Sorry bout that cliffy, (NOT) heh--but here's the next…..Bit of language here…ok?

Chapter 21--Safe Haven

A woman with raven hair and blue eyes stood over Legolas, staring down at him then looked over at a sailor by the winch. "Fool! Do that again and I'll have your ears!!" she yelled. She looked at the sailors who'd brought Legolas aboard. "What's the meaning of this, Zathe?" she demanded.

"Found him spying on us, Captain Delia, so I brought him here," Zathe shrugged.

The Half-Elf stepped forward. "Liar, you were talking about how much he and the centaur would bring on the auction block!" he snapped.

"Shut yer mouth, Gildren, I be first mate here, all ye be is the captain's whore!!" Zathe sneered.

Delia's fist shot out, punching the first mate in the nose. "I warned you about speaking about Gildren that way, Zathe. Do it again and I'll have you tossed overboard and let you swim to port!!" she yelled.

Zathe covered his bloody nose with his hand. "Sorry, captain," he muttered.

"And we no longer deal in the flesh markets!!" Delia added. "I'm a merchant now!! Go get the supplies. Gildren, stay here and free the elf. "

"Aye captain," Zathe muttered and left.

Gildren freed Legolas' hands and feet then gave him a hand up. "Sorry about the bolas, but I had to obey Zathe. He is first mate," he said.

"I am Delia, you must be Legolas, Jaisia described you quite accurately. She's certain you drowned and blames herself," Delia said.

"How long since you found her?" Legolas asked.

"About midday yesterday, you're both lucky to survive. We can talk later. You should go see her. Gildren will take you to her. After you've done so come to my cabin, Gildren," Delia said. She walked away.

"Follow me," Gildren said and led the way into the hold. "We didn't have a large enough cabin for her," he explained. "She's over there." He left the hold.

Legolas walked toward Jaisia whose back was to him. When he got closer he realized she was crying. It hurt to see her like that. "Jaisia?" he asked.

Jaisia stiffened and turned slowly. Her eyes were red and swollen from weeping. She stared as if she thought she was dreaming then she got up fast. "LEGOLAS!!! YOU'RE ALIVE!!!" she shouted. She was over to him in an instant and wrapped him into a fierce hug. "I was sure you were dead!!"

"I will be if you don't stop hugging so hard!" Legolas teased, trying to get her to laugh. He was relieved when she giggled a little.

"I missed you, sweet cheeks," Jaisia said softly. She hugged him again. "I'm sorry."

"Missed you too," Legolas said. "And you have nothing to be sorry about."

"But you could have drowned!!" Jasia said.

"You could have too, but neither of us did and that's all that matters," Legolas replied and hugged her back.

The two of them were reunited at last and they'd survived again. Now their journey could continue and come what may they'd face it together.

Little sweet fluff to balance the panic and leave on a non-cliffhanger note so you can all recover!! Everyone R/R!! Tell your buddies She-Cat roars!!! ~_^ **WINK**