Diclaimer: I, of course, own nothing.

This is chapter is dedicated to a friend of mine that lost his life last week because of a car accident. We all miss you!

The Double Edged Romance

Chapter 16

Vanya had eaten lunch with her lady, Fealwen and Faelwen's latest acquaintance, Lindariel. Vanya sneered in disgust when she thought of Lindariel, that sorry excuse of an elf thathad married the prince of Mirkwood. Vanya wanted Legolas and she knew that Legolas wanted her, didn't he? Of course, every elf in Mirkwood wanted her, but she had her eye on Legolas and she would be damned if she didn't become his lover.

She had a plan, though. She was going to go to Legolas and tell him he didn't need to hide his feelings for her anymore, and thatshe loved him more than any other man, more than even life itself. She smiled with delight. Today was her day and she was going to do any damn thing to make it remain so.

Legolas came back from the archery pit, exhuasted and hungry from the training.He hadn't seen Lindariel since that morning.Perhaps he should ask her to have lunch with him? After all, she was his wife. With this in mind, he set off to find Lindariel.

In the garden the flowers were all in bloom. Birds were singing, and the butterflies looked like they were dancing with the wind. He smiled at the beautiful moment. This was a moment of peace and harmony, but he knew outside of Mirkwood evil and corruption was brewing. How could anything or anyone be so wicked?

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Eleniel walking away from him. "Eleniel!"

Eleniel looked behind her shoulder and smiled. "Legolas."

Legolas ran toward, took her hand, and lightly kissed it. "How are you today milday?" Heinquired jokingly.

"I am well, dear sir, I am just waiting for my husband to return from the borders. Have you seen him by chance?"

"No, I haven't, but I'm sure he'll be here soon," he replied,"Have you seen my wife? I would like to know if she wanted to have lunch with me."

Eleniel smiled. "So, things are going well between you and Lindariel?"

"I suppose sometimes its difficult, but normally everything is okay."

"I'm sorry I haven't befriended her yet," she said.

"It's okay Eleniel. She is a little shy but she is very kind. I think I might even like her," he laughed.

"I think my prince loves her but won't admit it," she said.

"Actually," Legolas said. "She is the one who won't admit that she is in love with me. Its very frustrating."

"She'll come around eventually. Now, however, I must go now and find my own love. Good-bye Legolas."

Eleniel turned to walk away. "Eleniel," Legolas said. Eleniel turned and looked questionably at Legolas. "If I ever have to leave for any reason, promise me you willtake care of her. She is a strong elleth, but she is going to need your help to stay endure."Eleniel nodded her consentand left.

Lindariel left Faelwen and her two ladies in waiting after a delicious lunch. One of the ladies-in-waiting, Rawodhiel was a pretty blonde. She was a very talkative elleth. As far as Lindariel could tell, she did not like Rawodhiel who was incessantly talking about ellons. Vanya, the dark one, was very quiet. For some reason, Lindarielwas possessed with a foreboding feeling whenver she looked uponVanya. She was very secretive and Lindariel was pretty sure that Vanya loathed her, though she couldn't fathom why.

Lindariel walked outside. She took in the fresh air gladly. "Hello Lindariel," Lindariel saw Eleniel coming towards her.

Lindariel smiled with delight. "Eleniel you look wonderful today." Lindariel walked towards her and embraced her. She truly did like Eleniel. She was very quiet, but she was a strong woman and knew what she wanted out of life.

"I just saw Legolas a few minutes ago. He was looking for you to see if you wanted to join him for lunch."

"Oh," Lindariel said. "Well I just came back from having lunch with Faelwen and her ladies in waiting, Vanya and Rawodhiel. I don't believe I could stomach another morsel!"

"I'm looking for my husband. Have you seen him?"

"No, I'm sorry," said Lindariel.

Eleniel smiled. "Well, I give up on finding him. I would like to get to know you better anyways. Are you busy?"

"Not at the moment andactually, I have a question for you."

"Really?" said Eleniel. "What is it?"

"Its about Vanya," Lindariel said. "Do you know her?"

Eleniel frowned. " Know her? Who doesn't! She is a devious elleth. She can get any man to sleep with her, even the married ones. They say even the hardest man can be softened by her touch. I do not like her and I don't like it when she looks at my husband or Legolas the way she does."

Lindariel turned to look at Eleniel worriedly. "How does she look at Legolas?" Could Legolas actually be cheating on her? Lindariel thought of him as an honorable ellon. He wouldn't do such a thing to her. Would he?

Eleniel saw the worry in her face. "Don't worry," she said soothingly. "Legolas is a good man he would never do such a thing to you. He really does love you."

Both stood quietly. "Eleniel!" Both turned to see who had called and then, out in the distance. they discernedEruarancoming towards them. "I've been looking for you everywhere."

"So have I," said Eleniel.

Eruaran turned towards Lindariel. "Hello Princess," he bowed.

Lindariel laughed. "Please don't call me that. Call me Lindariel like everyone else."

Eruaran smiled. "Legolas told me you would say that. Excuse me Lindariel, but I must steal my wife for we are late for our lunch outing together." After they said their farewells, Eruaran and Eleniel left, leaving Lindariel to search for Legolas.

Legolas went into the library hoping to find Lindariel in there, but like every other room he had gone into, she was no where to be found.

"Legolas..." whispered a soft, seductive voice.

Legolas turned his head and sawa dark, slender ellethrise from one of the chairs and walk towards him. "Oh, it's you Vanya. Have you seen Lindariel? I wanted to ask her if she would like to join me for lunch."

Vanya cringed at her name. "Actually, she ate lunch with my lady and I."

Legolas looked at Vanya. She was very beautiful, he had to admit, but he knew her personality andcould detect the ugliness beneath the beautiful exterior."Oh, well then, I must go."

"Wait," she said. "Please come and talk with me. It gets very lonely without someone to talk to."

"I doubt that," he muttered.

Vany ignored his comment and moved closer to him. "Actually, there is something I wish to discuss with you."

"Oh really," he said sarcastically, "And what would that be?"

"I know you love me, Legolas," she said confidently, "There's nothing wrong with that. I love you too, and I'm willing to be with you whenever you wish, even now."

Legolas was completely appalled. He did not like her, he'd never like her,especially like that. "I don't love you Vanya. I love my wife, Lindariel."

Vanya looked disgusted. "What does shepossess that I don't? Actually, what do Ipossess that she doesn't have, besides everything?" Vanya smiled sweetly. "You need a real elleth, not that sorry excuse for one. Besides, I know a few rumors that have been going around Lorien concerning your precious elleth."

"They're all lies," he said with disgust.

"I bet you didn't know that she was in love with Haldir," Vanya said.

"What are you talking about?"

"Haldir and Lindariel were lovers. Actually, they were both hoping that you were not coming back so they could get married."

Legolas felt like his heart was being ripped out of his chest. He didn't want to believe it, but his resolve wavered all the same.

"You need someone that truly cares about you, Legolas. You and only you." She stepped closed to him so that their bodies were almost touching. "Someone like me."

Before Legolas could stop her, she was kissing him long and passionately. Little did they realize that somebody had opened the door to the library, and that someone was Lindariel.