"What do you mean 'what the hell is going on?'" Eden laughed weakly, "Nothing is going on. Wait....going on with what?"

"I think you know perfectly well, "spat Ritu.

"Well I obviously don't.," said Eden, "So would you be so kind as to inform me of what I'm being accused of doing?"

"Something is going on between you and that brat Prince," he said, "Did not mother already have this conversation with you?"

"I know nothing of what you speak," she said, sounding very offended, "I have no relationship with the Prince and I think it quite ghastly that you would accuse me of such a horrendous and...and blasphemous thing."

"Eden," Nitu stood up, "You can tell us. I mean, we're family and-"

"And you should stop whatever is happening and stay away from him," said Ritu.

"What I do is none of your damn business," Eden said, angrily.

"Aha!" exclaimed Ritu, a smile forming on his reddened and angry face, "So you admit that you were doing something with the Prince!"

"I admitted no such thing!" cried Eden. "I....I....oohh..You know...you...you...."

"Yeeeees?" he laughed.

"Oh shutup!" she cried. "I was doing nothing and we are not together and I hate him!"

"Eden, how stupid do you think we are?" Ritu stood up and started to walk around her. "Whenever you are gone, he is gone. Whenever he is somewhere, you are at the same place and vice versa. He takes you up to his bedroom just to stick you in a closet all night? He is in your room just to threaten you with a dagger right before he kisses you and he does not even have the dagger out when he does so and now you just walk into this room as if nothing happened? Come on Eden, give your siblings a little more credit." Eden looked at him, her eyes wide with shock Everyone in the room was quiet and staring at her. It was the most uncomfortable silence she had ever experienced.

She was caught and she knew it and he knew it and everyone in the room knew it.

"Have you told anyone else?" she asked, her quivering voice almost a whisper.

"No," said Ritu, "Not yet." Suddenly he picked up a glass of water and threw it across the room. It shattered into many pieces and water was all over the wall and floor. Her siblings stared at Ritu with wide eyes and slightly open mouths. Eden flinched.

"And to think that I was actually worried!" he screamed. "To think that I thought he did something horrible to you! To think that I promised myself that night that I could never live with myself if he did anything to you because I couldn't stop it! But it was all an act! A stupid fucking act! You played us for fools, Eden! Your own family! And for what? For that bastard Prince who hates you just as much as he hates us? Whose only goal is to shame us and you....you just fucking fell for it!"

"It wasn't like that!" Eden cried. "You don't understand. He-"

"Oh," laughed Ritu cruelly, "He told you that he loved you. He talked of a future. He took you up to that secret room of his. He told you that the problems between your families don't matter. He probably even promised you a seat beside him on his throne. Stupid little idiot! You fell for it all, didn't you? All of his lies! And now what are you going to say? That he wasn't like that? That he's different around you? You are so naive Eden. This is what happens when you don't have any friends." He laughed again. His laughter filled the silent room. "And he knew you never had any friends. He knew everything about you. You're the perfect target Eden. The Prince, he's brilliant."

"What do you want me to do?" whispered Eden, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Stop seeing him, "said Ritu, "Stop talking to him, stop writing him letters, stop all communication and anything else that has to do with him."

"Eden we're only trying to help you," said Nitu softly. She nodded.

"I won't see him anymore," she whispered. "Just please, don't tell mother and father." Ritu's laugh almost chilled her very blood.

"Too late," he said, harshly. "Now, I suspect you know the way to your room. Go there now and think about what we've said. And don't leave until we come to get you."

She turned around to leave when Ritu said, "Oh and one more thing, "he added, "Don't let Legolas in your room and expect mother and father to come and talk to you sometime tomorrow. Good night now."

Eden ran out of the room and down the hall to her room. Locking the door behind her, she fell into her bed and sobbed fretfully. Why was this happening to her? Should she believe Ritu or Legolas? The thing that really got to her was the fact that Ritu knew what Legolas had said to her and where he took her. How did he know?

She got up and washed her face in the basin and then walked over and picked up her book of poems. Many of them were love poems that she would recite to Legolas when they were alone and they were so beautiful and romantic and made their love seem even more surreal and wonderful than it already was.

Legolas was almost at the level of a god to her. He was ancient and yet still held the beauty of someone who had just reached the tender age of 21. The only way to tell his true age was to look in his eyes. They held his wisdom, his happiness, his pain, and other assorted things that come with living for several thousands of years. He was so beautiful to her and she cherished the fact that out of all the beautiful noble maidens of Mirkwood, he had set his eyes on her. Her, who was barely 200 years old, her, who was not the brightest nor the prettiest.

But another thought went into her head. 'What if Ritu was right?' she thought. 'I mean, it makes no sense why he would choose me to dote on unless there was another reason.' Her stomach churned at the idea and she felt nauseous. There was nothing special about her and she knew it. She was just a skinny elf maiden with eyes and hair that were not even of elvish kind!

And this, dear reader, was the moment when Eden Goldenlight started to love Legolas even more. "What the hell?" you say? Well, it's true so be quiet and stop cursing my story. ;-) For Eden, who was overlooked her whole life, had believed that she had finally found her Prince Charming.....literally....except for the fact that his name was Legolas...and not Charming, although he was quite charming when he wanted to be....Anyways, the very idea that he loved her despite her many imperfections made her ecstatic. She knew he loved her. She was so sure, despite what anybody had said and she swore to herself that she would never give up hope for their future.'This is true love!' she thought, 'We are destined to be together!'

She opened the book of poems and on one of the pages, there was a small note stuck in between. It was on the page of a poem that talked of dark matters, of cruelty, of evil. She opened the note and read it aloud.

"Eden

tonight after dinner

behind the stables

don't bring anyone with you

we need to talk

- Legolas"

She reread it over and over, feeling apprehensive. The note was so impersonal. It had no "my dearest" written before her name and it had no "all my love" or "love always" or just plain "love" before his name as he usually wrote. She could tell that this was serious and her heart sank. She put down the note and started to read the poem that it was on.

"Shadows swarm around my head, wake and prod me to hell's delight, the moon has risen to bespell, and curse the sun's forbidden light...," she trailed off and sat alone in the onslaught of darkness until a knock was heard at her door and her siblings were outside. She quickly changed into another dress and went outside to meet them. She was not greeted, but simply pushed along.

After dinner, she had stood up to go the stables, trying to be as discreet as possible, but instead ran right into Nitu whose sad eyes gazed lazily at her.

"Where are you going, Eden?" he asked.

"To my room," she answered quickly.

"Tell the truth, please," Nitu said, his soft voice rising a little. She sighed. She could never lie to Nitu.

"I need to go talk to him," she whispered.

"Eden," he started but she interrupted.

"Please, it's very important," she pleaded, "Something bad might be happening. Please I beg of you!" Nitu sighed and took off the cloak that he wore.

"Just.....be careful Eden,"Nitu said. Eden smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you Nitu,"said Eden and pulling the hood of the cloak over her head, she ran to the stables.

Legolas was standing up very straight, gazing at the moon. He too wore a long cloak but its hood was down, revealing his golden hair. He stood very still and for a moment he truly looked like a statue to her. His pale features seemed to glow in the pale moonlight as he turned to look at her with emotionless eyes.

"You wanted to talk to me?" she said, her eyes avoiding him.

"Yes," he said. He walked over to her so that he was standing very close. She could smell the scent of the forest on him.

"Is it about how everyone knows about us?" she asked, still not looking at him.

"Yes," he said.

"And are you going to tell me now that we can never be together and that we should see each other no more?" Eden asked, her voice now rising slightly. He said nothing.

"Legolas?" she looked up at him.

"I'm sorry, Eden," he said, those blue crystals saddening. "It is something we must do....something I must do. If it were up to me, we would be together for all eternity but it is not my choice. I must think of the fate of the kingdom."

"And I interfere with the fate of the kingdom?" Eden stepped away from him, her voice quivering as tears struggled to reach her eyes. And yet she could not cry. Something would not allow her to cry.

"It is much more complicated than that," he said.

"Then explain it to me," she cried, "Or am I too stupid to understand?"

"Eden please...,"he turned around and started to walk away, but she ran in front of him and blocked his way, pushing his shoulder but he was much stronger than she and he did not move.

"I may not be the best and most perfect person in this kingdom or...or even the whole of Middle Earth," her voice quivered with every word, "But I have a heart and I deserve a better explanation!" she was screaming now, "Tell me, Legolas! Tell me before you leave me!" Alright, now she could cry. And cry she did. Eden felt as if her heart had been ripped open. Embarrassed, she turned away from Legolas, her hood falling off her head.

"I was so stupid," she whispered, "So stupid."

"I love you Eden," he said, "I always will. Do not think I feel nothing about this. I feel the same as you, maybe worse. Do you think you are the only one who suffers in this? This is not my decision. What other explanation can I give you?"

"Then why do you not show it?" she turned around, "Why does your face hold no expression, as if you could care less about what is happening!"

"Is that it Eden?" he said, softly, "You would like to see me cry? Well, I haven't enough tears for what's happened. And you, with your tears, are just making it harder for the both of us."

"I always knew you would be the one to leave me," she whispered hoarsely, "But I never knew you would choose such a cowardly way! Goodbye indeed, Prince Legolas! I hope I didn't waste my lord's time." She turned and started to walk away when he grabbed her, spun her around, and kissed her.

It was so passionate that she felt herself melt in his arms, although she tried her very best not to.

"Goodbye, Lady Eden," he said when suddenly he drew away and calling to his horse, he galloped away into the night. Eden sat against the stables. She did not know what to do. The taste of his mouth still lingered in hers, his scent was still on her, his touch still left invisible hand prints on her body that only she could see. After crying a bit more, she got up and walked to her room where Nitu stood outside, welcoming her with open arms and comforting her.

**********100 years later***********

Eden awoke to screaming. Screaming and yelling and crying.

'What the hell is going on?' she thought as she quickly got out of bed, getting dressed.

A century had passed since that day where her heart was ripped into pieces and she was now a slightly different Eden. She was much quieter, no longer talked to anyone. Her eyes held a deep sadness and no more of the vivacity and life that they once held only a year ago. She no longer whined.

Her physical appearance did change slightly as well. She was prettier now, slightly anyways, but her slim figure stayed after many failed attempts to eat more food. Her hair was now down to her hips. She never put it up anymore.

As she ran downstairs to find out what was going on, she saw her mother crying and her father holding her. Her brothers and sister stood by gloomily.

"What happened?" she asked. No one turned to look at her or answer her. A scroll was shoved into her hands. Her eyes widened as she read more and more of the letter. It was a call for them to go fulfill their civil duties to the kingdom. All of the older children had to go, including Eden.

*******a month later*******

Eden packed up Sumo and rode out with her brothers to the palace that morning. They were to go into more intense military training, while she......she had to be the thing she hated being worst....a maid.

'I couldn't have been a gardener or a cook or a nanny or...or....anything else besides a maid!' she thought.

She said her good-byes to her brothers as they went their separate ways, for the training grounds were a few miles away from Thranduil house and they had their separate barracks over there. Eden did not know when she would see her brothers nor how long the service was. She dismounted her horse and walked up the steps to the palace, ignoring the stares of everyone who eyed her wistfully.

She kept her head down and walked to the main hall where she was given her schedule and room. As she walked into the well furnished room, her heart wrenched. It had been the same room she had stayed in last time she was at the palace. She took a few steps forward. She was now standing in the very spot where Legolas had held her and told her he loved her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Only memories," she whispered.

As she started her duties (which thankfully did not include the Prince's room), she did them very quickly and was done before the day was over. She decided to ride around on the palace grounds. It was quite safe and she had not been riding in a while. She mounted Sumo and set off, but she did not get very far when suddenly an arrow narrowly missed her. She sat on the saddle breathing in deep, very thankful that the arrow missed her. Or was she?

She felt someone touch her hand and she drew it back quickly. She looked down into two silvery blue pools. For a moment she said nothing until he spoke.

"Are you alright?" Legolas asked. His eyes were so very caring.

"I'm fine," she said coldly and then set off into a gallop into the forest. When she finally stopped, she breathed in the cool air.

"How have you been Eden?" his voice made her head swim. How did he do that? How could he make her feel that way after all he had done to her, after all these long years?

"I've been better," she muttered, moving Sumo along. He caught up with her in almost a second.

"Doing your civil service here?" he asked.

"Yes, why else would I be here?" Eden bit off. "Certainly not by my own choice." He said nothing as they continued to ride slowly side by side.

"Is there anything you need, highness?" she asked, sounding annoyed. Legolas opened his mouth to answer but was interrupted by his brothers crashing into the scene. They all had bows and quivers slung across their backs and Eden noticed they had changed slightly. Their demeanor was now calm and cool instead of just rude and obnoxious.

"Well if it isn't Lady Eden," said one of Legolas's brothers snidely, "Enjoying your stay at the palace? I doubt it is much fun though you are no longer sharing a bed with my brother."

"Stop it, Elothdir" said Legolas softly, looking away.

"And you really thought he loved you," laughed his other brother who trotted his horse up to Eden and started to circle her, watching her, examining her. She could feel his eyes on places they had no business being. "I never knew you were that stupid. All beauty and no brains huh? Well actually not that much beauty either. Although...My, my..how you have grown..."

"Enatan!" said Legolas, cooly, "That is quite enough."

Eden had never been more furious in her life, although she did not show it. She gave them a good cold glare and pulling at the reins, galloped off, deeper into the forest.

She stopped finally, leaping off her horse and walking around, stretching out her legs, and she suddenly felt the pain again. For so long she tried to forget it, to make herself numb, but the very sight of him had ripped open the wounds of the past once more.

And all the things his brothers had said....

Were they true?? Were they? She had no way of finding out. But inside she knew that he probably told them that so he wouldn't have to tell them that he loved her...if he loved her, that is.

"Eden, please don't walk away from me," a gentle voice pleaded.

'What the..,' thought Eden, 'How does he find me!??!.....and so quickly!!!' But she did not turn around to face him.

"I believe it is you who walked away from me, your highness,"she emphasized the last part. "If I am remembering correctly, that is."

"It was something that had to be done,"he said, softly. She said nothing.

"But..," he continued, "I still love you Eden. I always will."

"Oh come off it!" she turned to face him, "Love me? Why would you hurt someone that much if you loved them? Why would you not even tell anyone the truth like I did? At first, I didn't see it, but now I do. You are incapable of loving anyone but yourself, highness. I know that now and I would greatly appreciate it if you stop reminding me why my heart was torn to pieces." She began to walk to her horse when Legolas moved in front of her very quickly.

"Yes," he said angrily, "I do love you. I always have. You think I felt no pain?" He had now started to move forward, and she backed away as he came closer. "You think I felt nothing when I knew that I would never get to touch you, to kiss you, to comfort you ever again? To know that I hurt to you that much, you think I felt nothing? Is that what you think?"

His eyes were angry and became an almost violent shade of blue. Eden could only look back at him, a bit afraid and a bit upset and surprised. He moved closer still but this time she could not move back. She felt the rigidity of a tree on her back.

"Well you're wrong," he said finally, but in a softer tone.

Oh here she was again. Her mind grew dizzy and covetous as he leaned in to smell her hair and then his nose moved to her neck. She could smell his scent as well, of fresh air, spice, and the forest. She hadn't smelled that familiar scent for 100 years.

She could feel his breath on her neck and gasped as his lips collided with it. Then she pushed at him.

He pulled back.

"There is only pain when I am with you," she said, tears filling her eyes. "We have nothing Legolas. You said it yourself. Just get married already. Just get married to a beautiful, intelligent, vuluptuous, blonde, blue-eyed elf maiden who worships the very ground you walk on. That shouldn't be too hard to find."

"And what if I want you?" he asked. She bit her lip.

"You said it yourself," she said, "You can't have me, no matter what you want."

"But I did have you," he smiled mischievously, pulling her to him, "in my arms, in my bed."

"You know what I mean!" she said. "Oh, how can you joke about this?!"

"Because now that I see you, I know that there is hope for us yet!" he said, holding her to him. "I tried to block you out of my mind. I tried everything. I thought that everything would be alright if

I never saw you again but it is as if you are always with me. Your image haunted my every step. I couldn't stop thinking about you. For the past 100 years, you were all I thought about. You still are and just to have you here in my arms now is like a dream. I am dreaming. I must be."

"Ummmm, well that's really romantic and all, but let's not forget that you completely broke my heart," she said, pushing him away once more, "I knew all those things that took you 100 years to learn! I knew them 100 years ago and I know them now. And although, I still love you, I'm still a little upset with you."

"But you love me," said Legolas.

"Well, yes but...," she started.

"Oh darling, I love you too," he interrupted, holding her close against him. She sighed.

Laughing, he said, "I hear you and I understand. I know it will take time, but I am glad that you forgive me. You do forgive me, don't you?"

"Yes, yes, I forgive you," she said, "But I'm still angry."

"That's good enough for me," and so they kissed under the trees and under unnoticed glaring eyes.

**********************************************************************

A/N: Sorry it took so long! I couldn't figure out what to do. Hope you all enjoyed it!.....and understood it! :-D And yes I know, I know, the part where she was all like "tell me before you leave me!" I stole it from IWTV but I thought it would fit well into this story!

BTW: Eden has human blood in her from a very distant relative, but has the eye and hair color that has not really been passed down through many generations of her family, but appeared in her, thus giving her a more human than elf-like appearance.