Ch 7

"Legolas.. what are we going to tell the others?" Grace asked, as her and Legolas approached her house.
"I say we just let them figure it out themselves," he replied, smiling. He kissed her forehead and rubbed it with his thumb. Grace stopped walking and looked at Legolas. She threw her arms around him. Legolas wrapped his arms around her and buried his face into her sweet smelling hair. He began to feel something wet on his chest. He looked down and was a bit confused to see Grace sobbing.
"Grace," he chuckled down at her, "why are you crying?"
"Oh." she breathed, "Its just so much all at once."
"What is?"
"You, you coming home, back into my life again, it made me so happy. I can't even express it more than that, and then me-" she stopped and looked up at him. She trembled.
"Then you what?" Legolas asked, giving her his full attention.
"Then me," she paused and took a breath, "Me falling in love with you," she sobbed, looking down at her feet. Legolas's heart beat fast in his chest. "She loves me too?" he thought to himself. Her words shot him into the sky. He thought that maybe she was just lusting over him. He could not describe the feeling inside his heart. It felt so good that it hurt in a small way. He could feel tears coming to his eyes, and he tried to push them back. After all he was a warrior Elf, he was supposed to have an Iron Mask. He just couldn't help himself though, and a small tear fought its way free and trickled its way down his cheek.
He lifted Grace's chin and stared deeply into her eyes. He whiped away her tears and brushed her cheek. He did not know what to say.
"Grace," he pushed out, choking, "You are so beautiful.." his voice quivered and he tired to look down as another tear broke free. Grace smiled at him, putting her hand on his fine chiseled face. She kissed away his tear and gently kissed both of his eye lids. Legolas returned the soft sweet kisses to her lips, letting another tear go free. No one had ever brought him to tears, no one had ever touched his heart the way she did.
"Look at us," Grace laughed through her tears, "Legolas Greenleaf and Grace Dearfire, young, vulnerable, elves in love," she whiped away a few more tears, "Who would have thought?" Legolas laughed, trying to catch his breath.
"Uh," he grunted, sniffling, "you had better get inside, before they catch us!" he advised, giving her a grin. Grace laughed and roughly pulled him close to her. She showered him with kisses and gave him a long, passionate kiss for her grande finale.
"See you later," she purred, giving him a kiss on the corner of his mouth. She turned around and quickly ran up her steps. She tiptoed into her small house, past Deasel, who was wide awake, hopping around in his cage, and leaped in to bed, pulling her covers over her head, giggling to herself. "So this is what it feels like?" she thought to herself. She closed her eyes. All she could see was his face. His face, so beautiful. Pretty soon Legolas's image led her into a slumber. She slept peacefully, dreaming of the elf she loved.

"Grace, get up," a loud voice came from behind her door, along with a heavy knocking. Grace woke up with a start. she looked out of her window. "Oh my! It's mid-day?" she thought to herself, jumping out of bed.
"Grace you up or what?" The voice persisted. It was her mother.
"Yes mother hold on," she yelled back, she ran to her door and opened it to an annoyed face.
"You were supposed to be up a long time ago," she looked sternly.
"I know I'm sorry, I don't know whats wrong with me," Grace lied. She knew what was wrong with her alright. She had been out all night with Legolas, thats what. She laughed inside her head, and couldn't help the lovestruck grin on her face.
"Why are you smiling like that?" her mother asked.
"I just thought of something funny, thats all," Grace replied, going to her chest to pull out some clothes.
"Grace I need you to clean the linens form the tables last night, then after I want you to sweep the-" Graces mother delivered her commands but they went in one ear and out the other. Grace had her own thoughts to deal with. She rumaged through her chest some more.
"Which color would Legolas like the best?" She thought to herself, holding various dresses up to her chest.
"Grace are you listening?" Her mother broke into her bubble of thoughts.
"Yes mother I will do it all later," Grace replied quickly. She had decided on a deep crimson gown, not too formal, but pretty enough to earn an extra kiss or two.
"There is something different about you," her mother alluded. She walked towards Grace and put her hand on her shoulder, turning her around to face her. Grace darted her eyes away from her wise mothers'.
"What do you mean, I'm still a little tired, thats all," Grace whispered. Her mother continued to stare at her. She gave up after a minute and gave an incredulous grunt.
"Well, I expect you out in an hour. All of the other elves had towed their weight around to help clean up," she said.
"Ok, I'll be out then, I promise," Grace assured her mother, slipping on her crimson gown. Her mother turned to leave when Grace called her.
"Mother!" She stepped forward. Her mother turned around, waiting.
"Can you help tie my dress in the back?" Grace said, turning around.
"This is a pretty dress Grace," her mother told her as she began to tighten the strings on the back of the dress, "why do you need to wear such a dress when you will be cleaning?"
"Oh, I just feel like it, I guess," Grace said softly. Her mother finished tying up Grace's dress. She turned Grace around to her again.
"My beautiful daughter," she said smiling, stroking her daughters face, "You are a Lady elf now, and it just oo hard for me to see sometimes." Grace smiled and looked at the floor. Her mother rubbed her arm and turned around, leaving the house.
When Grace was finally alone she sat herself down on a small chair in front of her mirror. She began to brush out her hair, humming softly to herself. Occasionally Deasle would join in, with a not so graceful "caw caw," but beautiful in its own way. Grace decorated her hair with small flowers and cinnamon sticks. She jumped when she heard a loud thump on her floor. She looked over her left shoulder.
"Legolas!" her heart swelled when she saw him, though she also laughed at the crumpled up body lying next to her window.
"What are you doing?" she giggled, covering her mouth. Legolas groaned and gasped for breath.
"I.. saw..your mother.. le-le-"
"Leave?" Grace finished for him.
"Yes.. so.. I..snuck-"
"Legolas, catch your breath," Grace laughed, walking over to him, helping him up. After a moment of more panting, Legolas was able to speak.
"I saw your mother leave and so I TRIED to sneak in your window but my foot slipped and," he paused, realizing how rediculace he sounded. He scratched his head and looked at Grace who was still laughing at him.
"And I thought you were one of the most Graceful elves in Mirkwood," Grace teased. Legolas pulled her close.
"Is this how you say good morning to me?" he asked, half laughing. Grace kissed him delicatly on the cheek, then gazed into his eyes.
"Now there is a greeting suitable for a Prince," Legolas joked, sticking his chest out.
"Some Prince," said Grace, poking his stomach hard. Legolas's chest shrunk back to its normal, yet still impressive, size.
"That should get some of the hot air out," Grace said, flashing her eyes at Legolas. Legolas just grinned, gluing his eyes to Grace's red lips.
"You look beautiful today," he whispered, pulling her even closer, "Lady Galadriel would be jealous of your beauty." Grace could only smile. She had never seen Galadriel herself but she had heard stories of her enchanting beauty. It was a true compliment. Grace grasped Legolas's cloak and reeled him in.
"Grace!" came a hollar behind her door again, startling both Grace and Legolas. They quickly pulled apart and jumped to opposite sides of the room. They tried not to blush so hard and they watched the door knob turn.

Un-Titled part 3