I do not own the works of Tolkien. Enjoy.

Sorry can't reply to reviews until next chap but love them thanks! In a rush! :D

A. xx

Ara soaked contently in the warm water of the tub. As glad as she was to be leaving in the morning and joining back up with the others; she would miss hot water. She was barely dirty, just a little dusty from climbing the stair to the attic earlier with Frodo and so the bath was more for luxury. Still, linger as she wished to, it was unfair to the other Elf who still awaited his turn and so begrudgingly she left the warm water in favour of a towel. When she had finally dressed once again in her black racerback and track pants; she emerged still drying off her hair to find Legolas standing by the fire. He shot her a quick smile and disappeared behind the partitions. Once she heard the sound of water splashing she dropped to her pack and rummaged around in the bottom and retrieved the small black leather bound book her father had jotted down a rough timeline in Quenya. Briefly she wondered why he had not done so in Welsh, he was fluent enough and no one would be able to read it. But, she supposed, if something happened to her at any point; Gandalf knew Quenya and would therefore have use for it. It was still meaningless to anyone else whose hands it fell in. Except perhaps Saruman. That thought sent a shiver through her. Mordor would freeze before anyone bad intentioned touched her book. She flipped it open and breezed through her father's scrawling tengwar finding it easy to read for her own scrawl was similar to his. She knew the actual books back to front but she knew her father had added anything extra he had found in papers and such. Things which might have slipped her mind. There was nothing to suggest they journeyed through rain or stayed in this town for two nights. There was no suggestion of the town at all. She hoped it would not cause later issues. Things were already not going exactly to plan. Legolas for a start. They were still far from Rohan and already he seemed to be trying to get closer to her. She didn't exactly know where she stood with him and she was unsure if she really wanted to know. Frodo was right though; he was not Thranduil. No other Elf could be that much of a callous arse. Frodo had also been right in his observation that Legolas did make a habit of looking out for her. He'd helped keep her a little warmer through the rain and since they had stopped at the inn it seemed he only had her best interests in mind. They were comforting thoughts. He hadn't made any moves which she had feared he would and so she felt certain his actions were simply out of companionable protection, nothing more. It was a weight off her mind and the sliver of ever so slight disappointment she felt she quickly dashed away. This was a good thing. This was what she wanted. She flipped through the pages although there was barely much to go off until they reached Hollin. She supposed those bird spies could appear anywhere too, something she decided she would mention to Legolas to keep a watch for.

"Ara?" She hastily shut the book and glanced up but Legolas was still behind the partition. She hadn't heard him get out.

"Yeah?"

"Can you uh please pass me my pack?" He said hesitantly and she internally groaned. That Elf with damp, unruly hair was far too attractive for his own good and she wanted to be engrossed in a sketch when he reappeared and instead she had to go to him. Crossing her fingers, hoping she could hand him the pack without seeing him, any part of him; she stood up and fetched it and facing away, handed it around the side of the partition. It was tugged away with a grateful, mumbled thank you and, with an internal sigh, she retreated to her chair and picked up the book again, drinking in all the information she could.

"What are you reading to look so riveted?" A soft, lazy voice asked and she snapped the book shut again and looked up hastily in surprise and then wished she hadn't. He wore his deigned sleepwear again; dark grey soft pants and a loose collared white cotton-like shirt. His hair was still damp and towel tousled as it hung loosely about his shoulders. Bright silvery-grey eyes gazed at her inquisitively and then, to top off his devastating look, he tilted his head and grinned. That did it, she had to forcefully order her lungs to keep breathing. "Ara you look like you've seen a ghost, what are you reading; scary stories?" He said teasingly.

"Not exactly." She muttered as she hastily tucked the book back into her pack.

"May I read it?"

"No, you wouldn't like it, its very boring and Noldor and its in Quenya." She said evasively. He gazed at her thoughtfully.

"If you say so Princess." He smirked before turning back to sit gracefully before the hearth. "Tomorrow you best wear a dress again when we leave until we find a place for you to change over." He commented and she nodded as she gazed anywhere but at him. Her eyes fell to a sheaf of folded parchment resting on the floor before the entrance door. She stood up and walked over to pick it up and curiously opened it as she wandered back. Legolas beckoned her to the hearth and against her better judgement she sank down next to him.

"Change of plan, meet at the small copse of trees a quarter of a mile south. You will not miss it.

Your Gondor friend."

"I was rather looking forward to sleeping until nearly three hours past dawn." Legolas murmured with slight disappointment as she tossed Boromir's letter into the flames.

"I guess Gandalf decided it would still be best to leave separately and under cover of little light and undoubtedly fog." She mused and he gave a slow nod.

"If that is the case then I think I shall retire to enjoy the remaining time of having a real bed to rest in." He murmured as he stood and then gazed down at her with a hand offered. "Will you join me or are you going to be infuriatingly difficult again?" He asked dryly and she narrowed her eyes at him but took his hand nonetheless and he pulled her up so swiftly she ended up mere inches before him. "I am glad." He whispered closer to her ear than she liked before dropping her hand and walking off towards the bed in question. She stared after him. What the hell is he playing at? Or is he playing at nothing? She really couldn't be sure. He hopped into the bed, this time under the blankets and gazed back at her questioningly. No different from in the barn, she couldn't deny him the full use of the bed. He'd been the one to declare he wanted the best lodgings, he was entitled to them and he'd made it clear earlier he wished her to enjoy them too. She forced her legs to move and shifted the blankets aside and slipped between them and the thick sheeted mattress.

"Sleep well Ara." Legolas murmured as he settled to lay down upon his back.

"Thanks, you too, night." She mumbled back as she lay facing away from him as far to the edge as was safe."

"I will try not to snore too loudly." He added nonchalantly and she gave a quiet snort of laughter and heard him chuckle in amusement before falling silent again. The light humor put her a little more at ease and she closed her eyes, a smile playing on her lips.

...

Dark shadows plagued Ara's dreams although she could make no sense of them. She awoke and sat up in near darkness. The fire was but low embers and the chamber air was a little cooler. She gazed to Legolas. He still lay upon his back, a hand flung carelessly above his head resting on his pillow. He was undoubtedly fast asleep; his chest slowly rising and falling. She still felt unsettled and gazed to where light shone dimly under the entrance door. Was there a flicker of a shadow there or was it her already uneasy imagination?" She shook the thoughts from her head and shuffled a little further away from the edge of the bed before lying down again; glad she was not alone and her sword rested by the side of the bed and Legolas's weapons beside his. The lock was not hard to open on the door, knowledge which sat uneasily on her mind. She sat up and gazed intently at the light beneath the door again but no shadows moved across the gap again. It was probably just a maid. She told herself after a long while.

"What bothers you?" A sleepy voice murmured beside her.

"I don't know; bad dreams I don't remember." She replied quietly.

"We are quite safe, do not fear." He murmured and she suddenly felt reassured and safer just by his words. He reached a hand lightly around her shoulders, his touch warm and comforting after sitting up in uncertainty in the cool air. "Come, sleep." He pulled gently at her shoulder and she wondered at how conscious he really was as she settled back down, this time facing him, wishing to push the thought of the flickering shadow from her mind. His hand remained resting around her shoulders and she realised he'd fallen back into his earlier deep sleep again. She tried moving his arm but it wouldn't budge and it just seemed all too hard without waking him up. With a quiet huff of mild annoyance, she let her eyes close, peacefulness washing swiftly over her.

...

A pulsing vibration against her wrist alerted her it was time to awaken and she half consciously flicked her wrist to signal the alarm to cease without bothering to open her eyes. She'd set it for five am and decided a few more minutes lying here so warm and comfortable would not hurt. She wouldn't need long to get ready to be at the Soho by six am for her first class; it was just down the block. She stretched out on her side and froze suddenly as she felt movement right beside her. Had she gone out last night? Where the hell was she and more importantly who's bed? She didn't stay in other peoples beds! Ever! She snapped her eyes open as the blonde male only inches from her opened his and gazed at her in surprised curiosity. She shot up to sit as she realised where she was and who he was. "Damn Legolas!" She breathed out.

"Yes?" He asked in a low, mild voice.

"What in Arda are you doing so close, you scared the hell out of me!" She hissed out as her heart rate began to return to normal.

"I could ask you the very same question." He said in lazy amusement as he propped his head up with his hand and gazed up at her. It was then she realised they were both very much in the centre of the bed.

"Oh." She said dumbly.

"I apologise for not moving away, I did awaken before you but you had quite a death grip on my shoulder and you did look rather content so I did not wish to disturb your sleep." He said nonchalantly but there was a smirk playing on his lips. She felt utterly mortified and opened her mouth to speak but had no words. "I didn't mind if that is what worries you; your presence was decidedly much warmer." He added much to her horror before he stretched lazily beneath the blankets, gazing at her rather cat like before finally rising and leaving the bed.

"Yes well the fire did burn out." She grappled for an excuse and he flashed her a brilliant smile.

"Indeed it did." He replied as he gathered his clothing and slipped behind the partitions. I was holding onto him? Ara you complete idiot! How the hell did that happen! She remembered then how she had awoken during the night and he'd half consciously coaxed her back to sleep, an arm lightly around her shoulders. It was his fault! She growled under her breath as she left the bed and took the dress she'd left out on a chair and bundled undergarments up into it and waited for the other Elf.

...

Legolas grinned from ear to ear as he pulled on his trousers, deftly tying them before snatching up a charcoal tunic and pulled it over his head. He'd awoken with Ara in his arms and she was indeed returning the action. Truthfully he thought his heart would stop for they had been so close. Closer than she realised. Even their legs had been half tangled. Getting out of the predicament had been quite a task and she had not let go of his shoulder, or really neck, until she had awoken; when the strange time and distance telling device began buzzing like a bee. He was glad now he had made the situation far less awkward for her to wake up to but, it had felt wonderful having her so close like that! It was something she would also not ever be finding out about. He re-emerged and she shot past him to change herself. He tried not to snicker as he found his cloak and secured it about his shoulders before carefully strapping on his quiver and Ara's sword belt. His bow he hung from his quiver and then he went to the mirror and attempted the same braids Ara had put in his hair the morning before. He managed to work them into his hair exactly as she had as she reappeared and he quietly admired her reflection as she moved about stuffing items into her pack behind him. She wore a dress of lilac, the light, parchment thin material swirling softly in petal like layers to her feet. The same material wrapped up into the bodice where it petaled into draping sleeves which hung to her elbows. The dress tied in a long tailed bow at the small of her back he noted as she turned around to retrieve her boots and pull them on. Her cloak was resting on a hook near him and he carried it to her. She'd twisted sections of her hair back and secured them and the rest trailed loosely.

"I could not dream of anything more beautiful than what my eyes and heart behold." He murmured quietly in Silvan as he deftly placed the cloak over her shoulders and secured it.

"What did you say?" She asked curiously.

"Nothing bad." He said mysteriously, flashing her a grin as he secured his pack and then took hers as she gazed at him uncertainly.

"Legolas I can carry it."

"You may have it once we are away from the town gates." He said as he secured it.

"Okay. Shall we go?" She asked and he nodded.

"Yes I want to beat Boromir so I may tell him he is a lazy sluggard!" He smirked and she grinned back at him as he unlocked the door and they made their way quietly down the dimly lit stairs. There was a sleepy looking young man at the counter who jolted awake, his eyes widening as they entered the tavern. Legolas held in a smirk as he openly gazed at Ara and then blinked and gazed at her again. No, she is not a dream. He thought wryly as he stepped up to the counter.

"Good morning." He said brightly to the man and his blue eyes turned to him.

"Greetings." He said wrenching his gaze from Ara.

"Here is the key to the lodgings on the third floor." Legolas said as he pushed the key towards the young man.

"Oh yes thank you." He said distractedly. "You enjoyed your stay?"

"Oh yes it was wonderful and much better than being out in that dreadful rainstorm." He said and the young man nodded.

"I am glad to hear, travel safely my Lord and Lady." He said sincerely and Ara flashed him a smile.

"Thank you, we shall." She replied to the man and Legolas gave him a smile and a nod and turned to leave. They stepped out onto the quiet, still dark street and by memory, Legolas led Ara by hand back towards the gate.

"He liked you." He commented with a smirk.

"Mmm he was cute." She replied nonchalantly. That word, she'd used it before referring to Arcarion. It was an endearment of sorts. He suddenly realised what she was implying and scowled.

"That is ridiculous, he most certainly was not."

"Matter of opinion." She said.

"Well my opinion is he is not. He had messy hair."

"I might like messy hair." He gave a derisive snort.

"His nose was slightly crooked."

"Means he's been in a fight, broken nose, kind of added to his cute, roguish look really." He was furious. They were not having this discussion! He bit his tongue for the moment as they reached the gates and with a silent nod from a guard, they were opened and they passed through; leaving the town behind them.

"Broken nose would mean that man would snore and his voice was nasal." He declared in annoyance.

"No it wasn't."

"Maybe if you were not admiring his dirty, messy hair; you would have noticed." He said curtly and she smirked at him. It was infuriating, he wanted to shake such notions from her head!

"Or his eyes; they were quite...dazzling." That pushed him over the edge. Jealousy was roiling in him and he clenched his fist.

"Well if he is just so wonderful go back then. I am sure Elladan would be so happy to hear you've found some dirty, nobody human to waste your time with." He snapped out and she turned up to him in shock.

"Wow Legolas seriously chill. I know humans aren't your thing but I did grow up in their world you know." She said in defence but he only glared at her.

"They die, why get involved in a race that dies?" He said flatly.

"Arwen has." She growled out, her own temper flaring.

"That's different."

"How?" She demanded.

"It just is." He snapped.

"You know you are being a right prat."

"Well you are being impossible!" He said in exasperation.

"I'm being impossible?" She asked incredulously. "You are the one being a total idiot over a flippant comment in passing."

"It didn't sound flippant, it sounded very thought through." He seethed. She was his, she couldn't find humans interesting!

"Legolas get over it; I saw what losing my mother did to my Ada. I'm not going to do the same."

"If I do not wish to get over something as you put it then I will not!" He shot back regally before he processed her words. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Wait, you do not have interest in humans?" He asked slowly.

"Not like that." She replied and then smirked. "I can still hook up with them though if I feel like it."

"Hook up?" He asked confused.

"You know, join up." She gave a light laugh. "The trees are not far off." She added.

"Join up?" He echoed in horror.

"Perhaps." She laughed again with a carefree grin. "I think I'll stick to Elves though, the humans from this time really don't have the hygiene habits of the ones from my time; its kind of gross."

"Yes, yes a much better idea. The humans here only bathe a couple times a week and their animal based diets gives some of them terrible breath; you certainly would not want to be joining up with such and they smoke pipes too and drink the worst possible alcoholic drinks to add to it." He said in a sobering tone and she nodded sagely.

"Indeed. I noticed that in the tavern."

"Good and let that be a reminder, for the sake of your nose, stick with your own kind." He intoned seriously and she laughed lightly and nudged him lightly in the ribs.

"You are a worry." She said good naturedly and he internally sighed in relief. It seemed her ridiculous musings over that human man were just musings and he secretly thanked the Valar humans smelt awful as they stepped under the mist swathed trees.

"Well it seems we are the first ones here." He mused as they walked to what he deemed to be the center of the small copse of trees to find it empty." He gazed to Ara who was frowning.

"Something feels off." She murmured quietly and he frowned and glanced around as he reached back hesitantly and felt for an arrow. There was a sudden snap of a stick underfoot and he whipped out the arrow, drawing it on his bowstring in the direction of the sound. The fog was dense and he could not see anywhere near as far as he liked but he felt now he was being watched.

"Ara don't leave my side." He whispered lowly. He saw a shadowy movement in the fog and it swirled to his right and he spun and aimed in that direction. He was reluctant to shoot in case it was one of their companions. The shape of a well built man appeared and he relaxed and lowered his bow for it was clearly Boromir. Suddenly a small object flew towards him and struck him sharply in the side of his neck and Ara gasped beside him as, confused, he pulled it out from where it had embedded itself and gazed at a small dart.

"Legolas?" He turned to Ara as his legs gave out beneath him. "Legolas!" She called out urgently.

"Ara run!" He gasped out, his tongue feeling thick and slow and the last thing he was aware of as his vision blurred and his body became unbearably heavy, the elleth snatching up his bow from his hand along with his dropped arrow and standing over him protectively.

Cliffed it! Bahahaha! Now pray to the accounting Gods I have time to post the next chapter soon! xx Reviews always welcome and appreciated!