Title: The End Has Come.

Author: B-witched83uk (bwitched83ukaol.com)

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Gondor's royal family have their final adventure together.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings. The whole of Middle-earth belongs to Tolkien.

Dedication:

Chapter 3

Wanting what you can't have

"And just where do you think you are sneaking off to?"

Estelai turned with a smile on her face. She was making her way up the stone stairs to her rooms, when she heard Gwydion's voice.

"I have a headache," she said, trying to look pained. She couldn't keep up the act for long, though, as she saw her cousin's face break into a laugh.

"Do not lie to me, cugu tithin. I see through your charade." He took a step up, coming face to face with her. Though Estelai was slightly older, it was Gwydion who was taller. "What would our grandmother say if she knew you were sneaking off like this?"

"Gwydion, a Princess does not sneak, she glides." She winked, causing him to laugh.

Tucking her hand into his arm, he began walking up the stairs. "Well then, I shall glide with you. I shall walk you to your rooms, thus delaying my inevitable venture back in to the hall of horrors."

This time it was Estelai's turn to laugh. They walked up the stairs, coming to stop in front of her chamber door.

"Thank you, my escort." Estelai feigned formality, trying not to laugh at the expression of fear on her cousin's face.

"Well, I will leave you now in the safety of your room. It is time for me to face my doom." The look on his face was clearly over exaggerated for her benefit, but Estelai felt for him non the less. As much as she hated walking around a room filled with strangers, being forced to make small talk and dance with all who asked, she seemed more made for it then he.

"You could always come in with me. If they come looking for you, I could say I haven't seen you." She opened the door and walked in, expecting him to follow her. She stopped and turned to look at him when he did not move. "Gwydion?" She studied his face once more. "What is wrong?"

He looked as though she had asked him to jump from a cliff. He looked down at his shoes and shock his head. "Nothing is wrong, I just do not think I should come in. That is all."

Estelai frowned at him, not understanding what he meant. "Why on earth not? You have been in my room hundreds of times."

He reluctantly looked up, blue eyes meeting blue. "Yes, but never at night time. Not on my own, anyway."

Estelai knew that to laugh at his sudden modesty would perhaps not be a good idea, but she couldn't help it. He looked away, embarrassed, trying not to meet her gaze.

"Why, this is a first, I do not believe I have ever seen an Elf blush," she gently teased, moving closer to the door again. "Gwydion." She turned his face to look at her, wondering why all of a sudden he was acting so strangely. "You are my cousin, it is perfectly proper for you to be allowed inside. I do not see why you-"

"We are not children any longer, Estelai. I just do not think it right for me to come in this night. Besides, seeing as you are playing truant, one of us needs to be downstairs to help out. I will see you in the morning." His usual cool was frayed. Estelai had never before seen him flustered or embarrassed. He was usually so guarded and strong.

She simply nodded and smiled, not wanting to cause him any further distress. She was sure that he would share with her soon or later whatever it was that was bothering him. "I will see you at breakfast, then." She stepped forward to place a quick kiss on his nose, like she had done a thousand times before, and was slightly hurt and shocked when he turned his head to receive her kiss on his cheek.

"Good night, cugu tithin." He turned and made his way back down the corridor.

Estelai stepped in to her room and let herself melt on to the chez lounge. She sighed aloud, wondering why her cousin and dearest friend, was suddenly so cold with her. It hurt more then she liked - it really hurt. She closed her eyes and went over the night in her head. As gatherings went, she supposed this one wasn't so bad.

Legolas held onto his lovely wife tightly, his hands firm against the small of her back. They had been dancing for most of the night, simply enjoying the closeness of the act. Around them, numerous couples moved gracefully, their bodies blending with the music.

"Have I told you yet what a vision you look tonight?" Legolas' cool voice whispered in her ear, causing a delicious shudder to wrack her body.

"Twice, but please feel free to tell me again." Galadwen nuzzled her soft cheek against his, closing her eyes in utter contentment.

"You are stunning, meleth nin." He held on to her tightly, breathing in the floral scent of her hair.

The music suddenly changed tempo, and Galadwen found herself being dipped slightly by her husband. She giggled and allowed herself to be led around the dance floor.

The music suddenly seemed to be growing louder, the laughter from the dancing couples seemed to be splitting her head. She took in several deep breaths, trying to steady her racing heart, but they only came in shuddering gasps.

"Galadwen, what is wrong?" Legolas slowed his movements and came to look in to his wife's eyes.

The soft lighting from moments ago seemed to be blinding now, burning into her skull.

"Galadwen?"

She felt her eyes roll in to the back of her head as her ghostly white form slumped in to her husband's waiting arms.

"Galadwen?" He shook her gently, trying to rouse her. Her eyes instantly opened, only to be met with the harsh glare of the room, and the gawking eyes of their guests.

"I am fine," was all she managed to get out. "The dancing simply took it out of me. Perhaps I should go and lie down."

Both Aragorn and Arwen were by her side in seconds, helping her out of the room.

Gwydion rounded the corner from his cousin's room and leaned against the solid stone wall. He brought his hands up to his hair, trying to straighten his braid. He noted that they were shaking slightly, an all-but-unheard-of thing for an Elf.

He shook his head, hoping to shake out the feeling of sickness inside his stomach. He hadn't meant to get so flustered, he hadn't meant to lose his composure the way he had. What must Estelai think of him now? She probably thought him the biggest fool, for that is how he felt at this moment. For who but a fool would fall in love with his own cousin?

He could not allow himself to become undone again, like he did tonight. He could not risk Estelai and their family finding out his shameful secret. For certainly they would never look at him the same way again. Estelai, with her gentile heart and honest soul, would be kind to him about it, but inside she would be sickened by the very idea of it.

He took a deep breath, untied his braid, leaving it to fall freely, and walked back down the stairs to the party that awaited him.

"Has she fainted before?" Aragorn looked over at Legolas as Arwen cooled her daughter's brow with a wet cloth. Galadwen was now lying safely on her bed, insisting that she was perfectly well.

"No, she has not, I think perhaps the exertions were too much for her." Legolas came to sit beside his wife. "Is there anything I can do for you, my love?"

Galadwen smiled weakly and shock her head. "I would simply like to rest now." Her eyes fluttered closed.

Aragorn looked at his wife, who had the same sense of fear in her eyes. "I will send for the healer." He turned to leave the room, only to be stopped by his daughter's gentle voice.

"No, Ada, it will pass. In truth, I perhaps drunk more wine than I am used to. It is no more then that, honestly."

Legolas looked at his wife in worry. Why would she say that? He had been with her all night, she had drunk no more then two glasses.

"Well, if you are sure, sell mell then we shall leave you to get your rest."

Dear daughter

Once Aragorn and Arwen had left the room, Legolas began to stroke Galadwen's hair and sing an old Elvish song. Tomorrow morning he would ask her why she had lied to her parents, but for now he simply wanted her to get some sleep.

TBC

Queen Arwen: Gwydion is sexy, you can't see him but I have a pretty good visual in my head. x

Viviana: Aww, thank you for that. I have continued don't worry.

The Converted: I love Fievel, I prefer the sequel 'Fievel goes west'. And NO my decision to stop writing LOTR fanfiction has absolutely nothing to do with Jason. I decided on this months ago, I just feel like there is no more story to tell for my characters. Honestly Cassie I thought you knew me better the that. x

DreaminofLorien: Your welcome, I'm glad you like it.

ILuvCarbyFuzz: What other the reviews would I bother getting out of bed for? Thanks for what you said, I'm glad you like my writing, I really enjoy doing it.

Angel of the Night Watchers: That is such a sweet thing to say, thank you. I will miss the world of fanfiction too. Actually I think I'm going to feel a bit lost once this story is over.

Thank you ThePrincess04, Starlight63, Lariren-Shadow, Cerridwen-Evereven and Calime Canos for your reviews, they made my day. x