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Chapter 10: In the Heat of the Moment.

Aranel stood on the steps outside the entrance hall, the early morning breeze playing gently with her hair and tugging at the lighter layers of her dress. She tried desperately to swallow a yawn, when her father had said he would see her in the morning to say farewell she had had no idea he had meant this early.

The sun had just started to rise in a brilliance of pinks and peaches, sending a golden glow over the land when her father finished strapping the last of his bags onto his horse, which seemed to be scrapping the ground impatiently with its hoof as it waited for him.

Illindor finally came over to Aranel, smiling gently at her and extending his arms to draw her into a hug.

He looked down at his daughter as they drew apart, "Stay of trouble Aranel, and I mean it this time." He said, remembering the last time he had said these words his daughter had managed to cause quite a bit of trouble.

"I really will try this time." She nodded smiling at the same memory as her father.

"And I will do my best not to lead her into temptation." Evandar said winking at Aranel as he stepped forward and the two rulers shook hands, nodding their respect to each other.

"Take care of her." Illindor replied, his eyes flicking once more to his daughter.

Finally Illindor turned to the two Elves, Thranduil and Legolas, waiting patiently for the departure of the Fay Lord.

"Thankyou for your hospitality thus far, I'm sure you will continue to treat my daughter and trusted friend with the amount of respect they deserve." Illindor said, grasping Thranduil and Legolas's shoulder in the Elves traditional farewell.

"They will indeed be treated deservingly." Thranduil replied. Aranel wondered briefly in what way Thranduil thought it was deserving to treat them, suddenly quite nervous of both Elves, even Legolas.

Illindor gave them one final nod before mounting his horse. He caught his daughter's eyes one last time saying, "If you need me for anything at all Aranel, no matter how small, I will return immediately, all you need do is ask." He nodded briefly at Evandar, indicating that he was the one to go to if she did indeed find need for her father, and she nodded her understanding.

"Farewell then, until our paths meet again." He called as he turned his horse and started towards the gates.

"Namaarie, Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva." Legolas called after him.

"Amin estela ta nauva anlema." Thranduil said quietly to his son, Legolas smiling briefly at his father, before his eyes flickered over and caught Aranel's. He marvelled at Aranel as the sun sent golden glints cascading through her hair and the breeze ran its gentle fingers through it, as he so wished to do.

"Indeed." He murmured, focusing on the situation at hand, looking back at his father.

Aranel watched Legolas, her heart seemed to skip a beat every time he caught her eyes, and she was torn between looking away or getting lost in them.

"Aranel…" Evandar's voice cut across her thoughts as he gently placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it slightly.

"Yes sorry, I'm not use to being up this early." She answered quickly, wondering what she had missed.

"Do you want to get an early start on your lessons and have the afternoon off?" he suggested again smiling warmly at her.

"Oh. Yes, that would be great."

"Good, come on then." He said, steering her away from the crowd and back inside. "We have a lot I want to get done before you father returns." Evandar said, looking back at the Elves, catching Legolas's gaze as he watched Aranel being steered away, and frowning slightly. Legolas turned casually back to his father as he sensed Evandar's eyes watching him, his brow furrowing slightly in turn.

Aranel, of course, was completely oblivious to the moment that had passed between the two, both Legolas and Evandar now left with slight suspicions as to the intentions of the other and both vowing to keep a closer eye on the situation.

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Aranel's lesson with Evandar had gone very well, seeing him as friend and not a teacher had helped her immensely and she had progressed further than she had in about a week in just the one lesson.

"Well, if I'm not careful you'll be teaching me things soon instead of the other way round." Evandar teased her as she put her bundle of books back into the bookshelf.

"Stop it, you'll make me blush." Aranel complained good-naturedly, standing on her tiptoes and trying to reach the top shelf. Evandar watched her, a smile playing across his face as he crossed the room towards her.

"Would you like a hand?" he queried happily.

"No, it's fine. I can reach."

"Really? Because it looks to me like you're a few inches too short." Evandar replied, learning casually against the bookcase next to her.

Aranel poked her tongue out at him and started a series of small jumps as she desperately tried to reach.

Evandar laughed quietly at her and came to stand closely behind her, placing his hands gently around her waist. She could feel the warmth radiating off him and penetrating the lite fabric over her back. Aranel froze, hand still outreached above her head as she looked down at his arms encircling her waist.

"Err…what are you doing?" She asked, trying to sound casual.

"Giving you a hand." He said quietly, close to her ear.

"I don't need a han-" Aranel stopped mid sentence as she felt her feet leave the ground. She squeaked slightly, somehow managing to turn around and cling desperately to Evandar, her eyes wide with shock, the book forgotten in her hand.

"You're safe, don't worry."

Aranel looked far from convinced though, refusing to loosen her grasp on Evandar.

He laughed quietly, looking down at her. "Come now Aranel! I am surprised, the daughter of one of the most powerful air Lords is afraid of being a few inches off the ground?"

"No," Aranel said, raising her chin in defiance, "It was just unexpected that's all." She said as she peeked down between her feet to find that Evandar was indeed right, they were only a few inches above the ground.

"I believe you were trying to put that book away." Evandar prompted.

Aranel looked over her shoulder to find she could reach the top shelf easily now. She slowly released her hold on Evandar's neck and turned awkwardly to slip the book back in its place. She turned back to face Evandar who rapped his arms securely around her waist again and she felt their gradual descent and her feet gently touched the ground.

"How…" was all Aranel could manage at the moment

Evandar smiled, still holding her, "You'll learn one day." He said gently

"One day. I want to learn now." Aranel said, whining playfully and wiggling in his arms.

"So impatient Aranel! We have all the time in the world for that!"

"We?" Aranel questioned, raising an eyebrow up at him.

"Well, you didn't think you'd get rid of me now did you? You have an amazing ability to make people love you no matter how much trouble you seem to cause."

It was at this point that Aranel realised that she was still in his arms, and that most of her body weight was leaning quiet comfortably against Evandar's chest.

"Don't be ridiculous. I don't cause trouble! You were the one that got me into trouble!" Aranel said playfully, moving away from him, Evandar reluctantly letting her go.

"Well, yes, that's true, but I wasn't necessarily talking about that kind of trouble." Evandar replied, suddenly becoming serious.

"There's another kind?"

"Indeed, and it has a lot to do with your many charms."

"Evandar, what on earth are you on about?" Aranel said, exasperation leaking into her voice.

"How much time do you spend with Prince Legolas?" Evandar asked, coming to stand in front of her.

This caught Aranel of guard, she hesitated slightly before speaking and she hoped Evandar hadn't noticed the slight flush come to her cheeks. "Not much." Was the answer she finally managed. "Why?"

"I'm concerned for you, that's all. I couldn't stand seeing you get hurt." Evandar avoided her gaze; Aranel gazed even more intently at him for it.

"Why?" she asked again, suspicion rising in her.

"I just…" Evandar looked back at her then, his clear crystal blue eyes meeting her dark stormy ones. "Please don't be angry Aranel, I know Legolas means a lot to you, and by all means you have every right to trust him. He seems like a descent man. I'm just not entirely convinced that you should. I've been watching him lately and it's becoming increasingly obvious that he has other…motives…in mind when it comes to you."

"Other motives?" Aranel queried immediately.

"Yes, I don't think his intentions towards you are entirely honourable."

Aranel opened and closed her mouth a few times before blurting out "You think he wants… Evandar, don't be ridiculous, he's an Elf, he couldn't possibly see me in that way." She hadn't realised how hard it was going to be to say it, but once she had the reality of the fact settled like lead in her stomach. Legolas was an Elf, she was a Fay, and for anything to happen between them would be extremely unlikely and very dangerous considering the current state of affairs concerning the two races. She looked away from Evandar and started to move towards the door. Evandar moved with her.

"That's why I'm asking you to be careful Aranel. He might be a good friend at the moment but you must remember that he is an Elf and a Prince at that. He has duties to his people and his Father before anything else, and I cannot see him hesitating to hurt you if he thinks it is at all called for. Indeed has he not hurt you emotionally more than once already?"

Aranel stopped again, looking Evandar in the eyes. "You think he would hurt me physically?" She had intended it to be an accusation but it came out as a question, one that she had to admit had flitted across her mind from time to time, so fast she had barely even realised the insecurity was there.

"I don't know, Aranel. I really don't. You just need to remember that he can be a very dangerous man." Evandar gently stroked her cheek, concern written across his face.

All Aranel could do was nod. Evandar had said the very thing that she had so far managed to keep hidden from herself. That fact that part of her was terrified of Legolas. She had only glimpsed the harsh, unpredictable side of him, once in the forest when she had first met him and again when she had stormed into Thranduil's council and during their most recent argument. But in her heart she knew that was just scraping the surface of the immense cruelty that Legolas's was capably of.

"Be careful." Evandar whispered quietly into her ear. She had been so focused in her own thoughts that she had not realised that Evandar was holding her gently again. As she came to realise this he placed a soft kiss on her cheek, much like Legolas had, and she became even more confused as she realised she felt nothing compared to what she had felt when Legolas had gently brushed her cheek with his lips, no matter how attracted to Evandar she was. All she could do for the moment was nod again, reaching for the door, her emotions mixing into a horrible mess as she tried to give Evandar a reassuring smile before closing the door behind her.

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Once again desperate for solitude to think through the day's events Aranel headed for the tower. She had not visited it for many days now, and welcomed the cool darkness that greeted her as she opened the door and made her way up the stair. However, upon reaching the top and walking into the circular room she noticed something very different. Instead of the old, neglected feel that seemed to linger there, there was a lived in, present feeling, the door to the balcony was wide open, blowing fresh air through the place as if it were blowing away all the memories that were held between the walls.

Aranel, feeling a little annoyed at the fact that the place she used to get away now had a completely different feel to it, went to close the balcony door, her heart almost escaping up her throat in fright as a figure suddenly immerged from the balcony.

"What are doing here?" Legolas demanded upon Aranel's sudden appearance.

"I…what are you doing here? No one ever comes up here." Aranel replied.

"And I suppose you know that from living here for just under a month, rather than a few millennia."
Aranel was silent, she had never heard Legolas refer to his age before and she had never thought to ask. To know that he was indeed a few millennia old was still something her mind had yet to come to terms with.

"You seem shocked." He commented, reading her features with ease.

"I am." Was Aranel's simple reply. "You don't seem that old." She added lamely.

Legolas laughed lightly at her comment, "Thank you, I think. I thought you would have seen me as an old man."

"No, you're immortal. Age doesn't seem to hold much significance. Anyway, you really must see me as child." Aranel said, her eyes wondering from Legolas to look out of the window, remembering their earlier conversations.

"You know, had you lived here, you would be somewhere in your 1700's." Legolas said lightly, smiling at her playfully, shrugging his shoulders and coming to stand before her. "You are a beautiful young woman in all rights." Legolas tilted his head to catch her eyes, Aranel however, tried desperately to avoid them, too afraid of getting lost in them now with Evandar's words still ringing in her head.

"Sweet words and a charming smile Legolas, am I really suppose to believe that." She replied, hoping against hope that it sounded playful and had none of the doubt she felt behind it. "I am 17 Legolas, I wouldn't blame you for seeing me as a child-"

"You know I do not. I thought I made that quite clear." His words were assertive, closing the discussion and Aranel felt Legolas brush her cheek gently, the action startling her, making her step back slightly. He gave her a strange look at her reaction, their eyes meeting, Aranel looking away quickly and shifting uncomfortably in her stance.

Legolas watched her for a moment, to Aranel it felt like an eternity under his piercing gaze, she could almost feel him peeling the layers of her back until he reached her very soul, the whole time thoughts of Evandar and his words chasing each other around her head until she thought she might actually become dizzy from it.

"Why are you here?" Legolas's voice caught her off guard, breaking her concentration, leaving her grasping at words to make some kind of coherent sentence.

When no answer came, Legolas continued. "You were right, no one ever comes here, except for me."

"Really? Why's that?" Aranel jumped at the chance to distract herself from her thoughts with this seemingly easy topic.

"Because I forbid it, I suppose. Mind you, it was never actually something I had to order out loud, it was just given that if you disturb me while I am here you are walking very dangerous ground."

"Oh…well…I'm sorry…I hadn't realised, I suppose I'll go then." Aranel replied very awkwardly, turning for the door.

"Why are you here?" Legolas asked again, stopping her from leaving.

Aranel turned, looking back at Legolas. He stood solidly, his presence dominating the room, his features guarded.

"I found it when I first got here. I come here when I need peace and quiet to think."

Legolas nodded after a moment, "Strange that you should come here. That is what first brought me here. When my mother sailed West when I was a child I found this place, I suppose it has become a part of me now."

Aranel could only nod her understanding, she watched Legolas as his gaze stared out across the land but he seemed to look past it and she wondered what he saw. "I'll leave you in peace." She whispered quietly, knowing that he would still hear her and made once again for the door.

"Aranel." Legolas's voice stopped her again, hand on the doorknob. "I've been thinking."

Aranel nodded but did not turn this time. "What about?"

"You."

This really did make Aranel turn and for the first time that night their eyes locked, and Aranel could not remember ever seeing Legolas's eyes revealing that much before, she wondered if he realised but he seemed to let her watch him and read his face, just as he had done to her a countless number of times before.

"Me?" She asked finally.

"Yes, you. And Evandar."

This time she knew he was reading her and she desperately tried to hide the sudden panic that come over her, though she knew she could not. She saw some kind of recognition to her emotions flit across his face but it was gone in a moment.

"I know you are close to him Aranel but I will get to the point. I have been watching him and it has become increasingly clear that his intentions are not all that you think they are. I just thought you should be aware of it. Wether you choose to…follow up on Evandar's clear affections for you is your decision." Legolas fell silent still watching her.

Aranel, after the initial shock of his words, couldn't help but laugh in disbelief, having heard those exact words not long ago from Evandar concerning Legolas. This however, was not the reaction Legolas had thought he might get, and he looked a little affronted that she should find his observations so ludicrous.

"I'm sorry," Aranel finally managed. "It's just that that's what Evandar just told me about you. He thinks I should be careful around you in case you take advantage of me or something. Apparently you're very dangerous." She said smiling.

Legolas however didn't laugh. "And what did you say to that?" he queried, watching her closely now.

"That it was stupid of course! You are the least dangerous guy I know!" But as she said it she realised that it was a lie, and that in fact she had come up there in the first place to figure out if Legolas was indeed a danger to her.

And unfortunately Legolas seemed to notice.

"Did you now, then why are you suddenly so nervous around me?"

"Well…considering what happened last time I saw you wouldn't that be a natural reaction? After all, I'm not entirely sure where I stand when it comes to you." Aranel said, only partly lying, she really didn't know where she stood when it came to Legolas.

This didn't go down to well with Legolas though who's features hardened, his lips becoming a thin line and his eyes adopting a coldness that made Aranel shiver when she looked at them.

"Did you know it is almost impossible to lie to an Elf? We can pick up on emotions that others emit a lot more easily than you, especially when people lie to us."

Aranel swallowed, looking over Legolas's shoulders instead of at his face.

"Body language is another tell tail sign of ones emotion." He continued, "one looks at the ground when they are ashamed, or feel the need to hide when in a confronting situation, or in anger you will look me in the eyes. The funny thing about lying is that one usually looks over the shoulder of the one they are lying to, so that it looks like they have nothing to hide, but can not meet the others eyes." He continued coldly.

Aranel immediately looked back at Legolas, she could feel her cheeks slowly grow warmer as she desperately tried to hide it.

They were silent, Legolas watching her cheeks darken in hue, Aranel trying not to look away from him but finding it almost impossible.

Finally Legolas broke the silence with the question she had been dreading.

"Why are you lying to me?"

"I'm not." Aranel tried, looking him in the eye as she said it but she knew he could see straight through her.

"Do you really think that was a smart answer?"

"I'll say what I like, it may not be smart but I don't need you to tell me, I can work that one out for myself. I'm not a child after all." She replied in annoyance.
"Apparently you're answers have not been the smartest in any aspect today. Why would you agree with Evandar?" Legolas asked bluntly.

"How do you know I did?"

"Because you are lying Aranel." Legolas said, anger creeping into his voice as his eyes seemed to darken with hidden emotions.

"What I say to Evandar is my business, why does it concern you?" Aranel replied, her own anger rising now.

"Because I'm trying to help you. How can I possibly do that if you insist on lying to me?"

"How do I know that Legolas? You constantly run hot and cold around me! One minute you hate me the next minutes it's the opposite! How the hell am I suppose to know if your helping me or what the hell is going on! You a bloody Elf for gods sake, and I'm a Fay and you either hate me or you don't Legolas, there's no in between, and I'm not gonna put up with your shit because you can't make a bloody decision about it!" Aranel finally lost the reins on her temper. Legolas had played his last game with her she decided, she wasn't going to put up with it anymore.

"So this is what it's going to be like is it. You're going to take the easy option, as you always seem to do. Take a step back Aranel and take a good hard look at yourself, if anyone is running hot and cold it's you!" Legolas yelled back.

"Oh why don't you say what you really mean Legolas? Come on, say it, you think I'm childish and need someone to sit over me and baby me or something. For god sake Legolas, I would have thought you were more of a man to come out and say what you really feel-"

"You want to know what I feel, Aranel? I care for you far more than I should, okay! So yes there is a grey area and I might be running hot and cold but it's only because yes, I am an Elf and yes, you were right yet again, you are a Fay, and guess what that means Aranel. That means I'm definitely not meant to be falling for you!" Legolas finished, if his eyes had been cold before, now they were burning as he watched her, both falling completely silent in shock.

Aranel's mind seemed to have slowed to a halt. It reminded her of when she had been told she was a Fay. Did Legolas just say he was falling for me? She wondered, but her mind could seem to get no further than that, so she just stared trying to say something though she had no idea what it might be.

"So there you have it Aranel. I hope you are happy. You can go running off to Evandar now and tell him all about just how dangerous I really am." And with that, Legolas stormed past her and left, the door slamming with such force that it unsettled some dust from the roof that drifted slowly down, Aranel watching it's progress, and finally coming to the conclusion that disturbing Legolas here was indeed a very bad idea, she certainly had wondered onto very dangerous ground.

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Translations

Namaarie, Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva : Farewell, Sweet water and light laughter till next we meet.

Amin estela ta nauva anlema : I hope it will be a long journey.

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Well, there we go, hope you like it, going to start getting into the thick of things soon, but anyway, as always please please please read and review and no flames thanks!