A/N- Hey guys!

I know, I know, I'm a horrible person. I promised you an update like three months ago and no update came. I think you should know I have a history of slow updates. I'm not sure when I'll be able to put up the next chapter, soon I hope. I've been kinda busy with homework and other stuff, but I should have more time to write and update now. Oh and I should probably outline this now, cuz I've been getting some complaints. I have MODERNISED this story. It's not at all in Tolkien's style and yes they probably wouldn't have even heard of kissing in the time the story was set, but you know, I've spiced it up a little. Anyhoo…

Here's the next chapter sooooo,

ENJOY!

Sphinxy

Chapter 3

"So you're telling me Middle Earth is once again being corrupted by dark forces?"

Emma had a sceptical look on her face as she spoke to the wizard. He, Aéneth and also Legolas were in the 'throne room' of the elven forest palace. Gandalf had changed since she'd last seen him, not dramatically, but changed all the same. His beard now reached the floor and his hair was so white, it was almost blinding. His staff, now slightly worn, had a few cracks that crept up and around it, as if it had been used to the point of breaking. Gandalf himself looked weary and tired, almost as if he hadn't slept in weeks.

He probably hadn't.

"Yes, Lady Aéneth, a very evil force at that," Gandalf said gravely. His eyes had bags under them and the corners of his mouth were tugged down into a frown. His looked at Aéneth with a gaze that could pierce the soul and see what mystery's reside within. It could make even the bravest of warriors uncomfortable, even Legolas was fidgeting awkwardly, but not Aéneth. Her stubbornness made sure of that. She glared back and only when Legolas spoke up did it break the two away from their intense staring contest.

"What is doing this, Gandalf?" He asked, standing up a little straighter now that he had Gandalf's attention.

"I wish I knew, Legolas, it would make the task at hand a lot easier," Gandalf told him and Aéneth almost scoffed.

"Task at hand?" She asked, "What task at hand? Are you implying we go on a 'daring quest' on which we'll encounter many friends and foes, obstacles and dangers and a good deal of other things before we finally reach our goal and end on a most touching note? Trust me, I've heard it all before, and usually there's a shortcut anyway, the very shortcut we take on our 'victorious' journey home."

Gandalf sighed a little while Legolas looked at a loss for words.

"If only it were that simple my Lady," Gandalf told her, "I'm afraid the enemy's spies and minions are here, in the forest, so protecting it is your main priority right now. Once the evil in the forest is gone, you'll have to prepare your warriors for battle."

"And what will you be doing throughout this?" Aéneth asked bringing her hands up in a 'shrug' like fashion.

Gandalf sighed again.

"I'll be hunting for the enemy himself. He…" Aéneth raised an eyebrow, "Or she, is very good at remaining unseen, and it will put even my skills to the test to find them."

Aéneth nodded but Legolas just stared, mouth slightly agape, at the both of them. Gandalf looked at him.

"I'm sorry Legolas, I don't suppose you have any idea what we're talking about, do you? We speak as if we were in Lady Aéneth's realm, when we are clearly not. All will become clear soon enough."

Legolas still looked shocked as Gandalf spoke and also a little confused, but he shut his mouth.

"I believe we have a forest to save," Aéneth said and Legolas nodded, the confusion no longer visible on his face. His bewildered expression became suddenly serious and he looked almost angelic in Aéneth's opinion. He finally resembled the king he was and Aéneth could only gape as he strode over to a long wooden table. He picked up a bow Aéneth's bow and handed it to her.

"Here," He told her, "I kept this with me."

"Thank you," Aéneth said as she took the bow. Legolas then grabbed his two daggers from the table and slotted them into their sheaths, before he took his own bow and quiver from their oaken bed. His father's enchanted pouch was already hung at his waist and swung every time Legolas moved.

Aéneth swung her own quiver onto her back at the same time Legolas swung his and their eyes met briefly before Aéneth looked away to find Gandalf. She saw he was missing and guessed he was already waiting for them outside the palace.

"I must go fetch some supplies, in case we do not find the enemy for a few days. I'll meet you at the palace entrance," Legolas told her.

"Of course," She told him with a smile. Then she stood on her tiptoes and gave him a peck on the cheek, before making her way through the labyrinth of tunnels that were the palace halls. She passed the dungeons on her way and found them, thankfully, empty. As she navigated her way around the complex maze of passages, she wondered how she knew which way to go. Because she did, somehow, know exactly where to go, to turn, to walk. She knew which tunnels to take and which to steer clear of. Even she was amazed. It was only her second time in the palace and already she seemed to know it like the back of her hand.

Finally she reached the entrance, at which two armoured guards stood. They nodded briefly when they saw her and the two oaken doors were thrown open to reveal the green of Mirkwood beyond. Aéneth smiled inwardly to herself and stepped out into the open. She heard Lucrio's familiar growl and looked down to see her soul protector stood guard next to her. He was wary, but she could tell by his eyes he knew the danger was elsewhere, further on even. Aéneth took her bow from her shoulder and knocked an arrow. She loosed it and just like the first time she came, it hit the nearest tree dead centre. She did it again and again, loving the thrill, the exhilaration she felt each time an arrow hit its target. She continued to fire arrows around her, until she heard the noise of leaves underfoot behind her. It was faint, stealthy even, but her keen ears could just about make it out. She spun round, an arrow knocked and ready to fly, but the arrow never met its target.

Legolas was stood, his face inches from the flint arrowhead, with wide eyes and his hands up in surrender. Aéneth breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her bow.

"Be careful Legolas," She scolded, "I could have killed you!"

Her expression was nearly as worried as his and his expression softened instantly.

"It's ok," He told her, wrapping his arms around her slender figure, "I'll be more careful."

She buried her face into his chest and sighed.

"It's just, I was so worried I'd let that arrow fly, that I'd shot you!"

Legolas shushed her and placed his forehead onto the top of her head.

"It's ok, it's ok. I'm fine. It's alright."

He held her tight, until he felt her relax under his embrace. She hugged him back, before releasing him a little to look into his bright blue eyes.

"Thank you," She whispered, "I'm sorry."

Then she went back to his chest and closed her eyes.

"You've no need to apologise." He told her.

Aéneth sighed deeply and buried her face further into his chest. She felt him bend his head and his lips brushed her ear.

"I love you," He murmured.

His breath tickled the tip of her ear and she pulled back a little to look up at him once again.

"I love you too."

Then her lips were on his.

The kiss was short and sweet, but in the brief moment their lips touched, it was as if a thousand words had been spoken. Aéneth felt whole in that moment, as if there was nothing left to fear. Like everything was going to be ok, even though their lives were more at risk than ever.

They broke apart and Aéneth smiled, before picking up her bow, which she'd dropped onto the ground after Legolas's 'near death experience'.

"Come," He said, "We have a forest to protect."

A/N- So there you go. Don't forget to leave a review, the more you review, the quicker I'll update!