To all my faithful readers, I'm sorry this has taken so long! It's a very long chappy to say sorry though, the long-awaited hunting trip begins! Review please!

'Unbelievable!' Herenya seethed, throwing a twisted buddle of garments into a leather pack. 'Absolutely unbelievable!'

'Herenya,' cautioned Nesseldë anxiously. 'Perhaps it would be the better course of action simply to acquiesce without complaint?'

'Without complaint, ha!' Her cousin repeated with an attempt at a bemused snort. 'What you ask is impossible!' She furiously grabbed her stack of lembas bread, tossing it haphazardly onto of her squashed clothes, and then went back to sifting through the rest of her possessions.

'But you did agree to the Prince's wager, and you have been in enough trouble recently with Aurealia, and it may not be quite as bad as you imagine.'

'What?' Herenya demanded with a piercing glare causing Nesseldë to tremble as if she'd seen the very fires of Morgoth herself. 'Not quite as bad as I imagine? I am to spend four days, four whole days, with the most infuriating elf to have ever walked the face of Arda!'

'And the sons of Elrond,' added Nesseldë. 'They I take to be at least tolerable.'

'Yes well,' Herenya agreed begrudgingly. 'It doesn't matter anyway, because I am not going.'

'Is that so?'

'Yes,' Herenya said with a sharp nod sealing her determination. 'I am not going,' she picked up another gown and folded it into her traveling pack. 'I'm not going,' she placed the small, bejeweled dagger that Daugon had gifted to her carefully onto of the mess of her pack. 'Definitely not going…'

---

'I am not going,' Herenya muttered to herself as she attached her pack and that of the Prince's to the pack mule, who stood patiently in the courtyard awaiting the arrival of the Lords. 'I am not going.'

'Denial will get you nowhere Herenya,' Nithron advised wisely as he appeared, a saddled Saldir and Tulia close behind him.

'This isn't denial Nithron,' she argued persistently. 'It's simply the truth, I don't care what the Prince or anyone says, I am not going.'

Nithron sighed in exasperation often experienced when encountering Herenya in one of her more stubborn moods.

'If you say so my dear.'

'I'm not going, I'm not!'

'I hope you realise that you sound like a petulant child,' said Nesseldë crossly, seemingly appearing out of thin air.

'Cousin?' Herenya said, momentarily stunned. 'What are you doing here?'

'Aurealia deemed it unfit for an elleth to travel alone with four males, so here I am,' she answered crabbily. 'I am to accompany you, which as you may have already guessed I am none too happy about.' Nesseldë busied herself with attaching her own belongings to the mule with erratic, unamused movements.

'Well luckily for you Nesseldë I am not going,' Herenya informed her with a self-convinced smile plastered upon her face.

'Honestly,' Nithron interupted. 'I for once feel as if the Prince is more deserving of my pity than you Herenya!'

'Do not forget her poor unfortunate cousin who is being forced to accompany her,' Nesseldë added fiercely. Nithron shot her an indifferent glance.

'Ah do not complain Lady Nesseldë, I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine in the company of Lord Elrohir,' without waiting for her to compose herself enough to answer him, Nithron bowed to them both and started back towards the stables, weaving through the throngs of people gathered in the courtyard.

'What was that?' Nesseldë asked weakly of Herenya who simply shrugged muttering 'I'm not going,' repeatedly, too wrapped up in herself to even notice the pained look that appeared fleetingly on her cousin's face at Nithron's rebuke.

'Good morning sweet maidens!' Greeted Elrohir with great aplomb as he strode towards them, apprehension of a fulfilling trip glittering in his eyes. Herenya and Nesseldë sank into their respective curtseys, both murmuring polite greetings, yet both sour-faced.

'How now, why so glum?' He asked gleefully, knowing full well why Herenya's beautiful face was fixed with a glare to rival his father's. 'After all this is all set to be a most amiable trip.'

'It does not matter if it is my Lord,' said Herenya. 'Because I regret to inform you that I am not going.'

'Oh?' Asked Elrohir as an enquiring eyebrow rose.

'Yes, I simply refuse. I am not going.' Nesseldë rolled her eyes, a gesture unmissed by Elrohir.

'She has her heart set on it, it would seem,' Nesseldë elaborated.

'Ah that would be a mighty shame,' Elladan said, joining his brother, both adorned in beige and blue leggings and tunics, with a small degree of armour, both looking impeccably handsome. Herenya was surveying them critically, before she stopped her foot in a most unladylike display of frustration.

'Oh this is impossible, how am I to spend four days not knowing which is which, you too will be the death of me!'

Elladan and Elrohir exchanged identical smirks.

'But my dear Herenya,' Elladan began innocently. 'I thought you were not going?'

Elves nearby laughed jovially, including Nesseldë and the twins at the warm blush creeping over Herenya's cheeks.

'You are correct,' she recovered stiffly. 'I am not.'

'Have you informed your liege the Prince?' Enquired Elladan mildly, moving past them to pat the neck of his faithful steed Naith.

'Not yet, unfortunately,' Herenya answered, joining Elladan to assist him with attaching his water skin to the horse. The elf, taken aback by her undue helpfulness, fell back and allowed her to take over the menial task for him. Nesseldë and Elrohir were conversing lightly, which occasionally involved her outrageous laughter at what he was saying for her ears only and it was her who spotted the entrance of Legolas and Aragorn first. She nudged Elrohir and he looked into her line of sight, a devilish smile forming at the corners of his perfect mouth. Clearing his throat he called out loudly across the courtyard, effectively silencing the chattering of the assembled elves.

'Ah Prince Legolas, Estel, I thought you two would never arrive! Legolas, did Estel have to pull you from your mirror again? Is that the excuse for this intolerable lateness?'

Aragorn started to nod but Legolas slung an arm around his neck, a little too tight than was necessary.

'Of course not Elrohir, it was I who had the unpleasant task of dragging this bedraggled human out of bed a mere ten minutes ago!'

The crowd laughed and parted to let the two pass. At the Prince's arrival, Herenya's back had gotten a little stiffer and her steadfast degree that she would not be going on this hunting trip increased ten fold. At her mutterings, Elladan grinned and whispered in an exaggerated tone so that everyone in the near vicinity could hear what he said.

'Ah here's your chance to tell Legolas your unfortunate news, fair Herenya!'

'Oh?' Asked Legolas with suppressed interest as he approached, stopping a mere foot away from his servant, who met his eye defiantly. 'And what unfortunate news is this? I beg you, please take a care for my tender heart, and tell me gently.'

His eyes took on a predatory gleem amongst their clear cerulean blue, causing her to gulp ever so slightly.

'Just to inform you Your Grace that I simply refuse to…' her tone wavered at his intense stare and the utter silence that had befallen the courtyard. Nesseldë looked on with a bored expression, Aragorn with one of badly concealed amusement. The twins had both schooled their faces into expressionless masks, yet she knew that the mocking was strong and healthy inside those beautiful heads. For the first time in her life, Herenya could not find the words to be disobedient, and was not pleased. 'I refuse to…'she began again, trying to force some of her feisty nature out of her mouth, which was gaping most unpleasantly.

'Yes?' Prodded Legolas, his smile widening at her hesitation.

'I refuse to…' it felt as if the entire crowd held their breath with her. 'I refuse to…ride on the packhorse,' she finished pathetically. Aragorn was the first to loose control, followed by the twins, and oh how they roared. Aragorn leant against his horse for support, his eyes crinkled as tears of merriment fled from the corners. Elrohir and Elladan were trying to form a sentence, but both failed miserably, clutching their sides at the mighty fall the elleth had taken, which had now provoked an embarrassed scowl to form on her face. Even Nesseldë, the traitor, let a small giggle escape her lips at Herenya's self-mortification. Legolas shot her one of his heart-melting smiles.

'Of course Herenya, I'm glad that I can solve this problem for you.'

'Thank you my Prince,' she replied through gritted teeth, looking at his slightly scuffed leather boots in desperate need of a polish. In fact, she seethed silently, I only polished those last night and he has already gone and defiled my hard work, the brute! Well it didn't really matter right at that particular moment but it gave her someplace else to focus on other than those infuriatingly probing eyes of his.

'Well if there are no more troubles to be settled,' Legolas said, stepping away from her and towards Saldir. 'I propose that we take our leave.'

'Just so long as you're sure that you've finished tormenting the poor girl mellon,' Aragorn said lightly and Herenya shot him a brief smile of gratitude.

'I have,' Legolas said, his full attention now of Saldir. 'At least for now.' He gracefully swung himself up into the saddle, and at his signal the twins, Nesseldë (who was now lumbered with riding on the packhorse), Herenya, mounted on Tulia, and lastly Aragorn followed him. Legolas gave a wave of farewell to his father who had come to see them off and then muttered in elvish for his horse to start moving. Saldir snorted at being forced to move but did so nevertheless and the others settle into procession after him, Nesseldë and Herenya taking up the rear. Despite her usually gentle nature, Nesseldë could not resist getting in at least one jibe at Herenya's expense.

'So cousin I guess you are going, after all.'

'Oh very amusing.'

---

'So,' said Herenya later that evening as her and Nesseldë sat in an uncomfortable silence around a campfire that they had been instructed to build ere the sun set. 'What do we do now?'

'We wait, Herenya,' Nesseldë answered sullenly. 'Patiently like good servants until they return from their day hunting, hopefully successfully for our sakes as much as theirs.'

'But I'm bored.'

'Well get over it.'

'Evil.'

'Pest.'

'Hag.'

'Wench.'

The day had been rather uninteresting; at midday Legolas had halted their ride, deeming them to be far enough into the forests of Mirkwood. Herenya and Nesseldë had assisted with making up camp, fetching wood for a fire to be lit later, and seeing to the horses. The men had then left them in search of their quarry and had not yet returned. That had been about four hours ago, and the sun had only just set. Nesseldë had retreated into herself, still angered with Herenya for dragging her into the other elleth's own predicament as she so usually did. Herenya showed no remorse, yet was puzzled as to why her cousin was so cold with her, but couldn't be bothered to question as to why, too wrapped up in despair that she was actually on this godforsaken hunting trip. Thankfully she hadn't yet had to endure too much of the Prince, as he'd been far too preoccupied with his giddy excitement at the chase of a prized stag.

'I'm starved,' she muttered moodily.

'Then have some lembas,' ordered Nesseldë. 'That's what its for!'

'Never fear maidens, for we come baring food!' Announced Elrohir at the head of the group as they strode, or swaggered, into camp, a dead stag held proudly between them.

'This one lead us on quite a chase, it was most invigorating,' Elladan informed them, placing their quarry tenderly on the forest floor.

'Which one of you brought it down my lords?' Nesseldë enquired politely. She rose to her feet at the ready to do their bidding, forcibly dragging Herenya with her.

'It was in fact Estel who delivered the killing blow,' Elladan replied. 'More a stroke of luck than anything else,' he added in an undertone. Elrohir murmured his agreement.

'Pay them no heed,' said Aragorn with a large smile on his tired face. 'For I have sorely assaulted their elvish pride.'

'Not just that mellon,' Legolas said, clapping him briefly on the shoulder. 'You have assaulted our delicate noses too with that abominable human stench,' he sniffed the air dramatically. 'I would certainly advise a bath!'

'Humans are so uncouth aren't they?' Elrohir asked in good humour, holding his nose as he neared his foster brother. 'I dare say Estel, you smell worse than ever!'

'Brother, you have been mocking me for this for over forty years,' Aragorn whined. 'Pray leave me and my poor human traits alone!'

'My Lord Estel,' Herenya began with a slight frown of confusion. 'You say that this has been a jest amongst your family for over forty years, how is it you barely look a day over thirty? And how does a mortal come to be brother to the sons of Elrond? Are you peredel?

'No I am not half-elven,' he answered. 'I am Dunadain, and adoptive son of Elrond.'

'Dunadain?' She repeated in interest. 'Long have I been interested in your people my lord, yet never had the fortune to speak with a Ranger of the North myself.'

'Dear me, do we have a bookworm in our midst?' Elrohir cried in amusement.

'So it would seem,' said Legolas, his gaze on Herenya.

'Come Herenya,' said Nesseldë suddenly. 'We can leave your inappropriate and tiresome questions until after we've got this stag cooking,' she took the other elleth's arm in a tight grip and dragged her towards the stag, Herenya as usual, protesting,

'But Nesseldë you know how terribly my culinary skills fare, perhaps it would be better if…'

'Hush! Help me with this,' together, the elleths lifted the stag and moved it closer to the fire, the men watching the familiar domestic chores. Nesseldë retrieved a sharp knife from her pack and with no complaint, slit open the animal and removed its innards in preparation. Herenya, on the other hand, squealed and pulled several faces at the blood and gore and flat out refused to dispose of them. Nesseldë sighed and bundled up the mess in a piece of cloth before taking it into the forest, Herenya meanwhile skewering the animal with a wooden stick. With her cousin's assistance, they erected the animal over the fire to roast it, Nesseldë sitting down comfortably by the fire to turn it and ensure proper cooking. Herenya rose to her feet and approached Legolas unwillingly.

'What would you have me do now My Prince?'

He turned to face her; in the process of removing what little armour he had worn during the day.

'There is a nearby stream, please fetch us some water to wash away the grime, especially Estel.'

Herenya blinked; had the Prince actually made a civil request without sexual undertones? Nay it was impossible. Momentarily thrown, she curtseyed (!).

'Um…yes of course.'

She took the four elves's waterskins and left the camp in search of the stream.

---

Darkness had almost fully fallen on the great forests of Mirkwood and the trees loomed up infront of her, so tightly packed together that even the brightest light would find it difficult to penetrate through to the forest floor. Moans of the ancient beams sent shivers down her spine and she knew that the great trees were murmuring amongst themselves, perhaps about her, yet she could not fathom what they were saying. Conversing with them was a skill reserved for only the most wise and diligent of elves, who would be content to sit for hour upon hour under the heavy canopy of the leaves until they were able to understand the songs and laments of old sung by the trees. The call of an owl was most welcome to Herenya's ears, proving that there was life still in these shadowed depths.

Weaving past a great oak, Herenya suddenly came upon a wide, freshwater stream that carved its way like a serpent through the unyielding trees and out of sight, a few feet away down a gentle slope. Herenya approached the stream but unfortunately the bank was covered with large boulders and it was impossible for her to access the water. She gritted her teeth in frustration, the one time Legolas had asked her to complete a task civilly, she could not fail or else he would just have one more thing to hold over her. There had to be a way to get at the water. She knew that climbing up onto the boulders and reaching down would be pointless, for she was far too short for this to work. Instead she scrambled in a most unladylike fashion further along the bank until she came across a smaller group of rocks, giving an easy path to the stream. The current was obviously fairly strong as the water was flowing fast. With a sigh, she flung the leather waterskin straps over her shoulder and pulled her gown up above her knees, for she would have to step quite far into the stream to get the clearest water for the Prince to drink, as well as wash. She kicked off her shoes and they fell haphazardly a few feet away, near the trees and started to inch her way into the stream. However, she'd barely taken two steps when the waterskins threatened to fall into the stream and she had to let go of her dress to grab them. Letting out a groan, Herenya stood still for a moment, looking at the hem of her gown which was now wet and swirling around her calves due to the strength of the current. Maybe there was some undercurrent to Legolas's request of her, he must have known how utterly impossible this task was! She shook her head to remove the thoughts of him as soon as they appeared and carried on stubbornly, determined to do what he asked, and gleefully rub it in his face afterwards. She reached a flat boulder positioned about half way the width of the stream where she easily placed the waterskins after she'd filled them and smiled at her logic, so caught up in praising herself that she didn't notice the moss-covered rock nearby the boulder as she started back towards the bank until her foot slipped and she fell under the water with a surprised scream.

'Blast it!' She cursed as she came to the surface, spluttering, her cloak long gone, washed away by the current.

'Are you having some difficulties Herenya?' Legolas's low, taunting voice seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

Blinking water from her eyes, she looked around to see Legolas standing casually observing her his feet planted firmly on a large boulder near the point where she had entered the water. He looked taller and more imposing than he'd ever appeared to her before, or perhaps it was only because she was feeling like a small, drowned animal at that point.

'Nay Prince, I am fine,' she retorted, raising her chin to meet his gaze in an attempt to look anything other than bedraggled. 'As you can see, the water skins have all been filled.'

'You just happened to get a little wet in the process?' He elaborated.

'Yes, but my task has been completed.'

'I am glad,' he said, not smiling but his eyes holding a lazy amusement. She'd learnt already that he was an elf whose eyes betrayed everything, so full of mockery especially whenever they glanced her way. Herenya ignored him and tried determinedly to get to her feet, which sent a shooting pain up her leg causing her almost to gasp aloud, when she realised that her foot was trapped beneath the small rock. Floundering, she fell under the water once more.

'You appear to require some assistance my dear,' Legolas said, splashing confidently over to her, the aggravating elf not having any trouble with balance whatsoever. Herenya clutched the waterskins resolutely to her body.

'It is a simple task and one which I shall complete without your help.' Legolas sighed and prized the waterskins from her grasp, flinging them carelessly the long distance back to the bank. He seized her hand and proceeded to pull her towards the shore after him, causing her to let out a sharp mewl of pain at he pressure it placed on her stuck foot. Instantly concern spread over his face.

'You are hurt?'

'It seems my foot has become trapped beneath the rocks Your Highness,' she answered, cursing her weakness as she felt tears form at the corner of her eyes. Legolas noticed but did not say anything, instead running his hand down her lower leg, not paying heed to her incredulous stare as he freed her foot from the rocks. At the sudden release she momentarily lost her balance once more and would have fallen into the water for a third time if he had not caught her to him.

'Why so stubborn all the time Herenya?' He asked with a weary irritation that she hadn't heard him use before as he lifted her into his arms as if she weighed nothing. 'And don't you dare struggle, or by the Valar I will dump you back into this stream!' He added, correctly anticipating her movements. With a scowl, Herenya reluctantly relaxed into his hold, thus making it easier for him to carry her out of the stream.

'As you wish,' she muttered and he let out a chuckle at the displeasure in her voice, his arms unconsciously cradling her small frame tighter against his chest. The warmth of his body was welcome after being soaked in a stream, and Herenya found herself noticing how strong he was and to her utter self-disgust and shame felt the same disturbing tingling sensation that she'd felt the first time she'd met Legolas at the merry-making, when he'd had the audacity to flirt with her. She defiantly beat away the unwelcome feelings that she was experiencing, cursing herself for swooning over the Prince like that twit Iris, and many others before her. Thankfully, Legolas had reached the bank and he set her down on a grass-covered area so that she was leaning against the trunk of a tree. He said nothing, reaching for her ankle and closed his eyes.

'What…'she began in puzzlement.

'Be silent.'

'But…'

'That is an order.' Huffily Herenya folded her arms and held her tongue, when to her surprise warmth spread up her leg and the pain ceased. Legolas's long fingers released her ankle and he pulled her to her feet.

'You are a healer?' She asked in surprise as she gingerly tested her ankle, which was still sore but could cope with her weight. He shrugged as if it was not important.

'I am not proficient, but I can heal minor hurts with concentration, yes.'

'Most impressive,' she said, bending down and taking hold of the waterskins again. 'Shall we head back to camp My Prince?' She asked with feigned politeness. 'Or was there a particular reason that you came to be here and torment me?'

Legolas gave her a good-natured smile, with no hint of indecency for once, and took her gently by the elbow.

'Your ankle will still be tender,' he told her. 'Please allow me to help you back to camp.'

At the kindness in his tone, Herenya found her resolve weakening a little; but it was still not enough.

'I am more than capable of walking Your Highness,' she answered haughtily, breaking free from his grasp. 'I am not a damsel in distress in need of rescuing, so please don't bother.' With a slightly dismissive glance she strode out ahead of him, proudly ignoring the fact that her ankle still sent shooting pains through her with every step and that his arm to lean on would have been most useful. Legolas let out another weary sigh of exasperation at her obstinacy and followed behind her in case she fell through her own folly. He was now sorely ill tempered at her rejection of his good manners. This elleth was impossible! She would not succumb to obvious flirtation, bristled at his teasing and rejected his courtesy. Could he say or do anything to get her into his bed?

'I assure you Prince, I am not going to fall on my behind, so you can stop stalking me!' She informed him rudely, not glancing back.

Legolas refrained from flinging her over his shoulder and giving her a well deserved spanking; obviously not.

'But Herenya, the view is so much better from this angle.'

Her shoulders stiffened and he knew without looking that her cheeks would be aflame with embarrassment.

Would he stop trying? Legolas's expression took on that familiar predatory gleam in the moonlight. Of course not!