Disclaimer: I don't own any LOTR Characters.

Chapter 14 ~Table Manners~

Legolas stood on a balcony, his hands clasping the railing, watching the people of Minas Tirith below. He had watched the moon and stars fall to their knees for the upcoming sun. The sun bled out a light red color and the wind screamed through the city. He found himself drowning in his thoughts, resulting in him not bothering to sleep. So many thoughts were going through his head that he lost track of time.

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Charity laid her head on her outstretched arm. She let her left arm settle in front of face. Her sleeves were pulled up and she blankly looked at her arm which had specks of dried blood freckled all over. Guilt had pushed her to cut herself even more after she yelled at Legolas. Some would think punishing yourself for such a small thing was ridiculous. But punishment was her only conclusion, the only thing she knew. Last night she had also broken a promise; she promised never to treat others so rudely like the woman in her memories.

She heard someone's footsteps and quickly sat up. She pulled her sleeve down, but winced; her clothing irritated her new cuts.

"Are you well?" A masculine voice asked.

Charity turned her head to find Gandalf looking at her with concern.

"Yes," she said, and put a reassuring smile on her face.

Gandalf doubted her words but nodded his head. He took a seat next to her and waited for the others to arrive for breakfast. He watched as Charity reached for a glass of water, but it was her hands that caught his attention; they were extremely pale and trembling. He reached out to her hands, surprisingly she didn't withdraw them.

He looked at the hands he held. The veins seemed to stand out from the paleness. He slid his thumb across her hand and all he felt was coldness. He looked at his daughter, strays of hair were glued across her face, and her face was unusually defined.

"The doom of men is now so close to you for the warmness in your blood dwindles as your blood runs cold."

Gandalf let go of her hands. He knew the only way to fasten death was if the person no longer wished to live. He looked at her once more, she had a look of confusion on her face.

Gandalf did not want to worry her. "Are you excited to leave for Lórien?"

"Yes," she replied.

'At least you will see the beauty of Lórien before you pass,' Gandalf thought.

"What does Lórien look like?" she asked.

Gandalf pondered for a moment. "I don't think words could describe the beauty of Lórien."

Charity smiled.

"I'm sure you'll enjoy your stay," Gandalf said. "You'll also meet Haldir's brothers, which should be interesting."

Charity let out a little laugh.

"Up already?" a feminine voice suddenly asked.

Charity turned around. "Good morning Arwen."

"Did you sleep well?" Arwen asked.

"Yes," Charity lied.

Arwen took a seat across from Charity. Soon Aragorn joined her, and the others. The hobbit were chatting away again, and Gimli impatiently waited for the food. Gwilwileth gracefully entered the room with Tiruiel lagging behind. Charity looked around the room, everyone was there, except Legolas. She leaned back onto her chair, she didn't notice the hand that slipped over her shoulder with a plate of food.

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Legolas slowly walked aimlessly through the hallway. His face was flashed with brightness then darkness as he walked passed rows of pillars. He entered the dining hall looked around for a seat. Gwilwileth signaled him to come sit by her, but there were no seats available close to her. He shrugged and looked for another seat.

Charity held a butter knife in her hand and looked at it amusingly. Her thumb glided along the blade. She felt could feel the cold metal, and it seemed to enchant her. Until she was startled by a noise, the chair beside her was moved and an elf was now sitting beside her. Her eyes were on the elf's hands and she made her way upwards, arm, shoulder, neck, lips, she hesitated to continue.

Legolas watched as Charity's eyes crept up his upper body. He couldn't help but look back at her in wonderment. He noticed that her eyes had stopped at his cheek. He titled his head and waited for her next move.

He could feel the tension rising. He could hear Charity take in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and slowly lifted her head.

Both did not notice the many eyes that were watching them. Haldir had his arms crossed and arched one eyebrow. Aragorn was silently laughing at the two's unusual tension. Gimli just shook his head.

"What are we all staring at?" Arwen asked, noticing the look of amusement on all three faces.

Aragorn tilted his head. Arwen looked at her husband oddly, but looked across the table. She found Legolas looking directly at Charity who was having a hard time summing up the courage to look back at the elf.

Elladan and Elrohir also took notice and gave Tiruiel a sharp nudge.

"Ow! What was that for?" She asked in a harsh whisper.

Elladan tilted his head. Tiruiel suspiciously eyed the twins, but looked anyway. Her eyes immediately widened and she smirked. Elladan tilted his head again, this time towards Gwilwileth. Tiruiel nodded her head and made sure her sister did not see anything. Elrohir noticed Gandalf sitting right beside Charity, which wasn't good. Gandalf could easily turn around and see what the two were up to. Gandalf could also push Legolas off the seven levels of the city.

Arwen looked around the table for the other's reactions, but caught Elrohir's gaze. He mouthed the name -Gandalf- Arwen understood and turned her body towards her father's direction.

Elrond was minding his own business, eating peacefully, until he heard someone cough. He looked up to find Arwen eyeing him. She pointed and Legolas, then Gandalf. Elrond didn't understand and arched an eyebrow.

Arwen paused for a moment, then pointed at Gandalf. Elrond nodded his head.

Arwen pointed at Legolas. Elrond nodded his head again.

Arwen then picked up her fork and started stabbing a piece of bread repeatedly. Elrond finally understood and started a conversation with Gandalf, averting his attention on him.

Pippin, Sam, and Frodo also took notice and watched intenly.

Charity had her hand on her lap, clutching the fabric on her clothes tightly. Never had she dare to look in his eyes. Every time he talk to her, she never directly looked at him. Save the time she was drunk.

The night before, after she yelled at Legolas, she couldn't fall asleep. All night she thought about him, all the things he did for her. She realized that she rarely thanked him and gave him the cold shoulder most of the time. She really never understood why she was so cold to him.

The least she could do now, was to look directly into his eyes.

She took a deep breath in and slowly lifted her head. Her eyes traced up his face and finally met his eyes. It felt like a sudden jolt of electricity went through her, and goose-bumps started creeping all over her body. She could see the kindness and wisdom in his eyes. An odd feeling started stirring up inside her, a feeling of safety and comfort.

Legolas watched in amazement as the worry on her face started to fade away. Her bangs could no longer hide her eyes as they slipped to the side of her face. He could see the mix of long years of pain, sadness, and hurt stirring in her eyes.

If he looked even deeper he would find a girl stripped of her life and love, sitting in a dark corner of her heart waiting for someone. Legolas could only feel more pity for her and wanted to hold her and tell her everything was going to be fine.

"What are we all staring at?" Merry loudly asked.

Charity and Legolas snapped out of their trances. They looked around the room. Almost everyone in the room saw what had just happened and were still staring at them. They shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

Dead silence....

Aragorn cleared his throat and went back to eating. Gwilwileth looked around the table, wondering what had just happened. Haldir still had one eyebrow quirked up, but looked away.

"Merry! You fool!" Pippin scolded.

"What? What?" Merry exclaimed. "All I did was ask a question!"

Charity timidly looked at the ground and Legolas turned to talk with Frodo.

Arwen smiled and leaned towards her husband. "That was quite interesting."

"All that for a look in the eyes." Aragorn whispered back.

"A look that I'm sure will change everything." Arwen whispered.

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(A/N) *coughs* Well, that was probably the first romantic chapter between them.....er I think...remotely romantic. LOL, I hope you enjoyed.

Meadowsweet- Well, it's really hard to explain. Basically I think of all the pain that the person would feel (try to put yourself in their state of mind) and I just write in down on paper.

I think I answered all the questions. Anyway thank you so much to everyone that reviewed my last chapter! I'm glad you guys liked the last chapter. Thanks for your feedback!

Thanks for reading, now please give me a review!!!