“Lothlorien,” said Gimli, his eyes shining. “Long have I harbored the hope of feasting upon the sight of Lady Galadriel once more. No Elf more generous, more beautiful, more kind ever graced the Middle Earth, except perhaps for my dear friend Legolas. Yes, I accept the changes in our path with delight!”

Angelica laughed. She was glad that one member of their band, at the least, was excited at the prospect. Certainly she didn’t mind going to Lothlorien herself, although the thought of traveling in Haldir’s company was irritating. She took Gimli’s hand in hers as they sat together at a low table in the Hobbits’ bedchamber sharing a plate of Elvish pastries. She wasn’t sure she could eat another one, after all the cherries she had eaten with Merry and Pippin earlier. The two of them were laying on the bed groaning. The Elves really should have some sort of guard on their orchard.

“I would like to tell Frodo and Sam as well,” Angelica said.

“I believe they went out to the gardens,” Gimli said thoughtfully. “I fear I wasn’t much company this morning. That Elvish wine packs quite a wallop. The dreams I had! You would not believe them!”

“Were they about Legolas?” Merry said from the bed.

Gimli frowned. “Why would they be?”

Pippin started laughing but the laugh ended in a moan. “Not only the wine packs a wallop.”

“I doubt there will be a crop of wine next year,” Angelica said, giggling. “If you two will be all right on your own, I am going out to look for Sam and Frodo.”

“If I may, I would like to escort you,” Gimli said. “The fresh air would do my head some good.”

“Of course. I would like that,” Angelica said.

She was fond of Gimli, despite his ill-hidden desire for Legolas. At least he didn’t act like Haldir. Gimli got to his feet and offered her his arm. She took it, beaming at him. As they crossed the hallway outside of the room, they saw Legolas running down the terrace, heading for the gardens.

“THERE you are my friend,” Gimli boomed out. Legolas skidded to a halt.

“Have you seen Ciendriel?” he asked, his blue eyes wide. Angelica smiled at his eagerness. Haldir didn’t have a chance at tearing those two apart. His machinations would probably only drive them closer together.

“I saw her out in the gardens this morning, but she was leaving to look for you. I take it she has not found you yet?”

“No,” Legolas said.

“I hear we’re going to Lothlorien,” Gimli said.

Legolas nodded. “I trust you do not mind, terribly. I shall be glad to have your company in our travels, especially with Haldir accompanying us for....protection.”

His words were soft-spoken, but Angelica could see behind them. She could hear the slight sarcasm of his inflection. She remembered what Ciendriel had told her, and wondered what Legolas was really feeling inside. Elves could be such mysteries. She had never been like that.

“I’d stake my axe against his bow any day!” Gimli said proudly. “When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow,” Legolas said. “So long as that suits everyone.”

“Fine with me,” Gimli said. “Lord Elrond’s hospitality is fine, but sleeping out of doors, that is the life for me!”

Angelica squeezed his arm. “I, too, am ready to leave Rivendell. But tell me, Legolas, is there no way to avoid traveling with Haldir?”

He didn’t hide the look of...what was it? A cross between fear and irritation...he didn’t hide it well. He shook his head. “Sometimes it is better to face things rather than avoiding them,” he said.

“Perhaps you’re right.”

“I am, on occasion,” Legolas said. He smiled briefly. “If you’ll excuse me...I really should speak to Ciendriel...about... our...travel plans.”

“She’s in the library,” said Frodo as he and Sam came up the stairs to the terrace from the gardens. “What are our travel plans?”

Angelica looked at Sam. They hadn’t really spoken at all since their tryst in the gardens last night. She couldn’t catch his eye. In fact, he seemed to be studiously avoiding her. Inside, Angelica felt her heart breaking. Frodo, however, smiled warmly at her, his eyes lighting up. He had such incredible eyes, she thought. Yet his smile didn’t soothe the fact that something was obviously bothering Sam.

“We leave tomorrow for Lothlorien. Thank you, Frodo,” Legolas said. He turned and hurried off.

“Lothlorien?” said Sam. “Why exactly are we going there?”

Nobody really seemed to know.

“Ciendriel was called there,” said Angelica.

“Always about her, isn’t it?” Gimli glowered.

“Don’t say such things, Gimli,” said Frodo.

“If you will excuse us, Angelica and I were about to have a stroll through the gardens,” Gimli said. “We set out to find you, and now we have found you, and I still need some air. Come, my dear.”

“Oh,” Angelica was surprised. “All right.”

As she and Gimli made their way down the stairs, she heard Sam complain to Frodo. “She strolls in the gardens with everyone, doesn’t she?”

Frodo didn’t reply.

***

Ciendriel stood in the library, looking at a large, dusty old book which she could scarcely lift. It was a history of Rivendell, and she found it rather fascinating, if overbearing and unbelievable in parts. She flipped open to the front of the book and saw that it had been authored by Elrond. This made her smile.

So lost was she in the words that she did not hear the light step of the Elf who approached her.

“Ciendriel...”

She nearly dropped the book, clutching it against her. It slid against her dress, smearing the green fabric with dust. She wiped her hand across her face, only to smear that with dust as well.

“Legolas.” She wanted to run to him, embrace him. She put the book back on a shelf...but she was filthy, and he looked freshly bathed, combed, dressed. “I... I am sorry.”

“For what?” he smiled, and the smile made her heart leap in her chest.

“My...appearance.” It wasn’t quite what she had meant but it was all she could manage to say in that moment.

Legolas moved swiftly towards her and lifted a hand to wipe the smudge of dirt from her cheek with his thumb.

“I find your appearance quite enchanting.” He paused. “You...are well?”

“Well enough.”

“Haldir...” Legolas began, but then he trailed off. She could see the question in his eyes. She could see that it was difficult for him to discuss this with her.

“Haldir drugged us. Amordalis. He took advantage of the effects of the drug upon me.”

“And upon me,” Legolas said. He looked down at the carpet between them. Ciendriel brought her fingers to his chin and lifted his head so she might look into his blue eyes. “Ciendriel... Haldir and I were lovers long ago. He refuses to relinquish his claim upon me.”

“I refuse to relinquish my own, Legolas Greenleaf,” she whispered, and then she branded his mouth with her own, her lips searing his, dusty dress be damned.

His arms came around her tightly, fiercely and she clasped him back, only to hear him draw an unsteady breath. He winced, and she let go.

“What is it?”

“I fear I am rather bruised...”

“Bruised?”

“Haldir was not easy with me last night.”

“I ought to kill him.”

He smiled. “Over a few bruises, and not what he did...to you?”

“Legolas,” she took in a deep breath. “That was of little import, but that it destroyed a night we meant to share together.”

His smile faded and he nodded. “I should have--”

“No, Legolas. Do not blame yourself. The fault of this lies entirely with Haldir.”

“How are we to travel with him?’

“Do not fear. I have a plan. I am not one to be tricked more than once. From here on in, I will not trust him.”

“I think I have never trusted him. And still...” Legolas looked sad.

“We will have other nights. This has not changed my desire for you.”

“Nor mine... for you.” And yet he wavered, as if he had more to say. She waited, but if he had anything else to confess, it would not come now.

“Come to me tonight,” she said urgently.

“I will not leave your side,” he said. “Tomorrow we will depart Rivendell. I would not have you leave with foul memories.”

“Foul memories?” said Haldir, stepping out of the shadows. “Really, I ought to be insulted.”

Ciendriel felt Legolas clutch her tightly. He didn’t let go of her. His posture stiffened. His expression went blank.

“Besides, we can’t leave them since you’re coming with us,” she said.

Haldir laughed. “Please. Relax. The both of you. Legolas, you and I have been friends for a long time--”

“I wouldn’t call your actions of last night friendly, Haldir,” Legolas said coldly.

Haldir stopped, looking mildly surprised, but still smirking. “You must give him courage, Ciendriel,” he said. “This morning I thought he might never leave my bed unless I led him out on a leash.”

Legolas’ face turned pink. “More and more friendly, aren’t you?”

“I’m teasing, of course,” Haldir said smoothly. “Not that you aren’t welcome in my bed... both of you.”

Ciendriel would have slapped him if Legolas had not been holding on to her so tightly. “Do not expect any thanks for the offer.”

Haldir laughed, and slipped off once more into the shadows.

“This is going to be a long journey,” said Legolas.

“Yes,” Ciendriel sighed. “And you are bruising my arm.”

***

Angelica had not meant to give herself to Gimli, but when the Dwarf had flung his arms around her in the garden, it had been too easy to melt into his surprising kiss. His beard was much softer than she expected...no wonder Frodo was always touching it when Gimli was unconscious.

“Forgive me, my dear,” he said, panting, clinging to her as the kiss broke. “I have long wanted to do that.”

“I thought you thought of me as a sister,” Angelica said. She was panting, too...and she wanted to kiss him again.

“I do!”

“You do?”

“Well, yes, but perhaps not right in this moment.”

“Thank goodness for that.”

“Will you wallop me if I try to lift your skirts here in the garden, lass?” Gimli asked hopefully.

Angelica thought about Sam’s words to Frodo and lifted her chin up high. If she was going to be convicted, she might as well commit the crime.

“I will wallop you if you do not,” she said, and she pulled off her dress and cast it into the lilies.