When Love Takes You In

A/N (Please review if you would like this to be continued. Thats the reason we write these. Thankyou!!)

Legolas became more and more excited as they drew closer to Mirkwood. He wouldn't admit it but a deep anxiety was also growing in his heart. What would Adar say about his new bride? There was still much animosity between Humans and Elf-kind. Elves didn't forget easily and Numenor would live in the minds of the Eldar forever.

Women and children flocked by the roadway to see Royalty pass by. They were passing through Mirkwoods outer boundaries where the poorer Elves lived. To Ramo these were the people that mattered, the farmers and swordsmiths and the like. They were the heart of Middle-Earth, what kept the world alive. She smiled broadly at the people she would live amoung from now on but Legolas seemed to hardly notice them. Suddenly and without being seen, a small child darted into the path of the horses. A chilling scream was heard as the animals collided with the boy. Ramo scooped the little one into her arms as he sobbed. "Legolas! He's hurt. Help me." She looked down at the childs face. It was dirty and streaked with tears. A pair of blue eyes looked at her, pain filled orbs that her womans heart couldn't resist. "It's going to be all right. Don't worry. Where's your Mommy?" The boy shook his shaggy blonde head his eyes again filling with unshed tears.

The minutes passed quickly and Legolas returned bringing a healer. The boy was taken from Ramo's arms and Legolas moved her towards the road. "Come Ramo. It's time we continue our journey. There's nothing more we can do here." His voice was passive, almost uncaring.

Ramo whirled to look at him. "How can you say that? The child is hurt and I don't think he has any family." Her voice broke slightly. "There must be something we can do."

Legolas grabbed her arm and forcibly led her towards the horses. "The child has no family because he is a half-breed. His Father was a dirty human. Now lets go."

His hands were on her waist lifting her up to the horses back but Ramo wasn't paying attention. Half-breed? Dirty human? These words didn't fit with the Legolas she had come to know over the past few days. They rode on in silence. In an effort to tear her thoughts away from the small boy Ramo let her mind go back.

I rushed into the House of Healing, sure I would find him harassing the healers into letting him out of bed to come look for me. A smile is on my face replacing the worried frown that had been there for such a long time now. I pushed the heavy wooden doors open and stopped. Standing on the blacony looking at the spring dawn was Faramir. But he wasn't alone and he certainly wasn't waiting for me. Standing in his arms was that Rohirrim barbarian woman. A sob catches in my throat and I run into the bright mocking sunlight.

I'm lying on my bed crying. I can't stop the thoughts that are forging a new path through my mind. I've always known that Faramir would take a wife eventually. But it hurts. He won't send me away, I think. I will serve in their home and be the one he turns to for comfort. And suddenly Faramir is there. He pulls me into his arms and I bury my head into his chest. I wait for the words I know are coming. He will tell me that he loves me, she is nothing to him, could never compare to me. But it is not to be. "I love her Ramo." His gentle voice whispers against my ear. "We are to be married. You will have to leave."

I push away from him. The pain I feel must be evident on my face. "No. You don't mean it. You promised we would always be together." Then I see the smile. The one he had always reserved for me. But he's not smiling at me. He's thinking about her and I lose it. I'm screaming but it's not me. I'm watching it all from above. I can see myself throwing a vase at Faramir. The guards coming in and removing me from the upper level. They throw me down a flight of steps and I come to my senses. My screams turn into sobs again. What have I done?

Legolas looks over to Ramo and sees her wiping tears from her eyes. How little he knew about her. What was her childhood like? Had she always known Faramir? These and other questions plagued his mind. "Are you all right Ramo?"

She nodded and forced a smile. "Yes I'm fine. It's just difficult leaving behind everything I've ever known."