A/N: My thanks to all reviewers and those who have put me on their favorites or author alert lists. I wish I could take the time to thank you all individually, but I'm in a rush to get this chapter up. Next chapter, I promise that you will be mentioned. Thanks a billion for your kind reviews; they make me happy!

Housewarming

Fiondra inspected her new house and smiled. She looked up at Legolas, who was waiting expectantly. Satisfied, she said, "It will be quite cozy once I spread my belongings around. And you have my thanks for arranging for furniture for my house."

Legolas inclined his head and asked, "You have all that you need?"

Fiondra nodded. "Except for that which Gimli is carrying in."

The dwarf stumbled through the doorway, bringing some of Fiondra's heavy gowns. "Mithril, Fiondra, how do you wear these? They weigh twice as much as you do!"

Fiondra's bubbly laugh echoed throughout the near empty rooms. She sighed. "I'm going to miss not seeing you two every day. It won't be the same living here alone." She looked around the room and then back at Legolas and Gimli. She flashed them a sad smile and Legolas felt his heart twinge.

Gimli spoke up consolingly, "Ah, lass. We'll come and visit you. Now where should I put these blasted gowns?"

Fiondra smiled again, more warmly. She pointed. "In my bedroom is fine." The dwarf headed toward the back of the house, leaving the two elves alone.

"Well..." Legolas cleared his throat. "I suppose I won't see you again until Midsummer. Perhaps before then." He shifted uncomfortably and Fiondra nearly laughed aloud. She realized that he was trying to say that he wanted to see her again soon, but without appearing overeager.

Fighting a grin, Fiondra invited, "Why don't you and Master Gimli come over for supper, oh say, next week?"

Legolas grinned and relieved, he asked, "Is Friday acceptable?" Fiondra nodded and Legolas smiled again. "Wonderful! Till then, Fiondra." He bowed to her and left the house. Gimli reappeared and also bade Fiondra farewell.

Pleased with herself, Fiondra smiled. She looked around and clasped her hands together. 'Time to make this house a home.' She pulled on an apron and set to work on the small building.

X X X X X

Aglarsîr looked up from where he was polishing his bow, by the hearth. Someone was knocking on his door. Standing up, he called, "Come in." He watched silently as a blond elleth walked into his bachelor's house.

"Good day Aglarsîr!" Alqua exclaimed. She took off a modest gray shawl to reveal an alarmingly low cut dress. "My, you look simply dashing," she breathed. "It has been far too long."

"Not long enough," Aglarsîr muttered. "What is it that you want?"

Pretending to be offended, Alqua pouted, "Why Aglarsîr, not what I want, but what you want. All I want to do is help you."

Aglarsîr eyed her warily. "What do you mean?"

Content that she now had his attention, Alqua continued. "I know that you were quite distraught when I turned you down years ago, so I want to make it up to you. I've found a new elleth for you to love!"

Aglarsîr frowned, but his green eyes brightened. "Who?"

Alqua walked past him, twirling a golden curl around her finger. She smiled at his impatient expression. "Why, the Lady Fiondra," she said slyly.

Aglarsîr stared at her. "Lady Fiondra? The one who sang the other night?"

Alqua nodded slowly. "The same."

Aglarsîr protested, "I saw how Legolas looked at her. I'm not going to steal away the elleth he loves. Not again." He turned away, painful memories bombarding him.

Alqua smiled, but her eyes were cold. "Legolas thought he was in love with me once, I can easily make him fall in love with me again."

Still unsure, Aglarsîr said, "I cannot repeat my actions. I will not hurt Legolas again."

Desperate, Alqua burst, "She has not yet been touched! All you would have to do is - "

Aglarsîr cut her off. "You know this for certain? She and Legolas have not..." He faltered and looked at her pointedly.

Knowing that she had him, Alqua whispered, "No."

Aglarsîr thought for a moment and then sighed. "I will introduce myself to Lady Fiondra. But I cannot promise that I can change her heart."

Alqua's eyes gleamed. "That is all I need. Just flash her that disarming smile of yours." She picked up her shawl and hurried out of the house.

Aglarsîr watched her leave. It was time to brush up on his old womanizing charms.

X X X X X

Outside Aglarsîr's home, Alqua stopped short. Legolas and the dwarf were coming up the path toward her. Legolas' face showed no emotion when she curtseyed, but Alqua noticed the way the dwarf's hands tightened about his axe. Rising again, she simpered, "Good day, my Prince!" Then glaring at the dwarf, she hissed, "Master Dwarf." Her lip curled and she stalked off, gray skirts whipping around her legs.

Legolas shrugged uncaring, but Gimli growled at the elleth's retreating back. Legolas chuckled and the two friends continued back to the palace.

X X X X X

Friday had come and Fiondra woke with the dawn. Her voice raised in a song of praise, she dressed in a mint green gown trimmed with delicate, white lace at the throat and sleeves. She let two braids swing on either side of her face, with the rest of her long hair down on her shoulders and back. Fiondra put on a pair of green silk slippers and looked at her reflection in the oval mirror on her wall. Pronouncing herself perfect, she put on a large apron so as not to dirty the dress while she was cooking.

X X X X X

Fiondra spent all day preparing a meal of fish that she had traded for from another elf. The fish was lightly spiced with rosemary and sage, and the tempting aroma spilled out into the village streets.

Fiondra set the table and lit three white candles of varying sizes. She removed her apron and hung it on a peg in the kitchen. She was about to check her hair for any stray wisps when a knock sounded at the door. Fiondra rushed to open it and blinked.

"Good evening. Might you be the Lady Fiondra?" a deep voice asked.

Fiondra just stared at the dark-haired elf. He was quite handsome and his green eyes shined from under thick eyebrows. He had a smile that sparkled like the stars.

"Milady?" the elf queried.

Fiondra blinked again and a faint flush crept into her cheeks. "I am Fiondra. How may I help you?"

The elf bowed low. "Forgive me milady. I heard your beautiful voice the other night and decided to seek out the wonder that sang. Now I see that your physical beauty far surpasses even the beauty of your singing!"

Fiondra blushed even brighter. "My thanks, kind sir. Might I impose to know your name?"

The elf smiled again. "Fair lady, I am Aglarsîr."

Startled, Fiondra stepped back. "A-Aglarsîr?" she stuttered.

"Yes milady," he replied. "Is something wrong?"

Fiondra did not want to be rude, but she was too well aware of the pain that he had caused Legolas. Composing herself, she told him coolly, "I appreciate your compliments, but I have guests coming over soon. If you will excuse me..."

Aglarsîr stuck a booted foot in the door as Fiondra started to close it. "Please milady, allow me to apologize for whatever wrong I have done you."

His eyes pleaded with her and Fiondra relented. "It is not the wrong that you have done me, but the wrong that you have done to another. Now if you will please – "

"Please what?" another male voice cut in. Dismayed, Fiondra looked up. Legolas had walked up and found her conversing with Aglarsîr.

Legolas looked past Fiondra's stunned face and noticed Aglarsîr. Blue eyes narrowed, Legolas moved closer to Fiondra. "Has he harassed you in any way?" he asked her worriedly.

Fiondra shook her head quickly and Aglarsîr realized that Legolas was her expected guest. He cautiously said, "I will take my leave. Good night, milady." He bowed to Fiondra and then stiffly bowed to Legolas. "Good night, highness."

When Aglarsîr had gone, Legolas angrily turned to Fiondra. "What was he doing here?" he demanded heatedly.

"I don't know; why don't you ask him?" Fiondra yelled in response.

Legolas sighed. Fiondra's glare made him feel ashamed and childish. "Forgive me; I did not come to argue with you. Can we go inside and discuss this?"

Still angry, Fiondra nodded and stormed into the house. "You had no right to accuse me of doing something improper!" she fumed at Legolas.

Legolas replied indignantly, "I did no such thing!"

Fiondra eyed him as she set a loaf of bread on the table. "Perhaps not, but you were certainly implying it."

Legolas looked away and mournfully said, "I'm sorry. I just cannot trust him any more."

Taking a deep breath, Fiondra went over to where he stood by a window and embraced him. "It is all right. He didn't touch me in any way. He only came to compliment my singing," she whispered into the elf's muscular chest.

Legolas smiled at her faithfulness and devotion. He gently pressed his lips to Fiondra's. They remained in the embrace, comforted by each other's presence.

X X X X X

Alqua watched the blissful couple and muttered a curse. Aglarsîr hadn't affected Fiondra enough. She was still enamored with Legolas. And he was only becoming more besotted with her. Alqua got up from crouching behind a shrub and quickly sprinted away. It was time to take drastic measures.

X X X X X

Don't worry about the cliffhanger; I'm typing the next chapter even as I post this one. Sorry for the wait, I'll try to be more diligent. Please review!