*Crawls out of hiding* yes i know i have been gone for ages again, my life is somewhat hectic. I've had this chapter partially finished for ages and only just got round to having time to finish it ... Sorry!

Anyway, I am not giving up on this story I just love it too much.

Anyway, last chance for voting - currently Boromir - 3 Haldir - 6.

Kezia abruptly came back to consciousness as a loud screeching chorus of Orc wails pierced through her skull. As her peaceful oblivion faded back into reality she became aware of a pair of warm arms holding her tightly to what she assumed was a person's chest but whatever brief sense comfort she momentarily found was shattered as the Orcs screeching seem to get louder causing her to flinch. At the sudden movement she was hit once again with pain searing down her back forcing a gasp from her lips. The arms around her tightened slightly and a soft voice spoke to her in a language she couldn't comprehend but what she did know was that the voice that seemed to instantly soothe her belonged to Legolas. As she slowly forced her eyes open she was met directly with the piercing blue eyes of the elf that looked both concerned and relieved.

He opened his mouth to speak but was instantly cut off with more hideous screeches, it was at this point that she realised she was being carried as the fellowship ran at high speed through the great columned hall. Kezia turned to see what was happening and squeaked with fear when she realised they were running from a hoard of Orcs that seemed to be crawling out of holes in both the floor and the ceiling attempting to cut off their escape. Her squeak drew the attention of Aragorn who was running next to Legolas, sword drawn and swinging menacingly at the Orcs preventing them from approaching further. His expression was of open surprise as his mouth gaped wide at the sight of the severely injured red head once again conscious and now clinging tightly to Legolas's arm. He glanced up at Legolas to see the same shock on the Elves face, it had been but 10 minutes since they had left the tomb and none had thought she would awaken until they reached Lothlorien and the help of its Lady. Tearing his gaze away, Aragorn returned his focus to finding a path out of the mines and away from the Orcs.

Legolas felt a small hand grip his arm tightly as he once again looked down to Kezia, she was pale, bloody and shaking. Even through his clothing he could feel the heat rolling off the woman who looked like she was burning from fever as her hair stuck to her sweat dampened forehead.

"I will protect you, my life will have ended before they can touch you" he murmured next to her ear, his arms tightening once more around her. Her eyes flicked up to meet his intense stare and the fear in her eyes disappeared as she held his gaze.

"I know" she whispered as she rested her head on his shoulder, his eyes widened at her response he wasn't expecting to his elvish promise.

"You can understand me?"

She didn't respond but groaned in pain, her breath hissing from her lips as she was jostled slightly as he ran.

"Bear with it my friend we will get you aid soon" he said but was quickly brought to a halt by Aragorn. Looking up he saw they were now completely surrounded, unable to draw his weapon he stepped backwards to the centre of the groups circle next to Frodo.

"Put me down" she mumbled into his chest "you can't fight holding me"

"Lassy, is that you?" came Gimli's rough voice full of surprise "How is that possible?"

"Focus Gimli, we are a man down and need to fight our way out" Aragorn's stern voice shouted over the roars of the Orcs.

"That's why you should put me down" she said louder lifting her head off Legolas's chest looking him directly in the eyes. "I will not be the burden that gets everyone killed for my own inadequacies" she stated firmly her eyes never wavering from his.

"Can you even stand?" he asked, his voice barely audible over the shrieking Orc's. He saw the hesitation in her face before she slowly nodded, he watched as she clenched her jaw in determination and began to push away from him. Releasing his hold on the woman reluctantly he lowered her legs to the floor allowing her to stand upright, steadying her as she swayed drastically attempting to keep her legs from buckling underneath her he saw she was grimacing in pain.

"Stay behind me" he said to her, watching as she nodded her face ashen, taking her hand for a moment he gently squeezed it "I will get you out of these infernal mine Kezia, on my word I promise you this." Not waiting for her reaction he released her hand and turned his back on her drawing his bow. He felt her trembling hand clench on the back of his tunic as she held on to keep herself upright. Forcing himself to focus he returned his gaze to the Orcs who had surrounded them. They were jeering leaping forward then back immediately before the fellowship could do any damage, Legolas felt his jaw clench in anger at their taunting but refused to release an arrow which he knew would break the stalemate that had happened.

Suddenly a loud bellow echoed through the chamber and an ominous orange glow appeared at the far end. There was a moment of complete silence before the orcs shrieked and then rapidly began to retreat back to their holes. Gimli smirked, laughing loudly as he swung his axe after the fleeing Orcs only Aragorn's hand landing firmly on the dwarves shoulder prevented him from giving chase to the vermin of the mine. Halting in his tracks the dwarf turned to question the man stopping short when he saw the grim look on both Aragorn's and Gandalfs face.

"What new devilry is this?" Boromir voice broke the trance the fellowship seemed to have fallen into staring at the glow that was growing brighter by the second.

"A Balrog — a demon of the ancient world" Gandalf paused before continuing "This foe is beyond any of you… Run!"

The fellowship didn't need telling twice and began to run, Kezia barely had time to blink before she once again found herself in the arms of Legolas who despite his care to try and limit the movement of her injury couldn't help but gasp as pain shot through her back. She felt her eyelids begin to flutter shut as the darkness encroached on her vision.

"Try to stay awake Kezia, I know it is difficult but you must try" Legolas said, his gaze barely leaving her face to look where he was running, as a result he nearly ran straight into Boromir who had nearly ran off the path into a chasm. Jolting to a sudden stop he heard Kezia's hiss of pain as he had to quickly drop her legs so he could reach out and grab Boromir to prevent him from falling. A grunt and a nod of thanks was all the Gondorian had time for before they were once again fleeing down a narrow staircase. Kezia barely contained her cry of pain as she was scooped up once more, the open wound across her back screaming in protest at the sharp movement. Suddenly she was aware the fellowship had once more ground to a halt, forcing her eyes open with what felt like a herculean effort she saw they had come to a staircase that had crumbled away leaving a sizable gap before they resumed.

"What are we … No don't you dare" she shrieked just before Legolas leapt nimbly across the gap landing smoothly on the other side. She knew she must look ridiculous, her mouth gaping mid scream, eyes bugged out staring at the elf who was placing her gently down on the floor.

"Breathe Kezia" he murmured before turning away to help the rest of the group cross the gap. The small section of staircase quickly became crowded as the others began to join her. Merry and Pippin were right next to her as they watched Gimli attempt to leap across on his own, as more of the staircase crumbled the group moved back, Kezia shuffling awkwardly using her hands to scoot backwards. Hearing a sharp gasp to her left she looked up to see Pippin had stepped too far and was now pinwheeling his arms desperately to regain his balance. She saw the panic in his eyes as he lost the battle and began to fall. Without thinking she lunged forwards towards the edge of the narrow staircase in an attempt to grab the falling hobbit her back screaming as she twisted and stretched. For a heart stopping moment her hand passed endlessly through the air with no resistance until it slapped into the arm of Pippin. Grasping onto it firmly she could still feel her body sliding across the rough stone as momentum and the additional weight of the hobbit pulled her further over the edge. Finally, she stopped by digging her bare toes into the cracks of the stone shredding her skin in the process. Her entire torso was now dangling over the chasm, one arm attempting to brace herself against the edge and find some purchase to pull them back up, her other arm coated in blood from her injury grasping onto Pippin who was swinging precariously above the chasm.

Neither of them said anything as they desperately clung on to each other but she could feel him slowly sliding from her grasp. Merry appeared at her side and futilely tried to reach down to help his friend but with his short stature he barely reached to where Kezia's elbow was, disappearing Kezia knew he had gone to alert the others. A sudden slip from Pippin resulted in Kezia abandoning her attempt to try and steady them and instead use her other arm to try and grip the hobbit as well. She heard herself cry out as heat seared up her back from the sword wound and her feet began to lose purchase on the rock as they slid forward once more. Feeling a hand snake around her ankle she felt herself stop immediately as it pulled her backwards, Boromir appeared next to her reaching down to grab Pippin and pull him back up. The hobbit looked truly terrified as his feet were placed back on the ground and for a few seconds he stood there legs shaking clinging to Boromir who patted his shoulder in comfort before he looked down at the red head who lay there panting.

His mouth dropped open as he watched the bloody gash across her shoulder and back begin to heal up before his very eyes.

"That's not possible" he murmured as he knelt next to Kezia whose wound now looked several days old as the skin knitted back together.

"Milady, how are you doing this?" he asked his hand hovering over the pink scar tissue. When he got no answer he gently pushed on her shoulder to roll her over. His brow instantly furrowing as he saw the sweat drop off her forehead, placing his hand to her face he quickly withdrew it due to immense heat she was radiating.

"Your burning up"

Her response was a weak chuckle "I know but thanks for the update". Groaning she tried to sit up and Boromir moved forward to assist her.

"Allow me to carry you Milady, you cannot travel in this condition"

"I actually feel somewhat better than I did so I'm sure I will manage" she responded stubbornly but after a few moments of attempting to stand up on her own she looked up sheepishly at Boromir who looked both concerned and amused at her feeble attempts.

"Ok you can stop looking so smug and help me up" she mumbled reaching her hand towards Boromir who pulled her to her feet, his arm snaking around her waist as he brought her to his side to steady her.

"We must make for the bridge" Gandalf said from the front of the group closest to the stairs and with that there was a bustle of movement as they all crammed towards a passage. Boromir's grip tightened as they was pushed towards the entrance of the passage way trying to shield Kezia from the brunt of it, however it did not miss the eyes of Legolas whose gaze hardened as he saw Boromir pulling Kezia close to his side. A wave of anger washed over him but his dark thoughts stopped when Aragorn's hand landed on his shoulder, his concerned face blocking his view of Kezia and Boromir.

"Legolas we must move" He said his eyes flicking between the elf and Boromir who was guiding Kezia into the passage, the animosity in Legolas eyes vanished as quickly as it had come. It wasn't hard for Aragorn to figure out the cause of the sudden change in his friends disposition, weather Legolas would admit it or not he was somewhat taken with the red head to the point where he was jealous from the simple action of another helping the object of his attention. If they weren't fleeing for their lives Aragorn would have found it somewhat amusing that the usually stoic elf's downfall was a feisty human from another world. Banishing these thoughts as they reached a long narrow bridge the Fellowship raced across with what speed they could muster. Suddenly Aragorn was aware he had passed Gandalf who had stopped in the middle of the bridge allowing the rest of the Fellowship to reach the other side as he barred the Balrog for crossing the bridge.

Kezia's mouth gaped as she watched him stand on the bridge facing off against what she could only describe as a firey demon from hell, complete with horns and a whip.

"What the hell is he doing" she yelled over the roar of the Balrog.

"Milady stay here" Boromir ignored her question as he lunged forward to grab onto the hobbits who were in the process of trying to run back across the bridge to Gandalf.

Kezia could only watch from the side as Gandalf broke the bridge using his staff throwing the Balrog into the chasm but whatever relief she had momentarily felt vanished as a whip wrapped round the wizard's legs pulling him to the edge of the bridge.

"No!" she screamed as she lurched forward back onto the bridge only to be intercepted by Legolas who pulled her back off the unstable bridge murmuring into her ear but she was only focused on Gandalf who was slipping further and further off the bridge. She watched Aragorn run and grab Frodo who also had run onto the bridge in an attempt to get to Gandalf.

The wizard looked up and Kezia saw defeat in his eyes and once again went to try and get back onto the bridge only for Legolas to tighten his hold around her waist.

"You cannot go Kezia, it is too unsafe" he murmured in apology as the redhead struggled in his grasp. Stilling she looked back to Gandalf as he gazed back at the fellowship.

"Fly you fools" he whispered before he released his hold on the bridge and fell into the chasm. She could not help but scream as she watched in horror as he disappeared into the blackness and out of sight.

She did not recall moving but the next thing she was aware of was a blinding light and cool fresh air swirling her red hair in front of her. They were out of the mines at last but she could not rejoice as she had hoped they would, instead the fellowship seemed to fall to their knees, finding rocks to sit or lie on in complete silence. She felt Legolas guide her to a rock to sit but she didn't take a seat, instead she turned to look at him. His face was one of shock and hurt, he looked completely bewildered at what had just happened, before she knew it her arms were around him as she embraced him trying to give some comfort. He stiffened momentarily in surprise before relaxing in her arms and returning her gesture. After a few seconds he realised his hands were where her injury should have been but only soft skin met his palms. Pulling away he noted Kezias confused look as he spun her around to stare at her now healed back. Only a thin pale pink line was visible instead of a raw open wound that had been there just minutes before, so entranced in this he didn't notice his hand was tracing along the scar on her back.

"How …"

"Legolas, get them up" Aragorns voice cut across the silence breaking him from his trance, not before he noticed her shiver into his touch. Quickly she jerked away from his hand at Aragorns voice, she turned to face him but her eyes didn't meet his as he looked once more at her emotionless face. Words would never be able to convey how much it vexed him to know she was hiding her emotions from him.

"Give them a moment, for pity's sake!" Boromir argued with Aragorn as he consoled Gimli.

"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs! We must reach the woods of Lothlórien. Come, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, get them up." he insisted leaving no room for argument before turning to Kezia, "We only have time for a rudimental dressing of your wound."

"There is no need" Legolas cut in before she had the chance to respond, "She has healed remarkably fast again"

"That should not be possible" Aragorn stated walking over to inspect Kezia's shoulder and back. He was silent as he briefly looked over her scar, touching it briefly before commenting "You are still running a very high fever, ideally I would have you rest but we cannot afford that luxury right now."

"Other than that I feel as fit as a fiddle, so do not worry yourself so much we have other concerns which take priority" she said turning to face him, her face still void of emotion.

"We will travel in haste, if you require aid you must tell us" he said forcefully, "All being well we should reach Lothlórien by dusk today." With that he turned around and began to move away from the group leaving them follow behind.

Kezia was aware of Legolas walking beside her but could not meet his gaze which had not left her since their exit from the mines. The feeling of his hand on her back sent heated sparks through her which rivalled the burning fire from her fever. To say she didn't enjoy the contact would have been a lie but she could not contemplate anything further as she was but a visitor to this world and with any hope the lady of Lothlórien would be able to help her back to her own world. That thought spun around in her head as she realised that if she left she would be saying farewell to her companions who would be continuing on their dangerous quest to save this world, and she would be returning back to her life of complete safety. She began to feel guilty that she had been so consumed with her own plans to return that she had not considered the fellowship. It had only been a few short weeks but she had grown close to them, happily calling them friends, a luxury she did not have in her own world, often people only wanted her friendship to gain status. But here, in the wilderness fraught with perils only true bonds of friendship could be forged as they trusted each other with their lives. Could she really forsake them so easily, but what could she offer them to help. So far she had only been a burden to their already difficult task.

"Quickly, into the woods" Aragorn called as he ran across a grassy meadow into the treeline, she had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts she had taken no notice of their surroundings. The rocky side of the mountains had given way into lush fields of vibrant green grass that framed the entrance to the woods.

Looking into its depths she felt her spine tingle as if she was being watched. As she passed under the eaves of the trees she felt the burning heat flare even higher. She gasped in shock and stumbled forwards, unable to stop the cry of pain leaving her lips. Legolas was at her side in an instant, keeping her upright as her body slumped her muscles unable to keep her upright a moment longer.

"Kezia speak to me, what is wrong? …. Kezia!" She could hear Legolas frantic voice calling her but she was unable to form any words, so consumed she was in the burning heat. When Aragorns blurred form appeared in front of her she realised that tears were streaming down her face. She felt cool hands cup her face and a muffled exclamation shortly followed at the heat she was radiating.

"Come we must get her to the lady" Aragorn stated concern evident in his voice, looking to Legolas who was gripping Kezia tightly he saw the elf nod as her gently lifted the woman into her arms.

"Whats wrong with her?" Pippin asked Aragorn as soon as they started moving again. Aragorn was first concern was getting her to aid as quickly as possible and was not going to answer until he noticed the rest of the fellowship waiting for his response.

"I know not what ails her, an unnatural heat has claimed her for some time now, but its intensity has drastically increased. In her current condition if she does not receive treatment from the elves in the next few hours she will be lost to us."

"Then let us hurry" Merry responded marching forward as quickly as his little legs could carry him, followed shortly by Pippin.

"Stay close, young Hobbits! They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-witch, of terrible power. All who look upon her, fall under her spell…and to think we have to entrust Kezia's wellbeing unto such a person, it is not wise" Gimli stated gruffly to Frodo and Sam.

"Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox! … Oh!"

So troubled was Legolas over the barely conscious woman in his arms he had not noticed the fellowship walking into the ambush of the guard until it was too late. But even as Gimli began to complain and mutter about the hospitality of Elves, Legolas pushed passed both him and the guard that had had there bows trained on his every movement. Stopping in front of the Captain, he skipped all elven formalities of greetings.

"You must let us pass, this woman is in need of healing treatment."

"Legolas Thranduilion you are welcome into the domain of the lady of light but your companions can go no further…the woman included"

"She needs your lady's help"

"I cannot let her pass, she is unknown to us, yourself and Aragorn of the Dúnedain may continue but the rest must remain here"

"She is unknown to all but us!" Legolas snarled.

"It is my duty to protect the borders of this realm" was the only response he was given. Legolas was about to force his way forward when Aragorn intervened, all of them ignoring Gimli's complaint about speaking in a language the rest could understand.

"Haldir, she is no threat we seek your protection and aid" Aragorn tried to reason.

"You claim to be no threat yet you bring a great evil here" Haldir stated looking to Frodo who was stood with the rest of the fellowship awaiting the Elves verdict.

"The road we have travelled is fell, if you refuse us not only will she, an innocent die but you have resigned us all to our death!" Aragorn argued

Haldir glared at the accusation but did not respond, seeing the hesitation in the elf Legolas pressed again.

"Please, she is failing as we wait here"

Glancing down at the woman he studied her for a brief moment taking in her hissing breath and trembling form before nodding.

"Follow me" was all he said before turning on his heel and marching off. The rest of the Fellowship wasted no time falling into step behind the elf glad to once again be moving closer to safety.

As the group moved closer to Caras Galadhon the worse Kezia's condition got, her small frame trembling heavily as she faded in and out of consciousness. As they crested a hill that provided a view of the elven city Kezia shuddered before releasing a shrill scream that echoed through the forest. Haldir immediately went to the aid Legolas who was trying to support the redhead woman whose entire body was spasming violently, as he reached them the woman stilled her whole body ridged. He pressed his hand to the womans forehead and immediately recoiled at the terrible heat that she was expelling, taking note of her laboured breathing. He glanced at Legolas nodding to the elf.

"You may go ahead, take her directly to the healing halls someone will aid you there"

Legolas did not even answer as he took off running with the woman in his arms.

"You have our thanks" Aragorn said, inclining his head in gratitude.

"The Prince seems rather protective of the woman … who is she?"

"She is a precious comrade to us all, her illness is a pressing concern to all here"

"That was very vague and diplomatic answer" Haldir stated his arching his brow before he continued to lead the fellowship into the Elven city.

Hope you enjoyed it, as always reviews are always welcome, it's really encouraging to see people are enjoying reading it.

x Enjoy the festive season everyone x - dreaming-world