~*~Oh! Who saw the third LOTR movie? Was it not one of the best movies you have ever seen? Especially the elephant scene! Oh it was SO good!~*~

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Disclaim is the same. Sorry for anything that seems out of whack to you but please remember that this is *fictional.*

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~*~soccer- bitch: Thank you so much for your review. The site I went to was http://www.grey-company.org/Circle/language/phrase.htm Hope you enjoy the rest. Also, LOVE your name!~*~



~*~Aislynn Crowdaughter: Thranduil is Legolas's father's name. You caught me on it. I am sorry it was misspelled but these are very odd names. I hope it does not discourage you from reading. If I offended you in any way I'm sorry. But you must also remember that this is a work of fiction. Not everything is going to be as you, the reader, wants it. I did not research the whole `history' of elves b/c they are fictional. This is my interpretation of it.~*~

~*~Silcawen Uvanimor-dreamingfifi: Thank you for your review it was very helpful and constructive. I will look at your bio but I thnk it is too late to change the names this far into the story BUT chapter 4 on out I will try to be more careful. I did not realize the X and Z thing I just liked the names Zara and Xavier. You'll probably roll your eyes in chapter 3 at the names but just overlook it, I was not aware. Thank you very much I hope you continue to read and hopefully enjoy.~*~

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Chapter 4

The next morning after the party, Legolas was escorting Lady Nalmeien about the gardens. His father claimed that it was the best way for them to get to know each other. Legolas begged to differ.

He was being the perfect gentleman by letting her link her arm with his and politely nodding in all the correct places in her babble. "...And we could certainly do away with all of these lilies here. I prefer roses. And the bathroom will need renovation because it is simply too small..."

He had long drowned out her high-pitched voice. Why couldn't a woman talk about important things like middle earth issues, archery, even the growth stages of grass would be better; anything but complains about the palace.

"We also need to hurry and choose different colors for the nursery for when our baby comes."

The mention of the nursery and babies snapped Legolas out of his daze. "Excuse me milady, but what did you say?" Nalmeien looked at him strangely and repeated her phrase in a slower manner, as if Legolas could not understand his own language.

"I do not think so." He replied firmly. "Why not?" Nalmeien exclaimed aghast. "It is most tacky with that sage green and light blue why not red or yellow? The furniture is awful as well." "We will not change the nursery. That is my command. My mother decorated it herself when I was to be born. I like it and it will not be changed. And if by some chance that it is, pray tell, mercy be to you and those who helped you. Futhermore, we will not consider a family for awhile. I have important issues to deal with right now and the thought of a family right now does not suit well with me."

Lady Nalmeien was dumfounded. That was the most he had ever spoken to her and with so much emotion. She was beginning to believe that their marriage would be a sham if he did not begin to open up. "Of course my lord." She began to smile inwardly. She liked it when his voice was hard like that, perhaps a bit cold, but still sexy. This marriage might have a chance after all.

She raised her eyes to the sun. "Is that the time?" She asserted suddenly. "I must be off to my stitching group with the ladies. Goodbye darling." She leaned in to kiss him on the mouth but he turned his head and softly kissed her cheek. "Goodbye." He said and bowed to her and walked of deeper into the gardens.

There Legolas saw the fellowship sitting under one of the great trees. He walked up to them and without a word spoken, he sat and listened to the stillness of the day and of the light conversation.

He did not really pay attention to the talk, he just appreciated the company. He also did not notice that, one by one, the fellowship left. All except for Gandalf who sat on a stone bench and smoked his pipe.

"There is something bothering you Legolas Greenleaf. Do not lie to me like you did to your father and yourself. What is wrong?"

Legolas sat silently for a moment as he tried to decide what the best wording would be for his feelings.

"Gandalf, ever since we came back, it feels like nothing is the same as it was and will never be again. Things that I once loved and enjoyed seem trivial now, yet so important. I sometimes wonder whether or not I lost my sanity while I was away."

"Yes. You should feel like that, as we all do. We have returned from a life changing journey. Nothing will ever be as it seemed again. Things that you claim to be trivial yet important are just that. Simple things will appeal to you now and you will appreciate them more, yet you worry and wonder about bigger things at the same time. Time will heal what wounds are left from the journey, give it time. You did not lose your sanity, but gained wisdom."

The old man tilted his head as he examined the young elf. Adjusting to normalcy may have been what was wrong, but it was the minor. The worry in his eyes and cloak of silence led Gandalf to believe that something more was bothering him. "And what else?" He questioned.

Legolas once again sat silently on the ground as he contemplated the query directed at him. "Could it be you upcoming marriage to Lady Nalmeien?"

Legolas still sat on the ground quietly. Gandalf continued to stare at him until he heard a faint phrase release itself from Legolas' mouth.

"I never wanted this. I never wanted to marry under these terms. One thing my mother taught me was to never rely on anyone for something that you can do for yourself; marriage included. I can't picture myself married to Lady Nalmeien and I certainly can't picture myself having children with her. She is exactly what I do not want in a wife. Selfish, self-absorbed, materialistic, and all in all *boring*."

"And what is it that you do want? Who is it that you picture yourself with?" Gandalf questioned with his blue eyes burning into Legolas.

"I don't know." Legolas answered.

"I think you do." Gandalf replied more forcefully. "I think you know exactly who you want to marry. I believe you've known for quite some time. Why are you punishing yourself and her for your stubbornness? Yes, you have changed since we have returned, but your feelings have only gotten stronger and deeper. I can see it in your eyes Legolas. Don't be a fool. Don't ruin your one chance of perpetual bliss just to please your father."

Gandalf could see how his words effected the young elf. His eyes seemed sharper yet dazed with confusion and realization. He seemed more alert and aware. "You're right Gandalf." Legolas said as he stood. "Thank you." Gandalf merely nodded his head in return.

"Your highness." A voice called from Legolas' side. It was one of the royal servants. "You have been called to a meeting with your father." "Thank you. I am on my way."

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"...And I can't wait for the servants to begin making my wedding dress!.."

`This woman never shuts up.' Zara thought irritably as she concentrated on her stitching. As if stitching flowers was not hard enough, Lady Nalmeien had to make it more difficult by gushing about how she was going to make Legolas' life a living hell. She already had plans to redecorated the entire palace, without regards for the rich history that went along with each room.

Arwen sat next to her calmly completing her sampler with a docile smile on her face. Arwen had the patience to deal with a gibbering fool, but Zara did not. She was so absorbed with planning ways to get out of her marriage and destroying Nalmeien's voice box she did not realize that her knotted mess of a sampler was also stitched to her dress.

"Okay ladies let us show each other our work." The host said cheerfully. One by one the ladies raised their delicate threaded work for rounds of `oohs' and `ahhs.'

After Arwen revealed her beautiful work, it was Zara's turn. She sheepishly raised her work to receive giggles in return. Zara was fully aware that her work was awful but to be laughed at was a little rude in her mind.

She glanced down to find her green day dress was attached to the linen sampler. She tugged exceptionally hard on the fabric to release it with minimal damage. The green fabric was released with an obnoxious `rip' in the still of the afternoon. Zara could feel her face turn red in embarrassment.

The moment they were released, Zara fled the constraints of the room as lady-like as she could and into the woods.

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Reveiw please. Constructive critisim is always welcome!