So i finished writing chapter 10 and was bored, so i thought i would be nice, return the favor yes?

Also - i am not using contractions in my writing on perpuse, seeing as back then in the time of age people didn't use them. (and man, is it hard to retrain yourself to right without them! lol)

Thanks to those who have taken the time to review, i hope to hear from you again!

Chapter Three: Agreement

I did not think I would ever get to sleep that night. After a few hours of chatting with Gimli, the dwarf passed out in the middle of one of my tales and rather ungracefully fell off the log. I would have normally been insulted but with how high the moon had risen I could hardly blame him. Legolas had disappeared some time at the beginning of my tale, jumping into one of the old trees. My new friend had informed me that he was most likely keeping watch.

After staring at the redheaded dwarf in shock, I had moved to the ground as well, pressing my back to the log and curling up slightly. Though my hair had finally mostly dried I was still freezing and refused to leave the comfort of the flames.

Sleep evaded me for hours because of the fact that I had slept all day due to my injury. I passed the time in silence by trying to repress shivered and alternating between gazing at the flames and looking at the stars above. Once during the night I had let my eyes wonder about the trees searching for Legolas but never found him even with my enhanced eyesight.

When sleep finally did come it was restless. I kept waking up either because of Gimli's snoring, or, later on, because the fire had finally gone out and shivers had racked me like a storm at sea. I found myself cursing my bloodline again, wishing beyond reason that I never got cold, rather then that I could not get drunk – a fact that never went over well with my male friends.

At some point I must have finally reached a deeper sleep though because I dreamed. In the dream I was standing on the battlefield again watching as both friend and foe fell around me like cast aside dolls. I do not remember much else of it, just the endless fighting around me, and the feeling of helplessness as I watched people I had known far too long fall.

I am not sure what woke me from my dream, but as my mind gathered itself back up I heard the sound of horse's nickering and snorting. Opening my eyes I let them refocus as I took in my surroundings. In front of me laid a pile of ashes from the night's fire and from the tentative light that made long shadows on the ground I guessed it was just nearing dawn again. I frowned, wondering how little sleep I had managed to get if that were the case.

Knowing sleep would not come to me again I sat up and almost jumped out of my skin when something slipped down from my shoulders and pooled around my waist. Looking down I was shocked to see a thick gray-green material on my lap. Carefully I fingered the edge of it and recognized it from a small fraction of a memory. It was the same thing my father had worn around his shoulder's the last time I had seen him. Pulling the cloak from my lap, I carefully gathered it up and folded it before placing it on the log.

That must have been why I had finally been able to sleep, and with that discovery came the realization of who must have put it there. Frowning, I stood and brushed off my brown riding pants and looked around. I found him near Clara and Arod. He was stroking his steed's strong neck and speaking quietly in elvish to him. Though Clara was not looking at the elf, her ears were swiveled to listen. I rolled my eyes. My horse thought she was so sneaky.

Though I was annoyed with him for his comments from last night, I knew continuing to be rude to the person who had helped me would not settle well with my conscience. Swallowing my pride for the moment I walked over, my feet easily avoiding any rock and twigs as I went, leaving hardly any sound of my approach. He heard me any way and glanced at me as I stopped at Clara's side, feet from him. He seemed to pay me no mind though and went back to his horse, feeding him what looked like the last of an apple.

Pressing my lips I looked down wondering what I should say. I was not sorry for what I had said the night before, and I refused to apologize simply to make peace when he was the one at fault. Clara nickered again and she bumped her muzzle against my shoulder. Smiling, I turned to her to pet her long face, brushing white locks from her brown eyes.

Using my friend as a handicap for why I was not looking at him, I finally spoke. "Thank you for the cloak…" I frowned wondering if that had sounded as awkward as it had to me. "That is, it was yours, was it not?"

"Yes." I dared a glance at him; he was leaning on the makeshift post where our horses were being kept. He had a subtle smile on his face; one that I had a feeling was the look he carried when at ease. He glanced to me as if feeling my gaze. "Think nothing of it, I did not require it and your wound will not heal if you do not get enough rest." I nodded my head looking down again, not sure what else to say. "That being said, I would like to take a look at it my lady, if you do not mind."

A bit surprised I raised my eyebrows at him. I had been sure he would be angry with me for the actions of last night. Then again, elves hardly ever lost control of their calm; it was why they made such good warriors. Absently I reached up and rested my hand on my bandaged shoulder and grimaced as it throbbed.

"Perhaps that would be for the best." He gazed at me for a moment before giving a small nod and gesturing back towards the log. Realizing he wanted me to sit down, I patted Clara's snout once more before turning and head back over to it.

Absently I listened as he made his way around camp, silently picking a few things up from a knapsack propped up against a tree. My eyes wondered, finding Gimli who was still snoring away and lying in the same position he had been before. I found myself envying him, for he seemed to be quiet a deep sleeper; I had never been that, my elvish blood keeping me alert to a certain point even when dreaming.

"Lady Áriel?" Tearing my eyes from the sleeping dwarf I looked to my side where the prince had silently sat down next to me. I looked from his face, to his outstretched hand and realized he was giving me something.

"My knife." I had completely forgotten to ask about it, though I suppose with all that had happened it had slipped my mind. Still I was glad to see it again and took it from his hand, before placing it on my lap. "Thank you." He nodded his head again and then moved forward to take a look at my shoulder.

Absently I shifted and moved my hair out of the way and pulled the tunic away so he could see it. As he got to work unbinding it, I looked back down at the weapon on my lap.

Calling it a 'knife' had always seemed a bit silly to me, for the length of its blade was more along the lines of a short sword. Yet calling it a simple weapon would be like calling a gem a piece of dirt. Slowly I let my hands ghost over the golden wood and silver metal of the handle. The end of it was like a work of art, for it formed the bust of a horse, its main flaring out behind it as if it were running against the wind. It was so detailed, from the eyes to every strand of hair. Traveling down from the head it melted into a thick and sturdy shaft, subtle vines and leaves lacing down it. The knife held no real guard but rather at the base another branch lopped out and attached part way up the handle. I had been told it was so that the blade could be spun and that it made it able to withstand more force.

Sliding it from it's metal and leather sheath, I gazed at the white blade, my eyes tracing the sharp curve of it. Elvish writing adorned one side near the hilt like many of their weapons did. I could not read it, but I had been told what it meant:

Be as fast as a stead and as strong as a rooted tree; cut down thy enemies with swift, powerful swings.

As I looked it over something occurred to me. I had used this very knife to slay about half a dozen orcs the day before; I had felt the black blood splash onto my hand as I dug the blade into flesh. Yet as I stared at it, the weapon lay as clean as if it were brand new.

"I cleaned it after I had taken care of you. I hope you do not mind."

Startled slightly I looked to Legolas, but he was concentrating on the task at hand. The bandages were gone now, and I could see the edge of the snarled arrow wound on the back of my shoulder. He was holding a large leaf in his other hand that held some kind of reddish salve on it.

I was surprised that he admitted to it so easily and could not help but smile. It was simple gestures like this that really meant something. "No, I am grateful. It would have been terrible if it had been stained…" I looked back down at the blade as I felt something cool being spread across my shoulder. I tried to imagine what it would have looked like if it had been left as it had been. Black splotches in the golden wood, making it looked diseased. I had never been so relived to see a clean blade.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the elf unwind bandages, and then felt them dust over my skin as he dressed the wound. We were both quiet for a time and I busied myself by counting Gimli's snores.

"It must be very important to you." I frowned glancing at him but he was not looking at me. "When we found you, you still had it tightly gripped in your hand, even though you were hardly conscious."

I thought back trying to remember, and realized I did not remember placing the blade back into my sheath. "Yes…it is very dear to me. My father gave it to me; hand crafted it himself. It is the only gift I have ever received from him." My voice held no anger in it, but I felt little joy either. Mostly I felt a sense of lose as I spoke, emptiness.

I was not sure why I was telling him this, maybe it was simply because I had never gotten a chance to tell anyone. Maybe I felt I should give him another chance. I winced slightly when the bindings on my shoulder were tied off. Another half dozen snores echoed through the haven before he spoke again.

"Your father is Elven?" I nodded my head as I moved to pull my tunic back in place. "Is that why you travel to Lothlórien?" I frowned, feeling uneasily again. It seemed as if he did not know when to stop questioning people on private matters.

"You could say that." I looked at him; his hands were resting in his lap now and for once he was looking at my face, not my shoulder. His eyes were gazing at mine as if he were looking into my soul.

"If I may ask, who is your father my lady? 'Lightfoot' is not elvish so it must be a title you earned." My frown deepened and sighing I looked away sheathing my knife with an audible snap as I bristled.

"That is a private matter I do not wish to speak of." He seemed startled and was quiet for a moment; I counted three snores from Gimli before he spoke again.

"You speak as if he were a stranger to you."

I stood, annoyed again and looked at him with a flat expression. "That, master elf, is it exactly. " I turned sharply and stocked over to my armor that had been piled up next to the tree I had first woken under. I waited for the prince to start asking questions again and held a few choice words ready for when he did, but it did not happen as Gimli's snores faltered and he grumbled slowly waking up.

As the two friends bid each other good morning I got to work on getting ready to move out. It had been nice, being able to talk with someone after almost a month of being alone. Part of me wanted to stay but I had to get to the Golden Woods. I needed answers. I needed closure.

Pulling on my outer tunic, the color of a red sunset, I strapped on the half platting that covered my shoulders, chest and lower back. From there I placed the metal guards on my upper legs. I lingered on one, letting my fingers trace over the Rohan symbol imprinted on it.

"Good morn'en lassie!" Blinking, I smiled slightly at the dwarf. Yes, I would miss talking with him.

"Good morning to you as well Gimli." I bent over and picked up my riding gloves and forearm guards. Gimli's brow furrowed as he watched me slip one on and wiggled my fingers slightly.

"Do not be in such a hurry now, sit and have some breakfast lass." I paused for a moment thinking about his offer before pulling the other glove on, pulling the fabric over my fingers and freeing them.

"Thank you for the offer, but I really should get going…" I bit my lip glancing from him to Legolas who had stopped unpacking something from his bag and was looking at us. Shaking my head I turned around to face them, placing my knife back in its holster on my lower back. "I have a long way to go and the sooner I get there the better." I stepped forward before placing my right fist over my heart and bowing slightly "Thank you for all your help. I am indebted to you." I looked at them both before straightening.

"T'was no problem Áriel, ye be careful now." I patted the dwarf's shoulder as I passed him. He was sad at my departure, but it had been inevitable. As I walked over to Clara where she was stomping her front feet I looked at Legolas. He did not say anything, just nodded his head slightly.

Heaving myself up and onto my horse, I used her mane to turn her around. "I hope I will see you both again." I was not one for good byes but Gimli nodded his head and with that I kicked Clara's side and she troughed off, heading back out of the forest.

As I retraced my path from earlier so that I could retrieve my belongings I reflected at my short time with the two walkers and mused at how normal they had seemed for heroes.

Gimli was the first dwarf I had ever met, and frankly I could not understand why elves did not get along with them. He seemed like a nice fellow to me, very present and easy to talk too. Though he was traveling with the Prince of Mirkwood, and they seemed to be very close so maybe the two races did have a chance at co-existing.

I blinked away the blurriness that came with sudden sunlight that assaulted my eyes upon exiting the forest. Glancing around I saw my trampled camp a few feet away and so hopped off Clara and walked to it. The four orcs I had slain were still there, and the smell made my nose wrinkle. Using my metal boots I kicked the leg of one away from where my belongings were and was relived that everything still seemed to be in one piece.

Making a clicking sound with my mouth, I called Clara over and got to work taking out her brush and hoof pick. As I brushed away dirt and dried sweat from her fur my thoughts turned to the elf. I wondered if I had been too harsh, yet I could not stand that he seemed to think he knew how my life had gone. I could not stand such people, for they were always wrong.

Yet he had been kind to me; treated my wounds, cleaned my weapon, and went as far as to give me his cloak during the night. So had I been out of line to get so angry? Frustrated at how my mind was going around in circles I dropped the brush and pick back into my bag and turned to Clara's tack.

Running my hand over the saddle I smiled at the fine craftsmanship of my homeland. Dark thick leather and shining silver metal made any horse look more elegant, and against her white and gray fur it made travelers stop and look upon her.

It took me around ten minutes to equip Clara with her dark blue blanket, her saddle, and her bridle that held no bit. I had just started to strap my saddlebag and bedroll on when I hear the sound of a horse running. Clara's ears swiveled and I grabbed her reigns to make sure she did not run, and peered back toward the forest.

The beat of hooves on earth got louder before, finally, Arod came bursting through the trees, both elf and dwarf on his back. Clara snorted, stomping her feet in surprise as I raised an eyebrow wondering what was going on. It could have been mere chance that they were exiting this way, but something told me that was very unlikely.

My hunch was confirmed when Legolas led Arod over to us, stopping inside my ruined camp sight and then jumped off. Gimli grumbled but did not descend; instead he chuckled at my expression. "We'd been hoping ye had not set off yet, lass!" My eyebrows pulled together.

"What do you mean? Did I forget something at the camp?" I mentally ran over the possibility of that, checking off everything that had been on me and found nothing out of place.

"No, no, nothing like that."

"Then what?"

Legolas cleared his throat softly and my gaze shifted to him. "Forgive our intrusion my lady." I nodded my head slightly still feeling very confused. "You see, Gimli and I had been thinking about going to Lothlórien for a while, we had just not had the incentive to go. With your injury and the orcs causing trouble again we both thought it might be a good idea if we traveled together. "

I felt my eye twitch. "Are you saying I can't take care of myself?" It was true that I had almost gotten killed, but really, I did not need an escort! I was a warrior, a proud shield maiden of Rohan!

"It is not that lass, we are sure ye could handle yourself in combat if ye were not caught off guard. Yet one cannot be on guard all the time. We do not mean to insult you Áriel, simple offer ye companionship."

I looked from one to the other, a grimace on my face as my blood simmered. What he said was true, but that did not mean I liked it. If I excepted their company not only would I be admitting that I was in need of help, but I would have to continue to skip around the elf and his prying questions about my life.

Still, did I really want to risk my life again just to sate my ego? Taking a deep breath in through my nose I willed myself to calm and shook my head. They faltered for a moment, thinking I had refused before I held up my free hand.

"Alright, I suppose you are right." I looked from Gimli to Legolas and sighed. "Your offer is much appreciated and I would very much enjoy the company, for I have been traveling alone for far too long."

Legolas smiled and I hear Gimli crow in victory as I turned around, to finish securing my things. What I had said was true, I had not looked forward to returning to solitude, but Legolas continued to make me nervous and uneasy.

Pulling myself back onto Clara's back I looked to see my two new companions ready to go. "There is a small village near the border of Rohan, we will likely reach it by midday. I had planned to stay there for the night, for there are some people I wish to see."

Legolas nodded his head. "That is quiet alright my lady." Before I could stop myself I snorted and smirked, making a confused expression form on his pretty face.

"I thought I told you to call me Áriel, Legolas. Continue to not do so and I will be force to start calling you 'your highness'." I saw him grimace at the title and I smiled as Gimli let out a round of laughter.

"I like this lass, she's a keeper!" Legolas sighed shaking his head before looking at me again.

"Very well, Áriel." I nodded my head in approval before steering Clara in the direction needed.

"Good. Now let us see how well you ride." I did not give him time to reply before one swiftly placed kick sent Clara into a gallop and I grinned to myself as I heard Gimli protest as Arod took off after me, knowing this game well.

A small laughed escaped my lips as I caught sight of the white horse and kicked Clara again to speed her up. Maybe, just maybe this would not be bad after all.