Hey! So, here we are again :) I guess there will be two more chapters after this one :) Hope you still like it, though I'm not too certain of this one. Please tell me what you think!

BETA: thewayfaringstrangers

angelfabeth: Thank you! :)

Dunedian: Geen idee of je dit nog leest :) Alleszins veeeeel plezier op reis! :)

FFXlover: Thank you for your reviews :)

Silme-Quessë: Off course, I'm not going to abandon you :) Hopefully, you'll like this one too :)

SmileyFace13: Haha, then I fear I'll keep you in suspense only a little longer ;)

Ynnealay: Hannon lle :)

ZeDancingHobbit; Only a little more... :)

They said nothing. They just walked, determined, fast, with the flame of anger carefully under control. They could not let rage cloud their actions now. The Arena was becoming too dangerous. Even now, while their hearts were still in turmoil over what they had witnessed, they both sensed the uneasiness that had settled over the forest. It was as if every living creature, every tree, was holding its breath, waiting until the storm would burst.

It was rather unnerving.

And it was weighing down on Legolas. In other conditions, he would have had faith that all would be well, that they would manage to survive everything Mordor throw at them, but now, he had to think not only about Aragorn and himself, but also about Katniss and Peeta, and try to figure outa way to shield them from danger, hoping and praying that the next cannon shot wouldn't escort their fleeting spirit. That's why, from time to time, he explored with his elven senses the forest around him, but especially in the direction of the cave. And that's why he immediately sensed movement there.

Frowning, he concentrated on that spot. It was not too far behind them, but he received only vague impressions. Light footsteps, a faint smell that didn't belong in the woods, soft breathing, a touch of warmth. There was definitely someone hiding there, though he or she was doing it very skillfully. If they wanted to catch the intruder, they would have to surprise him.

"Estel, na adan adel ammen." (Estel, there is someone behind us.) Legolas carefully took on a normal conversational tone, as if he was saying he wanted to rest, or that the sun was burning down on them. Aragorn immediately comprehended the meaning of it.

"Hae?" (How far?)

"Lempe kainen haered." (About 15 meters) Aragorn raised his eyebrows.

"Lempe kainen?" (15 meters?) He asked incredulously. That was relatively close, and he couldn't believe he hadn't heard or noticed anything. Still, he trusted in Legolas' senses, so when the elf nodded, he began thinking about a plan to surprise their pursuer.

"You are right. Let us rest here for a moment, my friend, for I am weary," he said out loud. Legolas threw him an amused look.

"Or car, ù inc?" (A bit overdone, don't you think?)

"Na tîn." (Shut up.) He let his packet slide to the ground, and followed itdown. Legolas sat down a little more graciously.

"Man si?" (What now?)

"Anna ammen lle lû aglenna. Do you hear water near, or perhaps some game?" (Let us give him a chance to come closer.)

"I saw some berries not far away. Shall I get them?" Legolas answered in a friendly tone, meaning 'shall I try to find the intruder and capture him?'

"I still have some, I picked them up earlier." It's not worth the risk. He will not be able to sneak up upon us.

"They must be smashed by now. It's not too hard to find fresh ones, but if we don't amplify our provisions, it is possible we'll have to hunt under worse conditions." Let me go, Estel. Better tocatch our pursuer now than give him a chance to catch us. He's really good. Don't underestimate him. Aragorn sighed.

"Alright then, but be careful. Other tributes might be around. I will go and fill the water skins. We meet here." Your choice, but make sure he does not see you before it's too late. I'll come to you in a minute.

"Done." They parted, seemingly relaxed, but their eyes darted around and their hands strayed close to their weapons. Aragorn pricked up his ears to hear the light footsteps of his friend. The elf was treading heavier than he would have normally, but still, it was difficult to hear where he was going. And Aragorn needed to know just thatif he didn't want to lose his friend in these woods. As soon as he thought the trees would shelter him from their pursuer's gaze, he turned and followed Legolas. The elf was already waiting. Silently, hepointed to a dense bush near two old oaks, barely visible between the other trees. Aragorn nodded.

"Climb. I'll follow afoot," he whispered ever so silently.

"Done." Light-footed, Legolas jumped and grabbed a branch near his head. In a matter of seconds, he had disappeared in the green canopy. Aragorn waited three more seconds, then he began to sneak closer to the bush where the tribute was hiding. His steps didn't make any sound, and they hardly left a trace upon the ground. They were lucky. The grass was young and flexible. As soon as his feet left the blades, they rebounded again, giving no indication that someone had walked there.

Very slowly, the man proceeded. He knew Legolas was watching him, and was following his tempo. They had only one chance. They could not ruin it by speed. Although he couldn't help but thinking back upon the time they had sneaked up upon Foxface. It hadn't brought them much profit then, only nervous silences and suspicious conversations.

Do not think about that now! Concentrate on your feet. See every single plant, every branch, every little creature. Do not disturb them. No sound.
A rustling. Immediately, the man froze, closing his eyes. It was quite dark here, and he didn't want the glimmering of his eyes to betray him. He shouldn't have feared that, however, for all of a sudden, the tribute shot out of the bush, clearly putting everything on speed instead of stealth.

Foxface. Inwardly, Aragorn cursed. He should have known. The only tribute now who had such light feet was the red-haired girl. Next to him, Legolas jumped out of the tree.

"Estel! What do we do now?" he whispered urgently, never taking his eyes of the tribute, who was now examining Aragorn's backpack, which he had left where they had parted. Aragorn hesitated. They had to make sure Foxface wouldn't follow them anymore. She was too dangerous for them to let her do that. But he feared they wouldn't be able to convince her to leave, even though they had spent some days together. He still hadn't forgotten Foxface's last words to them. A threat to slice their throats if they would follow her. He doubted whether the threat had lost its meaning after a couple of days, but somehow, he didn't want to find out.

"I don't know. Perhaps… Let us leave her alone for a moment. Then we'll take our belongings, and make a sprint. She is fast, but I doubt whether she will be able to catch up with us if we run some hours. She's a sprinter, not trained for the long distances." Legolas smiled lightly at those last words – they reminded him of Gimli. He wondered whether he would ever see his dwarvish friend again.

"Good idea. What is she searching for, anyway?"

"No idea, but I doubt whether she'll find anything. I've only some berries in there."

"Then I fear you just lost them. I saw her in the training center. She can't collect food herself, so most of the time, she steals it. Remember the provisions at the Cornucopia? Katniss said that she… What?" Aragorn had paled visibly.

"We have to stop her!"

"What? Why?" But the man was already storming out of the bushes, leaving a bewildered Legolas behind. Quickly, the elf shot in action, and followed his friend. Just before they reached the girl, a horrible noise escaped her throat. The bloody berries fell out of her hand, and she squeezed her eyesshut as a wave of pain seemed to move through her belly to her head. Dizzily, she swayed a moment, then she fell backwards. Aragorn got there just in time prevent her head from hitting the grass hard. The girl's eyes widened when she saw the two men towering above her.

"Hush, Foxface. We won't hurt you. You're going to be fine. Legolas, please take my pouch there. There are some healing herbs inside of it." His voice was composed and determined, but his hands were shaking slightly while he was stroked Foxface's hair. The girl just moaned and struggled to breath. Blood began to trickle down from the corner of her lips. Aragorn looked up to Legolas, who was still standing next to them.

"Las, hurry up! I-"

"Estel, na ù bach amen agor si. Tennon anim." (Estel, there is nothing we can do anymore. I am sorry.) Defeated, Aragorn closed his eyes. He had known it as soon as he saw the blood, but to hear it from his closest friend made his suspicion come true. Slowly, he kept on caressing her face. It had become extremely pale, and her breathing was even more labored now. Her eyes were closed. She didn't have much time anymore.

"Foxface, please forgive me." Aragorn didn't really expect her to react, but to his surprise, the girl opened her eyes again and lookedup at him. Her lips parted slightly and the faintest of sound emerged from the blood. Aragorn bent closer to understand her.

"Quentia. My name… Quentia."

The cannon shot sounded harsh and loud in the silence that had descended over the forest. Gently, Aragorn placed her head upon the green grass, closing her eyelids. Next to him, Legolas whispered a silent prayer to Mandos.

They did not dig a grave for her. The ground was cold and unmoving, and they had neither spades nor other tools to break the earth with. Instead, they agreed to bury her in the way of the elves. From some large branches, they made a small talan, just large enough to support Quentia's body. A rope was made with some vines, and thrown over a sturdy, high limb of an old tree. Legolas had searched for a weeping willow, the traditional tree to bury elves in, but even that solace was taken away from them. Instead, they had chosen a weathered oak, the wisest of tree-kind.

There was no great funeral. With slow, solemn movements, Foxface's talan was hoisted until it was bathed in the golden glow of the sun. Her final resting place would not be marred during the finale.

They stayed there some more minutes, their heads bowed to pay their respect to the girl. Even though she had mainly threatened them, never giving them a reason to trust her, she was still a girl, one who shouldn't have died in a silly Game. She should have lived...found a love... built a life. But it could not be, and now her body was cold and dead, even though the sun warmed her.

After what seemed an eternity, Legolas blinked and looked up. He noted that the sun had already covered a great distance. Gently, he laid his hand upon Aragorn's shoulder.

"Estel, we should go." His voice was soft, but the man didn't react. The elf frowned a little.

"Aragorn? Mellon nin." Slowly, his friend raised his head and looked at him. Legolas was shocked to read guilt in his eyes.

"It is my fault." His voice was hoarse. Legolas was stupefied.

"What?"

"It was my fault she died! I should not have brought these berries! I just had a feeling… it felt right to take them with me, even though I knew they were poison! I thought that perhaps… We could kill some mutts with them or do something, or I don't know! Valar, Legolas, what was I thinking?"

Legolas didn't know how to react. He had never seen his friend like this. It seemed Aragorn hadn't adapted as well as he wanted to the rules of the Games, and it was beginning to weigh upon him. Why had he not seen it before? Aragorn was a gentle soul! He would never hurt children.

Legolas did the first thing that came into his mind. In three quick steps, he had closed the distance between them, and enfolded the man in an embrace. He felt his friend stiffen for a moment, and he wondered whether he should adjust to the customs of men and let go of him, or to follow his heart and the way of the elves, offering solace by a touch. Before he could chose, however, the man relaxed, and accepted the warmth and support Legolas was giving him. His head rested upon the elven shoulder.

"Avo osto, mellon nin. Erui arad, I Capitol thell dambeth an sen. Im ù awartha gwaedh." (Do not fear my friend. One day, the Capitol will pay for this. I have not forgotten our oath.)

They stayed like that a few seconds, but in that short amount of time, Aragorn was consoled by the warmth of his friend and his smell, green and fresh as a forest after a summer's rain. He had known that smell as long as he could remember, and it comforted him now. Sighing, Aragorn pulled back, looking Legolas straight into the eye.

"Hannon lle, mellon nin." The elf just inclined his head, and smiled a little. More words were not needed.

Precisely at that moment, the sky darkened in a blink of an eye. Quickly, both friends spun around, their bows ready to fire at the foe that had obscured the sun. Their arrows found no mark though. They only caught the last glimmer of a fast descending sun before the golden globe left them, and they were alone. The sudden darkness struck heavily on the forest, and the silence, not a minute ago so peaceful, was now oppressive and threatening. Legolas looked at Aragorn with wide eyes.

"What is this forfell sorcery?" he whispered, aghast. Never before he had seen the sun comply to the wishes of an earthly man, and it frightened him. Aragorn remembered something Katniss had said, and smiled grimly.

"This, my friend, is the finale."

Okay, between this and two weeks the finale! Finally! Let me know what you think about it! :)

xXx Archiril