It just occurred to me that, in the movies, Haldir is killed. So…I guess for this story, that didn't happen. It's been a while since I read the books (I will reread them when school lets me), but I don't recall him dying in the books. Does anyone recall differently?

Chapter 5

The sound of tree branches knocking met delicate ears as Legolas walked Musica back to camp. Aragorn and Haldir had been standing to come locate the pair, which the Elf prince was glad had not occurred sooner. The rest of the camp remain in slumber, calming Legolas as Haldir's ears were the only ones that could have heard. The young girl's body was no longer held proud and confident, and tears were falling. 'It must have taken a lot of inner-strength to tell your sister good bye like that,' Legolas conceded. He watched as she resumed her resting place, curled up into a ball as she quietly cried herself to sleep. Aragorn motioned his long-time friend over, which had been expected. Light feet carried the prince to meet the king, and they sat together under the stars.

'Pray tell, Legolas, what happened out of our ears and sight?'

'I had thought she wanted to relieve herself, yet she began to speak to me in her tongue. I do not know what it is she said, but the emotions behind it were clear - homesickness, fear, loneliness,' Legolas lied as smoothly as he could, trying to put down their suspicions.

'It is understandable, then, for I was curious that she had never cried, and appeared naught but proud before us,' came Haldir's voice, though his eyes failed to lose their suspicions.

'It is fortunate, then,' Aragorn offered, 'that she has found it in her will to trust you, Legolas. Though our friends are amiable, I know that she made the right choice in a friend.'

Legolas offered his thanks for such praise, though he did not doubt Aragorn had suspicions as well. Perhaps the Man had let trust override caution in this instance.

'Rest well, Legolas,' Haldir bid. 'Two pairs of eyes and ears are enough for a night's watch.'

The young Elf made his way back towards Musica, laying down so that he could watch the stars. He had much to think on, from what the Riders had talked about, to their farewell, to the question of what would happen to their captive Rider. He tried to relax his mind, yet thoughts emerged uninvited. 'Will her people welcome her back if we were to release her? Would the others let her go without the balance of three lives? Would they kill her instead?' Such fitful concepts plagued his dreams, replacing the beauty of Valinor that he most often dreamed.

Legolas awoke without feeling rested. The party had begun to rise and prepare breakfast. Gimli was still sleeping, as Falma could not wake the Dwarf. Legolas smiled and went to wake his friend. The Dwarf was as resistant as ever, grunting as his consciousness was aroused. Legolas turned and glanced at Musica, awake and still thinking on last night's event. Her knees were held tight to her chest, cloak pulled about her. She accepted lembas and drink from Aragorn - it seemed he was trying offer a more visible friendship. Once again, the meal was finished, camp cleared and the horses fed and saddled. Uray offered to carry Musica on his horse, but a silent decline was made by the entire party.

'Legolas, why don't you take the girl,' Aragorn spoke up.

Legolas was caught off guard by Aragorn's prompting, though he nodded, accepting without a second thought. The party set out , Aragorn and Haldir riding beside him, Gimli (on his pony) before. The hairs on the back of Legolas's neck stood on end, telling him that one Elf in particular was not pleased. Musica physically relaxed, resting easily against him as she watched the trees fall away. Her ankle, he had been told, was mostly healed since she barely used it. The Elves began song again to pass the journey, their voices harmonizing in the morning air. Gimli later entertained them with a Dwarven tune, which Aragorn and Legolas accompanied him in. The Man, having heard the song before, changed the last few verses, poking fun at Gimli, son of Gloin, and laughter ensued. As the laughter fell away, a humming sensation was in Legolas' chest and ears. Every Elf had grown quiet as the notes met their ears. The tune had an eerie quality, and when the words were added, it held a strange power over them. Musica's voice was soft, but even Gimli did not strain to hear her. The tune was light and hopeful, giving Legolas the image of flying; even the horses had begun to step lighter, jotting more readily. When her voice rang the last note, the silence was met with smiles and appreciation.

Again, the day passed and the company stopped to make camp. Legolas helped the Rider dismount before he helped set about grooming the horses. A fire was made, food prepared, and general talk broke out. Thalion and Falma spoke eagerly of reaching Rivendell, as they had only ever resided in Mirkwood. Stories of the beauty of Rivendell were shared, speaking of the time before the Wars of the Ring. Night settled in, the stars appearing one by one. Aragorn had approached Legolas as he sat to enjoy a small dinner.

'Friend, tell me, do you feel Shadows pressing in? Haldir warns me he feels unsettled.'

'Aye, I have been thinking over that same thought. We near Rivendell, but it is not as protected as it once was. We have no idea how many of Sauron's forces remain, scattered as they are. Before we set out, I heard news that Saruman's were obliterated by Ents and Men alike.'

'Then what do you make of this Shadow?'

'Caution is never a mistake. Though we near Lord Elrond and the remaining Elves of Rivendell, Orcs know little fear, as you may clearly recall.'

Aragorn nodded his head, taking in these thoughts. He left to arrange the watches and converse with Haldir. Legolas sat by Musica, and they ate in silence, but it was clear from the way she looked at him that she appreciated the company. After eating, they both sat, propped up against two separate trees, watching the stars shimmering above them, and the Elf prince reached a state on contentment. Her ancestors had felt the pull of the sky, just as his heart felt towards the sea. As his mind rolled with the waves, Legolas fell peaceably to sleep.

Blue eyes cast up, watching the stars shimmer in their black space. Though she was deeply sorrowed, Musica could not help but feel at ease, leaning against a tree under such a star-filled night. She looked over at her friend to find his eyes unseeing and glassy. Her sadness, as great as it was, had mended at his presence. 'At least I have a friend in this strange world,' she thought. Eyes looked at the sky once more, imagining the Drakes as they flew through the clouds. As the moon made its pass through the sky, sleep evaded the Rider. Ahmette's motion to steal her away kept replaying in the girl's mind. 'Should I have taken her hand? Left the Elven party and resumed life back home? No…I would never forgive myself for such an underhanded action.' She continued to muse on the farewell, yearning to embrace her older sister and regretting that she had not done so. Even with the mind plagued, the body still had needs. Musica stood to relieve herself, wandering a short ways into the trees while the party slept.

As she returned, she saw an Elf approaching her, and her first thought was that she'd left without an escort, but that was not correct. Uray, the young Elf that had been eying her since the start, stood in her path to the clearing. Fear gripped her heart as he advanced further still, putting his hands upon her bare flesh and forcing her back against a tree. Her shrill cry was silenced as he covered her mouth. With her hands, she tried to push him away, hitting him as hard as she could. Her body writhed against him as he tried to assert control, bark scratching her back. Her fingers came across a hilt on his belt, which she withdrew and tried to force against his neck, but she was far weaker that he turned the blade against her. She bit his lip to force him to pull away.

'Yield,' she demanded, 'or I will kill myself.' The blade rested against her jugular, and she would rather die than live through his abuse.

Her words shocked him, at their meaning and at the knowledge that she spoke Common. 'Release her, Uray,' What colour she could see in his face paled further as Thalion spoke. The pressure vanished as he let go of the blade and stepped back. Musica could now see that most of the entire party was awake and near them.

'Uray,' came Haldir's stern voice, and the young Elf offered murderous eyes at the girl as he was summoned. Several pairs of eyes were on her, but they all turned to look at Aragorn with the same unspoken question, yet Aragorn was looking from her to Legolas. He stepped forward, at which she inwardly cringed.

'You speak our tongue?' His eyes were narrowed. She nodded her dark head. 'Say it,' he commanded.

'Yes.' Her body trembled under his gaze.

'Legolas,' Aragorn barked as he turned to face his comrade, 'how long have you known?'

'…The first meal she ate, she misspoke, revealing her words to me.'

'And you didn't think to tell us? To tell us something as important as that? Everyone here is desirous to know why five friends lay dead!' Legolas stood rooted to the spot in the face of a friend's wrath. 'I have lost faith in you for your words last night. You,' he said, turning back to the shaking girl, 'are going to answer some questions.'