Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the LOTR universe. Only the OFs and the plot are mine.

Hello!! I'm back with a new chapter… This might take a while to complete but I don't want to rush it. I want the story to be complete in my standards and not just a hurried work to get more reviews… Although these are always welcome, you know that! ;D Speaking of reviews, please don't forget to leave me a comment. The story is at the beginning, so there is a lot of room for suggestions… It is outlined, yes, but I take into serious consideration your suggestions. Also, a good review –and by that I mean an objective and well-rounded one- is very helpful and it rrrrrrreally delights me! My big thanks to my wonderful reviewers and my apologies if there are some mistakes in my chapters! It is just that I am a Greek girl with no beta! ;-P

Chapter 2

Gondolin, Middle Earth

First Age. Year 460

"I think you should get down here NOW. Both of you!" Míriela, daughter of Lanthir the Counselor, shouted to the two ellyn. The sun was already high at the sky of the Hidden City and she was feeling the increasing warmth on her shin under the silken material of her pale blue dress.

But she was too preoccupied to notice. 'What am I going to do with these two?'

She glanced at the two ellyn on each side of the waterfall. They had climbed way too high this time for her liking and wouldn't get down. The golden-haired elf made a show of jumping even closer to the dashing water.

"Are you going to say it or not?" He shouted back at her, playfully leaning back and forth towards the waterfall.

"Yes, dear Miri, you know well that we won't change our minds until you do!" Another voice came from the other side of the great waterfall. "Though you don't have to fear for me but for poor Glorfindel here!"

"Etchelion, I was expecting nothing better from you! But Glorfindel! What in the name of Eru are you doing? You'll get hurt…!" She could barely hear them through the loud noise but she just knew that they were smirking. And it made her furious! They were always the same. Always around her, teasing her and flashing brilliant smiles. And their pranks! Yes, great elf-lords they tell you afterwards… She knew better, since she had once or twice contributed in their pranks. She loved them dearly, couldn't do without them but sometimes like this she really wanted to throttle both of them. 'Perhaps I won't have to; they seem to be able to kill themselves just fine. Besides they have too many maidens swooning at their feet. I wouldn't survive THEIR wrath!'

"Unless you say it, my Míriela, we'll just climb higher…" That was Glorfindel. THAT ELF! He was just stirring so many emotions inside her. 'But how couldn't he?' she thought smiling after looking at his tall and lithe body.

"You know I can't do so… Now, GET DOWN before I come up there!"

Two eyebrows lifted at that, one golden and one dark. "Is that a challenge?" Glorfindel said, quite seductively even in the fuss of the pouring water.

The elleth just rolled her eyes. Etchelion was chuckling and, in result, she gave him a dark look. "Entertaining yourself up there?"

He didn't even look apologetic as he said: "Aye, you two are just too funny when arguing…"

"This is simply RIDICULOUS! You are endangering your lives, doing stunts in the great waterfall and asking ME to say something you know perfectly well I WON'T!" Oh, dear, wasn't she angry.

"Well then…" said Glorfindel grinning at his friend across the water. And to Míriela's utter astonishment and horror they leaned back as if preparing for a big jump and… time stopped.

She knew they were slightly crazy and reckless. And they were ellyn. If the first didn't mean anything, then that did for sure. They would seriously take that jump and while she was confident in their abilities, they could make… a mistake.

Bleached, she gathered her courage and shouted with all her strength. Her voice must have been heard in the entire city. But she was too worried for their safety to care at the moment.

"GLORFINDEL AND ETCHELION YOU ARE THE MOST HANDSOME ELLYN IN THE REALM AND I WON'T BE HAPPY UNTIL I HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF YOU IN MY BED!"

As it was expected, they both stopped the jump and faced her, massive grins on their faces. 'You'd think they were brothers…'

Then the reality of what she had said kicked in.

'OH.SWEET.ELBERETH.'

Now they would never leave her alone! And everyone in the city must have heard, including her friends, family, even Lord Turgon himself.

Peachy.

'When they get down they'll pay dearly for that…' she thought, her face almost crimson.

"Glorfindel, mellon nin, do you think it is safe to descend yet?" Etchelion didn't sound so confident as he looked at the face of their female friend.

"Yes, she'll get over it. Besides, she's made a promise…" His eyes were sparkling as he started to move downwards.

Etchelion wasn't as sure but he too decided that staying on the cliff for the rest of his life wasn't the best of perspectives. They didn't take long. Soon they landed on the grass, with the lack of sound elves were known for.

The elleth took a step forward and looked them both in the eye, first the one then the other. She looked more aggressive than she thought as her eyebrows were knit together as one, while she gave them her worst glare.

"You know Etchelion, I think…" started Glorfindel.

"...that cliff was very nice and comfortable." finished the other for him.

"Exactly."

And they dashed off towards the rocky surface again, but she caught them both by the belts and pulled them back. Normally she wouldn't succeed anything but this time they didn't have enough time to get away. Eventually they all fell backwards on a pile near the lake of the waterfall. Míriela was lying flat on the ground face to face with a struggling Glorfindel, who couldn't free himself because on his back stood, face down, Etchelion. The problem however was that the hem of Míriela's sleeve had caught up in Etchelion's belt. So, she was basically… embracing them both tightly. She blushed even harder, if that is possible.

They struggled for a while but it was clearly in vain. Etchelion couldn't disentangle the fabric of the sleeve from the decorative little star of the belt because it was on his back and the elleth's other hand was trapped under Glorfindel.

"Can't you just pull it till the fabric is torn?" Said the dark-haired elf, a tone of mirth in his green eyes.

She tried. That much was certain. However, every time she pulled her hand, she managed to touch more of her friend than she wished. And to make everything perfect, Glorfindel was close enough to feel his breath on her cheek. And he was smiling slyly at her, his eyes warm and tender-

Uh oh.

Just as she was starting to get lost in his deep blue eyes and forget where she was, a little cough echoed in the clearing. All three elves looked up; Miriela tried to, anyway. What she saw made her wish she hadn't been born.

"Hi ada."

Lanthir, high Counselor of Lord Turgon stood in front of the trio, hands on his hips. His expression was unfathomable. Although, with a second look, the elleth thought she saw the corners of his lips twitching.

"Lord Glorfindel, Lord Etchelion, no matter how much my daughter…enjoys your company, would you please be kind enough as to roll from atop of her? At least in my presence…" The humor was clear in his voice but that didn't help in diminishing Míriela's embarrassment.

Soft murmurs reached his ears and he eyed the situation better. Then he saw how the sleeve of his daughter's dress was entangled with the belt of Lord Etchelion. Not really wanting to know what his only daughter's hand was doing on the Lord's belt, he decided to simply help them out of the situation. Once they were free, each of the Lords rolled on either side of her and she sighed in alleviation.

After they quickly rose to their feet the ellyn proceeded to apologize to the Counselor, but he knew they didn't mean it in the least. In fact, Lord Glorfindel, especially, looked like he was disappointed they were freed. Chuckling slightly, he waved their apologies off and turned to his dear daughter, who was still sitting on the grass.

"I'll see you at dinner, I suppose, my dear. Take care!"

He started to leave but not before adding a last comment.

"Oh, and Lord Turgon and Lady Idril wanted me to thank you for the best laugh they had had in years. Try to choose more…secluded places for your future confessions, my love…" He winked at his dumbfound child and took off with long strides.

'Youth' he thought, smiling.

The three friends were left alone again. For a moment there was absolute silence and stillness. Then they all run, the males heading for the trees, the female after them, threatening and cursing under her breath.

Suddenly, she could no longer see them. 'I don't believe I lost th- Agghh, GET ME DOWN!'

Splash!

They had thrown her in the lake! The nerve of those two! As they were laughing, Etchelion practically doubled in two by mirth, she reached and swiftly pulled their feet. The two elves lost their balance and SPLASH! They fell –elegantly- in the water. Etchelion hit the surface first, followed closely by Glorfindel. One look on their wet faces was enough.

She dashed away in full speed, laughing in the process. Her laugh, though, didn't last long as they easily caught up with her and soon started a great battle of splashing, kicking, screaming and such.

How undignified!

'Who cares?' she thought, letting herself enjoy the feel of Glorfindel's chest and arms, wrapped around her from behind. His wet hair, sparkling in the sunlight, hung freely on his shoulders and back. The soaked tunic clung on his skin and the elleth couldn't help but feel… something inside her. The feeling was flustering. Then she noticed that Etchelion had left the water and was leaving the clearing as well, grinning softly.

She wasn't sure she could handle a meeting alone with Glorfindel, not like this. Not now. Something had changed, and it both thrilled and scared her. He was always one of her best friends, but lately she had noticed more of his breathtaking beauty and the fact had altered much of the way she regarded him. She realized she was still in his arms and suddenly felt very nervous. His breath was hot on the back of her neck. He gently tuned her around and cupped her face, ever so slightly. Her heart beat went crazy. He had the softest smile on his handsome features that her young female brain distinguished as the most striking of the other ellyn.

Her fear, if there was ever any, evaporated when she looked into the elf's eyes. They were gentle and caring. They spoke of love and passion. And there, then, she knew that his gaze held only the truth. That was the way he sincerely felt for her and a new way opened before them. It was beautiful. She didn't know where it would take them, nor did he. But she felt safe with him.

The lightest feather kiss was placed on her lips. With care, he pulled her towards the shore. She tried to hold him tightly and ask for more.

Glorfindel read it in her expression and paused. Wrapping her body against his tightly again, he leaned in and whispered in her ear.

"All in due time, my love."

She gave him a little pout and he chuckled, the sound like music in her ears.

"You're not ready yet, lirimaer… I'll wait for you; we'll take one step at a time." He pulled a wet flock away from her face, tucking it behind the ear, tenderly caressing the pointy tip. He rested his forehead on hers.

"Do you trust me?"

"Always. When you're serious like this, of course…" She added quickly, not being able to suppress her grin.

Glorfindel feigned to be offended. "What are you talking about, my lady?" But he spoiled the effect by tickling her underwater.

He sighed.

"It might test my patience but I'll wait…" He shook his head dismissively. "Now, let's go or they'll wonder what happened to us."

"But we won't tell them, will we?" she asked him playfully as he got out of the water.

"That depends on what they think that happened… I don't think Etchelion will really help on the matter…" He grinned impishly.

That elf!

'I love him…', she thought, looking at him.

Taking his outstretched hand, she was pulled out of the water.

"You know what, Glorfindel?" She asked him, as he embraced her waist gently.

"What, lirimaer?"

"From now on, this is my favorite lake for finding attractive Lords to be courted by!"

They laughed loudly at that and took off, too consumed in the bliss of their own world to care for anything else.

They walked slowly, admiring the beauty that was the Realm of Gondolin. It was truly unique, majestic as well as warm, combining the sparkle of white stone with the vivid colors of nature. There were many waterfalls and fountains –much to the delight of Etchelion- but what was most important was the ever present peace. There was nothing to worry about for the Gondolindrim, except for the little events of life that were mostly pleasant. Also, since no stranger was allowed to the city, people were trusting and friendly. Their society was an open one, mirth and laughter always echoing in the beautiful streets. Gondolin was a refugee untouched by evil and that was visible in the light hearts of its inhabitants.

On the outskirts of the main city they saw Etchelion. He was playing chess on the ground with Lady Dúlinn, a shy, dark blonde elleth who was uncommonly short but delicate. Míriela noticed with interest that on one of the elleth's braids there was an orange flower like those on the grass.

Typical Etchelion.

She liked the girl and if she thought her friend to be superficial she would have interfered but Míriela was certain that Etchelion's interest in the maiden was genuine.

They knew that their friend was too 'busy' with the lady and decided to leave them alone. Hopefully, their meetings would be soon including more than chess-playing. Etchelion lifted his Queen –considering that the game had only just started, he was being impatient as always- and dropped it as he noticed the couple in a short distance. Glorfindel looked amused and… content, while Miriela had a dreamy expression on her face. It was nice to see his friend distracted from reality for once. The first couple greeted the other and turned to leave.

While they were parting, Etchelion smiled knowingly. Being himself, he said loudly: "Finally! Anymore tension between the two of them and I would have migrated to the mountains!"

"Mind your own business, flower-elf" shouted mischievously Glorfindel and Míriela made a chocking sound, desperately trying to suppress her chuckles. When they had gotten somewhat away, both burst out laughing noisily, still holding each other.

Slightly pink, Etchelion turned to the little maiden, muttering things like "Don't mind them" and "the insufferable elves"

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Los Angeles, Earth

Year 2013

Christopher nudged Jared in the ribs pointing at the elleth on the bed. Her eyes were unfocused and her expression aloof.

"Should we wake her up or not yet? He can't sit down for a minute! And she just excuses herself and goes to her room to SLEEP?"

"Not to sleep but think, Chris… She just got too caught up in the memories. Remember when she explained how thin the line of sleep and consciousness is for elves?" The man smiled gently at the limp form of the elleth. The peaceful image contrasted greatly with her strong and cold demeanor. Only with those she really trusted she allowed showing a fraction of her true self.

"And him… He's not ranting yet but he must have paced the living room like two thousand times! Hey, did you notice the look on his face when he saw the TV?"

"I need to talk to her." A clear and haughty voice interrupted. The two men turned around, startled to face the male elf. How they hated it when Mir sneaked up on them like this! But she did that all the time; it was part of her job.

Under the ellon's façade of calmness, it was obvious he was frustrated beyond question.

"She's in reverie."

'Like he didn't know, Jared…' thought Chris.

The elf cocked a dark eyebrow. He was always amused by the race of men.

"I can see she is in reverie, mortal. I will wake her up, we need to talk."

"Listen, man, I know you're sorta freaked out at the moment, but waking her up like this… tsk tsk. Grave mistake unless you want to show off a sliced throat…"

Haldir glared at them, angry that two mortals doubted his ability to protect himself from an elleth. He loved ellith but all due respect he was MARCHWARDEN of Lorien and knew how to handle himself… But how could these two know? Realizing they simply couldn't, he softened his expression and told them he could handle it.

"Thank you, anyway. But please, I'd like to speak to her in private."

They nodded and left the hallway. Haldir entered the room. Everything was so different from his world. How could this elleth reside in this place? For how long? And how did she end up here? He decided that only by asking her, he would be able to find the answers to his –many, truth to be told- questions. He was a little surprised however that she hadn't gotten up yet.

'She must be really lost in her thoughts. I wonder what kind of memories my arrival stirred inside her…'

He looked at her sleeping form on the large bed.

'She looks so peaceful in her sleep, unlike her piercing gaze and arrogant stance when awake. She mustn't have always been like this…'

He kneeled on the side of the bed and whispered in their native language, ready to back away if she attacked.

"Wake up, my lady."

Her eyes focused back and took a quick look on her surroundings. Her eyes rested on him and her hand slowly left the hilt of her dagger. She saw he was prepared for an attack and therefore assumed he was a warrior in Arda.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep when I know you are confused and utterly lost. It is just that you are the first of my kind I see after… a long time. Time passes differently here." She said bitterly. The sound of the elven words seemed strange and soothing altogether to her ears. Why did she have to wake up from the dream? And now, this ellon…

She motioned for him to sit on the bed as she pulled dark flocks from her face. He was surprised; she laughed at his expression. He'd soon find out to what extent the differences of the two worlds were and how deep in trouble he was. She had learned.

The hard way.

"I'd like you to explain to me in what circumstances you were brought here. What do you know?" He asked her, looking her straight in the eye. She had forgotten how beautiful ellyn could be and this was clearly a handsome one, although not as glorious perhaps as… Glorfindel. Oh, how he was always in her heart, the thought of his handsome face, his warm smile and tender caresses, his male body and golden hair, his teasing ways and gentle protection, his passionate kisses, his… death.

She sighed. The ellon had said his name was Haldir. 'He's handsome in his own way' she thought, staring at the proud and sincere face of the silver-haired elf. Somehow, she couldn't find herself to be cold to him, even though it had been only mere hours since she had first met him and brought him to her place, still astonished. Perhaps it was because her instinct told her that this ellon was as honorable and trustworthy as her loved one was.

"It's a long story. I will only tell you, though, the parts that I seem fit for the moment and you will tell me about your own journey to this paradox place. If we are the only edhel in this world – and I honestly think that we are – we have only each other to rely on."

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Translations:

Ellon-male elf

Ellyn-male elves

Elleth-female elf

Ellith-female elves

Mellon nin-my friend

Ada-father

Lirimaer-lovely one

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I just love mischievous ellyn and dark ellith!

Okay, what do you think?

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