Chapter 10

Bonding

Legolas stayed in Lothlorien with me for a while. We fought sometimes but we got along very well. We had a lot of fun together, along with Gloradir and Estelwen and even Haldir sometimes. I was planning a camping trip and I wanted Haldir to come.

"I want you to come with us."

"Unfortunately, Jupiter, I have more important things to do for the Lady Galadriel."

I knew he would play that card.

"I already asked her. She's given you leave for three days. I'm not taking no for an answer and I'll expect you to meet us at the entrance of the city in the morning."

He was completely frozen in place and I left with a smile.

We had all gathered the next morning except for Haldir.

"Mellon nin I do not believe he is coming." Estelwen said.

I smirked.

"Believe me he'll come. I know he will."

They looked unsure but then he appeared. I smiled and nodded to him. I knew he was happy to be getting away, but he was pretending not to be.

"Glad you could make it. Now, would you mind leading us to that clearing you found me in?"

He just nodded and we all followed Haldir. The clearing was a lot closer than I expected. We set up camp and I smirked. I quickly took some leaves, moss and thin branches.

Legolas' POV

I finally had my tent set up. I turned around and found them laughing softly.

"What?"

"Oh nothing. I was telling them a story about when I was back in Chicago." Jupiter said.

I shrugged and went to look around.

Jupiter's POV

"How long do you think it will take for him to notice?" Gloradir asked.

I looked at him.

"Well, perhaps the mighty prince is used to wearing a crown and he won't notice."

"I have to say I am impressed. It is very well made." Haldir said.

I winked and then Legolas came back. I didn't fail to notice there were only three tents. I looked at Gloradir as it was his job to pack the tents.

"Gloradir, what happened to the other two tents?" I asked.

He frowned.

"I swear I packed them all. I must have mis-counted."

I didn't believe him for a second. I let it go and then Legolas came back. The makeshift crown was still on his head.

"There are only three tents." he said.

"Gloradir made a mistake." Estelwen said.

I looked at her and then at Haldir. I raised my brows and he shook his head.

"Well, this would be a good time to divide up for the night. I will share with Jupiter, Haldir can have his own and I am certain Legolas will not mind sharing with the lovely Estelwen."

I saw Haldir stiffen and I held back my smile. I hardly ever missed anything. Legolas also seemed a bit uncomfortable. Gloradir seemed to notice this too.

"Or Jupiter and Haldir can share…"

I started laughing. I couldn't help it! The idea of Haldir and I sharing a tent was hysterical. He must have thought so too because he was also laughing. When I calmed down I just smiled.

"One of us would be dead by morning I think." Haldir said.

"It's a risk I don't want to take mon amie." I said.

Gloradir suddenly smiled again.

"I have a better idea…."

"I think we have heard enough of your ideas, mellon nin. This is how it shall go, Estelwen will stay with Haldir, Jupiter will have her own, I can sleep outside…"

"You'll do no such thing! You'll stay with Gloradir."

They both looked uncomfortable and I raised my brows. I sighed and shook my head.

"Alright fine. Legolas you can stay with me. Gloradir you get the single…I mean you get your own."

Everyone seemed happy with this.

"Well done, Jupe." Gloradir said with a wink.

I knew he was up to something and I just gave him an amused smirk. We made a fire that night and sat in a circle. They were talking and I was looking up at the stars.

"Jupe?"

I looked at Estelwen who was sitting closest to Haldir.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh I'm fine."

"She loves the stars. She seems to know a lot about them. Estelwen, when were you born?"

"The twenty ninth of April."

"Oh so we have a Taurus in our group. Estelwen, your ruling planet is Venus, you are reliable, patient, practical, devoted, responsible and stable. However, you can be stubborn, possessive and uncompromising. You like music, romance, and working with your hands. Your element is earth and your best chance at love is with a Scorpio, but you are also compatible with a Virgo." I said.

Estelwen looked impressed. I looked at Haldir.

"The twenty eighth of August."

I smiled more.

"A Virgo. You're loyal, kind, hardworking and practical. And yet you can be shy, you worry, overly critical of yourself and others, you're all work and no play. You like books, healthy food and cleanliness. Your element is also earth and your ruling planet is Mercury. You dislike rudeness and asking for help. You are most compatible with a Pieces, Taurus or a Capricorn."

Haldir looked highly impressed and he smiled a bit. I didn't miss the sideways glance he gave Estelwen. I now looked to Gloradir.

"December the sixteenth." he said.

"A Sagittarius. Your element is fire, and your ruling planet, get this, is Jupiter." they all laughed. "You're generous, idealistic and you have a great sense of humor, which I can vouch for. But sometimes you promise more than you can deliver, and you can be very impatient. You like freedom, travel, philosophy and being outdoors. You don't like clingy people or being constrained. You're best compatible with Aries, Leo and Gemini."

He smiled proudly and I threw a piece of bread at him. He laughed and ate it before pointing at Legolas.

"Now Legolas." he said.

I looked over into Legolas' eyes.

"He's a Gemini. His element is air, his ruling planet is Mercury. Gentle, affectionate, curious and adaptable. But also nervous, inconsistent and indecisive. His company is never boring and he likes books, music and short trips around the town or city. He doesn't like to be confined or alone, and he doesn't like repetition and routine. His um….he is most compatible with a Libra, Aquarius and Sagittarius." I said softly.

Legolas was staring into my eyes.

"And what about you Jupe?"

"She is an Aries. Her element is fire and her ruling planet is one called Mars. She was born in the nineteenth of April and she is courageous, determined, confident, passionate, honest and enthusiastic. She can be impatient, moody, short-tempered, impulsive and aggressive. She likes to be comfortable and she likes physical challenges. She does not like inactivity, delays or work that does not use one's talents. She is best with a Libra." Legolas said.

I could not look away from him. His eyes seemed to stare into my very soul. I smiled softly and nodded.

"That's right, that's me. My symbol is the ram." I said, finding my voice.

Legolas' POV

She looked so beautiful in the firelight. Her eyes shimmered like mithril. She slowly looked away from me and I closed my eyes.

"Well I think I've had enough excitement for one day. I'm going to bed. See you in the morning."

We all said goodnight to her and she disappeared into the tent. I watched her leave before turning back to the others. They all looked at me with strange expressions.

"What?"

"Tell her how you feel." Gloradir said.

I sighed and shook my head.

"She is too free and independent. I would never want to take that from her. You know I must soon return to the Woodland Realm for a few months. She would never go back there."

"For you she would." Estelwen said.

"And I would not want here to. My father was rude to her and he made her leave. I do not want to put her in an uncomfortable position."

"I would keep your voice down. She heard almost everything and is very stealthy."

I raised my brow and he pointed at me.

"You have something on your head."

I frowned and reached up. I pulled a makeshift crown of leaves and twigs from my head and chuckled.

"Tell her. Tell her before it is too late." Haldir said.

I looked at him in surprise.

"I may not know a lot about this, but I do know you should not wait. She needs and deserves to know how you feel. Jupiter is special, and she deserves the best." he continued.

I looked back at the tent.