PrincessOfRain: Yes, this is sad...but tell me what you think of this chapter

And now, we continue with the tour

Chapter 5 Not so secret anymore

"Lady Celebrian…and you…you were friends, then sisters. I am sorry."

"Don't be, Legolas. She lives now in more peace than any of us. I'm sure that one day, we will meet again. Until then, I will live in the memories." I said sadly.

"We can continue this tour some other time, Ithilwen…if you so wish it." He suggested

"No, this is to be done now. I am fine." I said, "Come, follow me!" I started to move east in the same manner, leaping from branch to branch. I knew the path well. I had grown up walking on the path, now I was on the trees…watching it from above.

-Flashback from author's POV-

"Ada! Where are we going?" Asked a very young Ithilwen.

"You will see, little one." Said Lord Calanon, smiling to himself. "You mustn't tell anyone about this place, iel nin. It is our secret."

"Yes Ada. I promise not to tell anyone." Ithilwen said eagerly. Lord Calanon was pleased with her.

"Ada?"

"Yes, iel nin?"

"What will happen to me when I grow up?" she asked innocently

Lord Calanon laughed, "That is a difficult question, Ithilwen."

"Do tell me, Ada!" she pleaded

"When you grow up, you will be beautiful, like your Nana and wise, like the Lady. One day, your prince will come and sweep you away to his far-away kingdom and you will be his lovely princess. Then you two will live happily ever after, till the end of time" Answered Lord Calanon

"Can I be a mighty warrior like you, Ada? Then I can be a warrior princess!"

"Yes, iel nin. You will be a warrior princess."

"I love you, Ada." Ithilwen declared, hugging her father.

"I love you too, Ithilwen" Lord Calanon hugged his daughter.

-End flashback-

I snapped out of my thoughts when I saw the little pool of water. I might have jumped down into the clearing but I stopped, remembering that Legolas was with me. I waited for him to reach the tree that I was on. When he was there, beside me, I descended and reached the ground

"Even more dear to me is this place," I said

"I-I have seen this place before." Said Legolas. He looked like he was in a dream

"No, you cannot have seen this place before. You have never been to Lothlorien before this, Legolas."

"I am sure that have seen it. There was an Ellon and with him, a beautiful Elleth…you." He said and turned around and pointed to a moss covered log by the pool. "They were there and he was down on one knee." He added. I found this a bit too strange.

I started to laugh…hard. "You have strange dreams! Me and an Ellon…together on a romantic evening!" more insane laughter "Impossible!" by then I was rolling on the forest floor. But I stopped quickly and sat there. I looked around the place again…a certain sadness overcame the contrary laughter.

"My Ada used to bring me here. He told me never to show this place to anyone. But I feel that I can trust you. Do you like it here?" I asked

"It is a calm place…it is peaceful too."

"Come, let me show you something." I said, walking over to the log. I put my hand into the hollow and took out several parchments, my paintings.

"This is where you put your work?" he asked

"Yes, I need to keep it secret. Here, take a look." He took the parchments and looked over each one carefully

"Each of these…they are all happy images. Of families and children. But they are all imaginary. Why do you like to draw these?" he asked

"I do not know the answer to that. Perhaps this is what I secretly desire but will not allow myself to have it or think of it even."

"And why will you not allow yourself to have it?" he asked. I shrugged. "Getting off the topic, do you hear that sound?"

"Yrch!" I whispered. "We are not within the borders of Lothlorien. We cannot linger. Hurry! Climb" I stuffed the parchments into my pack and followed Legolas up a tree.

"You are used to this?" He asked

"Yes, I am. I do come here often and besides, the orcs never dare to come beyond this tree unless they are drawn by something." I answered "And I do not wish to be the one to draw them here. Stay quiet"

Taking my warning Legolas did not say another word. As usual the orcs passed without any battles or complications but we couldn't move, incase of spies.

"Ithilwen!"

"Quiet Legolas!" As I said that, an orc arrow whizzed past us. Death was fast for the lone orc, I let Legolas finish him.

"Ithilwen, do you know another way to Caras Galadhon?" Asked Legolas

I nodded. "I know a secret way, Adar and Nanaeth will never know that we were gone." I said a little more confidently than usual.

XXXXXX Section Break XXXXX

"Ithilwen! WHAT were you THINKING, talking the PRINCE of Mirkwood outside the borders of Lothlorien without ANY protection?" Needless to say, Legolas and I had been caught sneaking into Lothlorien. So my secret path was not so secret anymore. I was facing Adar's wrath.

"But Adar-"

"No! Do not 'But Adar' me You WILL face your punishment!"

"My Lord" Legolas cut in "It was I who asked Princess Ithilwen to take me there. She did warn me about my safety but I insisted on going. The fault is mine alone."

"Le- Prince Legolas-" I began

"No, Princess, Ithilwen. You will not cover up for my mistake, even if I am your guest." He turned back to Adar "Forgive me, my lord, for forsaking both my safety and the Princess's" He bowed

"You are forgiven, young Prince. But do remember to have my permission or at least five members of the guard before you venture out of our borders again. I will not let King Thanduil know about this. Go now!" said Adar. Legolas was leaving the room and I turned to leave as well

"Ithilwen, you will stay please. Until I bid you to leave." Legolas looked back just once before he left the room

"Yes, Adar," was all that I could say then.

"I am concerned, Iel nin."

"About what, Adar? The Yrch? Is anything amiss in Lothlorien?"

"Nay, Iel nin. 'Tis you. Your happiness seems to have disappeared. This concerns me. Tell me, is there anything that you desire?" he asked, leaning forward

"I do not know." I replied softly

"What does your heart tell you?" he questioned again. This time I did not want to answer.

"I do not wish to share the true desires of my heart." With that, I ran out of the room, in tears.

"Ithilwen, what is wrong?" asked Legolas who was waiting outside for me.

"Leave me, please." I ran. I didn't know where I was going; my mind was blank. I did not care who saw me or called to me. I needed to seek refuge somewhere, far from home but within the golden woods. The only place that I knew of was the old watchtower.

Was it true? Was it true that I wanted to be more than just friends with Legolas? No, it couldn't be. How could I fall for someone so fast?

'Its called true love' whispered a voice at the back of my mind.

True love, did I even know what that was? Had I unknowingly guessed the meaning of love?

'Love doesn't come by chance' the voice at the back of my mind whispered again.

Did that mean that he and I were meant to be?

'Yes'

But what if he did not think the same of me?

'True love never does come easy'

"Ithilwen" Said Legolas "I knew I would find you here."

"I do not wish to talk now, Legolas."

"No Ithilwen. You are running from me. Why?"

"Am I not running from everyone?" I asked in return. But I knew I was only running from him

"I came here not to talk about thing. I came here to tell you something." To my surprise he took my hands in his. "The day I met you must have been magical. For I lost myself when I looked upon you. After that, I looked forward to every meeting. We have only known each other for only a few days but for me, I feel I have known you for an Age. Ithilwen, you are the object and pleasure of my eye. Now I do wish for it, love it, long for it and will forevermore be true to it." By then I was crying and smiling at the same time.

"I never thought this would happen." I was cut off

"Forgive my boldness, Ithilwen"

"There is nothing to forgive, for I feel the same." I said softly, slightly lowering my head. Before I could think, Legolas lifted my chin and our eyes met again. All I saw in his eyes was love, kindness and hope. Before I could respond, he pulled me closer and our lips met. He was gentle and I quickly melted in his arms. The kiss broke only when we were out of breath.

"Ithilwen, meleth nin, will you be my wife?" he asked as I lay my head on his shoulder

"Yes. But our parents would never allow that. Have you not thought of that?"

"Legolas!" Said a very familiar voice from behind. Oh no, not Adar. It was King Thranduil who had found us.

A/N:

Yes I did take Legolas's lines from 'A Midsummernight's dream' Plus I myself am in love...REALLY in love

until next time

Eleniel Illuvtariel