"Ha!" Daelon shouted. "I told you I could beat you." Her eyes sparkled with laughter and her lips curled into a smile. Her bare arms and face glistened with sweat and her short brown hair plastered against her head and face.

"You only beat me because you are a distraction," Legolas said. He stared at the ranger, his eyes bright and a smile on his lips. She is beautiful, he thought.

"Do not give me that, Legolas. I beat you fair and square."

"She's got you, Legolas, admit it," Aragorn said as he laughed at the rangers enthusiasm. He leaned against the wall of the practice yard, sitting in the shade, along with Faramir and Gimli.

"That girl has elf blood in her, I am sure of it," Gimli said as her studied her. He had been thinking that since he had seen her fight the orc on the scouting trip. The only way she could be as fast as his elf friend was if she herself harbored elven blood.

"No one, except perhaps Lord Elrond, knows who her father is. She could possibly be part elf," Aragorn said watching the elf and ranger. Her quick reflexes had always hinted at elven blood.

Legolas continued to stare at her. This, he thought, is the true Daelon, the Daelon with whom Aragorn and Faramir were familiar. She stood facing him with her flushed face and mussed hair. She glowed with life.

He reached out and swept the sticky wet hair from Daelon's left cheek. The fine scar was a prominent white on her flushed cheek. He traced the scar with his thumb, and then caressed her cheek with his hand. Daelon swallowed hard as she gazed into his eyes. Her smile faded slightly as they moved into one another. Their lips touched and the world was silent for a wondrous moment.

The others watched in silence as they realized the elf and ranger were suddenly oblivious to their presence. Aragorn stood and turned to the other two.

"It is about time," Gimli said. Legolas had been driving him crazy with his muttered wonderings about the girl.

"Shhh, come on. Let us give them a moment," Aragorn said as he headed for the entrance into the practice yard.

The three of them made their way to the courtyard in front of the citadel and sat on the bright green grass.

"That was not exactly the most romantic time or place," Faramir said, thinking about the first time he kissed Eowyn.

"Daelon is not Eowyn, nor is she Arwen. She is a completely different type of woman. I do not recall your encounter with Daelon as being much more romantic," Aragorn said. He thought of the romantic moments he and Arwen shared but that had been at Rivendell before the trouble with Sauron and the ring. He glanced toward the practice yard to see if the two were going to join them.

Daelon broke the kiss when she realized where she was.

"What is it?" Legolas asked, reaching out to touch her.

"This is wrong. Look at me, I am dirty, sweaty, and smelly," Daelon told him. This was not exactly where she thought their first kiss would take place. She moved to a rain barrel that sat nearby. She dunked her head and splashed her arms and face.

"Daelon, you are beautiful. You are aglow with so much life right now. I could not help myself. "Legolas move to her, she turned away from him. Undeterred, he wrapped his arms around her from behind, kissed her neck and whispered. "Lle naa vanima." (You are beautiful)

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Ok guys, I know this is a short chapter. I could not figure out how to go with this to get where I want to go. LOL if that makes sense. Hope you like this chapter.

I want to thank Silvia Silver Elf and Lady Meldalosse for the reviews. I will try not to take so long to post the next installment.