A/N: Heroh! Firstly, our internet is down and I had very limited time to post this so there will not be review responses today. But you all already know how much I love and appreciate getting feedback. I've had a very difficult time trying to figure out what exactly would happen next, so many possibilities! I was just worried about the length and losing the interest of the readers. So, if I am beginning to lose anyone's interest.. let me know! Like I said from the beginning, this would be a long story so timing is key... Let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions!

b-^_^-b

PS

I apologize for the short chapter.

Cheers,

-A


Chapter 29 - And Then There Was Two...

Alexandra gazed at the elf as he answered emotionlessly, "No." Anger swelled inside of her at his impassive behavior. "They're your friends… your brothers… and you would leave them to die?" Pain flashed across the elvish prince's fair face. Legolas paced away and kicked a rock into the distance. He shouted in elvish and fell to his knees.

They were not meant to be attacked… they had been safe… there had been no signs… no warnings…

She glanced over her shoulder at the opposite shoreline, "Well, I will not condemn them to death. Feel free to join me if you would so like." She tightened the belt that held her blade and quickly strode back to the water. She could get across, they were farther downstream… the river was much tamer here… She quickened her pace as she heard another enter the river behind her. The water was up to her stomach when two long arms snaked around her waist and lifted her into the air. She fought their hold as she was carried back to land.

"LET ME GO!"

She attempted to push her self up and out of his arms like a trapped animal, but he merely spun her around and held her tightly to his chest in order to restrain her movements. Alexandra pushed against his chest until finally he reached under her arms and began pulling her back to shore. She surged forward in a futile attempt to free her arms, but to no avail.

"I've already lost my family… not them… NOT THEM!"

Legolas tightened his grip has he held the struggling elleth. She was strong, but not nearly as strong as he. He silently let the girl wear herself out until finally, she became limp in his restrictive hold. She was breathing heavily from her anger and resistance, and he could tell she was holding back sobs. Her knees buckled and her head hung in defeat.

"If I let you go, will you promise not to strike at me again?" He asked in a voice so calm it made her heart swell with shame.

She coarsely whispered, "I promise."

He loosened his hold just enough for her to rip her arms away. She kept her eyes on the ground, the only thing she could do to keep herself from crying.

"It was planned from the beginning. Thalion, Arandur and I decided that if we were ever attacked, then one of us would take you and get you to safety."

"-and just leave the rest to die?" she snapped bitterly.

Legolas shut his eyes, attempting to block out the image, "There was no other way. They can handle themselves, we have all survived worse.. They knew what had to be done-"

"I hardly think fleeing like cowards was what needed to be done!"

Finally, the ellon snapped, "It was in order to protect you!"

Alexandra flinched at his outburst, not used to seeing this side of him. "Why? I'm not special? Why am I of any importance? What do I contribute? I'm just a memory-less girl who idiotically ran away from home and somehow transported herself to another world! You don't need me, none of you need me!"

She scoffed, "I never thought I would say this… but Naranmil was right, I should just leave you all to the mission… who am I kidding…I'm no warrior.. I do nothing but jeopardize everyone's life, and now the others have finally paid for me being here when I wasn't supposed to be here in the first place! Why should they die for me? I don't get it, I'm not important!"

Legolas advanced until he was inches away from her face and threw a finger to his chest,

"YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO ME."

Alexandra fell silent and softened her gaze toward the elf who was staring intently into her eyes. He took a few steps away and turned around. He paused and stood with his back to her, "Never underestimate your worth… especially to me."

"Legolas, I-"

"Come, we must leave before the sun has set. The Uruk-Hai may attempt to cross the river. The shoreline is not safe."

The ellon whistled to Arod who then trotted over to his side. They left the riverbank without another word and rode as far as they could before the land turned black in the shadow of the night…

xXx

Eventually, the two settled for making camp in a clearing where the woods were beginning to thin out. The two would only receive a few hours rest before they continued to travel further away from the Anduin. They didn't make a fire that night for fear of attracting unwanted attention.

The night was cold, for they had now entered the northern lands…the Wilderland. Though, it didn't help that they were still damp from nearly drowning in the Anduin... The ride had dried out their clothes and hair mostly, but left their bodies chilled. Well, at least Alex's body; Legolas did not seem bothered in the slightest bit, but he was probably more adapted to it than she was…

They still had not spoken, bar the near silent instructions he had given her about letting their presence go unknown. Alexandra folded her knees to her chest, cowering from the chilly night breeze. She winced as she wrapped her arms around her legs… she had wrapped her hand with a piece of her tunic but had nothing for her arm...

"Let me see."

Without looking up she answered, "I'm fine."

When the he didn't move, Alexandra sighed and presented the back of her arm to the probing ellon. "It looks as though an arrow nicked it. The gash is right below your shoulder… I will have to treat it…"

"It's not that deep-"

"We shall not run the chance."

She eventually gave in and raised it closer to the elf, but he did not move. Alexandra cleared her throat, hoping he would take the hint.

"It needs to be wrapped…"

"Alright." She held her arm out further.

Legolas glanced away and answered softly, "I cannot wrap it with your sleeve in the way…"

Alexandra blushed when she realized what the elf meant. She opened her mouth to protest but the "I have to" look he gave her shut her up. He was right…

She sighed in defeat and began undoing her brown leather vest. After she shimmied it off she reached down and began lifting up the right side of her dark blue tunic but hissed when the motion shot pain through her arm.

Suddenly, a hand moved her's away and lifted it so she could slowly pull her arm out of the sleeve. Alexandra shivered fiercely when another gust of wind blew against her bare arm and side.

"H-hurry its cold…"

The elf quickly went to work and before she knew it, he had already finished cleaning the wound and was finishing up the wrap. She was surprised at his precision, considering they had absolutely no light. Elvish eyes were by far superior, but they did not provide complete night vision. "Thanks…" She mumbled as he helped her put her arm back in the dark blue sleeve. The blonde elf nodded, "Rest. We only have a few hours before we must be on our way." She glanced up with curious eyes, "Are we going to try to find another way to Lothlorien?"

"Nay.. It seems as though the Uruk are now guarding the West bank. We cannot cross now… it is far too dangerous. The last thing they want is for us to reach the border of the Golden Wood… they hold fear of the Lady's sentry…"

"Then where else is there for us to go if we cannot cross the Anduin again?"

Legolas did not answer for a while. He merely stood and gazed restlessly into the darkness.

"There is… one place."

Alexandra watched the elf curiously, "Where?"

Legolas paused before answering, realizing the magnitude of his words.

"My home."

The elleth's breath hitched at their new destination, "Mirkwood…"

xXx

Alexandra curled up in a little ball under her drying cloak and blanket, doing her best to cease her shivering. The cold only intensified the pain hand, but it could wait until the morning… She glanced around and found a hooded Legolas standing a few feet away with his arms crossed. As she watched him she couldn't help but study his form…

He normally towered over her as it was, but from the ground it was even more exaggerated. His slender form was outlined faintly against the night sky by the light of the moon. He stood unwavering, peering into the distance. If she didn't know any better, it seemed like he did not even draw breath… it was as if he would fade right into the earth if she did not watch him closely…

He was certainly the most otherworldly thing she had ever seen… The only movement was the melodic wave of the bottom of his cloak in the eerie breeze.

She closed her eyes and listened to the sounds of the night…praying she heard not the monstrous grunts and roars of the Uruk-Hai. She thought about the others, and prayed that they were alright…

...

Alexandra drifted off into an icy sleep to the fading sight of the ghostlike creature keeping a watchful eye on the shadowy landscape... but even with such a peaceful sight to drift off too, all she could see when she shut her eyes was the gruesome faces of the Uruk-Hai...

...

...

Twick.

Alexandra shot upright at the sound of a twig snapping.

Snap.

Her breathing hitched when the sound moved closer. She slowly reached for her sword and whispered, "Who's there?" No answer. She silently got to her feet and made her way over to the elf sitting against a tree, "Legolas we aren't alone.." She outstretched her hand and shook the elf by his shoulder and gasped when her hand returned covered in blood. "Legolas!" She quickly kneeled and threw back his hood. His angelic face was covered in bloodied gashes and his eyes remained shut. The curly-haired elleth let out a horrified cry and quickly turned to get the medical supplies, but collided into a rock hard body.

The beast snarled inches away from her face, exposing yellow, dagger-like teeth.

"FOUND YA."

Alexandra gasped and shot upright, reaching for her sword all the while. One hand held her sword hand down, and the other covered her mouth, preventing her from screaming.

"Shh, tis only me Galadnin..."

The frightened girl frantically jerked her head left and right, looking for the Uruk. "It's here... they found us..."

"No, we are safe. They did not find us..." Alexandra relaxed slightly as Legolas's soothing voice flooded her ears. "Legolas!" She quickly outstretched her arms and laid her hands on the shocked elf's face, looking for the wounds she had seen. "You were hurt..I thought you were dead..."

"I am fine Galadnin... See? I am right here. You had a night-"

Without a second thought, she pulled the elf down to her level and squeezed him with all of her might, making him nearly fall right on top of her if it wasn't for his quick reflexes.

"M-Miss Fanell... I assure you I am fine.."

...

"I thought you were gone..."

The elf smiled into her hair, "I am not going anywhere." They stayed there like that for a while, until she finally released the trapped elf. "Now, go back to sleep, you have a few hours before the sun rises..."

Alexandra looked around uneasily, not yet quite convinced they were safe. "Can I... just stay up with you?"

The ellon furrowed his brow, debating whether he should just give her herbs that will help her sleep...but he just couldn't find it in him to deny her anxious eyes.

"Come."

He lead her over to the tree he had been sitting against for the past hour and sat down. She sat to his right but nearly gasped when he effortlessly lifted her and set her to rest between his legs. He leaned her back into his chest and wrapped two strong arms around her form. The two elves sat there and spoke quietly for a while... she told him stories of home and how she had hoped to someday become an advisor, or "lawyer" as she put it. He couldn't help but smile when she explained how she would argue cases for the people... it would suit her well.

He told her stories of when he was a boy... and stories of the stars... and ever so slowly, the elleth's responses became shorter and her voice softer.

Legolas stared at the sleeping elleth he was holding and stroked her soft curls.

Tomorrow they would make for Mirkwood...and he wondered what his Ada would think of this strange elleth he had fallen for...


A/N: Upcoming fluff and edge of your seat stuff!

:D

Yay!