Sorry, the plot bunnies deserted me for Topsy-Turvy…Sigh. Well, here's an update. Better late then never right? *Dodges Thrown Items* Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!!!

Chapter 32--Reunited

By the time Qui and the others have arrived Mei had removed her black garments and put on something else. She met them just inside.

"Where is Legolas? Is he alright?" Aragorn demanded.

"Calm yourself, Aragorn. He is fine, but he is sleeping," Mei said. "All of you sit down."

Aragorn sighed heavily and nodded. They all sat as she'd asked.

"Why did you come here? You should take Legolas away immediately. It is not safe here for him, especially now. When he is discovered missing Hachi will have all the men he can out looking for him. You must take him away even if you have to bind and drug him. You know I am right, Qui," Mei said.

"You are right, my sister, but it was you Legolas wanted to speak to anyway. Once he has done that he should have no argument about leaving," Qui said.

"About the amulet, I imagine," Mei said softly.

"Yes, he needed to find out what it was," Qui said.

"How long will he sleep?" Aragorn asked.

"Probably until morning. You might as well go back to sleep as well," Mei said. "No one will find you here. The cave is well-hidden."

They other three didn't argue. They were all tired. Soon they were all sound asleep. Qui rose and went to Legolas's side and sat down. She reached out and stroked his hair gently. A sound outside got her attention and she knew whom it was. She got up and silently left the cave.

A man waited outside who was garbed in black just as she had been earlier. "The master wishes to know how long you will be gone?" he said.

"Three days then I will return. Please convey my deepest apologies to the master for my abrupt departure and beg his pardon in my name," Mei said.

"The barbarian must be very important to you," the man said.

"You might say that," Mei said and said nothing more.

The man bowed. "Until your return Nightstar," he said.

"Good-bye, Shadow," Mei said and bowed back.

The man slipped into the darkness and seemed to disappear without a trace.

Mei sighed heavily and went back into the cave. She returned to her spot next to Legolas and went back to stroking his hair. "So soft," she murmured, "like the finest silk. It can never be, but I love you, Legolas."

Early the next morning Legolas woke from his sleep. He sighed and opened his eyes, blinking a few times to focus them. "Mei!" he said, "I am glad to see you! I need to talk to you."

"Shh, you will wake the others and they need their rest. You are right; we do need to talk, but in private," Mei said. "Let us go outside." She stood up and led the way from the cave.

"It is about this amulet you gave me. I was trapped by spiders with no way out. They had me trapped in their webs and I think I fainted, but when I woke up I was free and they were all dead," Legolas said. "Also sometimes when I use my healing ability it feels like I have more strength then normal, especially when the wound is very serious. Why is this, Mei?"

Mei sighed. "It is because of the amulet, that is true. I…" Mei began.

*Meanwhile*

Aragorn awoke and looked where Legolas had been the night before he was concerned to see Legolas wasn't there and neither was Mei. "Legolas!" he called, coming out of the cave. "Thank the Valor, there you are! Come back inside."

Legolas was ready to refuse, but Mei answered first.

Mei was actually very glad for the interruption. The explanation about the amulet was more difficult to form then she had thought it would be. "Yes, we should go back inside," she said and did so before Legolas could stop her.

Legolas frowned as he allowed Aragorn to lead him back into the cave. He wondered why Mei had been in such a hurry to get away from him. He swore he would find out soon….

Darn!!! Aragorn just had to interrupt! R/R please!