I didn't notice the symbols I used to designate a break in the story didn't show up...joy. I'm having a hard time finding any that do.

Please remember Elves rest with eyes open.

>>

His face was cream against the deep green of the pillow. She could hear his breath, slow and steady, and could admire his silver-blue eyes without his observing.

Arianell stiffled a giggle, he looked so much like wax figure or a statue..she still couldn't believe something so perfect could move and breath and speak...much less that something that perfect was interested in her. Her eyes followed the bridge of his nose to his lips as she smiled, remembering his kisses on the balcony.

Things had taken a decided twist in her predicament. As she thought of Legolas she realized that for once she actually wanted to stay in Middle Earth...for reasons more than 'adventure'. Still she could not help but wonder what his reaction would be if he knew everything about her, including her not being an elf.

Gingerly she reached up and touched her ears, making sure the points were still there, she was afraid that one of these days she would wake and the spell would be reversed, a fear that she knew would increase when Lothien left. She could only pray the Valar knew what they were doing.

Arianell became sullen, would Legolas love her if she were anything other than an elf? Could she love him, she couldn't imagine spending a few years much less eternity with any other ellon, or man for that matter.

Arianell leaned over Legolas' sleeping figure, she didn't want to wake him but needed to speak with him, and what better time than before everyone else in the palace rose?

storybreak>

Arianell had tried a few different methods to wake Legolas, to no avail. She spoke his name, shook him gently, even ran her finger along his ear and he hadn't awoken. She didn't want to startle him awake but she was running out of options. Lightly she brushed his lips with her own and was only mildly suprised when he caught her mouth, his hands reaching up to cradle her head.

"You mean you were awake this entire time?"

He grinned. "I can't believe you!" Arianell laughed at him as he ran the back of his hand down her face and smoothed her hair "Why were you trying to wake me Arwenamin?"

Arianell looked down at him laying there, she didn't want to tell him. Maybe she didn't have to. "I needed to talk with you." she blurted out "Legolas, would you love me if I weren't an elf?"

Legolas' hand had dropped off of her face as his contenance became puzzled "What do you mean?"

"I mean, well I was just wondering...If I were not an elleth, would you love me anyway? If I were, say, human?"

Legolas was going to ask what had brought the question on but decided better of it. "Of course I would." "You would?" "Arianell" He moved to sit up, the sheet sliding from off his shoulders, exposing his bare chest "I love you because of who you are, elleth or human maiden it would not matter to me."

Arianell smiled "I'm sorry to ask that, it's just I'm feeling a little, insecure." Legolas' hand ran over her shoulder and onto the collar of her nightdress "Don't be." gently he pulled her in, requesting rather than commanding she comply.

>>

Thranduil made his way through the corridors and to a heavy wooden door, he was suprised to find the chambers inside empty and motioned for the maid behind him to follow on to another door. He paused before knocking and tried the door handle instead. Lightly the door sprung open but what was inside made him stop in his tracks.

"Legolas!"

Arianell froze at the sound of King Thranduil suddenly filling the bedchambers.

"Am I interupting something?"

"Actually..." Legolas glared at his father, wishing instead he had not walked in, and that Arianell was still bestowing loving minstrations to his sensitive elven ears. "No father, we were about to rise for the morning." Arianell still had her head buried somewhere beside Legolas' shoulder and wisely stiffled a giggle.

"I requested the maid bring Lady Arianell some appropriate clothing for today's activities. Do you still intend to take her riding?"

"Yes Father, though I am afraid it might rain later."

Thranduil nodded "Wise observation my son, I have been advised the same perhaps it would be wise to remain closer to the palace?"

"Perhaps."

Legolas watched as the maid came in with a stack of clothing and sat it on one of the chairs near the door then left with a "M'Lord." King Thranduil continued to stand in the doorway and smile as Arianell, now sitting next to Legolas, became more and more uncomfortable.

"Father" Legolas' voice contained a hint of laughter "Perhaps you could leave so Lady Arianell may rise?"

"Oh, yes of course."

As soon as the door closed Legolas pulled Arianell back towards him but she placed her hands flat on his chest "Maybe we should get up now." He sighed but released her.

>>

Arianell sat behind Legolas on his steed, cradled beside his quiver, her head resting against his shoulder blade. She wondered what kind of a sight they made, she in her light blue cloak and he in his fellowship garb. She had listened closely at the feast to the storytellers entertaining the small children and had heard about Legolas' role in the fellowship. The thought made her smile, here she was from another world entirely and she was riding with the legendary; and in her world, fictional, elven archer of Mirkwood.

"Eryn Lasgalen" Legolas had smiled as they entered the forest "Greenwood once again, though it still has more than its fair share of Mirky sections. I am afraid it will take an age to drive the darkness from the woodlands"

Arianell watched the trees slide by as, with a single word, the elvish horse picked up speed.

"We will be there shortly." Legolas could feel her nodd as he smiled.

"Where are we?" "One of the brighter sections of Mirkwood." Legolas helped her down from the horse. "It's beautiful!" Legolas looked around the glen "It is one of the first places the wildflowers returned to."

Arianell felt her Elven side take over as she spun in giddy circles and collapsed, laughing, in the flowers. As Legolas unsaddled his horse he was more than content to watch her. He smiled as she gathered armfulls of flowers and twined them into a crown.

His eyes widened as she approached him "And what do you intend to do with that?"

"Why M'Lord" Arianell smiled brightly, "Surely you would not deny a gift from Kementari, Queen of the Earth? For it is she who has bade these flowers grow."

Legolas smiled and bowed his head to receive the crown. "No inded, it would not be wise to deny Yavanna second dearest of the Valari, nor her handmaiden." And, stoopping, Legolas twined his own crown skillfully for Arianell "Nor would you deny her gift."

She smiled as her hands went to the crown in her hair.

>>

Arianell watched the clouds chase each other through the break in the forest canopy. "When do we have to go back?" "Why Meleth, you wish to be rid of me so soon?" Arianell sat up and smiled down at Legolas' figure "Rather I was hoping we could stay longer." "If you wish but I would rather return to the palace."

Arianell feigned being shocked "Why M'Lord you would be rid of me so soon?"

"Arianell" Legolas' voice was stern "What have I told you about..."

"I don't know M'Lord, perhaps you could show me...telling me doesn't seem to work."

Legolas sprang up and pushed her down by her shoulders, causing her to shriek before she started laughing.

He tickled her sides as she kicked, trying to get him to stop. Quickly Legolas straddled her, using his thighs to push her legs together and keep them from moving

"Stop it!"

Arianell tried to hit him but he pushed her arms down with his hands. Arianell lay there, breathless, but he couldn't tickle her anymore. She squirmed a little as he looked down at her. Suddenly something crossed his eyes, something that made Arianell feel like she was melting.

Slowly, too slowly for her liking, he leaned down towards her before catching her lips to his own and holding them there.

Still stradling her he broke the kiss. Arianell tried to lean forward and catch his lips but his weight on her arms prevented it. So she pouted, which only made Legolas smile.

Quickly he leaned down and began kissing her ear, causing Arianell to gasp and push up against him. He smiled, though she couldn't see it, and continued.

"Legolas what if someone..."

"There are none around Arianell. This is one of the more secluded bright spots in Mirkwood."

He ran a finger along the rim of her ear and another across the top of her riding outfit. In turn Arianell fingered the Lorien brooch that held his cloak on, her own cloak neatly folded by the saddlebags.

She was content to stay there, held in his arms.

>>

"Why did I have to get up again, I was comfortable!"

"What, lying beneath me?" Arianell blushed as Legolas laughed outright "I am sorry Meleth, but face it, your reaction was more than worth the comment."

He pushed a shrub out of the way "It is right through there, Elleths first."

"Should I be scared?" Legolas only shrugged.

>>

"Wow!"

The pool Legolas had taken her to was crystal clear, Arianell could see the smooth rocks at the bottom. A waterfall spilled over a small rocky ledge and other rocks jutted from the pool, worn smooth and perfect for sunning.

"If I had only brought another change of clothing." Arianell mused "Taken care of." Legolas smiled as he pulled a stack from the saddle bags. He turned the horse loose (again) and smiled as the mare immediately began grazing.

"Do you wish to eat now, or swim?"

"Swim!" Arianell smiled and began to pull of her boots, cloak, outer dress, and leggings. As soon as she had them piled a safe distance from the shore she waded into the crystal waters in her underdress and light leggings.

As soon as she entered the waters she wondered if her underthings would be thick enough to be modest when she got back out, she smiled upon noticing they were maroon instead of the normal white. Had everyone known she woud be swimming today?

Arianell ducked underneath the water and surfaced beside one of the flat rocks near the edge of the pool. It did look so perfect. Climbing out she layed on it, her hair flowing over the edge and into the pond.

Sighing she closed her eyes and let the sun fill her eyelids with light.

Well that was a long chapter, be happy:)