Right, finally a new update! I'm sorry this took so long - I know I managed pretty regular updates of about every five days with Weyr of the Lost. However that was in the summer holidays when I had all the time in the world to write - unfortunately college doesn't allow me the same freedom. I'm afraid some updates could take this long, although I'll try and warn you in advance if it's going to be longer than two weeks. Don't worry - I haven't abandoned this story and there will be holidays when I can write more. I have no intention of letting this trail off into oblivion after promising to write it for so long.

Also, I didn't have the heart to leave you on a cliff-hanger after I spent so long getting this update up. One more nice 'awww-worthy' chapter before everything goes wrong. Now I'll be quiet in case I give anything else away. ^-^ Thanks to everyone who reviewed last time!

One more thing - I refer to Arwen's past history with the Orcs. It wasn't until I discovered a reference to it in the books that I remembered about it. Arwen's mother, Elrond's wife, was kidnapped by the Orcs and tortured. Although she was later rescued, she never recovered and left for the Undying Lands. I'm sorry to say I've forgotten her name - if anyone could tell me that would be most welcome!



Enjoy, and I apologise again for taking so long.

Cloudy



Chapter Two - Friends

"How has Rhachsell been fitting in Legolas?" Aragorn asked casually. Legolas looked at his friend and sighed.

"Aragorn if your wits got any sharper you'd cut yourself."

"I'll take that as a compliment," the ranger replied, leaning back in his chair. They had retreated to Legolas' study after the feast to catch up with the news. Arwen had declined the invitation, saying she would like to explore the palace some more, but Gimli was seated in his favourite armchair by the fire. He glanced towards the elf.

"I assume from that she's been having some problems?"

"Problems is an understatement," Legolas answered, resting his chin on his hand. "It's bad enough for the court that she exists at all - now Faroth has grown big enough to fly dislike has turned into fear. None of the elves except me and occasionally some of the guards will acknowledge her existence. She hates being ignored even more than the insults."

"Can't you do something about it?" Aragorn asked, worry in his tone. "There must be something-"

"I've *tried*," Legolas said helplessly. "I've asked them, I've commanded them, I've even threatened them - they're so stubborn!" He gritted his teeth. Aragorn and Gimli exchanged alarmed glances; apparently the elf-king was at the end of his patience.

"I have a suggestion," Aragorn said cautiously. "Have you considered letting Rhachsell spend some time away from court? Give yourself and her a break from all the antagonism?"

"Where would she go?" Legolas asked, spreading his hands in a gesture of powerlessness. "I can't send her to any of my own people - they'd treat her just the same. Likewise sending her back to the Orcs is *not* an option. Besides I'd rather that Rhachsell didn't think I was getting rid of her. It took me long enough to gain her trust last time."

"She's welcome to come home with me?" Gimli suggested. "She could learn metal-working as an excuse - say you want her to learn a new skill."

"But the dwarves have more reason to hate her than the elves. They hate the elves and they hate the Orcs even more." Legolas closed his eyes and rubbed slender fingertips against his temples to assuage a growing headache.

"It's settled then," Aragorn said calmly. "She can come to Gondor."

"You aren't serious?" Legolas said in amazement, eyes snapping open to stare at his friend.

"Why not?" Aragorn asked with a shrug. "Gondor has people from all over Middle-earth so a half-breed elf won't make any difference. After the hobbits she probably won't even stand out. And we have an entire city to keep her occupied - maybe some time there will do her good."

"But Faroth?" Gimli said guardedly. "How will the people react to him?"

"It's probably better to keep him mostly out of sight at first," Aragorn replied slowly as he assessed the problem. "But once people get curious enough they'll welcome any glimpse of him. We've got an entire palace for him to hide in - I doubt it'll be a problem. Legolas? All you have to do is say yes."

"Not exactly," Legolas answered, shaking his head. "I'll have to ask Rhachsell. And you should ask Arwen before you decide to take Rhachsell back with you. She's an elf - I don't know how she'll react to a half-orc. And with her past I doubt she'll be able to welcome Rhachsell without at least a moment's hesitation."

"Arwen knows better than to be against Rhachsell simply for her lineage ," Aragorn assured him. "She'll agree."

Gimli grinned. "See Legolas? Where would you be without us?"

For the first time all night, Legolas relaxed enough to laugh. "I have no idea. Now all that remains is to persuade Rhachsell to go."

As he spoke, Anira burst into the room out of nowhere with a little chirp. She landed on the elf's shoulder and chattered at him before curling up to go to sleep. Legolas sighed.

"Rhachsell and Faroth just landed. I'll ask Faroth to ask her to come here." His eyes unfocused briefly as he did so. "She shouldn't be too long."

*

"In his study?" Rhachsell asked in alarm. "What does he want me for?"

/"He didn't say"/ Faroth craned his neck to regard her with lightly whirling blue eyes. /"He didn't sound annoyed though. Perhaps he just wants to talk to you."/

"Lovely," Rhachsell muttered, but turned to go inside anyway. "I'll be back out to see you later Faroth. Will you be okay?"

/"I'll be fine. Cook still owes me those treats she promised."/ Faroth showed his teeth in a draconic grin and Rhachsell paused to watch him as he took off and flew towards the kitchens.

The dragons on Pern were clumsy creatures compared to Faroth who had been built more on the traditional idea of a dragon, with a slender body and limbs. He had also been built for combat, his wings shaped like a falcon's, good for swift dives and aerial manoeuvres. His wedge-shaped head had a ridge of spikes running up between his eyes which then became the ordinary Pern-dragon ridges down his back. He banked and circled over Rhachsell's head, dipping the tips of his wings in encouragement before he turned towards his promised meal again. Taking heart from her dragon, the half-elf turned to go inside, realising she should clean herself up before answering her father's summons. Her dress was still in tatters.

*

It was a much cleaner but more nervous Rhachsell that knocked at the door to Legolas' study fifteen minutes later. She had left the ruined ball gown in a heap in her room and was much more comfortable in her tunic and leggings. Still she couldn't help feeling a flutter of nerves when she remembered the Lady Arwen's perfectly sculpted features.

To her relief, when she stepped into the study there was no sign of Arwen Undómiel. Her father turned to smile at her as she entered and she smiled back, her eyes darting over to Aragorn then to Gimli. Her heart fluttered again as Aragorn smiled at her but this time it wasn't with nerves.

"Rhachsell!" Gimli cried, jumping out his chair. She couldn't help smiling as he rushed across the room to hug her. She missed Gimli's warm presence and gruff voice when he was away, although his hugs always felt like they were crushing her ribs.

"How have you been?" he demanded to know when he loosened his grip. Rhachsell managed a grin although all the breath had been squeezed out of her.

"I've been fine thank you. How have you been?"

Gimli laughed. "Quite the young lady now aren't we lassie? I've been very well, though I missed you and your father. Tell me," the dwarf leaned conspiratorially towards her. "Did he miss me?"

"Immensely," Legolas answered with a grin, overhearing the dwarf. "Though I'm sure the guards didn't miss trying to teach you archery. I don't think Gilad's thigh has recovered from that wayward arrow yet."

"Cheek!" Gimli exclaimed. "You know perfectly well someone bumped into me as I was aiming! Not my fault at all!"

Legolas cleared his throat. "Of course. How could I forget that someone 'bumped' into you? How silly of me."

Gimli raised his eyebrows at the elf as Rhachsell giggled at their antics. "Well you can talk - last time you tried to use an axe I seem to recall people running screaming away from you."

"That was-" Legolas started to protest but Aragorn intervened, a broad grin on his face.

"Now there will be plenty of time to argue about who is the better weapon's master later. Right now we need to ask Rhachsell something remember?"

"Ah yes." Legolas turned to his daughter. "Rhachsell - how would you feel about a little trip?"

Rhachsell hesitated. Was her father sending her away? "Where too?" he asked guardedly.

"Gondor," Aragorn answered. "You'd be our guest."

Relief swept through Rhachsell. A chance to escape the elves and the insults and the snubs! And... her gaze flickered to Aragorn. It would be a chance to spend more time with Gondor's king.

"Wait!" She suddenly spotted the problem. "What about Faroth?!"

"Faroth would be just as welcome," Aragorn hastened to assure her. "I'm sure he could become quite popular with everyone - I doubt anyone in Gondor has ever seen a real dragon."

Rhachsell smiled, knowing they were all anticipating her answer. "I'd love to go."

There were three, collective sighs of relief. "Well then, that's settled!" Legolas said with a pleased smile at his daughter. "Now off to bed! There will be a lot of arrangements to be sorted out tomorrow."

Aragorn stood up as Rhachsell was turning towards the door. "If you don't mind Rhachsell, I'll walk you to your room. It'll give me a chance to tell you a bit more about Gondor."

Rhachsell nodded slowly, biting back her eagerness. "I don't mind at all."

Legolas and Gimli watched the half-elf and the king of Gondor leave the room in confusion. "What was *that* about?" Gimli asked after the door had closed behind the pair.

"I have absolutely no idea," Legolas confessed. "But I think whatever it is it's between Rhachsell and Aragorn."

*

Rhachsell and Aragorn walked in silence for a few steps, Rhachsell wondering why Aragorn had offered to walk with her and Aragorn thinking about what he was going to say. After a moment he said nonchalantly, "I saw you hiding earlier."

He *had* seen her. Rhachsell swallowed. "So?" she asked, trying to sound calm. Aragorn's eyes narrowed and her turned to look at her.

"So, why? Legolas said you'd come to meet us - what happened?"

Rhachsell shrugged, wishing her cheeks would stop burning in embarrassment. "I just didn't feel up to meeting you."

Aragorn's eyes narrowed further. "I'm not stupid Rhachsell." He sighed suddenly. "I don't mind if you'd rather not say. But I'd like you to be honest with me, especially if you'll be living in Gondor for a while. We don't want to be avoiding each other for months."

Rhachsell silently debated how much to reveal to the ranger. Faroth suddenly volunteered his opinion.

/"Why not tell him the truth?"/

/"Oh that I'd willingly jump off a mountain for him if he asked because I think he's the most wonderful person in the world?"/ Rhachsell answered sarcastically in mind-speech. /"Good suggestion Faroth, I'll think about it. I've thought about it. Absolutely NOT!!"/

/"I meant, why not tell him that you felt intimidated by the elf- woman?"/ Faroth said patiently. /"There's no need to be sarcastic."/

/"Oh. Right. Sorry."/ Rhachsell cleared her throat and Aragorn looked at her expectantly.

"I.." Rhachsell hesitated. "To tell the truth it was the Lady Arwen."

"Arwen?" Aragorn asked in surprise. "She didn't even see you."

"That's why I was hiding, so she didn't see me. Because she was ..." Rhachsell struggled for words. "..perfect. And there I was in a tattered dusty dress and..." She let the words /and half-orc/ trail away but Aragorn knew what she meant.

"Oh Rhachsell." He stopped, putting his hands on her shoulders so she stopped too. "That doesn't matter to us. Arwen isn't like the other elves, she's.. special. She wouldn't have snubbed you, no matter how you looked."

Rhachsell hesitated again. "Really?"

"I'm positive," answered Aragorn. "We're your friends. You should never have to hide from us."

She blinked, throat tight. Suddenly it didn't matter that she was shunned by the other elves, that she wasn't beautiful, that she was half orc. She had friends who cared and who wouldn't let her be alone. She smiled at Aragorn. "Thank you," she said softly.

He nodded. "Remember that we're always here if you need us." He stood up and they walked in silence the rest of the way.