It's been so long and I'm so sorry. I can't apologise enough for putting this on the back burner, but life happened. I now have two little humans to chase after, and whenever I finally find time to sit and write, I usually pass out from exhaustion.
But here is the next chapter! I can't promise another straight away, but I have not forgotten this story, I'm always struck with ideas that I manage to write down before they leave my brain, so it will be finished because I know how I'm going to end this story.
Thank you to everyone who has given this story a chance, and who have reviewed and followed. A couple of recent reviews actually prompted me into finally finding time to write, so thank you!

"Believe me, when you die, it's everybody else's but your problem"
- Cecelia Ahern, The Gift

Chapter Six: Unusual You

Chapter Quote: "Rule number two: do not sass the teacher."

I am so clean. So clean.

My fingers and toes were wrinkled, but I didn't care because I was clean.

I never want to leave this bathtub.

I sighed happily while leaning back, resting my head on the lip of the too long tub. The elf lady whom I can't remember the name of mainly because I couldn't even say it, left me to my own devices but not before showing me little bottles filled with soapy flowery liquid that I assumed were to wash with, and walking out of the room muttering about finding more suitable clothing. . . I think.

Whatever, I am clean and that is all that matter's right now.

"My Lady, are you finished?"

I let out a small scream; water sloshing around and spilling onto the floor.

"I did not mean to frighten you." It was the elf lady again, her English or whatever was barely understandable, but she was nice and held in her arms what looked to be a towel with a concerned expression on her face.

"You all need bells." I muttered while trying to sink further beneath the water; my face feeling like it was on fire as I tried to hide my naked body from her view.

"I do not understand."

No, you wouldn't. No one does.

I shook my head, silently telling her not to worry about the ramblings of the mad bathing woman.

Perhaps I was going insane. Maybe this was all in my head. Maybe I didn't die. Knowing my luck I probably hit my head so bad from that stupid car that knocked a few too many screws loose. I was probably sitting in the loony bin, stuck in my own mind.

I shivered at the thought.

The elf-woman looked at me with her brow furrowed as she placed the towel beside the tub.

"Well, I shall leave you to dry yourself and wait for you outside to help you dress." She was gone before I could tell her that I had no problem dressing myself nor was I incapable of doing so.

I guess it was time to get out anyway. My fingers and toes had started to resemble prunes, no doubt that if I stayed in the tub I would turn into a one.

Sighing heavily I managed to drag my sore tired body out of the still warm water without breaking my leg as I stumbled out of the tub, and slipped on the wet floor. I am so graceful.

Roughly running the crazy soft towel thing down my body I almost cried. It had to be the softest thing to come into contact with my body for weeks. Jesus Christ, pull yourself together. I was amazingly dry within seconds; wrapping the towel around me and exiting the little bathing room with my ridiculously curly hair dripping down my back.

As soon as I entered the adjoining room, my towel was snatched from my person and another piece of fabric was being thrown over my head. I didn't have time to even feel fucking mortified to be naked in front of this unknown person. I was given back my freshly cleaned practical cotton panties and shoving my legs into them quickly as I felt the laces of the dress I was now wearing being tugged at.

The dress was made for someone who certainly did not have my body type, and it wasn't floor length like the elf-lady's nor did the sleeves come down to my wrists, but stopped halfway down my forearm. It was too tight around my hips and bust which made it a little uncomfortable, but the plus was that it happened to be a pretty pink with tiny flowery patterns sown into the unusual silk-like fabric.

Again there was no time to protest before a comb was running through my already drying hair. I was surprised when it didn't catch or resemble a poodle; the woman was finished in two minutes and then instantly started to run some type of oil through it.

"Your companions have made camp upon the ground below." The elf lady finally spoke, her slender fingers running through the thick curls – smoothing them out. "Follow the stairs down and you will find them."

"Thank you." I couldn't express how grateful I was. I didn't expect to be treated in such a way. I didn't expect a bath or new clothes; even though we rarely spoke, she showed kindness.

She would be a Hufflepuff.

"You are most welcome," she replied with a soft smile before stepping away and handing me a round tin, just a little smaller then my hand. At the confused look upon my face; she explained: "For your moon cycle, the Lady Galadriel insisted. One cup every evening should do the trick."

Oh, I see.

And then she was shooing me down the stairs towards my merry band of misfits.

I joined the fellowship in the clearing just as Aragorn moved to sit beside a disturbed Boromir, catching the end of the elf song that echoed around us. Ours hosts had kindly spread a pavilion among the trees near a fountain, and in it they had laid soft couches, leaving food and drink for the fellowship and myself. The little men were settling down with their dinner close to each other, just far enough away from Gimli – who had passed out on the hard floor – that his snoring wasn't nearly as maddening. And Legolas sat not too far away from the four Hobbits, off in his own little world.

"Miss Robyn!" Merry called with a beaming smile. "You look very pretty."

"You look like a Lady!" Pippin added cheerfully only to be elbowed by Sam.

I snorted, "Your observational skills never cease to amaze me, Pippin."

"Here Miss Robyn." Sam handed me a plate of strange foods.

"Um, what is it?" I questioned while poking at a strange orange coloured berry.

"Dunno', tastes alright though." Pippin' spoke while smiling around a mouth full of food, completely oblivious to what manners were.

Right then.

I took my plate of food and sat myself down on a fallen log beside elf boy, and began to eat my meal in silence. Food. Yas! I found the quiet a little awkward between Legolas and I, but tried brushing it off as my own insecurities. Maybe I should've sat with my bestie.

I felt eyes burning into the side of my face and with a quick peek up it clued me in that I now had Leggie's undivided attention. I was hoping that he would quickly dart his eyes away when I caught him gawking at me, but he maintained the eye contact until I began to get irritated.

Legolas' lips quirked upwards as if he knew he was pissing me off.

He definitely knew.

"Do you always stare at people like that?" I demanded after being goaded into snapping. "I feel like you're staring into my soul."

"I gaze because I admire your beauty." He retorted charmingly already turning his attention to the trees.

I cackled, "Yeah, well – what?"

I'm sorry, what?

Was . . . was . . . what was that?

You smooth motherfucker.

No, no. No. Don't get ahead of yourself, Robyn. You heard wrong.

I felt completely muddled. And the feelings he stirred with a simple sentence made me want to punch Legolas in the face. I didn't want to catch any feelings. I could feel my face beginning to heat up. No, no, no.

No.

"What . . . what did you say?" I mumbled because my brain wasn't functioning properly.

"Hmm?"

"What'd you say?"

Legolas threw me a secret smile as he gathered the arrows that sat beside him and began checking them over for any damage. I glared at him suspiciously while shoving the rest of meal in my face; eating angrily, but when he didn't give in under my stare I gave up.

Maybe I didn't hear him correctly. I probably had water in my ear or something.

I went to bed shortly after finding out that the small tin I was given was filled with tea leaves. I brewed the beverage quickly and downed it before passing out in my newly given tent.

The sound of voices woke me the next morning. The sun was high in the sky and the hobbits sounded happier today then the day before – for obvious reasons.

The cot I slept on – which was situated in a small tent just for myself and away from the others in their own tent, was the most comfortable thing I slept on in weeks and I didn't want to leave or give up this tiny haven. If I could just stay here all day; grab a couple more pillows and a few more blankets, I would have a nest: a very comfortable nest. I would never leave my nest.

But the smell of food called to me and my stomach protested to its emptiness.

I pulled myself from the cot, sitting up and letting the blanket fall away from my body as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and pushing my unruly curls away from my face with both hands; no doubt looking like a bird tried making a home out of it as I stupidly left it unbound the night before.

I'm so attractive.

I managed to drag myself away from my tiny haven, stumbling away from the cot and out of the tent, and over to the camp my companions set up – barely watching where I was going through half lidded eyes; rubbing at them as I came to a stop at the log that was my seat the previous night, and plopped myself down and unleashed a yawn.

"Mornin' lassie." Gimli greeted happily, sitting over on the left side of the small camp; his armor discarded in a pile beside him and dressed in what looked to be a soft cotton shirt.

"You too." I mumbled tiredly. After such a solid night's sleep I still felt so exhausted.

Gimli chuckled at something, but I wasn't paying any attention as I rubbed at my face tiredly; hoping I can wipe away my exhaustion, not that it worked - it was like rubbing at a stain that wouldn't budge. I gave a heavy sigh before food was suddenly in front of my face: sausages and scrambled eggs. I took the plate from the calloused hand and looked up into the handsome face of Aragorn.

"Oh hey, bestie." I gave him a sleepy smile, watching as he turned to sit beside me with a roll of his eyes and a smile quirking his lips; I pretended not to see.

We sat in companionable silence until Aragorn decided to open his mouth.

"You're to learn to fight."

I chocked on the sausage, and then chortled at the dirty comment Serena would've made if she were here. God I missed her.

"You're funny." I said once I swallowed, and then snickered. Swallowed.

"You must learn." Aragorn insisted.

"Riiight," I drawled. "And you're gonna' teach me?" I raised an eyebrow at him only to have him mimic me.

"Yes." He grinned. "I can already tell that it will be amusing."

"Bastard," I mumbled around a mouth full of eggs.

He huffed in laughter.

"You will train with me today, and every other day with Legolas." Aragorn informed me. "Boromir will train the hobbits when I am with you."

"Fine," I sighed heavily. "This is going to hurt so bad."

"That it will," Aragorn agreed, smiling all the while like my suffering was hilarious. "But it will save your life one day, so finish your food and get dressed."

I grumbled but complied.

I finished my breakfast quickly and stacking my plate beside Gimli's own dishes before I hurried into my tent finding fresh clothes had already been placed upon my cot for me to wear. Grateful for not having to bother anyone about clothes, I dressed quickly; shrugging on the forest green tunic that looked simple in nature but was made from an even finer fabric then the previous dress I was given, and shoved my legs into the tan trousers that actually fit well. I pushed my feet into my sturdy boots and walked from the tent as I began braiding my hair away from my face; feeling it rest against the middle of my back like a comforting hand.

"The clothes fit well?" Legolas sounded beside me, his voice startling me only a little.

"Yes," I smiled as I brushed invisible lint from my sleeve. "Am I to thank you?"

"Only if it would please you." He retorted as he threw me a disarming grin.

"Oh, dear prince Legolas!" I began dramatically while clutching a hand to my chest watching as elf boy folded an arm across his chest while his elbow rested in his hand, and used his other to hide the fact that he was trying not to laugh. "Be still my heart, oh prince! You have blessed me with clothes!"

I swayed to add to the effect, hearing a snicker come from said prince.

"Should I faint?" I inquired, moving my hand from my chest and pressing the back of it to my forehead.

"Perhaps, you've yet to say thank you." He replied casually.

I snorted, "Fainting is too much effort, but thank you for the clothes." I beamed up at him, and was still smiling when I asked, "Are ya' gonna' watch Aragorn beat me up?"

Legolas blinked those baby blue eyes in a daze before seeming to register what I asked.

"He will not harm you." Legolas stated sternly as he cut a glowering glance at my bestie.

I lifted my hands in a placating gesture, "Whoa, hey, I wasn't offending his honor."

"I know." He looked back at me, confusion written all over his face before stating.

"Alrighty then." I fiddled with my fingers and rocked on my feet, awkwardness took over making my palms sweat.

We were both blissfully saved from the situation by the sound of Aragorn's voice calling.

"Robyn," I looked over at scruffy as he stood beside a relaxed Boromir (the first time I ever saw him relaxed). "Are you ready?"

I acknowledge his inquiry with a hasty nod, shooting Legolas a nervous smile and hurried over to Aragorn; thanking the universe for saving me from my own awkwardness, who was now leaning lazily on the tree behind him.

"Ready when you are!" I said with false cheeriness, which Aragorn caught onto by the grin he gave me.

"It would be unwise to have you travel with us and not know how to defend yourself." He spoke calmly, trying to appease me while guiding me out of our little camp and through the trees with a few members of the fellowship trailing behind.

"Yes, yes, I know." I huffed childishly as I folded my arms over my chest.

Aragorn chuckled.

We walked for maybe five minutes before coming to a small clearing that I assumed would be my training ground. I wasn't looking forward to it. No doubt I was going to be black and blue by this afternoon. Scruffy came to a stop in the middle of the clearing and turned to face me.

Gimli and Legolas were the only ones to join us, and I assumed Boromir stayed back because either the hobbits weren't finished eating or they were training back at camp.

Legolas held a wooden training short sword towards me, waiting until I grabbed it before handing an identical one to Aragorn; who gave a nod of thanks but had already turned around and walked a feet away from me before I could say anything.

"Charge at me." Aragorn commanded.

"What?" I questioned, completely baffled.

"Run towards me," his mouth tugged upwards as he explained. "I want to see your form."

"I have no form!" I snapped while waving the wooden sword around.

Aragorn rolled his eyes, "If I see how you attack an opponent than we can go from there."

I gave a scoff, "You want me to run at you." He simply nodded as he drew his own fake sword out in front of his body with an air of confidence. I huffed out a breath and shrugged. "Alight."

I looked down at the wooden sword I held, trying to find a comfortable grip – which I'll admit took me awhile since I felt awkward as fuck - before I took off in a sprint, running straight towards Scruffy. And then the fake sword was out of my hand and I was flipped and on my back in a matter of seconds; my breath knocked from my lungs as I lay on the ground gasping for air.

Motherfucking, ow!

"What did you do wrong?" Aragorn raised the question casually as he looked down at my prone form from above; his steel eyes twinkling with amusement on his otherwise stoic face.

"Wha . . .what?" I wheezed out.

"What did you do wrong?" He repeated calmly and patiently.

I frowned up at him, wondering if that was a trick question.

"I ran . . . at you . .?" I trailed off with a cough.

"Exactly." He nodded in approval; happy with my answer.

"But . . . but you told me too!" I spluttered out as I tried to sit up, wincing at the twinge I felt in my shoulder. I had the sudden mental image of repeatedly smacking his head with that stupid wooden sword.

"Rule number one: Never rush towards your opponent." Aragorn lectured.

"You told me too!"

Aragorn ignored me and continued on like I didn't say anything, "You are weaker than most of the enemies you will face, but you are small; quick. Let them come to you."

"You sure know how to compliment a girl." I muttered.

"Rule number two: do not sass the teacher." Aragorn grinned as he held out a hand which I gladly gripped, and hauled me to my feet that I thanked with sticking my tongue out at him. "Take a stance."

I got what he meant, and stood with my legs apart while I watched Aragorn retrieve my wooden sword and hand it back to me – watching me as I gripped it the way I thought was right. Scruffy circled me until he was behind me, kicking my feet a little further away and pulling my shoulders back; pushing on them gently so my knees were bent just a little, and finally correctly my grip of the artificial weapon.

"In a battle adrenaline will work against you, it will make you sloppy and you will tire quickly." Aragorn went back to lecturing as he came to stand before me once more. "You must remain focused. You did well in the ruins of Moira, but you were careless and rash. Panic will be your down fall."

"Okay, no more panicking." I nodded, completely serious despite my words.

"Let's begin."

Everything hurt.

Hurt so freaking bad.

I had just came back from a bath to soak my aching muscles and scrub the stale sweat that stuck to my skin after a grueling day of footwork and blocking. My arms and legs feeling like noodles as I plopped down on the ground leaning back against the fallen log from the night before, and rested my head back; closing my eyes and listening to the sound of my fellowship swirl around me.

The tug on the ends of my drying hair brought me out of my thoughts, blinking at the fading light of day and to the attractive specimen that had appeared beside me. I watched as Legolas wrapped a curl around his finger before unwinding it, only to repeat the action.

I observed until I had to voice my sleepy curiosity.

"Are you flirting with me?" I mumbled aloud without thinking through my choice of questioning. Of course he didn't know what flirting was, right? Do they even have flirting here? Do elves flirt?

He gave me a charming grin, but didn't answer.

Maybe they do . . .

I willed the rising heat in my cheeks to disappear, but knew I was nowhere near successful when I watched his grin turn mischievous.

"I have never seen hair that curls like yours." He enlightened me to his inner thoughts, and continued to play with the thick blonde corkscrews of hair; coiling it around his finger and giving a small tug.

"The little men have curly hair," I commented with a soft smile as I watched his fingers. "Maybe if you ask nicely they'll let you play with their hair."

"Perhaps, but yours is wilder."

"If you're trying to give me a compliment, you're failing." I laughed quietly before looking up and finding his bright blue gaze already upon me.

He gave the curl another little tug and smiled, "I adore it very much."

Jesus Christ.

Damn he had a nice smile. Not to mention he wasn't too bad on the eyes.

I mean, he's definitely attractive. Okay, fine; he's fucking gorgeous.

Aragorn called for Legolas before I could make a remark, and then he was gone; getting up off the forest floor and fare welling me with an attractive smile, leaving me with a red face.

Like, really fucking gorgeous.

I smiled softly and began to twirl that same curl Legolas had a hold of just moments ago, feeling a stupid smile tug at my lips but then it quickly dropped away as realization dawned upon me and my affections for the stupid elf repeatedly slapped me in the face.

Oh.

Oh no.

-13teen xx