Thank you, everyone for your kind words. It made me feel a lot better. I've had some serious issues to work out….so I missed yesterday's update. Very sorry…

Chapter 6--Guardian

The blow from the club never connected. Qui caught the bandit's wrist and twisted. The club flew from the man's hand then there was a loud snap.

Legolas couldn't keep from flinching. He knew the sound of a bone breaking. He stared as Qui literally lifted the man from his feet and flung him aside. He had never realized Qui was so strong.

Aragorn hadn't seen what had happened. He was too busy trading blows with another thief.

Legolas whirled, drawing his knives as a bandit charged from his side. He ducked the club swing then stabbed the bandit in the knee. He howled and fell.

Aragorn knocked out the third one. At that the remaining two obviously decided the fight wasn't worth it and fled. Aragorn looked at Qui and Legolas. "Everyone all right?" he asked. Both Legolas and Qui nodded.

Legolas looked around at the groaning bandits scattered around them. "Perhaps we should go before they recover or anyone comes," he suggested. That seemed like a good idea to Qui and Aragorn so they did.

"To think the captain said this was a safe town, if that is so I would hate to see the dangerous ones," Legolas remarked.

"That sort of thing can happen anywhere," Aragorn said.

"That is true. I saw that look you gave me, Legolas. Are you afraid of me?" Qui asked.

"Nay, never. It just startled me. That is all," Legolas said.

"Good, I just did not want you to be hurt. After all I have sworn an oath and I do not take it lightly," Qui said.

"I know and I am grateful, Qui. Never doubt that," Legolas said and smiled.

Aragorn looked a little puzzled, but seemed to decide against saying anything.

They eventually found their way into the open market and soon were enjoying looking around at the different merchant stalls.

Legolas paused by a stall displaying bows and began to look over them.

"Good day, sir. Can I help you? I sell the finest bows in the land," he boasted.

Legolas just shook his head and moved away. He decided not to say that not one of the bows held a candle to the ones his folk made. He didn't want to insult him.

"Rotten little street thief! Try to steal from my stall will you!" someone yelled, startling Legolas out of his thoughts. He looked towards the voice and was shocked by what he saw.

A merchant held a skinny little girl by the wrist. He held an apple in the other hand. The child was obviously terrified and was crying.

Legolas went over. He had to try to help. "What is wrong?" he asked. "You are hurting the child."

"This is the third time the dirty, little thief has stolen from me! This time I am turning her over to the guards!" the merchant yelled.

Legolas gave the child a synthetic glance. She looked like she hadn't eaten for days. "I will pay for the apple with this if you let her go." He showed the irate merchant a gold coin.

Greed filled the merchant's face. He let the child go and snatched the coin. He gave Legolas the apple. "She just better stay away from my stall from now on," he said.

Legolas ignored the irate man and handed the child the apple. "There you go, little one," he said gently.

The girl took it and smiled uncertainly then ran before Legolas could stop her. She disappeared into the crowd, leaving Legolas staring after her.

Aragorn and Qui noticed that Legolas was very quiet the rest of the day and as they headed back to the ship.

"What is wrong, Legolas?" Qui asked.

"You did not see?" Legolas asked.

"I guess not," Aragorn said. "Tell us about it."

Legolas did and when he was finished Aragorn shook his head. "That is a shame, but at least you helped her," he said.

"But not nearly enough," Legolas muttered. He would go out tomorrow and see if he could find her. The ship needed a lot of repairs, so he'd have plenty of time…

Sigh, I hope this chapter doesn't suck. I swear all my plot bunnies have abandoned me…R/R please!