A/N: I'm going to end this story about 3 to 4 chapters later. As you know, the fic is titled, "Lessons", so please tell me in the reviews what lessons you think Legolas and Shalane have learnt so that I know I have gotten my point across. I'll post the last chapter detailing what *I* think they have learnt. Thanks.

Lessons

Five: Moments Of Introspection

   It was night, and he saw the stars of the sky from the young Shalane's window. How strange it was that Elbereth's stars should shine here as well! A different place he was in, yet some things changed not, and he was glad for that.

   How many moons had it been since he had came here? Almost 72 moons. Ai! How this place feels stranger than Mirkwood, but more relaxed, free from kingly duties he had been.

   He saw her sleep, and could not hide a smile at the peace on her young face, for she had calmness rarely, and in her moments of waking, she would speak sharply to him, though he knew not what he had spoken that were of offence.

   Now, he heard her breathing quickened, and Shalane tossed her head slightly. He frowned. It would seem that she would be having a nightmare, yet what could he do? He knew not the dreams of Mortals, and rarely had dreams.

   Legolas hesitated, then crossed the room to Shalane's bed, and sat down beside her, closing his eyes to feel the song he sang of Varda, the Elbereth Gilthoniel.

   His voice was soft and clear, and its power reached into the dark dreams of Shalane's, and soothed them. She stopped whimpering then, and relaxed back into peaceful sleep.

   The Elf gazed at the young face before him, and a sudden, unbidden thought came to him that Shalane was beautiful.

   Legolas caught himself, and he felt his ears grow hot, though none knew the thought that had passed his mind except himself. Of what thought is this, Legolas Greenleaf, that you may have called the young one beautiful? She is young, do not do foolish things!

   With that, he rose to move away, but lingered just long enough to briefly caress Shalane's face and to whisper, "May no dreams trouble your rest again, mellon nîn."

   Yet a voice of wisdom in his heart whispered with the gentleness of wind on leaves that the last two words were spoken with more depth than he had cared to reveal.

***

   She stood to one side and watched as Legolas shot arrow after arrow with uncanny accuracy; all 20 shafts were embedded perfectly in the yellow bull's eye.

   Shalane shuddered a little, recalling the first time Legolas had encountered Billy and his gang, and how the former had retrieved her bag. Boy, it would be a major mistake pissing Legolas off.

   Yet there was a certain wisdom and gentleness to him as well, as if he had lived thousands of years and experienced life much more than she had, though he looked not much older than she was. His green eyes were clear, but the held a hint of…tiredness?

   Those things she thought of him only seemed to make him more beautiful as she gazed at him. His blonde hair looked as if it was of gold silk, and though a woolen cap was pulled low over his ears, his face was young and relaxed.

   Legolas felt her eyes on him, and turned to face her, smiling. "Would you care to attempt it, lady?"

   Shalane shook her head. "Nah, I don't think I can handle that thing."

   "I will instruct you in it." He held the heavy bow out.

   She glared at him and took the bow, knowing that arguing with him when he wanted to teach her something was useless—she had already tried and failed the first time he had taught her what he called the 'Elven' way of fighting, but she was grateful to him for his insistence.

   Now, as she bent under the weight of the bow, she glowered at the thing and growled. Legolas supported it with her, and stood behind her as she fumbled in an attempt to nock an arrow.

   The teen almost gasped as his chest brushed her back, and she stammered, "Erm…Legolas…you think you could…er…step back?"

   He cocked his head in puzzlement, but did as she asked. "Of course, m'lady."

   Shalane drew the string back, and her arms trembled under the stress she placed on them, and as she released the arrow, it went wild, and she reddened.

   Legolas chuckled, and reached around her to guide her hands in stringing another arrow. His left arm held the bow steady, brushing against hers, and she shivered at his touch, hoping that he wouldn't notice.

   The string twanged, and the arrow sped to hit its target as another thought struck her mind: what feeling was this?