AUTHOR'S NOTE: First of all, I have changed part of chapter 14, so you may want to go back and reread that. The A/N tells what part I changed. Secondly, this is the first chapter that has some serious steam (towards the end) and I really don't know how good I am at all this steam stuff anyway, so let me know, okay? Seriously, I dread posting this; I am worried that bad steam may totally ruin my story. PLEASE review and let me know???? Now onto other things.

I have a terrible announcement! My muses have abandoned me! Allow me to explain. My muses are Legolas and Haldir. Legolas left me for Kika (no Kika is not my real name I just used my OC's character name 4 my pen name) and Haldir made some lame excuse. something about orcs, having to go defend Lothlorien. obviously me writing is more important, but he was quite stubborn. So, since my muses have run away, I need some substitute muses. Hmm. who could do that? What? You? You will review and be my muse? Why thank you!

I have gotten a (very) few reviews, so to those few:

Inatarille- You really love it? Thank you! Sorry to make you wait, but you know how those muses are.

Auramin- Thanks for the info. I wish I had known that before, but now that I do know, my next fanfic will be more accurate. I hope you enjoy it despite my inaccuracies!

Yuanlu- Thank you so much for emailing me like you do. It's encouraging to think that someone liked my story enough to take the time to email me, not just once, but as many times as you have. I hope you continue to enjoy it. You are definitely one of my muses!

Nightshade- Thank you, will do. As long as those substitute muses get busy!

Blu-Eyed-Belle- Lol, I am not sure Justin would appreciate that very much. Thanks for the great review! It is definitely the one I have laughed at the most so far. Though I have to admit that it's almost tempting to stop just because the look on Justin's face would be priceless, I will continue out of pity for him. As long as my muses get to work. Oh, and happy birthday! Mine isn't until September, and even then I'll only be 15, but I know turning 18 has to be great. I can't wait. ok I will stop daydreaming now, lol. I hope you of all people continue to review. I hereby appoint you my. hairdryer muse! Lol!

Lucid Lady- Thank you very much! But do you really mean it? Seriously, I don't believe that this is the best I could do, and I find it odd that someone could find it 'well written and very beautiful', but everyone always says that I'm too critical of myself. Oh well. Thanks again!

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The Announcement:

Legolas's breath caught in his throat, as it always did each time he saw her. He quickly composed himself and offered his arm to the obviously nervous maiden.

They quickly made their way to the dining room, where Thranduil and Gimli were already seated and eating. Kika took a deep breath to calm herself as Legolas led her to the table. She began to head for the seat she had been sitting in, next to Gimli, kind of angled across from Legolas, but he pulled her arm and pulled out a chair for her next to his own. She sat nervously, aware of the king's eyes on her.

"Good morning, Legolas, Lady Kikania." Legolas returned the greeting, but Kika was so nervous words failed her, so she nodded politely, silently. She glanced down at her hands and realized that they were trembling. She clasped them together in an attempt to still them, to no avail. Legolas had also noticed this, and reached under the table and gently laid his hand on top of hers, all the while managing to keep up the pleasantries with his father and Gimli. A servant quickly set plates laden with food before the two new arrivals, and Kika uneasily picked at it. She was anticipating the inevitable, and was beginning to wish that the king would simply ask where they were the night before and be done with it. Her wish was granted.

"I noticed your absence at dinner last night, Legolas, and if I remember correctly, Kikania, you were absent also?" Legolas once again captured her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze while his eyes never left his father. She did not realize that he did this not only to comfort her, but to reassure himself.

"Yes, Father, Kikania and I were late and did not wish to walk into dinner late. We went for a walk in the woods." He paused. "Father, I - we, I mean, have something which we need to tell you." The king's eyebrows rose in curiosity and Kika noticed that the dwarf stopped eating when Legolas said this, his fork frozen in midair.

"Yes?" prompted Thranduil, for Legolas had paused once again. He glanced over at Kika. The very sight of her face filled him with such love that all apprehension left him immediately and he sat up straighter, if that was possible.

"I asked Kika for her hand in marriage last night. We are engaged to be married." As soon as the words escaped Legolas's mouth, Gimli's eyes flew open and made a sound, of shock, Kika supposed it was meant to be, that resembled a terrible cough. Thranduil was silent for a fleeting moment, in which both Kika and Legolas held their breath, only to let it out in a sigh of relief as a wide smile spread across the king's face.

"This is wonderful news! I am glad that you have chosen to finally take a wife, Legolas, I was beginning to wonder if you ever would. When do you intend to hold the ceremony?" Legolas glanced at Kika.

"We have not discussed the ceremony itself yet, though we will let you know of our plans as soon as they are solidified." Kika was impressed with the grace and ease with which he spoke. Now the king turned his gaze to Kika.

"Kikania, I do not believe that my son could have chosen a more suitable, beautiful bride. I hope that you will be happy here in Mirkwood." His eyes shifted to take in his son as well. "I wish you two happiness together for eternity." Legolas smiled graciously.

"Thank you, Father." Legolas now looked across the table at the dwarf, who was also beaming.

"So the great independent prince has found a maiden who can tolerate him? If this is the case, then you must be destined for each other, for no other has been able to do this," he chuckled. Then, more seriously, he added, "This wedding will be good for both of you, I know that much, and I, too, wish you happiness." Legolas smiled again and seemed wholly relieved, as if he had wanted his friend's approval as much as his father's. Kika felt all the fear drain out of her and she felt a smile creeping onto her face. Legolas turned and grinned at her, obviously pleased with the way things had gone. The king excused himself soon after, for he had nearly finished eating when they had arrived, and he claimed to have work to attend to. After he was well down the hall, Gimli let out a whoop and stood, surprising the remaining two elves. He then sat down sheepishly as Legolas began laughing loudly, and Kika tried to hold down the giggles that were threatening to surface.

"Sorry, I couldn't do that in front of Thranduil. But come, Legolas, how did this happen?" By now Legolas's hearty laughter had died down to chuckling and Kika's giggles, which had finally surfaced, had diminished to a wide grin.

"Well said, my friend, if I had the audacity to whoop with joy I would have done so the instant Kika agreed to bind herself to me." Gimli huffed impatiently.

"That does not answer my question, lad, how did you ask her? The Legolas I know could never get up the nerve to do something so soon." Then he turned to Kika, laughing. "And what possessed you to agree to spend eternity with this impudent elf?" Legolas scowled and quickly snapped out his foot under the table which caught Gimli's shin neatly. "Ow!", he howled. "It was a simple question, no violence was needed in reply!" Legolas only shrugged.

"You deserved it for such an insolent question. And as for how I asked her, I merely posed the question. My love gave me the courage," he said as his arm snaked around Kika's shoulders and pulled her close to him. She blushed as she spoke.

"And I agreed to spend eternity with this 'impudent elf' because. wait why did I?" she teased. Legolas feigned offense and Kika quickly smiled and said, "Oh yes! I remember now! Because I love him," she said matter-of- factly.

"And I love you," added Legolas as he looked at her tenderly. Gimli grunted.

"If you two are going to make eyes at each other nonstop, I do not know how long I will be able to sit here," he said. Legolas laughed softly as his eyes remained on Kika.

"Then I would not recommend sticking around, Master Dwarf, for my eyes cannot avoid such beauty." Kika blushed profusely at this.

"I must go anyway," came Gimli's reply as he stood. "I have duties to attend to." Now Legolas managed to look away from his love and raise his eyebrows incredulously at the dwarf.

"Duties? Such as what? Seeking out a keg of beer?" Gimli scowled.

"I will not say what echoes in my mind, not only because we are in the presence of a lady, but because I do not wish to ruin the good mood," he said as he turned to leave. Legolas laughed.

"I do not believe that anything could ruin my mood, but let your tongue rest for now. I may come find you later; for now I wish only to be with my bride-to-be," replied Legolas, who now turned to Kika. He was once again amazed at how she affected him. Her smile filled his heart with warmth. "Shall we go to the library, to talk?" he suggested.

"Of course," Kika replied. He stood and offered her his arm, which she readily accepted. They walked leisurely to the beautiful room and soon sat on a plush settee where they were surrounded by shelves and solitude.

"I suppose we will have to choose when we want the ceremony. I would prefer not to have one at all, but my father will most definitely make it a large affair, inviting all of Mirkwood, and all the nobles from every land in Middle Earth," he said with a mirthless laugh. "But I will gladly endure these things to have you, my love, recognized as my wife," he added as he placed his arms around her and held her close. Kika sighed and leaned into him.

"I am of like mind, and would rather avoid such a large event, but I, too, am willing to bear it for you."

"When should it be?" He paused. "Soon?" Kika pulled away and looked at him, feigning shock.

"I think we should wait at least a year," she said seriously, the burst into laughter at the look of dismay on Legolas's face. "I only jest, of course I wish it to be soon. You may choose when; I am content knowing that we will be together forever." Legolas found himself lost in her eyes once more and bent closer until his lips found hers. The feeling of his skin on hers filled him to what seemed to be the bursting point with happiness, but not only happiness; also longing. He longed to know her more, to claim her as his. Yearning was spreading through his body like wildfire.

As Legolas's lips descended on hers, Kika was aware of nothing but him. Placing her hand behind his neck, lodging her fingers in his silky hair, she pulled him even closer to her as he dared to deepen the kiss. His hands started out on her face, but soon moved down her neck, onto her shoulders, tracing a path that his lips closely followed. As his lips were meeting the skin on her shoulder, she turned her head and her lips began to gently work the tip of his ear. They were both breathing heavily; the strong emotions that coursed through them exhausted them more than any physical exertion could. Soon Legolas's restless fingers found the shoulders of her dress and began to nudge the yielding material further down, exposing more of her warm skin to his ardent yet gentle lips. As Kika felt her dress slipping down her shoulders, her lips stopped their constant exploration of the ridge of his ear.

"Why do you stop? He murmured against her skin.

Kika felt tears threatening to spill over as she said quietly answered with a trembling voice, "I cannot."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A/N: Ooo! Well, what do you think? You know how to use the purply-blue button down there. Don't pretend that you don't know how. And you want to. You really do. Come on, even flames will be readily accepted. I'm kind of cold anyway. Brrr. I would much prefer good reviews, but, hey, beggars can't be choosers.