Disclaimer:  If I owned Legolas, do you think my writing would be on this site?  No.  It would be the best-selling freaking book on the entire face of the planet!!  And currently would be being made into a super long trilogy movie starring who else?  Orlando Bloom.  Keep dreaming, girl.

********Chapter 24*********

Legolas was led by his guard to the site for the new arena, his thoughts swirling like a whirlpool inside his skull.

I am not falling in love with her.  He repeated.  That's impossible.  We haven't even known each other for over a week.

Physical attraction…it went on.  That's all that it is.

Finally the darkness of the tunnels underground ended and Legolas stepped out into the brightness of the day.  Several of the slaves had reported already and were busy mixing sand, mud, straw and water to hold the bricks together.

Legolas was surprised on how quickly the arena's building was going.  It was nearly twice the size of the older one, the walls were approximately 4 to 5 feet high all around, and they hadn't even worked on it a full 24 hours yet.

Legolas heard footsteps approaching him from behind, and the slight clatter of chains.  He turned his head just enough to see Eredor coming toward him.  The young man had a smile on his face, as he did almost every morning.

"Well, we've certainly progressed, haven't we?"  Eredor said as he stepped beside his friend.  His eyes were marveling the unfinished arena.  "I was here when they were building the old arena, and even that one hadn't been built this quickly."

"Curdolin probably did not have as many slaves back then."  Legolas said grimly.

"It seems very ironic that we are building the very arena we are most likely to die in, doesn't it?"  Eredor asked.

Legolas smiled at his friend.  "I suppose it is ironic.  But only if we die in it."

Eredor's smile faded.  The elf was thinking about escaping again.  Personally, Eredor wanted nothing more than to avoid the subject.  He had even hoped that Legolas would forget it.

"I'm afraid, Legolas."  The young warrior confessed.  "I don't believe we can do it."

Legolas knew what the man was talking about and turned away, still smiling.  "You will."

The conversation was cut short when the rest of the prisoners arrived and the guards assembled them in to units.  Eredor and Legolas always found a way to be in the same unit, and today their task was to haul in the heavy stone cylinders that would later be stacked to form pillars to support the roof over the seats of the arena.  Not an easy task.

Again, Eredor had spare pieces of fabric to wrap around his hands and protect them from rope burn, and he gave Legolas a few.  The elf and his companions were ushered to the far side of the ring, where they were led thru a door.  There was a huge cylinder shaped rock being placed on a small wagon by some other prisoners.  Legolas surveyed it and estimated it must have weighed maybe a half a ton. Ropes were given to Legolas and Eredor, as well as the others in their unit, and they were ordered to pull.

The ropes grew taught, and the prisoners dug their feet into the ground as they tried to move the wagon.  It took a few seconds, even with Legolas's elven strength and 4 men (well, technically 3 men, and one elf ) , but eventually the wagon began to creak slowly into motion.  From there the prisoners slung the ropes over their shoulders and walked the large stone into the ring, where another unit was given the task of stacking it upon others like it.

"You think…they….could find better…uses for us…" Muttered Eredor as he and the others pulled the second stone into the arena.  "Court jesters…perhaps…."

Legolas snorted in amusement at his friends humor.  Eredor never found any situation not funny.  Except those when he was required to kill someone.  His jokes were put to an end quickly, though, as a whip cracked along his back.

"You!  Less talking, more pulling! Move this rock!"  A guard shouted, and Eredor winced at the new wound he had received.  His shirt now had a fresh tear in the material.  When the unit had finally delivered the stone, Eredor craned his neck to see the damage.

"Ah, it's alright."  He excused.  "I can easily sew that one."

"Sew?"  Legolas inquired.

"Yes.  Can't you of all people, Legolas, see that my shirt has been repaired many times?"  Eredor laughed.

Looking closer, Legolas noticed that indeed, Eredor's shirt had been sewed up in many places, and remarkably well.

"My last reward,"  Eredor said, referring to a girl he had been given.  "Was a seamstress like my sister."

"There seems to be a lot of them." Legolas said. 

"Yes!"  Eredor continued.  "This particular one taught me how to sew.  It's most useful.  You should ask Eressa to teach you how to sew."  The young man suggested.

Legolas was suddenly reminded of Eressa and the growing problem that was between them.  Should he tell Eredor now of his sister's…interest in him?  And the dreams?

No.  The elf thought arrogantly.  This matter is between Eressa and I.

"Perhaps I will ask her to teach me."  Legolas replied.  "But what happened to her?  The other girl?"

Eredor shrugged.  "Well, one day, she just stopped coming.  I found out later that she had been sold.  But she left me with some needles and thread, which I use now."

"I see."  Legolas said.  The two had reached the opposite side of the arena, and it was time to begin work again.  The conversation ceased, and the ropes tightened once more.

*******

"Aleka, I'm telling you.  Please drop the subject.  It is making me most uncomfortable."

Eressa was trying to reason with her friend, who had been pushing her to tell her all about what had happened between her and Legolas the previous night.  Eressa had come back that morning blushing terribly, and that gave Aleka some ideas.

"You won't tell me a single thing about what he did?"  Aleka said, referring to Legolas.  "I'm hurt."

"I don't mean to hurt you…" Eressa said.  "I just do not want to talk about it right now."

The two girls were free, and they were in the process of waiting in line at the kitchen to receive a lunch.  With Aleka prodding her for answers, and other servants and slaves watching and listening closely, Eressa was beginning to think about skipping her meal.

"Please, Eressa.  You can tell me anything."  Aleka continued, clasping her hands.

Eressa glared at her friend.  "Yes, I am aware of that.  But not now."

Aleka sighed.  "Fine.  But you have to promise to tell me as soon as we get back to our room."

"Promise to tell you what, Aleka?"  A female voice cut in from behind.  Eressa and Aleka to see another one of their fellow seamstresses, Celda.  Celda was Aleka's age and was, in Eressa's opinion, very beautiful.  She had been rumored to be Curdolin's secret mistress at one time, and if that was true, it wouldn't have surprised her.  Celda had been with nearly every male servant there was in Curdolin's home, so why not the man himself?

Aleka was friendly with Celda at times when she had to be, but Eressa never did like her.  She had a tendency to think she was better than the others because of her beauty.  And some of the other seamstresses had told Eressa that Celda had been saying nasty things behind her back ever since she had begun to see Legolas.

Is there anyone in this place who doesn't know that I've been with him??  Eressa wondered.

"It is none of your business, Celda."  Eressa replied heatedly.  "And it's impolite to eavesdrop."

Celda's perfectly molded lips opened as she gaped at the other girl's reply.  "Why, Eressa!  I was only asking a question."

"It would be best for you to stop, then."  Eressa said, and turned around.

"Eressa…"  Aleka began.  "That wasn't very polite either."

"I don't care."  Came the soft but firm reply.

Celda's face blushed in anger as the girls turned their backs on her.  She was not one to be ignored.

"Fine, do not tell me anything."  She said loudly, so that everyone in the line could hear.  "I do not care for you or your affairs with the elf."

Eressa didn't say nor do anything, but her face became hot with a blush as many of the other conversations in the line of servants ceased at Celda's loud statement.  She hated being singled out just because of Legolas.

This is his fault…all his fault…she thought cruelly before catching herself.  She couldn't blame this on Legolas!  This was happening against his will as well.

"You hold your tongue, Celda!"  Aleka said, defending her blushing friend.  "You are just jealous, like the rest of us, that you weren't selected to be with the elf."

Celda was momentarily stunned by the statement.  In truth, she was jealous.  Terribly jealous.  Why should a young, inexperienced, and less beautiful girl like Eressa get to be with the elf?  Celda knew that she as well as nearly all of the other girls she knew, including Aleka, would jump at the opportunity to be with such a rare and beautiful male.

"You might be right."  She admitted with a cold grin.  "But you must feel sorry for the poor creature.  Being stuck with her every night."  Celda laughed at her own cruel joke, and some of the others joined in.

Eressa closed her eyes as she blushed even deeper.  She could feel the eyes of everyone on her, judging her.  She could hear the laughter.  It grew louder and louder.  It was unbearable.  Tears began to form in her eyes.

"Don't listen to them," Aleka said to her younger friend as she placed both her hands on her shoulders.  "They aren't important; they don't know anything." 

Eressa didn't even hear her friend's words.  Instead she ripped free of Aleka's comforting hold, and ran, her hands covering her now crying eyes.  She needed to get away.  She had to.

Aleka stared as Eressa stumbled away from them, down the hall, heading in the direction of their room.  She turned back to Celda, who was also watching the girl leave—only with a grin on her face.

"Celda?"  Aleka asked in a quiet, friendly matter.

Celda turned her head.  "Hm?"

There was a sharp slapping sound as Aleka's palm collided with the other girl's face.  Celda stared up in shock as the red imprint of a hand formed on her left cheek.

"How…how dare you?"  She said, as everyone waiting in line turned their gaze to her.

Aleka held her head up high while glaring angrily at the cruel girl.  "You know it is people like you who make the human race seem so disgusting to those such as the elves."

Then Aleka smiled at everyone in line, including the girl she had just struck, and calmly left the room, following in Eressa's footsteps.

******

Eressa ran into the room she and Aleka shared, no longer able to hold back her tears.  She fell upon the bed, hugging her hand-made pillow for comfort.

Why me?  Why did it have to be me?  She thought as tears streamed down her face.  Celda can have Legolas for all I care!  He probably hates me now that he knows I've been dreaming of him anyway.

I have to get away…Eressa thought, wishing that she could fade and disappear.  She turned her body in her bed, and then cried out in pain when her back met something sharp and pointed.

What on earth…Eressa thought angrily as she searched threw her bed sheet for whatever had poked her.  Her hands met cold metal, and she grasped the object and pulled it out.

It was the scissors. 

The scissors I was supposed to give Legolas last night…she realized.

Unconsciously Eressa's fingers began stroking the blades of the sewing tool as she sat up on the bed.

Eredor, I wish you were here to comfort me…like you were when we were children. She thought.  I wish I could see Mother again…I wish…

Eressa's thoughts were cut short when her finger slipped from the cool blade of the scissors, cutting into her flesh.  She cried out weakly as blood began to leak out of the thin wound.  She stared at it as it collected into a red drop and slid down her finger, to her palm, and down her arm.  Suddenly, she knew exactly how she could escape from this hell.

Grasping the scissors in both her small hands, Eressa held it up, the sharp, pointed end aimed for her heart.

Goodbye, Eredor.  I'm sorry I couldn't be stronger like you.  She said, to those who could not hear.  Goodbye, Aleka.  You were always my best friend.  Goodbye, Middle-earth.  I'll be leaving for heaven soon.

Goodbye, Legolas.  I don't know for sure, but I think I love you.  I wish you could know that.

One last tear flowed down Eressa's freckled cheek as the scissors began to shake in her trembling hands.

Goodbye.

**********Personal thingy**************

AN:  Yes, I know that it was short.  But I couldn't resist this cliffhanger.  Wanna find out what happens?  Start groveling!  LOL.

The Noble Platypus:  Oh gosh!  I'm sorry I didn't reply to your other review!  I must have forgotten!  I'm soooooo sorry!!!  I'll do it right now!

Response to The Noble Platypus's Last Review:  Yes, I realize that after the dream sequence go this far, you smarties are able to detect what is real and what is not.  But I try!  LOL.

It's ok now with me in the musical.  My choir teacher explained to me that I got a small, one-song part because the one song I have to sing is REALLY HARD, and she needed a good singer with lots of experience to sing it.  And it's true, it really is a hard song, and now I'm proud to be the role that I am.  But thanks for pitying me!!

I have friends in the pit this year, and they have lots of fun!  And they don't get glorified as much as they should.  Without them, we'd never be able to do a musical. 

Yeah, crushes….sigh.  They suck.  Most of the time anyway.  Homecoming…um…well I didn't ask the guy I was thinking of cuz I thought "Why the hell do I need a man anyways?"  I mean it's more fun if you hang with your friends.  So no date for me this homecoming.  Prom will be different though.

Yeah, I have like two dudes who I think like me…they are both nerds.  Ick.  Ick.  Ick.  I'm fine being friends with them, but….Not.  That.  Way.  Ick.

My daddy's surgery went good.  But this whole week he couldn't move or do much and he's been getting sick of it, so he's kinda down.  He's getting better every day, though!  Thanks for wishing him luck! 

My mom's eye problem has gotten better too.  It must suck for your mom to not be able to eat anything with gluten in it!  I hope you don't develop it! 

On the graphic-ness….you said 'if it starts to sound smutty, then stop.'  That's the problem!  I don't know what 'smutty' sounds like!!!  I know what it is and everything, but I just can't draw the line between a good romance scene and smut.  And I suppose that smut is good romance for some readers.  ARGHH!!!  *confusion overloads brain*  I think I'll just stick with what I'm doing now.

Mono-syllabic sex scene….oooookay…..*bursts into laughter* That's funny!  Thanks, girl!!  *gives you a huge forking hug back*  Luv ya!  Bye!

*****

There.  Sorry again for not responding!!  I feel so bad!!  Yes…lots of Sechoowal Tenshun going on here.  Thanks.  This chapter was a little longer than the last, and I left you will a nice cliffhanger so you should be going out of your mind right now.  Hehe.  Thanks again!!  Bye!

Starknight:  Glad you liked this chapter better.  Glad you liked that line.  Glad you were in my gym class on Thursday.  Was it Thursday?  Oh poo, I don't care.  I'm glad you were in my gym class. What do you miss gym for I wonder?

The Dune books are just a little?  *thinks*  Define little.  I write better than other people??  Yay!!  Thanks!!  *huggles*

The musical will go fine, I hope!!  A BOYLAN SISTER is one of the 'Boylan Sisters' (there's three of them), and they sing for a radio talk show that Annie and Warbucks are on while they are trying to find Annie's parents.  Hope that helped you.  Thanks again, girl!!  See you at school hopefully!

RougeElf:  I'm glad you like Eressa's dreams and that you think the story is good and the way I portray Leggy.  Thanks!

Chanra:  Yeah!  You got an account!!  I see now!!  Cool!  Congrats!!

Thanks a lot!  I hope you don't have too much homework, it sucks.  Good luck with it!  Bye and thanks again!

PaliminoRider16:  I am always impressed when someone likes my story enough to read all of it in 2 days!  Thank you so much!!  I'll update soon!  Promise!!  As for broadening out the romance between Eressa and Legolas, I'm trying!!  LOL.  Thanks again!!

Nirobie:  Glad you like it!!  I'm glad that Legolas found out that Eressa was attracted to him too.  It was a hassle trying to figure out how to do it while juggling school and homecoming and friends!  Thanks so much!  I'll update as soon as I can!!  Bye now!

itarilde-elenastar:  Poor you…starting school…I hate it when you know it's coming and you can't stop it.  Sigh.  Well, good luck with your year!

Thanks for the compliments! 

itarilde-elenastar (again):  Wow…you make my life seem really really simple.  You have to drive across country?  Yikes.  I would get bored out of my mind.  Thank your friend for letting you use her computer for me!!  That was very nice of them!

Your welcome for the no-throwing-rotten-veggies-policy.

Thank you so much for the compliments.  It soo doesn't sound stupid when you tell me I do great on every chapter.  It motivates me to do more, and inspires me!  Thanks! 

Good luck with your move!  I'll still be here when you get your hands on a computer again, so don't worry!  And don't worry, I wasn't lying about likeing long reviews.  I like to learn about my reviewers!  Thanks again!!

Bye!

Crystal Snowflakes:  Thanks again, Crystal, for taking time to read my story!  I love you forever and so do the boys!  *huggles you back*  Glad you like my story!!  I'll check out your new chapter!  Actually, by the time this is posted, I'll probably have already done that!  Thanks!  And I like the way you spell 'bye'!  Bai!!

Whitecoyote:  Yeah, poor Eressa.  I do so many mean things to her.  Yep, Leggy's falling in L-O-V-E  LOVE!!  I've been saving up my birthday money for Orli movies too, but I couldn't resist seeing "Once Upon a Time…"!!  It was weird, but I liked it.  Is Don Juan Demarco a good movie?  I might have to rent it.  Maybe I can talk my parents into doing that tonight.  Thanks so much!  Bye!

Samwise the Strong:  Sorry!  Sorry!!  I didn't mean to over do it!!  I was just kidding with the jewels and all that "shit"!!  LOL.  But you did gain another member.  She e-mailed me.  I wasn't able to read it though cuz I have been so busy with my story and school.  I hate school!  It takes up so much freaking time!! 

I am going to homecoming, but I decided that I don't need a date.  It's more fun if you just go and party with your friends anyways. 

*slaps Sauron and then pokes you*  Mwahahaha!  *runs away*  Try and catch me little…um…goosey!!

Truffles:  Your excused.  Please don't torture me!!  I already have Samwise up there poking me!!  LOL.  Yes, you do use a lot of these !!!  I can too!  Watch me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Some more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Here I go again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Okay, I'll stop.  (hehe--!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Good luck at the fair!  I wouldn't know about the commercials—I don't live in Washington.  And your right.  You can't be late to a month long fair unless you just don't go!!  LOL.  Thanks.  And I'll write more.

Toodles and poodles!!  That's great!!  LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chiichobi:  Okay!  Okay!  Calm down…yes…take a deep breath….exhale…good.  Now to respond to what you shouted.  YES I CAN!!!  I'M THE EVIL CLIFF-HANGER GOD!!!  MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!  *ahem*  Thanks.  LOL.  Don't spazz out again yet, the next chapter will be coming soon.

Ayriel Greenleaf:  Interesting?  That's all?  *pout*  LOL.  Just kidding!!  Thanks a lot!!  Next chapter up soon!!!