Disclaimer: I own nothing! You must get the point.

A/N: Thanks to the following reviewers –

JessieRose: Thanks for the review and unfortunately it is based on the movies as I thought it would add a little dramatic impact! I have updated as soon as possible. Hope this pleases all my friends out there!

Slowness: thanks for giving me the support! I love you!

NessaSaralonde: I am honoured that you think my story is good. Thankie! As for learning Elven, you could try the gray-company.com (I think!). They have an online dictionary and if you want to take proper lessons in Quenya, I would recommend the following website. They teach Quenya which is like elven Latin. Sindarin, which the elves of Mirkwood and Lotholorien speak, is a little different and harder. So, please keep me informed of how you're faring. All the best! See http:www.uib.no/People/hnohf/quenya.html  

Meghan: The child is no mere child as she is the one who will literally save Middle Earth aaaannnd there is another reason – which shall be revealed in the final chapters. Anyways thanks a bunch for reviewing!

Glorfys-grrl: thank you for the review and for adding me in your favorite authors list! Wow! Thanks! What can I say?! And as for Haldir, I must admit P.Jackson was being a meanie for killing him.

On with the story now! Okay there will be slight romance mush here! You have been warned – er – informed – uh – whatever!

The Prophecy

Chapter 9 (The new meaning)

Legolas looked at the elleth in front of him. Silme was riding silently and the only conversation was between Gimli and nobody in particular. He was trying to cheer up the others and Aragorn smiled a little at the selfless motive of his friend. But the elves were not laughing. Gimli seemed to notice this.

"Well Legolas, do my jokes sound so funny that you can't laugh?"

"Wha – what? Oh I am sorry. I wasn't paying attention." He admitted. Gimli who was seated behind Legolas couldn't see his face, which was lucky as he was staring at the elleth right before him. But Aragorn was quick to spot this. He smiled a little to himself. He brought his horse close to Arod. Legolas turned to look at him.

"What happened?" the elf looked at his best friend. He had a lot of experience dealing with Arwen. But he had never insulted her grandmother. Nor questioned the death of a dear one. He knew he was to blame a little. But could he tell the truth to Aragorn? Legolas put on a fake smile.

"It is nothing!" Aragorn's eyebrow shot up. But he knew better than to press matters. He knew it was something to do with Silme and if it was so, then he could do nothing. Things would sort out on their own.

Silme turned back and her eyes locked with Legolas for a moment. She broke the glance at once and turned to Aragorn.

"My lord, we should camp soon. It is not wise to travel in the night anymore."

Aragorn nodded absently. He was staring at Legolas. His face seemed sad and pale. Soon enough they reached a small stream. There were a few trees to give them shelter if it rained which seemed unlikely. Silme released Amrûn from the restriction of his bridle. He neighed happily as he trotted to the stream for a well-earned drink. Gandalf was bending over the firewood and in an instance, fire cracked merrily.

The group of weary travelers dropped onto the soft ground, which felt like sand beneath their weary beings. Legolas tentatively turned to look at Silme. She seemed lost in thought. She was poking the fire absently. Aragorn seemed to feel too tired to linger. He stayed a while longer before calling it a night.

"Legolas, can you take over my turn to stay watch?"

Legolas looked abruptly from the elleth to the king. He slowly smiled and nodded his head. Aragorn gave him a tired grin before laying his head onto his elbow to sleep. He then turned to Gandalf who was chewing at his piece of lembas bread. The wizard turned to look at the elf.

"You seem troubled Legolas. You are not yourself! What happened?" Legolas hung his head. Silme was sitting close by and at this question; she started to vigorously poke the fire. Gandalf turned to the elleth with raised eyebrows.

"It is nothing Mithrandir. It is my fault. It about the matter I spoke with you the day before we left the capital."

"Of you being mistaken for the child of the prophecy?"

Legolas looked up startled at this. He then turned to look at Silme who was stilling glaring furiously at the fire. She nodded her head. Gandalf sighed and turned to look at Legolas.

"I told her not to utter a word to Aragorn or to yourself. Vala seemed to agree with me." Gandalf looked at the sky above him, the fire highlighting his aged face. Legolas didn't know what to say but to know that Gandalf knew something like this of great importance and him not telling it to Aragorn seemed to unnerve him.

"And why was that decided?" he asked coldly. Silme turned to look at Legolas at this change of tone. She glared at him but said nothing. Gandalf said gruffly.

"I didn't think it was relevant."

"How can you say that?"

"Because knowing that doesn't change what happened. Does it?" a new voice spoke.

 Legolas turned back to see Aragorn slowly getting up from his place. He was smiling. He turned to Silme who looked at him half frightened and half anxious.

"you need not fear that I may react in any harsh way lady Silme. I will not. I know you meant my well being. And for that I am grateful to you." He then turned to Gandalf and said,

"I know I wasn't supposed to know this but I am sorry. I hope you would forgive the curiosity of this mortal."

Gandalf smiled at this and shook his head. "You have done no wrong to beg pardon your majesty. But I declare you need your rest. It has been a rough couple of days!" he turned to Legolas.

"you shall keep the first watch. Then you shall arouse Aragorn."

"I will take over his turn of watch as well Mithrandir. Let him rest." Legolas replied dully. Gandalf nodded. He then turned to Silme who was now poking the fire again. Gandalf smiled a little as he remarked.

"Silme you will put out the fire at this rate. You know!" Silme put the stick with which she was poking the fire and turned the other way but not before she mumbled "Good night Mithrandir."

Gandalf smiled and lay down on his cloak. He turned to his right to see Gimli snoring hard. He had been sleeping throughout the conversation.

"Dwarves." He mumbled before he smiled and drifted off to sleep.

Silme stared back at the elf sitting on guard. He looked up at the same moment to see brown eyes staring at him. He didn't know what to do but something in him stirred. He didn't know whether he would term it as guilt. But he seemed to have the need to make up for the way he behaved at the glade of Laerwen. That name seemed to make him even guiltier. She had lost her loved one shortly before. And he had made her relive the experience of losing her mother and her aunt. He slowly got up from his place and walked towards her.

Silme saw Legolas walk her way. She turned her head away from his direction and resorted to staring at the stream slowly gushing by. She felt somebody sit beside her.

"Silme-"

she turned to look at the elf before her. His eyes bore into hers. She turned back to the melody of the stream. There was a hand on her shoulder. She sighed inwardly. The burden was becoming too heavy to bear. Tears stung the back of her eyes. She closed her eyes and turned to look at Legolas again. She glared at him this time though tears that couldn't be held back flowed from those almond eyes.

Legolas took a sharp intake of breath. Was his mere presence causing her pain enough for tears? He tried speaking again.

"Silme, I-"

She placed her finger on top of his lips to prevent him from speaking another word. He looked at her surprised. She got up from her place and walked a few paces away from him, away from the camp, away from herself. She prayed the Valar he would turn back. That he would not follow her. That he would leave her alone. Though somewhere in her heart, she ached for that understanding gaze he had given her when Laerwen lay dead. When they buried her friend. When she felt alone.

"Silme, will you keep running away from me when I beg you pardon?" he pleaded. She turned back involuntarily. He stood there desperately trying to make her stay. She felt new tears running down her cheeks as he slowly approached her. She felt numb as he slowly took her hand in both of his and gently stroked her palm. He was looking at her as he slowly walked closer. Her tears stopped momentarily as he came closer. She had never been this close to another elf before.

"Silme, I know I have erred in questioning the judgment of Vala and Mithrandir. I-"

"Hush! It is all right. I understand." She whispered closing his mouth gently with her index finger. Her removed her finger gently.

 "Do you?" he asked her in the same whisper she used. She looked up at this. The moonlight glinted in those blue orbs. She felt her face getting closer to his. The soft breath from his nostrils gently fanning her curls before her ears. She looked deep into his eyes, which were fixed trying to see deep into her own. When his lips met hers, there was a light feeling in her stomach. Her first kiss - from him. It seemed perfect. Slowly, as slow as time their kiss deepened. He placed his hand into her soft locks as she hugged his neck. Even nature seemed to know the moment and the breeze, which fanned them stopped a little.

Legolas couldn't believe he was actually kissing her. But the even more unbelievable fact was that she was responding. She gently hugged his neck as his hands involuntarily seeped into the thick jungle of her hair. The tresses fell down over her shoulder as the kiss deepened.

Then just as it had begun, it ended. He slowly broke apart, with his eyes closed. When he opened them, he saw her standing there with her eyes closed as though still caught in rapture. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at the elf before him. Some emotion stirred in his eyes as he gently removed his hands from her soft hair onto her shoulder. She loosened her hold over his neck as she smiled a little. She bowed her head down as he smiled back.

"thank you." She said in a soft voice. "It was my first." Legolas smiled a little as he placed his hand below her chin and slowly lifted her face to meet her eyes.

"it was my first as well." He said smiling even more. She nodded and bowed down her head. She then looked up abruptly,

"Legolas, I-" it was his turn to place his finger over her lips as he bent down to kiss the tip of her aquiline nose.

"Hush! I understand." He smiled as she blushed a little. "For a warrior elleth, you can be demure when you want to be!" he said as her gently caressed her neck. She smiled a little. Legolas laughed as he hugged her tightly and said, "and shy too."

"Hey Legolas, is it my turn yet?" a dwarf asked sleepily, a couple of yards away. He received no answer. Gimli slowly got up from his sleeting pallet and looked up to see the two elves in an intimate embrace. A smiled crept in that bearded mouth as he saw the two kiss each other. He lay back down as he said, "No! I guess not."

So, Legolas kisses Silme. They have confessed they do feel something for each other. Stay tuned – er – I mean connected for the next chapters and more action and adventure and oh! Don't forget to Read and Review.

- Anarya of Lorien