~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Legolas sighed softly and watched Lunian wander in the garden, her eyes downcast. He shook his head and entered the library as he had been intending when he instead stopped to watch her, folding his frame into one of the chairs there.
She had been so bright, buoyant and joyful when they had been in Gondor. After the first week she had begun to long for a more elven place, but she had been quite happy. Even when they returned to Mirkwood, her playfulness and enthusiasm had remained for several months.
But no longer. Now she was once again quiet, reserved, and withdrawn from all the world except for himself, his father when Thranduil had a moment for her, and Gimli, on his one visit since he first met Lunian, and that was only for a few short days on his way to Moria.
He hated seeing her like this, knowing now beyond any doubt that it wasn't maturity or the passing of time that brought this change over her, but merely the disapproval and general lack of friendliness of the elves of Mirkwood towards her, with only himself and his father as an exception, noticeable or otherwise.
He didn't know how much more of this he could take.
He ran a hand down his face, trying unsuccessfully to wipe the weariness he felt away. His exhaustion had nothing to do with having been awake for the last two days, and everything to do with the knowledge that he had to come up with something, and quick! He was beginning to get too concerned about her again, his own health failing as she crawled into her shell, her little stone being used almost constantly when she was around anyone but him.
What could he do? He had to take her away from here, that seemed obvious enough. But where could they go? Imladris and Lothlorien were both emptied. Gondor was full of humans, Arwen and Aragorn not enough to offset that little annoyance.
The answer flashed through his head as simply as if it had been painted behind his eyelids the whole time.
Fangorn.
He started to dismiss it, thinking it a ludicrous idea, but it refused. Why not?
He thought about it for a while, easily calling up his memories of the forest, the ancient trees that had made him feel young again. He smiled at the memory, wondering how Lunian would handle it if he started acting as a child.
Chuckling softly, he admitted she would probably have more fun and enjoy him more if he didn't have the duties of prince.
A frown stopped the mental image. If he moved to Fangorn, his father would insist some go with them. He would, in essence, be their king. Of course, it would not be for long, and not many would go, knowing she would be with him. After all, as Lunian once said, how could a group of beings so peaceful be in such great need of a ruler? He would be able to work it out so he could spend more time with her there after the first months.
Nodding his head he got to his feet, hesitating at the door, trying to decide which way to go. Should he tell Lunian what he had decided? Ask her if she would be willing to travel with him? He winced at her reaction if he assumed incorrectly. She would give in with grace, of course, but he would be rather lonely at night for a while most likely. On the other hand, what if he spoke to her and then his father strictly forbade it?