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Legolas took a deep breath and let it go. He had not felt this exhausted in a long time, ever since his last journey with the newly crowned King Elessar. And what made it ever worse, was the confusion that was taunting him and swimming in whirls around in his brain.

Emeriel.

His stomach churned just thinking about her. Her soft golden hair, her fantastic, brilliant violet eyes. The gentle movement and shift of cloth when she moved. That tender yet authoritative voice that smoothly glided over sore wounds and ears. The feather-light dance of her touch, that had a moment ago just helped him out of his shirt, he still felt the frenzied sensations.

Clearing the dazed state of his thoughts away to the back of his head, Legolas shifted his attention to healing himself, he would need it before the day came. He was aware of Emeriel squeezing the water out of the grubby cloth and prepared himself for pain. It usually did at this point.

He waited. But it was far less than he thought. Her hands moved with infinite care over the bruised and broke skin, where an arrow had glanced off his side. He was lucky. It was not that deep, but still held the sharp twang of burning. Emeriel's hands glided in circles around the wound on his chest, so carefully that he was just starting to relax when she finally starting cleaning the wound itself.

Sharply drawing in breath, Legolas held himself still against the burning stab. No matter how gentle, this would hurt. When the pain had finally subsided, Legolas found that the wound was already bandaged, with what seemed to be an old rag. Slightly awed at how fast Emeriel had finished the dressings, he forced himself to breathe slowly and deeply, burying the dull ache that had now arisen. Though he could not see her, he knew she was there, close by. Emeriel's breath was soft and a caress against his cheek.

'You alright?' was her only question, still tinted with worry. It took awhile for Legolas to look up at her. She was seated on the bed next to his head, watching his face with growing worry, yet seeming somehow more distant than a few hours before.

'Yes I'm alright. Thank you mi'lady,' her expression was not changed, only deepened at this sudden change in formality. He did not know what was wrong, and it worried him greatly, but he had known not to call her with too friendly at title. It probably was not the time or the place to get too friendly.

'Sleep. You'll need it.'

'Miss you should be the one sleeping,' Legolas suddenly realised how late it most be.

'No. I'll be fine, I wasn't the one that was almost killed by an arrow,' she looked at him and spoke once more before he got a chance. 'Anyway, I'm sure your father, who entrusted you with me, would not be happy with me the way you've got hurt, all because of me. And I think I owe you and him one. So lie down, Prince Charming, and get better, I feel bad already, don't make me feel worse by causing you more suffering.' Her teasing combined with the seriousness of the situation somehow lightened his mood, and Legolas could not refuse her request, no matter how much she made it seem like he was a young child she was in the care of. In fact, it was nice in a weird sort of way to be cared for again, not as a Prince of Mirkwood, but just as a normal elf, who had unfortunately been injured during the attack of a group of fiercely grotesque orcs.

'Very well, fair maiden, but it was more than a pleasure to rescue such a beautiful jewel that sits before me now,' he sat up ignoring her protests. ' It would have caused me far more sorrow and pain if it were you that had been hurt. What would your father have said then? Anyway, I would have been further in pain if it had not been for your fast yet gentle healing. It was an honour to have felt the tender touch of such a pure maiden, who dwells from the Blue Mountains. Is it usual for maidens such as yourself to possess such wonderful talents?' His smooth, now once more charming voice floated over her.

She knew he was teasing, playing with her. He was paying her back by embarrassment, for the earlier display she had bestowed upon him. Legolas knew she knew, and in sort enjoyed the display of colour that flared upon her pale cheeks. Seeing her stumble for the next retort, he was, in a very immature way delighted at his victory. Smiling playfully at her, Legolas moved to get off the bed. Seeing her puzzled face he replied, 'I'm not going to let you sleep on the floor or anyway else, a Lady sleeps on a bed.'

'Well I'm not going to let you sleep on the floor either, you are sick and wounded, so get back on that bed now!' Emeriel commanded, yet softening under his gaze and charm. Her hand was pointing to back to the bed, and Legolas could not help but think that she looked positively adorable when she argued.

'Very well, but you are not sleeping on the floor either.'

After a few minutes of staring and trying to win over authority, they resided to both sleeping on the bed. Emeriel somewhat more uncomfortable, but not in the least unhappy. Who would be? With a piece of elf like that? Definitely not me! Legolas happy with the end result combined with the exhaustion of the earlier events, fell asleep quickly. Emeriel for a few hours watched over him, the way he had done her by the pond.

Hope you enjoyed this one. Even though I've written more, I have to type it up, and I'm loading one at a time so, R&R and more will come more quickly!