Disclaimer: Refer to chapter 1.

A/N- Thanks for all the reviews:)

Chapter 2- Over the Cliff and into the Water

All the air in my lungs escaped me once my back hit the frigid water hard. I slowly sunk to the bottom as my vision began to black out. I swam for the surface as hard as I could. Finally after expending almost all of my energy, I broke the water's surface. I gasped in the life-giving air as I exhaustedly treaded the water below me. I swam over to the river's bank with the rest of my vigor. Barely could I drag my body ashore before I blacked out completely.

I awoke later to find the cold water gently lapping at my face. Sputtering, I dragged the rest of my body out of the water and collapsed in the grass. There, I lay motionless and exhausted. "What is wrong with me?" I thought aloud, "I am never this tired…" I attempted to get to my feet, but my legs just would not hold my weight. I collapsed again.

Slowly, I could feel my eyes closing. I forced them to stay open; knowing that closing one's eyes was not at all natural in the elven world. My eyelids felt heavy, though. I couldn't confront it anymore… I closed my eyes and swiftly sleep took over.

I couldn't tell how long I had been asleep, but when I awoke, I found the most unpleasant thing. My hand had brushed against my jaw to rid it of an itch. But an itch was not the only thing I found… my hand had brushed against something scratchy. I felt although I only had gotten sand on my face. I got to my feet; still feeling fatigued, and went to the riverbank. I dipped my cupped hands into the water and splashed my face with the clear, chilly liquid. Once again, I rubbed my face, but only to find that the "sand" was not gone… I started to panic a little. Looking down into my reflection, I saw that the "sand" was not sand at all. I had started to grow a beard.

Startled beyond reason, I fell to the soft sandy ground. My hand began to shake while I rubbed my stubby beard. I was trying to desperately reassure myself that this was only just a dream and that I would wake up soon and be in my soft bed, snuggled close to my loving wife. That sadly was not the truth, no matter how much I tried to trick myself into thinking that it was.

I had to face it. I was growing a beard. I sadly sighed and dropped my head to my chest. "What is wrong with me?" Was the only question that seemed to escape my lips. I buried my head in my hands and clenched my eyes shut, not wanting to see my face ever again. "I will never be accepted as an elf again…" I felt a tiny tear trickle down my cheek. It splattered on my boot, leaving a round wet spot where it fell.

Drawing in a shaky breath, I stood back up to my feet. Only now noticing that I was not standing as tall as I normally did. I panicked more. Looking down at my feet, I saw that my once long graceful legs were now stubby and fat. "Now…" I groaned, "is when I am no longer considered an elf…" I didn't know what to feel at this point. "I should not even go back to Rivendell… maybe then everyone would think that I have died. As an elf, I might add… Not as this… horrible mutated creature…" Taking in one last deep breath, I proceeded to walk in the direction opposite of my beloved realm.

I did not even look back as I walked across a fallen tree to cross the river. I only thought of everyone that I would miss dearly. "Erestor…" I sighed, "I will miss his annoying attitude…" I could feel a smile beginning to spread across my lips, "And the way that he always has to do work before having a drink with his friends." I chortled a little after the last part of the memory. "Lord Elrond, on the other hand, I will not miss too greatly. He is always pestering me to get my work done and he is always sending me off on these scouting trips!" Anger edged my voice as I spoke, "None of this would have happened I am sure if he had not sent me off!" I grew more irate, "But my wife…" I spoke, calming greatly, "My wonderful Nithiel… my wonderful Nithiel… and my unborn child that she is bearing…" I stopped dead in my tracks. "I will never be able to witness my own child's birth… or will I be able to raise my child…" I turned around and faced imladris' direction. "I must go back."

I walked back the direction that I came from just earlier. I crossed the log again and came soon upon the cliff. I looked around for a way up the cliff, but to my detest, I found none. I had to scale the cliff's side with my bare hands.

Grabbing onto a rock, I noticed another thing. My once graceful slender hands were now short and plump. "What else can go wrong with me?" I sighed before beginning to climb the cliff's rocky side.

After much toil and sweat, I finally reached the top. I threw myself down on the safe stable ground and rested.

When I felt that I had enough strength to continue on, I got to my stubby legs and walked on, tripping occasionally on the leggings that once fit me perfectly. "What are the residents of Rivendell going to say about this?" I felt so ugly. But now that my arms were just as short as my legs, I at least felt in proportion.

I had an unusually large appetite now just to make things worse. I craved the weirdest things. But most of all, I craved meat and beer. I seldom ate meat before. Nor did I drink ale. "Why me?" I sighed, "Why did this have to happen to me?" I sat down and clutched my growling stomach. I drew my knees up to my chest and rested my head on them, still trying to think how this all happened.

Tbc…