An- So, I have to admit- I love me my Niori/Legolas scenes. You've probably noticed by now. And, since those Niori/Legolas scenes really have been more on the angsty side for awhile (seriously most of the last story was one big angst fest for them), it's nice to revisit the days before the angst started. Back to the beginning, as it were. So, here's another one.

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The three girls, linked arms and all, walked through the Golden Hall, chatting and laughing it up loudly. They had some time to kill, so they had decided to explore some.

"But then-" Jane was saying as she walked between Carla and Niori, but totally stopped when someone came around the corner and almost walked straight into her.

That someone was Gimli, with Legolas walking beside him. As soon as they saw each other, both Legolas and Niori stiffened. Both had been strictly avoiding each other since Isenguard.

Jane looked from Legolas to Niori, and then signalled to Carla that they should leave; both girls had noticed Niori's mood, and the fact that she wouldn't talk about it. They also noticed Legolas acting the same way, and drew some very interesting conclusions. They didn't think that they had slept together, but obviously something had happened. On their way out, Carla grabbed hold of Gimli and pulled him along with them.

So Legolas and Niori were left alone. They stood there awkwardly for a few minutes before Legolas finally broke the silence.

"Niori…" Legolas spoke, and she thought of the last time he had said her name and how he had said it, and it made her turn her head away from him, "Can we please not do this? Can't we just forget?"

What if I don't want to forget, even though I know I should? Niori wanted to ask, and do you really want to forget?

"It may feel differently," he continued, "but nothing truly happened."

Like hell nothing happened, Niori thought, or at least it did for me. Do you want to know why that scared me so much…because nothing ended up happening; I don't back off, especially when I wanted someone as much as I wanted you that night…so why did I? Why did I back off for you? Why are you different? God I've wanted you from the beginning…so why am I so scared? I don't –can't- love you, so why does it matter?

"I guess you're right," Niori replied finally when her silence made him look desperate, "it was just one of those things that happens. A fluke."

"And it won't happen again; it was just that one moment."

That only made her stomach drop; it wasn't until he said it that she realized just how much, despite it all, she wanted it to happen again.

"This is a first," Niori sort of laughed, "a guy who is relieved that I didn't give out."

"Niori, I would never expect that from you…never ask it of you."

The sincerity in his voice made her look back at him.

That was it…what had made her stop; he respected her more than anyone else ever had, so much that he didn't expect anything from her. He knew all about her and her past, and he still didn't judge her. She couldn't risk doing anything that could change the way he saw her. It didn't matter that she wanted him, because what they had now was much more important to her.

"Thanks," Niori said with more conviction, "and you're right. Friends?"

She stuck out her hand and he shook it. That's what she wanted. Legolas was hot and she could easily admit to having a crush on him…but nothing else. She wouldn't let it be anything else.

"Always."

Niori didn't let her mind linger on the fact that he held onto her hand a bit longer than necessary.

"Well then," she continued with a smile, "let's go find the others; there's a party tonight after all."

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An- Short, but hopefully sweet. I hope you've all enjoyed! 'Til next time!