Ivy turned as a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She smiled slightly anticipating it was Legolas, she opened the door and her smiled broadened as she laid eyes on him. He looked especially handsome in light blue tunic and dark leggings, his hair braided a little more elaborately for the celebrations.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, taking in the sight of her. Her long luscious green hair was tied in a stylish bun at the nape of her neck. Her gown was pale lime with white trim and flared out from her waist, silver flowers embroidered up from the hem, and the bell sleeves. Her mother's pendant sitting just above her breasts. The shade of the dress complimented the green hue of her pale flesh.

Legolas threw a glance in either direction of the hall, ensuring they were alone; he stepped forward and embraced her, kissing her gently on the lips. Ivy melted against him, touching the back of his neck gently. Legolas, as with most elves was very private and did not often show his affection in public.

Legolas broke away and offered her his arm, escorting her to the festivities which had already begun in the great hall. They pushed the door open and it did not take Ivy long to spot Aragorn. She touched Legolas' arm gently and he nodded as she made her way across the room, which was filling with dancers and merrymakers, towards her friend.

Aragorn smiled as she neared him, bowing a little. Ivy blushed.

"You should not bow to me, he who shall be King of all Gondor," she whispered standing close to him.

"I rule the people, but you are the land they live upon, the very thing that allows them to exist," He smiled at her "And since when has it been discouraged to bow to the most beautiful maiden in the room?" he winked at her.

Ivy laughed gently "I hardly think…."

She reached for a wine as a serving wench passed; enjoying its fruity taste she engaged in conversation with Aragorn, noting Legolas was occupied in a rather heavy drinking game with Gimli.

They were joined by several young soldiers all keen to speak with Ivy, and were brave enough to risk a chance at courting the lady of the earth. Several glasses of wine later Ivy was starting to feel its effects rather strongly.

Aragon offered her his hand "Shall we dance?" Ivy nodded and allowed herself to be led to the dance floor. They joined in the energetic reel and Ivy laughed loudly as they sped around the floor. She stopped with a start as one of the young men they had been conversing with tapped Aragorn on the shoulder.

"May I cut in sir?" he asked politely.

Aragorn nodded and stepped away heading off the floor in the direction of Legolas, apparently to cheer him on. Ivy smiled at the young soldier and they began to dance. He whirled her around the dance floor until another young man cut in. Ivy danced with many young soldiers and was extremely flushed. This adding to her attractiveness. She was easily convinced by a young man to take a wine outside the front doors of the golden hall, eager to get some fresh air and gain composure.

She sipped the wine slowly, looking out over the stars and decided she would go and find Legolas once she had finished. She dropped her glass in shock as the young man pressed her back against the wall and attempted to kiss her.

"Sir!" she yelled out "you forget yourself," she shoved him away.

Legolas stepped out into the night air, seeing them standing close under the stars.

"Ai ai, Ivy!" he cried and the young man stepped further away from Ivy and started to head inside.

Legolas shoved him violently as he went to pass.

The young man glared at him "I meant no harm, sir,"

"Of course you didn't" Legolas sneered, "But perhaps I did," Legolas glared down at the shorter man, but allowed the man to pass.

Ivy turned towards him and reached out, grabbing his arm in desperation. She had to make him understand.

"Legolas, it's not what you think," she said softly in the night air.

"I think that perhaps I was fool to think that I would satisfy the Atara Arda" he looked ashen as she stepped closer to him.

"Legolas, you are foolish. You know I would have no other. He forced himself upon me. Much like Boromir tried to do." she whispered, a sob escaping her.

Legolas most uncharacteristically scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to her rooms. He lowered her onto the bed and kissed her hard, running his hands over her body roughly. Ivy moaned under his touch kissing him passionately.

"I wish no one to touch you but I," he panted against her as he thrust inside of her with a deep strong movement, claiming her lips with his own.

Ivy moaned as he kissed her neck, moving inside her with rapid thrusts, as if trying to imprint himself on her body.

After they were both spent she curled against him, falling asleep almost instantly.

When Ivy awoke Legolas was not in her room. She stood up and dressed, unsure exactly what today would bring. Gandalf even now sped towards Minas Tirith. Would it be so soon that they were called to battle again? She stretched and smiled as her body reminded her of Legolas' presence. She bathed and dressed in a plain red gown, simple but well cut. She enjoyed wearing dresses again whilst they were not traveling. She left her rooms in search of Legolas, wishing to know if word had yet arrived of the battle that loomed above their heads. The town was quiet as many people slumbered still recovering from last nights rambunctious activities.

She found him alone drawing his bow and firing it in to a distant target, she moved quietly silently encouraging the earth to cover her stealthy movements. She waited until he had fired an arrow before she wrapped her arms around his slender waist from behind, but was shocked as he moved away from her rapidly as if her touch was ice.

"Ivy…" he trailed off staring at her frowning slightly.

"Legolas what's wrong?" she stepped forward.

Legolas moved away from her "Your actions last night were not ones befitting a lady who has promised herself to another," he frowned harder.

Ivy laughed "Legolas nothing happened, it's not as if I kissed him, I danced with him and he got the wrong impression," she reached out to touch his arm, "And I think the wine affected me too much"

He pulled it away again "Enough, laugh at me if you will, perhaps you do not care so much that jealousy would cut through you, as it does when I think of him so close to you," he ground out between clenched teeth.

The smile from Ivy's face faded.

"And what would you have me do, Greenleaf?" Ivy said scathingly, "Sit there like a good wife while you drink with your brethren? We are not even married and you are treating me like a possession, a delicate ornament that might break if someone looks at me!"

Ivy spun on her heel, leaving Legolas to gape after her. She would not be treated that way. Yes, she had sworn herself to him, but she would not, be treated as a child!

Ivy walked up the hill that led to the halls, and nearly fell over as Aragorn ran past her.

"Aragorn!" she called, but he did not stop.

Ivy began to run after him. Legolas, hearing Ivy call out turned to see what the commotion was, and seeing them both running towards the halls, Legolas joined in pursuit. Perhaps there was news!

They reached the halls as Aragorn did. Aragorn threw open the doors to reveal King Theoden with his advisors, plotting their next move.

"The Beacons are lit!" Aragorn cried, "The Beacons of Gondor are lit! Gondor calls for aid!"

There was silence as all eyes swiveled to look at the King.

"And Rohan will answer! Muster the Rohirrim!" King Théoden called out over the hall.

Ivy glanced in the direction of Legolas, but she saw that he was already gone. She made her way out of the hall and back to her rooms to change and get prepared.

It took far longer that Ivy could stand to muster the Rohirrim. The days stretched on as Legolas and Ivy continued their estrangement. The weather grew poor as Ivy's mood deteriorated and Legolas grew more gaunt and ashen as the hostility between them lingered.

Finally they left Rohan and set up camp near the paths of the dead. Ivy stared at the great mountain, shivering slightly. She saw Legolas in the distance walking between tents. The sun peaked out from behind the clouds and the men looked up at the sky as sunshine beamed down upon them. Ivy moved to follow him, they needed to talk and they might not have time later. The thought scared her, she did not know if she could bear the burden of her mantle alone.

She watched Legolas disappear into the tent. She pushed open the tent flap and gasped as she saw Legolas standing shirtless Lady Eowyn running a measure across his chest to find a suitable leather jerkin to sit under his moss green top. Added protection for the Prince of Mirkwood in the upcoming battle.

Ivy caught the end of her sentence "My Lord, have you been to a healer? This mark is it from helms deep?" Eowyn asked running her fingers over the small fading mark left by Ivy's mouth upon his chest.

A loud crack of thunder ripped through the sky causing Eowyn to jump. Legolas noticed Ivy's presence as the ground rumbled slightly.

Eowyn left quickly Ivy glaring at her as she hustled past out of the tent.

"You speak to me of jealousy, when the mark you, yourself claimed as sacred is shown to another maiden, the maiden no less, you know I despise!"

Legolas grew pale and pulled on his tunic.

"Ivy….please let us not continue this pointless argument, it has gone on for to long, every day I miss you more,"

Ivy considered this for a moment and was torn between letting him suffer a little longer, until she looked at his face. At the grey colour it had turned, and all at once she forgave him.

Ivy pulled him close and hugged him tight, whispering in his ear.

"I know what you felt that night, for although I know your innocence as I no doubt you were certain of mine, the sight of her, so near, the knowledge of what she saw, it was like a knife to the stomach,"

Ivy kissed him slowly, and he ran his hands down her back touching her gently. A cough came at the entrance and Legolas leapt away from her blushing furiously.

Gimli coughed at the entrance "come on me lad, lets get some food," chuckling Gimli led the pair out of the tent, Legolas touching Ivy's hand lightly until they exited into the open air.

They sat quietly eating, until Gimli broke the silence.

"Have you seen him, he plans to do it you know, leave with out us, go on alone, through that mountain…….they say its bewitched," Gimli mumbled between mouthfuls of warm stew.

"Aragorn?" Ivy whispered. Looking up once more at the mountain "Surely not? Where no man dare tread those paths, they are dammed, though I know not why, but I can sense it, the way is blocked to me, it is not of the earth, the living has been banished from that place," she looked at Legolas hoping for his reassurance.

"We shan't let him go alone," was the only thing he said. Ivy closed her eyes for a moment, another parting was coming, once again she would be torn from her beloved and they would both be thrust into danger far away from each other.

"Best get ready then," Gimli tidied up after himself and set off to prepare for his departure, unsure exactly when Aragorn would attempt to sneak off with out them, it was best to be prepared early. Ivy followed Legolas into his tent and helped him pack his bag; she tucked some lembas into the side pocket as she felt a hand on her waist.

"You can not come can you?" he whispered against her cheek.

Ivy turned and looked up into his large blue eyes.

"No, those paths are not of this world, my love" tears slid down her face slowly as she kissed him gently "keep safe," she mumbled against his moist lips.

Legolas moved away from her a little and nodded solemnly, before picking up his pack, turning and leaving the tent.

Ivy listened as she heard Gimli and talking, there voice was shortly joined by Aragorn's….and then silence. She sat on his bed and ran her fingers over the covers. She sighed deeply and felt alone. Her friends were gone, her father was gone and her beloved as well. She looked down at her feet and wondered what she should do. The she remembered the little hobbit she had not spoken to in many days, they had been separated by equally busy circumstances. She stood and set out in search of her dear friend Merry, hoping that he was not as he was so fond of being in the company of Lady Eowyn.