Here's the next chapter, keep reviewing everyone….
Chapter 24
That evening when they'd set up camp Jaisia walked over to Gimli and laid down. "Master Gimli, why doesn't it bother you that I'm not wearing a shirt? It embarrassed Legolas and the people in Gondor," she said.
"I was more interested in who and what you were and if you were friends. Your attire or lack of it was the least of my worries. It is a bit disconcerting, but it's none of my concern," Gimli said. "Oh course I've went through puberty unlike one other who is here." He made sure Legolas heard the last comment.
"Maybe you're just to old to notice a lovely woman, stupid dwarf," Legolas shot back.
Jaisia giggled. "You and sweet cheeks really like to argue, don't you?" she asked.
"Sweet cheeks?" Gimli asked, starting to grin.
Jaisia nodded. "That's Legolas' nickname, but he doesn't like it much," she said.
Gimli smirked and looked over at Legolas. "What watch do you want, sweet cheeks?" he asked.
Legolas scowled and flashed Gimli a rude gesture he'd learned from Aragorn without answering the Dwarf's question.
Everyone promptly burst out laughing at that. "Temper, temper, Legolas," Aragorn joked. Eventually everyone settled down to sleep, except Aragorn who had the first watch.
They were on their way by dawn the next morning--it was a pleasantly cool morning so they rode at a leisurely pace. Jaisia and Kai sang some embarrassingly bawdy songs that had them all laughing. Three weeks passed without incident, but the peace wasn't destined to last.
Loud whoops filled the air as seven men on horseback charged the party, weapons drawn and eyes filled with bloodlust.
Aragorn cursed. "Everyone get ready!" he ordered. He drew his blade with a rasp of metal and spurred his mount forward with Kai close behind.
Snarling, Gimli took his battle-axe in both hands and moved to a position to the left and slightly ahead of Legolas and Jaisia did the same on the right. They would help cover the archer so Legolas could use his bow as long as possible.
Legolas had an arrow notched and fired before Aragorn even charged. His aim was perfect as always and one attacker toppled from his mount with an arrow in his eye.
Aragorn engaged another attacker and steel rang against steel. Kai moved up and engaged another, shouting war cries.
One spurred his mount at Gimli figuring on simple trampling the dwarf under his mount's hooves.
Gimli simply moved out of the mount's path and with one swing severed the rider's leg at the knee. Screaming, the rider fell from his horse, blood spraying everywhere.
Jaisia killed another rider, skillfully keeping close to Legolas. It was then she saw him. It was one of the men who'd attacked Legolas and her on the way to the village!! He was aiming an arrow at Legolas! "NO!!" Jaisia screamed. She lunged forward just as the man released the arrow.
So does everyone want to lynch me yet? **Cringes in fear** Important discovery in the next chapter!! Please R/R!!!