Eowyn's mouth fell in utter awe when she laid eyes on the being behind Legolas.

While Legolas himself was beautiful, the elf standing behind him was gloriously serene in his own nature.

And while Legolas reminded Eowyn of a pale silver spring, the elf who threatened to end their lives with the single movement of his forefingers reminded her of a golden summer. His flaxen hair was tied behind him in several small braids that trailed down his back and delicate ears. His sharp chocolate eyes revealed nothing but immediate danger, and yet beneath them, was wisdom as old as the ages.

In a matter of seconds, Legolas had out his bow and he too was threatening to end the life of the elf behind him.

The golden elf smiled softly.

"You're swift."

"I should say the same thing of you."

"Who are you?" Legolas was forward but not hostile.

The elf paused.

"I believe the question is mine, good lord, and that it may be; who are you? and most importantly, what are you doing in the middle of a forest with a Rohirrim lady?"

Legolas tilted his head.

"Importantly? Well, if questions range within matters of importance, then I do insist the questions belongs to me, sir. What is a Lorien archer doing in the midst of Rohirrim and Gondorian borders?"

Eowyn creased her brow at the communication the elves evidently had together. They didn't waste their time on insults, rather, they preferred to threaten each other with compliments.

The elf opened his mouth once again to challenge this, but Eowyn felt they wouldn't really get anywhere with sharp comebacks and witty retorts.

"Oh, for petty's sake, gentlemen!" Eowyn began, moving in between Legolas and the mysterious archer. Legolas moved his bow down a good deal as he saw her do this with wide eyes. Opening his mouth to protest, Eowyn cut him off again by turning to the elf.

"My name is Eowyn, daughter of Eomund and sister daughter of the late King Theoden of Rohan. He," she motioned to Legolas with a crooked smile on her face.

"Is Legolas, son of Thranduil of the woodland realm of Mirkwood."

The elf did not release his bow.

"That does not explain what you are doing here together, when one of you should very well be dead."

"We've given you our names, what more do you want?" snapped Eowyn.

The elf gave her a hard inquisitive glower as his hand suddenly tightened on his bow.

"Names are treacherous."

Legolas matched his intensive glare and growled at Eowyn.

"Stand down, Eowyn. This is not your battle."

Eowyn laughed bitterly.

"He's an elf isn't he?"

Legolas looked at Eowyn with wide eyes.

"Eowyn-"

"And I am but a mortal child, am I not?"

"You go too far-"

"I haven't even begun to step out of my boundaries. Our boundaries, Legolas!"

Eowyn had now chosen to ignore the other elf and had turned completely to Legolas, pushing his bow down forcefully. She was starting a rant again, so Legolas decided to give in before he regretted it.

"Yes, Eowyn. I know, I know. But this elf. . . this elf is not of the Mirkwood realm. You would do well not to trifle with his patience."

Eowyn snorted.

"Of no offense, my lord, but the patience of elves has done nothing for me."

"Nor you for it. . ."

Legolas' eyes darted back to the golden elf for a fraction of a second before relaxing his bow and pulling Eowyn aside by the arm and dragging her off a few feet.

"You would be wise to listen to me, Eowyn, for that is no ordinary being of my kin. He is an elf of the Galadhrim, and if you would think that the elves of Greenwood are more hostile and ruthless than they, then you would die before the idea entered your mind. They do not embrace the race of men, and would lunge at the opportunity to slit your throat."

"That is where I beg to differ, master elf."

Eowyn and Legolas slowly turned back to see the elf, with his bow down a great deal, yet not completely disarmed.

Eowyn swallowed with wide eyes, as Legolas scrunched his brow in confusion.

"Do not let petty rumours of Lothlorien decieve you. The elves of Mirkwood, while respectfully clever, have not completely acknowledged our existence." the elf spat the words out as if they tasted of mud.

Legolas said nothing, so the archer continued.

"Lothlorien is ever neutral. Until, that is, war interferes with our city. That is when we must take action."

Eowyn took a step forward.

"But Rohan hasn't had the defenses, even the time to attack Mirkwood, much less Lothlorien."

"I did not say it was humans that had interefered with our way of life, did I?"

"Who has?" asked Legolas softly.

"Perhaps you will discover in time."

Legolas and Eowyn turned to each other, and then back at the mysterious elf.

"Who are you?" Eowyn asked with soft firmness.

"I am Haldir of Lorien."

"Haldir of Lorien, what are you doing in Gondor, of all places?" asked Legolas.

"I am looking for lost spirits."

This raised an eyebrow from Legolas.

"Perhaps you wouldn't mind elaborating. . . if his lordship would beg my pardon." said Legolas, not sounding the least bit apologetic.

"Not at all," replied Haldir snidely.

"You see, Legolas of Mirkwood, the Lady of the Golden Wood is ever watchful on those that hold meaning to her and to those around her, she is sincerely concerened about the well being of these companions, and wishes to see them back to Lorien."

There was a silence.

Legolas looked at Haldir with an intense stare. It was a lie, of course, Legolas could see right through it, but Eowyn in her youth, was not so observant. With a quick yank, she pulled Legolas aside and whispered so anxiously into his tender ear, he could scarcely make out what she was saying.

"At last! We have our guide! This is almost too perfect-"

"You took the words right away from me-"

Eowyn ignorned him, "Legolas, this is our chance to stop this war! Don't you see? Oh tell me you see, we must journey with him to find these lost souls-"

"Eowyn, calm yourself-"

"Calm myself? Are you mad? How could I possibly calm myself now that this mess of a war is finally going to come to an end!?"

"Do you not see?" spat Legolas in a venomous hiss. "We are the lost souls, Eowyn!"

Eowyn examined him thoroughly, with an inquisitive and confused look.

"You think too much of yourself." she dripped with sarcasm

"I'm not being frivolous, I'm asking you to look beyond the innocent exterior of this elf's seemingly harmless offer!"

She took his hand tenderly, with a small smile.

"I feel nothing but security, Legolas, it's all right. I trust him. . . I trust you."

Legolas felt enriched with pity for this naive girl. Her voice was so rich with admiration and trust, that she was blinded by her own willingness to cooperate, at last. Eowyn's eyes were nearly brimming with excitement, and even the battle general Legolas could not turn this young child down.

So going against everything his heart, soul, and mind were encouraging-

"Yes. . . yes, Eowyn. I know you do." he said softly.

Legolas turned back around to face the Lorien dweller with a large sigh.

"These lost spirits you speak of. . . who are they?"

Haldir thought a moment.

"I suppose you could say they are ambassadors."

Eowyn shifted with impatience, and Legolas rolled his at her.

"We. . ." he hesitated. "We would like to journey with you to search for these spirits of yours."

Haldir didn't move.

"At what price?"

"Guide us to Lothlorien." said Eowyn firmly.

"Curious. . . very, very peculiar that a fleeting mortal and a snobbish elven creature would venture into the supposed 'heart of darkness'."

Legolas and Eowyn remained still.

"And how do I know," his eyes flickered over to Eowyn in a stab of distrust, and she reflexively took a large step back. "If you can be trusted?"

Legolas looked to Eowyn, and she merely raised an eyebrow.

"My lord Haldir," she began, "If I were to find an elf and a mortal in the woods together, both, for the most part, alive and actually civilly communicating, I think I would trust them with my own life."

Legolas felt like smacking himself upside the head.

That was precisely the wrong answer.

Haldir looked at her, and then to Legolas, and then back to Eowyn, and then, began laughing.

Eowyn and Legolas looked at each other, bewildered.

"My good child," began the winded elf, "I think those words pour out of your impulsive little mouth so fast, that you can scarcely see the humour in them."

Eowyn glared at him as Haldir regained his composure.

"Will you take us to Lorien or no?" she spat.

Legolas put a calming hand on her forearm and she sighed with frustration.

Haldir took a swallow.

"Aye, we will take you to Lothlorien."

They paused.

"We?" questioned Eowyn feebly.

Haldir smiled.

In a flash, Legolas whipped out his bow as the trees which surounded the two elves and girl suddenly revealed twenty Lorien soldiers or more, armed with spelendidly crafted bows and arrows. Slowly, by the command of Haldir, the soldiers put their defenses to rest, and formed gracefully around the trio.

Feeling the slightest bit helpless, Eowyn cowered closer to Legolas as he slowly retracted his arrow.

"I suppose we're allies now." said Haldir softly.