My eyes propped open as I looked at the strange ceiling above me. My body ached all over. Those bastard orcs. I looked around and found myself met with a beautiful, blonde young woman who looked at me with concern and curiosity.

"My lady, how are you feeling? My name is Eowyn. I've been looking after you for the past couple days," she said as she nodded her head in acknowledgement.

"Thank you so much, Lady Eowyn," I replied nodding my head gratefully.

A sharp and urgent knock sounded from the door and I felt Eowyn's panic hit me like a tidal wave. Her eyes widened as she looked at me abruptly.

"My lady, you were brought here by my brother Eomer, and I am so sorry for this, but there is someone here in Edoras who wants you to be captured," she explained quickly as the knock on the door grew impatient.

"You must leave for your life. I'm truly sorry about this, I know you are injured badly," she said as she helped me up from my bed. Her fearful eyes looking down at me worriedly. She grabbed a bread and my Lothlorien cloak, which surprisingly was intact after the whole ordeal, and continued.

"Run by the door at the back. Stay unseen. A reward has been offered for you to be captured alive."

My jaw dropped in horror; I nodded quickly and took the bread and put on my cloak over the new old dress that was not mine. I moved my body in pain but managed to get to the door. I turned my head before I leave and mouthed 'thank you' before I closed the door behind me and hastily walked away with my hood on.

I walked and walked, making sure to keep a low profile, bearing each pain in my body, ignoring the fatigue I felt with each step.

I found myself in the middle of the crowd who spoke with language I didn't understood, in an area that seemed like a market. I nibbled on the bread as I walked on in no particular direction, avoiding several armored man that I came upon on my way successfully.

I was so glad I had the Lothlorien cloak with me. By now I knew it was indeed magical, for the cloak seemed to conceal me from unfriendly eyes.

The sun was almost down and the crowd seemed to reduce to return to their homes. So I opted to go to the outskirt of the city, where some trees and bushes provided some shadow for me to hide in for the night.

I clutched my cloak tighter in the dark as the wind blew and chilled me to the bone. I was shivering and lonely; never before I felt such a loneliness. I missed my friends. I missed Legolas and his warmth.

A tear trickled down my face as I looked up to the clouded night sky and I fell asleep in misery and exhaustion.

The next day I went to a nearby river and drank. I decided that being in the crowd was less conspicuous than being here alone in the outskirt of the city, so I spent the day walking and walking, ignoring my body that screamed in pain as I walked without rest. Rest was no option.

As I walked and blend in with the crowds, I thought of my companions. I knew they would eventually arrive in Edoras with Gandalf so I held on to that hope. I held on to the hope of having myself in Legolas' arms again.

The thought of Legolas gave me strength to keep walking. I stole an apple from one of busy seller as I passed the market. My first shoplifting in my whole existence, done flawlessly. The man didn't see a thing. I smirked; I felt like a badass already.

The sun went down and I went back to my hiding spot. Again I pulled my cloak around me tightly. I slept that night, praying to God that He would send my friends quickly back to me.

The next day, God answered my prayer. I noted three horses galloped past the entrance of the city and my heart leapt with joy. I couldn't see their faces from afar, but one of the horse and the rider gave them away. An old, tall man with a staff in his hand, riding a beautiful, strong white horse. It was Gandalf.

I wanted to run to them but the pain all over my body prevented me from doing just that. However, I pushed myself to walk quicker than usual to follow them from afar, to which my breathing got ragged and I felt cold on my lips and my whole body. I gritted my teeth in frustration and slowed my pace down.

I stepped just outside the building they entered and waited– the Golden Hall of Meduseld. By now they must be talking to the poisoned king and his slick, evil counsellor, Grima Worm-something.

Then suddenly the king himself got out from the door in an angered face and kicked a man down the stone stairs. I went closer to see the worm man flee in horror and I smirked. Served him right. I bet a thousand bucks that he was the one who put a reward on me.

My eyes caught the sight of Legolas who stood there among my friends, impassive in all his immaculate glory (how the heck did he stay so clean? Damn elvish perks!). I savored every valued step I took towards him. My heart bubbled with joy and happiness at the sight of him, butterfly fluttered on my stomach, all despite the fatigue and pain.

As I stepped closer he turned his head to look at my direction. I grinned as his eyes widened in a mixture of shock and relief. I laughed at the sight and I stopped as he swiftly pushed through the crowd and pulled me quickly, almost roughly in a tight embrace.

I gasped loudly as the air was pushed out of my lungs at his sudden move. Legolas immediately released me and looked at me in bewilderment. I smirked at him.

Gimli was running with open arms towards me, but Legolas stopped him before he could really reach me.

"She's hurt. Be gentle on her," Legolas warned knowingly. Gimli's eyes flickered between Legolas and me before he moved closer to me and looked up with a huge smile on his bearded face.

"Lassie! Thank Eru that you are alright!" Gimli exclaimed with a rumbling laughter as Aragorn placed a hand on my shoulder gently. I let out a small, merry laugh. Happiness bubbled up in me; I might as well jump up and down, if it wasn't for my injury and fatigue.

"I am so glad to see you again, my friend," said Aragorn.

Soon the king and his party approached us and expressed his regret at the treatment that I received at my arrival in Rohirrim. He informed that rooms was being prepared for us. Eowyn insisted that I came with her so she can look after me, but I argued, not willing to be separated from my friends again. Reluctantly, she finally gave up in understanding which I appreciated a lot.

We all went our separate ways. Gandalf (the wizard boy who lived) after greeting me, went with Theoden King along with Aragorn to discuss some matters, Gimli also followed, but Legolas insisted on escorting me, much to the others' approval.

Legolas looked at me with relief and longing in his eyes. I smiled brightly at him and said softly, "I've missed you, Legolas."

"And I, you. You have no idea," he replied solemnly as longing and an emotion I couldn't understand etched across his face, "I was worried sick since I found out that the orc had gotten their hands on you."

He moved closer to me and gently put his arms around my shoulders to embrace me lightly and planted a kiss on my hooded head. He pulled away from me a little and pulled my hood down. His eyes widened in horror the moment he got a good look on me. A flash of rage and anger passed on his expression and a growl escaped his lips. I flinched.

That was surprising. He growled. It was unprecedented. I thought elves weren't capable of growling. I swallowed as I see pure rage that was written across his face. It actually frightened me a bit. Upon seeing my surprise and fright, he inhaled. His expression softened and now pain etched across his face.

"What have they done to you?" he said softly and frowned as his fingers touched my face lightly. Suddenly I felt self-conscious; I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. I must looked like a beggar by now. My eyes flickered away, unable to see the look he gave me.

"It doesn't matter anymore. Now that I'm with you again, everything is perfect," I said smiling comfortingly at him. "We're all alright and I'm alive, Legolas. And that's what matters the most."

He took my hands in his and kissed both my knuckles which sent butterfly fluttered on my stomach. Without thinking I moved my hands to cup his cheeks and he leaned in to my touch, his eyes closed. My heart was engulfed in warmth as I saw his reaction at my touch. Then he spoke.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you," he said, opening his eyes. His guilt hit me and I frowned.

"Legolas," I whined, "You can't blame yourself for this. It was my own doing that brought me here in the first place."

"I wish you didn't try to save Boromir. Now you're hurt," he said in a broken voice.

The mention of Boromir's name sent a stab in my heart. My face fell and my eyes began to sting. Legolas softly lifted my face.

"Forgive me for my insensitive words, Leane. I am sorry. I do not mean to upset you."

Shaking my head at him, I smiled a little. I sensed his guilt and pain and it was killing me. I frantically searched for another topic to bring up to distract him.

"Right now, all I want is a proper bath and a good sleep. I've been walking for hours since the first light," I said, "And maybe some food would be great..."

As if on cue, my stomach rumbled at the thought of food and his lips lifted up into a smile. His gaze soft and he kissed my temple oh-so-softly, as if afraid that any careless movement would shatter me to pieces.

"Will you escort me to my room, Legolas? Just like the usual," I said playfully, smiling widely at him. He nodded and I took his arm. I missed this. I missed his arm in mine, I missed his warmth and his scent...

We walked as the sun was going down. My breathing gradually went ragged as intense fatigue, pain and hunger hung all over my body. Every step felt heavier than before.

"You are not well, Leane," he said looking down at me, his eyes swimming with heavy concern and worry.

"I'm just tired," I replied curtly, smiling lightly.

"Sit here for a while," he ordered as he motioned to a nearest pile of wooden blocks, "I will go and fetch some water for you to drink."

I sat quietly and waited for him. I could feel my own ragged breathing slowed down as I sat, but I could still hear my heartbeat as it pulsed and rang on my ears. My head throbbed painfully and the wound on my arm from the arrow seemed to be burning.

Legolas arrived a moment later with a water skin in his hand, offering it to me gently. I drank and realized just how thirsty and dehydrated I was. Here I was drinking like a dog, whereas he was standing in front of me like a prince charming from Disney. I would've gaped in awestruck had my fatigue not in the way. I mumbled a thank you at him.

"Are you feeling better, Leane?" he asked while eyeing me intently. I nodded and smiled brightly. He looked unconvinced; yet he offered a hand to help me up and I took it smiling still.

The first step I walked my knees buckled. Black dots appeared on my sight as I feel my whole body lose its balance. I fell to a kneeling position as Legolas held my arms to keep me from falling face flat on the ground. My body felt limp as I fought to stay conscious.

"Leane!" he exclaimed in alarm. He held my body in his arms as I saw horror struck his beautiful face. I wanted to tell him that I was fine but no voice came out of me.

He scooped me in his arms and took off running. I fought to stay awake, but soon gave up and succumbed to darkness. I heard Legolas begged me in a broken voice.

"Leane, stay with me. Stay with me! Leane. We're almost there. No, no! Stay with me!"