5

It was in this way, with some tension and danger and much laughing that they reached Rivendell. Once Frodo was injured Allison hovered on the brink of hysteria for days, pushing the others to reach him with all haste, not that they needed it; with Sam willing to carry the hobbits if he had to, to get there fast enough. Luckily Aragorn provided for that. As much as she worried for Frodo, Allison saw the Ranger's demeanor lighten with every step towards the elves, and as she had learned, his elfin love Arwen. Soon they reached Rivendell but were not allowed to see the ring bearer, as his condition appeared serious.

Being kept away from Frodo, Allison sought companionship with Strider. However, as soon as they entered the valley he launched himself in the direction of a small figure in the distance. Picking her up and embracing her (for by now Allison had deduced it was a her). As she neared closer he set the elf down and introduced her to his companion.

"This is Arwen. My wife."

She greeted Allison as a sister and they walked to their quarters. Allison recognized her as the woman who had ridden Frodo to safety. Strider walked with his arm around his wife's waist, but continued speaking to Allison, of Rivendell, the elves, and Frodo's quest.

Allison's POV

A presence appeared behind me, but before I had time to turn, she spoke.

"Did you miss me?"

Aragorn turned and viewed the newcomer with a sigh.

"Greetings friend."

"Surely we are more than friends!" the blonde replied with a mischievous light in her eyes.

"How many times have I told you? We are only friends."

"You would deny us? Our beautiful relationship?"

"There is NO us."

All during this conversation my mind raced. Aragorn had a mistress? Was there ever a relationship or is this just another lovesick elf?

The newcomer saw fit to finally acknowledge me.

"So you've picked up a new whore? I hope your current bitch isn't offended."

I stared at the rude elf in shock. Frantically making hand gestures at Arwen that there was nothing between Strider and I, I stopped when I saw that she was not looking in my direction. Moving quickly Aragorn had picked up the other elf before she could react. Trying to muster some dignity while dangling three feet off the ground, she stayed still. What happened next astounded me. Strider easily threw the offending blonde a good twenty feet across the clearing, and I received the impression he could have tossed her a good deal farther. Strider? Abusing a WOMAN?? A rather rude woman but still!!! I began to frantically scan Arwen for signs of bruises or cuts. Well there was her face, but he wouldn't have had time to do that. Seeing my consternation, the ranger apologized eloquently for his "friend's" behavior.

"But who was that elf?"

He quirked an eyebrow at me. "That, my little friend, was Legolas."

It wasn't a woman? Terribly embarrassed by my mental mistake, I looked a good deal closer at all of the elves before addressing them, for fear of making the same mistake again.