I do not own the works of Tolkien, Enjoy.

Thank you all for your super awesome reviews; ElvenGuest, WoodSprite, Frostyhorse, ggsinc, Flyvnnhowler and Cotton Blossom Lover! I had just written out individual replies and was getting through the last one and deleted all my work! So angry haha! Anyway hope you guys don't mind I am lumping your individual replies into one big one!

I figured after the utter chaos and stress of the mines and then on top of that, losing Gandalf, emotions would be out of control for everyone. No one for a start ever expected something to actually happen to Gandalf. He's just been around forever, he's indestructible, always there, he can't die? So when it comes to light Ara did it, well as you read, all hell broke lose. Aragorn is suddenly the leader and the added stress of that also caused his very un-Aragorn reactions towards Ara. We must remember though, he is not someone you want to get on the wrong side of either. Boromir knows he has done a very bad thing and Ara's own indiscretions are something for him to hide his own behind, plus the Ring is messing with him big time now. Frodo understands Ara because he too has been lumped with a burden on this quest and he too was reluctant to go, just like he realizes she was. He puts his trust in her by instinct because that is basically what Gandalf instructed him to do. As for Gandalf; he did trust Ara right up until she orchestrated his demise with the Balrog. in those last seconds he figured out some things regarding her which so far, only he knows. As to her linage, Legolas has been adamant from the start her mother's mysterious father was a Mirkwood Silvan from an Avari family because she described an Elf of his father's own Royal Guard and his Silvan mark remained on her ear. So I guess that is legit... right? ;) Yes I am teasing you guys with things to come! Legolas, like Frodo, understands more than the others how important it is Ara keeps to the timeline, perhaps more so even because he did wind up chained beside her to a post about to be sold off to a terrible fate which was far from what was meant to happen. He also accepts it more because Ara does confide in him from time to time and when he does question her motives he usually weasels an answer out of her. The others, up until now, have not really bothered doing that.

I think that has answered everything except that I am pretty chuffed I accidentally put a Power Rangers quote in there! Love it! Go go power rangers!

Anyway, happy reading, think you will all like this one! :)

Savo lass a lalaith,

Aearvir. xx


Frodo felt all the more exhausted after witnessing the vicious argument between the Men and Elves but, he was determined to follow through with Gandalf's last instructions to him. No one spoke as they jogged at a moderate pace, save for Aragorn who had pointed them on the most direct route and urged them to move as quickly as possible; reasoning once the sun sank, the orcs would leave the mines. They had passed a long, deep and dark lake earlier and after the monster which had attacked them before the mines; he was glad the surface remained like dark glass, reflecting the stars hidden by the sunlight which was swiftly sinking.

They had jogged another mile or so when Frodo realized their pace was slowing and Pippin lagged listlessly behind the others. It made no sense for he and Merry were swifter usually. "We must stop, something ails Pippin." The others slowed to a halt around him as Pippin wobbled and suddenly sank to the ground.

"Pip what's the matter?" Merry asked fearfully as he and Aragorn knelt down beside the ashen Hobbit.

"Don't know, feel funny, fuzzy…" His voice trailed off and he slumped, eyes glazing and then fluttering.

"Poison?" Frodo asked fearfully.

"I'm not sure, I've not seen this before." Aragorn murmured as he tried shaking the Hobbit.

"Pippin!" Merry cried out urgently but it seemed he couldn't move, his reactions delayed.

"Has anyone got any food?" Ara suddenly demanded.

"Now is hardly the time to-"

"Shut up Boromir, Pip needs food!" She spoke over the still surly Gondor Man.

"Uh no?" Aragorn said warily, speaking for them all as he glanced around.

"Sam, do you have sugar? Honey? Anything?" Ara pressed urgently but the blonde Hobbit shook his head.

"Wait." Legolas shrugged off his pack and began riffling swiftly through it. "Ara here!" The Elf handed her a strange, crackling sounding object she immediately began tearing up and then broke apart the brown item within it before pushing it into Pippin's relaxed mouth.

"What are you doing? What are you feeding him?" Merry asked warily.

"Sugary food before he goes comatose." She muttered as Pippin groaned and his eyes fluttered again. "Swallow it." She urged and somehow he did and she immediately gave him more of the strange food. Six pieces later, colour was beginning to return to the youngest Hobbit's face as they all peered at him anxiously. "Feeling a bit better?" Ara asked softly.

"Aye yes a little." His voice shook and Frodo realized so too did his hands and arms as he took another piece of the food from Ara. "What happened, the world started going black and I couldn't hear it was like my head was stuffed under a pillow." He fretted.

"Yes what did happen?" Aragorn asked curiously.

"Your blood glucose levels dropped from lack of food and too much exertion." Ara explained calmly.

"In simple terms lass?" Gimli implored with a slight smirk, the first smile by any of them in the past twenty-four hours.

"He quite literally burned all of his energy out." She allowed a small half smile to the Dwarf before turning to Legolas. "Lucky you still had that stashed away."

"Wasn't the idea to share the food out?" Boromir stated gruffly and Legolas shot him a piercing glare.

"I forgot I had it." He retorted imperiously.

"A good thing yeh did." Gimli rumbled.

"We must continue now all is well." Aragorn urged them all but Ara shook her head.

"Pip will need carrying." She instructed and to Frodo's surprise, Boromir stepped forward for the task.

"I'll do it." He said simply and the elleth nodded stiffly at him before tucking the strange food away into her own pack, Frodo supposed, for if anyone else should run out of energy. Once again he forced his weary feet to move forward and further away from the horror of the mines as the shadows from the mountains stretched over them.

Although begrudgingly, Legolas had to admit to himself; he was weary, sore, cold and hungry. Silently they had walked or jogged, the Hobbits often tripping over their tired feet or rocks as they travelled under a now dark and veiled sky. A wind had swept up across the hillocky plains and it was bitterly cold. He'd kept his pace to match Ara's and remained by her side. She'd spoken to none of them since the incident with Pippin. Truthfully he had spoken to none of the others since then either and apart from Aragorn directing them where needed; he too remained silent. Although the wind was up, the air between them was palpable with unrest. He had figured he and Gimli would be left behind under the rock fall, presumed dead. He'd expected Gandalf to make such a call but Aragorn? His heart twisted uncomfortably at the thought. He knew if the situation was reversed, he would have at least tried to dig the Ranger out. It seemed Gimli really had been right; they were here now solely because of Ara. He'd been so, so vicious towards her, accusing her. The hurt she must be feeling. He no longer cared for Aragorn's warnings and he had searched out her fëa again and again but it was concealed within a fiery fortress. All he could do was sneak looks her way in the darkness. She looked utterly weary and desolate but there was still a determined set to the outline of her fine jaw in the half light. A strange yet familiar scent suddenly caught his attention and he breathed in deep, inhaling bark and sap and earth and life itself. A great forest was near. He scanned the dark horizon and saw an even darker mass looming up from the ground a couple miles ahead. Lothlórien. He hoped among those trees they would find peace, find safety.

Gimli watched tiredly as the Hobbits fell down collectively in the small glade Aragorn had lead them to where a stream ran close by and silver barked trees, darkened in shadow, swept up to tower above them. They each unraveled their bedrolls as too did Boromir and Aragorn. He supposed one of the Elves would be keeping watch. He couldn't, he could barely keep his own tear reddened eyes open. He just wanted to sleep, to forget all which had happened. He supposed he should find a comfortable enough place to rest for he had no soft roll or blanket; they had been buried in the chamber cave in. He began walking to his left, not really paying the attention he needed to and found himself jolted in surprise as he collided into a tall, lean body.

"Are you alright?" The Wood-Elf asked warily, peering down at him, holding his own bedroll and blanket in his arms.

"Aye, just looking for a spot to rest." He muttered and began to move away in another direction but the Elf's hand landed on his shoulder, causing him pause.

"You have no bedroll." He commented quietly and Gimli shrugged. "You may use my own." Suddenly the large bedroll and thick and soft, dark green blanket were thrust into his own arms. Gimli could do nothing but gawp up at the tall Elf, utterly stunned by his friendly gesture.

"But where will yeh sleep?" He finally found his voice.

"I won't." The Elf replied quietly, a sad note to his voice as he stared off into the nearby stream as it sang and bubbled past seemingly without a care in the world.

"Well ah thank yeh." Gimli mumbled awkwardly as he busied himself rolling out the bed and carefully placing out the blanket before removing his helm and boots and trying his best to brush off the dirt, dust and ash which covered him. He knew the Elf was, for once, near as dirty as he but he didn't want to disrespect the usually unbearable creature by wrecking his belongings. To his surprise, Legolas slowly sank down to sit upon the ground beside him. Although his back was straight, his entire being alert to his surroundings as Gimli knew only an Elf could possibly be, the young Prince was clearly worn out. The mines were cruel to him, poor laddy; he never did want to go in em. He wondered now what these Elvish woods would have in store for them. He'd heard stories of the Witch Elf, a powerful and formidable being who could see into your very soul and foresee the future. It was her foresight which found him where he now was. "The Elves from these woods, are they eh friendly?" He asked Legolas quietly. The Elf didn't turn his way and Gimli wondered if he even listened.

"I do not know." The Elf replied quietly after a moment. "But they will not take kindly to finding strangers under their trees." This did nothing to reassure Gimli.

"But you're their kin, surely that counts for something?" He hedged but the Prince only shrugged ever so slightly.

"My father and the Lady do not see eye to eye. They are not enemies as such but; they do not hold a very high opinion of one another. There have been no dealings I am aware of between my realm and this one in many centuries."

"Well that's just wonderful." Gimli muttered quietly. "I sure hope Gandalf knew what he was doing sending Frodo and the rest of us here." At the sudden thought of Gandalf, fresh tears stung the corners of his sore and weary eyes. Why was the Wizard meant to fall? It all seemed so unfair, so wrong. He'd known Gandalf since he was but knee high to an anvil. He knew the Hobbits had too and Aragorn and likely Boromir and most certainly the Elf sitting quietly beside him. Ara, she had only just known the Wizard. He wondered if it had made her awful task easier. He glanced slowly around to realize that was where Legolas's gaze had been all along; upon the slim, lone figure standing upon the bank of the creek away from them all. Even through, tearstained eyes, he saw just how desolate she was in the listless way she stood. No, no lesser time having known Gandalf would have made her task any easier. He knew now the burden she bore was akin to Frodo's; a heavy, unrelenting weight which would surely only weigh down more upon them. "Yeh should go to her." He suggested quietly for it was clear it was all the Elf beside him wished to do.

"She will not let me close." His voice was an anguished whisper, barely audible and Gimli suspected he'd been trying to reach her on some Elven spirit level or such.

"Get up over there then and make her." He quietly said back to the Elf who seemed hesitant. "Poor lass looks like she could do with a hug or something and yeh look tall enough and Elflike enough for the job." He implored, hoping the young Prince would take a hint.

"She slapped me when I tried earlier." He muttered dejectedly.

"And yeh probably deserved it. She's got a dragons temper on her but she's a forgiving type, now go over there." The Elf slowly began to stand and Gimli nodded his encouragement up to him. With the laddy at odds with Aragorn and Boromir, both men which he was usually close to, Gimli knew the Wood-Elf likely needed the company of his own kin as much as Ara just needed someone right now and he knew very well he could have gone to comfort the desolate She-Elf but it was the Prince who she needed beside her, even if the daft creature acted like she didn't. Not wishing to spectate any exchange between them, Gimli finally laid down to rest his weary body and heart.

He stopped a few paces from her, unsure how to proceed. She stood hunched in on herself, her shoulders trembling, from sorrow or cold Legolas did not know. He noticed now, under the little light cast from the waning moon, she was without her cloak and there were great, singed, rips tattering the back of her tunic in two places. He remembered now the horror he had felt and fear as he had seen the Balrog's fiery whip hit her and knock her down. Had she been hurt, burnt all this time and he had not realized it? His stomach dropped feeling sickened and he cautiously moved towards her.

"Ara?" The strong emotions conveyed in the questioning, hesitant way he called out to her quietly nearly caused the tears she had been holding back for hours to fall.

"Leave me alone Legolas." She answered quietly, not bothering to move; too numb, too dejected to even try.

"No." She held in the sad sigh threatening to escape her and forced her legs to move, carrying herself away from him further down the bank of the stream. She wanted it all to go away, the responsibility, the consequences, the unbearable pain which seemed to constrict her heart like ropes tightening and burning around it. It was all too much. She never thought it would be this hard and it was hard and what would come, what she would have to do; it would be unbearable. Hands came to rest gently upon her shoulders and she automatically shrugged them away. "Are you hurt? Were you burned?" There was only gentle concern in his voice and she furiously blinked away a threatening tear.

"Just go Legolas." She continued walking. There was not a single burn upon her skin. There should have been multiple though, her bow had been melted by the lash of the Balrog's whip yet, where it had singed and torn through her clothing, there was no injury. The fiery creature's last words to her resonated again in her mind, crackling, dreadful, foreboding and confusing, so very confusing. She involuntarily shuddered and then she was pulled to a sudden stop as arms encircled around her from behind; warm and comforting. She did not want his comfort, his pity but most of all, she did not want him to see her so weak so, so close to breaking. Boromir's spiteful words had been enough to harden her exterior against them all. Whether it was him or the Ring talking, she did not care, she would not show weakness. She would not give any of them what they expected. "Legolas please, just leave me alone." She made to pull out of his embrace but found she could barely fight against his firm yet gentle strength.

"No." He replied quietly in their own tongue. "Let me be here, let me help."

"There's nothing you can do." She whispered.

"I can stay with you and I will stay with you. You're not alone." Oh how she wished that were so but she was, she was very alone in her tasks on this quest. He'd proven that just as Boromir and Aragorn had after the mines. His viciousness and then his actions after had only added to her pain.

"If you're trying to make up for earlier then forget it. I don't want your pity."

"I regret what I did, what I said, I am sorrier than you realize but I am not leaving. There was nothing but remorse in his voice, and anguish and determination. No pity, no judgement and she felt herself being pulled further back into his arms. He just never listened… A quiet, choked up sob escaped her, the action wracking through her entire body. No, she couldn't break down; not now, not here, not with him. She felt the presence of leafy branches trying to reach her and pushed them away but their presence did not let up. "Let me in, let me help." He whispered near her ear. She furiously shook her head but her resolve was swiftly falling away, she was too overwhelmed now as she tried to hold in her emotions, retain her visage of nothingness which had been the numbness she'd let surround her before he'd started tearing at her defenses. It was all too much and she let her weary legs buckle, sinking slowly to the ground as she finally stopped fighting everything and let her tears fall.

He pulled her against his chest as he settled upon the ground with her and held her tight as silent sobs wracked through her smaller frame. Her fiery guard fell away and he let his fëa flood hers, his heart aching as he felt the dark shadows of pain and guilt and confusion and aloneness of her usually vibrant soul. She was suffering and there was such pain he felt tears begin springing to streak down his own cheeks as he shared in it, tried to ease it, to comfort her. She needed rest, needed some peace from her inner torment. "I am here." He murmured against her hair.

"I thought you didn't deal with crying ellith." She mumbled shakily and he felt compelled to hold her all the closer.

"You are my exception." He whispered back fervently and felt her beginning to relax against him. To his surprise, her hands and arms came to rest upon his and slowly he leaned back, lowering himself to lie upon his back on the grassy bank. She didn't fight the action as he pulled her back with him to remain lying back, half upon him, her head settling against his neck between shoulder and collarbone. The wind had chased the clouds away and he gazed up silently at the stars and remaining sliver of the moon. He still surrounded her fëa, the shadows still lingered but they had lessened, lightened and there was still pain but it was bearable now. He'd helped like he'd intended too and more importantly, she'd let him, she'd let him in. He was quite certain she had miraculously sustained no physical injury but still, he had to be sure. "Are you physically hurt at all? I don't want to be hurting you if you are…" He stopped speaking, realizing he may have just given her an excuse to get up, to leave. Her body suddenly stiffened against him and he knew he'd pushed too far, she was going to leave.

"No, I don't know why. I should be burnt in many places but I am not." She let out a shaky sigh and, to his amazement, relaxed back against him. He shifted his arms so he held her a little more loosely and entwined his left hand with one of hers and felt her fingers twining with his. "Thanks for sticking up for me earlier." She suddenly said, her voice holding a hint of uncertainty. "I know it was just the Ring affecting Boromir but still…" She trailed off.

"I imagine it's pull is all the harder to resist for a mortal." He mused.

"Have you felt it? It's pull?" Ara asked curiously.

"Yes, a couple times but it is not so difficult to resist." He replied. "You have felt it too?"

"No, not once." She admitted which surprised him. "What is it like? I'd rather ask you than get denial from Boromir."

"It is like the Wraiths I guess; it preys on you when you are at your most vulnerable. It somehow speaks to you, whispers in your mind of how you could have everything you want, how it could help you attain it." The elleth remained silent for a few moments and he wondered if she thought he was weak.

"How do you stop it?"

"Ignore it mostly, I guess I know what I want and I know it, the ring, would not aid me in attaining any of it." He hoped she would not ask just what it was he wanted; to be less like his father, to be loved in return by her, to somehow be better. He felt her simply nod against him and held in a sigh of relief she had not pressed the matter.

"I thought maybe it would try and get to me in the mines, with Gandalf…" She trailed off and he felt her body shake a little. Her skin had been so cold to the touch when he'd embraced her earlier, he doubted she had even realized it in her pain and sorrow. Now, she was slowly coming back to him, feeling the world around her again.

"You did not truly want Gandalf to fall, your heart was not in it, maybe that is why." He offered.

"Perhaps." She took a shaky breath. "I really hate what I did, I feel sick with it. It had to happen though, he was meant to fall but it made it no easier, I feel so guilty, everyone is hurting…" He felt the pain and hurt flare in her fëa again and surrounded it all the more.

"You did what you were meant to, what had to be done." He wondered again why their old friend had to fall. He knew he could not ask…but he wished he could.

"Yeah… I just hope it all works out still…"

"The timeline?"

"Yeah, I'll try fix it in Lorien."

"Will we be welcome?" He hedged just as Gimli had.

"I don't really know, I hope so. It's the Lady's damn prophecy thing really so I presume we're expected by her at least."

"That does make sense." His worry eased a little.

"Do you know much about these woods? Have you been here?" She asked hopefully.

"No, I have not. You should already know that." He teased gently, hoping to cheer her a little. Just talking like this, it was soothing his own, saddened and wearied soul; even though he had intended to comfort her, it was working both ways.

"I really don't know anything much about you and truthfully; things are different here, not exactly like what I read, from what I know." He nodded silently, disturbing the grass beneath his head. He would take that as a good thing.

"All I know is of the trees here, you know of them?" She nodded. "And the stream here, I know of that from stories and song."

"Is it the Nimrodel?"

"Yes, named for the lost elleth of old." He murmured.

"I remember Ada telling it to me, it is a sad story."

"It is, to lose one you love…" He trailed off, realizing he needed to be careful how he spoke. She already knows though, you all but told her while your mind was addled.

"Yeah…" She murmured quietly and he wondered just what she was thinking, her fëa was calmer now, it's edges mingling lightly with his own. She knows it is me now and she allows it. Through all the pain and hurt still lingering like a dull ache in his heart; hope stirred.

She didn't know how to broach the topic of just what was happening. He'd embraced her not just physically but her fëa too. In the end she had let him and he had been right; it helped, he helped. She could vaguely feel his emotions too just like she had in the mines and as they had talked, she had calmed and began feeling a little better. Now she lay quietly in his arms, curiously letting what she knew was her fëa, brush alongside the edges of what she now fully realized was his. She knew now she'd felt his presence numerous times before but not with the same awareness she did now. It both scared and intrigued her. Aragorn had said Elves sometimes did this and so surely it was not a bad thing? How they were resting however, she should not be allowing it. Even if she did want that future, which she didn't, she adamantly told herself; they were not in Rohan… This was different though, this was just comforting each other in grief and pain… wasn't it? A slow, tingling sensation worked its way towards her heart, causing it to suddenly flip and she tensed and the feeling vanished.

"Sorry." The other Elf murmured nervously and she realized it was because he'd just started circling the inside of her wrist with his thumb. Shit that was full on. She thought shakily as she tried to relax again. Why was that so full on? Oh this is bad, very bad; I don't want this! "Try and rest." Legolas murmured against her hair, his soft voice almost lulling. "I will sing you something." He offered. By his words she realized he intended they remain like this. Her heart thumped nervously. She wasn't used to this. No, usually she was in control of these situations, picking up or dropping guys on a whim, always on her terms, never getting emotions involved, in fact keeping any involvement to a bare minimum. It had always been a game. Even her involvement with Elladan had started out as a way to get back at her father although she had discovered she actually did genuinely like the Imladris Elf. But Legolas? She'd tried everything to keep him away, to ignore him and yet…

"The lay of Nimrodel?" She asked, trying to think of something else.

"No, something in Silvan. I, I hope you don't mind?" He suddenly sounded as nervous as she felt. What the hell is going on?

"No, it's fine, I like it when you sing in Silvan." She rushed out and then felt foolish. Idiot, don't say things like that! She felt his smile and then realized it was his fëa she felt. It was a nice feeling and she felt a small smile tugging at her own lips and then very quiet, soft but melodious, lilting words washed over her. She listened contently, feeling herself relaxing further, indescribably safe. As she drifted off to sleep she realized one thing, concerning Legolas, her heart was quickly becoming royally screwed.

Aragorn sat quietly under one of the great mallorn trees which overhung the Nimrodel, chewing on the end of his pipe as he contemplated over all which had happened. Soon he decided they must move on, seek proper safety and shelter in the Golden Wood, with the Galadhrim. He hoped they would all be welcomed. Ara seemed in agreement with Frodo it was the Woods they must venture into and he couldn't deny, a proper rest would be a welcome luxury along with food. He gazed towards the sleeping Hobbits, ensuring Boromir was still no where near them. The Gondor man was asleep, a considerable distance away so he turned his gaze past a snoring Gimli and further along the riverbank where the Elves slept. He'd struck such a divide between his kin and theirs in only a matter of moments during that grief fueled argument. Legolas had not spoken to him since and would not even look at him and, if looks could kill, his icy glares would have frozen Boromir. Boromir… what were they going to do about him? The man was clearly falling victim to the ring. His actions, his want for it could be the undoing of the entire quest. By Ara's shock when Sam ousted the man in front of them all; it seemed Boromir was not meant to have tried to take the ring. He needed to speak with the elleth about it, he needed to know if they could help Boromir, prevent him from trying to take it again. He no longer felt safe with Boromir near Frodo. He'd known there were issues earlier as they had journeyed but now, the entire trust within the Fellowship hung in the balance. He knew he played a part in that; he needed to apologize to Ara for doubting her and also to Legolas for going against his own gut instincts and turning away to leave him to die; listening to Gandalf over what he knew was right. Thank Eru Ara had found the other Elf and Gimli. It sickened him now remembering just how he'd dragged her, fighting and screaming away with Boromir's help. If it had been Arwen trapped in Legolas's position, he too would gave fought to the death to get to the one he loved and surely it was love Ara felt for Legolas? He glanced towards the two Elves again, perhaps after everything which had happened, their true feelings were now known to one another for the way Legolas held her as they slept. He really didn't know if it would be a good thing or simply a hindrance to the quest if they were going to officially begin courting one another. He did know, after what he witnessed in the mines and then after concerning Boromir; when it came down to it; the Elves solely protected one another. This meant, if either of them became gravely injured, or worse, lost their life, it would not just be one member of the Fellowship they would potentially lose but two. Perhaps that is why Ara has been so adamant all this time to keep her distance from Legolas. He mused. None of it really made sense but then, when did Elves ever make sense? He smiled wistfully to himself behind the smoke of his pipe as he thought again of Arwen. How he missed her, missed every single little detail about her; her laugh, her coy smirks, her perfect face… He sighed sadly as he gazed across again to the two sleeping Elves; in either life or death, they would always find one another. Once he passed beyond this world; he would be lost to Arwen and, she him. He'd been adamant her choice be to one-day pass across the sea to Valinor. He did not want her to choose the mortal path she always insisted she would. He did not know what lay beyond this land for mortals; it was his fate; it did not have to be hers. With another sigh he put out his pipe and slowly pushed himself to his feet. He was still incredibly weary as he knew the others would be. They had to continue on though, Gandalf would have wanted that. Forcing his stiff body to move, he made his way towards the Elves and knelt down, gently tapping Legolas on the shoulder Ara was not resting upon. The ellon awoke immediately, eyes wary. They relaxed in recognition but then became wary again, as he clearly recalled the argument. "Wake Ara, we must move on." He said quietly, ignoring the stab of guilt in his heart before moving towards Gimli, knowing the Dwarf would be the hardest to rouse.

Legolas remained lying a little longer, Ara still laying asleep against him, wrapped in his arms. There was a painful pang within his heart as he thought of Gandalf and he pushed it away, purposely recalling all which had happened before he fell asleep. Something had happened. Somehow he'd felt exactly what Ara felt when he'd absentmindedly traced the inside of her arm. He should not have been able to feel that. He'd courted a couple elleth in the past and never had such a thing happened but; he'd never felt for them how he did for Ara… maybe that is the difference… But he was sure what he'd felt suggested at a deeper, stronger connection. Perhaps the mark had something to do with it or, perhaps Aragorn had been right, all his previous continuous searching of Ara's fëa had somehow done something. He really did not know but he knew he had to be all the more careful around her although; it was going to be difficult now she was letting him closer.

"Ara?" He spoke quietly near her ear and felt her begin to stir against him. "We need to leave in a moment." He added softly.

"Hmm? Whatimeisit?" She murmured almost incoherently causing a smile to tug at his lips. Manwë she is so sweet like this! He gazed up at the dark sky.

"Maybe a couple of hours past midnight."

"Huh?" She muttered and he held in a laugh. It seemed he had awoken her from a deep sleep. She suddenly sat up in a hurry, pulling his arms away and he inwardly groaned; that could only mean one thing…

"How are you feeling?" He hedged quietly as she gazed down at him, her face riddled with confusion and uncertainty while she chewed nervously on her bottom lip in the half light.

"Fine, I'm fine." She replied quickly. He slowly sat up too, unclasping his cloak in the process and swept it over her shoulders before she could protest.

"That may be, but you will soon feel the cold." He murmured as he deftly latched the clasp about her throat just as a cold shiver rippled through her lithe frame. "See." He allowed a smirk. He knew exactly what was happening right now; she was trying to create distance between them again. He didn't want that but he knew now he'd have to be careful and clever about keeping her close. He'd figured out the less deal about these moments he made, the less defiant she became. However, those hours resting had, in hindsight, been incredibly intimate especially considering they were neither courting or lifemates yet. They were also about to venture into an Elven realm; he'd have to adhere strictly to customs and etiquette and, after so long away from such things, he was not looking forward to it and it might just give her more reasons to put distance between him.

"Legolas?" Her gentle, hesitant voice pulled him back out of his thoughts and he focused on her. "Thanks for this and uh for before, you were right, it did help."

"You're welcome." He flashed her a quick smile before rising to his feet and stretching, only to feel a dull burn in his side. He unthinkingly let out a sigh of frustration.

"I'll put it right when we are safe." Ara said simply as she made her way over to the Hobbits and her belongings. He watched her speaking quietly with Frodo before Aragorn walked up to her and pulled her aside. To his annoyance he could not hear their exchange but he hoped the Ranger was apologizing.

"Thank you Legolas, mighty grateful for it." He looked down to see Gimli looking up at him, his bedroll and blanket in the Dwarf's arms, impeccably folded and rolled up and tied.

"You're welcome." He murmured with a friendly smile. He couldn't believe he was even thinking it but; the Dwarf wasn't so bad. He received a white toothed grin in return.

"The lass looks much better, yeh did good I think." He rumbled before turning away to shoulder his own pack. Legolas busied himself strapping on his quiver. It almost seemed pointless but he did keep his knives specifically at his back and it was too difficult separating and rearranging the straps to only carry both blades. He missed his bow greatly, he felt vulnerable without it. He could get by with only his knives but there was no better security than his recurve. He stared at his vambraces, reminding himself his being out of the mines was far more important than a silly bow but, he really liked that bow…

"Legolas?" He looked up again to find Aragorn before him. "Here, it's not much but I hope it brings you some ease, I know you miss your own." The Ranger thrust his own, black bow towards him and Legolas Instinctively latched onto it. "I've only six arrows left." He handed them over too.

"Thank you." Legolas murmured gratefully and the Ranger gave him a small, tentative smile.

"I should not have turned my back on you, I will never leave you behind again." Aragorn's blue grey eyes were filled with remorse as he held his gaze, searching. Legolas knew he sought forgiveness and he sensed no lie in the Ranger's words. He truly was sorry yet, he didn't know how to answer. He found himself dropping his gaze away. He was not yet ready to answer, to forgive. The betrayal still hurt. "Just know that Legolas." Aragorn said quietly before leaving him to mull over his words as he placed the Ranger's arrows in his quiver and automatically checked the string on the bow and draw; quickly getting a feel for it. It was not his bow but it would suffice. They were all near ready to move on when suddenly Ara appeared at his side, worry cast over her fair features under the starlight filtering down into the glade.

"Listen." She urged and he instantly focused his hearing on any distant noises. Far off guttural voices and snarls met his ears, along with the sound of many, heavy shod feet running.

"Orcs!" He hissed in alarm and immediately Aragorn was by his other side.

"Where?"

"The way we have come but they are travelling from a south direction this way." He quickly reported and Ara nodded in agreement.

"How many?"

"At least thirty." Aragorn's face paled.

"What is amiss?" Boromir asked, striding up to them. Legolas held back his current resentment for the Gondor man as Aragorn explained.

"We must go, right now!" He finished urgently and the others, who had also been listening to Aragorn, nodded and Aragorn broke instantly into a run and he waited until the Hobbits were well on the move before following alongside Ara; keeping a keen ear on the sounds of the approaching Orcs.

Frodo struggled to keep up as the others ran beneath the towering trees, dodging around or leaping over their snaking roots. Aragorn led but he had taken them off the main path into the woods and it seemed darker, eerier.

"Their pursuit lessens." Legolas spoke up from somewhere behind him.

"The must've lost the trail at the stream where we doubled back over." Gimli rumbled half breathlessly.

"As I'd hoped." Aragorn replied more to himself. "Ara keep an eye on that distance device you wear; we will keep this pace another half a mile. By then we should be safe."

"Yep." Ara replied from beside him where she ran, often hauling him over the larger tree roots or fallen logs. She looked pointedly at the device, peering out from under her vambrace just as he tripped over another root only to be hauled up by Legolas who ran just behind him still. He thought they would find peace here, find rest and yet once again they were running for their lives. He felt as if he ran blindly, each breath becoming harder, his legs aching, threatening to crumple with each small stride. If only he possessed even a little of the endurance of the Elves or even Aragorn. Then it was over and Ara was indicating for them to slow and Legolas could no longer hear the enemy. He stumbled forward, gasping for air as too did Sam as he fell back to walk beside him.

"You alright Frodo?" He breathed out in a rush as he drew in more air.

"Yes." Was all Frodo could manage to reply.

"We'll keep walking slowly another five or so minutes and then have a quick rest." Ara reassured him and he nodded as he tried to take in his surroundings. Trees and plants stretched away into the darkness in every direction and never had he felt so small.

"Well we've escaped one enemy but have we traded Orcs for an entirely different kind?" Gimli muttered nervously and Frodo peered up towards Ara and across to Legolas who now walked on her other side. Their faces showed the same uncertainty he heard in Gimli's voice. If they came across the Elves who dwelt in these woods; would they be welcome?


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