The Power of Love

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything of J.R.R. Tolkiens.

Author's note: Hey everyone! I would just like to say that this story is a three part story(kind of like The Lord of the Rings). So there will be three of these and they shall be called...Dun da da Dun....The Power of Love, The Promise of Love, and The Bonds of Love. Thanks all-Love P.J.

Chapter 11: A Ring and a Promise

Araviniel sighed and closed her eyes. The breeze weaved through her hair. The white stag still lay next to her but the sun had set and in the moonlight he shone silver. She was glad Tatharion didn't come looking for her. He knew she didn't want any company now, even though the deer next to her was like company.

Her back was sore from leaning against the tree and the ground was cold under her palms as they fingered the grass. She sighed again and leaned forward, slowly lying down on the grass. She lifted her eyes toward the moon and studied the shadows that flanked its silent glow. She didn't want to go back. She didn't want to sleep up high and smile as her world fell apart. She wanted to sleep out here where she could see the moon and watch the wind stir the leaves on the trees. She wanted to be free of Lothlorien and the way things were. She didn't want to live as a princess and always have to perform instead of being herself. She wanted to fly.

Araviniel lifted her hands strait up toward the sky and whispered, "Take me Manwe. Take me away from here and show me freedom." She heard footsteps and stood up quickly. The stag leaped up and stood in front of her protectively. "But you are free Araviniel. You can do whatever you want." She knew that voice. It came from up above.

Araviniel raised her head up to the trees as a catlike figure jumped down to stand in front of her. "Legolas..." she breathed. He smiled and then whispered to the stag, "Avobrestannech, Pen-iaur, El na mellyn." (Don't worry, ancient one, you are with friends.) The stag huffed and stamped his foot before leaping back into the trees.

Legolas smiled and said, "I couldn't stop thinking about you..." Araviniel smiled and then said sarcastically, "Are you sure you didn't come back for your horse?" His laughter rang out through the trees and he said, "No, I didn't come back for my horse. He is yours now." Araviniel smiled and sighed She looked back to the moon and whispered, "Did you come alone?" He nodded and put his hand on her shoulder. "What troubles you Sun's gift."

Araviniel looked into his eyes. "Sun's gift?" He looked up into the sky saying, "You are my sunshine. You make me believe there is hope and I only wish you have that feeling too so I came back to give you this." He reached inside his tunic and brought forth a sun shaped charm that hung on a glistening gold chain. It was glowing just as if the sun had bent down and kissed the charm with its own blessed light. She reached out and took the chain from him. Her fingers brushed against the skin of his hand and she shuddered. Taking the chain and putting it around her neck she said quietly, "Thank you Legolas. It is truly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

Legolas brushed her cheek with his palm and said slowly, "I think I lo...." Araviniel cut him off by putting her finger on his lips, "No Legolas. Please don't say it. I can't bear to hear you say it. I can never return your feelings, I just..." She turned around and closed her eyes tightly so as not to let any tears fall. She could feel the hurt emotion emitting from his soul as he stood unmoving behind her. "I love Tatharion."

Legolas nodded and began to walk away before he stopped and turned around asking, "Will you grant me one wish?" She turned around and saw the almost invisible tears that graced his face. "I will." He walked forward and put his arms around her waist. "Give me one kiss to remember your sweet face by, and promise you will never forget me." She looked shocked for a moment and then looking into his ice blue eyes she nodded.

Legolas pulled her closer and dipped his head down until they were eye to eye. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips lightly to hers in a rose petal kiss. She sighed and opened her eyes for a moment. His eyes were shut tight; he was memorizing every second and feeling. Time stopped. She clenched her eyes shut again and deepened the kiss. New tears ran down his cheeks.

"Araviniel?!" A voice called through the woods. It was Tatharion. Araviniel jerked away from Legolas and stared into his sad eyes. She backed away and shivered in the night cold. He stared into her eyes and for a moment she saw utter pain. She cringed and wrapped her arms around her waist. He nodded a goodbye and then sprinted to the nearest tree where he disappeared.

Tatharion emerged from the trees and stood behind her. He wrapped a shawl over her shoulders and looked up to the trees where she had fixed her gaze. "What is it?" She just shook her head. She couldn't speak. Araviniel turned around and closed her eyes. She could still see those ice blue gems filled with tears and pain and sadness. She opened her eyes and looked into Tatharion's. He smiled at her and brushed her cheek with his hand.

He noticed the sun and chain on her neck and looked at it for a moment. "Who gave you that Araviniel?" She looked down at the charm that somehow wasn't as bright without Legolas. She thought for a moment and then smiled saying, "Some one who loves a dream." He looked at her oddly and then said, "Fine, speak in riddles if you wish but it's cold out here and you should be inside. She nodded as he led her away.

Tatharion was talking the whole time but she wasn't listening. Her thoughts were centered on the incredible kiss she just experienced. She shook her head, stopped walking, and interrupted Tatharion saying, "If you had one wish, what would it be?" Tatharion stopped and looked back at her grinning. He was used to her popping questions like this out of the blue. "If I had one wish it would be that we could get married and live happily ever after."

Araviniel's head shot up and she starred into his eyes. He walked over to her and smiled saying, "Is that so hard to believe?" She shook her head. He smiled and then took her hand saying, "Come on now and let's get back home." She nodded and then yawned. He laughed and then picked her up bride- style. She giggled and buried her face into his neck. She was fast asleep in minutes.

A pair of ice blue eyes watched in sadness as Tatharion walked away with the one person who made him feel alive. He sighed and leaned back on the branch. Closing his eyes Legolas imagined the kiss he had just shared with Araviniel. His world was slowly falling apart. He knew he wouldn't last without this girl.

Flashback

Legolas sighed and slowly rose from his bed. He stretched and walked over to the bathroom. He splashed some cold water on his face and patted it dry with a clean white towel. Then he ambled over to his dresser and took out a fresh new green tunic. He pulled it over his bare chest and then took out some leggings, pulled them on and sat on his bed. He combed through his hair and put it up in the usual three braids

He was almost ready when a small and timid knock was heard on his bedroom door. 'Well that can't be Alphril.' He thought, 'She would have broken down the door if she wanted to get in.' he smiled and walked over to the door and swung it open, expecting a servant. Instead he was shocked to find Araviniel standing in front of him.

She was dressed in a clinging yellow dress with very long sleeves. Her hair was done up in one simple braid with two small butterfly jewel pins in it. She had a small grin on her face and tilted her head, as if seeing what he would do. He smiled and bowed saying, "Lady Araviniel, it is such a pleasure to see you this morning." She smiled and said, "Well it's about time your sister let me out of that pen! And please call me Avin."

Legolas straitened and waved his arm inside his room saying, "Come on in while I finish. Then I'll take you down to the dining hall." She looked unsure for a moment before following him into the room. He went over to his closet and took out his boots and a small knife. Araviniel looked around the room for a few minutes before her eyes finally rested on the bed. He hadn't made it yet and the covers were strewn over the edges. A thought passed in her mind and she blushed.

Araviniel quickly turned away and stared at the three bows above his bed. She smiled slyly and said, "Do you use those?" Legolas looked up from his feet where he was slipping the knife in his boot and answered, "Yes. They were a gift to me from a friend in Lothlorien." She nodded and said, "Would you mind if you could show me to the archery fields today?" He smiled saying, "Of course not. I would be happy to show you the fields and maybe even show you how to use one of those." He winked at her and she covered her mischievous smile and said, "Thank you."

End Flashback

Legolas smiled at the memory and then looked back down to the ground below. Tatharion and Araviniel were gone and he decided to head back to the stables where he had left his horse. He would go to the palace since Haldir had already told him that the Lady expected him. 'It's very strange how she knows those things' he thought.

Tatharion carried Araviniel to his talon where he woke her up and led her up the ladder.

Once they were at the top he said, "I moved all your clothes here and there is another bed in the living room for you." Araviniel smiled and spun around in a circle with her hands to the sky. "So I guess this is my new home?" He smiled and grabbed her waist as she spun, joining her. Araviniel put her arms around his neck as they stopped. "Yes, if you wish it my Lady." She giggled and leaned in for a kiss. He obliged her and all memories of Legolas faded from her mind.

He leaned back away from her and asked, "Would you like to see something?" She raised her eyebrows and said hesitantly, "What is it?" He smiled mischievously and took her hand. "Come with me." He pulled her over to the balcony and said softly, "Close your eyes." She paused for a minute. "Trust me, close your eyes." She closed them and took a deep breath. "Now stay here, I'll be right back ok?" She nodded and he placed her hands on the railing. "Stay here." He repeated.

She smiled and waited patiently. It wasn't long before Tatharion's hands covered her own and he stood behind her. "Turn around." He whispered. She turned so that she was standing right against his chest. He backed up a little and then she heard brushing on the ground. He took her hands and sat her down on a blanket. "Open your eyes." She opened her eyes to find him kneeling in front of her with a ring in between his fingers. She gasped. "Araviniel, Daughter of the new dawn, will you make me whole by becoming my love forever and being my wife?"

Araviniel closed her eyes as tears slid down her face. Ever since she had met Tatharion she had wished to be with him forever but she never dreamed he would feel the same. She had always wanted to live happily ever after but she thought herself not good enough for anyone. She loved him more than the sun and the stars. Could this be true? Yet here he was, keeling before her, asking her to bind herself to him. What could she say? She had always dreamed of this. Did he even have to ask her?

"Oh Tatharion, I love you more then anything. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, yes I will marry you." He smiled and slid the ring on her finger. It had a gold band and a clear diamond shaped like a star. She wiped away her tears as he pulled her into his arms. She snuggled her head underneath his chin. "I love you." he whispered. She lightly kissed his neck and smiled saying softly, "I love you too."

Tatharion stroked her hair with the back of his hand and breathed in her scent. This was it. Now they could finally start over, brand new. Araviniel stirred and sat up in front of him. "Are you sure about this?" Araviniel knew what she was doing. She had dreamed of this forever, but maybe he hadn't. But then why would he propose to her? He loves her right? Why was she so nervous?

Tatharion looked at her oddly before answering her. "I'm sure. If you're not then that's ok, we could always wait..." She cut him off, "I don't want to wait, but I have to know if you're sure this is what you want to do. There are so many others out there; I'm not your only choice." He shook his head. "You're the only one for me I knew that a long time ago." She smiled tiredly then she tucked her legs under herself and lay against his chest.

Lifting her eyes towards the heavens she watched the stars in silence. Araviniel could have sworn she saw them smile down on her.

"When the moon meets the sun, dearest, when the stars smile and the rain laughs. It won't happen soon, my dear, but when it does you shall know I am with you always."

Araviniel sighed and closed her eyes. The moon cast silver rays on the two elves sitting on their balcony way far off in Lothlorien. As they closed their eyes the stars rejoiced in the promise they had made beneath them.

Lothlorien Palace

Lady Galadriel stared in frustration out into the night. Her husband came up behind her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "What troubles you?" The lady shook her head and said hesitantly, "She is clouded by some darkness." Her husband said nothing as he waited for her to finish. "I am deeply disturbed about our granddaughter. There are greater forces at work here, I have felt them. How else could you explain that I could not see her pain, her kidnappers, and her uncle's abuse?"

Celeborn shook his head. "CĂșdir was very high in command as a warden. He let the intruders into our border. How you could not see this, I do not know, but I do know that if evil forces are at work here then they must be after Araviniel's right to the throne. Her hidden power has not yet been revealed to her but when you do tell her of it she could be led astray. The enemy is growing and we must force her to believe in herself before it is too late."

Galadriel shook her head and wandered out father to the edge of the balcony. "We can not force her Celeborn. I will tell her of her new found power in the morning. In the meantime I must see that Legolas is safely in his own room. He may be only a young elf but he is very high strung and I have no doubt that he will try to persuade Araviniel to return to Mirkwood with him"

Celeborn grabbed Galadriel's wrist as she was about to leave. "The prince is here?" She grinned. "Yes, he has been snooping about for some time now." "What of Tatharion? I thought he held our granddaughter's heart." Galadriel nodded. "He does, he does."

Tatharion's Talon Tatharion shifted and lay down on the blanket. Araviniel curled up next to him in a fetal position with her head on his chest. He sighed and slowly closed his eyes. All was right now; he loved this elleth next to him and now he could show it to her without boundaries. Life was about to change and he loved every minute it.