Author's Notes: hides I knew I said I'd come back soon, but… Well, let's just say that life caught up with me. And, erm, I haven't had much time to write. And I've been totally working on like three gazillion websites, all of which need updating. I just have so much to do!! Plus there is the fact that I'm giving a speech at graduation, and haven't yet started writing that. Sorry, I know I'm making excuses. But I just wanted to let you all know that I have been thinking about this story!
Dedication: This goes out to all of my loyal reviewers, who have stuck with me so far. I am still getting review notices in my inbox, even though it has almost been a month and a half since I updated this story. That in itself is enough to make me continue. And smile.
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The festivities were marvelous. Aragorn had obviously put much effort into the celebration, for the food was magnificent and the entertainment was better. The refurbished marble floors were filled to the brim with joyous dancers. Legolas, however, had yet to dance. He was waiting for the moment when he could speak to Éowyn, and convince her to partner him.
She was shining, even amidst the beauty of the Elves. Her golden hair was flowing freely, and her smile was genuine. Éowyn was stunning; her charm was winning over everyone near her. One did not have to look hard to see that she was greatly appreciating the admiration being thrown her way.
Her fiancé Faramir stood next to Éowyn, his hand intertwined with hers. His face was somber, but his eyes were dancing with fire. It was quite obvious that he both loved and adored his new life partner. Legolas coughed at the thought of them together and took a sip of the delicious red wine in front of him. It wasn't very long before he had drowned himself in cups of that wine.
Hours had passed, and Éowyn had yet to be separated from her crowd of admirers. Legolas sat the entire time, watching her from observant blue eyes. He cared not for the activity around him; his only thoughts were on Éowyn. She had captured his heart, and claimed his mind. He was all but a prisoner to her, and could not for the life of him wish to escape her clutch.
Finally, he saw his opening. There was a pause in the dancing as the musicians ended one song, and picked up their papers for another. Legolas rose from his chair quickly, and was at Éowyn's side just as she bid her thanks to a young man who had danced with her. Before she could open her mouth to speak again, Legolas had grabbed her hand, and held it tightly in his own.
"I see you have accompanied many tonight, but you have yet to dance with an Elf. May I have the honor of this dance, my lady? For you beauty astounds even the most simple minded here, and I would wish to see your prowess on the dance floor." His language was perfect, the love language of the court, not the heartfelt words of a passionate lover.
Éowyn paused for a moment, as if unsure of herself and her feelings. She looked quite melancholy for that moment, but it passed as quickly as it began. Soon enough she regained her composure and nodded demurely to Legolas, allowing him to lead her to the center of the floor. Her palms were sweating in his light grip, and Éowyn felt the first waves of embarrassment and modesty pass over her. However, she was determined to hold her own with the scandalous Elf, and therefore swallowed her fear and lifted her chin defiantly.
The music began, a sultry, seductive dance. Legolas executed the steps of the dance flawlessly, and with a grace Éowyn had not seen in any of her partners that night. From the look on his face she could tell that he had never danced this before, but was rather picking it up using his heightened senses and ability to adapt. Éowyn herself knew the dance quite well, and was matching Legolas, step for step.
As the dance whirled on, Legolas and Éowyn found themselves overcome with passion. Without realizing it, Éowyn had moved closer into Legolas' arms, enjoying the feeling of his strength protecting her. Éowyn's light breath on the nape of Legolas' neck was causing wonders, and he briefly thought about the stupid reasons for which they had stopped seeing each other. In truth, it had all been a misunderstanding followed by rash actions, something that one could often associate with a woman of Éowyn's temperament. But Legolas would forgive her for all her faults, if she just spoke the word.
Éowyn too was experiencing similar thoughts, though hers a bit more ragged and panicked. She understood that her fiancé stood nearby, watching every movement of hers, and analyzing it as well. She truly cared for Faramir, though not in the same way as she cared for Legolas. But her feelings for him ran very deep, and very strong, and she knew that she could not bear to see him hurting. However, the desire that coursed through her body now that she was in Legolas' arms was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. Her head and body felt incredibly light, and her soul was free. Éowyn felt as if she was dancing in the Heavens, not the grand ballroom of Gondor.
The final moments of the music drew to a close, and Éowyn and Legolas stopped their mad dance. Their hearts were beating quickly, and their gazes were still locked. Éowyn had yet to drop her hand from Legolas', although she realized that everyone else was leaving the festivities. Briefly, madly, she noted that the event must be finished with, and she had a fiancé to return to. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was that she was a hair's breath away from Legolas' mouth, and the passion built up within her body made her want to ravish him right there.
It was the fear of her rash actions that made Éowyn take a step back. She released Legolas' hand, though she did not break his severe gaze. There was a slight change in his eyes as their hands dropped, but barely noticeable. Éowyn almost jumped out of her skin moments later, when she felt the light touch of Faramir's hand on her shoulder.
She gasped for breath, and then shuddered as her maddening thoughts rushed back into her head. She bolted suddenly, out of the great doors, her blonde hair streaming behind her. Legolas and Faramir stood stunned in her wake, too surprised by her actions to react quickly.
Finally, the calming voice of Aragorn broke through everyone's stupor. "Before we retire, I would like to wish everyone a good night. And remember, dearest friends, that actions always speak louder than words, and that it is not your thoughts that matter, but rather what you do with those thoughts." He smiled briefly as his gaze lingered on Legolas, then turned to Arwen and began to walk with her back to their chambers.
"Go to her, Elf," Faramir said quietly, so softly that Legolas, with all of his Elven talents, almost could not hear him.
"What?" the Elf gasped in shock.
"Go to her. She needs you, more than she will ever need me. Speak to her this night, and let the peace be made between you. I cannot bear to see Éowyn unhappy, even it is not me who is causing the discomfort. Please, help her. She deserves that much."
Legolas frowned, and then clapped Faramir on the shoulder. "You are a good man, Faramir of Gondor. I shan't forget your kindness to me, and when the day comes that you need me, I shall be waiting at your side." He nodded his head briefly in parting. "Thank you." With that, he rushed from the room, and towards the balcony where Éowyn ran.
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The path to the balcony was long and winding, and Legolas thanked the Heavens he was fit by the time he had reached the top. He could hear nothing from the balcony but the muffled sobs of a distressed woman and the twittering of a nighthawk from where it perched. Slowly, cautiously, Legolas crept to the doors, and threw them open, seeing Éowyn sitting in the center of the floor, crying.
"Oh, my dearest," he breathed, walking close to her. "What ails you, lirimaer?"
"You!" Éowyn spat. "You ail me! Your damned charm, good looks, and quiet manner, that is what ails me! I cannot think clearly whenever I am near you! I cannot control my own thoughts, or my words! It scares me, Legolas, that truly scares me! I am engaged; I cannot simply go gallivanting off with someone else. I have a promise to keep, a promise that I made to Faramir when I took his ring."
With that she lifted up her left hand quite slowly, to show Legolas the gorgeous emerald that adorned her finger. She sighed wistfully, admiring it. "He is a good man, Legolas, a very good man! Even you can see that, though you despise him for taking me! But I cannot do anything now, I am left helplessly betrothed while I am in love with another. My heart pulls one way while the brain pulls the other."
"You do not need to struggle, dearest! Just simply make a decision and leave it at that! You do not need to fight with yourself!"
"Oh but I must! I cannot hurt Faramir, he is too good of a man! And I fear that, if I should chose him and leave you, the grief would destroy you, and then I could never love another again, for I would be lamenting your loss too long. There are so many choices for me, but all of the decisions end in heartbreak!"
Legolas sighed, and wrapped her in his arms. Éowyn shuddered for a moment, and then relaxed in his touch. "I would never harm you, mellonamin, and I would never wish to see you in agony. Make your decisions, and I shall accept them!"
Éowyn sighed. "I wish it was that simple."
"What do you mean, my love?"
She breathed in deeply. "Legolas… I fear that I might be with child."
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MUAHAHHAA! A big cliffhanger for all of you! Now, I'd like to take the time to thank everyone who reviewed Chapter 16:
Winter Storme (Ahh! TEH KATIE! Thanks for reviewing, darling, I always love to hear from you. I'm working on Illumination as I type/speak), Sparrow Greenleaf (I'm so glad you love me, and that you don't have to kill me anymore!!) , Jacked-Up-On-Sparrow (Ooh, you're a sharp one, you picked up on my surprise plot, teehee. Thanks for the compliments!), Lady Haleth (Gosh, thanks so incredibly much! I love to hear that!), Kitten (I love the éowyn/Legolas pairing much more than Éowyn/ Faramir too), Alassea2 (I hope this chapter answered some questions! More will be answered next time!), Terriah (I think I've just told you what will happen!!!), Starlit Horses (I'd love to be an author! Thanks for you encouragement, that really helps!), sisterhood-of-the-snake (I know I haven't updated in forever, but I hope this makes up for it. I'll be a lot quicker next time around!), leonsalanna (Still confused? E-mail me, and we'll chat!!), Lit Tenshi (Muhahaa, Faramir is very honorable in this chapter), Queen-of-da-Vampires (Sorry for not updating soon! Thanks for the love!!3), Niori (Grar, sorry for not updating. I'm glad you love L/E! waves L/E flag Yay!!), Legolas 19 (I'm glad you liked it! Here's the next chapter, not soon, but here!)