Ah, now I reckon some of you out there might not like this chapter. But…tough luck! Seriously, if you don't agree with it, it's too late now. Sorry.

Thank you for all my reviews and replies are below as always. Can't talk much, else ff.net might take it down for being in Chat format, or whatever they call it! :P

~Lainfaer~

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Mayrana – Hope today has been good for you. Hmm, topless archery…like it…^_^

Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

sunni07 – Alright, alright, I give up! They did something, whatever! Legolas had his leggings on! And Amy had some sort of underwear! Heehee…

Hope I updated quickly enough, and thanks for reviewing. ^_^

Elerrina – I like long reviews! I'm working on the topless Orli pic! I have a Calcium Kid on my ceiling over my bed. Its been up about 2 weeks, and so far, I've been lucky cos it hasn't fallen on me…yet! I got a freaky one of Leggy made up of different LotR scenes. VERY strange! But cool!

Finished Wait for Me? YAY!!!!!! *trumpets sound* Well done. Its nice that you always say nice chapter. Keeps me happy! Hope I updated soon enough and thanks for reviewing! ^_^

Hey, long reply! ^_-

Mrs. Greenleaf – You wish you were her? Sorry! I wish I was too at times…

We can dream! ^_^

Thanks for reviewing. ^_^

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Chapter 13: Isengard's Hidden Surprises.

Not long after, they set out for Isengard. Amy now had her own horse, and Gimli rode with Legolas instead. They walked slowly through the wood of Huorns, keeping strictly to the path as much as they could. Each was wary of the trees surrounding them, and Amy kept her horse as near to Legolas' as possible.

They came out of the trees soon enough, and spied the great tower of Orthanc not too far away. It was encircled by a thick wall of stone, but they could, even from that distance, that it was broken in many places, the rocks in piles all over the ground.

As they rode nearer, they could see three figures lounging on the remains of the main entrance gate into Isengard. Legolas recognised them instantly, with his keen sight, and smiled to himself.

"Welcome, my Lords, to Isengard," said Merry, standing and raising his brimming tankard to them.

But a squeal interrupted him. Everyone turned to look at Amy, who was staring wide-eyed at the person sat beside Pippin. That person had exactly the same expression on her face.

"OH…MY…GOD!" Amy screamed, leaping down off her horse and running to the rocks.

"NATALIE!"

"AMY!"

The girl slid down as quickly as she could, and ran over to her friend. They met in the middle, and grabbed each other into a huge bear hug.    

Everyone looked on, completely and utterly confused by the whole situation.

"I'm so glad you're here," Amy sobbed into her friends' shoulder.

"Thank goodness I found you," Natalie answered, gripping her friend tighter.

"How did you get here?"

"It'll take too long to explain now. I think Gandalf is waiting to talk to you."

"Tough."

"Amy…" Natalie pulled away, reluctance obvious in her movements. Both had tears streaming down their face, but they were tears of joy. 

"When you two have quite finished…" Gandalf said, but he was smiling.

"Excuse me Gandalf," Amy replied, turning round with her hands on her hips, "but my bestest friend in the whole entire world has just turned up. Don't you think I am just teeny bit excited, hmm?" She glared at him, demanding an answer.

"I knew she was here."

"WHAT!?!?!?!?" She gaped at him, mouth wide open. "And you never thought to tell me?"

"I couldn't. You had to find out for yourself."

Amy made a noise of frustration, and just turned away again. Natalie was grinning at her, the laugh desperate to escape. Amy glared at her, and Natalie had to really struggle to stifle the giggle about to erupt.

"Now, Meriadoc Brandybuck, where is Treebeard?" Gandalf continued.

"Over on the North side. He is awaiting your arrival."

"Good. Now, you four stay here," he told Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli, and the very ecstatic Amy. "I will send a messenger when I need you." They nodded, and watched as he rode off with Théoden and his men.

The Three Hunters tuned back to the hyperactive girls, who were chattering on endlessly. Their voices were fast and quite a bit higher than usual. Natalie had led Amy over to a pile of rocks, and they sat, still talking.

"Ah hem." Pippin cleared his throat.

The girls stopped and looked up at him. "Yes, Pippin?" Natalie asked.

"I think these three might have something to say. And your horse looks a tad dejected Amy."

Amy grinned. "Redigar, come here," she called. The horse walked obediently to her side, and she patted her neck. "Nope, she still loves me. Anyway, as I was saying…" she carried on her conversation with Natalie, still stroking the horses' mane.

"Amy," Aragorn called softly, dismounting. The other two followed suit. "I think you had better tell us exactly who this is."

"This is my bestest friend ever, Natalie. Nat, this is Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas."

"Hi guys," Nat said, looking at them each in turn and smiling.

They smiled blandly back. Each had a look of…confusion on their faces.

"Anybody hungry?" Merry asked, breaking the rather awkward silence that was building up. He scrambled down off the rock pile, pulling Pippin with him. They went into the small hut they had recently discovered, and brought out all manners of food and drinks. Meats, bread, vegetables, fruits…you name it, and they most certainly had it.

Gimli dived in as soon as the food was brought to him. Aragorn too, ate some, but Legolas said he was not hungry. He just had some water, as usual. Amy had a bite to eat, and Natalie joined her. The Hobbits of course, ate everything that they could fit in.

Soon, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, and Gimli had lit pipes, and were leaning back against the stones, puffing lazily away, lapping up the sunlight. Amy and Natalie were still talking, and Legolas was sat a small way away, looking out towards the woods.

Amy reached out for her cup of water, and noticed this. She frowned. Why was Legolas separated from the rest of them? She went to stand up, but Natalie stopped her.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to talk to Legolas. I won't be long." She smiled at her friend, and made her way to sit beside him. She fingered the necklace as she went. In the crowds at Helms Deep, she had almost lost it.

"Legolas?" she asked softly, crouching down beside his still figure. "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head. "No, why should there be?"

"I was just wondering why you weren't over there with us."

"Can't stand the smoke." Amy grinned to herself. She didn't like the smell either, but she had grown used to it. Legolas, being an Elf, clearly hadn't.

"Come and talk to Nat. She's dying to get to know you. She knows all about you of course, well, the version we know, but…"

"No, you stay with her. You've been apart for a long time. You obviously have loads to catch up on." Was it her, or did Legolas' tone have just the smallest hint of jealousy to it?

Amy shook that thought away. Legolas wasn't that sort of person. She had finally been reunited with her best friend…he would be happy for her, not jealous. 

Wouldn't he?

She slipped her arm round his shoulders, and leant against him. "But she wants to talk to you."

"Not yet."

"Why?"

"Just…not yet. You go back to her. She'll be wondering what's taking you so long." He shrugged himself out of her grasp, and stood up. Before Amy had chance to say something else, he had wandered off over to the horses.

She sighed and went back to Natalie. "What's up with him?" she asked as Amy plonked herself back down.

"I have absolutely no idea. He's behaving really strangely, and I don't like it, not one bit."

Legolas sighed to himself as he stroked Arod. He should feel happy for Amy, not worried that she would be taken from him. She loved him, didn't she? Natalie was her best friend, and she would want to spend more time with her than him at the moment. It was perfectly understandable.

But he still felt that pang of jealousy nestling in his heart. He tried to push it away, but it wouldn't go. Amy was happier than she had ever been in Middle-Earth, and here he was, feeling jealous of the thing that had caused her to be so happy! What was wrong with him? He wanted nothing more than for her to be happy.

"Mana-ier tyára-ni Arod?" he asked in a whisper. (What should I do Arod?)

The horse looked at him and snorted. He looked over the Elf's shoulder to the two girls, who were watching his master, whispering together. He shook his head, and Legolas looked round. He could see the look of dejection on Amy's face, and sense her confusion at his behaviour. He turned away again.

"Tua amin síno! Pole-mana tyára-ni? (Help me here! What can I do?)"

Arod just shook his head again, and bent down to nibble at the grass.

Legolas sighed and leant his head against the horses' strong neck. "Never mind," he whispered. "I'm sure I'll figure something out… eventually."

Arod snorted in agreement, glancing up to Legolas before turning his gaze back to the grass at his feet. Legolas smiled at his loyal steed, and continued to stroke his neck fondly.

"Amy," Aragorn called softly.

She looked over at him. "Yes?"

"I need to talk to you."

She crawled over to his side and waited for him to speak.

"What's wrong with Legolas?"

She sighed. "I don't know, he's been behaving strangely ever since we arrived here. Since I was reunited with Nat."

Aragorn raised an eyebrow. "Really? Do you think he is jealous maybe?"

"Jealous? Of what?"

"Natalie."

"Oh, don't be silly. He isn't that type of person. He should understand that I must stay with Nat for a bit. I haven't seen her for months."

"I'm sure he does understand that, but you don't really know Legolas very well. Not as well as I do yet at any rate."

"What?"

"He loves you Amy, and you love him, correct?"

"Yes."

"Your heart is obviously being directed completely at Natalie at the moment. You're shutting him out…"

"No I am not! Look, if he wants to talk to me, then why doesn't he come over?"

"Amy, listen to me. Elves are very different from us humans. I guess he is just feeling a little…left out. Us four are smoking, and so he won't come anywhere near us, and you're with Natalie, constantly talking. About things from your world, things he won't understand. That is why he won't talk to you, because he won't know what to say."

Amy looked at her feet. She knew what the Ranger was saying was right. She and Nat were talking about home, and how things had been going for the both of them. She hadn't even given Legolas a second thought really. He wouldn't understand what they were going on about, who they were talking about. He was alone.

She sighed and stood up. "I'm going to talk to him again, clear this up. I hate this atmosphere."

Aragorn nodded. "Good idea. And don't get angry with him. Remember, he is an Elf, you're a human."

She nodded and walked over to where Legolas was still stroking Arod.

"Legolas," she said softly, coming up beside him.

"Yes?" His tone was cold, almost sharp.

"We have to talk."

"About what?"

She sighed. Aragorn was right. Elves were different from humans, but in some respects, they were almost identical. She instantly recognised the stubbornness feature coming out loud and clear.

"About us."

"Hmm."

"Legolas please don't be angry with me. I know all my attention has been directed at Nat today, but can you blame me? I haven't seen her for over two years. And when I came here, I thought I would never, ever see her again. But she has also come here, and now… everything seems perfect. I mean, it was already, because you have been looking after me…but that's not the point. Now it will be even more perfect because I have the both of you, and I don't want to lose you, either of you. I'm sorry if you're feeling left out, I never meant for you to feel that way, and I'm sorry…wait, I already said that…but please Legolas, try to understand. I need Nat here. She has been my best friend for years and years… since we were ten for goodness sake. That's thirteen years! And that is a long time in human years. I know it isn't in Elf years, but anyway…" but Legolas silenced her by placing a hand over her mouth.

"You're babbling Amy. Slow down." His hand left her mouth and stroked her cheek. "I understand completely about you staying with Natalie at the moment. Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

"Then come and talk to us," she pleaded. "I'm missing you."

He laughed. "How can you be missing me when we've only been apart what…half an hour?"

"Easily."

He sighed. "I'll come over in a minute, but please, stop worrying. And tell Aragorn to stop fretting too. I saw you two whispering away over there. I just needed time to think, get my head around a few things. I haven't had much time to do that recently."

"No, that's true. So…you'll come and see her?"

"In a short while, yes."

"Yay!" She squealed in delight and flung her arms around his neck. She kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Understanding me. Not many people do." 

He laughed and kissed her back. "Go on. Natalie's giving you strange looks. I take it you haven't told her about us yet."

"Oops."

"Exactly. Go on." He untangled himself from her vice-like grip, and she scuttled back over to her friend.

Legolas felt Arod nudge him in the leg. "What?" The powerful horse just snorted.

"Oh, I get it. You knew that was going to happen, right?" He nodded.

"Stop being smart Arod. It doesn't become you."

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See, Nat's arrived. Like I said before, if you don't like it, tough. Tell me what you thought in a review. Have I gone too far by bringing Natalie in as well? More of her part in the story will appear later, promise. No flamers please. My chickens don't like smoke. Thank you! ^_^

~Lainfaer~