyrics are from 'Moulin Rouge' as is the title. Well met!!

Legolaslover2: Thank you for your review! Haldir's Heart and Soul: I like complicated situations, love is always complicated, I think!

Sweetodkgirl: I am really doing the best I can, but I guess you already knew that!

Albinofrog 88: Thank you, Thank you. **Bows deeply for imaginary audience**