Disclaimer: I own nothing

As you guys can see, I changed the name. I hope you like this one better. I do.

Thanks to luvthefluf and elfluver13 for their help with the new title and summary.

The Double Edged Romance

Chapter 9

The sun was shining, the flowers were blooming, and Lindariel had never been so confused in her life. First, she hated Legolas, then she began to like him, and now he kissed her! She didn't know what made her more furious, that he kissed her without her permission or warning, or that she had wanted him to do it! She was now even more determined to make sure he didn't win. She would conquer by the end.

"Lindariel,"a voice in the distance called for her. If it was Legolas, she would not be pleased. "Lindariel!" Again, the voice called.

"Here I am," she said wearily. She didn't want to be bothered at the moment.

Eleniel came in sight. "Lindariel there you are. I have been looking for you! You must come. It's about Legolas." Her dark, worried eyes betrayed her calm tone of voice.

"Eleniel," she said warily, "I really do not wish to see or speak about Legolas at this moment. I just want to finish my…"

"But he is in combat with Haldir!" She interrupted. "You must come and stop this."

"Haldir," she said, barely audible. "To the training fields Eleniel!" She and Eleniel dashed hastily through the woods to stop the insane battle.

Legolas assessed his opponent. Haldir was definitely a skilled and worthy combatant. Legolas was concentrating so much on the fight that he did not see that Lindariel and Eleniel were now present at the match.

Haldir apparently did, though, becuase he spied Lindariel out of the corner of his eye.

Legolas swung atHaldir, but he was too fast and quickly dodged the blow.

"You are very good my Prince," Haldir said while Legolas regained his composure.

"You as well Haldir."

"I would ask you my Prince that we may stop. Lindariel and Eleniel are present." Haldir was very careful about havingellith watching the combat. Legolas wondered why he was so worried that Lindariel was here but he quickly brushed the thought out of his mind.

"Nonsense," Legolas exclaimed. "We must finish." Haldir sighed and went on with the fight. After a few more minutes Legolas was out of breath. He was saved by the voice of his father.

"What is going on here!" King Thranduil said angrily. "Legolas what are you doing?"

"I am sorry father but I challenged Haldir to combat..."

"Don't you know you never engage in combat with a Prince?" King Thranduil said to Haldir, ignoring Legolas.

"Perhaps you should let them explain what happened," said Celeborn calmly. "Haldir?"

"It was my fault my Lord," Legolas said. "I challenged Haldir and he refused and then I ordered him to. It was my fault entirely."

Celeborn looked at Thranduil. "Well... if that is what happened then come Legolas we still have to pack a few more things before we leave." Thranduil led Legolas to away from the fields. Legolas looked back and saw Lindariel talking to Haldir, so was Eleniel. He sighed and began to follow his father.

"What was that all about?" Lindariel asked Haldir as sheglared at him. She had expected better from Haldir.

"Lindariel, I must leave you now," said Eleniel, seeing that this was a conversation not concerning her. "My herven and I need to finish packing."

"Good-bye Eleniel. I will see you at supper." Lindariel gave her a smile and a nodas Eleniel departed.

Once she was out of sight, Lindariel turned her attentions back to Haldir. "Well? Explain yourself."

"He ordered me to fight him Lindariel. I did not have a choice." Haldir returned calmly.

"You still could have walked away. This is not his kingdom," she said. "This is Lothlorien, the most beautiful and wonderful city in all of middle earth." She looked mournfully at Haldir. "I will surely miss this city Haldir," tears began streaming down her face, "I will surely miss you." She began to cry openly in front of him, despite her pride.

He quickly checked to see if anyone was near, but could detect no one. He gathered her up in his arms and kissed the top of her head. "I will miss you too Lindariel." He truly meant it as well. In his heart, he knew he loved Lindariel. But he knew thattheir love was not to be."But you must do your duty. We all have to, Lindariel." Haldir held her away from him by her shoulders so he could look at her. "You will bring Mirkwood and Lothlorien together. Look at you. You've changed so much. We've changed, Lindariel. I will always love you, but we cannot be together."

Rivulets of tears were still flowing down her pale cheeks. "I understand," she choked out,"and I love you as well." Haldir pulled her into another embrace, lasting much longer than before because, though they may not want to accept it, they both knew it would be their last time like this.

"I must go Haldir," she said her voice shaking, "I have to finish packing."

"Good night Lindariel," said Haldir. She began to stumble blindly away from him. "Lindariel," Lindariel turned around. Haldir was still standing there. "We may still be friends, I hope?"

"Yes," she said, forcing herself to smile. Just friends. After what they had been through they were now just friends.This greatly pained her. They were nothing more than friends. She turned back around and headed toward her talan. Just friends.

Sorry its so short. I'm having a writers block I guess.

Herven- husband