Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Lord of The Rings, or anything else about them. I do, however, own the names and personas of my original characters, as you will see later on throughout the story. No offence is intended over any bad language within the text - I did warn you, so no flames, please!

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I swung the door open and stared down to the end of the hallway where the elevator doors could be seen standing proudly, waiting for a customer. Where on earth would Legolas have gone?? Hopefully not too far! Oh, god, so many awful scenarios were rushing through my mind over the terrible things that could have happened to the handsome elf. What if people started to recognise him?? It was already decided: I had to go and look for him.

"Lady Katelyn?" Aragorn curiously called me.

I turned and pointed sternly at him, "Aragorn, stay here. I'm going to look for Legolas."

Aragorn eyed me up and down, "But, Lady Kate"-

"Make sure Gimli doesn't break anything, please?" I begged, "And NO more coffee!"

Before he could say anything else, I turned away and pulled my front door shut behind me. I ran down the hall and began poking my thumb at the button to call upon the elevator. I jogged anxiously on the spot. Why was it taking so damn long??

"Come on!" I growled and slammed my palm against the button.

My aggression obviously worked, for a loud ping announced its arrival, and the doors rolled apart to let me inside. It was empty. Good. That saved me having to wait for the other passengers to get to their levels first. I selected the ground level and stood back, tightly gripping the silver poles which ran along the walls, to wait for me to reach it. The light moved down the numbers. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1.

Ping!

The doors opened for me and I scurried out into the lobby to begin my thorough search for the blonde Prince. The lobby wasn't as busy as usual, seeing as it was probably only half past 11 by now. But it still had a fair few people. People I recognised, and didn't. Standing in pairs or groups, talking, or queuing at the front desk, or sitting and waiting for someone. But I soon started noticing that a lot of heads were turning my way -- why? I looked down at myself, and immediately, blushed, as my eyes swept over my bare feet.

Idiot.

I was so panicked that I had jumped straight into action without preparing myself. Barefoot, in a creased dress with my hair in a fluffy disarray. Oh yes, I was setting such an example to any people looking to buy an apartment. I sent a few sheepish smiles to those who were looking and received either a disapproving huff, or a little laugh of ridicule. I felt as big as a peanut.

"Oh, you silly!" A girl's voice tweeted around the lobby.

"Aren't you just the most adorable little thing!" A second one giggled.

I forgot about pleasing my fellow neighbours and their friends and looked over to where the voices had come from. And there, in the far corner of the lobby, nearby the entrance doors, I located a familiar waterfall of silky blonde hair flowing down a well-postured, khaki-green back.

Legolas.

Oh, thank god for that. I was so relieved to see him. I mean, anything could have happened to him! This was a completely different world to him. He knew nothing. I had never felt so pleased about anything in my life. Well, that was before I noticed exactly what he was doing just standing there in the lobby...

He was being confronted by two young girls who looked far too interested for my liking. My eyes narrowed into angry slits - perhaps a little bit of jealousy. But hey, wouldn't you have been? I took care of this guy, and here he was, running off and flirting with some other tarts. Hmph! I flicked my messy hair over my shoulder with an air of confidence and strode across the lobby to where the three of them stood without giving a single glance of care to anyone else.

"Legolas, sweetie." I called him.

Legolas stopped talking and looked round to see who had called him. To my surprise, he smiled at me, as though actually happy to see me, even though he was getting all the attention he needed.

"M'lady Kitty." He greeted me.

I smiled softly and linked my arm with his, "I was wondering where you'd run off to."

He looked down at his arm where I was holding it, and after reassuring himself that it really was happening, he glanced back up at me and smiled ever so softly. I returned it, only much brighter, and... this time... it wasn't an act for the hopeful girls before us.

"I had no idea where you went, Legolas." I told him.

He frowned slightly, and his eyes flashed angrily, "It's that ignorant dwarf."

The girls laughed at his insult and caught my attention. I eyed them up and down inquisitively and smiled, with a hint of bitterness, as to let them know exactly who was in charge here. This was my home. My Elf. My territory. I wondered why they hadn't whipped out a pen or paper yet to get his autograph.

"I'm Kitty, how about you?" I introduced myself.

The girls' smiles hesitated with a secret distain. They couldn't stand the fact that I was holding Legolas' arm. And I knew it.

"Mariah." The blonde one told me.

"And Lilah." The brunette followed.

"Well, Lilah, Mariah, thanks for looking after this guy for me. I can't leave him alone for more than ten seconds, ya' know?" I laughed and rolled my eyes casually.

The girls forced out their own dry, hateful laughter. Legolas was completely unaware of the subtle competition that was going on between us all. He was just so... innocent.

"No problem," Mariah sighed, and then, bravely reached out and stroked Legolas' other arm, "She's a lucky girl, handsome. See ya' around."

They both winked before finally accepting the unlikelihood of them getting anywhere with Legolas. They turned away and strutted over to the door with their hips swaying from left to right hypnotically. Poor, guileless Legolas had no idea of the tricks and talents that the modern day breed of temptresses were capable of and fell right under their spell, to being staring at them from behind. I rolled my eyes and, pushing his arm away from mine, snapped my fingers sharply right before his hypnotised eyes. He jumped back into life and looked down at me.

"Who were they?" I asked, clearly annoyed.

Legolas smiled tenderly, "Mariah and Lilah."

I rolled my eyes, "What, some fangirls of yours?"

"Who?" Legolas questioned.

I clicked my tongue impatiently whilst staring up at him in a contemplative silence. The damn puppy didn't know what he'd done wrong. I had no real right to be angry with him for the incident with those two girls, but he still shouldn't have run off.

"Legolas, why did you leave? I really was worried, you know. Anything could have happened to you!" I softly scolded him.

"You were worried about me?" He asked.

"You sound surprised -- of course I was worried about you." I sighed and pouted.

Legolas frowned at the sad expression on my face. His hand moved outwards and landed gently on the side of my arm. It was so warm.

"I'm sorry, M'lady Kitty. I meant not to worry you." He earnestly apologised.

His dreamy, shimmering eyes peered straight into my own so warmly that it felt like he was searching to hear my very thoughts. That metaphor stuck with me, and I shifted my gaze uncomfortably at remembering just how well Legolas could hear. Dear god, was I really worried that Legolas could hear my thoughts? I had lost it. I was going insane.

"Something bothers you." Legolas predicted after he saw me look away.

I quickly connected our gaze again and shook my head, "No, no... I just... Promise me you won't run off again, ok? I'm sure it must be hard with Gimli sometimes, but next time, you can always just call me, you know? We could chill out or something... you know, to... take your mind off it...?"

I trailed off. Once again, I was under the hypnosis of Legolas' moons of silvery blue. Wow, those eyes. Legolas smiled, half in amusement, and half in genuine agreement.

"I promise. We can... chill... out." He awkwardly approved.

This made me smile and broke the spell. I laughed under my breath, shaking my head, and linked my arm with his once again.

"Come on then. Let's get back to the apartment to make some breakfast." I requested.

Legolas had only just parted his lips to comply verbally when, without warning, I felt his arm slip away from me and heard an outburst of gasps and offended shrieks from the ladies in the lobby. I worriedly spun to watch, to my deepest alarm, Ross' fist come out of absolutely nowhere and strike a nasty punch to Legolas' handsome face.

"Ross!" I yelled, confused and utterly shocked.

Ross ignored my cry and moved towards Legolas again. He swung his fist, but this time, Legolas caught it in his own hand and squeezed it painfully tight. Ross' face squirmed and blushed in distress and he released a long shout of surrender.

"Legolas, stop! Legolas, let him go! Let him go!!" I ordered whilst flailing my hands about in a panic.

Legolas looked over at me, "You do know of what you ask me, M'lady Kitty? He is dangerous."

"No, Legolas! Please, let go of his hand!" I begged.

"Yeah... let go..." Ross agreed through clenched teeth.

Legolas sneered at Ross, but let him go nonetheless. Ross stumbled away from him and clutched his strained hand to his chest, breathing heavily. I rushed over to him and placed a hand on his slouched shoulder.

"Ross, what's gotten into you?" I harshly whispered.

I could feel the judging, belittling stares of everyone in the lobby who was watching the shocking scene take place. It was embarrassing. Neither Ross or Legolas had to carry on living here and face these people again. But I did.

"I could ask you the same thing." Ross spat at me.

He suddenly charged forwards again and delivered a hard blow of his healthy fist to poor Legolas' stomach. Oh, the sneaky fool! Legolas bent over from the sudden impact, and Ross took that as a chance to punch him in the face again. I had to do something. I ran up to Ross' side and grabbed onto his elbow furiously.

"Stop it, Ross! It's not what you think!!" I tried to explain.

My grip suddenly slipped on his elbow due to the slipper shirt he was wearing, and in his effort to position himself for another punch, accidentally whacked me hard in the nose; I hadn't seen it coming. I flew away from the two of them with a little yelp and fell onto the floor, blood running from my nostrils. Ross looked down at my injured form in shock, but Legolas... he was furious. As I lay, in a daze shock, and trying to rub my nose back to health, Legolas suddenly released a loud growl of power and snatch Ross up from the ground by his throat. Everyone in the lobby screamed out again and the quivering woman behind the counter snatched up the phone to call the police.

I rolled over onto my side, holding my stinging nose, and saw Legolas clutching Ross at least four inches above the shiny floor. I had no idea Legolas was so strong. I blinked rapidly; maybe it was just me hallucinating from the harsh blow I received? I always thought he was just the bow-and-arrow-guy. But no. This guy was bloody strong!

"Negonas, don't!" I cried nasally.

Legolas looked down at me with clenched teeth and burning eyes. He saw the pleading expression in my eyes, and decided. His grip retreated and Ross fell free to the floor in a heap where he was able to breathe once more, and return the normal, tanned colour to his skin rather than plum. Legolas knelt down beside me and helped me sit up.

"You're bleeding, M'lady Kitty..." He stated in concern.

I tilted my head back a little and pinched the bridge of my nose to stop the small amount of blood from escaping, "Iss' ok. I'll be fine, Negonas."

Ross sat up, rubbing his sore throat, and looked over at Legolas and I. His anger still hadn't left him, and seeing Legolas comforting me so caringly really didn't help calm it. Ross scrambled up onto his feet and straightened himself out proudly. The woman behind the counter let the phone hover above its receiver, just in case it kicked off again. Everyone stood in an anxious silence. Watching. Waiting.

"I came here to tell you that your boss is going mad. But now, I just hope you get fired." Ross spitefully huffed.

He turned around and began marching away from me, towards the exit doors. What? No, don't go! I had to stop him and tell him exactly what was happening! I hurriedly stood myself up, with Legolas' generous help, and ran after him. Legolas waited behind, rubbing his sore cheek, and just... watched. He didn't quite know what was going on.

I used the shoulder of my dress to wipe the blood from the end of my nose and sniffed back any more of it. Ross was already through the doors and jogging down the steps. I flung the glass door open desperately and ran to the top step where I shouted:

"He just needed somewhere to stay!"

Ross heard my voice, but didn't take it very well. He rounded back to look up at me and came to the bottom step.

"Oh really? Is that what it was? And it just happened to be my hot girlfriend's expensive apartment, huh?!" He shouted in disbelief.

I held my hands out innocently, "Ross, baby... this is insane. You've got it all wrong."

Ross snickered sceptically, "Oh, ok, sure. Why don't you tell me how it's supposed to be then."

My voice caught in my throat. Crap. What was I supposed to say? "Honey, listen, the three members of the fellowship came out of Tolkien's novel and landed in my office, so I took them home to 'look after' them...?? Hell no! I couldn't tell him that! I watched the cars drive down the street as I desperately rattled my creative brain for a believable excuse. Come on, I was a designer, this should have been quite easy for me! People who passed by shot me concerned, shocked and disapproving looks, from the blood on my hands, dress and nose, and the fact that I had no shoes on. I basically looked like a tramp who had just gotten into a fight.

"Wait... Ross... don't you know who he is?" I asked warily.

Ross shot me a very intolerant stare, "You're just fucking with me now, aren't you."

"N-no!" I exclaimed worriedly, "I'm being dead-serious, Ross. Don't you even know who he is??"

"Why the hell would I recognise a sleazy bleach-blond who's been sleeping with my girlfriend?!" Ross roared.

Bleach blond? Pfft! Wait, what was I thinking at a time like this? I had more things to be concerned about other than Ross' false allegations against Legolas' beautiful hair. Ross' voice echoed all the way to the other side of the road and stopped people in their paths. A flock of nearby pigeons exploded into the air with distressed hoots, and a baby in its pram squealed out angrily and started to cry hysterically. The mother shook her head shamefully at Ross, and he pretended that he hadn't seen her, rubbing the back of his neck in slight embarrassment. I was still rather confused over why Ross couldn't recognise the face of one of the most well-known actors in the present time... And not only that, but the taxi driver didn't say anything either, and there weren't exactly mobs of fangirls stalking him in the lobby. Only two. And... I didn't see any pen or paper for autographs, anywhere.

What was going on here?

Well, first thing came first: I had to make up an excuse to save my relationship with Ross. Think. Think, Kitty, I told myself.

"He's... a friend of... my... sister's." I finally informed Ross; of course, this was a lie.

Ross made a look of confusion, "Joan?"

I nodded, "Yeah, a friend of Joan's."

Ross shook his head, "And what, that's supposed to mean that you didn't sleep with him and cheat on me? Come on, Kitty, we both know that's a pathetic answer."

He turned to leave, but I was determined on convincing him, "Ross, please wait!"

He sighed impatiently and shook his head, "I've had enough, Kitty."

"Please... just let me explain... inside." I requested sadly.

I was trying to hold back my precious tears. The last thing I wanted was to lose Ross. He meant so much to me. Ross' eyes roamed around the floor as he thought over my inquiry. I knew he wasn't the type to be that cruel.

Ross avoided my eyes, but nodded, and sighed at his weakness, "Fine... but only for five minutes."

I smiled gratefully, "Yeah..."