Alasse, Aragorn, and Gimli all sat with Legolas, watching over him till the elf fell asleep again. As soon as they were sure he was out, Gimli let out another loud yawn. "Well, I don't know about you young scamps, but I myself am in the mood for a good night's sleep." He stretched. "And no waking the dwarf this time!" Alasse and Aragorn snickered at him.

Aragorn quickly felt Legolas's forehead, just double checking for fever and to his relief found none. Then he slowly pulled himself to his feet with a heavy sigh. "I think we can rest at ease tonight," He said. Then he turned to check the horses. Alasse watched him go. She wanted him to stay nearby. She glanced down at Legolas. He looked like such a little boy elfling when he slept-especially with his eyes closed-, with that infamous baby face of his. She chuckled and brought the blanket up to his chin. When she saw Aragorn had left the horses to themselves, she too got up.

Aragorn stood under an oak tree on the edge of the clearing, gazing out into the vast valley under the night sky, with his arms crossed, and smoking his long pipe. Alasse quietly approached. He glanced at her out of his peripheral vision but said nothing. Alasse stood next to him, stealing glances at him. He could feel those bluish-green elf eyes on his person, and he pretended not to notice. Alasse looked up at the sky and smiled wistfully. "It's so beautiful." She whispered.

"Ai." Aragorn agreed, looking up into the sky.

"My people are deeply connected to the stars. In fact, my father had a necklace especially crafted for my naneth. It was a string of white gems...made of pure starlight." Alasse whispered, the words coming off her tongue as softly as musical notes. Aragorn looked at her.

"That is one remarkable gift, indeed!" He exclaimed.

"Unfortunately, she never received it. She was killed before Ada could give it to her." Alasse hung her head, with her hand on her chest.

"I'm sorry." Aragorn said lowly. "I'm sure she would've loved them."

"After the Battle of the Five Armies, at the Lonely Mountain when Legolas and I chose to go out into the world together, Ada gave me the necklace as a token of his love. Naneth had always told him that whatever great treasures he bestowed on her would be mine someday. That one is priceless, and no amount of silver or gold would ever make the proper price for it." Alasse said.

"Never." Aragorn agreed. "Why are you telling me this?" He cocked his head. Alasse blushed and stared down at her hands.

"When I was afraid that we wouldn't be able to save Legolas, my mind started going back home, to the memories, to the lives we lived there. I miss Ada, but from what I have heard, he is doing well in watching over our kingdom." Alasse replied. She glanced at him. "Estel...Aragorn..." She began slowly. "What happened to Legolas was not your fault!"

Aragorn puffed. "I blame myself for not going after him alone, when I had the chance." He mumbled. "Perhaps he would not have so suffered as much if I'd gotten him out of there sooner."

"You did what your conscience told you was best." Alasse said. "It wasn't an easy decision to make. But I'd say it has turned out for the best, wouldn't you?"

"Perhaps, with the exception of Legolas getting tortured because I procrastinated." Aragorn bemoaned himself.

"Hey, are you going to chew yourself down this badly, every time some difficulty comes up, when you are king?" Alasse crossed her arms.

"Only if I have failed those under me." Aragorn nodded. Alasse huffed heavily. She shyly stepped closer to him till she was right beside him.

"Aragorn, I am not angry with you for trying to protect us." She said. "I hope you know that!"

"I know you aren't." He said. "And I do not hold it against you for being angry. I would've been vexed too. I was vexed. Alasse, I think of Legolas as my own brother. And I would give my right arm if it meant keeping him safe!"

"I know you would." Alasse smiled.

"I feel that this time I failed him, that I did not do enough to save him."

"Lord Elrond should've changed your name when he had the chance. He should've changed it to Ara-guilt!" Alasse said sarcastically. Aragorn slowly gave her a pointed look.

"What?" He asked suspiciously.

"Aragorn, you're the most courageous man I've ever known. And you will make a wonderful king. This broken world needs more caring souls like you!

'If you're going to rule a kingdom, you're going to have to believe that you made the right call, even if things went terribly wrong and not the way you'd hoped.'" Alasse said. "I know, I know, it's easier said than done! But, I've seen how guilt and that dreadful feeling of helplessness have effected my father in the past. It hindered him at times, from making sound decisions, or even making decisions at all on occasion. I would hate to see that happen to you, for you to lose your initiative!" Alasse spoke passionately. Aragorn was speechless and merely stared at her. Alasse's face flushed hot, and blushed a deep crimson. She swallowed and looked at the ground. "I'm sorry. That was not my place."

"No." Aragorn smiled warmly. "Friends carry each other, even when they don't see eye to eye."

"Yes, but I didn't have to act like your mother!" Alasse grimaced, feeling very embarrassed. Good thing Gimli is asleep, or he'd have another criticism to tell the world about us elves, however minor!

"Well, I didn't know my mother, so how should I know if you are or not?" Aragorn teased. He gripped her arm. "Hannon le, Alasse. I needed that. And I'm proud to have friends like you." Alasse smiled broadly. "Hannon le." He said softly, looking right into her eyes with a devotion that she couldn't explain. But it only warmed her heart being near him more. Aragorn was a good friend. A bosom friend. And she was too embarrassed to admit aloud that she'd been observing him closely the whole time they'd been out on this adventure!

"I'm sorry that I jabbed you in the gut." She said sheepishly. Aragorn's face twisted into a wide grin and he let out a hearty laugh. It always surprised him that his friends could make him laugh at the most unexpected times.

"I had forgotten about that part!" He chuckled.

"I don't believe you." Alasse replied, snickering.

"You wound me." Aragorn said dryly, feigning sternness.

"Pity, isn't it?" She teased back.

"If you two would keep in mind the consideration of other members trying to rest, perhaps you wouldn't talk so much!" Came an all too familiar voice from the campfire. Aragorn looked at the source while Alasse winced, her face turning hot. Legolas was still lying down in his bed roll, with his eyes closed. But he had a large grin on his face. "I can hear every word you're saying, you two." He whispered smugly, his voice heavily laced with gloating.

"I suppose you think you're very funny." Alasse frowned down at him when she walked back to the campfire. He said nothing but pretended to sleep breathe. "Oh, don't you play that innocent elfling sleep act with me!" She scolded merrily. Legolas's body shook with laughter.

"Shut it!" Gimli barked at them.

"How much of our conversation did you hear?" Aragorn asked threateningly down at Legolas.

"Enough." Legolas grinned with his eyes still shut. Alasse blushed deeply.

"I think...I'll go see what I can do about fixing your bow." She said, trying to change the subject. Legolas pulled his precious bow out from under his covers.

"It's already been fixed. So you are out of luck, if you think you shall escape my instinctive questioning." He gloated.

"Good night, Legolas." Aragorn huffed and stomped away. His conversation with Alasse he'd not been expecting. And it had opened his eyes to things about her that he'd not noticed before. For a long time, he'd considered her another nice, young friend for him to look after. But after tonight, he'd never be able to think of her the same way again. She was much wiser than he'd let himself believe at first. Perhaps Gandalf's influence had something to do with it, but tonight the ranger began to see her as a mature elf princess, rather than a very young one who needed looking after.

As soon as Aragorn's steps were far enough away to Legolas's ears' satisfaction, he quickly opened his eyes. "Did you really hit him in the stomach?" He asked eagerly, like a little boy about to tell on his brother!

"No, you Elvin oaf." Alasse glared.

"But you did something." Legolas squinted.

"All right, all right! It was only because I was trying to save you under my own power, and he was trying to protect me! But I wouldn't let him. Now, are you satisfied?" Alasse finished.

"For now." Legolas cocked his head. Alasse looked at him darkly, and he had to laugh, which made his sides hurt more and he winced, remembering the pain his body was in and clutched his side. "I am very cross with you, sister." Legolas glowered.

"Why?" Alasse stared him down.

"Because I wasn't there to see it!" Legolas belted out, then groaned again as his laughing spasms hurt his body.

"Hush, ye pointy-eared magpie!" Gimli hollered from under his blanket.

"So, Ara-guilt? Is that your new-what do the humans call it- 'nickname' for Estel?" Legolas teased mercilessly.

"Oh, go to sleep!" Alasse fought not to laugh.