Audrey awoke with a start. It was the kind of wakening that you experience after a night of heavy drinking. No remembrance of actually falling asleep, a few brief moments before any real memories come back to you. But before she had a chance to remember anything, her headache hit instead. Groaning she squeezed her eyes shut again and rolled from her stomach to her back. Rubbing her hands over her face, she looked up. She couldn't see much, as the room she was in was mostly dark. She glanced to the side looking for a clock, but saw nothing. Just what appeared to be a wall through the darkness. Not even a bedside table.
She sat up slowly. The bed was soft, and unfamiliar. She looked around, the room was small, with no windows. Audrey was starting to remember small bits. Being lost in the woods, the nightmarish spiders...men? Men talking to her?
Gah! She ran her hands through her hair. Why wasn't she at home? Where was this?! A hotel? Did she hook up the night before and not remember?
No.
No. Things, very real things were coming back to her now and she started to panic again. Throwing the covers off she went to step on the floor and immediately fell down. Both her legs were asleep.
"What the fuuuuuck", she mumbled, and just lay on the cool floor for a few minutes to gather her thoughts.
Alright, let me think this out. Got lost in the woods, drunk. Attacked. Wake up in mysterious, yet comfortable bed. At least I'm not in jail. Or dead.
Her second attempt at standing proved more fruitful and she made her way over to the door. And went to turn the ornate handle, or rather tried to.
Locked. Great.
Sighing she leaned her head against the door than turned around and slowly sank to the ground. Looking around the room she took in a small table off to one corner that had an ornate looking lamp on it. It was strange, because it did not appear to have a light bulb, or plugged into anything, but was exuding a soft glow. Not a candle either.
There was a chair also, and that was about it. She stood up again, and glanced down. She was in some kind of floor length dress that was fitted but very simple and the fabric reminded her of the sheets of the bed.
Turning around again, she tried the door handle one more time, then raised her hand to bang on it when all of a sudden the door flew open sending her stumbling backwards where she promptly fell back on the bed.
"Ah yes, Amrod told me you had awoken", a voice said in front of her. She sat up and took in the sight before her. Some tall blonde man was standing right in front of her with his arms crossed and a slight smirk on his face. She didn't really know what to say, so she stayed silent. As did he.
They regarded each other, and to Audrey things were getting extremely awkward, but he just continued to smirk.
Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. Feeling her cheeks burn with embarrassment, she managed to choke out after a slight cough, "Uh, this may be a stupid question, but where am I...?".
He narrowed his eyes and regarded her coolly, "You are in a part of the dungeons in the Palace of the Woodland Realm. Does that comfort you?".
Oh, so I am in jail. Lovely.
"Did I do something wrong?", she meekly asked.
"Trespassing", he replied stonily.
"Er, oh. Sorry about that. I think I just got really lost. Uh, do, you know where my things are? My phone? I could call someone to come get me...", she said, softly.
He looked at her with confusion plain on his face. For his part, Legolas had not known what to expect when he came down to talk to the prisoner, but her strange words were confusing and intriguing him even more.
"Lost? You got lost? In the middle of a wood that takes days to journey across. But of course. Riddle me this, lady. Why would one such as yourself be wandering alone, poorly prepared and close to death? Were you kidnapped? Attacked? Running from something, perhaps?" He had not uncrossed his arms, and his tone was unkind. Almost as if he didn't believe her. Fuck off dude, I don't know what else to say! She thought grimly to herself.
The darkness that had been slowly creeping into Mirkwood was not going unnoticed and unchecked by any elf. Her strangeness made Legolas weary. A beautiful face could often hide the most hideous secrets.
Audrey was very very confused. Again. So she started explaining herself, and in her nervousness she began talking quickly.
"I was out with my friends, we had gone to a bar downtown. It was late, I was walking home. I usually walk home the same way every time. I don't know what happened. I was drunk, yeah, but not that bad. I think I would remember going to somewhere completely unknown, not that I ever would. I was texting my friends the whole time! I always do...", She looked down and sighed, as her words came out they really made her sound hopeless and pathetic.
"What is your name, and where are you from? And I will ask you again, to what purpose do you cross these woods so ill prepared? I will know if you lie", he bent his head down to her level as he said this. He was uncomfortably close. Audrey shifted slightly backwards. She was so uncomfortable.
"My name is Audrey Wilde, I'm from a small town in New Hampshire, and I go to UNH. I told you, please I was just walking home...I'm sorry." How many times was she going to apologize to this prick? Her head was pounding as she could hardly form a coherent thought. She started jumping to conclusions in her mind. Wild ideas about being kidnapped and drugged. And, oh god!, those horrible spiders. Audrey felt like she was in some kind of horror movie.
Ah! Too much! Too much! Fuck, this is so messed up! Daaaaaaad, oh god, mom. Where are you guys? She didn't realize it, but she was crying again. Her head in her hands.
"I do not know of these places you speak. But I will look at a map. I do believe you, lady. And I sympathize with your plight. But I fear my father will be less forgiving. You have been asleep for two days. When we found you, you were suffering from severe dehydration and exposure to the elements. My guard and myself carried you here to the palace, where you have been attended during your recovery. Now that you are awake though, I would advise you that if you do not speak wise, rest and comfort will not find you. I will send for food and a healer, and myself will return to you tomorrow." Legolas felt pity rise in him at her weeping form, and quickly he strode from the room. Closing and locking the door behind him.
He spoke to Amrod, whom guarded the door, "No one goes in save for Malgelir, until I return." With that Legolas went off in search of his promises, and his father.
Father will certainly not be pleased. He mused to himself silently. King Thranduil was a hard and suspicious elf. He did not suffer trespassers lightly and would not be pleased with a child of man entering his halls. But one could tell by looking at the poor creature that she could hardly do any harm, at least for the moment. After sending the healer with food to the women, Legolas happened upon his father.
"My lord", begun Legolas, "As I am sure Amrod has already filled you in...", his words fell away as Thranduil stood up and walked towards him.
"A rather interesting treasure you returned with, Legolas. Indeed quite more fair than that of a spider." Murmured Thranduil.
"She is not a threat", Legolas concluded. "I sense no evil about her. Only fear and confusion."
"Yes, I sense this as well. But her coming weighs heavy on my heart. I fear that her presence, and acquisition, will stir many feelings among our people." Replied Thranduil. "Perhaps we shall allow her a few more days down there, and have her taken to the men of Laketown."
Legolas hesitated to agree. He greatly wished to keep her here. She intrigued him. Completely unknown, strange even. She was not just a mere mortal, that much was clear. Her very air was not of this world, and it drew him in. The attraction confused and excited him, it had been a long time since he had felt so curious, especially about another person.
Thranduil gazed at his son, his pensive face, and knew that Legolas had other ideas for the woman, "You wish her to remain her, Legolas? Amongst a strange and foreign folk, perhaps against her will? What if she is from the lake men initially?"
"I would keep her here yes, for a while. She has mentioned places that I have never heard of in Middle-earth. She speaks strangely, almost as though she herself is confronted with a mystery.", Legolas replied.
"My dear child, your interest piques mine. She can remain, for your curiosity. But know this: you will take full responsibility for her from now on. Any consequences she might bring, will fall to you. Understood?", Thranduil said.
Legolas replied, "I accept this responsibility, though I deem it unnecessary. Father." Legolas bowed slightly and turned to walk away.
"Oh, and Legolas", Thranduil called after him, at which Legolas stopped and turned his head slightly in an act of listening, "Do not enter this game until you know the rules. Mortals can be...unpredictable." He finished. Legolas smirked slightly, and continued on his way.