YAY! I'm updating! The next chapter. Longer then most of them ^-^ You guys deserve it. Sorry it's been so long, I had a bunch of school work and my new film club to run. Have fun reading! Please Review! I crave it, it's the only thing that keeps me posting here ^-^ All your guys reviews mean so much to me, I would have never dreamt of 130 reviews. It's so strange lol. Well thank you, and enjoy.

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-`*~:Chapter Nine: Return of Mirkwood~*`-

Leneil sighed, tired of all her traveling. She was glad to be back at Rivendell. Leneil could finally relax. Darnair had been happy upon her safe return and same for Elrond. Darnair and Leneil still talked and often. Leneil was careful not to let any of her secret slip and still made up stories about her past. Years past, seasons came and went. The yearly festivals continued yet no sign of Mirkwood. Time seemed to pass quickly under the sanctuary of Rivendell. Still no one suspected her. She became very bored and often took long rides with Naraina. She found out many secret paths and places of Rivendell in her boredom. She spent her time at the secret coves and springs. A hundred years past, and still no word or whisper of the ring or word from Calina and the others.

It was time for the yearly festival marking the ruin of Sauron. The same preparations took place. Elrond made special lights that need no fire and hung in the air. She noticed long ago he held one of the three elven rings but not the ring she needed. Ariana made her a new dress for this year. Ariana's skill with a needle often astounded Leneil. She made the most beautiful garments. This year she made Leneil white and silver dress. It was long and had belled sleeves. Underneath she wore a silver dress and it's sleeves and color came out through the white. Its tie around the waist was silver and it draped behind her. Normally she didn't like the idea of a white dress, but made an exception because it was so beautiful. She wore the same necklace from the first festival, she always did.

Leneil took her seat next to Arwen. The same seat she always sat in. Arwen seemed to bug her less and less over the years. She could at least tolerate her now. Arwen was smiling happily waiting for the food to be served. Leneil laughed at her boredom; she was aching for something to happen, anything exciting. She looked around and saw some Lothlorien elves to be here this year. She spotted among them Haldir. Haldir gave her a quick glare and turned away. She smiled, he had never liked her. Seeing Haldir made her think of her mother, she turned back to her plate and stared at it.

"Welcome to another festival! We celebrate our many years of peace! May it last a many more years," Elrond said importantly raising his glass.

Many followed suit and gave cheers. The food was delicious and everyone was having a blast, except for Leneil, bored out of her mind. She was thinking of her sword, how lovely it was. How beautiful . . .

"Lady Leneil, may I have a dance?"

Leneil turned around ready to tell the pathetic person to buzz off when her eyes fell upon the most gorgeous elf she had ever seen in her life. Her eyes wandered from his fantastic body to his blue eyes, and his light blonde hair about his shoulders. She stared into his blue eyes until she realized . . .

"Legolas!!" she exclaimed, nearly knocking him over with a huge hug.

Arwen looked at Leneil in a curious way, she shrugged and continued her meal. Legolas smiled and wrapped his arms around her. She pulled back only a little to look into his eyes. She didn't know what to say nor had reason for acting so happy, but she didn't care, not right now.

"Of course, Legolas," she smiled.

Leneil took another good look at him.

"Now I can't really call you little anymore can I, prince?"

"I guess not," Legolas laughed.

Legolas led Leneil to the dance floor. He put his hand on her waist and a jolt of electricity flowed through her and shot up her spine, giving her the chills.

"Are you cold?" he asked, pulling her close to him.

"Oh no, I'm fine," she replied hastily.

Her eyes looked straight to his and she began to get lost in the blue depths. She thought nothing of anything. She couldn't shake this odd warm feeling taking over. She closed her eyes and the music started up again. She could feel his fast beating heart; she could fall asleep to its sweet lullaby. Legolas lead most of the dance, leading her about gracefully. The song ended and Legolas pulled back, Leneil nearly whimpered at the lost of contact but caught herself.

Reality soon sunk in and internally she panicked. What was she doing!? What had happened to her, what was taking her over? This was no sword's devilry, but the elf who stood before her. She needed to get away from the dance floor, now.

"Legolas, your skills in archery must have improved over the years," she said, hoping to escape away from this place.

"Ah, should we go to the practicing fields so I can show you?"

"I would love that," she said, happy he picked up on her hint.

Legolas went and came back with his bow and arrows. They made their way back to the same archery practice fields from so long ago. Leneil smiled, she loved the quiet especially at night. Leneil laid back and watched Legolas pull back on an arrow and release it. It landed straight in the middle of the target.

"I'm impressed. You're skills are amazing. I have by far better skills with a sword then with a bow and arrow," she said thoughtfully.

"Would you like to try?" he asked looking back at her.

Oh that look, it sent chills up her spine. She wished for him to turn but at the same time didn't. She only nodded and walked up to grab the bow from him. Her hand brushed slightly against his, it sent another shock straight through her. She gasped slightly and hastily notched the arrow. She pulled back, her arm shaking.

"Relax, you'll never hit the target like that. Here," he said.

Walking behind her, he put his arms over hers. He was so close to her, his heartbeat on her back. He was whispering words to her she could not comprehend. She was only listening to the sweet sound of his voice. He pulled back on the arrow and Leneil closed her eyes and let herself go. What was happening to her at the moment she could care less. She would spend an eternity like this if she could.

He smiled and pulled back on the bow, redirecting her aim. Leneil could feel his breath on her neck. She gasped but it went unheard because of the release of the arrow. It landed half a centimeter from the last.

"L-Legolas it's cold over here, lets go back," she said quickly

She thought it was the atmosphere of the dance floor but she was wrong, nothing could shake this feeling. She pulled herself away and began to walk towards the feast.

"I'm sorry I have no cloak to offer you," he said as they walked.

"Really I'm f-"

Legolas put his arm around her attempting to keep her warm.

"-ine," she finished.

"I don't want you to be cold," he said.

Leneil's palpitation quickened. Did he have to keep touching her that way?

Mirkwood's King

"Thranduil! Harmar! Wonderful to see you, I hope you are enjoying yourselves?"

"Yes, Lord Elrond. A fantastic feast as always I must say!"

"Thank you, what brings you to Rivendell I must ask."

"Well, I am thinking of retiring my crown."

"So Harmar-?"

"Yes he is eldest of my sons."

Elrond nodded.

"Who is to be his queen?"

"Well, Lord Elrond, that is the main reason we are here."

"Harmar has interest in a lady of Rivendell? Who?"

"Lady Leneil."

"Leneil!?"

"Yes what is wrong with that!" Harmar spoke for the first time.

"Nothing . . . just she is . . . different."

"She is full of spirit, perfect for the queen of Mirkwood," Thranduil said in an almost proud tone of voice.

"I don't think she is the kind of lady who will just walk off at your call and live happily ever after," Elrond said.

"This is where we need your help."

"How so? I cannot force her to marry."

"No, but would you let us stay until Harmar gets to know the girl more and he asks her?"

Elrond thought for a while then slowly nodded his head.

"I don't see why not."

Harmar looked over his shoulder and saw Leneil for the first time in a long while. She looked fairer then ever, and some how different. Maybe wiser, but there was definitely a new glow about her. His eyes went from her to the elf next to her. Legolas! How could he try and steal his soon to be queen. He immediately marched towards them.

Leneil froze as she spotted Harmar marching over to them. She didn't realize Haldir would also be here. This was the time to put her plan into action, but that was the farthest thing from her mind at the moment.

"Lady Leneil wonderful to see you," he said.

Leneil was disgusted by his presence.

"And you to Harmar," she forced out.

"Legolas I just might have to steel her away for a dance."

He held out his arm for her. She sighed.

"I'll be right back," she whispered to Legolas.

Harmar smirked as she took his arm. When the turned to leave Harmar purposely slammed his foot down on Legolas's.

"Ow!"

"Are you ok?" Leneil asked worried.

"Oh no, fine," he said quickly then sat down at the Mirkwood table with his other two brothers.

"Legolas was always the strange one out of us," Harmar said.

Leneil felt angered by his comment but said nothing. Harmar put his arm on Leneil's waist in a similar fashion that Legolas did, but it didn't feel the same. Harmar's touch felt cold and unwanted. She wished Legolas here instead, no matter how much she wanted to deny it.

"I told you I'd be back, Leneil."

"You did?" she asked, playing dumb.

"Yes, and I still know your secret."

"You know nothing about me," she shot back.

"Oh but I do."

"You lie."

"Do I, Leneil?"

She glared at him. There was no way he could know what he thought he knew. She could take no more of this. She stormed off the dance floor, getting strange looks by the elves around her. She didn't care.

Awkward Situations

"Oh no what has Haldir done now, I swear our brother could never keep a girl," Thurin said.

"What?" Legolas said turning around.

He saw a smirking Haldir but no Leneil, out of the corner of his eye he spotted Leneil running off into the woods.

"Is she crazy!" Legolas exclaimed.

He started to run after her. She was going to get herself killed going out at this time of night!

Leneil kept running. She was running to a small pond she found long ago. It was surrounded with bushes that bloomed white glowing flowers only when the moon was out, like it was tonight. She made it to her escape and lay down by the water's edge.

What was going on with her? She couldn't carry out her mission. Why did she feel the way she did about Legolas. She didn't understand. How he looked at her, and touched her, it made her warm, and complete in a way. She sighed and looked up into the night. She ran her hand across the still water creating many ripples on the once calm surface of the water. What happened to the days where she was the perfect warrior? She felt nothing and could be defeated by nothing. But now she had turned soft, she felt things she couldn't describe. Could it be love, but no, she didn't love. Could she?

"Leneil," spoke the voice that sent her chills.

She instantly sat up and pulled her knees beneath her chin. Legolas looked at her, not sure what to say. She was seemed so vulnerable. It hurt him to see her like this.

"What's wrong, Leneil?" Legolas asked, his voice full of concern.

Oh please let him go away, Leneil thought.

He sat next to her and searched her eyes. He found them full of pain, cold, and empty. What had happened to the Leneil he saw but ten minutes ago?

"Please talk to me," he pleaded.

Leneil looked away, not matter how much she wanted to tell him everything, she couldn't.

"Leneil, something is wrong. I can see it in your eyes. Your hurting, let me help."

She could have died hearing him talking to like that. Leneil couldn't take it. She felt wrong to keep anything from him. She felt disgusted with herself. She couldn't stay her any more.

Leneil got up to leave but Legolas stood up and pulled back on her hand. She slipped and she brought Legolas down with her. They both fell back into the shallow waters of the pond. Legolas landed on top of Leneil but held out his arms so he wouldn't crush her. Water crashing about them Leneil blushed and stared at him shocked. Legolas had no clue how they ended up like this and wanted to apologize, but he found himself leaning forward and gently kissing her. Leneil closed her eyes and relaxed beneath him. She had no idea a kiss could feel like this. Everything, her troubles all gone and all that was left was this pure bliss. She felt the void with in her fill. For once in her life she didn't feel so empty and alone. He pulled back, blushing, not even he expected himself to do that. Leneil opened her eyes and looked up at him.

"Leneil, I want to help you," is all he could say.

Leneil gave him a desperate look and turned away, a tear fell slowly down her face.

"Leneil I'm sorry, don't cry," he said, pulling her up.

He brought her out of the water and he held her. He pushed the wet black locks away from her face and held her close. Leneil didn't protest and held tight to his tunic. Tears fell one by one. She could hold back no longer. Years of pain, loneliness, fear, and frustration poured out of her in a flood of sobs and cries. Legolas held her even tighter and ran his hand through her hair trying to calm her.

"Come on, Leneil, lets go back," Legolas said.

"I'm sorry," she barely whispered.

"Its fine, come on. You need rest."

He helped her up slowly and they walked back in silence. They avoided the feast and walked to Leneil's room. He saw her to her room and helped her in bed. He turned around to leave but Leneil grabbed his arm and looked up at him pleadingly.

"I don't want to be alone," she said.

He smiled and lay down next to her. She shivered and he wrapped an arm around her, she stopped shivering and got a chill of a new kind. Her mind wandered and she felt calm. She drifted off into sleep, dreaming for once a good dream. Legolas looked at her in the moonlight. He knew so little about her, yet he knew he loved her. He wanted to know more about her, to find out what was hurting her and rid her of the burden. He brushed her hair aside from her face and kissed her cheek. He got up and made his way to the door. He stopped when he heard Leneil whimper and cry out.

"Leneil . . ." an evil voice taunted.

"What! Who is there! Speak! Show yourself!"

"You know who this is," the voice said angrily.

"No . . no! Go away!," she yelled out and she started to run.

"You stupid girl there is no escaping me!"

Leneil ignored him and kept running.

"You weakling! Running! I trained you better!"

"That's all I ever was to you! A puppet! Another one of your warriors!"

"And you thought different? Come on Leneil! What are you doing! I taught you never to cry! Pathetic!"

"I'm not! GO away!!"

The evil voice laughed more and more.

"Leneil . . Leneil!"

"Leneil!" Legolas cried shaking her.

Leneil shot up and started to beat angrily against him, Legolas caught her arms and tried to constrain her.

"Leneil! It's me!"

Leneil stopped and looked up at him and fell limp against him. Arwen came running into the room.

"What happened! The feast is over and I was walking to my room when I heard screaming!"

She looked over at Leneil and ran to her.

"Leneil, it's ok, what happened?"

Legolas looked down at the ground.

"I went after her and we both slipped, I brought her back here and she fell asleep. I was about to leave when she started to scream in her dream," he finished hastily.

"I see, come on Leneil. It was only a dream. Everything is fine now."

Leneil wished it were so. If only it had been a bad dream. It was to real, her father's voice to loud, still screaming in her ears. She tore off her belt that held her sword and threw it across the room. She wanted no more to do with her father. Never again did she want to here his voice.

"You going to be ok, Leneil?" Arwen asked.

"I'm fine now, just leave me be," she sighed.

"Come on, Legolas," Arwen said, pulling him from the room.

Leneil pulled the blankets around her and being emotionally and physically drained fell instantly asleep.

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Well there it is, hope you enjoyed my little chapter here. I will post soon this time, almost done with the next chapter, but I'll wait for a few reviews first. Namarie! Sere!

~Aranel~