Legolas made his own way back to the village. "Careless," he had muttered to himself as he strode away from Wren and the other Rangers.

The word resounded in his head like a toiling bell. Careless.

How could 'he' have been so careless?

He was disgusted with himself. He had not meant to lose the shaft. The last time that had happened would have been several millennia ago, when he was a young, unskilled elf in training. He had known that the orc had been covered from multiple angles. He had seen Strider to his left, who had a clear shot of the foul creature. Instead he, Legolas had risked her life. By sheer fortitude, the orc's balance was offset, just before Legolas had shot it. Had the orc fallen to the left he would have likely slit her throat as he fell. Legolas shuddered at the thought. His head pounded.

How had this happened?

As he approached the village having taken the long way round, he could hear Strider's and Rodorin's raised voices in the cabin. He moved closer and strained to hear, not caring about the impropriety his good hearing afforded him. He caught the tail end of something Rodorin was saying.

"... slept late, she left a message with my mother ... to follow her to the east end of the ravine. Dressed quickly and rushed to catch up with her ... wasn't paying attention ... stumbled into the orcs. Hadn't even drawn my bow when the first dagger came at me ... didn't know Wren was in the trees."

Rodorin paused.

"Think she whistled, then leapt down from the trees to distract them. It worked. They all turned and set upon her. She yelled 'Run, warn Strider!' ... I didn't want to run, but she kept yelling ..."

There was a silence.

"And ..." came a grim voice.

"I started to run."

Legolas moved towards the door, the raging storm began taking hold yet again.

"But then I turned, and saw Wren slicing through an orc ... Then the largest of them landed a blow on her head from behind, and she fell. I started to run back, but I saw the large one pick her up, and then they all just took off ... I realized she was not dead ... I knew my only option was to return here to get help..."

There was a long silence.

"Rodorin, I am frustrated that you were not where you were supposed to be this morning. I am also disappointed that you ran straight into an orc ambush." He sighed. "You are still alive due to her bravery. Your redemption is that she lives as well." Strider paused.

"Go, I need to mull over the consequences of your actions."

As he opened the door to leave, Rodorin flinched when he saw Legolas standing there, fury etched all over his face. But Legolas's hands remained at his sides, although his fists were clenched and his knuckles white. Strider watched Legolas intently from inside the cabin as Rodorin left in a hurry.

Legolas walked in and glared at Strider.

"I assume you are going to banish him for cowardice, because that is what he deserves."

"No Legolas, I will not banish him. Rodorin is young and has a lot to learn, but he is not a coward." Strider said calmly but with an air of authority, that reminded Legolas he had overstepped himself. "He is guilty of oversleeping and negligence. However Wren is alive because he made the right choice thereafter. Any punishment is mine to decide."

He paused with a grim look on his face and a furrowed brow, as he ran his fingers through his hair. "On reflection, I believe that this entire situation could have been avoided, if Wren had been patient or sought another partner. She knows that she should not patrol an area by herself. In fact, Wren's actions constitute the graver error, arising from her own pride and desire to demonstrate her independence."

Legolas was perturbed by Strider's insight on the recent events. He brooded and paced in front of the cabin fire as Strider waited. Legolas stopped and suddenly said,

"I did not intend to shoot that arrow."

"I guessed as much."

"It will not happen again."

"Perhaps," said Strider with his head cocked to one side. "I realize it is rare for elves to make mistakes, but think on this mellon nín; you risked Wren's life as much as Rodorin did today. Do not blame Rodorin or Wren for your own guilt. We are all responsible for our own actions."

Legolas looked up in surprise. Strider's discernment and forgiveness was a trait worthy of his yet undeclared nobility, and it shamed him. Unsure of what to say, Legolas took his leave.

He needed time by himself to clear his head.

Legolas left the village and headed towards the ridge above the village. He stood for a long time looking at the valley, wrestling with his thoughts.

He was haunted by his lack of control. He remembered the rush of fear when he found out Wren had been captured. His unrestrained and irrational anger at Rodorin's role in the matter. His suffocating terror when he thought she might be dead. His elation when he saw her alive. And his urgency to remove her from further danger. He tried to wrap his head around his tumultuous emotions.

He cursed. Emotion. This was the cause, the reason for his uncharacteristic lapse in judgement.

As he floundered in this new and raw sensation, and he realized that Wren was foremost in his thoughts. He had a rising desire to see her, to be near her and to keep her safe.

He had of course been aware of his growing fondness for Wren birthed out of mutual respect. What he had not been so keenly aware of however, was just how much pleasure he took from her presence. How she had fascinated and captivated him. How her laughter had steadily trickled through him and healed his heart.

He realized now that he had been mistaken; his greatest fear was not becoming his father. In actuality, that fear was now dwarfed by the new fears that consumed him. The fear of being unable to keep her from harm and the fear that she might not feel the same way about him.

He lent heavily against a tree to steady himself as the realization flooded home and sapped his strength.

He loved her.

He had been so sure he had been destined to love Tauriel unrequited for the next hundred years, that he had not seen this new thing approaching until he was in the midst of it. But here he was, incapacitated by a new, overwhelming and terrifying love for this unique, part-elven maiden.

The weight of this new reality was still settling, when a new and awful truth bore down on him. Yet again, he had fallen in love with someone who loved another.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Ah yes poor Legolas ... what a bit of drama will do for some self revelation...!

To those of you who are on this journey with me, because you have loved the 'adventure' aspect of this story, I am sorry (not sorry) to dump the romance on you. On the upside there is more of the Dúnedain, the twins and adventure to come...so hang in there! (To those on board for the romance *fist bump*!)

I would love to receive your comments and PLEASE vote on this chapter if you enjoyed it. Each vote and comment helps the wider circulation of my story, I really appreciate them

 DEDICATION:To rh27writer for copious hilarious and heartfelt comments! And for being the one to push me over the 1k vote mark - so thrilling!