Chapter Four

Legolas was crafting new arrows to pass by the time. He had created three high quality weapons and was partially through the fourth when he heard her breathing change. She appeared to be asleep, but he knew she was absorbing her surroundings.

Without looking up he said, "Nice of you to join us again."

She opened her eyes and looked at him. He watched her from the corner of his eye while he continued to whittle.

"Where am I?" she muttered in a threatening voice.

"My, someone is irritable," he said mainly to himself. "You are in one of our healing rooms. Lord Elrond saw it fitting we welcome you and offer you an accommodation before we depart."

"We?" she asked standing. "You are--"

"Your guide? Yes, I was planning on staying until the end of the month. Thank you for ruining my vacation."

She ignored his comment and headed for the door. Legolas had moved his chair in front of the door a few hours ago. She approached and attempted to move him, but failed.

"Who are you? Are you sent from to Powers to watch over me, because I am capable of doing this mission myself?" She placed her hands on her hips.

"Looking after you indeed you do need," he replied still not making eye contact. "Nay, I am not who you speak of."

"Who are you?"

Finally he looked up. "I will supply you with my title if you supply yours."

"Title? Ay, your title means nothing to me."

"Then why did you ask me for it?" She did not reply so he continued. "Since I know you are a sorceress, I shall tell you I am a wood elf."

"A wood elf?"

"Ay, a wood elf," he confirmed turning to his work.

She stood there watching him. Legolas found this disturbing and looked up. "Yes?"

"Are you going to let me through?" she snapped.

"Nay, you are graced with spending your morning here."

She glared at him. "All day? With you?"

"For the morning, nonetheless." He turned back to his arrow in process. "Until Lord Elrond wishes to see you."

"And when will this be?" She seemed on the brink of her patience.

"It is not known by me, yet I assume when he thinks you can make an appearance without attempting to murder or injure those around you."

She turned and walked away from him, sitting on the bed. "Then I shall be here until you fade."

"I shall never fade."

"Yes, you will die eventually."

"If I spend the rest of my days here? Ay, I will die for longing to be away from here, but--"

"Then we have something in common."

"You should know I am immortal and will never fade."

Her head turned and looked at him. "Immortal?"

"Ay, death comes swiftly with mortal wounds, but years will not affect me."

She fell silent, looking into the full mirror adjacent to her. After a long while, she lifted an object from the dresser and twirled it around in the air.

Legolas finished his forth arrow just as the sun reached its highest point in the sky. It plunked in his near empty quiver and he pulled another rod from his sack.

The woman, not taking her eyes from the spinning object, spoke. "What are you doing?"

"Carving arrows, my lady."

"Hmm . . ." She gently placed the object back where it belonged and moved her hand in a lifting motion towards Legolas. He watched as the newly crafted arrow lifted from its place and started towards her. He intercepted its journey and promptly placed it back in the quiver on the floor.

"If you would like to see it, please use some manners and ask."

She looked him over carefully and lifted an arrow. "May I?"

He nodded and she took the arrow. Her hand gently received it when it reached her and she looked it over.

"Do you make these for the warriors?" she asked.

"No, I make them for my own use."

"Ah, you are quite skilled at it."

"Thank you. I have been crafting them since I was an elfling."

"There are very elaborate decorations." She pointed out.

"Yes, they are my native language. Carving battle sayings into warriors' arrows has been a tradition since long before my ancestors."

"Hmm. . ." she began testing it in various ways: balancing it to see if the arrow was equally weighed, checking the tip and its sharpness, its straightness, and the like. Legolas knew it was a perfect arrow and turned back to stripping the bark from the stick he was working on.

Footsteps were heard outside the door and it opened a crack. Elrohir popped his head in and silently motioned Legolas to come out.

"I will return shortly, my lady." Legolas stated as he stood.

The maiden looked at him and nodded in approval as he slipped out.

*She is awake?* Elrohir asked in the elves' native tongue.

*Nay, I was speaking to her unconscious,* he replied. Elrohir looked at him strangely, not catching his sarcasm. *Of course, Elrohir, she is conscious.*

*Hmm . . . yes. Anyhow," Elrohir brushed the comment off. *Perhaps you should return to keep an eye on her.*

*Two and she is calm and will not escape if we stand here.* Legolas eyed Elrohir who seemed quite nervous for some unknown reason. *Now would be a good time for her to see Elrond I presume?*

*I will tell him that. Everything is going fine in there?*

*Ay, she is relaxed and looking at my newly crafted arrows.*

"She is what?* Elrohir hissed. *You left her alone with your weapons?*

Legolas took a step back, eying the other elf. *What is the matter with you? You are acting strangely. Do not fear, for she cannot harm me.*

*Very well.* Elrohir replied in a tone saying he was less than convinced.

*Then I shall return if there is nothing else?*

Elrohir, forgetting the real reason he cam nodded. *I suppose so, but I fear for your head.*

*Fear for your head, not mind.* Legolas opened the door to find the woman standing and the arrows lay out on the floor before her. A small smile played on her lips as she raised her hands and the arrows.

"Let us see how your arrows fly," she laughed.

"Legolas!" Elrohir yelled from his side.

The arrows started toward them with amazing speed. Legolas shoved Elrohir out of the way and watch five arrows barely miss him.

"I see you have no respect for my possessions," he commented, not amused at all. He returned to the hall to gather the arrows and noticed guards speeding towards him. *No need to panic. Everything is under control,* he told them as he entered the room and shut the door.

Elrohir stood, looking at the one guard who also witnessed the incident. *How--*

The guard shrugged, completely without a thought.

~~~

Legolas calmly and very slowly walked to the woman. "You are no longer trustworthy. You do realize that, do you not?"

"You mean to say I was before?" she asked, her hand laying on her heart and her words dripping with sarcasm.

"Do not fool with me," Legolas warned, stepping closer. "Did you think you could actually hit me?"

"Yes, your arrows are faulty and it just happened to work in your advantage."

"Nay, they are accurate," he corrected quickly before she could say anything else.

Her face paled as she looked into his eyes, growing dangerously dark and took a step back. Legolas paused his step at seeing this then swiftly turned and placed himself in the chair once more. He picked up his work and continued.

He saw her open her mouth to speak, but he spoke before she could.

"We will wait once more until you are proved ready to see Lord Elrond."

She looked at him blankly for a few moments, her lips slightly parted, before shutting them firmly and flopping on the bed with an exasperated sigh.

~~~