A/N:

Jebb – yes, that is some image of a pink-eared Legolas, isn't it? Quite delightful! ;-)

Dazzler420 – Not in Edoras. Not yet. ;-) And you are exactly right! He should wait and speak to his father (but he thinks he is old enough to make his own decisions). He will consider this later.

Drummerchick1988 – thanks for sticking with us! We're coming down to the wire! In a manner of speaking. ;-)

Today they would reach Edoras and begin planning for the inevitable battle against the forces of evil. Annowe was speaking to Merry about the battle of Isengard and the hobbit was talking animatedly about finding Saruman's cache of spoils.

She laughed at his tale and her laugh cut through Legolas' thoughts and he smiled at her. He had missed that laugh of hers terribly. She could actually light up a room with it and everyone seemed to know when she was around.

He thought back to their scouting mission. He had known the moment she arrived, even before she cursed as she tripped over the step. He could almost feel her physical presence. Perhaps they had always been connected but neither of them had been willing to admit it or allow it until now.

He pondered this as they headed toward Edoras. The city had changed greatly since their first visit here. Now people roamed the streets on their way to and from places, children played and there was a general bustle of daily life.

They rode into the city where Eowyn was anxiously awaiting the return of her uncle and Aragorn. She greeted them all heartily and quickly dispatched stable boys to take their horses as she led them into the Great Hall, speaking to her uncle of the latest news.

The shield maiden had the distinct impression that they would not remain long in Edoras and she was determined to have all affairs in order so that she could go with them. Eowyn lingered near the group as they sat around a large table trying to discern their next moves but she did not interrupt them. Instead, she merely watched and listened.

Annowe and Gimli slipped off in search of some food since they were both quite hungry. No one else seemed the least interested in eating but Annowe was famished and Gimli was always ready for a good meal.

Presently the two scroungers returned bearing bread, cheese, wine and some dried meat to share with the rest of them. As she laid the platter on the table, Annowe slipped close to Legolas and ran her hand lightly down his spine causing him to unexpectedly shiver with delight. She grinned mischievously at his reaction and he nudged her with his elbow and winked in reply. He would take this up with her when they would not disturb the others.

Continuing to grin, she sat apart from them as they discussed the future. At this point she would follow Legolas wherever he went – even if he marched all the way to Mount Doom. He was not going to slip out of her protective grasp again so she did not actually care what they decided to do. She was going with Legolas and damn the consequences!

Eowyn noticed the girl and slipped onto the bench next to her. Annowe turned to gaze at the maid as she chewed her bread.

"You are his friend, yes? The nymph," Eowyn asked, trying to see if there were any visible signs of the girl's heritage.

Annowe smiled. "Yes, I am. My name is Annowe. What's yours?" She asked politely.

"Eowyn," the shield maiden replied.

"Eowyn," the nymph repeated. "It is nice to meet you."

Eowyn smiled. "It is nice to meet you as well. May I ask you a personal question?" The lady asked hesitantly.

Annowe nodded and took a drink of water.

"How could I tell you are a nymph?" Eowyn asked curiously.

Annowe looked at the girl for a minute and then started to giggle. Eowyn blushed and tried to apologize.

"No, no!" Annowe laughed and put a restraining hand on the maid's arm. "No one has ever asked me that before and it was just odd." She thought for a minute.

"Quite honestly, I don't think there are any physically distinguishing features that one could look for other than we are usually smaller than humans and a bit chubby." She shrugged. She had never actually thought about distinguishing features of her kind. It didn't seem to matter much.

The two remained silent for several moments as the soft voices of the men drifted through the hall.

". . . muster at Dunharrow," Theoden's voice was clearly heard above the others.

Eowyn and Annowe looked at each other.

"Where is Dunharrow?" Annowe asked.

"It is on the Snowbourn River, about a days ride from here." Eowyn answered. "Please excuse me, I need to prepare to leave."

Annowe raised her eyebrows questioningly at the girl. "You mean to go as well?"

"Don't you?" Eowyn asked pointedly as she rose to her feet.

Annowe laughed. "Of course! How foolish of me! I apologize."

Eowyn smiled at her. "Consider us even then."

The nymph grinned. "As you like."

Eowyn admired the girl's directness and could see why Legolas held her in such esteem. "The elf is quite taken with you," she said with a smile.

Annowe blinked in surprise. "Oh," was all she managed to say before the shield maiden had gone to gather her things for Dunharrow.

That night as the others began to gather for sleep, Annowe and Legolas slipped off to be completely alone together for the first time since Rivendell.
The sky was dark yet clear and a plethora of stars twinkled above them as they made their way to the warmth and relative privacy of the stable. They slipped quietly through the deserted city clasping hands. Annowe could feel her excitement growing in her as she anticipated their quiet moment together. How she longed to hold him in her arms and smother him with kisses, feeling his strong body against hers without fear of disturbing anyone else.

She bit back a smile of anticipation, watching his profile glow in the pale light. How many times had she cursed his beauty? She wondered as they made the final turn to the stable lane.

Quietly, Legolas opened the latch and opened the door for Annowe to enter. The stable was dark except for the moonlight streaming in through the windows. She stepped into the warm and welcoming stable and waited for Legolas to follow her. There was a soft rustling of straw from the horses and their warm musty smell hung on the quiet air of the stable.

He closed the door and turned towards her, smiling. The silver moonlight illuminated his flawless skin and platinum hair, making him look like some angelic being that would vanish into memory if she were to touch him.

She took a step toward him and he stepped into her open arms as she looked up at him longingly. His heart melted in his chest at the desire in her eyes and he marveled at her intensity.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. They held each other quietly in the warm safety of the stable.

"What are we going to do at Dunharrow?" Annowe asked him, her voice muffled in his chest.

Legolas smiled at her question. "Theoden is sending several parties out to gather what forces they can. We are all going to muster at Dunharrow and await the signal from Minas Tirith," he explained to her.

She grunted. "How many days do we have?" She finally asked after contemplating on this for a few minutes.

He pulled back a bit and looked down at her. She returned his steady gaze.

"How many days to muster?" She repeated the question.

He shook his head wonderingly and hid a smile. "Always the warrior, aren't you?" He said softly. "Three days."

"That's not much time," she frowned. Three days to gather enough strength to defend Minas Tirith was not nearly enough.

"Not for them," he agreed. "But it will be plenty for us!"

She giggled at his implication. "I know what you're about!" She grinned up at him.

"You do?" He asked mockingly. "Pray, tell me so we'll both know!"

"You've become quite the little imp since Rivendell," she said teasingly. "Just what has gotten into you, I wonder?"

"Are you complaining?" He asked.

She laughed and her eyes twinkled. "Perish the thought!" She said and squeezed him tightly, enjoying the feel of his firm muscles under her hands.

Gently, he touched his lips to hers and she closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation of his soft lips on hers. A sweet oblivion settled over her leaving only the two of them and his delicious kiss.

Annowe could feel her heart pounding in her chest and she knew that the time would soon come for them to consummate their relationship. Was she ready to take that last step with him? Was he ready?

She gently broke away from his kiss and he looked at her questioningly.

"We need to talk," she began, unknowingly uttering the most feared words to any male creature.

Legolas frowned. "I thought we had talked," he said a bit impatiently.

"Yes, we have but . . ." she paused searching for the words. "I need to know if you are truly ready for a physical relationship with me. Once we cross that bridge, there will be no turning back for you."

He sighed and held her closely. "Of course I have thought about this. As odd as it may sound, my heart was set long ago although neither my body nor my mind realized it."

He gave a short laugh and she could hear the sound deep in his chest. "It seems that everyone knew how I felt about you but me. Why do you think we were paired up on our scouting mission together?" He drew back and looked at her.

She grinned. "I thought that was rather convenient. My culprit would be Elladan."

Legolas grinned and shook his head. "Try Elrond."

"What?" Annowe's eyes grew wide with disbelief. "I don't believe it."

"Ask the twins. Or Arwen. She's the one who told me," he admitted.

They both laughed at the "conspiracy" and Annowe was amazed at Elrond's ploy. He was a wily old elf, that much is certain, she acknowledged.

"I do hope this is over soon so she and Aragorn can finally be together," Annowe sighed. It just did not seem right to her that two people who loved each other so much should have to endure such hardship. Legs is here with me so Arwen should be with Aragorn, she thought to herself. It is only right.

"Do you feel guilty that we are together and they are not?" Legolas asked quietly.

"Yes," she admitted. "It just doesn't seem right after all they have been through together."

"And I feel badly for them as well, but it is not our choice. You cannot measure your love by how much pain it brings," he said.

She looked at him in astonishment. "Young one!" She gaped with surprise. "How you have grown and changed since you began your journey with the Fellowship," she said to him.

He thought back on all he had experienced since he left Rivendell then grinned down at her. "Yes, I believe I have changed but I cannot say how," he agreed. "Perhaps I am wiser."

"Wiser and more roguish, I would say!" She exclaimed with a chuckle.

He grinned impishly. "Another complaint?"

She rose up on her toes and grinned back at him with a wicked twinkle in her eye. "No. Now kiss me, you devil!"

And he did.