W00t!!!! I finally got Microsoft Word~!~!~!~! w00t!!!!! ^.^ So I should be getting better with the whole updating thing. ^.^;;

{. . .}: translation

= . . . =: song

(* . . . *): me

(. . .): not me

[. . .]: Elvish

ALL CAP. WORDS: italics

~* . . .*~: time change

' . . .': thought(s)

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

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Chapter 14: Thoughts in the Aftermath

Legolas stared at her. What Rinathen was saying couldn't be right. He had seen it in her eyes. She had come here, convinced Fribrindel and some Owacyn fellow that she was on their side and was planning on rescuing Arwen and himself. It sounded so like her, but he knew even as he looked at her she was lying to him; he noticed the glint in her eye whenever she mentioned Owacyn, he noticed the change in her tone with him. He couldn't place where the difference was, but it wasn't what he remembered from all the many years past. She paused for breath and Legolas slowly, painfully lifted his hand to her lips, "I don't believe you."

He lowered his hand and watched her eyes blur with tears, but she said nothing. She busied herself with the mixture of herbs. She began to softly hum an Elvish song, one that she knew was Legolas' favorites- it was a song she had sung softly in his ear many nights before. He sighed and closed his eyes, "That won't work . . . I'm not so desperate that I'll stoop to that level."

She stopped and looked him straight in the eye, "Oh?" She smiled, just slightly, but it disappeared as his brow furrowed more. "Legolas. . .Why won't you believe me? It's me, your Ri . . ."

"You're not the same; you're changed too much over the years. You aren't the Rinathen I- remember. . ."

He couldn't look at her; he knew she would know what he really had meant to say- that she wasn't the Rinathen that he had loved. He knew the hurt that would be in her eyes, even if she wasn't telling the truth that she really DIDN'T love Owacyn, that she really HADN'T betrayed them all. Rinathen hung her head and quickly went back to the herbs that she had.

"Legol-"she was cut off by Owacyn entering the door with the requested herbs. The Man glared down at Legolas and silently placed the sack next to Rinathen. He Legolas another withering glare, and began to walk out the door when he turned around and pulled Rinathen to her feet. She silently followed, weary but reluctant to arouse any suspicions so early, especially when Legolas had cooperated so easily without even knowing it.

Owacyn stopped just outside the door, leaving ajar just enough to allow Legolas the perfect view of them. The Elven prince tried to resist the temptation to allow his eyes to follow them, but his will lost horribly to his heart. Of course he still loved her, how could he not? But if she was going to betray everything he had been brought up to believe in, he could not allow himself to love her, although that was becoming harder and harder even then as he watched Owacyn pull Rinathen close to him and whisper to her, but not too quietly, obviously wanting Legolas to hear what he had to say as well, "Don't fall for it . . . he'll try to get you to-"

At this he heard her melodious laugh, "Owacyn . . . don't fret about it; I can take care of myself. . ." Her voice dropped, "Don't you trust me . . .?"

Legolas felt his heart wretch as he watched Owacyn softly claim her lips in- as far as the Elven prince was concerned- a kiss that was far to passionate. Owacyn mumbled something to her and left with a final glare towards Legolas. Rinathen took her sweet time returning to the cell. The two said nothing to each other- one knowing exactly what the other was thinking and the other thinking they knew what the other was thinking but missing the mark by a mile.

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Will I be evil? Will I? Yes, I believe I will! ^.^ Sorry it was short, but school is giving me heck. XP

WOOT!! TOMORROW IS THE 17TH!!!! FUN!!!! And even better, I get out of school to go see it!!! **does MAJORLY-HAPPY-happy dance**

Orlis babe: eh. . . depends on what you make of this chapter . . . did I tell you, or did I not? Being evil and confusing are kinda hobbies for me, so don't think I'm saying that just so that you'll think that I did actually tell you, not that I'm saying that I DIDN'T ^.^ see! Being evil and confusing is FUN!!!

Radiion-hobbitwarrior: BEING EVIL AND CONFUSING IS FUN!! (Sugarsugarsugarsugarsugarsugar!!! Whe3e3e3e3e3!!!) Thank you for apologizing too, ^.^

Queen-of-Damned: Thanks.

Cutie: baka. . . ^.^ **innocent smile** jk . . . but that's what you get for listening to me!

Rover girl: **no comment** Don't hurt me 'k? ^.^;; BTW, if you like IY you have GOT to read Transcending A Dynasty by JadeWing! It is *A-W-E-S-O-M- E!!!!!* And you're lucky, she just completed it so if you do read it, you won't have to wait for her to update with her HORRIBLE cliffies!

ElvenStar5: Get used to it! Thanks for reviewing.

Thanks all, **hands out cookies to reviewers** See ya soo- well . . . I can't guarantee soon . . . so . . . ano . . . see ya when I see ya! ^.~