Did everybody miss me? (the correct answer is yes, we couldn't live with out you) Thank You, it is comforting to know I am so well loved. Well, anyway here's the next chapter for your viewing(or I suppose it's reading) pleasure.

Chapter 13

Legolas knew that they wouldn't be welcomed into Mirkwood because Elwin was an outcast who had run away and would never be allowed to return. He carried Elwin across the plains, willing her to stay conscious, and he held her in front of him so she wouldn't fall off the horse. The hobbit clung on behind him because they had been unable to find him his own horse. Rimini was a horse of great charisma, but Legolas could tell that the strain of carrying three beings was taking its toll. He stopped Rimini at the edge of the great river, deciding what to do. The hobbit slid off, keen on drinking some of the river water. Legolas slid off, and helped Elwin down beside him.

He laid Elwin gently on the soft ground, and stood to remove the packs from Rimini's back. The horse whinnied happily and went off to get a drink from the river. Legolas poured what remained in his canteen on to a small bit of cloth and proceeded to cleanse Elwin's face. The cool water woke her from her turbulent slumber, and she smiled when she saw Legolas' face above her.

"Are you all right? I have been very worried about you my love!" Legolas worriedly searched her features for an answer.

Elwin was overjoyed to hear Legolas call her his love, although she knew he was probably only saying that to comfort her, like an older brother would a distraught small child.

"I am fine Legolas," she began, "I just need some time to rest." She wanted to ask what he meant by the 'my love' comment, but then he might take it back, and she didn't want that to happen. So instead she looked up at his handsome face as if the words were nothing out of the ordinary.

"And rest you shall receive, once we get to Minas Tirith. I am going as fast as possible, but the hobbit is quite a burden. Was it absolutely necessary to bring him along, it could affect your life. I am skilled at healing small battle wounds, but you were beaten, you need serious attention. If you do not get help soon, you may not live, and if you do live you will have awful scars. Please, let us have the hobbit find his own way to where he is going. I would even offer to find him an inn for a few days, and send someone back for him." Legolas pleaded, hoping that she would see the sense in his words but she shook her head indignantly.

"I promised to help him out of the hands of that awful man, and I must be true to my word!" She looked at him with a glint in her eye, daring him to challenge her. He backed down, his goal to keep her calm and her blood flowing slowly. The slower the blood flow, the less blood seeping out of the wounds.

The hobbit returned from the river, carrying the canteens he had filled.

"Is she going to be all right? Will her wounds heal?" The hobbit looked worried, but Legolas assured him that Elwin would be fine.

"She needs some special medical herbs so that her skin doesn't scar, but other than that she will be just fine," Legolas spoke to the hobbit with confidence he did not feel. "By the way, I never got your name. Pray you share it with us?"

"I am Filbert Bolger at your service, wife of Poppy Baggins. I was traveling across the shire shortly after Sharky arrived when we were attacked by bandits. The took us captive and sold us as slaves. That's why, and thanks to your rescue of corse, I am now here." The hobbit stood and saluted, Legolas chuckled softly. This hobbit, Filbert, had the type of chivalry and manners of old that had been long forgotten by the modern men, and it pleased Legolas to see some people had kept the traditions alive.

"I am very pleased, Filbert Bolger, to have you in my employ. The problem at hand is Lady Elwin's health, which is failing. I am in desperate need of council on how to solve the situation. We need to get her to Minas Tirith as soon as possible, but the horse can not be asked to carry the three of us much farther, certainly not at great speeds. Do you see any immediate solution to my problem?" Legolas calmly delivered his oration, with the same chivalry. Filbert sat on the ground beside Elwin, and motioned for Legolas to sit also. He sat deep in thought for many moments, with his thumb lightly scratching his chin. Then he looked at Elwin, who was sleeping peacefully on the ground beneath a blanket.

"I think that the best option would be for me to leave the company for a time, traveling on foot for a time. I request that you send someone back for me when you reach the city. With me gone you will able to ride hard and reach the city tomorrow, weather permitting. Get Elwin the care she needs, I will confer with you in the white city. Until then," he stood and bowed, and Legolas followed suite.

"Thank you Filbert, I will send someone for you. One of my good friends is the ruler of that city, he will help us." And with that Legolas picked up Elwin and set her on the back of Rimini, who had come to stand near the trio. Legolas mounted behind her, and accepted the water skin the hobbit offered. He handed Filbert a small knife and whispered, "in case of emergencies." Legolas spurred Rimini into a fast canter, and they headed off towards the white city.

Filbert watched the pair leave, stowed the knife that Legolas had given him and followed the horses tracks. He was happy that he could be of service, and overjoyed at the thought that he would soon be on the quest for his wife. He knew that Legolas would aide his search, and it was possible that Legolas' friend might also. With their help, Filbert was sure that he would find Poppy in no time at all, and they could start a new life back in the shire. Ah, the shire, how he missed the rolling green hills of his home, with his wife's laughter, the smell of fresh baked bread and high quality pipe weed. The smells of home beckoned him, and he picked up the pace, his feet willing him towards his destiny.