Disclaimer: This might be shocking news but, I don't own LOTR.

When he finally woke her she smiled up at him and asked him to leave for a moment. He complied and stood just outside the door. She emerged wearing a beautiful white dress. She took his arm and he led her down past the dining hall to the kitchens. He walked inside. She stood outside the door, baffled as to what he was doing.

No sooner had he went in, he emerged carrying a basket. "This is our breakfast. I wanted to show you the rest of the city. Arwen and Aragorn already know that we will not be coming to the dining hall this morn."

She nodded and took his arm again. He led her out to the courtyard and found a good bench they could sit on. They sat and ate their morning meal as they watched the people of the city mill about. When she had finished she turned to him.

"Are elves truly immortal?"

"Yes, we are. We can be killed in battle or die of a broken heart but otherwise, we will not fall ill or die of old age."

"That is impossible! How could you live forever? I mean, I believe you but, it is hard to fathom. How old are you then, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Of course I do not mind… I'm nearly 3,000 years old. I hardly keep track anymore. It is little more than a number."

She gasped, causing him to laugh. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to… I just, wow. That is impressive."

"Believe it or not, I am still young for an elf. What else did you want to know?"

"Everything. Your race is intriguing."

"Later. For now, I want to give you a personal tour of Gondor." She smiled broadly and took his arm once again. She was very much looking forward to the day, but she couldn't seem to forget how good it felt to have her arm linked with his.

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They had had an amazing day. Legolas had very much enjoyed her company and seeing her face light up with every new thing he showed her. He could tell she was curious about everything in Middle Earth.

She had thoroughly enjoyed being shown around by Legolas. Maidens gave her glares whenever she walked by and even though she knew it was wrong, she felt proud to be on his arm. She noticed that Legolas did not even glance at them as they passed.

By dusk, she was extremely tired, having not slept well the previous nights. Legolas took note of it and suggested that they went back to their rooms. She nodded and let him lead her back to her room.

At the door he bade her goodnight and kissed her hand.

She smiled and then reached up and kissed him on the cheek before turning and closing the door. He went back to his room, grateful for what little contact her lips had made and fell into a restful slumber.

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In the middle of that night though, he could hear her cries again. This time, they had woken him up. He got out of bed hurriedly, not even bothering to put on a tunic, and went into her room.

She was thrashing in her sleep and fighting off some unseen demon. He ran to her side and whispered calming words in his native tongue as he tried to gently wake her. She awoke with a start, her brow covered in sweat.

"It's alright, I am here. You have nothing to fear."

Her night dress was clinging to every curve of her body but Legolas had no time to stare as he was more concerned with the pure terror that she held in her eyes.

"It is alright, Alerae. I promise. It was just a dream." He started talking in Elvish to her and moved forward to put his arms around her.

She was incredibly tense, her body still shaking in his arms.

"Alerae, you are safe now."

Her voice quivered, "I know. Thank you, Legolas. I am scared."

"I know. You need to calm down. There is nothing in this city that is going to hurt you. I assure you these gates are well protected."

He moved to sit on the bed and reached forward, pushing a strand of her now disheveled hair behind her ear… was that ear ever so slightly pointed? No, I am imagining things.

Her voice brought him back to her.

"It was terrible. It was my parents. They were murdered again. They, someone, told me they were coming for me, to kill me, I deserved it."

"That is not going to happen. Listen to me Alerae, I would never let that happen and you know that."

"I know." She put her head back down on the pillow and let out a deep breath.

"Who was it that killed your parents? If you tell me, I will make sure that they don't live to kill another."

"I, I don't know. I remember that day so vividly, except the murderer's face. I can't recall it. In the dreams, his face is always blurry or indistinguishable. I need to remember though. I need to know who is hunting me."

"Do not think such thoughts. I promise we will find out who it is in time. For now, try to get some rest." He stood to leave but felt her hand grip his bare arm. He sensed her fears returning.

"Please, please don't leave me. Please stay." She moved over so that there was room for him in her bed.

He wasn't sure if it was very good idea but found it difficult to deny her.

He settled into the bed next to her but kept a few inches between their bodies. She was comforted by his warmth and by his faint scent, one of the forest after a rain.

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