2.8.21 Update: Revising these old chapters before I post new content this week. New Chapter *18* coming this week!

Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien.

AN: I know Legolas and Nina's conversation sort of took over the last chapter so I'm aiming to get some more Fellowship interaction in this chapter. Let me know what you think!

Happy Reading!

Chapter 6: Teasing and Training

Nina practically dragged Legolas back to the Fellowship's pavilion. They'd been gone for longer than she'd guessed and she could almost hear the teasing her brothers were no doubt planning. One look at Rumil's face as they passed him at his guard post cemented her fate. She only hoped they would wait until the prince wasn't listening. Once they were in sight of the pavilion she realized she was still holding Legolas' hand and dropped it quickly. This was the second time! The casual contact she was used to in the 21st century was not the norm here. She'd never even been a touchy feely person but the day to day contact she was used to was absent in most Middle Earth cultures from what she could tell. The last thing she needed was for a member of the fellowship to think she was even more of a freak.

"Welcome back sister," Nina practically flinched at the light tone from behind her. Orophin was definitely the quietest of her adoptive brothers but when he chose to get involved in teasing her he was by far the worst. "The company will dine together now that you've returned Legolas to them. Will you not join your brothers for the evening meal? You've neglected us since you felt their presence in the wood." Nina was glad her back was turned to Legolas and tried to fight down the blush.

"Of course. I'll meet you at your flet in a few moments." He nodded to her and retreated. At least they would barb her in private. She turned back to Legolas who wore a slightly confused expression.

"You knew when we entered the wood?" Even with foresight that was unusually exact.

"I know of everything that has happened from the time you arrived in Imaldris and all that will come after you leave here. Indeed I likely know more about the background of your companions than you do." She was trying to force levity in her voice but there was no way to phrase that fact without sounding at least a little like a stalker.

Catching wind of her growing anxiety Legolas shook off his surprise (would he ever stop being surprised by this elleth?) and teased back, "And what do you know of my background fair seer?" He smiled when she let out a soft laugh in relief.

"That… is a conversation for a different time. I'm going to be late for dinner!" Without warning she gave him another of her startling hugs and bolted off in the direction Orophin had gone earlier. He did not understand Nina. Was her occasional exuberance a trait she'd kept from her time as a human? He still couldn't quite wrap his head around the idea that she had not always been an elf. Of course her behavior was odd and she often used strange expressions but it was still surprising.

After watching her retreating figure turn out of sight Legolas sighed and walked back to the pavilion. Nina had shared the common story of her background with him so that if the Fellowship asked he had something he was allowed to tell him. She was from a land far to the East in this story. In her land the gift of foresight was almost nonexistent and so she was sent to Lady Galadriel for training but she was still mostly unpracticed. She had no family and would likely not return home as she loved her adoptive brothers and Lothlorien was beginning to feel like home. It was, for the most part, true.

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Aragorn chuckled under his breath as Legolas stood still in the middle of the clearing and watched the retreating figure of Nina. This was unexpected. In all his years of knowing the Ellon he'd never seen the prince take such a clear interest in knowing a female. The Ranger shook his head and rose to meet the elf as he finally came back to the pavilion. "You've been gone for quite some time my friend" there was no masking the teasing tone of his voice.

"I offended her in our earlier conversation. We had much to speak of. She is fascinating and quite unusual for an elleth." Any attempt on Legolas' part to downplay his interest failed miserably. His excitement was plain especially to one who knew him as well as Aragorn did.

"And she is quite beautiful is she not? I don't believe I've ever met an elf with black hair before." Aragorn wasn't so much trying to get a confession of more than friendly interest from Legolas but he wouldn't mind aggravating the tranquil elf just a bit.

"Aye she is quite beautiful. Her hair is one of the traits of her people I believe. But she is so young. Such comments are highly inappropriate" Legolas' protective censure was unusual and a bit more aggressive than Aragorn had expected. Perhaps Legolas did have a deeper interest in the girl. Should he continue to pry or let his friend tell him on his own? The stormy expression on the ellons' face kept Aragorn silent on the matter beyond a nod of acknowledgment.

"Come, let us join the others and eat before the hobbits and Gimli eat everything." Aragorn felt Legolas fall in step beside him and decided to let the elf stew over his thoughts for now. Nothing good would come of angering the ellon.

Throughout the meal it was almost as it had been on the road before losing Gandalf. The hobbits ate everything in sight, even putting Gimli to shame. Boromir was watching their antics with a lighter heart than Aragorn had seen in quite some time though he did notice that the Gondorian's eyes strayed to Frodo a bit more often than the others. Frodo himself was actually laughing, a sound Aragorn hadn't heard since Rivendell. Legolas was clearly still brooding but a few well-placed barbs from Gimli brought him back to bickering with his favorite debate partner (though of course neither would admit that the other was their 'favorite' anything). The elves had provided them with new bedrolls and the company began to settle down for sleep. Legolas fetched a pitcher of water and looked up at the trees startled as the elves of Lothlorien began to sing.

"A lament for Gandalf." Aragorn looked to his friend sadly as the words washed over him. This was a song of grieving and it seemed almost cruel that they should have to listen to it so soon after his demise.

Merry craned his head back and tried to pick out the figures of the elves who were clearly above and all around them among the trees. "What do they say about him?" He asked Legolas without thinking.

"I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near." Aragorn smiled sadly and nodded as Legolas motioned to him that he was going to join the singers. Being away from other elves had been hard on the prince. Perhaps some time in the community grieving would be good for him.

Sam piped up as Legolas faded from sight up the nearest tree "I bet they don't mention his fireworks. There should be a verse about them." Sam began to sing a little impromptu bit about Gandalf admittedly fantastic fireworks. Aragorn appreciated the sentiment and shoved Gimli as he pretended to snore and decided to speak with Boromir about his sudden reclusiveness to get away from the hobbit's and their memories of their departed friend.

"Take some rest. These borders are well-protected"

Boromir's voice was haunted and he turned his gaze to Aragorn reluctantly. "I will find no rest here. I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me 'Even now there is hope left.' But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope. My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing. And now our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right and I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored. Have you ever seen it Aragorn? The White tower of Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver. Its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?"

Aragorn answered hesitantly "I have seen the White City, long ago."

"One day, our paths will lead us there. And the tower guards shall take up the call: 'The Lords of Gondor have returned!'" Aragorn was deeply troubled by Boromir's sudden change of heart towards him and bid him goodnight. He did not see Galadriel at the edge of the clearing or hear Frodo rise to follow her. Aragorn allowed himself to be lulled by the peace of Lothlorien and fell into dreams for the first full night since they'd left Rivendell.

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Having been an only child in her world the experience of older brothers was still relatively new for Nina. Sometimes, like right now, she missed being free of the nuisance. When she climbed into the flet Haldir, Orophin, and Rumil shared Nina could practically feel them barely holding back from starting in on her. Deciding it was best to just get it over with she sat at the table and served herself some of the salad. "Alright, say whatever it is that is on your mind. I am ready" She closed her eyes and braced herself.

"It's very good to see you making such fast friends with the princeling sister. Has he proposed yet or are you going to wait until he returns from his quest?"

"You were gone for quite some time with him, little sister. Do I need to speak with the wood elf about the proper treatment of a Lothlorien elleth?"

"Indeed I'm shocked Orophin could tear you away to come eat with your family. We weren't sure hours on end hiding away in the garden would be enough."

It was about what she expected. Seriously, they wondered why she didn't have more friends. This kind of talk made any ellon leery of getting too close to her. They were ludicrously protective and even though they clearly KNEW nothing was going on between their sister and Legolas they would tease mercilessly. If it wasn't so well intentioned and she wasn't completely sure it was in jest Nina would have put a stop to it well before Legolas came along.

"I shall keep in mind for the future that I should be disagreeable and unpleasant to all males who speak with me. In fact I've probably been too familiar with the three of you and Lord Celeborn. Perhaps I should cloister myself and only speak to women. This of course will be a bit difficult since I've yet to meet a woman besides the Lady who speaks the common tongue…" She trailed off her tone teasing and the entire table erupted in laughter.

"You were upset when you left earlier. Have you and Legolas cleared up your misconceptions?" That was Haldir bringing the conversation back on safe ground, bless him.

"We spoke at length and I believe we have reached an understanding. There shouldn't be any miscommunication in the future." The meal continued with light banter between the siblings. Nina in particular was after Rumil that night for his continuing infatuation with Anaith (who Nina knew for a fact returned his regard but she wasn't going to tell him that).

She walked back to her flet slowly and tried her best to ignore the song for Gandalf. Was she going to feel guilty about all the pain those around her felt until he came back? Would they blame her for not telling them and sparing them from this? She felt like such an outsider whenever the community came together like this. She was welcome of course but the foreign customs and language barrier were still keeping her isolated to certain extent. Besides, grief to a human was so different that it was for elves. She'd grown up going to a funeral every few years. She was accustomed to death in a way that elves who never strayed beyond the borders of this haven could not be. They did not look at parents and grandparents and grow more aware with each year that age would take them.

Nina shook off her dark thoughts and sighed. She should become used to the sadness around her. Dark times were coming very soon. After preparing for bed and lying down she spared a few errant thoughts for the Mirkwood prince who did not seem to see her as the oddity so many in Lothlorien did before she slipped into dreams.

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Nina skipped her session with the mirror again the next morning. Something about the story line going on right in front of her made the visions the mirror provided less appealing; besides Rumil promised her the previous evening that he'd shoot with her in the morning. She dressed in the leggings and tunic she preferred over the gowns Galadriel always tried to push on her and ran towards the training field with her bow and quiver.

The sight that greeted her shouldn't have been such a surprise. She knew from her world that Legolas was renowned for his archery but seeing him in action was beyond words. All elves were graceful but Legolas's smooth movements as he grabbed an arrow from his quiver, knocked it, and shot it directly into the center of the farthest target in his lane in less time than it would have taken to blink. His obvious comfort with his body and the bow which was all but a part of it was enviable. She could match Rumil shot for shot and he was arguably the best archer in the Galadhrim but the Mirkwood prince would put her to shame.

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves she set herself up at the lane on the opposite end of the archery field and tried to ignore the crowd that had gathered by Legolas. After a few shaky shots she found her rhythm and before she knew it Nina was hitting the center in a respectable cluster with every arrow. In this new body she was constantly having to unlearn her old habits and require some basic skills. She found herself absorbed with fully inhabiting the nock, pull, draw of process, sliding her feet into a better stance, loosening her grip, refocusing on how the bow felt with her new body. She was so wrapped up in her rhythm she didn't even notice that she had company. When she reached back for an arrow and her hand met empty air Nina sighed and finally felt the sensation on the back of her neck from being watched. When she turned she expected to find Rumil who would no doubt have some 'constructive' criticism for her. When it was the prince instead of her brother Nina snapped her mouth shut and bit back the slew of sarcastic comments she had planned.

"Good morning Legolas" she took a beat to pull herself back together. Just what she needed, the best archer in the realm watching her work.

"You're very good at that. In fact, I think you could make Rumil nervous in a match." Compliments were unexpected. Rumil and her teacher back in her realm had been quick to lead with the criticism and only add encouragement when it was clear her drive was flagging. That was a method she was used to. It reminded her that there was always room for improvement.

"He still beats me nine times out of ten but to see his face when I do manage to out shoot him is worth the humiliation every other time. I think my brothers are thankful that I'm barely passable with a blade. It gives them something all of them can mock me for." Legolas laughed and Nina felt herself smiling in response. Now if she could just keep her nerves under control maybe she could make her escape and come back to train after she found Rumil- who was quite late.

As if he'd heard her musings Legolas spoke up, "I ran into Rumil on my way here this morning. He said you two were going to train but he's been called away to patrol. I volunteered to come in his place if that is alright by you." Well there went that plan. Nina wasn't quite sure where all of these nerves were coming from. Last night they had been comfortable in each other's presence. Perhaps it was everything her brothers had teased her about and how, when she thought about it, there was a bit of a basis for their mocking. Her interest in Legolas went a bit beyond the bounds of her interest in the Fellowship as a whole and there was no denying that he was one of the most attractive men she'd ever seen in either world.

"You don't have to do that Legolas! I don't want you wasting your time on me." Maybe he would take the hint and she could collect herself before finding him later to apologize for her frazzled behavior. From the smile on his face however, she wasn't going to be that lucky.

"I don't mind at all. Aragorn is giving the others a tour so in reality you are saving me from endless hours of boredom." That startled a laugh out of her and she conceded.

"Alright. But I warn you, I've been training with Rumil since I got here and I haven't made any progress. I'm fairly certain I've reached as far as my potential goes."

"Absolutely not! You have talent and you're quite good now but your form is strange and I think with a few adjustments we can have you splitting arrows in no time." To be able to harness such accuracy on command, to shoot at a level she'd only seen Legolas accomplish, that would be amazing. Sill though, she retained a kernel of doubt that he might have just a bit too much faith in her.

"If you say so. So, show me what I'm doing wrong." They walked together to gather her arrows from the target and Legolas spent a few moments studying their placement. As they walked back along the field Nina realized they were alone now that the prince had stopped putting his skill on display and couldn't help but be thankful for the privacy.

Legolas had her get into her stance and began his alterations. "Your stance is odd; I think you are not as balanced as you could be if you placed a bit more weight to the back. As a human you probably needed to brace against the shift you'd need to draw the bow but you are stronger now and lighter. You have to be centered or your accuracy will suffer." He had her knock and arrow and draw it and just before she released it he spoke, "Freeze there." Her muscles froze in response and she turned to look at him. "Your shoulder is tense just before your release. Not only does it shift your aim but it's a tell for when you are going to fire. Now put the arrow back and try again with the corrections."

Once she reset Nina got back into position and shifted her weight back and forth a bit trying to find that magical middle Legolas spoke of. Each time she thought she felt it, she lost it. After a moment she felt hands on her hips and jumped in surprise. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you! I just wanted to help'' He pulled his hands from her as if burnt the moment she'd jumped and now looked truly contrite.

"It's fine," she said as she took a deep breath and settled back into position and forced her racing heart to calm as he replaced his hands and moved her into a stance where she could feel her balance was perfect. "I was just surprised. I don't think anyone's touched me to adjust my stance since I started martial arts as a child"

"What is martial arts?" Legolas asked as she raised her hand to draw an arrow.

"It's actually several schools fighting styles mostly from the same region of my world." She knocked the arrow and drew it back again, taking aim.

Legolas's hand came to her shoulder and squeezed the muscle which she just realized had become tense. "Women in your world practiced hand to hand fighting? My experience around human women is that they are not allowed any sort of war training. Your shoulder must not tense. The shot must be an extension of the movement to gather and place the arrow. Make it flow." He released her and she put the arrow back again.

"Most women in my world don't fight but we are allowed to do whatever we wish. Men may still be the dominant gender in most respects but it is against the law to discriminate against someone because of their gender." This time she found the stance after a moment with Legolas' help and turned her draw into a fluid motion, releasing the arrow before her muscle had time to tense. It hit dead center.

"Better" he said, answering her grin of victory. "Now do it again" And so she did. Many, many times. Almost two hours later Nina was beginning to regret letting the ellon teach her. He was a perfectionist and a bit of a slave driver. By the time she was released her arms were sore, her head hurt from concentrating, her aim was markedly better, and her earlier anxiety about Legolas' presence had faded completely from her mind. She made plans to join the fellowship for their noon meal when Aragorn and the others returned before making her escape. A long hot bath was definitely needed if she intended to have use of her muscles later on.

AN: Look for the next chapter at the end of the week. Thanks for reading!