I ran at a steady ground-eating pace through the woodland, Legolas a few feet in front of me. We were going down a steady hill, and the path was well worn

"Come, you can go faster than this!" I told myself sternly, and started to go faster, catching up with the blonde elf in front of me. As I went past, I stuck my leg out and he stumbled over it, falling. Unfortunately, he decided I was going down with him. I half screamed half laughed as we started tumbling down the hill, and buried my face in his jacket. Slowly we came to a halt as the ground flattened out, and I felt the world spinning around me. Our legs were tangled up and we were both in hysterics.

"Greenleaf...you complete...and utter...idiot!" I managed to get out between gasps of air.

"It was...you...who...started it all...I...believe!" He replied, and I grinned.

"I will not deny it, Greenleaf. I cannot believe I just tumbled down a hill with an elf prince!" I began laughing again.

"Indeed, it does not seem the most appropriate thing for a respectable prince to do. Tis a good job I am generally not seen as a respectable prince!"

"Exactly what I was about to say!" neither of us had taken much heed to our current position. I noticed, and had to work furiously to prevent a blush.

"You know, this position is extremely uncomfortable." I said, pushing myself up. I noticed that my carrier had come of, and I stifled a moan as I saw my bow lying in pieces. "My bow..." I stuttered. I disentangled myself and ran up the hill, picking up the tattered remains of my faithful training bow.

I turned round and marched back down. "Well, what a fine mess I've gotten into! How am I meant to train without a bow? Tell me that!" I fumed, standing back next to Legolas. "Can it be mended?" I asked after a few moments.

"No, it cannot. Too much damage has been done. How long does it take to ride on horseback to Eldora?" He questioned.

"20 days as the Nazgul flies. Luckily, you ride over open land, no mountains or valleys to struggle. Do you mean to send a messenger to bring my bow from home?" He nodded.

"We are staying in Rivendell for two more months, and then we head to Lothlorien." My eyes widened.

"We are going to the Golden wood? The home of Queen Galadriel?" I asked, excited. He chuckled, and motioned for us to walk.

"Indeed we are. It has been many long years since I last visited, and then I only stayed for a year or so, a short trip by Elven standards. I was but an elfling when I went."

"Really? How old are you?" I asked with childish admiration.

"I am 2,931 years old." My jaw dropped.

"Holy Valar...And I though our race lived for a long time! 200 years seems like noting compared to that!" I exclaimed.

"200 years? Tis a long span for most humans. And how old are you?" I mumbled my age under my breath. "I did not quite catch that."

"Yes you did." He gave me the most pathetic face I'd ever seen. "Don't do that, you look much more handsome when you are frowning, or even better, when you are just normal looking." I said. I was shocked with myself.

"You think I am handsome?" He said, eyebrows raised.

"Maybe I do, maybe I don't." I said mysteriously. I could not believe I was shamelessly flirting with an elf! I must have had too much ale at dinner.

"One would have thought you would have preferred the dark, brooding ranger type." I laughed

"No, tall and blonde with blue eyes is more my thing. I don't go for men that look like they haven't seen a razor in a long time. I prefer, well, people like you. People who take pride in how they look, without looking like an overdressed poncey... weirdo." I was going red, I could feel it.

"Really? Maybe I should tell Boromir this, he was obviously smitten." I pulled a face.

"No thank you. Orcs have more appeal than he does." Legolas frowned

"That was not a nice thing to say, really." I shrugged.

"He wasn't all that nice to me at first. And anyway, maybe I have my sights set on someone else." I finished. It was getting darker, and I had no bow to practice with. I really wanted to find out more about him.

The Prince seemed to read my mind. "Well, considering that this lesson is a cast off, what should we do for a while?" He asked

"Do you like star-watching? I love doing it back home, lying out under the stars, wishing on the shooting stars I might see." I said, looking at him.

"I do also, when the air is dry and there are no clouds. Stars are particularly beautiful when there is someone to share them with." He said softly.

"I would never know, no-one in Eldora sees anything in a headstrong shield- maiden." I replied, equally as soft. I drew myself up to my full height, which was to his shoulder

"There is something with the men in Eldora then. There may be hidden depths in you that are to be discovered by someone who cares." I shook my head, and he grabbed my hand, pulling me into a field with waist high grass that was completely still. I smiled and ran into it.

"I feel like I'm at home again. Me and my best friend Caralyn, we used to run in the fields and annoy the farmer. He'd never do anything to us though, he practically adored us." I said happily.

The sky was a deep purple with tinges of blue and red and orange. I stopped, spread out my arms and fell backwards into the long grass so my shape was imprinted. I felt someone next to me, but I couldn't se because the grass was in the way.

A pale hand appeared through the grass and pushed it aside, and I saw Legolas's beautiful face emerge. "Long has it been since I have felt at ease with anyone." He stated "Never would I have done this with anyone I know, including the she-elves in my homeland."

I propped myself up on my elbows. "Do you have anyone special back in Mirkwood?" I asked eager to know if he was single.

"No, and I do not wish for any of the Elves my ada pushes in my face. I want to wait until I find my soul's true mate, the one I am connected to with spirit and heart." I sighed.

"My father wishes me to marry too. The king is ill, and unfortunately he never had any children and should he die, my father must take the throne, which means I would be next in line. That is why I was to represent Eldora at the council, my father has returned home. I am 19; I am not and never will be ready to rule Eldora! A whole realm, for goodness sake! I am going to get out of it as best I can, my sister, Lirrian, is older than me, but does not wish to rule." I moaned, covering my face with my hands.

I heard the rustling of grass, and then I felt strong arms wrap around me. I rested my head on Legolas's chest.

"I have known you for little more than a month, yet I know I can trust you with every secret my heart holds." I whispered.

"I know what you mean; I am not normally one to trust so easily." He replied.

I watched as the first few stars appeared, twinkling like diamonds in a sky of the darkest sapphire. "Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight." I said out to the sky and stars, making my wish.

"What was that poem, Elanor?" Legolas asked.

"It was something I learned as a child, and if ever I see the first stars, I say it and make a wish." I said simply, and I felt a wave of tiredness was over me.

"It is a beautiful verse, anyhow."

"Legolas, are we safe here, so far away from the house?" I asked suddenly.

I felt him stroke my hair. "Perfectly safe. We are well inside the borders of Rivendell." I yawned, and curled up.

"Good." I started to feel consistently drowsy. I yawned again. "I am tired. Maybe we should go...back..." I watched the stars fade as my eyes closed.

He kissed me lightly, and said "Sleep, Lirimaer." Lovely one and it was the last I heard before I fell into a blissful dreamland.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I woke to the sound of birds chirping, and a pair of arms draped loosely around me. I looked around and saw grass. Lots of tall grass...we had both fallen asleep in the field! I could feel the light but rhythmic breathing of my pillow, Legolas.

Oh this is going to take some explaining! I thought miserably You'd never guess! The other part of my mind said Oh shut up! I felt Legolas stir beneath me, and he took a deeper breath. I pushed myself up, and sat up straight, stretching out.

"We slept in a field...I must have had too much ale at dinner." Legolas said, sitting up next to me.

"I wouldn't be surprised, I said a LOT of things I wouldn't normally say, even if I was thinking them." I blushed, remembering.

"Yes, I remember. Did you actually mean what you said? What you thought of me?"

I blushed a violent scarlet. "Um, I, uh, Maybe?" I said, trying to worm my way out of telling him sober that I liked him.

"Is that a maybe yes or a maybe no?" He asked, and I could feel his eyes boring into me, but I refused to look up.

"Maybe yes..." I said quietly, hoping he couldn't hear me.

"Look at me, Elanor." I kept my head down, refusing.

"I've got to go..." I stood and ran away from him, following the path through the woods that we had followed the night before. When I managed to find my way to the entrance nearest to my room, I could hear someone running behind me. I ignored them, and made my way blindly to my room, slamming the door and fastening the little lock. I rested on the back of the door, breathing heavily.

"I am such a fool... A stupid, mentally deranged fool..." I told myself over and over again. I pulled on a comfortable night-dress and slipped in between the cool sheets.

"Maybe if I go to sleep I can wake up and this will all be a dream..." I said to myself as I rested, but sleep would not come for a long time. And when I did sleep, all I had were dreams of the one person I was trying to forget, and his blue eyes...