Third Person POV

Isabella found them all sitting around the fire. One dwarf, two men, one elf, one wizard and four hobbits. Wow. Talk about variety.

She stood by a tree for a moment and watched them ask Gandalf multiple questions, all relating to her, but all Gandalf did was swiftly divert all questions to her, and nodded to her hiding in the tree line. Once they realised that she was there, all of them suddenly found their feet very interesting. Gandalf and Isabella shared an amused look over their heads at their behaviour.

Walking slowly to them she took her spot next to Frodo and Gandalf but kept her distance, not wanting to make them uncomfortable. They stared at her expectantly, waiting for her to speak and answer their unspoken questions.

"Thank you. You have all done so much for me already, but I cannot remain a burden to you. I will only bring trouble to you. I owe you my life and for that I will be for ever thankful. If it were alright I wish to stay in you company for a little while longer and leave at dawn."

There was silence. No one spoke. No one moved.

"What are you going to do on your own?" questioned Frodo.

"I do not know. Probably obtain a bow and arrows with some daggers and I'll live off the woods..."

"You cant be serious, lassie. On your own in these dark times, that's unheard of!" the Dwarf chided

"What else would you have me do, Master Dwarf? I bring more trouble than one may think."

"A little thing like you? Nonsense! You couldn't hurt a fly!" the dwarf exclaimed.

"There is a reason they locked me up. I'm not normal. I'm dangerous. I hurt people even when I don't mean to." she could feel the tears gathering in her eyes. Isabella dropped her head in an attempt to hide her moment of vulnerability. Forgotten memories rose to the surface and she was over whelmed. Gandalf stared at her and found that although he didn't want her anywhere close to the ring for her own protection, he could not send her away or let her leave defenceless. The middle earth she knew was not so full of danger and evil, but regardless of the type of world she now lived in, she would never be a danger. Gandalf believed this with everything in him. She just couldn't see it yet.

"We all hurt peo-" Aragorn started.

"Do you mean you are magic!?" One of the hobbits cut in.

The girl only nodded and watched the young hobbit's eyes light up in excitement. Gandalf pulled out his pipe to watch the scene unfold before him. Gimli instantly became wary of her, never trusting anyone who held magical powers except the istari. Everyone else seemed only more intrigued and curious of the newcomer.

"Can we see?" Merry asked

"Well... Does anybody here have a cut or bruise from the battle?" she asked. No one brought attention to themselves. "Fine then. We will do this the hard way. Who volunteers?" again no one brought attention to themselves or met her gaze. Becoming slightly nervous with their hesitation and their lack of trust, she looked up at Legolas shyly, twisting her fingers. "Legolas… would you mind? I promise I won't hurt you… I swear…" he only smiled at the girl and nodded his consent.

She got up and moved to sit in front of him, at least a metre away. "umm… could I have you hand?" he held out his hand in front of him and she wrapped her tiny hands around it and closed her eyes for a moment. He could feel a warm tingly sensation, that was not all together unwelcome, seep through his fingers and up his arm and through his body, lingering on the bruises and cuts he knew he had from the battle. She reopened her eyes and the sensation faded, saying only "left forearm." Reaching forwards to unlace his gauntlet so she could have better access to the cut, she rolled up his sleeve and found it just above where the gauntlet would end. She moved to his side slightly and placed her hand over his cut. He involuntary flinched away from her but she didn't allow her hand to lose contact, and just murmured an apology. A light started glow from between them, dimly at first and then it became almost blinding. But what surprized the fellowship was that it was almost like they caught a star and its warm light was surrounding them and lifting their weary hearts.

Legolas felt the same warm tingle as before but this time it became more intense, but no less calming and soothing. As he looked up from her hands, he was stunned by her beauty in this light. Her skin was like silver but her lips were red and her lashes thick and dark. He began to wonder how soft her cheek would be under his finger, and how her lips would taste if he pressed his to hers. Quickly dropping his gaze back to his arm he saw the light dimming and then her hand slipped from his arm, leaving it unmarred in its wake.

"It's gone..." He gasped and showed everybody.

"But you shouldn't be able to do that! You will disturb the balance of good and evil!" Boromir thought aloud. She just shrugged but started to walk away with her eyes downcast. "Unless... Isabella... Show me your hand..."

"No."

Legolas caught on to what Boromir was thinking and went to grab both of her hands that she had hidden behind her. Knowing she wouldn't win in a battle of strength against an elf such as Legolas, she withdrew her hands and showed them.

"How come the cut is bigger on you than on Legolas?" Pippin asked.

"When I transfer the cut, the cut is the same size as it was previously, it's just that on me it looks bigger because my arms are smaller than his." she explained.

Merry was ever curious and asked what else she could do. She just grimaced and brought her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them.

"This, I can not show you, Master Hobbit. It has been a long time since I have used my powers and I fear that I do not have as much control over it as I used to. Even now I cannot control that energy inside of me, every time I try to, it slips out of my grasp like a piece of ice, I can only repress it. It would be too risky to demonstrate in front of people, especially the likes of you."

"What can you do usually then?" Frodo asked.

"I... " bracing herself for their reaction, she closed her eyes and dropped her head. "I can bend the elements." There was silence all around their camp, only the faint crackling of the fire could be heard. "It is a terrible power the Valar have cursed me with, and one that has had me waking up surrounded by destruction and death many a time" her voice shook and quivered on the last part of the sentence. Memories of her family's, friend's and her beloved's cries of agony filled her head. Taking a deep breath she composed herself and continued in a whisper. "I have shown you the nice thing I can do, for I can't show you the bad sides."

"If you can do such terrible things then why couldn't you get out of there yourself, lassie?" Gimli asked

"I don't know why I couldn't use magic in the cage."

Her muscles ached from the use of her abilities.

Sensing her discomfort Gandalf sent everyone to bed, saying that he will take first watch.

Isabella fell back, trying to ease her mind and body from the effects using her magic. After a few minutes she had her mask under control and opened her eyes. Legolas was standing over her with his arms crossed and a death glare painted on his features. Isabella just rolled her eyes.

"What now?"

"Do you have the power to return injuries?"

"Yes, though I would never do it." She replied back a bit confused by where he was going with this.

"Return the cut you took from me. I have inflicted enough pain onto you already."

"You haven't inflicted any pain onto me." She stated. But as he stood there with his arms crossed, he continued to wait for her to say yes. Feeling her irritation bubble within herself, she stood with a huff and matched his stance even though she was a head short than him.

"That cut you so insist on me returning? Do you know why I chose it over your others?"

"No."

"The blade that cut you was laced with poison. Even with your Elvish blood, you would have been choking on it within a day." She spat at him.

Shocked by her harsh tone, he hardened his resolve. "All the more reason to give it back, the poison will kill you in less time in your weakened mortal state."

She fell back on her heels with a smug smirk. "That is where you are wrong. No poison of dwarves, man, elves, orcs or goblins is strong enough to kill me, only a morgal blade is enough to poison me to my death." Legolas stood there, stunned as his argument dissolved in the wind. That was twice now. Twice that she had save his life. Twice that she made him feel like a fool.

The prince stood there, stunned by her confession. He wished to apologize to her for his words and to then thank her for, yet again, saving his life, but he could not find the words to do so. So he stood there staring at her, unsure of how he should respond.

Gandalf chuckled from where he sat smoking his pipe as he watched Legolas confront her. He found it interesting that Legolas seemed like he felt he was almost indebted to the young girl, but yet he didn't want her to bring any harm upon herself. The wizard had seen his face when the elf watched her writhe in pain not 3 hours ago. The sadness and guilt had almost made him pause in the removal of the arrow. He wondered if Legolas knew how he reacted to her, Aragorn too. The pair seemed immediately enchanted by her, though they still sent wary glances a few times.

The girl and elf stood there glaring at each other, not daring to blink. Even though the girl only stood to the elf's shoulder, she didn't show one sign of backing down. The tension was pliable in the air. The only things that either of them took notice of were the other's eyes and their own heart beat as it thrummed in their ears. Everyone in the fellowship had paused what they were doing to observe the confrontation. It was deathly quiet as the breeze picked up in the clearing and swirled gently around the pair, picking up dried leaves and grass along with it. As the wind passed over Legolas's face he noticed the tingle of warmth in it across his cheeks, but his eyes couldn't remain open with the breeze. It dried them out forcing him to blink and turn silently away from the girl.

The muffled, feminine laugh sounded behind him and washed over him, washing away the tension, leaving his heart light and begging to join in with her. When he couldn't hold himself away any longer, he turned around only to see her hand hiding her smile. Her eyes though danced like the maple leaves in the breeze. He didn't realise that he had been staring at her, until a stick was thrown at his chest, breaking him out of his trance.

"Just because you're a prince, doesn't mean you have to be all serious and prideful. You are allowed to have fun sometimes. Just accept that I helped you and move on Princeling." At the nickname, the rest of the fellowship tried to contain their chuckles. But one amoung them laughed heartily at the elf's expense .

"If it be all right with yer lassie, I think I might use tha one!" the dwarf said through his chuckles. She just nodded at him with a smile and turned back to said elf. He had a haunting glare on his face and only the girl was brave enough to meet him and hold it. In that moment he truly resembled his father, clenched jaw and all. While the wisest people retreated, Isabella took it as a challenge and met the glare with a steely one of her own. When it became obvious he wasn't going back down either, Aragorn quickly stepped up to the girl and whispered in her ear so even the elf couldn't hear.

"Go for the hair..."

A wicked grin spread across her face as Legolas's eyes flicked to the retreating Aragorn and the approaching girl. He so badly wanted to retreat but his pride wouldn't let him move a muscle as she reached out to touch his hair that had rested over his shoulder. Her fingers ran through it once, gently pulling on individual strands which made him desperately try to hold back a sensual shiver that crept slowly up his spine.

Her voice was as soft as the wind as she complimented him on his hair, but he only looked down at her in curiosity and cautiousness as he waited for her next move. He didn't have to wait too long as she put her hands over his chest. She could feel his heart thumping quickly in anticipation, but she knew that he wouldn't move away. A prince would not back away from a young girl in fear! She waited for Pippin to softly go on his hands and knees behind the elf and waited. Isabella didn't dare flick her eyes down to him to make sure, just assumed he was and pushed hard on the prince's chest in a sharp movement, making him tumble over Pippin and land on his back.

His expression said all of his thoughts in his shocked state. His eyes were as large as saucers and his hands remained pressed into the ground as he struggled to lessen the impact of his fall. He should have heard the young hobbit sneak around him, especially as he was so close, but it was because of someone else's proximity that he hadn't noticed. His heart was pounding a million beats a minute, surely she could have felt it under her hand. He had been waiting in anticipation for her next move, but he wasn't expecting that. The things his mind had conjured up in the short time frame that she stood almost chest to chest, made his ears turn pink in embarrassment – how could he think that a random girl was going to try to kiss him like all the other girls in Mirkwood. Maybe he really did think highly of himself.

But what she did next did not help defuse his imagination. She pounced on top of his chest and pinned his arms to his body with her legs. He struggled half-heartedly as her weight pressed him into the ground. In truth he was mortified that a girl so little and frail could have gotten the best of him, but he also wanted to know what her big plan was. He would never admit it himself, but a smile threatened to burst free under the stoic glare and he found himself enjoying her antics.

Isabella seemed to ponder for a moment. "What a shame it would be if someone were to ruin all of those delicate little braids you have." She thought out loud, while struggling to maintain an innocent expression. Finally realising where she was going with this, he fought whole-heartedly. He wriggled his arms free and then pushed her off his chest. Gracefully getting to his feet, he turned to grab the little villain that threatened to muse up his hair. But as he turned, he saw nothing but grass where Isabella had once sat.

He looked puzzled for a moment but not for long. The girl jumped on his back with her hands in his hair and legs wrapped around his waist.

Moving her hands quickly she managed to undo his braids as well as ruff up all of his hair.

Trying to twist around, Legolas reached back and grabbed her sides. He flung her, with more force than intended, and she hit the ground hard and tumbled until she was finally stopped by a tree hitting her head. A flash of concern flashed through his mind as he saw her shoulders tremble, but as she rested on her back, he realised she was laughing at him, despite the pain she was in. Legolas soon went back to annoyed as his fingers found knotted, loose hair that stuck up in all different directions. It is not that he was so vain towards his appearance, it is just that he loathed the task of combing and re-braiding .

But this time something tugged at the back of his mind. He had felt something when she touched his head. It wasn't the charged feeling of her magic, no, it was much more unwelcome. He had felt her Feä in the nearness of her. He had only ever felt such a Feä in the White Orc himself. As he watched her for a moment, he remembered her warning to the hobbits about her magic. Keeping his face impassive, he turned away from her and climbed up a tree that looked down upon the camp. She didn't look malevolent or even unkind. But her very Feä was dark.

As he sat there, pondering about the newcomer, he watched as she lay against the roots of the tree she hit her head on, squirmy and restless.

The moon was still high in the sky as the stars winked down on the resting travellers. But not all were restful. In the stillness of the night, Isabella suddenly shot upright, panting as if she had been doing exercise and sweating profusely. She gasped and swallowed, desperately trying to inhale the chilled air. As her heart beat in panic she dropped her head between her knees and slung her arms loosely around her bent legs. She tried to take long slow breathes.

'I'm out. I'm out.' She repeatedly thought to herself. 'I'm free of that confine. Tis but a bad memory. Pull yourself together Bel, come on…'

Many hours could have passed as she waited for her breathing to settle, when finally it was almost calm she slowly eased herself back to the ground, finding it more comfortable than when she first laid to rest. Knowing that she needed all of the rest that she could get, she burrowed deeper into the bed roll.

'Wait. What...? Bed roll? But I fell asleep on the roots of a tree... But then how did I get in a bed roll?... And why didn't I wake? I'm usually a very light sleeper...' she thought contemplatively. Not wanted the men to think that she had to be cared for as their expense, she got out of the bed roll and walked back to the tree she fell asleep on.

She laid there for an hour, hoping and wishing that sleep would grace her with its presence this night, but she knew that it would not. She hadn't even meant to fall into its arms the first time.

Getting back up from the roots of the tree, she scaled to the highest branch of the old maple and sat there for many moments, watching the stars glimmer and feeling the cold breeze brush against her skin leaving goose bumps in its wake. This was what she had missed most. Nature. The feeling of smooth bark, the sound of the leaves rustling in the breeze and the smell of a dying campfire. The far off sound of birds rousing in their nests as dawn broke on the horizon brought a faint smile to her face – a genuine heart felt smile, a smile that she hasn't had cause to feel across her face for many a year. She felt alive for the first time in decades. All of the small things around her were a constant reminder that there was more to life than just surviving and making it through another day.

Holding onto the feeling inside her, she stood up confidently on the willowy branch; she put her hands out beside her and let her body fall back. The feeling of falling without restraints was delicious. Committing the feeling to memory, she let out the pressure within her and the air gusted around her, cushioning her fall and tilting her to her so her legs could take the rest of the impact from the ground.

She landed with a light thump on the hard earth, just as the nine travellers started to stir. Walking to the fire pit, she turned the coals with a handful of dry grass. Smoke billowed from it for a moment, but soon caught a light.

As the girl went about preparing the fire for breakfast, a pair of watchful eyes gazed at her in wonder. A fall from that height should have killed her, but more than that; the branches seemed to move slightly out of the way so they wouldn't hinder her descent. She seemed to levitate off the ground for a moment before dropping a foot to the ground. The display had Legolas both amazed and wary of the girl. She truly had the powers of nature, but was she true to the rest of her word? Darkness surrounded her very Feä; the danger had to be true.

But Legolas would not give her a chance to otherwise prove him wrong.

'She was a threat, a danger, a liability – and there was too much at stake…' he concluded his jumbled thoughts.

'… no matter how many times she has saved my life.'