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Chapter Eight- A Well-Earned Rest

The elven rider raced across the plains of Rohan. He had heard a rumour of an elven woman in the land. One who moved without fear, without hesitation, without restriction. It was only a rumour, but he was chasing every lead he could in order to find his daughter. If she truly was alive, and in the hands of the Dark Lord, he had to find her.

The first week of their stay in Lothlórien was sombre. The members of the Fellowship were still processing Gandalf's death. Aica spent much time alone, away from Caras Galadhon, amongst the trees. It wasn't only Gandalf's death that was affecting her, but the loss of her blades and her almost betrayal of the rest of the Fellowship. She only returned to the pavilion to rest, before disappearing into the trees once more.
A week into their stay Legolas finally sought her out.

Legolas moved silently through the trees in his search for Aica. He's barely seen her since they'd entered the Golden Wood and he was growing concerned. Not far from the river that ran through the wood he found her. She'd removed her boots and stripped down to her undershirt and breeches, her black hair unbound. She was slowly working through some exercises with her short blades. In his shock from the mines Legolas had barely registered that she no longer carried her long curved blades.
In the shadow of the trees, he stopped just to observe her. She was light and graceful on her feet, never hesitating, never stumbling.
Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dancing shadows across the glade as the breeze shifted the leaves high in the trees.

Suddenly Aica froze, having caught sight of Legolas in the shadows. 'How long have you been there?' She demanded.
Legolas stepped forward into the clearing. 'My apologies. I didn't wish to disturb you.'
Aica sheathed her blade. 'You didn't.' She replied as she strode past him to where her boots rested beneath a tree.
'Wait!' Legolas's voice made her freeze in her tracks. 'Would you care to spar with me?'
Aica hesitated. The last time she'd been in a friendly spar had been against Shokruz in the depths of Mordor.
'Please.' Legolas held out a hand to her.
Aica took a silent, deep breath, drew two of her blades, flipped one over in her hand and handed it to Legolas, hilt first.

Legolas accepted the blade and toed off his own boots. Aica led him into the centre of the glade and dropped into a fighting stance, facing him.
Legolas mirrored her position and they began to circle each other, eyes locked.
Aica made the first move. She lunged, aiming for his ribs. Legolas leapt back, deflecting her blade at the last moment.
They began to trade blows rapidly, dancing around each other, light on their feet.

Eventually, Legolas managed to gain the upper hand. He caught Aica's wrist and locked her arms behind her back, blade to her throat. 'Do you yield?' He demanded.
Aica didn't reply with words. Instead, she hooked a foot around one of his ankles and pulled, driving her elbow into his ribs. As he fell one of Legolas's legs got tangled with Aica's and they tumbled to the ground with a thump. Aica landed on her back; breath knocked from her body. Legolas was braced above her, his hands on either side of her shoulders. Time seemed to stand still for the two elves as blue eyes stared into grey, their steady breathing ghosting across the other's face. Legolas slowly, deliberately lifted one hand and brushed a thumb across Aica's cheek. Aica moved quickly, shoving Legolas away from her desperately and placed a blade to his throat. 'I would suggest you do not consider doing that again.' She hissed, before bolting from the archery field.

Aica darted through Lothlórien blindly. Finally, farther down the river, she stopped and leaned against one of the great Mallorn trees. Sliding to the ground she tucked her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knees. The look in Legolas's eyes was one she had never seen before, it confused her, and she did not understand what she was feeling. She was afraid of what it meant. And she was beginning to think she was going to regret opening up to Legolas when they first arrived in Lothlórien. Why are you so afraid child? Lady Galadriel's voice in her head made her start. Aica looked up and saw the lady amongst the trees in front of her. You have been searching for the place you belong for as long as you can remember, perhaps the young prince can help you. Perhaps you should give him a chance, perhaps he will understand. Slowly Galadriel backed away, before disappearing between the trees.

Aica took a deep breath and rose to her feet. She had to apologise to Legolas and give him an explanation for her actions. Aica carefully made her way back to the clearing. Legolas was still there, twirling Aica's knife between his fingers.
'I'm sorry.' She murmured. 'I should not have tun as I did. Please understand that I have never had anyone try to get close to me before.'
'There is no need to apologise.' Legolas replied gently. 'I understand, I have noticed you prefer to keep to myself. It was my fault; I should not have pushed you.'
'Don't be ridiculous.' Aica argued. 'I should not have run. I should have stopped and explained myself.' Aica sighed and sat down in the grass, looking down at her crossed legs.
Legolas sat down next to her and carefully took one of her hands. Aica had to fight the urge to rip her hand away. 'I did not mean, nor want, to upset you.'
'You didn't.' Aica spoke cautiously. 'It's just, no one has ever treated me the way this Fellowship has.'
'Like what?' Legolas questioned.
'Like.' Aica hesitated, before continuing. 'Like a friend. Like I'm someone they can trust, someone they can rely on.'
'Why do you say it like that? Like we shouldn't consider you one of the company?'
'It's complicated. Let's just say that this is a new experience for me.'
'It's alright.' Legolas comforted her. 'I understand. Take as much time as you need. I'll be ready to listen whenever you are ready to tell me more.'
Aica looked up at him, her lips twitching into a small, awkward smile. 'That is kind of you. Thank you.'
Legolas returned her smile gently, squeezing her hand in support.

As the ensuing weeks passed Legolas and Aica spent more time together. Aica revealed nothing more about herself, but she was glad that her reluctance to share information did not prevent Legolas from spending time with her.
Aica also began to spend more time amongst the other members of the Fellowship. If the others noticed, or wondered about, the change they made no mention of it.
They saw little of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. They were left mostly to their own devices. Haldir sometimes brought news from the borders. A company of orcs had tracked the Fellowship from the gates of Moria and had met their end at the blades and arrows of the Lorien elves.
They had also spotted a strange, gangly creature. Aica's heart sank. She suspected that Gollum had discovered their journey and knew where they were going, and for what purpose. Shokruz's presence in Moria led her to believe that Gollum had been pursued into the mines and found himself unable to leave via the western gate, and so had wandered in the dark, evading the orcs until the Fellowship had passed through the mines. The look on Frodo's face made Aica think that he too had come to the same conclusion.

January had passed and February was halfway through when the time came for the Fellowship to depart. They were invited to take a meal with Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn. They were each gifted a soft cloak woven by Lady Galadriel and her attendants. 'Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes.' Celeborn was saying.
Galadriel then gave out individual gifts to each member of the Fellowship. To Aragorn she handed a gleaming sheath for his sword. Boromir was gifted a golden belt. Merry and Pippin each received a small woven belt, each bearing a short knife. To Sam she gifted a length of elven rope and a small box containing earth from Galadriel's own orchard. Frodo was handed a phial containing the light of Earendil. When Legolas received a bow of the Galadhrim from Galadriel he looked upon it with awe. Gimli asked for a single hair from the elf lady's head, she gave him three. Finally she reached Aica. 'To you Aica I give you the blades of Erthad, the blades of unity. May they help you find your way and place in this world.' Into Aica's palm she placed two long curved blades in sheaths. She instantly realised that they matched the small blade that she carried in a hidden sheath.

As well as their individual gifts and cloaks the Fellowship also received three boats, to carry them down the river, and many days' supplies. Legolas and Aica helped the elves of Lothlórien to pack the boats. As Legolas picked up one of the small packs to place it in the boat he pulled out a thin wafer slice. 'Lembas!' He exclaimed. 'Elvish Way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man.' He placed the pack in the boat and re-joined Aica on the shore. 'Are you ready for this?' He asked.
Aica gazed down the river. 'Let us hope so.'