Heheheheh, got you all wondering what I'm up too don't I…A little warning, I am in the process off changing phone companies, so I might lose my phone for awhile and I'm not sure when, but don't worry. I'll be back as soon as possible…

Chapter 33--Brother and Sister Chat

After three hours of sitting around Legolas was getting restless and edgy. Mei was avoiding coming close to him, instead she was talking to the others. "I need to go outside. I feel confined in here," he said, interrupting the conversation.

"How can you feel that way when your father's castle is in a cave?" Aragorn asked.

Legolas scowled at him. "That is different," he said and stood. "I am going outside."

"Take Aragorn with you. You should not go about alone," Mei said.

Legolas was about to protest, but Mei had already turned away and was talking to Qui. HE glared at her and stormed out of the cave.

Aragorn was puzzled by Legolas's behavior. He shrugged and followed.

"Excuse us, Gimli. I must talk to Mei in private," Qui said. He and Mei moved to the back of the cave. "Have you told him?" Qui asked.

"I started too, but now I am not sure it would be wise," Mei said.

"But why?" Qui asked.

"I love him, Qui, but because of what he is and what I am it can never be that way. I must not love him. You should take him from here. Neither you or I wish to see anything happen to him," Mei said.

"I was afraid of that. You could come back with us," Qui said.

"I have sworn an oath and I cannot break it, you know that" Mei said.

"There is no way that Legolas will leave until he finds out the truth. He is to stubborn," Qui said.

"Yet if he stays and Lord Hachi finds him you will all be executed and he will be enslaved. What do you think will happen to him then?" Mei asked.

Qui couldn't prevent a shudder. He knew all to well what would happen. "What did you do, Mei?" he asked.

Mei bowed her head. "I gave my Chi to Legolas through the amulet," she admitted softly. "I invoked a binding of spirits, of souls."

Qui gaped at her as if she'd grown another head at that. "Why? You know the price of that!" he exclaimed. "Certainly there could have been another way."

"I am an assassin, Qui. I kill people for my guild and for pay. Love cannot have a place in my life. If the guild master found out that I loved Legolas, a barbarian, I would be killed. I was my right to chose to do so, not yours. I knew what my fate would be if I did it and I accept the consequences of my actions. Legolas and I will soon be one, just as I wished. I will never tell him this and you must not either," Mei said. She stood and walked away before Qui could answer or stop her.

Qui couldn't believe what he had just heard. A binding of Chi, life forces, was dangerous if both parties weren't aware of it. It would eventually kill the one who had initially formed the bond without the other person's agreement. The initiator's Chi would absorbed by the other and become part of it. Once done it could not be undone. Mei, his sister, would die and there was no way to prevent it.

*Meanwhile*

Legolas felt much better once he was outside. The sun glittered in an array of colors from a nearby lake. It hit Legolas how grungy he felt. "I am going to take a bathe. I feel awful and probably look worse," he said and headed for the water.

Aragorn followed. "I will join you. I look just as bad no doubt," he said.

Legolas undressed and waded into the water. It felt good and he sighed a little.

Aragorn stripped too and plunged in. "Arghhh! The water is freezing! I wish you would have warned me!" he complained.

"It is not freezing. It is very pleasant," Legolas said.

"Only if you cannot feel cold," Aragorn muttered.

Legolas couldn't keep from laughing as he started to bathe.

They were almost finished when Legolas froze and stared towards the other side of the lake.

"Legolas? What is it?" Aragorn asked.

"Riders and they are headed this way," Legolas said.

They exchanged worried looks then headed for the shore to grab their clothes. They had to get back to the cave before they were seen….

So now you know what the amulet is….R/R please!.