I waited to be told if I had a watch shift tonight. As usual, I didn't. I figured the men had this misconception that I couldn't handle a watch shift. I narrowed my eyes slightly. I quickly grabbed my pack and began making my way to a spot blocked from the others' view. "Naerwen? Where are you going?" Legolas called to me quietly, gaining the others' attention.

"My clothes are soaked through. I'm getting dressed in something dry." I answered calmly.

"With yer dagger?" Gimli looked at me skeptically.

"I can't expect you to come to save me, master Dwarf. Should someone attack me, I will have something to protect myself." I smirked as Gandalf chuckled and the others averted their eyes or coughed their discomfort.

As I continued on, I heard Gimli mutter, "Good head on her shoulders, that one. Must be the Dwarf in her." I chuckled. I dressed in a dry set of pants, bindings, and a tunic. In fact, it was the outfit I wore when I had first set out from Bree. I walked back, carrying the soaked cloth back to be dried by the fire.

The others, it seemed, took advantage of my absence to change into dry clothing as well. I pulled out rope and tied it up to string across the camp. I began spreading my garments to dry. The others followed my example and used the rest of the length of my rope to hang their clothing.

Legolas was being strange lately. I wasn't sure what he was about, but it was worrying me. He stared at me a lot more. But not in suspicion and confusion like the first few days. There was a quality in his stare that set my nerves on edge. He had also become more... worried? No that's not the right word. But he's acting like I am some precious gem that needs to be guarded. I glanced at the blond Elf briefly before I straightened out my bedroll.

I stretched, letting my vertebrae snap back into place. I felt the rush of oxygen to my head in a light sense of euphoria. "Mmm..." I sighed quietly. I made sure my weapons were close by as I sat in front of the small fire that was set. I checked the rations bag and found something I could whip up. As the others continued to make idle chat, I kept an eye on the food when I wasn't glancing around for anything suspicious. I noted Legolas was looking at me again. "Is something wrong, Legolas?" I stirred the impromptu stew.

"No." He quickly averted his eyes. I huffed quietly in exasperation. With one last look at the food to be sure it did not burn, I quickly squatted in front of him, face mere inches from his face. He turned back to me in a startled manner, but did not move back.

"You've been staring at me, and I want to know why." I whispered. I leaned back on my heels.

"Just... thinking of what has been said." He stated clearly. He leveled me with a knowing look.

"Ah." I stood and dusted myself off. "Had me worried there was a scorpion in my hair." I turned back to the stew. "Your face was so severe." This caused the others to boom with laughter. Even Legolas himself chuckled. "It wasn't that funny." I said as I looked around a the others. I rolled my eyes. I noticed Legolas putting his bedroll close to mine. It's probably a subconscious thing. He knows there's a chance we might marry and he's protecting the possibility. Still... It's weird.

I stirred the stew again to be sure everything was heating properly. I sniffed. Good enough. "It is ready to eat." The Hobbits, Merry and Pippin, scrambled to be first. Sam and Frodo hung back until the others waved them toward the food. I filled their bowls with a smile. Then came Gandalf, Then Boromir, then Aragorn. I Kept my smile on my face. Gimli came next, with a cautious smile. I could feel my heart break a little at the thought of my long gone family. I smiled at him in a sad manner, remembering the past. Then Legolas held out his bowl, and I ladled stew into it. My smile was replaced with a smirk that evaporated as he touched my hand. My heart thudded in my chest unbearably loud, and I had no doubt he could hear it. I broke contact and gave a quick dismissive smile and turned to fill my own bowl.

I quickly finished the food, rinsed my bowl out quickly, and settled myself down to sleep. I heard the rustle of cloth as Legolas sat on his bedroll. I could hear his even breaths as he took first watch again this night. I waited for sleep to claim me, but it became apparent, with my shivering, that that wasn't happening. I sighed and rolled over, catching his eye. "You cannot sleep?" He murmured quietly. The others had a gift for falling asleep. I was not blessed with it apparently.

"Mmm..." I murmured. "Too cold."

"I see." His brows puckered. I could see a thought tumbling around in his head as he stared at the ground in concern. My eyes traveled up to the sky, watching the stars shining down at me. I was unprepared to feel a warm body sidling up to me. My eyes snapped back to see that Legolas had moved his bedroll against mine. He was sitting up, so his legs were warming up my side.

"Legolas?" My eyes had widened considerably.

His eyes locked on mine. "You are cold, are you not?" I could see the uncertainty in his eyes. I could feel the incredulity melting into an emotion I couldn't name. It had been so long since I had felt it, if I ever felt it at all.

"I'm getting warmer by the moment actually." I could feel a smile spread across my face. "Thank you, Legolas."

"Think nothing of it." He murmured back. His eyes were scanning our surroundings. I sighed in contentment. His eyes flicked down to me for a moment before he continued to keep a vigil eye out for danger. A smile had found its way to his handsome features.

I felt sleep tugging my eyes shut. But not before a soft humming had started up from Legolas' throat. The silvery tune teased my memory of a song I had heard back in Imladris. About an Ellon falling for an Elleth and slowly winning her heart over. A smile tugged the corners of my mouth as I was lost to the land of dreams.


Legolas POV

He looked down to see the little Elfling turn on her side away from him. She was smiling in her sleep. He became distracted slightly from her face by a stray lock of hair that had fallen into her face. He gently swept it behind her daintily pointed ear. He knew he was in danger of falling for the odd little Elfling, but he couldn't find it in himself to care. The hand closest to her absently began to comb through her wild tresses. He wouldn't let himself fall for her. Not until he knew she felt the same.