Author's note:

Hello all!! Sorry I've been so-o-o lazy. School, again, it's a pain in the ass. But it's out for summer now - so I've got PLENTY of time. It's great. I'm going to see "Rivendell" on Tuesday (ok, the place where they filmed it). I love living here. They're bringing out all this LOTR stuff like the premiere thing and Gollum hanging over the Embassy theatre so I'm planning on enjoying it. LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND ROCKS TO THE CORE!! But anyway. A big hi to BoL, who's writing a new fanfic thing with Anon E. Mus called Battle's cry. Also a big hi to little four year old Emma (who won't be reading this, but anyway) who's sitting next to me right now, playing with one of my old barbie dolls that I've uh... shamelessly... uh... kept. Hmm...

Disclaimer:

No unfortunately LOTR does NOT belong to me, nor does Figwit. Figwit belongs to himself and in the council of Elrond as a random, cute elf that Peter Jackson put in for measure.

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Chapter 7

"How is your arm, Miss Lindelë?" Gimli asked.

"Sore-ish," Alice whimpered, to cool to admit it hurt like the firey pits of Satan's lair, commonly referred to as hell. She also resisted the urge to bawl her eyes out over the pain as that would be childish. So, she just decided to curse everyone and everything (except Legolas, her friends and family, of course) under her breath in the worst words in her cynical vocabulary that she could pick to use. After a while, that torrent of cursing flipped toward Ms Dawson, her ex English teacher who was always criticising her grammar and spelling, despite the fact she couldn't spell and had terrible grammar. Legolas, with heightened hearing, heard it all, and was grinning for all it was worth.

"Your arm must be pained," Legolas murmured to her. "You have so far sworn in every language I can pick up." Alice smacked her forehead.

"Oh god," She muttered, with a nervous laugh. "Bloody other elves and their heightened hearing."

"You have Elvish blood running through your veins bain nîn," Legolas reminded her.

"I'm so aware of it too," Alice drawled facetiously.

"May I ask as to what is taking place behind my back?" Gimli wanted to know.

"Legolas was telling me how I could arch better the next time we came across orcs," Alice lied smoothly. Legolas raised a perfect eyebrow in her direction. Alice gave him a stern "keep quiet" look in return.

"Of course," Legolas said modestly, playing along. He was grinning from ear to ear and Alice could see he was strongly resisting the urge to laugh. She thought that this was just not fair. However, nothing was mentioned on the trek back to Lothlórien, to Alice's profound relief. Aragorn and Haldir met them on their return and insisted that Alice go to be healed.

"The wound does not seem bad," Haldir proclaimed. "The arrow was not poisoned."

"That's nice to know," Alice sighed. "If you could hurry up it'd be good."

"Why is that, Lady?" Haldir asked.

"It freaking hurts," Alice hissed. Legolas chuckled.

Alice awoke the next morning, having a vague recollection of going from a healing to sleep straight away. Looking down, she saw she was in her nightgown. How she got out of her dress she didn't want to think about. She also didn't want to think about who was actually there either. Her eyes began to focus at the space around her. All she could see was soft, green, leathery type material. Oh my god. Her eyes travelled upwards to see Legolas semi-lying with her in her bed. And her head was currently in his lap.

Oh god, oh god, oh god Alice thought. How did he get there? HOW?! And why is my head THERE of all places?!?! She saw Legolas grin.

"Good morning," He chirruped incredibly cheerfully for someone who looked as if he hadn't slept for the entire night.

"Hi," She muttered, dazedly and knew she was blushing to the tips of her ears. "Why are you in my bed?"

"I remained here last night," Legolas explained. "To keep you from harm." Alice resisted the urge to squeeze him to death. How cute! A happy smile formed on her face instead.

"Thank you," She murmured. Legolas leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"You are welcome," He replied, and began to stroke her hair. "I am content that you are safe." Alice reached up her arms and hugged Legolas's waist. Alice embraced Legolas for awhile until her arms got sore and she had to let go.

"Are you able to sit upright?" Legolas asked, after awhile. Alice willed all her strength to lift her abdominal area up and failed.

"Well, I tried," Alice replied. "In other words, no. I can't sit up." Legolas thought for a moment, a solemn look in his violet-blue eyes. She then felt Legolas's light hands at her waist, helping her to sit up. With a lot of cursing and complaining on Alice's part, she was finally able to be propped up against the bedstead. They sat and talked until midday, until Gimli started yelling at Legolas to go exploring the wide lands of Lothlórien.

"I better let you boys go to it," She sighed.

"Will you be well?" He asked, his brow creasing in concern. Alice then had the urge to yell for the whole of Caras Galadhron to hear that no, he shouldn't go exploring with Gimli, but be locked in her room, with her present, for long, long time. Hopefully eternity. But she quelled this urge.

"Yeah yeah," She mumbled. "Go. You'll have fun." Alice made note to hit Gimli with his own axe later on.

"I shall fetch your companions," Legolas assured her. "They are eager to see that you are well. I want not for you to be lonely." Alice made another note. This time to kick herself very hard for letting Legolas go off with Gimli on a little jaunt in the bush.

"As long as you don't get yourself murdered by orcs," Alice replied dryly.

"Do not fear," Legolas whispered, moving a tendril of hair out of her face. He then preceded, much to Alice's utter ecstasy, to bend down and kiss her.

Ah... Alice thought. The beauty of the elves...

"Lady Nwalya," Haldir began. "Are you certain you are well?"

"Of course I am," Devon snapped. Honestly. Haldir was such an authoritarian. She was going to have words with that Alice... Legolas was hers. How dare she go and betroth herself to him! Unfortunately, this didn't last very long as Nwalya tripped and fell flat on her face.

"You are not well at all," Haldir scolded. "You must rest." He helped Devon, struggling to get away, back to her bed.

"Fine then," Mumbled Devon and she began to sulk. This was an extremely stupid idea, as it could make anyone mistake her for Gollum. Little did they know she was closer to Gollum than most thought. There was a light tap on the door and someone entered.

"Hello," The person said, in a soft, almost South African, accent.

"Carry?!" Devon exclaimed. Carry nodded.

"Alice told me you were here," Carry replied. "Are you Elvish too?" Devon nodded.

"I am an elf of Mirkwood," Devon replied, knowing that this wasn't quite the truth.

"I thought all elves were blonde," Carry said, taken aback. "Well, except for Alice's aunt, uncle and dad."

"Alice's aunt?" Devon inquired.

"Arwen something," Carry told her. "Can't pronounce the Elvish."

"Arwen Undómiel, Evenstar of her people," Devon recited.

"Arwen Undómiel!" Carry cried in recognition. "That's it! How'd you know?"

"Arwen's famous everywhere," Devon demurred. "Last of the Eldar and all that crap."

"Ah," Carry said. "What are you here for anyway?"

"Caught by orcs," Devon explained. "All Alice's fault."

"What?" Carry exclaimed. "Alice wouldn't be that cruel..."

"She was the only one who could save me!" Devon insisted. "And didn't even bother!" Carry looked at her believing for a split second the utter pile of crap that was coming from Devon's mouth. Little did Carry know that Devon was putting on a play to the masses, with her as the ill-used heroine. It didn't matter that the events were as about as correct as the story of Adam and Eve, of course. All that mattered to Devon was that she could manipulate Carry enough to turn on her friend.

Well, Carry thought. Alice does seem to almost hate Devon.

"We must forgive and forget," Carry said finally. "She's been a good friend to me, Gina and Beth at least. None of us are perfect."

Carry then walked away trying to deal with what she'd just heard. She was the vicar's daughter. She couldn't base everything on what she heard. It would be wrong.

Gina was in heaven. She was sitting with Orophin, the hottest guy since Orlando Bloom and Heath Ledger. Orophin was perfect. He was gorgeous, yet surprisingly unaware of the fact. He was kind and gentlemanlike, a trait which had left most of the male sex in the seventies. Bottom line: You don't find many guys like this these days. The fact that he could speak very little English didn't matter. It was sexier when he spoke Elvish. Gina was trying to make understood conversation with her super spunk when Carry sauntered over. Gina gave her a peeved look.

"Hello, I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Said Carry, walking toward them.

"No, not really," Gina mumbled, sounding fairly exaggerated. "Orophin, do you mind if Carry and I chat for a bit?" Orophin processed some of this and shook his head, his pretty blue eyes shining innocently. Gina looked ready to swoon for all it was worth. Carry sat down beside them.

"Anything happened?" Carry asked. Gina looked at her friend.

"If you mean that I've hooked up with him, your answer is no," Gina replied rather bluntly.

"Oh well, " Carry assured her. "Be patient. Anyway, Devon Stewart is here."

"Hahahahaha," Gina trilled. "You're joking right?" Carry shook her head.

"Nope," She replied.

"Devon's an elf?" Gina squeaked.

"Apparently," Carry replied.

"What is the world coming to?" Gina muttered.

"She told me Alice had left her to rot with the Orcs," Carry commentated.

"Yeah, in Devon's interpretations," Gina shot back. "Don't trust her as far as you can throw."

"But Alice pretty much hates her," Carry insisted. "What if she really did?" Gina rolled her eyes.

"Oh sure," Gina drawled sarcastically. "Are we talking about the same person? Alice had trouble flushing the tail of her dead goldfish down the loo after her former cat ate the rest of it."

"Maybe you're right," Carry admitted.

"Devon's evil. Manipulative bitch," Gina muttered. "Remember when she was trying to kill Alice by pushing her off a cliff on the Year 10 Duke of Ed award tramp?"

"Oh true," Carry said absently. She saw Legolas coming toward them. "Speaking of Alice, here comes her boyfriend."

"Greetings Lady Carry and Lady Gina," He announced. Carry and Gina looked at him with mild interest. Legolas was always good eye candy. Such a shame he Alice's boyfriend. Fiancée. Whatever.

"Hey," Gina replied. Carry, in true Carry fashion, nodded.

"Hi," Carry finally said.

"Your companion is in the healing wing," He told them.

"Alice?" Gina asked. "Why?" Carry looked as confused as Gina.

"On our recent expedition we encountered a band of Orcs," Legolas explained. "Alice was hit in the arm."

"SHOT IN THE ARM?!" Gina exclaimed. She took a hasty step toward Legolas and latched on to his clothes, shaking him with every sentence. "Is. She. Going. To. Be. O. K?"

"Yes, she will," Legolas replied awkwardly, detaching Gina from his clothing. "She is fit to be seen." Gina and Carry looked at each other.

"Does Beth know?" Carry asked. "Not that she'd care but anyway."

"Lady Beth was quite concerned," Legolas told them. "I informed her prior."

"We better go check that she is all right," Gina said to Carry. Carry nodded. "Hey Orophin, wanna come with us to see Lady Lindelë?" Orophin, understanding only one word in that previous sentence (his name) nodded.

"I don't think he understood any of that," Carry whispered to her friend.

"Oh shut up," Gina snapped. "Yo Legsy, ya coming?" Legolas looked up.

"I trust you are referring to me," He said, trying desperately not to wince. Legsy. He'd never been called that before. It sounded exceedingly vulgar. "And yes, I will accompany you."

If not to save Orophin from the torment... He thought.

Alice was incredibly bored. She had even resorted to counting the leaves that floated past her window after already plaiting at least 15 random pieces of her hair, fantasising the best ways to kick the next orc's slimy ass that she saw into orbit as well as pushing down her nail cuticles. She fervently wished for a pack of cards or a book. Even Firestorm, the worse book ever written would do quite nicely right about now. At about the time she was about to scream blue murder from the incessant boredom, she heard footsteps coming up the staircase-like, gnarled roots which extended from the ground and climbed up the tree.

Someone's come to save me! She thought delightedly, in true drama queen fashion. They didn't even stop to knock and entered.

"Hey hun!" Gina squealed. Behind her stood Carry, Legolas and a gorgeous blonde elf who she recalled as Orophin. They all waved awkwardly except for Orophin who didn't have a clue as to what was going on.

"Hey all," Alice said, blissful that she was finally be able to be relieved of boredom. She lifted her arms up in the air, stretching and discovered it was a dour mistake. They began hurting as soon as she took them out of the air. Hopefully, Gina had found the Elvish equivalent of caffeine or chocolate, both of which seemed to dull physical and mental pain of almost every kind.

"Hey Alice," Carry said, awkwardly sounding distant and drawn. Alice gave her a sceptical look. What was up with her? Legolas, however, was completely delighted to see her again. He had lowered himself next to her, drawing her head toward his chest and was currently stroking her hair. Alice was loving it. She felt much like a small child being comforted for scraping her knee, but who cared. Legolas was such a sweetheart. Which reminded her. She needed Haldir to actually teach her how to say 'sweetheart' or 'love' in Elvish so she could say it to Legolas. Alice loved his sexy Elvish accent when he called her something sweet in that gorgeous, articulate language. Gina, giving Orophin a longing glance, sat down on Alice's other side.

"So how are things going with Orophin?" Alice whispered.

"Slow," Gina whispered back ruefully. "But I like him. A lot."

"I can tell," Alice whispered again, slyly. "Good luck. I'll get Haldie to teach him some more English for you. After all, he is Orophin's brother."

"Thanks," Gina said and grinned at Alice's nickname for the serious Haldir.

"No worries," Alice replied.

Her friends left late evening all claiming sleep was about to claim them. Orophin, followed Gina out of the healing chambers with a look of affection etched in his face. Alice smiled, satisfied.

"Can you stay a little while longer?" She asked Legolas. He nodded.

"Yes meleth nín," He replied, his accent thickening over the Elvish words. Alice wondered what it meant. She'd ask Haldir at her next exceedingly confusing tutorial. That was if she could stand not bashing his blonde head in with a stick. He annoyed her immensely with his forever nagging that she must learn Elvish and had been instructed to by the Lady of the Golden Wood. Alice took this to be Galadriel, who, in all the time she'd been here, she'd only seen once.

"Excellent," Alice sighed. "Oh by the way, how's Aragorn and the little hobbits?"

"They were well this morning," Legolas replied.

"I might go see them tomorrow," Alice announced. "If the dreaded Haldir lets me out of my room."

"You may not be well enough," Legolas protested.

"I'll be fine," She assured him. "Give me a sling, and I'll be sweet." Legolas gave her a puzzled look. "Oh for god's sake. Don't slings exist in Middle Earth?"

"Not that I have heard," Legolas replied. Alice searched the room. Well, there seemed to be no large, square pieces of material. It was then she realised they'd draped her in a kind of wrap thing. Alice summoned all her knowledge she'd picked up on the first aid component of her EOTC* classes at school and finally managed to concoct a sling.

"And there we have a sling," Alice proclaimed. She saw a gleam of recognition in Legolas's eyes.

"We do not call them slings as such," He explained. "But I have seen such a garment before."

"Oh that's good," Alice remarked. "I'm going to talk to Haldie about it." Legolas grinned at her nickname for the ancient elf.

"I remind you not to call Master Haldir that to his face," Legolas told her.

"That would be like asking for a death wish," Alice agreed. "I've seen Haldir get angry enough to know it's not worth messing with him." She looked up into Legolas's eyes to see a sparkle of amusement. "Thanks for keeping me company today."

"You need not thank me," Legolas replied. "One day spent with you is a lifetime of happiness. You do not know how I have missed you."

"Oh I think I do," Alice said knowingly, smiling reaching up to touch his cheek. Legolas drew her closer and kissed her softly.

Little did they know someone was watching with a look of disgust on her face. She was plotting a plan to break them apart. Devon's revenge was still to come.

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Oh cliffhangers.... well I had to zing up the chapter somehow!! Anyway, you're all welcome to review at your will. Gotta run now, Toodles noodles!!