A/N: I guess my mind works in unusual (insert weird there if you prefer) ways. This little scenario was inspired by Marigold's Challenge #28. Now, I know it doesn't fit the rules she laid down, but as I said, it was only inspired by, as I began to ponder what could possibly be a way of expanding it to include a non-hobbit member of the Fellowship. Lo, and behold, this scene just popped into my head and demanded to be written. My thanks, as usual, to my daughter for her laughter and encouragement, as well as her helpful comments which improved this little piece.

SUMMARY: Legolas learns a useful lesson when he experiences a small interruption during a quiet moment. Set sometime pre-Quest.

RATING: PG

DISCLAIMER: The Lord of the Rings in all its formats belongs officially to Professor Tolkien's estate and New Line Cinemas. This work of fiction was produced for the love of the characters and enjoyment only, not for sale or profit.

Unexpected Danger

Birdsong filled the air as sunbeams flickered and played over the surface of the pool, broken by small waves as the elf came up for air. He sighed with pleasure at the feel of the cool water against his skin. It felt good to be able to get clean.

He shook his head slightly to clear the water from his delicately pointed ears, and checked automatically for sounds of danger. His eyes scanned the trees and brush surrounding the forest pool. Wary as a wild thing, checking his surroundings came as naturally as breathing to him. Everything seemed as it should be, and he stroked leisurely across the pool to a shallower spot, and began again to scrub his arms, and across his chest and belly. It had been so long since he had been truly clean.

Suddenly his head came up, and his eyes scanned his surroundings once more. The sudden silence of the birds in the trees had warned him. Without a moment's hesitation he slipped out of the pool, water sheeting off his body unheeded as he swept up his bow and quiver of arrows with one hand and his belt with its two deadly knives in the other.

Stepping as lightly and swiftly as only elves can, he crossed the small open verge around the pool's edge and slipped silently into the brush surrounding it. Hardly a leaf rustled as he slipped between the branches and bushes and came to a halt in the center. Once there, he slipped the quiver into its place against his back, fitted an arrow to his bowstring, and froze, searching with all his senses for the source of the disturbance that silenced the birds.

The sunshine dappled his skin now as he remained on the alert for any danger. He stood as still and graceful as a stag, and as potentially deadly. His breathing slowed as his instincts told him an intruder was coming closer, even as his ears continued to tell him nothing. Suddenly he whirled around, then checked the arrow's release just before letting it fly on its deadly mission.

Aragorn stood in front of him, arms folded across his chest and a lazy grin on his face.

"Aragorn! I almost killed you!" Legolas' voice was sharp with his release of tension.

"I knew you wouldn't shoot without first seeing your attacker," Aragorn replied with a trace of humour. His eyes roved over his friend's form as his grin widened almost imperceptibly.

"And Legolas? Next time you're interrupted while bathing…." Aragorn stepped slightly to one side, and his eyes flicked slightly behind him, "… you might want to take just a second to rinse off."

Legolas' eyes followed where his friend indicated, and widened as color washed his cheeks slightly. There on the forest floor, leading directly to his hiding place, a trail of iridescent bubbles gleamed brightly among the dancing sunbeams.