So it's been an interesting couple of years for me. I graduated college, got my first big kid job, lost my first big kid job. Had a mental breakdown or two and was not capable of writing anything for a long while. Thanks to all of you for reading.

So just a reminder: Sindarin, English, Westron

Don't own it other than my girls.

"Are we there yet?"

"No."

"Are we there now?"

"Andromache!" Andi hunched over in her saddle. Ellie sighed, shaking her head at Andi's antics.

"We've been traveling for weeks now. I just want to sleep in a real bed for once," Andi pouted.

"We stayed in an inn in Bree two nights ago," Ellie countered, giving the whining girl a sharp look.

"Those could hardly be considered beds. And I'm fairly certain the one I slept on had a family of mice living in it!" Andi snapped. Ellie rubbed at the tension forming in her temple. Reaching forward, she scratched behind her mare's ear.

"We'll be there soon, won't we Lightfoot. Probably by the end of the day."

"And where would that be?" A rumbling voice said, a grey-clothed figure emerging from the bushes.

"That depends on who's asking," Andi replied, tugging at her hood. Ellie peered at the old man from under hers.

"I'm a wizard, Gandalf is my name, Gandalf the grey."

"A wizard. Great. As if we didn't have enough to deal with," Andi mumbled.

"Pleasure to meet you Master Gandalf, however we must be on our way. We've been traveling long and hard to reach our destination and we look forward to a hot meal and soft bed," Ellie said diplomatically, resisted the urge to swat Andi upside the head.

"And what destination would that be? There are many to be found you see."

"Whichever way our path leads," Ellie said, a hint of exasperation creeping into her voice.

"I'm afraid that whatever your destination, you're headed in the wrong direction."

"I'm afraid I must disagree, I received directions from a reliable source. You are not considered such a source. We will be on our way now."

"I'm afraid whatever answers you seek you will not find them where you are going."

"We know."

"And yet you persist in this endeavor?" Ellie's jaw had tightened and Andi's hands had begun twitching towards her blades.

"Yes." Gandalf swelled with his power, his voice radiating like thunder as he spoke.

"You will not disturb the sanctuary that is the Shire!"

"You are not the most frightening being I have come across. Try again wizard," Ellie said, a hint of amusement in her tone. Andi however, was holding onto her temper by a thread.

"Do you think us a threat, master wizard?" Andi asked, through gritted teeth.

"There is something unworldly about you, something unknown, unnatural. I can't place my finger on it. As it stands, I cannot allow you pass."

"Do you think Lightfoot and Miral would just trample him?" Andi snarled. Ellie shook her head.

"I doubt it. Blasted wizard. Why couldn't we have come across freaking Dumbledore or something. He at least tries to help. Doesn't look like this one will." Ellie replied, sighing loudly.

"I'm not familiar with the language you are speaking. Are you from the East?" Gandalf inquired. "No, that can't be, they seemed to be far too fair-skinned for them to be of the East," He mumbled the last part to himself.

"That is not a surprise," Ellie snapped. "Well, excuse us. We will be on our way now." She nudged Lightfoot, guiding her carefully around the dumbfounded wizard. Andi followed with a cheeky wave. He stood in the middle of the road, watching them carefully as the distance between them grew.

"There is something unusual about those two," he murmured. Ellie was racking her brain trying to figure out why the name was so familiar. She snapped her fingers.

"Geez, I'm an idiot." She spun in the saddle, yanking her hood off, and called back to the wizard. "I'll pass your greeting along to the Lady of Lorien." Spinning back around, she shot Andi a cheeky grin.

"I think you just left him speechless." Andi chuckled.

"Someone needs to every so often, he clearly loves the sound of his own voice." Ellie replied, tossing her braid over her shoulder. They continued in silence for a long while. Fields of wheat and corn began lining the path.

Ellie sighed. "So how have you been getting on with Kili?"

Andi blushed beneath her hood. She shrugged.

"Oh for pity's sake, take your hood down, it's just you and me." Ellie snapped. Andi yanked the hood off her head grumbling and making a rather rude gesture. "That's better. Now. Kili?"

"Fine. He's like the cat that's got the cream now."

"Oh, why's that?"

"He's finally seen me without a hood," Andi said, chewing on a fingernail nervously.

"Ahh, that explains a lot."

"What do you mean?"

"Thorin has told me that Kili has been positively glowing about something. Fili apparently asked him about it one night at the bar.. er.. tavern." Ellie laughed. "Kili was saying that he had met the fairest maiden in all of Middle Earth, with hair like moonlight and eyes of emeralds." Andi did an excellent impersonation of a tomato.

"Ah, I'd say that's a fair assessment." The voice appeared out of nowhere. Andi squealed, overbalancing and falling off her horse. Ellie burst out laughing.

"Honestly! Thirty years with elves and you are frightened by a friendly Hobbit." Ellie clutched at her sides.

"Hello ladies. Bungo Baggins is my name. Are you in need of assistance?" The portly hobbit smiled brightly at them.

"I'm Eliza Clark, but my friends call me Ellie." The dark haired woman gracefully dismounted, dropping into a curtsy to the laughter of the Hobbit. She pulled Andi up out of the dirt.

"And you are, miss?"

"Andromache Burrows, but please call me Andi."

"Such unique names for lovely lasses. What brings you to the Shire?" Bungo asked, eying their weapons curiously. Andi and Ellie exchanged a grin.

"See we heard a rumor..." Andi started. Bungo appeared disgruntled.

"A rumor. Oh heavens, this is so unseemly," he blustered, patting nervously at his waistcoat. Ellie laughed.

"Fear not, Master Bungo. We only heard that the finest food in all of Middle Earth was to be found in the Shire. As a chef myself, I simply could not pass up the opportunity to see for myself," she said, the Hobbit preening under the praise of his home.

"Of course. We Hobbits take pride in our fields and gardens. I'm sure you'll be right pleased with what you find here. Oh I should take you to Bella, she makes the finest pies in Hobbiton, no all the Shire."

"Bella?"

"My wife. She's at home with our lad Bilbo right now. I was just up paying a visit to relatives in Tuckborough." Bungo said, walking further down the path. Ellie and Andi stared after him.

He turned. "Well come along then. You will not be disappointed I promise you that." The two led their horses as they followed.

"So hair like moonlight? Sounds like you've got a suiter Miss Anti," Bungo said, trotting merrily alongside them, compensating for their slightly longer stride.

"He's just excited because I wouldn't let him see me fully for many years," she mumbled, "and I wouldn't call him a suitor."

"Why wouldn't you let him see you?" Bungo was clearly puzzled and looked to Ellie to see if she could answer.

"I've been wondering that myself, Mr. Bungo. She has yet to enlighten me, even after twenty five years. You would think she would've by now. I'm been continuously bribing her with baked goods," Ellie said, winking at the hobbit. He blushed and blustered, gesturing for them to turn right.

They followed him towards an inn.

"Ahh yes, here we are, the Green Dragon. You can stable your horses here. There is simply nowhere close to Bag End that can take them."

"Oh we don't wish to impose," Ellie started.

"I don't think they're prepared for full-sized mounts anywhere else Ellie," Andi said, eyes scanning over the market down the road from the inn. Ellie quieted.

"Ahh! Marigold! There you are," Bungo greeted a lively Hobbit girl. "Would you run along and get your father? We need to stable these horses." Ellie and Andi were taking in everything around them. Soon enough children were gathering around.

"Ah look at the little fauntlings," Bungo exclaimed happily. "You fascinate them. No one's seen anyone quite like you in Hobbiton before."

"I didn't realize we would be such a novelty," Ellie said, smiling warmly at a tiny girl who was looking wide eyed at her and Lightfoot. She passed the reins to Andi before crouching down to the little one's level.

"Hello, I'm Ellie. What's your name?"

"Posey. Is this your horsey?" Ellie chuckled at her. The girl didn't even reach Ellie's hip, with blonde curls and enormous blue eyes set in a doll like face.

"This is Lightfoot. He is my traveling companion."

"So he's yours? Can I pet him?" the little girl asked. Ellie pursed her lips, pretending to think really hard about it.

"If your mother or father says it's okay, then yes, so you'd better go ask." The little girl beamed before scampering off to a stall in the market. Ellie and Andi watched her go with smiles.

"You realize that if she gets permission every child will want to pet the horses," Andi stated, chewing on a fingernail distractedly.

"Yes, we'd better get Miral in the stable first. She spooks easier than Lightfoot. He's better able to handle the little ones," Ellie replied, her eyes catching sight of Posey dragging a Hobbit lady behind her.

"Come mummy, look at the horseys!" The tiny girl insisted, hauling her rather frazzled looking mother by the hand.

"Gracious me."

"Greetings, Lady Hobbit. My name is Eliza, please call me Ellie."

"Ahh, Mrs. Peony. How are you this fine day?" Bungo greeted, beaming excitedly over the commotion. More and more children were appearing, little faces peeping around bushes and stalls.

"I am well, thank you." The lady was gaping at the horses and the girls holding the reins. Ellie and Andi exchanged looks. Even at four foot two, Andi stood at least five inches taller than any of the hobbits. Ellie was four inches tall than her and looked down at everyone.

"This is odd," Andi muttered to Ellie.

"I agree."

"What is odd?" Bungo asked.

"It's odd to have to look down to see someone's face after so many years of looking up Elves noses," Andi said, a chorus of giggles bursting from the bushes.

"Bungo!"

"Hildibrand! Just the Hobbit I needed to see. These kind ladies need a place to stable their mounts." The positively rotund creature turned with a wide smile.

"Of course of course, do come on then."

"Take Miral first, Lightfoot here has some business to take care of, doesn't he little miss?" Ellie easily lifted the child, tucking her securely to her side. She guided the small one into placing a small hand on the horse's nose. "Nice and easy, be gentle with him." Ellie said encouragingly.

Peony watched nervously as her tiny babe pet the monstrosity of a horse. Ellie was smiling down at the beaming child.

"Oh Lightfoot, how brave you are in the face of all these little ones. You bring such joy to them. Carry yourself with pride." Ellie murmured to the horse, knowing better than to leave the horse without the calming Sindarin words. Posey was positively gleeful. Ellie set her back on the ground, nudging her towards her gaping mother.

"Can I go next?"

"No me!" Soon there were over a dozen children, gathering around, voices clamoring and getting louder, each trying to be heard. Lightfoot shifted uncomfortably, getting nervous amidst all the noise and movement. Ellie spoke softly to him in Sindarin, he dropped his head and she pressed her forehead to his as she spoke, gesturing for the little ones to step back. Soon parents were appearing, pulling their children to a safe distance.

"It appears that the children overwhelmed Lightfoot. I must apologize." Ellie said, head still touching his.

"Nothing to apologize for miss. The fauntlings know better than to crowd a beast like that. Just like they know not to go near Farmer Maggot's bull, or try to play with the Proudfoot sheep. Animals of all kinds need space and kindness." A farmer stood from behind his son as he spoke and nudged the child forward. "Now walk very slowly. And apologize for frightening the beast." Ellie stepped away from Lightfoot, one hand on his neck.

"What is your name little one?" Ellie asked. She caught sight of Andi making a reappearance, a firm nod letting her know that Miral was safely stabled.

"I'm Tobold, Tobold Button." The little one sniffled. Ellie smiled at him and scooped him right up, cradling him close.

"Oh little one, no more tears. Lightfoot was just surprised to see so many little ones, he got himself all in a dither. Now if we pet him real nicely, he'll be happy again." That and the carrots she fed as a bribe had sufficiently aided her effort to appease the gelding. Tobold smiled as the horse snuffled at his hand. Andi made her way to Ellie's side.

"I'm gonna take his tack off." She said quietly, Ellie nodded, never ceasing her quiet talking. Tobold giggled in her arms. Lightfoot stood patiently as Andi removed his saddle and blanket, catching them easily as they slid off the 14 hand high gelding. Ellie put the little one down, ushering him towards his father. Soon enough, another little one was nudged forward, then another as Andi brushed Lightfoot down. Eventually all the children who were brave enough had gotten their turn and Lightfoot was led into the stables.

"Well we should be on our way then. We should be back in Bag End by supper. Bella will have prepared a feast." Bungo said, waving farewell to the crowd and ushering the girls along the path.

"Of course master Baggins." Ellie hooked her arm through Andi's as they strolled down the path. She nudged at Andi.

"So are you going to tell me why you were so afraid of letting Kili see you?" Ellie asked, clamping her arm down so Andi couldn't flee.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Too late time for that is up. Spill sister."

"You two are sisters? I never would have guessed. You are so different in appearance."

"Er… not by blood, Master Baggins. More like sisters in spirit." Ellie said cautiously.

"Ah understandable. So often we form bonds of family with those who earn it, rather than are born to it." He said sagely, turning back to the path. Ellie nudged Andi again.

"Oi! Watch your elbow!"

"Spill!"

"Ugh fine. He's like gorgeous and I mean drool over, please excuse me while I take my clothes off gorgeous." A startled wheeze interrupted her. Ellie was turning an interesting shade of purple as she tried to restrain her laughter. "Sorry Master Baggins. But I'm not. I'm a dorky girl with unnatural hair and little to no social skills. As demonstrated."

"Well social skills aside, you are lovely. I'm sure my Bella will say the same. Your suitor is a lucky lad." Bungo said fussing at his jacket.

"Why do you think that?" Ellie asked gently.

"Why wouldn't I? No one has ever wanted me before." Andi said quietly. "I was younger than everyone and then too awkward to keep anyone interested, and not to mention that most people weren't interested in the white haired thing."

"I love your hair it's unique. Even the Elves are mystified by it." Ellie placated.

"Here we are. Come come now." Bungo opened a small white gate. The girls stopped, staring at the green door.

"It's round." Andi stated awkwardly.

"Why yes. Yes it is. Welcome to Bag End."

*T*t*T*

"So then Bilbo, the little scamp comes dashing through the garden, carrots in each hand, with the Grubb family pig hot on his heels. He had taken the beasts treats on a dare! Right behind them, all of the Grubb children are running after the pig, all thirteen shouting at the top of their lungs. Bilbo ends up climbing to the top of a tree, screaming at the top of his lungs." Belladonna Baggins stated merrily, easily dishing up food for her guests. "And if that weren't enough, the pig crashed into the tree, and Bilbo fell right out landed on the pigs back and rode him all the way back to the Grubbs." Ellie and Andi chuckled as Bilbo sank further and further under the table.

"Mother. Please I beg you no more stories." He said from under his seat.

"Oh don't be upset. We all have embarrassing stories." Andi said.

"Oh tell us one of yours then." Bella said cheerfully, setting a ridiculously large roast on the table. Ellie smiled, helping herself to a piece.

"When I was about four my mother threw me a huge party for my birthday, all of my friends from school were there and my aunt and cousins. Well my cousins convinced me we should have a go at the cake before the party really got started. The problem was we couldn't reach the silverware and we knew we would make a huge mess…

"Bobby no! We'll get in trouble!" Ellie said, tugging at her cousin's sleeve.

"Not if you don't tell." He replied. Ellie quieted, not willing to fight her older cousin.

"But.."

"Do you want to wait for cake or do you want it now?" He asked, pushing her hand off his arm. Her other cousins snickered. As the youngest of them, they often treated her as immature or stupid. She blushed, stepping away.

"I want cake." She said, quietly.

"Come on Lizzie." Bobby said, reaching up onto the counter. Ellie watched the twin six year olds, carefully set the cake on the floor.

"Where are your forks?"

"Momma took them all out to the table." The twins exchanged a look.

"We have to eat with our hands." Lizzie said, making a face.

"Take your shirt off." Bobby said suddenly, yanking his polo over his head. "The grownups will never know if there's no cake on our clothes." Ellie and Lizzie followed his lead. Soon enough the trio was hidden in a corner of the kitchen, happily munching on cake. Ellie was smeared with it, blue frosting staining her face and cake stuck to her chest from where she had dropped it. Her cousins laughed at her.

"You're all dirty." Lizzie snickered. Ellie grinned cheekily.

"It's so good." She replied.

"Ellie! Bobby! Lizzie! Where are you?" They panicked, sliding the cake back onto the counter and sneaking into the bathroom.

"Ellie!" Quickly scrubbing all of the cake off of their hands, the three left the bathroom one at a time. Ellie being the last and the smallest, missed the blue on her face.

"Coming momma!" She dashed out of the bathroom, sliding around the corner, she ran into the backs of her cousins. All the adults were staring at them….

"My mom laughed so hard. She was furious but apparently the sight of us softened the blow."

"What? Why?" Bilbo asked.

"We had cake smeared across our faces and plastered to our chests underneath the nice party clothes we were wearing. We of course thought we were so smart for cleaning our hands off." Bella, Bungo, and Andi all laughed at the image of a tiny Ellie smeared with cake.

"What about you Andi?" Bungo prodded.

"I've never done anything that embarrassing." She denied, flushing an interesting shade of pink. Ellie snorted.

"So I shouldn't tell them the fun story that Elladan and Elrohir shared when I met up with you." She said, falling into fits of laughter as Andi shrieked.

"Don't you dare!"

"So Andi decided to try out a new style of clothing. Mind you we've both worn things similar to what we're wearing now for years…." Andi shrieked and tackled her friend.

The night ended with laughter and new friendships.

*K*k*K*

"Marie it's time to leave." Legolas' voice floated through the door.

"I'm almost ready!" She called, buckling the strap of her quiver across her chest. "You can come in!" Legolas leaned in the door, smiling at the tiny girl as she placed the last of her throwing knives into the jerkin wrapped around her torso.

"You seem excited." He remarked, handing her the bow she had received for her birthday the year prior.

"Of course I am!" She exclaimed, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I actually get to go out and do something! Training's great but how does one know what they're capable of unless their skills are put to the test." Legolas laughed.

"Let us pray that your skills will not be needed, little one."

"Overprotective pain in the behind." Marie grumbled, swatting at his hand as he made to tug on her braids. Stomping on his foot and shoving him through the doorway, she darted out into the hall, fleeing from the irritated elf.

"Marie! Get back here so I can tan your hide!" Marie scrambled around the corner, slamming head first into a stomach. Freezing, she slowly looked up as a hand came down on her head. She looked directly into Thranduil's eyes, squeaked, and darted behind him.

"Save me! He's going to get me!" Thranduil smirked down at her. He looked up as Legolas sprinted around the corner.

"Ada!"

"Did you lose something?" Thranduil practically drawling. Marie suppressed her giggles.

"Of course not Adar." Legolas said, gritting his teeth. He strode past his father, Marie sneaking carefully around Thranduil as he passed. She grinned at the woodland king, looking him straight in the eye as he smiled indulgently down at her.

"Must you torment him?" He queried, tapping a finger to her forehead. She giggled.

"He started it." She said, a falsely innocent smile crossing her face. With a smirk, Thranduil sent her along the hall towards the entrance hall. She waved to him as she dashed around the corner.

Marie could barely contain her excitement. Legolas was taking her out on her first patrol with the guards. She had been training with him for twenty years and finally he was letting her out of the halls. She caught sight of Tauriel and slowed her pace. She felt rather than saw Legolas coming up beside her and dropped just in time to avoid be snatched up.

"Oh hello." She said, a cheeky smile on her face.

"How is it you always seem to make me out to be the fool?" Legolas snapped.

"Um… It is a gift?" Marie said, smile fading as she cowered under his cold glare. Shifting gears, she threw her arms around his waist.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry Legolas, I'm just so excited." She said, squeezing tighter. He sighed.

"That is no excuse for your behavior. You must take this seriously." Legolas chided, pulling her arms away. "It is so easy to forget that you are but a child in our realm. If this immature behavior continues, I may rethink taking you on patrols" Marie stiffened at the child remark, her lips thinning in a tight line.

"When do we leave?"

"Now." Tauriel said coldly. "You were the last to arrive." Marie flushed and moved to the front as members of the patrol smirked at her, whispering to each other. Legolas shook his head at Tauriel and led the way out of the gates.

"I feel like I'm in high school all over again." She grumbled.

"Tauriel again?" The elf next to Marie asked, patting her on the head.

"Stop it, Laurion. And no, this time it was Legolas." She said, swatting at his hand. "Although Tauriel didn't help."

"Oh I'm sorry. That must be difficult for you." He said sympathetically. She shrugged.

"I deserve it. Let's just go please." She followed the rest of the patrol to the tree line, moving smoothly through the roots and branches.

Marie stayed quiet, paying close attention to her surroundings. The air was different among the trees, the air thick and heavy on their backs. She fought a shudder as she stepped around a fallen tree.

Quick orders from Tauriel had the patrol separating, with groups moving into the trees and others spreading out along the forest floor. Marie used a root as a springboard and swung into the trees with the rest of her group.

She jumped nimbly from limb to limb. Her diminutive size allowing her to slide into tight spaces and climb higher than the rest. She resisted the urge to laugh as she flew through the branches, knowing it wasn't appropriate in her current situation.

They were headed to meet up with the western long range patrol. These elves spent up to three months at a time out in the forest, and so Marie didn't interact with them on a regular basis. She shook her head, chasing errant thoughts away.

"Focus. Marie." She muttered, seeking out the platinum shine that indicated Legolas' location. Spotting it, she maneuvered her way closer. She noticed the presence of large spider webs as she flew through the trees. They were getting thicker the further they got into the forest. She made note to mention them to Legolas

Soon enough, the patrol slowed, signaling the arrival to the designated meeting. Marie began jumping to lower and lower tree limbs in preparation for the inevitable jump to the ground.

With an easy leap, she landed, moving to stand by Legolas. This next part bored Marie though she attempted to listen to the reports from the long patrol. As they finished, Marie turned to Legolas.

"Legolas, the webs we passed? What made them?" She asked, pointing out some of the webs that bordered their clearing.

"We have seen signs of the spawn of Ungoliant. The patrol stated that they have not seen them this far north however, I too am concerned by the presence of these webs. Stay close to your partner." He stated, eyeing the webs for himself.

"We'll set up here." Legolas said shortly. Tauriel nodded and began calling out orders. Marie and Laurion were paired and set on an overnight watch patrol. Laurion nudged her playfully, causing her to stumble as they laid out a blanket to rest on while they waited for night fall. Marie pulled a small loaf of bread out of her bag and pulled off a chunk. She offered half to Laurion before munching happily on her own piece.

"Are you excited?" He asked, taking a small bite of bread. She grinned at him.

"I am but I'm also a bit nervous." She said plainly.

"Oh?" She looked down, picking at her bread.

"It's my first true patrol. I don't want to disappoint anyone." She said in a barely audible tone. Laurion grinned at her.

"I doubt that you will. Not with me as your partner." She grinned at the false arrogance he injected in his voice. The two joked and rested as the light grew even darker and their time to leave the camp grew near.

Tauriel approached. Marie's face smoothed into a practiced blank look.

"It's time. You will keep watch to the south of here." Laurion stood, checking his weapons before offering a hand to the tiny girl. After a quick weapons check, Marie followed him as he headed into the trees. They swung easily into the trees, Marie heading into the higher branches while Laurion stayed lower. Heading about a mile south of the camp, they stopped eyes peering into the darkness and ears listening for any changes.

Marie dropped to a lower branch and her hand ended up tangled in a spider webs. She made a face, shaking her hand to loosen the webs. Laurion quietly chuckled at her. A sudden movement in the trees made them freeze. Marie moved quietly into the higher branches, eyes searching for more movement. Laurion followed her up, eyes locked on something in the distance, and ushered her to head north to the camps.

"What is it?" She murmured.

"Spiders." He said shortly before they began slinking from branch to branch. They remained as quiet as possible but the sound was following. Suddenly, a spider the size of a pony rose up from below, blocking their path. Laurion launched an arrow into its eye, as Marie began to spring from limb to limb. Another spider approached her and she took it down with one of the small blades in her jerkin. Laurion appeared on the limb below her, fending off a spider that took his belt from him as he fell.

"We must alert the camp!" He said, firing another arrow into the darkness, Marie hearing the screech as it hit its target. She flung another blade, taking out another spider to the west. Even her eyes could pick up the shapes of several more spiders approaching.

"We cannot reach them. There are too many." She replied, pulling her dual blades and dropping down to land on the back of a spider. She cleanly decapitated it before jumping off the falling body onto a nearby limb. "Don't you have a horn?"

"I did!" Marie began to swear in every language she knew as she thrust her blade into another spiders head.

"Cover your ears." She said, before letting out a ridiculously high pitched scream. The sound was cut off as another spider came from above and knocked her on her back. She slammed her blade between its eyes before kicking it off and scrambling to her feet. She leapt to the next tree, swinging her blade into the closest spider, Laurion was right behind, bow in hand.

"Keep moving." He hissed, firing another arrow. She scrambled to the other side of the tree, footing unsteady as a particularly large spider body slammed the trunk. Launching another small blade, she darted down the limb and leapt to the next tree. She felt something hit her in mid-air and a piercing pain filled her leg. She looked back in time to see Laurion's horrified face before it all went dark and she fell.

Laurion swore, firing an arrow into the head of the spider that had caught Marie. He watched as she began to tumble through the air. He scrambled to get to her but wasn't quick enough. A flash of golden hair flew underneath and caught the girl. Legolas held her securely in one arm as he skillfully wielded a blade in the other.

The rest of the patrol appeared behind him. They made short work of the spiders. Legolas dropped to the forest floor. Marie hung limp and lifeless in his arms.

"She was bitten." Laurion called, as he leapt from limb to limb to the forest floor. "Her leg. It bit her leg." Legolas ripped the leg of her pants open and saw the vicious marks left by the spider.

"Venomous." He hissed. The venom was already showing signs of spreading, eerie black tendrils branching away from the punctures. One of the patrol healers ran up, wrapping a tourniquet around her upper thigh. They worked quickly to stabilize her. Laurion looked on dejectedly. The long patrol moved into the trees to sweep for more spiders.

"We must move!" Legolas picked Marie up and the patrol began to move. Laurion spotted Marie's dual blades lying on the ground where they had fallen from her limp hands. Picking them up, he followed after the patrol.

Marie was lost in a haze. She blinked in and out of consciousness after the bite. She though that Legolas was with her but she wasn't sure if she was hallucinating. All she knew was radiating pain from the bite, before blacking into blissful unconsciousness.

Legolas sprinted for palace. He needed to get Marie to healers. He could hear others keeping pace with him. He could hear Marie's breathing become fainter and pushed himself to speed up. There were still at least ten miles between them and the halls and she was growing weaker in his arms.

It seemed like an age before they made it to the front gates of the Halls. Legolas barreled through the gates, heading straight for the healing halls. And from there it was a long wait before there was any news.

Marie was unconscious for three days. In that time she would cry out in her sleep. Unfortunately, she would cry in English and none of the healers were able to understand. It wasn't until Legolas was allowed entrance into the healing halls that they gained any understanding of what she was saying.

Legolas sat by her bedside simply to translate for the healers anything that may be of help to them. Listening to her sob was heartwrenching, especially when he realized that there was no way for him to provide the comfort she sought out. On the third day, Thranduil entered the healing halls. She was shaking in bed, tears rolling down her face. The healers had tied her hands down when she began to claw at her injured leg. Legolas greeted his father before turning back to the tiny girl. She had begun to shake and cry out.

"What does she say?" Thranduil asked, eyes watching passively. Legolas sighed.

"She cries out for her family."

"Daddy! Please! It hurts."Marie fought the restraints, arms rigid as she contorted.

"What did she say then?"

"Daddy. Please. It hurts." Thranduil's gaze softened. Then he did something that even he would not be able to fully understand. He untied the restraints and picked her up, restraining her hands as he sat down on the cot. Legolas watched wide eyed as Marie quieted, curling into Thranduil's chest. She still cried but it was quieter and the Woodland king smoothed her hair, murmuring quietly to her, almost like one would calm an animal. Legolas backed out of the room, leaving them in peace.

When she awoke the following morning, Marie's fever had broken. She was very weak but the healers were optimistic. The mystery was how badly she had reacted to the spider's bite. Questioning the long patrol had shown that often the venom would wear off with some nausea and possible vomiting, fatigue, or a slight fever. But none could explain Marie.

Thranduil had sat through the night with her but was not there when she awoke. By nightfall, she had improved significantly. It wasn't until Legolas visited that they received an answer to the question.

"What could have caused such a reaction?" The healer asked. Marie looked up wearily.

"I'm allergic to spider bites." She told Legolas. He looked puzzled.

"Allergic? What does that mean?"

"It means that when I'm bitten by a spider, my body goes into overload trying to heal the bite. Considering the size of those spiders, I'm lucky it wasn't worse." Legolas relayed this to the healer before Marie yawned, curling into her blankets. The healer ushered him from the room. Marie was asleep before the door shut.

Thranduil visited the halls in the middle of the night. He sat by Marie's bedside, checking for himself that she was truly asleep. She woke when he stood to leave.

"My king." She whispered, voice still weak. He paused, turning to look at her. "Thank you. For staying. And listening to my rantings. Legolas told me." He nodded.

"It is my duty to provide comfort to my people who need it." He said stiffly. She offered a small smile.

"Of course. But I still thank you because you gave me more than comfort." He looked at her, face carefully blank.

"What do you mean?"

"For just a little while, you allowed me to feel like my father was here. And I could not be more grateful." He slowly nodded, sweeping out of the room. Marie curled back into the blankets with a soft smile.

Please push the pretty buttons and let me know what you think! I also have something else cooking in my brain and would love to know if anyone is interested in other Hobbit stuff from me!