Quick character list:

Galidar: Legolas' childhood friend. He is mostly seen around Legolas cracking jokes ^^

Talmara: 19 years old(the picture ⤴ is her) She works at The Willow's Horde and works as a healer. Her parents are deceased. Marli's sister and mother figure.

Marli: almost 4 years old. She is very sweet and mostly quiet. She loves dolls and flowers. Her Godparents are the baker and his wife.

Damon: redheaded brat. He loves to joke and annoy people. He is about 9 years old.

Emilla: she is 8 years old. She loves to draw and ask many questions.

Mr. Brooker: The owner of The Willow's Horde tavern. He is grumpy and not fond of children.

Elowen: blond hair, blue eyes pretty girl. She works at the tavern and is mostly a flirt everywhere she goes. She is Talmara's childhood friend.
~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~

Conscious slowly returned to Legolas. Burning pain in his side made him take a deep breath, and he tried to open his eyes; he wondered when he had fallen out, and frowned at the unfamiliar feeling of soft sheets. At seeing the bright sunlight, he quickly reclosed his eyes, and brought a hand up to massage his throbbing head; the action pulled at his bandaged side and he winced.

"Lie still, I'll close the curtains," a woman's kind voice sounded in the room. There were quiet footsteps, then the sound of drapes shutting and the sunny room dimmed. "You must be thirsty."

Not knowing someone was there, Legolas startled at the voice and tried to sit up but a sharp pain in his head forced him to stay put. He tried to speak but it sent him into a fit of painful coughing.

"Lie still," the woman commanded. She moved to pour a glass of cool water then sat at the edge of the bed--"drink slowly now."

The fragrance of lilacs and vanilla swept across his nose and he relaxed. He felt a glass between his lips then a gentle hand moved to hold up his head, and he gladly welcomed the cool liquid that ran down his parched throat.

The woman made to remove the glass but a firm hand on her wrist stopped her; she stayed put and watched as the fair being drank the cup dry. When Legolas finished, she set the glass on the table by the bedside. She grabbed a cool cloth and pressed it on the elf's forehead. Her eyes gazed over his handsome, exotic features and her fingers itched to trance over his fair skin. How could someone be so perfect? She thought.

Legolas opened his eyes. It was fuzzy, and his head pounded uncomfortably. His eyes focused on the woman's face; he recognized her as the waitress and the woman who frantically took the child from his arms. Talmara, that was her name, he thought. She was smiling at him now, her hazel eyes filled with unshed tears. He realized then that it was her sister that he rescued from the flames.

"You mustn't cry," he reached up and brushed his hand over her cheek, realizing how soft it was, "please."

Talmara nodded and pressed her cheek to his hand. She stood up and took a deep breath. "My sister is alive because of you, I am forever grateful."

Legolas smiled softly. "Is-- she alright?" he whispered.

"Yes--" Talmara dabbed at her eyes and chuckled," she asks for you--"

A knock at the door cut her off. Before she could answer, the door opened, and a male with long chestnut hair and bright gray eyes welcomed himself into the room. Talmara found herself staring at curiously at the intruder; her mind still couldn't process that elves were actually here.

"He has awoken," Galidar stepped forward, "I wish to speak with him."

"He can't speak," Talmara stated, "His voice is irritated and he needs to heal."

Galidar nodded. He sat at the edge of the bed and stared at his childhood friend. "You seem to have drawn attention to yourself again. Villagers are asking to see you, mostly children--" he grinned, "Some even say you are a freak of witchcraft. I know not their intentions, perhaps we should remain hidden. I don't fancy our King's dungeons. "

Legolas only quirked his eyebrow; his face was blank except for the amusement that danced in his eyes. He shifted himself up till he was sitting with his back against the pillows.

Galidar's eyes softened. "I knew you would return," he whispered and clapped Legolas on the shoulder.

Talmara approached them with a steaming cup of tea in her hand and held it out to Legolas.

"Drink this, it will soothe your throat."

"How long have I been out?" Legolas asked as he sipped the tea, relieved that he could get a word out without coughing.

"A day," She answered. "You are healing remarkably well. That was a daring thing you did."

"And it won't be the last," Galidar chuckled, "don't ever frighten me like that again, Las."

Talmara couldn't help but smile. She found herself very fond of these elves and felt that she might even become used to them.

~~~~*~~~~
The dawn's first rays shined brightly through an open window and the sound of birds singing filled the room.

A golden-haired elf stood by the window; a gentle breeze tossed his hair across his shoulders, and he closed his eyes, listening to the morning sounds around him. He wore a dark green tunic with black trousers and black boots with golden buckles.

A small spotted thrush hopped onto the window sill and chirped happily.

Legolas opened his eyes and smiled as the bird hopped on to his shoulder. He brought up his hand to touch the soft feathers and the thrush rubbed his head against his cheek. Two more flew through the open window to land on the elf's shoulder, and he laughed and greeted his feathered friends.

There came a soft knock on the door.

"Come."

Talmara pushed the door open; with her back, her hands full with a tray of food. She wore a black and white dress that was rather tight at the waist; her brunette hair was tied in a loose braid that reached her mid-back. (picture at the end⤵)
"Oh! You are awake. I brought you breakfast-" she turned around and stopped. Her eyes widened, she had never seen anything like this.

Legolas glanced at her and smirked. "Touch them, they will let you."

She didn't hear, all she saw was him. He was tall, so much taller than anyone she's seen. His eyes so blue, bright and deep; like an ocean reflecting the starlight. Does he blink?

Legolas inclined his head and smiled when he realized she wasn't listening. Humans, he thought.

"Are you there?" he peered at her with his eyebrow raised in amusement.

Talmara blushed as he caught her staring at him. "-Yes," she quickly set the tray down lest she drop it ,and shifted on her feet nervously.

Legolas laughed, and Talmara felt the tension leave her shoulders. "Come, don't tell me you are afraid of a bird?" He held out the bird, and it chirped happily.

Talmara let out a laugh. "Well of course not!" she strode over to stand by the elf, and she suddenly felt small.

"Give me your hand-" he placed the bird into her palm and watched as her hazel eyes beamed and a wide smile brightened her lovely face. He suddenly wished to see her smile more often.

"I've never held a bird before unless a hen counts, "she laughed. Their eyes met, and Talmara dropped her stare to the floor. There was something about his eyes that seemed to see right through her. It made her feel open and vulnerable.

The birds chirped one last time and the two watched it flutter into the blue sky. They stood so close that she could breathe in his sent, he smells like forests on a spring night...

They were aware of their close proximity, and Legolas, seeing her flustered face, respectfully stepped back and focused his eyes to the breakfast on the bed.

"I hope you like toast with jam and eggs," Talmara said and pushed a stray strand of hair from her face, "I don't know much of what elves eat."

Legolas laughed, and Talmara couldn't help but notice how beautiful it sounded, "It is fine, thank you, and please, call me Legolas."

"Legolas," Talmara said slowly, savoring each syllable. It was a strange name to her but it was beautiful, just like its owner.

Legolas ate and invited Talmara to sit but she shook her head and busied herself dusting the room. She then noticed a neat pile of well-crafted weapons in the corner. A golden dagger's hilt caught her eye and she found herself wanting to touch it.

The door opened just has Legolas finished and a hooded Galidar strode into the door. "Legolas, come, we must go to the tavern before we are seen."

Talmara startled and looked up at the new commer and Legolas spoke. "Ahh, Lady Talmara, this is Galidar."

"Greetings, Galidar."

Galidar slipped off his hood revealing his handsome grinning face. "And to you, my Lady."

Legolas stood and slipped on his hood. He donned his weapons and made his way to the door. He stopped and turned around, "thank you, Lady Talmara."

She smiled; her hazel eyes beaming. "No, Thank you."

Legolas tipped his head with a small smile and slipped out through the door.

"They will keep looking for you you know! And do be careful with your side!" she hollered last minute; but when she looked outside the door and in the halls, she found no trace of them.

~~*~~

Mid-morning came and Willowdale's locals were alive with gossip. They all saw it; even though his face was covered in ash, it couldn't be mistaken. There were elves in town.

Damon and Emilla among several children stood lined up at the entrance door of the tavern, chatting excitedly.

"Won't they open up already!" Emilla shouted impatiently, "I want to see them."

"You think it's true then?" one questioned with excitement, "That those really were elves!?"

"I believe it, Talmara said so," Emilla replied with confidence, "she also said their eyes shine like stars, just as the books say!"

"Momma says he ran right into the burning bakery and came back riding on a magnificent horse with Marli in his arms!"

Suddenly, the doors burst open and a gruff looking man strode through.

"Go on! Get!" he shooed at them like he would a dog, "ain't need no little thieves 'round here!"

Emilla stomped her feet angrily. "We ain't thieves, Mr. Brooker--" she peeked through the open door hoping to catch a glance at the elves-- "We want to see the elves."

The man scoffed, he knew they were in there and that they wished to be left alone. He also was paid a large shiny gold coin for letting the two in his tarvern before open hours. "Enough with yer nonsense, go on-"

"-Now now Mr. Brooker," an amused voice at the door cut him off. "Why don't you let them in, any trouble is on me."

Emilla and the children beamed. "Talmara!"

Mr. Brooker mumbled something under his breath and stomped through the door.

Damon made a face at Mr. Brooker's back. "Can't believe you work for that old grouch."

"You mustn't say that, Damon, " she pulled on his arm and led him into the dimly lit tavern.

The rest of the eager children followed closely; their eyes darting from side to side.

"And you mustn't cause trouble, you hear?" Talmara put her hands on her hips like an impatient mother and the children nodded their heads.

"We want to see the elves."

"He is our champion!"

"Do you think-"

"Enough of that!" Talmara impatiently snapped her fingers, "You will sit and hush or come and make yourselves useful in the kitchen."

Damon scoffed. "That's girls' work!"

Talmara couldn't help but laugh.
"Suit yourself."

On the far side of the room, two hooded elves watched the scene with amusement.

"Seems your admirers caught up to you, Leaf Prince," Galidar chuckled and watched his friend from the corner of his eye.

"Are all human children like this?" Legolas implored with a cringe as he sipped on a glass of wine.

"Worse I hear."

Legolas hummed in reply. His keen senses picked up a presence moving closer and he turned his head to see a small freckled face girl peeping from behind a nearby table.

"What do you hide, child?" Legolas' deep, musical voice cut threw the bubble of silence around them, "come here."

Slowly, cautiously, Emilla approached. I am in for it now... She thought miserably. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, and she remembered what Damon once told her about elves taking children and feeding them to giant spiders. Would they kidnap her and feed her to giant spiders? She shuddered at the thought and her fingers clenched tightly on her journal.

Legolas heard her heart pounding and he suddenly felt guilty. Was he so frightening that a child would tremble at the mere sound of his voice?

"Step forward, child. I am not going to harm you."

~~*~~

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