The guards nodded and bowed their heads in respect as Elrond Peredhil and his family

approached. It was the morning of day two of the Starlight Festival, and the entire palace

seemed in a stupor of sorts. Since the festival's organized activities of course happened

only under the light of the stars, the day was almost just a waiting period. Guards would

hold archery contests and stage swordfights while their lords and ladies greeted friends

and family. Everyone was slightly weary from having recently traveled and from the

revelries of the night before, so many elves were content to simply sit and talk. As it

happened, it was breakfast time in Elrond's great hall, and any elves that wished to sit

together at the table for an informal morning meal were welcome. Absent were the pomp

and grandeur of the previous night, and the only recognition the lord and his family

received upon entering the room were a few nods, and one or two casual greetings.

Arwen entered the room with one clear objective, and she was already scanning the

guests in the vast hall by the time she sat down between her brothers at the table. Of the

hundreds of elves in attendance at the meal, 140 were blonde haired. Of that group, 100

had blue eyes. Of these just 7 had not yet reached their majority, and none of these seven

was Legolas. Arwen, unfortunately did not know this, so she continued to search the

assembly for some sign of her reclusive mellon.

When Legolas awoke, he sat up quickly in bed. For a moment he wasn't quite sure where

he was, but as the previous night came back to him, so also came back his long absent

grin. He remembered his father's return the night before with great happiness, for the

elder elf had come back in high spirits, and seemingly liberated from the witch's

enchantment. Thranduil had of course seen Legolas' beat up face, but his reaction had

been one of neither anger nor frustration; rather, Thranduil had laughed heartily upon

hearing the story behind the bruises. Legolas simply told his father the truth, that he had

gotten into a disagreement with the son of Elrond's Dwarven advisor. He left out his new

friend, but in all truth he did not lie. This was good since Legolas had no desire to be

economical with the truth to the father that had just returned to him. There also however,

had been further unforeseen benefits of his truthful account, for when his father heard

that the other boy had left with nary a scratch a though had occurred to him. "Perhaps it is

time you undertook some training in arms and learned to defend yourself, my son. If you

are ever to be king of Greenwood and the surrounding lands, you shall have to deal with

the dwarves and we can't have you getting beaten up every time you stop them from

uprooting your lovely forest for a few shiny rocks. Long have such unfortunate dealings

gone on and so they shall endure so long as we the firstborn must share this land with

less.suitable beings. Yes, I think that is a grand idea. I will speak to Aduil about a

suitable instructor for you," Here Thranduil had smiled and given Legolas a wink, "and is

it not so that once you learn to fight you must have weapons to fight with? Perhaps a set

of daggers are in order." This was too much. Legolas ran up and hugged his father

tightly. A set of twin bone daggers were a Mirkwood elf's passage to adulthood, and they

played an important political role as well. As soon as an Elf's sire granted him his first

pair of bone daggers it was an official statement. A father would grant his first set of

daggers to the most beloved and deserving of his children and they would henceforth be

heir to his riches and legacy. Once a boy had received this honor only one thing could

take it from him, and that was the call of Mandos. Even then much of the family's

material wealth would be burned with the body of their lost child. In that case the father

chose a second of his children as heir and granted them their lost sibling's position. This

happened rarely, but slowly, casualties among elves were increasing. This was because of

the recent appearance of a demon leader known simply as "The Necromancer".

Appearing out of nowhere, the strange leader of the Orcs had been causing Thranduil's

patrols a lot of trouble lately. In fact, recently, some of the vile creatures had even been

so bold as to venture beyond the borders of Thranduil's woods. For this reason

skirmishes burst up now and then, here and there, and more and more soldiers were

coming home wounded or not returning at all. Nonetheless, Thranduil was confident that

the Orcs and their new leader would be dealt with soon enough. This of course was

nowhere in the thoughts of young Legolas as he imagined how brave he would be and

how many Orcs he would slay. Thranduil leaned down and took his son's hand. "My but

it seems my work has been my life lately. How long has it been since we spent some time

together, Legolas?" Legolas smiled "Too long Father, too long."

Arwen sat absently tapping her knife. She had been sitting at the breakfast table for

nearly two hours, which to her seemed like a long time, and she had seen neither hide nor

hair of Legolas. 'He has probably been waiting near as long as I in the hallway." She

thought, "I wish I could find some excuse to get out of here." She glanced around her.

Her father and mother were laughing at something Glorfindel had just said, and on either

side of her, Elladan and Elrohir were having a contest to see who could throw the most of

their food just past her before she yelled at them. Arwen was just about to maim Elladan

for the piece of meat from his plate that had taken wing an inch away from her nose when

suddenly she felt something grab her leg. She jumped off her chair and cried out in shock.

Both of her brothers grabbed their ears and the rest of the hall went silent. Her father

looked at her strangely and stood. "Forgive us for the outburst; please go on with your

meals." Her Father commanded in a voice that made everyone look away and begin their

conversations again. Elrond walked over to her. "Are you all right Arwen?" he asked

softly. "Yes father, forgive me, I." she saw her chance for vengeance. "Well you see I

was just surprised when Elladan's breakfast flew past my face." The twins looked at each

other. "Elladan, Elrohir, Let's talk." Elrond said, standing slowly and walking towards

the corner of the room. Elrohir winced and Elladan shot Arwen a dirty look, but they both

got up and followed their father. Arwen smiled triumphantly and sat back in her seat.

Since her father and brothers had gotten up, the nearest diner sat across from her. It was

an official named Megundhros, who was currently engrossed with staring at her plate and

licking her lips ever so often. She never ate, just stared and stared. Megundhros was an

ancient Elf who desired little and consumed even less, but she loved to stare at plates of

food so she came to every meal and stayed until her plate was forced from her. Arwen

shook her head. "I must never grow old." She thought. She knew that Megundhros would

pay her little heed, and her mother was occupied with Glorfindel, so slyly Arwen leaned

back and glanced under the table. There she saw the little demon that had seized her leg.

Scowling at the creature, she gracefully slipped under the table beside him. "My

Glorfindel you are quite an observant Elf. My husband could surely not rule Rivendell

without your keen senses." Celebrian chuckled gaily. "Alas it is so, I could not be these

people's lord without one such as you by my side." Elrond added, approaching from

behind them. "But where, dear Celebrian, is that mischievous daughter of yours?"

Celebrian glanced to where Arwen had been seated. "Why I don't know. Megundhros, I

ask you, have you seen my daughter's departure?" Celebrian paused, giving the empty

seat a puzzled look. But Megundhros said nothing. "No doubt she has gone to prepare for

her lessons." Glorfindel surmised. Elrond smiled knowingly at the elderly woman before

him. "No doubt my friend, no doubt."

Legolas grinned wolfishly in the dim light of the space beneath the tablecloth. The

tablecloth kept the area dim, but Legolas' blue eyes and teeth shone in the void. Arwen

shook her head before pointing frantically. Legolas dodged just in time to avoid

Glorfindel's swinging boot. His eyes got wide, and just as he relaxed Glorfindel's foot

struck again. Legolas fell flat against the floor. Whoosh went the boot and he arched his

back like a cat. As the last blow fell Legolas ducked sharply and took off scrambling

down the passage beneath the tables. Arwen grinned in satisfaction and crawled after

him. The small padding noises their hands and knees made upon the stone floor were

small compared to the music of the minstrels combined with the whir of chatter and the

clink of plates, so no one heard them passing under. When they came to the end of the

table, Arwen noticed the feet on either side of her had disappeared. Legolas leaned

toward her and whispered in her ear. "This is where my father and I sat with some of his

friends. They have gone to talk of certain things in privacy. If we are discreet we will not

be seen." Legolas leaned away now and slowly lifted the tablecloth to peer out. After a

moments study of the outside room he beckoned that she follow him, and slipped back

into the lighted chamber. Arwen followed and for a moment they simply sat there, hidden

by the end of the table. Legolas frowned at the predicament of escape as he realized it

would not be as easy as he had expected. Suddenly they heard a sharp crash, and they

chanced a look above the table. The breakfast plate long untouched was sitting smashed

on the floor under a trail of breakfast streaming down the wall. "My Lady Megundhros,

what hast thou done this for?" cried a servant as he struggled to clean the mess on the

wall. Every guest in the hall was staring at the elderly lady. "I wonder what," Arwen was

cut off as Legolas grabbed her arm and pulled her away towards the door. Behind their

retreat, at the nucleus of the disturbance, Megundhros stared blankly at the table where

her plate had once been. As attention gradually shifted from her to the now dripping

multicolored mess on the wall she chanced a brief smile. Her task was done.

Legolas and Arwen fell panting against the wall. Legolas slid down the wall until he

was sitting on the floor. He laughed and shook his head in relief. Arwen slid down beside

him and laughed too. He put his arm around her and they looked at each other. They

smiled and both laughed. A passing lord stared at them and quickly hurried on. After a

moment Legolas stood and offered Arwen his hand. She gave it to him and he pulled her

up. "What shall we do today Legolas?" Arwen asked. "Well since you're supposed to be

at lessons we should probably get as far away from Rivendell itself as possible. What say

we go out and watch some archery?" Legolas suggested. "I know where Greenwood's

finest are practicing." "Legolas we cannot go to the archery fields, because Glorfindel

brings my brothers there for lessons." Arwen said. Legolas looked down embarrassed.

"Actually," he reluctantly admitted, "my father will not allow them on to the archery

grounds. He thinks your father will send men to study them and learn all of our secrets."

When Awen heard this she smiled. It would have been funny really if it was not yet

another reminder of what lay between their two peoples. It was strange that two children

had so easily bridged such a seemingly large gap. "Alright, let's go." Arwen said, and she

led the way out of the great archway of Rivendell. They walked along a worn stone path

in silence for some time. Finally Arwen spoke, "Your father really hates mine doesn't

he?" she asked. Legolas looked up from the tan colored stone and frowned. "I don't fully

understand it." Legolas said, "But has your father ever told you the story of the last

alliance?" Arwen nodded, "My father has told me little of that story, but I have learned a

good deal more from Glorfindel's history lessons and books in the library." "My father

says that in that battle your father and the Elven king Gil-Galad betrayed my grandfather,

and left him to his death." Legolas paused for a moment before continuing. "I don't know

the whole story, and I've never heard it from anyone besides my father. If Rivendell's

library contains accounts of the battle, maybe they will say what happened in more detail,

and we can understand what has fueled this timeless hatred." "Legolas," Arwen hesitantly

asked, "Will you promise me that whatever we may find about the battle, and our father's

grudges, you will not hate me for it?" Legolas laughed and smiled at her. "Yes, I promise.

In fact, let us make an agreement never to hold against each other the acts of our fathers."

Arwen nodded and the two shook hands. "It would be sad to lose a friend like you

Legolas. You are one of the only friends I have." She added softly. "I cannot believe you

aren't the most popular girl in Imladris." Legolas declared without hesitation. Arwen

laughed, "I may well be. There are few children in Imladris to begin with. Most residents

are so elderly that their children are elderly already too. There are some other children,

but I'm busy with my lessons all day, so I don't really even know them." "That's too bad,

but I know what it feels like now. My mom actually used to encourage me to go play

with the other kids, no matter what their status. By the time she died, I already had a lot

of friends. The problem is that since that demon woman has come to seduce my father,

people don't play with me. She makes it worth their while to shun my company. Now

that I think of it, you are the only friend I have now, and since all of my friends but you

left me when the going got tough, I guess you're my best friend." Arwen smiled at

Legolas. It was obvious that this realization had pleased him, and it made her glad too, so

throwing all other thoughts of family and hardship away, the pair continued their journey

silently, and not another word passed between them.

After some time, the two Elflings came upon a great clearing. It was roughly rectangular

shaped and so long that fifty of Thranduil's longbows could be lain end on end across its

length. The trees above seemed to reach towards each other, and their gently bending

branches formed a remarkable overhead canopy that wreathed the clearing in shadow.

The only natural light that entered the eerie place came from the long slit right down the

middle of the natural roof, for the tree branches did not meet, and where they ended they

left a perfect natural skylight which allowed for a bar of pure sunlight to illuminate the

clearing's floor , while the rest of the area was surrounded with the eerie filtered patches

of light that penetrated the tree's branches. Arwen had never been to this particular field

before, for the trees grew so thickly around it that it was difficult to find if you knew the

place, lat alone with only luck to guide you. Legolas was amazed at the unnaturalness of

the place, but it was certainly as his father had described to him. Figures stood in a row

on one end of the clearing, and as she became accustomed to the unnatural lighting,

Arwen realized that they were a row of archers wearing the colors of Greenwood.

"Come," said Legolas "This is where the archers practice for the tournament. It is a secret

place, so don't mention it to anyone." He took her hand and began to approach the

figures, who had all stopped their shooting, and stood watching them. One of the taller

shooters stepped up to them and bowed quickly. "Prince Legolas, welcome. I see you

have brought a friend." The figure spoke in a soft voice very contrary to his appearance,

which was menacing at the very least. He wore a green cloak, no doubt to blend in with

the wilderness, and the hood that covered his head also obscured his features and

expression. "This is Arwen Undomiel. She is the daughter of Elrond, but I assure you she

can be trusted. Arwen, this is Aduil. He is our lead archer and my Ada's military

advisor." Legolas introduced them casually. Aduil suddenly pulled away the hood, and

Arwen was shocked to see that his face was jolly, and his eyes shone. "I am pleased to

finally meet you milady." He said with another informal bow. "I have long wished to

make the acquaintance of the Evenstar." Arwen nodded, "I am glad to meet you too

Aduil." When she had heard his name Arwen had known she had heard it somewhere,

and now she realized that this was the man from Legolas' story. He was the one who had

braved Thranduil's wrath for Legolas' sake. 'Thank you' she found herself thinking in

her mind. "Would you two like to do some shooting?" Aduil asked kindly. Legolas

nodded. "I will get my bow, Arwen will you stay here with Aduil?" Arwen agreed to this

and Legolas set off down the line of archers towards the pile of equipment.

Aduil turned to Arwen. "So you are friends with the young prince?" he asked

casually. "Yes, we met under.interesting circumstances, but I am fond of him. He is

very sweet, and very cute." Arwen blushed, but Aduil did not laugh. He merely nodded.

"Legolas once had many friends who thought so." He said sadly. Arwen decided to

change the subject. "Legolas has already learned to shoot a bow?" she asked. "Aye, he

has not yet been trained hand to hand but he could shoot a bow before he could fit into

his crown. He has always been very good at it. So good in fact, that Thranduil had to

have his first bow made especially because the longbows were taller than he was. Legolas

is a very talented archer. It is too bad he is a prince, for I would love to have a man like

that among my company, but oh well." Seeing that talk of archery pleased the elder,

Arwen continued. "You think he is good enough to be an archer?" Aduil looked

thoughtful. "Let me tell you something. Officially, I am the best archer in Greenwood.

You gain that title by beating the best archer in a tournament, and you keep it until

someone challenges you in a later tournament and wins. One year ago, Legolas and I

were planning to do some practice shooting, when we saw that the only target that was

set up was a competition-ready one, which was placed further off than the one Legolas

and I practiced on. I offered to move it, but Legolas said he would like to try shooting at

it as it was. He wanted to have a mock tournament with me. I agreed, and he asked me to

shoot as I did in competition so he could study my form. I did so, and hit the bullseye

dead on. Legolas looked at the target for a moment, and then got up and imitating me let

his arrow fly. It hit straight on the bullseye just as mine had and split my arrow down the

middle. He had never shot at that length before, and he had just shot equal to me. I was

amazed, but since it was unofficial and no one saw, of course he got no recognition. He

would not have been believed if he told someone, and he didn't. Since that day I have

always been loathe to measure the boy's skill. It must suffice to say he has the most

potential I've seen in some time." Aduil stopped here, and whether it was the end of the

story or not Arwen did not know for at that moment Legolas approached. "Oh Arwen, I

should never have left you with this old busybody." Legolas mock frowned "He'll talk

until the next age if you let him." Aduil smiled. "Forgive me little princeling, she was the

only one who would listen." The general said. "That's because everyone else knows

better," Legolas retorted, "and don't call me little princeling." "As you wish sire. Both of

you get going, the last target on the end is open, and be careful. When I blow my horn,

someone will be going out to fetch the arrows, so no shooting until I blow again."

Legolas nodded, and led Arwen down to the only untaken shooting station.

"Have you shot before?" Legolas asked as he handed Arwen the bow. "No," she

replied, "but Aduil says you are very good." Legolas shrugged. "I'm good enough to

teach you how at least. That is if you want to learn." Arwen nodded, and held the bow

straight out before her. Legolas adjusted and instructed her until she was in proper

position. Then he reached around her and held her hands in the right position. As he

moved her through the graceful positions, Arwen decided she liked archery. Finally he

released her and the arrow at the same time. It hit the outer rim of the target, and putting

his arm around her shoulder Legolas smiled at her. "Good shooting."

Once again, Legolas and Arwen found each other alone in the abandoned corridor.

They had shot for hours together, talking occasionally about nothing, until finally they

had returned at the sound of the first dinner bell. "You did very well. I cannot believe you

haven't shot before." Legolas praised his friend. Arwen smiled. "I had a good teacher."

They smiled at each other and Legolas sighed. I should go see my dad now, but maybe

I'll see you after dinner?" he suggested. "I'm afraid since I missed lessons I shall have to

devote my night to Glorfindel." Arwen replied. The second bell rang, and the two parted

ways. That night, Arwen found herself bored out of her mind being forced to listen to

Glorfindel lecture her about various times in history when tragedy would have befell the

Elves had someone famous not acted on their responsibilities. Sighing in boredom,

Arwen stared out the window wishing she could be with Legolas. Suddenly a sound

reached her ears, and smiling she got back to work. Legolas was with her always, and in

this moment she could feel his presence all around and within her; painfully magnified by

the mournful sound of a lonely flute.

A/N Ok, that was chapter five. Hope you guys like it. Here are my notes to those who reviewed chapter 3.

iAmDuckie131- I am glad you like it, hopefully I will update a lot more in the future.

Karone Evertree- Glad you think its original, I love Legolas and Arwen romances too!

Jessie: Hey you ho, hope you like it as you are my main G. Legolas is hot Aragorn is not!

Megz- Sorry I didn't tell you but don't be violent! Thanks for the beta job.

StriderGrrl - I always prefer a polite reviewer! Thanks for reading hope you like this chappy too.

Shinigami29- Sorry, I thought you were my friend Gogax. My bad. Thanks for the review though!

Gogax- Yo Go, whats goin on. DRAW MY PIC! Lol jk, thanks for stickin by me even though you like Gimli. :p

Pishymishy- Hey, you rock thanks for all the support, and I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get out.