Nib hopped  up into a tree and stretched out on one of the branches. She pulled a book and began to read. Half an hour later, she was interrupted by a voice calling her.

            "Hey! Who are you?" Nib looked down to see a female elf standing below her tree. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm reading." Nib replied.

"What's your business in Rivendell?"

"My business is my own. Who are you anyway?"

The elf seemed taken aback by this, but she recovered quickly. "I am Averthoron. Rivendell is my home. Who are you?"

"My name is Nib."

"But who are you and what is your business in Rivendell?"

"I am here with the knowledge and consent of Elrond and as the guest of Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, who is staying in Rivendell."

"Legolas?" Avery said, startled.

"I see you know him."

"Yes, but…I think you better come back to the city with me."

"You don't trust me," Nib said.

"I want to confirm your story to be safe."

"You think I'm a threat. But to confirm my story, you'll have to wait. Both Elrond and Legolas are with the council now."

"Then we'll wait, in the city," Avery decided.

"I'm comfortable here." A split second later, an arrow  buried itself into the tree right above Nib's head.  "Well that's not very friendly."

"Let's go. Now."

"It would not be very wise to shoot me.  You may not trust me, but you trust Legolas and he trust me. He would not be very happy if he came back to find an arrow sticking out of me. And you care about him, so you won't shoot me."

"What makes you think that?" Avery asked, startled again.

"Legolas would be upset if you shot me, and you would not want him to be upset."

"I meant, what makes you think I care about him?"

Nib smiled. "I can tell." She glanced at the sky, then swung down from the tree. "It'll be dark soon. Shall we go?"

"Go?"

"To the city. Oh, here's your arrow. Do you recycle? If not, I'll give it to Legolas, I know he does." Nib smiled.

Avery took the arrow and stared at Nib's quickly disappearing back, before following her.

Halfway to the city, they ran into Legolas walking towards them.

"Oh, Nib, Avery. I see you have met. Good."

"Yes, we have. Very nice girlfriend Leggy," Nib said.

Legolas' face tinged red.

"How did you…" Avery started.

"She does that all the time," Legolas said.

"I'm observant. I noticed how you reacted to Legolas' name. And I see the look in Legolas' eyes when he looks at you."

Legolas grinned slightly and stared at the ground. "Well, we should get back."

"Of course." Nib slipped off, and Legolas dropped back to wrap his arm around Avery.

"How'd it go?" Avery whispered.

"There's trouble," Legolas whispered back.

"I thought so. Who is she?"

"Someone with the exceptionally good hearing of an elf," Nib said. "If you're going to have a private conversation, you should wait."

"Nibin," Legolas mock scolded.

"It's not my fault I can here you."

Legolas grinned. "Of course not." He turned back to Avery. "Nib's a friend. I've known her for a long time."

"I see," Avery said.

"Jealous?" Legolas muttered close to her ear. Avery didn't answer. Legolas ran a finger delicately along Avery's cheek, then kissed it. "Don't be."

"Who is she?"

"Trust me," Legolas said softly, pulling her gently closer.

"I do," Avery said.

Nib smiled when she saw them occupied with each other, and continued on to the city.