I did eventually find my room that night, but sleep would not come.

I sat, cross legged, on the balcony that overlooked the forest and considered the plan I had laid out.

Albeit hesitantly, both the Lord and Lady consented to it, though with some reservations. Thranduil agreed to pen the letter, however, which would be to Aragorn.

It was to state that on behalf of himself and Lothlorien, he would ask Gondor to ally with them to find me, as I had been captured by Remnant loyalists that day. Urgent aid was to be sent.

Legolas, familiar with the route, would ride to Gondor and inform Aragorn of the contents of the letter, which he would never receive. If all went according to plan, the letter would be intercepted and found by the Remnant forces.

I, meanwhile, would not be taken by Remnant loyalists as the letter claimed, but rather "captured" by someone who agreed to act as a traitor and hand me over to Falcon.

To minimize the chance of things going awry, there would be hidden scouts, supplied by both Greenwood and Lothlorien, posted along the route as I went to ensure I never actually was captured by enemy forces.

The idea was that if I were handed directly to Falcon, I could cut him off there with much less opposition than if I had to fight to get to him through prepared ranks.

This way, it would be--dare I say it!--easier to finish Falcon and, by extension, the rest of his forces.

It was a grave risk, for if I were to be handed off to another forcefully I would be cut off from safety, but the scouts posted nearby would try and stop any attack on my life.

The letter was to be sent tomorrow. I had one full day before I had to journey, yet again, to Mordor.

I may as well do something other than sleep, I thought, after realizing that the night air, the moonlight, and the soft woods weren't helping me in the least to do so, not to mention the thoughts running through my mind faster than a Rhosgobel rabbit.

So, I stepped back into my room and found the door, silently pushing it open.

The halls of Galadriel were eerily silent, but beautifully so, wreathed in white and silver. I hardly dared breathe as I padded through the halls in my bare feet, the hem of my light dress barely brushing the cool stone floor as I went. It was dreamlike, the night. More ethereal than sleeping, the shadows themselves seemed calm in their repose.

I finally came to a wide balcony, laced with latticed stone, that looked out across the forest. The silver buds of the mallorn trees shone with light and somewhere, a nightingale sang sweetly, trilling through the night.

"No sleep tonight?"

"Legolas, I wish you would not startle me so, I could faint and fall over the balcony to my death," I reprimanded sternly.

"I hardly think I startled you, my lady, and if I did, I do not believe you would even show it." he said, amused. "No dressing gown, either?"

"I was under the impression I would be alone," I sighed. "Which is unreasonable, since you're always coming out of the shadows. I should know better."

"You should," he replied, with a mock air of disapproval.

"I suppose now you're going to point out my lack of shoes," I said, finally looking back at him.

"No shoes, either! My, you seem to have quite forgotten a greater part of your wardrobe."

He was smiling now, standing against a curled pillar of white ash that stood a few feet behind me.

I rolled my eyes, changing the subject. "The nights here are more dreamlike than those of Greenwood, are they not?"

He leaned over the balcony, closing his eyes briefly as he inhaled the scent of the dusky wood.

"It is interesting how different nightfall is in Greenwood than here," he said, turning to me. "There, the trees are awake even when others slumber. The air is cool and comforting, but smells of the sharp tang of summer even in the winter months. Here, the trees are peaceful, and they sleep gently."

"I never noticed it in quite that way," I admitted.

"It is not an obvious difference," he said. "Not nearly as obvious as your lack of shoes."

"Valar, am I to hear the end of this?" I asked with mild incredulity. "I will henceforth never wear shoes in your presence again to antagonise you."

"Elbererth, how petty," he remarked.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, stop it," I said, shaking my head. "You would think the Prince of the Greenwood would have better things to do."

"Not unless it involves you," he said smoothly, his eyes glittering.

"I am flattered," I replied in kind, mentally sidestepping around his suggestive comment. "Would you like to critique tomorrow's outfit as well?"

He laughed softly. "I was hardly critiquing your current raiment, simply pointing out some intriguing details."

"What is so intriguing about a lack of a dressing gown?" I inquired, raising my eyebrow skeptically. "You aren't wearing a dressing gown."

"Your argument is invalid, as I remain fully dressed," he said pointedly.

I blushed at the phrasing of his comment. "Fine then, I submit."

He laughed again, walking closer to me. "Submit to what?"

"Your insistence on winning," I teased. "I suppose, since you are a prince, you are used to getting what you want."

"Not quite," he laughed gently. "As a child, I had to fend for myself for much of the time. In time, with the guidance of my father, I learned to carry myself like a prince and also carry the weight of responsibility with me."

"Were you afraid?"

"We all are, at some point in our lives," Legolas said, looking at me. He leaned on his forearms, his pale golden hair lightly swinging over the balcony.

"In the face of this task, I am wayward, and fearful." I replied.

"I do not doubt in you, Gianna." He smiled wryly. "This lunatic plan you have concocted had better work."

"I hope so," I sighed, considering it once more. 

"And if any bit of it goes wrong, I will be there, you have my solemn promise," he said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"A promise?" I commented, raising an eyebrow.

"I swear to you, I will not forsake you," he said, pulling me close. "That I do promise."

I never expected this, when I first dreamt myself into this. Friends, yes. But someone like this, who I knew I would always trust, respect, love? Not this.

It serves to mention that I was hardly keeping myself together; I could feel myself quivering inside with just the memory of his touch. His close proximity did not aid my cause, and surely by now my quick and shallow breaths had given me away.

I rather thought (wrongly, apparently) that the previous night with him in the library would abate my obsession, but it only ignited it further, making me feverish every time I heard his voice.

It was dark, and colder than I could usually comfortably reside in, but I was very, very warm.

I turned my thoughts to something less scandalous, and tried to make my voice even.

"Do you often walk these halls at night?" I asked, with some curiosity. I never saw him sleep, I knew he rarely did.

"Most nights, indeed," he replied. "When I can."

"And when you can't?"

"Interesting that you should ask--but I daresay you will think me strange."

"I could never," I insisted.

He smiled, almost sadly. "Remember," he said simply, "I remember things that were, and things that are, and ponder what there is among them."

"That is better than dreaming, because it all is real," I remarked, considering my ongoing predicament against reality.

"Do you think?" he asked absently. "Perhaps. But in dreams, you reach that which you may never reach in waking."

"This is a dream," I pointed out, "And yet I am awake. In fact, I have trouble sleeping this night."

"Well," responded Legolas, "You are an exception. Have you not returned to your own world recently?"

I shook my head. "I never know, sometimes I go back as I sleep, but not as of late."

"Not tonight," he said, turning to me abruptly. "Please."

"I was not intending to leave," I said nonchalantly, trying to ignore his supplicatory tone.

I instead looked back at the starlit arches behind me, leaning against the stone railing.

"Valar, Gianna... I am in vain," he said, with deep sorrow. Part of his face was hidden in shadow.

"How so? I asked, concerned at his tone.

"Forgive me for being forward, but if I do not tell you know, I fear you will leave after tomorrow and be torn from me again. I..." he stopped, hesitatingly. "Elves love truly only once, such is our nature. And I am in vain, for it is you my heart has chosen. You will be a memory, just a memory someday, Gianna. And I will lay awake at night, look at the stars, and remember you."

"I never wanted to cause you so much pain," I answered, facing him. "Please..."

To be fair, I was not spared; every vowel he uttered entered me like a knife, shredding any ounce of dignity or self control.

He cut me off, his voice, his voice low. "There is nothing to forgive. Just ensure that the day I say goodbye is not soon."

I promise, I thought, though I did not utter the words.

Legolas--
I cut myself off before my thoughts could progress further.

Instead, I arched my back against the cold railing, grasping the stone rail with tense hands. I looked up at the stars again.

From his previous position, Legolas' hand had gradually trailed down to my waist, and I could feel the gentle pressure of his hand through my thin dress.

I couldn't breathe again, this was beginning to be a health concern.

He looked at me intently. "You are quite warm," he murmured.

I raised my eyes to his. "I tend to get somewhat feverish in these situations," I said, somewhat flippantly.

"Which situations?" he said, his voice husky, very near to my ear.

"These ones," I whispered, the trembling in my heart finally present in my voice.

I was new to this. But yet, it was so easy, so easy to bring him closer to me, first sidling close to his arm, then reaching up to trace his proud jawline and then curling my fingers around the base of his neck. He made a pained expression and whispered my name, resting his forehead against mine.

This madness. All of this was insane. In all of the cosmic infinitum I would have never guessed I would be stargazing with the Prince of a Woodland Kingdom in another world, as I lay asleep in my own.

"You are priceless to me, my lady," he murmured, his breath tight and warm as he nudged my cheek with his own.  "I know this for certain."

"There is not an elleth for the Prince worthy of him?" I asked lightly.

"Worthy? It has nothing to do with ones status or lineage, Gianna. For I trust in my heart to make that choice. And upon all past judgment, I hardly think I am worthy of you.

"Though by my people I am young, I have seen many centuries pass, and I can say with certainty that none have captured me in the way you have," he finished gravely.

"My Prince..."

"No...," he started softly. His gentle kisses trailed down from my lips to my neck. I shivered, and eyes bluer than the sky met mine. "My princess."

Clearly unsure of how to handle the immense rush of emotion, my heart probably stopped. Fortunately, however, I did not notice, instead trying to memorize every touch and caress bestowed upon me.

I was acutely aware of the hard sunstone, concealed under his tunic, and I marveled at the ability of such a small token to annul the dread upon us for a moment. My fingers brushed the leather cord around his neck and I tugged at it gently, pulling it out from where it lay hidden. It shone dimly now, but no less beautiful, the red and orange glow intermingled with all the colours of a vivid twilight.

"Can you feel it, as I feel mine?" I asked, touching the gem compulsively.

"Not nearly as much as you are affected by yours, I believe," he replied. "Though, that is a good thing, I think."

He smiled roguishly, an uncharacteristic smirk on his face. "There would be very little of my own self control left if I were in possession of that gem, as I mentioned, Gianna. The moon's heady pull..." He trailed off with little elaboration, though his sultry tone implied otherwise.

"Eru, Legolas," I said faintly, ridiculously embarrassed by the onslaught of mental conjuring that had inspired me to blush scarlet again.

He laughed softly, almost sadly, but not quite. I could not help but breathe in time with him as I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes, wishing the day would never come where I would have to leave.

But the time I had to leave had approached sooner than I thought.

His head snapping up instantly and eyes narrowing, Legolas held me close to him and stared into the sudden night.

"What is it?" I asked, instantly fearful.

"Not even polite enough to let our plans without taint," he said with a growl, by way of answer. "They did follow us."

I was alarmed now, instantly looking for places of escape. I still saw nothing, which didn't help my anxiety.

"How do you know?" I pressed urgently, as I scrutinised the white structures for any movement.

"I just...I feel it, I just know. Gianna, listen to me, your plan can still work, but we must play this to our advantage. Run to your quarters, and do not think or open the door or windows. If what I guess is true, and Falcon's soldiers truly did penetrate the forest, Galadriel's forces already know and are on high alert. It's only a matter of time until the intruders are overcome, we are strong here. If we take as hostage one of the soldiers, it will be easier to pass off that you have been kidnapped when Falcon intercepts a letter reading that all were killed but one, and that you have disappeared."

He glanced quickly over his shoulder, before leaning down to me and whispering softly, "Now, gi melin."

I momentarily froze at his use of the endearment and nodded once before running towards the hall which I hoped was the same I remembered earlier upon descending.

I still had not heard anything, but I knew Legolas had sensed something,  and had prepared for the worst.

As I neared the corridor, I suddenly reached a split in the walk and instinctively turned left, breathing heavily. I reached a familiar door, and reached for it, before realising it was Faewyn's. Something told me that I would be safer in a room nobody would expect, so I ran in suddenly, closing the door behind me. I turned the lock and shoved myself against the door.

"Gianna, what is it, what's happened?" Faewyn sat up with alarm written clearly on her face.

"Maybe nothing," I whispered nervously, still trying to catch my breath, "But Legolas suddenly--"

I was cut off by shouts below in the courtyard. Faewyn sprang into action, barring the windows and drawing the curtains.

"Who?"

"I do not know for sure, but he thought that Falcon had sent men after us now, to actually take me. If this turns out in our favour, the letter would be much more believable."

"Still," she said, biting her lip, "It could go any which way as of yet. It remains to see how many men have come and will remain."

"I already cannot cope with staying here," I said with frustration, the fire of adrenaline still coursing through me.

I hated playing the maiden locked up for her own safety.

And that is how idiots get themselves killed, by purposefully entering into situations they cannot win, I sourly reminded myself.

I resigned myself to pacing nervously as the skirmish below continued.

I only looked up when I heard the tambour of voices and weapons steadily approaching from behind the closed door.