Legolas strode out of the tavern and onto the dirt road towards the stables. He could feel the eyes of the villagers on his every move and when he glanced their way he saw that they had respect and awe in their eyes. He only nodded as he passed them. One was even daring enough to brush his sleeve, and he faintly heard her whisper a thank you. He stopped then, and when he turned it seemed everyone held their breath. Legolas saw it was an elderly woman who touched him and to his surprise, she took his hands in hers.

"Thank you," she whispered with a smile that brightened her aged complexion.

Legolas looked at her wrinkled face; He studied her eyes and saw kindness and wisdom. Her firm hold on his hand told him she was strong despite her old age. He thought of Talmara then. She too would one day be wrinkled; her strong body would fail her and the hazel color of her eyes would dim.

And a sharp ache arose in his heart at the thought. Why did he feel this way... He shook himself and gave a small smile then tilted his head. He raised the boney hand to his lips and placed a small kiss there. With one last smile, he turned and departed.

~*~
  Legolas walked up the steps leading to the stable entrance. He paid no mind to the gaping looks surrounding him as if they were tracing his every move.

  Pushing the door open, he was greeted by a young, scrawny, lad who too, stared at him with his mouth agape. For a moment there was silence, only a distant neigh from the outside.

"I've come for my horse," Legolas' voice held a hint of amusement.

  The stable hand quickly set aside the broom in his hand and dusted off his shaggy clothing. "Y-yes, this way, Master Elf," a flush crept up his cheeks. He had nearly made a fool out of himself in front of an elf!

  Legolas followed the stable hand into the stables. There were stalls on both sides of the dirt pathway littered with hay. The wide entrance some distance ahead provided plenty of fresh air and sunlight. The horses' heads shoot up at the newcomers, and they poked out their noses to try and nudge them as they passed. Legolas brushed his hand over their velvet muzzles, and the horses neighed in delight. Seeing all the horses, Legolas noticed Galidar's mare was nowhere in sight.

  They stopped by the stall with a prancing black stallion. The horse immediately recognized his owner and trotted over to the elf.

"Mae govannen, Valamir," Legolas greeted his energetic stallion. Just as he began to open the stall, the stable lad stopped him.

"H-he's a feisty one. Y-you will need the reins lest he b-bolts," he turned to grab one off the wall.

Legolas raised his hand in protest. "Nay, that is unnecessary."

  Legolas spoke a soft elvish word and the horse immediately followed him. He turned and bid the flushed stable hand a good day then disappeared through the archway.

  He decided to go after Galidar, Seeing his horse was gone and that he wasn't in the tavern. Probably into some kind of mischief, Legolas thought with a shake of his head. He chuckled out loud when he thought of the last time they stopped by a human town. He spent most of his time breaking up verbal and physical fights between Galidar and idiot village boys. And what a lovely day this was, he would hate to ruin it by breaking up useless quarrels.

  As he lead his horse onto the street, his thoughts momentarily drifted to Talmara. He wondered why he wished to know her more. There was something about her smile that made him wish to see it more often. After the fire, He remembered the way her lips on his cheek seemed to lift a burden off his chest. He thought of her hands, so caring and...

His thoughts were disturbed by a loud giggled followed by a very familiar voice. What in Mordor was Galidar doing?

Legolas stopped and peered into an alley where he heard the voices. There Galidar was, leaning against the wall chatting heartily with two young females who were obviously smitten with him (much to Galidar's delight of course.) Legolas raises a dark eyebrow and shook his head. His horse too snorted and pranced anxiously on his feet, for he was not fond of females since a certain incident...

~Flashback~

 They had traveled from Greenwood by leave of the King to Laketown to discuss new trade treaties. Legolas as captain lead a small band of mounted warriors and among them rode his mischievous friend, Galidar. He had known him all his life. Many times they did not get along, the other times they terrorized Greenwood, resulting in punishment from none other than King Thranduil himself. Legolas smiled fondly at the memories. Let's hope this trip doesn't turn into a disaster...

 Their horses clattered across the creaking wooded bridge and they entered through the open gates. Legolas glanced around. Laketown was not a nice place, he thought. It's streets narrow and wet; overly crowded with busy people and crying children. The homes were grey and lifeless almost abandoned looking. It smelled like fish and filthy men and Legolas held back a gag. It was putrid.

 His company slowed their horses to a walk to avoid running into the civilians. They were to rest for the night before meeting the Master of the town.

 Several civilians stopped their work to stare at the visitors before they resumed their boring lives. A loud squeal erupted and Legolas looked behind him to see Galidar winking at a group of young females dressed in nearly nothing but their skins. His eyes bulged and he quickly looked away, but not after shooting Galidar a disapproving frown. To his surprise, the females began to throw flowers at them and tell them what they had to offer them tonight.

 Legolas cringed and ordered his horse to move faster. Much to his relief, they reached the small inn they had been promised free nights in. Dismounting quickly, they made their way into their given rooms. It wasn't much but it was better than nothing.

 After bathing and a hot meal, Legolas sat and looked over the messages he was to give to the Master when a knock came at his door.

"Come," he said simply without raising his head.

"My Prince, accompany me for a drink perhaps?"

"Galidar, as you can see I am busy."

"Wouldn't you like to see what Laketown has to offer?"

 Legolas sighed and dropped the paper. He raised his head and grinned. "What are we waiting for?"

                        ~*~
 It was past afternoon now. The town was dimly lit with fires and the noise had died down to hushed voices. Legolas and Galidar pulled on their hoods as they squeezed past the many people still out and about. The smell was still overwhelming and Legolas only wished to be with the trees.

 Galidar lead them towards the sound of singing and laughter. They approached a rather old looking building and Legolas glanced at his friend.

"Tis a tavern, Legolas," Galidar glanced at Legolas with a challenge in his eye.

"I know that."

 Opening the door, they were greeted by the smell of ale and things even worse than that. Legolas would have turned around if it wasn't for Galidar's smirk.

 It was crowded with drunk men and giggling females. Legolas noticed the many couples in the back kissing with passion and he quickly averted his eyes. Galidar led them to a table on the far side and put up two fingers to signal two drinks.

"I will personally kill you if anything goes wrong here," Legolas frowned when he saw a woman approaching them.

Galidar only snorted, oh he was in for it this time.

 The woman placed two drinks at their table, bending down much lower than necessary to do so and Legolas nearly gulped in disgust. He raised a dark brow when he saw Galidar smirk at her and she grinned back.

"One drink, then I am leaving," Legolas took the mug and took a sip then spat it back in disgust. "This is most unpleasant."

"Sut?" Galidar drank deeply from his own mug and cast his eyes towards the door to see the woman who served then rush out. The plan was working...

"Amin feuya ten' lle," Legolas pushed away the vile drink. "I am leaving."

Galidar nodded and went up to follow him.

 They reached the inn and bid each other goodnight. Legolas rubbed his temples and opened his door. He was not at all prepared for the sight in front of him. He stopped abruptly, his mouth agape. For there on his bed was he same woman from the tavern but dressed in significantly...less.

"I've been waiting for you..." She began to walk over to him and Legolas quickly closed his door. If someone saw and told his father...

Legolas shivered at the thought. "I-I believe you have the wrong room," he backed away from the advancing female. Was this some kind of joke?

"I assure you-" the woman reached for his golden hair and ran her fingers over a silken strand, "this is the right room."

"I did not allow you to enter my room," Legolas pushed her hand away from him.

"It matters not how I came, let me ease your tension."

Legolas frowned. He was momentarily distracted by how she came into his room, and the female took the chance to place her hands on his shoulders and massage them. Legolas closed his eyes for a moment then quickly spun on his heel.

"I wish you to leave."

"Hmm, but you were just now warming up."

"Leave!" Legolas was getting more frustrated by the second and was completely oblivious of a chuckle outside his door.

"No," the woman bit her lip and her eyes darkened to lust. She caught the elf by surprise by launching herself at him. Legolas stumbled into the desk, knocking a vase onto the floor in the process and the glass shattered. Legolas fell onto his back with a loud thump. The frisky female quickly straddled him and began trying to rip at his clothing. Legolas grabbed her wrists with a firm hold, but she was now thrashing her whole body in a mad attempt to escape. With much grunts and screams, the elf finally shoved her off him and made to stand but was roughly kicked in his midsection. The woman struck his face once and went to again but her wrist was caught in a tight grasp.

 Legolas was fuming. If this wasn't a woman he would have showed her his dagger tricks. He clenched his teeth to refrain himself. He was careful not to hurt her as he shifted the woman's arm behind her back, and picked himself off the floor. His eyes darkened with anger and he dragged the thrashing woman to the door. "Now, you will leave! And pray tell I never lay eyes on you again!"

 Legolas opened his door and shoved the woman out and quickly bolted the door. He heard the woman banging on his door and cursing in the most un-ladylike manner. He breathed a sigh of relief as her yelling subsided down the hall. Legolas closed his eyes and ran a hand over his forehead. His relief was short-lived as familiar laughter sounded from outside his door. He jerked his head up at the familiar sound and he ground his teeth in anger. Galidar you little...

 To say Galidar was laughing his ass off wouldn't do it justice. Oh, this was most amusing! He thought. He wasn't expecting to hear a full-on battle. He found himself a feisty one.

 Too lost in his laughter, he couldn't stop the hand that grabbed him by his tunic and threw him into the room. The door slammed so hard the whole floor seemed to shake. Galidar shyly glanced up to see Legolas advance on him like a loin about to make a killing strike, and he swallowed in fear.

"I could kill you now..." Legolas pulled out one of his twin knives, the blade glinted in the moonlight. Beautiful yet deadly just like its wielder.

"Goheno nin, my Prince," Galidar sunk to his knees but was instantly kicked up.

"Get up, you idiot!" Legolas sighed and sheathed his dagger. "Don't you ever do that again."

Galidar bit his cheek and nodded.

"Get out of my sight."

 Galidar made to leave when loud yelling and smashing sounds erupted. The two elves cast a worried glance at each other and dashed to the window and gasped at what they saw.

It was the barn... The crazy woman had set it ablaze.

~End of flashback~

  Legolas shivered at the recollection. He quieted his horse and commanded him to stay behind a shed. He then crept along the alley, remaining unseen behind large fruit-filled crates. His feet made not a sound as he silently approached the three. He stepped out from behind the crate and was thoroughly satisfied with the shriek of terror from the two girls. His face twisted in a hostile grin. There was one thing he truly hated besides orcs: wanton females.

"Hello there, Legolas," Galidar turned to Legolas and smirked. "We were just talking about you."

"Mani naa lle umien?"

"Uuma dela, Hîr Vuîn-" Galidar winked at the two girls to ease their tension, "we are merely being friendly."

  A thick silence fell over the alley as Legolas eyed them with dark, hostile eyes. His only response was a deep "hmmm".

  Even though Legolas looked like a deadly angel, the two females couldn't help but openly gape at the blonde warrior. Their dreamy eyes turned lustful as they eyed his masculine body, his waist-long silken hair and they walked forward to get closer to him.

  Legolas' eyes immediately darkened to a shade almost black and he moved his hand to a long silver dagger. The girls' eyes widened in fear and one shoved the other to the ground to save herself then took off running. The other quickly picked herself off the ground and fleed as if a dragon pursued her. They were too far to hear the musical laughter that fell unchecked from Legolas' lips.

"Why did you do that!?" Galidar knew how vicious his Prince could be, but that was downright...hilarious. "They will think we are savages!"

  Legolas controlled his laughter and shrugged. "Then savages we shall be-" he turned to Galidar and pointed his finger in his chest- "I will not have another wanton woman in my rooms, thank you."

  Galidar burst into laughter. "So you have not forgiven me for inviting that tavern harlot into your room all those years ago?"

  Legolas growled and strode to where his horse was waiting then called over his shoulder. "Nor will I ever. She even tormented my horse!" 

"I do not wish to repeat it, but it was most amusing," Galidar bit back another fit of laughter and followed the irritated elf. He whistled for his own horse then mounted his grey mare. "We should stay here a few more days at least, don't get yourself killed."

  Legolas frowned. Yes, they would have to leave soon. His mind went back go Talmara... What was it about her that had captivated him so? He hardly even knew her. He sighed audibly, gaining the attention of Galidar who raised an eyebrow.

  Galidar silently watched his friend. He noticed his hand touch a small pouch, herbs he reckoned. Must have been from the waitress and healer, ahh... Talmara. A dawning hit him and He smiled. Letting out a breath, he spoke before he could check his words. "Do you love her?"

  Legolas' head jerked up and he turned his face to Galidar. "Why do you say that?" He frowned and turned away, his voice almost seemed small, and he cursed. "How can I love someone I do not even know." It was more of a question than a statement. A question he didn't know the answer to.

  Galidar said nothing. Legolas was obviously fond of her, perhaps that was all it was. A mere attraction, he sensed that from the beginning. It had been a light joke, but maybe it was more...

    ~~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~

Mae govannen:  well met.

Mani naa lle umien?:  What are you doing?

Goheno nin:  forgive me

Sut?:  what?

Amin feuya ten' lle: you disgust me

Uuma dela, Hîr Vuîn:  don't worry, my lord (beloved lord)

Legolas' horse, Valamir:  mighty.
                                    ~~*~~

And sorry for the lack of updates!  Hehe D:

I am planning to wrap this story up in the next few chapters ;)   Stay tuned💖

Word count: 2,820