7

"Will you tell her?" Aragorn asked.

"No, she mustn't know."

"Gandalf, you know how much I respect you," Strider started, "but I cannot let you use this girl as a weapon for our side. She's too young."

"No younger than Frodo."

"This is different and you know it."

"No. Female's can fight as well"

"That is not the point. I am for women fighting. But Allison is not fighting. She doesn't even realize she possess this talent. You must let her make her own decision. You can't use her without her knowing it!"

"I will tell her, in time. For now you will remain silent."

Legolas rattled on to Gimli as they walked. "And I told him that he couldn't possibly leave the forest in a red scarf after February but he insisted that it had lavender stitching", "because of course lavender is a spring color," he said aside, in a confidential tone. Gimli studied his axe carefully, as if considering hacking himself to bits with it, or better yet, hacking Legolas to bits. Sam however seemed to have taken a liking to the elf, realizing that he was no threat to him and Frodo. The two chatted on happily, oblivious to the strange looks of others.

Free from the controlling influence of Sam, Frodo and Allison strolled along, back on easy terms once again. Gandalf and Gimli were casually debating mine sites, while Aragorn and Boromir were practice fighting. Allison and Frodo talked of their coming ordeals, worrying about each other and what was too come.

"Legolas!" Aragorn roared suddenly.

"Yes, Darling?"

Aragorn dropped his tone, literally growling. Every member of the group shivered. It doesn't matter how straight you are. That voice was dead sexy. "You were supposed to be watching the back." Now those around him shuddered in fear. They knew if Legolas didn't answer correctly, he would die. "Where are Merry and Pippin?" The elf froze.

"Here we are!" Merry called from the distance, Pippin beside him. "What's the fuss?"

"Nothing at all." Aragorn said softly, and turned and started walking without another word.

"Wow" Sam said, then turned as he heard a loud thump. Legolas had feinted.

Boromir caught up with Aragorn. "So our tiger has claws after all."

"Leave me, Boromir. I'm in no mood for your jests."

"I come not to jest. I need to talk to you."

"And what," he growled, "do you want to talk to me about?"

Aragorn's voice carried. "Well", Legolas surmised as he regained consciousness. "Either Aragorn has just murdered Boromir or he's having sex with him." Gimli, standing behind the elf lightly tapped the base of his skull with his axe. Legolas slumped to the ground once again.

"What did you do that for?" Sam trilled.

Gimli explained, "He's damn good to have around in a battle but he's annoying little asshole otherwise. Besides, he looks peaceful." And the elf did indeed look peaceful lying there in the leaves.

Ahead on the trail Boromir finally replied to Aragorn's question. "I want to know why you nearly took Legolas' head off today. He's an annoying git to be sure but any other day it wouldn't have come to this. What happened?"

"Gandalf." Was his one word reply.

"Don't blame you for being peeved. That man can certainly get under people's skin, the bloke creeps me out a bit sometimes."

"Thanks." Aragorn said

"What for?"

"Not being an asshole, I suppose."

"Anytime, mate" the lord said with a wry smile.

"Where were you two anyway?" Sam asked later, addressing his comment at the inseparables.

Merry and Pippin replied, "erm......muffin hunting?"