A/N: Hey everybody! Another chapter for you! But first, to my wonderful reviewers: Meg Ishiro-I'm glad you like it! Indeed, fics written in internet-chat are unbelievably annoying. Hope you like the new chapter! Woman of Middle-Earth-You wanted more, you got it . I'm obsessed too (and in love with Legolas and Haldir XD). Going to ME would be pretty awesome. Enjoy the new chapter! angelsfyre1-Thank you! I was trying to be a little bit on the poetic side with the description, to make it more interesting. I hope you like this new chapter just as much! IwishChan-That she does. I'm hoping to have some fun with that in future chapters. XoGiggles-Dude, like, glad you like it man! Love the name by the way . Lady Keshanna of the Night-Thank you! Hope you like the new chapter! NataNly-You're my longest reviewer yet! Yes, I'm afraid I can be rather picky. Thank you for the positive comments, and I'm glad you're going to keep reading! ephona-You review was short and sweet. Glad you're loving it. Enjoy!

Great big hugs to all of you who reviewed! I really appreciate the encouragement!

Disclaimer: I still do not own Legolas, Saelbeth, Silinde, Galdor, or any other character you recognise. They belong to J. R. R. Tolkien, his associates, and possibly the movie producers. Donna, however, is still mine.

Chapter 2: Welcome to Rivendell

Donna dismounted Legolas' horse gratefully, stumbling as she put pressure on her sore legs. She was stiff and chafed from riding for VERY long intervals over the past day and night. It seemed that elves didn't need to sleep as often as humans, so they only stopped for short rests every few hours for the sake of the horses.

"Are you alright milady?" asked Legolas. "You seem to be more distressed every time you dismount."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit stiff is all," she replied, walking in small circles to try and get some circulation back in her legs. It was rather comical to watch, she reminded him of the Ents, just barely bending her knees with each step.

"Are you not accustomed to riding long distances?" he asked, suddenly concerned for her. He remembered many centuries before when he went on his first expedition with his father. By the time they reached their final destination he could barely walk from the stiffness of his joints and the rawness of his thighs. He flinched inwardly at the unpleasant memory.

"Ah…not really…no. But don't worry, I can recover after we get to Rivendell. How far is it?" she asked, continuing to walk about, flinching whenever her thighs brushed together.

"Not far, if we leave soon we should reach it by mid-day. I look forward to looking upon the great city of Rivendell once again," replied Legolas, a smile on his handsome face.

"What's it like?" she asked intently. She was interested in knowing, but she was also hoping to keep him talking as long as possible so that her saddle-sores would have a chance to close before they started riding again. Saelbeth had been listening, and took the opportunity to have his say.

"Ah, dear lady, words alone cannot describe the beauty of Rivendell! It resides in a lush, green valley, with a cool, swift river that runs through the heart of the city. When the sun rises over the great wall of the valley, the light reflects off the great towers that are the House of Elrond, making the whole city glow. It is a sight to behold," he said with a warm smile. "Then there are the many gardens…They are good for the soul. Beautiful fountains whisper and splash in the background as you sit amongst the flowers and trees not known to mortal men. At night the moon and stars make the gardens even more beautiful. Ah, Rivendell! Vanimle sila tiri." (Your beauty shines bright.) Legolas and Donna both stared at Saelbeth, transfixed by his poetic words. Though he was rather small as elves go (but he was still taller than Donna), and his skills with sword and bow were at best mediocre, he made up for it with his skill in the spoken word.

"Wow…I can't wait to get there!" said Donna excitedly. Legolas smiled, this was the first time she had been this animated since he'd met her. It warmed his heart to see the woman excited. Normally she was rather distant, and she never spoke unless she was spoken to. It was as if she kept a barrier about her, to keep everyone at a distance. He was sure that there was more to her than met the eye. She had the eyes of a warrior, one who had seen much. At unguarded moments, when he looked into those dark green orbs, he saw sadness and terrible grief. But she never remained "open" for long. As soon as she caught him or any of the others looking in her direction, she once again shrouded herself in a veil of indifference. Whenever he tried to get her to speak of her family, she would either find some way to veer away from the subject, or become temporarily deaf until he gave up. The most creative tactic she had used so far was a combination of the two. When he'd asked about the people named Shawn and Lisa she had spoken of the night before, she replied with, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't hearyou. Speaking of ears, is it true that and elf's ears are an erogenous zone?" This caused HIS ears to turn bright red, and Saelbeth to fall off his horse laughing hysterically. Silinde and Galdor just gaped at her, seeming to be shocked at her audacity. He got the idea, he didn't bother to try asking her again after that little incident.

After a few minutes rest, he got back on Camthalion, motioning for her to do the same. She approached the horse stiffly, a resigned look on her face, then she carefully raised her leg into the stirrup, doing her best to hide her pained expression as she did so. Finally with a grunt that sounded suspiciously like a disguised groan, she heaved herself up behind him. He urged his horse into a walk, and for some reason, the animal lurched forward, nearly causing the poor girl behind him to fall off. She grabbed hold of him tightly, catching him in a bear-hug that squeezed the air out of his lungs. After she was steady, she let him go.

"Ehehe…sorry 'bout that…" she said nervously.

"Think nothing of it," he coughed.

A few hours later, they reached their destination, galloping into the courtyard of the House of Elrond.

"Wow…it's so amazing…" Donna murmured as she raised herself up on her hands and threw herself over Camthalion's back, landing unsteadily on her feet about a foot behind the horse. This was her usual way of dismounting, she didn't like to wait for Legolas to get off. It aggravated her sore thighs. Camthalion took this treatment in the forest every time she did it without much complaint, but apparently she had done it one too many times, for without warning, he kicked her in the ribs with one of his hind legs, sending her skidding back several feet. Legolas let out a cry of alarm and was by her side in an instant.

"Are you alright Lady Donna?" he cried, trying to help her up. "What am I talking about? My horse just kicked you. Of course you're not!"

"Yeah…I am…" she grunted, her eyes watering. "Damnit…that really hurt…" After a moment, she slowly rose to her feet and walked around to face Camthalion. The two eyed each other for a moment. All Legolas and the other three elves could do was watch in amazement. The girl took saddle-sores and stiffness without complaint, now she had just gotten kicked in the ribs by a warhorse. Other than the fact that her face was bright red, her breathing was somewhat laboured, and her eyes were watering, she was taking it rather well. After a long staring contest, she took hold of the horse's bridal under his chin, and said in a dangerously low voice, "Boy, you're lucky you're pretty!" Camthalion nickered quietly and hung his head. He seemed to say, "I'm sorry…minor lapse in judgment." The girl looked at him a moment longer, then walked back over to Legolas, who stared at her in wonder. Her face was still bright red. He imagined that she desperately wanted to scream at the top of her lungs.

"Are you alright?" he asked in disbelief.

"As good as can be expected,"she replied between clenched teeth and hissing breaths. "But I imagine my ribs are in quite a state…" Sheturned around and lifted up the borrowed tunic she wore.

"Sweet Jesus, that mark ain't goin' away any time soon!" she exclaimed. Legolas looked at her stomach and openly cringed. A dark purple hoof-print had formed on the left side of her ribs, just above her navel, and the area around the print was turning purple as well. She let the tunic drop and said, "I'm guessing from the fact that you are using horses as a means of transportation, and that you're using swords, bows, and arrows for weapons that indoor-plumbing is non-existent. But PLEASE tell me there's a way to get hot water?"

"Oh yes, there are bathhouses throughout the city. I will show you after the horses are taken care of and Lord Elrond knows we have arrived," replied Legolas. The expression she made on hearing this reminded him of a cat. She let out a sigh of relief, her eyes went half-lidded, and she grinned contentedly. He suddenly had the urge to rub her back. Saelbeth, however, beat him to the punch.

"Legolas, we don't all need to announce ourselves. Why don't you go speak with Lord Elrond, Silinde and Galdor can take care of the horses, and I will take her to the healers? She really should have her shoulder looked at as soon as possible," he said, resting his hand on the small of her back. She went wide eyed, and looked rather flustered, as if she were fighting some sort of inner battle. Legolas found himself hoping that it was whether or not to box Saelbeth's ears. How dare he touch her like that! He thought angrily. He must have made a face, because Saelbeth and Donna both backed away.

"Of course if you would prefer to escort the Lady yourself?" asked Saelbeth nervously. Legolas suddenly snapped out of it, knowing that it probably would be best. He wasn't sure why he was so angry anyway.

"No, no, you're right, her wounds need attention, and I really must speak to Lord Elrond. You go ahead," he replied, handing his horse's reins to Silinde. He glanced at Donna and she looked dismayed, as if he had just given her a death sentence, but before she could say anything, Saelbeth was steering her away towards the infirmary, talking her ear off along the way.

"If I didn't know any better I would say that Saelbeth has taken a liking to that young Eleth," Silinde chuckled, watching the two walk away. Donna looked over her shoulder, glaring daggers at Legolas, causing him to wince.

"Indeed…poor girl," replied Galdor with a chuckle.

"What do you mean?" asked Legolas nervously.

"You mean to say you do not know?" asked Galdor.

"There are not many servant girls in the House of Thranduil who have not been romanced by young Saelbeth," said Silinde, grinning openly.

"WHAT? How did I not know of this?" cried Legolas, about ready to run after them.

"Well, perhaps if you spent more time at home where you belong, you would know these things!" said Galdor irritably. Without another word to either of them, Legolas ran off in the direction of Elrond's study, hoping to announce himself quickly and run to the infirmary. It was likely that the healer would not let Donna leave for quite a while anyway, bruised and broken as she was.

He reached Elrond's study and knocked on the door.

"Uu-tulya." (Come in) Legolas entered the study, a smile on his face. Even if he was in a rush, he was glad to see Elrond once again. The man sat at his large desk, pouring over scrolls. Typical Elrond, always working…Thought Legolas. Elrond looked up from his papers, and rose from his desk with a smile.

"Aaye, Legolas! Nae saian luume!" he said, embracing him good-naturedly (Hail, Legolas! It has been too long!).

"Tancave!" replied Legolas with a smile. (Yes!) "Sut naa lle umien, mellonamin?" (How are you doing, my friend?). Elrond frowned and Legolas saw worry in Lord Elrond's cold, grey eyes. "Mani naa ta?" (What is it?) Elrond walked back behind his desk, looking out the large round window to the valley below.

"Isildur's bane has been found." Legolas gaped at him in shock.

"After all these years? By whom?" he asked in disbelief.

"A Halfling, of all things. You remember Bilbo, I assume?"

"Of course."

"He found it 60 years ago, but it was not until recently that we were made aware of what it truly was. If we had known we would have disposed of the ring long ago. But what has been done cannot be undone. I am curious, why have you come?" he asked, turning to face Legolas.

"I have come with news. And to seek council," he replied.

"You and every free race of Middle Earth!" said Elrond with annoyance. "It seems that The Dark Lord's power is returning. I can feel it, in the pit of my stomach, growing each day."

"As do I, I fear that these are dark times we live in. What is to be done?"

"I plan to hold a secret council in two days. You and your companions shall attend." There was a knock at the door, and a messenger stepped into the room.

"I apologize for interrupting my Lords, but Lord Legolas? The healer wished me to inform you that the woman you arrived with has taken a turn for the worst, it seems the orc arrow she had been shot with was poisoned. She is unconscious."

A/N: Dun-dun-dun! Cliff-hanger! Hoorah! Don't forget to read and review!