It had been days since Willow last saw Legolas. She actively avoided him. Every time she saw his face, she only saw his betrayal and selfishness. He tried numerous times to reach her and convince her that she was mistaken about his interest in the Elvish Princess, but she would not listen.

Arun became her constant companion in the interim. He was attentive, thoughtful, and patient. He was keenly aware of Willow's love for Legolas but was in no hurry to persuade her to change her mind. After all, Legolas dug his grave with every attestation of love for Willow while he was still pledged to marry Naira. The wedding was to be held at weeks end.

The nuptials were only two days away with absolutely no sign of derailment. Every moment the event drew nearer, Willow seemed to slip further into his grasp.

It was morning but long past time to break fast but she still did not descend from her rooms. Arun knew he'd need to convince her to socialize. 

As he approached her apartments, he saw Legolas at her door like he's been the past several mornings. He stood facing the closed door pleading desperately, with a hope to be heard but it was all for naught. Willow's heart was unmoved, and the door remained closed. He finally noted Arun's arrival and set his glare on the elf.

Arun smiled impishly. He knew when he summoned her, Willow would answer. The thought that she put up such strong barriers between herself and the man she loved meant he still had a chance. It was a small window but he would not give it up. Simply getting her permission to escort her to a meal was like moving a mountain. He would not lose what little ground he gained.

He gave a very brief bow toward the Elfish Prince before greeting him, "Good morning your Highness."

Legolas glared disdainfully before stalking away. He made sure to express his displeasure by purposefully letting his shoulder hit Arun's hard enough to rock him off balance as he passed. His irritation only served to embolden Arun and he knew it. It cut him to pieces to know Willow would not hear him out.

Legolas had no desire to marry Naira and wished to avoid a war between elfin factions. Her father threatened to withdraw his troops and leave them stranded, if Morgoth decided to start his war anew. 

He was pressed for time to find a solution. He tried in vain to convince them that he was already married and would not be parted from his wife. But the council supported his father's decision. 

The King of the Grey Havens made it perfectly clear that if there was no wedding there would be a war. He faced the difficult task of leaving her or starting another war. One knows it is not possible to fight a war on two fronts.

He stopped to watch Arun give a light tap to Willow's door and receive immediate admission. He never had any issues with maintaining a level head in his many years. Since meeting Willow, he knew many new emotions he had not previously dealt with before.

These days frustration, vexation, and annoyance was constant. He would die before he lost her affections to some random elfish noble who probably never held a sword in his life. He was sure of Willow's love, but he sensed that he lost her trust and with the wedding approaching he feared he would lose her forever.

"You look resplendent, Willow" Arun stared at her with a direct and intense gaze. 

Willow felt her skin heat up. She wished he would try harder to mask his covetousness. Sometimes it made her feel uncomfortable. She would not deny that she found him to be truly handsome, but she did not trust herself around him.

"Thank you, Arun I'm flattered but not ready for the kind of stare you're giving me right now." He laughed and she felt a tingling between her thighs.

"Don't worry I won't devour you Willow," he said as he sauntered towards her. "At least not yet. There will be a time when that fool of a prince is no longer in your purview, and I will have you. Until then I am content to remain your friend" 

His confidence was astounding. Willow stood baffled, staring into his golden eyes. He stood closer than would be considered appropriate. She felt his breath and the heat from his body. She placed a palm on his chest before she pushed him gently back. Allowing space and time to think. When he was this close whatever magic he was using seemed stronger.

When Arun was around, he made her feel wanted, desired above all else. He always tried his best to take her mind off her troubles. She was angry and hurt over the situation with Legolas and preferred to sit in her room sulking. He would insist on taking her for walks, horse riding, and picnics to clear her head. 

She was happy to have someone other than Gandalf and Galadriel to talk to. Their thoughts were always so political. Gimli was Legolas' best friend and therefore extremely bias when it came to any situation concerning him. Both he and Legolas hated Arun with the fire of a thousand suns. 

Ultimately, she had no one to really talk to except for Arun. He kept her confidence and as they talked more and more, she felt she was getting to know him, but she couldn't read him like she could other people. She could not break through and read his thoughts. 

It was like he erected a barrier around his mind and heart that was impenetrable. She knew elves were gifted in various arts, so she did not press him on the matter. It was rather nice not to hear another person's thoughts for once. 

The only person she constantly sensed was Legolas their bond had deepened after their foe wedding in the cave. She could feel his conflict over marrying Naira, but he did not make the decision to break it off. She would never ever be his side dish, so she made the decision for him.

"You have not eaten Willow. I insist you take a meal with me this morning in the hall. You look so fetching it would be a shame to let this beauty go to waste" Arun said as he extended his hand to her. 

Willow tentatively reached out to join hands with him still not sure if she should trust him. He escorted her down to the main hall.

As they arrived Willow could feel eyes upon her but was not from the crowd on either side of the hall. The eyes that burned a hole through her were that of Legolas and Naira. As they marched down the aisle the light from the open windows bounced off Willows glittering golden gown. She was not sure why Galadriel sent her such a gaudy piece, but she loved it. 

It was made of the finest lace. Intricately designed after the elfin leaf, it wrapped around her shoulders like a hug and left a bit of cleavage showing to tease. The dress was see-through, with a nude sheath underneath, in a mermaid cut, with a high slit up her high and a train to follow.

She wore a golden clasp on one side of her hair and allowed the mass of curls to cascade to one side.

Suddenly, more than just two sets of eyes were on her as she and Arun entered the hall. Arun placed her hand in the crook of his elbow, escorting her to the table. When they reached their place, Arun possessively placed his hand on the small of her back before pulling her in close to whisper again how beautiful she was. 

Her face flushed. She turned away from him to hide her embarrassment. Suddenly, his hand was gone. She heard him yelp and turned to see Legolas gripping his wrist, contorting it in a painfully.

"Keep your bloody hands off my wife." Legolas ground out. Arun tore his hand from Legolas' grip

"You have not been able to keep yours on her for some time. Can you still claim that she's yours?" Arun goaded Legolas' anger.

"How dare you! Swine! I'll cleave you in two, you piece of -" He was cut off with a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Legolas quiet your anger. It solves nothing." Naira said matter-of-factly, standing between the two elves. She pointed her gaze at Willow then saying, "You have no wife. Not yet at least".

"You can have him. Your prize is a man who cheated on the woman he vowed to love, honor, and protect... You did me a favor. Good luck with that."

Naira laughed heartily before saying, "Do not be angry, my dear, you lost him to a much better woman."

"You silly bitch. I kicked him to the curb, and he ended up in the gutter with you." Arun's eyebrows shot up in surprise at Willow's sharply worded retort. 

Naira stood in silence visibly embarrassed by the insult.

Taking Arun's hand Willow pulled him behind her as she stomped around them, marching toward the hall exit.

She felt Legolas' hand halt her progress. She angrily shook him off.

"Willow please, I must speak with you."

"I'm sorry you seemed to have mistaken me for a woman who will take your shit." Willow stated before turning on her heel and walking away.

"I think you've done enough to destroy that woman's happiness. If you won't choose her, leave her be." Arun said before following Willow out of the hall.