*sorry for the long delay but we just had no time to write. Its finally out and we hope you like it!!!! (The movies never showed the fellowship resting outside at night, so in this story they sleep in tents.)

Disclaimer: We don't own anything yea yea, J.R.R Tolkein does.

Chapter 3: And so it begins

The Fellowship set off on their journey a few days after the council. Everyone had prepared themselves both physically and mentally for they knew the times ahead would not be easy. The journey (the quest to save all of middle earth), however, was only second on their minds.

No one had bothered Legolas after that day, for they had realized his frustration. Though they didn't bother him, they certainly did think about him… and he also thought about them (however not in the same way.)

Legolas wondered what had come over his friends the other day… Not to mention he was starting to question Aragorn's mental stability. Though he was worried, he just shrugged it off. *They are all just anxious…with strange ways of showing it*

They set off on foot after receiving a blessing from Elrond and the elves of Rivendell. All the worries Legolas had over his companions soon disappeared. He was glad to be with them and could not think of anyone he would rather travel with. (except maybe the dwarf… he wouldn't mind too much if they lost him.)

Legolas was anxious, for ever since he was small, he loved adventure. He was the most aware out of all of them. He was their eyes and ears. Legolas had a strong sort of lust for life that usually got him into trouble. The quest certainly did excite him. The company traveled until nightfall without speaking much. They were all lost in their thoughts…

Aragorn tried desperately to keep his mind on the journey at hand. He tried to think of the ring, Frodo, or Sauruman, but was failing miserably. His mind began to wonder *I must tell him. What if, when the quest ends, we part without him knowing. This may be my last chance. I will not let him go like I did so many times before…I'll…I'll…I'll tell him tomorrow…Ah, he's so cute when he's walking*

*Don't look at the elf, don't look at the elf, don't look at the elf, don't look at the elf…damn it.* Boromir was a having a hard time focusing his thoughts as well.

*Why in the name of valar am I so attracted to this low life creature. Why am I so taken in by him. Damn it I do not deserve to be a dwarf…but how can anyone resist this heavenly elf* Gimli thought while muttering to himself.

The hobbits thought about Legolas as well, along with counting the minutes until their next meal.

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"It is getting late…can't we rest Gandalf…I'm hungry," Pippin said after many hours of travel. The rest of the fellowship, including Gandalf, nodded in agreement. They found a good place to rest and set their bags down.

"Boromir, Gimli, set up the tents, Legolas, come with me, we need firewood," Aragorn said, ignoring the glares that he received from a few of his companions.

"Of course, but we must hurry, before it gets too dark," Legolas replied.

"Keep a sharp eye, there are many things that lurk in the unlit forests these days," Gandalf warned.

After nodding to assure that they will be fine, Legolas and Aragorn started for the forest.

Wasting no time, Boromir and Gimli began to unfold the tents. Merry and Pippin, being their mischievous selves, began a playful dual with their new swords, while Frodo and Sam just sat down on a log to rest.

"Hey do we have any food I…" Pippin began but Gandalf cut him off.

"Calm your stomach, Perigrin Took, you will get your food," he said. "Hobbits!" he muttered as he turned away to help with Boromir and Gimli.

------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Aragorn…what are you doing?" Legolas asked after Aragorn almost tripped him for the third time, for he was walking way too close behind him.

"I'm so sorry Legolas…I was looking at something." Aragorn replied. "Ooooook," Legolas said in confusion. *He's so cute when he's confused* Aragorn thought as the two began to gather some branches from the ground.

"It must be difficult…leaving Arwen behind to sail away with the elves. I notice she gave you her star. I know you will miss her, and I am here if you need anyone to speak to," Legolas said to his friend.

Aragorn looked up from the ground, "Who?"

Legolas raised an eyebrow at the man, "Arwen…the love of your life."

"What…who…what…you?…I mean…huh," Aragorn replied speaking rather quickly. He then realized what they were talking about and mentally slapped himself.

"Oh…Arwen…of course. I will miss her. I care for her…but I cannot change our fates."

"Many face hardships these days. No matter what fate has chosen for you, it can never take away what you hold dear. She will always love you, don't forget that," Legolas said quietly, patting his friend on the shoulder. When he returned to his task, he replayed the scene that had just unfolded in his mind. *What is bothering him? What did he…wait…did he say…me…what* Legolas was very baffled, but decided to let it go. *He is weary, it matters not*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, back at the camp…

In the middle of putting up the third tent, Boromir stood up, "There are three tents to be pitched up, how will we divide them?" he asked Gandalf, whom he and the rest of the fellowship viewed as the leader.

"The hobbits will share one. You, Aragorn and Gimli will take the other. The third will be for Legolas and I," Gandalf answered after a few seconds of pondering. He could not put Legolas and Gimli together, so this seemed like his only choice. Plus, he wouldn't mind sharing a tent with the young elf.

Boromir was about to nod in agreement, when the thought hit him *wait a minute, Gandalf is going to be sleeping with LEGOLAS. MY LEGOLAS! The old man did this on purpose! I will not take this, he can't do that!…Wait, why should I care, Legolas can sleep with whomever he wants, It matters not to me… I wonder if he sleeps in the nude. NO!!!*

Ignoring Boromir's death glare, Gandalf moved to start pitching up the tents. Merry, who had been listening with the rest of the hobbits spoke up, "You know Gandalf, I don't think that's such a good arrangement. I've been thinking and I feel that you should share a tent with Frodo and Sam. I mean he is the ringbearer and you should watch over him. Pippin can go with Gimli and Boromir and I will…"

"No Merry its alright, Aragorn and Legolas will both be getting up for their watches and they might wake you. I can share their tent, for I am not as tired," Pippin interrupted.

Boromir, finally snapping out of his thoughts, joined the argument, "There is no need for any of the hobbits to be woken up. The hobbits are small, Gandalf, and you need to stay with all of them. Gimli and Aragorn can then share one tent, for I do not want blood to be spilt between Legolas and Gimli. I will then go with Legolas. Its the only way."

Gandalf could not accept this, "Stop this arguing at once. The first arrangement was good enough and it is what we are going with," he stated firmly.

"But I like my idea," Merry replied childishly.

"Why your idea, it's not the best one," Frodo interrupted, rising from where he was quietly sitting. "I do not need to be protected by Gandalf, and don't mind being woken up."

Gimli, who dared not say anything could only stand and listen. He hoped that he would in the end be put with Legolas, for he was starting to really admire the elf everyone believed he hated.

"I think, that everyone who is taking a night watch should stay in the same tent. It is the most logical way," Boromir said angrily.

"But we can't sleep alone," Merry quickly added, motioning to the rest of the hobbits. Gandalf then tapped his staff firmly on the ground, drawing everyone's attention. "Stop this bickering at once or we are all sleeping outside. And I won't care if orcs start falling from the sky we will not pitch those tents." He stated, raising his voice.

His words, however, were in vain. Before he could finish, all the companions begin to speak at the same time, arguing their own ideas. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What is going on!"

Everyone stopped arguing and turned around to see Legolas and Aragorn, carrying a bunch of branches for the fire.

"What is everyone arguing about. And why haven't all the tents been pitched up," Aragorn asked bewildered.

"We are trying, apparently in vain, to settle something, quit pointless may I add, yet we can't seem to," Gimli spoke for the first time since they stopped to rest. He had sat down on a log next to Sam when the argument began to listen.

"Well…" Legolas began as he set down his branches in the best spot he could see, "You can all continue settling it, but I will take first watch. In fact, I think I may sleep outside, it is a beautiful night."

Everyone, except Aragorn who was now helping Legolas with the fire, stood still and stared in shock. They were all about to protest at once, but Gandalf spoke first, "It's final, I will have no more if this, we will divide the tents like this… myself, Frodo , and Samwise; Gimli with Pippin and Merry; and Aragorn with Boromir. Gandalf stated in a manor that no one dared to challenge.

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After a long while of sitting next to the fire and telling some cheerful stories, Gandalf insisted that they all get some rest. They each climbed in to the tents they were assigned to while Legolas began his night watch. Much to everyone's protest (this time souly because they were actually concerned for his well being), Legolas insisted that he stay on watch all night. He was an elf and didn't need as much sleep as the others.

*Well…if he decides to use a tent, he will probably come into ours* Boromir thought while looking at Legolas sitting so still on his branch. But his happiness died when he saw that Aragorn was thinking the same thing. The two men locked eyes for a moment, to inform each other to stay away.

*I'll rip him to pieces* Aragorn thought.

Without a word, they layed down to sleep, plotting each others downfall.

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*ok that's chapter 3...hope you liked it! R&R and we'll update with more Legolas lovin!!