Chapter 3 - Forgive and Forget?

Legolas knew how upset Jocelyn would be if she knew what Tyron had tried to do, so he didn't tell her. He knew of her visit to his cottage, and if that didn't make him crazy with jealousy, knowing how much she meant to Tyron sure did. So when Jocelyn told him Tyron had visited her at the palace, he was none too pleased.

It was the day after Tyron had confronted Legolas with his proposition. Tyron asked a servant to tell Jocelyn she had a visitor outside. She came down to see, with surprise, Tyron there. And, Lord help her, he looked good. A complete about face from how he'd looked when she saw him at his cottage. He was clean cut and handsome. His eyes sparkled upon seeing her, but she didn't miss the underlying anguish.

"Tyron! What a surprise." Jocelyn exclaimed.

"Hello Jocelyn." He said with a half smile.

"Uh, what can I do for you?" She asked, trying to sound polite, yet distant.

"I was hoping we could talk." He cast his eyes to the ground as he spoke, looking very dejected and pitiful. "I just want you to know that I have no intention of coming between you and your fianc's happiness. If it makes you happy, it makes me happy." He said, and set his eyes upon hers. Jocelyn's heart fluttered. He was so sweet.

"Well, thank you. I suppose I might be able to forgive you for lying to me. It was just once, and I know you regret it." Jocelyn said, trying to sound as if the decision was hard for her. But really, seeing his eyes so sad, she didn't know how she couldn't forgive him.

"What!?" Legolas shouted. He began pacing. "I told the beggar if he ever came near you again I'd have him locked up!" He seethed.

"Legolas! Why would you say something like that?" Jocelyn furrowed her brow at him, shocked that he'd say something so harsh.

"Jocelyn, he doesn't want to be your friend. He loves you and he wants you to be his wife. He's plotting to take you away from me!" Legolas cried, exasperated.

"That's insane." Jocelyn held her head indignantly, refusing to believe such a thing of the person she'd come to accept. Mostly, she didn't want to admit she was wrong for forgiving him.

"Jocelyn, please. Stay away from him. For me?" His eyes looked so desperate, so sad, Jocelyn's heart nearly crumbled. But she still didn't understand why he was being so unreasonable. She simply couldn't believe what he was saying about Tyron.

Jocelyn took Legolas's hand and lowered her voice. "Legolas, I understand how you'd think such a thing of Tyron, but there is no way he could take me away from you. I'm yours. Forever and for always. Nothing can change that." Her determined eyes silenced any further argument he could've thought of. She just kissed him and left, in search of fresh air and a beautiful garden to calm herself down in.

She thought Legolas knew he had her love completely, and should not be worried about any other Elf stealing her attention from him. But obviously, he was not as secure in their relationship. The idea troubled her, and she was about to go seek him out for a long talk, but was interrupted.

"Jocelyn." Tyron called, as he approached her from behind. She turned around abruptly, and met him face to face, closer than she'd expected. She took a step back.

"Hello Tyron." She said dryly. But, she realized her eyes looked on him harshly, as if she subconsciously blamed him for causing disagreements with her and Legolas. She quickly softened her expression. "What can I do for you?"

"Um, I was…err…hoping that maybe, you might, if it's okay, go for a walk with me?" He stumbled. Jocelyn half smiled at his nervousness. And despite all warnings, all inhibitions and reasonable voices in the back of her head screaming 'NO!', she accepted.

Jocelyn briefly thought of Legolas, and the consequences her interactions with Tyron might bring, but didn't have much time to dwell on it. Tyron kept conversation flowing steadily, which seemed strange to her. He had transformed before her very eyes, from the bumbling fool who'd asked her to walk with him, into a comfortable, witty companion.

They laughed and talked as they strolled through the city streets, not paying much attention to their surroundings. By the time they had walked back to the palace, Jocelyn was very glad she'd forgiven him.

"Thank you, Tyron, it was lovely." She said, and turned to go inside.

"Jocelyn." He said quietly, and she turned back around. "One wicked deed is not enough to condemn a man who's lead a lifetime of good." She just smiled.

"Why Tyron, I just don't know what you're talking about." Jocelyn chirped innocently. He grinned at her and bowed his head in a 'Goodnight', but she thought it meant 'Thank you' as well.

She entered her room to find Legolas staring out the balcony. Upon hearing her enter, he spun around and marched to her, stopping but inches from her face.

"Where have you been?" She could tell he was trying to keep his voice under control. She could also tell that he knew very well where she had been. He should, I mean he was the Prince. He knew everything that went on in his city. Especially everything that went on in the city with his fiancé. If someone hadn't seen her and Tyron, she knew Legolas could see it in her eyes. She tried not to look guilty. She shouldn't feel guilty, she and Tyron were just friends now.

Jocelyn stood straight and held her chin up. "I was walking with Tyron." She stated, unapologetically. Legolas looked hurt, then he scoffed.

"Did I not ask you, plead you not to see him again?"

"Yes. But you don't understand how it is with us now. He knows I'm marrying you, we're just friends." She tried exasperatedly to explain.

"That is just what he wants you to think! He will get close to you and try to seduce you into leaving me! And what about him lying to you? Have you forgiven him for that and just forgotten about it?" Legolas threw his arms in the air and sat heavily in a chair across the room. Jocelyn was unable to speak for a moment. Her jaw hung down in disbelief.

"I cannot believe you just said that!" She folded her arms across her chest. "First of all, didn't I tell you no one could get me to leave you? And second of all, yes I have forgiven him and I have forgotten it! It's in the past, it doesn't matter anymore. And one wicked deed is not enough to condemn a man from a lifetime of good." She stated proudly.

Legolas looked to her with sad eyes. "Jocelyn, please…" He trailed off. Her heart melted. Nothing could be worth causing him pain.

"Okay." She breathed, and knelt by his chair, taking his hand in hers. "Okay, I won't see him. He's not as important to me as you are…nothing is." He smiled down at her as she kissed his hand. After a moment, she spoke again. "I wanted to be defiant. I do have the right to have friends. But even though I don't agree with your suspicions, nothing is worth causing you pain."

Legolas momentarily second guessed his doubts about Tyron. The person he trusted more than anyone in the world thought differently than he. But then he remembered how Tyron had attempted to guilt Legolas into giving her up, and he was glad Jocelyn gave in to his pleas.

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A/N…I wanted to wait until I got more review to post this chapter...but I just couldn't wait any longer!

Ilenya the Fair - thanks for reviewing!

Artria - Aww… no rambling? -pouts- that's okay, I got a good long review for Of Princes and Paupers from you.

GinnyPotter4eva - do I get a cookie now? : )

TPfan333, childofgod-4ever!

Austin B.