Kir sprang away at once. "King Thranduil, sir. I. we, uh. that is to say. I wasn't.." "Quiet Kir," Nib muttered. "Did you want something?" Nib pointedly asked Thranduil. Thranduil's eyes flickered from Nib to Kir and back again. "Oh. yes. I need to speak with you." "I am busy right now," Nib said rather coldly. "And we have nothing to talk about." "I can see you are busy. But Kirinke has other business to attend to." He glanced meaningfully at Kir, who took the hint immediately. "Yes. sir. I uh, I shall go now." "Wait," Nib said. She grabbed Kir by the shoulders and pulled him into a kiss. When she let him go, he stumbled backwards, blinking, shocked, not realizing (or caring) that this display was entirely for Thranduil. "I uh. I think um. I uh, better go." Kir hurried off, before Thranduil would have a chance to react. "Was that for his benefit, or mine?" Thranduil asked. "You catch on quick sometimes. But I do not see what you want, because as I said, we have nothing to talk about." "First of all, there is plenty we still need to discuss. Whether you will admit it or not, you know what I said before is the truth. But that is not what I wanted to talk about." "Then what do you want to talk about?" Nib asked. "You know the basics of the quest Legolas is going on, correct?" "Yes." "Well, I would like. I would greatly appreciate if you would go with him." "What?" "I want you to go with him, and look after him. It is not that I do not trust him, or think he cannot take care of himself it is just.. He has a stubborn streak. and means to always get his due respect." "Wonder where he gets that from," Nib muttered sarcastically. Thranduil ignored the comment. "I am afraid it may get him in trouble. Also, you have survival instincts I do not think he has. You have taken care of yourself for a long time." Thranduil paused, and there was a rather uncomfortable silence. "I just want you to make sure he does not get into any un-necessary trouble. I. I would trust you with his life." Nib nodded. "All right. I will do as you ask." It was a different kind of silence that hung between them: one of understanding. "Anyway, they would have a hard time keeping me away. I was all ready planning on going." "Yes, well, thank you." Thranduil cleared his throat and looked away. "I need to go. do something," he said and walked away. Nib watched him go, her mind filled with various thoughts. Kir came out from around the corner. "How did it go? Are you both all right?" "Hating him was a lot easier before. Not that I suddenly do not hate him or anything. I just do not hate him quite as much." "Oh," Kir said. "Is that good?" Nib shrugged. "Legolas would say it is progress." "Ah. So, about us." "Oh, right. I should tell you something." "Would you like to take a walk?" Kir asked. "All right." They walked out into a section of garden. "I am leaving soon." "To go where?" Kir asked. "It. it is. kind of hard to say.. I cannot really tell you much. It is very dangerous and I. we, me and Legolas, may not return." "Then I shall go too." "No. No, that will not work. Legolas does not know I am going, and I will most likely have to sneak along." "I do not mind." "No. I. I am sorry. You just cannot go. I will talk to you later." Nib hurried off, leaving a very frustrated Kir behind. During the next few days, they made preparations for their journey back to Rivendell and their longer journey afterwards. Legolas spoke with Thranduil several times, but Nib avoided both Thranduil and Kir. The morning Legolas planned to leave, he came to talk with Nib. "Are you going back to Rivendell with me, or do you wish to stay here?" "You know I will not stay here with him." Legolas sighed. "I wish-" Nib held up her hand. "Please Legolas. I do not wish to fight right now. He is your father, so I try to respect him. But I have no family. save you." Legolas looked away. "So you are coming to Rivendell?" "Yes." "Good." When Legolas left, Avery came up and asked, "Are you planning on staying in Rivendell?" "Well, not exactly," Nib admitted. "But I saw no point in telling him I am going further until it is necessary." "Good thought. Oh, by the way, I am going too." "It will be nice to have some company." "Yes. Legolas probably will not like this." "No, he certainly will not." "He will probably try to send us back." "Most likely." Nib grinned. "Oh well." They both laughed. Their journey back was uneventful. When they arrived back in Rivendell, Legolas went immediately to see Elrond, to give him a message from Thranduil. Nib and Avery made plans to sneak along if Legolas said they could not go. "I was thinking," Avery began. "Did it hurt?" Nib asked innocently. Avery glared, then continued as if she had not heard. "Legolas probably is not going to be the leader of this expedition. They are not going to send a young elf and a hobbit alone to Mordor. There will be others going." "Hmm. You are probably right. We will have to work that in when we get to it." Later that day Legolas talked to them. "I shall be leaving in a few days. There are eight others, four hobbits; two men; and a dwarf (he ignored Nib's grimace), coming as well." "That is seven," Avery observed. "Gandalf the Grey will also be accompanying us. Nib, are you staying here or going back to Mirkwood?"
"You think I would go back to Mirkwood alone?"
Avery cleared her throat. "Well, Legolas, we were thinking. You will be going alone, you know, the only elf, and.."
"You cannot go without your honor guard," Nib said.
Legolas raised his eyebrows. "Honor guard?"
"Yes, Nibin and I."
"We have to protect you," Nib added. "You are the Prince of Mirkwood after all."
"No," Legolas said flatly. "Neither of you are coming. I will not bring you into danger."
"We can take care of ourselves!" Avery said.
"That may be, but I will not risk it. I cannot have you two on my conscience, as I will need to concentrate on other things."
"But-" Avery began.
"All right. If you feel that is best, we understand," Nib cut her off. Legolas looked surprised, then suspicious at her easy concession. "We will let you get on with your preparations," Nib said as she half- dragged Avery away. "Why did you say that? You gave in so easily." "I have not given in. I know Legolas; it is useless to argue with him when he gets like that. We will have to but our other plan into action. Sneak along."