[LEANE'S POV]

Having arrived at Edoras ahead of the rest of the Fellowship, I waited for the return of my companions from Isengard, feeling excited to meet them again and be reunited with Merry and Pippin. I had missed those little troublemakers. With Eowyn by my side, we waited in comfortable silence as the wind blew our dresses and hair.

Then from afar I saw them; five stallions galloping to our direction. I fought the urge to jump up and down and run after them.

My heart melted at the sight of Legolas smiling face, his eyes shone when our eyes met. Then I beamed at my companions and the hobbits.

"Merry! Pip!" I exclaimed as they dismounted the horses and ran to hug me. I laughed heartily; relief and joy at seeing them again warmed my heart.

We all talked and chatted as we sat in the dining hall and caught up with each other. Merry and Pippin were telling us in details about their wondrous journey, how I saved them, including the gory details of how the orcs treated me. The latter part didn't bode well to my companions. Aragorn clenched his jaw, Gimli growled and Legolas' eyes darkened in a murderous way at Pippin's depiction of me being kicked away like a puppy by a bunch of mean, ugly kids.

I might had skipped that torture part when telling them my experience. I was sure by now that after we were alone I was going to have an earful of lecture because of this. Somehow Aragorn and Gimli had both implicitly adopted me as their sister, while Legolas was just his own overprotective self.

By now King Theoden, Eomer and Eowyn, along with some of his officials that I wasn't familiar with were looking at me in disbelief. Their food forgotten for a moment.

That of course, led the king to the direction of interrogating me of where I hail from. I sensed my companions tensed at the question. I had made a deal with them that I couldn't tell the others that I came from another world. I looked at Gandalf for help. His face was blank, but his eyes told me one thing : lie.

So I lied. I told them that I was an orphan and had no family (which was not exactly a lie), Aragorn found me back in Rivendell, and that I had been following him ever since, not wanting to be separated from the only family I've got. I also lied that I had a very vague memory of where I came from due to my previous head injuries.

I was so relieved when the lunch was over. I was talking animatedly with my friends, when a servant came and brought us clothes to wear tonight at the feast to honor the fell soldiers of Rohan.

As honored guests, all the Fellowship members were to attend the feast, and I reluctantly had to wore the beautiful, dark green dress that Eowyn lent me. Main reason it being too tight on the chest and abdomen. I had no idea why women of this age were so obsessed on wearing corsets that choke them to death in order to get that illusion of a smaller, narrow waist.

I took a bath from the buckets of water, drawn by a maid servant for me. I cleaned up well, glad that I had my rose oil and soap with me back from Lothlorien.

Eowyn came in to my room and helped me with my hair. It was simple and elegant, styled in a braided half up do. When I looked into the mirror I was surprised. All this time I had not paid so much intention with my look, what with all the quest and the war.

By now the bruises on my face were fading, almost invisible and my skin had turned to its normal, healthy color. The wound on my hip was still healing; I just hoped that it will mend itself very soon- it still a little bit hurt if I moved too fast or too roughly.

The wound didn't bother me much since it will always be covered, but the thing that struck me the most was how thin I looked than the last time I remember, especially when I was naked. I dressed up, and Eowyn told me how beautiful I was and I thanked her for the kind compliment.

She herself looked very beautiful and elegant, her hair cascaded down in a wavy blonde color, her dress flowing beautifully beneath her. I wondered why she was still single, then I remembered: she was saved for Faramir in the future.

By the time I arrived at the dining hall, people were chattering and laughing with each other. Several people turned to look at me, most of them soldiers of Rohan. They must had heard about me, a woman that joined the battle.

Why make such a whole fuss about it? Someone gotta invent the word 'feminism' very soon. I ignored their curious looks and went straight to find my companions at the front seats.

Gimli saw me first and I smiled at the bearded dwarf.

"There is none could be found in Edoras that is more fairer," he said as he looked up at me.

I laughed lightly, "Aw Gimli. That's so nice of you to say."

I felt my hand being taken by someone. Legolas looked at me with his intense blue eyes in adoration. As if I was the most beautiful girl in the whole world. He kissed my knuckles and spoke in a low voice.

"You look ravishing tonight, melleth nin," he said as his eyes traveled down my body then up to my eyes. I blushed.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself," I said, looking at his silver tunic that only added to his glowing, immaculate looks.

God. He was so handsome and charming that I bet that all the ladies in the world would line up to get his attention. I still couldn't believe that he was my boyfriend.

Somehow the word 'boyfriend' just didn't sound right.

Lover. That'd do it more justice. He was my lover, and I blushed some more at the thought, much to Legolas' amusement.

I sat with my companions as the king made a speech and a toast for the fallen soldiers of Rohan. After that, the feast began and everybody was lost in the moment, catching up with their friends, eating and drinking merrily. Despite the way it looked, I also suspected that some of the men were also drinking to drown their sorrows upon losing their comrades in battle.

The thought dampened my spirit a little. Being perceptive than most, Legolas had his hand clasped mine and offered me a comforting smile of his. I beamed, but after that he didn't let go of my hand. His soft hand intertwined with mine the whole time under the table. I enjoyed it thoroughly, though I laughed several times when I caught him trying to fork his food with his left hand.

By the time we were all full, Gimli challenged Legolas for a drinking game. Legolas refused the offer without skipping a beat. When I asked why not, he told me that he just wanted to sit and spend time with me.

I remembered this scene well from the movie I once watched. He was supposed to play the game and win. Somehow my presence alone was changing little details of the fate that my companions should have.

"Why laddie, are you afraid of losing against a dwarf?" Gimli taunted him with a loud rumbling laughter.

"Nay," replied Legolas coolly, unaffected by the dwarf's taunts.

"You never drink before?" I asked Legolas curiously.

"Nay. Ale or wine won't affect an elf so I didn't bother to even try them," he said matter of factly.

Oh my gosh. Legolas was so handsome and deadly in battle, yet so pure and innocent. The elf had never drunk before.

Gimli laughed louder at the revelation and Legolas squinted his eyes at him, looking slightly ticked off. Then he looked to me and I saw determination flashed in his eyes.

"I change my mind. I will take up on your challenge on the drinking game," he announced flatly to Gimli and I smiled, finding the fate didn't change after all. Men will always be men, their testosterone will play a great role in their choices.

"You will beat him, aur nin," I said excitedly, cheering him up. He beamed at me and replied a little louder to let the dwarf hear.

"I will win this for you, Leane," he said smugly and I squeezed his arm, grinning in delight.

Gimli snorted as Eomer handed Legolas a mug of ale. The elf took it, peering at the inside of the mug with apprehension.

"No pauses. No spills," stated Eomer.

"And no regurgitation," added Gimli as the men around the table laughed merrily.

"So it's a drinking game?" asked Legolas innocently.

"Last man standing wins," said Gimli through messy beard and he drank greedily from his mug.

Legolas looked at the inside of his mug and took a whiff on it. Doubt adorned his facial expression before he turned his eyes to look at me. I smiled at his innocence. The determination that was in his eyes previously flashed again and he began drinking from the mug, his eyebrows scrunched together at tasting the ale for the first time.

I might not drink, but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing people getting drunk. I would love to see how Gimli and Legolas are when they're drunk, too.

After more than ten mugs on both Legolas and Gimli's sides, my mind was blown. These two drank like a horse drinking water. My jaw dropped in wonder. I wasn't alone; Eomer was also staring at both of them in astonishment.

Not long after that Gimli farted. I laughed loudly, highly amused at his funny, drunk behavior. Were all dwarves act like this when they're drunk? Gimli laughed in a booming, throaty laughter as ale dripped down his beard. I laughed louder as he did, taking another mug of ale and drank greedily. He's definitely so drunk by now.

On the other hand, Legolas drank neatly and silently without all that fuss. He really didn't look affected at all by the ale. I even peered inside his mug to check whether it was ale they were feeding him, to which he only looked at me questioningly but then kept drinking as I said nothing.

I shared a look with Eomer. We both came to a silent agreement that these two were curious case. They were beasts.

"It's the dwarves that go swimming with little, hairy women," slurred Gimli out of the blue and laughed drunkenly, before he burped loudly.

My stomach hurt of laughing so much at his slurred words. That until Legolas spoke.

"I feel something," he said in wonder, looking intently at his fingertips. I and Eomer lifted our brows, looking at each other in curiosity.

"A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me," Legolas continued, looking extremely enthralled by it. I laughed lightly at him and he looked at me questioningly, wonder still in his face.

Then Gimli slurred, "What did I say? He can't hold his liquor," before his eyes crossed. Knowing what would happen next after he said those words, I moved behind him, catching him when he fell so he didn't hurt himself.

Note to self: Dwarves might be short, but they're dense and stout as hell. They're heavy.

Legolas looked slightly smug at the sight and he told Eomer, "Game over."

Not long after, one of the king's official went to talk to Legolas and I nodded at him, mouthing to him that I was going to find Eowyn.

I searched around for Eowyn, my only girly friend here, but couldn't find her. So I went out into the cold night, a little further from the hall and stood to gaze at the beautiful starry, night sky.

"Lady Leane," a man's voice sounded behind me as I turned to find Hilram, the Rohan soldier I met on the way to Helm's Deep about two weeks ago.

"Stargazing, are we?"

I smiled politely and bowed my head in acknowledgement. How did he find me? I was out of sight from the dining hall. Hilram smiled widely as he moved to stand beside me.

"Good evening," I greeted, "How are you, Hilram? I hope you're enjoying the feast?"

"Aye, my lady. Especially now that I finally see you again," he said as he looked me up and down. I felt slightly uncomfortable as his eyes trained on me, but I ignored it.

Legolas looked at me like that as well earlier in the night, but it was different from the way Hilram did. Legolas' stares were loving, but somehow I felt unsafe at the way Hilram's eyes lingered on me.

"I see that the elf had finally left you alone on your own."

I frowned at his choice of words. It was as if he was taunting me. However I replied politely though now he made me feel uneasy.

"What do you mean? I left him. He was talking to someone else," I said with a nervous chuckle.

"Why, that is his loss," he said smugly.

"I'm just looking for fresh air," I explained, wondering at the tone of his voice.

"'Tis such a shame that a beautiful lady like you is alone, without no man to be at your side," he said as his eyes traveled my body in a way that sent an eerie chill down my spine.

His tone alerted me so I pulled down my mental wall to sense what he was feeling at the moment. I was alarmed to feel lust radiating off of him. It disgusted me. I fidgeted as he continued speaking, eager to excuse myself and leave his side.

"If you want to be with a real man," he said taking steps closer to me and I stepped back a bit as he was invading my personal space, "I am here at your service."

He moved his hand to touch my face but I moved away, frowning.

"I'm sorry Hilram, but I think I'm going to go back inside. Goodnight," I said uncomfortably and quickly, turning my back to him but his hand gripped my wrist and I looked at him in alarm as his anger and lust hit me.

"Why can't I touch you? You had no trouble letting the elf hold your hand or brush the strand of your hair behind your ear," he protested. "You're not his. You're a free woman," he retorted.

"I am his. He's my lover. Now let me go," I said as I fought to keep my tone level.

Hilram laughed mockingly at me and I felt my anger rose. I yanked my wrist from his grip by twisting my wrist and pushed his hand roughly. Anger flashed in his reddened eyes.

I might not see it before but now I saw that his actions were clouded with the ale flowing in his bloodstream.

I fumed and turned away in quick strides, but he caught my wrist again, gripping it tightly this time.

"Let. Me. Go." I told him with venom in my voice as I tried to yank his hand to no avail.

"Stay with me for a while, and I will forget your impudence, my lady," he said as he moved to touch my face but I pushed him roughly that he staggered back. He grunted as he fell on the ground.

I ran towards the direction of the hall, but he yanked my hair roughly. I yelped and was sent falling to the ground. I grunted in pain as the wound of my hip screamed in protest at the harsh movement.

He went to lean down towards me and grab me but I kicked him hard and stood quickly; I cursed the fact that I didn't have my weapons with me. He growled angrily and threw a fist at me, which I dodged and I surprised him by kicking him on the shin in which he groaned in pain.

I took the chance to run away from him, but my foot slipped on something and I fell hard on my face. A truly perfect timing for my clumsiness to pay me a visit.

I struggled to get up as the sound of his footsteps neared, but I froze as I was met by the tip of his sword.

Shit.

I was thinking about screaming but seeing the hall was a little too far and far too noisy to hear me out, and on top of that the blade on my face, I waved that idea away.

"Don't do this, Hilram. You are drunk. Let me go and I won't tell anyone about what happened here," I said, mustering my calm tone, hoping that he would listen.

He moved his hand and his fingers brushed my jaw to my neck, much to my disgust. I flinched before he could go further. I looked at him darkly. How dare he harass me like that!

"Don't touch me!" I said angrily in a dangerous low voice, "Let me go, bastard!"

He laughed and I took the moment of his distraction and stunned him by kicking his feet. Again, he fell back on his butt.

This time I succeeded at getting away from him and reached the door of dining hall.

Legolas came first in my mind and I went to step inside, eager to be in the safety of his arms again, but the pain on my hip intensified as I tried to move.

I looked down at my tattered and dirty dress; it was soaked with blood on the spot where my hip wound was. Shit, I just undo the stitches and ruined Eowyn's dress. There was no way I'm going inside looking like this.

So I jogged to my room, looking back to see if Hilram was following me. Convinced that no one saw me, I entered my door, backing away from it as my feet hit something. I jumped, only to find the foot of the bed next to my feet.

I released a relieved breath and sat on the floor beside it. I caught my breath and processed what just happened. Fatigue started to take its toll on me.

If I didn't know how to defend myself, I didn't dare think of what he would do to me. My body trembled lightly as fear gripped me. I shuddering at the thought of what could've been.

I saw shadow moving from under the crack beneath the door and stood upright in alarm, my body tensed.

Then the doorknob turned and Legolas' silvery tunic glinted at me as he entered.

I ran and jumped at him as I hugged him in a death grip. The movement only hurt me more since jumping at Legolas like that was almost like jumping at a wall. But I couldn't care less. He tensed and stilled in surprise but relaxed in an instant when he realized it was me. He encircled his arms around me.

"Leane... I've been looking for-" he stopped mid speech and paused briefly.

"You are shaking," he stated, alarm and concern latched his steady voice.

"What's wrong?" he asked demandingly as he moved to pull away and studied me.

He squinted his eyes as he looked at my dirtied dress and at the blood stain on my hip. His eyes widened in alarm and I felt rage radiated off of him. I flinched at his steep change of emotion.

"Who did this?" he asked in a low, dangerous tone, his icy blue eyes thundered in murderous light. For the first time in my life, Legolas scared the life out of me. My mouth hung open with shock. I was dumbfounded. He saw my expression and inhaled; his expression softened a bit.

"Tell me what happened," he asked again, straining his voice to be calm and collected.

After I recovered from my shocked state, I finally told him everything about Hilram and what he had tried to do to me. I had to put up the wall of my empathy gift because Legolas' murderous rage was too overwhelming for me.

His face hardened in anger as I finished recounting what happened. He was silent like the calm before the storm. I was afraid that he will stand up and look right away for Hilram to get even, because he looked like he was thinking about it.

The fact that he had his bow and a quiver full of arrows with him didn't help.

I reached to cup his face and spoke to him softly.

"Legolas... You need to calm down. You're scaring me. Please..."

He breathed heavily before his expression softened and I relaxed. I hugged him tightly.

"Forgive me if I scared you," he said apologetically, brushing my hair comfortingly before pulling away to take my chin and tilted it, examining me. "Are you hurt somewhere else beside the hip?"

"I don't know I haven't checked. Let me change real quick."

Legolas turned his body away as I changed to simple tunic and loose pants. I saw the muscle on his back tensed.

Note to self: Never get on Legolas' bad side.

I let Legolas clean the open wound on my hip and put a bandage on it. It had stopped bleeding, and I insisted that I go to see the healer the next day instead of tonight.

Legolas eyes trained on my left hand and I saw red fingers mark on my wrist. He looked at me with regret and a slight of anger, then pulled my hand gently to kiss my wrist lightly.

I smiled at his gentleness and I hugged him again.

"I told him I am yours and I kicked his butt," I whispered to his pointy ear and he chuckled lightly.

"I love you, Leane. I am sorry that I wasn't present when that lowlife put a hand on you. I should have not let you out of my-" I cut him.

"I was the stupid one to wander alone out in the place I wasn't familiar with in the first place. It's not your fault. And my lesson learned."

Legolas nodded before adding his mind.

"He was following you. I'm sure of it," Legolas said frowning. I smirked after a moment of pause, a bulb lit up in my brain.

"Will you stay here with me tonight?" I asked out of the blue. I added with a more convincing tone. "What if he sneak into my room? You have to stay and accompany me for as long as we stay in Edoras."

Legolas smiled in amusement upon reading my hidden intention behind the excuses I conjured up. He shook his head.

"I cannot argue with that. You had me at the mention of that imbecile sneaking into your room."

I smiled widely as my plan worked. I kissed his cheek and thanked him. I climbed the bed and slid beneath the blanket. Moments later Legolas' arms were encircling me and he kissed me tenderly. I chuckled in between our kiss as I smelled ale in his breath.

"That was your first time drinking, yet you won the drinking game," I said to him, in which he smiled proudly.

"How many mugs did you had?"

"Eighteen," he replied coolly.

"Wow. That must be a first," I told him smiling as I leaned up to kiss him again, my hand went up to his hair and grazed at it and brushed his ear.

He deepened the kiss before kissing my face in circles. I smiled sleepily all the way.

His warmth and the scent of fresh cut grass and leather filled my nostrils. Having him near me erased my previous fear and worry.

My eyes blurred as he kissed my face. Just before I fell asleep, I mumbled, "Goodnight, Legolas."

I passed out instantly, with Legolas still on top of me, not even bothered to wait for his response. His lips on my temple was the last thing that I registered before fatigue and sleep overtook me into a dreamless sleep.