The moment the door shut, Legolas jumped off the bed like it was on fire. Crossing his arms, he faced the opposite wall, his tight tunic showing the muscles in his shoulders flexing sporadically.

"And don't forget to actually talk," came Aragorn's way-too-amused voice from the other side of the door.

"Ugh!" I groaned, falling backward onto the bed. Throwing an arm over my eyes, I muttered, "Remind me why Aragorn is our marriage councilor?"

"Marriage—!?"

"Sweet Lothlòrien," I muttered, peeking out from beneath my arm, "you don't have to take everything so seriously!"

"Well what would you have me do?" he demanded, whirling to look at me. "Not believe a word you say?"

"Hmm." I closed my eyes. "That might be nice. Then I could say whatever I like."

"Do you not?" he groused.

"Believe it or not, there's quite a lot I don't say," I said, masking a smirk. Awkward as this was...it was also very fun. Note to self: Aragorn made a fabulous marriage councilor.

"Like what?" Legolas shot back.

"Like how absolutely lickable your muscles are. And what a pity it is that Elves make a habit of wearing clothes. And I can't believe your stupidity got us stuck in here while an actual meal is being served for the others! And why is the room so drafty? And how nice it would be if you would stop being an orchole and just snuggle with m—"

"Enough!"

He believed me now.

Legolas's blue eyes were wild with...panic? "Woman, I have never heard such thoroughly repulsive things uttered aloud!"

I shrugged. "Well, that's why I don't usually say them. And frankly, I wouldn't recommend asking me to turn my filter off. Just for future reference."

Legolas stared at me in disbelief for a long, deadly moment. Finally, he spat, "You're incorrigible."

"And you're an orchole." I met his glare, entirely unphazed. "Honestly, if you want to win the verbal vomit game, you're gonna have to try a little harder. I'm good at this."

Legolas huffed and turned to glare at the wall once more. Probably a smart decision on his part.

So...the next quarter of an hour passed in silence.

Finally, the door pushed open, and Aragorn walked in. He frowned at us, and moving to gather his things, he said, "Please tell me you did more than stare at opposite walls."

"But of course," Legolas muttered. "We blinked at opposite walls, as well."

"Aragorn," I whined, "please tell me you're more fun to get alone than this!"

Frowning, Aragorn draped his cloak over one arm and picked up his supply pack. "Perhaps you should ask Arwen." Glancing between us, he said, "Come on, you two, we're leaving."

I hopped up from the bed. "Where are we going?" My side protested the sudden movement, and my head swam. Staggering to the side, I bumped into Legolas. Legolas caught my shoulders and held me upright as I waited for the pain to go away. Then, when I could stand on my own, he brushed around me to leave the room.

Aragorn observed our little interaction with a small frown. Finally, he answered, "The fortress of Rohan, Helm's Deep."

A little stung and more than a little confused at Legolas gesture, I just nodded and moved to the door. Aragorn placed a hand on my back in a reassuring way, and I flashed him a half-hearted smile. At least Gandalf would be with us. The old wizard would provide some fresh company, and hey, he might even have a solution for Legolas's ridiculous behavior.

The hall was bustling with servants pulling out trunks and starting to pack them. Legolas was just slipping through the front doorway, presumably following the others. Aragorn must've drawn the same conclusion, leading me to the door and opening it for me. Nodding my thanks, I went through. Gandalf and Gimli were striding through Edoras, and Legolas jogged to catch up with them.

"By order of the King," shouted a man standing in the street, "the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourselves with treasures. Take only what provisions you need."

Aragorn and I trotted after the others, catching up just as Gandalf muttered disgustedly, "Helm's Deep!"

"They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight," Gimli exclaimed. "Who will defend them, if not their king?"

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people," Aragorn said in an unconvinced tone as we entered the stables. "Helm's Deep has saved them in the past."

Gandalf paused, waiting for Aragorn to move to the front of the group with him. "There is no way out of that ravine. Thèoden is walking into a trap," the wizard muttered. I trailed along as they walked to the far end stable, to a large stall in the back.

"He thinks he's leading them to safety," Gandalf continued as Aragorn opened the stall door for him. Gandalf entered, then turned to face Aragorn. "What they will get, is a massacre." He paused, then added, "Theoden has a strong will, but I fear for him." Gandalf's expression turned deeply concerned. "I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you."

Aragorn nodded quietly, the weight of the matter settling into his expression.

"The defenses have to hold," Gandalf insisted quietly.

"They will hold," Aragorn replied, nodding seriously.

Gandalf turned to the massive white stallion occupying the stall, and stroked the animal's shoulder respectfully. "The Grey Pilgrim," he murmured. "That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of Men I've walked this earth, and now, I have no time. With any luck, my search will not be in vain."

"Gandalf?" I asked, my brow furrowing. "You aren't leaving us, are you?"

He gave me a sad smile. "I must."

Tears poked at my eyes, and I ran into the stall. Clutching Gandalf's robe, I pleaded, "Take me with you." The thought of staying here, facing Legolas on a daily if not an hourly basis, was just too much.

Gandalf hesitated, his silver eyes examining me, seeing my heart. "I cannot," he answered finally. "All our lives hang in the balance. Shadowfax is powerful, but your added weight would slow him. No, Amariel—I must leave you behind."

I backed away, fighting tears. I couldn't do this. I couldn't keep facing Legolas when I knew he hated me—

"Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas," Gandalf said, fixing each of them with a stern glare. "I place each of you in charge of protecting Amariel. She is a treasure only a fool would risk losing; her value is greatly underestimated." He glanced at me. "Especially by you."

I blinked. This declaration was not what I'd expected.

Gandalf swiftly mounted Shadowfax with a grace that defied his old frame. "Look to my coming at first light on the third day. At dawn, look to the east."

Aragorn gave a single nod. "Go."

Shadowfax bolted from the stall, and Gandalf the Gray—minus the Gray part—exited the barn, disappearing from view.

Aragorn beckoned me out of the stall, so I obeyed, forcing back the emotion so desperate to rise. "Is it just me, or did Gandalf's favorite color change?"

Chuckling, Aragorn patted my head. "Apparently it did."

* * *

If there's one thing about the people of Rohan, it's that they knew how to evacuate in a hurry. In a matter of just a couple of hours, the entire city of Edoras was shuffling out the gate, carrying, dragging, or leading everything they needed. Motley group that they were, the Rohirrim faced the uncertainty of change without hesitation or complaint.

Fairly close to the front of the group, all that remained of our Fellowship walked together in silence. Aragorn and Legolas led their horses, Gimli and myself walking with them. Boromir distanced himself a bit, choosing instead to walk with a mother and her three children a short ways away.

An awkward silence had settled over the four of us, broken only by the occasional exhale from Hasufel or Arod. But the exertion of walking began taking its toll on my ribs after only a few minutes.

Legolas swung onto Arod, muttering "I'm going to scout on ahead."

Aragorn inclined his head in an acknowledging way. "Eda can ride double with you tomorrow, then."

Legolas flashed Aragorn a glare, but Aragorn just shrugged. Legolas rode away, and Aragorn turned to me. "Are you hurting?"

I nodded, not resisting when he helped me up into Hasufel's saddle. But instead of joining me, he patted my knee and returned to walking beside us.

"Aragorn," I said softly. "Why is Legolas being like this? Have I done something?"

He sighed. "You may have; it's impossible for me to know, since we were separated for a few days. But Eda, Legolas has a dark side, and it isn't pretty."

"So he just gets mad. For no reason."

"He has a reason, I'm sure," Aragorn said gently. "No matter how small or insignificant, certain things make him angry, and he has to brood for awhile."

Wonderful, things were looking up. Not. "Do you have a list of things for me to avoid?" I grumbled.

Shaking his head, Aragorn said, "No. And even if I did, it would do little good. The truth is, Legolas isn't stable, he isn't happy, and he isn't easy to get along with. Like you and me, he's still learning to forgive and forget."

I groaned. "And, the good news is?"

Aragorn chuckled. "The good news is, Legolas is head over heels in love with you, and it won't take him too long to come around."

I gave a bitter scoff, looking away. My eyes immediately found Legolas riding at the front of the procession, his long hair glowing almost white under the harsh sunlight. Longing throbbed in my chest, and I muttered, "I kinda doubt that."

"We'll see," Aragorn said, a grin playing on his lips.

Against my better judgment, I dared to hope. If only because Aragorn had known Legolas since before I was born. That's got to count for something.