A/N: Happy early Holidays!
. . .
Fall seven times; stand up eight. – Japanese Proverb
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. . .
Kristy woke up to the gentle, rhythmic feel of someone's breathing. Tick…tock…tick… the clock. It woke her up every time.
Cool air on her ear sent a chill running down her neck, and then warmth of the exhale made her spine tingle. She registered the firm body pressed up against her back, and it made her smile in the dreamy, hazy world of sleep. She knew who it was long before her conscious mind did. Kris turned her face into the warm pillows, breathing in his scent…pines, leather. The full, heady scent of shorn grass in the rain filled her senses, like a rainforest in the night, or sweet tea leaves.
"Legolas…" she breathed without realizing it. It was a sigh, or a wish, something she did almost without thinking about it.
No answer.
He was asleep.
And suddenly, Kris went still. She became terrified to move, afraid of waking him in the dusky, predawn light. But she had to see him. Very, very carefully she shifted onto her back and tilted her chin to gaze up into his dark, closed lashes. His hair was messy and it twisted every which way, over his eyes, down his neck. It was long enough to reach past his collar now and… oh good God!
Kris jolted awake. He didn't have a collar.
Kris remembered all of last night, the apologies, hair, his hugs, his…acute shirt-lessness, and then admission. He-he loved…Tauriel. Of course he loved her.
Kris looked away. Why did the thought bother her? It was wonderful! She should be happy for him, for her, for both of them. Jubilant. She should be fucking overjoyed. Legolas found his one, true mate. He-he …
"Oh, Legolas," she whispered again, so faint he didn't stir.
Kristy looked up and trailed her eyes over his face. Her hands unwillingly found themselves under the blankets, touching him, grazing his skin, feeling how it tingled under her touch. He was so warm, so all-enveloping. All she could think of, laying in the semi-dark, all she could contemplate was what she was losing. His chiseled face, the warm sweet smile that sparkled in his eyes when he was happy.
Kristy closed her eyes, sliding her fingers up his smooth arm so he held her more tightly. God, it felt good. She felt his muscles tense slowly, like taut cord at the movement, a strung bowstring, and she thought she woke him. But then, he went lax again and so did she.
Maybe he'd only smile for her. For Tauriel. Maybe he would only laugh when she was close. His hands would develop a liking for fondling her hair, hovering near her constantly. He'd always be looking at her, touching her…just like he did now, only worse.
Legolas registered glittering rays of sunlight pouring through the break in the drapes and he cracked his eyes open. Kristy's shifting let in a cool gust of air. The former elf shivered, pulling her closer out of reflex. To his surprise though, she was more than willing. He felt her cold fingers dig into him, and she buried her face in his shoulder.
Hm.
Kristy's eyes squeezed shut as he glanced down, as if in pain. And Legolas realized something. She didn't know he was awake. The thought amused him. Obviously, she thought his body heat was hers for the taking.
"Cold…?" his voice said, quiet and husky from sleep.
Kris jolted.
"Ssh!" he hushed, half-laughing. The violent lurch made the bed shift a little. "You will wake Estel," he warned.
Kristy turned her eyes wildly from the lazy-boy across the living room to Legolas' tiny, amused smile. She spluttered in a whisper, "Ah... I-I, god, let me go."
"But it is not yet morning, even." He protested, "Stay a little longer."
"I-I…no, I can't." She squirmed against him. "Let me go!"
And obediently, Legolas lifted his arm.
"Alright."
Kris immediately went still. She was suddenly left cuddled against him extremely one-sidedly. She glanced down, as if unable to believe he was so willing to obey. He smiled harder. And the rush of freezing air seemed to change her mind.
"O-okay, little longer." She hissed shakily.
It was terribly cold. Legolas had to admit. It even chilled him, and he was used to it. So Legolas rested back down. These blankets were exquisitely warm. And suddenly, Kristy shivered. Her legs automatically pulled up at the rush of cold air as he dropped the blankets again.
Legolas winced.
"Sorry," she mumbled in a tiny whisper.
"… s'alright." He untangled his legs from hers and carefully pushed her knee down from between his thighs. It didn't hurt very much, but with a nervous Kristy… it felt dangerous having her in that position.
"Alright, come here," he whispered.
Kris amenably, carefully nestled down against him again. Legolas closed his eyes and squeezed her tight once, smiling in that everything was perfect between them. It felt so good. Tauriel didn't change anything. How wrong he was. Legolas sighed into Kristy's hair, their breaths in synch, warming together as the blankets settled.
She wasn't jealous.
She wasn't envious.
"Kristine?" he murmured after a little while.
The scent of her hair filled his senses and he smiled in bliss. Legolas' cheek rested on her head. Light filtered into the room and he watched the sunrise come in through the window. It was cold…but peaceful. Hazy blue sky promised a sparkling day for once. For once, he had a bright feeling for the future. Could he have both worlds? Perhaps he didn't have to choose.
"Hm," she grunted.
"You said it was a holiday soon…eh, Christmas?"
"Yeah…" she huffed, rolling her eyes and fidgeting with his fingers. "Some Christmas Eve this is."
"Hm," he murmured. "Tauriel must see the city today, I think." Legolas thought of all the wondrous things to show her.
"She saw it yesterday."
Legolas didn't mean to, but he stiffened. "Yes, but only its terrible side. She must see that she can survive here, for awhile. That it is not all bad." Fountains in the gardens, revolving doors…he'd show her the safe inside of a car instead of the chaotic, terrifying traffic from the outside. They were totally different worlds.
She still didn't say anything.
Legolas glanced down. "Is anything wrong, Kristine?"
"Course not," she mumbled. His doubtful silence spoke volumes, so she finished. "Just tired, and 'little cold."
"Well," he smirked, suddenly happy again. "Aren't you glad you chose to be here then?"
Kristy forced herself up onto one arm, pulling away from him a little. "What do you know about it?"
Legolas blinked. His hair got in the way and he stretched out on his back, brushing it away. He couldn't understand the sudden outburst, and he tried to gauge her expression.
"What?"
"How do you know where I want to be?" she asked utterly seriously.
After all, he didn't ask. And he didn't ask if she wanted to sleep with him either! They had before of course. But-but that was different. Tauriel wasn't here before. She'd thought…well, she didn't know what she thought. But Legolas' admission last night was like a blunted blow. It didn't make sense. It shouldn't matter but…
But it did.
And then, she looked up and instantly regretted her words. There was barely concealed hurt in his gray eyes.
"It just so happened that I did want to…" she added, putting a faint, false smile on her mouth. He looked too confused, too wounded. She couldn't stand doing that to him, no matter how much she wanted to hit back against the dull ache clamping down in her chest. "Actually you're kind of warm. You know that, elf?"
Legolas didn't quite answer, before reaching up and brushing her face with the tips of his fingers. "Are you all right, Kristy?"
"Fine." She shifted her gaze uncomfortably to his mouth, the unruly lock of hair on his forehead, the grain of the pillows. Anything but his eyes. "I'm fine."
"…really?" he said.
And then he furrowed his brows and slipped his fingers around her neck to ease her down again. She crumpled into the crook of his arm, pressing her face down on his chest.
"Really."
The tension in Legolas' spine eased a little, and he relaxed back in the pillows. Their positions had changed a little, though. She wasn't flush with him anymore. Kristy settled down at an angle, so the warmth of her body was in the cold sheets and not tangled in his legs. Her fingers curled into claws under the blankets, leaving white prints on his skin.
"I…did not mean it like that that." He clarified anyway, still a little unsettled, "I meant to ask you a question."
Legolas glanced down over her dark blonde hair, chestnut in the faint light. Just her head rested on his chest. Did she really not want to be here?
"You didn't ask anything."
"I am sorry," he insisted, suddenly wondering if they were talking about two different things. "I… I did not think you minded being here."
She didn't mind before. Was this reaction because of Tauriel? Did she think the captain would be angry if she caught them sharing a bed? It was ridiculous. This was exactly what he was trying to prove to Kristy, that nothing changed between them. They were still close.
"I don't mind," she said quietly.
Wonderful.
That was the most insincere denial he'd ever heard. Hadn't they fought enough already?
Legolas raced through his head frantically for something to say. There was tension in the air again. There wasn't supposed to be tension. Not with Kristy, not like this.
Legolas twisted slightly under her weight, unhappy.
With just the barest effort, there were so many weeks of peace. He was almost… almost content. Weren't there whole minutes gone by that he didn't think of home? Those were happy minutes with Kristine, when he forgot how badly he wanted to go back and never remember this wretched, Valar-forsaken place.
That was what he needed. That's what he needed right now…some minutes of warmth and pleasure, gentle sunlight, companionable silence.
"I… Kristy," he spoke up quietly. Legolas lifted an arm and rubbed her shoulders, affectionately, trying to soothe her. "I know what your answer will be, but I must ask you all the same."
"Shoot."
"Uh…" he said carefully, easing his hands down to her arms. "I wanted to ask you, my little one, if you would care for Tauriel."
Kris didn't answer.
"You know, in the-" Legolas cut off, wondering how to phrase it. Suddenly, he felt uncomfortable. "I mean the… ah, feminine… areas."
Still no answer.
"Kristine?" He shifted, glancing down. "You know, if they are the same here, as-as-"
Kristy smirked, wondering when he was going to stop.
"… as Arda, whatever you need for your…things." Legolas glanced down and up, suddenly wondering why such a simple request was turning so hard. He grappled for what to say. Why didn't she answer him?
"I would not pretend to know." He rushed on, suddenly anxious, "I-I mean that I know you're clothes and such are, ah, different then Tauriel's. But they must be essentially the same, whatever you need underneath and for …womanly things. I-"
And Legolas felt her vibrate with a suppressed laugh.
She lifted her head off his shoulder. "Yes, I do believe they're pretty much the same everywhere, Legolas."
And he realized just how fast his heart hammered under her hand. The fiendish little woman let him go on and on, just for her own amusement. She had felt that pounding under her palm all this time… and she was laughing.
She was laughing at him.
"And yes, I can help with the feminine areas, what-whatever they are," she mimicked.
Legolas groaned, pushing her face away. Kristy just laughed.
"Oh you're such a man, Legs."
"You are such a…" Legolas scrunched his forehead, trying to think of a retaliation. Instead, he grabbed her face as she jumped away from him, and he kissed her nose. "You are such a female."
… And instantly, too fast to blink, Kristy dove forward and kissed him back.
Well it happened.
Legolas hissed a sharp breath in surprise. Kristy's lips touched his. They were hot and they captured his mouth. He felt her breath on his face for such a spontaneous second…it left him stunned. He was dazed. He wasn't expecting it, not even a little. He wasn't even thinking.
But then, as fast as it was there, it was gone. Kristy pulled back and looked at him.
"I…" Legolas glanced down and up, suddenly unsure of what to say. And then, licking his lips, fierce confusion shooting through his eyes… Legolas laughed.
Kris didn't know what to do. Instantly she was terrified. She couldn't acknowledge why. No, she wouldn't acknowledge why. She desperately put the right expression on her face: a happy, flippant smile.
"… thank you?"
She panted, forcing a brilliant grin. "You're welcome."
Legolas stared at her. Instantly, the fun sapped out of him and he was left feeling…dizzy. He was missing something. He had to be. His heart pounded erratically in his chest. "I… ah, what does it mean?"
Kristy's eyes went icy. Oh God, 'what does it mean'? Why would he ask that? What had she been thinking?
Shit.
Shit!
"W-what?" she said stupidly.
Uncertainty flickered through Legolas and he leaned back on his arms, glancing over her face. "What does it mean?"
"Oh." She instantly grappled for words. So it wasn't too late. He thought she wanted to tell him something. There was still time to save herself, if she acted fast enough. "Um, it means that-that I-" Kristy stumbled on the word. Think. Think. Say it! "…like you. I mean, that's w-what people do in my family, like to brothers. It's a compliment."
A slow moment passed.
"You consider me as … family?" he asked carefully.
Kristy's heart dropped into her stomach. "Um, yes?"
And then, a smile spread gradually over Legolas' face. How could have he thought her jealous over Tauriel? She was such a friend to him. She was welcoming him as family.
"I believe I like the sound of that." He said softly, "I mean, I thought I had come to understand all your English customs. I did not know this."
"Well," she coughed in gagging relief, shuffling off the bed. She back-stepped and almost tipped the lamp over, but she managed to right it. "I didn't ei- … I mean, I-I didn't think to tell you about it, either."
"You think of me as family?" he asked in a louder whisper, hardly able to believe it. He crawled off the bed after her.
Now that he thought of it, Legolas had not put Kristy anywhere. She was friend, confidant, soothing place where he could come when he was stressed…if he was lucky. Sometimes she was fire that seared and cut him down. But that was only when they fought. Most of the time she was a fierce glow that burned in his chest, warm and familiar.
"Yeah." She shrugged, suddenly so conscious of every look, every expression that crossed her face. She wanted to hide, turn away. But if she ran now, he'd ask why.
Why? Why did she do it? Damnit. It was perfectly innocent fun. Why did she have to ruin it? Did she think she would never get the chance again? Was she satisfied? Kristy almost gave a cynical laugh, even as she tried to keep from looking at Legolas' face.
Yeah, satisfied…
"And," he continued carefully, putting the pieces together, "…and this is your affection to family."
"Heck, I… yeah," She glanced down and up, writhing under his eyes. "Yes, it is. But you know, it's nothing. I didn't really mean anything by it-"
"No, Kristine. Let me accept this," he interrupted, "please, sister in heart."
Kris didn't think it could get worse. Her heart hammered in her ribs and she almost pushed him back. But she didn't… And it did. Oh, it really did get worse. Sister? That's what he wanted her to be?
"Do not be embarrassed," he insisted, watching her back away.
Legolas hesitated as she leaned back, but he couldn't afford to lose this opportunity. Besides, he liked the idea…kind of. There was no tension between friends and family, or between family and lover. It was a strange thought: Kristy, family. But maybe manageable.
"I am flattered and grateful. Thank you." He reached up and touched her cheek. Kris almost flinched at it, but he didn't drop away. It was a warm, affectionate touch…
"Thank you."
. . .
"Okay… where to first?" Kris slammed the door shut and punched the car speakers on.
Katy Perry filled the car with a pounding beat that made every ear flinch…and Estel quickly turned it down. Tauriel was being meticulously cared for in the back seat by a certain blonde 'brother', and he glanced at her from the passenger side.
"Is anything wrong, Kristine?" Estel asked in careful Westron.
"Absolutely not." She flashed a brilliant smile. "Why would anything be wrong?"
Aragorn chose not to answer.
So they drove out onto the busy city streets. They had shopping to do, not only clothes and things for Tauriel and Estel, but Kris decided on Christmas shopping too. It didn't feel much like Christmas. But after all, why should she let him ruin it for her? Any of them, really? Besides, it might make her feel better.
"Look, Tauriel…" Legolas murmured from the back. Kristy tried to ignore them, even as the massive steel and glass monuments filled the windows and blocked out the sky. Traffic moved in colorful, serpentine lanes in the four-lane street, a mass of faces, fumes, and crisp morning air.
"The buildings are called skyscrapers. The moving beasts of steel, see them? They are just as we are, just a machine, nothing to fear. They are transportation, like a horseless carriage. That is all."
"Where are the trees?" she muttered in response, donning Kristy's coat and pressed against the window. Her auburn hair spilled in long twists down her back, tangling in the furry hood.
"There are few trees, sadly."
But then his fingers reached for her hand and she didn't pull away. Kris glanced in the mirror. She didn't respond at all, actually. She was busy staring out the windows with a fascinated, suspicious glare. "But there is beauty here, still." Legolas insisted, "It is not all bad."
Legolas switched to Sindarin and she couldn't understand them anymore. Kristy stared ahead into traffic.
"Amazing how polite he is, huh?" she muttered with a smile, pulling into a supermall's parking lot. It was filled to bursting, and she had to park almost a block away: Christmas Eve for you.
"Aragorn…?"
Estel looked into nowhere with dark, solemn eyes. He watched Kristy's hard, jerking movements as she drove and he didn't like it. There was some kind of falling out between those two, and they couldn't afford to have any divisions. Not now. Even after their make-up session last night…which he'd heard acutely.
He didn't answer.
"The least he could do is talk so we can all understand," she muttered.
"- Ah, look!" Legolas suddenly started up his commentary again, and he was back to Westron. "This world's version of a market. You remember them, don't you?"
Tauriel scrunched dark brows at him. "Of course I remember. It is just…certain things, I cannot seem to hold onto." She brushed him off and struggled with the seatbelt, frustrated. "I cannot seem to grasp them."
"I know what it feels like."
Kris got out of the car, pretending not to listen.
"But you remember me?" Legolas pressed.
At that, Tauriel's grimace eased a little, and she smiled an almost imperceptible, amused smile. "I do not forget friends so easily as that, mellón nin."
Kristy slammed the door shut. Hard.
"And I have a theory about-"
Legolas blinked, glancing at the noise, before slowly turning back to Tauriel. He helped her manage the lock and the door-release, before stepping out into the brisk windy air. Snow fluttered past in fat, crispy flakes.
"You are younger than I. Do you see? It's near impossible for these weak human bodies to comprehend what we have seen. It is simply too much for them."
Kris smiled sarcastically at his back. Well, thanks so much for making that clear. Aragorn walked closer, a dangerous, warning look in his gray eyes. She bit her tongue.
"You have less to remember, and so it is easier for you," he continued, oblivious. "Perhaps you will soon have all your memory back."
Tauriel nodded, stepping out onto the pavement, green eyes sharp. "Perhaps so." She glanced warily from passerby to passerby, not missing a single curious look.
"Try to act normal, huh?" Kris looked between them, sticking her hands in her pockets. "And don't do anything stupid." She started to turn away, before glancing at Legolas. "Especially you."
And with that, she walked away.
The captain didn't like the look of the clothes she was given, Kris knew. She wore dark, tight jeans with her own boots. But Kristy just couldn't shake the feeling that she would still stand out. Maybe it was the fierce, silent glare in her eyes. Maybe it was the twisting locks of hair pulled tight from her face or her sharply cut jaw.
"Tauriel…" Kristy said in careful Westron, walking across the parking lot. She made sure to get the words right. An uncomfortable feeling tingled in her belly at addressing the woman directly, but it couldn't be helped. "Try to keep your eyes down, please."
She snapped her gaze to Kris, drawing to a halt. "What?"
"You know what I mean," Kristy glanced up, suddenly unsure. "Don't look people in the eyes. Keep your head down. Act normal."
Tauriel just stared at her in a frozen, steely way.
She looked from Legolas' dark, disapproving glance to her equally cold stare. Kris' pulse suddenly skipped. "You know what I mean. I just want you to normalize yourself."
"Normalize…" she repeated, slowly leaning back. "How do you mean?"
Kris tried to think of a way to say 'Slouch. Mumble. Shuffle.' without saying it. But then, glancing at the fierce, green eyes of the captain, Kristy looked straight at Legolas instead.
"You know what I mean. You explain to her."
With that, Kris stalked off toward the glass doors.
Legolas stared after…before glancing to Aragorn. "What is wrong with her?"
Estel cast his eyes sidelong, looking between the silent eyes of Tauriel…close to the prince's side…and then Legolas' dark, confused ones. Estel just shook his head and walked away.
The elf could be so oblivious sometimes.
In the shopping mall, it was amazing really, Kristy thought. Despite the fear, the chaos and terror, Christmas was Christmas. Shining wreathes lined the streets and garlands ran up downtown streetlights. The stores were filled with glitter, tinsel and holiday music. Little children dressed up as elves raced over the ground floor, and people were everywhere…faces, busy eyes and the smell of leather, rubber and plastic filled her senses.
"Manwe…"
Kristy heard Tauriel's quiet exclamation, and she staggered back into Legolas. Escalators rattled down from the upper floors and she stared, wide-eyed.
"Where do they all go?" she gasped.
Legolas walked past with hardly a second glance. "I know not. Perhaps a room beneath."
"But what room could hold so many stairs down there?" she gasped.
"They're on a track, genius," Kristy snapped. She immediately regretted her words though and glanced an apology. Aragorn's silent, flicking stare wasn't helping any. "They go round and round," she muttered quieter.
"Do not mind her." Legolas said in Sindarin. "There is something wrong with her."
Tauriel pressed her mouth closed tight. "I see that."
Of the group, Estel was the quietest.
It didn't matter. Kristy knew what the Dunedain was thinking. He was planning a way to get back home. They didn't belong here. Legolas was too busy keeping Tauriel by his side, explaining every flashing light, bleep and song playing over the sound-system to notice.
Thankfully the mall was crowded beyond belief. No one heard his strange talking. Kristy couldn't seem to find what she was looking for, and they twisted and turned for what seemed like hours before finding what she needed. It was a women's clothing store, filled to bursting with racks, shelves, and models of clothing.
"So…" Kris said inside the store. "I know you have your weapons from Middle Earth. But you need other things, too. Epecially her."
Aragorn glanced at her.
"…Tauriel," she corrected with a smile. Tauriel was in the threshold of the dressing room trying to figure out how it went ding every time she passed through it. Legolas was just watching, amused.
"I don't want a fight going down right in the middle of Macy's though." Kristy looked up, grimacing. "What can I get her to let me buy?"
"I should think Tauriel knows the gravity of our situation," Estel replied, just as quiet. But there was a hint of a smile on his lips. He leaned down a little, replying very seriously. "I think the captain's biggest worry will not be what she is wearing."
Kristy blinked. And suddenly, she felt very, very small. Somehow, she was expecting the captain to protest about something like that. "Oh."
So that's where Kris found herself three hours later. Surprisingly, Tauriel did not have an apoplectic attack at the women's clothes, underwear models…nothing. She was looking forward to a reaction like Legolas' when he first arrived. But it didn't come. And it grated on Kristy's nerves even more.
Tauriel came out of the dressing room for the last time. The musical notes every time she stepped back and forth were irritating, too. Everything she did seemed to be the opposite of what Kris wanted, but she didn't say anything.
"Thank you, Kristine," the captain said once she did, sealing her coat up. Kristy glanced over, dropping clothes into shopping bags. "I appreciate your aide in this."
"You're welcome."
A few awkward moments passed. Kristy shuffled on her feet, pretending to fold clothes. And after it was passed, Tauriel spoke up again. It was the first time the captain actually addressed her…alone, at least.
"You lived alone before this, then?" She glanced at Kris with cool, calculating eyes.
It was how she looked at everything…sharp, focused, like she didn't miss a thing. It unnerved Kristy so much that she just glanced over, blinked, and looked away again. "I did, before Legolas."
"He rescued you then, in a sense." A tiny smile pulled at her lips.
"Rescued?" Kris scoffed. Was that really the word she used? "More like 'ruined'."
"Ah," she laughed again, a tiny chuckle in her throat. "I see. Why have you not married a man, then?"
Kris choked. "E-excuse me?"
Tauriel glanced over, as if it was just a simple, quiet statement like anything else. Having the captain talk at all was a shock in itself, enough to turn Kristy into a flushing, agitated idiot. Kris dropped a pair of jeans and hurried to pick them up, stuffing them into the bag.
"I merely thought you meant 'ruined' by that you've experienced what it is like to live with someone. And you prefer it."
"Yeah, well…" Kris managed, almost a croak. "Not really what I meant."
"Were you not lonely before, then?"
It took a minute. Kristy stared at her hands, feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand. But then, she lifted her chin, trying not to look at Tauriel as she said. "I find I prefer living alone. I don't have to deal with anyone else that way. I only need myself. I only want myself. And as soon as I can again, I will. All I need is my dog. Simple."
Tauriel smiled.
Kris wanted to say something more, anything. She almost did, too.
She wanted to ask Tauriel why she came here in the first place, how she had the unabashed gall to ask such a thing, how she just happened to be in Lorien when Legolas needed her… Or who the hell she was!
Legolas and Aragorn were deep in discussion across the store though, something obviously not meant for her ears. She didn't want to take the chance on Legolas hearing her. Kris couldn't handle that. And besides, the fiery-haired captain could probably break her in half.
It was a disturbing thought…
"What now?" Legolas suddenly came up from behind, startling her. "Lunch?"
Kris almost laughed. It came out more of a snort.
Tauriel glanced his way. "It is not yet noon, if that time-telling device you showed me is right."
"So?" he replied brightly, taking the bag she stooped to pick up. "I am hungry. You?"
Aragorn appeared at his side, looking disturbed about something. Still, he just nodded. "I could eat."
"Fine." Kris shrugged, snatching the bag from Legolas' hand. No protest reached her ears. So she smiled. "Let me check this out while you go to the food court. Meet you there."
It was then that she instantly turned and disappeared in the racks of clothes. Legolas just stared after her, hands empty…and wondering why the smile she gave made him shiver. It was like she was angry with him. But she wasn't. She'd kissed him this morning. They'd practically adopted each other as family.
What happened since then? Had he done something wrong?
"- Are we going?" Tauriel asked.
Legolas just stared at Kristy's disappearing form. He felt hollow and dark. But he took a sharp breath and pushed it down. "Yes. Yes, of course. Follow me."
So that's where Legolas found himself half an hour later. Tauriel was picking disdainfully at the greasy, spicy food in front of her, eyeing every single passerby with equal suspicion. Estel was less picky. Of course he had to be. After all, the man was used to his own cooking. The thought made Legolas appreciate his meal more. Aragorn's soup tended to taste like burnt rubber.
"So where is Kristy?" Legolas asked, glancing around. "She has taken too long. Should we find her?"
"No." Estel answered firmly, for probably the fifth time. "Do you want her upset with you…again?"
"But what if she-"
"No."
Legolas sighed. "That woman is directionally challenged, in case you hadn't noticed by now, my friend. She couldn't find her way out of a closet."
"She'll find her way here," Estel insisted. "Just be patient."
And suddenly, as if on cue… Legolas glanced up. Coming down an escalator, shrouded in her hair and a blur of unfamiliar faces, Kristy stared at the steps as she sunk earthward, closer to their level of the court.
Finally. He glanced away and back again. Legolas expected to greet her with a forced smile. He swallowed a bite of food and practiced it. She would sit down in the seat opposite, he decided. Because most likely the girl would want to sit close to him. He'd give her a more friendly smile, then. Perhaps she'd be -
And then… a shout broke out in the food court.
"Kris?"
Legolas looked up from his drink, glancing around for the source. A tall man got up out of a table. Legolas stared. He was tall, tall and broad. Music and clattering plates filled the mall food court, but Legolas knew what he heard. So did Kristy.
She looked up.
"Krissy?" the man gaped at her, eyes wide.
Legolas blinked. Krissy? Who was this man to call her that? And why did she smile like that?
"Roger?" her face broke out in a grin. And suddenly, the escalator wasn't moving fast enough. She pushed people aside and ran down, before leaping and her boots hit the floor. She staggered on her heels and Rog was already upon her.
Legolas sat bolt upright. He was hugging her!
"It's been I-I-I don't know how long. What happened to you?! What on earth are you doing here?"
Roger was incoherent. They were laughing. Legolas stared at the man's shirt. It was…straining. That man was filling the sleeves to bursting. He was twice the size of Kristy. And he was crushing her in his arms, whirling her in a violent circle. An insignia was plastered across his muscled back and Legolas felt something simmer in his chest, a hot fume that he didn't understand.
Aragorn shifted around in his seat. Legolas' eyes were wide and steely.
"Legolas…?" He nudged the elf. "What is wrong with you?"
Legolas didn't answer. He just narrowed his eyes a fraction.
Estel turned in his seat, scanning the cafeteria. And he made the connection. "Ah…I see."
Kristy was being swept across the court to a table full of men. They all wore the same shirts. Aragorn squinted, suddenly alert. Short sleeves, dark camouflage green, tags made out of metal dangled on their chests. Kristy was heading straight for them.
"I haven't seen you since you went overseas. Why are you back here? Why didn't you tell me?"
"We were recalled for these-" Rog spluttered, "these storms; you know what I mean. God, I can't believe you're here!" He shook his head, hair cropped so short white skull showed on the sides. "I hope you're staying safe, Krissy. These things have been dangerous. Why are you still here?"
Kris laughed. "Yeah…I know. Tell me about it."
"Listen, these are my buddies." He said eagerly, "This is PFC Tyler, PFC First Class Jay-"
Aragorn shifted. "Legolas, those are soldiers," he muttered quietly. They had guns…the weapons like Kristine used, concealed under the table and tucked into their cargo pants. It sent a spasm of nervousness through his chest. "Legolas…I cannot speak her tongue. You can."
The elf was sitting ram-rod straight in his chair.
"Legolas," Aragorn insisted, making him snap his eyes up. He didn't say it, but his eyes did. Get her away from them.
Legolas whipped his head from Aragorn's fierce gray eyes, to the five out-of-uniform soldiers, before getting up so fast his legs hit the table and his chair skid out.
"Gladly," he growled.
. . .
A/N: Thanks for reading, and reviewing if you have the time. :)) Have a wonderful weekend please!