Always

*** I am enjoying writing this , but would love to know what the readers think ?? Please review !!** I promise ... there will be sex upcoming ... if there is enough intt fot for me to continue ...
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Chapter 2.

Legolas’ jaw dropped open unbecomingly , and the girl beneath him took the opportunity for another escape attempt . She raised one knee , placing her foot flat on the ground for leverage and pushed off with it , rolling to her left side and pushing the elf backward . He fell off with little of the grace he normally moved with , sprawling back into the dirt , and the girl sprung to her feet , dashing off into the dark forest . In an instant , Legolas was on his feet and on her heels , and he made a grab at her arm , skidding to a stop and spinning her about . The girl acted on instinct , raising her knee forcefully and burying it between Legolas’ legs . With a pained groan , he sunk to his knees , covering his pained groin with one hand , the other still gripping her arm with a grip she could not break . She jerked herself violently back and forth in an effort to free herself . “Let me GO !” she hissed , her green eyes wild .

Legolas slowly recovered , forcing himself to stand , and pulled her directly in front of him . “Who are you ?” he demanded . “And what business do you have sneaking into my camp to rob me blind ?”

“I owe you no answers ! “ she snapped , once again trying to pry herself free from his grip . Legolas found , to his surprise , he was able to chuckle .

“I’d say you owe me more than answers , titta er .” he reached inside her cloak and drew out his bridle , holding it up . “How were you expecting me to control my trusty steed without this ?”

“I had not given it any thought , nor do I care .” she spat nastily . “And what did you call me ?”

Legolas smiled lopsidedly at her . “Titta er . Little one .” he responded . “If you will not give me your name , then perhaps I should just make one up , e Per Perhaps curuni nis would be more appropriate ? Witch woman ?” . He began walking back to camp , dragging her behind him , fighting with every step she took . He took her to the log at the fireside and gave her a shove toward it . “Sit .” he grunted , squatting beside the fire and prodding the coals with a stick , encouraging the fire to rise once more . The girl cut her eyes toward the dark forest around them . Legolas shook his head . “I wouldn’t think about it , curuni nis . I can run much faster than you , and my eyes are made for seeing in the dark . You wouldn’t get far .”

With a disgusted sigh , the girl sat down on the log , folding her arms across her chest and sticking her lower lip out in a pout . “Stop calling me names . “ she groused .

“Then tell me your name . “ Legolas said gently .

“You tell me yours .” she echoed .

“Ae , but I do not believe you are in any position to be making demands on me , titta er . “ he said , amusement creeping into his voice . He watched the firelight play on her long hair , hair that didn’t seem to be able to decide what color it wanted to be . It’s base color was a plain , mousey brown , but was streaked with shades of honey-gold blonde and fiery auburn . Her lashes were unbelievably long , shading eyes almost the color of emeralds . Her features were fine and chiseled , with high cheekbones and full , rounded lips just made to be kissed . Legolas looked quickly away , turning his attention back to prodding the fire . “My name is Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood . “ he said quietly . “Now would you grace me with your name as well ?”

She pulled her cloak tightly about her shoulders . “Caitlin . Caitlin Ashwood .” she said at last . Her eyes fell to the half eaten rabbit laying on the rock beside the fire , and her stomach growled audibly . She licked her lower lip involuntarily , then chewed at it .

“Are you hungry , Lady Caitlin ?” Legolas asked . She swallowed hard , seemingly afraid to answer , then nodded hesitantly .

“Tis been since morning since I have eaten .” she sighed . Legolas nodded toward the meat .

“Go on , then .” he encouraged . She did not need a second invitation , and grabbed the meat up , tearing off bites and stuffing it into her mouth . He watched her eat in silence , until she had finished every morsel of meat left on the bones .

“Thank you .” she said when she had finished , tossing the bones into the fire . “I thought you were a woman , you know .”

Legolas laughed softly . “Then we are even , for I thought you a lad .” . He held out his arm to show the half circle of teeth marks , slowly coloring with a bruise . “A lad with very sharp teeth .” . As an afterthought he added , “And a kick like a mule .”

Caitlin’s cheeks colored a bright pink . “Yes , well ,I am sorry about that . I was not expecting the ‘lady’ to wake and grab me with such a crushing grip .” . She peered about into the darkness . “May I go now ?” .

Legolas tried to hide his smile by looking at the ground , as if it held his interest fully and totally . “I think not , Lady Caitlin . After all , you DID try to rob me , did you not ? Perhaps there is a price on your head …I may just take you into town tomorrow and turn you into the constable .”

Caitlin blanched , drawing in a deep breath . “Oh , please , no , just let me go my own way , I swear you will be bothered by me no more !”

Legolas’ head shot up , alerted by the fear in her voice . “Have I hit a nerve ?” he asked softly . He looked up across the fire at her , her green eyes wide . This young woman was like no other he had ever met , she awoke feelings in him he wasn’t even aware existed . He rose quickly , shaking his bedding out . “The forest is not safe at night . Share my camp tonight , and go on your way in the morn .” . He stretched out in his bedroll , pulling it up around his ears . “You’ll find an extra blanket by my pack . ‘Quel lome , Lady Caitlin .”
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Legolas awoke shortly after daybreak and sat up , stretching . The camp was empty , Caitlin’s bedding tossed haphazardly to one side . He ran his fingers through his hair . He had not really expected her to still be there , not really . So why did his heart feel so heavy , looking at the spot where she had slept ? He restarted the fire and passed his morning water against a tree , then took up his bow , slipping his quiver over his shoulder . His stomach grumbled ; he had planned to save the rest of that rabbit for breaking his fast , but that had been taken care of by his uninvited guest . He frowned , and moved silently down a narrow trail toward the creek .

The sound of a female voice reached his sensitive ears long before he sighted her ; it was Caitlin , he recognized her voice at once , and she was singing a nonsensical little ditty . Her voice was sweet and clear and strong , and Legolas was drawn to it . He saw her kneeling at the edge of the creek , her cloak folded neatly on a rock near her , and she had her blouse lowered over one shoulder , washing . He would have been quite captivated by the scene , if not for the network of glaring scars covering her shoulder and portion of her back she had exposed . He moved silently down the hill to stand unseen behind her , and reached out , touching his fingertips to her abused flesh . Caitlin gave a startled cry , tripping over her own feet in her haste to move away .

“Who did this to you , Lady Caitlin ?” Legolas asked , moving with her and catching her hand , turning her to face him .

Caitlin lifted her chin just a bit higher , gazing into the depths of his icy blue eyes . “The man I killed .” she replied coldly .