Chapter 8

A month had passed since the arrival of the Lord Celeborn had arrived in Imladris, and the council had still not taken place. Alana waited anxiously for the day to come when she would be able to share the knowledge she had gained with the rest of her friends and companions. She wandered through Rivendell, singing softly to herself.

Before I knew you, I had always loved you,


Even as I dreamed of whom I'd love.


My inner picture was a portrait of you

"That is beautiful Alana." Legolas said softly. She jumped, she hadn't realised that he had been following her. "I just received the news from Lord Aragorn."

"What news is that my Lord?" Alana asked confused.

"The council is to be held 4 days from now. Finally you will be able to tell us the knowledge that you have kept to yourself for so long." Legolas smiled at her. "You have become extremely quiet since the arrival of our Lord. Alana dearest, please tell me what is wrong." His eyes pleaded with her.

She looked at him and realised that she could keep nothing from him. "Truth be told Legolas, I am afraid. Afraid of becoming Guardian, scared of ruling on my own, scared of the feelings that linger in my heart for Aragorn, but most of all...." She trailed off.

"What is it dearest?" Legolas looked at her in fear and confusion.

"Most of all, I am scared of the way I am beginning to feel about you." She whispered. Finally she had told him, finally he knew. But what would he say? Where would this lead? He hesitated in his reply to her confession. "I knew it." She whispered, horrified. "You don't Love me at all....I was a fool to believe you ever did. All you feel is companionship, why did I not see this?" She felt hot tears begin to stream down her cheeks, as she turned and ran from him.

"Alana." He whispered, unable to move or call out to her. His heart flew, she loved him! He had dreamed and dreamed and hoped beyond hope, but he never expected her to actually fall in love with him. He never thought once, that she would be his. He woke from the Dream State as suddenly as he had fallen into it. "Alana!" he called. "Please wait!"

Alana ran through the tree's, she wanted, no needed to get as far from Legolas as possible. Various thoughts filled her mine. Why had she confessed? Why hadn't she just kept it to herself, until she was sure of his feelings? Tears streamed down her porcelain cheeks.

Stopping finally in a clearing with a fountain in the centre, surrounded by benches, she realised that she had entered Elrond's private garden, which he had often visited for peace and quiet. She walked towards the nearest bench and sat down, letting the tears fall, letting the feelings of loss and hurt flood her body, until she thought she could take no more. She had already lost Aragorn, but she could bear that. Losing Legolas was too much, far too much to bear. So consumed in her own sorrow, she didn't even notice the figure walking tentatively towards her.

"Alana." Legolas said softly. She looked up, and a he saw the pain in her beautiful brown eyes. He could not bear to think that he had caused that pain, or even a part of it. "You should have waited Alana. I have much to say." He sat down beside her, turning her to face him.

"Legolas I...." She trailed off.

"Shhh." He whispered. "I know." He put his arms around her and brought her close to him. "She seems so strong," he thought, "but she is as fragile as glass." He held her for a moment longer.

"Alana you did not let me say what I needed to say." He whispered softly in her ear. "I Love you with all of my heart. I always have and I always will. Don't ever leave me again, I do not think that I could bear it." She looked up at him, a look of bewilderment and happiness in her eyes.

"Surely you don't mean it." She said, though her tone suggested that she believed him. "I never dreamed that you would say these things. Hoped yes, but never truly believed."

He stroked her cheek, then put his hand under her chin and tilted her head upwards. "Believe it." He said breathlessly, before kissing her deeply. He broke the kiss after a moment and whispered, "I'll never leave you Alana. My Heart is yours, now and forever."