Disclaimer: I don't own anything that belongs to Tolken. See, pretty self-explanatory.

Cyberwing: Omg! I can't believe that I wrote 11 chapters of 'Don't Love Me Too Much' already. Time flied by so quickly and it's almost the end of summer. sob. Well, now that I didn't kill myself over my piano crap, I got to go on a work placement which was arranged by school. It was because I joined the accounting career preparation program lol. I am starting to think I am becoming a workaholic (yea right more like a playaholic). There will always be a new task waiting for me and my other friend once we've finished a task and we only got a 5 mins lunch break before we are working again. I hope that this kind of thing is one day only; I am not very fond of not taking a break. This is the part where I am a slacker and a procrastinator comes into play.

I can't believe that I got 92 reviews! This is just amazing! I was looking at it, thinking I was looking at the wrong author. Lol

My inspiration came back! No more writer's block, I think I will be able to write the next few chapters without problem lol. That's good. This is what you do during work, you think about fanfics. Now, let's just hope that I won't do anything wrong. After all, it IS embarrassing to be fired when you are only a volunteer Well, I won't bored you with this anymore, here's the next chapter!

"" dialogue &thoughts

Don't Love Me Too Much-ch11

Narie tied the rein of her horse around a branch just below Coire's tree house. Coire had already climbed up the ladder leading to her den. She pushed the trapdoor and went through the opening.

"What are you doing?" Coire demanded, as she saw a cloaked figure had practically looking through her house in search of gods-knows-what. She quickly moved toward the person.

The figure swirled around quickly, prepared to fight, when the person saw Coire, the person relaxed. "It's me, Culina. Don't you recognize me anymore?" The figure pushed back the hood to proof her point. The woman took off her cloak, revealing a simple blue tunic and brown pants. She tossed the cloak at the side.

Coire planted her hands on her hips, smiling; it had been awhile since she had seen Culina. She didn't change much; she still had that short blond hair of hers, which was just long enough to be pulled behind her ears. She wore that same old style of clothing, which was a mixture of men and women clothes. In the Elven Kingdom, it was odd for a woman to wear pants; however, since Culina spent most of her time in the Kingdom of Men, Coire supposed it was usual for a woman to wear pants. Culina's brown eyes were looking around her tree house as if it was the most respectable thing to barge into people's living quarters. She didn't even bother putting up an act.

"You didn't open my trunks now did you?" Coire asked.

Culina's eyes shined with excitement, "am I suppose to?"

"No!"

"Culina." Narie as she came through the trapdoor, holding her pack in one hand. "What a surprise! What are you doing here? I thought you are at your inn, counting your money and stuff."

Narie got a chair from the left and took a seat, throwing her pack at the side. Coire's tree house was quite neat but looked as if her things were looked through; it wasn't as big as she had thought. Since the trapdoor was located at the middle of the place, most of Coire's furniture was pushed onto the side. Unlike herself, Coire didn't have a wooden bed; her bed was a simple rope hammock on the right side of the tree house. On top of the hammock were a thin blanket and a pillow. It was the best arrangement since it save space. There were a few trunks just below the hammock, probably used to store her clothes. A small wooden table, just opposite from the hammock, was pushed to the side, right next to the window. There was a candle placed on the table and it was the place where she had taken the chair from. Coire had a bookcase filled with documents and books at the left corner of the room also, from where Naire was at, she wasn't able to see what books Coire had.

Culina got onto the hammock, kicking off her boots. She pushed the blanket and the pillow off from it then she lay comfortable on it, with her head resting on her palms, fingers intertwined. "How can I stay there when my friend needs me? I wanted to help you in some way. After all, you are about to marry the Prince of Mirkwood. Have you seen him before? It would be easier if we know the face of our victim. Anyway, are you planning to take all of his money? If so, I got a perfect plan for you. Who cares if he is handsome or not, being handsome doesn't mean—"

Coire snorted, "Not again with your money talk. We know what your theory on men is. Basically men can never be compared with money because money has the power to do things men cannot right? Narie could not have seen him before Culina. Why do you think he's not here right now? I deliberately lured him out of Lorien. There could be no way that Legolas could meet her on her trip to Lorien. Middle Earth is big you know and with them meeting each other was close to nil." All eyes turned to her.

Narie felt a chill up her spine. It all made sense, because Coire knew about her marriage, Coire knew that she'll be heading toward Lorien. This was because Coire was currently living in Lorien. Coire would know she would go to Lorien since it was the closest and most convenient place for Narie to stock up her supplies if she wanted to continue traveling. What Coire said had seemed to leave an imprint in her mind, because Narie did meet Legolas. Middle Earth was big, and their chance of meeting was slim, yet it happened. Talk about irony of things.

Even so, Narie expected Coire to burst into tears at any second now, asking why they are 'glaring' at her at the same time. She couldn't help but compare the old Coire with the person standing in front of her. She was still not used to Coire. Deep down, she didn't want to get used to her either, for that only meant a lower chance of Coire reverting back to her old self. Narie sighed, no, Coire didn't cry, in fact, she looked almost proud of what she did.

"Well, I AM I woman you know," Coire said, smirking.

Culina and Narie gave each other a look, Coire's smile was starting to unnerve them. With Legolas' reputation, there was only one thing that popped into their mind, and it wasn't exactly appropriate.

Narie clenched her jaw, that son of --if he even laid a finger on Coire she will personally break every bone in his body. She didn't' care how many women he had or will sleep with. She won't even flinch at the thought that he might be 'doing' it with a woman right now. She could care less. However, Coire was her friend and everything has an exception. It wasn't jealousy, but merely a concern, a protectiveness feeling she felt toward her friend and pure anger at her inability to do anything about Legolas. Even she had been under his spell. No, it won't be the right words.

Manipulation and seduction were more it. Compared to his skill, anyone would be able to tell that he had been 'practicing'. He was a hunter, and she just happened to be one of the dumb sheep that came along, which just happened to be within his gasp. There will be more stupid sheep in the future, just like her, and he will surely continue to hunt down many. It was almost expected out of him, it would be strange if he didn't. A hunter will always look for new challenges and a new target, who would be satisfied with a sheep when there are more in the field, more beautiful than the sheep which he had already caught?

She heard about how dangerous the man can be, but she didn't care for she had been proud. She thought she could outsmart him, she thought he would fall for her lies. In the end, he was tricked, but at the same time, she was caught as well. Not caught by the web of love, but by a web of disaster. Now, she was worried that he would find out the truth. She couldn't stay in Lorien for long, yet she worried about Coire.

"Wh—what exactly did you do?"

Ha-chu!! Coire sneezed.

Coire said quickly, "Well I am cold, and I am changing." She walked toward the trunk, kneeling down; she pulled out a pair of pants and a tunic. Culina jumped off the hammock, grabbing Narie by her shoulder, both of them climbed back down the ladder, leaving Coire alone to change.

Elves don't get sick. It was a simple concept; both of the women knew Coire only did it to avoid the question.

Coire changed swiftly, she jumped off from a few steps above the last step of the ladder only to find Culina and Narie talking to some female elves.

Suddenly Culina had her right hand on the handle of her sword as Narie glared at the group. When those elves saw Coire approaching, they picked up their dresses and stomped proudly away. A loud laughter could be heard at a distance.

Coire swung her wet hair to the back, "did I miss something?" The words came out more casually that she thought she could manage. She knew what the elves told her friends, it didn't take a scholar to figure that out.

They must've told her friends about the things she did during her time in Lorien. In a way she was happy that those elves told her friends, it made it a lot easier but at the same time, it tensed up the situation. Even so, she would have to confront with her friends sooner or later, it would be better if that time was now.

Narie didn't answer; she turned and made her way back up the tree house. Culina looked at Coire for a moment before she headed toward the tree house also. Coire took a step forward, she wanted to call out to them as they disappeared from view, but she was scared. Indeed, she was afraid, questions raced across her mind: what if they didn't want to accept the new her? Would they pack up and leave Lorien? Will they come back for her after? Or will they never want to see her again?

Even by thinking about it, the pain would be too much for her to bear. For the first time in her life, she wanted to end her misery. She felt as her legs buckled beneath her. All these years of hating and being depressed, she just realized she wasn't living at all. She had been nothing but a doll, living without her soul.

Indeed, she was hiding her true feelings' and she was so used to it that she couldn't even realize what she wanted anymore. Coire wanted her friends to come visit her, but she was tied down by the promise she made. She had promised herself in front of 'his' grave that she will be strong, independent, and that she will never shed a tear again for it was a sign of weakness. She couldn't stand just standing there as people were ready to walk all over her. It was nature, if one was weak, one will be stepped on by others as they proceed forward in life. Coire was tired of being weak. She was tired to be behind anyone anymore, in the protection of her friends.

Therefore, she did everything she could to wipe the smiles off other people's face. She was the devil, the slut, the outsider. After all, it was better for her to walk on top of them instead of being walked on. She couldn't stand other people being happy while she was miserable. She thought that nobody could understand her, but it was only because she didn't try. How can other people understand her when she refused to open her heart? Tormenting other people's relationship didn't make her happy at all; she was like a child going through a rebellious phrase. She was screaming for attention, but by doing so, it resulted nothing but isolation.

Coire felt a pain in her chest. If those two leave her, she would have nothing left and there will be nothing she could do to stop it. It was because she brought it all upon herself. She never once regretted about the 'deeds' she did, at least not until now. She wasn't interested in starting right now either. Even so, she didn't want her friends to leave her. Yet, she doubted she will be able to change her friends' mind. Compared to them, she was weak indeed.

"Are you just going to sit here?" a mocking voice said behind her. "You are blocking my way." Without turning, Coire knew it was Haldir.

"Go away," Coire said bitterly, "I am not in the mood."

"Well isn't it Coire." Coire could almost imagine him smirking. "I never thought I'll see the day when you'll be so weak." He gave a chuckle, "I am enjoying this even more. After all, you are just sitting there, letting something that is so close to you to slip away. You are such a coward that you didn't even dare to reach for it. Since you can't even decide what you want to do, why don't you let me help you. Do you want to cry? That will make the situation more entertaining."

"Who said I am a scared?" Coire said as she pushed herself up. That man, one day she vowed that she will nail him at the place where it would hurt. Why was he here anyway? Wasn't he supposed to be patrolling this place, if she had the power, she would've fired his butt off. Look at him! He was always slacking off, always finding her at the worst places and at the worst times and then always making a fool out of her. Just like now.

"Then why are you standing in front of your tree house?" Haldir continued, "Or are you so petrified of your own little harmless place? Oh my mistake, you are afraid of the people inside your tree house."

"I am not terrified!" Coire argued.

"Prove it." Haldir challenged.

"Fine!" Coire yelled. She walked proudly toward the ladder with her back straight. She stopped in front of the ladder; just before climbing she turned around, screaming "I hate you!" Haldir flinched; he bet that half of Lorien was able to hear that. He ran his hand through his hair; it seemed as if Coire and he will make the gossip of the day once again.

Coire climbed quickly up the ladder. Her pride was the only thing that helped her carrying on climbing. She was afraid that she might jump down and flee if she thought more about it. She went straight through the trapdoor, without looking back.

"Come out." Haldir ordered. Elrohir and Elladan jumped out from the tree, landing quietly onto the soft ground.

Elrohir shook his head, "Now you've done it. Why did you do that? Instead of comforting her so you can make your advances, you made her hate you even more. You've just made it difficult for yourself."

Haldir watched the tree house for a moment before he turned away from the brothers, heading back to his post. Lately he had been asking too many favors, it would be difficult for him to return these favors. He left the two men standing beside Coire's tree house.

"That was the only way." Elladan murmured.

"Say what?" Elrohir turned to his brother.

"It was the only way she will face her problem." Elladan said, "You saw the way she looked. She was about to back down. By provoking her, in her anger, she will climb up to face her friends."

Elrohir ran his hand through his hair, "why doesn't he just tell her to climb up?"

Elladan smiled, "you have a lot to learn about females." He turned and walked away.

"Well" Elrohir said, crossing his arms before his chest, "There is no need for me to learn about the art of courtship. Why bother when women love me without it? I never need to do anything to please them; they are the one who are supposed to please me."

"I swear one day, a woman will squash your ego like a bug." Elladan said as he shook his head in disapproval.

"Well, you better start praying to Valar, because it's most not likely to happen. I like my freedom, there's no point in sticking to one woman for the rest of my life. It will be a waste. After all, Valar gave me this stunning face and a sexy body. I can guarantee that women will commit massive suicides if they ever hear about me marrying. I can't disappoint them now can I? Besides, how can I be so cruel as to be the cause of their death?"

"You are starting to sound like Legolas" Elladan was starting to get uncomfortable, he felt as if he will throw up any second. He walked quicker, trying to get away from the 'cause' of his discomfort.

"No," Elrohir argued, catching up with his brother. "It was Legolas who sounded like me."

Culina basically means golden red; it is mostly used to describe the colour of flames.

So what will Coire discover once she entered the tree house? Will her friends actually went back up to get their stuff to leave? Will she be able to comprehend the purpose of Haldir's weird act? Forget the ego, who will be the woman to crush Elrohir? At last but not least, when will the confrontation between Narie and Legolas begin? Read more to find out!!! (promoting my story once again! ). For now, please click the bottom left button so I'll know what you think of the story! Please review! It really motivates me into writing this TT. I just wanted to thank everyone for continue reading this story.

Also, I want to thank those who reviewed, without you guys, I won't be able to make it this far! Thank you so much!!! blow kisses at you all as you all threw up on me TT