I know the last chapter was kindda dark but lately I've been very stressed and I think its starting to rub off. Sorry about it if it ruined it I'll try to make it better this time.

And thank you again Misty for reviewing, you are a loyal reader, I appreciate it. Enjoy.

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It was one of the most revolting places she had ever been to. The walls were damp and dirt splattered, the smell of beer drifted round the stuffy corridor, and cobwebs could be seen in the corners, matted with the dead carcasses of insects.

Outside the rumblings of a storm could be heard, and rain started to pour down.

'Glad we got in when we did,' Emeriel whispered, the atmosphere in the house seemed to demand it. Legolas nodded and turned to the keeper.

Emeriel waited uneasily, fidgeting slightly, while Legolas talked to the innkeeper about accommodations. The drunken slouching at the bar, not two metres away, seemed to be eyeing her up, with a look, which she did not even what to consider. Stepping closer to Legolas, she caught a slight chuckle and watched him down another glass.

' 'ow may I 'elp ya?' the innkeeper's voice was husky and dry, from years of drinking.

'We would like room for the night?' Legolas stated. Checking a book cracked and dusty from long use, the innkeeper spoke again.

'Las' one tonigh',' the deep voice spoke. He glanced at Emeriel and then back at Legolas, with slight interest. 'Don't get much a ya folk round 'ear,' it was a question though Legolas chose caution, and turned it into a statement.

'No. Many places still are held under shadow, and we prefer to stay closer to home then we used to.' His voice gave no room for any questions and the keeper kept quiet.

The innkeeper had moved into a back room, unseen to their eyes and Legolas having noticed the drunken slob (thank Earendil for elven senses!), smoothly brought Emeriel in front and to the other side of him. When the innkeeper got back, Legolas was still resting a protective arm around Emeriel. Feeling safe and a little light-headed, Emeriel, snuggled closer. He was warm, a soothing contrast to the chilly night air, and damp weather. She watched as the innkeeper seeing them, smiled and gave Legolas a battered key and told them to go up to the third floor, and room number 12.

One room?

She felt Legolas move from behind her, grab her hand and move towards a set of stairs to their right. They were ancient and creaky. The whole inn seemed to be ancient and creaky. Hopefully the rooms would be better. But Emeriel doubted it, but it would have to do.

Leading her up to the third floor landing, Legolas stopped at Room 12. It was even hotter up here than it was down stairs, and dampness crept upwards. Opening the fragile door, they stepped in, Legolas still holding her hand. It was small, only holding a bed, small table and chair. A door leading off to their left, they presumed was the bathroom. The furniture was dusty, but the bed like the rest of the inn was clean, obviously prepared for any guest that might visit.

'We will be staying here, tonight,' Legolas spoke looking round the room. 'I know it's not exactly wonderful, but at least the bed's clean.' He looked tired and placed his bow on the table with his quiver which he had now taken off. Watching his movements, she caught a wince, before he tried to cover it up.

'Your hurt.'

'It's nothing really,' his voice was tight with pain. Ignoring his lie, she walked over and looked him over. Looking closer she could now see a wound through a severed piece of tunic. It was stained with blood, not a lot, but enough to cause her concern, but this was already patched with cloth. When had he had time to do that?

'You call that nothing?' her voice now held the authority of a fussing mother.

'Really I'm..,' interrupting him, she ordered, 'No your not.' Looking at her with an expression, which she could not quite figure out, he finally gave in. 'We're need to get this off,' her voice softened. Nodding, he moved to lift it over his head, but pain shot through his body as he raised his right arm. Gently taking hold of the shirt she stilled his movements, and with greatest of tenderness, removed the tunic from his now sweat drenched body. Great, looks like a fever! Placing it down on the table, she went silently into the bathroom to boil some water, while Legolas studied the now bleeding wound.

He was sitting on the bed half-dressed when she came back into the room. She was struck suddenly upon how beautiful he was. She stood there awe- struck, just watching him.

He looked up and she was snapped out of the trance. She sat on the bed, and dipped the cloth, which she had found in a cupboard into the now warm water.

'Lie back, it will be easier.' She watched as the tired body lay down on the bed before her. He relaxed into the bed, his tired mind already starting to drift. As gently as she could, Emeriel started cleaning the wound. If she hit any sore spot Legolas showed no signs of it. He lay there, eyes closed, not moving with a completely relaxed expression on his face. She knew he was not sleeping, but probably just resting.

She felt bad, it had been Legolas who had done all the work along the way. He had been the one to fight off the orcs, he had been the one who had stayed with her all day when they could have gone back.

But now it was Emeriel who was the comforter. And she would do anything to make this angel feel better. Even if it meant harm to herself.



Ok another annoying place to stop, but I have to go again, got a stupid violin lesson. Your lucky I could upload this. So be happy. More to come soon. And to mention, my last update will be on Monday, I'm going to Malta on Tuesday!! I'll write more i promise and there'll be loads more chapters up then.