Arariel could hear the twang of Legolas' bow from her chambers upstairs. Arwen had conveniently given her the room right above the archery field, because of her love of archery. Silently she cursed Arwen for doing that to her. The sounds of Legolas below were tormenting her. She knew she had hurt Legolas but she was scared that he would try to force her into sleeping with him.

Hell, she thought, I'm even scared of Aragorn getting too near me. She sat down in the chair Arwen had placed on her balcony and she watched Legolas. She could tell by the rapidness of his shots that he was troubled. They were fast and rapid. One after the other. She sighed. It was a hot, sunny day in Gondor. Legolas was wearing only his breeches and his soft leather boots. His tunic was thrown on the floor. Sweat glistened down his tanned back from being in the sun for too long.

He sensed a pair of eyes on him. It was Arariel. She was watching him from her balcony. She was wearing only her nightdress. He thought she looked more beautiful than ever. Arariel could see the pain in his eyes. She had caused that pain. She got up and walked back into the coolness of her room. She didn't know what to do. Arwen was right, Legolas wouldn't do that to her. She needed to speak with her sister.

Legolas saw her go back into her room. Turning away he flung his bow on the ground. He didn't know what to do. She wouldn't tell him what was wrong and neither would Arwen. Well, he thought, I need to ask Arariel. Not knowing is tormenting me. He kicked his bow aside and strode to the stairs. When he reached her chambers he stopped outside her door. Just as he was about to knock, the door swung open. Arariel stood there stunned. She was not expecting him to be standing there. She was on her way to speak to Arwen about this very elf. Suddenly she realised that she was worrying for nothing. A pair of arms went around Legolas' neck.

"I'm so sorry Legolas, please forgive me..." she sobbed.

"Shh..." he whispered into her ear, "I forgive you"

"I was scared you would try to... to..."

Legolas pulled away from her and looked into her eyes.

"I would never do that to you"

"I know"

He caught the tear that roled down her cheek.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly, putting his arms around her waist.

"Ouch!" she exclaimed, pulling away. He had pressed a little too hard on her back.

"I am sorry, I forgot about your back," he whispered, "Come, I will clean your back for you"

Legolas closed the door behind them. She sat down on the bed and pulled her nightgown down to her waist. Legolas grabbed the bowl with the lavender water in it and began cleaning her cuts.

"They are almost healed" he said.

"They still hurt when touched" she whispered, "I am badly bruised"

When he was finished, he wiped her back dry and pulled her nightgown back up and slid the straps on her shoulders. She shivered when he reached for them. He kissed her neck.

"I would never do that to you..." he said again, and she knew he meant it.