Chapter 15 ~ Dawn

They entered the glade once more and stood on its' edge watching as the couples turned and moved. As they did so Fuineth saw Lord Faramir was amongst them dancing with one of the Ithilien elves. She smiled.

"I am glad Lord Faramir is here."

Legolas looked at her, his face serious, "So am I, Lady Fuineth. He understands what happened and was gracious enough to realise I was in no way responsible. He is a good friend and I love him no less for the anger he felt towards me. I can understand completely. But come, let us not talk of this here. Not tonight." He smiled at her, his eyes now twinkling mischievously, "Not after our pleasant walk, my lady."

She grinned, "No indeed."

The music was dying once more and Legolas led her to the dance area. "No, tonight is ours, my lady. We shall dance and forget all else."

They danced four dances together without stopping at the end of which Fuineth, laughing, cried for mercy, "I am still a little tired after today, my lord, nor do I have the boundless energy of the elves. I needs must rest a little."

His face was concerned, "Forgive me, Lady Fuineth. I should have remembered. Are you in pain?"

She smiled softly, "No, my lord. Merely a little fatigued. Let us sit this next dance out and then I will be able to dance some more if you desire." He nodded, smiling and led her to some cushions.

However, as she went to sit, she felt the movement aggravate the ache in her back once more and, gasping a little, she caught hold of Legolas's arm to help herself down.

He crouched beside her. "My lady? Are you well?"

He was worried now. But she was smiling, insistent, "I assure you, my lord, it is nothing."

He looked at her, into her eyes. "Do not dissemble with me, my lady, I will not allow you." His tone was serious, if gentle.

She flushed, "I assure you, my lord, it is nothing, truly. I ache a little, if you insist, but that is hardly surprising considering I landed on my back. It will be bruised, no doubt, on the morrow, but nothing more."

He nodded. "Forgive me for pressing you, but I did suspect you had hurt yourself a little more than you would admit to me before." He smiled, taking her right hand in his and said softly, "I would prefer to know than not. Better to know it is nothing much, than to suspect you are keeping something from me and worry it is more serious."

She smiled and nodded, "You are right. Forgive me, my lord."

"Nothing to forgive, my lady."

So saying, without thinking of what he was doing, he turned her hand and kissed her palm.

She gasped.

He looked at her, worried for a moment he had offended her, but she smiled, surprise in her eyes, and then laughed softly, holding his gaze. "You really must not worry on my account, my lord. I have been riding since I was a babe."

"I am aware of that, my lady, but I cannot help myself, nor will you stop me doing so. Did I not tell you this afternoon that once I set my mind on something I will not be deterred?"

Her smile broadened but she said nothing.

They sat there, watching the dance, he still holding her hand, until at last they saw Aragorn coming towards them. Fuineth made to stand, but Aragorn waved her to remain seated. "Please, my lady, do not rise on my account. We are not in the Citadel this evening." She smiled and thanked him.

Aragorn's eyes flicked down to Legolas's hand holding hers and back up just as quickly. "Am I disturbing you? May I join you?"

"Please, Aragorn, sit," Legolas motioned to some cushions next to him. "Where is the Queen?"

"Dancing with Elrohir. I must congratulate you, Legolas, a splendid day's entertainment, as ever."

Legolas grinned, "Thankyou, my friend." Legolas then noticed that none of them had drinks, "Aragorn, some wine? Lady Fuineth?" Before either of them could reply he was up and walking towards the wine table.

"It is a wonderful dance, is it not, my liege?"

"Indeed. I do so love to come and stay here in Ithilien. It is so different from Minas Tirith. In many ways it reminds me of Rivendell."

Fuineth nodded, she could understand that. "I suppose it is the Dúnedain in me that loves elvish company so," she murmured. Aragorn threw her a look, but she did not see it.

Legolas returned balancing three cups together. Aragorn took one and Legolas sat between him and Fuineth once more, handing a cup to Lady Fuineth as he did so. Aragorn spoke, "Lady Fuineth, I was telling Legolas something of your father today."

Fuineth looked at Legolas in surprise – he had been discussing her family with Aragorn?

Legolas flushed a little, "Only in passing, Estel."

"Eh? Oh, ah, yes. Just in passing."

Aragorn shifted in his seat slightly, and Fuineth had to stop herself from laughing out loud since the two of them suddenly looked very uncomfortable. "Indeed, your highness? And what were you telling him?"

"Oh, just recounting what I knew of him. Halbarad and Calloneb knew him better than I, as you well know, my lady."

She nodded, "Yes. They and my father were very close. Túveren considers Calloneb near an uncle in many ways. He will be coming to his marriage, I believe."

Aragorn nodded, "Quite so."

Legolas saw an opportunity to change the subject and suddenly interjected, "Túveren is to marry soon, is he not?"

"Yes, my lord. A week or so after I return."

Even as she said it, her and Legolas's eyes met and a sadness flashed between them both. She faltered and said no more. Aragorn, sensing a sudden change of mood between them, was about to leave when Arwen and Elrohir joined them, smiling and breathless from the dance.

As Arwen sat Elrohir went to fetch wine for them both. The conversation quickly turned to other things. Elrohir joined them as did Orophin after a little while. Jokes and stories were told, and all the time Fuineth could feel Legolas beside her, turning to her and including her in all he said. For his part, Legolas could feel her eyes upon him every time he talked, and when she spoke he delighted in hearing her voice, her laughter and watching her suddenly become animated as she spoke even as she shyly joined in with their Sindarin exchanges.

After a little while he stood and asked her for a dance once more. She nodded and took his hand and they excused themselves from the others.

Watching them leave there was a murmur from those still seated. "Something's happened between them, I can feel it," Elrohir was saying.

Arwen turned on him, "Shh. You cannot know that, and even if it has it is not our business."

Elrohir stuck his tongue out at his sister, "Don't try and pretend you aren't as fascinated by all this as the rest of us. Legolas finally smitten. And to a mortal too."

Aragorn coughed, "Er.. I beg your pardon, Elrohir?"

Elrohir laughed, "Forgive me, Aragorn, but somehow you don't count as a mortal."

Arwen and Aragorn exchanged a look and then burst out laughing.

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As they walked to the dancing area Fuineth couldn't help but laugh softly.

Legolas looked at her, "My lady?"

She looked sideways at him and her eyes were smiling with mischief, "So you were asking about me, were you?"

Legolas flushed, "Not exactly. It happened to come up in conversation."

"Really?" She was still grinning.

Legolas sighed, "Forgive me, my lady, I was curious that was all. Besides you had spoken so much of your father, as has Túveren, that I wished to speak with someone who knew him as a peer."

She nodded, "I understand. Really I do. I am teasing." She grinned at him once more, "Your face, my lord, when King Elessar mentioned it is one I shall never forget. Indeed both of you once he had realised what he had said."

Legolas's cheeks went a darker shade of pink and he seemed to stiffen slightly.

She laughed softly and gently laid a hand upon his chest, "Come my lord. Please. Forgive me if I have upset you. I meant nothing by it, truly."

He looked at her, her eyes twinkling with laughter, and saw she was teasing not angry. He smiled, and then began to laugh. "I shall have to be careful what I say in front of you, I can see that. To think you once thought I was serious and stern, yet now you feel free to tease me mercilessly?"

He raised an eyebrow at her and she laughed and took his hand, pulling him towards the dancers, "Come, my lord. Have your revenge and dance with me till I too tired to dance more."

He grinned, "A challenge, my lady? Then I accept!"

Neither danced with anyone else that night. If either wished to rest then they refused offers of a dance from others, but came to sit, talk and drink with each other till they were ready to dance some more.

The music and laughter went on late into the night, and it was very nearly dawn when finally people began to retire. Then and only then did Legolas leave her side since he had to thank his guests and say farewell, but he would glance at her every now and then and they would exchange a smile.

At last he came back over to her and offered her his hand. "Lady Fuineth? Would you do me the honour of accompanying me? There is something I wish to show you if you will allow me." She took his hand and rose, her curiosity piqued, but he responded only with an even broader smile to her questioning look.

Taking her hand he led her through the trees till they reached one with a thick trunk about which a staircase wound. Legolas started up the stairs, keeping her hand in his and she followed him up and up, round and round until she began to wonder if it would ever end. Then finally they reached a talan, broad and smooth, through which the stairs broached. As she stepped onto it she could feel the morning breeze in her lungs and on her face.

He led her round the trunk till they were facing East. Only now could she see how high up they were. Many of the trees were lower than they and she could see, in the gloom and grey of the pre-dawn, the forest stretched out below her. She gasped. Legolas sat down, his back against the trunk, and feeling him pull on her hand and murmur, "Havo dad, hiril nín," she joined him.

Far in the distance the dark of the land was beginning to stand out against the first paler blue of the dawn. In silence they watched, his arm around her shoulder and his hand holding hers, as the lighter blue spread out from above the landscape and then the sky brightened, slowly, slowly, beginning to flush and with each minute the colour gradually seeping back into the forest below, till at last the sun's first rays came over the mountains and hills in an orange haze.

She sat, moved beyond words for a moment and then whispered, "It is beautiful, my lord. Thank you."

Legolas smiled.

She could feel her eyes closing, and her head sank sideways onto Legolas's shoulder in spite of herself. It was only when she felt his hand upon her cheek and a quiet voice call her name that she started and sat up.

"Did I sleep?"

He nodded, smiling. "But only for a little while. Come, it is still early yet, I think I had better get you back to your chambers where you may rest more comfortably."

She nodded, but as they started down the stairs once more she stopped, and he turned to see why she had pulled on his hand. He stepped back up to her, and stood in front of her, looking down into her grey eyes. She smiled back up at him.

"Le hannon, hir nín."

And he shook his head, smiling, "No. 'Hannaid'."

She flushed, understanding full well the level of intimacy and informality this now meant between them, and then raised her gaze back to his, "Hannaid, hir nín." He smiled, raised her hand to his lips and then led her back down the stairs and so to the halls.

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When she woke later that morning Fuineth lay there for some little while remembering the previous night, and it seemed almost a dream to her.

She wanted to see how Dunnwair was and as soon as she was dressed she went to the stables where she was housed. The horse moved to her as she entered her box, nuzzling against her shoulder. She laughed, talking softly to her and stroking her nose. Then she bent to examine the wound, undoing the bandage that was there.

The wound was clean and already beginning to close. Fuineth smiled. 'The healing hands of elves, no doubt' she thought.

As she rewrapped the bandage once more a voice behind her spoke. "Checking our handiwork, Lady Fuineth?"

She started, turning with a gasp, though smiling. "My lord! You startled me."

"Forgive me, lady Fuineth. I saw you go to Dunnwair's stables and thought I would come bid you good day." He smiled. He was leaning on the bottom half of the stable door on his forearms, watching her finish tying the bandage. "Well? Is she healing?"

"Yes indeed, my lord. The wound is closing already. Not that I am surprised, but I still wished to check on her. I have had her many years now, and she is dear to me."

"Of course, my lady, it is to be expected."

He pushed open the door for her to pass through and bolted it shut behind her. They walked across the stable yard back towards the halls side by side. "If you wish to ride before she is well we have plenty of horses here you could use, Lady Fuineth."

She smiled, "Thank you, but not today I do not think. Tomorrow perhaps."

"Perhaps we could ride together, then? Shall I arrange it?" He was looking sideways at her now, the hope clear in his voice.

"Of course, my lord, please do. I shall look forward to it immensely."

He smiled, "Good. Are you free to walk a little now, perhaps?" She nodded and took his arm.

They walked, talking quietly all the while, till they reached a willow beneath which was a bench. Legolas gestured for her to sit and she did so. She could feel her back aching – the main reason why she had refused to ride today – and Legolas, as he turned to speak, could see her wincing slightly, the skin tight about her eyes.

"My lady?"

She was about to insist it was nothing when, looking at the expression on his face, she remembered what he had said the previous night. She flushed a little and dropped her head, "My back is hurting me a little. That is all. I promise you it is nothing. It is to be expected after all." He nodded, but his face was serious.

He hesitated and then said, "Would you allow me, my lady..?"

She glanced at him, puzzled, and then saw his hands slightly raised towards her and realised what he meant. She blushed. "My lord, I... really there is no need."

He shook his head, "No, my lady. Either I do this or I insist someone else does." He paused, then asked, "Anírach i dulu nín?"

She nodded, and very shyly and still blushing she turned her back to him.

"Show me," he said gently and she bent her arm behind her to indicate her left and lower back and side. He nodded.

She tensed, moving her arm up and away so he could touch the right place, and when at last he touched her instinctively her eyes closed and she felt her stomach swim just from knowing his hands were on her. Then, as she heard him murmuring quietly behind her, she felt a warmth spread out from where his hands were placed upon her back to her entire body. Then his hands were lifted, but the warmth stayed and the pain she had felt just now was gone.

She turned back to him, astonishment on her face, "Thank you. Le ha.." and she corrected herself, "Hannaid, hir nín."

He smiled, "You are welcome, my lady. Truly it is nothing."

She could still feel her cheeks were blushing slightly, as much from how she had felt when he had initially put his hands on her, but she soon recovered herself as he started talking about something entirely different which put her at her ease.

He had noticed though. He had seen her shoulders stiffen in embarrassment at first but then felt her breathe in and sway very slightly when he had actually touched her. And he was trying hard not to think about it.

After a little time he stood, apologising but saying he had business to attend to and should see to his guests. She smiled, saying she would stay and enjoy the air for a while longer. He bent to kiss her hand, "Thank you for you company, my lady. As ever it has been a pleasure. I trust you are feeling a little better now?"

"Thank you, my lord, very much. I am most grateful."

He nodded, "Îdh sí, hîril nín, and I will see you later. Navaer."

"Navaer, Lord Legolas."

His gaze met hers as they spoke and they smiled at one another. Legolas hesitated, not wanting to break his gaze or even leave her side, and only started to leave reluctantly and backing away at first till at last he turned to go. But even as he walked he threw a glance behind him to look at her and found her watching him and smiling. He saw her face, and the look upon it, sighed and smiled, and turned back once more for the halls.

havo dad = sit down

hiril nín = my lady

le hannon = I thank thee

hir nín = my lord

hannaid = thanks (i.e. informal)

Anírach i dulu nín? = Do you want my help?

îdh sí = rest here

navaer = farewell