I warned u…and I warn u again- it could be 2 weeks b4 the next update…my apologies. thank u 4 all your reviews plz keep reviewing!

Elsa woke with a start. Wondering how long she had been asleep, she surveyed her surroundings. Even in the darkness she could see her horse standing lazily by the trunk of a large tree just off to the side of a narrow path. Elsa had not meant to fall asleep; she had only wanted to rest for a moment.

Elsa forced herself to rise and threw the blanket she had covered herself with over the horse's back. She then mounted the beautiful mare and continued on her quest.

She had to keep moving. She was afraid that elves from Rivendell would catch up to her and force her back to the city. She couldn't let that happen. Not with Legolas missing.

Her eyelids slowly began to slide down over her eyes but only made it halfway before flying back open.

"I must stay awake," Elsa told herself. She finally decided to walk along side of the horse in hopes that she would not fall asleep so easily.

"It's only your second day," Elsa quietly scolded herself. "If you're tiring already you might as well head back now."

Elsa froze when she heard the bushes rustle quietly. Her exhaustion quickly leaving her, Elsa's eyes darted all around her trying to find the source of the sound. "Who's there?" she called, slowly reaching for her saddlebag where she kept a knife.

Silence.

Suddenly, someone tackled Elsa from behind. Just after she had hit the ground hard, she felt something fly just above her head. She shook her head and watched in amazement as the arrow bore into the trunk of the tree in front of her.

Elsa rose and brushed the leaves and twigs off her clothes then looked up, still shaken from the experience.

Standing before her was a man - no, an elf - wearing dark apparel. He had long dark brown hair and brown eyes that held a gleam of amusement but still managed to be hard and distant.

"Do I know you?" Elsa asked warily.

"No, my lady, but I am from Riven-"

Before the name could even be entirely spoken, Elsa had turned and started running as fast as she was able. Just as she thought she had escaped the stranger, the top of her foot hit a rock and she fell to the ground. The next thing she knew, the elf was helping her up. He held her wrist firmly as she writhed and struggled in his grasp.

"You shan't take me back! I can't go back! Let me go!"

"Hush!"

Elsa was shocked into silence at his harshness.

"Less you care not who finds you in these woods. You did not allow me to finish. Yes, I am from Rivendell, but I am not here to take you back, though it is my duty as a man. If you left Rivendell for good reason then I will help you. Otherwise you must come back with me. For your safety."

"I do not care whether or not you think I have good reason for leaving. I refuse to go back until I have accomplished my task."

The elf chuckled. "You are a stubborn one."

Elsa stuck her chin into the air. "And you, sir, obviously have no idea how to treat a lady!"

"In case you didn't notice, someone tried to kill you back there, and, just for your information, Aragorn and Arwen are getting steadily closer to you."

Elsa's eyes narrowed as she studied the elf. "Who are you?"

The elf released her wrist, knowing that she was too interested in answers to run away. "I am Elrohir son of Elrond and brother to the Lady of Rivendell."

"You are Arwen's brother," Elsa said as the revelation dawned on her.

"Yes. But now to business. Where are you going?"

Elsa's heart beat faster. She didn't want him to take her back to Rivendell. And what if he was delaying her so Arwen and Aragorn could catch up? Without answering his question, Elsa went back to her horse. She took her mount and turned her horse onto the path. But in the middle of the path was Elrohir on his own horse.

"I grow weary of this," Elsa said her voice growing testy. "Please leave me be and let me be on my way."

"I will not abandon you to this wood, but here is what I propose. Let us ride along so that Aragorn and Arwen do not catch up and while we are doing so we may discuss where you are going and what you hope to accomplish."

"Agreed."

The two elves started off right away, but within a moment Elrohir veered off the path. Elsa followed, though none too happily.

"Where are you going?"

"The path is much too obvious, my lady. Unless you have a death wish."

"You said you would help me."

"Depending on what it is that you are doing."

"Legolas of Mirkwood is missing from Rivendell. I'm worried about him and must find him."

"And you hoped to do this alone?"

"Arwen has more important things to do in Rivendell," Elsa defended herself, "what with the war and all."

Elrohir's ears perked up and he stared at Elsa. "What war?"

"Mirkwood has declared war on Rivendell. And that is another reason I must find him."

Elrohir thought quietly for a few moments before stating, "I will help you find Legolas. But I must warn you, we will sleep very little and stop to rest even less. I travel at a grueling pace. There is no room for compromise if you wish to stay ahead of Aragorn and Arwen."

"I understand and I trust your judgment."

"Good." Elrohir kicked his horse into a light gallop.

Elsa followed suit.

The two elves rode for hours in silence, stopping once to water their horses. When they continued on their journey, Elsa found the courage to ask, "Do you know where we are going?"

Elrohir slowed to a canter so they could speak more easily. "I would think they brought Legolas to the Misty Mountains."

Elsa reigned her horse in to a halt. "Who are 'they?' " she demanded.

Elrohir stopped as well and looked at the curious elf. "What do you mean?"

"Do you know something of Legolas' disappearance?"

"I know very little. Only what the wind brings to me. But it is I who must put the pieces together."

"What do you know of Legolas?"

Elrohir was flabbergasted. "What do you mean?"

"You speak as if you know something."

"Celsius, pl-"

"What did you call me?"

Elrohir paused uncertainly. "Celsius. Isn't that your name?"

"No. My name is Elsa. Who told you my name was Celsius?"

"You are the Lady of Fire, are you not?"

Elsa sat in silence, her brow knit together in careful thought. "Where did you hear this?"

"In Rivendell. Many elves believe you are she. Including my sister and Aragorn."

"Arwen told me the Lady was only a legend."

"A legend, but not a myth."

"They are one and the same," Elsa argued.

"Are you reluctant to believe you are among the wisest, fairest, and kindest of elves?"

"I am in no mood to discuss this. Let us concentrate on Legolas."

"Finding him will do us no good if we cannot save him."

"What do you mean by that?"

Elrohir's voice and eyes were confident. "If you do not believe in yourself, Elsa, then there really is no Lady of Fire. She will only exist if you allow her to."

Elsa tried not to show her restlessness. She suggested they continue on their way and Elrohir agreed. Elsa took advantage of the time and pondered Elrohir's words. It seemed silly to her to think of herself as part of a legend. But…could it be true? Elrohir made it sound as though there was no hope for Legolas if she was not the Lady.

Elsa was quite out of sorts by the time they stopped and made camp. In the darkness of the night she asked, "If I am the Lady…what does that mean?"

"It means," Elrohir said gently, "you will have the right to be the ruler of Rivendell."

The thought alarmed Elsa so much she closed her eyes tightly. 'I can't rule,' she thought to herself. Out loud she whispered, "I need to talk to you, Legolas."