Disclaimer: I do not own LotR or anything in Middle Earth etc.

Title: Legolas's True Love?

Author: Insane Elven Rock Baby

Summary: Aragorn is dead and Arwen travels to Mirkwood to find confide in Legolas. Will Legolas and Arwen fall in love or let each other get away?

A/N: I used Elvish in this story, but if any of it is wrong, please let me know. I'll correct it.

The morning was clear. The sun was shining brightly over Mirkwood and the king was lying in bed thinking about the day ahead of him. Today was the memorial held in honor of his dear friend Aragorn. He had died recently in battle and was missed greatly by his friends. They would all be at the memorial and so would his wife.

Arwen had left Gondor immediately after she had learned of his passing and had turned to Legolas for comfort. She had been in Mirkwood for almost a week now and had spent most her time talking with Legolas and planning the funeral and memorial.

Legolas continued to lie in bed and thinking about his friend's passing and all that he left behind. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Legolas got up and answered the door. He opened it and before him stood a young maiden. She curtsied and said:

"Heruamin (My Lord), Lady Arwen requests your presence." Legolas nodded and told the maiden to inform Arwen that he would be there shortly. The maiden curtsied once more and left. Legolas returned to the comfort of his room and began to change into the day's clothing.

After changing into a black outfit and putting on a black cloak (the memorial would be held outdoors), Legolas emerged from his room and headed towards Arwen's chambers. He arrived at her door and knocked softly. When there was no answer he opened it slowly and said quietly, "Arwen? Mellonamin (My friend), are you there?" Legolas peered inside the room and saw Arwen lying on her bed, crying into her arms. He walked over to her gingerly and sat down on the bed beside her. He stroked her hair gently and waited patiently until she stopped.

Finally Arwen stopped crying and was able to speak. She sat up slowly and looked at Legolas with red and swollen eyes. He looked back at her and said, "Lle tyava quel? (Do you feel well?) Do you still wish to attend the ceremony?" Tears began once again to form in Arwen's eyes. She held them back, not wishing to start crying like a child in front of a king twice before noon. Legolas sensed her discomfort and need to cry and put his arms around her. Arwen buried her head in his chest and tried desperately not to cry.

"It's alright," whispered Legolas into her hair. "Uuma dela (Don't worry.) Everything will be ok." Arwen began to cry and her body started to shake with her every sob. Legolas held her close and tried unsuccessfully to calm her down.

Shortly, there was soft rapping on the door and in walked Elrond. He quickly spotted the two on the bed. At this he said, as kindly as he could:

"Legolas, may I have a word with my daughter?"

"Of course," answered Legolas. He whispered something to Arwen, then released her from his grasp. He stood up and bowed slightly to Elrond. Elrond bowed back and Legolas left the room.

Arwen dried her face as quickly as she could then stood up to face her father. He had never wanted her to marry Aragorn and this was the reason why. He would die eventually and she would have to deal with the pain of his death. That time had come.

Elrond moved forward and embraced Arwen in a hug. "Tinuamin (My daughter)," he said. "Forgive me. I did not wish to be right." Arwen did not answer, but instead, hugged her father more tightly. After a moment or two, she took in a shuddering breath and said:

"Adar, I do not cry because he is gone. I cry because I long for another." Elrond pulled away from Arwen and looked at her with a mixture of suspicion and confusion. He then asked:

"You long for another?" Arwen nodded solemnly. Elrond looked even more bewildered. "If you long for another, why do you cry?"

"I cry because I believe it is wrong," Arwen said. "Do you not think it wrong that I have moved on so quickly after my husband's death? I think it to be disloyal and deceiving. I loved Aragorn. I do not understand how I can feel like this for someone before his body has even gone cold." Arwen began to cry again and collapsed into her father. Elrond held his daughter and stroked her hair and back gently. He whispered:

"Tinuamin, do not feel so guilty. It is not wrong to feel as you do about another. Aragorn would have wanted you to be happy, not sad and burdened by guilt." Elrond held Arwen at arm's length and looked her in the eyes. "Tula (Come). We shall go to the memorial and pay our respects. Maybe after that you will not feel so guilty." Arwen smiled gratefully at Elrond and they left to join the others at the ceremony.

After the ceremony, a dinner was held in Aragorn's honor. Thousands upon thousands had attended this as well as the memorial. At the head table, the remaining members of the Fellowship (those still on Middle Earth) were seated together beside Arwen and Elrond. There were also commanders of Gondor's armies and other close friends at the main table. The meal was very solemn and almost no one spoke unless they were exchanging greetings or saying how sorry they were about "such a great loss." It only lasted about an hour because no one could stand the silence and air of negativity.

Arwen was the first to excuse herself, followed soon after by Legolas. Arwen had retreated to the peacefulness and beauty of the Mirkwood gardens. She had begun to walk down the Northern path way, admiring the beauty of the flowers and trees, when a soft voice came from behind her (asking if she was alone), causing her to jump slightly. She whipped around and saw that it was Legolas standing there. She gave him a small smile and said:

"Yes I am alone. Would you care to walk with me, King?" Legolas nodded and the pair of elves began to walk down the path, each buried in their own thoughts about their emotions and the day's events. About half an hour later, Legolas broke the silence.

"Do you feel better after this morning," he asked. Arwen blushed slightly at the mention of her earlier behavior but said:

"Yes, I do. Thank you for asking." She gave the king a small smile and tried to continue the conversation. "However, I am still unsure about whether or not I should return to Gondor." Legolas was surprised to hear Arwen say that.

"What do you mean," he asked curiously. "Of course you should return to Gondor. You are Gondor's queen. The kingdom would surely fall if you did not return." Arwen stopped walking and turned to face Legolas.

"Do you not think I know that," she asked angrily. "Why do you think I am in such agony over this decision?" Her voice was rising. Legolas was taken aback.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to offend you. I only meant that it would be best for the kingdom if there was someone to rule it." Legolas was confused about what had angered the elf standing before him.

Arwen suddenly looked regretful. "Forgive me. I did not mean to yell at you. It is just that I am so confused. I do not know what to do." Tears began to fall from her gray eyes. "Aragorn is gone and I have no one...nothing left in Gondor. It is now only a place of memories." Arwen looked up into Legolas' gray eyes, searching for comfort and guidance.

Legolas stared back into Arwen's eyes. After a few seconds he looked away and said, "Yes, things have become very stressful since Aragorn's death. But we will all get through this. He is watching over us. He is making sure that we get through this time of despair." Arwen smiled at Legolas through her tears.

"You're probably right. I just hope I make the right decision about Gondor."

"I am sure that you will, Arwen," Legolas said trying to comfort her. He looked back at the Castle of Mirkwood. "We probably should return. They will wonder where we are." Arwen nodded in agreement and they pair of elves began to head back to the Castle of Mirkwood.

Arwen was in her room packing. She had decided to return to Gondor and was to leave the next day. (It was the same day as the memorial, but the sun was now setting.) She walked over to a chest of drawers and took out a bundle of clothes. She folded the clothes neatly and just as she was placing them in her pack, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," she said loudly. The door opened and Elrond walked in. He had not yet been told that Arwen was leaving and was surprised to see her packing.

"Arwen, what are you doing," he inquired.

"I'm packing," answered Arwen as she continued to put her clothes into her pack. "I'm leaving for Gondor tomorrow. I have decided to return to Gondor to rule the kingdom."

Elrond was confused and speechless. When he was finally able to speak he said, "Why? How are you to rule a kingdom on your own? And what about the one that you have feelings for? Are you going to leave him behind?" Elrond was concerned about his daughter and believed that she was once again making the wrong decision.

"Adar, please. I know what I am doing. This is for the best. I can no longer stay here. Even if I had wanted to, the elf I long for does not feel as I do. Staying here would only break my heart further." It seemed as though Arwen was trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince her father.

"Arwen, I know I have asked you to deny your heart before, but now I am asking you to trust it. Stay here with the one you love. Do not leave for Gondor." Elrond desperately wanted Arwen to stay. He had had a premonition of the future. In it, Gondor was being attacked and Arwen was captured and was also forced to give up her throne. Elrond believed that if Arwen did not return to Gondor, her future would hold safety and happiness. "Please, Arwen. Stay here."

"No, Adar. I want to go back to Gondor. It is where I belong." Arwen gave her father a hug then went back to packing. Elrond embraced Arwen tightly then asked:

"May I ask who it is that you have feelings for?"

Arwen looked at Elrond, unsure of whether she should answer. Finally she said, "If I tell you, you must promise not to tell a soul. Promise me, Adar."

"I promise. I shall not tell anyone unless I have your permission."

Arwen smiled. "Good." She took a deep breath. "It is Legolas."

Elrond was amused and understood why Arwen had felt the way she had that morning. "So that is why you felt so guilty about longing for another. You felt guilty because it was Legolas, one of your husband's closest friends." Arwen nodded and looked away.

"I am not proud of the way I feel," she said. "But no one can deny the feelings of their heart." Arwen looked at Elrond. "I must do this. For me." Elrond studied his daughter then said:

"I wish you the best of luck. I will come by in the morning before you leave to say good-bye." Arwen nodded. "Good night, Arwen."

"Good night, Adar." Arwen watched her father leave then looked out the window. The sun had set and a gentle darkness had settled over Mirkwood. After surveying the land for awhile, Arwen finished packing and went to sleep.

Legolas lay in bed thinking about Arwen and what happened in the Mirkwood gardens. He cared about her, he knew that much. But did he feel something more? Did he love Arwen as more than a friend? Legolas rolled over. He was as confused as Arwen about how he felt and about what to do now that Aragorn was dead.

He lay awake for the next hour or so, then fell into a deep, sound sleep.

Arwen woke up early in the morning, before anyone else was awake. She quickly got dressed into her traveling clothes, grabbed her pack, and headed for the stables. At the stables she quickly saddled her horse, Shadow, and rode off into the darkness. It's better this way, she told herself. I won't have to deal with all the good-byes. I can leave in peace. Arwen convinced herself that it was better to leave without saying good-bye to those she was leaving behind.

When Arwen thought she had ridden far enough, she turned around and took one last look at the Castle of Mirkwood. There she left her father and her love.

Arwen continued to ride after she had felt that she had spent enough time looking back. Before her lay an uneasy path and a road foreseen only by her father.

Legolas woke up to birds singing and the sun shining. He got dressed and left his room is see if Arwen was feeling better after yesterday.

He arrived at Arwen's room and knocked on the door. From inside a male voice said:

"Come in." Legolas walked in and found Elrond sitting on Arwen's bed.

"Where's Arwen," asked Legolas. Elrond looked sad and depressed.

"She left."

"She left? For where?" Legolas was becoming panicked.

"Gondor," answered Elrond. "She went back to rule her husband's kingdom."

Legolas sank onto Arwen's bed. How could she do this, he asked himself. Why would she leave without saying good-bye?

Legolas left Arwen's room silently and headed for the Mirkwood gardens. He walked around in a daze for hours. Finally he realized that the elf that might be his true love had just ridden away.