Fiona McKinnon: Oh! feels stupid PAMS! Cool! Now I can use that when I review people: ) Thanks! (Don't worry I will AMS)

ArwenEvenstar83: Thanks: ) I will! By the way, I LOVE your name, Liana! Sooo cool!

A/N: And now, chapter four!

Olivia awoke to the sound of horses snorting nervously, and Katie babbling (as usual). Sitting up, she saw Legolas and Aragorn hurriedly packing up supplies and dousing the fire with water. Olivia could tell they both were very nervous about something. Katie, of course, was oblivious.

"And at school, my teacher's name is Mr. Tellan. He's really hot, even though he's kind of old. Like 20 or something. Me and Brittney Chase both are in love with him, but she says I can marry him if she can marry Mrs. Erickson, the librarian. He's hot, too, but not as much.

"Livie thinks a ton of guys are hot. Especially Leon. He lives next door to the house next door to us. Oh yeah, and Legolas. She also thinks Legolas is very-" In a flash, Olivia had raced over and clamped a hand around Katie's mouth, and dragged her backwards.

"Shut. . .your. . .mouth. Just. . .don't. . .say. . .another word." Olivia was trying very hard not to loose her patience. She knew Katie was only five, but this was just going too far. . .

"Liiii, leggoeee!" whined Katie. (Roughly translated: "Livie, let go of me!" ) Olivia did, reluctantly.

Luckily, Legolas had been too preoccupied to notice what was going on. At that moment, he turned to them and motioned towards the horses.

"We must ride. I looked over that hill yonder and saw a band of orcs headed our way. They should be here within the hour." Olivia gasped. Orcs!

"Livie, aren't orcs those slimy men with dirty hair that try to kill Merry 'n Pippin?" Katie asked nervously. Olivia put a gentle arm around her thin shoulders.

"Don't worry Katie, I won't let anything happen to you." I hope. She added silently.

Olivia mounted swiftly onto Legolas's horse, and Aragorn swung Katie up in front of him. Suddenly, Olivia noticed something.

"Where's Gandalf?" she asked the elf behind her.

Legolas looked troubled. "He rode ahead." Before Olivia could ask where or why, Legolas urged their horse on, and the wind snatched the words straight out of her mouth.

They rode and rode for what seemed like hours to Olivia. Next to them, Katie had fallen asleep, her head cradled in the crook or Aragorn's arm, not seeming to notice whenever she was jostled or bumped. Olivia smiled a little.

"You feel very protective over her, do you not?" Legolas asked, breaking the silence.

"Yes." Olivia answered hesitantly. "But. . .not always."

"Yes?" inquired Legolas.

"Here, more than anywhere else. Because it's more dangerous. And because. . .I'm the only one here to protect her. No parents or anything." She paused.

"Do you miss your parents?"

Olivia thought, then spoke. "Yes," she said wonderingly, as if just realizing something for the first time. "Yes, I actually do." Now that it had been spoken, it felt like a blow to the heart. She did miss her parents. She really did. Last time, she hadn't really thought about it, but now, after Legolas had mentioned it, she realized that a part of her just wanted to go home and be a little kid again.

Swallowing hard, she braced herself. I may want to do that, she told herself firmly. But I can't. I'm thirteen years old. I can't go back and become a kid again. I have to face whatever challenges come my way.

But then again, her thoughts strayed to her sister. But what about Katie? She thought nervously. When the time comes, how will Katie face the challenges, too?