~My mask, worn as a disguise. My mask, made to hide. Hide from the past, from the shame. Run from all that remains, the lies, the monster inside. My mask.~

Legolas waited impatiently outside the door, but if anyone were to look upon him the would see the usual stone faced elf, showing none of his true emotions. Arwen had arrived moments ago, just after he had arrived with a few fellow Mirkwood elves, with Frodo. She had briefly explained what happened before leaving to take Frodo to the healers. Legolas wished to be the one to bring the horses to Aragorn, and find out more about what had happened for himself. He had thought up plenty of perfectly acceptable reasons for Elrond to allow him to go, he would argue that the ringwraiths could still be out there and his skills as a warrior would be an asset, as well as being a familiar face for Aragorn. When the door finally opened Arwen left the room and Legolas quickly stepped inside, prepared to give his little speech.

Elrond raised his hand first, as if to stop him from even speaking, "Lle aa' auta" (You may go.)

Legolas practically ran from the room and out to the stables where he readied the horses, the only proof of his impatience lingering in the stables; he had forgotten a horse. He rode swiftly, making good time. Only stopping briefly to allow the horses a respite for food and water. Legolas was still quite far away when his elven eyes spotted Aragorn and the hobbits, his eyes glanced fleetingly over each hobbit coming to rest on a woman. He was thoroughly surprised, first by her being there, then by her clothes, and lastly her appearance. She walked with the unnatural grace of elves, and though he could not see her ears, the curves of her body spoke of an distinctly different origin. Her long raven hair was pulled up into a bun but a few strands fell out in small curls, also unlike the straightness that elvish hair retained, yet some part of him felt...Legolas shook his head, he didn't know what he felt.

As Legolas approached the group he turned his attention to Aragorn, "Aaye, mellon." (Hail, friend.)

Aragorn smiled upon seeing him, "Nae saian luume' mellonamin" (It has been too long my friend.)

"Arwen entule yassen Frodo, mani marte?" (Arwen returned with Frodo, what happened?)

"Lye nae cronhe ed' Nazgul. Re dagore yassen sen nan' eller nae nir' re ereb. Iire amin entule, Frodo naa harwaa ed' morgul hyanda." (We were attacked by Nazgul. She battled with them but there were too many for her alone. When I returned, Frodo was wounded by a morgul blade.)

Legolas nodded in understanding, though he was deeply surprised to see the woman still standing after having attempted to fight of a Nazgul. Aragorn's grim expression slowly faded, "Mani naa lle umien sinome?" (What are you doing here?)

"Amin caela rokko ten' lle, nan' amin aa' caela demade rokko e' amin hort." (I have horses for you, though I may have forgotten a horse in my hurry.) Aragorn chuckled and began helping the hobbits onto their horses. After Aragorn was on his own horse he turned towards the woman, Legolas watched her take a swift step back, her eyes darting from the horses then back to Aragorn, she is afraid of horses, he mused.

"No, that's okay. I'll pass. Besides," Legolas watched her take a steadying breath, "there are only four horses and there are five of us. I'll just walk."

"You cannot just walk." He was almost amused at the idea of it. "You'll just have to ride with one of the hobbits." Legolas watched two hobbits smiled while the third, slightly larger hobbit seemed intently focused on not falling off the horse. He watched her make the same assertion with her eyes. She shook her head, "No," she said almost too quickly, "no, I can't."

Legolas watched amused, whilst making the decision for her. He gently nudged his horse forward and scooped her up of the ground. She made an unusual noise and Legolas was careful to not laugh, or drop her, while she wiggled against him, clearly not wanting to be on the horse. As soon as she was seated he felt her tense and she scooted back until she was flush against him, this time it was his turn to tense. She squeaked and moved forward again and Legolas turned hearing Aragorn chuckling at the display. Legolas was glad that Aragorn had been more focused on the woman than on his own reaction to being in such close proximity with her.

Feeling the urge to ease her panic, Legolas leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Uuma dela." (Don't worry.) Legolas smiled as some of her tension released and she eased into the seat. As they moved steadily along she ease more, becoming more familiar with the movements, that is until they picked up the pace. She pressed herself against Legolas and one hand grabbed a fistful of his pants. His hands tightened on the reigns, feeling much more tense than before he took a deep breath. As he did so he felt her shaking against him. She's terrified, Legolas removed one hand from the reigns and wrapped it securely around her, trying to remain in a respectable position so as not to unnerve her further. Her other hand moved to cling onto his arm and Legolas was overcome with an unusual feeling. He was happy that he had helped.

XXX

Legolas watched her take in the sight of Imladris and waited patiently. Only when he shifted slightly, did she notice that she was still clinging to him. Once untangled he gracefully dismounted the horse and helped her down afterwards. Though she was not exactly short he still towered above her, her head barely higher than his shoulders. When she looked up at him he was entranced by her eyes, they were the most vividly beautiful blue he had ever seen, he stood before her watching her eyes studying him, trying to ascertain the emotions held behind them. Her eyes darted back and forth and he noticed her breathing change slightly, she was in the process of releasing a slow breath when Aragorn appeared beside her and startled her.

"This is my friend, Legolas," he said, introducing her to him. Legolas bowed respectfully, "Legolas Greenleaf." Aragorn turned back to Legolas and said, "This is Aislinn, she-

"Actually," the woman said, looking down at her hands, "that's not my name. I-I mean it is, just not my first name." She looked up at them slowly, giving a weak smile. "My name is Rosalva Aislinn D'Ambrosio."

Legolas stared at her, his face masking all emotion and Aragorn just nodded, not seeming at all displeased with her for not telling him her real name. Legolas took a step forward, "I have never heard that name before." He hadn't actually asked a question but she responded with the answer all the same.

"It's Italian," she said, Legolas blinked, he had no idea what that meant, "uh, it means rose of dawn."

"Aragorn," Estel said.

"What?" Rosa asked, confused.

"My name," he explained, "it is Aragorn."

She smiled. "Oh. I know," she said, receiving a raised eyebrow from Aragorn and Legolas's mask remained firmly in place but underneath it he was bubbling with questions and suspicions, "uh, so, where to now?" She said, turning away from them.

"I'd imagine that you would like a real bed, warm food, a bath maybe?" Aragorn said, teasingly.

She glanced down at herself and Legolas took a moment to study her as well, the strange clothing was torn and dirty, her hair looked tousled by the wind and her face did indeed look like it needed washing, but all the dirt did not keep Legolas from noticing her less than subtle beauty, though it was far different from the regal fairness of an elf. Her hair, though similar in color to many of the elves of Imladris, held curls where an elf's would not. Her skin, though unblemished and smooth was slightly darker than and elf's and her lips and cheeks held the red color of a rose. Legolas thought back to what she had said her name meant and smiled, it seemed fitting. His eyes trailed down her body, which is where the largest difference was, elves were tall and thin framed by nature, while she as tall as a female elf, she had much wider hips and a bosom that was much larger than any elvish woman could claim to have. He torn his eyes away from her body and up to her eyes again. When she thought no one was looking the light seemed to fade from them, becoming a more greyish blue, and they took on a haunted look.

"Well, you don't look so fantastic yourself." She said smiling playfully. Legolas heard the hobbits snickering behind them and tried not to laugh himself. Aragorn chuckled and lead them up the steps where he spoke quickly to some more elves.

They lead Rosalva and the hobbits away to the rooms in which they would stay, while Aragorn and Legolas walked to meet Elrond. They had received word that Gandalf would be arriving the next day and that the day after Frodo awoke, a council of elves, men and dwarves would be held to decide the fate of the ring.

Once their meeting was over Aragorn excused himself to go clean up, and of course meet with Arwen later, Legolas thought to himself.

XXX

Legolas thought of the events that had occurred earlier while he made his way to the great hall. Who was that strange woman? Why was she with Aragorn and the hobbits? Why did he get this strange feeling whenever she was near? He mulled over the questions and decided that he would seek out Aragorn after their meal, to find answers.

Legolas rose from his seat when Elrond and Aragorn entered the room, his gaze fell to the right and saw Rosalva was with them. He sucked in a deep breath, he had noticed her beauty before but it hadn't phased him, many elves were beautiful and mere beauty alone was a common sight for him, but as she stood there Legolas thought that she could easily surpass all the elvish women he had ever laid eyes upon. The dress she wore accentuated her body without revealing anything, the color of it offsetting her eyes, to that same vivid blue he had seen before. Her hair, now clean and freshly brushed was no longer in a bun, but flowed freely down her back, with sections braided in attempt to keep it from falling into her face. Legolas looked away, seeing now that he was one of many who had noticed her. She smiled towards the hobbits and walked over to sit when them. Once she had sat down Legolas did the same, watching her out of the corner of his eyes.

He tensed when he saw the twins approach her, they were well known for their mischief. He watched as they introduced themselves and sat on either side of her, Legolas noticed the glances they shared and knew the twins were up to something, he decided then and there that he would be her self appointed guardian for the rest of their stay in Rivendell, to make sure the twins didn't succeed with...whatever they were planning.

After the meal Rosa wandered out to the gardens, Legolas stayed back watching from afar. It wasn't until he saw her speaking with Boromir that he felt the need to step in, as he lifted his foot to intervene, he felt a hand around his arm. He turned to see Arwen, she smiled.

"Amin atar merna quen a' lle." (My father wishes to speak to you.) Legolas cast one more glance over his shoulder and followed her to Lord Elrond.

XXX

When he was done speaking with Lord Elrond, Legolas left quietly and roamed the halls, feeling restless. He heard someone sigh and quickly turned round a corner. When his eyes rested on Rosa he stopped and watched her quietly.

"I'm hopeless."

Legolas stepped forward, revealing himself, "May I be of assistance?"

Rosa jumped, "Oh sweet Mary mother of God," she yelped.

"I did not mean to startle you," Legolas said, stepping towards her. He watched her take a large step back and felt a pang of hurt, Does she not trust me?

"It's fine," she said watching Legolas warily, "I-I'm lost," she admitted, hanging her head in shame.

Legolas put up his stone mask before saying, "It's this way."

Rosa looked up, "What?"'

"Your room," Legolas said before turning and walking away. Rosa sprung forward, following quickly behind him, almost walking into him when he slowed.

"Thank you," she said when they reached her room.

"Ta nae amin saesa, farewell." (It was my pleasure)

He watched her retreat into her room and felt worse than before. When Aragorn walked out only moments later her raised his eyebrow to him, "Mani naa lle umien?"

(What are you doing?)

"Elrond wished to speak to her alone, come mellonamin, we have much to catch up on." (my friend)


A/N: Well, what'd ya think? Did you like it? I hadn't originally planned on writing this chapter but when I wrote the last chapter I wanted to make him appear to be like a stone cold elf, never know what they are thinking or feeling but in this chapter, since it's Legolas' POV you get to find out what's going on under that stone mask of his. I will have more chapters ahead in his POV but it will mostly be Rosa's...annnnnnywaaaayyyy please R&R and thank you to all favorites and followings, hopefully that means you're enjoying the story so far :)