A Stranger In The Woods

This Chapter is for TriGemini, who reviews every chapter (longer than one sentence), uses entire words, and doesn't use excessive punctuation.

Chapter 6:

To say Legolas was shocked would have been a huge understatement. Incredulous was more towards what he was feeling.

"You want a woman to go with us?" he nearly shouted the words.

Elrond just nodded seriously.

"But, but," Legolas stammered. He had to make the older elf see reason. "It is too dangerous. She does not understand the hardships we will face. Plus," Legolas hated to say his next reason, but knew it must be addressed if he was going to talk Elrond out of his foolish decision. "As a woman she will be easier to track. She will put us all in peril."

Elrond shook his head as if the matter was already settled. "I have thought about that, and assure you it will not be a problem." Neither elf was comfortable discussing such private subjects aloud, and both were quiet for several minutes.

Finally, Elrond spoke again. "You are right," he said softly. "The journey will be fraught with much danger. That is why I am putting you in charge of her safety."

Legolas felt his eyes widen in disbelief again. Not only had he NOT talked Elrond out of his foolish plan, but he also had been given the task of watching after a woman who both annoyed and mystified him.

Elrond noticed his reaction, and shrugged as if apologizing. "You were meant to find her, Legolas. She is in your life now for a purpose. That is why I put her in your charge."

Legolas turned from Elrond, trying to come to grips with what the man was telling him. He took a deep breath and slowly released it. He knew there was no changing Elrond's mind once he set it on something.

"I will do this if I must."

"Great," Elrond smiled in relief, knowing Legolas would never turn from his word. "Now all that needs to be done is to convince Lady Bennett."

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"What!" Katie exclaimed, staring at the men surrounding her. She could hardly believe what they were telling her.

"You will travel with the Fellowship," Elrond repeated, more of a demand than request.

Katie fought down a scream of frustration. This was really the last straw. Last night's interrogation had been quite enough, but now Elrond was demanding, DEMANDING that she go with them. "Why doesn't anyone ask what I want?" she snapped. Although she hated to admit it to herself, she wasn't sure of what she wanted. Joining the fellowship would certainly be an adventure, but definitely dangerous. 'Spending time with Aragorn will be a definite plus,' she thought wickedly.

"What do you want, Lady Bennett," Aragorn spoke up for the first time.

"I don't know," Katie said with a sigh. "I don't know."

Legolas stepped in front of her and caught her eye. "The journey will be long, and fraught with much danger," he warned. "You risk your life by accepting."

'He's trying to talk me out of it,' Katie realized with a frown. Suddenly, her mind was made up.

"I will go."

The look on Legolas' face was worth all the danger she faced.

"Good," Elrond said with a relieved smile. "I have assigned Legolas to be your guardian. He will see to it that no harm comes to you."

Katie felt her jaw drop. 'A guardian? What am I, a child?' she wondered. However, compared to most elves she supposed she was.

"You will leave in two hours. Go and pack your things." Elrond said, dismissing her.

Katie felt anger rising within her and quickly returned to her room before she said something she would regret. She swung her door open and sat down on the edge of her bed with a huff.

"Great," she muttered to herself. "Now I have to put up with a moody elf for a babysitter for the next who-knows how long."

Just then, Legolas appeared in her doorway, as if summoned by her words.

Katie rose to her feet quickly. "What do you want?" she snapped, startled at the venom in her voice.

"You are angry because I was assigned to be your guardian." Legolas stated, meeting her gaze boldly. "Why?"

"I am not a child," she snapped. "I do not need your protection."

"We will see," Legolas spoke smoothly, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Yes, we will," Katie spat back.

Legolas took several steps towards her, looking angry. "I did not ask for this responsibility."

He glared at her, and Katie met his gaze, refusing to back down. After a minute, Legolas looked away.

"Would you rather Aragorn was responsible for you?" He asked quietly. All the anger was gone from his voice, replaced by wariness.

"No," Katie whispered, unsure where the question had come from. "I would have rather I was assigned to be my own guardian. I can take care of myself."

She grabbed her backpack off the floor and emptied the contents onto the bed. "I must pack," she mumbled, more to herself than Legolas. "If Elrond wishes for you to be my guardian, than who am I to argue?" she reasoned aloud, shoving things back into her pack, making a mental list. 'Hairbrush. Chapstick. Water bottle. Underwear...'

She glanced over at him as he stood there like a statue of a Greek god come to life. His expression was unreadable.

"Don't you have to pack?" she asked shortly, uncomfortable with his scrutiny.

"Make sure you are at the gates on time." Was his only reply before he turned and left her room, shutting the door softly behind him.

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A/N: SO? What does everyone think? As I said last chapter, the fellowship is leaving a.s.a.p. What did everyone think of Legolas' reaction? Katie's? Oh, and for those of you who are confused: Legolas and Elrond were talking about Katie's 'moon days' when Legolas said she would be easier to track as a woman. AKA: her period.

Also, a huge thanks to my Busy Beta: The Hobbit Ivy, who reminded me that many Greek statues are naked!

Katie-sue