An- Because clearly what this story needs is more Niori/Legolas sweetness.

l.l.l

Legolas was standing on the deck of the ship, looking out at the water with a serene look on his face. Niori stood leaning against the mast, sure that he was unaware that she was watching him. He had been distracted since they had defeated the pirates and gotten on the ships, constantly going to stare at the water. She knew why- Elves were called to the sea and all that.

God help her, but Niori was jealous.

She moved away from the mast and towards him. She came to a stop when she was beside him and then joined him looking out. Niori couldn't deny it was beautiful; she loved the water, always had. The salty smell in the air, the sound of the soft waves against the ship and the cries of gulls. It didn't effect her the way it did Legolas of course, but the ocean did have a certain call on her.

"Beautiful eh?" she voiced the thought softly.

"Amazing."

"I half grew up on the water you know," Niori commented, "my grandmother had a house on the bay an hour or so from my place. I'd be out there every weekend I could, spending most of my time on the beach. It was too cold to swim, so I would just wander, climb the rocks and discover all kinds of life in the tide pools. I had the largest collection of rocks and seashells. I loved that place so much…" she ended with a sigh.

"Why did you stop going?" he asked her.

"Nan died and my parents sold her house. Whenever I needed time to myself I'd drive up there, but it ended up becoming less frequent as my life became more hectic."

Legolas gave a nod, and Niori didn't realize that instead of looking at the water he was now focusing on her face.

"I understand how you feel."

Niori quirked an eyebrow "You've got it worse than I ever will. Though, from what I've heard, you're not reacting as extreme as I thought you would; isn't the sea like the biggest siren song out there for you Elves? I thought we'd have to restrain you from jumping in for a swim," the last part was followed by a small grin.

There was a long silence where Legolas gave her a look she just couldn't read. When he finally spoke it was in a soft voice.

"I hear the call of the sea…but it's not strongest. It seems there's a siren back on land that calls to me the loudest."

Niori digested his words. Whether he was trying to be subtle or not she didn't know, but Niori did know what –who- he was talking about. It was in his eyes as he gazed over at her.

"I've never been called a siren before," she replied softly, "and I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing."

"Why do you think I'm talking about you?"

There was no denial of offence in his voice, just curiosity.

"You have the most expressive eyes I've ever seen Legolas," she left her answer there.

He gave her a small smile and took hold of her hand "it's a good thing Niori."

Niori smiled but didn't feel the need to reply. Instead she turned her gaze back to the water once again, and the two of them went back to watching the waves silently.

l.l.l

An- So, a bit of back story: This came about because I remembered that, in the book, they made this huge deal about how Elves were drawn to the sea. They didn't cover that in the movie, which I get, but I was still curious about how it would have gone. Then I wondered how I could spin it in a Niori/Legolas way, and this is where I went.