Wow! Another chapter for my wonderful readers! Thanks for all the reviews! I can't believe I'm already at 64 reviews! Thank you all so much! I love you all 3

In this chapter we get some of Legolas's POV (even though it's in third person) Anonymous, this is for you!

WARNING: There are also things that are a bit darker and more adult in this chapter, so read at your own risk. Nothing too graphic but enough so you can understand what's happening.

NOTE: The italics are a memory. Sorry if it's confusing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 8:

"I'm going to go find Merry and Pippin." I told Eomer after having a long conversation with him.

We had had to stand close together to hear each other above the noise and at one point I saw Legolas glaring at us. It was as if I wasn't allowed to be around Eomer, or maybe Eomer wasn't allowed to be around me. His constant looks were bothering me and in that moment, I decided he could deal with whatever anger he was feeling for me on his own time. I stepped closer to Eomer, showing Legolas that he didn't own me. He turned away and didn't look back at us for the rest of the celebration.

"Alright," Eomer said, looking a little disappointed. "I should try and find Eowyn anyways."

"See you later," I told him. He looked a little confused at the way I said goodbye but he accepted it nonetheless.

As I walked away, I glanced around the room. I spotted Legolas as I moved through the crowd and suddenly I couldn't breathe and the room seemed too small. The smell of liquor was too prominent and there were too many people. I needed to get out. I changed my direction to leave the room and only breathed normally again once I was outside. I held my sides and leaned against the wall, breathing deeply and wondering what had inspired the almost panic attack.

A few moments later a man stumbled out. He was maybe 50 years old and I suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable. He spotted me and moved towards me, a drunken smile on his face. I moved away, my back hitting the wall.

"Hello," he said, standing too close for comfort. "What's your name?" his words were slurred and the smell of ale was distinct on his breath. I turned my head.

"That's really not any of your business." I said.

"Oh really?" he was touching my face now, moving my hair to see me better. I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling extreme fear. The panic was back and worse than before. My breathing was shallow and I felt as if I didn't have enough space. A memory broke the surface.

"Aren't you a pretty young thing?"

"You're beautiful," the man whispered, putting his face close to mine. I let out a bit of a whimper.

"Come here," I didn't respond. "Come here!"

He grabbed my waist and pulled me to him.

"Leave me alone!" I tried to get away but his grip was tight.

I felt his hand between my legs.

"Stop," I whimpered. "I want you to stop."

All I heard was a laugh.

"You're going to be mine, tonight." The drunken man whispered in my ear. I felt hot tears on my cheek.

"You're mine."

He pulled me into a rough kiss I couldn't escape from. His lips tasted of liquor and there was only lust in the kiss. He pushed his tongue into my mouth. More tears spilled over and down my cheeks.

He was touching my chest now.

"Stop!" I said. "Please!"

I needed to get away. My memory was mixing with reality and I couldn't deal with either. The man broke the kiss and I took my chance.

"Help!" I screamed.

"Shut up wench!" the man said, striking me across the face. The pain that I felt was much better compared to what had been happening before.

The man advanced towards me and grabbed me again.

"You're going to be a good girl and do everything I say." He told me, his face again too close. I tried to push him away but he was too strong.

His hands were on my bottom now.

He was touching me everywhere.

My head hurt. I couldn't breathe. I was terrified.

Suddenly I saw a hand reach out and punch the man in the face. He fell to the ground unconscious and I could breathe once more, though it came out in shallow gasps. I was sobbing and hugging my chest. I backed away from the dark figure that was now coming towards me. My back was touching the wall again and my eyes were closed. I whimpered as I felt hands grip my shoulders.

"Estrella," came a soothing voice. "Estrella! It's alright!" I opened my eyes to see Legolas holding my arms.

I collapsed in relief and sobbed into his arms. He just held me, waiting until I calmed down, his hand stroking my hair.

"It's alright," he whispered. "I won't let anything happen to you."

I eventually managed to get my breathing under control. I hated that I had had such a moment of weakness. The experience itself wasn't too horrible if I hadn't linked it with memories. I now knew why men over 50 frightened me. I guess being molested by someone of that age does that to you. I pushed the thought away and focused on Legolas.

"Can you walk?" he asked. I felt too weak to do anything at that moment so I shook my head.

"I don't think I can," I managed to get out. He nodded and wrapped his arms around me, lifting me up bridal style. I blushed slightly but leaned into him without meaning to.

"I'm going to take you somewhere to rest," he informed me, not looking down at me.

He brought me back inside. I buried my face into his chest, unable to look at anyone. I heard him talking to Eomer who was asking what happened. Legolas explained quietly and asked if I could have Eowyn's room for the night. Eomer agreed without any persuasion and told him to get me out of the main hall as soon as possible after giving him directions to the room. I felt a hand on my hair and I looked up to see Eomer.

"Are you alright?" the concern in his eyes and voice was evident. I managed a small nod and he removed his hand from my head and let us leave. Once we left the main hall we went down a corridor and into a room. Legolas placed me on the bed and hesitated for a moment before turning to leave.

"Stay!" I heard my own voice say but I couldn't remember actually forming the words. My hand had gripped his wrist and was holding him in place. He looked at me curiously. "Please. Don't leave."

His gaze softened and he nodded. I tugged at his wrist a bit and pulled him onto the bed. He seemed slightly surprised but he didn't object, just sat stiffly on his side. I let go of his wrist and turned my back to him, slowly drifting off to sleep.

Legolas's POV:

This girl confused him. She made him feel emotions he never had before, such as jealousy. He might as well admit it. He resented the time she spent with Eomer, the way she smiled at him and joked with such ease. He wasn't sure why but he knew the feeling was there. She also made him angry. Angry at himself for reacting so strongly to her when he was usually so indifferent to everyone. Angry that she could have such an effect on him even though he barely knew her. And, as much as he didn't want to admit it, he was somewhat in awe of her. He found himself wondering about what was going on inside her head, her thoughts. His eyes were constantly drawn to her and he felt the need to gain her approval, which is probably why he had been so determined to win the drinking contest. He also sometimes forgot what he was doing for a moment or where he was when he saw her or heard her rich laugh like he had earlier.

He heard a soft sigh and Estrella turned towards him, her golden hair falling over her face. He had the strange urge to reach out and move it away from her cheek but he stopped himself, instead deciding to lie down next to her fully, as to see her better.

To his surprise she leaned into him and nuzzled her face into his neck, her breath against his collarbone. He couldn't move and for a moment he forgot how to breathe. Eventually he managed to calm himself down and relax, getting used to having her body so close to his. That is, until she moved her head slightly and her lips grazed a tender spot on his neck. He inhaled sharply, wondering at the strange feeling that had shot through him. Luckily she did not wake up at the noise and once more he was able to relax.

She was unlike the women he knew. She had a mysterious air that was not practiced or something she strived for. She seemed completely unaware of it, which just made him want to know more. She was beautiful but not like the elf maidens he had met. They were obviously gorgeous but this girl had a quieter sort of beauty. One that made you want to know her for her, not for her looks. She seemed intelligent and he could see the humor in her eyes that made her get along so well with Merry and Pippin. She was also kind and caring as and far as he could see, she was a fighter. He didn't know if she could actually swing a sword or shoot an arrow but her attitude was stubborn without being rude or selfish.

He stared at her, lying so peacefully next to him. You would've never been able to guess the ordeal she had gone through earlier by the look of serenity on her face. He had guessed that there had been something more going on than just a man making horrific advancements on her but he wasn't about to push her after that. She would tell him if and when she was ready.

Just then a yell brought him out of his thoughts, causing Estrella's eyes to snap open and both of them to shoot up. They looked at each other.

"Merry," they both said before rushing out of the room.

Love it? Hate it? PLEASE REVIEW and tell me what you think! I would love to hear it and reviews mean more chapters for you! Do you like it? Did I do Legolas's point of view alright? Is it moving along well enough? Tell me your thoughts! Also we learned that Estrella was molested as a child, which might make her a bit uncomfortable around men. Anyways, thoughts?

~Liliana