Please Read: Thank you all very much for the reviews! I know Aria was extremely emotional in the last chapter because she's gone through so much during the time she has been in Middle Earth and what she feels for Legolas is new to her. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Just as a warning this chapter is a lot shorter than my others because I wanted to post again this morning. I'll probably post more later. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Aria and her family.

Chapter 12

Aria got no rest again that night and as the sun rose she quickly left the camp before the others woke. She was walking around the city when she ran into Haldir. "Good morning milady," Haldir said with a bow of his head. Aria bowed her head and smiled a small smile.

"Good morning milord," she said. "Could you tell me where I would find Lady Galadriel?" Haldir smiled.

"The Lady actually sent me to retrieve you." He held out his arm to her and Aria linked her arm with his as he led her through the trees towards the same talan he had led them to the night before.

"Good morning Aria. How are you this day?" Galadriel asked as Aria stepped into the room. Aria shook her head. She knew she could not lie to her.

"Not well," Aria said as she sat down in the chair Galadriel motioned for her to sit in.

"Tell me child." Aria sighed and her light green eyes met the cool blue of the wise elf before her.

"Last night before I spoke with you . . . well . . ." Aria trailed off. Galadriel smiled.

"You've begun to care for one of our woodland kin?" Galadriel asked. Aria blushed and nodded.

"I know I shouldn't. I know that somehow I'll be his down fall, but I don't know how it happened. I honestly don't." Galadriel smiled and patted Aria's hand that rested on the wooden table.

"You will not be his downfall and love happens upon all beings just as it did in your world. Time and closeness to someone creates a bond, and between a male and a female that bond may grow deeper like it has begun so for you and Legolas." Aria shook her head.

"He doesn't feel the same way. When I asked him what he thought I should do about staying or leaving with them, he told me to stay and learn of my powers and my family, and just walked away. He walked away and never even looked back. He doesn't want me to be with him." Galadriel laughed quietly and a teary eyed Aria looked at her confused.

"Child, do you not see?" Aria shook her head and a tear fell from her eye. "He does care for you, a great deal in fact. He just feels in his heart the best place for you now is within these boarders, to learn how to protect yourself and to learn of your family. He thinks himself selfish for even thinking of telling you to go with them. Legolas is wise in many ways, but when it comes to the hearts of elleths he is weak for he does not know how to tell them how he truly feels . . . especially one he has come to love." Galadriel smiled and Aria and gently squeezed her hand. "Have you made a decision? Will you stay or will you travel with the fellowship?" Aria gave Galadriel a small smile before she nodded her head.

"I am going to stay and learn." Galadriel nodded her head.

"The fellowship will leave just after tomorrow's dawn. I suggest you tell them of your intentions today." Aria nodded sadly and quickly left the talan. Galadriel smiled as she watched Aria leave. "You will send a piece of you with the Prince, young one, and you will see him sooner than you think," she said to herself before she stood and slowly made her way into her chambers.

The fellowship remained in the camp and ate a hearty breakfast that morning, something they had not done since they left Rivendell. "Where's Aria?" Pippin asked as he looked over the group.

"I'm right here Pippin," Aria said as she ran into the camp holding her skirts just above her ankles so she could run more easily. "Forgive me; I was speaking with the Lady this morning." Aria walked over and sat next to Aragorn. She felt Legolas' eyes on her but she had an announcement she had to make before she was going to speak with him. She took the plate Aragorn offered her and gave him a small smile. She took a bite of the sausage and quickly chewed and swallowed. "I have something I must tell all of you." Everyone paused and looked at her; however, Merry and Pippin continued to eat as they looked at her. "I will not be leaving Lothlorien with you."

"Why?" Pippin asked as the others looked at her surprised except for Legolas.

"Lady Galadriel will be teaching me how to properly use my powers and she will tell me of my family. I never knew my mother's family and Lady Galadriel will tell me what she knows." Pippin nodded and they all seemed to understand. At the sad look in the hobbits' eyes Aria smiled at them. "Don't worry; I know we will see each other again." The hobbits smiled except for Frodo who looked at her sadly. Aria took a deep breath and finished her meal knowing that it was going to be a long day.

Night fell on Calas Galadhon and Aria was once again restless. Legolas found her sitting under a tree as he walked to clear his mind. They had not spoken since he left her the night before, and he had much he wanted to say but he did not know how to say it. "Aria?" he asked as he walked upon her. Aria looked at him and quickly stood.

"Legolas, what are you doing? You should be resting for your journey ahead," she said as she stepped over to him. Legolas gave her a small smile.

"I have rested." Aria sighed.

"I've never been good at this," Aria whispered. Legolas looked at her curiously.

"What have you never been good at?"

"Goodbyes," she said quietly as she looked at him. Next thing Legolas knew, Aria wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. He responded by wrapping his arms around her and he buried his face in her hair taking her scent into memory. "Legolas, promise me you'll be careful." She pulled away, but remained in his arms, and looked at him. Legolas nodded his head.

"I will be careful Aria." He gave her a small smile and raised his hand before he brushed away some of her hair from her shoulder. Aria looked at him intently and smiled.

"I want to give you something." Silver-blue met light green with a questioning stare. Aria raised her hands to the clasp of the silver chain that hung around her neck. Legolas' eyes widened as she unclasped the chain and raised it to him. Aria turned the chain around and reached behind Legolas neck and clasped it securely. "Since I'm not going with you, I want you to have something to remember me by until we see each other again." Legolas raised his hand and touched the sapphire pendant. He shook his head.

"You can't give me this." Aria smiled.

"Why can't I?" Legolas shook his head, trying to figure out what she was trying to tell him through her actions, but before he could say anything else Aria leaned into him and kissed his lips lightly before she pulled away and quickly walked off. Leaving him to stand in the clearing as a small smile slowly graced his lips.