Hey, Eyes Of The Ringbearer, you're right--it is Japan, you win a plot bunny!! I know Japan doesn't exist in Middle Earth, but this is an AU fic!!!

Chapter 35--New Companions

Syri obviously understood why Aragorn was hesitating. "We could have left you in the slaver's clutches and kept Legolas," she pointed out.

Aragorn had to give her that. "All right, you both may come with us," he said.

They ate supper and settled down to rest. Qui took first watch. He went directly to Legolas' side and sat down beside him.

Legolas was the last to awaken the next morning. He sat up slowly and brushed his hair out of his eyes and saw Qui next to him. Qui smiled in greeting and offered a plate of food to him.

Legolas was starved!! He took the plat and began wolfing the food down. Aragorn came over just as the Elf was finishing. Legolas looked up. "What is it?" he asked.

"Last night you said you used to much of your life force before you fell asleep. What did you mean?" Aragorn asked.

"Did I? I do not remember that," Legolas hedged, trying to avoid the subject.

"Yes, you did and stop trying to get around me. Tell me what you meant," Aragorn said. His tone made it clear he would not accept any excuses.

Legolas sighed. He hadn't wanted anyone to know. "The ability to heal has a price that must be paid. When I heal I am using my own life force. It weakens me and if I use too much at once in a healing trance it could kill me. Qui was dying when I went to his aid. I had to use a lot of power to heal him and I overdid it," he said.

"You mean you could have died from healing someone? Why do you risk your life?" Gimli asked.

Legolas looked at the Dwarf. "I do it because I am a healer and it is my duty to help, I accepted the risk a long time ago," he said. "I will not ignore this gift when it can help so many, it would be wrong."

Aragorn knew that to Legolas that was all there was to it. He accepted the risk of what his power gave him and what it could take away because of duty. "Do not ever weaken yourself like that again, damn it, you scared me!!" he growled. "Be more careful the next time!!"

"It scared me too, I will be more careful next time. I am sorry that I worried anyone," Legolas said.

Qui patted Legolas' shoulder then gestured at Syri. "Qui says thank you for saving his life," she said. "He will never forget what you did for him."

"He saved mine, we are even, but I would like to learn his hand speak if you would teach me," Legolas said.

Syri glanced at Qui who nodded eagerly. "Very well, I will teach you as we travel, healer," she agreed.

They gathered up their gear and continued on towards Mirkwood. Syri began to teach Legolas hand speak. A couple times Qui would laugh silently and Syri would snicker at his mistakes that meant other things then what he intended. Legolas didn't mind. He was enjoying the lessons immensely. Even Gimli, Aragorn and Boromir became interested and tried to learn as well. They laughed and joked as they traveled. Slowly a bond formed between a group of extremely different people--friendship.

It made the journey seem more interesting instead of tedious. It was a day to be remembered as far as all of them were concerned; for once they were not attacked by anyone or anything. They set up camp at dusk and settled down to supper then slept, but sadly the lull was not to last….

176 reviews--I love you people, thank you so much!!! R/R!! I decided to let Syri and Qui hang around for awhile, maybe a little romance between Syri and someone in the group, would you like that? And who do you think it should be? Let me know!!!!