Hello everyone!!!! waves I've finally come out of lurkdom again. I know it's been almost a year, but it seems like my creative juices just don't flow right unless there's a really important exam that I should be studying for coming up. I can't believe how many reviews I've gotten over these past few months, and the kind words of encouragement that everyone keeps on sending. It's really great! Just to let everyone know, the rating of this fic is going to be changed soon, as we near the big finale. In this chapter, Arwen is being her usual, bitchy self, and Aragorn is about to chucks a hissy fit. Ok guys, you know the drill, please READ and REVIEW!!!!

Warning this contains SLASH, meaning guy/guy relationships, don't like it?......don't read it!!!!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any part of LOTR, nor have I ever claimed to own any part of it, therefore, you have no grounds to sue me.

Chapter 8

Gimili wandered restlessly through the achingly beautiful woods surrounding the elven city of Rivendell. The momentous burden of knowledge weighed heavily on his heart. To tell Aragorn of the binding would be seen as a direct betrayal of Legolas' trust, yet, if he did not.........Gimili shuddered, thinking of the possible consequences. If Legolas were to die as a result of the binding, Gimili knew that he would never be able to free himself from the guilt that would plague him. In the few months that they have known each other, traveling together on their perilous journey in a bid to save Middle Earth, as they know it, the dwarf Gimili has started to grow fond of the proud Elven prince, seeing Legolas as the younger brother he had never had. Lost in his depressing thoughts, Gimili did not notice Arwen silently creeping up behind him, until she tapped on the shoulder, startling him.

"Lady Arwen," Gimili acknowledged grimly, trying to regain his composure. The dwarf eyed the elven beauty warily, unsure of her intentions. Although Gimili could not quite finger the reason, he knew in his heart that the innocent-eyed maiden standing in front of him could not be trusted.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Master Gimili" Arwen answered. "I have been looking all over for you. The guards inside the city told me that you might be found here."

"You have found me" Gimili replied shortly.

Arwen's eyes narrowed momentarily, but recomposed her features so quickly that Gimili missed the look of malice. Undaunted, she launched into the first stage of her diabolical plan. Eyes clouding over with tears on command, Arwen allowed the dwarf to see the unshed tears before swiftly turning her face away. Nonplussed, Gimili hurried forward to comfort the seemingly grieving elf. "Lady Arwen, I......, forgive me for my rudeness and insolence. Please dry your tears, I cannot abide watching a beautiful lady such as yourself cry. Tell me what it is that made you search out a lowly dwarf in these woods."

"Master Dwarf, I know that we have not been on the best of terms during the few brief months which we have known each other," Arwen said, allowing the glistening tears to fall unchecked down her perfect cheeks. "I am but a simple woman, not learned or eloquent in speech. My actions and words in the past may have offended you or caused you to question my motives and intentions, but I can assure you now that my only wish is to please my family and future husband. My wish is to keep them happy and free from harm. My father has told me everything about the binding, how Legolas has used his own life to save Éstel. My first duty is to my family, and although the relation is distant, the Prince of Mirkwood is my cousin, and I cannot allow him to die, since I know of the way to cure him. My second duty is toÉstel, my intended husband. Legolas saved the life of Éstel and the debt must be repaid in full. I need to help him to honour this debt, but I am at a loss as to what to do. He does not yet know of the reason behind Legolas' illness, and so he hold vigil besides my cousins bed, frowns marking his face, yet to tell him, I would then have to break my promise to Adar" Arwen lamented. "Tell me Master Dwarf, what must I do to help the both of them? Whatever the sacrifice, I am willing to pay any price to see my Éstel smile once again"

Gimili stared hard at the elven maiden in front of him, his eyes filled with pity. He was taken in completely by the expert performance being played out in front of him. Making up his mind, Gimili took Arwen's pale delicate hand and clasped it between his coarse brown ones and softly said, "It is true that I did not trust you before my lady, but now I have no doubt that your heart lies in the right place. Aragorn and Legolas are both my friends and I have no wish to see either of them hurt. The promise I made to Legolas was made under duress, and I will not be held to it. The only way to end the suffering for both of them, one way or another, is to tell Aragorn. All will be well Lady Arwen. Do not worry, for I know that Aragorn will make the right decision. I have seen way the human has looked at our prince these past few days. He will not disappoint us."

"But I......" Arwen started

"The decision was made by me and me alone, Lady Arwen. The knowledge of your involvement in this matter will not go past the two of us. I will take full responsibility for any consequences." Gimili kindly assured her. "Now is you will excuse me, I must seek Aragorn out."

"Are you sure it is the right decision to make? That you are not making a mistake? Éstel......he......he may not take it as well as you think." Arwen said demurely, with her head bowed.

"He will not disappoint us." Gimili said resolutely, turning away, walking back towards the city.

"Not if I can help it." Arwen muttered under her breath. The mask the she put on for Gimilis' sake was dropped, revealing the nasty smirk she had kept hidden until this moment. Stupid dwarf, she thought, he's played right into my hand. I know Éstel better than anyone does. He's not going to like the fact that he was not given a choice in something that will affect his entire future, that Legolas made the decision for him. Now, with me by his side, whispering poisonous words into his ear against his beloved prince, reminding him of Legolas' transgression, Éstels' not going to be wanting to hear reason. By the time his head clears and thinks this matter through calmly, it's going to be too late to save Legolas. Arwen let out a peal of gleeful laughter. "And everyone's going to blame that foolish dwarf!!!" she said out loud. "Legolas, the Prince of Mirkwood will die a terribly tragic after being scorned by his crush, whilst I, The Lady Arwen of Rivendell will stand quietly and supportively by Éstels' side through his grief and disbelief." She smiled cruelly, before starting back towards Rivendell, not wanting to miss the show. How perfect she thought.

It was already past midnight by the time Gimili finally worked up the courage to knock on the door leading to Legolas' bedroom. When he received no reply, Gimili quietly let himself into the room, not wanting to disturb the sleeping forms.

Aragorn looked up wearily as the dwarf entered. "His condition is improving, Gimili. The ethereal glow which normally surrounds him is slowly coming back, and his hand, it is warmer now than before." He said, indicating towards the pale hand, still clasped tightly within his own. "I think our prince will pull through after all."

It must be the close contact which the two of them have been maintaining that is helping to revive him. Gimili thought, but aloud he said "I didn't mean to disturb you."

"Wasn't asleep." He replied.

"You have been sitting with him all this time?" Gimili asked softly, hopeful that this gesture indicated something.

"He wouldn't let go of my hand." Aragorn answered simply. "Legolas was afraid of the dark. I promised him that I would watch over him as he sleeps."

Gimili nodded slowly. "There's something that I need to tell you, Aragorn." he said.

A/N: O.o How absolutely diabolical was that?.........I think I would have admired Arwen, if I wasn't so against her. So...what do you think Aragorns' reaction would be?? Next chapter may take a while cause I'm in the middle of working on a NCIS fanfic, oh and yes......there are those final exams coming up.........but I promise it won't take as long as it did last time!! OK, time to REVIEW guys!!!!