A/N: sigh Yes, for your information, I do know that Haldir is not, in fact, Celeborn's son.

The point of the 'their fathers own this school' line was a generic sentence to help explain why the H4 were so powerful. Nadireth, being the one that had been at school longer, would have wanted to impress the 'freshmen' as much as she could, right?

And it would be rather unimpressively and ramble-y to say, "three of the H4 have fathers that own the school except the leader, who is from another powerful family", would it not?

Oy. I swear, some of you read way too deeply into this…

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Anyways, I would really like that thank all the wonderful people that have reviewed my story. No matter what you say, I thank you for your time and your encouragement. I really hope you guys will continue, coz you're all awesome!

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CHAPTER 5: CRUSHING

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The sky was beginning to darken, and Andiél hurried home, angrily kicking up dust as she walked. It had not been a good day.

The problem, as it commonly did, concerned Cylleth and Thradilia. For some peculiar reason, the two did not understand the plain and simple fact that she wanted to be left alone.

This morning was a perfect example. The ellith in question decided it would be funny if they spread the most ridiculous of rumors about her. Andiél didn't stay to hear the specifics, but she did hear the distinct phrase, "sleeping around."

This, of course, led to her thinking that the H4 were behind it.

…Which led to her running up to them, and giving Haldir a mighty kick in the cro- uh, shin.

…All the while screaming out that she was, indeed, a virgin.

…For everyone within a kilometer radius to hear.

After that, she had promptly run off, leaving Haldir staring after her, with undoubtedly shrewd ideas of why this elleth, which he was 'wooing', whatever Haldir's warped idea of 'wooing' is, had just declared her virginity.

Yeah, I know.

Catastrophic.

It was later, of course, when she learned that it was actually wasn't Haldir, which then brought up the painful question of whether of not she should apologize. (Not, most likely).

She was thinking about all this, when she saw a welcome sight approaching. He seemed different today. Less melancholy…

-

Legolas,

My time at Lorién is over, and as I write I am on my way home, to Rivendell. It is my intention to stay with my father for two or three days, before departing for the Institute. I miss you, Legolas. It has been a long time.

Yours, Arwen

-

It was one of those rare moments that you would see a real, genuine smile of the face of our dear prince. Arwen… finally.

He heard footsteps, and looked up to see Andiél walking towards him. With a smile, he said, "Andiél, you look beautiful today." Before the elleth could react, he leaned forward, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Without another word, he continued on his way, leaving Andiél rooted to her spot, feeling as if she had suddenly grown wings and was flying high above the ground…

- - - -

The next afternoon, in the bakery:

"Oooh! Really?" Morwin sighed. "They sound so… so…"

"Stuck-up? Spoiled? Pain-in-the-butts?"

Morwin had a dreamy look in her eyes. "No… so romantic." She sighed dramatically.

Andiél almost collapsed on the spot. "What?!" She took Morwin by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. "If there is one thing they are not, Morwin, it is that. Those boys are as 'romantic' as… as… Orcs." She gave a terse nod of the head, to emphasize her point.

Well, most of them anyways, she added to herself. Legolas, of course… No. I should stop…

Morwin tilted her head thoughtfully. "I've heard about them, though. Everyone says that they are so handsome, and flawless, and…"

I could think of one that is rather handsome…and flawless… ANDIÉL, STOP!

"And they seem so untouchable. Like one of the Valar themselves…"

Darling, don't even go there…

Before Andiél could reprimand herself further, however, the door swung open, and two very familiar looking customers entered the bakery.

Elladan was laughing, "…mate. Just one more week." He looked at the girls. "Well, well," he joked, "I didn't know that you were a hardworking virgin, as well, Andiél!"

The accused bristled, but did not say anything. She was invariably more interested in the Elf standing next to him.

Legolas was not saying anything, as usual. He stared intently at one of the pastries on display. After a moment, he asked, "Can I have that one?"

Andiél immediately felt her heart stop. His voice…it's so melodic, like – uh uh. No way. Don't start. Shaking herself slightly, she looked in the same direction. "That one?" she pointed, then turned to look at his face. Such a beautiful face…

He shook his head. "No. The one on the right."

Andiél would have stared at him longer, but Elladan suddenly cut in. "Hey Legolas, what are you doing? We're going to the club right now; what are you going to do with a pastry?"

Legolas answered vaguely, "It's pretty."

Elladan scoffed, and turned to ladies. "This blighter. Gets all weird every time he's thinking of a beautiful elleth." Noting the blush appearing on Andiél's cheek, he chuckled, "But don't worry; it isn't because of you."

Andiél quickly looked away, wrapped the dessert, and took the money from Legolas. "Here," she said rather crossly.

Legolas took it and turned away without another word.

Elladan gave a salute, "See you beauties later." Then he turned to join his friend.

Andiél began to mutter under her breath. "See what I mean? Pain-in-the-butts; the whole lot of them…" she rambled on incoherently.

Quietly, Morwin spoke up, "Andiél?"

A little startled by the interruption. "Huh?"

Morwin said shyly, "If it's not because of you… d'ya think it's because of me?"

Oy.

- - - -

The next day, as she was walking to school, Andiél heard someone calling her.

"Hey! Andiél! Over here!" The elleth looked and saw Elrohir and Elladan, on the other side of the trees, having their own little picnic in the middle of the park. They had a bottle of wine, which they were sharing between themselves.

She approached them, "What do you want?"

Elladan patted the empty space next to him, "Well, sit down, my lady. Share a drink with us!"

Since when were the H4 so friendly?

"Morning of a school day, and you guys are drinking?" she asked incredulously, while tentatively taking a seat.

Elladan shrugged, "It's all good. No harm in getting the blood flowing a bitsy in the morning."

The twins continued what must have been their original conversation. Elrohir mused, "What do you think Legolas is really thinking about Arwen's return?"

Elladan shrugged again, "You never know with that guy. Known him for my whole damn life, and still can't figure what's going on in his head most the time."

"What do you mean by that?" Andiél asked curiously.

Elrohir said matter-of-factly, "Legolas is an oddball. Never says anything personal to anyone. But with Arwen, he's different. I mean, it's understandable. She's the one that's been putting up with him since the beginning."

Elladan explained, "Legolas was a silent child –"

"He's still silent," Andiél interrupted.

He shook his head, "More silent, then. We always thought he had autism or something. Bloke never said a word to anybody. I remember the four of us would be playing something, and suddenly the guy would just start crying, and leave."

Elrohir took over, "We were little; didn't understand, or know what to do about it." He paused, and scratched his chin thoughtfully. "But Arwen wasn't like us at all; she knew something that we didn't. She would always go over to his corner. Never knew what she said to him, but it always seemed to make him better."

"I don't think he would have made it, you know, if Arwen weren't there all that time. Probably would have been a mute by now."

Andiél felt her heart sinking. "They sound as if they were made for each other."

Elladan nodded, "We keep saying that they're going to be wed sooner or later." He paused, but then added, "Though by the ways things are going, it's definitely going to be later, if at all." He took a swig out of his bottle.

Andiél was confused, "Isn't she Legolas' girlfriend?"

Elladan suddenly gave a choking sound and wine spewed out of his mouth.

Elrohir wrinkled his nose, "Ew. That is disgusting."

Elladan gave a hacking cough, then looked at Andiél disbelievingly, "You the same elleth that's been at this school for a couple of weeks now?"

Andiél looked at him oddly, "Yeah…"

He shook his head, "You should know that Legolas isn't one to ask a girl to be his beau, lady. But your mind is on the right track, I suppose. He seems to be interested. But like I said, you never know with him. About as easy to read as… an elleth."

Elrohir changed the subject. "Speaking of elleth, did you see that new waitress last night?"

As they continued to converse about how 'busty' this new figure was, Andiél suddenly felt out of place. Telling them she didn't wish to be late, she promptly got up, and left. She almost got to class, too, before she was interrupted by someone calling out her name.

"Andiél!!"

In the distance, she saw a brunette Elf running up to her, occasionally crashing into nearby student. He was flapping his arms wildly, trying to get her attention. "Andiél!" he screamed again.

Her eyes widened. Whoa. Was it really… "Taúr?"

Finally getting to her, the Elf suddenly squatted down, resting his hand on his knees, and panting heavily. "Andiél!" he exclaimed, in between heavy breathing, "You still… remember me!"

Andiél stared blankly at the comical creature before her. "Um… yeah. It's great to see you. But, uh, what exactly are you doing here?"

If she was 'poor', then Taúr's family should be called 'destitute'. She had known him years ago, when his father had dropped him off at her home because they no longer had the means to support their only child.

After panting madly for another moment or two, Taúr finally stood up. He smiled goofily, "You didn't hear about it, Andiél? My father found an old abandoned Dwarf mine east of Rivendell. Made a fortune out of all the stuff! We're rich!"

Andiél didn't know a single family that could have deserved that money more. She smiled, and said enthusiastically, "That's great! Have you started classes yet?"

Taúr scratched his head. "That's the problem, see. I don't really know where my classrooms are…"

"Oh! No problem! I'll be glad to show you around."

Taúr looked at her adoringly.

From the balcony above, Haldir watched his narrowed eyes. Who did this guy think he was?

- - - -

The next morning:

"Andiél?"

"Yes, Taúr?"

"Do you think I have a secret admirer?"

"Huh?" Pause. "What makes you say that?" she asked.

"I think I got a love note."

Pause. "Really? What does it say?"

"Not sure."

"Why not?"

"Can't read."

Sigh. "Where'd you find it?"

"It was stuck on my dorm door." Pause. "Andiél, it's really pretty. All red and everything."

Andiél suddenly turned pale. "Let me see that." It better not be what I think it is. Taúr handed it over. "Oh crap."

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