Okay... all my holliday enthusiasm wore out in the last set of review responses. Still, happy holliday/break for those who get one, and thanks to everyone who reviewed for doing so--I was really glad to hear people are still interested in this story!

Most of you liked the sea-longing, which was very nice to hear. It was hard to decide how exactly to write that without having to pull Legolas out of character (for my story, anyway) to get it to make sense.

iria-86: Here's the cop-out answer. Alyeni doesn't know. So I don't know. Pressed to guess, I would say there had been trouble somewhere in the wood that needed to be taken care of, and things ended up in a fight, then a rush to get back in time to catch at least part of the wedding.

Raider-K: Thank you very much: your review perked me right out of my school-depressed anti-writing phase.

LadyJadePerendhil: That isn't, of course a new quality of his... it's just that she's finally seeing it.

freakishworm: The forgiveness began when he finally talked to her in Gondor, but they didn't move their relationship up a notch until just a few days before the wedding... and the last chapter was a few months beyond that.

Animir : Unfortunately, I still have a while on the tests. Well, test. One test and two giant, majority of my grade papers. Joy. But I put that off for a while to get this out, and I feel more human for it... which is odd, considering I write about elves... hmm...

NOTE: In case you are one who kind of skims unless it looks like a very good read, or only read dialog (I know that sounds weird, but I'm guilty of it from time to time when in a hurry) this chapteris several years from the last chapter. Varith actually states this about two lines in, but I've been told previously to state when I'm jumping ahead. So, I'm warning you: jumping ahead.

Chapter 49

My anger was rising dangerously. "No."

"And why not? Waiting around for something to be offered you by the prince? In the last ten years he has done nothing, but still you wait. You should be glad to have any other offers, you being as you are."

"Glad? If it were up to me, you would all leave me alone."

"Oh?" He tilted his head, crossing his arms over his chest.

I snorted and backed up a bit, rounding my work table. "Yes."

"Even the prince?"

"Of course not the prince, nor my friends. But the rest of you I would gladly do without, especially with your continued bids for my time and… affection. I love him."

"Does he love you?"

"Does it matter? I love him… and I always will."

"He has not spoken to you of making this… situation permanent. If he had, the entire kingdom would know of it."

"He will speak when he wishes to." I tilted my chin up, glaring at this guard in Legolas's patrol. "I am glad he trusts me enough to know I will be here when he is ready to speak."

The grey eyes across from me narrowed. "Does that not indicate a certain disregard for you?"

"Not in the least," I hissed, my fingers clenching. "I suggest you leave unless you wish your patrol leader to catch you here."

He smiled faintly, a smug look settling into those eyes I had seen so often recently. He wanted Legolas to find him here.

Well, fine. I would rather not upset the elf, but what could I do? Throw one of his group members out? I was in very good shape,what between sparring with Legolas and my work, and somuch stronger than most females of my size… but I couldn't muscle him out any more than I could physically move Legolas somewhere he didn't want to go. So I settled my weight onto my back foot as I heard steps entering the outer room, not hesitating when he found Sarith had already left for her flet.

I smiled when I saw him, feeling quite content when I saw an answering smile warm his eyes. His eyes darted over the scene before him, the warmth leaving as his eyes grew deliberately enigmatic. "You are due at dinner with the rest of the guard."

Grey eyes narrowed once more, before Legolas was given a stiff nod.

Once the elf was gone, Legolas tilted his head at me, smiling slightly as he moved to take the place his guard had held. "You're safe now," he murmured, tone teasing.

"What?" I asked, frowningin my confusion.

Long fingers wrapped around my right hand, loosening my fingers. The sword rocked slightly on the table when I let it go. I blinked, staring at the blade I wasn't aware of having grasped until I felt a kiss pressed to my fingers, bringing my attention back to him. "You were silent because he is in my patrol?"

I nodded with a half shrug.

"Silly elf," he murmured, drawing me around the table and into his arms. "Has he been inappropriate?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle. You know I would have told you the moment that changed."

"Yes," he agreed, smiling as he nuzzled my cheek. "But it is my place to ask, anyway."

I smiled while snuggling my cheek into the crook of neck and shoulder. "Hmm."

"Have there been any others bothering you?" he murmured, releasing my hair from the tie that had held it more or less out of the way for work.

"Yes. Several of the guards have been interested… most are quite easily discouraged, and several have become fair friends. Asking now merely for the sake of verbal sparring… and perhaps in a bid to know you a bit better." I kissed the skin my snuggling had exposed, curling my fingers into the material at his waist.

"Hmm…" He coaxed my head up, smiling as he offered me several long, sweet kisses. He rubbed at a smudge on my cheek with his thumb, then tilted his head to the side. "What were wearguing about?"

"I don't think we were," I murmured, not caring enough to try and remember if we had been fighting.

"Hmm…" After holding me a bit more tightly for a moment he let me go, keeping hold only on my hand, which he entwined with his own as he led the way down the corridors to the great hall, where several tables were set up.

His patrol saw him before noticing me, the more vocal member calling to him. "Never thought we'd see you here when you'd disappeared to see…" he trailed off when he saw me. He smiled a bit wryly, looking decidedly nervous. "Her."

"Indeed," Legolas murmured, in my opinion clearly amused… but the elf didn't seem to notice the amusement, sliding back into his seat with a nervous flicker of a smile. Legolas didn't bother with introductions, merely sat down and tugged me to sit beside him.

I was well used to his unexplained actions, of course, so I was well at ease, having heard stories of all of them since they had become his patrol. Realizing that made them all nervous, at first, but they began to relax, at least until the grey-eyed second in command appeared.

I tried not to tense, honestly I did, but it proved impossible. Legolas glanced at me and flickered a glance at the elf, saying nothing.

"Decided to join us, Lady Alyeni?" Varith asked, his gaze upon me cold. The way he hesitated over the 'lady' part made it clear to all how he felt about its suitability.

"I am no lady, Varith," I murmured, unconsciously seeking Legolas out. I realized it only when he squeezed my hand, turning my attention to him. Though I had enjoyed truly meeting his patrol—save the one I unfortunately already knew—I didn't wish to prolong the meeting any longer. "I would like to join your father this evening, Legolas, if you would excuse me."

Legolas smiled slightly, lifting the hand he held to his lips. "Of course, love. I know he greatly enjoys the… discussions… you two get into."

I had to smile, knowing that were it not for Thranduil's standing order to the guards outside of his study concerning me, our 'discussions' would often be interrupted in the fear that someone was attacking their king. "As do I," I agreed, looking forward to it even as I reached up, sliding my hand along his jaw before catching some hair in my hand, tugging him down for a kiss he willingly gave. I glanced at the table. "Goodnight."

A round of goodnights or good evenings came at me from all directions save one—and if he wasn't wishing me a good night, it just might be one. Leaving the hall I was soon in the section of the old system of tunnels that were constantly interspersed with guards. Those I knew—mostly from orders that they had placed at some time or other—smiled and nodded slightly as I passed.

The two outside of Thranduil's study eyed me warily, sighing as I knocked.

"Who is it?"

"Me."

"Ah! Come in, come in! What are you knocking for?"

I laughed and shut the door behind me, shaking my head at the king. "I was knocking because they already think very little of our discussions."

"They should be used to it." Thranduil smiled, then rubbed his hands together. "What shall we discuss today?"

"I can think of nothing," I admitted, leaning back against the door with a sigh.

Thranduil frowned at me, his concern obvious.

I smiled faintly and moved forward, taking the chair slightly to the left, letting myself fall back into it so my head was on one arm, my legs dangling over the other one. "I came with nothing in mind."

"But with something troubling it."

I glanced at him, smiling wryly. "Sometimes, I think you fancy yourself my father."

"Well, I certainly see you as a daughter… though not by blood."

The thought of Legolas made me smile slightly, even as I closed my eyes. "I rather like it… though it feels so odd."

He sighed even as he moved to the chair facing me. "And I wish it wasn't so… though in the end, things will have worked out quite well."

I smiled, opening my eyes. "Indeed. And if given the choice between a loving father and never knowing the group as I did, never knowing Legolas as I do… I wouldn't change it."

He smiled slightly, but he was clearly studying me. "My son has not caused this."

"No," I agreed, knowing I didn't need to.

"Then what is troubling you?"

"Oh… I don't know," I sighed, shifting in the chair so I was curled on the seat.

"Surely you do?"

I shook my head, resting it on one arm. "I have no real reason to be troubled."

"And an unreal one?"

I had to smile as I gave in, knowing he wouldn't let it go. "Varith."

Thranduil frowned his incomprehension.

I laughed. "Legolas's patrol's second."

"Oh. Right. What about him? Is he incapable of his—"

I motioned that thought away. "If he was incapable, Legolas would have removed him from that position years ago. He troubles me because he is plotting something…"

"Plotting?" Thranduil asked, his voice suddenly very different. "What?"

I looked up and found not the elf I had known as a friend since he spent so many of my waking hours distracting me from the pain of my injury, but rather the King, and a very protective father. Knowing that protectiveness extended to me as well as his son, I couldn't help but feel almost like I was wrapped in a warm blanket when I hadn't known I was cold. "I don't know… But he has been approaching me for years, and never more determinedly than today. Instead of leaving when I suggested Legolas would be arriving soon, he looked rather smug and remained—he wanted Legolas to find him there… which suggests a plot of some sort, but I can't discover what."

Thranduil frowned slightly and sat back in his chair, focusing without sight on some spot I wouldn't have seen even if I were looking through his eyes. "Perhaps to split you two up… but…" He shook his head.

"I know. I have made it clear that even if Legolas were to discard me, I would still love him… so I can see no reason Varith would persist in trying. The only thing he may accomplish, realistically, is to provoke Legolas into something rather rash… and what is the point of that? Short of kin-slaying, it will make no difference to the people what Legolas does, and he would never do that, and no one would believe it of him even if he did."

Thranduil made a murmur which suggested he wasn't really listening, but thinking along a line of his own. "If he manages to provoke Legolas into fighting him, he might be able to win a few of the guard to his side… whatever that is for."

"But why? They would not ever be against you, even if they could be turned slightly against Legolas. And the amount they could be turned is slight—they would never deny his right to command, even if they may become a little unsure of his orders on a patrol."

"Whether they would be turned or not is irrelevant, as I cannot imagine Legolas allowing himself to be provoked. Even in your defense, I cannot see him acting inappropriately, as he has long been trained to behave according to the demands of his title." Thranduil sighed heavily, shaking his head.

I smiled faintly and got up, rounding the short-backed chair he had taken, wrapping my arms around his shoulders before resting my chin on his head. "Nor can I. As Leaf, yes, but he is not Leaf. Legolas is a prince, and behaves as such."

Thranduil patted my forearm as the door opened.

"Am I interrupting something?"

Thranduil chuckled. "Not at all, Son."

Legolas lifted a brow and flopped over into the chair I had been using, one leg over the arm as he held out a hand to me. I kissed the top of Thranduil's head before accepting, settling back into Legolas's arms as he shifted them around me. "So you weren't trying to strangle him?"

"Not this time."

"Hmm… guess I came in too early."

We laughed softly at him before a determined knock sounded on the door. "Who is it?"

"I have a report from the western patrol team, sire. They've run into trouble and request aid."

Thranduil sighed wearily. "Legolas?"

Legolas chuckled softly, nodding before sitting up. "I'll see to it, Father," he agreed, dropping a kiss behind my ear before shifting me completely off his lap and onto the seat as he got to his feet. "Later, love."

"Mmm," I agreed.

He tilted his head at me, crouching down to brush my hair from my face. He sighed and braced himself against the chair to lean in for a true kiss. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Mm-hmm."

A worried frown settled between his brows. "Love?"

"Sire?" the advisor's voice came from beyond the study doors once more.

"Legolas will see to it shortly," Thranduil called.

"Thank you, Sire."

"Are you all right?" Legolas asked, looking at me with deep concern.

I blinked, then rolled my eyes as I figured out why he was worried. "I'm fine, dear elf. Just thinking. I know you can't help it, and I don't mind. Go."

He looked at me for a long moment, his lower lip held between his teeth before he finally nodded, bent to kiss me once more, and left the room.

"He worries about you worrying about him."

I lifted a brow before laughing. "Thranduil, I'm going to worry when he's gone. He knows that."

"Yes. And he doesn't want you to, anyway."

"Wouldn't it be worse if I didn't?"

Thranduil chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Of course… but I understand his worry. I hated making his mother worry about me… and it was just as bad seeing her worry about him when he first went into the wood."

I laughed softly, stretching before settling back down in the chair as Legolas had been a few minutes before. After a while, I sighed. "Do you think he'll be okay?"

Thranduil lifted a brow.

"Well… he's out there, with his patrol… with Varith. Whatever that… elf is plotting, he can work on Legolas longer than he could here."

With a smile Thranduil got to his feet. He leaned over me with a smile. "So. Legolas never told you that long ago, he had a very close friend. A cousin he with whom he was inseparable. A young lad whose Lothlorien-raised father refused to let him join in the tradition of Greenwood elves and forced him to remain here while Legolas entered the wood. A lad who Legolas thus grew apart from—"

"The point, Thranduil?"

He rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "Their mothers were sisters. Have you never seen the resemblance?"

"Who, Thranduil?"

"Valar! Think, Alye."

I frowned, but shook my head. "I don't see anything—"

"Varith," he sighed, "is Legolas's cousin."

I shook my head when I was able to think again. "What?"

He chuckled. "You heard me. And if you think about it, you'll notice a few things they have in common—same height, build, the shape of their eyes…"

"I generally noticed the differences."

"And there are plenty. But though they grew apart, I do not believe Varith would truly wish him harm."

Thinking back over the last years, I had to wonder. Legolas had never said a thing about Varith, except as an elf in his patrol, and then sparingly. He had never…

I shook my head. "I don't think he thinks of Varith as a friend anymore."

"No. But he is still his cousin."

I looked up at him with a snort. "Any other relatives I should know about?"

Thranduil shrugged. "He has Varith, but his aunt went west after her sister died. As far as I know, there are no others."

"So one relative… who he never speaks of."