read it, it's really sweet :-)

"Can you believe it!" Lenora exclaimed excitedly grasping Grace's hands tightly, "They are coming home, Grace, tomorrow! The warriors of our great city Mirkwood. The brave, the bold, our friends!"
Grace just looked at her friends beaming face and tried to give a sincere smile. She pulled her hands free of Lenora's tight grip and replied, "yea, its wonderful isn't it.." as she turned back to her dirty dishes. There was a moment of silence as Grace scrubed the dishes from the nights dinner, and as Lenora stared at her friends back, smile fading.
"Grace," she said softly, "are you upset about," she paused and took a breath, "Legolas?"
Grace stopped scrubbing and put turned around to face her friend. "No, Lenora, we have been over this many times. It's ok, I've accepted it," she said, with a slight quiver in her voice. She continued washing.
"You are ok with what, Grace. If you were ok, you would stop refering to it as 'it' all the time," Lenora pressed on. "Lenora, will you stop badgering me about it? I have a lot of work to do in preparation for tomorrows feast. If you will let me finish washing these dishes, I would be most grateful," Grace said with an edge of frustration in her voice. Lenora just gave a sympathetic sigh and put her hand on her friends shoulder. "Let it go, Grace. Things happen for a reason." She turned and left the room and Grace whiped away a small tear in vain.
Ch 2.

"Grace!! Grace! Have you finished the cake or what?"
Grace looked over her shoulder at her mother's overwhelmed face.
"Mother, it does not usually take 5 minutes to ice a cake, especially one the size of Mirkwood!" Grace said, tilting her head and giving her mother a smile that teased. "Mother, its OK we have three hours before they arrive! The tables are set up, everyone is dressed, the dinner has already begun to cook, and everyone is in good spirits! Why don't you sit down and relax?"
"Grace, yes those things may be all in order, but what about the napkins? The silverware? and how about all the beds that need to be made, and Oh goodness me!! I forgot to sweep the dock!" Her mother put her hands over her mouth and ran out of the room. Grace just chuckled, "Sweep the dock?"
She presumed icing the enormous cake.

The whole city Mirkwood was in an uproar. Finally, after a long 7 year journey, the elves who had been sent to the dangerous mountain, Regrage, to rid the mountain of trolls and other evil creatures, were coming home! Many family members, friends, wives had not heard from their loved ones in years. It was a huge celebration. They were coming home, they were victorious and the elves of Mirkwood were proud of their heros. Music could be heard from miles and miles away. Laughter rang in the ears of many. The city happier than it had been in years. Elves were getting a long. they were helping eachother prepare for the feast. Decorations were hung, the most gorgeous tunics and blankets and other fine tapestries were being sewn for the heros. A fine feast was in preparation consiting of the biggest bird in all Mirkwood, the finest fruits and vegetables, and the best wine and beer found for miles. It all had to be perfect. Only the best for their heros. Everyone was in good spirits. Everyone except Grace. Poor Grace. Friends since birth, Legolas and Grace were inseperable. They did everything together. Legolas even taught her a few things about archery. The were the best of friends any elf could be. When the day came that Legolas was to go off to Regrage, Grace's world began to collapse. It was hard to depart with her lifelong friend. She kept telling him and herself that they would see eachother again, no matter what. Grace kept hope for a few months by thinking that to herself, but after a year and no word from Legolas, her hope began to fade. After 3 years and no word from her beloved friend, she had only a small amount of faith left that her best friend was still alive. By 7 years, Legolas was considered dead in her mind. She had even dreamed about his death. It was hard to cope with, since there had been no proof at all that he was actually dad or alive. She had nothing to hold on to, nothing to believe. She learned to put up a front and pretend she was perfectly ok. Few bought it though, and everyone always looked upon her with pity. When she heard that the warriors were coming home, she could not find it in her heart to be excited. Nothing was coming home to her, no Legolas was going to be there for her to hug and cry tears of joy on. All she could do was help with the feast, and be happy for those who had family coming home to their arms.
Ch 3.

"THEY ARE HERE!!" a voice cried out, "THEY ARE HERE AT LAST!!" Horns blared and elves began to run towards their heros. How exciting was this? They were home! The Heros, the warriers, the friends, the lovers. They were here, in the arms of the faces they had not seen in almost a decade. It was a joyous feeling. Grace could not hide her look of jealousy. She did not rush towards the crowd, she could not even see the men who had come home. She did not care who was home. She continued putting table clothes on all of the tables.
"Okay! okay!! Elves and warriors of Mirkwood, we have prepared a celebration and if all would head towards the Mirkwood court, the fun may begin!" A stout elf shouted with a smile as big as his swollen heart. Grace hurried out of sight. She dreaded that look of pity she would receive from her friends faces, and even from the warriors faces themselves. She sat silently behind an enormous tree, listening to all the laughter and cheer.
"GRACE!! Grace!" she heard Lenora's voice calling anxiously. She still did not move, though she was curious to why her friend was calling for her.
"Grace, PLEASE, please! I have to tell you something! Grace come on, why are you hiding?" Lenora continued. She was coming closer and closer to Grace.
"Grace! You will not believe this, please!" Lenora began to get frusturated. She walked right past Grace, still shouting for her. Grace watched her friend, holding her breath. Lenora turned and saw Grace and ran towards her.
"Grace, what are you doing?" she said with an angry look on her face, grabbing her shoulders.
"I don't want to see everyone out there. They are all happy. They have their loved ones. I don't need to be out there, just leave me alone," Grace said, jerking free of her friends hold. Lenora looked at her friend and her angry face melted away.
"Grace, I have something to show you, I think you will like it. Will you please come with me?" she begged. Grace looked at her friends face. Her curiosity got the best of her and she gave Lenora a grim nod. Lenora's face lit up and she grabbed her friends hand and dragged her along.
"What do you want to show me Lenora?" Grace said, trying to keep up with her friends pace.
"You'll see!" Lenora said, speeding up even more.
"Lenora!!" Grace said as she tripped over a root. Lenora picked her friend up and pushed her behind a tree. She stood behind Grace and peeked over her shoulder at the party. Grace just looked at Lenora as if she were crazy.
"what has gotten in to you, Lenora?"
"Look over there," Lenora said, jerking her head in the direction of the party. Grace looked at her, scowling.
"Just look!" Lenora said impatiently. Grace peered over the side of the tree. She looked around. She saw elves dancing, elves talking. She saw her mother cleaning up after everyone in sight.
"Lenora, what are yo-" she stopped. Was it? She looked more closely. Was that Legolas? Her heart jumped to her throat. Her eyes began to swell with tears. It WAS Legolas. He was alive! She turned to her friend.
"Lenora! He's alive!" a tear ran down her face as she smiled uncontrolably. Lenora just smiled and peered over the side of the tree.
"It looks like he's quite popular with all the lady elves doesn't it?" Lenora joked. Legolas was seated at a table that was surrounded by lady elves, all giggling and stroking his arms. He looked a bit overwhelmed and uncomfortable, giving them all polite smiles. It was easy to see why he was being swormed with lady elves. He had grown signifigantly. His chest was big and strong, his glowing almost-white hair streamed over his broad shoulders, his arms had gained a significant amount of muscle.
"Yeah," Grace laughed watching her friend, still crying tears of pure joy.
"Lets go say hi!" Lenora said grabbing Graces hand.
"No!" Grace said, whipping her hand out of Lenora's. "I haven't seen him in 7 years. I can't just walk over there!"
"Why?" Lenora asked, looking at her friend wil a puzzled face.
"He hasn't been too eager to tell me alive, why should I be so eager to say hello?" Grace said.
"Fine," Lenora sad crossing her arms, "Well, I'm going to say hello." She turned and walked towards Legolas's table. Grace watched her friend approach Legolas. When she saw Legolas was distracted by her friend, she quickly ran out from behind the tree. She began to casually walk towards a table with some of her friends. She sat down with her back towards Legolas's table.
"Grace! Have you seen Legolas?!" One of her friends said excitedly.
"Yes," Grace said calmly, but she felt like she was giong to explode with happiness.
"Have you said Hello?" another friend asked.
"Oh, no not yet. I have plenty of time," she replied nonchalantly. Her friends stared at her with a look of disbelief and confusion. She smiled at them and changed the subject. She tried to concentrate on what they were saying but she could feel Legolas's eyes burning a hole in her back. She wanted to turn around to Legolas so bad. She wanted to run to Legolas and leap into his arms so bad that it hurt. But, she had to control herself. Lenora came eventually, giving Grace a disappointed look, and sat down to join the discussion. She pretended to be interested in her friends chatter, smiling and laughing whenever she saw everyone else was. Her head was in the clouds.
"Oh look! Legolas is coming over here!" One of her friends said. Graces heart began to beat profusely. She grabbed Lenora's hand and pulled her up from the table. She walked quickly away from the party.
"Grace! What is the matter with you??" Lenora said angrily.
"I don't know I can't talk to him, I just can't!" Grace said, still pulling her friend along. "Please, just stay with me, please Lenora, please." Lenora stayed silent and sighed reluctanly. She pulled her hand away and caught up to Grace.
"Ok, fine. I just don't understand."
Ch 3

Grace and Lenora wandered around the deserted town for about thirty minutes, talking and laughing. Lenora wanted to be at the party, but her friend needed her, so she was there for her. Grace wanted to be talking with Legolas, listening to all of his stories, laughing at all of his jokes, but she was afraid. She felt intimidated. She was angry with him as well. All the years of sadness and despair could have been saved if he had just sent word he was alive, like the others. Lenora told her maybe he had a good reason as to why he never tryed to contact her. Grace just couldn't think of any.
"Wait right here, Lenora," Grace asked as she walked towards her house, "I want to see if Deasel is doing ok." Deasel was a small crow Grace had found the day before. Its wing was badly broken and she had always been an elf to help sick animals. Animals were the only things she could talk to, and not have them talk back.
"Ok, hurry up though, I do want to go to the party sometime," Lenora responded. She sat down on the steps and pulled flowers out of the flower bed. She sat pulling petals and singing to herself. She heard someone approaching her and she looked up startled. It was Legolas.
"Legolas! You scared me!" Lenora breathed clutching the flowers to her chest. Legolas grinned and laughed softly.
"I truly am sorry Lenora. Have you seen Grace, I have a feeling she is trying to avoid me," He said, looking over her shoulder at the house.
"You do?" Lenora said, trying to sound skeptical, "What makes you say that?"
"Well, running away from me gave me a little idea that she was," he said, grinning again. Lenora looked at her feet and began to draw in the dirt.
"Is she in there?" Legolas looked down on Lenora. Lenora didn't say anything.
"Lenora, please, is she in there? I haven't talked to her in a long time, I was really looking forward to coming home and seeing her again," he said. He sounded desperate. Lenora looked up at him and sighed.
"Yes she's in there, she is going to kill me.." She said as she stood up. "Well I'm going back to the party, good luck." she said, patting his shoulder.
"Thank you so much, Lenora," he said smiling at her. She smiled back and walked past him, heading back to the party. Legolas looked up at the door. He wasn't usually nervous, or scared, but for some reason he found it hard to get up the courage and move. He whiped his hands on his thighs and slowly began to ascend the stairs. He tried to be as quiet as possible. When he got to the door he paused. He took a breath and stared at the door knob. "Why is this so hard?" he though to himself. He put his hand on the door knob and turned it. He gently pushed open the door. Grace was bent over a cage on the floor. She had not heard him come in. He watched her for a moment. She was different from the last time he saw her. She had definitely grown into a mature elf. Her long brown hair flowed over her back, glistening even in the dim room light. She wore a long pale purple gown, trimmed with pearls and baby blue ribbons. The ribbons reminded him of her eyes. He had always liked them. Although her image had begun to fade during the 7 year journey, he had never forgotten her eyes. He watched for a few more seconds, hardly breathing. He took one step into the room. Graces head jerked up. She stared at him, he stared at her. The eye contact burned deep into their minds. She got up and gave him a look of disgust. She turned to the back door, opened it and began to run.
"GRACE!!" Legolas called after her. He too began to ran, chasing her.
"Grace stop running please!" He pleaded, running as hard as he could. He remembered when he used to chase her when they were small elves. She always out ran him. He wondered if things were the same. They ran and ran, Legolas calling for Grace, Grace ignoring his calls.
"Grace! Why are you running?!"
"Please stop! I want to talk to you!"
"Please!"
Nothing could make her stop. Or so he thought. Suddenly Grace stopped running and turned around. As Legolas approached her he too stopped running. Confused and cautious he slowly walked, then came to a stop. There they stood, facing eachother in utter silence. Even the mysterious noises of the woods had come to a halt. It was just Legoals and Grace. Legolas didn't know what to say. He was afraid to speak. He just stood, watching. Grace sprung onto Legolas, wrapping her arms around his neck. She wept onto his shoulder, clutching him more tightly.
"Why didn't you tell me you were alive?" she sobbed. Legolas, in shock, finally wrapped his arms around her waist, squeezing her tightly to him.
"I was scared," he breathed into her hair.
"Of what?" she looked up at him, her eyes red.
"I thought you had forgotten me, I thought maybe you didn't care if I was dead or not," he replied. Grace pulled away from him.
"Not care? why would I not care? Legolas, you were the best friend I had ever had. These seven years killed me. I thought you were dead. Dead, Legolas. I might not have cried as many tears as I did if I would have just gotten some type of hint or clue that you were still breathing, and in my life," she stared at him. Legolas looked down at his feet.
"I was young, stupid. I'm sorry, Grace," he looked up at her, "I was hoping I could come home to my best friend. I missed you so much. Sometimes when I thought the only thing left in the world was evil, I remembered you, and I knew there was still some good left in this world." He looked up at her, catching her soft blue eyes. He grabbed her hand and swung her arm back and forth. She smiled and looked at the ground.
"Do you want to go back to the party?" Legolas asked softly.
"Yeah," Grace replied looking up at Legolas again. She hugged him once more and they took eachothers hand and walked back towards the party.
Ch 4.

For once, faces full of happiness and not pity stared upon Grace as she and Legolas walked into the party. She laughed at all the jealous faces as Legolas took her arm in his. He escorted her to a table and they sat down. The talked and talked, laughed and laughed. It was as if they had never been apart. They were friends again, best friends. There was something different though. Something just wasn't the same. Legolas did not remember ever darting his eyes away whenever Grace's eyes caught them. Grace never remembered Legolas being so fidgety. They both put their suspicions behind them though. They had not seen eachother in almost a decade, they were glad enough to be sitting at the same table. Legolas told Grace stories of war. He told her about the scenery and the creatures of where he had gone. Grace listened to every word that escaped Legolas's beautiful mouth. He had so much to tell. Through out the night, various elves would come to their table, looking upon the pair of friends with fondness saying, "I'm so happy you two are together again." Everyone was glad. The night was filled with joy. You could not find one soul who was in bad spirits. Everyone laughed and danced. Grace and Legolas just watched.
"Would you like to dance?" Legolas advanced, moving closer to Grace with a grin. Grace returned the mischievous grin.
"Can you even dance?" she teased.
"Well there's only one way to find out!" Legolas jested, grabbing her hand. He lead her out to the dance floor and placed his hand on her waist. She placed her hand on his shoulder and took his other hand in the air. They caught eachothers eyes, and they were off. Dancing all around the floor, laughing and just being silly. Everybody watched them, laughing and clapping. The music was loud and beat through their bodies, carrying them across the floor. Soon every elf was dancing. Legolas twirled Grace, spinning her into his arms. He tilted her back over his arm. Grace went into a fit of laughter. Legolas began to laugh and as they caught eachothers eyes again, it was hard to remember why they were laughing. It was hard to remember why they were in the position they were in. It was hard to remember their own names.
"Oh! sorry Legolas!" said an elf as he bumped into Legolas, bringing him back to his senses. Legolas lifted Grace back up and grinned at her.
"No one can ever match up to us." Grace smiled up at him and felt pure happiness. Legolas was home. He was right in front of her, smiling the same smile she had always tried to keep with her in the nights of loneliness and despair. He was right in front of her. He was not dead.
"How fortunate we are, Legolas, to have eachother as friends," she said, staring up into his ocean-blue eyes that danced with a glare of fire.
"We are extremely fortunate," Legolas replied, wrapping his arms around his best friend.
"It's so good to be home," he whispered in her ear.
"Alright everyone!!" came an elf's voice, "Dinner is SERVED!!" He gestured towards the table and the crowd of elves went into awe at the beautiful dinner. Everyone took their places, Legolas helping every lady elf into their seats. Grace could not help but laugh at her friend. "Such a flirt," she thought to herself. She remembered when she and Legolas were young elves and he told her "The only lady elf I will ever love is my mother." She chuckled at this as she watched a lady elf run her hand along Legolas's face. Finally, after all ofthe swooning, Legolas took his seat, across the table from Grace's. He smiled at her and gave her a "wow" look as he looked upon the feast. There was a roasted bird the size of six turkeys, trimmed with spiced and herbed potatoes, carrots, beans, and even mushrooms. The scent of spiced apples nipped at everyones nose. A hundred sparkles gleamed as the candle light glared on the wine glasses. It was a feast no one had seen before. Everyone waited impatiently as the grand bird was carved. A glass rang out amoung the table.
"I would like to propose a toast!" called out a strong, bold voice. It was Grace's father, one of the noblest elves of Mirkwood.
"Tonight we are reunited with our family. Tonight we are reunited with our lovers. Tonight we are reunited with our friends," and at this he looked at Grace and Legolas, "It is times like these when you look upon what you have in your life and you realise you are thankful," he paused as the table cheered in agreement, "It is times like these where you look to your neighbor and you realise without the bonds that hold us together, this community falls apart. Throughout these seven years we have all experienced losses. We have all felt the pain of watching Mirkwood lose a knot in its tapestry. We have all felt the eagerness of seeing our heros come home again. Heros. Heros are what they are," he stopped as the table cheered again, "Heros who fought bravely against evil. Every elf who went on the quest is here in our hearts tonight," he looked over at a couple of elves who had lost their son, "Every elf who went on that quest is a hero, every elf who went on that quest will be remembered through out the history of Mirkwood. It is with this feast I commemorate those who fought, and won, against the evil on Regrage. And it is with this I say," he paused and looked around at the shining faces. He smiled, "Let the feast begin!" The table cheered and smiled raising their glasses and goblets high, picking up their forks. The town of Mirkwood was alive again, and they feasted their hearts out.
Ch 5.

"Oh, I am stuffed to the brim!" Legolas said, rubbing his stomach as he walked Grace home. Grace just giggled, feeling quite stuffed herself, she didn't feel like talking.
"What a beautiful night," Legolas sighed, opening his arms and twirling once, looking up at the magnificent sky. He looked at Grace. "Isn't it gorgeous?" he asked.
"Like little gems," Grace said, looking at Legolas. Legolas chuckled.
"What's so funny?" Grace asked with a smile. Legolas continued to laugh, looking at the ground.
"Legolas.." Grace whined, "tell me.." She grabbed his arm and stared into his face. Legolas looked at her and giggled.
"I was just thinking of that time when we thought if we built you wings, you could fly. So we build them and put them on you and you jumped off the tallest tree we could find," he paused and laughed a little harder, "and you landed right on your face! You looked like a sack of potatoes!" and at this he was laughing extremely hard. Grace was not laughing though.
"It was YOUR stupid idea, Legolas, and I did NOT look like a sack of potatoes!" she pinched his arm.
"Ow!!" he squealed, "That hurt!" he looked at Grace with a hurt look.
"Aw, I feel no pity for you, Legolas," Grace taunted as she pinched him again. Legolas opened his mouth in a playfully shocked face.
"Thats it, you've asked for it, twice!" he said, grabbing her arm. Grace giggled and pulled her arm free and began to run.
"I out ran you when I was 7, I can out run you now," she called back. Legolas sprinted after her.
"I will get you!" he called up to her, and there they chased eachother. Laughing and teasing eachother along the way.
"Careful, Legolas, you don't want to fall and mangle that beautiful face! What lady elves will you have on your arm then!" Grace laughed. Little did she know that Legolas had taken a shortcut, and when he jumped out in front of her she screamed. She tried to turn around and run, but Legolas had gotten a hold of her arm. Both were in a fit of laughter as Legolas quickly brougt Grace down. On her back, Grace breathed hard, trying to get her wrists free of Legolas mighty grip. Legolas sat on top of Grace laughing at her struggle. Out of energy, and breath, Grace gave up and stopped struggling me. She looked up into Legolas's face, giving him a look of defeat. After a moment of staring at eachother Legolas whispered, "So do you give up?" He leaned in.
"Yeah," said Grace, at a loss of words. She saw the way Legolas was looking at her, and it stole her very breath. Legolas stared at Grace, taking in every detail. He watched her chest rise and fall with beads of sweat collecting on every inch of her glowing skin. She glistened in the moonlight. He saw her beautiful hair shining. He took in her gorgeous face. Her subtle cheek bones, her small nose, her rubicund lips, half opened. He looked into her crystal blue eyes. She was glowing, she was an angel to him. He had never seen anything more beautiful, and it had been in front of him for so long. Grace could not escape his gaze. She breathed hard, her heart pounding. She saw Legolas, in the moonlight, his silken hair glowing, his moist face shining down on her. She saw his high cheek bones, and his nose, which had obviously been broken a few times. His piercing blue eyes would not let her escape. She saw his lips, his beautiful lips. Pulled one of her hands free of Legolas's loosened grip, she brought it up to his lips, touching them softly, then looking back into Legolas's eyes. They could not resist the urge any longer. They gave in, leaning closer and closer, feeling eachothers emotions with every inch they moved. It was like a magnet pulling them together, closer and closer, and then..
"Grace!!" came a distant hollar. Grace gasped and jerked her head towards the call.
"Grace! Where are you?!" It was her mother. She looked back at Legolas and sighed, gently pushing him aside so she could get up.
"Um," she softly said, she didn't know what to say, "Um, I had better go," she said pointing towards her mothers calls. Legolas just smiled and looked at the ground, still sitting. Grace turned around and walked briskly walked away.
"what just happened?" she thougth to herself. When she reached her mother she explained that she and Legolas had taken a little stroll. Her mother told her that she had better get to bed, for she had a lot of cleaning to do the next day. Groaning, Grace went into her house, changed into her nightgown and curled up in her bed. She could not sleep though. Legolas's stare still burned in her mind.
Legolas was having a difficult time making sense of what had happend as well. He roamed around the woods, trying to put the days events in retrospect. He couldn't understand the feeling he had suddenly felt for Grace. He couldn't understand why it still lived within him. He walked around the woods for a good 2 hours. As he walked past a small lake, he heard a noise. He jumped behind a bush. When he peered over the bush he saw someone on the edge of the shore. It was a lady elf. What was she doing? As he sharpened his eyes and peered closer. It was Grace. He held his breath and watched her. She was undressing! He felt ashamed and ducked down behind the bush. His foot slipped on a twig and it broke with a loud CRACK! Grace heard the crack and pulled her night gown ober her chest.
"Hello?" she whispered into the darkness. She waited a few more seconds and began to undress again.
"Grace, its me, Legolas," Legolas said as he stepped out from the bush. Grace jumped and pulled her gown back up.
"Legolas? Were you watching me?" she asked. She could not stop the smile that spread across her face. Legolas stared at her, not knowing what to say.
"Well, no, yes, well! I was just walking and I heard, and then I, then you-"
"Would you like to swim with me?" Grace cut him off.
"Uh, um," Legolas was embarassed, "sure." He walked up to Grace and the two stood in silence.
"Well, lets go then," Grace said, as she began to take of her night gown again.
"Uh," Legolas said as he turned around. Grace just giggled as she finished undressing. Legolas turned around when he heard a splash. He waited for Grace to come back to the surface. When she came up she said, "Are you coming in or what?"
"Yeah," Legolas said as he took off his silver tunic. He began to take off his leggings, but then looked up at Grace who was watching. He pulled them back up. Grace just laughed and dove under the water. He quickly pulled them off and dove into the lake. The ice cold water hit him like a sack of bricks. When he surfaced he took a deep breath.
"Cold, huh?" Grace teased.
"It feels good," Legolas responded. He swam a ways out from the shore. Grace swam after him.
"Remember when we used to race all the time?" She asked as she got closer to him.
"Yeah," he said leaning back, staring at the sky. "I always won," he said.
"No you did not!" Grace said, splashing him with water. He laughed returing the splash. Soon they were haveing a water fight, swimming after one another splashing eachother with as much water as they could. They were laughing and having fun. Legolas dunked Grace underwater. She sputtered as she came back up. He dunked her again, but this time she did not come up. Feeling a pang of panic, Legolas felt underwater for her. When he felt her back he pulled her up to the surface quickly. He turned her over and whiped the hair out of her face. His heart sank to his stomach when he saw he expressionless face.
"Grace?" he half yelled. "GRACE!" he shouted, shaking her. She did not come to.
"what have I done?" he thought to himself. He felt the tears welling in him. He stroked her face.
"Please, no," he pleaded to her. Then he felt a fountain of water shoot onto his face. He heard Grace laughing and looked at her with an intolerant look.
"That was not funny," he growled, dropping he back into the water. He turned around and swam back to the shore.
"Legolas," Grace called after him, not laughing anymore, "It was only a joke.." She waited for him to respond.
"Legolas do not be angry with me," she beseeched, swimming after him. Legolas turned around to her.
"I thought you were dead," his voice quivering, "I have never been so scared."
"Yeah, well now you know how it feels," Grace said, bratty.
"Grace, I'm sorry for not writing you, we've talked about this, but you don't go pretending you are dead. You are my only best friend. I've known you my whole life. I spent seven years without you in it, and when I thought I lost you again, it felt like I was going to die," Legolas cried. He stood waiting for her to respond. Grace didn't know what to say. She felt foolish. He turned around and began to swim back to the shore again.
"Legolas," Grace called. Legolas turned around. She swam up to him. He waited for what she had to say. Though it wasn't words she intended on giving. She stroked his chiseled cheek bones and ran her hand along his face. She pulled him closer, and he put his hand on her jaw. When their lips locked, nothing mattered. Neither of them had ever felt such a feeling. It was pure bliss, and when they pulled apart, Grace whispered, "Do you forgive me?" Legolas could only nod, for he was speachless. He stared hungrily at her mouth and kissed her again, and there in the water that night, two friends became lovers.
For the rest of the night Grace and Legolas spent most of their time together, caressing, holding, kissing one another. Their love, though so new and fresh, felt as though nothing had ever been so right or pleasurable. They rested on the moist earth, Graces's head on Legolas's chest, her hand on his, resting on his breast.
"Legolas.." Grace whispered, kissing his long soft fingers.
"Yes?" Legolas cooed back to her, running his fingers through her hair.
"Tell me another story about your journey."
"A story.." Legolas said to himself, "let me think of a good one." After a moment of silence Legolas began.
"It was my turn to take watch one night. The others slept around a fire. It was not even a fire, more like a small flame. We were afraid to draw any harmful creatures near. So there I sat, all alone, in the darkness. Even I could not see for more than 10 meters in front of me. All I could rely on was my hearing and my instinct. My senses warned me of something stiring in the woods. I felt it with every fiber of my being. I was afraid to wake the others, I thought I would only anger them. I only gripped my bow more tightly. Before long my feeling had become real, and I could easily hear the creature approaching. When I first heard him, he seemed to be about a mile away. He was not quiet, but very loud in his proceedings. He wanted to be heard. I became scared. The louder he became, the more I was confused as to what direction he was coming from. I dared not move, not even to tap the shoulder of the elf next to me. I closed my eyes, wishing with all my power that the beast would come no further. Then all of the sudden, the footsteps stopped," he paused.
"They stopped?" Grace asked, looking up into Legolas's deap blue yes, scared. He gave her a grin and stroked her face.
"It stopped. I opened my eyes. I listened for the slightest sound. Even the breathing of the elves was sensative to my ears. But that was all I heard was breathing. I relaxed a little, still gripping my bow with an arrow notched. Then.." he paused again. He stared down at Grace, giving her chills. Out of no where he grabbed her and growled, making her scream. He laughed at her face go from its natural white tone to even whiter and her crystal blue eyes grow to the size of walnuts. She hit his arm hard.
"LEGOLAS!!" she angrily breathed, "do you want me dead?!" Legolas chuckled, trying to pull her close again. She pushed his arms away with haste.
"Oh come on," Legolas said, tilting his head to the side looking at Graces furrowed brow, "It was only a jest, there is no need to get huffy." Grace just looked down at the ground, pouting.
"No, my dear, I most certainly do not want you dead," he said flirtatiously, scooting closer to her. He put her hand on her knee, staring at her face, trying to catch her breath taking eyes. Grace felt his stare upon her and she couldn't not resist it any longer. She looked up at his apologetic face. She fought the smile that she felt coming to her face, but it won and she could no longer fight it. Legolas leaned in for a kiss but she coldly turned away. He kissed her neck instead. He suavely tried to work his shower of kisses up to her mouth, but she pulled back from him.
"Finish your story, Legolas," she said, whiping away her smile and giving him a half serious look. He studied her face and grinned at her.
"Okay, Grace," he replied, kissing her knee, "So then the beast came from behind me and grabbed me," he then threw his arms around her waist and pushed her down until she was lying flat, "Like this, pinning me against the ground. He smelled like rotting flesh, not like you," he leaned closer in to smell her neck, which smelled like springtime honeysuckles mixed with the romantic scent of rose and sweat. Grace giggled as Legolas's breath ran over her neck. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes.
"Then.." he tried to continue but he could not concentrate on his thoughts.
"Then.." Grace said. She too had become mindless. She ran her hand along his torso, up to his chest, around his neck and felt his chain to his necklace. She wrapped her fingers around the chain, pulling it down, pulling Legolas down, closer. Their soft lips came together and Legolas's sweet tongue messaged hers.

"grace.. Grace.. GRACE!" Grace came to from her sleep when she heard Legolas's soft whispering in her ear. For a moment she forgot where she was. She sat up looking around. She looked to her left and saw Legolas, staring up at her. It all came back to her and she felt a wave of happiness all over her body. She had not dreamed, it was real. She smiled and layed back down, cuddling up to Legolas's body. She buried her face into his warm smooth neck, giving him soft kisses.
"Grace," he said softly as he chuckled, "we had better get back. Its almost morning." He ran his hand along the small of her back. Grace groaned. She didn't get a lot of sleep, and she knew she would have a left over feast to clean up.
"One more hour, please," she pleaded.
"We should get back before the others wake up," he persisted. He squeezed her arm and her shoulder, trying to get her to wake up. She groaned louder.
"Legolassssssss," she begged, swatting his hand away. He stood up, standing above her.
"Grace," he said, with a touch of fear in his voice. Grace sensed it, but was too tired to care.
"Hmm," she grunted.
"There is a HUMUNGOUS spider in your hair," he shrieked. Grace went into hysterics, sitting up quickly, throwing her head in every direction, screaming. She stopped when she heard Legolas laughing.
"Cruel, Legols, very, very cruel," she said, standing up. Legolas wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tightly.
"It worked, didn't it?" he teased. Grace couldn't help but laugh. She wrapped her arms around Legolas as best as she could, since he had her arms pinned underneath his. He kissed her shoulder then her neck.
"Ready?" he asked, looking into her eyes. She nodded, and Legolas kissed her rosy cheeks. His hand slid down her arm and found hers, and they started back towards the town, hand in hand.

Un-titled part 2