Vena raised an eyebrow at that.

"An escort?" she echoed. "Last time we had an escort, we were escorted back into the woods."

Legolas shrugged. "And so you will continue to be, if you were to come unescorted," he told her.

"So what you're saying is that our best bet for being able to explore is to call ahead," Vena summed up, looking at him.

"Essentially," Legolas agreed. "As long as I know you're coming, I will escort you through so that you can explore unharrassed."

"Okay." Vena thought that over for a moment. "So... do you people believe in cell phones out here, or is this more of an Amish sort of community?"

"Oh we have technology," Legolas assured her. "The hobbits prefer to go without, largely, but we have it." He grinned. "I'll give you my extension, so you don't have to deal with the others if you don't want to."

"Alright, thanks," Vena said. "I wasn't sure, you know, considering the absolutely beautiful recurve over your shoulder rather than a gun on your hip."

Legolas snorted. "I am capable with a gun," he said. "But I much prefer my bow. I have used this for much longer." His fingers lightly touched the bow.

"It's gorgeous," Vena said, eyeing the bow with a bit of envy.

"Thank you." Legolas inclined his head to her. Then he paused for a moment and sighed. "It would seem it's time to go do something about your companion, before she does something irreparable."

Vena sighed.

"She usually knows better," she said. Turning, she headed back to where she'd left her friend. "Rory?"

Rory couldn't answer, because Rory was busy arguing with a very frustrated-looking tall man with dark hair. They were almost nose to nose in their ire, glowering at each other. Legolas snickered and sauntered over to interfere before anything too bad happened.

When she saw them, Vena sighed again.

"Rory..." she said, going over and nudging her friend.

"Hmm?" Rory blinked at her, LP looking completely normal.

"Ah, Orophaelin," Legoland said with a chuckle. "Come now, these two are with me, you'll have to find someone else to argue with."

"Quick picking fights with them," Vena said. She grinned a bit. "Something tells me they could feather you before either of us could blink."

Rory shrugged, clearly unapologetic. "He enjoyed it too," was all she said in her defence. Legolas grinned.

"Still," Vena said. She didn't push any more than that.

Legolas shook his head a little. "This way," he said to them both. "I'll show you around a bit."

"What." Rory blinked.

"We talked," Vena murmured to her friend. "More or less. We just need to call ahead from now on."

"Huh." Rory eyed him but shrugged and followed him for now.

Legolas walked quietly, letting them look and slowing or stopping as needed.

Vena did explore, a little bit, but she was still wary of going where she wasn't supposed to, so she mostly just walked around. The village was interesting, though, and she made a mental note to come back on her own soon.

Rory also looked around, although she was a little bolder about going places she maybe shouldn't. She actually peered more closely at the hobbit holes and the inhabitants, because this was really fascinating.

Vena still couldn't quite figure out why the place seemed so familiar, and it was scratching at her brain.

"I don't know why, but I feel like I should know this place," she finally said. "Or something like it, at least."

"I know," Rory muttered, frowning. "It feels familiar, but kind of like deja vu, or like something on the tip of my tongue."

Legolas hid his smile at that. Oh yes. They'd figure it out soon enough.

Vena frowned slightly as she mulled it over.

"My prince, is this really wise?" one of the guards asked quietly. He didn't use English, just in case they were overheard.

Vena missed a step when she did indeed overhear, because this time she was sure it hadn't been English and she had still understood.