A/N: Thanks to those who are giving me feedback on this. It's most appreciated. These next few parts have not been beta-read so if there's anything wrong, I apologize.

The Sun was just starting to rise above the trees, when she noticed Legolas had discovered her hiding spot. Having slipped off during the night to think, she knew it was only a matter of time before they found her. She hadn't gone far. Gimli followed him, taking a seat beside a thick, tall tree. The trees were more spread out here, so that they could easily sit and stretch out. He watched silently. Legolas approached her.

"Good morning," she said without looking at him.

"We're—"

"Being followed. Yes, I know." She turned around to look at the younger elf, smiling kindly at him. Her smile disappeared, however, when he handed his bow to her. "What's this for?" She asked, handling it nervously.

"Well if we are being followed, you'll need this. I can make myself another one. Now let me see how well you shoot." She gasped and looked at him, horrified.

"Legolas, I am no warrior maid!" Gimli chuckled. Earlier, Legolas had assured him that Nimrodel would accept his plan. Confusion covered the elf's face, and he shook his head.

"My Lady-star, please. This is no time to be worried about status! If you want to go home, you'll have to fight with us. It is too dangerous for you to go defenseless."

She sighed, eyes searching desperately for a way out. This was the last thing she wanted to do, to show the young one who almost worshipped her that the great Nimrodel was a defenseless Elven Queen, untrained in all forms of self-defense outside of the great woods of Lorien. Inside, the very earth obeyed her every command. There was no threat of danger there.

"My Lady--" he started.

"You don't understand." She said, lowering her voice and turning away from him. She sighed. It must be done, she thought. "I've never—" She stopped, looking down at the ground.

"You've never shot a bow?" He said, truly surprised. But his shock quickly turned to relief. Her objection he hoped had not been with the fighting, but with the mere fact that she did not know how.

She shook her head.

"How? I thought all elves had at least learned to use a bow, even in Lorien." He asked softly.

"We didn't need to. Me especially. I was the beloved of the King! Do you think I was ever going to have to fight for myself? As long as I stayed within the woods, I was in no danger."

"But how did you survive so long on your own?"

"I learned to keep myself well hidden. Even the most bloodthirsty animal will give up the search if they can no longer see their prey." Legolas shot a glare at Gimli, who seemed to find that most amusing.

"The great maiden Nimrodel spent the last two-thousand years in hiding?" He asked in disbelief. He was starting to wonder what he had gotten himself into. Things were not at all turning out as he had expected.

"Yes, young one, and for that I am most grateful, otherwise I would not be here at all." She said, with a smile.

"Well then, I suppose I shall have to teach you to use a bow."

She looked at him suspiciously.

"And if I do not wish to use one?"

Legolas sighed, and bowed his head.

"Then I will defend you. Gimli will as well. But I do wish you would reconsider." He moved to leave, but stopped when she began to speak.

"Little one, do you really want to attempt to teach me?"

"I must, my lady. I could never forgive myself if I were unable to defend you and you were defenseless as well." He said, shaking his head.

"Well then little one, you must teach me. And I thank you." She said, putting a hand on his shoulder.