MERRY XMAS!!!!!!!!!

If I have time, I'll put two chapters up. But time is something I still don't have a lot of, so bear with me guys!!

Faerlain

Ms. Unknown – Teehee, I like that side of Aragorn. Helps get rid of the tension surrounding their quest and so on. He's a dude. Thanks for reviewing.

moonlight and starlight – Yay!! I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thanks for reviewing.

Tiara Shin – Teehee!!! We so lucky! MARZIPAN!!!! SUGAR!!!! HYPERNESS!!!! Wave.

Yes wink, wink nudge, nudge! Exactly!! Teehee, typicalness! Thanks for reviewing.

Rayame325 – Luckily! Thanks for reviewing.

Elerrina – Out of character is cool though! Teehee holidays! Thanks for reviewing.

Orlando's Hot Chick – Thanks very much and thanks for reviewing.

DaydreamingTurtle – Yay, holidays!!!!! They ruuuuule! Where you live then? It's kinda cold here too. I've updated before Xmas! Thanks for reviewing.

Chapter 5: Listen.

The music was slow, the dancers equally. The light was fading and the first few lamps were being lit around the clearing. The water of the fountain sparkled in the silver glow of Lothlórien. All the tables and chairs had been pushed to the sides to make more room for dancing.

From their seats, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn watched the festivities with soft smiles. "At least everyone is enjoying themselves," she said to her husband.

He nodded in agreement. "This was a good idea."

"All we need now is fireworks." She faced him, smiling.

He smiled back. "Aye, some of Mithrandir's fireworks would have been nice."

Anaróre leant her head against Legolas' chest as they spun slowly on the spot. One hand was held in his, and the other lay against his back. His other arm held her round the waist close to him.

"Tonight hasn't been so bad after all," she whispered.

"No, it hasn't," he agreed, smiling. He glanced over at where Aragorn was sat, and saw the Man grinning at him. He scowled and quickly returned his gaze back to in front of him.

"I didn't know you could dance so well," she said.

"I have had a lot of practice."

She laughed lightly. "I expect you have. I'm guessing that the practice is with the girls back in Mirkwood?"

"Got it in one. Handy hint for any male considering going to Mirkwood - don't. The female half doesn't leave us alone!"

She laughed again. "You're popular?"

He shrugged. "If you want to know if I'm popular, you're asking the wrong person."

"Do you have over five girls following you at once?"

"Yes, quite often."

"Then you're popular."

He laughed and pulled back a little to look into her eyes. "I was hoping the habit hadn't reached Lothlórien."

"You'd be surprised. The girls here can get quite competitive over the men."

"Oh well. I'll keep my knives with me at all times then."

"Where are they?"

"Back on my bed."

She sighed. "Not much use there are they!" She grinned and laid her head back against his chest. "Aragorn's watching us."

"Let him stare." He grinned to himself. "It's rude to stare at a lady." He would remind Aragorn of that later.

The music came to an end, and the dancers walked off to the sides. The pair fetched themselves a drink, and stayed by the drink table. "Does Aragorn tease you where women are concerned?" she asked, sipping her wine.

He nodded. "All the time. Just before you arrived, he was going on and on about finding me someone."

"We'll work on it."

He grimaced. "Please don't. I'm perfectly happy how I am."

She gave him a complacent look. "No one is ever happy alone."

"You seem to be coping alright."

"Yes well, I'm too young for a serious relationship yet."

He scoffed. "I do not think so. You're not much younger than I am."

"Oh yes? And how did you find out my age?"

"Your mother told me."

"She what!" She frowned. "Right, she's going to pay for that…"

He laughed. "Don't worry about it. I think she said you're just coming up to 2,500."

Anaróre nodded. "That's right."

"Well that's only…" He did a quick mental calculation. "Roughly 400 years younger than me."

"And you call that not much?"

"Well it isn't."

"True." She sighed. "I've always wished to be a little older. I don't know why. I'm just so fed up with everyone calling me young."

"But you are an adult. You've come of age, a long time ago now."

"Exactly. I'm not a child anymore." She smiled and straightened up. "Anyway, enough said about that. Let's talk about something more interesting. Tell me about Mirkwood!" Her eyes glittered. "I would love to visit Mirkwood one day."

"You would?"

"Definitely. It sounds amazing."

"Well, its just…Mirkwood."

"You're meant to be sticking up for it!"

He laughed. "I am. Ok, well, Mirkwood is…a wood. But not an ordinary wood. It's full of…magical and different things. Very unlike Lothlórien. Much darker and dangerous. Especially the southern end."

"Tell me about where you live. The palace or whatever it is. Caves and waterfalls, secret gardens and hidden doors!"

"Where did you hear all this?"

"My mother used to tell me stories as a child."

"Ah yes, I see. She's from Mirkwood originally, isn't she?"

"Yes. And it would be a dream come true to go there myself."

"Well, when the War is over…I'll take you, if you wish?"

"You will!"

"Of course. If you don't mind travelling with me that is. I can get rather grumpy on long horse rides…"

"Oh thank you!" She placed her drink down and hugged him tightly. "That would be wonderful," she whispered.

He placed his down as well and embraced her back. "No problem," he murmured.

"I knew it!" Gimli hissed to Aragorn. "He loves her!"

"It certainly seems that way my friend," Aragorn replied. They were watching Legolas and Anaróre with interest. "She's clearly very happy about something."

"Perhaps he has declared his love for her." Boromir had joined in the conversation.

Aragorn shook his head. "As far as I know, Legolas isn't that forward."

The three of them laughed. "Well, whatever it is, she certainly looks pleased," Boromir added.

"I've heard that your father is very scary," she said after she had released him from her grip.

"Only to those who don't do as he says. Otherwise he is like any other person."

They left the drinks behind and walked around the perimeter of the clearing. Legolas took hold of Anaróre's hand and led her out of it, into the trees. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"I need to fetch my knives."

She laughed and let herself be pulled along. The pathway was deserted, as everyone was at the dance. She ran to walk alongside the Prince, and picked a small flower from the border.

"Hey, where did they go?" Gimli asked, suddenly noticing the two Elves had disappeared.

Aragorn looked up. "I don't know," he answered.

"They may have taken a walk," Boromir suggested.

"Ooh, a 'walk'," Gimli said, grinning.

They all laughed again.

"Here, give that to me," Legolas said, holding his hand out for the flower. She passed it to him, and he stopped walking. He pulled her round so she was facing him, and slipped it into her hair, just above the ear.

"There," he said proudly, letting a few blonde strands trickle over her shoulder. "Perfect."

There was a stream running along nearby, and Anaróre went to look at her reflection. "Hannon lle," she said, smiling over her shoulder at him.

He smiled back and stood crouched behind her. She was already on her hands and knees, looking at the water. She saw him appear by her left shoulder, and turned to him. He smiled and brushed a slender finger down one cheek. "You are beautiful," he whispered.

She felt her heart quicken in her chest. She swallowed and managed a nervous smile. "You…you think so?"

He nodded slowly, letting the finger travel up to tuck a stray blonde lock behind her ear. She shivered at the feather-light touch. "Everyone does Anaróre. You just don't realise it."

"I'm not that pretty. Rather…plain, really, when you look at it…me…"

One corner of his mouth curved upwards in a slanting smile. His hand cupped her chin and he looked deep into her eyes. "I am looking at you. And I'm saying you are more than plain or pretty. You're beautiful."

"Have you had too much wine? I think you have…"

"Why won't you let a person compliment you Anaróre?"

She blushed and twisted her head out of his grasp. "Because…"

"Because why? I don't understand." He turned her head back to face him.

"Just because!" She shrugged. "I don't know. It's…embarrassing."

"Embarrassing?"

"Yes. People never compliment on the way I look, because of who I am. I'm Anaróre, the girl who wears male clothes."

"So? They suit you. As do dresses."

"So when I do make an effort, no one really recognises me."

"Sorry, but that's a load of crap."

She laughed. "Maybe."

"Have you ever thought that the reason they don't say anything, is because they're used to your beauty, and have no more kind words to give?"

"I don't think so somehow Legolas. Occasionally, someone like Haldir will say 'I like that dress Anaróre, is it new?' or maybe even 'Changed your hairstyle Anaróre? It suits you'. But that's about the limit. I'm not used to compliments. That's it."

"Well maybe its time you started getting used to them." He stroked her cheek again. "Anaróre, look at me." She turned to face him. "Look at yourself. You are a remarkable person. I've never met anyone like you before. Strong-minded, determined, different. And that is what I like about you. You're different, but in a very good way. You know what you want, what you like and will fight for it. And you're extremely beautiful. Take note of what I am saying Anaróre. These are what you call compliments. And I am saying them from my heart."

She stared at him for a moment, and then sighed, looking back at the floor. "You really mean all that?" she asked softly.

"Yes," he replied. He took hold of her chin, tilted her face up, and kissed her.

She stiffened, then relaxed as the kiss developed. She felt Legolas' arm slip round her waist, and the other hold her head against his. Her own hands travelled up over his shoulders and trickled through the golden strands that spilled over.

Legolas gently pushed her down onto the grass and broke the kiss. She gazed up at him, finding herself getting lost in the depths of his eyes. "Legolas…"

"Shh." He placed a finger over her lips, then kissed her again. She returned it, letting her control go.

They parted again and Legolas nuzzled his cheek against hers, levering his body down onto the ground beside her. He pulled her into his arms, and lay on his back, staring up at the sky.

She sighed happily and followed his gaze. The stars were all out in force tonight, twinkling through the trees. Her hand lay atop of his on her abdomen and she absent-mindedly brushed his fingers. He tightened his grip slightly, and they lay there in silence, both trying to work out what was to come in the future months.

Woo, they together! Though you probably should've guessed that I'd do something like that. Cos that's just typical me and I'm hyper and blabbering on…someone slap me!

Legolas – SLAP!!!

Me – Not you!

Legolas – Heh heh…

Anyways…

(Don't read this next bit if you don't want RotK Extended spoilt…)

MERRY XMAS TO EVERYBODY! Hope you all get what you want and MAKE SURE YOU GET ROTK EXTENDED!!! IT IS SOO FUNNY – MERRY AND PIPPIN RULE, AND GIMLI TRIES TO GET LEGGY DRUNK!

HAPPY NEW YEAR PPL!

Faerlain