A/N: Nine Reviews! That's great. However we KNOW you can do better then that. SO come on R&R. The past few Chapters haven't had disclaimers. We would think by now you all would know that we don't own anything. However we really don't want to be sued for this fan fiction so we will add a disclaimer. Enjoy the chapter! We love writing this fan fiction! Some have you have been asking about Lindi and Legolas. Well you never know what can happen between here and the end of the fan fic. Remember Lindi isn't the only she-elf in this fan fiction. Disclaimer: We own nothing! Well we own ourselves but we don't own any of the characters, places etc.... All the applause goes to J.R.R. Tolkien.

Abby NOTE : Warning! This chapter is one of Ali's favorites! I wrote this section, and I actually think it's pretty good. That, of course doesn't mean anything, but... Why don't you give us input? Please give us notes on which chapters you like and what you think we could improve on. Thanks! Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Abby lay awake in her tent. This was not a very good day for her. First, she had gotten strangled by Gollum. Then she had to accept minor help from Legolas (he had half carried her into her tent after Ali had yelled at him). And now she had to deal with Ali herself, a fate worse than death.

Abby kept thinking about Ali's words. It seemed that her friend's transformation to an elf had helped her come up with a new and elegant way in which to push her buttons. It just wasn't fair! Abby was still stuck with the same abilities she'd had as a human. Even Lindi was better at swordplay. Abby couldn't even hear as well as the youngest elf.

She was beginning to feel depressed as she began to think about her role in this story. Ali's was obvious: she had The Ring. Lindi would most likely join Legolas, so where did that leave Abby? Ali's protector was already taken by Sam. The troupe already had their comedians with Merry and Pippin. Gimli was going to be Legolas' best friend if Lindi didn't interfere, but Abby didn't really want that position. She didn't want to replace Boromir as the betrayer, either. And she certainly couldn't be the king.

"I figure I'll be the girl who takes care of the horses," she thought, but then she remembered that Sam had already managed to take over that job.

Thinking of horses, she remembered her own mare, the one from Rivendell. What evil had befallen her? Abby had a duty to Roccara.

It had been a few hours since Ali had left her to her thoughts. It would be well past sunset, and it was doubtful that anyone would check on her. So, she slipped out of the tent. She moved towards the woods, searching them carefully for her mare. She'd reached the edge of them when a voice startled her:

"Not running away from us are you?" asked the voice as Aragorn materialized out of the darkness. "You know you are not well enough to attempt it."

"What does it matter to you? I'm just a hindrance, anyway!" Abby said.

"You are in my care, and your friends, or at least the dark-haired one, would skin me alive if I let you leave."

Abby ducked her head. "Sorry. I'm just not in a good mood," she looked at him sharply. "I suppose you know all about why? I mean, you and Legolas are supposed to be best friends, right?"

"Yes. We are. He was deeply hurt by what you said, though he refused to tell me what it was that upset him so. I did not press him further."

"I know why he didn't tell you... I insulted not only him, but his family, the Lady of Light, the forests, and... well, your bride." Abby looked at him, expecting to see a look of horror from him, but he showed no emotion on his face. She rushed to explain herself, "I thought he was arrogant, and I used everything I could think of to annoy him. I basically insulted all elves and everything they love. I don't feel like an elf, and I don't act like one. He noticed this in everything I said."

Abby saw an understanding look on her companion's face and continued, "I don't have any elvish abilities, and I am feeling useless. I've thought about everything, and I can't add anything to the fellowship. There's no way I can protect Ali when I can't even protect my horse from Gollum!"

Aragorn spoke for the first time through Abby's ramblings, "Your horse is fine.." he actually chuckled a little. "She is fine, and she apparently misses you. Do not worry so."

Abby sighed with relief. So she hadn't totally failed Roccara!

"And Abby, you're not useless. I am sure you will see that for yourself once you have cleared your conscience. I would suggest you speak with Legolas. Apologize. You'll feel better once you do."

After a brief thought that Aragorn would be a great shrink in her own world, she asked, "What am I good at?"

"You shall see in time, impatient one. For now, speak to Legolas—"

"Did I hear my name?" Legolas emerged from the woods.

"You would know better than I," Aragorn's smile faded as he saw the look on Legolas' face.

"We had a visitor on the hill. He attacked Lindi. She'll be fine," he added, "but the culprit got away. I've been trying to track him."

"Gollum."

Legolas turned. He had known Aragorn was speaking with someone, but he had been in such a rush that he had not bothered to listen to who it was. He looked a little repulsed at the name Abby had mentioned (and maybe a little at her presence, too), but he nodded.

"I will go see to her," Aragorn said as he swept back to camp.

Abby looked at Legolas and was about to open her mouth her mouth when he said:

"Don't bother. I already know that you will insult my mother next. I consider myself insulted." He began to walk off.

"Oh no you don't!" abby reached out and stopped him. "You are not going to blame me for a lame insult like that and then just walk off! I want to stand full trial for what I said before!"

Legolas raised his eyebrows at her. Of all the encounters with Abby he could imagine, this was definitely not one of them!

"I mean it! I said some terrible things! They weren't fair to you or anyone else. And... and..." she stopped for a moment. Very quietly, she managed to get out the next words: "I'm sorry."

* * * * *

As soon as Ali came into her tent, Lindi stopped her. "I don't want to hear one word how "It's your fault." If I hear it, I swear I will kill you!"

"But, it WAS—"

"Dina! (stop!)" Lindi was thoroughly exasperated. "It is NOT your fault! It is that idiot Ring's fault! For heaven's sake!"

Ali sat down and looked at Lindi. She didn't look that terrible. She had a few scratches, but they weren't too deep.

"I'm fine," Lindi insisted. "Except for the fact that Legolas has disappeared. I'm bored now." She sighed.

Ali chuckled. "If THAT'S what I'm going to have to listen to, then I'm out of here."

And with that, Ali left the tent.

* * * * *

Legolas had just had the strangest experience in all of his years. An elf he had sworn as his enemy had just APOLOGIZED to him. He stood there, slightly dumbfounded.

Abby, a little worried after a full minute with no response from the elf across from her, said, "Are you alright? I'm sorry if I surprised you."

And there she did it again! She told him that she was sorry! Legolas, again, couldn't think of an adequate response, but he managed to come up with, "Alright."

Abby was relieved. So he HADN'T had a stroke or something. "maybe we can declare a truce?" she asked hopefully.

"Alright."

Abby's worry returned a little. "Let's go back to camp."

"Alright."

Abby stopped and looked at him. Elves did not give the same one-word response three times in a row! "Your hair is messed up," she tried.

This did not get a one-word response. Apparently, Legolas' anger had returned with her statement. "What so you care?! I thought you wanted a truce! That means you should not begin insulting me again right off the bat!" He saw her smile. "Mani? You think it's funny?"(what?)

"You'll be fine. I was almost worried about you for a minute there— Almost." She laughed as she saw him realize the contrast between 'Alright' and his last tirade.

Legolas laughed a little, too. They walked off towards the camp. "I like your outfit, by the way," he commented.

Abby looked at him wit innocent eyes. "Yeah...I've been meaning to thank you for it, and the bow and quiver, too. I needed some gear and happened to find some in your room back at Rivendell."

He looked at her sharply and she grinned sheepishly back at him. He thought about it and said, "Lle creoso." (your welcome)

* * * * *

Ali began to question whether or not elves slept when she was obviously in a dream. She had just left Lindi's tent and had almost reached her own when she saw two figures appear from the edge of the forest. The only way this could be happening was if it was a dream! Abby and Legolas were within a hundred feet of each other, and they weren't trying to kill each other!

Ali thought about it, and, if this wasn't a dream, Abby must have tried to run away again! This was not good! She started to run towards them, but she stopped suddenly— They were laughing!

Once Legolas and Abby reached her and saw her face, they stopped.

"What's wrong, Ali? Did something happen?" Abby asked a little worriedly.

"You mean other than you being I the woods when you should be resting? What were you doing? I thought we talked about this!" Ali looked over at Legolas, "And I'm sure you were probably just trying to help. I bet you aided her in packing her stuff and were just coming back to get her horse. You wouldn't care if she just up and left! And her in that condition—"

"I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING WRONG WITH ME!" interrupted Abby. "And, golly Ali, you just don't trust me. I was NOT running off. I was just looking for my horse."

"Right..." Ali said sarcastically. "You couldn't have just asked me?"

"You would have scolded me for not being in bed before I could get a word out!"

"So, assuming you're telling the truth, why aren't you and Legolas trying to kill each other?" Ali inquired.

"She's too weak to attempt anything, and I'd feel bad beating her to a pulp when she'd so sickly," Legolas said, grinning, followed promptly by a punch to the arm from Abby.

"That was NOT very nice!" Turning to Ali, she explained, "I am not a coward, and I never will be. I resented that comment. You totally missed the reason I left! I just didn't want to put Legolas through any more pain. OY! Anyway, I proved hat I am not a coward!"

"Really?" Ali was surprised. This was definitely not an expected event... Abby admitting she was wrong, that is. "You mean... you apologized?"

"Don't sound so surprised," replied Abby, happy she could still startle her friend occasionally.

"Well, apology or no, you need to go to bed," Ali said.

Abby groaned and gave a pleading look to Legolas, "Save me!"

"Oh... you know, I don't think so." Legolas smiled a little. "It'll be good for you."

Abby groaned again as she went into the tent. Ali turned around to look at Legolas one more time.

"She REALLY apologized?" She shook her head in wonderment.

"Yes, she did. By the way, I'd ease up on her a bit. It isn't as if she was attacked by a Nazgûl or anything," he said slyly.

"Oh, be quiet!" Ali said as she slipped into her own tent.

And so, one of the first days as a fellowship had ended.

*So what do you think now? Who do you think should get together? Oh and by the way Tiffer says hi to all his "adoring" fans out there*