The Uninvited She-Elf

She did not even come to bid us farewell, brother."

Legolas had no need to ask who Aragorn was talking about. Almost five days had passed since the fellowship had left Rivendell, and Legolas could see Laranei's absence at thier departure still bothered Aragorn. He himself understood why she was not there, at least he thought he might, and if he was right, it had nothing to do with being slapped.

"I should not have stuck her face, Legolas. I would kill any man who would touch her thus, and yet I did."

"You were provoked, Aragorn. She was given many warnings and she chose to ignore them. She knew what she was doing."

Aragorn glanced at him. "It matters not what provoked it, Legolas. It should not have happened."

Legolas stopped and faced his brother, his expression hard for but a moment. "But it did Aragorn. You must let it go. You striking her cheek was not the reason she did not bid us farewell."

Aragorn nodded. "I know. She is still angry with us for not letting her come."

"Aye Aragorn. We have the most stubborn of sisters. All will be well when we return. You will see." Legolas said.

Aragorn nodded and called ahead to the rest of the fellowship. "We will camp here for the night!"


Aragorn sat smoking his pipe as he watched the hobbits pass plates of food around. Legolas took one for Aragorn and sat beside his brother.

Aragorn took the food with thanks and began eating.

"Aragorn, min eala tir. " (We are being watched) Legolas said softly. Aragorn glanced around.

" Mana ceri le cen, Legolas?" (What do you see)

Legolas sighed, speaking swiftly. "It is weird. I cannot see them...they are clouded from me...but I can feel thier presence."

Aragorn nodded. "Danger?"


"No...... whoever is out there is not evil, Aragorn. I will beback shortly. You stay here in case something goes wrong." Aragorn nodded and watched Legolas head off into the woods. He glanced around watching the hobbits, Bormoir, Gimli and Gandalf talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laranei twisted her cape lightly. It was a beautiful night and she was perched on a high branch in the tall trees, eating lembas bread. So encaptured by the beauty of her surroundings, she did not hear the footsteps until they were almost underneath her. She glanced down seeing the top of Legolas's head and held her breath, hoping he would leave before he sensed her presence.

As it would happen, luck would not be on her side, for he simply looked up, glowering and said "You have ten seconds before I come to get you, Laranei."

She paused a moment, checking her surroundings for an escape route and seeing none she sighed and started to climb down. Legolas caught her before her feet touched the ground. All at once Laranei's backside exploded in pain. She screamed, a bit panicked. She hadn't even seen him take his belting off, where had it come from???

Laranei's high pitched scream filled the air, causing the other members of the Fellowship to glance up in fear towards their location. Aragorn inwardly groaned and cleared his throat.

"Do not worry. Legolas has just found his sister." he said.

The fellowship exchanged knowing glances and tried to ignore the sound of a snapping belt.

Legolas leaned close harshly whispering.

"I would keep your screams behind your teeth, sister. You will only attract Orcs to your location."

Legolas fumed as he laid the belt to his sister twice more. Laranei gasped, tears jerking down her cheeks, biting back the screams threatening to errupt.

Her knuckles turned white in the grip on the tree as twice more her bottom was stung by the belt. She begged and pleaded for him to stop, but Legolas did not.

"Please Leg'las!!! I'm sorrry!"

Legolas laid three hard swings to her backside one after the other then threw the belt to the ground and let her drop to the forest floor. He turned from her, gathering calm and breath, before locating his belt and replacing it about his waist. Lara huddled in the dirt, sobbing in agonizing pain. This was the worst spanking she had ever received to date and she would not welcome another one anytime soon.

Legolas, still angry with his sister, glanced at her before saying coldly. "Get up Laranei. We go back to camp. There, we will talk."

Slowly her tear-streaked face lifted towards his. He had never been so cold before.

"Legolas, please, let me explain..." She stopped as he held up a hand.

"I do not want to hear it, Laranei. We will talk with Aragorn, not before."

Almost in a broken trance, Laranei nodded and walked stiffly ahead of her brother through the forest and into the camp. Legolas pushed her towards Aragorn who had moved off to the side for a bit of privacy. Lara snuck a glance at Aragorn and knewthat although he was upset, he wasn't nearly as angry as Legolas. Legolas turned a stony expression to Aragorn and muttered one sentence before turning and walking away from them. Deal with your sister?? Aragorn thought as he watched Legolas move away. Bracing himself with an inward sigh he turned his full attention back to his sister.

"Well, what are you doing here?"

Laranei paused then said almost beligerently. "I told you I would go with or without you, Aragorn."

Aragorn nodded, staying quiet for several moments before speaking.

"Laranei, I though we understood one another. Why did you do this?"

Laranei tilted her head back, and said honestly "Aragorn, I don't remember Ada. You and Legolas are my family...everything I hold dear. What if you should get hurt on this journey?"

"Laranei, the chance is there. It is always there. It has never bothered you before. Why now?"

Looking down, she shrugged, mumbeling. "Lord Elrond mentioned something about the end of the world and so forth. It has a lasting impression, brother."

Taking a breath, she looked at him and continued. "Aragorn, you have raised me as a you are. I was training with swords and bows before I was talking. After so many years of teaching me my skills, how could you expect me to come forward when they are needed? How could you expect me to sit by when I could be useful to you? I told you Aragorn, in the beginning, that your decision was wrong. I am meant to be here, serving the fellowship along side you. I feel it."

Aragorn glanced at Legolas, and seeing his stony expression, Aragorn sighed and returned his look to thier sister.

"We cannot take time to assure that you return to Rivendel safely, Laranei." Aragorn said. "So, you will stay."

Laranei nodded, a smile coming to her lips. .

"I promise, you will not regret this!."

Aragorn smiled and nodded. "See that I don't, Laranei."

She threw her arms around Aragorns necks planting tiny kisses all over his cheeks, then turned warily towards Legolas direction. Aragorn followed her gaze and placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder.

"I didn't think he would be this angry at me, Aragorn. "

Aragorn looked at her in disbeleif. "What were you expecting, Lara? For him to welcome you with open arms and shout for joy?"

Lara turned to him a slight smile on her lips. "Well, no, but I did not expect him to turn from me as he has done. He won't even talk to me, Aragorn."

Aragorn glanced at Legolas and nodded.

"You do know why he is upset don't you Lara?"

Lara nodded. "He told me not to come and yet here I am."

"You are a brave and skilled fighter, Laranei, but even one as trained as you, would not survive fighting a group of orcs alone. Do you understand now? He has lost everything in his bloodline but you, Lara. He cannot entertain the thought of losing you as well."

Aragorn could see the tears slowly trailing down his sister's cheek. "I did not think...."

Aragorn nodded. "He will calm down soon enough Lara. He's probably more angry at himself than you right now anyway. Normally he can tell who is out there, man or elf. But with you....he could not sense who it was."

Lara blushed. "It's something I discovered I could do when I was very young. I am not sure Legolas realizes."

Aragorn nodded, figuring as much. "He looks calmer now. Go and reassure him."

Laranei nodded and slowly, hesitantly moved to her blood brother. He had his back to her and he tensed when she laid a hand upon his arm. Legolas turned to her and Lara took a step back out of shock. Her brother, the man who showd very little or no emotion, was crying.

Legolas closed the distance between them and took her chin in his hand.

"Do not ever, EVER do that to me again. Do you understand?"

Lara nodded murmering. "I am sorry, Legolas. I really am."

Legolas simply gazed at her for awhile, then nodded and pulled her into a hug. "I have no wish to lose you sister. Please, promise you will be careful."

Laranei nodded, promising she would and when Aragorn joined them they turned and introduced her to the rest of the fellowship.

Boromir stood, upon thier return, glancing around for Laranei, who hid behind her brothers. She snuck a look, her breath taken aback at the beauty she still saw in him.

He smiled gently seeing the top of her head. She shyly smiled back.

"Nice of you to finally join us, Laranei Greenleaf." Gandalf said.

Laranei turned to the wizard, whose eyes were dancing. "For three days I have had your oversized backside as a view, Wizard. I needed a change." she said merrily. Gandalf smiled, laughing with the other members of the fellowship.

The hobbits came forward each planting a kiss to her hand. When Sam came forward she hugged him tightly whispering in his ear. "Thank you, Sam, for the food that you have left along the way."
He nodded, blushing a bit as he looked at the shocked looks of Aragorn and Legolas.

Gimli stayed where he was and gave an exasperated snort. "Great, another elf...a she-elf at that. Just what we need."

Lara smirked. "Don't worry Dwarf, I promise to let you win at least one spar with me."

Gimli snorted at that comment.

Baramir stepped forward, taking her hand and planting a soft kiss on the top. He straightened, ignoring the narrowed eyes of Aragorn.

Laranei stood in awe as she gazed at him murmering. "You have the most amazing eyes, Boromir of Gondor. " Then realizing what she said she blushed and gave a nervous laugh.

Boromir nodded, winking at her then bowed. "As do you, my lady. If you will excuse me, I have first watch." She nodded watching him walk away, and let out a dreamy sigh. Boromir had not turned out to be the ogre she had seen at the council meeting. Still she knew in her heart something was amiss between him and the ring bearer.

She nodded towards the Gondorian, speaking softly to Aragorn and Legolas. " He will try to take the ring before this journey is over."

Aragorn and Legolas said nothing then looked at her.

" Le gar cen hi, Laranei?" (You have seen this?) Legolas asked.. She nodded.

"When?" Aragorn asked.

"Not yet, Aragorn. But soon. Tis sad too. He is rather good to look at, don't you think?" Ignoring their incredulous look, she bedded herself down for the night and promptly fell asleep on her stomach.