Hey, I am SO sorry for the super slow update! I know, it's almost been three months, and I'm really sorry. Unfortunately I'm probably not going to be able to update for a long time, due to the fact that summer is over (sob). Expect slow updates...perhaps monthly, depending on my schedule. I'm really sorry!

Anyway, many thanks to everyone who reviewed. Please keep them coming! They mean a lot to me.

So, without further ado, I bring you ((fanfare))...chapter 30!

Enjoy.

Romen

30. Klia

Cool, dark leaves, soft grass, sweet winds...Nothing but the intimate sounds of light whispers, clinging to the end of the breeze, all around him. Nothing...

CLUNK.

Legolas started, his eyes slipping shut and rebounding back open rapidly. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, slightly disoriented. It took him a moment to remember where he was. His mind was still wandering in the familiar forests of his dreams.

"I'm sorry," a feeble voice murmured. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's fine," he replied, slowly pushing himself up. "I slept too la-" He stopped, his voice catching in his throat.

Klia stood before him, her hazel eyes wide and wondrous. She bit her lip nervously. "You seem like you are feeling a bit better."

He nodded curtly, still unable to form any words.

Her eyes traced his face. He ignored her scrutiny, frowning. "What do you need?"

She wrung her hands. "I just...wanted to see how your recovery is going."

He doubted that was the only reason, but didn't say so aloud. Instead his gaze strayed toward the open shutters. He hoped that if he didn't look at her she would simply disappear.

"Do I disgust you?"

He blinked, his eyes flashing back in her direction. "What?"

"Do you find me repulsive?" she asked bluntly. "You can hardly even stand to look at me."

"No, no." He shifted awkwardly. "I just don't know what to say."

She looked confused.

He leaned forward. "First I need to properly apologize."

She tilted her head to the side. "For what?"

He hesitated, searching for the right words. "For threatening you."

"Oh, you mean that." She adverted her eyes. "You were not yourself."

"That isn't any excuse."

The corners of her mouth twitched. "I suppose it wouldn't be, would it?"

"Really," he insisted sincerely. "I understand if you cannot forgive me, but I would like you to know that I truly regret my actions."

She sighed heavily. "I know you do. I hold no ill feelings against you." She paused. "But it was frightening...that night...I didn't know what you wanted to do with me."

His heart sank like a stone. "Neither did I."

"But no matter how much I feared you, I still knew that you were sad." Her voice lowered. "I could tell that you were alone- and lost."

Legolas could feel a lump building in his throat. He had changed so much since that day.

Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Is that why you kept me with you?"

"I don't know why I didn't let you go. I think I needed something that I could recognize." He felt like he was turning inside out. "After a while, I became so confused. I didn't know anything anymore."

She nodded slowly, then stood. Legolas's eyebrows netted. "What was it that you needed?"

She smiled softly. "I just wanted to see how your recovery is going." She turned around, heading toward the door.

"Wait." He paused. "Do you want to go for a walk?"

She blinked. "That would be nice."

Legolas had no idea why he wanted to spend more time with her. Every second that she was in his presence was almost painful, but for some reason he had asked for more. They walked the grounds, side by side, saying nothing. They didn't even look at each other.

It was excruciatingly awkward.

"The weather is beautiful," he commented at last, at a loss for anything better to say. "Is it not?"

"Yes."

Another moment of silence...

"Estel," she said finally. "Your mortal friend."

Legolas reclined against a tree, feeling weak but trying to look casual. "What about him?"

She pulled a strand of hair behind her ear. "He is a good warrior."

"Yes," Legolas replied uncomfortably. It was an odd thing of her to say. Perhaps she had some kind of strange fondness for Estel. He did not know that sort of matter of the heart when it came to edain; Estel rarely spoke of his feelings when it came to his love for a maiden.

"He heals quickly," she continued. "Faster than most men."

"He has elven blood."

She smiled. "I suspected such."

The elf sighed. "I do not know why I asked you to spend more time with me."

Her hazel eyes glowed. "It is because we are alike, you and I."

He started, staring at her. Something inside of him said the same thing.

(Space)

Arwen didn't know how long she walked. It felt like she had been walking for days, the hot, heavy breath of the Wild Man on her neck. She didn't let the fear pounding inside of her show on her face. She thrust her chin out defiantly. They may be able to take her captive, but they could never take her pride.

Her eyes wandered over to Khelekion. One of the Wild Men supported him. He still hadn't regained consciousness. A sheen of sweat glistened on his pale face.

'Oh Khel,' she prayed, 'hold on!'

The sound of gruff voices in the distance made her ears prick. She could hear horses whinnying, metal clinking, feet shuffling. Her eyes widened as they came upon the Wild Men camp. The clearing had been unnaturally expanded to make room for all of their tents. And were there tents! Tent upon tent, in no kind of order.

Arwen inwardly wept for the loss of the trees.

"Fila!" Berve threw her forward. She tasted the bitter dirt as her face scraped against the ground. She could hear a soft thud beside her as Khelekion fell limply to the ground.

"Khel." She crawled over to him breathlessly, feeling his forehead with her cheek. She sighed. A fever raged within him.

A small gasp of air escaped her as she felt a kick. "Don't move, pointy-eared wench!" a rough voice growled.

"Fila!" Berve bellowed again. "FILA!"

Out of the corner of her eye, Arwen saw a tent flap fly open. A harsh looking woman stepped out, a child propped on her hip.

"You called?" she sneered.

"Fila, take these elves." Berve indicated them by spitting in their direction. "The man's wounded. See what you can do for him. For now, they're in your charge."

Fila observed Arwen coldly. "Come along then. We don't have all day."

Arwen stood as Fila commanded two soldiers to help her transport Khel to the tent.

What were they planning to do with them?

(Space)

"Legolas?" Estel poked his head through the healing room door with a frown. His friend wasn't there. With a sigh, he hurried down the hallway.

No one had seen any sign of Legolas that day. It was the second time that he had stopped by his room, hoping that maybe he was out for only a moment, perhaps in the kitchens catching a late breakfast. However, he was still not back. Estel drew in a deep breath before heading to the spot he knew that he would most likely find his friend.

When Legolas needed to be alone, when he needed to go somewhere that he could find complete solitude, he could always be found in the same place. In the gardens, there was an old oak tree. Legolas could often be found sitting on the lower branch, speaking with it, seeking its counsel. He was in just that place when Estel came upon him.

"Mellon-nin?" the adan called out softly.

Legolas smiled at him. "Good morning. Or good afternoon." He yawned. "I have lost track of the time today."

Estel frowned. "Where have you been? I haven't been able to find you today."

The elf crossed his arms. "Do you have to keep watch over me now, Estel?"

Estel blinked. "No, I just sought your company."

Legolas slid to ground, his brow furrowed. "Forgive me. I am just feeling slightly confused. My friend will not speak with me." His hand stroked the bark of the tree. "I do not understand why."

Estel understood the elf's distress. "Will he tell you nothing?"

Legolas stared off into the distance. "He warns me only of a coming danger."

TBC...

Hey, sorry that this chappy was kinda short, but RL is really giving me a hard time right now. Please, please review! I really appreciate your reviews! I'll try to have another update soon, but I'm sorry to say that it probably won't be coming for several weeks. Sheds tear