Hi everyone, a thousand apologies for taking so long with a update. a little warning however, this turned out a bit sappier than I would have liked but maybe you won't mind. Enjoy!

"You can no longer wait for the Wizard." Strider said to Natasha though the hobbits could hear it very well. "They are coming."

Chapter 15

Four hobbits stared wide eyed with interest at the two Big Folk as they spoke in rushed Elvish, even Frodo's understanding of the language, even Frodo's understanding of the language not allowing him to decipher the meaning of their word. Natasha and Strider had been arguing for a while now, though neither raised their voice and the hobbits had decided, seeing as how they were likely in for a wait, they might as well be comfortable, climbing up onto the bed, Merry and Pippin almost immediately falling asleep, while Frodo and Sam remained awake to await the results of the debate.

"Strider, we've been travelling a day and a half with no rest." Natasha argued, her eyes pleading. "If we don't rest now, the hobbits will collapse on the road and then where would we be?"

"It's too dangerous." Strider persisted, looking away as the look in her eyes pulled at his heart. "We just can't risk Frodo falling into their hands."

"Which he will if he collapses and we accidentally leave him behind or they catch up with us while one of us carries him. One nit is all I'm asking for. We all need it, even you. I can feel how tired you are. We'll stay in this room. We're safer if we stay together."

Sighing in defeat, Strider's shoulders slumped as he headed out the door. The abrupt end in conversation startled Merry and Pippin awake, who'd fallen asleep sometime during the argument. Frodo raised questioning eyes, waiting patiently for Natasha to collect her thoughts.

"We'll be staying here tonight. Here, as in this room. Don't lave for any reason. Strider and I will be back shortly with our belongings."

Natasha closed the door behind her, magically sealing it to prevent anyone or thing from getting gin or out. Safely out of view of curious hobbit eyes, Natasha threw her arms around Strider, squeezing with all her might.

"I missed you, mellon-nin." she whispered in his ear before bouncing lightly down the hall.

Strider followed much more subdued, his mind swirling with so many thoughts, it was almost too difficult to tell where one started and the other stopped. Eventually however, his mind flashed back to the night after Natasha had left with Gandalf.

FLASHBACK

"Estel what is the matter? You haven't been this quiet since you were a child." Legolas asked, caressing his lover's brow, pushing an unruly strand of hair out of the younger elf's grey eyes.

"Melethron, you know I love you with all my heart, do you not?" Estel replied, clasping his archer's delicate yet strong hands in his own.

"Yes beloved. I know, as I love you with all mine. But what…" Estel stopped him with a finger to his lops, his own brows knitting together in frustration as he fought for words.

"It is Natasha." he finally whispered. "I cannot seem to get her out of my head. There are feelings there…feelings I've only ever felt when I'm with you. Feelings that told me you were the one the Valar wanted me to be with.

Legolas sat in silence as his love struggled for words but as his worries were laid bare, the archer couldn't help the rush of excitement in his belly.

"You want her, as you have me." he stated quietly, trying to keep his enthusiasm out of his voice.

"Yes." strider admitted, covering his face with his hands.

"You're not the only one." Legolas grinned and waited for his words to sink in.

It took a moment, but soon Estel's head shot up, eyes filled with confusion.

"You're not alone in your feelings, my love. For she has been on my mind too." Legolas chuckled softly, kissing Estel's lips lightly.

"She has?"

"Oh yes." the blond winked. "Now the question is, what, if anything, do we do about it?"

Both searched the other's eyes and a decision was made. No words were needed and none were spoken for quite some time after that.

END FLASHBACK

Strider smiled lovingly at the memory and hurried to catch up to Natasha who was all ready in her and the hobbits' rooms downstairs, packs waiting on the bed. Natasha herself was rooting around under the bed, providing a surprised ranger with a delightful view.

"Aha! There's the little piece of…" Natasha exclaimed, crawling out from under the furniture.

"Did you lose something?"

"Only my cloak pin." Natasha smiled, pinning her cloak so that it sat nicely. "Well, we'd better get back to the hobbits."

With a load of packs each, they headed back upstairs.

"I've missed you as well." Strider said, leaning down to her ear as Natasha released the locking spell. "As does Legolas."

Swinging the door open, Natasha smiled at him and his world seemed to get brighter. The hobbits ended the moment, relieving the Big Folk of the packs and returning to the bed. Resealing the door, both Big Folk settled into chairs to wait out the night.

Outside, the storm continued to rage. Lightning lit the room briefly before plunging it back into darkness once more. Through most of the night however, the hobbits slept, leaving the human and the elf alone with their thoughts.