Hi everyone. Thank you all for being so patient. I know that has been a long time coming. I have recently graduated from University and so I don't have such easy access to computers or the internet anymore. I will update whenever I can, but I am not entirely sure how often that will be.

Thanks for all the great reviews, as always nice reviews and constructive

criticism are welcome, I want to know what everyone who is reading this story thinks of it. I hope you all enjoy this next part and that I can get more out much sooner.

Chapter Thirteen - Reconciliations

Ariel looked around the apple orchard. She was somewhat at a loss. One moment she was watching Elladan and Elrohir re-enact the infamous Battle of the Ford for her and the next she was sitting there alone. She had become accustomed to their being called away by their father. Sometimes she got so used to just being with them and thinking of them as her big brothers, that she forgot they were elf lords with over 2000 winters behind them.

She sighed heavily. She was bored. Beledien had arranged all of her things for travelling and her affairs were tied up, well all but one. She had yet to tell the Prince that she was leaving. She had been thinking about it for days and she still hadn't worked out how to do it. The easiest thing would be to write a letter and have it delivered after she was gone, or perhaps she could say nothing at all. She knew though that such a course was a cowards way out and if she was anything, she wasn't a coward. She had to tell him in person, to push back her anger and to speak with him face to face. That way she would retain the moral high ground that she was sure she held.

She stood up, allowing her heavy velvet skirts to fall around her ankles, the hem skimming the soft earth. She sometimes envied the elven women who felt so comfortable in both fine gowns and a man's tunic alike. As a Lady of the Rohirrim and a Daughter of the Blessed she had been trained from birth to always dress and act as a lady should. She was no warrior and had no desire to become one. To dress as a man went against everything her mother had taught her. This didn't make her gowns any less cumbersome or awkward to move in though.

She tried to move forward but her feet wouldn't let her. She just couldn't face what she was going back to the city to do. She couldn't bare the thought of seeing him. Not if doing so would result in another disagreement between them. Perhaps a walk in the forest would help clear her head, give her the courage to do what she had to do. Also she had a desire to drink in the sights and sound of the forest before she quit Eryn Lasgalen for good. She made her way towards the entrance to the groves and out into the forest.

As she treaded the paths that had been created by millennia of the first born lightly making their way through the trees, her thoughts were heavy. She could not think of anything other than what she would say to the Prince when she finally came face to face with him but the only conclusion she could make was that she had nothing to say to him. It would be best if she left the city quietly.

So deep was she in her thoughts that she did not notice that she was being followed. The elf was so close that had she stopped suddenly he would not have been able to stop himself walking into her. He knew that he should make his presence known to her, but he couldn't. He wanted to be near her for just a little longer before ruining the moment.

Ariel began to walk over to one of the great beech trees which filled the forest. She reached out her hand and gently allowed her fingers to run over the bark savouring the feel. This action touched him. That she so loved the Green Wood, his home, gave him a sense of pride. He decided that this was a good time to reveal his presence. He couldn't put it off. He had to speak to her.

"Milady Ariel," he said, advancing towards her. "I am pleased to see you, I have been looking for you." She looked up hopefully, she longed to see someone who would ease her tortured mind.

"Oh, it is you," she said, slightly disappointed, her face falling.

"Well I am glad my presence fills you with such joy," he replied sarcastically. She gritted her teeth and put on a welcoming face for decorum's sake.

"I am sorry, you have caught me in the midst of a melancholy day but there is no excuse for my incivility. I do apologise."

"Not even when you are being uncivil to the cause of all your woes?"

"The cause of my woes? The jealousies of the Prince are not your fault Herdrin. It is his behaviour that has caused my ill spirits, not yours."

"Then why are you wishing that it is he who has come to seek you out?"

"How did you know that?"

"Some of my bloodline have the gift of foresight and others have the instinct of great warriors, I was blessed with insight."

"To know why a person does what they do or what they are thinking is a gift indeed, you are lucky. You are also right, I had hoped that the Prince would seek me out. I feel like a coward leaving the Green Wood without having seen him."

"So it is true. I had hoped to come here and have you refute the rumours of your leaving."

"I wish I could tell you what you want to hear. I wish I could relent and remain in the Green Wood, but too much has happened. I just wish that the Prince and I could have made some sort of truce before my departure."

"Then why do you not seek him out yourself?"

"A coward I may be, but a fool I am not. If he is choosing to avoid me then I can only assume that he is not ready to heal the breach and that he still harbours resentment towards me. I will not put myself through another argument with him."

"For want of a simple apology, I will lose my dear friend."

"You will not lose my friendship Herdrin. You are always welcome, wherever I am. You have become dear to me and trust me, that is not something which happens very often."

"I am pleased you said that, I had begun to fear that I meant nothing to you."

"Why would you think such a thing?"

"Whenever I am with you, you seem to be holding something back, as if you do not want to open up." He moved closer to her, stopping only when he was within a hairs breadth of her.

"You are uncovering my secrets now. The truth is I am cautious by nature. I teach men how to love, but this has made me too practical for my own good. I have missed you since your return West. I miss the time we spent together." Herdrin smiled at this.

"I missed you too." He moved his hand to her face and gently stroked her cheek, his expression turning serious. "How is it that you can be so beautiful, yet have the fragile mortal body of the race of men? I have lived over 200 score years in Arda and have never come across one of the first born with the grace or serenity that you possess."

"I suppose I am just lucky."

"This is not luck. The Valar do not bestow such gifts without exacting their price. What secrets are you keeping from me Ariel Aaecien?"

"I keep no secrets."

"Yes you do, I can tell. But I need not know them. I know enough of you already. I am sure that nothing you could reveal to me could stop me from feeling the way I do about you." He began to lean closer to her.

"Herdrin what are you doing?" He placed a finger on her lips before replacing it with his own mouth. She knew she must stop him, but she craved the contact, even though she knew that she could get little out of it. It had been a long time since she had last taken a lover, and the temptation to do so know was great, but she knew she could not. To give in to Herdrin's demanding lips would cost her too much. After a few moments of revelling in the warmth of his touch she pulled away.

"Herdrin, we cannot. I wish I could explain to you why, but I cannot. You must trust me that I do the right thing." He pulled away from her, looking a little flushed.

"Of course, I...I...I don't know what to say. I am sorry."

"Do not apologise. I did enjoy it. I just could not allow myself to enjoy it for any longer. Please though, do not ask me why for it is a secret best kept to myself."

"As you wish milady." She leaned forward and gently kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you sir." he looked around and noticed that the sun was beginning to disappear over the tops of the trees. "I should return to the city. I am to leave once the sun is down."

"Allow me to escort you." He offered her his arm.

"Thank you sir." She took his arm and they began to walk.

"How fairs your sister?"

"She is well, though I fear she misses the Prince. She has been much quieter than usual since we all returned to our home. She has been keeping herself out of doors most of the time. Sitting alone in the forest, or going to her lake." This made Ariel think. She had instantly dismissed Valmari as a suitable consort for the exuberant Prince of the Green Wood. Before she had spied nothing of passion in her demeanour, but perhaps she was wrong. It would please her to find that her assumptions had been false and that Valmari and the Prince could be happy together.

"I did not realise that they had become so close."

"I believe that they met often in the days after the ball." Again, Ariel was surprised. She had heard that the Princes days had been spent drinking and generally being in a vile mood. As she thought about that happy possibility that the Prince and Valmari might marry, her attention drifted towards the large tree that stood before them for in it, she could see her master. Her eyes connected with those of the prince and she stopped.

Herdrin, who had carried on walking, stopped and turned back when he realised that Ariel was no longer alongside him. "Ariel, what is it?" She did not hear him. "Are you all right?" Still no response. He turned his head to try and find what it was that had captured her attention so. His eyes scanned the leaves of the great beech tree until he saw the face of Prince Legolas. He was sitting on a branch looking done, his gaze locked with Ariel's. Herdrin saw this as his cue to leave.

"Milady I take my leave of you now, but I will be back to see you before you depart."

"Mmm," Ariel murmured, not taking in anything that he said. He bowed to her and the Prince, neither of whom noticed, before walking off towards the city. As soon as he was out of sight Legolas jumped down from the tree, landing in a crouching position. He straightened up and slowly advanced towards Ariel.

"My lady," he said, bowing with his hand over his heart.

"Sire," she responded with a curtsey. The stood there, gazes locked, for some time before either realised that they had not said a word beyond their greeting. The truth was, despite the hours spent thinking about this moment, neither could find the words to express all that needed to be said.

"I have been looking for you," Legolas said, breaking the awkward silence.

"Well, you have found me," she responded, silently berating herself for being so abrupt. She had vowed to herself that she would show no sign of the resentment she felt towards him. To her surprise though, she didn't come back at him with a snide remark, he just looked to the floor, a little shame faced, making Ariel feel guilty.

"What can I help you with Sire?" she asked, being a little more civilised.

"I wanted... I ... I just..." Ariel smiled to herself at seeing him so flustered.

"Perhaps you can tell me as we take a walk. I have a desire to see the Pallion once more."

"As you wish Milady." They turned around and headed back in the direction of the orchard.

"How long has Herdrin been back in this part of the Green Wood?"

"I do not know Sire. I believe he may only have returned today." Ariel's fists clenched. She did not want Herdrin's name brought up. It would only lead to more unpleasantness between them. The truth was Legolas had seen Ariel's encounter with the Elf lord and it had made him feel jealous, but he had to conceal that emotion if he was to have any hope of reconciling with his aide.

"Did he happen to mention his sister?" He asked as they stepped onto the paths which wound through the Pallion grove.

"He did. It would seem that she misses your company Sire for she has been in a state of melancholy since her departure." Ariel sneaked a glance at him and was pleased to see that he was smiling at this information. Perhaps she really was wrong about the two of them.

Legolas reached out and plucked one of the blue berries from the closest bush. He carefully inspected it. "The healers will be harvesting out here soon. The will select the best berries for their healing potions."

"And no longer will they cause insanity."

"You remember that?"

"Of course I do. I remember everything you say. The spotted berry causes madness, when it turns blue it has healing powers, the pink makes it good for wine and the crimson fruit is an aphrodisiac."

"I am impressed milady, that you listen to my nonsense so carefully. However I have said some things recently that I would rather you forget." She looked to his earnest face and smiled. She took a seat and motioned for the Prince to sit beside her.

"So you finally understand why I am so angry with you?"

"Yes Milady I do. I have behaved despicably towards you. When I think of the things I have said to you I am ashamed. That guilt I feel for my actions is made even worse when word comes to my ear that you no longer feel at ease in Eryn Lasgalen. That I have made a person want to leave my Kingdom is a wicked thing indeed. I have to come to beg for your forgiveness and to plead with you to stay. I have known you for too short a time too lose you. There is much more I can learn from you. If you leave today I will with the lesser for it."

"I must confess Highness, that I had hoped you would come and ask me not to leave for I have no desire to leave the beauty of the Green Wood behind me just yet. I had started to feel a connection between us. It saddened me that I might never see where that could take us."

"My thoughts exactly Milady." He took her hand between his. "So will you stay? Will you accept my apology, for I do mean it most sincerely."

"Yes I will stay, For I know that you speak in earnest."

"Thank you." He raised her hand to his lips and gently placed a kiss on it. In a second of madness he looked into her eyes and saw something there which urged him on to go further. He leaned in towards her, moving one of his hands to her right cheek. Her lips were so inviting. They looked like they would taste of berries. He just had to taste them.

For a second or two Ariel entertained the idea of allowing him to do what he was clearly going to do, but she thought better of it. Just as she had thought better of it earlier with Herdrin. "Sire," she said softly. He stopped suddenly. "I do not think that would be a good idea."

"Of course not. I... I apologise milady. I know not what came over me."

"Do not worry Highness. It is not the first time such a thing has happened to me." 'And I am sure it will not be the last', she thought sadly before smiling at the Prince and slipping back into the Ariel that she wanted the Prince to know.