A/N: The picture above was taken by myself— when I saw the flowers I immediately thought of this fanfic! I posted more photos on chapters 1 and 5 as well.

I'd just like to mention to y'all that Lilótëa's characterization is in some ways based on me. Like her, I'm really nervous in front of beautiful-lookin' guys. And I'm just... not good with my social skills. Nature is my friend.

Anyway, *sighs* I know what you're thinking...:

WHAT IN THE WORLD, LINDORIË??!! No updates in more than a month??!!

I am really sorry for that, and I hate to admit that updates probably won't get any faster because of my studies and all that. But have no fear, finishing this is one of my big goals! So without further ado, I present chapter 9...

The brief, wavering cry sliced through my dreams and opened my eyes to the world around me once more. The sound could not be described as a scream. It refrained from raising its voice to a louder level, which immediately brought me to one conclusion.

The cry belongs to Lilótëa. Caurëawen Lisseva.

I looked her way to see who or what dared to ail her. Instead of a stranger or crazed, wild animal, the figure that stood in the silvery shadows was utterly against my expectations. Lilótëa had her neck craned up to a seemingly benign elk, although I couldn't blame her for being wary of its glowing orbs. Even to me, as one who has gone hunting with my brothers into the night many times, it looked like a stern master of the forest. For a moment I let my imagination roam wild; perhaps Oromë himself in the form of an elk had found us, slumbering in his forbidden lands.

"Lilótëa," I whispered while crawling on my knees towards her. Stealth and cautiousness while in front of an elk were essential to avoid startling it.

The stillness of her limbs clearly displayed the fear that insisted on wracking her body. At the sound of my voice, her doe-like eyes turned to me, widening more yet as she found out I was directly behind her.

"It won't hurt you, so long as you introduce yourself with ease and gentleness."

I laid my hands on her shoulders, and carefully assisted her to stand up. Touching her for the first time, I realized she felt like fragile porcelain as much as she looked the part. Of course, I avoided gripping her any tighter from foolish worries that she would break. The slight trembling did not make the case any better.

We stared straight at the elk, receiving unclear messages from our possible opponent. When Lilótëa inched closer to me, her message was not obscure; she felt more comfort in a familiar face than a large animal. Even though it made perfect sense, I still could not tone down the selfish contentment at having her back lightly pressed against me. She had her hands clamped together, no intention of coming loose.

"Watch me," I instructed. "I have learned to trust the animals of Oromë very well. Rarely do they have intentions to hurt the Elven folk." I extended a hand out towards the muzzle only to rub it, inviting him to be our friend. In return, I felt warm air on my palm, coming from the nostrils. "I'm not concerned you'll startle it, Lilotea. You have a calming nature within you. Animals are fond of those who have the gift."

Without uttering a word, her hand tentatively reached to the elk in the same fashion as I did. After the elk snorted, she abruptly drew back.

"It is only curious about you," I said, making sure to say it in the calmest way possible, for her's and the elk's sakes. "No need to be afraid; I'm here if anything happens."

The Timid Maiden of Grace pulled her hand out a second time, now welcoming the sniff of its nostrils and the sound it made as she pet it. Soon her lips reached a smile, and her hands ran over its furry neck. As there was no need to stand so protectively close to her, I let go of her shoulders in reluctance.

"I think he likes you," I said, "more than me."

"Are you sure of that?" She looked back at me, the smile remaining. "Why would he not like you?"

"Oh, I'm used to standing by and watching another— particularly Tyelkormo— give animals attention to a greater extent than I do. If he were here, he'd be a much more suitable instructor for animal interaction." I began walking back to my sleeping area, although not so far away as to leave Lilótëa in the dark.

After she tenderly rubbed the animal's muzzle one more time, he continued his walk onto the trail which I came from. But like many creatures, he preferred the true woodlands and soon disappeared into the deeper, less tamed areas of the forest.

"Are you ready to go back to sleep now?" I said while chuckling at the disturbance of our sleep.

"I think I am, yes." We both settled down in our own individual spots. Before we laid ourselves down on the soft grass once more, she turned back to me. "Thank you... for helping me feel better around the elk."

"No trouble at all," I replied with a small smile.

* * *

In the early morning, Lilótëa led Nelyafinwë and Telemna through the long grass. To her, it was the same familiar way she took countless times as an elfling with her parents. But to her new friend...

"We haven't walked on a path this whole day," Nelyafinwë called behind her, his tone whiny as if he were back to being a young child himself. "Are you sure this is the right direction?"

When she turned to look up at him, she knew his teasing smirk came with no bite to the words. "Of course I do. I've told you this place is like a second home to me!"

He nodded in understanding. "That you did. I should rely on you with full trust from now on."

After they travelled on a bit longer, Nelyafinwë said with serious meaning, "I must admit I feel quite ashamed that only I'm riding Telemna. Do you not want a ride? Just like the elk, she won't hurt you, and I'm positive of that because I know her."

"It makes sense that I lead in front," Lilótëa answered as she picked some ripe raspberries from a bush. "And I'm not tiring of the walk either; it's alright."

"No," Nelyafinwë answered with firm authority. "It is not alright in my opinion. And I'm the prince here, so I strongly advise that you at least consider my orders." He slowed Telemna to a halt and slipped off her back. "I am giving you the honour of riding on my faithful steed. You should take it."

"But this is the Vanyar's land," Lilótëa found herself speaking in a slow, yet argumentative, voice, "so shouldn't you listen to me?"

After some silence, Nelyafinwë sighed in a way that she thought signaled defeat. "You have a point there... but, I still can't let this continue unfairly."

He lunged for her, and before she could start a chase, his strong hands were already holding her above the waist. As he lifted her, she did not struggle. Her heart felt as if it could take flight while living in the brief spell of her feet floating above the ground.

He placed her on Telemna and then took his own place behind her, holding the reins. Her legs hung down from the horse's right side while she clung onto the misty mane. She may have been trapped between his arms, but getting free was the last thing she wanted to do.

"All you need to do is point in the directions we need to go, and I will direct Telemna in that direction. And no, you are not blocking my way."

She made eye contact with him. Their faces were the closest they've been, and she was positive he could see her blush. "Alright, I surrender."

"Excellent. Now my conscience can rest in peace, and so can your legs." With the signal of the reins, Telemna began walking. "Still heading straight, I presume?"

"Yes."

* * *

Noon had just arrived when Lilótëa saw the line of colourful dots up ahead. The flowers were of so red, white, purple, blue, yellow, and pink. She could not wait to show Nelyafinwë each of them up close.

"I presume we've made it?" Nelyafinwë asked.

"Yes, this is it."

He took his hands off the reins so he could release her. She got back on the ground and smiled at him. "Welcome to the flowerbed that my family has treasured for many wonderful years."

"Thank you for allowing me to see such a place, generous lady." He got off Telemna to come stand next to her and survey the land. "I do not think I have seen a small field of flowers quite like this one."

Adding to the scenery, a sparkling lake was to their right, and the air had a hazy golden look to it. Lilótëa went towards the flowers, letting her hand brush above the grass. Nelyafinwë followed her and and they both sat down in the myriad of colourful petals.

He breathed in the warm air. Nobody was around to see them. It was just her, Nelyafinwë, and the flowers. Lilótëa felt so relaxed, but did not know how to keep the conversation flowing. Perhaps during times like these, conversation was not always needed.

* * *

The remaining hours of the day passed quickly. One might think that they would not need more than the whole afternoon to spend at a single flower bed, and normally, Lilótëa would agree. That was how much time she usually spent there as an elfling. But with Nelyafinwë, she did not want to bring up the idea of leaving. In fact, she barely thought of it. They talked about their families, their friends, memorable stories, their hopes and dreams. They explored more of the forest and trees. One of their favourite parts was when they went down to the lake, where they dipped their feet in the refreshing, cool water.

At the near end of the day, they sat again in the flower bed, gazing at the lake's rippling surface.

"I enjoyed this outing very much, Lilótëa."

Lilótëa looked away from the lake and forced herself to look at Nelyafinwë. The first thing she noticed of him were the orange highlights in his hair as Laurelin's dimming light shone onto him. "I am very glad... so did I."

He began to absentmindedly finger the nearest blood red flower. "I was thinking... the red flowers here match my hair."

"Except the petals don't have any highlights," she reminded him.

"That's right," he nodded, then plucked a yellow one from the ground and held it next to her hair. "Only these yellow ones are almost exactly the same as your own. The petals aren't too bright, nor do they fade in comparison to your locks."

Lilótëa wanted to say that was something she never noticed, but ended up saying nothing because of the returning, overflowing joy that forbid her from speaking.

Nelyafinwë set the flower down. "I suppose we'll start going our own ways tomorrow."

"We should," she agreed, coming out of her silent state. "I don't want to keep you from your family too long."

But until then, what Elenwë would say to her news did not matter, or Nelyafinwë soon going back to Tirion. She focused on the present, where someone other than a family member paid attention to her. He was interested in her life, and wanted to know more.

"Would you like to hear another story about my childhood?"

"Certainly— how did you know those were my favourites?"

"Because you kept laughing."

And so she gladly told him more about a happy, endearing elfling— so long as she was willing to share them, until the first stars began to appear in the night sky.