First and foremost, I have to give mad props to Amy for helping with the title and summary. Thanks Bunches!

To anyone wondering why there is an R rating, be patient! It should start by chapter 3 or 4!

Magsluvsaragorn - Thanks! Keep reading! You may yet get some satisfaction....

Once again, I own none of the LOTR characters, places, etc. I only own Alina (still). Oh, and I also do not own Enya's lyrics to "Deora ar mo chroi".

Chapter 1

On the second evening of the fellowship's arrival in Edoras, King Theoden held a feast for his most recent guests. Eowyn and Alina were dressing for the festivities.

"I don't see why I can't wear my usual clothes." Alina grumbled, frowning at the dresses that Eowyn was holding up against her own taller frame.

"Hush!" Eowyn exclaimed, "You should be dressed for this feast, if none other. The problem is, most of these are too short for you to wear, as you ARE taller than I. You may get your wish."

"Good." Alina looked down lovingly at her clothes. 'Not exactly lady- like' she thought 'but then, I 'm not exactly a lady, either.' She was wearing form fitting trousers, and a worn, fitted tunic that came down to her ankles. The tunic had slits all the way up her legs on each side, stopping at her upper thighs, with a leather belt just on her hips. The tunic sleeves were narrow, nearly fitting her arm perfecly, and had enough give to not pull or tear when she moved. She had had her boots for many years, and they fit her perfectly.

"What about this one?" Eowyn held up a deep crimson colored gown with long red sleeves. "It looks like it would be long enough. Let's try this on."

Alina sighed. What could she do? She followed Eowyn to the dressing area, and began pulling off her clothes.

"Where did you get that scar?" Eowyn gasped, pointing to a rather large white line that ran down the left side of Alina's back and slightly onto her side. Alina had forgotten that Eowyn had never seen it before.

"I'd rather not discuss it, 'Wyn, it was before I came to Edoras, and not something I'd like to remember." Alina said, pulling the gown over her head, covering her body as Eowyn grimaced at the nickname that Alina had bestowed upon her as a young girl.

"Alright, turn toward me and let me look at you." Eowyn said, pulling Alina's arm. Alina obliged, turning first one way, then the other, finally standing still with a disappointed look on her face.

"You don't seriously expect me to wear this?" She said.

"It seems to fit just fine. And look, it's the right length!" Eowyn was excited. "Now, let's do something with your hair..."

"I can do that by myself." Alina said, pulling away from Eowyn's outstretched hand. Eowyn looked slightly hurt. "I'm sorry, 'Wyn, you know that I prefer to do my own hair. Don't be upset."

Eowyn smiled a little, hearing how genuine the apology was, but still not fully understanding why it mattered so much after all this time.

"Forgiven. I just didn't expect you to back away like that from me."

"I need to get something from my room, and I'll meet you just outside the hall" Alina said. 'That was close.' She thought to herself as she entered her room and went to the mirror. She took out the braid that she had put in earlier, loosening the hair. She began to twist the top half to form buns on the sides of her head, and stopped as she pulled her hair from around her ears. They were the only outward sign of her breeding, other than her slightly abnormal height. She gazed at them for a moment. Long and softly pointed, her ears showed her elvish heritage, which was mixed with that of the Dunedain of the North. Each gave her long life and great physical strength. But no one, not even Eowyn, knew of her past. She couldn't allow it.

She had been raised by a mortal woman from the time she was two years of age, and never knew what had become of her parents. Alina knew of the way many humans felt about the elves, and certainly had heard the tales of how the elves looked upon the humans as weak. How could she live in either world? Humans were more easily fooled – all she needed was to wear her hear in such a way that it covered her ears, and she was fine. Humans rarely went looking much beyond what was easily seen. She sighed and finished her hair, using a cirlet of floral ribbon and gold colored netting to cover the buns and hold them in place.

Inside the main doors to the hall, Alina stood behind Eowyn and Theoden in her customary position as they greeted their guests, watching from just out of the way. She was aware of everything that was happening around her as she shifted uncomfortably in the dress that Eowyn had put her in. Alina heard the change in Eowyn's voice as she greeted Lord Aragorn, and suddenly she was aware of someone watching her. Her gaze flicked up and into a pair of intense blue eyes. A slow smile made his already beautiful face almost impossible to look at, yet she couldn't take her eyes off of him. Then he was gone, making his way forward into the great hall with his companions, with Alina staring after him.

"Looks like you caught the eye of Legolas, 'Leena," Eowyn said as they walked into the hall.

"Eowyn, please don't call me that, you know I hate it." Alina responded, "Besides, I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's only fair!" Eowyn laughed, "When you manage to stop blushing, you can tell me that again. Now, go enjoy yourself!"

Alina sighed heavily and turned, searching the crowd for a glimpse of his face. She stepped forward, and was halted by a voice behind her.

"Would you care to join us at the table?" It was Gamling, the king's most trusted soldier, aside from Eomer. He and Alina had become friends shortly after her arrival in Edoras.

"I would be delighted." She smiled.

As they ate, Alina's eyes scanned down the table and back, stopping short on Legolas' long blonde hair. He was sitting just a few seats down and across from her. She heard the others speaking, but all of her concentration was on Legolas. She took a sip of her wine, and realized that Legolas had looked up and caught her staring. They sat, locked in each other's gaze as she lowered her goblet back to the table.

"Alina..."

She jumped, startled, and looked back to Gamling, her cheeks flushed for the second time, and not because of the drink.

"I'm very sorry, My Lord, I was trying to watch for Lady Eowyn. What were you saying?" Gamling's laughing eyes told her that he had seen the exchange between her and Legolas, but she knew he would never say a word. He simply smiled, and went on with the conversation. Alina sat for a moment before rising and moving towards the entrance to the hall.

.............

Legolas looked at the beautiful woman standing behind Theoden and Eowyn, and knew instantly that she was like no other in Edoras. There was something about her presence that drew his attention, even though she was standing where no one would have noticed her. He found that he was staring, entranced by the vision before him, her dark sepia hair complemented by the burgundy gown that hugged the gentle curves of her torso and flared out down to the floor. When she looked up, his breath caught, only for a second, and he offered a small smile. Then the line of guests pressed inward, to the center of the hall.

To his benefit, he noticed that she had come and sat at the same table later to eat. Gamling had brought her there – they obviously had been friends for a very long time. Gimli interrupted his thoughts, bringing Legolas partly into a discussion about which was worse, a goblin or an orc. Legolas said that they were both equally bad, and would gladly kill either. When he looked back to the woman in the burgundy gown, she was looking at him again, over the top of her goblet. Again, Legolas smiled slightly, captured in her gorgeous gold-green eyes. He saw her shift suddenly, as though awakened sharply from a dream, and she turned to hear what the king's man had said. Gamling spoke, and Legolas saw a smile come across his face. A few minutes later, he saw the woman making her way through the hall, and go out the main doors. He couldn't help himself; he excused himself from his friends, and followed her outside.

............

Alina stopped a few times on her way outside, spoke with some of the guests, and finally made her way out of the main doors and onto the stone balcony. She walked around to the side of the hall, lost in thought.

"Out for a little fresh air?" came a soft voice from behind her. She turned, and was face to face with Legolas.

He smiled. "I'm sorry, I should introduce myself. I am Legolas of Mirkwood, woodland realm of the elves."

"My name is Alina." She said, barely able to breathe.

"So Lady Alina, are you out for some air, or just trying to escape?"

"Not 'Lady', just Alina. I am Eowyn's lady-in-waiting, of sorts. I just needed to clear my head – I think I may have had too much wine." She half lied, "And you?"

Legolas was about to answer, when a voice interjected.

"Alina is also my bodyguard," Eowyn said, stepping around the corner, "She has bested nearly all of my uncle's men to earn the position."

Legolas looked back to Alina an eyebrow cocked in surprise, "Really? That's very impressive."

"Come, they're starting the dance, and my uncle has requested that you sing for us later." Eowyn took Alina's hand, leading her back into the hall, leaving Legolas to follow.

They started through the movements of the dance; Alina relaxed a bit, her mind releasing the thoughts that were troubling her. She even laughed as a young gentleman lifted her into the air. The song had ended, and Alina went to the table where Eowyn was sitting and decided that the best way to end the night was to resume her duties as bodyguard. She had forgotten that she was to sing until Theoden called for her.

"Where is Alina?"

"Here, my lord," she had to work her way through the crowd, and took a place near the musicians. "What does my King wish to hear?"

"I'll leave that decision to you, my dear." Theoden said.

Alina thought for a moment, then leaned to the head musician and whispered. The music began, slow and sweet, and Alina sang:

"Ba dheas an la go oiche, Na glortha binne I mo thaobh, 'S aoibhneas I gach ait gan gruaim, Athas ar mo chroi go deo, He-a-ro, He-a-o-ro.

Ma shiulaim o na laetha beo, An ghrain 's an ghealach ar mo chuil, Nil uaim ach smaointe o mo shaoil, Deora ar mo chroi go bron, He-a-ro, He-a-ro, He-a-o-ro."

When she had finished, Alina looked up, only to find Legolas staring at her.

"Well done!" Theoden said as the audience applauded. He had tears in his eyes. "Why don't you sing us another?"

Alina sang again, a playful, upbeat melody to which some of the people danced. Afterwards, there were more songs sung by others, and more dancing. Through the remainder of the evening, Alina would occasionally see Legolas watching her, and each time, she felt her cheeks redden, and she looked away.

..................

When the feast was over, Alina sat in her chamber, lost in her thoughts again. She sat on the side of the bed, trying to sort out everything that was going on inside of her. First, there was Eomer. She had known for some time that he had feelings for her. She wasn't sure that what she felt was the same type of love for him. Given the events of the evening, she was not sure of anything. If only she could have had more faith in Eomer, told him her secret...

The evening also brought someone new, Legolas. When she had looked into his eyes the first time, something inside her stirred that she had not felt before, not even for Eomer. Alina stood and went to the window, looking out at the stars. She needed to go outside and let the cool night air soothe her. She put on her cloak over the dress she was still wearing and went down the hall, stepping so quietly no one could hear. She moved through the passages and decided not to go out through the main hall, but rather through one of the smaller side entrances. She stepped out into the night, the wind softly blowing her skirts, making them move slightly.

Alina stood in the darkness for a while, the night lit only by moon and star. She breathed deeply, inhaling the sweet scent of the valley below. Refreshed, she turned to go inside, noticing someone else, on the front corner of the large balcony. She knew without seeing his face that it was Legolas. She was torn. She wanted to go to him, speak with him, listen to his wonderful voice. She wanted to look deep into his blue eyes and lose herself in them... Instead, she moved to go back into the keep, trying not to alert him to the fact that she knew he was there.

"Only elves and hobbits are able to move that softly." He said, turning. The pale moonlight revealed his face. A small smile was on his lips. A knowing look in his eyes. "You most definitely are not a hobbit."

"True, I am no hobbit," Alina replied, "But neither am I an elf."

He stepped toward her. "So you are an enchantress, then?"

"No my lord, not that either. In truth, I am half elf, half human. I have never told anyone, not even the Lady Eowyn. I do not know why I tell you now." She admitted shyly. She looked away, her eyes falling to the stone below her feet. How could one night make her let her guard down when nine years couldn't? She almost expected him to leave at that point, afraid that he would think her too inferior to be seen with. It was an odd feeling for her – she never had been given a cause to doubt herself like this before.

And then, he reached out, gently lifting her chin to look in her eyes. She met his gaze, and saw not loathing, but compassion and ... she wasn't sure. "Never be ashamed of who you are," he said, the tenderness in his voice washed over her in waves, nearly bringing her to tears. It was as though he could hear her thoughts, see right into her soul. The moment seemed to stretch for an eternity, his hand still under her chin, their eyes locked on one another's. An errant tear found it's way onto her cheek, and he brushed it away with his thumb. Alina's eyes closed a little and her head turned slightly, caressing his hand with her petal-soft cheek as it moved. Legolas' hand cupped her face in a feather-light touch. Alina sighed softly, giving in to the feelings ebbing through her.

Wanting this stolen moment to continue, yet knowing that this was not the time, Legolas said, "Come, you should be resting. I will walk with you to your chamber."

Alina looked into his eyes again and nodded. Together, they walked the darkened passageways to her room. Once at her door, Alina turned to Legolas again.

"Thank you." She whispered.

He kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger a moment, and smiled. "Sleep well, Alina."

Another substantial chapter - I figured a little more background was in order. Enjoy!