Warning you now, things are even more pressed for time than usual, so I'm a bit snapish--sorry if I come over wrong in responses. I'm not meaning to, honest.

Lucretia: Figuring things out completely will occur pretty much at the end. She gets something of a clue and mangles it fairly soon, though.

angel13: she'll wake up soon

Feanin: Yup, you and most of the others who are reading this.

LJP: Well, she'll miss him, of course. She would stop going to him for comfort... for fairly obvious reasons... I think. I could just be really burnt out on making coherent thoughts right now. As for Galadriel... I think it's best she learns on her own, so she can truly deal with all the emotions of her memory. Elves being as they are, suddenly being overcome with so many decades of a deep love and sense of impending loss would set her back quite a bit.

IvannethFuin: I actually remembered to count... and then I forgot. I think 13.

Zeriae: I dunno. Why can't he?

CrimsonEnchantress: All that was bothering him was being unable to act. Simple, yet painful.


Chapter 20

Tanthien stared at her silently for a long moment. "What did you say?"

"I said Legolas has entered me in the trials, as his student."

He blinked, then shook his head as if still thinking he hadn't heard her correctly. "Why would he do that?"

Lunian frowned at him. "Because he taught me, and thought it would be something I would enjoy doing."

"Why would you?"

Her frown deepened, along with her confusion. "Because I enjoy it when he teaches me. He taught me archery in my past life… he has merely continued from there."

Tanthien frowned. "You will not be competing with him, will you?"

"I suppose I will. I didn't specifically ask, but I assume so."

"You could get hurt," he scowled, pulling her into a gentle hug. "When paired with that old elf, how could you not be?"

Anger flashed in her eyes, making them darken and chill as she moved back from his arms. "Even if I were entirely incompetent with weapons on my own, I would not be hurt. Only those who hold grudges or are far too wild with their blows ever endanger those around them, and usually those are smart enough not to enter into the trials. Laying that aside, considering the possibility of someone entering who can't control their weapons as they should, I still wouldn't be hurt."

"How can you be so sure?" he asked, frowning.

She looked up at him, a faint frown still touching her brow as a crick formed in her neck. "Because Legolas would do anything in his power to keep me safe." It was something she had always known, but never voiced. That made it no less true.

"Even so, he will likely be fighting as well, and he can't possibly—"

"You doubt his skill? He survived the war of five armies, and the war of the rings. A prince among lords, a leader among warriors… and you doubt him? In deadly combat, I doubt even Glorfindel could best him."

Tanthien's bright eyes narrowed, small flecks of silver appearing with his anger. "An elf who befriended a dwarf, verses the balrog-slayer? He is weak, soft. It is rank alone which carries him."

She was again quite confused. Where was this coming from? She shook her head with a slight sigh. "I may believe him more capable than he is because of our friendship, but you think too lowly of him. I haven't the time to defend him farther, though I would, and shall, if you continue this," she bit out the last words, shutting off the anger and spite she felt pouring from him. "I must be off. Legolas expects me."

"And you can't disappoint the prince, now can you?"

She turned back at the edge of the clearing, staring at the unfamiliar elf she saw. "I do. Everyday. But he still cares for me." Following the warmth that was Legolas she entered the clearing.

"Lunian?"

"Hmm?" she murmured, eyes downcast and arms folded tightly over her chest.

His arms came around her, just as gentle as Tanthien's had been, but holding her more confidently, more easily. Offering comfort, more than lack of escape. A light kiss brushed on her cheek brought her back. "What's wrong?"

She sighed. "I just argued with Tanthien, is all," she murmured softly, relaxing against him.

He tensed slightly, his arms tightening. "Oh?"

She smiled, able to tell he was more interested than he let on. His concern and confusion came through to her for a moment, before he began shielding himself from that little gift of hers. "He is against me being a part of the trials."

Legolas relaxed, chuckling softly. "Is he?" he asked, his amusement in the tone. "I assume you told him you would be competing."

"Not in so many words, but mostly."

"Mostly?"

"I got a bit sidetracked," she muttered, her eyes narrowing.

Legolas frowned, tilting his head slightly to better see her face. "He has angered you."

She drew in a quick breath, before nodding. "Yes."

"Why?"

"He… he doubts things I believe, things that I hold true and dear…" Which made her think that despite the signs, he might not be the lover she had forgotten. He was, after all, the only elf she had met tall enough to give her that crick in her neck, had the bright blue eyes… She sighed softly and turned to Legolas, lifting her arms to drape over his shoulders, holding herself to him as he tightened his hold. "Will we be together?"

Legolas stopped breathing. "What?"

"Will we be fighting together? I know we don't have to… I was wondering if we were going to."

"I—" he stopped, clearing his throat. "I planned on us being together," he agreed, a bit huskily.

She smiled slightly, letting his hair hide her from the world.