See chapter 1 for notes and stuff. Remember, give me until the end of chapter six! Yes, I understand Legolas may be a little OOC, but there's a reason. Just trust the author! Oh, PS, just to re-cap a story a LONG time back, Legolas and Arwen WERE betrothed, but are no longer. They broke up (because I am a Tolkienist. Aragorn and Arwen MUST be together.) Okay, read on.

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Legolas was running as fast as his legs would carry him. He had no idea how he managed to wake up late, especially on this of all mornings. He was cursing himself as he skidded into the shaded preparation area, just as he heard his name.

"Legolas, son of Thranduil."

He slowed to a walk and strode into the area with dignity. He caught Estel's gaze, and smiled. The young human shook his head, mouthing, "I'm dying to hear this."

"We will begin with the stationary target competition. All who are entered in this event, please take your place behind the starting point."

Aragorn caught up to his friend as they moved to form a line. "Legolas, where have you been?"

"It seems that whomever was supposed to check on the competitors beforehand simply forgot one on his rounds." The Mirkwood elf looked pointedly at Elrohir.

"Hey, I'm sorry, all right? I'm sorry. I figured you would have been up before dawn anyway, as you have been everyday for the last three weeks."

Elladan laughed. "No, he just didn't want to have to compete against you."

"Either way, it was a nasty shock when I awoke, and no one was around."

Elrohir rolled his eyes. "I said I was sorry. You're still here anyway."

"10 Points to Sandastan."

The line inched forward. "Out of 20 arrows. I can beat that. He's a good shot, though. I wonder why he did so poorly?"

"Well, Estel, he probably shot at everything, including the friendly targets. They are hard to distinguish when they first pop up."

Elrohir nodded. "Elladan's right. Remember, this part isn't timed. Be careful."

Elladan looked at Legolas. He was watching the competition intently. "Once again, my friend, you seem to be dominating our conversation."

"Sorry. That elf just scored 15."

Estel smiled. "Come on, you can beat that."

"You have a talent for stating the obvious, Estel." Elrohir laughed. Legolas continued to concentrate on the games.

Elladan tapped him on the shoulder without drawing the attention of his two bothers. "This is supposed to be fun, Legolas. Have fun with it."

Legolas smiled. "I'm sorry. It's habit."

Elladan laughed. "I know. It's annoying. Stop it!"

"Yes, sir."

Elladan scoffed at the sarcasm in his friend's voice.

"Presenting Elladan of Rivendell. Take your mark."

The elf cast a look back at his companions and smiled. He then raised his bow and began firing.

"19 points to Elladan of Rivendell. Presenting Elrohir of Rivendell. Take your mark."

"Dan, 19? What happened?" Aragorn laughed at his brother.

"I swear, the friendly targets are so hard to see at first. You'll see."

"20 points to Elrohir of Rivendell..."

Legolas stopped paying attention to the announcer. He was more interested in watching the contestants. Aragorn turned back to them after his round.

"17, Estel? What happened?" Elladan taunted his human brother.

"Yeah, be quiet."

Elrohir quieted them all with his next comment. "Arwen's here."

Three heads turned to follow the fourth. She was there in a crimson gown, sitting next to her father. She was gazing over the field, waving at familiar faces.

"Presenting Legolas of Mirkwood."

"Good luck, Las."

Legolas turned his attention away from Arwen just as she turned her gaze on him. He spread his feet apart to brace himself, and lifted his bow slowly. His hands felt slightly stiff, not yet accustomed to the weapon from his past injuries. He nodded to the judge to indicate that he was ready. The first target was let go. Legolas exhaled, and fired.

He finished, and there was a hush over the crowd. "An amazing 20 points to Legolas of Mirkwood."

"You know, the commentator isn't supposed to comment." An elf behind Aragorn was mumbling.

"Great job, Legolas," Aragorn patted him on the back as the prince walked towards the next event. The three Rivendell brothers followed him, relaxing before their next event.

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Elrohir cast a doubtful glance at his longtime friend. He nudged his brother, who was taken off guard, and nearly dropped his sword. He followed Elrohir's gaze, and sighed. "He's tired, El."

"I know. He's not even preparing for his last event. What are his scores?"

Elladan did a quick calculation. "He's got 740 points. He would have more, but Murieth beat him in the race and I won more points in the blind target. However, he could get zero on the sword fight, and still come in second."

The announcer cleared his throat. "Estel of Rivendell competing against Sandastan of Lothlorien..."

Legolas lifted his head from the table he had been resting it on. He would compete lastly, because of his current standing, but he wanted to watch his friends. Finally, Legolas' name was announced.

"Elladan of Rivendell against Legolas of Mirkwood. Take your places."

The two elves bowed to each other, as was custom. Then they smiled.

"You know," Elladan said as swords clashed, "I kind of hoped I would lose to the last person so I didn't have to compete with you."

Legolas moved to block a thrust from his friend. "You seem to be holding your own."

Elladan spun to avoid Legolas' latest attack. "Indeed."

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Aragorn watched in awe, as did everyone else. It was akin to watching a mystical dance that one heard of in legends and fairy tales. One would attack, and the other would gracefully defend himself, and then reverse the dance. It seemed to go in slow motion, and the crowd ate it up, cheering for their favorite.

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In a wild, rushing turn of events, Elladan found himself on the flat of his back, looking into Legolas' eyes. The Mirkwood elf's blade was just under his chin. Elladan smiled despite the circumstance; Legolas was on his knees, holding himself up with his free hand. He had lost, but he had not gone down easily.

"Good job, Leg."

Legolas collapsed and rolled onto his side, suddenly breathing hard. "I am so glad this is over."

Elladan pushed himself up, checking his friend's racing pulse. "I'll bet you are. Are you all right?"

Legolas nodded, moving Elladan's fingers. "I'm fine. I'm just tired."

Elladan nodded, extending his hand to help his friend to his feet.

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The final event had just ended, and the competitors stood in a neat line. They were all stretching, moving, trying to ease the tension in their bodies. All except Legolas. He stood still, looking very dignified, and somehow worried that he had lost enough points to make him lose the tournament.

Lord Elrond sighed. 'He stands too still.' Suddenly, he realized the boy was looking at him. He smiled, but received no response. No, he was wrong. Legolas was looking not at him, but at Arwen. He smiled, not bothering to look at Arwen, for he knew her eyes would be locked with the prince's.

"Fifth place to Sandastin of Lothlorien..."

"Why don't they just say Rivendell? It's not like he lives in the Golden Wood anymore."

Elrohir and Estel were clapping madly. "Legolas, did you hear? Elladan took second!"

Elrohir nodded in agreement with his brother. "Now it's your name, Leg."

"The first place title of the Autumn Festival goes to Legolas Thrandullion of Mirkwood."

Legolas smiled humbly, and stole one last glance at Arwen. She was smiling at him, applauding warmly.

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Legolas stared at his wine goblet, swirling the red liquid slowly. It was a habit when he was thinking. The swirling liquid led his thoughts in many directions, captivating him. He remembered being younger, when his mother was still alive, and his father had given him his first glass of wine. She had been against it, but finally relented. He almost didn't drink it just because she didn't want him to. Legolas would have done anything for his mother.

"Legolas?"

The blonde elf looked up suddenly, steadying his goblet on the table. "I'm sorry, My Lord. I did not hear you."

"We were just congratulating you on your success. Are you all right?"

He felt awkward. The entire table of nobles was staring at him. Even Elladan. What he would give to be at the table with Elrohir and Estel. "My lord, I apologize. My mind is elsewhere."

"Legolas," Lord Elrond met his gaze with knowing eyes. "Go tend to whatever distracts you." He leaned back in his chair and laughed, taking the intensity out of the moment. "I fear you would be of better use there."

Legolas smiled and excused himself.

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He found her on a large, yet otherwise empty balcony. "Arwen?"

He could see her smile, but she did not turn towards him. "You're father will be proud of your success today."

"I did not come to you for congratulations. I hoped you of all people would refrain from them."

She finally turned to him with a sad look in her eyes. "Why did you come to me, then, Legolas?"

A number of reasons ran through the prince's mind, but he could not put any of them together intelligibly. "Who is he?"

"Pardon?"

"I sought your love this afternoon, after the events ended. It was there, but not for me. Who holds your heart now?"

She shed a lone tear... the last tear she would ever lose for Legolas, the last longing for him licked from her delicate lips. "Legolas, I love you. I always will. But things have changed."

"Arwen, we went our separate ways, remember? I expected this. I just want to know who is so lucky now."

Arwen looked past Legolas to her father, who was paying them no attention. "I won't tell. I don't think he even knows I exist. I don't see much of him."

"He does not live in the Golden Wood with you?"

"No. He lives under my father's roof."

"You have to go for it, Arwen. Tell him."

She smiled up at him sweetly. "Thank you, Legolas."

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He left the dining hall early that night, trying to sneak past anyone who would stop him. He was exhausted, and he wasn't altogether thrilled about Arwen's new love. He had to accept it though, because he had let her go. Aragorn watched him slip, almost unnoticed, from the hall and decided to follow him.

He said nothing, but put his hand on Legolas' arm to stop him. He was shocked when the elf pulled back from him violently. "Legolas?" It was a reaction he hadn't seen this bad in a long time.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear your approach." He would not look Aragorn in the eye, but continued his way towards the guest chambers.

Aragorn, raising an unanswered questioning eyebrow, followed closely. "What has changed, Legolas? Everyone's noticed it."

There was no response, which only made Aragorn sure something had happened. "Hey, talk to me."

"Things aren't working out like they are supposed to."

Aragorn sighed. 'Never go to the elves,' he told himself. He continued to follow Legolas. "What things?"

Legolas entered the guest room that was his. He pulled off his dress tunic, looking for something more comfortable.

"Legolas!"

In frustrated anger, the elf turned to his friend. "Nothing is wrong, my friend. I promise."

Aragorn stood with his mouth slightly open. He was not looking his friend in the eyes.

Legolas sighed, almost growling. He followed his friend's gaze, and groaned. He moved a hand to his abdomen and covered the brand that was still present from a few adventures in the past.

Aragorn looked up, finally, searching Legolas' eyes. "Where did that come from?"

Emotion rushed the prince, and he fought to stand against the dizziness this caused.

"Is it Jeralin's mark?"

Legolas nodded.

"Oh, Melkor. Legolas, why didn't you say anything? When did it happen?"

"The night before everything fell apart."

Aragorn stood, once again, speechless. Elrond appeared in the doorway, about to say something. He took in the scene before him and quieted.

"Why isn't it healed?"

Legolas shook his head. "I don't know why."

"Legolas, what happened?" Elrond finally asked.

Aragorn sighed. "He's scarred, Ada."

"Strider!" Legolas reprimanded.

"I know."

"What?" Both the human and elf looked to the elf lord in shock.

Elrond nodded sympathetically. "Your father knows, too, Legolas. Galadriel told us."

Aragorn's jaw dropped. "Can you make it go away?"

"Unfortunately, no. You will have it the rest of your life, Legolas."

Aragorn opened his mouth, hesitated, then spoke. "But it's a scar, Ada. Elves don't obtain scars forever."

Elrond ignored his human son, keeping his eyes on Legolas. "The mark of true evil never leaves one's body, Legolas. I am sorry."

"There was a reason I did not show anyone, or say anything, so how is that three of you knew?"

"You're acting rather childish, Legolas," Aragorn said, tired of his friend's antics and unaware of the worry that Legolas had admitted to Elrohir.

"Childish? Coming from a man who is what, 30? A mere boy."

Aragorn crossed his arms. "You're a prince, Legolas. A spoiled prince!"

"Get out," Legolas growled in a low, dangerous voice. Aragorn threw his hands in the air, storming out of the prince's chambers. He met his father just outside the doorway. He ignored the door slamming shut behind him.

"Why is he acting like this? What's wrong with him?"

Legolas fell back against the door, listening to the conversation on the other side. He buried his head in his hands, and reluctantly let his tears fall.

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"Estel, be patient with him."

"He's making it so hard! He's acting like a brat, and it's not the Legolas I befriended!"

Elrond kept his calm, trying to make his son relax. "Estel, you're the only human that has ever gotten close to Legolas. You've no doubt noticed the difference in how he acts around Elrohir, as compared to you?"

Aragorn bowed his head. "I have."

"But have you also noticed the difference from when he first met you?" He received no reply from the boy, so he continued. "He isn't so tense, anymore, he trusts you beyond what any of us could have dreamed, and he laughs, Estel. He laughs when he's with you. He's trying to let go of his opinions of humans, for your sake. He's doing this for you. By seeing that scar tonight, and bringing attention to it, you have, however unintentionally, reminded him of the very thing he wants to forget. Do not be angry with him, Estel. He is not trying to act spoiled, but it is out of his power."

Aragorn could find no response. He slid down the closed door, holding his head in his hands, breathing in frustration. He was angry with all the men in the prince's life that had hurt him, ruining his outlook on the race altogether. Those who had nearly ruined their friendship.

Neither knew the other was near, but, despite the wooden door between them, they took solace in the other's presence.

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My lovely reviewers:

Faerlain: Lol, you really want to start a Fal fanclub? Lol, sure, go ahead. Lol.

Deana: Lol, it's Leggy, come on, he'll try and win them all. Oh, oops, that was THIS chapter, lol. I didn't want it to seem unreasonable, so he did lose a couple, lol.

Sky14: Well, for what it's worth, I usually ALWAYS work the small details back in. Or I try to, at least.

Lindahoyland: Ah, thank you! Yes, there will be a lot of angst, and as you can see, Legolas is kind of falling apart from all the expectations from himself and his kingdom. We'll see what happens with that!

Jazi: You know, Boys, I think I'm actually gonna side with you on this one. I don't get it either. (Lol, sorry Jazi!) Ha, leave it to Miffy to cut an arm off. He'll be holding that over Dae for a long time. . . the fact he made a whip instead of a toothpick, lol. He gloats, what do you expect from a Mirkwood elf?