Aragorn helped me out of bed, and dressed me, before helping me to breakfast. We sat next to Legolas, who didn't look himself. He looked like something was troubling him. Aragorn and Legolas had a short conversation in Elvish, which I presumed was an argument from the fact that Legolas got up and stormed off afterwards.

"What was that about?" I asked, trying to eat like a civilised person for once.

"Legolas isn't fond of the idea that we shared a bed, and what he saw earlier didn't help," Aragorn whispered. I nodded and went back to eating. I felt honoured, sitting next to such a gorgeous man, whom I'd confessed all of my feelings to after him knowing me for one night.

You fool.

After breakfast, Aragorn insisted we go for a walk.

"But my ankle…" I reminded him.

"We can take the horses then. Do you have your own?" he asked, obviously questioning my height.

"I'm afraid not,"

"We'll find you one. You'll be okay riding with one arm won't you?" I nodded.

After quite some time was spent hopping around asking if anyone had a smaller pony, we finally had some luck. We found that there was one that nobody had used for a while, that I could have. It was a beautiful light chestnut, almost matching my flame red hair.

Aragorn lifted me on, as I was still a bit too small for it, and stood no chance with my ankle in the state it was.

We rode through the forest, following a stream. It glistened in what little sunlight evaded the canopy above. We talked as we rode, mainly small talk. There was the tell-tale sign of autumn, an occasional auburn leaf falling, adding to the golden brown blanket smothering the forest floor. The birds sang from the tops of the highest trees, as the stream gurgled and splashed beneath the horses hooves. It was relaxing. For the first time since leaving the Shire, I felt like I'd found my place. I felt safe, atop a horse in the forest, where I felt I belonged. The leaves crunched underfoot, filling the silence with a home-like song. A song of adventure. We decided to stop and eat the food we'd packed, after what must have been an hour's ride. Aragorn helped me off my horse, and we sat down next to the stream.

"So what did you do in the Shire?" Aragorn asked after we'd finished eating.

"I made my living as a bard, as well as looking after Pippin," I shuffled closer to the stream.

"Then why did you make the decision to leave and take up arms here?" the man looked puzzled.

"As I said before, I wanted to meet you. I felt honoured to fight alongside you."

"You are good with a sword, however I don't feel it safe for such a fair young lady to risk her life to get closer to me,"

"It worked didn't it?" I laughed, placing my hand in the water. It was cool and clear, and felt refreshing.

"Aye, I suppose," he laughed. "So how is your musical talent? Do you sing, play an instrument?"

"Both," I answered, looking up towards the ceiling that the trees formed.

"Well, could you sing something for me?" he asked, tilting his head.

"I suppose I could…" I stared into the stream, watching the water skip over the rocks.

Aragorn smiled.

"Home is behind the world ahead

And there are many paths to tread.

Through shadow, to the edge of night,

Until the stars are all alight.

Mist and shadow,

Cloud and shade.

All shall fade,

All shall

Fade."

Neither of us spoke for a while.

"I'll presume Pippin taught you that song,"

"He did,"

"If you promise me you won't fight anymore, I can promise you that you can put your musical talents to good use within the hold," Aragorn looked hopeful.

"I don't know…" I contemplated the thought, "I like fighting alongside you,"

"I don't want you getting hurt again," his eyes flickered to my ankle.

"But I'm good at fighting, I like it," Did he honestly care that much?

"Promise me," he said again.

The peaceful sounds were interrupted by rustling leaves and branches. It can't have been the wind, so what could it be?

Aragorn pressed his ear to the ground and closed his eyes.

"A group of Elves," he looked slightly puzzled, "About 7, armed with bows no doubt."

"Armed?" What were a group of armed Elves doing here?

"Mae govannen, mellonea," Aragorn called into the trees.

Aragorn picked me up and put me on my horse, handing me a sword.

"Just in case…" he reassured.

"Show yourselves," Aragorn called once again.

A number of Elves emerged from the trees, with their bows drawn, aiming at Aragorn.

"'Quel amrun," a seventh Elf emerged on a snow white horse.

"Indeed," Aragorn

"Eldrim," the Elf announced as he slid gracefully from his horse. He had long golden hair much like Legolas, that bore an intricately crafted circlet. His eyes were black as night, his skin as fair as the clouds in the sky.

"Aragorn," he stepped towards the Elf, and bowed.

"Come, mellonea, let us go on a little journey," Eldrim raised his hand, and the Elves in the trees lowered their bows.

"I'd love to, but we're a little busy at present," Aragorn strode over to his horse.

"It was an order, not a request," Eldrim spat, as the Elves raised their bows once more.

Aragorn looked at me and nodded, carrying on over to his horse.

"If you insist," he laughed, climbing onto the horse.

"Lylith," the Elf turned to a shorter Elf, who immediately lowered her bow. "Take the girl,"

"Take?" Aragorn questioned.

"You don't expect us to give you a means of escape, do you now?" Lylith laughed, brushing a strand of long, dark hair from her fair face. She began to lift me from my horse. I began to talk but Aragorn shot me a look intended to stop me.

"Unless you intend to carry Genevaer, I suggest you put her back on her horse." Aragorn demanded.

"Why, is she incapable of walking?" Eldrim laughed .

"Yes, actually. I sustained an injury to my ankle whilst fighting, so if you don't mind, I'd very much like if you'd put me back on my horse." Aragorn buried his face in his hands.

"Fighting you say? A woman, with a sword?" Eldrim laughed again. "Oh you make me laugh,"

"Don't make me prove it," I raised my sword.

"Genevaer…" I lowered my sword. "Please don't do anything stupid."

"Okay," I turned to face the trees behind, something wasn't right.

"Aragorn," Eldrim barked, "You have the decision. Would you rather walk, or keep your horse but have to ride with one of my people," he pointed to the armed Elves stood in the trees.

"Can you guarantee the horses' safety?" Aragorn looked concerned, stroking his horses back.

"We cannot." Lylith smiled.

"Then we walk. I will carry Genevaer, if you don't mind." Aragorn looked at his horse regretfully, and whispered in its ear, before dismounting. He whispered to my horse too, lifted me from it, and both of the horses galloped off.

"I suppose that will do," Eldrim turned to face the Elves in the trees.

An arrow ripped through the trees behind, hitting one of the archers in the chest. He dropped to the floor.

"Fool!" Eldrim shouted, "Show yourself."

Legolas emerged from the trees, and all eyes fell on him.

"It cannot be…" Lylith's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood. I'd recommend you letting my friends go,"

"They'd pay a good price for your freedom," A malicious grin was fixed on Eldrim's elegant features.

"Put me down," I whispered to Aragorn.

"Are you sure?"

"I'll be fine,"

Whilst everyone's attention was on Legolas, Aragorn snuck behind Lylith, and I picked up my sword from the ground.

"Not if he was never captured in the first place," Aragorn positioned his sword against Lylith's neck.

"Now, now," Eldrim laughed nervously, "Is there any need for this?" he stepped towards Aragorn, his hand positioned over his sword.

"Do not even go near him, ascarer" I threatened, limping to place myself between him and Aragorn.

"You will all come with us to the hold," Aragorn demanded, "We'll decide what to do with you once we get there."

Eldrim laughed nervously again. Legolas had his aim at the other archers, in case one tried to run.

I limped towards Eldrim, and had my sword at his neck.

"Follow me," Aragorn growled.

Aragorn grabbed Lylith by the wrist, with his sword still in his other hand. I nodded for Eldrim to follow, and stayed close behind him, my sword against his back. Legolas mounted Eldrim's horse, and rounded up the archers, following them, keeping his bow close to hand.

Elven Translations:

"Mae govannen, mellonea," Well met, friends

"'Quel amrun," Good morning

"Mellon(ea)," Friend(s)

"ascarer," Impetous one