I grasp the back of his shoulders suddenly, yelling, "Aragorn!" and then laughing after he flinches.

He chuckles. "Why try to frighten me, Vilora?"

"Because it's funny," I say like he should already know that. "Watch." I walk up behind Gimli who is in a deep conversation with Éomer. My hands grab his shoulders quickly at the same time I say, "Gimli!"

But the dwarf is so frightened he spits out the ale in his mouth and all over Éomer.

I hear the two hobbits start bursting into laughter and I hear Aragorn snickering behind me. I can't help but laugh as well as Éomer stands to his feet looking disgusted.

"Eh sorry," I laugh.

"That's alright. None of us were prepared for that," he sighs, wiping ale off his face.

"Do you want me to get you a towel?"

"It's alright—"

"Good I wasn't gonna get you one anyway."

He frowns at me, looking offended but I just start giggling.

He sighs and shakes his head.

I grab some food and sit with the others.

I had changed my clothes when I came back inside to a loose, white shirt with big sleeves but tight cuffs, under a red leather vest with broad shoulders that buckles in the middle of the stomach but still flatters my figure. I wear my same grey cotton trousers and the amber boots from Mirkwood.

My hair was tangled and wet but I ran my fingers through it until it set right, the small waves coming back.

"Pippin," I say and he looks up at me as I hold a grape.

He smiles and then opens his mouth. I toss it across the table and it hits his eye.

"Nice aim," Éomer says in front of me.

I stomp on his toe.

"Aagh," he complains.

I pluck another grape and try again. This time he catches it perfectly in his mouth. Merry lifts up his arms and cheers. I laugh.

Then when I see smoke I look to the left of me at Aragorn with a pipe in his mouth.

I tear it from him saying, "Put that out dog!" I wave it in his face. "This is a smoking free zone."

He looks at me with an insulted frown at first but then laughs and tries to take it back. I hand it to him and chuckle.

But then I catch him looking at me weirdly.

"What?" I ask.

"You seem rather joyful, more than usual," he says with a cute smirk.

I shrug but look back at my plate, biting my lip.

Just then I see Legolas enter the room. He does that smile with his eyes and his lips curve subtly. But I look down, trying not to let my cheeks turn bright red.

I play with the remains of my food.

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That night I lie in bed staring at the ceiling, my heart beating in my ears. I look over to where Legolas sleeps and see that he is doing the same, staring into the wooden timbers. The others are passed out. I still wear my shirt and vest that actually was quiet comfortable.

But I try to dismiss my feelings. Remember what I had said? I need to protect my heart. It's out there now where he could stab it if he wished and I would die. I try to tell myself this but inside my head is screaming, telling myself different things. But when I quiet them I listen to the whisper... the whisper that says that I don't need to worry, that I don't need to protect my heart from him, that He has already given me his and I should do the same.

But I can't. I can't do that. Why not? What would be so bad if he knew the real me? Well he already knows the real me. And I can't change that now.

But something else scares me. Something that says that his fate will meet like that of Ryohnin... and I will lose him as well...

The argument plays in my head until I fall asleep.

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I hear voices and noises in my slumber. My eyelids slowly open to realize that it is early morning but the sun has not yet risen. And the voice is Merry. He says Pippin's name frantically but in a whisper. But I hear a thump just then and my eyes are wide open, a frown crossing my face as I lift my head and see what is going on.

Young Pippin is on his back on the ground, holding the palantir (Saruman's black orb) as Merry shouts his name. But the orb is now a fire red, resembling... a large eye of some sort, with a black slit of a pupil. Sauron.

Pippin looks as if he cannot let go of the orb. It has taken a hold of him, possessed him. He screams but there is no sound coming from the hobbit's mouth as he flops and gasps like a fish out of water.

I jump to my feet and my eyes flash to my left. The only other ones in here are Gandalf and Gimli.

"Gandalf!" I say in worry, not knowing what to do. My eyes cannot even lock on the sphere without sending thoughts through my head, thoughts of terror, and not only that.

Just then the door behind me that leads outside bursts open, Aragorn and Legolas running into the room. Aragorn runs to the hobbit and without thinking, takes the palantir from him. Legolas tries to catch the man as he falls to his knees, not able to let go like the halfling. But he does and the evil black orb rolls to the other side of the room.

Gandalf is up now and he runs, tossing a cloak over the palantir as it roles, cutting all eyes from it.

"Fool of a Took!" he says to Peregrin as he whips around.

But Merry kneels over the hobbit and he doesn't move, staring into nothing.

I hold my breath.

The white wizard looks scared and he runs to the hobbit, knocking Merry aside and placing a hand on his forehead. He closes his eyes and whispers something, perhaps a spell.

Aragorn still tries to breathe and Legolas still has a hand on his shoulder.

I run to Pippin and Gandalf, kneeling down beside them.

Suddenly the halfling gasps for breath and his eyes move once again, Gandalf's hand resting on the hobbit's cheek.

But I cannot help but feel relieved. For a second I think we thought we had lost him.

"Look at me," Gandalf says frantically but also quietly.

He looks at the wizard, frightened. "Gandalf," he mumbles under his breath. "Forgive me." His eyes wonder.

"Look at me," Gandalf says louder and he obeys. "What did you see?" he asks firmly.

He tries to recall the vision with pain. "...A tree," he finally says. "There was a white tree in a courtyard of stone... It was dead. The city was burning."

Gandalf widens his eyes. "Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?"

He hesitates. "I saw..." he looks terribly frightened. "I saw him."

Gandalf looks horrified.

Legolas and I exchange a frightful expression.

"I could hear his voice in my head," Pippin whispers.

"And what did you tell him?"

He shuts his eyes and tries to erase the memory.

"Speak," Gandalf says in fear.

"He asked me my name. I didn't answer... He hurt me."

"What did you tell him about Frodo and the ring?" the wizard asks in terrified manner.

Pippin stares with a look of sheer panic.

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"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes," Gandalf tells the king, pacing back and forth.

We met him in the great hall just as the sun has risen. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas are standing here with us at the fire pit along with Merry and Pippin who sit a ways back. "A fool... but an honest fool he remains..." Gandalf sighs. "He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the ring... We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Hem's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

There is a moment of silence.

"Tell me..." King Théoden says calmly to Gandalf. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? To what do we owe Gondor?"

"Do you think they'll stop at Minas Tirith?" I ask. "After he takes that city Sauron will pick off every other kingdom in existence and yours is next."

He frowns at me slightly but not responding.

"That is unless you are willing to unit the armies and save your race."

The others are quiet.

"Rohan alone will not stop Sauron from destroying Minas Tirith," I say.

"She's right," Legolas says. "The armies of Mordor are at least a hundred times that of what Isengard was."

"...Send word to the other races of Middle Earth. Together we can defeat his armies once and for all," I continue to Gandalf.

"There is not enough time to get aid from lands that far. Minas Tirith will be long gone by then—"

"There's time for me," I approach him, tired of these people's excuses not to work together.

He lifts his chin slightly.

"I will bring back the armies of the elves, dwarves, and men. I will have them gather on the fields of Pelennor before the great city and we will take Sauron down. That bloody eye has watched these lands long enough," I grind my teeth. "The black armies of Mordor can be brought down by the kingdoms of these lands and their warriors. The races have had their difficulty getting along in the past but I believe they can unite and destroy all darkness."

Gandalf hesitates and thinks.

"Let me go. On my flying nazgul dragon I can get to these places quickly and be back before Gondor is overrun."

"You will go alone and convince all these kingdoms?" Gandalf asks in disbelief.

I hesitate and look down...

"Not alone," a voice says behind me. I turn my head to see Legolas walking up to stand at my side, eyeing Gandalf.

"And I will go to Gondor," Aragorn says.

"No," the wizard argues.

"They must be warned!" he says.

"They will be." He approaches the future king and whispers in his ear. "You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river and look to the black ships." Gandalf turns and raises his voice to speak to all of us. "Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith..." he turns to the hobbits. "And I will not be going alone." His eyes stick to Pippin's.

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I throw open my chest of belongings that I have had in Edoras. Everything I own in this world is in here... and it's not much. But I pack what I can into my satchel and carry the rest of my things outside and to where Morier rests in the shade. We didn't chain him up like Éomer suggested, worrying about the villagers. But I reassured him that he's harmless unless I command him to do something.

The dragon lifts his head from his sleep and his eyes open to look at me.

"Yala onna," I say to him and he stands up. "Get up, Morier." I walk to him and put my stuff down on the grass as his wings stretch out above my head. I begin to pack my armor into the saddle bags.

"You're leaving?" I hear someone say behind me.

I turn my head to see Éowyn standing there with a package in her hands.

"I am..." I turn around and secure my bindings on the saddle. "I fear I would not see any of you again. I might not come back if this war is as big as the White Wizard suggests. But I will die to save you and everyone in Middle Earth."

"As would I, Vilora. You know that..."

I turn around. "You can fight too, Éowyn. You know you can. You just have to be strong enough to face the authorities that give the consequences. And that being your uncle." I place a hand on her shoulder and she looks proud. "Just because you are a woman does not make you weak. You are just as strong if not stronger than those men, Éowyn. I believe that."

She smiles. Then she bows her head to say than you. "You are a good friend, Vilora. I shall miss you if either of us pass on... And I have a gift for you." She looks down at her hands, at something wrapped in cloth. She hands it to me and I am surprised at how light it is.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Lembas. Elvish bread form Lórien. It's nothing normal I assure you. They say one bite can fill the stomach of a grown man. It will be useful to you."

"How did you come by this?"

"It has been here for a long time. But Elven bread does not grow bad, my lady."

"Thank you very much, Éowyn. I may see you again."

"I hope so, my friend."

I smile and embrace her with a tight hug. That's when I catch Éomer waiting behind her.

She takes her leave and I wait for him to awkwardly walk up to me, clearing his throat. "This is goodbye, my lady," he makes a polite bow.

"Here we are again," I smirk kindly and bow my head subtly.

He chuckles. "Yes indeed. It was a pleasure getting to know you. Perhaps I will see you again someday."

"I do not know. Maybe someday. And until then I want you to find yourself a wife Éomer," I smile. "You are a good man. But I must leave now. Good luck."

He seems to know what I mean and he nods. "I will try," he smirks.

"Good. I wish you a happy life."

"Goodbye, my lady."

I bow and he walks away. But I return to hooking my weapons on my creature. I tie buckles and then put my satchel over my shoulder. Just then I see two blankets, rolled up, placed on the saddle. I look to my left at my companion who smiles at me sweetly; a look that says one thing: I will go with you always.

I put my hand on his shoulder and lean in, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek for saying thank you that he offered to travel with me.

He straps the blankets to the back of the dragon and then hops onto the saddle. I pack the bread into another sack and look up at him as he holds out a hand for me. "Are you coming?" he smiles.

"No, Legolas," I take his hand and jump onto the back as he chuckles.

Morier spreads his wings and I command him to take flight. The wings hit the ground beneath us, blowing grass into the air. I take a hold of the elf in front of me as not to fall off.

It leaps onto the boulder ahead with a roar, Legolas taking the reins quickly and wrapping his arm around them.

But my huge creature thrusts off the cliff that holds Edoras and catches itself by its great wings, gliding through the wind. They flap up and down, sending might gusts under us and we are off, heading towards the northern mountains. I may not see Éowyn and Éomer again but I will see Gandalf, Aragorn, and Gimli on Pelennor Fields before the city of Minas Tirith.

"Higher, Morier. We must travel in haste," I say.

My dragon climbs the air until the ground is far below us, Edoras looking like a tiny speck of a village on the hill.

"Where to first?" Legolas asks.

I pull out my map and unfold it, looking at the ink print. "Rhûn, a realm of men. They have an army of archers and scouts there.

"Then we should head northeast."

"Yeah but more east than north."

He makes my creature bank to the right slightly and we slowly make for our route. Clouds descend on us as we head higher into the skies, the white fog blocking our view of the lands below. Above us the sky is almost clear, shining bright blow with the sun kissing our skin.

"We'll only need to stop when he can't fly anymore to let him rest. Éowyn gave me Lembas bread for the journey so we won't need to hunt. But we will have to gather water," I say.

"I packed a leather flask of water," Legolas says.

"So did I. we should be good for today. But if we pass any fresh water springs we should refill."

"Agreed."

I fold up my map and slip it into the bag behind my calf, buttoning it tightly. I place a hand on my creature's slick skin. "Asca melloneamin," I tell it and he speeds up, slapping his wings at the air and making me grip around the elf's waist.

Silence takes us as we travel through the skies crowded with cloud, beams us sunlight shining through when able. I catch glimpses of the ground as we pass it slowly, heading east over the EntwashRiver.

"Why did you come with me?" I ask with my head resting against the top of his back by his shoulder.

"What do you mean, dear?"

"I would have expected you to either argue with Gandalf or not let me go..."

"Only if I did not agree with you."

"So you're not just trying to babysit me?" I smile amusingly.

He chuckles. "I want the same as you, Vil. I want us all to unite and defeat the evil..."

"That is what I want..." I think.

"I think all evil must come to an end someday."

"Hopefully that day will be soon. And hopefully we won't lose anymore loved ones..."

I feel his warm hand wrap around mine at his waist and I smile, closing my eyes.

By nightfall we reach the South Undeep river, turning north from Emyn Muil in order to get there. Legolas told me about that rocky maze of razor sharp stone that went on for miles. He said it was on the way to Mordor from where they once were in Lórien and said that the two hobbits, Frodo and Sam must have travelled through there.

"Do you think the halflings are still alive?" I ask Legolas as we camp under a large stone, fireless. And it is quite chilly. He and I sit against the rock, sharing Lembas.

"I believe that the young hobbits will get to Mordor. They are strong," but he speaks in a way that sounds like he had those words shoved down his throat by those wanting to hope.

"Do you really?"

He thinks but then he nods. "I do," he says looking at me. I can hear the belief in his voice this time. "Frodo is the strongest halfling I have met. And young Sam is brave. We would do all we can to keep Sauron from discovering them."

"How can we?"

"He's sending his armies against the race of men because he believes we are planning to use the ring of power against him. And he fears Aragorn. He fears what he might become. He does not see that we would have given the ring to a halfling and sent him into the backs of Mordor to destroy it. We will use that lack of knowledge to our advantage."

"Saruman knew of them... do you think he would have told Sauron?"

"I think if he had Sauron would have pursued him and would have the ring by now."

I nod... "And I don't think he would be trying to send out every army possible into Minas Tirith."

"Not every army. Hundreds of thousands is but a mere fragment of what lies behind the borders of the Black Gate."

I look down at my legs that prop up from the ground in thought... "We can do this... We are stronger than them." I shiver from the chill that runs down my spine from the breeze.

He unclips something to the right of me and then I feel warmth over my shoulders.

When my hands reach up I feel his cloak on me. I pull it around my arms and shiver again but from the warmth. I look up at him to see him cloak-less, staring ahead into the night, not even thinking twice about anything in return. But even if he doesn't I appreciate it and I rest my head on his shoulder and close my eyes.

"You are strong..." he continues our conversation. "Perhaps the strongest person I know."

"All my life I have acted stronger than I am. I am not as strong as you, or Aragorn... or even little Frodo."

"But you are, my darling. You are diamond. You cannot be broken. Race, age, none matter. What is in the soul is what defines us. You are a force to be reckoned with."

"Legolas..." I get up from his shoulder. "You spend all your time talking to me and others about how strong they are... how courageous, how brave... but you..."

He looks at me without a thought of himself in his eyes.

"You are incredible. Never once have I seen you tired, not helping, or even losing hope. You have spent the entire time I have known you, giving your life, your time, your strength to help others and defend those who cannot defend themselves, and without a thought of your own desires or complaints. You're not hesitant to give everything for anyone... How you have come to be this way I cannot say... but It's remarkable... and I do not deserve it."

He looks at me with gratefulness but more in a humble manner, giving me a curious and innocent eye. He doesn't know how to respond. "You deserve... everything..." he mumbles.

"Ugh there it is again! The selflessness!" I smile. "Why are you so perfect? Where's the catch?" I bite my lip and look out at the mountains.

"I'm sorry..." he starts innocently.

But I turn around and shove him on the ground, propping myself up over him. "Just shut up and kiss me."

He seems surprised but makes a shy smile revealing his subtle dimples. I lean in and wrap my lips around his. His hand touches the back of my head.

When we part it's silent and I start to crack up, falling on his chest and then rolling over to my back as he laughs as well.

We lie there beside each other, staring up at the stars with cheesy grins on our faces.

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I wake up when the sun just begins to rise. But all I see is his face in front of mine, eyes closed, peacefully sleeping, his flawless skin soft in the dim light.

I look down at my shoulder when I notice that his cloak is covering my body and smile, falling back asleep.

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Morning light creeps into my lids. I feel my eyebrows move slightly and I reach out in front of me, feeling just the grass under my fingers. Slowly I open my eyes, the sunrise hitting behind me and casting a long shadow of myself on the ground. My hand comes to under my head and I push my body up, remembering that we should be leaving.

I blink a few times and wake myself up. Then I pull the green cloak off my body and stand to my feet. I turn around to see Morier up and waiting for me. I dust the grass off me and walk over to him, folding the cloak in my hands. As a stroke him my companion comes around from the other side of him. He puts a package in the saddle and holds out his hand. I look down at it to see a small pinch of bread on his palm. I smile and pick up, slipping it into my mouth. "Thanks," I say.

He smiles as he fixes the saddle.

"Your cloak," I say handing it to him.

He smiles politely and unrolls it, attaching it back over his shoulders. "And what about the fell beast? Mustn't it eat?"

"Yeah I'll have to find like a rabbit or something. Can you shoot one down in the thick grass over there?" I gesture to the weeds where they would most likely burrow.

He looks at me hesitantly.

I lock eyes with him and wait until I finally sigh. "Alright I'll do it."

I pull my bow and arrows off the saddle and run past the beast. I look on the ground over the thick grasses in the area for a while.

Then I see one standing on its hind legs in the distance... I load an arrow quietly and then pull back. I aim carefully just as its brown ears twitch. I let my arrow fly and see the little creature tumble forward on the ground. A hit.

I race forward swiftly and pick up the thing with my arrow, through its neck. I carry it back to my partners at a distance to not get its blood on my clothes. I then fling it up, it slipping off the arrow and Morier catching it. He gobbles it into his mouth of teeth and swallows it almost whole.

Legolas looks either disgusted or sorrowful for the woodland creature. That's right, he's a vegetarian. Elves don't kill animals to eat them. He looks down with innocent eyes, wishing he hadn't seen that probably.

I almost smile but in a sorry way and attach my weapons back to my beast. Then I hope up on him. "Time to go," I say to my companion and the elf nods, leaping onto the back of the dragon in front of me and taking the reins.

"To the skies, Morier," I say.

The creature spreads its wings and takes off, leaping into the wind.

I get Legolas to open up as we fly over the hills. I get him to tell me about his past adventures in the three thousand years of existence, and all that has happened in Middle Earth during those years. I think this is most he has talked since I have known him. It's about time.

He also tells me stories of him and his ada when he was an elfling. That is interesting. It seems Thranduil has always been a bit hard but is gentle towards his son and protective of him in a way that speaks of how deep his love is for his little leaf.

I act as a good listener and ask questions throughout his stories. His past is pretty grim... like mine... except for me it was all crammed into twenty-three years of living.

But I keep the mood light, and keep pain from him by asking him of his exciting travels through Middle Earth and exploration.

I find out that he really likes to travel. And that he never wants to stay in one place. He says he does not like to be thought of as a prince but only to be known by the titles that he has achieved in his lifetime, messenger, archer, and warrior being his favorites I can tell. He cherishes children because they do not come often in the lives of the immortal. And he would like to have many of them but is hesitant because of the state the world is in right now and if it will get better or not. But he says if this war ends in our favor then he wishes to have a large family. And even a dog perhaps. There aren't many pets among the civilized elves but from his travels to Rhûn and the areas of men he has seen them take in working dogs and has found a liking to them, as they do to him. A lot of elves find a connection and love with animals. When he was little he would always bring home woodland creatures like ferrets, bunnies, fauns, and others. His father of course only let him keep a couple every now and then. I think that story is quite cute. It brings a warming blush to my cheeks when I think of Legolas having a soft spot for animals.

He tells me he has not revealed this much about himself to anyone else, that all his life he has been a prince and a warrior, with nothing but strive to do what is right and strategy on his mind... But I know that I have brought out a side to him that not even he has seen. He says when he's with me he feels relaxed and careless, and even goofy because of my silliness, finding the able to enjoy himself and enjoy company again. And I can say the same about him. Though I haven't revealed too much of my past to him (or anyone for that matter) I feel comfortable with him, like I could be happy again, which seems weird... but it is true.

After the sun sets we land down in the Brown Lands among small hills and plains and a few trees.

I sit under a tree letting the warm breeze flow through the leaves and against my skin chilled from the altitude.

Leaning against the bark with Legolas reminds me of the night we talked to each other in Mirkwood after we had known each other for only two days.

That was the night before he left... I can almost feel his lips against my knuckles again.

I glance over when I realize he has been staring at me for the past couple minutes and I hadn't even known. I don't question his gaze because his eyes say it all as they dance in my own and around my face, as if taking in ever tiny feature.

His eyes are so hypnotizing, so beautiful, holding infinite stories in the cerulean irises, like a deep ocean of years of wisdom, kindness, yet youth still, petrified inside him.

After a few minutes I look away, down at my hands as I try not to smile. My cheeks are glowing I just know it. "You stare like my beauty is as incredible as yours..." I mutter, not looking back up.

"No one comes close, Vilora."

That makes my stomach jump. It has not been the only compliment that he has given me. But it's the fact that he believes truly that no one is close to being as beautiful as I am. Never would such a statement be true unless someone loves the other with all their soul. That's what my mother told me when I was a child about my father... Could this be true? Does he love me?

"Alright now I know you're lying," I joke, smirking and looking up at him. But his eyes are stunned.

"I am not..." he mutters to me, still lost in my eyes.

My grin disappears and my eyes look like his...

This moment is more romantic than any kiss could be. I feel humbled but strong. I feel beautiful... which surprises me. Compared to all the elves he has seen who are already at least eighteen times as pretty as I am, and completely flawless, he really thinks I top them? All of them? Surely not...

I lighten the mood, trying to make him tell me the truth and confess that I am not stunning like his kin. "I think you are," I smile. "I mean surely all of the elven princesses you have been acquainted with. They must be mesmerizing—"

"Not like you—"

"Okay what about the sylvan she-elves?"

"They are not for me."

"And the average elf maidens?"

"None of them are like you—"

"How about the lowly ones?"

"Not close."

"Well what about other women? The ones you met in Rhȗn and the north? And the ones from Rohan?"

"You are more incredible than any other woman."

"Hobbits?"

"No."

"Dwarves?"

He starts chuckling.

I start to giggle. "You didn't say 'no'—"

"No Vilora!" he says with amusement.

That makes us laugh a little harder.

We sit like that for a while in amusement and then when we finally stop giggling I talk to him. "You know dwarves are not as bad as I had thought by the way. I think your father has a history with them like the others in the Woodland Realm. I mean I can definitely see how some could be obnoxious. But Gimli isn't bad. He's loyal, a good fighter, funny, and good company."

"Yes he is like a brother to me now, in a strange way," he frowns.

I smile. "Yes you compete like you are."

"You were playing with us, Vil, do not forget," he looks at me with a valid argument.

"After you two..." I state.

He chuckles.

I rest against the back of the tree.

"...Men are not as I suspected either for the longest time," he says after a few minutes. "I remember when I first met Aragorn almost sixty years ago. He had run from what he was meant to be. He was so young then... But I never thought I would call a man my best friend. But he is... ever since our meeting."

"...You never knew any other men before that?"

"Only a few that same year and I had professional dealings with some before throughout the years but vary rarely. The year I met Aragorn was the year I became acquainted with a man of Laketown and a few others."

Hearing him mention that place reminds me of the three men that... stayed in the Woodland Realm... and suddenly like a palantir all the memories flash back to me.

He continues. "I always thought men would be ignorant and quick to anger or foolishness. But I was wrong. They can be just as wise as us elves. Years do not make us better, but character and heart do..."

"Can we talk about something else?" I snap, the anxiety returning to me. I remember the fear and rage I felt against those men. I remember the one that knifed me when I was traveling through Cardolan. I raise my hand to hold where the scar is. My mind floods over those kinds of people.

I can feel Legolas looking at me with puzzlement and down to where I hold my arm.

"The men of the south are good people. But the men of the north are wild animals, taking what they wish would make them satisfied and not caring the pain it causes someone else," I say with anger as I look ahead of me.

Legolas doesn't say anything.

I stand up and cross my arms, walking away. I told myself I wouldn't tell anyone else about this humiliating and vulnerable moment I had...

But this voice I pay no attention to.

"Why do you say such things, Vilora?" he asks with concern, stepping up behind me to where I have stopped.

"It's true the men of Laketown and those who travel there are just heartless!" I hold back tears. "They have no thought of others! They are greedy and unkind and forceful and violent—"

"I have met some great men from Esgaroth, Vilora. Aragorn was—"

"They are dogs they almost raped me!" I say after I turn around with stiff legs and wrath in my voice despite the tears burning in my eyes.

Immediately he is silent, the wind around us not even making a single sound as he stands with shock on his face. Slowly complete heartbreak, almost worse than what I saw on his father's face when he watched Ryohnin die in my dream, spreads into his eyes and every part of his expression. Horror is in his eyes so deep it shatters my own heart. His perfect eyebrows are slouched away from his nose and his pupils are large and dark, filled with so much pure sympathy that there is no way to compare it with anything I've seen.

He is broken... even worse than how I felt after it happened.

"They beat me..." I say with a choke of tears after I shut my eyes and look down.

He hasn't said a word yet... still completely stunned.

The only sound in the still air is that of my breathing as I try not to break down.

I swallow and look around me, away from his face that kills me. A drop of salty water trails down my cheek.

The quiet makes me anxious and afraid again. But now I feel more vulnerable than I ever have with Legolas.

"Please just say something..." I say but my voice comes out in a shaking mutter. I look up at him as he stands with the same look on his face.

"...Is this... true?" he whispers, the pain holding his tone that makes my heart sink.

"...Yes," my tone matches his. "But they didn't—"

"Vilora what did they do to you?" he asks and takes a few steps forward.

I flatten my mouth to try and keep myself calm as I look away and sniff.

"If my ears do not deceive me they... they hurt you..."

"They attacked me when drunk."

"What did they do to you?" he approaches me and touches the spot where my scar is.

"They..." I wipe off the tear from my chin quickly as my voice breaks. "They kicked me and held me and tore off my tunic and trousers. I..."

"Did they make you impure?" he asks almost through clenched teeth. I don't know what the elves believe about being raped but from the signs it seems like they think it worse than death. And no elves would ever do such a thing even if they are pure evil.

"No."

"When did this happen?"

"It was after you left for Rivendell. I was in the Mirkwood halls late at night when these men that were staying in the realm—"

"So this happened on my father's watch?"

"No. no your father did not know of it until he did and he was the one who stopped it before... He saved me, Legolas. He threw the men from the realm after almost killing them and vowed he would if they returned. He took care of me like his own daughter or sister."

"No more would men stay in our realm. Those men... they should be—"

"No that's not what good people do. Even if they deserve it."

"Vil they cannot be forgiven they... You are a precious rose who shines like the sun and radiates kindness and purity. You..." he seems not able to find words for this pain, which surprises me... Legolas is always so poetic. But something clouds his mind.

I look up at him like a sad puppy.

After a long moment he looks down into my eyes. And his anger turns back to sympathy. I think he scores the pitiful baby animal look better than I.

He wraps his around me and pulls me in a comforting embrace. I let my hand come up under his shoulders and I bury my head against his chest. He cradles me close to him, his warmth making me feel better despite the tears that escape from my eye gradually; tears that aren't sure if they are shed because of my own sadness, or the sadness that I have just caused sweet Legolas to feel.

He doesn't speak. I don't think he has anything to say that would be more meaningful than his arms wrapped around me tighter than ever before and his head resting against mine and my shoulder. His hand holds the back of my hair and I think I even hear him cry just a little which makes me feel only one thing with him. He has so much care for me he would be this upset over something that just almost happened.

He is so precious to me now that I realize this... no one has ever cared so dearly for me before... ever. I want to stay in his embrace forever and never let him go...

I speak all these thoughts into three words that I mean with all my heart. "I love you..." I whimper, though sounding very sure of myself.

"...I love you too, Vilora," he responds, just as sure as I was, in a quiet but so sweet way that makes me infinitely happy in my soul even if the pain from this event is still roaming there inside me... I think this light has the power to shine out the darkness we have both endured.

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Light breaks through the few trees around us. The dawn casts golden across the plains that look a little like the lands of Rohan... but I suppose these fields are greener, though they become baron the closer they stretch to Mordor.

I don't see this until I open my eyes. I feel under my cheek a rising and falling; breathing. My hand rests on his stomach, my fingers feeling the worn fabric of his elven tunic just above his waist belt. My ear is against his chest and I can hear his heart beat calmly. We lie under the tree against the soft grass. The light from the sun hits his features perfectly, outlining his cute nose and his flawless lips... and those cheek bones.

I look up at the sleeping prince as we lay together. 'What would Thranduil think?'

I bite my lip and smile but look back when I see Morier up and ready to leave. It is dawn and we should hurry if we want to be back in time. I sigh inside and regretfully place my lips on his cheek to wake him before I grin and stand up.

Immediately he breathes deeper and his face moves. I stretch and look up into the distance east and notice a forest far off that can barely be seen from here.

That is where we must journey.

My eyes then go to my fell beast that stretches its wings to prepare for the trek. I walk to it and duck under the huge wing to the saddle bags. I steady Morier and pull out the Lembas from the sack after I unbutton it. I take a tiny pinch and swallow it before taking off another and using my other hand to pack it back away securely.

I look over my shoulder to see Legolas is up and staring off to the forest, his eyes squinting from the light.

I walk to him and hand him the little piece of bread. He smiles and takes it from me before we ready ourselves to ride our dragon and head further into Rhȗn.

I am a bit quiet as I put away the pain from yesterday's thoughts.

But once we are in the sky, this caring and loving elf engages me in light hearted conversation as he asks about my life and other things, the very same thing I had done with him the previous day... this makes me smile and open up to him like he did with me. I owe him that and of course so much more.

He cheers me up so much, taking interest and trying to understand a few "other world" things that I talk about.

I laugh and share stories and thoughts. He asks me hard questions like how I did to him yesterday and I try to answer, though I don't know the answers to some myself.

But I have fun talking to him.

After we fly over the green forests that look as normal as the ones on my world. Above us are clear skies and a warm sun that is refreshing from the cold air high above the ground.

Soon we see the waters ahead, at dusk. I make the dragon fly but Legolas says he must rest. We are over the open waters now though. It may be a sea yes, but it is not a very large one. Much much bigger than a lake of course but not a large sea compared to the size of most.

So when we spot an island ahead I tell him we can rest there. We can only see part of the island as there is a thick fog. But we make our descend there and set up camp on the shores.

My dragon had gone out to catch himself dinner over the waters as Legolas and I sit on our blankets in the sand, watching the moon over the waves as the breeze blows through our hair.

"I'm glad I don't have to be alone..." I mutter as I watch the horizon.

"So am I," he responds softly... and I can feel his gaze on me.

I smile out at the water...

"You should get some rest, Vilora," he says after we split some Lembas. "Might as well sleep while we are grounded."

I sigh and nod. I lie down against my blanket and close my eyes, turning over to where I face away from him.

The sound of the waves gradually sends me to sleep.

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