The next morning I arrived at the dining hall, my companions greeted me by demanding me to tell them what had happened last night. Turned out at some point that night Legolas had sneaked out and told Aragorn, who told the rest of the Fellowship of what happened. Now they all stared at me in inquiry. I sighed.

"Why must you tell them about what happened?" I complained at Legolas who looked rather impassive.

"They deserve to know," answered Legolas flatly.

"You are part of the Fellowship and we will do whatever it takes to defend you should anyone try to harm you," added Aragorn looking at me, "Now tell us what happened."

"And do not leave any details behind!" added Gimli with a grunt, his eyes squinted at me as if warning me.

I sighed. Usually back in my world, my friends wouldn't make such a big deal out of this, not like the way my companions seemed to do.

"Just so you know, I kicked his butt last night. He was lucky my weapons weren't anywhere near me, or else I might've killed him," I blurted with a smug smile, hoping to make my friends relax.

But alas, none of them showed any amusement or humor; if anything they grew to be more tensed than before. Probably imagining me being pinned, unarmed against an armed guy almost twice my size.

I facepalmed myself inwardly for my stupidity. 

Upon their persuasion, I started recounted to them the my side of the story, and when I was finished, they all were silent and looked angry. I shrugged, digging into my plate and ate my food.

"Show me your wrist," ordered Aragorn.

"No," I objected. "It's nothing. You all taking this way too seriously. Jeez. Relax," I said lightly, bringing my spoon to my mouth.

Legolas stopped me and took my spoon away. I protested.

"Hey!" 

The elf brought my hand on the table carefully and rolled my sleeve to let everyone see the red hand print on it. I clasped my other hand to cover the marks when I saw my friends' expression darkened.

It baffled me. They really were taking this seriously. 

Aragorn pursed his lips. He looked pissed as he put down his cutlery and stood up. Gimli and the hobbits also stood to follow him.

"Legolas, take Leane to see the healer. We will take this matter to Eomer and find her attacker," ordered Aragorn. Legolas nodded. Then Aragorn turned his eyes to me.

"I promise you he will pay for what he has done."

My eyes widened in horror. 

Holy shit. This was as equal as bringing the matter to the court. I stood and walked around the table to hold Aragorn back.

"Look, there's no harm done. He didn't hurt me. The bruise is nothing. You know I had worse than that," I told him chuckling nervously. "There is no need taking this matter further. It's nothing, Aragorn," I said with conviction.

Aragorn looked at me in disbelief and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Leane. This is not a small matter. What he did was disgraceful and as the leader of the Fellowship I will not just stand here and do nothing after the mockery that he did to you," he spat as his eyes stormed in anger.

"Lass, he assaulted you. Think what he would've done to you if you weren't able to defend yourself last night! He attacked you with a sword and you were unarmed!" growled Gimli angrily.

They didn't wait for my response as they walked away, leaving me baffled and feeling horrible for causing such trouble.

Legolas linked his hand with mine and I sighed deeply.

"Legolas, this is crazy. I never wish for this to happen. Last night was nothing. It's just like this normal night in the bar where a drunk guy make an unwanted approach at me. It's..." I trailed, noticing the look of disapproval and a hint of confusion at my twenty first century reference. "What are they thinking?"

Legolas tilted his head in disbelief; then he put both hands on my shoulders, his eyes hard and serious as he spoke.

"Leane, you have to know that this kind of matter is very serious. At least in this world. It is important that the lowlife learn his lesson. Nobody–" he stated in a low, angered tone, "Nobody should ever talk to you or touch you like that."

Venom latched his words; his murderous rage hit me again like a tidal wave as the words rolled of his tongue. It frightened me and made me feel nauseous. I fought the urge to back away from his touch, remembering to put my wall up. I breathed in and out before speaking.

"Legolas, please... You have to calm down. Your roller coaster of emotions right now is hurting me," I said cringing.

Legolas was stunned as he stared at me. He let go of his hands and looked somewhat guilty and pained at the same time.

"Leane... I am so sorry. I didn't realize I was hurting you. Forgive me," he apologized.

Perfect. Now I just made him felt bad about himseld. I shook my head in regret.

"Great. Now I make you feel bad. I'm sorry, please don't blame yourself," I said as I took his hand and led him out from the dining hall as curious stares were following us. I ignored them.

I led him to the bench we sat the other night and looked at his stiff stature. He looked like a kicked puppy as guilt swam in his eyes.

"Please don't feel bad, Legolas. Stop. I'm sorry, okay?" I said softly but he only gave me a forced smile that seemed saddened. I sighed.

I embraced his stiff body, drawing circles on his back with my fingers to comfort him.

Legolas buried his face on my shoulder and a silly idea popped in my mind and I sang in whisper to his ears, not minding my off-key notes.

I began to sing a tune of a comforting, sweet song that I happened to like back on Earth. I inwardly threw my fist in the air as Legolas gave me that loving smile that reached his eyes.

I cupped his face and he leaned his face to it, closing his eyes and kissed my wrist. My heart fluttered and I seemed to forget how to breathe. He stole my breath away.

"And here you are comforting me when I should be the one comforting you," Legolas smiled as his soft, icy blue eyes looking deep into my dark brown ones.

I grinned playfully and muttered, "A simple thank you would suffice."

He kissed my temple, drawing a chuckle from me.

"That's more like it," I said, "Now weren't you about to escort me to the healer?"

His smile widened. He offered me his hand, leading me to the healer (the kind one who scolded me before) who treated my hip and gave me some ointment for my wrist. She was freaked out when she heard what happened, turned out it was a blasphemy for a man to attack an unarmed lady.

Later that day when I and Legolas were exploring Edoras and chatted with each other, we met our companions, along with Eomer and a couple soldiers who were flanking Hilram.

Resentment came to me and I instinctively held Legolas arm tighter and Legolas clasped his hand on mine. Hilram's eyes traveled to our joined hands. He glared.

Eomer pushed Hilram forward, gesturing him to address me. Awkward situation ensued.

"My lady. Please accept my apology for my impudence last night. That was uncalled for and it won't happen again," Hilram mumbled like a memorized line. He rolled his eyes.

Suddenly Legolas lurched forward to hit him, his fist was already in the air, but I held him back.

"Legolas, no!" I exclaimed in shock. Aragorn came between him and Hilram.

"Consider yourself lucky for being alive after what you have done. Had I find you put a hand on her I would have put an arrow between your eyes on the spot. The least thing you can do is show some respect!" spat Legolas in a deadly voice, his eyes hard and dangerous.

Eomer looked pissed and shouted in anger and authority towards Hilram.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Hilram son of Herbeth. You just doubled your disciplinary punishment. Now apologize. Do it better."

Hilram clenched his jaw and looked down in shame. He didn't like it, but he finally managed to address me and Legolas the way his captain wanted him.

"Forgive me," he said forcefully in defeat before the two guards who led him on walked past us. Eomer looked at me and spoke.

"On behalf of one of my men, I sincerely apologize for his disgraceful actions. Hilram has always been having trouble with drinking. He's a good soldier but he's also infamous for starting a brawl, yet this was the worst thing he ever done. Please rest assured that he will learn his lesson," Eomer said formally with a grim voice before bowing at me.

"It's fine really," I replied as I shift my weight to another foot in uneasiness, feeling a little guilty to cause Eomer such inconvenience.

At that the Rohirrim rider excused himself and my friends went along with him, following him as they talked along the way, leaving me and Legolas alone.

I looked at him and a smile crept up my face. Legolas' hard expression softened as confusion took its place.

"Thank you for standing up for me," I thanked him, genuinely moved by his protective actions towards me, even though that gave me a little heart attack when he spat earlier.

Legolas only stared back at me with unreadable expression before planting a kiss on my cheek and temple, then flashed me a smile as he put an arm around my shoulders and we resumed our pleasant walk together.