~ Busted ~

Legolas awoke early, and once he'd remembered his current location and the details of the evening drifted back to him, let out a contented sigh. He shifted his weight slightly, so as not to awaken Aerlaer, making himself even more comfortable in the large, feather-soft bed.

The spacious chamber was still dark, dawn still hours away, he guessed. He knew he would need to sneak back across to his own designated chambers before the sun began to rise, but until then, he could enjoy the remaining time with the elleth tangled up beside him.

They had quickly lost count of how many rules they were breaking by being together, but he did not care, and he knew, neither did Aerlaer.

He ran his fingers lazily through her hair, working loose the tangles he had created as they had cherished each other during the long hours of the night. And what a night it had been! Waiting a year would certainly be the death of him, of them both! He could not understand it, he didn't want to stop but, he knew if they were found out it would be a scandal. He smirked to himself imagining how amusing that would actually be. If, however, this was normal behavior for his kind, he now understood just why certain lore existed.

Aerlaer shifted against him, and he was suddenly gazing into calm, sapphire eyes. She looked as relaxed and content as he felt as a smile slowly spread across her face. "I should go soon." He murmured as she moved impossibly closer to him, no, it was not impossible for they had clung so tightly to one another. He instead found himself encircling his arms fully around her. He really did not want to let her go just yet and dawn really was a while off. Yes, I can stay a little longer. He thought as he placed a tender kiss against her forehead and closed his eyes.

…

Arwen was almost beside herself with eagerness to see her brothers and her dear cousin. She had been forbidden from waking them but surely, she could hassle them now? She wanted desperately to learn news of how Estel fared. Did he still love her for surely what he had told her before he had departed from Imladris had been a lie; a means to make her sail. Aerlaer would know, she simply had to speak to her younger cousin! Arwen made her way back down the corridor, intent on waking her cousin up when she saw Aerlaer's door open and one of the elven maids back out, quickly and quietly shutting the door behind her. The copper haired elleth spun and then stifled a cry of surprise as she saw Arwen behind her.

"Lady Arwen, I did not hear you!" She gasped and it was now Arwen noticed the maid's cheeks were flushed crimson and she was in quite the fluster.

"Santiel." She addressed the distressed elleth. "Whatever is the matter?" She glanced past her shoulder towards her cousin's closed door. "Does something ail my cousin? Is she not well?"

"No, no she is well. She looks umm… well." Santiel nervously replied.

"Then she is awake then, finally!" She exclaimed and made towards the door.

"No, no she is asleep!" The maid insisted.

"Then I will wake her."

"Lady Arwen please, I do not think it wise to barge in..." Santiel stammered and Arwen gazed at her.

"Really Santiel, she is my cousin, she will not bite my head off, she will be pleased to see me." She scoffed as she turned the elegant handle and peered through the door.

The chamber was still a little dark and Arwen noticed the drapes Aerlaer would normally leave open were mostly closed. She gazed upon what she could see of her cousin and frowned. Aerlaer's hair did not glow silver. In fact, it was not Aerlaer lying in that bed at all, it was an ellon! She could see now why Santiel had been in quite the fluster, the ellon was tangled up in his thick white blanket and much of his strong chest and legs were exposed. Well, if he was in this chamber, where was Aerlaer? Perhaps in Aerthor's chamber? That would make sense. Arwen gazed back to his hair and face again trying to determine just who this Elf was to be granted the use of these family chambers and just why it seemed moonlight glowed upon his hair when it was barely still visible in the dawning sky when, she noticed a hand tangled in the ellon's hair. A hand which most certainly did not belong to him.

Arwen followed the hand to a slender arm but it disappeared beneath the thick blanket. It was then she realised there was not one Elf but two, their bodies so entangled she could barely tell one from the other save for the obvious fact one was a male and the other most certainly a female. She gazed up again towards the head of the bed as there was movement and let out a shocked gasp as she now caught sight of thick waves of tresses scintillating a pale gold.

"Aerlaer!" She uttered in confusion from the doorway and suddenly there was movement before her and the ellon half sat up in complete surprise, staring at her with wide, warm brown eyes. She could only imagine she returned the look as she realised just who she gazed back at. "Legolas?" She shook her head in disbelief as Aerlaer scrambled up to gaze at her looking just as surprised.

Arwen could only gape at the pair in shock. She noticed now their hair had ceased to glow. Why in Arda was Legolas's hair even glowing? Why in Arda was he in Aerlaer's bed? Goodness have they bonded? Is that why he glows now too! No, no they had most certainly not bonded, that would be breaking so many rules and from royal lines, no, that could not be. What in Arda had occurred on that quest?

"I don't understand." She finally uttered in exasperation. Legolas looked incredibly awkward now as he sent a worrying glance towards Aerlaer, not that he had to look far, his arm was draped around her. "I won't say anything." Arwen added and for good measure, quietly closed the door behind her, shutting out Santiel, who she was quite certain hovered in the corridor. "Just, please explain what in Arda is going on?"

...

"Umm surprise, I found the ellon from the Greenwood dance." Aerlaer said sheepishly beside Legolas, while he discreetly pulled at the blanket to cover himself better. So much for sneaking back to his own chamber before dawn; it was now past dawn and he'd fallen back to sleep! Arwen also looked as if she might murder him.

"Legolas has brown eyes…" Arwen murmured more to herself as she gazed directly at him, and he attempted to cover himself up all the more.

"Yes, he does." Aerlaer smirked away smugly beside him as Arwen became very thoughtful and then glowered.

"So, you're the Mirkwood Elf who left my poor cousin heartbroken all those years. You have some nerve Legolas." Oh, Manwë she is not pleased at all!

"Arwen, that is not quite right." Aerlaer murmured and Arwen's blue eyes sparked in anger.

"Is it not? How many times have you ridden to Imladris Legolas? Stayed as my father's guest and yet you never found Aerlaer?"

"I, I'd never really met her until that day I found her in the woods." He replied. "How could I have known it was her, she'd darkened her hair and wore a mask in my father's realm." He added, feeling quite annoyed himself.

"That is a poor excuse." She bit out darkly. Legolas was dumbfounded, why was she so angry with him? Had there been more to the story on Aerlaer's part? He glanced to her and noticed her frowning as she stared back at her older cousin.

"How is it any different to when you met Estel again in Lothlórien? As I recall, you did not recognise him immediately."

"That was different." Arwen threw back, but Aerlaer shook her head.

"No, it's not."

"Know I never meant to hurt her, I looked everywhere but I know now I searched for the memory of an Elf I would not find." Legolas intoned cautiously. Arwen looked almost as if she would burst into tears, leaving Legolas all the more confused.

"I've waited hours to speak with you, letting you rest, and you've been instead preoccupied all this time!" Arwen said quietly, her eyes now full of hurt and sadness. "I just want to know how he fares…" She trailed off and suddenly Legolas figured out why she was so volatile. Finding he and Aerlaer like this would have been a blow to the heart when she knew nothing of Aragorn.

"I best return to my chamber." He decided quietly and to his relief, Arwen turned around and he carefully left the bed and tracked down his discarded sleep garments and hurriedly dressed.

"Perhaps use the door, not the tree." Aerlaer suggested with a slight smirk playing on her lips.

"I'll check the corridor is empty." Arwen mumbled and cracked the door open. "You are safe but move quickly, if you are caught Thranduilion, you'll be skinned alive."

"Thank you." He gratefully replied before swiftly leaving the chambers. He made it three steps when another door opened and Elladan walked out, stopping in surprise.

"Do I even want to know?" The older Elf smirked.

"You saw nothing." Legolas replied mysteriously as he pushed open his own door and dove into the chamber to sink down in a heap against a wall. Manwë that was absolutely terrifying!

…

"Arwen sit down." Aerlaer patted her bed and the older elleth stared at her hand.

"You are wearing a ring." She blurted out and Aerlaer laughed lightly.

"I am, but we may speak of that after, you wish to know of Estel?"

"Yes, anything you know." There was desperation in her voice.

"He is well. Last time I saw him was just over five days ago, but he was well. He and the army are travelling back to Minas Tirith as we speak." Arwen's shoulders relaxed in relief, and she nodded but there was clearly more she needed to know. "He still loves you, he always will. He thinks you have sailed however, as he bade you to." She added softly and tears pooled in her cousin's eyes.

"How could I? I could never leave him." She finally sank down upon the edge of the bed and Aerlaer shuffled over and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders and Arwen leaned against her. "I've made my choice, I cannot, and I do not want to change it. There is nothing for me across the sea."

"Then when all this fighting is over; return to Minas Tirith with Legolas and I. Tell him. He would never refuse you cousin, he loves you with all of his heart." Aerlaer said and Arwen nodded.

"Yes. I will. I do not think Adar will stand in my way concerning my heart again." She murmured and then let out a relieved laugh of happiness. "I am so glad you are all well, that you and my brothers have returned. Legolas too." She turned to her curiously. "It really is him, isn't it?" Aerlaer laughed and nodded.

"It is a longish story."

"We have two hours before you depart, I am listening." Arwen grinned.

...

Legolas had decided a trip to the stream to wash was in order and was only walking back now when he came across his least favourite Elf, Orophin. He politely nodded as he made to pass him only to have the older warrior stop him.

"Is it true?" He demanded and Legolas frowned in confusion.

"I'm sorry?"

"These scandalous rumors concerning the Lady Aerlaer, and yourself?" He all but spat out.

"Rumors?"

"That you were discovered in her chamber, in her bed." Unfortunately, he did not mask the shock upon his face and gave Orophin the answer to his questions.

"You are no better than the race of man." He hissed out. Legolas bristled.

"And what have I supposedly done? Is it so wrong to spend time with my intended lifemate?" He replied coolly.

"Your what?" Orophin spluttered and Legolas held in a smirk.

"My intended lifemate." He purposely used his left hand to push his half dry hair back off his forehead, well aware the ring would not be missed. Before Orophin could form any more degrading venom, Legolas politely nodded to him. "Forgive me, I must return to said intended lifemate." He stepped around the fuming but silent elf and continued on his way.

He began now to notice more than a little attention thrown his way as he walked past various elves. Catching snippets of whispers and stares. This was not good, somehow word had escaped of just where he had slept or, not slept really at all. But how? No one had seen him, and he refused to think Arwen would give away their secret. It made entirely no sense.

He made his way up the winding stair and found Aerlaer awaiting him on the dais. She looked splendid, donning a dress which started out a medium blue but became darker as it fell away from the ribbon tied bodice to her bare feet. The neckline dipped to a v, showing her fine collarbone and her arms and shoulders were mostly bare save for the two sets of wide straps, the outer ones hanging loosely off her shoulders. She walked gracefully towards him, and he immediately pulled her into an embrace. "You look beautiful." He spoke quietly against her ear, and she laughed off the comment.

"Flattery will not get you far." She teased and he smirked.

"Perhaps not but this might…" He spoke the last words as he trailed a line of light kisses to her lips and then captured them.

"Ahh to be young." A cheery voice laughed, and Legolas pulled away to find Glorfindel gazing out over the trees.

"Greetings Lord Glorfindel." He said politely and the golden haired Elf turned and smiled at him.

"Greetings young ones, I heard a very interesting rumor about the pair of you just now." His eyes danced with mischief and Legolas groaned.

"What did you hear?" Aerlaer asked innocently and he took her hand feeling perplexed as Glorfindel merrily chuckled.

"I think Legolas knows, I shall leave you, my little firefly, to discuss said rumor. The older Elf said airily and hoisted himself agilely over the railing to the stair below.

"Little firefly?" Legolas raised a brow. He was still baffled over the obvious affection the Balrog Slayer had for Aerlaer.

"Glorfindel trained me, you know that." He did recall her mentioning it now he thought about it. "What did he mean by rumors?"

"There you two are!" A deeper voice sounded from above the stairs leading into the talans. "We need to discuss certain matters." Legolas swallowed hard as he met Lord Celeborn's displeased, unwavering gaze. He drew up all his courage and nodded before taking Aerlaer's arm properly as Celeborn turned and re-entered the talan.

"What is going on?" Aerlaer whispered warily.

"I do not know how but about last night; everyone knows."

"Oh…" She slowly replied and then turned to him. "What does that mean?"

"I don't know." He replied as his stomach began twisting in on itself. Eru, give me orcs any day! Not these tedious courting customs!

…

Aerlaer halted in surprise, seeing it was not just her grandfather, but Elrond and the twins seated in the large lounge quarters. Perhaps this was not about her and Legolas. Silently her grandmother gestured at a spare chaise, and she took a seat, Legolas sitting down right beside her.

"Glad is my heart to see you both safely on the other side of great peril." Elrond smiled warmly to them and Aerlaer grinned at him, this most certainly was not about them! Thank Silaear!

"It is wonderful to be among family again." She answered happily.

"Yes indeed but there are certain things which must be discussed, certain lore which was not so diligently followed." Aerlaer felt Legolas stiffen slightly beside her as her heart sank. Determinedly she placed her hand on his before turning towards her grandfather.

"Which might be?"

"You know well what." His gaze fell to Legolas. "I thought you were raised better Thranduilion, it seems too long away from your own kin has grown you lax in our ways." Legolas had no reply, but she felt his fingers curling tightly through hers. "I explicitly laid down the lore and you have gone against it."

"That is not fair Laeadar!" Aerlaer interrupted. "It was my idea, not Legolas's to stay." Her grandfather's gaze locked onto hers, unrelenting. Not often or easily was he annoyed and rarely had she felt his wrath.

"You also know better. You are well versed in our ways, you know the repercussions of such indiscretion." He intoned. Actually, she did not know what those repercussions were, she had never imagined doing such a thing as breaking such lore until the eve before.

"No harm was done." She bit out sullenly.

"Do you forget your place here? You are our Princess. This is not a favourable example, Aerlaer." She bit her lip, refraining from saying something she would regret. Beside her, Legolas was impossibly still, and she wondered if it were anger he held in, for his jaw was clenched.

Aearlaer had not exactly thought of what she would do or where she would dwell after Sauron's defeat. There had been the war to think of and surviving each day. Legolas had walked away from his realm and in so little words, thrown away his title to it. They had spoken of roaming Middle Earth and promises had been made to Gimli. Perhaps she should walk away too. Walk away from all lore and customs which had only dictated her life since the moment she took her first breath in this world. They could stay with Aragorn in Minas Tirith although the stone would eventually wear them down. Fangorn, they could dwell in the old forest. The Ents welcomed them. Or, they could return to the sea although, Aerlaer was not entirely sure if Legolas had grown the longing for the sea. If he had, if they had to sail then they would. No, that would mean more of these customs! She let out a frustrated sigh.

"Celeborn, have you quite finished?" She looked towards the voice of her grandmother as she floated into the room. There was purpose to her movement however as she gracefully sank down to sit beside her grandfather. He narrowed his eyes at her, and she shook her head warningly before turning to them both. "I trust you are both well rested?" She raised a brow, her eyes locking onto Legolas's, and he shifted uncomfortably but did not break her gaze.

"Yes, thank you, we are both refreshed as I am sure both Elrohir and Elladan are." Aerlaer watched how her grandfather's face registered slight surprise by his answer, and it seemed both Elrond and Elrohir held back smiles while Elladan looked truly worried. Her grandmother however gave him a warm smile and she noticed confusion flicker in Legolas's dark eyes.

"I am glad to know this but, it seems the answers I thought could wait until this very day could not."

"Laenaneth, must you speak in riddles." She interrupted and received a light laugh of amusement.

"No, this must be explained plainly." Aerlaer nodded before gazing at her imploringly. "I cannot imagine it is easy spending so very long side by side and yet denied the closeness you both wished." She spoke softly.

"I do not understand." Legolas replied. "We spent but an eve together all those years ago, it was not near long enough before we were torn apart." Bitterness crept into his last words which resonated with Aerlaer.

"No Legolas, before the Greenwood, before the first Elves awakened, before you were Legolas as you are now." Aerlaer turned to gaze at him, trying to make sense of her grandmother's words.

"Then who was I?"

"Telperion." Aerlaer said softly as all the pieces suddenly fell into place. He turned to face her, understanding slowly forming, riddled with questions.

"Laurelin." He whispered and she felt not her heart but her soul jolt suddenly.

"But how?" She murmured. "I don't feel like a tree." There was a half snort of laughter from Elrohir before Elrond silenced him with a sharp look.

"Driven from your original tree embodiment, your souls fled. I am only hypothesizing much of this, but it seems you either embodied other creatures over the years, perhaps even other Elves although, if that were so, I would think you would still be those Elves either here or Valinor. However, given a few other factors such as last eve's behaviour and what my grandsons have admitted, I think this is not the case." This only baffled Aerlaer more.

"How does last night explain so?" Galadriel chuckled lightly.

"Your souls are drawn to one another; they have always sought to be together. As the trees, you were held apart by the earth between you. Now you are of Elf kind, that is of no issue as you well know.

"This is why we have not been acting very uh elflike?" Legolas asked quietly, almost shyly.

"Exactly why." Galadriel chuckled just as quietly before sobering.

"But you are now Elves and Celeborn is right, it is imperative our lore be abided for the sake of all three realms." Aerlaer let out a sigh, it was really unfair after everything. It did not go unnoticed. "I will bend our lore so you may remain closer to one another. I see there is no point in separating the two of you of an evening for you have already gone against that lore." Aerlaer, held her breath hopefully. "You may share chambers if you wish but you must uphold a level of dignity and respect which is befitting and required of your lineage and as our lore abides, you will wait the full year before an official union." Both she and Legolas nodded in agreement. "I cannot say just how your father will take this, Legolas. He may well wish to hold a ring giving ceremony and request the year wait to begin from that very day."

"I am not under his rulership." Legolas muttered quietly, mild anger in his tone. Aerlaer held his hand a little tighter. She did not fully understand the animosity between Legolas and his father but, she knew it could not be good for him to toss away his own crown and walk away.

"You will always be a son of the Greenwood, Legolas, no matter where you go." Her grandmother said softly. He merely nodded.

"Now, we must discuss our swiftly impending journey." Her grandfather declared and Aerlaer internally sighed in relief. The conversation was no longer about them and, they had been allowed to continue as they had been since Minas Tirith, since Edoras, when she thought about it and could not help but smile. They just had to look and act perfectly to the public eye of the three realms. Oh, the joys of being one of royal blood! She snuck a quick look at Legolas, who looked both relieved and tense as only he could, before focusing her attention on Elrond and her grandfather began to explain exactly what was happening once, they met up with Thranduil's army.

Welcome to 2023! I hope it is a a great year for you all. A xx

xxnomiee - Thanks, really glad you are enjoying it! Ahaha, yes, the DESIRE! Forgot how funny that scene is, poor Legolas!