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Okanim: While Christy is annoying, she is a guest in his realm so he has to be nice. :)

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A/N: Things in bold are spoken in elvish.

Alexis and the rest of the group are waiting for Legolas at the stables with the two other elves that will be going. Legolas approaches them followed by two more elves, who are each carrying several weapons.

"There is a possibility of orc attacks during our journey so my father has requested that each of you be armed for protection," Legolas says when he stops in front of them. "Are any of you skilled with the bow?"

"I am," Zach replies. Everyone turns and looks at Zach in surprise and he sighs. "I go deer hunting with my dad during bow season."

Legolas turns to the others. "Are any of you trained in a certain weapon?"

Most of them shake their heads but look at Alexis in surprise when she speaks up. "I can use a staff, sword and several other weapons but I am more comfortable with double knives like you carry," she says motioning to the knives straped to his back.

Legolas nods and turns searches through the weapons. He frowns when he doesn't find what he's looking for and then turns to one of the elves behind him. Legolas speaks quietly to the elf, who then quickly returns to the palace.

"Mahtan is retreiving knives for you," Legolas tells Alexis before handing each of the others a sword.

Christy looks at the sword he hands her in distaste and Professor Jones nudges her in the side. "Things are different here and that sword just may save your life," he hisses.

Mahtan returns with the knives and helps Alexis adjust the leather straps that hold the knives on her back. Alexis reaches up and unsheaths the knives. She slices through the air with them as if fighting an invisible opponent before holding them up to look at them. The handles are made of a dark colored wood decorated with gold vines that wrap around the handles. She looks up at Legolas. "These belong to you, don't they?"

"Aye. A gift from Amras when he first started training me, " Legolas replies.

Alexis tries to hand the knives to him. "Legolas, I can't..."

Legolas gently pushes her hands back. "They are yours," he says and turns away from her. "Come it's time to leave." He mounts his horse and everyone else follows suit.

Alexis sighs and sheaths the knives before mounting Lamalas. She glances around and shakes her head when she notices Mahtan having to help Christy onto her horse.

Legolas turns in the saddle so he can see the group behind him as they make their way toward the forest. "We will move quickly through the forest so that we do not have to make camp within its borders. Stay close and stay alert."

The travelers have made camp just outside the forest and Alexis is sitting on her bedroll by the small fire listening to Zach and Christy argue.

Melinda sits down next to her and sighs in frustration. "What does he see in her? All she does is whine and complain and they're always fighting."

"Beat's me. Maybe she does things for him others won't. Know what I mean?" Alexis grins and pushes her tongue against the inside of her cheek causing her cheek to puff out. Melinda imediatly realizes what she's talking about and begins laughing.

The knives on Alexis' back catches Melinda's attention. "Where did you learn how to use those?" she questions.

James scoots closer to Melinda, having heard her question. "I've been curious about that too."

"I've been training in Martial Arts since I was about five," Alexis tells them as Legolas sits down next to Alexis.

"What is Martial Arts?" Legolas asks curiously.

"It's a term used to describe many forms of similar fighting techiques. Mostly hand to hand but weapons are also used," Alexis explains.

"So you are a warrior then?" he questions is mild surprise.

Alexis shakes her head and gives him a small smile. "No. While I have been trained how to fight, I've never actually had to."

"Ah! How do you get those two to stop arguing?" Círdan asks as he and Gwindor sit down with the small group by the fire.

Melinda grins. "Here's a phrase you will use with Christy quite often... Shut the hell up."

Cirdan gives her a confused look. "Shut the hell up? I've never heard that phrase before. What does it mean?"

Alexis chuckles. "Its a rude way of saying be silent. You say it when you're to the point that if they don't get quiet you're going to do something drastic. It gets the point across."

Gwindor turns toward the arguing couple and shouts, "Shut the hell up!" His outbusrt causes everyone at the fire to laugh and Christy and Zach to look at him in surprise.

"Alexis, Melinda, stop corrupting our elvish friends with that harsh language," Professor Jones tiredly calls from his bedroll. "And Zach, you and Christy stop arguing so that we all can get some rest."

"Sorry Professor," Alexis laughs. "I'm gonna go to sleep. Night guys," she says and lays down. The others continue to talk quietly around her as Alexis drifts to sleep.

Sometime later that night Alexis' dreams return to the day Nick was killed and she wakes up with a start. Someone crouches next to her and she looks up to see Legolas eyeing her with concern. "Are you alright?" he asks softly.

Alexis nodds. "Yea. Just a nightmare. Sorry I woke you up."

Legolas gives her a reassuring smile. "You didn't wake me. It is my watch."

Alexis sits up and sighs. "Want some company?"

Legolas stands up and looks down at her. "It will not get light for another hour. You should rest."

Alexis shakes her head. "I won't be able to get back to sleep. This isn't the first time I've had the nightmare."

"Then your company would be welcomed," he says and reaches down to help her up. He leads her to a large rock a little ways away from the camp where he had been watching things from. Alexis sits on the rock and leans back to look up at the stars as Legolas sits next to her. "What is it that haunts your sleep?" he asks softly.

Alexis closes her eyes for a minute and then looks over at him. "My friend Nick's death. We hadn't known each other long but we were becoming close." Alexis looks away from him when she begins to cry. "Every night I see the spider attack him and I see the pain in his..." She sobs harder, unable to continue.

Legolas pulls her to him and tries to comfort her. "I'm sorry." he whispers. Not knowing what else he can do, Legolas continues to hold her until she falls asleep on his shoulder. He gently picks her up and lays her on her bedroll and covers her up. He then returns to the rock to continue his watch.