Disclaimer: don't own

A/N: thanks all for the reviews! Hey jordan, sorry I must have accidentally deleted ur review thank you :tears: I'll put it back in!

Also...i'm very very sorry that this has been such a long time coming. I have every intention of finishing this work, but some of the chapters might take a while to get up. Please bear with me. I get writer's blocks! Hehe. Review thank-yous...

Regan Trinity: lol, thank you! I plan to make the "friendship" very interesting…lol.

dragondemonessa (Formerlyanonymousstranger): gosh, thanks for the apology, I wasn't expecting that. Anyway, don't worry, she's definitely not going to be perfect. I haven't had much of a chance to do anything flaw-wise with her character yet, but I'll try. Peace.

Lintered: yes, I did! Lol. Thanks for the well-wishings. Got 'em both done! Luv, lcp

Angel of the Night Watchers: that's cool. (re: name) sorry about your foot, hope it's not broken. Thanks for the review!

I.H.N.: um, i think you may have reviewed this before, but I'm not sure. I had an earlier version posted last year, but took it down for major revisions. I can see it still needs some work! okay, just a few things to address (and please read this in a "friendly" tone; this is by no means an angry response):

One: plot device—yes, I am trying to use that plot device, but I guess some people aren't "captured" by it. oh well.

Two: quest—I don't mind the critique, but one thing I will ask is that you don't assume the ending to my story. There are only two chapters posted, neither of which contains enough information to predict the outcome of the story.

Three: character formation—I'm trying to develop her into a "realistic and three-dimensional" character, but I haven't gotten to the core of her character—yet. Still trying.

Four: claiming the Ring—I realize that the Ring would probably corrupted her by now—if she'd had it the whole time; I haven't gotten to that part of the story yet. Besides, I reasoned that there was enough in her past pertaining to the corruption the Ring instills that she has built up a relatively higher mental defense.

Five: angst—I guess angst doesn't appeal to everyone, but sometimes it's just the way I write. I'll try to keep it at a "normal" level. I'm sorry you can't relate to her, but there is a serious problem of abuse in today's culture, and many people can relate.

Six: love—I don't believe in "true love to heal all hurts", and I'm not going to incorporate in into my story (or, at least, I'll try not to ), and believe me, they're not going to wed in "the middle of the battlefield." I don't have the experience with love, either, but I have this weird thing where I can put myself in a person's shoes and imagine what it was like, then write about it.

Seven: "better than everyone else"—no chance of that; I'm trying to avoid such things.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to critique, it's always appreciated, even if I don't accept some of it. I don't know if you'll even see this, since I don't know if you'll continue reading this. But I sincerely hope you do read and review, because it's always nice to have negative (in a good way) feedback. Peace, lcp.

BregoBeauty: lol, thanks. I thought it'd be easier than writing the whole past, and it kind of reveals her past little by little...suspensful, ya know? Well, we'll see! Haha.

Jordan: sorry! Lol. Yeah, that's what I was trying to do. Anyway, thanks for reviewing! Luv ya millions! nik

alibi girl: yes, more chapters are coming soon. I had to sort out a lot of stuff in my freshman year. First time back in public school since 3rd grade...i had to learn to manage my time. Hopefully this year will be better homework-wise. Anyway, thanks for reviewing my story! I hope you keep reading! p.s. What does 'gen cenin, avo muitha hi drenared' mean? Just curious!

StarDustFaerie: yay, thank you for reviewing! I was wondering when you'd get around to it... : imploring stare : hehe. Anyway, yes i have metal issues, i'm proud of it! hm...ok...on with the story! Love you!

Chapter Three: Perpetual Aberration

Autumn sank deeper into the warm, soapy bathwater, her brow slightly furrowed, and her normally stoic eyes shining with worry and confusion. Her mind was racing, replaying the events of the day: the altercation with Haled...the Council...but most of all...her encounters with the mysterious elf called Legolas...the paranormal connection that occurred every time their eyes met. His piercingly blue eyes reminded her of—

Tap, tap.

'Yes?' Autumn responded, slightly irked at the interruption.

'M'lady, there is a messenger here for you,' came the voice of her current handmaiden.

'Tell him I will be there momentarily,' Autumn said. She sighed, and was forced to push her reflections of the day out of her mind. She quickly donned a modest white nightgown, slipped on a silky black nightrobe, then went into her room to meet the messenger.

The messenger was an elf, tall with long brown hair and warm brown eyes. He bowed slightly when he saw Autumn. 'Lord Elrond has sent me to inform you that at noon tomorrow, a meeting will be held for the members of the Fellowship of the Ring to begin mapping out their journey.'

'Where will this meeting be held?' Autumn inquired a little stiffly. Ever since her childhood, she hadn't been very adept at or keen to interact with strange men.

'The same place where the Council was held this afternoon, m'lady,' the messenger responded, seemingly unfazed by her less-than-friendly tone.

'I will be there,' Autumn said. 'Thank you for your message.'

The messenger bowed and departed.

Autumn was just about to close the door when she saw Aned standing his his doorway, his arms folded. He looked half-annoyed but half-worried about something. 'Autumn—' he began.

'I know, I know!' Autumn interrupted. 'Don't lecture me; I'm working on it!'

'But you're not,' Aned contradicted, striding over to her room. 'It's been a hundred years and never once have I seen you make any effort to be friendly to men besides Haled and me!'

Autumn felt anger begin to surge through her. 'Aned, it's not that easy!' she cried. 'I'm tired of being abused, I'm tired of having my heart broken, my trust shattered!'

Aned gave a frustrated sigh. 'Autumn, you've only had that happen to you twice,' he reminded her wearily.

'By the people I trust the most!' But in her mind, Autumn knew that her friend had a point.

It was the slight hesitation and resignation in the girl's voice that caused Aned to say gently, 'Autumn, I know it's hard to learn to trust after you've been betrayed, but please try to realize that not every man that you meet is your enemy.'

'But—'

Aned held up a hand. 'I know it won't happen right away,' he said fairly. 'Just promise me you'll at least try.'

Autumn sighed. 'Fine,' she lied.

Her best friend smiled. 'Good.' He gave an encouraging hug, saying, 'Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning.'

'Goodnight.' When Aned left, she closed the door with a bit of a snap.

I can't, she thought desperately. I can't learn to trust! I'll just get hurt again! She fell hard back onto her bed, her mind churning with disbelief and choler at Aned's suggestion, apprehension at seeing Legolas the next day, dread of going to sleep only to be awakened by her nightmares, and guilt about lying to her best friend.

'Trust is no strength,' she said aloud, trying to counter and minimize that guilt with reasoning. 'Trust is a weakness...people will just take advantage of you. Trust only ends in disaster...betrayal...destruction.' With this proclamation, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

'Tebius, please!' Autumn pleaded. 'I'll do anything! Don't kill her!' It was too late. Her cries unheeded, her sobs unheard, she faded into the darkness. Flames erupted around her, silver gleamed orange and red in the light. An anguished scream pierced the stillness. Torrents of blood poured from her wrists onto the bark of a tree, filling up the crudely engraved letters, A-N-G-E-L.

'Stop it!' Autumn screamed, grabbing at her wrists. 'Go away!'

'Autumn!' two voices yelled as her door opened. Aned and Haled appeared at the bedside. 'What happened?' Aned asked anxiously.

Tears splashing from her eyes, Autumn thrust out her hands palm-up. 'There!' she spat, a rare venom saturating her voice. 'That's what trust got me!' Two pale scars, illuminated by moonlight, shone on each of her wrists. 'Don't ever tell me I need to trust again! I won't! Trust killed my mother, it killed Angel, it nearly killed me! I won't let it kill anymore!'

Aned and Haled glanced at each other. 'It's alright, Autumn, Haled said soothingly, taking the initiative and grasping her shoulders and pushing her gently down into a recumbent position. 'We won't let it. Just go back to sleep.'

Autumn grabbed his hand. 'Haled, I saw her again,' she said hoarsely, an almost wild glint in her eyes. 'I saw Tebius kill her. He's coming back, I know he is!'

'Shh...' Haled whispered. 'He's dead, Autumn, he can't come back.'

Autumn let out a shuddering breath. In her post-unconscious delirium, she could barely think logically. 'Promise?' she whispered.

'Yes,' Haled assured her, 'I promise. Go back to sleep.'

Autumn awoke the next morning, lethargic and taciturn from her frequent episodes of panic the previous night. One of the things that troubled her greatly about her imminent journey was the unsubtlety of her nightmares. Hardly without failure, she awoke from them screaming in fear, in terror. What would happen when she screamed and awoke the whole Fellowship...or worse...an enemy lurking nearby, priorly unaware of their presence? In just one night, their journey could be permanently halted, innocent people could be murdered...just because of a flashback.

She heaved a frustrated sigh, and threw her covers off of her, then donned a pale lavender dress. She tied the top half of her hair back to create the same authoritative air she'd managed to obtain for the Council.

She took one las look at herself in the vanity mirror, checking out of habit to make sure the Ring was still safely dangling from its chain, then set off for Aned and Haled's rooms to collect them for the meeting. However, when she knocked on their doors, there were no answers.

Autumn frowned. "They can't have gone without me,' she murmured.

But it seemed that they had, for when Autumn opened their doors and peered tentatively around, she saw their beds made and no signs that anyone was still in the room. 'How considerate,' she said sarcastically, closing Haled's door and beginning her walk to the courtyard where the Council had been held.

She walked alone, quite undisturbed by anyone, for a decent amount of time, until—

'M'lady?' a familiar voice said, summoning Autumn out of her reverie.

Autumn looked up, but didn't meet the eyes of the speaker, for she knew, without looking at him at all, that it was Legolas. There was something in his voice—perhaps the gentleness, the softness, she didn't know—chilled her blood, sent a shiver down her spine.

At first, upon dwelling on the feeling, she suspected that he was a servant of Sauron, sent to spy on the ongoings in Rivendell and perhaps pass on information about the Fellowship. But he couldn't be evil, Autumn had concluded hours later. There was a certain angelicness that surrounded him like an aura, impenetrable by even the cleverest and sliest tactics of the Dark side. No, the blood-chilling effect the elf's voice had on Autumn was certainly not caused by the presence of evil—but what it really was, she wasn't sure she would ever know.

'Yes?' Autumn responded to Legolas, her voice characteristically wary.

Legolas seemed slightly puzzled as to why she would not meet his eyes, but said, 'Are you on your way to the meeting?'

'Yes,' Autumn responded again, mildly apprehensive of what he might ask next.

'Would you like some company?' Although it had the markings of a polite offer, Autumn could sense nervousness and fear of rejection in his tone.

'I suppose,' she said indifferently, and consequently, the two continued towards the meeting place. There was an awkward moment of silence, then—

'I don't think I've formally introduced myself,' Legolas said suddenly, looking sideways at Autumn. 'My name is—'

'—Legolas,' Autumn finished. 'I heard Aragorn call you that at the Council.'

'Oh,' Legolas said.

'That name,' Autumn began, figuring that since she was going on a journey of unpredictable length with this elf, she might as well make an effort—however small—to be friendly. 'It sounds familiar...where are you from?'

'Mirkwood Forest,' Legolas answered, clearly relieved that she was initiating some conversation. 'My father is called Thranduil.'

'Ah, yes.' Autumn smiled sardonically. 'You're a prince.'

Legolas shrugged. 'In a manner of speaking, yes,' he said. 'The title is not exactly appealing to me.'

'Why not?'

'Politics. It's a fascinating subject as far as studying goes, but I prefer not to actually be involved in it. It spreads too much enmity and causes discord.'

Autumn scoffed. 'Right,' she said. Her hint of friendliness had disappeared the moment she discovered Legolas' royal ancestry.

'You don't seem too fond of royalty,' Legolas observed, glancing at her sideways again.

Autumn laughed mirthlessly. 'You catch on quickly,' she said coldly. 'I have no respect for royalty.' Her eyes darkened. 'They lie around their castles, getting served like gods while their people starve. They do nothing, they turn a deaf ear to the screams of grieving mothers, the whimpers of children so sick with hunger they can't even stand. Suffering is all around them, but they do nothing to ameliorate the living conditions of less-fortunate people—'their people' they call them, yet they shudder at the thought of interacting with them, as if they were diseased and unworthy of recognition so subtle and insignificant as a passing glance.'

'You sound like you've had a good deal of experience with royalty,' Legolas commented, his eyebrows slightly raised.

'Yes, I have,' Autumn said after a slight pause. 'In my opinion, they're all pigs. And I don't expect you to be much better,' she added somewhat viciously.

Legolas raised his eyebrows. 'You're not very easy to get along with, are you?'

'I have my reasons,' Autumn retorted shortly.

'Do you interact with everyone this way?' Legolas asked after a slight hesitation.

'Only those I do not trust.' Autumn sighed inwardly. She knew she was being rude and ungrateful—after all, this elf was risking his life to protect her during her journey—but something about Legolas made her infinitely uneasy, vulnerable.

Legolas had fallen entirely silent at her last remark. After a moment's reflection, he said softly, 'Very well. That's understandable.'

Autumn could think of nothing to respond with. So the two walked in silence the rest of the way.

Autumn felt Aned and Haled's eyes upon her as she walked into view with Legolas. Aned smiled approvingly, apparently of the mind that Legolas and Autumn were getting along quite well. Consequently, he did not think it unusual when Autumn immediately slipped away from Legolas the moment that she entered the courtyard.

'See?' Aned said in a low voice when Autumn reached his side. 'It's not so hard to be friendly, is it?'

Autumn glared at him. 'If you noticed,' she said coldly, 'Legolas and I were not talking when we arrived.'

Aned frowned. 'Then why were you walking with him?'

'He asked to accompany me,' Autumn answered irritably. 'So I let him...but—' her eyes became cold '—Valar, Aned, he's a prince!'

'And?' Aned said boredly.

'You know how I feel about royalty,' Autumn snapped.

'Yes, yes, they're chauvinistic pigs who care nothing for the welfare of their so-called 'people',' Aned recited wearily.

Autumn eyes narrowed even more. 'Don't mock me,' she said in a low, dangerous voice.

'I"m not mocking you,' Aned sighed. 'But, think, Autumn, think—' he grasped her shoulders '—why would Legolas have pledged his life to you and this mission if he was oblivious to the well-being of his people?'

'To gain glory as one of the eight who set out to destroy the Ring,' Autumn answered readily.

Aned shook his head. 'You need to learn to be less cynical of men,' he advised. 'Especially if you barely know the man in question.'

Autumn scoffed, and opened her mouth to retort, but—

'Shall we begin?' Gandalf's voice boomed, triggering a murmur of assent among the Company.

Everyone gathered around a large, ebony table that had been set up in place of the small pedestal from the previous day's meeting. Gandalf unrolled a large, yellowed map and spread it out on the handsome table. He put a gnarled finger on the map, pointing to letters that spelled out 'Rivendell.'

'We are here,' he said unnecessarily. 'The safest path to take to Mordor is passing over Caradhas...that will bring us near Dimrill Dale, from which we can make our way through the forest of Lothlórien.'

The dwarf Gimli, who had been smoking a pipe, suddenly choked. 'Loth-Lothlórien!' he sputtered. He stared at Gandalf. 'You do not mean to tell me that we will be entering the realm of the elf-witch? None who has entered that bewitched forest has ever come out! Surely you do not wish to resign us to that fate?'

Gandalf smiled beneath his beard. 'Yes, Master Dwarf, I intend to pass through, though if we are fortunate, we may acquire the friendship and hospitality of the Lórien elves.'

Gimli muttered something in Dwarvish. It must have been very rude, for both Gandalf and Aragorn scowled at him.

'From Lothlórien,' Gandalf began loudly, but was cut off quickly by Boromir.

'Why risk hostilities in Lórien?' he said, gazing around at them. 'Why not pass through the Gap of Rohan, then take the West Road to Minas Tirith? My father, the Steward, would be more than hospitable—and there would be no risk of animosity.'

'No,' Aragorn said at once. 'The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard.'

'Why don't we just avoid all trouble,' Gimli said impatiently, 'and pass through the Mines of Moria? My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome.'

An unheard whisper of darkness seemed to slither around the vicinity, sending a chilling shiver down the spines of all except Gimli.

'No, Gimli,' said Gandalf, quietly and circumspectly, and when he continued, he appeared to be choosing his words carefully, 'I would not take the path of Moria unless I had no other choice.'

Gimli looked extremely offended, but did not say anything rude.

'Now, then,' said Gandalf, 'that's settled. We shall take the road to Hollin and rest a few weeks in Lothlórien. If all goes well, the elves can lend us boats, in which we can make our way down the Anduin.'

For the first time, Autumn spoke. 'What if all does not go well?' she asked.

'Then we travel along the coast,' Gandalf answered, shrugging slightly. 'However, it would be beneficial to have the protection of the river; traveling by water makes us harder to track.'

Autumn nodded; she looked quickly at Legolas, who had been watching her contemplatively. She hastily looked away, staring determinedly at the map. She did not speak again until the planning session of the meeting was over.

'Do we leave now?' she whispered to Haled.

'No,' he answered, 'the Presentation of the Gifts is next.'

'What's that?'

'You'll see.'

'The messenger only mentioned a meeting.'

'This is part of the meeting.'

As if acting upon some invisible or silent cue, the members of the Fellowship formed a line in front of Autumn, each drawing out an item or two from inside their tunics. Aragorn was first in line, who had taken out a sheathed dagger. 'A gift from the Rangers,' he said. 'I was commissioned to present it to the Ringbearer before her journey.'

'Thank you,' Autumn said, looking slightly taken aback, 'but 'her' journey?' She raised her eyebrows in an amused sort of way.

Aragorn grinned, but made no verbal response. He stepped aside as Autumn gently set the dagger on the table, her fingers trembling slightly... Next were Haled and Aned. Haled held out an elven sword, sheathed in soft leather. 'From us,' he said simply, and they both stepped aside after the recipient had whispered, 'Thank you.'

Gimli the dwarf stepped forward, holding a shirt made of a glittering silver metal. He held it out to her. 'From the dwarves,' he said gruffly. 'A coat of mithril; light as a feather, but hard as dragon scales. Had we known that an elf...' he trailed off, and shot Autumn a fairly dirty look, which she returned. 'Thank you,' she said, however.

Boromir, who was next in line, had taken out a set of vambraces, engraved with the White Tree of Gondor. 'These may prove themselves useful to you,' he said in an unreadable tone. 'They were crafted to fit a man, but I daresay you are capable of finding a way to make them fit.' He smiled. 'After all, you've gotten this far.'

Autumn laughed, or rather, made a sound of laughter. She laughed a true laugh only rarely. 'I'm sure I will,' she said. 'Thank you.'

As Boromir stepped aside, Gandalf stepped forward, bearing no gift. 'I have nothing for you save this,' he said softly, 'the purest of hearts can be corrupted by the evil that you wear around your neck. Should that time come for you, remember to trust the ones that love you, and trust those who trust you. But know this,' he continued, 'there are those who will try to make themselves trustworthy in your eyes, and they will betray you, try to persuade you to give them the power you carry. Trust them not and beware of them, yet forgive them for being blinded by the Ring.'

Autumn looked stunned for a moment, but quickly recovered. 'I will do my best to remember that,' she assured him, smiling gently. He returned the smile and stepped aside.

The only one left was Legolas. He stepped forward, and held out a necklace. It was unlike anything Autumn had ever seen before, fit for man or woman. Hanging from a leather thong was a small leather ring. Inside, a silk-like thread was woven into one of the intricate designs that spiders use to awe all those who look upon their web. Tiny purple amethysts were strung here and there on the gossamer thread. Mockingbird feathers dangled from the bottom of the ring, mingled with tiny eagle feathers.

Autumn looked both awed and perplexed as she stared at the unique gift.

'It's a dreamcatcher,' Legolas explained, handing it to her. 'You wear it around your neck—'

'I've figuered that out,' Autumn muttered.

'—it's an elvish legend that when you dream, it catches all your nightmares and leaves you with only pleasant dreams.'

Autumn's breath quickened unnoticeabley. Had Legolas somehow overheard her cries of fear during unwelcome reminisces? Had he seen her tossing and turning feverishly in her bed, drenched with cold sweat? Some of the horror pulsing inside of her must have displayed itself in her eyes, for Legolas looked slightly uncertain.

'It—it's meant to protect you from the evil spirits that are legend to create nightmares...'

Autumn snapped out of her terrible daydream and said quickly and kindly, 'It's very beautiful. Thank you.' She avoided his eyes...

That night...

Autumn drew her knees tight to her chest with one arm, the other dangling off the bank of the rushing river. The water twirled around her fingers, sending detailed ripples and tiny waves in every direction. After a few minutes, she drew in a deep breath and pulled her hand out of the water, with it picking up the only gift she had brought along with her...the dagger from the Rangers. She unsheathed it in one swift motion. The silver gleamed in the ivory moonlight, tantalizingly calling to her skin. Almost automatically, obeyingly, Autumn raised her wrist to the blade. Thoughtfully, contemplatively, she scraped the flawless blade back and forth across her scarred wrist, not with any dangerous pressure, but enough to leave her skin slightly red and mildly irritated.

Autumn laughed unnaturally...a low, almost insane laugh. It came from deep inside her, without warning, from somewhere she had only ever encountered once before...a thirst for pain and blood, a thirst that craved to be quenched. She turned the handle of the blade upwards, preparing to plunge the tip of the dagger deep into her flesh...

'Autumn?' interrupted a voice, sounding extremely panicked.

With a soft thud, the knife hit the grassy river bank. Autumn whipped around, staring up at the disturbance. 'W-w-what are you doing here?' she stammered, a modicum of viciousness lingering in her tone. She casually tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, but the nonchalantness was ruined by Autumn nervously averting her eyes.

'I-I came to find you,' Legolas answered, drawing nearer to Autumn, eventually sitting down next to her.

'Why?'

'Why else?' Legolas said. 'To talk to you.' He paused...and took a deep breath. 'May I ask why...why you...' He picked up the silver dagger, sheathed it, and began to twirl it slowly.

Autumn laughed offhandedly. 'I was just thinking,' she said. 'I am not a fool and I am not a coward.' She held out her hand expectingly. Legolas placed the dagger in her hand, though hesitantly.

'You think that I would end my life so selfishly before we even set out on the journey?' she demanded.

'I see you with a knife to your wrist, about to penetrate your skin and you expect me to think rationally?'

'Well, you don't have to jump to conclusions.'

'Jump to conclusions?' Legolas cried indignantly. 'Anyone who saw that would have—'

'What do you want?' Autumn cut him off impatiently.

'Very well,' Legolas said shorly. 'I-I was just curious as to why—' he shrugged '—why you won't give me a chance...' He gazed inquiringly at her.

'Give you a chance?' Autumn repeated, frowning. 'What do you mean?'

'What do you think I mean?' Legolas cried. 'You snap at me, you interrupt me, and you're cynical of everything I say! Why?'

Autumn shook her head, a tiny smirk on her lips. 'You are royalty, are you not?' she said with an almost imperious air.

'Yes.'

'There's your problem.' Autumn's smirk became more pronounced.

Legolas looked away angrily. 'So...' he said, 'because being born into royalty was beyond my control, you despise me?'

'Essentially.'

'What about Aragorn, heir of Isildur? What about Boromir, son of the Stewerd?' Legolas countered.

'Aragorn renounced his titile, and Boromir is the son of a caretaker of the throne, not the son of a King.' Once again, imperiousness crept into Autumn's voice.

'It's interesting,' Legolas scoffed, 'that in attitude you uncannily resemble those you abhor.'

'I beg your pardon?' Autumn looked distinctly shocked.

'When I talked to you earlier today, you basically accused royalty of acting imperiously and arrogantly, yet you sit here, talking and acting as if you are better than I am.'

Autumn was silent.

'You're proud, too, aren't you?' Legolas' normally patient and calm personality seemed strangely perverted. 'You can't admit that you hypocritically behave just like those you condemn, just like you can't admit that you were going to either cut or kill yourself if I hadn't arrived.'

'Stop it,' Autumn snapped, abruptly rising. Her voice was shaking with anger. 'You know nothing of me.'

Legolas stood as well. He looked her directly in the eyes (she became suddenly paralyzed). 'I'm trying to,' he said softly. 'You won't let me. Is one chance too much to ask for?' With those words, he bowed his head, turned, and noiselessly departed, leaving Autumn with a look of mixed incredulity, anger, and shock on her currently haughtily pretty visage.

After staring into the dark trees for a minute or two, Autumn scoffed. She tossed the dagger in front of her, and turned around with the intention of sitting on the bank and dipping her feet in the river...instead, she slid on the slippery soft grass and fell into the strong, chilly waters. She screamed and felt herself being swept away by the current. She yelled for help, praying that someone would hear her, yet knowing it was hopeless... But to her astonishment, she saw a dark, shadow-like figure running towards the river...it dove in...

'Help!' she screamed again, her arms flailing for something to stop her...WHIP! She felt a thin branch lash her arm as she collided with it. Using her innate elvish reflexes, she latched onto it, hoping that it would hold her weight. Her soon-to-be savior had also latched on to a branch not far from her. 'Give me your hand!' Legolas shouted over the crashing rapids.

'You!' Autumn yelled in infinite surprise. 'Why are you—'

'Never mind that,' Legolas interrupted. 'Just give me your hand!'

Swallowing what pride was left in her after requiring to be rescued from a raging river, Autumn extended her arm towards her rescuer. He grasped it tightly just in time; the branch that Autumn had been so desperately clinging to snapped, and was rushed down the river.

Legolas swam towards the bank, his strong, toned arms working furiously against the current. He pushed Autumn onto the river bank, then pulled himself up. 'Are you alright?' Legolas asked concernedly as Autumn began to cough up some water she had swallowed during her plight in the river.

Autumn glared at him, but it was a softened, confused glare. 'Why did you do that?' she said angrily.

Legolas gave a tiny smirk. 'Usually when a person is being swept away by river rapids, and cries 'help,' it means they desire to be rescued.'

'No...that's not what I mean...' Autumn looked away.

After a slight pause, perhaps out of surprise, Legolas said, 'What do you mean, m'lady?'

Autumn wrung out the hem of her dress, apparently stalling for time. 'Why did you save me when you had the choice not to...?'

'Oh, but I didn't,' Legolas answered, his smirk growing. 'Yesterday, at the Council, I swore to protect you, did I not? Leaving you in the river would have been a complete dereliction of duty, don't you think?'

Duty... Autumn stared, the word resounding in her head... 'So...' she said slowly, 'you mean...that if you hadn't pledged your life to me yesterday...you would have left me...drown?'

'Essentially.'

Autumn's brow furrowed. 'You're mocking me, aren't you?' she demanded, flushing.

Legolas laughed. 'You catch on quickly.' His eyes glinted mischievously.

Autumn blinked. She looked at the river.

'Ah, you recognize those words, too, do you?'

'I understand your point,' Autumn muttered, rising. 'You can leave me know, I'm fine.'

'But of course,' Legolas said. He stood and bowed, then turned and began to walk away. He had gone only five or so steps when he turned around. 'Even if yesterday had never happened,' he said tentatively, 'I would have died to make sure you were safe.'

Autumn's face was stony.

With an almost melancholy look, Legolas turned away once again. He disappeared through the trees.

Autumn's mind was having a dispute of it's own.

'Legolas!' she finally yelled, breaking into a run, although partially restrained by her wet garments. 'Legolas, wait!'

As she caught up to Legolas, she halted.

Legolas turned. 'Yes?' he said in a slightly diminished voice.

Autumn ran her fingers through her dripping hair. 'I—I'm—thank you,' she said softly, '...and I'm sorry.'

Legolas smiled. Then he turned away and continued walking.

Autumn stood there for several minutes, staring at what she would see of Legolas, until he was completely enveloped by the darkness.

Sighing, she returned to the river bank, very cautiously, found the dagger that had been the cause of the evening's events...and returned to her bedroom, where after several hours of tortured thoughts and dreams, and just as much time fighting her pride, she slipped the exotic dreamcatcher around her neck, and fell into a peaceful, pleasant dream-filled sleep.

Well...there it is. I'm so sorry that took so long. Add school, summer, and writer's block together...that's my problem...but here it is...i hope you all haven't lost interest...haha anyway.

Chapter four might be a long time coming...i'll try to speed it up, but i don't want it to be cheesy, so you might have to wait a bit... i love you all! Hope you enjoyed chapter three!

Lcp

p.s. For those of you who don't know...

Perpetual: everlasting, never-ending

Aberration: instability of the mind

tee hee!