A/N: SORRY!! SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY!!! I know… I've been a COMPLETE TOOL about updating this! Hope you enjoy the chapter!

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CHAPTER 14: LITTLE WHITE LIE

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Paradise.

Utterly unbelievable and inconceivable. This was paradise. The trees glistened in the fading light, the birds sang, and a soft breeze rustled the leaves. Andiél took a deep breath, welcoming the fresh scent of untouched nature. The atmosphere here held a crystal quality that made it ethereal.

She was just gazing at the gorgeous talans when she was interrupted, as usual, by Haldir. The ellon carried a strange self-satisfied smirk, of which Andiél was immediately wary. "What?"

"What do you mean, 'what?' " Haldir's attempt at innocence failed drastically.

Andiél's eyes narrowed, "What are you smirking about?"

His smile widened even further, but instead of answering right away, he grabbed her hand. "Come. I'll show you."

Andiél pried his fingers off her hand. "I can walk perfectly fine on my own," she informed him. Haldir shrugged, and bound off. She followed him towards a huge tree and up the winding staircase. Her forehead wrinkled, wondering what other surprise he could possibly have in mind. Knowing Haldir, it'll probably be something really, really stupid… She stopped herself. But then again, that's what I thought about this… and it had turned out to be amazing. Maybe it won't be so bad.

Then again… maybe not.

Andiél's eyes grew huge once they arrived at their destination. "Is it… mine?" she stared at Haldir, her jaw hanging open.

Haldir gave an uncharacteristically shy smile as she stepped into the magnificent talan. "Take a look out that window," he suggested, pointing to the far end of the bedroom. She obliged, promptly freezing in her tracks before the scene. Probably for the first time in her life, Andiél o Rivendell could not find something to say.

It was dark now, after the long trip, but even so she could still make out the spectacular outline of the great woods. "At sunrise, oranges and reds will splash over the trees," said Haldir, "I picked this just for you. " He came up from behind and wrapping his arms around her waist. Andiél didn't say anything, only sighing deeply. "This is our room."

Wait a second! Our room?! "Um… Haldir?"

"Yeah?" he answered vaguely, not noticing anything different.

"Uh… I'm tired."

Haldir rolled his eyes. "Then get some sleep!" he said, pushing her lightly onto the bed.

Andiél suddenly shot up. "Sleep?" she repeated nervously, "Uh… maybe I'm not that tired after all. I usually… uh…" She glanced around the room, searching for an excuse. "I usually meditate for a really long time. Before bed."

"You what?" Haldir stared at her for a moment, completely bewildered. Finally, "Um… I think you've misunderstood me."

"Huh?"

"I didn't --- I'm sleeping on the floor," he told her, scratching his head.

After a pause, Andiél suddenly smiled. "Haldir…"

"You know," he interrupted, "I'm not saying I don't want --- Argh. Never mind. Just go to bed."

Andiél played with a loose strand of hair for a moment. "Would you like to sleep on the bed?" Haldir's head shot up. "I mean," she added hastily, "I would take the floor."

A scandalized expression immediately replaced the shocked one. "The floor?! Do I seem like the type of Elf to let my girl sleep on the floor?" He glared for a moment, then turned away huffily. Ellith.

Andiél clasped a hand over her mouth, barely preventing a laugh from escaping.

- - - -

Later that night, Andiél found herself tossing and turning. Sweet Eru… Visions of Legolas paraded through her mind mercilessly. Shy, charming Legolas. He's not shy anymore, she reminded herself. … "You've gotten prettier in my absence." … Legolas with that tart! Frustrated, she sat up.

"All I can think of… is his face…"

Startled at her own voice speaking out loud, Andiél quickly glanced at Haldir. The ellon had not stirred.

Sighing, she got up, deciding to take a walk. Perhaps the cool night air will clear these thoughts. She stood outside the door for a moment, embracing the cool, damp air. I wonder what he's doing… Andiél scowled. With that whore that he's with! She shook her head violently, willing herself to think of something else. Anything else.

The night was silent, not even an occasional owl hoot or insect cry to be heard. She padded gently across the clearing, when she saw another figure in the distance.

Legolas.

She approached hesitantly. "What are you doing here?" she asked gently.

He glanced up at her, but did not seem to be fazed by her presence. "Not much… Where's Haldir?"

"He's… asleep." Andiél looked at his face closely. "Don't tell me you haven't even been to your talan." The prince shook his head gently. She frowned. "Are you feeling all right? You know you might – " Suddenly, Legolas grasped her wrist, pulling her down.

"What are you doing?" she asked, bewildered by his sudden action.

Legolas looked into her eyes pleadingly. "Hold me," he said, "Just ten minutes… No. Only five. Just… hold me?"

Andiél didn't move. "Why don't you ask that girl that you brought to hold you?"

He shook his head fervently. "No! I don't want someone I don't even know. " His eyes searched her imploringly, "Please. Hold me tight." Seeing his pained expression, Andiél knelt on the ground without another word. She embraced him in her arms, and held his head against her heart.

Legolas… she thought, gazing at him, Can you hear how my heart beats? Could you understand what it feels like… to be constantly picked, yet be able to deal with it only by a smile from one Elf? To not be able to tear your eyes away, with the fear that if you did, only for one second… something so perfect might disappear?

And now… you're here wrapped in my arms… my heart…

"The time I spent is Rivendell," Legolas whispered, his voice choking with emotion, "were the happiest days of my life. Arwen was always there, by my side, in my arms." He paused. "But those times didn't last… Arwen began studying with her father. Then at night she would work on the teachings of Lady Galadriel…."

Andiél slowly lifted her arms from him, and took a seat, waiting for him to continue.

"But when she would finally come back, we would talk for hours." He turned to look at her, "We talked of you."

"Me?"

Legolas nodded, "Arwen likes you."

Andiél smiled shyly, "Really?"

"She admires your strength… it reminded me of that one time you were yelling at Haldir…"

.

"How dare you! She already apologized. Why is that not enough? Just because you are rich, and powerful, does not mean you may treat others like they do not count. You're nothing but useless, spoiled trash!"

.

"You were right. We are spoiled; without our parents, our wealth, we would be left weak and defenseless. Even now, I still cannot do anything for the maiden I love." He fell silent, gazing ahead. Andiél gently rested her hand on his shoulder.

And like this, they sat in complete, comfortable silence for some time.

Suddenly, Legolas said, "Your thôn."

"Huh?"

Legolas pointed at the red glow in the fold of her gown. "Haldir's probably wondering where you are." Andiél frowned at it, and dropped it at her feet. He gave a small smile. "You should go back."

"What about you?"

Legolas gazed out at the towering trees. "I'll stay a bit longer." Seeing her doubtful expression, he gave a small smile. "I'm all right now. Don't worry."

The elleth nodded, obliging. "Good night." She turned, walking away.

"Andiél?" Andiél halted, turning back. "Thank you."

She gave him a small smile, and then turned away. She pressed a firm hand across her chest, as if restraining her beating heart from leaping out. The entire scene that just occurred was so… surreal. She crossed the clearing, the small smile still playing across her lips.

Suddenly, sound of someone clearing his throat broke the silence. Andiél head shot up to see the other three members of H4, each tapping their foot impatiently. Apparently, they had been waiting for quite some time. Upon seeing her, Haldir practically lunged forward. "Where have you been!?"

Andiél stood rooted, "Why are you all here?"

Haldir ignored this. "Where have you been?!" he repeated sharply.

"Me?" Andiél faltered. "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a walk – a-alone."

Elrohir yawned. "You see?" he said to Haldir, "There was absolutely nothing to worry about."

Elladan winked at Andiél. "Do you know what this fool did? In the middle of the night, he comes storming into each of our talans, yelling! 'Andiél disappeared! Andiél disappeared!' " He waved his arms around frantically, mimicking him.

Haldir colored slightly, and punched him on the arm. "I was not!" Andiél smiled.

Elladan waved him off, "Whatever. I'm going to bed." That said, he turned, still muttering complaints about Haldir's behavior.

Haldir glanced at Andiél, then quickly looked away, embarrassed. "Let's go to sleep."

"Sleep?" retorted Elrohir, "What sleep? Do you know what time it is?" He rolled his eyes, and then followed Elladan into the dark.

Andiél bit her lip, "I'm sorry."

Haldir sighed, "Just leave a note next time, okay?" He gave her a small smile, "Now let's get some sleep."

Andiél followed him slowly. It's not like that… I lied to you. I was with Legolas… with Legolas in my arms. I'm… I'm sorry.

- - - -

The first morning rays began to light sky, gently brushing across the trees, and the lone prince. Legolas took a deep breath, "Morning..." He stood up, preparing himself for the new day. As he was about to leave, he saw a small object on the ground: Andiél's thôn.

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Mine: "At sunrise, oranges and reds will splash over the trees."   maybe 'cause it's just so weird hearing Haldir being all gushy...

What's yours?  As always, reviews are much appreciated! :)