A/N: Whoop whoop! So sorry for the delay girlies!!!...School is just such a hassle right now! But I am doin my best, just for you! ::smiles:: I just thought I'd randomly dedicate this chap to Rayne Maker...b/c I can...lol...and I jus wanna inform the onez that IM me that my IM has changed again...so check it out and see what it iz ::smiles:: alright well...enjoy da chap everyone!!!! And give me tuns of reviewing fuel for the next chap!!! I love ya guys! You rock!!! Enjoy!











Chapter 23



Dangerous Situation

Legolas quickly rushed to the hut he knew Veborion was laid in.

When he entered he saw Nevethiriel wiping the poor Elf's head with a cool cloth.

He walked up behind her and placed his hands gently on her hips.

She jumped a little, but smiled when she saw it was he.

"How is he fairing?" He whispered to her.

"Well enough for you to talk to me...young prince." Legolas smiled down at his friend.

"Veborion...you gave us quite a scare."

"Ah yes, for that I am sorry." Veborion replied, making an attempt to sit up.

Ami quickly aided him, but it seemed near impossible for him to sit upright.

He finally gave up with a defeated sigh.

Ami smiled kindly at him before dabbing his head with a cloth once more. He reached up and stilled her arm.

"Thank you my lady for all your care. I am sure you give it willingly, but I must ask you to leave the hut for a moment...I have a matter that I must speak with the prince on...alone."

Ami glanced at Legolas and he nodded to her slightly. A soft smile formed on her lips and she nodded to Veborion.

She turned and left them alone.

When the hut door was closed, Legolas looked at Veborion.

"So...what happened out there? We found your horse, or should I say...what was left of him."

Veborion closed his eyes and sighed at this new news.

"He was a good steed. He did not deserve that, my old friend." Legolas reached out and placed his hand on Veborion's arm.

"Tell me, what happened?"

Veborion opened his eyes and settled his gaze on the young prince.

"Tis the reason I asked the lady to leave...I did not want to alarm her..." At this he paused and leaned forward a little, as did Legolas.

"Legolas...Malfanion is in these woods."

At this Legolas sat back in his chair again, a look of thought etched in his handsome features.

"This I was almost certain of myself...but I did not want to address it for Neveth's sake."

"Aye, but you must Legolas...for her safety...for everyone's safety."

Legolas nodded his head.

"I was riding through.." Veborion began quietly. "...All was quiet. I do not know how he snuck up on me. My horse sensed it before I did! And by the time I had, it was too late. A rock...he hit me with a rock. But it was enough to knock me down. I realized I was bleeding, and then...he just came into vision, sneering and mocking...and then he said to me, 'I am sorry Veborion...but at least I did not slit your throat.' I do not know what that meant, but then all went black, until I awoke here...to your lovely lady."

Legolas leaned forward again.

"What did he mean by that Legolas? That at least he did not slit my throat?"

Legolas sighed and Veborion could see the anger burning in his deep blue eyes.

"He was the coward who killed Angaalph." He said.

Veborion nodded.

"What will you do Legolas?" He questioned.

Legolas sat for a moment in thought then stated simply.

"Watch over my life."

Veborion smiled and nodded. He knew that the life of which Legolas spoke was not his own...but Nevethiriel.

~*~*~*~

Ami exited the hut and decided to go check up on Natalia.

As she was nearing the hut she noticed another Elf standing by the door.

It didn't take her too long to recognize him, and her expression soured.

"Haldir." She said dryly.

He bowed when she reached him, and when he straightened, she saw a look of sincerity on his face.

"How is he?"

"Nurtaur? Oh who knows? He may never wake." She said with a hint of an attitude as she tried to pass him and enter the hut.

He stepped in front of her and she fixed him with a deadly glare.

"Please Neveth, I need to know how he fairs...Twas not me that hit him, it was my arrow yes, but not me." Ami's eyes widened.

"It was your arrow?" She asked in shock.

Haldir paused.

"Did not Legolas tell you this?"

Ami shook her head slowly. Haldir saw hate begin to cloud in her eyes and he sighed.

"Nevethiriel I swear...twas not me. My quiver disappeared when I was hunting in the woods...I did not shoot that arrow..."

"No Haldir. You might not have shot that arrow, but what true Elf hunter is an ass enough to leave his quiver unguarded. Because of your stupidity a dear friend of mine is in there, weeping over her husband, and is not given the certainty of him ever waking." Ami once again tried to pass him but once again he stepped in front of her.

"Neveth please..."

"Let me pass Haldir!" She spat in his face.

"It would be smart on your part to listen to the lady Haldir."

Both Ami and Haldir turned to see a blonde Elf standing nearby.

"This is none of your business Morfalath." Haldir said steadily, but still anger visible.

"Bit it is Haldir, seeing on how the lady does not wish your body to be the roadblock that it is."

Ami couldn't help the little smile form on her lips at this new Elf.

Morfalath smiled back at her and then turned his attention back to Haldir.

"I suggest being on your way Haldir, for I know that you know you do not want to pick a fight with me."

Haldir muttered a curse under his breath before turning and walking away.

Ami once again turned to Morfalath with a smile.

"Thank you kind sir."

Morfalath returned her smile as he walked slowly towards her.

"Twas my pleasure. Haldir is a poor snake. But you cannot help and feel sorry for him. His mind troubles him much."

"Then you are a friend of his?" Ami questioned as she crossed her arms.

"Ah yes. We grew up together...we have been best friends for most of that time."

Ami's eyes widened in surprise.

"And yet you treat him as so?"

Morfalath let out a handsome laugh.

Ami smiled at this.

"Well friend or no...I do not agree with everything Haldir does, and he knows this. But he also knows I am capable of overpowering him."

"I see." She said.

An uncomfortable silence set in until Ami broke it.

"Well I must be in to check on my friend."

"Aye, but please, let me escort you in, for Nurtaur is a dear friend of mine as well, I was on my way to visit him." Morfalath smiled again.

His smile was very handsome and charming. But of course Ami was happy that the first thought to come into her head was...

'Handsmome yes, but not near so as Legolas.'

Feeling proud of herself, Ami smiled brightly and nodded her head.

He held his arm out and she took it as they walked inside.

Natalia glanced up from the book she was reading at Nutaur's bedside when they entered.

She had to double take on the male Elf, just to make sure it was not Legolas she was seeing holding onto her friend's arm.

Ami quickly released her arm and walked towards her.

"How is he?"

Natalia kept a skeptic eye on her as she answered.

"Same...there has been no changes."

Natalia then looked at Morfalath, and he smiled at her. For some reason, she couldn't help but let out a shy smile back...he did have a charming smile.

"Uh Nev, this is Morfalath. He said Nurtaur was a dear friend of his...so he has come to visit him."

Natalia's brow's raised in surprise.

"Oh, I am sorry. I did not know, Nurtaur never mentioned you." She said standing.

Morfalath chuckled as he shook his head.

"Nurtaur was never one to speak of me."

"And why is that?" Natalia questioned, now obviously very curious.

"For reason...that I am certain he would not like me to speak on with you."

At this Natalia couldn't help the anger flash through her.

"Nurtaur is my husband Morfalath...you mean too suggest to me that he keeps secrets from me?"

Morfalath could see that he had angered her and his smile faded.

"Oh no, dear Nev...I meant not to anger you. I just simply meant that it be best to let Nurtaur speak of it to you...not me." He explained quickly.

Natalia felt her anger being drenched and cooled so she let out a sigh.

She nodded her head with a faint smile and turned to her husband.

Ami held an amused smile at her friend, and Natalia flashed her a look that said 'Where the hell did you pick this Elf up?'

At this Ami's smile widened.

She looked over at Morfalath and saw that he was watching her.

For some reason she could not look away. Aye his eyes were not nearly as deep and as beautiful as Legolas'...but there was just something there in them that drew her. A little voice in the back of her mind yelled 'Danger danger!' but she pushed it away and got caught in his stare.

At that moment, the door opened behind Morfalath, and yet another blonde Elf entered.

Ami broke her gaze with Morfalath for an instant, but that was enough.

"Legolas!" She said in surprise. Her cheeks turned bright red, and for some reason she felt guilty and lowered her head.

Legolas stood at the door and looked from Morfalath to Nevethiriel. He had indeed caught that little stare between them...and now Nevethiriel blushed and looked away from him. What was going on?

"Morfalath." He said at last.

"Hello Legolas." He replied with a slight nod of his head.

Legolas once again looked at Nevethiriel, who still refused to look at him, then back at Morfalath. He felt a pang of jealousy course through him, but he quickly bundled it up and threw it away. This was Neveth he was thinking about. His love. She would not do anything to hurt or dishonor him. She loved him. Besides there were too many other thing to worry about at this time.

He sighed and cast his gaze once again on Nevethiriel.

"Neveth...might I have a word with you mela...outside."

At this Ami looked up. She nodded her head slightly and walked across the room. As she passed Morfalath, she could feel him looking at her, but she refused to return his gaze this time. She felt shameful. She was in love with Legolas, and he in love with her. She knew from then on she had to be careful, and told herself to never look into his eyes again. For to hurt Legolas would be to hurt her very being, her heart. And she knew she just could not do that.

Not to him...