I've been doing good lately (at least with this story-mostly cuz I'm so far ahead with it) about updating. I've been a good little author.

Pirate Gyrl asked about Gimli and I sent her an email, but now hat I think about it, you guys might be wondering where the best friend is, huh? While I promise you, he will come when the main problem is revealed, I can't tell you why he will be coming without ruining the story, lol.

Legolas

I was beginning to wish that Aragorn had not set aside a throne for me. I understood why he had, I was sure it made the other Elves more comfortable and trusting, knowing that I was at the head of this battle plan along with the King, but truthfully I was wishing I could blend into the crowd and be a civilian for the night.

Instead, I sat up on a podium to the left of Aragorn and Éowyn, watching everyone else dance. The entire chamber was segregated. Elves danced with Elves, mortals danced with mortals. And because, I assume, of my people's resentment of this battle, none dared to mix.

So all of the Royals, myself included, silently sat, straining to pretend that the palpable tension throughout the room did not exist. Every now and then, Aragorn would lean over and carry on brief conversations with me, but for the most part he was watching his guests or speaking with Éowyn on his other side.

And Elwyn, well…her throne sat empty. Either she was late or she was angrier at me than I had initially thought. She obviously did not appreciate being brushed aside. And the fact that I had hurt her bothered me more than I cared to admit.

And so busy I was planning my next apology to her that I did not notice her entrance. Most eyes had turned to the double doors, even some Elven ones as she stepped inside. Some mortals bowed, but most returned to their small talk and let her make her way through the sea of faces.

I don't think I had ever been so fixated on any one thing in my life. Of all the things I had seen; the mallorn trees of Lothlórien, the Arganoth, the Lady of Light herself, and never had I been as fascinated by any of them as I was by the simple sight of Elwyn approaching the dais.

What I remember most was the knowledge that I should not have been so impressed. She looked lovely enough, I suppose; her lavender dress accentuated her figure and features and her hair was loose, flowing down to her waist, yet I had seen she-Elves just as fair. No, it was something other than her beauty that attracted me that night, and it jolted through me like electricity. Looking back, I believe that was the moment I truly fell in love with her, though I'm not sure I knew it at the time.

Her eyes met mine for a moment, but she quickly averted them, making it impossible for me to determine whether or not she was having a similar experience to mine.

I had risen to my feet and was crossing the floor to her before I even realized I meant to stand.

So much for my plan to avoid her for the night.

She watched me the whole time, almost warily. When I came to a stop in front of her and extended my hand, she stared at it for a few seconds, then hesitantly placed her own in it. I led her out into the middle of the floor and she allowed me to pull her into my arms and begin dancing. The first Elf/mortal pair of the evening.

It was a familiar waltz, one I had known for years, and I was glad of it. Had my feet not known the steps by memory, I probably would have stepped on her toes or fallen on my face. Her scent was quite a distraction.

She must have been unaware of her effect on me (either that or perfectly aware and willing to use it for her own advantage) because she pressed herself closer and rested her chin on my right shoulder. "I think you've done something that is frowned upon, nin cundu," (my prince) she said quietly, watching everyone else in the room who was staring.

"Just wait," I instructed knowingly.

She obliged, continuing to watch everyone else. Slowly but surely people began to switch partners, mixing the two races of the chamber, though some did it reluctantly. I chuckled softly at the sheep-like nature of them all.

"All you need is one and they all follow," I explained, craning my neck to observe all those mixed couples now dancing as well. "Much like dropping a stone into a calm pond if you will."

"Ripples," she mumbled, returning her eyes to mine.

I nodded, suddenly realizing how much more accustomed than her I was to things like this. How much older I was than her all together. And just how dreadful this whole situation was entered my mind as it had after I had kissed her in the woods. I was being foolish and impractical. And I should not have been dragging her into it along with me. But I was getting dangerously close to the point where my feelings outweighed my control. Perhaps I had long since surpassed it.

I abruptly stopped dancing and she glanced around at the other couples, confused. "Man ná ta?" (What is it?) she asked, bewildered.

I twined my fingers through hers and began guiding her toward a set of doors perpendicular to those she had entered through. Whether or not anyone noticed our departure, I did not know, but we were at least out on the balcony they led to before anyone could follow us.

"What's wrong?" she demanded, turning from the balustrade to watch me shut the doors behind us.

I rounded on her, still gripping the door knob, for some sort of support I think. "Do…" I began. "Do you not still feel it?" Her eyes fell to her feet. "This…emotion that exists between us? Am I just imagining things? Because I am really not the sort to."

"I feel it," she admitted. She lifted her eyes. "But I have decided I will not be ruled by it."

"I'm finding it rather difficult to ignore," I snapped. Hadn't it been she pressing the relationship not more than a week ago?

"Then try harder," she commanded. "As you said before, this…whatever this is, is something that cannot happen."

I stepped closer and she visibly flinched. "And if we can't stop it from happening?" I asked softly, my voice taking on a husky tone.

"That's ridiculous." She watched me, looking terrified that I would take another step. I wisely resisted the urge to. "It's simply a matter of will power."

"Will I have," I conceded. "But there's only so much I can take." I was close enough to feel her breath somewhere near my chin now.

"And if we do give in?" she whispered. "What then?" She gazed up at me, concern filling her eyes. "I will not condemn you to death," she vowed.

I sighed and brought my hand up to her cheek. "If you are condemnation, then I would gladly abandon heaven for hell."

"Legolas-"

I cut her off before she had time to finish her protest, bringing my lips down to hers without bothering to think about the consequences, Aragorn's reaction not the least of them. She melted into me, her arms sliding around my neck and tangling her fingers in my hair. For the first time that evening, I got the impression that she had wanted this as much as I had and I eagerly deepened the kiss.

She slowly broke away from me and leaned her head against my chest. "You just made this so much harder," she breathed. She pulled back completely. "You…you need to stay away from me," she insisted, wiping at a tear that trailed down her cheek.

"Stay away from you?" I echoed, attempting to take her in my arms again.

She stepped back from me. "I mean it."

I didn't move for some time and she took advantage of my temporary catatonia, walking past me and making a beeline for the doors that led back to the party. I did not stop her.

Walking over to a nearby bench, I lowered myself onto it, contemplating whether or not to follow her or let her be.

"Are you mad?" I heard a voice demand.

I turned to see Canaliel emerge from the foliage to my left, a stern expression on his face, much like the one my father wore quite a bit during my years as an elfling.

I rose immediately to my feet. "What are you doing out here?" I asked, almost angrily.

"I think the better question would be what you're doing out here, My Lord." The title implied an insult and I grimaced. "What is this?" He gestured toward the doors that Elwyn had disappeared through.

"None of your business is what this is." I started for the doors as well, but he seized my upper arm, effectively halting me and whirling me to face him.

"She is mortal, Legolas," he reminded me, as if I were unaware of this.

I jerked my arm free of his grasp. "It matters not," I insisted.

"Oh, 'it matters not'?" he scoffed, his voice raising an octave with each syllable. "You think Thranduil will tolerate his heir marrying outside his own kind? You think Elwyn will allow your death?"

"I think neither have a choice in the matter!" I countered.

He took a step back and I think he must have been trying to figure a way to get through to me. "You would do that to her?" he inquired, suddenly eerily calm now. "One day, she will die, Legolas. Would you have her depart from this world with the knowledge that she killed you, as surely as if she had willed it so and carried out the murder?"

I averted my gaze. "It's not like that."

"Yes, well," He sighed. "Guilt knows no logic." He placed a hand on my shoulder and I did not shrug it off. "Such feelings can only bring pain, nin mellon." (my friend)

"It is easy for you to say such things," I told him, growing frustrated once more. "Tindómë is Elf-kind."

"Fine." He nodded, as if conceding that I had a point. "Then turn to precedent. What of Aragorn and Arwen?"

"You think they have not crossed my mind?"

"She fell in love with him, just as you seem to have with Elwyn," he explained and I felt the sudden urge to snap at him that I was familiar with the story. "And where are they now? Leagues apart-and him married to another!"

"Yes, he is," I agreed. "But Arwen? She will never move on. And she will not because she knows she has found her love and cannot be with him." I let out a bitter, mocking laugh. "Do you honestly think that the distance between them makes a shred of difference to her? I guarantee you, when news of Aragorn's passing reaches her in the Undying Lands, she will pass into shadow with him, for her love for him has not and will not cease." I sat down again, weary of the argument. "He has only let her go in hopes that it will."

"And you think Elwyn will behave any differently?" he asked.

"No, I don't," I replied honestly. "Which is why I have enough to concern myself with without you repeating all the complications I am already aware of."

He stood silent for a few moments. "You wish me to simply forget about this?"

"Whether or not you will forget is your own choice, but you will speak of it to no one. Even if I have to command your silence."

I knew he was rather resentful of my pulling rank in this situation, but I saw no other way. "As you wish, My Lord," he acquiesced stiffly. Then he turned on his heel and exited the way Elwyn had, leaving me alone.

* * * * *

So…is it getting interesting? ;)