The Crux of the Problem

Disclaimer: (In the spirit of Crimson Starlight)

Erin: *pokes head around corner, motions to Legolas* Ok, it's all clear.

Legolas: *enters room and plops down on futon, reaching for the TV remote*

Erin: *stand in from of elf, hands on her hips* Where's your father?

Legolas: Eh? Can't find him huh? *flipping through TV channels*

Erin: *arms across chest, tapping for now* No. I know you know where his is so spill it!

Legolas: *puts down remote* You remember that scene from last disclaimer?

Erin: Yeah?

Legolas: He joined them. *turns attention back to TV*

Erin: *…..* You DO realize where you're sitting…

Legolas: Hmmmm? *eyes widen suddenly, stands from futon with audible "sssskkkkttt!"* Eeeewwwww!!!!!

Erin: *huffs* Serves ya right. Shanastay owns nothing other than her original characters and makes no profit from these writings.

Legolas: *walking funny* I'm going to take a shower and burn these clothes.

Chapter 14: Secret Revealed

Laughing, Janessa spun out of control to be caught by strong arms. She looked into the face of her savior and paled visibly, her face falling.

"Legolas."

"Janessa." The Prince regarded her with a cool expression as the music changed to Rascal Flatts' Praying For Daylight.

I don't wanna spend another lonely night, OOoooooo!

I swear to GOD my life has a soundtrack! Though this is more Legolas than me right now.

Haldir had turned away from the elleth he had been dancing with to look for Janessa. What he saw had him bee-lining for the woman before Galadriel stepped in his way and brooking no argument, insisted he dance. He's here.

I know. I know, Galadriel answered, trying to soothe the Marchwarden as they watched Celeborn rescue the redhead.

Janessa felt a tap on her shoulder and whirled, expecting to see Haldir, only to be met by Lord Celeborn's calm smile. Celeborn looked over her shoulder at the Prince, informing him the redhead had promised this dance to the Lorien Lord. Jan looked up at him gratefully as Celeborn twirled her away from the Woodland Prince. "Thank you."

"T'was nothing pen neth."

I’ve got the lights turned up
The door is locked, the bedroom TV’s on
Doing the only thing that gets me through the night
Since you’ve been gone

I knew something was off. I could feel it! Haldir turned his attention back to the serene face before him. How long has he been here?

Prayin’ for daylight, waiting for that morning sun
So I can act like my whole life ain’t going wrong
Baby come back to me, I swear I’ll make it right
Don’t make me spend another lonely night
Prayin’ for daylight
Prayin’ for daylight

Galadriel sighed audibly, knowing she could not put the insistent warrior off. Most of the evening. Following his heated gaze she directed his attention back to her. Do not start something you will regret. Give events a chance to play out. Still distracted, she pinched his arm to get his full attention. You love her. Trust in that. Trust her.

Haldir released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding and nodded imperceptibly to the Lady. Alright. I will do as you ask. He turned his attention back to the fact that he was dancing with the second, in his opinion, most beautiful female in the room.

As they danced Janessa noticed Haldir was with Galadriel and the twins had found Legolas. The Peredhil appeared to be apologizing while Legolas tried to dismiss them. Janessa looked up at Celeborn, stricken.

I made a bad miscalculation
Betting you would never leave
‘Cause if you’re getting on with your new life.
Then where does that leave me

"You both needed to straighten your heads out, though the fact that he is here may indicate he has figured out his side of this. Or he was unwilling to leave this to fate."

Janessa shook her head. "And sleeping with your Marchwarden constitutes 'straightening my head out?'"

Celeborn chuckled for a moment at Janessa's usual directness. "Haldir is part of why you are here. Much as you may not want to admit it, you came looking for him." The elf-lord proceeded to send her out in a spin before pulling her back to him, continuing around the dance floor.

Prayin’ for daylight, waiting for that morning sun
So I can act like my whole life ain’t going wrong
Baby come back to me, I swear I’ll make it right
Don’t make me spend another lonely night
Prayin’ for daylight
Prayin’ for daylight

"You never did tell him exactly why you ran from Legolas." Celeborn suddenly turned serious. "You must make a decision. Legolas has plighted his troth to you. He wishes to make your bond permanent, yet Haldir's feelings for you are just as strong. You clearly feel for him very deeply as well."

Prayin’ for daylight
Prayin’ for daylight

At Janessa's downcast eyes Celeborn nodded. "I had figured as much. It has not been hard to see. I noticed that neither of you spoke until we returned from the buffet, yet you carried on an entire conversation with looks and light touches alone."

Janessa nodded, acknowledging the truth in his words.

"Even Galadriel and I do not have that level of connection. We understand each other, but she is telepathic."

Prayin’ for daylight
Hoping that I didn’t wait too long
I didn’t wait too long
That this is just the dark before the dawn

As Celeborn continued Janessa realized he was simply giving voice to her own thoughts. She could also feel Legolas' eyes boring into her from across the room.

"Your link with Legolas is wholly different from the one that has developed between you and Haldir. It is an empathic connection. A very strong one at that. You feel each other's emotions as they happen, but it takes strong emotions to complete the link at a distance and physical contact to pass actual thoughts. I suspect were you and Legolas to make the bond permanent your link would grow to the point of full telepathy."

Deep in my heart I know
That you love me as much as I love you
And that you must be lying somewhere
Looking up to Heaven too

Celeborn furrowed his brows, something seeming to strike him. "You cut him off didn't you? That's why he's here. He could no longer sense you at all through the link."

Janessa bit her lip and nodded.

"Do not feel bad. I'm sure you needed some quiet in your head," Celeborn observed with a knowing smile that spoke of more than just a passing understanding.

Prayin’ for daylight, waiting for that morning sun
So I can act like my whole life ain’t going wrong
Baby come back to me, I swear I’ll make it right
Don’t make me spend another lonely night
Prayin’ for daylight
Prayin’ for daylight

Janessa nodded again, releasing her lip to give the Lorien Lord a small smile. "Thank you."

"For what pen neth?"

"For understanding and not judging me. You and Lady Galadriel have been so wonderful. Thank you for your hospitality and your friendship. Others would have sought to judge me, call me a bitch for playing with two elves hearts. You have not," Janessa finished frankly.

Prayin’ for daylight, waiting for that morning sun
So I can act like my whole life ain’t going wrong
Baby come back to me, I swear I’ll make it right
Don’t make me spend another lonely night
Prayin’ for daylight
Prayin’ for daylight

"That is because you are not playing. Once an elf makes a commitment to another the bond is forever. Your decision is not easy or simple and will affect not just you and him, but everyone around. I know you do not consider this lightly. Besides, I think you have already made your decision, though I would not blame you for keeping it to yourself a while longer."

Prayin’ for daylight
I don’t want to spend another lonely night
I don’t want to spend another lonely night
Prayin’ for daylight
Prayin’ for daylight

A single tear found its way down Janessa's face as she nodded again.

Celeborn wiped it away with a soft sweep of his thumb, leaning forward to place a chaste kiss against her forehead. "If there is a need, milady and I have an extra room in our talan you may have. Now, no more tears. This is a joyous celebration. Enjoy yourself and leave conflict for another day. Galadriel and you worked quite hard to make this festival unique and we will not let one elf ruin it."

I don’t want to spend another lonely night
Oooo, Oooo, Oooo, Oooo, Oooo
Prayin’ for daylight

The music suddenly changed, one of Jan's favorite swing songs emitting from the speakers. The horns and trumpets of The Cherry Poppin' Daddies Zoot Suit Riot filled the hall as Celeborn flawlessly transitioned to the different beat. The Lorien Lord spun her one way then the other.

"You remember your lessons milord."

Celeborn smiled brightly at the redhead. "How could I forget with such teachers as yourself and my wife?"

Janessa noticed that they were now in the center of a large circle of elves, Haldir and Galadriel nearby. Celeborn launched into a more complex series of steps, bringing them closer to the Marchwarden and the Lady. The two males made eye contact, nodding. They then released the females into spins to the other, smoothly trading partners.

Legolas' presence pushed out of her mind, Janessa smiled up at Haldir before glancing over at the Lorien Lord and Lady. She turned them so Haldir could see, issuing a challenge with her eyes. Haldir's eyes sparkled, and reading the message on her face he nodded.

Dropping his hands to her waist Haldir lifted her. Janessa kept her legs together, bending at the waist as Haldir swung her first past one hip, then the other, gaining momentum. Janessa split her legs, straddling Haldir's waist as he bent with her, bringing her legs back together as he swung her up to a handstand and then dropped her lightly to her feet.

Not to be outdone, Celeborn launched into another sequence, swinging Galadriel around his back and immediately into a push-pull combo. All eyes were on the two couples until Elrohir and Elladan pulled two protesting elleths with them into the circle, showing off the moves Janessa had taught them in Imladris.

The raven-haired elves quickly introduced the Lorien elleths to the simple 6-count basics before launching them into a series of spins, swapping the two she-elves repeatedly between them until the poor elleths couldn't discern which twin was which. Their consternation only earned them grins from the Perendhils and the crowd.

Haldir and Janessa transitioned from an overhead arm wrap to slide down each other's arm. Once Haldir caught her hand he tugged, Jan spinning inward, tucking her elbow to her side, wrapping his arm around her so she ended against him, facing away.

Haldir took the opportunity to rub his hips provocatively against Janessa's, making her aware of just how tight his leggings had become. They used the simpler sequence to catch their breath and observe the competition.

Haldir and Janessa had so willingly immersed themselves in the dance and friendly competition they missed the death-glare they were receiving from the tall blonde elf off to the side.

Simmering, Legolas noted with growing anger every glance, every touch that passed between the two. The fact that many of the moves exposed Jan's short shorts to view did not help matters. Every interaction only fed the fire of his rage.

Haldir grazed his lips along Janessa's neck, eyes still on the competition. He whispered in her ear, his hot breath sending shivers down her spine, "Ready my love?" At her nod he spun her out to arms length before pulling her back to grasp her waist, flawlessly executing a complex lift.

Haldir held her over his head, both her hands in his. The sequence ended as Janessa unwound her arms, her body parallel to the ground. The motion spun her perpendicular to Haldir's body down to the ground, halting inches above the floor, legs extended, facing away from him, her hands twined with his.

With smirks on both their faces at their wide-eyed audience Haldir pulled Janessa up and settled back into a simple 6-count pull-spin. Wanting her closer, Haldir pulled Jan against him into a more traditional dancing position, clasping one hand, the other around her waist, hers resting on his shoulder, as they transitioned to a 6-count side-step.

Janessa couldn't keep from laughing as alternately the twins and Celeborn approached them.

Each of the twins protested not having been taught the very complex lift sequence while Elrohir had the added comment of, "Show-offs," that brought a proud lilt to the Marchwarden's lips.

Celeborn muttered ruefully, shaking his head. "I cannot top that with only a week's worth of lessons."

Janessa made eye contact with Haldir, smiling with pride that he had learned that move in just over a day. She moved her eyes from his toward the tables and back. Haldir responded by moving in that direction.

Once at the edge of the crowd they broke from the dance, Janessa stepping forward as Haldir followed, his hand resting in the small of her back. Janessa halted as a lithe figure stepped up, blocking their path. Forgot about him. Shit!

"Whore!" Legolas spat.

Janessa flinched back like she had actually been slapped. She could feel Haldir bristling behind her, moving to go around her. Remembering what she had seen in the Mirror she kept herself between the two angry elves. If only I can keep the fight from even happening…

She recovered from the insult quickly, hands on hips, countering, "Well if I'm a whore then you must be my pimp. YOU," she pointed at Legolas, "brought HIM," Janessa jerked her thumb towards Haldir, feeling his fingers tighten against her back, "into our bed. I never dreamed you would act upon my idle questions. Thus you have only yourself to blame that I discovered something there."

Reading the pain clear on the Prince's face, So much for letting him down easy, Jan hesitated, cursing, "This is not how I envisioned this playing out."

"And just how did you envision this?" Legolas snarked unbecomingly, his anger twisting his normally serene features into something ugly everyone could have gone a lifetime without seeing.

Janessa's eyes narrowed. "At least I wished for this confrontation to be private. But as you have chosen this," Jan gestured with her hands, taking in the hall, "as the forum, so be it." The redhead closed her eyes for a moment, breathing deeply, drawing strength from the just barely controlled Marchwarden at her back.

Haldir had quietly stepped up behind Jan, resting his arm around her waist. Legolas sneered at the Marchwarden, Haldir carefully keeping his attention on Janessa. Something about the way she had positioned herself between the two elves indicated to him there more involved than just what he could observe. She saw something in the Mirror.

"Would you kill him if it came to that?" The question echoed in Haldir's mind, the Marchwarden recognizing this as the defining moment it was. If he raises a hand to her I will not hesitate. If he raises a hand to me, so be it. His anger toward me is justified on a certain level.

Haldir could almost see the workings of Janessa's mind as it raced to find an ideal outcome to the current standoff. He silently prayed that her decision was the one he hoped for. Sensing her resolve, he tightened his grip on the woman imperceptibly.

The tension around her palpable Janessa could just envision the tinderbox she stood in exploding as just the right word/spark set it off. Realization flooded her as she hastily deduced that the vision she had seen in the Mirror had to have been borne of her hesitation.

One of them starts something to force my hand, to force me to choose. It doesn't matter which one it was. I can stop this now. Steeling herself she took a deep breath, plunging forward with a course of action she prayed would keep all three of them alive at its end.

"Legolas you are perfect. From your archery to your appearance you embody elvish perfection. You are everything a female could possibly want." Legolas seemed to gain strength from Jan's words, grinning triumphantly as Haldir closed his eyes, wincing visibly as he dropped his hand from Janessa's back.

Congratulations my friend. Despite my best efforts you have won. There is no need for battle when a winner has so clearly been declared. The Marchwarden refused to meet the Prince's gaze as he turned away, his face falling into its customary cold mask, his protective walls almost audibly slamming back into place.

Janessa felt the loss acutely as Haldir's hand left her back.

A crowd having gathered around the trio, everyone present was shocked as Janessa twisted and caught the Marchwarden's wrist as he turned away, her fingers sliding down to twine with his. Haldir's bowed head snapped up, eyes wide as she glanced at him for a moment. Smiling softly she turned back to Legolas who scowled openly at them.

"I don't want perfection. I'm human. I want someone as flawed as I am." Jan's fingers tightened reassuringly on Haldir's, refusing to let him go. "I've found my match. He's arrogant and opinionated, as bad as, if not worse than I. We hide behind masks of anger, disdain and superiority. We fight like crazy, stubborn and prideful."

"You look at all these as faults that should be overcome, yet they define us. Let me make clear I do not love Haldir despite any faults. I love him BECAUSE of them." Janessa turned to look into Haldir's stormy gaze, the depth and completeness of his love shining clearly. "He is everything I never knew I wanted. He completes me as no other has."

The words irretrievably spoken she looked back at Legolas. "Not even you." She paused a beat and finished, "You wanted an answer? Well the answer's 'No.'"

Answer? No? Haldir's thoughts whirled. Legolas PROPOSED? Suddenly all the pieces fell into place. He proposed and she ran.

Legolas protested, "But the link…"

The vehemence of Janessa's words drove the Prince back a step.

"The link be damned! I will not have some unseen force supposedly tell me what to do. I have spent my entire life acquiescing to everyone else's whims and wants. I will live for myself now! I am empathic enough without having an involuntary direct link to someone else's emotions. I have made you no promises, no commitment, told you no lies. If you choose to take the existence of the link as an indication we were 'meant to be' you are wrong."

Janessa turned her head to see something absolutely incredible: unshed tears shining in Haldir's eyes. Janessa pulled him to her, resting her hand against his cheek. Looking into his eyes she reached into herself, removing the mental block she had placed on her link to Legolas. For a moment she let her love for Haldir flow through it to the Prince, showing him the truth of her words. No turning back now. Please let it be enough to keep that horrible vision from coming true. Just as quickly as she reopened the link she used every bit of her will to sever it entirely.

Legolas reeled as if struck, falling to one knee, his breath coming in gasps.

Haldir deftly caught Janessa as her knees gave way, realization at what she had just done washing over him. She chose me. He pulled her tight against his chest, smoothing her hair away from her damp forehead with one hand. She chose ME! He closed his eyes and placed a chaste kiss against her forehead, turning his face into her hair, the red tendrils catching the few tears of joy that escaped, holding her until she could stand on her own again.

Janessa stepped back from Haldir, silently thanking him with her eyes. She turned back to Legolas, who had regained his feet, regarding her with tear-filled eyes. Now confident she had averted the impending disaster, she stepped forward quickly, dropping Haldir's hand as she placed hers on either of Legolas' arms.

"Please believe I bear you no ill will. We could never be. You are a Prince. You can have any elleth you choose. I encourage you to choose wisely. I love you, but not as you wish me to. If you look into yourself I believe you will find the love you bear me is not what you thought it was."

Janessa drew strength from the Marchwarden at her back and continued.

"You helped me through many trials and for that I am thankful. I hope you can understand. I am sorry, but I've never been one to do as I'm expected and I have no intention of changing that. We never would have been truly happy. I always would have felt your inferior no matter how unintentional that was. Haldir is my equal in many things. I have never felt less than him in my own limitations."

"Please Legolas. Seek the wisdom in my words. I am sorry for the hurt I have caused. One day I pray you will forgive me." Janessa dropped her gaze and her hands, turning away. She suddenly found herself caught up in a passionate embrace. Her nails dug into Legolas' arms as, unable to fight back and already drained, she refused to return his kiss.

Haldir moved forward as Legolas caught Janessa in his arms, kissing her. Celeborn's firm hands on his arms were the only thing that kept the Marchwarden from attacking the Prince and bringing to fruition Janessa's vision.

Legolas released Jan when she did not respond to him, quickly stepping away. One of the tears he had been holding back escaped to leave a wet track down his face. He bowed slightly to his former lover, murmuring for only her to hear, "Good-bye Melamin. I will leave but I will not forget you." Before another word could be said the Prince turned on his heel and disappeared out of the hall and into the darkness.

Only then did Celeborn release Haldir, the Marchwarden striding forward to pull the trembling redhead into his embrace, burying his face in the curve of her neck. Jan wrapped her arms around the powerful elf, dropping her face into his hair.

Celeborn swiftly motioned for the crowd that had gathered to disperse. There was still a festival to celebrate and only a few more hours before daybreak.

Jan felt the soft brush of Galadriel against her mind. In time he will be fine, for time is something we elves have plenty of. Be secure in your decision. You have chosen well. Haldir's love and loyalty toward you are unwavering.

"You knew," Jan whispered, raising her head to meet the eyes of the Lady standing beside the embracing couple. Haldir raised his head with Jan's, a questioning look directed at Galadriel.

"Nay. I did not know. I had an… idea. Though I wonder without my encouragement what might have come to pass," Galadriel mused.

Janessa caught the look of comprehension that crossed Haldir's face. She looked at him as he blushed, the tips of his ears turning red as he cast his eyes down for a moment. Speaking softly so Jan could barely pick up his words Haldir murmured, "Milady knew of my attraction for you when I returned from Imladris. She counseled me that should I be faced with my desire once more I should pursue it. I did not understand until I found you asleep in Rumil's talan."

Jan glanced back at Galadriel, speaking with her mind. Well for once your meddling seems to have resulted in a happy ending. Though was it not for your Mirror things might not have turned out so well.

Galadriel laughed out loud as Celeborn and Haldir shared confused glances over the Lady's shoulder. Galadriel chuckled, "Aye, a happy ending for my most deserving Marchwarden."


TBC….


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Yes, yes not quite so evil cliffie… there IS at least one more chapter to come. Review and I will post it!