The next morning I woke up early. And I mean, early. The sun was just barely coming over the horizon, and I couldn't go back to sleep. So I hopped out of bed and put on a casual green dress. I planned to go out to explore Rivendell that day. I had spent most of my time there so far stalking Legolas, but decided that I should probably try to see the city if I was going to be there for a while.

I quietly opened my door and walked down the hall, grabbing an apple out of a decorative fruit bowl. I happily munched on my breakfast and strode out the door of the Hall of Fire outside.

The gardens and woods around the palace were gorgeous. Everywhere there were bright colored flowers, huge bushes with even more flowers, and huge old trees. It was like... really cool. There were several little streams that went through the gardens, and a bunch of those stone bridges going over them. 'Twas so oh-so quaint. In one place I found a maze type thing. I walked through it and, in all of my brilliance, quickly got lost. Oh great. Now I that I'm this close to getting the love of my life, I hafta go off and die in a garden, I thought angrily.

I walked around for about fifteen minutes, finally giving up and sitting on a bench that was in a dead-end path. I looked up. Above there were the branches of a tulip tree, completely covered in pretty white and pink flowers. I stood up on the bench and plucked one off and put it in my hair, loving the yummy floral smell it gave off. I laid down on the bench again, staring up at the tree and the blue sky in the background.

Suddenly I heard footsteps coming up the path. I sat up quickly and watched as a blonde head looked around the corner.

"Hello Lothuviel," Legolas said with a smile.

"Greetings," I managed to say. All alone with my prince lost in a maze. Does life get any better? "I lost my way in the gardens, and couldn't find anyone to help me. So I decided to stay here and enjoy the beauty around me."

"Do you mind if I join you?" he asked. I shook my head, finding myself unable to speak, and scooted down on the bench. He sat down and we started talking about the beautiful scenery. Every time he would look away I scooted closer to him.

"Oh, look at this lovely tulip tree (scoot scoot). I see you have put a flower from it in your hair. It makes you look even more beautiful," he said quietly. I stopped and my eyes got huge.

"Thank you," I squeaked.

He smiled that oh-so lickable smile. "You are very welcome," he said. "Lothuviel, I must tell you something."

"Yes?"

"I had noticed that you and Trelan disappeared last night at around the same time, and arrived back at the feast together. I also noticed that you had been holding his hand."

"Yeeeees..."

"The truth is, when I saw you together, it made me incredibly jealous. I tried to be happy, but I could not manage it. Instead, I found myself wishing that Trelan would disappear."

"Oh..." Okay, this was a little unexpected...

"I suppose what I am trying to say is..." He faltered, then took my hand in his. "Lothuviel, I love you," he whispered. Then he leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. Oh GODDDDDDDDD!!!! my mind screamed. And that was VERY unexpected!!! But hell, I had achieved my mission!!! So I did what any sensible, reasonable person would do in such a situation. I kissed him right back. Hey, can you blame me?!

Soon this wasn't just wasn't any old kiss. This was full-frontal snogging, and then... well... let's just say that Leggy and me went French. Mwahahahahahaaa. Slowly he pushed me backwards onto the bench, and I, in all of my elvish gracefulness... fell off of it. *sigh*

"Errrgghh..." I looked towards the bench. "Hey, where'd Legolas go... and... oh crap."

"Lothuviel, you were asleep. You must have been dreaming," someone said. I sighed.

"Do you purposefully follow me around, Trelan darling?" I asked. I could tell he was smirking. I looked up and glared at him.

"I was just wondering if you knew where Legolas was?" he said, still smiling in an irritating way.

"I do not know where he is, but I shall help you find him if you'd like," I said.

"Would you like to test your plan, too?" Trelan asked.

"If you are willing."

"Then come. There is an elf prince waiting to fall in love with you." I chuckled and took his arm that he had offered out to me.

We looked all around Rivendell for Legolas, but there wasn't a sign of him anywhere. "Perhaps he is still asleep?" I suggested, praying that I could go into his bedroom.

"Perhaps. Why don't you go check; I will keep looking for him down here." I nodded and ran upstairs, thanking God that I have the chance of walking in on him while he was changing. (Sorry, author has a dirty little mind.)

I sprinted down the hall to where Legolas had been staying. I knocked quietly on the door. "Legolas? Legolas." No answer. Goody! I opened the door slowly and peeked in. "Legolas?" I looked towards the bed. Aha! There he was, sleeping peacefully. Dreaming about moi, hopefully. I walked over to the bed and shook him slightly. "Legolas?" His eyes came into focus and he looked up.

"Oh, good morning Lothuviel."

"Good morning. I just came to tell you that Trelan wishes to speak with you."

He slowly sat up and... OHMYGAWD!!!!!! HE WASN'T WEARING A SHIRT!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEK!!! "Thank you. Please tell him that I shall meet him in the Hall of Fire in about ten minutes."

"Nnnnnokay," I slurred, staring at his super yumminess. "Well, I'll be going now..." I said, backing away slowly.

"Thank you," he said as I closed the door. I slowly walked down to the Hall of Fire, making him sit up again and again in my sick little mind.

I walked into the hall and found Trelan looking at a picture on the wall. "He will be down in a few minutes," I said dreamily. He turned around and looked at me. "You are a very lovesick maiden," he said with a grin.

"Yeaaaah..." I looked off into space with an idiotic smile on my face. Trelan and I talked for the next few minutes about how we were going to make Legolas jealous. I told him to hold my hand and kiss me on the cheek whenever possible. I heard footsteps coming down the hall. "He is coming," I said. Trelan nodded and bent down to kiss the corner of my mouth. That way it would *look* like a real kiss, but it wasn't! I watched out of the corner of my eye as Legolas appeared in the doorway and stopped. Trelan pulled away and I started giggling like a schoolgirl.

"Ahem?" Legolas cleared his throat in a slightly irritated sounding way. I pretended to just notice him and looked over with a sheepish grin.

"Good morning, Legolas," Trelan said, taking my hand in his. Wow he's good.

"Good morning. And why have you awoken me at such an early hour?" Legolas asked, looking at me. I looked up at Trelan, who then looked back at Legolas. Hrm, I dunno 'bout you, but I'm getting dizzy...

"I was simply wondering if you would like to spend our last day in Rivendell out in the woods. Lothuviel and I were going to go out riding."

"Last day in Rivendell?!" I blurted out.

They both looked at me. "Yes, Lothuviel. Tomorrow we shall be heading back to Mirkwood. We both have duties to attend to. I am, of course, a prince, and Trelan is the head of the army."

"Shit!" I spat. They both gave me incredulous looks. "Er... I mean... but what about me?!" I cried, turning dramatically to Trelan.

"My dear, I am sorry. I shall try to get permission for you to come us."

Dammit!! I thought. How the hell am I supposed to win Legolas over if they're heading back to Mirkwood!? Crap, crap, CRAP!!!

I gave them both a puppy face, then buried my face in my hands and pretended to sob. Trelan patted my arm and hugged me. He was a good actor. "Shh, Lothuviel. 'Tis all right. We shan't be parted for long." I "sniffled" and nodded, then followed them out to that clearing where the horses could be summoned.

I stood there and whistled, again making that horrible "pbbbbt" noise. Gaaa, why can't I get it RIGHT, I thought angrily. But all three horses cantered up. I mounted on Erregroth, Legolas on Hyarmenas, and Trelan on a chestnut brown. "His name is Raniean," he told me as he leapt up gracefully. Although I couldn't mount as well as real elves could, I had nearly perfected the art. So the six of us galloped into the woods, talking about things like archery, knives, and sword fighting: you know, stuff that wouldn't interest me. Oh well.

After about an hour we stopped by a beautiful lake that was in the middle of the forest. We sat and talked some more. Then I decided to make my move. I laid my head on Trelan's shoulder. "Are you tired, my dear?" he asked as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. I saw Legolas raise an eyebrow out of the corner of my eye. I nodded and stared at the lake for a long time, causing my eyes to glaze over and look like I was asleep.

After a few minutes they began to talk quietly. "You are in love with her?" Legolas asked. I felt Trelan nod. On the spot he made up a story as to why we had been absent for a while the night before.

"Yes," he said, "we are indeed. You remember, last night, when we both took our leave and went to the garden. Well, there she told me that she believed that she was in love with me. I, of course, was overjoyed, for she won my heart over from the time that we found each other in the woods."

I smirked as Legolas hesitated, then said, "Are you sure that is wise? What I mean is, you have only known each other for a few days. Perhaps you should give it time." I interrupted his little speech by "waking up".

"Did you have a nice nap?" Trelan asked with a smile. I nodded and kissed him on the cheek. I am so GOOD at this!!! As I pulled away I sighed sadly.

"What is wrong, my friend?" Legolas asked.

I made a tear roll down my face (yes, I can make myself cry). "I shall miss you both very much," I said in a trembling voice. Trelan made a sympathetic noise and hugged me. I really was going to miss them. Trelan as a friend, of course, and Legolas as my future husband.

After a while we rode back, because it was nearly time for lunch. The rest of the day passed without much happening, except that I accidentally pushed an elf into a stream in the garden. It was quite hilarious, actually.

~*~*~*~*~

Later on, I took a walk around the palace, thinking. The three of us had talked to Eyebrow Man (a.k.a. Elrond), but he had refused to let me go to Mirkwood with Legolas and Trelan. He said that Legolas should go and ask his father before he started bringing home unknown women to his home.

"This sucks," I muttered to myself. I had hardly even *flirted* with Hotty Elf Prince, and now he was going off and leaving me. Merde. What was I supposed to do!?

I thought until I started to get a migraine, and figured that the best thing I could do was nothing at all. Perhaps a little time away from me would make my lover-to-be realize how much he wanted me. I would simply wait until I got a message from either him or Trelan. So I walked angrily back up to my room.

I plopped down onto my bed with my face in my pillow, which I then proceeded to scream into.

~*~*~*~*~

The next morning Fiwen came into my room even earlier than usual.

"Get up, you lazy bum," she said. Love the nice elfy manners.

"Imm ugh," I mumbled. (Translation - I'm up.)

"Good. You must hurry. Prince Legolas and Trelan are leaving in an hour." My eyes popped open and I shot out of bed. Fortunately I had been intelligent (for once) and had laid out my clothes for that day the night before. My attire consisted of a silver dress that looked purple in different light, my fave silver shoes, and an amethyst pendant on a silver chain. I quickly threw all of this on and curled my hair. Then I put on a bit of blush and mascara and raced down to the Hall of Fire where Legolas and Trelan were waiting.

I ran across the hall and threw myself into Trelan's arms, practically knocking both of us over. "Must you leave?" I asked dramatically.

He smiled sadly down at me. "Alas, but I must. I promise we shall send for you as soon as we get permission from King Thranduil."

I put on my poor-little-elf-maiden image and started to silently cry into his shoulder. Legolas bought it and patted my arm sympathetically. "Don't worry my friend." Love, you silly prince, your LOVE!!! "We shall meet again soon." I smiled up at him as Trelan took my hand and led us outside where the horses were waiting.

Legolas was the first one to say goodbye. "Farewell, mellon nin," he said, giving me a hug. I wrapped my arms around him and just stood there, ecstatic that I could be so close to him. "Um... Lothuviel? Could you please let go now?" Damn, the hug had only lasted fifteen seconds (I counted). Now for Trelan.

I walked over to him and made myself cry (again). He gently pulled me towards him. "Namaarie, mela nin," he whispered, and gave me a "huge, long kiss" (i.e., a very long corner-of-mouth kiss). I opened my eyes a tiny bit and looked over at Legolas. He was shooting disapproving glares at us and rolling his eyes. After thirty seconds (yes, I counted again), he called, "Trelan, we must go," and swung himself up onto Hyarmenas.

Trelan pulled his face away from mine and mouthed "I'll miss you, my friend." Then he, too, mounted his horse, and they rode away through the gates of Rivendell.

"Eeeexcellent," I muttered evilly. My plan was getting back on track. "Soon I will have snagged my princey poo and all shall be right with the world." With that I walked back to my room to mourn (i.e., sleep).

~*~*~*~

Yay, all done. Sorry, this chapter wasn't that funny. Mostly mushy poo. Oh well, next one will be better. :) I promise.

I'm gonna be gone for the next few days (until Saturday) at church camp. So I'll see yas all then!! Toodles!!

~Laurel~

P.S. Read Crystyna's story, "The Young Order". It is INCREDIBLY good!! Also check out Lamoo's story, "The Fellowship and the Elf Next Door." I'm in it!! ^___^ You'll know me when you see me. Teeeheee.

P.P.S. WOULDN'T TRELAN BE, LIKE, THE PERFECT GUY!?!?!?!!?! I mean, jebus, he helps a girl fall in love with someone else, he's nice, he's funny... WHAT WAS I THINKING!?! Oh yeah, Legolas...