(a/n) Dreamality- THANK YOU! You made me so happy to get a review that I posted this chappie just for you! Wow, that rhymes! Sorry, its late and I can't sleep so here it goes….

            ~Maris

Ch 10 Laughter in the Night

            Maris and Legolas headed back to their tents, each wrapped up in their own thoughts. Legolas turned to Maris, "Diola lle, Maris."

            // Are you feeling ok Legolas?\\ Maris raised an eyebrow in confusion. // I have done nothing to deserve your thanks.\\

            Legolas grinned. //Without you, I never would've been able to have such a great night. I really do like Rosie. When you first left to go 'find mushrooms for Merrin and Pippy' I wasn't quite sure what to do. I was very grateful but a bit….um…insecure.\\

            //Legolas insecure? Never! \\ Maris laughed.

            //Rosie is just so…wonderful,\\ he continued. //When I'm with her, everything just feels right.\\

            //Hush Legolas.\\ Maris whispered sharply. He blinked and she vanished into the darkness. A few moments later, he heard a yelp, followed by a string of curses and a faint twinkling of laughter. Soon after, Maris appeared by his side, smiling impishly.

            //What did you do?\\ He demanded. She put a finger to his lips and guided him to a tent. He peered into it to see Jamiel coated in tree sap, honey, and leaves, a false spider on her head.

            Maris smirked, //Maybe a tree ran into her.\\ Before Jamiel had a chance to hear them, Legolas had dragged Maris back into the woods.

            Once they were safely out of earshot, Legolas collapsed with mirth. //Did you see her face? She looked hilarious!\\

            Maris grinned. //I couldn't help it. After what she did to poor Rosie and tried to get to you….\\ The remainder of her sentence was lost as she laughed.

            //You were upset that she was near me?\\ Legolas asked, incredulously.

            //Of course. You didn't think I'd let her steal you away from Rosie so easily, did you? Besides, I couldn't stand her anyway.\\ Maris shrugged.

            //Steal me from Rosie? Does she think of me the same way I do of her?\\ Legolas gasped.

            //Maybe.\\ Maris grinned. //Why don't you ask her yourself instead of trying to pry it from me?\\

            //Maris! Legolas! What are you doing? Who screamed? What's going on?\\ A figure stormed out of a nearby tent.

            Maris rolled her eyes. //Nothing, atara. Legolas and I were simply having a private discussion.\\

            Arwen raised an eyebrow as she began to tap her foot, awaiting an explanation. Another ear-piercing shriek rent the air.

            //MARIS!\\ came an angry, high-pitched shriek, //I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!\\

            Arwen arched a delicate eyebrow in her daughter's direction. //Nothing, hmm? Your father and I are going to have a nice little chat with you, young lady.\\

            Maris shrugged. //Take your time. I'm sure he won't want to be woken up just to yell at me.\\

            //Quite the contrary, I assure you.\\ Aragorn remarked, emerging from the tent. //Now what did you do this time?\\ He gave an exasperated sigh.

            //Nothing adar.\\ Maris answered innocently.

            //Legolas Thranduilion! I know you're in on this too! Don't you sneak off just yet!\\ Arwen grabbed his pointed ear.

            //OWWWW!\\ He yelped. //Arwen, I am not a child. You have no need to reprimand me!\\

            Arwen glared at him. Maris stifled a giggle at seeing her teacher and best friend being reprimanded by her mother. Arwen rounded on her. //This is no laughing matter. If you can't learn to behave as a princess, then I guess that we will just have to find you a proper lady-in-waiting to teach you how to behave.\\

            //Atara!\\ Maris rolled her eyes skyward. //Legolas is a fine teacher! I promise not to cause too much trouble for Jamiel….for now..\\

            Legolas smiled. //I will vouch for her, Arwen.\\

            Arwen eyed him suspiciously for a moment, then turned to Aragorn, who nodded. //She did give her word, and Legolas is willing to trust her..\\

            //Of course he's willing to trust her!\\ Arwen exploded. //He's guilty too!\\

            //Calm yourself, my love.\\ Aragorn pulled her into his arms. //I'm sure that it was just a harmless bit of fun, and,\\ he turned to look directly at the pair, who were slowly inching towards the surrounding trees, //that it won't happen again!\\

            Legolas and Maris nodded quickly and hurried out into the safety of the surrounding night.