. . .

Don't cry because it's over! Smile because it happened. –Dr. Seuss :)

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With Friends Like These

. . .

Aragorn gestured to the open car door. "Legolas… please, this is taking too long."

Tauriel was asleep in the back seat, Kristy waiting impatiently in the driver's. The captain fluttered between consciousness and a dim, foggy world of healing. Her breathing had steadied out though and Estel said he wanted to monitor her for awhile.

Aragorn was after all, a healer.

"I simply feel that she is better with me." Legolas reasoned, "She senses my presence and it soothes her."

Kristy tried not to roll her eyes.

"Well, it is true!" he insisted. "She knows when I'm near."

"Trust me or not, friend, Tauriel has become dear to me as well," Aragorn said in Sindarin, ignoring Kristy's barely suffocated gag. He didn't need Kris laughing at the disgruntled elf. "I hardly believe she will throw a fit if I take a turn with her."

Legolas was about to say something back, a protest, something. But he glanced at the front seat. Kristy was staring at him, arms folded over her chest. She was just waiting for him to say it. Probably so she could laugh - he thought bitterly - or ridicule him. Legolas was fast realizing Kristy did not like Tauriel.

"Oh, very well." he muttered. Legolas dropped gracelessly into the front seat and slammed the door shut.

"Thank you, Mr. Decisive."

"I want to hear nothing from you about it," he snapped.

"I-"

"-You may have her the moment I am satisfied she is improving," Estel broke in again, throwing a warning look.

"Good."

With that, Kris glanced over and Legolas scowled. He wanted to lean away, but he couldn't. That… woman was too close to him, in the small confines of the car. It made him want to shove her away a little, just to get a rise out of her.

They pulled off the shoulder of the freeway, traffic whizzing past in a steady blur, and picked up speed again. They moved out into the fast lane. "So… any thoughts on how to get through the road blocks?" Kris spoke up.

"How did you get through the first time?" Aragorn was in the back. He examined Tauriel's pulse with a quiet, steady hand and his eyes were distracted. Her clumsy Westron was good enough to understand in a pinch, though. And Legolas wasn't willing to translate.

"We busted through last time: 'genius' here's idea. That's not going to work though." Kris said. "They're on the watch. They'll probably be extra suspicious of this car, too. A silver Grand Prix? No, never."

"Are there any routes unguarded?" he pressed.

Kristy shook her head. "All the streets are closed."

"Then what do you suggest?" Legolas snapped, looking over. "Proceed as we go and hope all goes well? Trust in the innate goodness of your people's police?"

"Of course not."

"Then what? How do we get through, Kristine?"

Kris narrowed her eyes, holding the steering wheel in a death grip. She felt his cerulean blue eyes burning into her, fierce and impatient. It made her want to snap back at him, saying something stupid and smart that wouldn't help.

But she didn't.

"Well you and Aragorn could get through on foot. There are drainage tunnels everywhere, and they can't possibly have all those miles blocked, not now after these storms are spreading. They wouldn't have the manpower."

"And what of Tauriel?" Legolas said fiercer than he had to. It was maddening. Every time she spoke, it was like she forgot about her entirely. Didn't she care?

"What about her? Just stay off the streets. You've gotta be used to rougher than that. Let her tough it."

"Tauriel is not well." He grit his teeth. "I will not have her be dragged through drainage ditches."

"Fine. Don't then. I don't care."

"And what then, oh master of plans? Where do we take her?"

Kris shot a furious look. "Oh, leave her anywhere!" she snapped. "I don't care. Maybe a Red Cross truck will pick her up."

"A...a what?" How could she be so cruel? "Over my cold, dead corpse."

Kristy huffed, muttering a curse. "What dead-beat TV show did you pick that up from?"

"Your favorite."

"You-" Kristy shook her head, growling. "Do what you want with her. Doesn't matter to me."

Doesn't matter? Legolas snapped his head straight forward and inwardly fumed.

Tauriel was precious and deathly helpless. She needed him like he needed her all those years ago. And it didn't matter? The stubborn woman refused to understand. He had to change things. There was no damnable dwarf in the way, this time. He wouldn't abandon her again.

"It does matter."

"Get over it, Legolas! I was just kidding."

And that did it.

"Then spare me your perverse sense of humor, Kristine!" The Sindar told him not to, but the Sylvan in him was screaming at him. Say it. Say it.So he did…quietly, in very careful English. "And your childish, pathetic anger is an unbecoming, twisted form of jealousy that disgusts me."

Kristy almost stomped on the breaks. "Je- jealousy?" she gasped. The car jolted as she let off the gas. "You think I'm jealous of that-that red headed, freckle faced little elf?" she swore violently. "Who do you think you are?"

"Yes." He hissed, "You are. It colors your every look toward her an ugly green. Don't deny it."

Kristy couldn't believe it. Not only that he talked like that…but he actually-he actually thought it! Legolas said the bitter truth when he was so furiously upset. He didn't lie like that.

And suddenly, Aragorn snapped at him, harsh and quiet in Sindarin. Legolas clamped his mouth shut and sat back in his seat. But he didn't answer.

"You are delusional, you-you stupid elf princeling." Kristy struggled to speed up with traffic, ignoring the honks of protest as she swerved around patches of ice. "And you can take your high-and-mighty rhetoric off into that sulking corner of yours. We don't need it."

He whipped his head up, eyes flashing.

"Legolas!" Aragorn bit.

He tried to shove off his friend's warning, ignore it. But he couldn't. A place deep down knew he was being childish. This wasn't the time to be fighting with Kristy. It was stupid and juvenile.

Legolas settled down, disgruntled. But he wasn't wrong. The woman was jealous. And she was resentful.

"I simply was going to say, Estel…" he said much more calmly, forcing his breathing to slow. "-that I have no time to argue. After all, we do have a problem to solve."

Aragorn nodded slowly. To Legolas' relief, he didn't press it.

"I believe Kristy's idea is not without merit," Estel said, letting Tauriel lean back in his arm and securing the seat belt around her more firmly. "She will pass through the road block alone, while we take another route. Turn away the eye of the enemy, while we pass unnoticed."

Kris threw a smug look in Legolas' direction. She loved it when she was right.

"But how wide do you believe their watch to spread?" Estel asked quicker, throwing another warning glance. Legolas looked like he could escalate that single look, if given a chance. And Aragorn didn't care to risk it. "We will pass into the city on foot, taking Tauriel with us."

She nodded slightly. "Alright. I can give you my phone too, so we're sure to meet up again."

"Fone?" Estel repeated, confused.

"In this case," Legolas explained coolly, keeping his eyes straight ahead. "It will be as a moving, living map so we will not misplace ourselves."

"I…see."

Judging by his voice, he didn't.

"And just make sure you don't lose it, huh?" Kris asked, aiming it at Legolas. "I can't afford another, especially after you lost the last one."

Legolas smiled sweetly. "And miss the chance to reunite with your charming self? I wouldn't think of it. Besides, that GPS is your life. You couldn't find your way out of an open elevator."

. . .

Half an hour later, traffic was backed up so thick, they were crawling inch by inch, waiting for the soldiers to pass every single vehicle. Legolas sat stiffly in the front seat until the station gradually came into view. Kris had come in on the west side though, instead of the same roadblock they demolished.

"Where will we meet, exactly?" Legolas said finally, breaking the quiet. His voice was subdued.

White light streamed through the windshield. Kris didn't answer a moment, staring straight ahead, before taking her phone from the console. She was quiet. "How about the corner of Madison and 3rd? Busy enough to get lost in a crowd, if you have to."

He nodded. "Very well."

An awkward moment passed. Estel chose not to break it, feeling the tension in the air. Kris glanced sideways. She opened her mouth once, as if to say something…but nothing came out.

Legolas stared ahead.

"We had best move soon, before your soldiers see us," Aragorn said, glancing between them. Tauriel was gathered in his arms, and he let the prompt settle in the air.

But he felt it sink like a rock, leaving ripples on the lake.

Their plan could fail. Kristine and Legolas might not see each other again. Ever. If their plan did fail, they would be captured and used to answer every question Kristine's country wanted to know. They would never get back home. Kristine would face criminal charges. They would be parted on silly, bitter terms for all eternity.

Didn't they realize that?

Legolas was still an instant, before pushing the door open and getting out on the freeway. "I am ready."

Apparently not.

Estel lingered. "Kristine, I thank you for your help in this ordeal."

She turned in her seat, blue-green eyes blinking, before glancing down with a self-conscious twitch. "I… it's alright."

"I know your part in this has not been without risk," he said quieter yet.

Kristy looked down. "It's all right, really. I don't regret it. I mean no matter how it looks, you know with…" she glanced at Legolas' rigid, angry body standing outside. "…with him."

Estel let his mouth twitch into a tiny smile. "Yes, he is stubborn at times."

"Yeah." She agreed, "I just hope you make it alright."

"Lle hannon," Estel murmured, before Legolas opened the door and reached in for Tauriel. Kristy watched him go with a wretched, miserable expression on her face.

"Fare thee well!"

And suddenly, they were just about to take off toward the line of trees, and Kristy called through the open window. "Legolas!"

The elf glanced back.

Kris bit the inside of her lip, racing for something to say…before saying too quiet to hear. "Good luck."

He stared an instant, rigid in the cloudy light, before turning and following Aragorn off the freeway and into the trees. She watched him go with a sinking feeling in her stomach.

"Damn elf," she muttered, slouching back in the seat. He just wasn't worth it sometimes.

. . . . . .

Freezing water dashed over stones and sloshed up on the snowy banks. Legolas picked his way over the rough shore, Tauriel in his arms, following Aragorn's tracks. His boots skipped from rock to rock, gusts rushing in his ears and buffeting him in the wind-swept gulley. It was fiercely cold.

"So…what is all this with Kristine?" Aragorn spoke up, making towards a wet, stone drainage tunnel. Water poured from the mouth and it was black inside, but it led into the city.

Legolas kept his mouth shut, refusing to answer.

"Is your pride really so unbending? Surely this is not all for such a simple mistake, my friend," Estel said again. "You are not one to hold grudges."

Tauriel shifted against his chest, and he looked down. She was doing it more and more, almost waking…ever since the cabin. He caught a glimpse of jade-green eyes fluttering under dark, thick lashes. So beautiful. It reminded him of just what he could have lost so easily, so flippantly.

They reached the stone block where the steel pipe dumped shallow, freezing water. Legolas lifted Tauriel up onto the block, before leaping up after her. Aragorn was a step behind and then beside, about to enter the tunnel. He was going to slosh through the water and into darkness…but he paused.

"Aragorn, please," he sighed in exasperation.

"No." The ranger took Legolas' arm. "Listen to me, my friend. Hear me." And suddenly, a twinge of a smile pulled at his mouth. "For I obviously know better than you."

Legolas gave a skeptical look.

"Do not make enemies where you have none." He warned him anyway, "You have plenty of those. Friends are harder to find."

"She does not wish to be my friend."

Aragorn stepped back, eyes glinting. "You truly think that?"

"She has not been my friend today," he snapped. The humor instantly faded from his eyes. "And she certainly was not yesterday, or the night she-she…" Legolas turned away, clutching Tauriel tighter in his arms.

"Kristine only desires to help you."

"And what of Tauriel?" he bit out. "Did she wish to help when she nearly killed her? When she deserted her and left her to the whim of the enemy? I do not need that kind of help, Estel. And I do not need that kind of friend."

Legolas made to walk on, but Aragorn grabbed his arm again, jerking him back. "What are those eyes for, you fool of an elf?" he chided surprisingly earnest. It made Legolas pause. "Can you not see? It is as plain as your poin-" Aragorn stopped, glancing to his rounded, human ears, before thinking better of it. "It is plain to me what has happened. If you do not reconcile with her now, you will lose her."

Legolas stared at him, jaw set, before turning away. "I…I cannot let her treat Tauriel so. They are close to me, both of them. I must choose. And you know I cannot choose Kristine."

Aragorn pulled a hood over his head, leaving just a solemn unshaved mouth. And then, he muttered. "Very well, my obstinate friend. It is your life to live as you will."

Kris pulled out from the guard station as fast as possible, breath skipping in her chest. That was close. The army soldier at the station recognized the little car as the same type that broke through station 22. He even ran her license plate. But there was nothing on her. She didn't have a criminal record…really, no record at all. She hadn't accomplished anything of note, either good or bad. Never was she so glad of that.

He let her go with a grim wave.

Making her way through the city, Kristy was nervous the whole time she drove. Her thoughts drifted to Aragorn. From what she could tell from the books, there really wasn't anything impossible for him. But he was out of his element. How could he stay thinking clearly, surrounded by such foreignness? Legolas…he was already so upset. And whose fault was that?

Hers.

Madison and 3rd didn't come soon enough. She was so agitated, searching and scanning the throng of passersby, she kept imagining Legolas' blonde head in the crowd. She saw policemen stopping them, wondering at the cloak Aragorn insisted on wearing. He took some clothes of Legolas' to wear beneath, but still…

It would be so easy to lose them. In a blink of an eye, a snap of a finger, all this could be for nothing. They could be gone.

…

Bright white light broke from behind the clouds as Aragorn and Legolas stepped out into the sun. Towering, steel monsters clawed at the sky overhead. The constant roar of traffic was already a dull hum.

"Aragorn."

Estel glanced back.

"Aragorn!" Legolas looked up quickly. "Tauriel, she…she is waking."

"Keep your eyes on her." He warned. "Do not let her cry out."

But she wasn't shouting. It came slowly, and as block after block passed, taking side-streets and secluded alleys mostly, she was stirring into consciousness. Legolas felt the muscles in her legs moving as she twisted in his arms.

"Tauriel…?" he said softly.

Madison and 3rd was coming up, just a block away now, and he didn't know what to do with her. What would she do when she saw the city around her? Brick, stone, and steel like this could suffocate a Woodland elf. It nearly did him.

"My Tauriel, can you hear me? It is Legolas."

"Legolas…" she mumbled through numb, stiff lips. "Legolas?"

"Estel, she remembers me!" he exclaimed. "I told you."

Aragorn shook his head. "You just told her your name, Legolas."

"Oh…I did." Legolas frowned once, before pushing the thought down. "Well I am sure she does anyway."

"Legolas…?" she whispered again, half delirious. He saw her emerald eyes open, scanning the buildings around her, the windows tinted black, people and scores of faces…all different, all moving.

And suddenly, the captain jolted awake. She flew her eyes open and looked wildly over the sky. A burst of foul smell, gas, fumes, sounds and shouts of honking, squealing, chirping tires filled her ears. Panic stabbed through her like ice and she kicked out of Legolas' grip. Her boots landed on pavement.

"Tauriel, it is all right."

"No…" She staggered back, gasping. "What is this? What place is this?"

"It is-"

"- The trees!" She burst out in thick Sindarin, spinning around, stumbling. "W-where are the trees?"

"Tauriel! It is alright. Settle down-" He didn't make it.

She fought him off violently and Aragorn reached to grab her wrist, but she twisted out of it. She would have broken her own arm to do it.

"Tauriel!" he shouted.

Tauriel bolted wildly down the street, pushing people aside. Shocked eyes and ears were on them, and they couldn't shout out after her again. Not with police roaming the streets. Red hair flew out behind her like dark flames and Legolas grimaced, before sprinting after her. Aragorn was a step behind.

Legolas caught glimpses and flashes of her through the pushing, peering throng. It was rush hour. Everyone was hurrying to get home before the curfew. But the woman was so small. She just dove and slipped between them. Legolas had to push and shove his way through.

"Tauriel!" he called out in desperation, one last time. There was already so much noise he didn't care. Dusk was falling. He had to get her back! If she was out after dark, the soldiers would get her. He'd lose her. He'd lose her again and he couldn't take that. "Tauriel!"

And then a glimpse of silver shot up into his peripheral vision and he slowed, panting. Kristine. Damn this weak, human body. In his panic, he could barely even spit out what he had to say. He'd barely slept in days and his mind, body and soul were exhausted. This was no time for exhaustion. He had to catch her!

"Kristy!" he shouted through the people's irritated, pushing glances. They were between him and her. It was always like this, always something between himself and the thing he needed. "Tauriel broke away. She woke up and now she looks for trees. But there are none. We must findher!"

"Trees?" Kristy grimaced, pulled up against the curb.

Trust a stupid elf to scramble through a city looking for trees.

"That way?" she pointed vigorously in the direction he was headed.

Legolas couldn't get to her. He wanted to pull the door open and tell her where to go, to get her back himself. But there wasn't time. Kristy's face tightened into a frown and she turned away, speeding off through honks and shouts of angry citizens.

Tauriel. She was gone. He couldn't do anything.

Aragorn ran up at that moment, glancing around fast. "Where is she? What happened? Was that not Kristine?"

Legolas nodded mutely. "It was."

It took a long moment, heart pounding and slowing in his chest, coming to terms with what just happened. Kristy had taken off without him. And he didn't like it.

Trees.

That's where she said she was going. Trees…trees…Where were the closest trees? Kris looked from side to side, searching for flaming red hair, policemen…anything that might be the former elf's trail. But she only had the ruckus in the crowds to follow. There was a parting line that slid shut again on the busy sidewalk, stumbling citizens, spilled fruit. All this, Kristy followed to keep track of her.

And then, a thought struck her. Farview... That had trees. The park was just a couple of blocks ahead, too. Maybe that was where she'd stop.

Kris didn't bother parking or pulling in once she got there. She pulled up against the curb, caught the glimpse of green and red running full-speed up the street…and then she realized something. There was a high, arching bridge between Tauriel and the bare, black branches of the park. It was a twenty foot drop into freezing water if she didn't.

Would she realize that?

Kris didn't know, and she didn't want to chance it. Legolas would be devastated. She'd prove him right if she let her drop, if she died in that frigid water. But that wasn't the reason Kris slammed the door shut and bolted after the elf.

She'd spent all this time wondering why the woman had to be here. She wanted to know why she came in the first place, why things couldn't just go on the same. Aragorn was Legolas' friend. He was good for him. Kristy was glad he was here. But Tauriel…what was she to Legolas?

Was she here to steal him away, capture his heart and crush it? It was like Legolas was a different person around her, even when she was asleep and not guilty of anything. He was different. He didn't need Kris, didn't even want her.

Kristy sprinted down the street, past the curb, up the windy, blinding bridge with its fierce wind and white light. She saw Tauriel stagger to the edge, straining for the spread of snow-swept grass, trees, water rippling far below. And she climbed the rail. Kristy saw her eyes now. They weren't focused. They were wild and untamed. She was still half delirious. Damnit.

Now she knew what the media was talking about…the violent, raving lunatics roaming the streets.

Kristy ran up and slammed into the barrier, then reached up and grabbed onto her clothes. Tauriel staggered back and fought the grip she was in, holding onto the rail. She struggled so hard Kristy almost thought she lost her. But then a sharp pull and the elf toppled.

"God!" she hissed, landing on her back. Kris hit the pavement with a grunt. "Damn it!" Kristy winced at a dizzying blur of white. It was the sky. Her head had smacked the pavement. "Tauriel!" Kris forced herself onto her elbows.

Kris touched her head, flinching. Warm blood oozed from her temple, and it was sticky and hot in her fingers. She stared at it, feeling stunned and confused…before forcing herself to look up.

Tauriel.

She was against the wall, shivering, staring at the massive bridge. Tauriel's eyes were wide and gaping. Frenzied traffic whizzed past.

The look in those eyes made Kris' heart slow and she sunk down. They weren't fierce and angry, like when she held the arrow at her throat. They were terrified. Tears spilled down her dirty face and she searched Kristy's desperately, looking for answers, something…anything. Whispered babbling poured from her lips and then, Kristy was overwhelmed with a surge of pity.

"Tauriel…" Kristy reached up and held her by the shoulders, helping her listen. Kris's Westron was terrible, but it had to help. It had to do something. "Your name is Tauriel. You're here on Earth. I know you don't know where you are, but everything is fine. You're alright. I promise."

She shook her head, still confused. And Kristy shuffled down beside, letting the woman into her arms.

"It's alright…" she whispered, rubbing her freezing hands. "It's okay. Legolas will be here soon. I swear. He'll know what to do."

As if on cue, Legolas appeared in her peripheral vision. Aragorn jogged over the arching bridge, dark hair whipping in the wind.

The elf stared.

Kristy… She'd done it. Tauriel was sheltered in her arms, shaking. The two sat huddled against the barring wall, shielded from the wind. The relief almost consumed him. He slowed, panting more from panic than fatigue, and Kristy looked up. He searched her eyes as he whispered Tauriel's name.

"She's fine." Kris lifted her arm so Legolas could reach her.

He couldn't think of the words to say. She saved her. She saved her even after all that had happened. She didn't hate her. Oh, how wrong he was. Legolas knotted his hands in the red-brown hair, searching for something to express what he felt.

"Thank you," he said instead. Her eyes, stormy gray in the cloudy light, began to sparkle as snow fell in her lashes. Legolas heard Aragorn skid down beside. He knew he took Tauriel from his arms and was searching her for signs of shock, of fever, of sickness.

"Kristine…" he whispered, fingers reaching for her face. The feelings, so baffling, so overwhelming rushing through him…he couldn't understand. He didn't know what to say. But her eyes were wet and she was cold. Red stained the pavement and it was blood: Kristy's blood.

"Thank you," he whispered more fiercely. He captured her forehead, kissing it.

There was nothing else to be done. Aragorn helped a stumbling Tauriel to her feet, Legolas supported her in his arms, and they went wordlessly home.

. . .

Thank you.

Kristy lay on a cot in the corner. A scarlet-haired captain rested nearby, finally sleeping peacefully in Kris' bed. She was unsteady, but that spirit was fiery and strong. She'd walked to the car and managed to stay on her feet the whole way up to the apartment, Legolas explaining everything he could remember as he went.

Thank you...

That's what he said, all he said. Did he mean it? Was he grateful for what she did? Did that mean he forgave her for… for almost getting his dear Tauriel killed? For all the stupid arguments they had?

Kris just didn't know. It drove her mad. She couldn't stay still. She couldn't sleep, despite Estel practically ordering her to. He was right. Of course he was right! She was exhausted and cold. Kris just kept remembering the terrible things she'd said to Legolas in the last two days.

Why did guilt turn to fury so fast? Was it because he was so angry, she had to defend herself against him? Or was Legolas right, was she jealous of the fiery haired Tauriel?

She just didn't know.

And she didn't know what had happened to Legolas. He'd settled into some kind of contentment here, she thought. Sometimes she thought he was happy. They had a simple life together for a time and it was for the most part, wonderful. But now it was...different. Legolas was different.

He was hard and focused, yet always on something else. Thinking about his old home maybe, or Tauriel, everything that made him restless, irritable, and discontent.

Kristy tossed and turned under the covers, trying to forget. She tried to push it over her mind and not think about it. But she was cold, freezing actually. And it was too weird to sleep in the same bed as Tauriel. The heater was out from the power failures and Kris wasn't used to it.

And suddenly…she couldn't take it anymore.

Kristy pushed the covers off and crept into the living room. Moonlight poured through the drapes, settling in faint silver crystals on the sheets.

Aragorn snored quietly on a plush, leather recliner across the room. Kristy stared at him. Then to Legolas, sleeping on the roll-away couch, face down in warm pillows.

The sight was so peaceful, so quiet. Kristy wanted to crawl up on the bed and touch Legolas awake. She wanted to ask him if they could be friends again. She wanted to say 'I'm sorry' without any of the if's and but's.

But she didn't.

She shuffled through the room…aimlessly wandering. The kitchen was dark and it made her feel colder. She didn't want to go in there. She hovered near the frigid window, staring out over the city. This was home. Why didn't it feel like it?

Kris leaned against the balcony sliding door, feeling the cold glass under her hands. She didn't know how long she stayed like that, remembering the pictures on the news, the poor people, anything that came through that rift, even Legolas. Especially Legolas.

He was under so much pressure now. His whole world was upside down. Why did she have to treat him so badly? She acted like a petty school girl for days. And over what? Retaliation? Jealousy?

She was breathing fast now. Kris felt the dark weigh down on her until it was crushing. She couldn't think of a way out, any way...

And then she felt the warm brush of fingers on her bare shoulder.

Instantly, Kris hissed and spun around. The first thing she realized were shadowed, keen blue eyes peering down at her. She froze.

"Legolas," she said, shocked. "I-I-"

He lifted a single finger and placed it gently over her mouth, effectively shushing her.

Kris looked up. In the cool dark, she saw his gleaming eyes and the outline of his bare, broad shoulders in the moonlight. He tilted his head to the side, slowly dropping his hand from her mouth. And then, he held her chin in his parted fingers.

"Legolas, I…uh," Kristy looked down, heart pounding in her ears. She remembered every minute of silence after the bridge, how he hadn't said a word, how she wanted him to. But Aragorn was there, so was Tauriel. She couldn't muster what it took to talk to him.

"Y-you don't have a shirt on," she said stupidly.

She wanted to hit herself an instant later. This was her chance and she blew it!

That's it?That's all she had to say? He didn't have a shirt? Legolas stared at her, narrowing his eyes in the faint light, confused. Did she not feel the same way? Didn't this fighting make her miserable and lonely?

And then, Legolas sighed. He dropped his hand from her face. Kristy was shivering, and not from cold this time. She was doing that thing with her mouth again…the nervous twitch. He couldn't stand this stupidity any longer.

"Kristine," he whispered. He held her shoulders in his hands, offering enough pressure to tug her closer, if she wanted him. But she pulled back.

"Let us not do this any longer. I cannot stand it. Can we not make things better again?"

In the semi-dark, she lifted unsteady eyes.

"Kristy…" he said even fainter. He gently skimmed the skin of her arm and felt it dimple under his touch. She suddenly seemed so small, so fragile. "…little one, I am sorry. What can I say?" Legolas asked. He felt hollow, like he was missing something. Maybe it was guilt. Maybe he needed forgiveness. Maybe he needed her. "Kristine?"

Her chin trembled and she held her breath to keep it from coming out a sob. She would not cry. She refused it.

"Kristy, I'm saying I am sorry. I want your forgiveness."

Suddenly, she let the breath go. "I'm s-sorry…" she hiccupped a few more lungfuls of air. "I'm so sorry, Legolas. I didn't- I didn't mean to let that thing into the cabin. I didn't, I swear."

Legolas shook his head. His pride faded and he dipped his head, seeking her eyes. "I know that, little one. I know. There is no excuse, no reason for what I did." He tugged on her. He couldn't explain it, but his body ached to hold her. It felt devastatingly empty. "I did not mean it, Kristy."

Kris whispered his name. Legolas pulled her closer and crushed her against his chest. Her feet left the floor and he squeezed the breath out of her with the force of his hold. Real, bitter anger…for her? It was unnatural. He couldn't stand it.

Legolas let her slide to the floor and he swayed with her, knotting his hands in her hair. He pulled his fingers through the tangles until his hands slid through freely. She was a familiar anchor in a tide of chaos and confusion. She was forever in a day, so very mortal and alive. She was a warm body, a beating heart he could feel under his hands. She was thick tangles of hair he could gather in fistfuls, a fierce, calming presence he could bask in, even without his fea.

"You are precious to me, Kristy," he whispered without realizing. The sheer sensation of her body pressed into his, he was heady on the scent. He crushed her fiercely. He buried his face in her neck and whispered it again, "…so precious. I will not lose you for anything."

Kris molded herself to the ridges of his chest, letting him hug her. It felt so terribly good. She caressed the back of his neck, feeling the silky fibers of his hair.

And slowly, Legolas reluctantly pulled back. He rested his chin on her head, inhaling deeply. Then he ran his hands down her sides and rested them on her hips.

He tilted his head, staring into her closed eyes. No matter how close he leaned, she wouldn't open them. She did very, very carefully run her hands up his chest to rest on his shoulders though. And then, he kissed the tip of her chin.

"I love her, Kristy," he whispered.

Kris's eyes shot open.

"Yes." He almost smiled at that expression. "I do believe so."

Kristy looked up, utterly shocked, horrified. He didn't even notice. Maybe he didn't care. He was too busy staring dreamily out the window, past her.

"Estel knows. I parted ways with her long before I met that Dunedain…" Legolas continued, glancing to the man sleeping on the lazy boy, before admitting, "But he does know. I think he does not approve, either. I know not why."

"Legolas, I…" Kristy tried to shuffle back, but he didn't let her. He glanced down, curious, before smiling harder and capturing her face.

"I cannot explain the rush of feelings I had when I saw her. I remembered sun and trees, happy times and children. My home wood. Do not worry, Kristine." He fairly grinned, showing sparkling white teeth. "I know I owe you an explanation-"

"No!" Kristy burst in a whisper. "No, please Legolas. You don't owe me anything. I-I don't want to hear this. Please don't make me."

The elf's eyes furrowed. "I… do not understand."

"Please I'm…" Kris looked down and up, frantically thinking of an excuse. "I'm tired and-and I'm cold, that's all."

"Oh," he said slowly. Something inside him stung, like a bite. Was he…hurt? Did she actually hurt his feelings, just because she didn't want to hear of his love life? Or rather, the love life he wished he had.

He didn't want to see her go. And more, he didn't want to sleep alone. Her fingers started fidgeting with his chest and his face spread into a warm, mischievous smile. "Then sleep with me."

Kris blinked. "What?"

"Sleep with me." He took her hand, slowly lacing their fingers. Legolas tugged on her gently. "You are shaking. Keep warm with me."

"I…oh, I-I really don't think so." She shook her head vehemently, trying not to let him lead her to the bed. He just kept smiling, his kingfisher eyes gleaming in the dark. "I don't think it's a good idea, Legs. You know, with T-tauriel and everything…"

"Nonsense." Legolas grinned, before sliding onto the bed backwards, dragging his legs up after him. He would make amends with her and put things back the way they were. He felt his Sylvan side surge to life. "Come on."

"Oh…"

"Come on," he insisted.

Carefully, Kris crawled up onto the bed and Legolas slid the blankets over her legs. She shivered, from cold and nervousness, and she felt every shift of the mattress as he shuffled down. The sheets were exquisitely warm where he'd lain and Kris slipped down next to him.

A few moments passed, Legolas on his side, an arm pillowing his head as he stared at her. A mad, delighted smile pulled at his mouth and he couldn't stop. Reconciliation was such a wonderful thing. The woman stared breathlessly into the dark, feeling the rise and fall of the sheets with every gentle breath he took.

"Kristine."

"Yes?"

"Goodnight," he murmured.

"I…" she sighed, "g'night."

. . .

A/N: Thanks for reading :))