Hello everyone! What's this? Another update so fast? OMG! It's almost like it's Christmas or something! Ah ha ... really now, I fixed up this little beauty after the relatives left my house (praise the Lord!) as a Christmas present to all of my readers. So ... MERRY CHRISTMAS! Or whatever holiday you celebrate, HAPPY HOLIDAYS! I myself am enjoying my holidays (since the relatives left) by watching the Princess Bride marathon and finishing off some wine. Sweet, sweet wine.

Why am I drinking? I'm celebrating the fact that my relatives have left. Kidding. I consider this my own, mini Christmas celebration. I love the peace and quiet I am now experiencing. I so rarely get it! Especially with four dogs in the house, ack! We will be dog sitting for a friend tomorrow, so it will soon be six dogs! My life will be hell!

Anyway, so here's the eleventh chapter. I had some fun writing it, but I hope it doesn't seem as if Fleur is weak. If so, don't worry, she's gonna get stronger soon. Way soon!

Oh, and before I let you guys go to the next chapter, I'd like to give a shout out to a reviewer, Emzy2k11. First of all, thank you dearie for your review, I couldn't help but grin happily when I saw it. I must say, you were a good 60% of the reason that I decided to update today, for I was gonna save it for New Year. However, since your review made me giggle and grin (and you very much wanted another chapter quick), I decided that, hey, why not?! So here you go, this chapter is dedicated to you! Happy holidays, and again, thank you for your review! :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings! I wish I did though ... Did anyone get the LotR The Hobbit calender? Omg ... Legolas' eyes are so ... so ... BLUE!

A day or so later the small party had managed to make it through the mountains without any major incidents happening. A rarity, since Fleur was in the group. Right now, however, the group was currently very bored, even though Fleur had started up a game of I Spy. It lasted about five minutes, because they ran out of things to spy. The sun was in the middle of setting, and Fleur was beginning to get antsy. Haldir knew that trouble was on the way.

"Sit still." He demanded as she wiggled around.

"I'm bored." She whined. "Entertain me."

Haldir narrowed his eyes at her. "What? Am I to sing, dance?"

Fleur giggled. "Yes, that would be a riot!"

He pinched her cheek, making her wine more. "Don't get cheeky with me, brat, I am far older than you, and deserve respect."

Fleur blinked. "And ... Exactly how old are you?"

"He's over a thousand-"

"Rumil!" Haldir scolded.

Fleur howled with laughter. "Haldir! You old fart-"

"I'm not that old."

"Yeah right grandpa!"

"I'm not old!"

"Sure you're not! Soon enough you'll be waving a cane and yelling at kids to get off your lawn!" Fleur giggled, wincing when Haldir pinched her cheek again.

"Behave, or I shall tie you up and drag you along behind the horse." Haldir warned.

Fleur huffed. "You wouldn't dare!"

Haldir's eyes gleamed. "Oh, but I think you know that I would. Remember?"

Fleur blushed a pretty pink that went all the way to her slightly pointed ears. "Shut up!"

"Not that you'd be pulled for long, I think it's about to time that we set up camp for the ni- hold it."

"Wha- eep!" Haldir suddenly lifted Fleur from the front of the horse and shifted her to the back.

"Hold on to me." He commanded, his voice taking on a tone that indicated that danger was nearby. Fleur wrapped her thin arms around his middle and pressed her cheek to his back, cringing. Beside them, Rumil and Orophin reached for their weapons and readied them, peering out into the distance.

For a moment, everyone looked to the distance with baited breath. Fleur shivered against Haldir's broad back. Then, Rumil murmured low under his breath so that only his companions could hear him. "Gypsies."

Fleur felt the muscles in Haldir's back relax a little bit, but not completely. She loosed her arms from his torso and moved to rub his shoulders. He gave her a grateful glance over his shoulder before returning his gaze back to the approaching carts that carried people with very colorful clothing. A man, Fleur supposed that he was their leader, with short graying hair waved at them with a cheerful smile.

"Good evening, fellow travelers, how fare ye?" He called.

Haldir relaxed completely and shot looks to his brothers, who both nodded and seethed their weapons. "We are well." He replied, sensing no hostility.

"Good to hear! It grows dark, the night is newly born! Ye may want to dismount yer horses and enjoy it! Come, drink and dine with us! Then we shall dance!"

Fleur smiled, she liked this odd fellow. Carefully, she swung down from the horse, dodging Haldir's hand that grabbed at her. "A dance sounds fun, I've never danced before."

The man looked flabbergasted. "N-never have ye- surely you jest, lass!"

"No, I'm afraid not-erm-" Well, not that she could remember, but still ...

"The name's Gus. Come lass, I'll dance with ye! Let us drink and dance til we can dance no more!"

Fleur raised an eyebrow. "But ... What if we can't dance anymore because we drank too much, then-"

"Aye, lass, you can never drink too much!" Fleur giggled as Gus' grinned gleefully.

Fleur turned and looked up at her protector, who sat on his horse staring down at her. "Haldir?" She asked carefully.

He sighed softly, but nodded. "Very well." He dismounted his horse. "We will join you, I suppose, if we may?"

The man smiled. "Of course lad! Off we go then!" Fleur had to keep from giggling again. Gus clearly didn't know how old Haldir really was. Lad indeed. Gus walked along, gently grabbing Fleur's arm and walking her towards the rest of the gypsies while the three brothers followed along behind.

"Keep an eye on Fleur, don't let your guard down." Haldir warned his brothers, who looked excited at the chance to drink. Haldir couldn't deny a nice drink was tempting, though he wouldn't indulge too much, as his brothers would no doubt do. He would have to watch out for Fleur as well, there were many men around, many men who would be drunk within the next hour or so. He would have to be vigilant, very vigilant.

Within the next few minutes darkness had blanketed the world. A few of the gypsies were busy with lighting a large bonfire, and Fleur once again being dragged away by women she didn't know. She was changed into a gypsy outfit, dyed a pretty pink. It showed far more than she was used to showing. The fabric stopped just below her breasts, where a few strings of beads hung down and tickled her stomach. The skirt that she wore went down to her ankles, but had a long slit up the side that went to mid thigh level. Her arms were decorated with thick golden bracelets, and her neck had numerous strings of golden beads. Fleur felt pretty, and wondered if Haldir would think so as well.

But before she could seek him out to hear his opinion, the gypsy ladies brought her near the fire and taught her to dance around it, gyrating their hips seductively. Fleur danced with them for a few moments, clumsily trying to mirror their movements before turning to try and find Haldir. She found him sitting on a log chatting with Gus as the two played a simple card game, a flask of what she suspected was wine sitting next to both of them.

Gus looked up. "Ah! Lass, ye look beautiful! Better be careful, or a young man will attempt to steal away your heart!"

Fleur blushed as Haldir looked up, then quickly looked away with a cough. "Are you enjoying yourself Haldir?" She asked. He grunted, and Fleur repeated her question, trying to cover up her embarrassment. In actuality, she was slightly disappointed. She had wanted Haldir to comment on her appearance. She wanted to be praised, the outfit she wore made her feel pretty. Was she not as pretty as she felt? Haldir acted as though she were not anything to look at.

"Immensely." He said emotionlessly. "I fold. Your round."

Gus laughed. "Merely learning, aren't ye! Come, come, another round." He said to Haldir, who sighed and picked up the cards. Gus turned to Fleur with a smile. "Go on my young lass! Dance until yer feet and the music are connected."

Haldir grunted. Fleur ignored him, flushing with not embarrassment this time, but anger. What would it take to get him to notice her? Did she have to give him a lap dance or something? "What is a lap dance anyway?" She wondered aloud, getting a strange look from both Gus and Haldir. "Eh, I mean- uh, have fun."

She walked away, deciding that yes, she was going to dance her heart out. And no, Haldir was not going to ruin her night with his grumpy attitude. And so she danced, giggling with the rest of the girls as they twirled and undulated around the fire. Fleur was aware that she was being stared at by some of the males in the gypsy group, but ignored them. Tonight, she could care less about the opposite gender. Tonight was her night.

She found herself taken away by the flute and the drums, whisked away to her own world. Drunk off of merriment, and finding herself feeling light on her feet, lighter than she had ever felt before. It was almost as if she were about to take flight into the sky. The music soothed her, but riled her up at the same time. It excited her beyond belief, and made her feel invincible. So invincible, she walked right up to Haldir, whom was now sitting by himself on a log.

"Haldir!" She called, catching his attention as she walked up to him, a seductive sway in her hips as she moved gracefully towards him. Graceful, she noted, probably for the first time in her life.. "Come dance with me!"

Haldir's blue eyes looked upon her and roamed her body. The flask of wine in his hands shook slightly as he stared at her, taking in her appearance fully. And then, he met her eyes. Blue clashed with green, and blue won as Fleur looked away. The look in those intense icy blue eyes made Fleur's body feel as though it were aflame, but made her shiver as though she were cold. He looked as if he were ready to tackle her to the ground and eat her alive, like a wolf staring down at its prey. Fleur took a step back, blushing pure red as those eyes stripped her bare.

"H-Haldir?"

Once again his eyes locked with hers, and Fleur couldn't take it anymore. She whirled and took off running before the wolf could pounce. She passed by Rumil and Orophin as they flirted with a couple of gypsy ladies, whom laughed a little too loudly for the laughter to be real. Perhaps they were just loud because they were drunk. Fleur left the two brothers to their business. The elleth's feet took her to where she had seen Rumil and Orophin set up their bed rolls for whenever any one of them chose to retire for the night. Fleur dove under the covers, still shivering. A strange feeling had began to stir in her stomach. It wasn't necessarily a bad feeling, it was pleasantly warm and throbbed a little. In her chest, her heart drummed, as though it would burst out at any minute and run to Haldir.

"That would be counter productive though ..." she whispered to herself. After all, he was the one who had made her feel this way. Wouldn't going back make her feel better? Er, worse?

A hand suddenly touched Fleur's shoulder lightly, and she yelped. The hand immediately retreated, and Fleur for a moment thought it was Orophin or Rumil. Maybe even Haldir. But when she slid the covers off of her head, she saw that none of her elvish companions were around. A man knelt before her, his brown eyes barely visible through his bangs.

"I beg your pardon miss, I just saw you run off alone and was worried. Are you alright?" He asked.

Fleur swallowed her disappointment. She felt tears prick at her eyes, she desperately wanted Rumil or Orophin near her. At least one of those two could tell her what was the matter with their eldest brother. "I'm fine, I just wanted to hurry to bed. I'm just tired, that's all." She blinked them back and scooted away from the man, her bedroll making the motion slightly difficult to hide. It was nice of him to be concerned about her, but she couldn't help but have a strange feeling, and it wasn't a good strange feeling either.

The man's eyes narrowed in confusion as he took in Fleur's bed roll. "Is this where you are to sleep tonight? Surely it cannot be comfortable."

Fleur suddenly felt the need to get defensive. How dare he insult her bed roll?! "It's quite comfortable, thank you." Granted, it was more comfortable when she could snuggle up to Haldir, but she didn't want to think about him right now. He made her heart beat too fast and made her stomach feel funny again. She also noticed that she had began to shake again.

"Are you quite sure you would rather sleep out here than in one of our wagons? It looks as though it is about to rain."

Fleur looked to the sky. There were clouds, sure, but they didn't look ominous like the thunderclouds that she had seen in the summertime back at home with her grandma. "Really?" she asked. How curious ... Perhaps I should tell the others, just so they know ...

The man nodded. "Come, I will take you to one of our more comfortable wagons." He offered her his hand. She slipped carefully out of her bedroll on her own and stood, surprisingly without falling over. Her legs were shaking as well. Damn it all to hell ...He took her hand, even though she hadn't really given him permission, and held on to it rather tightly. His palms were sweaty. Gross.

He began to pull her along towards one of his wagons. "Ah, hold on. I wanna tell my companions-"

"It's fine. They already know."

Fleur dug in her heels, not believing him even a little bit. If Haldir had thought that it was going to rain, he would've came and gotten her. Besides, this man's behavior was very suspicious. "Hold on a minute-"

"Just come on, before it starts to rain. I want to find shelter too."

Fleur gritted her teeth and tried to pull out of his grip. He didn't let go. "Let go of me. Right now."

"No."

"Let go, or I'll scream." She remembered the flask of wine that Haldir had in his hand and wondered if he was drunk. Then she decided that it really didn't matter, Haldir could probably kick this guy's ass inebriated or sober.

"No. I won't let go." He squeezed tighter.

Fleur winced. This man was no doubt stronger than her. She wouldn't be able to get away very easily without being injured. "Last chance." He began to pull her again. She kicked him in the ankle. He mumbled a curse and stumbled, but continued on after that. She began to hit him with her fist on his back. Still, his grip didn't waver. Fleur cursed her weakness that was her shaking legs. "HALDIR!" She called.

The man stopped and raised an eyebrow at her. "Who is Haldir-" Was all that he was able to say before the Marchwarden's large fist collided with his face. Needless to say, he let go. Fleur rubbed her wrist, wincing. That was going to be a lovely little bruise.

That fist quickly became a gentle hand that quickly examined Fleur's wrist as the man rolled around clutching his nose in the background. "Are you alright Fleur?" Haldir asked, leaning down and scooping her up as though she was a child who weighed nothing. Fleur blushed at the treatment, and blushed even harder when she realized that her entire body now felt warm and comfortable. That throbbing feeling returned in her belly, and her heart fluttered. She prayed he couldn't tell.

"Haldir, you don't have to carry me. It's my wrist, not my legs." Fleur wiggled, her face aflame, hoping he couldn't tell in the dark of the night.

"You're shaking all over, I'm not going to make you walk."

Fleur sighed and gave in. She suddenly felt drained of energy, and was suddenly very glad to be carried. She laid her head against Haldir's chest, hearing the steady beat of his heart gave her immense comfort. He was here now, and he was in protector mode. She felt safe. That was when Rumil and Orophin decided to come running up, and also when some of the gypsies decided to see what was going on. Haldir ignored the whispering gypsies and made his way over towards their private little campground.

"W-wait, Haldir, isn't it going to rain soon? Shouldn't we find a wagon?"

Haldir looked at her with confusion. "Rain? There is no rain. Why ever would you think that?" Fleur winced, and Haldir seemed to understand. "Is that why you went with him?"

"I-I wasn't going to go with him. I was just getting up to tell y-you about it and ... He-he grabbed me. I think he intended to-"

Haldir's eyes were pure ice. "There is no doubt in my mind what exactly his intent was." Fleur ducked her head, and Haldir's eyes softened. "I apologize for not intervening quicker."

With a soft moan of contentment, Fleur buried her face into Haldir's neck. "Doesn't matter. You saved me. Again."

"It's one of the many reasons that I am here." Fleur smirked softly and played with Haldir's hair, giving it a slight tug. Haldir winced. "What was that for?"

"I have a request. Lend me your ear." She gave another tug to further prove that she was serious, and that he should listen should he want another firm tug.

He nodded. "I'm listening." She leaned up and whispered her request in his ear. He blinked and raised an eyebrow. "Is that it?"

"Yep. I believe you owe me a dance, considering you wouldn't get up when I asked you to dance last time." Fleur couldn't hold in the involuntary shiver that coursed through her body at the memory.

Haldir placed her down upon the ground, and Fleur felt sturdier than ever. Even though she was slightly disappointed about the momentary loss of contact. He put his cloak around her and pulled her to him. She rested her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close as he pressed his lips to her hair. It wasn't much of a dance, the two just stood there holding each other, swaying slightly.

Fleur nuzzled his chest with her cheek, sighing softly, content. The world didn't exist for a while; only her and Haldir.

So there you go my lovelies, another chapter! I hope you enjoyed it immensely, and thank you so very much for reading! Now I shall get started on the next one! :)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Love, Kitty :)