Falling in Love

By Elle Greenleaf

A/N Thank you to all my reviewers once again. I really appreciate all the help. Here is the 5th chapter! Enjoy!

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Chapter 5

How can she do this to me? How can she steal my one chance at love? This isn't like her; Danestar is usually so quiet and kind. Why is she being so selfish? She's the one that's always admired by guards or visitors. I've never had anyone...never.

Oh, Legolas! You can't choose her! Not Danestar! She goes through men like clothes! Always receiving the new and throwing away the old. I can remember the last man she ensnared, from the court. He was heart-broken when she left him. Legolas, you shall be heart-broken too once she's finished with you.

I'm not like that. I'll always be with you, no matter what.

Please? Can you give me a chance?

Don't turn me away!

Ondine awoke from her dream. She was breathing very fast and was also sweating. She held her right hand in a fist and punched it into her left. She opened her eyes slowly, seeing the last moments of her dream.

Legolas was hand in hand with Danestar. They were walking through Gondor proudly with a bundle in their arms. The bundle gurgled and cried.

This won't happen, thought Ondine, it can't. This is my one chance at falling in love. Danestar can't take it away from me.

Ondine rose from her bed and pulled back the hangings. She looked out of her window. The dawn was upon Gondor, just.

She pulled a long nightdress over her and left the room.

The halls were very quiet. She walked silently over the cold stone floors, through dark passageways and down winding staircases.

She came to the window over-looking the whole of Gondor. There were extravagant banners and decorations outside ready for the celebration. The weak sunlight reflected off the hundreds of goblets piled on a large table. They'd all be there soon. They'd be talking, eating, drinking, dancing- Dancing?

Ondine had a sudden fantasy of Legolas asking her to dance. She was swept off her feet by him as he took her hand in his. All heads turned to look at them. Her father was smiling, her mother was half crying and Danestar looked livid.

He pulled her even closer. She could see her reflection in his pale eyes. He pulled her closer again. She could hear Danestar screaming as his lips touched hers.

Ondine snapped out of her fantasy as she heard someone walking towards her. She wheeled around.

There stood her dream, Prince Legolas. He was fully dressed in a mossy green tunic. His hair was shining due to the blinding sunlight which now flooded the hallway.

"Good morning, my lady," said Legolas. He seemed a little distant. He was looking out of the window. "The sea looks beautiful this morning, don't you think?"

Ondine took another look. "My lord, there is no sea."

Legolas laughed softly.

"Of course, you can't see it, can you?" he said. "I am an Elf. I have keen eyesight. And rather good hearing too!"

"Why were you looking at the sea?" asked Ondine.

Legolas was silent for a moment.

"Can I trust you with a secret?" he finally said.

Ondine nodded.

Legolas took a deep breath.

"All my kind have gone across the sea. I happen to be the only one left. Your mother, well, that's a different story, decided to remain also. Ever since thirty years ago, I have been pondering whether to cross the sea and be with the rest of my kin. So far I have resisted the temptation, but it will not last for much longer. I will need to go sooner or later.

"If I go, I will be able to see all my friends again. Many friends that died in battle and few that survived."

Ondine looked sympathetic. Poor Legolas, she thought. I never knew he was going through this.

"There is something troubling you, lady Ondine," said Legolas.

There was an awkward silence.

"It's nothing, my lord Legolas," lied Ondine. "I must go and see my father," she said.

"I look forward to seeing you at the celebration this evening!" said Legolas to Ondine's back as she walked away.

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Aragorn awoke. He saw Arwen sleeping beside him. She looked so peaceful. Suddenly, as Aragorn rose from his bed, she stirred.

"Good morning my love," said Arwen leaning forward to kiss her husband. "It's a little early for you to be up, isn't it?"

Aragorn nodded. It was early, even for him. Something bothered him, something arose him.

"Can you hear anything, Arwen?"

Arwen remained silent.

"Yes," she finally said. "Someone is walking through the halls. I can't think of anyone who might be up at this hour."

"Maybe it's Legolas," guessed Aragorn. "He's always wondering about these days. He's all alone in Mirkwood. There are no friends of his left on this Middle Earth. He's extremely lonely."

"We need to help him find a wife," said Arwen.

"What are you implying?" asked Aragorn raising his right eyebrow.

"Nothing, nothing," said Arwen. "Well...I suppose..."

"What?"

"We could try and urge Danestar, Silvena or Ondine to...um...well...make friends with Legolas?" Arwen finished lamely.

"That's not all you want to happen," said Aragorn, his left eyebrow rising also.

"You know what I mean!" said Arwen.

Aragorn was about to answer back when there was a soft knocking on the door.

"Come in," said Aragorn.

The door swung open.

Danestar stood in the doorway looking refreshed and clean. She was dressed already and her hair braided with gold ribbons.

"Good morning, my dear daughter," said Arwen with a huge smile.

"Good morning, mother," said Danestar happily.

"What's got you in this mood?" asked Aragorn.

"Oh...nothing...just a certain Elf."

"Really?" said Arwen sounding surprised. "We thought we'd have to pay you to fall in love with Legolas!" As Arwen finished, she clapped a hand over her mouth.

"That's let the cat out of the bag!" said Aragorn.

"You were planning this?" said Danestar looking shocked.

"Well, now that you mention it, yes," confessed Arwen.

"I'm surprised at you mother!" said Danestar.

"As am I!" said Aragorn.

Arwen smiled.

"Listen, there is no doubt Legolas is lonely. He needs someone. Could it be you, dear?" she said.

Danestar was secretly overjoyed. She couldn't believe that she was going to be with this beautiful Elf!

"I'll try, mother and father," said Danestar.

"Thank you, my dear," said Arwen. "I know you won't let us...well...me down."

"Of course not, mother," said Danestar. "You can count on me." She left the room.

"I hope you know what you are doing," said Aragorn uncertainly.