Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize.

Bold = Elvish/Sindarin/Quenya/Noldorin

Underline = Feyish

Last time on Wings…

…"What?" questioned Sakura dangerously. "Legolas, you had better hope that my Common Tongue is extremely spotty and that you did not just call me a woman of the night." Legolas winced and shook his head jerkily. Sakura clenched her fists and opened her mouth.

Chapter 10

Legolas cringed, expecting a long string of extremely angry words to come out of Sakura's mouth. Instead, a lengthy and distressed wail was emitted from the fairy's lips. The elf glanced up cautiously. "Sakura?" he asked carefully. The princess sank down beside a tree trunk sobbing as crystalline tears flowed down her face. She must be the type that cries when she's angry, thought Legolas, I'm really in for it now. The prince crept quietly over to the fairy's side. "Sakura, are you quite alright? I am sorry for getting so angry with you, but –"

"Why do all men think that I am a creature with only a body and no mind?" interrupted Sakura, her face blotchy and swollen. Legolas blinked at her. That was not what I was expecting to hear, he thought confusedly.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"Tell me, Legolas. Is it something about the way that I act or look that screams that I am not worth anything? That men do not need to treat me with respect like I am their equals?" Legolas looked down guiltily.

"Milady, I am truly sorry for the way I and the rest of the Fellowship has treated you. However, you must understand that –"

"Not milady, Legolas. Just call me Sakura," admonished the fairy, "that is what you have called me all this time anyways." Legolas nodded.

"Sakura, I truly am sorry, especially for hitting you on the archery field. Now that I have the knowledge I did not have then, I realize that you must have been very confused," Legolas started again.

"The archery field?" murmured Sakura as if trying to figure out how Legolas had misinterpreted her words. The prince glanced down, slightly ashamed and awkward. Suddenly, the fairy's eyes widened. "Oh, you thought that I –" Legolas nodded solemnly for a second and stared into the princess' swollen eyes, fighting to keep his face straight as the morbid humor of the situation hit him. The two of them sat straight-faced for a moment before they burst into uncontrollable fits of laughter. "You thought that I was calling you –"chortled Sakura.

"And you must have been so confused as to why –" howled Legolas, rolling around in the dirt. The pair sat giggling hysterically for a good few minutes before they came back down to Middle Earth.

"What a situation Gandalf had got us into," murmured Sakura bittersweetly, her mind flashing back to his sacrifice. Legolas' blazing grin faded slightly at the reminder of their lost wizard. They sat in silence for a moment.

"Sakura, I do not mean to be impertinent, but I do believe you have much to tell me," he reminded her. The fairy swallowed the rising lump in her throat.

"I do not know where to start," she admitted honestly as fear surged through her. Legolas patted her hand.

"Perhaps you can start from why you were so upset earlier," he suggested, all of his previous anger now gone from his heart. He sensed that Sakura needed his support, and it felt good for him to be the one comforting her for once instead of it being the other way around. The princess took a deep breath and turned her misty amethyst eyes to meet Legolas' warm blue ones.

"Legolas, you must understand that men have not treated me well in the past. I have had many past lovers, and none of them have truly cared for me. They seem to think that as a princess, all I have to do is sit mindlessly and look pretty. Although in my country, men and women are considered equals, many seem to think that rule does not apply to me. You asked me in Moria what I fear. I fear being an outcast, not being accepted," the princess confessed. Legolas stared back at her sadly.

"It is a problem that all royalty face, although I will admit that females suffer the brunt of it. Chauvinism is a major fault of our society, as is the hasty judgment of those who lead sheltered lives by people who have no idea how royalty truly live," he agreed, "but you must know that not all men are like this. Aragorn, although he has not treated you well, treats his love, Lady Arwen, as his equal. The Shire-folk will treat you fairly as well, and even the dwarf will respect you." The fairy glanced down at her hands.

"And – and what of you?" Sakura asked quickly before she could lose the courage. Legolas smiled at her warmly, taking her weapon-worn hands in his large ones.

"I will always treat you with all the respect you deserve," he promised tenderly, gazing into Sakura's eyes. She smiled tearfully. Perhaps her mother was right, and Legolas truly was her light. She wiped away her tears with the back of her hand, gently shoving his shoulder.

"Here you go now, making me cry. That's not treating me with respect," she joked. Legolas chuckled quietly. His eyes traced the face of the fairy before him.

"I just realized that I know just about nothing about you or your family," he told her. Sakura smiled as she thought affectionately of her siblings and parents.

"My family is gigantic," she warned. Legolas laughed.

"I am pretty sure I have more family members," he replied confidently. The fairy's eyes twinkled.

"I have eight sisters and five brothers." Legolas choked.

"And I thought I had a lot of siblings," he muttered, referring to his four brothers and one sister.

"I am the oldest of my sisters, and two of my brothers are older than me," Sakura disclosed.

"So you are not the heir to the throne then?" asked Legolas curiously.

"I am the crown princess," the fairy replied quietly, "in my nation, power is passed on through females, and since I am the oldest of my sisters, I will someday become queen of the Silver Isles." Legolas' eyes widened.

"So you are telling me that I have just spent the last few months thinking that the future queen of the fairies is a prostitute?" he asked. Sakura snorted.

"I suppose when you put it like that it sounds particularly awful."

"I don't think there is any good way to put it," replied Legolas humorously. "Now, tell me more about fairies."

"Well, we all have wings, that much you have seen already," the fairy began, her mind flashing back to the intense scene in Khazad-dum where they had almost lost the ringbearer. "Our ears are double-pointed, and we all share a love of the moon. The moon is actually larger where I live. It is very disorienting to come to Middle Earth and see that the moon is only about a tenth of the size here as it as in the Silver Isles." Legolas gaped at the strange fact.

"So you were telling me the truth when you told me to fly towards the moon for a week to find where you live?" Sakura snickered and began to tell Legolas in great detail about her family and world.

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Haldir of Lorien was ambling through the woods. The Fellowship of the Ring had gotten rather worried when Legolas and Sakura had not returned, and had dispatched him to search for the two. The seven adventurers were extremely agitated, confused about Sakura's identity and still grieving for the loss of Gandalf, which was not a good combination. Haldir flipped his silver hair over one shoulder, grumpy at being sent out like some common servant to fetch two misbehaving elflings. "I am the marchwarden of Lorien," he complained to himself, "and two Men, four halflings, and a dwarf of all creatures, think they can order me around. And to retrieve two fully grown beings, too!" A chiming laugh sounded from behind him.

"Oh, forgive their impudence, great marchwarden, mighty eye of the woods, protector of fearful damsels in distress, powerful –"

"Legolas Greenleaf!" yelped Haldir, "Do you not know that the rest of your company has been worried sick about you? And look at you, dirt all over your clothes and leaves in your hair! One would think that you are only three years old instead of three thousand by the way you act!" The prince of Mirkwood grinned unrepentantly.

"And one would think that you are an elleth who clucks like a mother hen instead of the great marchwarden you claim to be," he returned. Haldir bit back a snarl.

"Where is Sakura?" asked the warden, greatly wishing to return from this lowly errand. Legolas shrugged before glancing upwards casually. Haldir slowly followed his gaze and nearly fainted. Sakura was sitting cross-legged in the air, her wings gently pulsing, a wide and mischievous grin upon her face. The fairy waved happily down at the stricken marchwarden, who was having a hard time breathing properly.

"Children, the both of you," complained Haldir when he recovered from the shock. "The Fellowship awaits you, and I suggest that you do not keep them waiting!" Sakura lightly touched down on the ground, her smile fading.

"Do you think they are angry at me?" she asked Legolas quietly. The elf stared back grimly.

"I do not know," he replied, "but they will be more understanding if you explain to them that you were under orders from your queen not to disclose information about the fairies." Sakura nodded quietly and gripped his hand in her own, drawing from his store of steady support. Haldir smirked at this. So my Lady was right, he mused internally.

"Well, let us be off, back to the Fellowship," the Lorien elf cried, waving the pair after him as he began the trek back to the company.

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Aragorn sat upon his sleeping roll, numb. It had been a long day. First Gandalf fell to his death in Moria, then Frodo nearly followed, only to be saved by a winged being that he had believed to be a woman of comfort. When he had finally led the Fellowship successfully into Lorien, he had thought the events of the day to be over, but no, it was then revealed that the winged prostitute was actually a fairy princess. And now, said fairy princess along with his closest friend were missing. I do not think anything could surprise me anymore at this point, he thought, exhausted. The crunch of twigs and leaves disturbed him from his thoughts, and the silver-haired warden of Lothlorien traipsed into the clearing, Legolas and Sakura, the grime of travel still upon them, following him. Pippin nudged Merry awake, tilting his head towards the fairy. The heir of Gondor stood.

"Legolas, Princess," he acknowledged. Sakura winced at the title, but nodded at him politely. The clearing was awkwardly silent for a moment before Aragorn spoke once more. "I think you have quite a bit to explain, milady." The fairy nodded silently, her grip on Legolas' hand tightening as he gently squeezed back reassuringly. The Fellowship gathered around as even Gimli roused from his deep slumber.

"I think the best way to do this is if you just ask me whatever questions you have," said Sakura quietly. Aragorn nodded coldly.

"Who are you?" he asked bluntly. Sakura sighed.

"I am Sakura, daughter of Titania, crown princess and heir to the throne of the Silver Isles," she replied, "and before you ask, I am most definitely not a prostitute." Boromir winced apologetically at that.

"Milady, I am truly sorry that we all assumed so. It is only that –"

"Yes, Gandalf's words were rather misleading. Do not worry, for Legolas has explained to me and all is forgiven. I meant only to clear up any confusion," Sakura interrupted. Pippin stepped forwards.

"So you are really a fairy?" asked the curly-haired hobbit curiously. Sakura smiled gently down at him.

"I am," she replied.

"Is that why you have violet eyes and wings and funny ears?" asked Merry innocently as the other three hobbits nodded in agreement. Legolas was slightly taken aback. How had the halflings noticed her ears when even he, with his elven sight, had not?

"The wings and ears are traits of all my people, but only the queen and her heir have violet eyes. If I were to die, my sister's eyes would change," replied Sakura. Frodo cocked his head and opened his mouth to ask a question.

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Lothlorien - January 18, 3019

Dark circles were embedded under Sakura's eyes. She had spent the entire night answering the Fellowship's questions, and was still sweaty and dirty from travel. The rest of the company seemed much more energized than she, and she watched the hobbits enviously as they bounced around merrily. The Fellowship was still mistrusting of her, but for the main part they seemed to have gotten over their intense hate of her.

"You look terrible," murmured a velvety voice behind her. Sakura turned to face a clean and happy Legolas who had snuck away to bathe while she was answering questions, much to her resentment.

"What a kind thing to tell a lady," she grumbled. "I could have you beheaded for that."

"As could I," countered Legolas cheekily.

"Well then, it seems we have come to a royal impasse, quite literally. Either way, I am going to wash up." The fairy stood gracefully and grabbed her pack of clothes, heading towards a nearby hot spring. Legolas' eyes followed her until she disappeared into the trees.

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Sakura slipped neatly into the springs, moaning as the hot water soothed and relaxed her muscles. Steam rose up from the surface, sweetly filling her nostrils and clinging to her face. The grime of the past month disengaged itself from her skin reluctantly as she carefully scrubbed. She had tried to keep clean during the journey, but it wasn't easy for her to wash often when nine other males were around. The fairy hummed quietly to herself as the dirt finally came out from one particularly troublesome spot, leaving her skin smooth but slightly raw. A bar of soap in her hand, she scrubbed her hair aggressively. For the first time in months, she was content. The Fellowship, and most importantly Legolas, knew everything, and she no longer had to conceal her face. The company was in a safe haven and probably would not leave for at least another month. Now as soon as she could get the gravel and sweat out of her hair, she would be happy.

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Legolas sat in a tree with Haldir, chatting idly. The smooth branches of the mallorn comforted the wood-elf, and he leaned happily against it as the warm rays of the morning sun caressed his face.

"Of course I am the better archer," Legolas joked, "my eyesight will always be better than yours." Haldir chuckled quietly, gazing out into the distance. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed and focused.

"If your eyesight is so wonderful, do tell me what that is." Legolas followed the marchwarden's gaze. A gently pulsing silver ball of light was floating towards them. The surface was entirely smooth, and it seemed to be completely opaque. The two elves quickly jumped down from the tree and sprinted to warn the Fellowship that something was strange was approaching. Soon, the entire group was armed.

"Sakura is still bathing," realized Legolas with horror. "Haldir, please, go warn her that something is coming!" The marchwarden stared at his frightened friend and dashed off towards the springs. The silver ball floated down towards the Fellowship as Legolas set an arrow to his string.

"Reveal yourself!" commanded Aragorn strongly. The ball pulsed faster and stronger, its light growing until it was unbearable. The Fellowship shielded their eyes with their hands until the light slowly faded. Legolas opened his eyes cautiously. A male fairy stood before him, his black hair reaching past his shoulders. His features were just as angular as Sakura's, his chin slightly pointed, body clad in the silver garb of his kind. The fairy opened his mouth.

"Where is Sakura?"

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Sighing happily, Sakura rolled her shoulders comfortably and carefully squeezed the remaining drops of water from her hair. She felt rejuvenated after a long bath, and the silk of her dress whispered against her skin comfortably without the layer of sweat interfering. Suddenly, a panting blur whizzed into the clearing.

"Haldir!" she cried, surprised.

"Milady, please, there is –" the warden gulped, his breath coming in short gasps. Sakura stared back at him. Haldir just reached forward and grabbed her hand, immediately towing her towards the area where the Fellowship rested.

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Legolas blinked at the fairy. "Who are you, and what do you want with Sakura?" he snarled, not quite trusting him.

"I wish only to –" began the male in garbled Sindarin. Haldir and Sakura raced into the meadow. Legolas turned to the princess and stopped. She had glanced up at the other fairy, and now her eyes were about to bulge out of her head. Her face was turning purple, and the elf feared that if she did not take a breath soon, she would faint from lack of breath. Finally, she moved.

"Zhuang!" she cried, sprinting forwards and throwing her arms around the stranger's neck. Legolas' hands clenched with jealousy. Who was this fairy to her? Did she have a lover? The two chattered in their own language happily. Sakura turned to the rest of the Fellowship.

"Oh, do put your weapons down. This is my eldest brother!" she squawked, flapping her hands. Gimli grunted and lowered his axe but did not appear to trust the male fairy.

"And why is he here?" he asked. Sakura stopped flapping and turned to her brother quizzically.

"Why are you here?" she questioned. Zhuang's face turned grim.

"I am not here for a pleasure visit, dear one," he answered sadly. The crown princess' face scrunched up in confusion.

"Does Mother wish to deliver a message?" she asked.

"No," murmured Zhuang, his black eyes filled with grief.

"Tell me, Zhuang!" Sakura ordered. Her brother closed his eyes before opening them once more and staring at her miserably.

"It is Ya Ya," he whispered, "she has the iron sickness. She will be dead within the month."

Muahahahahahaha, evil end, yes I know. Hope you like it! Read and review as always!