Chapter 12

By Crystal Snowflakes

Author's Notes: For those waiting for 'Instinct of the Heart', I apologize once for the slow update, but I'm getting a writing block *sighs* Halfway through the chapter too.  Anyhow, I'll try to get over it, and hopefully, it'll be within a week since I know I haven't updated in a very long time.  I had a great Halloween, got quite a lot of candy and planning to give it all out because I don't eat sweets But yep. 

Once again, thanks to my beta Lady Arianna for correcting this =)

Now without any ado...

*We all know that anything that has to do with 'Lord of the Rings' belong to J.R.R. Tolkien the genius...*

As I stepped in the coffee shop, I once again sat near the window seat, only this time I didn't pay attention to the scene outside, but at the Elf sitting in front of me.  I raised an eyebrow, "This place should be familiar to you, no?"

"I have seen it, yet it is not familiar."  Legolas replied.

I rolled my eyes, but stopped when I caught the waitress looking at me.  I smiled and waved her over.  "Hi."  I said politely, but silently fuming inside when I saw her check out Legolas.

She turned her head towards me when I greeted her, "Hello.  Are you ready to order yet?"  She asked.

I shook my head, "Not yet, but I was just wondering if Amy is here today."  My eyes swept over her nametag.  Monica.  "And it's nice meeting you, Monica."

She frowned softly, "Oh, nice meeting you too...  Amy was just here a moment ago.  She's at the washroom right now..." Monica trailed off.

"I see.  I actually work here too, although I haven't worked for the past week.  I heard you're taking the place of Nicole."  I smiled at her, "Oh, and my name's Jessica."

"Hi..." Monica replied.  "Anyhow, I'll get Amy to take your orders."  She paused, "I'll see you at work sometime, I guess."  She gave one last look at Legolas and turned away.

I replied with a forced smile as I watched her go away.  Monica...

"Jessica?"

"Yes, Legolas?"  I replied, my eyes still glued on her form.

"Lle tyava quel?"  (Are you well?)  He asked.

Frowning, I replied him, "I feel fine."

"Uuma risa a'amin..."  (Do not lie to me...)

Finally, I said, "I do not like the look she gave you."  Then I turned around towards the window, quite embarrassed as I felt my face warm up and flush.

His reaction, to say the least, surprised me.  He chuckled, then laughed...  At me!  Me.  I looked at him with confusion plainly written on my face as I waited for him to stop laughing.  When he stopped laughing, he said with a beautiful smile etched upon his face, "Is that all?"

"What do you mean, 'is that all?'  I do not like people looking at you like that..." I trailed off.

He took up my hand that was on the table and grasped it in a tight, but comfortable hold, "Melamin...  I would never look in the direction of another woman, ever.  I have you.  Do you not understand?  You are all that I have ever wanted, all that I want, all that I will ever want."

I felt so foolish all of a sudden, but I had to get it out, "It's just that...  Every time someone looks at you like that, I feel like I do not deserve you...That you can always choose someone better than me." I looked downwards.

He lifted my head up slowly, "We have gone through this already, Jessica...  Who is to say you deserve me or not?  We are in love.  Love is a mindless emotion, one that does not care for race, age nor does it care for richness."  He leaned over the table and gave me a sweet chaste kiss.  Then added in with a whisper, "I am in love with you.  Lle rangwa?"  (Do you understand?)  He gave my hand a squeeze, "I have seen thousands of people that I could learn to have loved, yet I chose you.  Why?  Because in my eyes, you are better than all the others."

"Legolas..." He shushed me and leaned in again to kiss me.  I closed my eyes and was waiting for the familiar warm lips to capture mine when we were rudely interrupted.

"JESSICA!" 

I snapped my eyes opened and looked at where the voice was coming from.  Smiling, I waved at Amy, who, with her shout, had attracted quite a few stares from the customers.  "Hey."  I greeted her when she got closer.

"Who is that?"  She asked, her hands were on her hips.

My mouth literally dropped, "Hello to you too."  I replied after a while.  I cleared my throat, "That is..." I paused, thinking up a name real quick, "His name is Luke.  I believe you've met him before."  I mentioned Amy to Legolas and said, "That is Amy."

Legolas bowed his head slightly and let go of my hand to extend his to hers, "Nice to meet you, milady."

"Uh..." Amy shook hands with Legolas, "Nice to meet you too, Luke."  She turned towards me, "Could I please have a word with you, Jess?"

I blinked and without another second, Amy practically hauled me out of my chair.  Legolas looked on with amusement while I was dragged away by Amy.  Finally, when we reached the storeroom, she spoke to me.  "Mind telling me all that has happened within that week?"

"I think it was quite clear to you..." I replied quietly.

"He was the one that gave me the Valentine's card!"  Amy grinned.

"I know..." I replied.

A smirk appeared on her face, "Is he a good kisser?"

My eyes widened, "W-What?"  I stammered.

"Oh, you heard me the first time."

I gulped, feeling my face flush again, "He's a fine kisser."  I replied quietly.

"From one to ten.  Common, Jess."  She asked again, teasing.

"Shut up."  I stuck out my tongue, "What about you and your beloved Kelvin?"

She stayed quiet for a moment before replying, "We broke up."

I kept silent for a while, letting the information sink in, "I'm sorry..."

Amy shrugged, "I'm not.  Moving onwards, what happened between you guys?  I mean, it's only been a week!  And like, you guys are kissing."  She laughed a short laugh, "If I didn't know any better, I would say you guys are in love."

"I am in love, Amy."  I replied quietly again.

She rolled her eyes, "That's what they all say.  'It's love at first sight', 'I'm in love with him'.  What do they do?  They end up breaking up anyways, especially with that pretty boy of yours.  I'm not trying to make you feel insecure, but he's hot, gorgeous, great looking and he has the best blue eyes I've seen.  How many of those guys do you think will really love one person, and really, with so many gorgeous girls throwing themselves at his feet, do you really think he'll stay loyal?"

I looked at her and let out a smile, "I'll prove you wrong.  You know me; I wouldn't date someone unless I'm sure I'm in love with him.  I love him, and that's final.  If I didn't love him, I would never date them, much less use the word 'love'.  Believe me on this.  And plus, I know he's gorgeous, great looking, hot along with the eyes."

Amy looked at my eyes, "You seem awfully determined...  If you think he is, then he is.  Although I know never to trust men."

I only grinned; I know not to trust men.  But they never said anything about trusting Elves.  "I've got to get back to Leg--Luke.  Order two almond lattés and two slices of chocolate cake for me, please."  I turned around to walk away, but at the last moment, I turned my head around, "Oh, and do tell Monica that Luke is already taken, all right?"  I winked.

The almond latté was nice as well as the chocolate cake and the time we spent holding hands and talking only added goodness to the whole thing.  Finally, I grew tired and I felt my eyelids droop.  It was then Legolas stood up and walked over to my side of the table and held his hand.  I gave him a small smile and let him pull my hand and with a swift motion, he had his arm around my waist again.  Once again, I leaned on him as we waved a goodbye to Amy and Monica, whom, may I add, were looking at me with envious clear in their eyes.  I mean, who wouldn't be jealous?

We walked home slowly and uneventfully.  The night was breezy and cool, but the coffee warmed me, as well as the arm around me.  When we reached my apartment, I sent Legolas off to change into his pajamas as I took up the phone and started dialing my mother's number.

"Hello?"

"Mother?"

"Jessica, is that you?"

I smiled softly, "Yes it is.  How are you doing?"

"I'm great and so is your father.  How are the others, and have you and Alan gotten back together yet?  He is a good boyfriend..."

"Mother...  Stop it.  I'm not dating Alan, and I won't ever date him.  But I have a new boyfriend.  His name's Luke and I'll bring him over for you to see him sometime.  He's actually at my house right now."  The second the last sentence left my mouth; I knew how wrong it was.  It was then Legolas also stepped out of the washroom.

"HE IS OVER AT YOUR APPARTMENT?!  WHAT IS HE DOING THERE?  IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THERE?"

"Mother!"  I yelled over the phone, exasperated.  "Will you stop asking me questions?!"

"HAVE YOU SLEPT WITH HIM YET?  AS IN SEX?!"

My eyes widened, "MOTHER!  I HAVE NOT HAD SEX WITH LUKE, for CHRIST'S SAKE!"  Legolas instantly flushed and looked uncomfortable.  If the situation were not this serious, I would have laughed.  "Mother..." I said calmly, yet firmly, "I have not thought about sleeping with him.  You know my rules.  No sex before marriage.  You taught me that, and to that I stand.  And yes, he will be sleeping over tonight, just him...  But we will not be having sex.  Okie dokie, Mother?  Luke is a gentleman.  He will not force me to do anything.  Please understand that."

"Jess...  How long have you known him?"

"Uh..." I gulped.

"I want to see him.  As soon as possible."

"Mother..."

"Jessica, do not argue with me."

"Yes, Mother.  I'll be free Wednesday night, how about I come over with Luke and we'll prepare dinner together?"

"While your father talks to this...  Luke person."

I made a sound from my throat, sounding awfully like a whimper and growl, "All right, Mother.  But I will tell you once again, he is a gentleman, and even Alan has seen him and likes him.  So has everyone else.  Tell Father to go easy on him, all right?  You know how long I haven't had a boyfriend.  You know I don't just pick boyfriends off the street, so he can't be bad."

My mother and I talked for another few short minutes when I finally hanged up and slid my back against the wall and down on the floor.  I put my head in my hands and started taking big deep breaths of air.

"Melamin?"  Legolas asked.

I looked up slowly, "I'm fine...  Just...  My mother doesn't trust in who I pick for a boyfriend."

"She is only doing it for your own good."  He crouched down beside me and lifted me up into his arms, "Go change and do all the things women need to do."

I gave him a small smile, "I'm guessing that knowledge comes from being around Irene."

Legolas grinned, "It comes from Master Bruce's whining, to be honest."

I chuckled, "All right."  Legolas put me down and I went into the washroom, brushing my teeth, washed my face and brushed my hair a few times, then I went into my bedroom and changed into my nightgown.  Not knowing what Legolas was doing and not wanting to interrupt whatever he was doing, I curled up in the blanket and took out my book, 'The Notebook' by Nicholas Sparks.

A few minutes later, Legolas slipped into the room and wrapped his arms around me.  He was in a pair of gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt.  "Hey."  I said quietly.

He smelled my hair, "I have missed your aroma."

I chuckled, "Thank you, I shall take that as a compliment, my Prince.  But that aside, you are bothering my reading."

He grinned, "Well, you will just have to put up with it."  He put his head on top of mine as he read quietly along with me.

He asked a few questions about the beginning, seeing that he didn't start right at the beginning, but I turned the page every time when we were both finished.  It was fun reading like that, but after two chapters, I grew tired as my eyelids became even heavier.  Finally, Legolas shut the book and took it from my hands.

"Quel du, Melamin..."  (Good night, my love...)

He stood up and I whimpered at the sudden loss of body heat and I thought he was going to sleep on the couch when he just turned off the lights.  A few seconds later, he was once again beside me, curled under the blankets along with me and I felt him wrap his arms around me once again.  I snuggled up closer to him and sighed contently.  "Quel du, tarenamin."  (Good night, my Prince.)

* * * * *

Author's Notes:  I'll try to make updates more frequent since I want to get this over with, and I want to start the sequel for this (seeing I have so many ideas and I'm just dying to write them!).  So I'll try to make the chapters longer.  As a matter of fact, I was about to make this chapter longer until I saw it was the end of the day, so yeah.  For those of you who don't know, I like to end the paragraph with the end of a day =\ I'll try to update 'Instinct of the Heart', but it most likely will not have a sequel, since I have two more story ideas at the back of my head that's also dying to be written *sighs* Too many ideas and so little time.  Anyhow, that's really it.  Bye all!  And I hope you enjoyed this!

Last thing, I'm sorry for not replying the reviews, but I really wanted to update this and I won't have time to update for another week or two.  Frigging homework.  I have three more projects due!  If you want to see me rant, then go to my xanga page.  The link is on my profile.  Other than that, I think that's it.  Thanks for the patient waiting!  Oh, and 55 reviews for this chapter =)

Wednesday, November 12, 2003

-Crystal Snowflakes