Angelica and Frodo entered the tented sleeping area. There was no sign of any of the Elves, which did not surprise Angelica. She hoped Ciendriel and Legolas had found a safe place to be together at last, and that Legolas had managed to convince Galadriel that he belonged with the Elven Princess, not Haldir.

Merry and Pippin were already asleep, tangled together on a pile of pillows in one corner. Sam and Gimli sat far across the tent from them, discreetly turned away. They were talking in low voices and looked up as Angelica and Frodo came in.

"Frodo!" Gimli boomed out, and Sam shushed him, pointing wildly at Merry and Pippin. "Frodo!" Gimli said again, this time in an exaggerated whisper. Angelica heard Frodo chuckle softly. "Come have some wine, you two. There are a few drops left--"

"No, there aren't," Sam said, sounding apologetic. His cheeks were red, and Angelica suddenly suspected that the two of them might be tipsy.

She was right. Sam got unsteadily to his feet and lunged towards them, tripping forwards. Frodo caught him and settled him back on his feet, but his eyes remained on Angelica.

"Angelica!" Sam said, "Fairest flower in the Hobbit garden. Choose your faithful Sam--"

"Faithful!" Gimli jumped to his feet. "Not five minutes ago you were talking about a certain Mistress Rose. No, lassie, choose a Dwarf! And not just any Dwarf, but this Dwarf! I'll give you riches! A life with me, and you'll never want for anything. You’ll have malt beer and red meat off the bone for every meal! My roaring fires will keep your warm. Your wedding gown will be made of Mithril. You’ll be a Queen.”

“Mithril! Are you planning to be attacked during the wedding?” Sam said, sounding genuinely alarmed. “No, she needs to choose a nice, safe place at home in the Shire.”

“I will slay every monster who dares draw near on our nuptial night! For she will be facing monster enough in my powerful serpent -- isn’t that right, lassie?”

Angelica felt her cheeks heat up at Gimli’s innuendo. She was flattered that the two of them were so clearly interested in her, but she was a little miffed at the fact that Sam had told Gimli the news.

“I would have preferred to discuss this with everyone privately, Sam,” she said softly. Sam immediately fell on his knees and hugged her around the waist.

“I’m sorry, Angelica. Really I am! I’d never do anything to upset you, not on purpose.”

“Sam, Sam, it’s okay, really it is. Tell me you didn’t tell Merry and Pippin already, too?” she asked with some exasperation, which she tried to hide. She poked Frodo in the ribs to stop him from snickering.

“Those two have been asleep since dinner. Some Hobbits can’t hold their wine,” said Gimli, leering at Sam.

“I’m surprised you haven’t been composing poetry,” Sam said, standing up to leer back at Gimli.

“Poetry! What in blazes are you talking about, Samwise Gamgee?”

“Does the phrase ‘my lovely, stinking rose weed’ ring a bell?”

“As a matter of fact, no, it doesn’t!”

“You’re insufferable!”

“Please, please, will the two of you stop?” Frodo said. By now his snickering had become full-blown laughter. “You’ll wake up Merry and Pippin. I think you both need to calm down and sleep it off--”

“Sleep it off!” Gimli and Sam said together, both sounding insulted.

“I mean, get some sleep,” said Frodo.

Sam and Gimli exchanged a sour look, then Sam’s face melted. “I don’t want to fight with you, Master Gimli.”

“Nor I with you, Sammy, my lad.”

Gimli threw his arms around Sam and hugged him tightly. A tear appeared in the corner of Sam’s eye. If Angelica hadn’t been so irritated with the lot of them, she would have been laughing herself. The only one she wasn’t put out with was Frodo. She turned to look at him and he casually put an arm around her.

“You two might as well give up, anyway. Angelica’s going to choose me.”

She ducked out from under Frodo’s arm and gave him an icy look. “You’re awfully cocky, Frodo Baggins,” she said. Frodo winked at her.

Angelica turned and marched out of the sleeping area.

***

The small Elven boat floated lazily on the river. Half way out, Legolas had anchored it, and now he lay with Ciendriel in his arms, kissing her slowly, languidly. She was a vision in the flowing, shimmery silver gown which Galadriel had given her, with her long blond hair spread out around her.

Actually, Haldir thought as he spied on the two of them from a tree branch that extended over the river, Legolas was a vision as well. His long blond hair trailed over his bare shoulders. He had peeled off his tunic, causing Haldir’s heart to knock in his chest. There were few Elves as beautiful as the Prince of Mirkwood, Haldir thought.

Ciendriel was one of those few. Haldir licked his lips at the thought of watching the two of them making love. It would certainly be a sensual vision. He had never watched Legolas with a female before, and it would be interesting to see him draw out his most tender side. He watched Legolas’ hands travel reverently over her breasts, still inside the gown, saw Ciendriel arch her neck, her eyes closing, her gasp of pleasure almost inaudible over the gentle rush of the river.

Jealousy stabbed through Haldir, then. It took him a moment to identify the feeling, as it was not something he was used to. He smiled grimly, considering the emotion. Of whom was he jealous? Legolas, or Ciendriel?

Both. He wanted the both of them for his own. He hated that they loved each other, to the exclusion of him. Ciendriel was right. Legolas would never accept the reckless proposition he had accosted her with earlier.

It had seemed a plausible idea at the time. After all, that way she did not have to disobey her mother. Of course, there was always the fact that were they wed, they would either stay in Lothlorien or return to live in Ingra, and Legolas was Prince of Mirkwood. He would be separated from them just as he had been separated from Haldir when they were young.

And yet, times were changing. Many of the Elves were leaving Middle-earth to travel to the Undying Lands. Haldir knew that soon Galadriel and Celeborn would go, and Lothlorien would fade away. He would have no purpose here as Marchwarden. He wondered if by wedding her daughter to him, Morgone meant for him to go with them, taking Ciendriel as well.

It was hard to think on all those things while watching Legolas and Ciendriel below him. Their voices drifted up to him on the wind, whispering words of love, words of love that they would never speak to Haldir. Ciendriel sat up and pulled off her dress. Haldir’s breath caught in his throat as she lifted it over her head.

Underneath it she wore a scrap of white lace that was even more titillating than had she been nude. Haldir swallowed hard when he saw it, feeling his flesh throb inside his leggings which were suddenly feeling far too tight. Legolas’ hands roamed over her body, and she laughed in delight.

No. He was not going to let this happen. Once Legolas laid his claim on her, Haldir would have no chance whatsoever to convince Ciendriel that she ought to follow the path that Morgone and Galadriel had laid out for her and to marry him. The prince must be stopped. Haldir pulled his bow from over his shoulder and silently drew and arrow out of his quiver.

Haldir notched the arrow and aimed at the small boat, drawing back his arm.

***

Meriadoc Brandybuck opened his eyes, stretching and yawning. He took a deep breath. It was just before dawn. He could smell it on the air. He felt well-rested and happy. Hungry. Was anyone making breakfast yet? He didn’t smell anything cooking. He looked around the sleeping area. Frodo, Sam, and Gimli were laid out in a line, asleep. Gimli’s snores shook the tent. The were no Elves to be seen, nor was Angelica around.

And Pippin? Ahh, Pippin was underneath him. Merry rolled off of him and looked down at his face. He looked even younger in his sleep. Merry kissed his brow. He loved Pippin so deeply. Last night had been great fun, rolling around with him in the pillows. He only wished Angelica had been there with them.

Where was she?

Merry stood up and ducked outside of the tent. Angelica was sitting on the ground with her arms wrapped around her knees. She looked very sad, or wistful at the outside, and it made Merry sad as well. He sat down next to her and looked at her.

“Are you all right?”

She smiled at him. “Good morning, Merry. Yes, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? You looked...”

“Really.” Angelica took his hand and her smiled seemed to grow more genuine. “I suppose I was just feeling pensive. You see...I have a lot on my mind.”

“I’m willing to listen.”

Merry looked into her eyes and was nearly lost in them, listening as she told him that Galadriel had spoken with her about making a choice. A choice? Merry frowned for a moment before it sank in. And then... he went cold. He loved being with Angelica, and surely if she had to choose but one, it would never be him. Besides, how could he love her without sharing her with Pippin?

They were a perfect trio, and that was what he wanted, to be part of that trio. Not to split it apart, not ever.

“I thought I could think about this rationally, and then come to some sort of decision, but after seeing how Sam and Gimli acted last night, and then Frodo’s remark, I just don’t know.”

“I’m sure Frodo was only teasing you. I know it’s hard to see sometimes, but he does have a sense of humor. And if Gimli and Sam were drinking... well, surely you remember how Gimli gets while he’s drinking.”

“Oh, Merry. You’re very wise.”

Merry smiled at her. “Don’t be forgetting it.”

“I won’t.” Angelica looked into his eyes, and smiled, and before he knew what he was doing, Merry was talking again.

“Would you consider me, Angelica? I would always look after you, just as I look after Pippin.”

“I adore you, Merry, you know that. Just give me some time to think.”

Merry nodded. “Of course.”

“Let’s start making breakfast, shall we?”

“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Merry said. He took Angelica’s hand and led her back inside.

***

Ciendriel sat on the edge of Galadriel’s bed, shivering. Another night had been ruined, another night had passed without her and Legolas making love. She was so incredibly upset right now that she couldn’t speak. Galadriel sat up and put her arms around Ciendriel, but she didn’t respond.

“Where is he?”

“With my lord Celeborn, and Haldir,” Galadriel said softly. “Don’t worry -- he will be fine.”

“But--”

“They are just drying him off, dear. You’ll see him in the morning. Perhaps that is best.”

Ciendriel could not see it that way. What would be best was if an arrow had not come flying out of a tree, going straight through the bottom of the boat and causing it to sink while she and Legolas were trying to love each other. She had a distinct feeling that the shooter of the arrow had been a certain wicked Marchwarden, but the arrow had gone down with the boat so she could not identify it.

Her first thought had been that they were being attacked by Orcs again. She had cried out, but Legolas had gasped, “That is a Lorien arrow!” And then the boat had begun to fill with water, going down too quickly. She and Legolas had swum easily to shore, but her cry had alerted half of Lothlorien, and by the time she extricated herself from the river, they were gathered by its edge.

She had been nearly naked, and Galadriel has covered her up with a long, soft robe and led her off to these rooms once more, before Legolas had scarcely found his way out of the river. Haldir and Celeborn had steered him up the stairs behind them, far enough away that she could not call out to him. She could only imagine what they had done with him after that.

“Please, Lady Galadriel, let me go to him now.”

But Galadriel did not answer her, and Ciendriel did not dare leave without her permission. A moment later, the door to the chamber burst open, and Legolas stood in the doorway, Haldir behind him.

“This is the second time today you have burst into my chambers without permission, Legolas Greenleaf,” Galadriel said icily. “I shall have to speak to Thranduil about his son’s manners. And you, Haldir--”

“I was trying to stop him!” Haldir protested.

“Certainly you were.” Galadriel’s voice made Ciendriel chill even further, but she could not help but admit that she was glad that Legolas had dared this for her. She knew it was no small thing, to come into the lady’s rooms. “Haldir, go. Legolas... come in.”

Haldir’s mouth set in a straight line and he turned and left. Ciendriel said nothing, but her eyes lingered on Legolas. His hair was wet and he was wearing one of Celeborn’s robes. How she wanted to get up and go to him.

Galadriel got up and approached Legolas, her head held high. “You dare much. A courageous heart will take you many places, but you are young yet, and need learn the difference between being brave and being foolhardy. Exercise control, Legolas.”

“I am sorry.”

“But you’re not.”

“Let me just take her, and we’ll go.”

“The sun will rise in few hours time. When it does, the Elves of Lothlorien will bid you farewell as your journey to Mirkwood begins. Until then, I shall take my leave of you. Stay here, in my chamber, if you please.”

Galadriel left the room, leaving Ciendriel and Legolas looking at each other in stunned silence.

“Did she just give us her blessing?” Ciendriel whispered.

“I know not, but let us not waste this time.”

Legolas hurried to her, and took her into his arms, and kissed her.