A Stranger In The Woods

Chapter 21: Lothlórien

Katie sat by herself on the platform, leaning her head tiredly back against the tree. She glanced around the group, feeling bored. They had been sitting there for quite some time, waiting for Aragorn and Haldir to decide their path of travel. The elves had brought food to the group after Haldir announced they couldn't continue and Katie ate hungrily, realizing it had been weeks since her last proper meal. The elf and the ranger were arguing quietly off to the side of the group. They'd been that way for over an hour.

Katie sighed, her eyes scanning the others. The hobbits were talking quietly amongst themselves, not paying attention to her. Legolas stood by the two men, looking out onto the trees with his arms crossed over his chest.

'Typical Legolas standing position,' she thought, rolling her eyes. It was true; she'd seen him stand like that dozens of times. Bored. Standoffish. Was it arrogance or shyness? All Katie knew for sure was that he puzzled her. One minute he seemed completely confident- almost to the extent of being cocky. The next he was quiet and refined- bashful almost.

She closed her eyes and groaned, wishing she could forget about the elf. 'Why why WHY do I have to be attracted to him?' she wondered frustrated. She knew it would never lead anywhere. He would never see her as anything more than a friend. 'And right now he doesn't even see me as that,' she reminded herself.

She sat there with her eyes closed, letting the deep exhaustion she felt blanket her. 'Maybe I'll just rest my head on my bag pack for a minute,' she thought drowsily. She curled up on the floor- using her cloak for a cover. Within minutes, she was fast asleep.

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Katie slept more soundly than she had in weeks and awoke feeling rested and rejuvenated. She sat up and looked around, realizing they weren't in the tree platforms anymore. Somehow, sometime during the night, she had moved to a different flat. It was bigger than the last and had twenty or so cot-like beds scattered around it. Quickly, she jumped out of the bed and looked around for the rest of the group.

The only person she saw that she recognized was Haldir- talking with another elf. When he noticed she was awake, he made his way over to her, an amused smile playing on his lips.

"Good morning," he said softly. "I trust you slept well?"

"Uh- I guess," Katie muttered, still disoriented from waking up somewhere she wasn't expecting. "Not to be rude, but how did I get here?"

Haldir smiled fully now. "You are a heavy sleeper. We attempted to wake you, but in the end you were carried here."

'By whom?' Katie wondered, wishing she could ask the elf. Instead, she asked her next burning question. "When's breakfast?"

Haldir laughed aloud. "Follow me," he commanded, then led her to where the others were already eating.

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After they had finished with the meal, the group sat off for Caras Galadhon. Katie wasn't sure what exactly had made Haldir change his mind, but there he was, in the front leading them along. Another elf, then Aragorn and Gimli, Boromir, the hobbits, and lastly she, Legolas and three other elves followed him.

She walked all morning through the bright woods, listening curiously as the elves behind her talked quietly. She didn't understand what was being said- being they were talking in elven- but she liked the soft, hypnotic sound of the words flowing together. Once or twice, Legolas joined their conversations, but mostly he was silent.

Katie, on the other hand, couldn't keep quiet. She hummed happily as they marched along, enjoying the warm feel of the sunlight on her face. It was good to be back under the trees, walking with nature. Caradhras and Moria had both been so bleak and depressing. It was good to be done with that part of the journey.

"What song is that you are humming?" Sam asked curiously, startling her out of her daydreams.

She looked down at the small hobbit and smiled. "I don't know what it's called," she said truthfully. "It's from an old music box my mom once had."

"Oh," Sam muttered, clearly unsure of what else to say.

"I'm just so glad to be in the fresh air again," Katie added, wanting to continue the conversation.

"I agree with you there," Sam said softly. "If I never return to that forsaken place it would be too soon." He frowned and Katie knew he was thinking of Gandalf. They walked in silence for a few minutes until Sam turned to her again.

"I am sorry I was cross with you yesterday."

Katie smiled down at him, touched by his simply, yet honest, apology. "It's alright. You have every right to be angry at me, but thank you for the apology."

"It means a lot to me," she added truthfully.

Sam blushed and quickly walked back up with the other hobbits.

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They were still marching along through the golden woods several hours later when Haldir stopped and turned to them.

"There is a stream north of here." He stated. "We will rest awhile so anyone who wishes to bathe can."

Katie felt a smile growing on her lips. It seemed like ages since she had a proper bath. She followed the hobbits to the stream as Haldir and the other Lothlórien elves sat under a tree, talking quietly.

'Of course I can't get fully naked and bathe,' she realized, slightly disappointed. What she wanted above all was a real bath, with steaming hot water and lovely smelling soap.

Once they reached the water, she washed her hands and face as the hobbits stripped off their shirts. She watched Legolas out of the corner of her eye, hoping he would follow suit, but he didn't. Instead, he quickly washed and headed east, away from both groups.

Katie watched him leave, wondering where he was going. She turned back to the hobbits, who were busy splashing each other with the cold water. Nobody except her seemed to notice his departure. Quickly, she dried herself off and began walking in the direction he had gone, making sure no one saw.

'This is probably the best opportunity I'll have to apologize,' she thought as she scanned the trees for him. 'If I can find him,' she realized with a frown. She walked a few more minutes in what she hoped was the right direction, but didn't see him. Just as she was about to give up and try to find her way back, she spotted him- sitting on a log, facing away from her.

"Leave me alone," he spoke up suddenly, his voice loud in the stillness of the woods.

She stopped in her tracks, unsure of what to do. "I need to talk to you," she whispered, hoping she didn't sound desperate.

He sprang to his feet and whirled around, looking angry.

Katie took a cautious step back, startled by his sudden movement.

"Did you not hear me?" he hissed. "I said let me be."

"I'm not leaving until you talk to me- let me explain." Her voice sounded more confident than she felt.

Legolas narrowed his eyes dangerously and then began walking towards her until he loomed over her, forcing her to look up at him. She fought the urge to step back, refusing to be intimidated. She stood her ground and looked him squarely in the eyes.

"What do you want?" his voice was cold. "To lie to my face again?"

Katie held his angry glare, unblinking. "No." She said calmly, "I need to talk with you."

Legolas frowned, obviously mad his intimidation plan wasn't working. "Then talk," he growled finally, realizing she wasn't going to back down.

"I will," she said in that same calm voice, "after you back up out of my face and quit glaring at me."

His face twisted into a scowl. "Are you trying to anger me?"

She sighed, tired of this game. "No."

"Then leave…Me…ALONE!" He reached out and shoved her lightly, hoping to get his point across.

Although the push hadn't been hard, Katie hadn't been expecting it. She stumbled backwards, losing her balance. Her head collided hard with a rock as she fell to the ground. She blinked several times, stars swimming in her vision.

Legolas stood there for a moment looking down at her, an expression of pure shock on his handsome face; then he rushed over and knelt beside her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice no longer angry.

Katie sat up, suddenly furious. It was as if all of Legolas' anger had transferred over to her. She reached up and shoved him as hard as she could in the chest. He fell ungracefully on his butt. She stood up while he sprang to his feet.

"What did you do that for?" he asked, bewildered.

"That's for being a jerk!" She snapped.

"Me!" He looked completely dumbfounded.

"Yes you," she hissed. "If you would just let me explain myself then you would understand why I couldn't tell you about Gandalf's death." She raised her voice. "Instead you get angry, call me names and shove me into rocks!"

Legolas took a step back. "I am sorry," he said, almost helplessly. "I did not mean to make you fall."

Katie took a deep breath, feeling her anger disappearing. "Don't you think I wanted to tell you?" She asked softly. Didn't he realize how much it had hurt to lie to his face?

"Then why did you not?" he whispered.

She sighed and stepped away from him. "Well, Gandalf made me promise not to tell anyone he was going to die."

Legolas stared at her, wide-eyed. "Gandalf knew?"

"Yes. He had to die so he could return as a white wizard," she explained. "If I would have told you, you would have tried to save him."

"A white wizard?" Legolas whispered in awe.

"Yes… Now do you understand why I couldn't tell you?" She sighed again, wanting to be honest with him. "I wanted to Legolas, I really did."

He looked at her for a minute, then slowly began walking towards where she stood. "I am sorry," he said softly.

"I did not understand," he whispered once he was directly in front of her. He reached out and gently pushed a stray hair off her face.

She didn't respond- couldn't respond. He was standing too close and she knew if she tried to speak, nothing would come out. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She felt his hands slide over her chin and cheeks, softly cupping her face; forcing her to look up and meet his gaze. Her heart thudded in her chest.

"Please," he whispered. She could feel his warm breath against her face.

Instinctively she leaned towards him, closing her eyes.

For a second he went utterly still, then his lips were on hers, soft, cautious, exploring. His hands slid down her neck and shoulders, pulling her against his hard chest.

Katie moaned softly, completely lost in the kiss. In a dim corner of her mind, she realized she hadn't moved from her original position. Hadn't kissed him back. She reached out and was just about to touch him when a voice sounded from close bye.

"Come, we must continue." It was Haldir.

Katie sprang back, startled at the interruption. She hung her head, knowing she was blushing an unflattering shade of crimson. She couldn't bring herself to look at Legolas.

"Tulien," Legolas called back, his voice oddly clipped.

Katie felt his eyes on her, studying her for what seemed like forever.

"Come on," he said finally and began walking towards the other elf.

She followed behind silently, her mind trying to come to terms with what just happened. 'Did he kiss me because he wanted to, or because he thought I wanted to?' she wondered frantically. 'Did Haldir see us?' And most importantly- 'Did it affect him as much as it did me?'

She could still taste him on her lips when they reached Haldir.

'Mani nae lle umien?" he asked Legolas, ignoring her.

"Umoe." Legolas replied shortly. "Lle lye desiel?"

Haldir narrowed his eyes, and finally turned his gaze to Katie. She kept her eyes down.

"Follow me," he said finally, then turned and started back towards the group.

Katie followed.

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A/N:

Alright, translations. I hope I got all of this right. Don't hate me if I don't.

"Tulien (Coming)," Legolas called back, his voice oddly clipped.

'Mani nae lle umien (What where you doing)?" he asked Legolas, ignoring her.

"Umoe. (Nothing)" Legolas replied shortly. "Lle lye desiel (Are we ready)?"

Alright. I hope everyone liked this chapter. I liked writing it. An answer to padfoot: Yes, Katie knows Gandalf will return and Yes there will be other stories.

Anyone else have any questions?

Katie-sue