Linnah awoke the next morning wrapped in the blankets of the prince's bedding. The sunlight streaming through the window stated that it was well past sunrise. She turned her head and found Legolas lying quietly next to her, his head propped up on one hand. He was already awake and smiling at her as she shifted her body over to face his.

"How did you sleep?" he asked, reaching out to gently smooth her hair from her face.

"How long have you been awake?" she asked back, returning his smile.

"Long enough to see the sunrise and to watch you sleep for a while. I enjoy having you in my bed." He was now absently playing with her hair, slowly weaving several thick strands between his first and second fingers. He inquired again, "Was your sleep undisturbed?

"Yes, very much. I slept peacefully," answered Linnah. "I don't remember much after, um..., collapsing on you."

Legolas laughed good naturedly and said, "Yes. Well, I was worried at first that we had done too much, too soon..., but you seemed to be sleeping contently. I took the liberty of carrying you to the bed and tucking you in."

"Thank you for taking care of me."

"Well I certainly wasn't going to leave you on the floor."

"No. That's not what I meant," said Linnah smiling broadly, giving Legolas a playful slap on the arm. She looked at him more seriously and said, "I mean, thank you for taking care of me. Adriel and Meena told me that you didn't leave my side the whole time I was ill. That you refused even to go to your Father when he called for you."

Legolas tenderly stroked her face and responded, "I couldn't leave you Linnah. Not until I knew you were out of danger. Remember, you are my heart." He leaned over and kissed her gently. When he pulled back his face showed concern. "Linnah there is something that I have been waiting to ask you about."

"Yes."

"While you were ill and in a deep sleep, the Healer mentioned that it seemed some new dark magic had taken hold of you. He said that he tried to investigate what was happening inside your head, but he was being blocked by someone or something of great power. Do you remember anything that could shed some light on this?"

Linnah tried to remember. The last three, four days up until late yesterday afternoon were a complete blur to her. She closed her eyes and concentrated. A faint memory came to her, but with it she felt a dull ache in her head.

With her eyes still closed tightly, after a moment Linnah said, "I remember feeling like I was floating. My body felt as if it could lift right off the bed. And during that feeling I heard someone speaking to me. I can't remember what they said, but it I knew it was not right. Everything seemed muddled, cloudy." She opened her eyes and gazed at the prince. "I then thought of you and things seemed clearer. But that must have angered whoever was speaking with me, because I started to drown."

"Drown?"

"Um, I can't explain it properly, but I couldn't breathe and darkness started to consume me. I tried to think of you again and at first that seemed to help, but..."

"But?" Legolas was watching her intently, deep concern only intensifying the beauty of his face.

"But then the Healer made me drink some of his potion and brought me back to the light. I could feel the darkness recede, but there was a rage within that darkness that I can not fully describe. It chills me to my very soul to think of it." Linnah shivered involuntarily as she said this. Legolas put an arm around her and pulled her close to him.

"Linnah you are safe now, my love," he said soothingly.

"You were right you know."

Legolas pulled back a little to look at her. "Right about what?"

"This is not over. I could sense it just before the dark presence left me. I think we both know who it was that was communicating with me. He will not stop, Legolas. He knows where I am and I understand why I must leave. I just wish there was another way."

"So do I, my love. So do I." Legolas pulled her close again and Linnah rested her head against his chest. They laid quietly for a moment, lost in their own thoughts. Then Linnah tilted her head up and kissed his chin. He smiled and bent his head down to kiss her on the mouth. A thought entered her mind and she giggled a little behind their kiss.

"What is so funny, may I ask?' asked Legolas.

"I guess I missed my dinner with the king," said Linnah pulling back slightly.

"Meena came by last night to bring you some appropriate garments, but I thought it would be best to let you sleep."

"Thank you for that," said Linnah relieved.

"So, I told her you would attend tonight."

"Oh please, you didn't," she said, hoping he was joking.

Before the prince could reply there was a soft knock on the door. Legolas got up quickly from the bed and slipped his leggings on. Before he answered the knock, he turned his head toward Linnah and stated, "I will escort you tonight to the king's table, Linnah. As is suiting the betrothed of a crown prince."

Linnah opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again as Legolas quickly tied the lacings on his leggings and opened the door. Meena entered carrying a large tray. She downcast her eyes as soon as she noticed the prince's lack of clothing. Offhandedly she wondered why she was doomed to bump into him this way.

"Good afternoon, your Highness. I thought you both might be hungry, as you missed the morning meal."

Linnah quickly pulled the blankets up to her chin.

"Good afternoon, Meena," replied Legolas watching her set the tray down on his desk. "Thank you for your concern."

Meena walked over to Linnah's side and sat on the edge of the bed, still avoiding the prince's eyes. "Good afternoon my dear," said Meena. "How are you feeling this day?" She cleared her throat and said mostly under her breath, "I hope the prince has let you get your rest."

Linnah glanced over Meena's shoulder at Legolas, who had his hands on his hips and was looking at the floor, biting his lip and trying not to laugh. "Yes, Meena. The prince has taken very good care of me. I am well rested."

"It gladdens my heart to hear it." She lifted her hand to Linnah's cheek and looked into her eyes. "You do look much better." There was something different about Linnah, but Meena could not put her finger on it. She sighed deeply and said, "Get some rest and please eat what I brought for you." She stood from the bed and leaned over to give her a peck on the forehead. As she righted herself, she said, "I will see you later at the evening banquet."

Before Linnah could respond that she really didn't agree to this, Meena curtsied to the prince with her eyes still downcast and left the chambers. Legolas closed the door and went over to the desk to see what Meena had brought them to eat. Linnah stood slowly from the bed and noticed one the prince's robes lying at the end of the bed. She picked it up and wrapped it around her. Then she walked over to join Legolas in his investigation.

"Legolas, I really don't feel comfortable dining..." began Linnah, but another knock on the door interrupted her thought.

Legolas found a slice of sweet bread and taking a large bite walked back over to the door, purposely ignoring Linnah for the moment.

Aragorn stood in the prince's doorway, a smile spreading across his face when he noticed Legolas was only wearing his leggings. "I hope I am not interrupting anything?" asked Aragorn lightly.

Legolas swallowed his bite and shook his head in the negative. "Come in Aragorn. We were just about to have something to eat."

Aragorn entered the chambers and walked immediately over to Linnah. "How are you, Linnah?"

"I am much better. Thank you, Sir."

"Please Linnah, call me Aragorn." Then he turned to Legolas and asked, "Tomorrow?"

Linnah puzzled at this, but said nothing.

"Aye, Aragorn. Tomorrow," answered Legolas with a soft sigh. He decided to change the subject quickly and said, "Can I offer you something to eat? We seem to have more than enough."

"No. Thank you, for the offer though." He turned his attention back to Linnah. "I just wanted to come by and see how this fair lady was doing."

Linnah smiled sweetly at the ranger. "As you can see, I really am much improved today. I have been well looked after."

Aragorn took Linnah's hand and kissed it gently. "I will leave you now in Legolas's capable hands." He put a hand to his chest and bowed slightly to Linnah. Linnah bowed her head to him in response and as he left he said, "I am happy to hear that I am to see you later, at the evening meal."

Once again Linnah did not have time to respond as Aragorn bowed again to Legolas and left the room. Legolas closed the door once again and turned to face his beloved. He placed a hand on his smooth, naked belly and smiling said, "I'm famished, Linnah. Let's eat before we are interrupted again."

Linnah eyed him carefully. She knew that he was aware of her discontent about dining with the king. It seemed he would not even entertain hearing her out on the matter. She sighed and picked up a piece of fruit. As she opened her mouth to try one last attempt to say something to him, Legolas immediately looked up from the plate he was now filling. He smiled sweetly at her, but his eyes were twinkling with challenge. Knowing it was useless to argue with him, she changed her mind and just simply took a bite of her fruit.