I'm sooo sorry it's been so long since I updated, but DON'T KILL ME! I was sickcowers back uh-ya sorta kinda. Anyway this chapter is for all of the those wonderful fans whom I love so much! Thank you! I promise-I swear on my preicious leggy and frododums-that the next chappie will be up soon!

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Chapter 13

Those perfect blue eyes stared at me full of malice; and arrogance. I fought the urge to slam the door in her face; a tempting thought, I know.  I swallowed my immediate reaction, and let her in graciously. The elf smiled sweetly at me. This only proved to anger me more. How dare she look so sweet and innocent when she took Legolas away from me?! But, no-she didn't take him away, I pushed him away, I thought. I nodded curtly.
"Good day Aryante."
"Good day Alatariel." She looked around my room, her face faltering in an instant of disgust, before it was fixed into a contemptuous glare.
"Alatariel, if you love Legolas than leave him behind. When he becomes king he needs a strong queen by his side, one of equal nobility." An angry blush was crawling across her porcelain cheeks.
"And you, Alatariel, are not fit to walk in his shadow." I stood there, the anger beginning to boil over, when I began to laugh-for I had had Legolas and he had proved to me that I was no mere elf, even though his love was a passing dream. It was a dream I cherished within my pride, as well as my heart, and that what made it worth its keeping.
"Aryante get out. I shall not waste time listening to the rants of a jealous elfling."
"If this is true, why does he even now prepare to leave you, and go with the fellowship? If he loves you why would he abandon you?" I swallowed; a raging rebuttal came to mind. Yet I could only whisper "Get out. GET OUT!" I shouted. She smirked and left, and I realized belatedly I had done exactly what she wanted me to. I spun in a circle in frustration. Without thought I picked up a glass vase, and hurled it at the door. It shattered into a million pieces-like my heart, and my mind. My mind was scattered into pieces-so many pieces. Later, I don't know how long, Haldir came into the room to find me staring into space, my brow furrowed, and shattered glass sprawled across the floor. He looked around.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I just couldn't control my anger." I shook my head. Haldir came over, pulling me to my feet. I dusted off some shards of glass that had bounced onto my dress.
"Come with me."
"What?" I asked shaking my head. "No. Where would we
go?"
"Come riding with me." Riding, when was the last time I went riding, not to escape but for fun?
"All right." I graced Haldir with a smile.

* * * *

I was laughing, really laughing. For once my mind was not on Legolas, and I was living in the moment. Haldir had brought a lunch, and we ate together in the grass. It was if I was young again-carefree. We were near the archers and I could hear the arrows fly, nearly each one reaching its target. I closed my eyes for a moment, training my hearing on the swish of the arrows-one missed, then two, then three. One elf was certainly not having the best of days. I turned my head towards the archers, curious as to what elf would miss, for surely the archers were well trained. Haldir followed my gaze, yet another grin crossing his face.
"Does the Lady wish to watch the archery? Or does she wish participate?"
"Hmmm?" I said coming back to the conversation.
"Nay, perhaps she does not have the skill."
"Do you question my skill, Haldir?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Let us find out to what extent your skill stretches,
milady." Indeed!
"Yes, let us find out who is the better archer." Moments later I held a bow in my hand and wore a quiver on my back. I admit being a Lady was difficult at times like this, when I was in a dress. I drew an arrow, notched it and let it fly. I was very pleased with myself, coming to find I had almost reached the center.
"Your turn." Haldir gave a mock bow, and turned his ace suddenly very serious with concentration. He almost hit the target's bulls eye, much closer than
mine. A figure leaning against a tree, spoke up suddenly.
"Is that the best you can do, Marchwarden?" I knew that voice, and gave an exasperated sigh. Sharp blue eyes swept over the seen. The elf cocked a brow at
him.
"Your highness, do you think you can do better?" said
Haldir, raising a brow. I shook my head, of course Legolas was better! He was disputed to be the best archer of the age, he never missed a target. It was a challenge, but I did not believe it would be a fair fight.  Haldir went first, his arrow flying straight to its mark. Something felt different with Legolas today.
He wasn't as focused. He drew his arrow, notched it, and moved to shoot the arrow, but at the last minute, when he should have been focused on the target, he
sent a sidelong glance at me. I didn't stay to watch. I knew he would miss. I slowly faded into the shadow of a tree, and silently slipped away, leaving Haldir and Legolas to quarrel at their will. I did not wish to think of my broken heart today, and Legolas's intentions were clearly meant as a stab at Haldir. Would he deny me even the smallest joys? I walked lazily under the canopy of trees. I loved the moonlit glow of the fair city, but in part I missed the sun and it's warm rays. I let my mind wander farther and farther into the past, dreaming of days long since gone by. I dreamed of days when Legolas was as bright and pure to me as an unsullied flower, and his shining face held not an ounce of malice behind it.
*memory*
The sun gleamed in her hair as she raced along the halls. Today she would finally beat Legolas in a horse race. They would go out riding, and today she was certain that she would win their annual race. "Whereare you going?" asked a young, but stern voice from inside a room that Ala had just passed. "Riding. I've got to go, bye Elledan!" She waved before turning a corner and disappearing from his sight. Alatariel burst from the cool, shaded corridors to the bright sunny stables. She laughed out loud at the sudden burst of light. It was nice to laugh just for the sake of it. Behind her, a silent elf pounced. He threw his arms around the girl. She giggled again. "Are you ready to race?" He asked his voice like deep sweet honey.
Ala smirked, "Only if you're ready to lose." The two young elves readied the horses. Ala's horse, Isilme, neighed excitedly. The two mounted- and thus the race
began.  Legolas marveled. Alatariel had grown since he had been away. She and her horse moved as if they were of one mind, dodging rocks and branches easily. Her long hair fell out of the loose braid it been plaited in, falling in a shimmering sheet of gold, blowing in the wind.  After a moment's pause Legolas regained his wit, and urged his horse on. For a while they were neck and neck, until Legolas pulled up and won like he always did. Alatariel pouted a bit, pretending to be ever so upset, but this failed miserably when she met Legolas's blue eyes. She began to giggle hysterically. He pouted.
"What's so funny?" She giggled harder.
"You."
"I am, am I?" Legolas looked over at Alatariel a mischievous glint in his eye. Her eyes narrowed, he lunged. The two elflings tumbled in the soft grass, Ala giggling more and more as Legolas continued tickle her.
*back to reality and Ala's POV*
I shivered. I missed the days when I all had to do was play-not a care in the world, other than childish worries about lessons and what the weather might be.  I continued to walk, finding myself in the city. It was nearing nightfall, and I could hear children laughing, and the chatter of dinner talk. I vaguely wondered the outcome of the earlier match-whether Legolas had or hadn't challenged Haldir to a rematch. The night was cool, but not cold, and the night glow of the white talans looked sad, somehow, to my eyes; almost dreary. I wandered, careful not to stray too close to the border. The forest was quiet, all save for the sound of a babbling brook of in the distance. I followed the sound with little interest, not really thinking.  I came upon the brook, where the grass had grown soft. I sat down near the base of a tree, meaning only for a moment to close my eyes, yet I slipped into what must have been a very sound slumber. When I awoke the next morning, I felt refreshed, yet also felt an odd sense of incompleteness. The forest was now bustling with the animals beginning to stir. A sound caught my attention-a rustle of fabric, of grass under feet. I smiled.
"Hello." I said. The man sighed.
"I shall never be able to creep upon you, shall I?"
"Never," I said a hint of lighthearted laughter in my tone.
"Never is an awfully long time, my dear."
"Indeed, it is Aragorn."
"We are leaving, the ships prepare for us as I
speak." My heart ached, as if it had been stabbed by a morgul blade. I said nothing.
"He loves you."
"Aragorn, I know that, but sometimes, love- it isn't enough."
"I too, shall be leaving, come to see us off, please, for me." Aragorn was like a brother to me. I thought struck me just then-I might never see him again. He might not survive. I closed my eyes at the thought-I didn't want to believe it possible that the world would go one without him.
"I shall come, but just to say good bye to you, and Borimir, and the little hobbits. I wish not to speak
to" I choked, "Legolas." He nodded.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I couldn't believe that they were leaving-all of them. Again I felt the pangs my heart sent to me, but I had to protect it from shattering more. The Lady gifted
each of them, and Legolas with a bow of the galadhrim. I could tell he was very pleased.  They loaded the boats, and were making their final preparations to leave. It was heartwrenching to see such merry creatures, the hobbits, look so somber. I could feel the weight of poor Frodo's burden grow. I heard the soft approach of Aragorn's feet and knew that it was time to say farewell. I turned right into his welcoming arms.
"Namarrie, Elessar."
"Namarrie, Alatariel."
"Be safe, Aragorn; please, for Arwen." I felt the guilt of his conscious weigh in.
"I will."
"ier ikotane lye kirma nan' il ten'oioand so we part, but not forever" Arargorn whispered, and with a last hug, he turned to leave. I stared at his back, lost in the wonderment of what true evil could do-tear apart lives. A soft hand touched my shoulder. It was him, the elf I had hoped to avoid above all others...
The elf I loved above all others-but did I?

Please review! I'm still alive over here, are all of you still alive out there? peers into the sceen, knocks on it awake? Alive? Love ya!

~lyl

Nienna