[Author's Note: If you see this, it means I have put link to music that helps me into mood as I write this chapter. Feel free to listen to them as you read on. Let me know what you think! Happy Reading]

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I asked Legolas whether he wanted to come with me for a walk in Lothlorien, which he accepted graciously. The elf stood and walk towards where I sat before offering his arm for me.

As we walked around the city of Galadhrim, I spoke, "It's been a while now that we take a walk like this, right?" I muttered, remembering our time in Rivendell.

"Aye," he replied smiling which I returned him.

Another moments passed before we were surrounded by beautiful, tall mellorn trees that seemed to glow mysteriously under the sunlight. Galadhrim was breathtaking. My eyes scanned the environment and took in its beauty, deeply inhaling the smell of fresh forest. I exhaled loudly.

"I know that face well," said Legolas who smiled at me widely, "You look exactly how I felt hundreds years ago when I first lay my eyes upon the beauty of the mellorn trees and its bountiful leaves under the golden light."

I just realized that I had been so comfortable that I didn't notice Legolas studying me. He smiled boyishly as I looked at his glowing face. He looked so at home and natural here, among the trees. I noticed that he was no longer in his green hunting tunic. Now he was clothed in silver tunic that looked regal on him, while a circlet rested on the crown of his head. He looked so handsome and charming- like a prince, I thought, which was very appropriate because he was one.

Unlike a couple of days ago, he no longer seem distressed at Gandalf's passing. I remembered again how I treated him that day outside of Moria. He wanted to hold my hand, but I rejected him. I felt guilty at refusing such a kind, comforting gesture from him, knowing that I hurt him in the process.

"I'm sorry Legolas."

"For what?" he questioned, looking slightly confused.

"For being cold, that time when you tried to comfort me outside Moria."

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Leane. I know you were grieving. So was I," he said with a soft smile, "You needed time and wanted to be left alone, which I could understand. We all grieved in our own ways."

"I don't deserve you," I said shaking my head in wonder, "I don't deserve any of you." He brought up his hands to my cheek and touched it gently, his eyes sympathetic.

"What happened to Gandalf was not your fault. We all know you had our best interest in your heart. If by letting the fate take its course gives us our best chance, then we are all grateful and we will trust your decision to let things happen the way it should be," he said matter of factly.

I smiled at him. He continued.

"Promise me not to blame yourself any longer, Leane. I hate to see you suffer under your own condemnation," he said, sadness etched on his face.

"I promise," I said, hugging his side, "Thank you for believing in me," I added, pulling away from him and beamed. A handsome smile lit up his face.

"By the way... You look very handsome today, my prince," I blurted before I could stop myself and gave him a lopsided smile with a hint of playfulness to cover my slip up.

"That's a first," he said innocently, "You never called me handsome before, let alone 'my prince'. I was always pretty to you."

By this time I realized that his curiosity was genuine. I was amused at how innocent he looked. I shook my head smiling.

"It was a slip up. It won't happen again, pretty boy," I said smugly. At this, his eyes twinkled in mischief and he grinned.

"Why do you have to do that? I thought you finally recognized my good look but now you have to crush my pride and call me pretty. Again," he nudged me gently. It tickled, causing me to giggle a bit as he poked my side.

"I had to Legolas. I know that you know that you are handsome, but I must keep you humble and not let your head explode with pride. I don't want you to be cursed by a fairy and be turned into a beast."

Legolas trained his eyes at me as he paused, seemingly processing my words. Sometimes I forgot that he and I came from different age that not everything I said could easily be understood by him.

"I don't understand that reference," he said in confusion.

"Oh. It was from a children's tale back in my world," I said, waving at him, but he pressed.

"Will you tell me about this tale?"

So starting from there, I ended up telling him about the tale of The Beauty and The Beast, which he listened to intently to my surprise. By the end of the story, he smiled down at me and nodded approvingly.

"T'was a beautiful story," he praised. "So the rumors are true. You're a good story teller. The hobbits spoke highly of you, especially Bilbo Baggins."

I smiled fondly at the mention of the old hobbit, "I missed him and the tea times we spent together, telling stories to each other."

"You will see him again," he said comfortingly.

"I hope so, Legolas. I hope so," I nodded at him and continued, suddenly getting an idea, "You know, back in Rivendell there was this elleth. She told me that there are four pianos in Middle Earth. One of them is here in Lothlorien," I began. "What about we look for it? I will play any song you want, for the sake of our times in Rivendell."

Legolas' facial expression was priceless. His smile was so wide it split his face in two and lighted up his entire being like a Christmas tree.

"Aye! Please. I have longed to see you play the piano again. Tolo, mellon nin (come, my friend)," he said, bidding me to come. "I know where they keep it."

I squealed excitedly and practically hopped around like a child when he pulled me by my hand.

Legolas led us to a clearing where a grand piano, an exact replica of the one I played in Rivendell, stood there, covered by a piece of fabric. By the look of the piled up golden leaves on it, I could tell that it wasn't played for some time now. It deserved a day out. I laughed in excitement as Legolas uncovered the piano. In a flash I was seated on the bench. Legolas took a seat next to me and beamed.

"So," I hummed. "What music does my dear friend wish to hear?" I cooed at him with a fake english accent. Apparently he found this funny, and the elf laughed heartily in response.

"You sound hilarious, mellon," he said, chuckling. His brows furrowed together as he stopped to think, "Clair de Lune, please. If the lady doesn't mind," he requested, his eyes hopeful.

I beamed at him. He remembered the name of the music that I played back in Rivendell. Turned out it was his favorite piece of them all. Who knew Legolas likes Debussy?

"Clair de Lune it is!" I exclaimed. My fingers started to play the tune. I glanced at him and grinned as his eyes were trained on my fingers. He smiled serenely the entire time I played.

By the time I was finished, we looked at each other and smiled widely like fools; his eyes crinkled with joy. He and I both missed this moments. And to find it here in Lothlorien, was like a brief relief to our homesickness for Rivendell.

I played the music again and again and again, which Legolas didn't seem to mind at all. As I finished playing the tune for the third time that day, I looked dreamily at the white piano and stroke the white wood that made up the beautiful musical instrument with a sigh.

"You are an amazing woman."

His expression soft, icy blue eyes filled with awe and admiration towards me. I was startled by his sudden praise, caught off guard. All the playfulness and the goofy smile that he had earlier was no longer there on his beautiful face. My smile waned at the intensity of his gaze as heat began to creep up my cheek. I cursed internally at my nervousness–he would definitely shove it up my face and tease me about it.

I waited for that snarky remark to escape his lips, but it never came. Instead he held his deep gaze, and touched my cheek.

I froze. My heart raced at his gentle, feather touch, my breath caught in my throat. His thumb trailed on my cheek in such a way that he had never done before–it did not feel platonic. I felt suddenly lightheaded and dumb.

"Lle naa vanima," he spoke again, Sindarin rolled off his tongue beautifully.

Lle naa vanima. What was that again? I think knew what the sentence meant; it did sound familiar. But due to my temporary brain damage and wonderment, I couldn't remember any of it despite Legolas' Sindarin lessons back in Rivendell.

As if wanting to make sure that I understood him, he translated, "You're beautiful."

Oh. My god.

My cheek grew hotter at his words and my stomach hurt. Not because of any physical discomfort, but because of the butterfly that fluttered happily on my stomach. I was reduced to a witless, shy schoolgirl at his actions and I couldn't think of anything to answer him. My mind went blank as I looked at his eyes. He smiled handsomely at me, as if knowing my internal turmoil. Merciful, he let go of my cheek to take my hand in his warm one.

"Come. We must go now. You must be hungry; it is almost past lunchtime."

He linked my arm in his as we walked back in silence. A sense of admiration, protectiveness and something else I couldn't fathom radiated off of him. He glanced at me several times, as if to decipher me, but I couldn't meet his eyes.

I was too nervous to do so.

Silly, silly, silly me!

Holy mother, what just happened? Did my grand music talent caused his action today or was it something else? Did he really think me beautiful? Did I over think things?

I didn't know exactly what he felt for sure towards me. For the first time in Middle Earth I highly doubted my gift in sensing people's emotions. But one thing I was sure of, considering the way my heart raced in my chest at his disarming touch and gaze:

I had at least a teeny tiny crush on Legolas now. All my hard effort to avoid any romantic feelings towards the impossibly good looking elf failing.

Dammit.

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[Author's Note: Personally I feel like there's something missing in this chapter. Like this chapter is lacking some important details? I don't know. Leave a comment below and tell me what you think! And again, thank you so much for all of you who reads my book, for you who vote and leave comments. It means a lot and I couldn't stress how much I appreciate it. Thankyou so much, preciousss ♥️🤧]