�You are far from your friends.� Haldir had watched as Jessica had pulled away from the others. It had been like that the entire walk into the city as well. She would be by herself even among her friends. A situation that the others seemed not only to accept but to promote.

�If I am not allowed to leave then tell me. Otherwise please leave me in peace.� He was surprised at her words and tone. She had been nothing but respectful to all since he had allowed the fellowship into the boarders.

�And if I said that you must return?� he asked.

�I think I would run just in hopes that you would shoot me with an arrow and put me out of my misery.� She said leaning back against the tree behind her.

�You are very sullen.� She looked up to him and smirked.

�You spend nine months with someone with no flaws and then jump around like a ray of sunshine.� She crossed her arms over her chest. �Why are you here anyway? I thought you would be listening to majesty sing.�

�I am to watch over the fellowship. You have strayed away from the others and I have to make sure you are safe.� She rolled her eyes.

�You mean you have to make sure we don�t get into any trouble. I�m sure that the Lord and lady of these woods have much more faith in your abilities to keep the city safe than that.� She tilted her head. �I promise I won�t move from this spot if you want to go back. Come get me when she is done and I�ll go with you.� She looked back down at the grass and rubbed her palm against it.

�Why do you not wish to hear her sing?� he asked watching the girl in front of him curiously.

�I�ve listened to her singing for months. I believe I am entitled to a break.� She didn�t look up to him.

�The others of your group do not seem to have a problem with her singing.� He said.

�Yeah.� Was her only answer. There was silence for a few minutes. �I�m not going back.� She looked up to him. �You�d have to drag me kicking and screaming.�

�You think I could not?� he asked an arrogant smile on his face.

�You could.� She said. �But I would fight with everything in me.� She sighed. �I might give you a bruise or something.� She looked back over the forest.

�I thought they were your friends.� He walked around in front of her to get her attention.

�They are.� She said. �But I would like a little me time. Is that illegal in this world?� He raised an eyebrow at her and she raised one back. �Besides, their time now is taken with majesty. She�ll keep everyone entertained I�m sure.�

�I can not leave you here alone.�

�I�m not going back.�

�Perhaps if you stopped acting childish you would realize that you have no choice.� She shrugged.

�I�m not acting.� She sighed. �look can I stay here for a while at least? I�ve only been away a few minutes.�

�I�m afraid that I was given orders not to let any of you wonder alone.� He said feeling slightly guilty though his tone was that of a command.

�Well can�t go against orders can we.� She said and stood. He watched as she walked back towards the fellowship. Her back was slumped and her head down. He followed her and watched as she went just to the edge of the clearing. Close enough to be within hearing and sight of the others but sat down by some tree roots hiding herself from them. He frowned and walked over to her. She looked up and sighed.

�I trust that I don�t have to sit in their laps.� She said.

�No.� he looked to the others. Majesty was still singing with the fellowship listening intently to her. Everyone seemed entranced by her. He had to admit her voice was flawless. Better than many elves he had heard.

�Perfect.� Said Jessica. He looked down. �her voice. It�s perfect right?�

�It is very lovely yes. Better than most I have heard.� Jessica smiled bitterly.

�Yes, well I�m sure you�ll find that is just one of many things.� She leaned against the tree and looked back out over the forest.

�Do you not enjoy her voice? It is beautiful.� He said intrigued by her actions.

�Oh, I agree. It�s lovely. I. . I just want a break from beautiful. Hence the me time. Away from everything, everyone.� She looked back up to him. �Am I entertaining you on some level?�

�Yes.� He answered with a smirk. She smiled widely at him.

�Glad to be of assistance then.� She laughed and shook her head. �If you�re going to stay you might as well sit. Otherwise I�m going to get a crick in my neck.� He was about to when majesty�s voice came over to them.

�Haldir.� She said with a smile. �Come join us.� He looked down to Jessica. She was looking back over the woods as if not paying attention to him.

�She�ll be better company.� Said Jessica quietly. He was going to decline and sit but something drug his attention back to majesty. Without a word to Jessica he walked over to the main of the fellowship camp and sat with the others.

She sang many times throughout the night and he enjoyed it. Her beauty was stunning even for an elf she would be considered rare. Possibly even more beautiful than Arwen. Hours later she went to bed tired and the group dispersed. It was only then that he remembered Jessica. He went back to where he had left her and was surprised to see that she had moved her pallet there. She was still curled up against the tree but she was holding a large journal and writing in it. She looked up to him and then back to her journal.

�I am surprised that you would carry that on this quest.� He said.

�I have to keep my sanity somehow. It was a gift from the twins.� She said putting the pen in the small ink bottle and looking up to him. �I hear the voice has stopped, has everyone gone to bed?�

�Yes, they have retired for the evening.� He answered.

�hmm.� She said not really interested.

�What do you write?� he asked curious. She looked up to him and stared for a moment. Almost as if she was searching for something.

�Anything I want.� She answered. �it�s rather personal.� She turned back to the journal and kept writing.

�Have I offended you?� he asked. �By my accusing you of wrong doing earlier.� He was surprised when she actually started laughing.

�No. Not at all.� She looked back up to him. �I�m typically hard to get along with and withdrawn. Ask any of the fellowship.� She sighed and leaned back. �May I ask a favor of you?�

�You may ask.� She smiled at him.

�Will you show me how to get to various places from here.� He frowned.

�Places such as what?� he asked suspiciously.

�The archery range, the practice arena, healers, and kitchens.� He looked to her for a moment.

�Even if I was to show you these places you would not be allowed to wonder there on your own.� She sighed again but nodded.

�I suppose I would have to ask Lord Celeborn and/or Lady Galadriel for permission.�

�Yes, it would be required.�

�If it is not too much trouble, how do I ask them?� He tilted his head questioningly. He didn�t know what to make of the mortal in front of him.

�I will petition for you.� He said.

�I am grateful, but if possible would rather do it myself.� His eyes narrowed slightly. �I meant no offence.� She said in a sigh. �Thank you Lord Haldir. I would be most thankful if you would ask them for me.� She looked back to her book.

�Why?�

�Why what?�

�Why do you wish to know where those places are?� he clarified.

�I need to practice. I�ll have time here, archery and the sword. I need to know where the healers are because I always manage to end up bleeding anytime I am near a sword.� She laughed slightly.

�And the kitchens.� He prodded.

�The hobbits only save food for themselves or majesty. If I�m not here when it�s served I won�t get any.� She shrugged slightly. He frowned when he remembered that she had went to the healers before rejoining the fellowship after their baths. He looked to the table the food had been set at and saw that it was all gone. �I wasn�t hungry anyway.�

�They did not give you any?� he asked slightly offended.

�I kept some of the lembas you gave me. It is traveling food, it keeps.� She said looking up to him. He frowned even more. He had not given them much, only a few bites each when they had stopped.

�I can go to the kitchens if you require a larger meal.� He offered.

�I�m fine.� She shook her head and closed her book then put it away in her travel bag. �thanks for the offer though.� She looked back to him. �Do you know when you will be able to ask?�

�I will have an answer for you in the morning.� She smiled.

�Thanks.� She turned from him suddenly and yawned. �Sorry.�

�It is alright Lady Jessica. I will leave you to rest.� He said with a small bow before turning to leave. He heard a soft thanks again before he was out of hearing range. As he promised he went directly to the Lord and lady to submit her petition.

The next morning after breakfast he went back to the fellowship. They had agreed on the stipulation that one of his guard would be with her at all times. He agreed to it and now he was on his way to escort her the first day. Walking into the clearing he saw that they were eating breakfast and talking quietly. Everyone except Jessica.

�Good morning Haldir.� Said Aragorn.

�Good Morning.� He said with a nod to all of them.

�have you come to join us for breakfast?� asked Majesty with a wide smile. He looked to the table, seeing that most of the food was gone already. He doubted there would be enough left to fill an empty Elvin stomach.

�No, I have come to retrieve lady Jessica. Has she already eaten and tarries elsewhere?� he asked.

�She�s still sleeping.� Said Boromir dismissively.

�I would have thought you would have shared your breakfast with her.� he said his tone becoming slightly angry.

�She never eats breakfast.� Said one of the hobbits shoving some food in his face.

Nor dinner it would seem. He thought his anger growing.

�What do you wish with her besides?� asked Majesty.

�The lord and lady have given her leave to practice. I am here to show her around and then leave her with a proper escort.� he said.

�Practice?� she asked arching an eyebrow.

�Yes I believe archery and the sword.� He saw the smirk form on Majesty�s face and wondered at it.

�Perhaps I should go with you.� Said Legolas. �I was showing her archery and some sword lessons while we were on the road.�

�Attempting.� Said majesty with a laugh. �I am surprised she still lives given her skill level.� Legolas frowned slightly.

�She works hard.� He said. �She has progressed far for her limited experience.� Haldir saw annoyance flash over her eyes before she settled in a grin.

�You are right of course Legolas. But you promised me you would walk with me today. Are you going to break that?� Legolas faltered and then smiled at her.

�No you are right. I can not.� He looked to Haldir. �Tomorrow may I accompany her?� he asked. Majesty�s smile slipped again.

�Yes, that is fine. Please excuse me.� He said with a nod and went off to where Jessica had pulled her pallet. He found her where he had left her. She was on her side curled into a tight ball with her blanket around her feet. He crouched next to her and reached for her shoulder shaking her gently. �Lady Jessica.� She jumped away from him her eyes wide. �Lady Jessica.� He said calmly. �Your petition has been granted.� She blinked and he saw her relax immediately.

�Really?� she asked with a smile. �that�s great.� He offered a small smile at her enthusiasm and stood.

�If you follow me I will show you around before leaving you with your escort.�

�Yeah. . uh give me a minute.� She said and pulled her pack to her. she rummaged through it for a moment and pulled out a brush and a small piece of fabric. She opened it and he saw she had what must have been at least half of the lembas she had been given on the way to the city stored in it. She went to grab a small bite of it but he stopped her.

�Perhaps you would wait and join me for breakfast?� she looked to him and blushed slightly.

�I. . I�m not very hungry in the mornings.� She said her attention going back to the lembas in her hands.

�I insist.� She looked up to him. �I shall wait for you over there.� He said motioning towards the fellowship. Without waiting for her to respond he walked away. She sighed and took a bit of the lembas anyway. She knew if she didn�t� her stomach would start rumbling before lunch. She could have her fill then usually. She put her food away and pulled her boots on tucking her pants in them. Quickly ran her brush through her hair and pulled it back in a pony tail before getting up to follow Haldir.

Haldir had noticed her clothing when she had first entered the woods, but now without her cloak it was even more noticeable. It looked as though they were made for someone much bigger than she was. He knew it was of Rivendell weave and Elrond would not have sent her as ill prepared as she seemed to be. The sword strapped to her waist was of Rivendell workmanship as well and spoke of high regard seeing as how it was mithril.

�Have you no other clothes?� he asked. He watched as she blushed slightly and looked down to herself.

�I. . uh. . I lost a some weight while we traveled.� She looked away from him and fell silent.

I wonder if it was because of the exorcise or the fact that you are not fed. He thought as they continued.

�They�re comfortable.� She finally said with a small shrug.

�And cumbersome in a fight.� He added.

�they�re all I have.� She said anger lacing her voice. �I�m sorry you don�t approve.�

�I did not mean it as a slight.� He said. �I was pointing out a potential weakness.�

�I�ll keep it in mind.� They walked in silence the rest of the way to the kitchens. He had one of the helpers make her a plate for breakfast. He watched her lick her lips unconsciously when she saw it and she looked up to him. �I thought you were going to eat as well.�

�I�ve already taken breakfast.� He saw her blush and look down to the plate.

�Oh.� She didn�t make any move to eat and he frowned.

�Do you have a bow and quiver? I did not see one with you.� She looked up to him.

�No, I normally borrow Aragorn�s.� she said. �I�m not good enough with the weapon to carry one of my own.�

�then I shall get one for you to use.� He said. �I will return when I have retrieved one.� He left word with the cook to make sure she ate what was in front of her before he left. He made sure to take a sufficient amount of time allowing Jessica to be able to eat. He returned to the kitchens almost an hour later and was surprised at what he found. Jessica was over the wash basin cleaning out a rather disgusting looking pot. There were others stacked to the side. The cook came up to him and smiled as greeting.

�Did she eat?� he asked.

�Everything, plus a little more.� she said with a grin.

�I see you put her to work.� he laughed slightly.

�I did nothing. She insisted.� the cook shook her head slightly. �Bold thing, took the rag right out of my hand and kept saying thank you. Though her accent is a bit thick. I had to ask her what she wanted in common. She hugged me when she found I could speak her language.� She looked to him the grin on her face melting. �She ate as though she has not done so recently. I had quite a bit of food delivered to her group not only last night but this morning.�

�She slept through breakfast.� he said straightening up. Suvel�s frown grew deeper.

�Slept through? Why did not her friends wake her?�

�I do not know.� he looked to her. �She has been given leave to train, I believe she will be here for lunch at least. Perhaps more.�

�Have you decided to stay in the kitchens?� he asked raising an eyebrow. She smiled at him.

�No. . just helping.� She shrugged slightly. �I would like to finish this before we leave if that is okay.�

�Certainly.� He said trying to hide his surprise. He sat at the table and grabbed an apple. �You do not have to do that.�

�I know.� She said not stopping. �I don�t mind doing the dishes. Besides I can�t repay her for the food or the trouble of fixing me a plate with anything but this.�

�she does not require payment.� He said.

�Just because she doesn�t require it doesn�t mean she wouldn�t appreciate it. I don�t require a pallet to sleep on but am grateful it has been provided. I don�t require a bath but am relieved I have been given access to one.� She laughed a little. �Though maybe I do require a bath.�

�Helping in the kitchens was a punishment given out by my mother.� Said Haldir. She looked to him and raised an eyebrow.

�A little trouble maker were we?� she asked and chuckled going back to the pot.

�I was not here near as often as my brothers.� He said with a grin.

�There is nothing wrong with scrubbing pots.� She said. �Someone has to do it, and it just happens that today it has fallen to me.� He watched her and tilted his head. She scrubbed it clean then rinsed it before drying the pot and adding it with the others. She wiped her hands off on the towel on her shoulder and turned to Haldir.

�Suvel has agreed to let you come here when you wish. It will probably be easier to get your meals here if you are going to be away from the fellowship during training.� He said. �The kitchens will be closer than the clearing besides.� She nodded.

�Thanks.� She followed him out and he leaned over picking up the bow and quiver full of arrows that he had gotten for her.

�These will be yours for the remainder of your stay. Do you know how to care for them?� she looked to him.

�The bow . . kind of. I watched Legolas clean and oil his. I don�t know how to fix arrows that break though.� He saw hesitation in her eyes.

�Then I will make sure that you are shown.� He said. She smiled at him. �I trust you know how to care for your sword.�

�Lord Elrond showed me how to clean it. But I don�t know how to sharpen it.� Haldir tilted his head.

�Elrond showed you?� he asked surprised.

�Yeah, he wants it back in one piece.� She said with a chuckle. �Or penalty of listening to Erestor for the rest of my life. I plan on handing it to him as soon as I see him again.�

�that is a dire threat.� Said Haldir with a small grin.

�Erestor is fun when he lets loose.� She said with a smile. �He just doesn�t do it often enough.� Haldir smiled and they continued to their destination. He showed her around the first day and introduced her to the ones that would be handling her training. They were also wardens he was teaching common to and hoped that all would learn from the arrangement.

�If you feel secure in your destinations I shall leave you now.� Said Haldir as they walked back to the kitchens after a full day. He had helped her sharpen her sword and clean. As well as helping her learn proper maintenance of the bow and fletch arrows.

�Yeah, thank you so much Haldir.� She said with a grin and shook his hand. �From my world it is a show of gratitude.� She said at his confused look.

�Ah, yes well you are most welcome.� He said shaking it back. She laughed and shook her head.

�I�ll see you around maybe.� With that she left and climbed the stairs to the kitchen. perhaps. He thought and turned to go back to his own telain.