Something cold touches my neck in the morning that wakes me up. "Get up!" I hear a voice say and I open my eyes to see the tip of a sword at my throat.

I frown and move away from it, standing to my feet.

I look upon the person who holds the blade and he is about my age, perhaps a bit older, with long brown hair pulled back behind his head and a thin mustache and a bit of hair at the tip of his chin. He wears sailor's clothes and the sword he holds is a cutlass.

My eyes flash to my right as I see Legolas holding out his bow with an arrow ready to fire in our defense. Others are around us with their swords as well and one man with a short bow. 

"Who are you?" the man in front of me asks.

I lift my chin. "You first."

"Pirates, are you not?" Legolas asks.

The man looks insulted but does not look at the elf. "Legal travelers. But thank you for your concern."

My eyes look over his shoulders to see remains of a ship in the waters and one lifeboat on the shores.

"We are the same," I say with a glare. "And you would not be wise to torment us... or would you wish to be at the mercy of the Archer Legolas of the Woodland Realm."

He frowns and looks at my companion. "Legolas... Prince of Mirkwood?" he asks in surprise.

"He has diplomatic immunity which means he can kill you without consequence, traveler," I finish.

He retreats his blade from my throat. "Put down your weapons," he says.

His men, maybe six of them at the most, put away their swords.

Legolas lowers his bow slowly.

"I have not seen the royal family of the Woodland Realm all the way in Rhûn, Legolas, son of Thranduil," the man says approaching him. "Why are you here?"

"Our business is our own," he responds.

I look around the area and then my voice comes to a whisper, "Where's Morier?" I ask Legolas and he gives me a look that says he does not know.

I turn to the man. "What happened to your ship?"

He eyes me. "We were attacked by bandits; pirates early this morning on the waters. These are all of my men left," he looks down.

"What is your name, traveler?" Legolas asks.

"Bard II."

"I have not seen you, Bard... but there is something in your eyes that seems familiar..."

"Ah well there should be. It is true you have not met me, my lord. But you met my great grandfather."

"...Your great grandfather was Bard the Bowman," Legolas mumbles.

I don't know at first of whom he speaks of but then it comes to me. I remember when Legolas told me about the attack of Smaug the Terrible. And the war at the end of the Second Age. His great grandfather had killed the might dragon and saved Laketown.

"You're from Laketown. What are you doing here in Rhûn?" I ask.

He eyes me. "Actually I am from Dale. But after I was convicted of crimes that I did not commit I was sent into exile... So I came out here."

"What crimes did you not commit?"

He gives me a stern look, not wanting to answer my prying question. "It looks like you two are stranded as well. I do not see a ship around."

Legolas and I exchange a look.

"It seems we are," I say now in realization that our ride is gone. "Is there anything on this island?"

He looks to his far left around. "There is a village I believe. North." He looks back at me.

"I suppose that is a start," Legolas says.

"Right. Legolas pack our—" I look behind me at the only thing we have and realize that the rest is on Morier, "thing..." I finish and bit my lip in frustration.

We decide to leave the blankets but take the water flask and our weapons.

"So we help each other our out?" Bard says to us.

"I suppose. Let's go north," I say.

He nods and Legolas is already off. He runs on top of the sand other than the rest of us whose feet trudge through it and kick it behind us. But the tropical trees surround us now and our feet hit grass.

"A lady wearing trousers. A strange sight," Bard smirks as he walks by me.

"Yeah I get that a lot," I roll my eyes but smile.

"What is your name, my lady?"

"Vil."

He nods.

It's a quiet walk, and it takes us about an hour but we still hike north, Legolas up front because he is utterly tireless of course.

The eight of us walk through the trees until we see through them and into the sunlight. We begin to hear voices, busy ones. All of us stop when we see the village on the coast. It's not the most expensive one, and it stops at the edge of the water. Ships dock at the ports and everyone seems occupied with different things, mostly sailors.

We stand looking out over the city.

"Now I must warn you," Bard says, "this is a pirate's port. A village that is out of the king's borders and of sight. The only people who stay here are outlaws, hidden from the soldiers of the king."

"Charming," I say sarcastically.

"Then how should we acquire a vessel?" Legolas asks.

Bard gives him a look but doesn't answer. He gazes upon the village. "We will find a way... I know of someone here and believe he can help us."

"Then lead on," I say.

He begins to hike down the hill and I follow.

Once we reach to where the stone foundation is we walk past markets and homes down the streets of the city, busy with daily work... and partying. We pass a man sleeping by a barrel with ale dried in his beard and soaking his clothes, empty bottles by him.

Just then a cat runs across the stone walkway and into an alley on our right.

"Come," Bard says and leads us down the steps and onto the streets where people walk and horses stride.

The sun gleams off the windows of the buildings and we hear metal against an anvil.

Some of the shops around us are indeed made of stone and brick but others are made of wood, not very crafty either.

Bard leads us down to a house by the docks and knocks on the wooden door.

A man opens it, with short dark hair and a thin facial hair, a hard face, but a wise face, older than Bard; a poor man. He seems surprised. "Bard?" he says. "What are you doing here?"

He hesitates. "Is this a bad time?"

"I suppose not..." he murmurs. "I was just packing to leave."

Bard frowns.

"Come in."

He bows politely and enters the man's house.

The house is charming, quaint. And he works on gathering his belongings in crates.

But the house is big enough for us all to stay in and not get in the way. I sit with Bard and his friend, whose name I discovered to be Epaphras Blackwood, at the table after he offers us all a drink.

"How is it you are leaving?" Bard asks.

"I finally made enough to purchase that ship I told you about," he says with an almost smile. "I am heading for Port Valiant tomorrow."

"Do you think my crew and I could accompany you?" Bard asks humbly.

"Bard, I still owe you for what you have done for me. Of course you can come, lad."

He smiles and bows his head. "On our way through we had been attacked by pirates, most of my men slaughtered. But we got away."

"I am sorry."

He nods slowly and looks down at his mug.

"You and your men can stay here for the night. We leave tomorrow at dawn."

"Thank you, Mr. Blackwood," I say to him and he nods.

He gives us all food and drinks and the men talk and share stories among themselves.

"So Bard where are you headed?" I ask him as we stand against the wall.

"Now?" He asks after he takes a drink of ale. "I suppose Port Valiant. And so are you."

"And what of your interest is in Port Valiant?"

He chuckles and then shifts positions, looking down with a smile. I can almost see pink cheeks. "Nothing in particular," he clears his throat.

I smile. "Oh... That."

"What—?"

"Oh nothing." I bite my lip. ..."So who is she?"

He coughs on his drink and then looks at me weirdly. "Well you certainly don't have a problem getting to know others' business, Vilora."

"She certainly doesn't," I hear my elf's voice say behind me as he stands with us.

"I'm waiting," I say to Bard.

"Vil," Legolas scolds in a whisper.

A knocking at the door disturbs our peace. Our host puts down a crate and walks to the door to open it. A man stands there. Plump, and hard faced man. He looks almost rich... well compared to the others that inhabit this island I suppose. But he looks quite full of himself to be honest. Two other men stand behind him with swords in their belts. 

"Philip?" Epaphras asks.

"I've just come to remind you about your taxes due," the man says taking the bottle of brandy from him and drinking it rudely.

"I told you I will not have them until tomorrow."

"You are already past your date, Mr. Blackwood," he spats. "You are lucky we have not arrested you—"

"If you want your money," he gets in his face, "You'll have to wait until tomorrow."

"Have it ready by dawn or we'll put you to the gallows right next to your wife," he threatens with a smile then leaves.

Epaphras shuts the door angrily but looks as if he hides pain. These two men have had history I can tell. And by the looks of it, not good history. It seems that this Philip guy had hung his wife in the past. The reason I do not know... But I already hate him for it.

All of us continue to talk but me and him. He slips out after a while and I decide to follow.

My feet stride on the cobblestone streets to where Epaphras stands looking out over the ocean.

I approach him from behind and stand at his side. "...What happened to your wife?" I ask humbly.

"She had found a palantir... long ago and she tried to sell it but was convicted of being a spy of Sauron... she was hanged," he says plainly.

"That's cruel..." I swallow and look out at the waves. "I'm sorry... I know how you feel."

"It is just this life that we have to deal with one way or another," he takes a drink of his bottle, leaning on the wooden gates.

"Why didn't you leave then? I would have..."

"Didn't have the coin. But I wanted to... So I kept my job and lived in this cursed placed until now. I can finally leave."

We stand there in silence for a second but then I ask, "Can I see the ship?" excitedly.

He looks at me with almost a smile and then nods, standing up straight and walking down to the docks. I follow close behind and down the stone steps. I look over the mighty vessels docked in wonder. We pass some that are marked with the symbol of the king that were obviously stolen.

Until we make it to a large beautiful ship with the name, "Hurricane" printed on the back.

We make our way down the wooden walkway and to where we board the ship. But a man who looks like a merchant of some sort stops us. "Halt. This ship is off limits to civilians."

"What are you talking about?" Epaphras asks. "I bought this ship."

"You no longer own this ship, Mr. Blackwood," he says.

"I paid for this ship," he says angrily.

"Someone else paid more."

"Who?"

He doesn't answer but walks past him.

Epaphras and I look up onto the decks and see Philip there, talking happily and shaking hands with the seller...

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          .

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I sit against the wall of the smaller room that holds the stairs that lead to the floor under us, the wall that separates this room from the main room, listening to Bard and Epaphras argue about what to do. Bard is furious that his friend got ripped off and he tries to convince him to do something but his friend is a good man and I can tell he wants to stay that way and do only what is right...

I shut my eyes and sigh. But when I get tired of listening walk down stairs to find Legolas. He is helping set up places for us to sleep.

"Let me help." I say as I walk over and start to lay out mats on the floor. "Why doesn't he just steal the boat back?"

Legolas looks surprised. True he is not used to thinking of a crime as something good... "And what, murder the nobleman?"

I don't answer.

He straightens out a blanket and lays it down. "Epaphras is a good man who abides the law. It is true I do not know of a way we can get off this island, but we will. Do not fret."

I am about to speak but he looks up into the air with thought. "Bard leaves to speak with the merchant," he speaks in Elvish as he listens. 

"Then there is still hope," I murmur.

                    .

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I spend that day talking to Bard's men and Legolas... and I walk upstairs to speak to Epaphras who sits at the table.

"I'm sorry this happened..." I start.

"This is life, kid," he says and takes another drink.

"Well I just want to say thank you very much for letting us stay here."

He looks up at me and makes a polite smile but with just his mouth. I grab an apple from the basket and toss it to my other hand, grabbing another. I walk over to him and toss him the first apple. He catches it as I smile and sit at the table with him.

"So what's it like sailing with Bard?" he asks.

I chuckle. "Well actually Legolas and I are on our own quest. We were travelling together just the two of us." I take a bite from the apple.

"Your husband?"

I almost choke on that bite of the apple. I laugh nervously. "Eh no."

"Brother?"

"Do I look like an elf?" I say sarcastically.

He chuckles. "You have the hair and face of one, my lady."

"Really?" I say in disbelief but feel flattered... I look around the room. "Bard has been gone a long time..."

He looks down. "I tried to stop him... told him it was useless." He takes a drink of his bottle.

"He wishes to help you. We will find a way off this island. My—Legolas is certain of that."

He eyes me but then takes another gulp.

"What were you planning on doing once you reached the port?" I ask.

"Seeing what was there and if nothing... taking in supplies and continue traveling maybe..."

"Sounds uncertain. But might as well try." I smile.

We talk for a little longer and then we all eat dinner, descending into the downstairs for sleep.

I lie by Legolas, insisting that I did not sleep next to someone I didn't know. Thank God for Legolas.

Though we cannot speak to each other because the others are sleeping. He and I lay face to face, our heads about a foot apart from each other, maybe longer.

I can see just a sparkle in his eye from the candlelight in the room, and the outline of his perfect cheekbone. I feel his hand touch my cheek, in comfort. I close my eyes to his touch and slowly fall asleep.

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"Get up!" a voice says that wakes me. But my eyelids are still heavy and head still light. I know for a fact that I have only been asleep for a few hours.

"Everyone up now! We make our leave!" Bard says.

I open my eyes to see him at the foot of the steps talking to us.

The crew looks around and then jump to their feet. Legolas stands beside Bard with the same look of determination in his expression.

I throw my blanket off my body and stand to my feet. Bard and Legolas run back up the steps and the crew follows.

I grab my boots and vest and hurry up the wooden stairs. We are in the main room where Bard grabs items and shoves them into boxes. "What's happening?" I ask.

"Everyone grab a crate and head out now!" Bard says, ignoring my question.

Everybody walks around and picks up wooden boxes in a hurry. But Bard walks up to Legolas and I. "Not you two," he says and stops us. "You are going to be our distraction." He smirks.

Legolas and I exchange a look.

                      .

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I walk out in the moonlight with Legolas at my side, making our way down to the docks in the empty streets. There's no out at the moment but I can hear men partying back away from the shore.

I walk to the Hurricane as the waves crash against the wooden walkways over the water. Legolas and I run up the ramp and onto the ship as he draws his bow.

We walk up to the two sailors that sit there on the deck. "You're under arrest!" I say to them.

They frown and look at us, standing up. "On what charges?" one asks.

My eyes flash over to Legolas who aims an arrow at the two, eyeing me with a clueless expression for a reason, clearly giving the hard part of the dialogue to me.

"Uh," I start. "You know what you did," I say darkly, intimidating them with a glare.

They look at each other with confusion. "Who are you?" the other asks.

"You know who I am," I say. "Don't play dumb!" I pull out my sword and they raise their hands a bit in defense.

"Get off the boat," I snarl.

"You little—" one of them starts.

"You better watch your words, maggot," Legolas says with an arrow in threaten.

"Hold your fire young apprentice." I hold up my hand.

I catch a look from him that discourages what I addressed him as.

"You two better come with me or you will face the gallows," I threaten to them.

"Once you tell us what we are charged with we'll leave," one says.

"Have you already forgotten? Should I need to remind you?" I keep a stern tone.

They look confused. "Yes," the other says.

My eyes flash over to the docks where I see Bard behind the wall, waiting for us.

But they still stare for an answer from me.

I hesitate. "Uh apprentice!"

He stutters and doesn't know what to do. But then he gets an idea and speaks very quickly, "Fifty-nine hours ago a ship was stolen from the RoyalPort north of here. This vessel is called the Hurricane. Purchased by individuals who manage the Imperial Navy Fleet and deport unnecessary peoples from the sight of wanted civilians. There were three men who appropriated the ship set out from the north and headed south. One of the men cut off by the other two but found in the water by those pursuing it. He told those who did the pursuing about those they were attempting to pursue, explaining the appearance or those such as yourselves or mere look-alikes. The ship disappeared out of range and you stand on this ship now. Do you not? And in the standing of this ship indeed puts that into reassurance that it is you, or perhaps was you who commandeered this property in the first place."

The three of us look not moderately confused as Legolas continues threateningly, "Do you think we would not recall this?"

The two look completely brain dead.

"How dare you?" I say to them.

They begin to argue that they did nothing.

"You better come with us," I say.

"We did not steal any—"

"Then why do you resist?"

Legolas puts down his bow and grabs one of their arms. I grasp the other and we walk them from the ship and down the ramp.

Bard sees this and he and his men carry the supplies to the ship with quiet feet.

We walk down the docks and onto the concrete we stop them there at the entrance to where they take prisoners. Considering we are not certified guards we cannot actually go in. I turn around. "We'll need to see your identification and license to sail, sirs," I say sternly.

They look confused. "Our what?"

"They don't even have documents," I say in frustration to Legolas.

A guard that walks by pays no attention to us.

"Aye!" I say to him and he looks at us. "These two were found beating an elderly to death."

"What?!" the two of them say simultaneously.

I look over their shoulders at Bard and the crew who load on belongings from the house still.

"You heard me do not try to deny it!" I spat. I turn to the guard. "They were speaking of Lord Sauron when I found them."

The guard looks as if he doesn't care.

"This is outrageous!" one of the men says.

I look furious and slap him across the face. I grab the other's collar. "Why would you do this?!"

"I didn't do anything—"

"You disgust me!"

I look back behind them quickly when I hear something. A box has fallen over. The young one had dropped it. He looks frightened at us and then Bard helps pick up the items.

The two men almost look behind them. Crap. What do I do? I panic and then without thinking I grab Legolas behind me and kiss him. He is surprised and... well to put I bluntly I basically have my own make-out session in front of them. But they can't seem to tear their eyes away so I suppose it worked.

Legolas grips my back close and when I open my eyes to see the lantern hung where it is supposed to be I part from him. He looks shocked and mesmerized a bit. I smile and then look to the two men. "Well it was nice meeting you gentlemen—Look it's a ghost!" I point behind us and dart towards the ship.

They flinch and look to where I pointed, probably a bit drunk to be honest, and believe me.

Legolas and I flee to the Hurricane as it pulls out of the docks. But we run down the wooden pier and I leap off the edge with my foot, grabbing onto the boat ladder with my hands and pulling my feet to wooden bars. Once I reach the top I jump on deck and realize that Legolas is already up here.

I stand up straight and sigh, Legolas looking at me from a foot away. "That was interesting," I say hesitantly.

He breathes and nods, thinking of how I had forcefully kissed him like that.

I fix his collar that was bent and frown. "Sorry."

He chuckles, genuinely and looks down.

"Drop sails!" I hear Bard call to us.

I look behind me and catch up to him. "Where's Epaphras?"

He gives me a look and gestures with his head behind me. I look over my shoulder towards the captain's deck and see him there at the wheel.

Bard pulls out a compass. "Luckily we are facing northeast already. So if we head straight we should—"

"What about the islands north?" another crew member who pulls the ropes of the sails asks.

"We can go around them," he answers.

"I heard there were orcs there."

"We'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" I ask.

He gives me a look.

"We're moving rather slow, Bard," the young one says to him.

He grinds his teeth. "Did you weigh anchor?"

He looks clueless and then remembers, smiling and getting to it.

Bard rolls his eyes.

I race to the front of the ship, hopping onto the foredeck and holding onto the yard of the foresail, looking at the dark waves under the full moon, salty air tangling my white locks.

"How long will it take to get to port?" I ask bard who stand beside me looking over at the horizon.

"About seven days, if the wind is on our side."

"So did your grandfather ever talk about Smaug?" I turn around and smirk, looking at him.

"Somewhat... though I don't think he saw as much of the dragon as his father did, who was my great grandfather." He leans on the edge and looks our in thought. "I remember him describing the beast to me... fires that consumed the city... and its people." He looks down.

"Why did it attack Laketown?"

"The dwarves went into the mountain and woke the beast... after all those years of slumber it released its fury upon the homes of my great grandfather's people."

"...I'm sorry."

"Don't be. That dreadful beast now lies dead at the bottom of Esgaroth where he belongs."

"Your great grandfather must have been very courageous."

"Indeed... Nearly gave his life to save the people."

I smile in thought while looking out where he does.

My eyelids are a bit heavier form lack of sleep but I have gone longer without it. So it does not bother me.

He leaves me to join the rest of the crew.

I look down at the black waves that crash against the hull, my arms resting on the railing.

"Get some rest, love," I hear a smooth voice say to the left of me.

I smirk and bite my lip. Then I hug Legolas casually for a reason I know not of. His hand gently touches my back.

I part from him and smile. "Nope."

I look up to see him giving me those squinted eyes with a smile almost appearing on the corners of his lips.

He tosses up an apple that I catch. "Then at least eat something."

I giggle and look down at the fruit, "Thanks." I take a bite from it.

He smiles just slightly. 

The blood rushes to my cheeks and I look down. Why does he have to have such a cute smile?

His hand gently touches my cheek. "Your cheeks are rosy, you're not cold are you?" he asks but I can tell he knows why they are.

I look up. "Yeah I'm just freezing," I say sarcastically with a wink.

"And you wish me to keep you warm?" he makes a teasing smile.

"You?" I make a disgusted face.

He chuckles.

"To work swabs!" I hear an older, rounded man with a short grey-ing beard and dark hair say. "This deck is filthy!" he tosses wet clothes to two crewmen.

A gust of wind blows my hair back and I gaze upon the enormous wild sails that flap in the wind.

I look back at Legolas then toss the apple to him, him smirking at me. I then join the crew to help secure the sails tightly because someone did not tie them down properly.

Legolas hops up the rope ladders swiftly and stands up at the crow's nest.

Just then someone walks by me to grab something. "Excuse me, my lady," he says and I move out of the way. It is the young sailor that is close to my age. He grabs a rope and heads back to Bard.

But after a few minutes of thinking, playing with a piece of wood on the railing I hear feet stop by me.

I frown but don't look at whoever stands next to me.

"Word on the ship says you've been to Mirkwood," the young man says kindly and rather nervously. I notice that he has dark long hair and a very thin beard, with cute brown eyes.

"So has the prince up there," I smirk.

"Yes but he is rather intimidating to be honest..."

"You have no idea," I chuckle.

"I have never actually seen the realm of the Woodland Elves with my own eyes."

"It's beautiful."

"What's it like?" he makes an excited smile.

"Well for starters, the orange leaves everywhere. The trees are incredible. The whole place feels so surreal. And the elves' palace inside the mountain is even more stunning. Rocks carved, wood carved, antlers, and just... beautiful."

"Sounds amazing. I grew up in Laketown. Travelled down here with Bard after we met. We liked to sail, both of us did. And the rest of our crew... they are my family."

"I wouldn't know..." I mumble.

"May I ask your name, my lady?"

I look into his curious eyes. "It's Vil. And you?"

"Arley son of Alston, Lady Vil," he says formally with a childish smile.

"Nice to meet you," I curtsey politely and then chuckle.

He lets out a small laugh.

My eyes flash up to the crow's nest where they meet Legolas's frowning gaze but he looks away casually.

I look back at—

"Arley!" another man calls.

"Oh yes, sorry!" he says and runs off.

I laugh and look back over the ocean. That's when I notice the sun starting to rise.

I walk back to the foredeck and sit with my legs dangling off the boat. Just as I hear feet hit the deck from the ladder I say, "Legolas look."

He walks over to me. "Yes?" he asks politely.

"Sit!" I say happily and he laughs, doing so by me.

I squint as the golden light is sent across the sea from the horizon. But I cannot tear my eyes away from it. Neither can my companion. It is peaceful, watching the sun crawl up on the water. I sigh and rest my head on his shoulder. He doesn't move. But I close my eyes and listen to the waves crash against the ship under us.

I feel the soft but worn fabric of his tunic against my cheek.

"What is this?" I hear him ask softly and curiously.

I open my eyes and look down at my wrist where his fingers linger, at the tiny black cross tattooed above my veins. I had been wearing long sleeves for so long that I completely forgot it was there.

I lift my head up and draw my hand back, looking out over the horizon. "A symbol."

"Of what?"

"...Hope... peace, love... my creator... It is a cross. Symbol of the sacrifice my God's son gave for us all... for my world..."

"...Eru Ilúvatar?"

"...I have spent my time in this world and forgetting my old one..."

"All worlds are under His eyes, Vil. He creates the paths we take. He has made you even more beautiful."

I keep my jaw from dropping. "Did you just call me beautiful?" I ask in surprise.

"That was not my point," he answers quickly and nervously.

"That's okay, buddy, I think it's cute." I rest my head back on his shoulder.

He tries to hide his smile and looks the other direction.

"And yes I agree. Without him I would be dead."

"None of us would be here, darling."

I twitch a smile and close my eyes.

I cannot believe that I had forgotten the real reason why I have made it this far, the reason I have been saved so many times and guided into the path that lead here, allowing me to change the worlds with my gift. All of this is because of Him. He took care of me, kept me alive when I was near death floating down Entwash and allowed Éomer to find me, sent me to Middle Earth to live before I was killed by orcs in London, let Legolas cover me in protection after I was shot, let Thranduil rescue me from those men who would have raped me and left me for dead, let the hobbits help me to evade the clutches of the Nazgul, and kept me alive during any and every other confrontation I have endured... Someone has been watching over me.

And I must remember that.

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