Chapter 4: Before the journey begins

*Short Chapter alert. Filler chapter. Remember the timeline! Technically they have been in Rivendell for about 2-3 months now*

Asteria walked through the gardens during the night, the stars filled the sky brightly and illuminated the grounds beautiful. Fireflies came out to play among the lake she stood by and the flowers surrounding it. She stayed in her thoughts that settled on home; Lothlorien. She missed her home and her parents. She was broken out of her thoughts as she could hear small footsteps behind her, she turned gracefully and saw the 4 hobbits come towards her being led by Frodo. "Hello Lady Asteria" he spoke almost chipper. She smiled at his demeanor "Please Frodo, Asteria is just fine." She hated formalities if it's not necessary. She noticed the three hobbits she has yet to meet "Now who may I ask are going to be my brave companions on this journey?" she asked kindly she smiled at them.

"I'm Sam" the blonde hobbit spoke up following behind the other light hair hobbit "I'm Merry and this is Pippin" he gestures to the darker haired hobbit. She couldn't help but giggle at them, they were almost like children "It's wonderful to meet you." After a while, Asteria took a seat under the flowering tree by the lake with the hobbits surrounding her, they spoke of the Shire; their home and different aspects of it. She listened eagerly; watching the hope and innocence the hobbits carry. She then could hear light footsteps and smiled to herself; she knew it was Legolas as he came into view watching the spectacle with a smile on his face "Hello my Lord Legolas.." She said softly, not speaking in Elvish because of the hobbits which he understood. He bowed slightly "My lady. My fellow companions" he motioned to the hobbits which made them feel special as they stood up.

Frodo spoke up for them "Well, I think it's time to sleep. It's late. We shall see you in the morning Asteria." He said softly bowing with the other's following suit as they moved to leave; waving goodbye to her and Legolas. She smiled at them as she moved to stand; Legolas quickly put a hand out for her to reach as she took it kindly "Thank you.." She straightened her dress; dusting the grass and dirt off of it as Legolas spoke "I see the hobbits have taking a liking to you." He said smiling at her.

Asteria smiled and lightly laughed at the thought "Yes. They are sweet and so innocent for the way the world is." She replied back as she looked at the lake they were by. Legolas nodded as he took his place next to her "They are innocent but their hearts are strong my lady." He retorted as she hummed in agreement. "I am surprised you are not sleeping yet my lord. You must have really wanted to speak with me." She said jesting him as he laughed a bit as she turned to him smiling at her. "You scared me from before with Boromir. I do not doubt your heart, I do not want to see you hurt. I do not think Aragorn or Lord Elrond would want that either." His voice filled with some concern but was caring as well. She smiled at him as she placed a hand on his cheek which caused his eyes to widened a bit at her touch. Her hand was gentle and warm; it put him in a trance almost as she stared at her. "Legolas, I am a lot stronger than you think. I am sorry if I scared you and the others." She said softly.

Legolas understood why she did what she did but he didn't think his heart could handle her getting hurt. For some reason, he's drawn to her. He would protect her with his life. "I understand my lady. Forgive me for doubting you." He said in a whisper as he stared into her eyes. He placed a hand on hers; that was still on his cheek. Asteria felt the warmth of his hand as she smiled at him, she slowly goes to remove her hand from his cheek; but he held onto her hand in his as it dropped. "Something troubles you my lord. What is it?" she asked in a concerned whisper. Legolas shook his head and let out a small laugh "It is strange. I barely have known you the last couple of weeks but you have found a way into my heart so suddenly. I worry for your safety above all others." He said softly as he took both her hands in his; deeply sighing.

Over the time they have been in Rivendell, Legolas and Asteria have spent time together and have gotten to know each other. Both of them grew fond of each other. Asteria was unsure of her feelings because she's never felt like she has before like she does with Legolas. It seems he feels the same way but he was more outspoken when it came to her. She welcomed it, it started to break down the barriers of her heart. Then she remembered what her mother told her; to follow her heart. She smiled at Legolas's words "Thank you my lord. It warms my heart knowing you care for my safety." She said softly as she felt the warmth of his hands over hers. She looked up at him with a smile as he stared at her deeply; with emotions she could not finger what. Legolas simply smiled at her as he took a deep breath; taking a step back from her "If ever you are in trouble, trust that I will be there for you Asteria. I promise you." His voice was full of determination and kindness as she nodded at him.

They decided to take a walk on the grounds as they came to a bench by a tree; he guided her to the seat as he took his place next to her. She happily leaned her head on his shoulder as they stared at the scenery of Imladris; for it would be quite some time before they see it again. "Do you think we can do it? This journey?" she asked softly. Legolas looked down at her as her head rested on his shoulder in contentment. He smiled at her question "I do not doubt it, as long as the Fellowship's hearts are true." His voice was full of determination and hope. It made her smile as she sat up from his shoulder; him missing the warmth of her touch, even by the slightest.

"You sound like me when it comes to hope." She said softly looking at him. His eyes widened a bit as he looked at her. The moonlight illuminated her features well; she was flawless, beautiful. She put the moon-flowers themselves to shame that bloomed along the tree base. He smiled at her comment as he moved to take her hand with one and grabbing a flower with the other; staring at it in his hand as he twirled it "I've always carried hope. I guess I am more like my mother than my father when it comes to that." He looked back up at her as he gently placed the white bloom behind her ear as it made her features more elegant than before. She smiled at the gesture as the slight tints of blue sparkled. "It's not a bad thing to have both your mother and father. I am more like my mother I think. But I also think I have my own personality." She laughed a bit.

Legolas smiled at her as he held both her hands in his; something clouded his mind, he wanted to asked her something but didn't think it would be appropriate "I..." he stopped him self as he looked down at their hands. She could tell he was at war with himself as she moved a hand to his face which caused him to look back up at her "What is it princeling?" He laughed a bit at the nickname as he took a deep breath "I do not want you to feel as if it's forced but, I would like to kiss you. If you allow it that is." His bold question shocked her but in a good way, she smiled at him and gave him a slightly nod.

His face turned slightly red as well as her cheeks were dusted with pink; he leaned forward, still caressing her hands in his as he was closer to her. She leaned in as well; as their lips met finally, it was if all time stopped for this moment. It was sweet and gentle; all in what they imagined it would be. She had his heart; he knew this and so did she. He had hers as well. She trusted him with it as he trusted her. Their bond was deep; right to their souls. As they pulled apart, he placed his forehead on hers, smiling in contentment at her "How you have my heart my lady..." he whispered as she gave him a smile as well. "And you for mine Legolas.." she replied as she moved to lay her head back on his shoulder.

In that moment, nothing matter. Not the Ring of Power, Mordor or the upcoming journey. Just them and the starlight. After a few moments, they got up to go to their rooms; to rest for the journey tomorrow for it was getting late. Legolas; gentleman as he was, walked the Lady of Lorien to her room and stayed by the door "I bid you goodnight my lady." He slightly bowed at her while taking her hand and placing a kiss on it. She smiled at his politeness as she nodded "I shall see you in the morning. Sleep well my lord." She moved towards him and placed a kiss on his cheek which caused him to blush again. She slowly shut the door as she could hear him making his way down the hall.

She now knew why her dreams were odd to her. The ocean blue eyes she always saw; were the same ones that the young Prince of Mirkwood had. She was destined to meet him; just as she was destined for the journey. She readied herself for bed as she fell asleep with smile on her face and her mind at peace.

Legolas fell asleep himself with contentment. The voice he heard in his dreams was real. She was real and he knew he had to protect her. Maybe one day; they can love each other. He rolled over staring out of the balcony window in the distance in his room as he drifted off to sleep thinking "One day at a time.."

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