Chapter 2 is here! I am refraining from posting all the chapters that I have so far until I have some reviews. They make me happy and inspire me to keep writing.

Enjoy!

~:Elven Kat:~

"My lady," the Man of Gondor greeted her, bowing.

Calemireth nodded to him, and pushed her way past him, intent on seeking out the Dwarves. She could hear Boromir following her.

"Is there something you desire to say?" she asked, whirling around.

Her eyes flashed at him.

"Can I not share what is left of this beautiful day with a beautiful woman?" he asked her, smiling.

"I wish to retire, my lord Boromir," she said, voice dangerously low and eyes glinting.

He caught her by the wrist as she made to leave.

"I wish to know more about you, my lady," he continued.

"I am going to my chambers!" she said, forcefully twisting herself out of his grasp.

Legolas happened to come across them as he enjoyed a walk through the gardens. He saw the elleth's body rigid with tension and knew she did not enjoy the Man's company. His fists curled into balls as he saw the Man grab her. He had not liked Boromir the moment he set eyes on him.

"She does not want your company," Legolas said cooly, as he approached them.

"How would you know what she feels?" Boromir asked, anger rising.

Legolas said nothing. Boromir smirked at him before bidding them farewell and leaving.

"Thank you," Calemireth said bluntly, feeling an obligation to thank Legolas for his efforts.

She could've delt with Boromir on her own. Calemireth was a fierce warrior and she was sure that she could've bested Boromir if it had come to that. She did not need Legolas to protect her. Turning on her heel, she left the Prince of Mirkwood in the gardens.

~:✿:~

"Nobody makes these braids as perfect as you do, lass!" Gimli declared as he admired his beard in the mirror. "Not even myself."

When she had returned to the Dwarves, Calemireth's mind had been whirling with thoughts. Thoughts of Legolas and Boromir, thoughts of what Lord Elrond had told her, and thoughts of the journey that lay ahead. To ease her mind, she had resorted to braiding Gimli's beard in an attempt to fix the ones he had done earlier.

"Braiding and pleating runs in the blood of Elves," Calemireth said, chuckling.

"They are very well done indeed," Gloín commented.

The elder Dwarf beckoned for Calemireth to join him as he sat on a divan.

"I wish to thank you for escorting us to Rivendell. I felt uneasy about coming to the land of Elves with only a small group of Dwarves," Gloín admitted.

"It was an honor and a privilege," Calemirth reassured him.

"What is it that Lord Elrond requested of you?"

"He wished for me to join the Fellowship. He explained that I had a purpose there. He had foreseen it," Calemireth told her adopted father.

Gloín snorted softly.

"And how did you answer him?"

"I told him I would accept his invitation," the elleth said.

"I presume it piqued your interest?" Gloín asked.

Calemireth nodded solemnly.

"You are always curious, Calemireth."

Gloín shook his head slightly in amusement.

"Gimli!" he called out to his son.

"You need to take care of each other on this quest. Look out for one another, protect each other. Do I have your word?"

"Aye," Gimli promised.

"And you Calemireth?"

"Yes, you have my word."

~:✿:~

Gloín left the following morning, heading back to Erebor.

"I eagerly await your return," he had told Gimli and Calemireth.

After they had bid him farewell, Gimli accompanied Calemireth to a small practice field. Whenever she was upset, Calemireth would take up her bow and fire arrow after arrow into whatever target lay before her until she had run out. Today was no different as she was upset about the departure of Gloín.

Gimli sat to one side, smoking his pipe as Calemireth shot with deadly accuracy and speed.

"You have skills with a bow."

The voice came from behind them. Calemireth had heard the swish of feet in the grass. Alas, Gimli did not have Elven hearing and was unaware of their visitor until he spoke. He turned to see Legolas watching them, leaning against a tree. The Dwarf eyed the Elf Prince warily, distrust written on his features. Legolas ignored the Dwarf and made his way to the target to check Calemireth's accuracy and retrieve her arrows. As he splayed his hand against the wooden target for support, an arrow appeared in between his middle and index finger with a loud thud. The Elf Prince turned his head to Calemireth, laughter dancing in his eyes. He pulled out all the arrows, save one.

"I wish to make a bet," he said to the elleth as he brought her arrows. "I bet that I can cleave your arrow in two with one of mine."

"What are the stakes?" Calemireth asked cooly.

"If you win, you decide," Legolas replied. "If I win, you walk with me through the gardens."

Gimli snorted and promptly choked on smoke from his pipe.

"I would advise against it lass," he warned, regaining his composure.

Calemireth was silent for a moment. If he won, she would only have to accompany him for a short time. What harm could come from that?

"I accept," she told Legolas finally.

The Elf Prince said nothing, merely smiled as he grasped his bow. In one fluid motion, he pulled an arrow from his quiver, notched it to the string, and fired. He did not even look to see his arrow fly straight and true, splintering Calemireth's arrow. He kept his gaze fixed on the beautiful elleth before him. Though she wore a tunic and breeches, he could tell that her body was most definitely curvaceous in all the right places.

"Well done, your Highness," Calemireth congratulated, bowing her head. "If you will excuse me, I have other things to tend to."

"Very well. Meet me here at dusk," Legolas said.

Calemireth nodded in acknowledgement before heading off towards her chambers with Gimli. Legolas stared after her. What was it about the elleth that made him feel so...strange. But it was a good feeling of strangeness. She was very mysterious and Legolas was determined to find out what made her so.

~:✿:~

Calemireth had taken her leave from Gimli and their chambers and headed towards the practice field. She had chosen to wear a gown of green that complimented her eyes. There was no need for Legolas to think she was barbaric and unladylike, only wearing a tunic and breeches. Her hair trailed loosely down to her waist. Legolas watched her approach. She did indeed have curves, shown off by the gown that clung to her. He wished more than anything to hold her in his arms, keeping her safe from the world. But no, Calemireth was too fierce and proud to be treated like that.

She is most likely not even looking for a mate, Legolas thought to himself.

He was right. She was not looking for any male Elf. She was here to be a part of an important journey. Love and intimacy were far from her thoughts.

"You look wonderful," Legolas said quietly, as she stopped in front of him. Her scent wafted to his nose. She smelled of sweet honeysuckle.

"As do you, your Highness," she replied.

"Please, call me Legolas. There is no need for formalities here."

"As you wish," she said.

Legolas caught a mischievous glint in her eye. Those eyes. They were beautiful and bright. And so green. They captured him, enthralled him. Little did he know, his own icy blue eyes had caught Calemireth in the same way. Something about this Elf Prince was affecting her. But she pushed the feeling aside, determine to uphold her oath to Frodo and the quest. There would be another time for males.

Accepting the arm he offered to her, Calemireth allowed Legolas to lead her through the gardens, lit by the full moon. They made small talk every so often but mostly they stayed silent, enjoying the peacefulness of the night. The sky was cloudless, dotted by twinkling stars, and joined by a warm breeze. The distant sound of waterfalls added to the beauty. They stopped on a small balcony, overlooking a garden filled with flowers that surrounded a small fountain. Calemireth sighed.

"Are you alright?" Legolas asked her, placing his hand on the small of her back.

"Yes. I am perfectly fine. I am just enjoying this night. I fear we will not have many nights such as this on our road to Mordor," she replied softly.

Legolas was inclined to agree with her. The road would be dangerous and dark. Who knew what really lay in the shadows of the night out there. What creatures, besides Orcs, waited to destroy them.

The scent of honeysuckle floated around him again. The two Elves stared into each others eyes, each trying to delve into the other's mind and soul, hoping to unlock the reason for such a feeling of attachment they had for each other. Legolas held out his hand to touch her cheek. The gesture confused Calemireth as she was inexperienced when it came to feelings such as this one. In fact, it frightened her a bit. She pulled away.

"I must go," she muttered and hastily retreated to her chambers.

Once again, Legolas was left behind, wondering what had happened and trying to sort out his feelings. This elleth, this beautiful and dangerous elleth, was going to be his weakness.

~:✿:~