12. Little White Lies

Legolas felt a strange sensation travel from his ear down his spine and he shook himself from sleep, rubbing his forehead. He was just trying to determine what had startled him when he nearly jumped out of his skin as something gently tickled his ear.

"Why are you sleeping by my door, Mellon?" a breathy voice whispered to him. Legolas turned his piercing eyes on Arwen, brushing her hand from his ear.

"That is not amusing." he snapped. Arwen giggled in reply, teasing his sensitive ear once more and jerking her hand away as he made to grab it. "Where have you been?"

"But you have not answered my question." she said playfully. Her manner suddenly made him uneasy and he stared at her a moment. He cursed the distraction of his traitorous body. He was a normal healthy elf and he could not help but be aroused by the attentions of a beautiful elleth, even if the elleth in question were his best friend. Why did she always insist on tormenting him?

"I have been waiting for you." he replied angrily "I was ill with worry!"

"Legolas, I am sorry." she said tenderly "I lost all track of time." The happy smile was back as she opened the door to her rooms and not having a better answer from her, he followed her in, shutting the door behind them.

"You did not answer my question." he said severely. He knew that he really should not be in her room at this hour but at the moment he didn't care and it didn't seem as if she did either.

"I was taking in the gardens." she replied simply, humming happily to herself. There was a lilt in her step as she crossed the room to cast open the windows and she gave a dreamy sigh as she moved to her dressing table. It was terribly odd behavior for her and it was starting to annoy him. He looked out the window gauging the stars.

"It is nearly midnight!" he snapped "You wandered alone in the gardens for four hours?"

"Mellon," she said with a warm smile "I never said I was alone." Legolas froze, watching her intently as she lifted the silver circlet from her head and began to brush out her long raven tresses. There was something unusual about her behavior that he felt he should recognize but couldn't, probably because he had never seen her act like this before.

"Are you not going to tell me who you were with?" he asked, uneasily. Arwen flashed him a disarming smile.

"No, I am not." she replied.

If her disappearance earlier that evening had unnerved him, then her behavior now was setting off watch bells in his head. Why was she grinning like she was mad? Who had she been with, and why, by the Valar, did she keep humming the Lay of Luthien?

"Undomiel," he began, more gently this time.

"I am sorry, mellon nin, but it is very late and I must get some rest." she said warmly, rising from her seat and steering him toward the door. He paused on the threshold, looking back at her.

"We will talk tomorrow?" he asked, she nodded with a reassuring smile and he sighed, searching her face.

"You know I love you, Arwen." he said caressing her cheek, she gave him a radiant smile and he leaned closer to her as he lowered his voice "I wish things could be different, I wish that I could have always been there when you needed me. I am ashamed that I have not been as good a friend to you as you have been to me. I could not love my own sister more. Please know that you can always trust me with your confidence."

"You have been the very best friend." Arwen replied tenderly and she planted a soft kiss on his lips. He drew her into his arms, holding her close and she laid her head against his chest.

"I could not have asked for a better friend than you, Legolas." she whispered "Do not harbor regret, you have been there when it mattered." He kissed her forehead before releasing her and she gave him a warm smile as the door closed behind her.

He stepped out onto the terrace at the end of the hall, looking up at the stars and trying to get his bearings. It was, far and away, the most confusing conversation he had ever had with Undomiel and that was certainly saying something.

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"I detest balls." Erestor said darkly as he walked down the empty passage with Glorfindel. It was already late and the two advisors had just left the Hall of Fire after seeing that the servants were taking proper care of things.

"You detest everything but work." Glorfindel replied "Do you know what you need? A holiday!" Erestor wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"We could go to Mithlond, sit in the sun and smell the salt air." Glorfindel coaxed "I hear the maids in the Havens can do amazing things with their hands."

"Do you never think of anything else?" Erestor demanded, with his most affronted expression.

"You have a dirty mind, you perverted old elf" he grinned. "I was speaking of the masseurs."

"I would think..." but whatever Erestor thought was silenced by Glorfindel who's hand now covered his mouth. He pulled them back behind a statue of Gil-Galad and both elves stared, wide eyed as Legolas emerged from Arwen's bedchamber.

"There you two are," Elrond began as he approached them from behind. Glorfindel's hand snaked out quickly, grabbing him by the back of the neck and pulling him forward. The Elf Lord's jaw fell open as he watched Legolas lean closer to Arwen, her hand in his.

"You know I love you, Arwen." he whispered. "I wish things could be different..." All three older elves crouched lower, hiding behind the statue like errant elflings, straining to hear as Legolas caressed her cheek. The spies leaned forward, nearly falling over each other as the two younger elves kissed tenderly, drawing each other close. Elrond's eyes grew wide at the happy, contented smile on the face of his little girl. The Mirkwood Prince planted a soft kiss on her forehead before releasing her. Arwen's door closed and Legolas moved the few steps to the terrace with a heart heavy sigh, gazing up at the stars. Elrond was surprised to find he was shaking a bit. He turned, leaning against the statue for support and meeting the eyes of his advisors.

Erestor wore a more menacing frown than usual, his arms crossed over his chest. Glorfindel had a perturbed smile on his face, every inch and manner of his expression saying 'I told you so.'

"Do not look at me like that!" he hissed "I did not know!"

"You should have known!" Erestor replied with an angry glare "she is your daughter."

"The poor child must believe she will never bind to her love for all your disapproval." Glorfindel said shaking his head. Elrond rubbed his forehead as his headache returned in full force. If he sought sympathy, he would not get it from his advisors. The two elves who were now staring him down had treated each of his children like their own, even Estel. They were every bit as protective of Arwen as he was, and twice as indulgent.

"I will speak to Legolas." he promised.

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Elrond walked with a purposeful stride back down to his study, all other business pushed from his mind by his daughter. It was as if suddenly all the pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place of their own accord.

Arwen and Legolas must have been in love for centuries. Doubtless she had moved to Lorien in order to be closer to Mirkwood. She likely would have seen more of him there and without her father's unwelcome intrusion. He knew his in-laws well enough to know that Galadriel would never interfere in matters of love and if Celeborn tried, his wife would likely kill him.

He directed a string of rather undignified curses at himself. He had been brutal to the Mirkwood prince, even from his childhood, constantly blaming Legolas for the mischief he knew in his heart Arwen had at least an equal hand in. He skidded to a stop in the middle of the corridor.

Had Celebrian known?

Her last words as he carried her aboard the ship to Valinor still rang in his ears. They hung in the air around him as if they had only just been spoken, mingled in his memory with the call of the sea that had born his love away and left him here to fight this bitter war alone.

"Swear to me, meleth nin, see that she is happy, whatever it costs, swear..."

The memory shook him and he leaned against the wall, hastily pulling himself back together before one of the servants should happen upon him. He continued hurriedly down the passage, his hands shaking slightly. What had he done? He slipped into his study, leaving the door ajar as he strode to his liquor cabinet. He needed a stiff drink.

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The lamps had all been extinguished in the upper halls throwing Imladris into deepening shadow. The pale light of the stars cast their radiance upon a pair of figures that knelt in the darkened passage, intent upon a half opened door. One worked furiously at the handle as the other kept vigil, their voices low and their movements nearly silent.

"Are you sure you know what you are doing?" Elrohir asked as he darted a nervous glance toward the stairs.

"Shhh!" Elladan hissed, "You will wake him! Do not fret like an elleth, it will work. Hand me that knife."

"Are you sure he will not get out?" Elrohir asked uneasily as Elladan cut a piece of string and wedged it against the jamb before easing the door shut.

"Our dear little brother is effectively trapped." Elladan said with a grin, "And as long as this string stays here we can be assured he has not been rescued. He can not open the door himself and if anyone releases him the missing string will signal us."

"Now we have only to keep Arwen from coming after him." Elrohir sighed.

"You worry too much, brother." Elladan assured, "Estel will not be flirting any time soon."

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Legolas sighed as he slowly made his way down the steps toward the first floor and his room. It had been his room for as long as he could remember. No matter how busy Imladris might be, his same room was always waiting for him the moment he returned. He could hear the servants cleaning up the last of the festivities in the Hall of Fire and he turned down the last corridor before the porch to the gardens.

"Legolas, is that you?" Elrond's voice drifted from the half open door of his study and the Mirkwood prince doubled back, leaning in over the threshold.

"Have you need of me, my Lord?" he asked respectfully, cringing inside. If Elrond wanted him, nothing good could come of it.

"I thought that was you." Elrond said with a faint smile. "I was about to indulge in some spring wine, care to join me?" Legolas nodded, a bit apprehensively, and Elrond handed him the goblet he was holding, pouring another for himself.

"How did you enjoy the ball?" he asked casually, watching the younger elf out of the corner of his eye. Legolas settled in one of the chairs keeping a careful eye on the elf lord, Elrond had never treated him with disrespect but this was a familiarity he wasn't accustomed to, as if they were... friends?

"As always the hospitality of Imladris is unmatched." Legolas replied truthfully.

"But," Elrond prompted with a growing smile.

"But I fear there were far too many revelers for my tastes." Legolas added with a guilty grin. "I never cared much for crowds."

"Much to the chagrin of the King of Mirkwood." Elrond chuckled, Legolas could not help but let a laugh slip as well.

"Aye, tis true." he admitted as Elrond seated himself behind his desk "Adar is half mad that I prefer the forests to the court."

"My own father suffered a similar madness." Elrond said with a half smile. Legolas gave him a surprised look and the older elf chuckled. "I was not an old, brooding elf all my life." Elrond watched him closely, Legolas seemed uneasy and who could blame him? Elrond let his mind wander back to the many times the Prince had stood beside his own sons and defended them in battle. He had taken Estel under his wing almost from the very moment the boy arrived in Imladris, Elrond had never once offered his gratitude.

"I am glad you happened by." Elrond said as lightly as possible.

Here it comes, Legolas thought with a wince.

"I wanted to thank you, for all you've done for Estel."

Legolas stared at him blankly. In three thousand years the elf Lord had never thanked him for anything. Silence hung in the room a moment and Elrond decided it was best to plunge on and say what he had to before his courage failed him.

"Not only Estel, but Arwen as well. You have been dear to her and though I have never acknowledged it, it has not escaped my notice."

Legolas shook his head, trying to dislodge the cobwebs of wine and weariness that were clouding his mind. He wasn't exactly certain what Elrond was getting at but he didn't think it would be wise to admit it.

"My Lord, it..."

"Legolas, you are not a boy any longer, you should address me by my name." Elrond said seriously.

"Elrond," he continued, a little more forcefully than he intended "It has been my privilege to serve your family in any way I can. The friendship of all your children has meant more to me than you can ever know."

Aye, I don't doubt it. Elrond thought, remembering the kiss he had witnessed not more than a few minutes ago. He would have to change tactics.

"Legolas, I am concerned about Arwen." he said bluntly, fixing his eyes on the younger elf "I want her to be happy... I would give anything to make her happy."

"So would I." Legolas said softly staring into his glass. This at least, Elrond thought, was progress.

"She would not confide in me." Elrond said heavily, "nor her brothers, but I know she has always spoken to you, even when she was an elfling." Legolas nodded in agreement. Elrond thought a moment about confessing his witness of their little tryst but quickly dismissed the notion. He needed to work slowly. Such an admission might put the prince in a defensive mode and even if he didn't exactly approve he wasn't about to spoil his chance to have Arwen settled. "She has been miserable since her mother departed for the undying lands." Elrond sighed, he fixed his dark eyes on Legolas "She has only been happy when she is with you."

Legolas blinked rapidly, trying to force his mind to focus but it didn't seem to help. He opened his mouth and just as quickly snapped his jaw shut again. He wasn't quite certain what to say.

"Perhaps it is none of my business," Elrond plunged on before he could recover, "and I would not presume to interfere. Arwen is free to make her own choices but I would rest easier knowing she had someone to love her, someone who would make her happy."

"Elrond I," he swallowed his confession, allowing himself a moment to study the elf across from him. Unless he had completely misunderstood their conversation Elrond was inviting him to court Arwen. It was quite honestly the last thing he expected to hear. As far as he could tell Elrond had only barely tolerated him. Of course he blamed his father for this more than the elf sitting across from him, but still.

He was not in love with Arwen. He had been infatuated with her once, centuries ago, and she knew that but, as she had pointed out at the time, that was not the same thing. He understood why she held her heart so close, refusing to give it away, even if he did not approve of her reasons. Legolas himself fully intended to settle down, some day, when his fighting days were done. He simply felt his current lifestyle would be unfair to his mate. He was immortal, after all, there would be plenty of time for a wife and family.

He could play along, he reasoned, what harm would it do? Elrond would be content, thinking Arwen was well looked after and Arwen would be free to spend her time as she wished without pressure from her father to settle down. It would give him an excuse to see more of his best friend. They could play like fools and no one would care. Perhaps, if he could drag the courtship out long enough, it would give Arwen a chance to mend some things with her family. It would certainly eliminate fiascos like the one this evening.

"I am honored that you would consider trusting me with your daughter." he said, truthfully "I would never presume upon Arwen's heart and I hope you understand that, given the current situation, it would be unfair of me to consider a formal arrangement." Legolas studied the elf Lord carefully, wondering if he would take the bait.

Elrond could have kicked himself. Legolas spent so much time defending middle-earth he was not even in a position to consider marriage any time soon and both Legolas and Arwen must have thought that this would count against him in Elrond's eyes. He shook his head, berating himself for his stupidity. He would put an end to this nonsense right now.

"Legolas, I will be blunt." he said evenly "If you have feelings for my daughter, then I have no objections, either to your relationship, nor to your timing. If you wish to court Arwen, then do so. I will, by no means, interfere." Legolas could hardly hold in the smile that was creeping across his face.

The old elf bought it.

"Thank you, my Lord." he replied.

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Mellon - friend (but you knew that, didn't you?)

Meleth nin - my love

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Author's note - Thanks so much for all of your insights on the characters. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give anything away but none of you seem as lost as I was afraid you might be and you're misled in exactly the directions I intended to through you off. I feel so much better. Please keep up the good feedback!

*Radio Announcer Voice* - Will Aragorn escape? Does Haldir survive his hangover from mordor? Will Elrond ever get a clue? Tune in next Saturday for the continuing drama...

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dragonfly - You have to remember, Aragorn is 20, (very, very likely a virgin) and he's probably never been in love before. Talk about cute *and* pathetic. Can you say "puppy dog eyes"?

Converted - Ooh, gleefulness! I'm so happy! I feel obliged to point out that I don't have enough girls to get all the guys married off (at least not in this story anyway.) If you think you feel sorry for Haldir now wait until he finds out that Arwen's fallen in love with a mortal. Norrington's got nothing on the March Warden.

Cerridwen - not 'someone', love, everyone.

TSS - I've tried hard to give everyone a distinctive personality (and to follow Tolkien's portrayal of the main characters religiously.) It makes for a diverse bunch of elves and one very confused human. And I just absolutely adore every single one of them, even when they're being annoying.

Rowan - Now that is an unfair question, no matter what I say I'll likely give away something about the story and I never do that. (The end is finished, by the way, I always write the Prologue and the Epilogue first and fill in everything in between chronologically, more or less.) I will guarantee you a happy ending. Well, at least I'm happy, I guess it remains to be seen how everyone else feels.

purplejellybean - Um... I'm not telling, you'll have to wait and find out.

grumpy - what's more sexy than a drop dead gorgeous, balrog butt-kicking elf lord? Except maybe an innocent near adolescent heir of kings who worships the ground you walk on. Nothing flatters like the adoration of a younger man.

Daisy, pua lahi lahi, & Angels SC - I... um... well... Ah... Rhach, I don't know *what* to say. (this much public flattery can't be good for me, I'm likely to overdose.)