I promise the real depressing bit is over! Thanks for all your wonderful reviews and support lovelies!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's and the plotline!

Evelyn smiled shyly at Amanda and pulled her teddy bear close to her chest, her eyes flickered between Legolas and Amanda nervously.

Crouching low Amanda draped her arms over her knees, her short cropped blonde hair flicking outwards like pixie hair. Intrigued Evelyn hesitated before stepping forward and looked up into Amanda's eyes that silently asked a question.

'You can touch it if you want.' Amanda replied sensing the little girl's thoughts.

Giggling Evelyn reached up stroking the short hair with obvious pleasure.

'You're different from the others.' She stated softly, glancing at Amanda's face worried about her sudden boldness.

Instead of finding anger however Evelyn found a wide grin forming on her face.

'That's because I'm not an elf.'

Laughing Evelyn shook her head her brown hair shimmering in the light.

'It's not that. You have different hair and...scars, just like me.' Replied the small girl grinning.

Raising her eyebrows Amanda leaned forward mirroring Evelyn by stroking the young girl's hair.

'We could always cut your hair really short like mine.'

Evelyn gasped in shock her eyes widening.

'Mumma would be very angry!' she muttered seriously.

Tilting her head Amanda watched the girl for a moment, considering what to say to her.

'Where is your Mumma Evelyn?'

Evelyn frowned and stopped stroking her hair, her forehead crumpling in thought.

'She's where the light is; the elves say she is with the Valar. Whenever they come to visit they always to tell me to go to her- to go to the light, but I don't know how. It sounds like a wonderful place and Legolops tells me these amazing stories of it...and he also tells me really really good stories about dragons and elves and princesses!'

Legolas's ears tinged pink at Evelyn's words and avoided Amanda's amused gaze.

'Do you like stories Evelyn?'

'Yes!' the young girl shrieked clapping her hands together in delight.

'What's your favourite one?'

Evelyn paused and a look of melancholy swept across her face.

'Mumma told me this one story...it was about a beautiful girl named Rapunzel. She told me it before I went to bed and we got up to the part where the evil witch cut off all Rapunzel's hair and threw the prince out of the tall tower! I wanted so badly to hear the end, but Mumma said it was time for sleep and that the sooner I went to sleep the sooner I could wake up and hear the end! But I didn't wake p in my bed...I woke up here.'

Gesturing to her surroundings, Evelyn's face fell as tears moistened her cheeks. Leaning forward Amanda brushed them away with a scared hand and enveloped the tiny girl into a tight hug.

'Well just between me and you.' Amanda whispered tilting the girls face upwards.

'Yes...'

Lowering her voice forward Amanda whispered into her ear, the words causing Evelyn to jump in glee and hug her tightly.

'You can Miss Amanda!'

Sitting backwards onto the ground Amanda crossed her legs allowing Evelyn to crawl into her lap and snuggle into her arms. Legolas sat down as well, watching the interaction with a soft smile. Clearing her throat dramatically, causing Evelyn to giggle and Legolas to grin widely, Amanda began.

'Once upon a time their lived a happy married couple, who lived next door to a horrid old witch...'

As Amanda told the tale of Rapunzel Evelyn's face radiated a happiness that Legolas had never seen before. Eyes widening in realisation he watched animatedly at the duo sitting on the floor.

At the end of her tale Evelyn gave a contented sigh and hugged Amanda again.

'Thank you Miss Amanda, it was a wonderful story, better then all my imaginations.'

Amanda smiled broadly.

'My pleasure, Miss Evelyn.'

Turning once again to Amanda a strange expression passed over Evelyn's face: a look of contentment and inner peace.

'Miss Amanda...I have to go now, my mumma wants me. Thank you very much for the story! You're the most beautiful person I ever meeted.'

Blushing Amanda held her close.

'It was nice to meet a beautiful little girl like you too Evelyn.'

Turning Evelyn poked her tongue out playfully at Legolas, who did the same back before turning back to Amanda with a happy expression on her face.

'Good bye.' Evelyn whispered.

Slowly she faded away until there was nothing left but a swirling mist of golden dust that gaily danced around the room before disappearing.

Legolas stared at her for a moment with an unreadable expression.

'Well that's something isn't it,' he murmured, beaming at Amanda, extending his arm while doing so to escort her from the room.

Returning his smile Amanda nodded. They proceed to walk in silence as Amanda contemplated what had happened.

'Legolas?'

'Yes?'

'You told Evelyn stories yes?'

'Yes?'

'Did you ever tell her the story of Rapunzel?'

'No...I never really thought to ask what her favourite story would be. I guess I figured that well...'

Legolas glanced away from her his ears turning red with shame.

'Well?'

Turning back to her Legolas gave her an apologetic smile before continuing.

'I guess I just presumed our stories were better than humans...but I'm beginning to think I'm wrong.'

Amanda watched him for a moment considering his words.

'Perhaps I misjudged you Legolas,' she said hesitantly after a few minutes of silence.

Legolas squeezed her arm, smiling softly at her.

'Perhaps it is us who have misjudged the value of you Lady Amanda.'

Blushing slightly Amanda returned the smile her eyes sparkling in the light.

'Thank you,' she uttered gently.

Joining the elves for dinner Amanda found herself seated next to Legolas and Elrohir in the middle of the table with Galadriel at the head. Food adorned every surface and all looked delicious, Amanda tried to stare too long at it, unable to stop her mouth from watering slightly.

After everyone was seated Galadriel announced that it was time to eat, having eaten little besides the apple and bread Elladan had given her Amanda was famished and proceed to load her plate quickly.

Some of the other elves eyed her warily and she was sure she heard one of them mutter something about rudeness. Blushing Amanda slowed her chewing down and tried to act civil around all the delectable food.

'You seem very hungry Lady Amanda.' Legolas remarked a look of amusement dancing in his eyes.

'My apologies, you will have to excuse my behaviour it has been a long time since I have been able to eat proper food.'

A look of confusion crossed over Elrohirs face.

'But we saw you taking down the rhino for his meat...surely you haven't gone so long without proper food?'

Amanda paused, aware that the rest of the elves had attuned into their conversation, but were politely pretending they were merely very interested in their food.

'That is for Maurice and his guards. Everyone else gets a special brown powder mixed with water; it contains all our needed nutrients, so we manage to all stay healthy.'

Across from them Elrond glanced up, quickly expressing his thoughts:

'Is there not enough proper food to go around?'

Shaking her head Amanda smiled sadly. 'It's his way of separating us from him, a way for him to exert power over us.'

Returning back to her food she poked idly at a piece of meat her thoughts drifting to the events from earlier.

'Lady Galadriel,' Amanda called trying to capture the elf's attention.

Smiling brightly Galadriel turned to the young woman indicating that she had heard her call.

'May I ask do the elves often talk to those in limbo?'

'No, not often Amanda. We did at first, but after a while it grew harder for us to communicate with them, many would try and harm us or not listen to any of our words, so we leave them to their own devices now.'

Nodding in understanding Amanda felt Legolas squeeze her arm reassuredly, causing Amanda to smile softly at his unspoken support.

'I spoke to Evelyn earlier.'

All the elves at the table froze bluntly staring at Amanda in a mixture of surprise and annoyance.

Galadriel was the only unaffected her eyes twinkling mysteriously.

'How was your chat with our long term resident?' she inquired innocently.

'Wonderful we spoke about our hair, her mum and I asked her for her favourite story.'

'Which was?'

'Rapunzel, it seemed her mother had never finished it before Evelyn died the poor dear, she missed her greatly.'

Puzzled looks were exchanged between Elrohir and his father.

Perking up again Elrond decided to ask the words on every elf's mind.

'She didn't favour any of our elf stories we told her.'

Amanda shook her head, ready to jump to her races defence, to her surprise however Legolas jumped in before her.

'I must admit I was surprised as well, but Amanda's story was just, if not more thrilling then any of our Elvin stories.'

Turning to Amanda he smiled fondly, causing Amanda to blush again.

'Amanda released two souls from limbo today, that's two more then we have ever managed in the last 1000 years then our combined efforts, she listened to Evelyn and comforted her in a way that we never did with those in limbo. It is a shame that something as simple as wanting to hear the end of a story kept Evelyn tied to limbo for so long, perhaps Amanda is what the elves need to understand the new earth, perhaps we aren't as perfect and wise as we think we are. We have already learned a lot from Amanda in simply one day, imagine what we could learn in a day. If we overcome our prejudices we can move forward as a race and become better for it, being in Valar for so long we have grown used to our own thoughts and ideologies going unquestioned, perhaps it is time to question them; perhaps it is time to open our minds to this young lady and embrace equality. I know I will.'

No one spoke for a good 10 minutes all the elves were too shocked to hear one of their own challenge them so openly, but they knew he was right. Amanda was surprised to hear him reprimand his own people and was even more amazed at his display of support for her. Galadriel was the first to recover from Legolas's words, shifting embarrassingly in her seat she looked up to regard Amanda with an unreadable expression on her face.

'Perhaps Lady Amanda could enlighten us as to how to improve our situation with those in limbo.'

Mulling over her thoughts Amanda nodded, ignoring the glares from some of the elders and the intense curiosity from the younger ones.

'As Legolas said earlier it seems that you have spent a long time in Valar and so you aren't used to the modern human, you aren't used to ideas and values being challenged. Before our world was destroyed every individual looked for a way to give back to the world, a reason why we were alive, something that we could give. For some people it was being doctors, for others it was entertaining people- making them smile and laugh, or even just brightening up their day with a smile. Perhaps you do similar things in your own Elvin community and you are content with how things are in your lives. But the Valar gifted you with their light for a reason, they gave you immortality to enable you to do all you wished to do and they allowed you a home of your own, but perhaps they had a higher purpose for you as well. These people in limbo, they need help, they need guidance, but most of all they need someone to listen to them. People who are confused already aren't going to heed your words of "go into the light" they aren't going to understand why they can't. When people have problems and issues no matter how hard you try they won't hear your words until they are ready to accept them, they need to come to that realisation in their own way. It may seem long and tiresome to you, but I have to admit when Evelyn's spirit was released it was the most joyous moment of my life. I think that perhaps even if you go to earth some elves should return every now and then and just sit, listen and talk to these people, not only will you get a buzz from it, it will also help all those in limbo to let go of their troubles and move on.'

Moved by her words Galadriel began to clap, Legolas and Elrohir quickly joined in, staring around their table until everyone else was clapping as well. Blushing Amanda looked down at her plate, embarrassed at the positive attention she was receiving.

After the noise died down again Galadriel smiled widely at everyone, her aura spreading throughout the entire room.

'I do believe we should heed Legolas and Amanda's words. From now on five elves shall be allocated at all times to those in limbo, they shall remain with them for five hours before being relieved,' turning directly to Amanda she smiled warmly, 'Amanda we thank you dearly for being so patient and understanding with us, I know our prejudices run deep, but hopefully with your help we can change for the better.'

Relief flooded Amanda and she openly grinned at the elf-maiden, nodding in agreement. Shifting slightly Legolas turned to face Amanda as dinner began to end. Elladan and Elrohir appeared behind him, all gaining her attention.

Elladan spoke up first his expression serious.

'Lady Amanda, I speak for all of us when I say that we are sorry for misjudging you.'

Nodding Elrohir continued his brother's thoughts.

'And we wanted to let you know that we support you entirely and will do anything to help you on your quest to free your people.'

Trying not to snort at the word quest Amanda glanced at Legolas, who nodded as well indicating his support in the matter, smiling at the three she waggled her eyebrows playfully.

'Well if you're going to help me free them you need to brush up on your combat training, I mean I beat both Elladan and Elrohir here and the only reason I didn't flog your arse was because Legolas and his small army showed up.'

At her words the small group began to laugh hysterically, regarding the previously serious situation in a new light.

Brushing the tears of laughter from his eyes Elrohir chuckled.

'The sad thing is I think she's right.'

R and R my lovelies!

Btw I'm unsure whether Legolas and Amanda should become 'Romantically involved' or just become really really good friends. What are your thoughts on it? Should she forever be tied to Daniel, or allow part of her heart to love again?