Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR. I also don't own Caleniel, Cadunír, Rodwen, Thinedhel, or Gaenír; they belong to Tador, who has given me permission to use her characters for my own twisted ideas.

Lady Caleniel

By: Mika Saito

Chapter 4- Leaving

The King ignored the shocked look on Legolas's face and walked past him. He had other things that needed his attention, and it was expected that Legolas would be surprised.

Legolas sat in thought, his mind wandering over what he had learned. Caleniel had been promised to another before him, and her father had almost been killed for changing his mind about who his only daughter should marry. His mind drifted away from the more unpleasant thoughts and more toward the mystery that surrounded Caleniel.

There was something about her that drew him to her. Something about the way she acted, even their arguments were enjoyable. Legolas sighed. Caleniel was just confusing.

Finally Legolas left the library, once again wandering around with no destination. As he walked toward the stables he made up his mind. Getting away from Mirkwood and Caleniel for a while would help him clear his mind. It had been a while since he had visited Gimli in the Glittering Caves, so that was what he was going to do.

"Tell my father I left to visit Gimli." Legolas called to one of the guards as he entered the stables.

"Prince Legolas?" The guard followed. "Shouldn't you inform your father yourself?" The guards' voice was full of worry. He didn't want to be near the king if he got upset.

"He'll understand." The guard sighed and shook his head, his eyes following Legolas's movements as he saddled a light brown horse.

"What of Lady Caleniel?" The guard asked curiously, he had just remembered that Legolas's betrothed was staying in Mirkwood for a while.

"What about me?" Caleniel asked while approaching the two startled elves. She had stumbled upon the stables on her walk, she had been about to step inside when she had heard two voices, one of which was distinctly Legolas's melodic voice. She hadn't wanted another run in with the Prince, but the small piece of their conversation had been somewhat concerning.

"I'm going to go visit Gimli for a while." Legolas calmly replied, his hands never stopping as he tightened the bridle.

"And you weren't planning on telling me?"

"My father would have told you." Legolas looked over his shoulder at Caleniel.

"It seems that you have several flaws other than your poor archery skills." Caleniel retorted while crossing her arms in front of her. "One of them being that your insensitive."

"Why would you care if I told you myself or if my father told you? I would think that you would prefer my father telling you, not me." Legolas turned to fully face her, a curious look in his eyes.

"Why would you care if I took a walk by myself?" Caleniel quickly glanced away, feeling unreasonably shy. A slight blush adorned her pale cheeks. The guard chose this moment to leave the two alone.

"Thinedhel told you that I asked him to watch you?" Legolas smiled lightly.

"Yes. He did." Caleniel nodded. Legolas turned away and checked over the saddle, making sure it was securly in place.

"I'll be back in about a week, maybe more." Legolas explained while mounting the horse. "Haldir has already left for Rivendell. He'll be back to get you when it's time for you to return to your father. I should be back by then." Legolas didn't wait for her to say anything before the horse moved forward at a trot, heading down the path that led to the borders of Mirkwood.

Caleniel stared after Legolas. She wasn't sure why, but his leaving hurt. It shouldn't hurt like this. I don't care for the creep, or maybe that is what I'm feeling, the beginnings of love…. Caleniel smiled to herself as she walked slowly back to her room. She needed to bathe and change into something more suitable for dinner with the King.

Caleniel walked slowly down the stairs, Rodwen walked beside her, watching her closely. Caleniel had seemed fine earlier, but now she seemed even more depressed than the evening before after Legolas had kissed her. Caleniel smiled when she saw Rodwen looking at her worriedly.

"Is something on your mind Rodwen?" She stopped and turned to face her friend.

"Yes. Last night you were depressed, this morning you seemed fine, or at least feeling good enough to get up earlier that normal, and now you seem depressed again." Rodwen waited patiently for a reply.

"I was depressed last night because of the kiss, as you know. I had a talk, or rather argument with Legolas this morning, and for some reason that cheered me up. But Legolas left this afternoon, and he wasn't going to tell me. He planned on his father telling me after having a guard tell his father!" Caleniels' voice rose in exasperation, her exasperation causing her to forget about the normal formality that she used when around Legolas.

"Well, it certainly seems like you have developed feelings for Prince Legolas." Rodwen tried to hide her large grin.

"I guess so." Caleniel mumbled, breaking eye contact with Rodwen as she ducked her head slightly with the confession.

"It's ok." Rodwen chuckled at Caleniel. "It's better if you have feelings for him, seeing as he is your betrothed."

"I guess." Caleniel lowered her voice even more.

"Come on." Rodwen grabbed Caleniels hand and half dragged her toward the dinning hall.

Caleniel entered the dinning hall and glanced around. Everyone was already seated and eating, a quiet chatter filled the large room.

"Lady Caleniel, Lady Rodwen!" King Thranduil smiled at them while rising from his seat to greet them.

"We're sorry for being so slow." Rodwen replied for both her and Caleniel.

"It's alright." He guided them to their seats on his right.

Caleniel looked at the plate that was placed before her. The food looked delicious, she wasn't really hungry, but she forced herself to eat at least some of the food while listening to the conversations going on around her.

Rodwen was chatting happily with the King and some of the other elves around her, thought she kept glancing at Caleniel cautiously.

"You're being so quiet, Lady Caleniel." The king turned toward her. She had been silent since she had come into the dinning hall and she had barley touched her food. "There's no need to be shy." He coaxed.

"I'm just a little tired I guess." Her reply was soft, and so quiet the king had to strain to hear her, even with his sharp elven ears.

"You can go to your room if you wish. You don't have to force yourself to stay out here if you don't want to." The king spoke kindly, worry hidden in his voice, before he turned back to the elf he had been conversing with.

Caleniel stood and left the hall as quickly as she could without appearing disrespectful.

(Somewhere far away from Mirkwood)

"My Lord, you called for me?" A feminine voice spoke softly as a dark figure kneeled and waited patiently in front of another figure completely hidden in that shadows of the large room.

"Where is Prince Legolas?" Came the lazy response.

"He has left Mirkwood. Alone. My Lord." The shadows hide the smirk upon the Lords face.

"And Lady Caleniel?" The Lord spoke quietly as he stood.

"Still in Mirkwood. Haldir has left her in the hands of her personal guard and the other guards of Mirkwood."

"Very good Aearoniell." His hand rested upon the female's shoulder. "I think it's time for me to pay Lady Caleniel a visit. I leave you in charge of what to do with the dear prince."

"Yes Lord Gaenír." A dull light flooded to room to reveal a she-elf still kneeling in the center of the room and a tall elf standing by the now opened curtains.

"I'll see you soon, Caleniel." Gaenír left the room.

"This shall be interesting." Aearoniell mumbled to herself, watching from the window as a black horse made its way through the rocky land surrounding the large palace.