Alassea felt odd without Huor by her side after having settled him down in the stables. They stood in a hall of sorts. Thranduil had left, not saying much as he left. Gilliern(sp) stayed in the stables. Which left herself, her companion, and Legolas. Then having excused himself, Alassea and the Prince were left, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

She stood there awkwardly, not sure what to be doing next. She was somewhat peckish and yet it was not close to any meal time. "I...suppose showing me my quarters for the duration of my time here would be next," she said, smoothing down the front of her gown. She was also curious about the home of the Mirkwood Elves, and only heard of the type of Elves they were. And so far, Legolas was proving rumors untrue. Though his father was another matter.

(Ok, I'm soooooooooooooooooooooo sorry Jay. Really don't how to start this, and have library movies to watch. I should be better after this ^^; Please don't hate me!!!)

Before their guest had even arrived it had been agreed that it would be Legolas who acted as her guide and companion for the duration of her stay. Out of all of Thranduil’s children, Legolas was the most suited to the job being of a friendly and cheerful disposition and having spent a year travelling far beyond the borders of his forest home. He had, some might say inevitably, spent some of his time in Lothlorien on his way to Imladris and, whilst he had not spent much time amongst his Lothlorien kith, Legolas had learnt a little of their culture and their customs and had forged strong bonds of friendship amongst several of the guard. It was felt that he knew enough to make the Lady Alassea feel welcome and avoid accidentally causing offence.

This was why, once the welcoming party had scattered and gone their separate ways, Legolas found himself alone with their guest in one of Mirkwood’s main halls. He had to admit, being left alone with someone he had only just met made him feel slightly uncomfortable; he knew, as the host, he was supposed to start and hold a conversation with his guest but, because he barely knew the Lady Alassea, he had no idea what might capture and hold her interest. Being friendly and confident young ellon it was a problem Legolas rarely faced and, as such, he had very few ideas on how to approach his dilemma. He supposed the one thing he could do was show her to her rooms.

Just as he was about to suggest that he show her to her quarters, the lady Alassea suggested it herself. Legolas smiled at her, once the conversation started he was in his element.

“Of course, it would be very rude of me not to show you where you might leave your possessions and find rest. Please, follow me.”

With that, and a small gesture that indicated she should walk alongside him, Legolas headed through the doors and began making his way down one of the many winding pathways that split off from there.

“Your quarters, and those of your companions, are close to those that belong to my family so, should you need anything, it should not be hard to find someone willing to help you.” He paused slightly, realising that, after the slightly chilly welcome she had received from the other two members of his family she had met, she might not be too eager to seek them out. “Please forgive my sister and my father for their coldness towards you, they do not mean to cause you offence. They are simply on edge; my father has no love for the darker creatures of this world and was loath to let your companion, the werewolf, pass in to his halls. My sister, likewise, was not best please to hear that he would be passing his time here in the stables.”

Legolas himself had no love for the creature that had accompanied the Lady Alassea on her journey but he felt it might be a little rude to mention this.

Alassea's smile warmed and relaxed as her eyes widened slightly, grateful for his warm and enthusiastic agreement. She hefted her strap that held her belongings higher on her shoulder and quickly followed in step beside Legolas. And once they came to a winding pathway, she fell in line behind him, for she was not familiar with pathways such as this, even if her quarters at home was up in the trees.

She nodded, softly mumbling her thanks and kept her eyes on Legolas while he spoke, for it was a little easier to keep on the path that way.

Alassea's smile faultered slightly and her eyes downcasted to his booted feet. "All is fine. My kin are not all too keen on Huor either, though have come to accept him as a loyal aid in keeping our people safe, as well as my own safety," she answered him. She felt his own slight tension, one that she recognized in most everyone that met her closest companion. Huor had only started to gain his adult fur when she brought him before her lady and lord. And even though not warmly accepted, still accepted him enough to no destroy him and allow him to patrol their outer borders.

She turned her head behind her as her brows knotted together in thought of Huor. Wondering how he was doing kept in the stables. How the horses were doing that were stalled around him. Please be good, my friend.

And that was that fatal mistake.

Even with feline-like reflexes, she was not familiar with the paths. Alassea's foot stepped out too far past a bend in the path and began to fall over. Her other foot even slipping as she cried out. It even felt like her cry was louder still as her pupils narrowed, her mind imaging that the blackness beneath them was coming closer and swallowing her whole.

As his guest spoke Legolas’ mind wandered back to the… creature who had been at her side when she had arrived. He supposed even the darkest of beasts could have its uses although he was surprised the creature had even lived long enough to be formally accepted in to the Lothlorien society uses or no. Had a werewolf been brought before his father, before any elf of Mirkwood for that matter, it would have been cut down without a second thought. Still, as he well knew , love was a strange thing which rarely listened to sense and reason and drove its victims to extreme lengths in order to ensure their loved one’s safety. He wondered what the elleth had done to ensure that the beast was not killed on sight, perhaps she has shielded him from the gaze of those who wished him harm. Perhaps she had stood between her creature and the killing blow. Legolas could only guess.

What puzzled him more, however, was how such a strange bond could have taken place. He supposed it was indeed possible for someone to grow to love such a creature even if such a feat was beyond his comprehension. He seen other elleths give their love to creatures nearly as vile, he’d seen Tauriel give her heart to a dwar- but no, there was no need to go down that road, enough to say that he had seen elleths give love to those they should not. The creature, on the other hand, was a different matter. What had stopped it from killing her? What had kept it at her side all these years? What it love? Did the creature love her in somewhere in its twisted heart? Or was it something else, something no ellon or elleth could ever hope to understand?

Not that the answer mattered to anyone or anything other than Legolas’ curiosity. What was done was done and there was no use dwelling on it, a hard lesson which Legolas intended to follow. What did matter was making his guest comfortable and, to do that, Legolas needed to think of a reply that would in no way upset her or distress her.

“Your kin are far more trusting than mine.”

It was the only thing he could think to say and, once he had said it, he found himself at a loss. He wanted to leave the subject of the creature behind but could think of nothing which would look like a natural transition.

He was almost grateful when he was pulled from his thoughts by a cry.

Acting on reflex Legolas spun round, his hand already outstretched to catch hold of the falling elleth. Catching hold of her hand he pulled her back from the drop, spinning to put himself between the elleth and the edge of the pathway. It was not a very big drop, Alassea would have suffered no more than wounded pride and a few bruises, but injuries were to be avoided at all costs.

Alassea shook, violently. She had had falls throughout her life, even ones more treacherous than the silly fall she nearly had without Legolas' help. But with unfamiliar ground, surroundings, and a preoccupied mind; this fall caused terrifying things to happen to her. Somehow it brought her back to the time of her parents and companions deaths. The attack of the Balrog. Her terror coursed through her, and that small little Elfling was nearly strangling her sense and her way back to her control. She couldn't even feel embarrassment at the way she was behaving in front of Legolas, someone she was feeling things she differently that her previously encounter.

"Adar....naneth..." she whimpered. She hadn't realized Legolas had saved her, but somehow instinct guided her to grab onto his upper arm sleeves, and she gripped so fiercely it was a wonder she didn't tear his clothing. She was back so far that her brain wasn't coming back to consciousness fast enough. She couldn't even voice to Legolas that she needed help. She couldn't even think to herself you have to say something to him so he can help you.

Her eyes focused on nothing, but her orbs were replying her most heartbreaking time in her life.

(sorry it's taken so long)