My skin frozen permanently into chill bumps, the wind rips any shred of warmth from my body. Falling snow and ice makes everything difficult to see. The only thing I can see for sure is what I cling to. My still frozen fingers, are interlaced with a man of my guard, my prince, and my friend, Legolas.

"Do you see that?" his voice called out through the frigid air, and although I could see him and feel him just barley ahead of me, it sounded as if he were yards behind me.

"W-What d-d-do you see?" My teeth chattered involuntarily. I scanned my surroundings as we pushed on through the white night. I did not see what his eyes did.

He did not respond, only pulled me on through the storm to what I hope would be shelter. My legs grew numb, and feet as well. My eyelashes grew heavy from the collection of snow, I tried not to let them fall shut for fear of them freezing that way.

"Come Leanna, w-we're al-almost there," he shouts over the howling wind. His other arm encircles my waist as he pulls me farther into the unknown, and finally I can see to what he had been referring to. A small snow laden cabin, with fire light in the one window not blocked by the snow drift.

He pry's stiff fingers from mine, to bang upon the door summoning the residence, but he does not release his hold on my waist. The door swings open, and a small woman stands just inside. She does not even ask us our business only says,

"Bloody hell are you children thinking? Venturing out in this wretched weather!" she scolds, "Poor dears, come in. Come. Come." We shivered in the doorway, and gave each other uncertain glances. But, we could not go back out into the storm. So we shed our snow frosted outer garments, and boots. I was surprised when his arm returned to my waist after ridding himself of his coat. I gave an inaudible gasp, as I did not want it to go away.

We followed the old woman into her, home, I suppose. She was stirring a large pot over the wood burning stove, the room smelled wonderful.

"Sit down, make yourselfers comfortable," she said without turning around. Legolas took a seat at the kitchen table and motioned for me to do the same, I raised my hand in decline, and came to the woman's arm.

"Would you like any help ma'am?" she turned to me, with a disappointed look in her expression. She softened and said,

"No child, go now. Warm yourself from the cold. Be with your husband," my cheeks flushed red.

"Oh...I...ugh, he's not...I mean we're not... ugh,"

She laughed the way an older and wiser one would, and gave me a small shove towards my companion, who was now sitting on the rug by the fire warming his hands. I sank down next to him, and extended my arms forward to thaw my icy fingers.

His hands, much larger and stronger than my own, took my delicate fingers and massaged them. He released a long breath through his mouth,

"You're still ice cold, Leanna. Come. Sit closer," he said pulling in front of him, so he could wrap his arms around my body. He did seem to be considerably warmer than I, probably because he has more to be keep his warmth insulated, where as I am practically skin and bone.

He rests his head on my shoulder, and continues to massage my hands in front of me, until the old woman calls us to the table, where hot bowls of soup and mugs of tea are waiting for us. When we have finished, she shows us to an extra bedroom in her cottage for us to stay.

"Are you quite sure ma'am, because-" she cuts me off

"Hush now!" she scolds. "You must get your rest. And you will not make it a hundred yards in this weather,"

Legolas puts a hand on my shoulder, and presses himself up behind me. I can practically feel his smile.

"Thank you, ma'am. For your kindness and hospitality," I say. She gives us a wry smile, and hobbles on down to her own room, where she bids us good night and disappears. I turn in the door way, to find Legolas setting down the candle on the bedside table.

I close the door, and climb into the bed. He follows, after removing his tunic. I lay on my side facing away from him, hoping not to make him uncomfortable. But he surprises me, by spooning me, and draping an arm over my waist once more. I shiver at his touch, and my breath hitches.

The arm starts to pull away, fearing it's presence has upset me, but I stop him, by holding his hand, and dragging it up away from my waist and to my stomach, a contented sigh purred into my hair. Just as I was about to drift into sleep, a warm pressure on my shoulder forced my consciousness a bit longer.

He must assume that I have fallen asleep, because the pressure lifts and reappears on my neck, it lifts and replaces again and again traveling up my neck until I can feel his torso above me reaching over to catch my lips. I am falling into the darkness of sleep, but I want to feel this so badly. I am so exhausted, that just before his lips touch down to mine, I fall onto my back into the space where his torso was before hovering above me. His warmth envelops me, as he lowers his bare chest unto me. My consciousness fades as his lips make contact with my own.

When my eyes opened again, I felt warm and safe. I expected to be in my chambers wrapped in comforters and blankets. I found that my head lay not on a feather pillow, but soft warm skin. I panicked for only a moment, before remembering the night previous. I had not shared a bed with anyone before this night, the feeling wasn't entirely unwelcome.

I hear him inhale deeply, and feel myself rise with his chest as he does so. He lets out a morning groan, rejecting the idea of waking from peaceful slumber. Then he does something, I did not expect.

He kisses my forehead tenderly, and whisperers,

"Did you sleep well, my love?"

I let out a contented sigh, indicating my positive answer. Then the full force of his words struck me, my love?

I remembered his kisses last night, but I thought I may have dreamed them up. But this... I pushed away from him,

"I cannot allow you to do this," I whispered.

"To what, could you be referring Leanna? I have done nothing wrong,"

"Stop this, you know full well this cannot be, Legolas. You are the prince, and I am-"

"The most beautiful woman, I have met in all my years. Also the kindest, the gentlest, the smartest, and-"

"Not of royalty nor nobility. Please Legolas. Stop this," I turn away from him, I hear him shift behind me, as a tear slips from my eye. His arms take in my waist, and pull me backwards in between his legs, and against his chest.

"Damn it all, Leanna. When I become King I will change the law. I will do whatever I must to keep you by my side,"I could not believe my own ears.

"Why..." I whisper.

"Haven't I already told you, darling? Beautiful, kind, gentle?"

"You are mad as hatter," I tried to pull out of his embrace.

"Maybe I am," he held me tighter, "Love does drive people insane you know,"

"Love?" My voice cracked. Legolas had always been my very close friend. But I thought for sure that his heart belonged to another. "Is this a wicked trick?"

"What would give me cause to hurt you so?" He whispered, almost offended that I could consider him doing such a thing.

I did not answer,

"I can not help but notice, love, you never answered my original question. Did you sleep well?" I could feel his playful smirk against my neck.

"Yes,"

"Excellent, we shall need out strength to continue our journey home, darling,"

His embraced loosened and then pulled away. When I turned to see him, he had already pulled on his tunic, and was offering me a hand to climb down from the bed.

His smile, glowed like sun shine, and told me that this was real, and not a fantasy or cruel trick