Legolas was just setting aside his third book when he saw Elsa- her eyes half closed. He walked over to the exhausted girl, feeling guilty he had not noticed her poor state sooner. "Elsa."

Elsa's eyes flew open and she looked at Legolas. "Yes?" she said keeping every trace of sleepiness from her voice.

Legolas smiled. "Would you like a break?"

"No."

"Are you lying?"

A small smile grace Elsa's face. "Yes."

Legolas laughed. "Why don't you take one?"

"Won't you come with?"

"I planned on staying a bit longer-"

Elsa looked down to hide her disappointment.

"-but I will join you if you wish."

Elsa beamed.

"You may go on ahead. I'll just be a minute," Legolas said helping her to her feet.

"Make haste." With a wave to Aragorn, Elsa left the library. Another yawn escaped her lips. They had been searching for hours and now it was late afternoon. Elsa was determined to relax the rest of the day. She was just passing under a large tree when a figure robed in black leapt out from the shadows and pinned her against the trunk, his hand around her throat.

Elsa winced as her arm scraped against the rough bark, causing it to bleed.

The figure then saw what it was looking for- Elsa's necklace, beautiful in its simplicity. His hand shot out and his fingers closed greedily around the necklace. Just as quickly he released the necklace, letting out a scream of pain. He held his one hand with the other on which Elsa happened to notice the pattern of the chain burned into it.

With him no longer holding her up, Elsa fell to the ground gasping for breath. Her hand reached up to hold her necklace as she watched the figure run away into the trees. She sat on the ground for minutes trying to take in the events. She was still on the ground when Legolas found her.

"Elsa!" Legolas hurried to her side. "What happened?"

One silent tear rolled down her cheek. "I don't know," she answered quietly, sounding like her mind was not even there.

"Come on," Legolas said gently, trying to lift her to her feet. "What happened?"

Elsa looked up into Legolas' face, her eyes empty. "I was only walking, when someone jumped out at me. He tried to take my necklace, but then suddenly ran away."

"Are you sure?" Her story was not making any sense to Legolas; he thought she was just a bit shook up from whatever had happened. He took her arm to lead her away, but then feeling the blood on his fingers, he turned her arm over to inspect it more closely. "You're bleeding."

Elsa looked down, still not completely comprehending what was happening. "I am?" she blinked.

Legolas looked around before ripping some plants from their place in the earth. He crushed them with his hand and then sprinkled the powder over Elsa's arm.


"What is it?"

Legolas didn't answer. He tore off a part of his shirt and wrapped it tightly around Elsa's arm. He then began leading her along the path. "I would like you to stay with Arwen tonight."

"It is not time to retire."

"I know that. When it is time to retire, I want you to stay with her."

"Why?" Elsa asked suspiciously.

"I'm only concerned for your well-being."

"You don't believe me, do you?"

"I think you're just frightened and that may have mixed you up a little bit," Legolas replied, choosing his words delicately.

"It happened as I said," Elsa persisted.

"It does not matter," Legolas said trying to get her out of her defensive state. "I am only worried that something may happen and I think it best that you stay with Arwen for a bit. Unless you're going to make me sleep outside your door. I would hate to do such a thing. The floor is most uncomfortable."

"Legolas?"

"Hmm?"

"Did I ever tell you about my necklace?"

"No," Legolas said. "I wasn't aware you had one."

"I do. See? My parents said that I've had it ever since a baby and they never tried to take it from me. I remember…I wore it every day."

"Oh, really?" Legolas asked politely, wanting desperately for her to snap out of whatever phase she was in.

"Yes," Elsa continued. "It can't be worth much…I wonder why that man wanted it…He burned his hand on something."

"Elsa, there is nothing to burn his hand on."

"I know…but he did. It was all red, and he screamed. Have you ever screamed? I haven't. Except once when-"

"How are you feeling?" Legolas asked growing concerned of her incessant babbling.

"I am a bit dizzy. And tired. And-" Elsa collapsed without further warning.

Legolas quickly reached out to catch her and shifted her weight in his arms. He scooped her up like a child and hurriedly headed for the nearest room. She needed healing. With every passing moment he grew more and more concerned for the beautiful elf he had fallen in love with. And more and more convinced that she needed some kind of protection.

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