You Belong to Me Forever
Comments: Yes please
Archive: Sure, but let me know
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything you all know. I'm making no money, fame, or power from this story. It's purely for enjoyment. I'm a poor college student, so don't file any lawsuits, because you won't be getting a dime from me.

I'm taking an artistic liberty.. The other Elves are going to speak Westron. I can't agree on a good source to do any major translation.

"I'm... I'm sorry," Alex began, "I think I just spaced out. A what?"

"Elf."

Alex scoffed and motioned to get up. She felt so stupid, so played. An elf? How dumb did he think she was? "I should go."

Instantly he was up next to her. Impressive fast movements were not enough. "No, please.."

"How did get up so fast?" Alex questioned, ignoring his plea. He just looked at her with his big blue eyes, not daring to say it again.

"You really believe this, don't you? That you're an elf?"

"Look, look, seeee" Orophin yipped, showing off his ears. "Pointed ears. Humans don't have pointed ears."

Alex resisted the urge to tell him we very well could if we wanted to. She didn't want to start a huge argument. She'd rather he believe he's an elf versus a vampire, but all the same-- it was nuts.

"Orophin..."

Straight eye contact.

"Where exactly IS Lothlorien?"

"I don't know if I should say." He knew he would eventually have no choice. There was no way even in all his playfulness could he make up, say a country. Especially with such limited choices.

A pair of vacant eyes stared at him. "Orophinnn"

"Middle-Earth."

"Middle-Earth?"

"Yes, Lady Alex." he answered sympathetically. Although he couldn't imagine exactly how she felt, he tried. If their position was switched, he never heard of 'Scottsdale' either. Moving slowly as not to provoke or frighten her any more, he inched closer until she was right in front of him. "Pardon me my Lady, but now I think you really need this." And he hugged her, tight. Startled, she tried backing away again but Orophin wouldn't let her. She may be strong in the mind, but he was stronger in the body. He stayed close and didn't let go. Even more surprising was she actually hugged him back, grateful for the protection and the comfort.

"Are you not going to cry?"

Alex backed up and looked at him, "wow nobody's really asked me that before.. Would you like me to?"

Orophin pulled her back again and laid his chin on her head. "No aranel. Such a sight would kill me."

Alex felt her heart warm a little more and quickly thanked God he couldn't see her blush. "Well don't worry, I'm still in shock. What would crying do anyway, now that it's done?"

Shrug.

She wiped the single tear that had fallen against the flow, and tried to change the subject. "I can feel your heartbeat."

"Of course you can. We're not all that different.. I'm flesh and blood, but not human."

"I can't wrap my mind around that..."

"Shh, no one's asking you to accept it right this moment.."

"Can- can.. not 'will.' you hurt me?"

"I could, but I won't."

==Peachy.=

"Can I hurt you?"

"You could, but you won't" he smiled, winking. "I'm too lovable.."

There were plenty of thoughts running wild in Alex's mind right now. One being he's the exact same person..guy.. elf he was being before the bomb had dropped. She didn't mind him, really.

"When can I go home, Orophin?" she whimpered quietly. The news becoming more and more real.

"I wish I knew, please believe I would tell you." He decided against the remark of her wanting to go home and leave him. It wasn't the right time.

"Can anyone help me?"

"Perhaps sweetheart, I will see what can be done when we return. For now I want you to rest."
"Haven't you been gone too long?"

"Hmmm?"

"How far is this 'border' we were supposedly going to?"

"Ohh that," Orophin remembered, laughing slightly. "Rumil knew exactly what I had planned. He will back me up."

"I'm lost."

"My other older brother."

"Is he a crank too?" She said it so deadly serious, Orophin laughed harder. "Whatt?" she smiled, a little embarrassed. "I have a right to know!"

"No," the elf managed to choke out, "he's not a crank. He's good, you'll like him."

Alex nodded and accepted his decision. She'd give him a chance. She needed friends.

"Now any more questions?"

"No sir."

"Good" he smiled. "I believe I said you need rest, not answers.. Well you need those too, but... I'm just going to be quiet now." he announced, sticking one of his arrows sideways in his mouth.

"Though I suppose I had this coming."

"Why? What do you mean?"

"I, uh.. it was me who was poking you."

Alex couldn't help it. She started laughing and try as she might, she couldn't stop. Such a silly thing to be concerned about!

"But you were mad," the elf tried to explain. "I heard you."

"Oh my God, Orophin we've got to change your worries. Truth, I forgot all about that before you brought it up again."

"I am sorry, my Lady."

This time it was Alex who initiated the hug. She didn't want him to worry about it. It was over, done with, and in the past. "It's alright."

"That's what Haldir used to say when I would ruin something. It really wasn't alright."

Alex wished the universe would open up and swallow her whole. She hadn't meant it like that and mentally kicked herself. She wondered how ruined this poor guy, er elf was.

"Well then let me try again. I'm not mad at you Orophin, I've poked at people before as well. I'm not hurt,I'm not mad, and I see no reason for you to worry." she finished her speech, even surprising herself.

She kissed his heart. Damn all reason and smarts to hell, it screamed out at her for help at that moment and she obliged. Oh disaster, should she play it cool and act like she knew it helped? Or act shy and embarrassed?

Oh, bother.

Earth, Middle-Earth. Life certainly didn't look any easier. In fact, it looked a lot more confusing.