Summary: When put into a situation where the bonds of friendship are tested, two Elves must make the ultimate decision; should they put their own lives at risk to help each other.

Disclaimer: Still don't own anything you recognize. Believe me, if I did I probably wouldn't be writing fanfictions. But still, I'm not making money from this fanfiction; I'm not receiving multi-million dollar writing contracts... so no worries.

Author's Notes:

Sorry for the delay in posting this chapter. I drove up to Mississippi for the weekend to visit with some friends, didn't get back home until midnight Monday (or Tuesday, depending on how ya look at it).

Brownie24: Yeah, I think she should beat him up in the future. ;) And I work on updating as quickly as possible, even quicker with the reviews so thanks.

I tried to explain the gown as well as I could, but I do understand if you're still unclear as to what I mean. So I do have a reference image, and it's linked to in my bio.

This Chapter will be posted in parts for now so that those of you who are awaiting more of the story won't be left waiting. Once I'm done with the second part I'll put them together and repost the full chapter. – Aren't I nice?


Eight Months Later

"Come on, take him down!"

"Don't let her do that, watch out!"

"You can take him, he's open!"

"Why are you cheering her on? He's better with the sword-"

"He may be better with the sword, but she's better to watch!"

"Watch out-"

"Ooh!"

The practice grounds were filled with the laughter and talk of the guard, two of the Elves busy sparring. It had been eight months since Calamilya joined the guard, and while it was odd at first the other Elves began to treat her like another one of the guys… sort of.

She was currently in a sparring match with another member of the guard, and worse more so for him she was winning. Ignoring the comments from those around she managed to disarm her opponent – his sword landed a few feet away and the tip of her own rested at the hollow of this throat. With a smile she lowered her weapon.

"Alright, alright..." Legolas smiled as the other Elf went to pick up his sword, the other's cheering for her win. "That's enough; I think you've all had plenty fun for the day. Tomorrow we're practicing archery so have your equipment."

As the other's went about gathering their equipment and heading back home to their families Calamilya joined Legolas.

"I still don't see why we have to attend his party tonight." The party she referred to was in celebration of Lómëloth's birthing day. Given, his birthing day wasn't for another month, but Thranduil had felt it best to celebrate now for fear that the celebrations wouldn't be as grand later - he would be leaving the day after Lómëloth's actual birthing day.

Legolas stifled a small laugh. "We have to attend his party because he is heir to the throne, and because he has made it clear that your presence is required." Legolas' presence wasn't required by Lómëloth, but Calamilya's was.

"I never imagined an Elf could be so daft, but your brother has proved it possible." For the last months Calamilya had tried to convince Lómëloth that she had no interest in him, but he would still interrupt her studies, watch an occasional guard practice and insist on walking her back to the palace, and at every opportunity he would try to remind her what a 'woman's place was'.

It was one week ago that Lómëloth had spend the entire day watching the guard practice, doing nothing but annoy her…

It was almost the end of practice, Calamilya noted as she pulled the bowstring taunt and took aim before releasing the arrow. It flew true and struck the target dead center.

Lómëloth began clapping, everyone's head turning in his direction. "That's a magnificent aim you have, Calamilya." He turned to Legolas, smiling. "Dear brother, call it a day and let this practice be over with. I am sure everyone would like to return home."

Legolas knew that his men didn't mind the practice, but sometimes it was just easier not to argue with Lómëloth.

"Okay, that's enough for today. Go home, enjoy yourselves until next practice."

Calamilya began walking towards her target to retrieve her arrows when she was soon joined, each of Lómëloth's steps audible due to the annoying rustle of his robes.

"What do you want, Lómëloth?" She stopped in front of the target, pulling each arrow from place and inspecting them to ensure they hadn't split on contact.

"I wanted to let you know that I shall be escorting you to the festivities, and I've had a gown made for you to wear. Be ready when the sun begins to set." He slowed and took her hand, bringing it to his lips after she had stopped as well. He pressed his lips softly to her knuckles, and ( much to her disgust ) let his tongue slip past his lips for the briefest moment against her hand before he released it.

She wiped her hand off as politely as she could on her leggings, rolling her eyes. "Lómëloth, how many times must I tell you that I honestly don't enjoy your company?"

Lómëloth laughed it off. "I'll see you then, Cala.. "

Calamilya groaned then, scrunching her nose in aggravation. "This honestly isn't fair, I shouldn't be 'required' to attend."

Legolas laughed again before giving her a small shove. "You should be quick, Calamilya… you need to wash and get ready. But rest assured, I've seen the gown he had made for you, and you will be beautiful in it."

Calamilya rolled her eyes and punched him softly in the arm before heading towards the palace.


Calamilya entered her chambers, closing the doors behind her. She walked over to her bed, blinking at the sight of the gown that lay on it. It was in two pieces, a top and a skirt. She picked the pieces up to closer examine them.

The gown itself was a violet-red, and the wherever a shadow touched looked purple. The top had no sleeves, instead it was tight fitting and would no doubt display cleavage. The entire back was lace-up, and while the top half of the sides was solid cloth, the bottom half was also to be laced – for effect. The skirts were a sight to behold, what with several layers of material to cause a flare. The outer layer looked as if the material had been bunched up in places and sewn to keep it that way.

She set it back down on her bed then and moved off to her private bathing chambers. They were spacious with a tiled floor. A shelf along the wall held a number of vials, each containing shampoo, soap, lotions and fragrance. Fluffy towels hung from their spot beside the shelves, and a large tub sat in the middle of the room with a freshly poured warm bath.

She gathered up her soap and shampoo and set them beside the tub before stripping out of her practice clothes. She stepped into the warm bathwater then and slowly sunk in, a sign escaping her lips.

Calamilya was almost relaxed when there came a soft knock on the door followed by her handmaiden entering. Her handmaiden, Beinasea, was a beautiful Elf who was always happy to help. She wore her golden locks back in a braid and always smelt like wildflowers by a river.

Beinasea helped Calamilya to bathe, washing the sweat and dirt from her body and hair. One the bath was done Calamilya stepped out and wrapped up in a town before moving back into her chambers.

A small vanity had been set up with a plush chair, and that was where Beinasea lead her. Soon Beinasea was working the tangles from Calamilya's dark locks, humming a soft tune as she did. "You are going to look absolutely stunning, Calamilya."

Calamilya rolled her eyes playfully. "I don't care to look stunning, Beinasea, I don't even want to be there tonight."

It was Beinasea's turn to roll her eyes then, how many times had she heard this before? "I don't want to have anything to do with Lómëloth" or "Why does he bother me so much? I've made myself clear to him numerous times!" But as always she smiled. "But think, Calamilya... you will look stunning to everyone there, I am sure that even Prince Legolas would notice you."

Calamilya signed. "I've told you at least a thousand times, even if I were interested in him that he is my Captain, it would be wrong for us to do anything."

Beinasea pulled the last knot from Calamilya's dark mane before grinning. "So you didn't deny minding that Prince Legolas would notice."

"Beinasea, we'll be here forever if you don't hush up." Calamilya ignored the smile the other Elf gave her at that moment and yet again avoided the 'Legolas' question.

Beinasea began pulling Calamilya's hair back in small twists and tiny braids, winding the tiniest violet flowers in as she did. It took some time but finally Calamilya's hair was secured back with a leather tie and several jeweled clips.

With her hair done Calamilya slowly stood, attempting to look at the mirror when Beinasea stood in front of it. "You cannot see yourself until you're completely dressed for tonight."

Taking that as a queue, Calamilya moved into the center of the room, laying her towel on the bed as Beinasea approached with the skirt. Beinasea secured the skirts in place, doing up the few ties in the back that held them snug to Calamilya's hips. Then she began working with the top – that was a challenge in itself. With much whining from Calamilya and quite a bit of hard work from herself, Beinasea managed to get it laced up.

"How am I supposed to breath?" When she received no response, Calamilya quieted her whines and watched as Beinasea began gathering a few small vials of lightly colored liquid. One of the vials contained a light pink color, the other contained a slightly darker pink and the third contained a shimmery clear liquid.

Bienasea set the vials down on the vanity before opening each. First she placed a small dab of the darker pink on her fingers before rubbing it into Calamilya's lips, the lighter pink was rubbed along her cheekbones, and the shimmery clear liquid was placed over the lips and cheek bones.

"You may look at yourself now, Calamilya." Calamilya gave a mock sign of relief before moving to stand infront of the mirror. A small smile played at her lips then. "I do look beautiful, thank you Beinasea."

"Ai, you do look beautiful Cala." In the doorway stood Lómëloth, his robes the color of the sea in the setting sun. He wore a slender silver circlet about his brow, and his smile was anything but friendly as he looked her over.

Bienasea knew better than to remain once her job was done, and it was with an apologetic smile to Calamilya that she left the chambers.

Calamilya offered him a mocking smile. "It's nice to know that you have such wonderful manners Lómëloth, usually one knocks before entering."

Lómëloth acted as if he hadn't heard her comment as he strode across the room, closing the distance between them before taking her hand and placing a kiss to her knuckles once more. He didn't step back though when he was done, instead he kept her hand in his and smiled.

"It is nice to see that servant can at least do her job well. You are a stunning sight Calamilya, and you shall look wonderful at my side." He leaned his head closer to hers as one of his hands took a lock of her hair, rolling it between his fingers. "Perhaps one day you shall remain at my side as my Queen, not run around and play foolish games on my brother's guard."

Lómëloth really was daft in Calamilya's opinion, for the moment he took a lock of her hair her entire body tensed, yet he seemed not to take notice. He leaned closer still until his lips brushed her ear with each word. "You will be my Queen, Calamilya. My father may have let you on the guard, but when I am sitting on that throne I will not allow such nonsense."

Calamilya tensed more, but when she spoke her voice was cool as a summer's night. "If you think I will be your Queen then you are mistaken. And if you so much as think about taking me off of the guard I will return home to Imladris. Do not think that I am lying either, Lómëloth."

He laughed softly then, shaking his head. "Your father has taken quite a liking to me, Cala. In fact, he sings your praises to me after council meetings. I think he would rather like the idea of me taking an interest in you."

His grip on her hand tightened then. "But come, we should really be off to the festivities." And with that he locked her arm with his own and began towards the feasting halls.


Part two of this chapter shall be posted soon. ) And I hope you are all enjoying it so far. SO review, please?