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Finally, after many hours walking, you stepped past the last thick tree and into blinding sunlight. Squinting your eyes at the sudden brightness, you realised that this was the first real sunlight you had seen in nearly two days. As your eyes became accustomed to the light, you began to see the large, flowing river before you.

Beaming, you turned to Legolas, eyes bright with excitement.

"We made it!" you exclaimed, exhausted, but Legolas' face remained grim.

"What's wrong?" you asked, confused. Surely this was a time to be happy?

"You still have a long way to travel, (your name)." he sighed, looking at you worriedly.

"Don't worry about me!" you scoffed, waving your hands dismissively, "I'll just follow the river, and you can make your way back to Mirkwood. Catch up on all those great balls you've been missing..."

Legolas' eyes widened at your suggestion, and he opened his mouth as if to speak, but you misinterpreted his expression.

"Oh, don't worry about that," you continued, "Just tell the guards that you chased me into the woods, but couldn't find me. They'll believe you. They never need know you were helping a fugitive-"

"(Your name)" interrupted Legolas, his face full of an emotion you couldn't quite put your finger on.

You stopped talking and raised an eyebrow at him, "What's wrong?"

He hesitated for a second, then almost imperceptibly took a deep breath.

"I want to come with you," he stated simply, his voice nearly lost over the crashing of the water from the river beside you.

Your heart leapt in your chest at the sentiment and your mouth opened in surprise. He wanted to stay with you, to be with you. He had just said as much.

'Don't be such an idiot,' you thought to yourself, shaking your head, 'This is no romantic attachment, he just feels responsible for you.'

"I don't think that would be wise," you replied, standing tall and trying to appear as large as possible, "I can take care of myself, Legolas. I've been doing it all of my life. You don't need to worry."

You nodded your head, happy that you had successfully put your point across, and you glanced up at his face, trying to gauge his reaction.

His eyes widened again at your rejection, and his hurt expression nearly made you change your mind, but you stuck with it and continued.

"You led me to the river. That was all I asked of you, you owe me nothing."

"Yet I still wish to journey with you."

You sighed. It looked like getting rid of elf-boy would be harder than you thought.

"Listen Legolas." you stated strongly, "I live alone. I always have."

Damn, you wished beyond anything that he could come with you. Over the few days that you had got to know each other, you felt as if you had grown quite close to the elf. Despite his years, he seemed full of light and life, and you would be lying if you said you had not enjoyed his company. Your conversations had been interesting, and often the elf had managed to make you burst into laughter, something which you hardly ever did.

You sighed to yourself. It could never work. You were a loner, in every sense of the word. Abandoned as a young child, you had learnt how to fend for yourself, and you distrusted nearly everyone you came in contact with. Only Gandalf, the old wizard, made you feel truly at peace in his company. Your relationship with the elf was exciting and enjoyable, but it had to be fleeting.

"What if orcs attack?" asked Legolas, his face almost desperate, "You might need my help..."

"Legolas I've been fighting orcs since I could walk. I'll be fine."

To be honest to yourself, you were frightened by your emotions.

You had lived your life afraid to rely on anybody, least of all men. Suddenly though, this mysterious stranger bursts into your life and changes everything. You couldn't fool yourself into believing that you weren't beginning to get feelings for him. His every move drew your eyes to him. The way his hair blew in the breeze, the slight upturn of his lip on the left when he found something amusing, the sight of him, face thunder, removing an orc from pleasure of its head.

Stop.

You had to let go.

You couldn't let this go on any further.

"Go home Legolas," you said, looking him in the eyes, your heart thumping, "I don't NEED you with me."

He took a small gasp, barely audible, and returned your gaze fiercely.

"Please-" he begun.

"Just GO!"

A long pause followed, then finally Legolas spoke.

"If you are certain." he replied monotonously, turning to leave you. Just like that.

Goodbye.

"Fare well, (your name)," he muttered, "May the Valar guide your journey and may you reach your destination safely."

"Thank you, Legolas of Mirkwood, son of Thranduil." you replied, a small, sad smile tugging on your lips, "Without you, I might well have died..."

Taking a deep breath, you decided to say something really meaningful. If this was your last conversation, you would want to leave him with a good impression. You wracked your brain for something to say, desperate to not disappoint him. Who knew parting from a friend would have such an impact on you?

"And also, thank you for not being as much of an arsehole as you first appeared."

Smooth.

Real smooth.

His lips turned up on the left in the small smirk that you recognised so well.

He turned from you then, and, quiver of arrows on his back, began the walk back to Mirkwood palace.

"I hope we will meet again," he called over his back as he left, and you shouted back an affirmation before turning to face the direction the river was flowing.

Walking quickly, hand firmly on the elvish sword that still rested in your scabbard, you angrily wiped back a single year that had dared to escape you eyes. You had tried to hold it in whilst taking to Legolas, knowing full well that he would have never dreamed of leaving after seeing you cry, but now he was gone, you let them fall free.

The crash of the angry waters roared in your ears as droplets cascaded down your cheeks, salt water mixing with your lips and soaking your dry tongue. It was a very wet situation in general. Looking over your shoulder, you caught the last glimpse of Legolas before he turned a corner and disappeared out of view. A choked sob escaped your throat as you watched your companion leave, then you faced forward again and continued walking, hoping that the stream would lead you where you wanted to go.