A/N First fight in this ch. Thank you to all my readers!

Another week passed and I found myself enjoying the Fellowship's company more often than not, I tried to spend the most time with Aragorn and Boromir, I had lived so long among Elves I wanted human companionship. Aragorn was an easy conversationalist. When I would happen upon him he would often tell me of his love, it was strange how comfortable he felt with me to tell me of his feelings for an Elleth I've never met. The Golden Wood brought back many memories for him.

He didn't tell me the weight of the world rested on his shoulders but I knew that's how he felt.

"Dargan told me you both can see the future." He said carefully.

"Yes," I rested my hand on his shoulder and looked him directly in the eye, "All will work out."

"You are sure of it?" His voice was vulnerable and not that of the scruffy man I met.

"Do not lose hope, my friend." His spirit seemed renewed by that and the old Aragorn returned.

Boromir too opened up easily to me, he told me of Gondor, how beautiful his homeland was this time of year. When he spoke, there was a certain gravitas to his words. It's not just the wisdom that comes with age, but the authenticity of someone who has weathered storms and emerged stronger. I find myself listening intently to his stories, curious to hear the experiences that have shaped him into the man he was.

Dargan clung to Frodo, he empathized with him, and they both didn't quite fit in. I felt myself distancing myself from him, preparing for his departure. Anticipatory grief, it's the grief that comes with knowing the loss will come, pre-mourning mourning if you will. And that's what I felt, I definitely was moping now, I was angry and confused. How could the Fellowship accept him so wholeheartedly? What did he say to them for every member to be on board?

I tried to avoid Legolas as much as I could, he made me nervous, I even stopped the training with him due to my discomfort. If he was disappointed or relieved he didn't show either emotion. But he was always nearby, even when I thought I was alone I would see a flash of blonde in the corner of my vision and soon he would approach with some form of polite conversation.

"Lady Calliope, it's a beautiful day out," he said once when I wasn't hiding in my talan. That in turn caused me to turn around and continue hiding in my talan.

Another time I was speaking with Aragorn, we were speaking about music, when a familiar voice piped from across the field an input on the conversation. Aragorn was the worst when it happened; he would always smile and invite Legolas to talk with us then after so long excuse himself so I would be stuck with the Elf.

"Have you heard the song of Beren and Lúthien?" He asked once after Aragorn had ditched us.

I shook my head expecting him to tell me about it instead he began singing. He sang in Elvish in a deep baritone voice, the depth of which made my knees weak.

So I did what I thought was logical, I painstakingly waited until he was finished singing, it was perhaps the longest song I've ever heard. I tried not to watch him as he sang, and instead faced the trees trying desperately to focus on the leaves.

When he finished I also did the most logical thing I could do, "Thank you for sharing that with me, goodbye."

I couldn't be polite with him, not when I found him so attractive, not when I had impure thoughts about him.

But in just a few hours I wouldn't be able to escape him, in just about 30 minutes there would be a celebration in honor of the Fellowship held in Galadriel's garden. Mabeth arrived earlier to help me dress as I had nothing suited. She dressed me in a light green dress that hung off my shoulders, the cleavage was noticeable, I think it would not have been if I had not chosen to wear one of the bras I had sewn. Mabeth made no comment for or against it; she did however make several curious comments concerning my body hair. It was embarrassing, I knew she wasn't trying to be rude, like all Elves she was simply curious.

"Is it painful?" She asked quietly pointing toward my armpit.

"What? Why would it be painful?"

I was thankful she did not observe any other part of my body that held hair or those conversations would have perhaps been mortifying enough to kill me. The bra I wore was strapless and tight fitting but it was better than nothing which is how many of the Elleth dressed. The lacing at the back of the dress cinched my waist and made my chest stand out even more. It did not help how short I was either, with only the hobbits and the dwarf being shorter than me everyone else needed to look down at me to speak to me.

"Do you have another dress maybe?" I asked feeling insecure.

"There are none short enough and not enough time to hem a new one, you look beautiful, I know you feel out of place in a dress, but you look beautiful." She reassured. However it wasn't the dress that bothered me, but the cleavage.

"I can assure you the prince won't be able to take his eyes off of you with you wearing this." I felt myself flush at her comment. "Boromir is the Steward's son, not a prince," I corrected her. Boromir was attractive and the thought of him looking at me made blood rush to my face.

She looked at me blankly, "Let's do something with that hair."

She decided to leave it down instead of braiding it, letting it fall down my back in graceful waves. When everything was done and ready we linked arms and made our way together to the garden. She still treated me the same, most of the other Elves though have acted strangely the last week or so, avoiding any physical contact. But Mabeth didn't and for that I was thankful. She wore a similarly styled dress to my own but hers was a light gray, most of the Elves here dressed in gray tones.

When we arrived there was already music playing and drinking and merriment. We were late, but fashionably of course.

The gardens of the Golden Wood at night, illuminated by the softly glowing leaves of the mallorn trees, transformed into an enchanting dreamscape. As the silvery moonlight filtered through the leaves, it painted a scene of ethereal beauty and tranquility. The leaves of the mallorn trees emitted a gentle, otherworldly luminescence, casting a soft, silvery glow throughout the gardens. There was no need for lanterns or firelight.

Pippin and Merry were the first ones I found, they were both arguing about something as I approached.

Pippin gasped as he looked up and held his hand over his heart dramatically, "I've been struck, Merry!" Merry turned and noticed me as well and fell over himself with the same notation of dramatics.

"You don't think I look too silly?" I asked in a small voice my hands fiddled with the fabric nervously.

"My Lady," A deep voice spoke behind me causing me to startle, I turned around and met the owner's eyes. "You look anything but silly." Boromir bent low grabbing my hand that was fiddling with my dress and held it in his.

I didn't feel butterflies or the vibrations and buzzing I felt with Legolas but there was an attraction and there was a connection. Boromir didn't look at me as if I was a disease or like I was an interesting pet. He looked at me like I was human.

Crystalline fountains and serene streams, now bathed in the gentle glow, seemed like pathways to another realm. The waters mirrored the luminous leaves, creating reflections that seemed to merge the boundaries between earth and sky. He led me away from the two hobbits and toward the music and dancing Elves. He didn't ask for permission either, that was also a breath of fresh air in comparison to the Elves. The Elves always tread so lightly with us, I never felt I could actually be their friend. How could you be someone's friend when they treat you like a house guest? When they do everything you wish?

"Did you make this as well? It's different than your normal style." He gestured to my dress as we both fell into dance across from each other. It was a simple dance; two steps to the right, four steps to the left, it repeated then we circled each other and moved to the right to a new partner.

"No, Mabeth found it for me. It definitely is out of my comfort zone," I laughed out, "I have no pockets to put anything!"

He laughed along with me as we circled each other.

Then I faced my new partner, Orophin. My heart sank. He had avoided me the last week, he was never anything but kind but he felt distant. His eyes widened and briefly settled on my cleavage before looking back up and staring intently at my face.

"Orophin have I offended you?" I asked bluntly.

"No, mellon nin!" He answered with emotion as if he were offended I even needed to ask.

I remained quiet the rest of the dance, and when it came time to change partners I excused myself to find a drink. There were many Elves around serving wine of different kinds. I grabbed the nearest wineglass and tipped it back chugging the contents. It wasn't long before I began to feel the effects and soon felt bold enough to chug another and another.

"Calico, you look weird," Dargan said once.

He was wearing gray, like most of the Elves here. His hair had grown since being in Middle-Earth it was once cropped and if it touched his ear he seemed to itch with tension. But now it was much longer than I've ever seen it, he looked like a 1950s greaser. We both looked weird I'm sure.

"Yeah, I do huh?" I grinned goofily. His eyes looked tired and droopy as if he too had partaken in too much wine.

"Do you think if we ate the leaves we would glow like fireflies?" He gestured toward the canopy of glowing leaves.

I laughed so hard I could barely catch my breath.

I saw Barasil then and marched toward him, he stood on the outskirts of the party, he held a wineglass in his hand, and was leaning against a tree. His eyes roved my body as I approached, his eyes darkened and his jaw clenched. "Hello Barasil," I slurred. He maintained eye contact with me, even when I was looking elsewhere he stared in the direction of my eyes.

"How much have you drank Little Seer? Our wine is much stronger than Man's." I stumbled toward him; he attempted to take a step back but was already backed into a tree.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you are pretty?" I babbled reaching for his face. He froze and remained completely still.

"Everyone here is so pretty. Is that why I'm treated so differently? Because my skin is ugly?" I was caressing his cheek now.

"You are not ugly!" He argued, his eyes drifting toward my cleavage as he looked down at me.

"Then why don't you and Orophin or anyone else touch me anymore? Everyone treats me like a disease. The only one who still touches me is Mabeth!" I lamented waving my arm dramatically in the air almost swatting at him.

He laughed a hearty laugh, "Believe me if you were not already claimed I would be touching you right now."

"I don't know what that means," I yelled in reply. Before he could answer I stumbled away from him. "I will eat the leaves, and I will glow too." I nodded enthusiastically to myself.

He called after me but I ignored him. Barasil thought I was ugly and a disease just like the rest of the Elves. My feet found the music again even though I was far from it and alone. But still, I gripped my skirts and twirled. I spun several times before I began to stumble and tilt toward the ground.

Two arms wrapped around me and I hummed in contentment. "My Lady, allow me to walk you back to your talan, Barasil told me how much wine you seem to have had." I turned around to the owner of the voice and the arms that held me steady. It was Legolas. He took in a sharp breath as I turned to face him and his grip on my waist tightened.

"You still touch me," I stated.

He looked at me confused; his eyes bore into my own. "Do you not wish for me to touch you?"

I leaned into him resting my hands against his chest, "I love you touching me, but don't tell Legolas it's a secret."

He began rubbing my back, his large hands trailed up and down causing me to shiver and squirm against him. "Why is it a secret?" He asked softly.

I didn't answer, instead, I hummed against his chest, almost purring like a cat over the way he stroked my back.

"Why did you wish to stop training?" He asked in an even softer voice.

"Because you were touching me." I shivered against him.

I pulled away suddenly; his hands came up to my shoulders to hold me steady. "My lady," he trailed off as I emptied my stomach onto his boots.

oOo

I groaned holding my head. I didn't remember anything from the night before. I had never drank that much ever. Dargan and I had drank here and there but neither one of us liked going to the bars and we never drank enough to get drunk. We went to a fancy wine-tasting event once together. My coworker gifted me tickets for my birthday one year and I couldn't find a date so after much prodding Dargan came with me. He dressed in a complete Monopoly man outfit with a detachable mustache and monocle. "Yes, yes quite." He muttered swirling the glass around.

All of the other tables would stare at us with disgust; several Karens even requested we get removed for the disturbance to the tranquil atmosphere we caused.

Thinking of him and our adventures made me even more bitter toward him. How could he leave me? Every fond memory I have involves him in some sort, I put other friendships on the side and prioritized his needs. Even back home I didn't really have anyone else other than Dargan.

I didn't leave the talan until well past midday, I didn't even want to leave it but Mabeth hadn't come by and I knew I needed to eat to help my hangover. I scowled at the sun as I made my way toward the dining hall; the new green leaves were beginning to poke through the branches replacing the golden ones. I wore a cloak with the hood as far down as it would reach and still, I wished for sunglasses.

The dining hall was far too loud, and there were too many in there. Couldn't they go somewhere else? Didn't they have other things to do? I had only just sat down and began nursing my hangover with small nibbles of bread and sips of water when two cheerful hobbits sat down across from me.

"You missed breakfast," Merry stated.

Another plate was set down next to me and then it seemed the entire fellowship invited itself to my table.

"Are you well milady?" Boromir asked, he was seated next to Pippin.

"Lass needs an ale. The best cure for drunkenness." Gimli added gruffly. Then the table exploded in conversation over what all of them did for hangovers. Merry and Pippin agreed with Gimli stating a pint would cure all my woes, while Boromir and Aragorn had more interesting remedies from pickled vegetables to stranger methods like submerging myself in cold water, which I had no plan to do.

"Dwarves approach our libations with solemnity. We savor each sip and ne'er let the merriment overtake us." Gimli stated acting as if he were the expert on the matter, causing all of us to burst into laughter.

"I don't believe I've ever seen you just sip an ale," Aragorn teased.

"Milady, when you are finished I'd have means to speak with you." Legolas stood quietly and walked toward the exit, he was the only one who didn't add hangover treatment or contribute to the conversation at all.

I felt my blood run cold; did I do something improper last night? That feeling sobered me more than any of their suggestions could have and I all but ran after him leaving my plate and the fellowship behind without an explanation.

He stood by one of the pillars his head leaned back as he basked in the sunlight, when he saw me approach he straightened and met me along the path. "Would you care to walk with me?" He asked.

I nodded; my head began to throb again either from the movement or the glaring sunlight. He seemed to read my mind and expression because he led me to a small alcove within one of the gardens, there was a stone bench surrounded by vines and shrubbery, a hidden oasis from the sun. He parted the vines with his arm allowing me to step under him and into the space and take a seat on the bench. He sat next to me and then faced me our knees touched slightly.

"I wish to know you more." He stated plainly.

I fidgeted awkwardly, why were Elves like this? Why were they so curious? Does he feel the awkward tension he just created? Are they immune to it?

"Ok…" I trailed off swallowing. "It's not contagious, it doesn't hurt, I can't control it." I began listing the normal answers to questions Elves often asked when they wished to know more about me.

He nodded slowly his expression was blank. "I'm sure Dargan has spoken to you of it, or would if you asked him." I continued babbling, my palms rubbing against my pants as I leaned closer toward him.

"I'm not used to how you Elves see me, where I'm from the men there compare me to a cow, not starlight." I smiled in a self-deprecating sort of way.

"Because they wish to eat you as the Easterlings?" He asked, his voice held a genuine curiosity, as if he couldn't fathom any other reason for them to compare me to a cow.

I blinked, "No… it wasn't like that." I puffed out a breath trying to quickly change the subject, "Lothlórien is beautiful, I've never been anywhere like it."

"What is your home like?" He asked in the same gentle voice I've noticed he only uses with me. I looked up and met his eyes, "It's so different. It's a place where not a star twinkles in the night sky, but the cities and towns are lit themselves, brightly enough to be seen from far away."

I frowned, "Everything is more private as well, every home has its own bathing equipment and kitchen, there isn't any sense of community. You don't need to hunt for meals either, there's a store on every corner, and if you wish to not interact with anyone you can get anything you want delivered to your door."

My breath caught in my throat as I met his eyes again and I felt wave after wave of homesickness. Could I even return? The plan was to go back when Dargan came back, but what if we couldn't?

"Will you keep Dargan safe for me?" I squeaked, his hands reached out and grabbed mine holding them in my lap. "You have my word,"

I took several raggedy breaths before I tried speaking again, "How did he convince you to let him join the fellowship?" His hands were calloused and rough to the touch but held mine so gently. It wasn't a romantic touch; at least I do not think it was. All of the other Elves were touchy, or at least they were before.

His brows were furrowed as he looked down at me, "Boromir thought him a sorcerer, he still might. When he approached us, he spouted off dates and facts, lineages, things about each of us we didn't even know of each other." His lips quirked into a small smile, "Then he announced he would be joining us. Gimli, Boromir, and I were apprehensive." He paused gauging my reaction, "We all heard the Lady's voice in our minds then, and it was settled."

I smiled thinking about how bewildered they would have been to see a random man walking up to them telling them of their history as they're tired and worn out from travel. "Has he told you any of the future?" I asked. I was no longer on the verge of crying and felt childish holding his hands. I was going to be a hospice nurse! I was going to comfort others not need comforting myself!

"No, and I wish not to know it."

We sat in comfortable silence for several moments; he looked beautiful in the dappled sunlight that peaked through the vines. I felt myself leaning in almost under a spell but stopped myself when I realized what I was doing. Legolas was not only a member of the fellowship he was an innocent Elf, and I cannot ruin what acquaintance we have with dumb feelings. I pulled back and pulled my hands away from his in the same instance. I instantly wanted to cry at the lack of contact, the way it felt when we touched wasn't quite electricity but perhaps the closest thing they have in Middle-Earth to it. At first it felt exciting, exhilarating even but then after a while it became a gentle pulse it became a comfort. It felt like we belonged together in a strange way.

I slapped my hands against my knees and cleared my throat, "What is your home like?"

He narrowed his eyes slightly as if I were a puzzle he was trying to figure out. Could he tell I was about to kiss him? Could he tell what he did to me?

He leaned back placing his palms behind his head and began telling me in detail of the Greenwood, which to me sounded like the ugly stepsister to the Golden Wood. Instead of glowing trees and sentinels standing guard, Legolas described a forest with a canopy so thick you cannot see at the bottom, spiders bigger than a man that will eat you if given a chance.

"You have a real talent for combat; I would be honored to continue teaching you what I can while I'm here." He said carefully after we had discussed all the ins and outs of his home. I found myself asking him many questions, mostly about how they were able to see with it being so dark, Elven vision didn't make sense to me.

I smiled sheepishly, "I only really started training to support Dargan, I don't like violence."

I glanced at his blank expression and quickly added, "Thank you for the offer, you are a skilled teacher."

"I pray it is a skill you never need to put into use, but basic combat is essential for even Elleth who wish to travel between the realms."

I shook my head quickly, "I don't want to hurt anyone." It was true, Middle-Earth was different but that didn't mean I needed to be different.

"Your enemy holds no such sentiment," his voice was still gentle but the tone had changed to one of bitterness.

"I have no enemies; I have no qualms with anyone." I felt my voice rise in volume slightly; it felt like he was speaking to me as if I were a dumb child. "I took a pledge; I pledged beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and respect, and even if I am not a part of that world anymore I will honor that pledge." My voice was low as I finished speaking.

"Yrch take pleasure in all cruel and wicked acts; they do evil deeds for amusement, purely for the sport of it." His blank expression was quickly turning into a scowl. I felt like a chastised child.

I stood up quickly matching his scowl with one of my own, "Perhaps you should find a new student I'm not interested, thank you."

He sighed loudly as I parted the vines and stepped out into the sunlight, he almost reminded me of a human. I've never seen an Elf frustrated. But I was too annoyed to turn around and stare curiously at him like the child he was treating me like so I walked away.

I wasn't stupid; I knew it was different here. I knew if I had plan to go anywhere I needed to defend myself, but I don't plan to go anywhere but back home. I didn't even want to come here, so who did he think he was trying to force his lessons on me?

I kicked a pebble angrily and began grumbling to myself as a giant force collided with my back. I yelped in surprise as my balance teetered and I fell the ground. The ground met my back with a gentle, mossy embrace, and I gasped in surprise, my heart racing. It was Legolas. He lay beside me on the ground, he had his elbow bent propping his head up lazily with a hand.

"Did you push me?!" I growled, his blue eyes twinkled in triumph. So what was he trying to do, prove a point?

I stood up on shaky legs and held my chin high as I walked passed him, ignoring him completely. He would not get a reaction out of me.

Again a force from behind collided with me and sent me sprawling onto the ground below. When I looked around for my attacker all I saw was a comfortable Legolas, lying on his back yawning.

"Stop pushing me down!" I hissed at him, this time I didn't stand up and turn my back on him, I crawled to where he laid and got in his face when I spoke.

"Your pledges seem to do very well for you Lady Calliope." He rolled onto his side lazily facing me.

"Now you mock me because I don't wish to be taught by you?!" My voice was a low whisper now, "Tell me Prince, how does it feel to be denied?" I taunted.

He was suddenly on top of me; his hands gripped my wrists, his body weight pressed into mine. "Do you know what a Yrch would do to you?" His tone wasn't one he ever used with me before and I began to feel afraid. The way he held my wrists wasn't painful nor was his weight, I should have been flustered or aroused even but I was nothing but angry. He was the only Elf who did not do what I asked.

"Do you know what they would do?!" He asked again, his eyes were dark and his hair fell in almost a halo around his head.

"Stop regarding me as a foolish child! Do you assault everyone who doesn't wish to be taught by the great Legolas?" I scrunched my face in defiance. If my wrists weren't held I would have slapped him, which would have gone against everything I just told him I stood for, but I would have, and it would have felt good.

"You are acting as one." His lips were so close to mine, I felt the heat of his entire body on my own.

"And you are acting like an arrogant prince who has never been told no before. Oh wow someone who holds a different opinion! Let's tackle them into submission!" I huffed out a breath glaring at him. "Get off of me,"

He opened his mouth and I could tell from his expression he was going to throw an insult at me, I held his eye contact in defiance. Perhaps the reason I don't remember much of what Dargan said of Legolas was because of how unlikable he truly was.

"Legolas," Legolas froze then quickly scrambled off of me and looked to the owner of the voice with a blank expression. I stood and dusted myself off trying to maintain a façade of dignity and hide my blushing face, I looked toward my savior. "Thank you Aragorn,"

"Aragorn Se sinte vamme ósanwe" [She knows not reason.]

"Man Gar- man torne" [who was holding who down?]

"Mana na- se Ceri- ana nin?" [What is she doing to me?]

Aragorn sighed and began speaking in a dialect I had no hope of understanding. I hated how little Elvish I've been able to pick up on. I'm better at understanding vs speaking however and it's come in handy when Elves talk around me and think I don't understand.

I walked away red-faced and craving nothing but violence. Why did he do this to me? Later on in the day Aragorn found me alone.

I was sitting on a bench by one of the fountains in the garden, I was hunched over uncomfortably as I tried and failed to braid my hair. I could do a basic braid fine, but was inept compared to the Elves.

"I'd like to apologize for Legolas's behavior earlier," his voice broke the silence causing me to look up and meet his eyes.

I scooted on the bench and gestured for him to sit down, "He can apologize if he wants to," I grumbled childishly.

"His thoughts have been… distracted as of late." He sat down resting his elbows on his legs. "Tensions or divisions weaken our resolve and our ability to face the challenges that lie ahead. We will be leaving in but a few days,"

I knew what he was saying before he even finished saying it. I was added stress for Legolas; I was added stress for the Fellowship. "-Legolas is a dear friend and comrade of mine and his heart is committed to our quest. We must mend these divisions and move forward with unity and purpose."

He spoke diplomatically like a true king and leader. "I didn't do anything but tell him no!" I spoke up defensively.

"A distracted mind has no place on the battlefield Calliope," He sighed, "You two must solve your dispute before we leave."

He changed the subject immediately after that, and we began speaking as old friends again. But the tension was still there, the tension that I would need to walk on eggshells and bend to Legolas's will so as not to add extra stress before they left. I would have to apologize, even though I wasn't sorry.