In less than an hour, the entire village had gathered what they absolutely needed, and we began the trek to Edoras. Legolas made it clear that he thought I was utterly stupid for wanting to remain with the villagers when we could ride ahead to Edoras by ourselves. But that would involve leaving Boromir behind, which I refused to do.

So here we were, riding Arod at a dull walk, pretending the other didn't exist. Again. Naturally, I broke the silence first.

"Why do we do this?" I sighed, leaning my head back to rest on Legolas's shoulder.

"I do not know what you are talking about."

I rolled my eyes. "Ignore each other until we're forced not to," I clarified for the benefit of a particularly stubborn ellon.

"Perhaps there is nothing to say."

"Or perhaps you're mad at me?"

Legolas didn't respond.

"Well, I have something to say to you," I snapped.

"Hm."

"If you love me because I'm the kid of your first crush, forget it. I can find someone who loves me because I'm me." A thought popped into my mind, and hiding a smirk, I added, "Elladan proposed to me, and while I told him no, I'm sure he'd let me change my mind."

"Wha—Elladan!" Legolas sputtered indignantly.

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. I'd rather marry a troll, but my claim certainly had Legolas reevaluating himself.

"You'd never marry such a bookish, disinterested ellon," he said, as though trying to convince himself.

"Oh, he was hardly bookish or disinterest when I was around," I snipped back. "He nearly took me to his bed." Never mind the fact that it was my bed—and my encouragement that got us there.

"But he didn't," Legolas pointed out. "You said you were still...erm..."

I forced back a snigger and said in a dry, flat voice, "A virgin?"

A pause, then, "Yes." I didn't answer, and he added, "You are, aren't you?"

I craned my neck back to glare up at him. I'd already told him once; did he not believe me? "Why do you even care?" I snapped.

"Because I feel responsible!" he snapped back. "Though evidently you disregard any person's attempt to keep you safe."

"No," I bit back, "I simply don't like people interfering with my decisions."

"And what if your decisions are childish and witless? Would you have them say nothing?"

"They can say whatever the Mordor they like," I muttered. "It's what they do that infuriates me."

* * *

Legolas's POV

We made camp at nightfall, and Eda, having fallen back into her characteristic silence, once more behaved as though she didn't care for my presence. It rather bothered me that she pretended thus, but since she apparently desired personal space, as she put it, I gladly obliged her.

After Eda dismounted, I led Arod to the picket line where the villagers were tying their horses. After securing him, I observed the group of refugees circling their fledgeling bonfire, watching from cover of darkness. Boromir passed a small portion of his lembas supply to Eda, who flashed him a grateful smile before digging in. He sat down next to her, and they began to chat.

That irked me. I had lembas, too, and she was eating Boromir's. Clearly, she did not hold the same grievances with the mortal that she did with me.

"For some reason, I thought Elf-scum above jealousy," came a female's voice behind me.

I whirled to face Kèolyn. She smirked, but something fearful haunted her eyes. Turning back to watch Eda and Boromir once more, I muttered, "I am not jealous."

"Of course not," Kèolyn replied, crossing her arms and coming to stand at my shoulder. Not looking at me, she said, "You merely glare daggers at the Gondorian for the pleasure of seeing his unshaven face."

The proximity with this mortal girl was highly uncomfortable, and she clearly felt it too. Her scent was most revolting—dirt and sweat and the underlying—but distinctive—scent of hormones. Yet our pride refused to let either of us back away from the other.

I turned to openly regard the intruder. Kèolyn was severely underfed, and her tattered dress was even dirtier than she was, if such a feat was possible. Her heartbeat was strong, and as my gaze dropped to her bare calves and feet, her heartbeat sped up.

At first I thought merely unaccustomed to such attention and over-susceptible to fleeting feelings—but one glance at her terror-stricken expression ended that notion. What had these mortals done to her?

"I c-carry a knife," she said, her voice wavering.

"Do you," I said blandly, still eyeing the girl. The collar of her dress nearly concealed a discoloration on her shoulder, but not entirely. I looked Kèolyn in the eye. "A lover's bite?"

Her jaw flexed, and she tugged her collar up to cover the bruise. "A boy threw a rock at me. He meant to hit my head, but he missed."

I raised an eyebrow. "In all my many years, not once have I encountered a stone with teeth."

Kèolyn's face flushed. "You know nothing, Elf."

"I know what my eyes see. Bruises on your body and terror in your eyes." Kèolyn tried to protest, but I spoke over her. "I know what my ears hear. Threatening words, lies, and your heart heart thundering with fear. And if this were not enough, I know what my nostrils smell. Truly, you should bathe after entertaining a Man."

She rushed me. Shoving both her hands into my chest, she knocked me back a couple of steps. I held up my hands to ward her off, but it wasn't enough. Kèolyn came at me again and pulled back her leg, aiming for my groin.

That was one lesson I'd learned well. I sidestepped, grabbing her wrist and yanking her arm around her back. This unfortunately pinned her against my side, I holding her there to twist her arm. I didn't put too much pressure on Kèolyn—just enough to prevent another attack.

I stared down at the girl, incredulous she'd had the audacity to assault me thus. She was shaking like a leaf now, her other hand planted on my hip to maintain some semblance of distance between us. But despite her helpless position, she snarled, "You're all the same. Grabby. Needy. Selfish."

"Then why entertain them?" I snapped. "Granted, mortal Men are evil and self-centered—but you are just as much to blame for your own state."

"You think you know everything, don't you, Elf?" Kèolyn ground out, dark eyes flashing with anger. "So old, so handsome, so wise. Well, know this, scum. I sacrifice what little I possess to feed my family. Would you have me do less?"

I blinked. I had misjudged the girl entirely.

Cold steel touched my neck. "Release her."

I obeyed, and as Kèolyn wrenched free of my touch, I turned to face Boromir. He lowered his sword, his eyes neither regretful nor victorious. "What is this? Should I feel threatened?"

"No," he replied softly. "Merely warned."

I scoffed. "A few short days ago, you were prepared to wear your socks in your mouth at my bidding. Has this agreeable sentiment between us passed so soon?"

Boromir nodded for Kèolyn to join the others at the fire, and after a short hesitation, she obeyed. Then he said, "My failures bring me much grief, even now." He met my gaze, a steely resolution in his eyes. "And for this very reason, I cannot let you touch that woman without her consent."

I ground my teeth. "She attacked me."

Shrugging, Boromir said, "Not unprovoked. Your insinuations against her were uncalled for."

"But not unfounded."

"Yet, none of your concern."

I glared at the Man. Perhaps, if I killed him now, I could tell Aragorn we'd unexpectedly encountered these wildmen. But, Aragorn would see through such a fable the moment it left my lips.

Boromir gave a soft sigh, probably guessing the nature of my thoughts. "Eda asked after you," he said quietly.

"Did she?" I snapped. "Whatever for? Did you not have enough lembas bread for her?"

He winced. "Please, Legolas, I do not wish enmity between us. Eda is tired, and I thought you might appreciate the gesture."

I snorted and moved to return to the camp. But as I passed him, I paused. "You should have died, that day at Amon Hen," I hissed in his face. "Rather than getting distracted, you should have dedicated yourself to protecting the Hobbits, or protecting Eda—not wavering with indecision." I thrust away from him, disgusted.

"You are right, of course," he acknowledged softly. "I have lost all honor, and truth be told, I have little hope of earning back. But the gods have seen fit to leave me here, if only for the time being."

My steps faltered at his words, and I paused. "There is but One that chooses who live, and who pass into shadow." I glanced over my shoulder, then kept walking. "Never before have I doubted His judgment."