A/N: Hellooo... dear and adoring fans? I hope?

I am sorry.. very very sorry that it's taken so long to update this. Back at the end of March I thought it would be a couple of weeks and it turned into a couple of months! What can I say... I can't tell you my life is majorly hectic (though at finals time it was) and my sister graduated and I've been doing random stuff instead of writing. Why? No clue. But here it is, and you can all rest easy that it is not my intention (key word) to wait this long before posting the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings.

Replies to Reviewers:

(the) thing: Thank you! Everyone has a different opinion, and I for one do not care at all for Mary Sue stories, which is why I've tried so hard to keep Anna far away from that. I'm glad you find her likeable, and I'm happy you're enjoying the story.

szepilona10: Yep, he's in here! Hope this is soon(ish) enough. Glad you're enjoying it!

Ogreatrandom: Oh, dear. Well I'm glad I had updated in time to save you from homework. Thank you!

Alianora in the Rain: Sorry I made you wait two months! But if it makes you feel better, I had to wait two months too, to see where it was going! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it.

Nelle07: Thanks, and again, sorry it took me a while.

Aviarianna O Lorien: All the other readers should thank you, because your new review was a little bit of a kick in the pants for me to get going and write this chapter. I had been thinking about it but had been too lazy to get around to actually doing it, so thanks for finding the story and reviewing! I'm so glad to hear you like Anna (I'm quite fond of her myself) and I'm happy to hear that you find the story well written. And, well, it's not really a self-insert, but hey, all my characters have a little bit of me in them, I think. Thanks so much for reviewing!

Chapter 7

"Not again!" A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I looked down at the wool I was struggling to spin into yarn. I sat behind a loom, as did Queen Arwen and one of the ladies of the court, a woman I had met yestermorn. Again, I had been asked breakfast with the King, and the gathering had grown. It was as though they were gently easing me into their lifestyle. I was ashamed that I could not remember every person's name, but I had met so many, and Gondorians look alike. The same grey eyes, dark hair, and strong features. Their visages seemed to represent their country, in some mysterious way.

After breakfast I had again spent the day with Arwen and Eldarion. The young boy had become even more attatched to me, so much so that when it was time to take him for his nap, he insisted that I come along. When we reached his room, a small but pleasant chamber adjacent to his parents', he proceeded to show me all of his toys. He had carved wooden animals, each of which I held in turn while he told me in broken Elvish what each was.

But today was not going as well. I had embarassed myself a hundred times already that morning, simply because of my inability to spin. I grabbed the twisted yarn and tossed it to the side, where I already had a steady pile going. I glanced up and noticed Arwen and Morwing exchanging amused glances. I had no doubt that many such had passed between them that morning. I didn't mind, other than the fact that I was completely horrible at this.

I took a break and watched the pair, their graceful white hands moving in perfect time with their feet; their finished yarn was perfect.

"You must have patience, Anna," Arwen told me, offering me a gentle smile as she looked at me. On the second day I spent with her, she asked that I simply call her Arwen, and I gratefully did so. I stared as she continued spinning the yarn without looking.

"Yes, patience," Morwing repeated. "Patience and practice, and soon you will succeed."

For once, I was grateful for my stubborn streak. I started again, going slowly, as I had every time before. The hard part was keeping the yarn from becoming too twisted, to the point that it started bunching up in places. As I worked, I listened to the conversation between the two women. They talked of their children and families, chiefly. I don't know why, but I was surprised. One was a Queen and the other a noblewoman, yet they didn't talk of what was going on in the country or any such things.

That night, a few hours after we had eaten dinner, I scribbled in my journal by the dim light the candle afforded me.

Things are so different here. I mean, obviously, they are, because this is NOT America, Anna, and you would do well to remember it and not expect people to be the same.

But... I don't know... sometimes it just seems strange.

That's because it is strange. Duh.

My fingers are sore from spinning... it is very difficult for me and, if there were such a thing, I could quite possibly be a candidate for the 'Worst Spinner Ever' award. Is spinner even the right term? I don't know what else you would call it.

I flipped the spiral notebook closed after jotting down a few other random thoughts. Mostly, my journal entries were starting to become chance thoughts that popped into my head, and it was starting to seem like I was having a dialogue with myself.

A few more days passed in the same manner. I dined with the King and Queen, and, often, Faramir, Morwing, and other members of the court. During the day Arwen showed me around, and we would spend time playing with Eldarion, spinning yarn, and doing other things. I guess I had seemed surprised, at first, that Arwen did so many things, because she had commented on it, telling me that she had little else to do so she might as well do something productive.

Faramir showed me a library and told me I was free to choose and read what I wished, and when I was not with Arwen, I read. There were books of beautiful poetry and songs, and I emmersed myself in them. There were also books, fictional books, I learned, and that surprised me all the more. I was becoming quite used to coping and living in this land.

Middle-earth, Day 10

I am going to meet Eowyn today! I simply cannot believe it, to be honest. Faramir has been telling me she was coming for the past four days, ever since he received a missive from the Princess herself. It's fun to see how excited he is about seeing his wife.

I hear she is with child... gossip truly never sleeps, even in Middle-earth. If this is true, I can further understand Faramir's excitement. I am looking forward to seeing her, though a little nervous as I always seem to be whenever I've met people that I've read so much about.

I heard Erendis enter and decided to leave the journal entry for now. I'm sure I will have more to write about later, after meeting the Princess of Ithilien.

Erendis brought me a new gown, perfectly tailored to my height and figure. It is a beautiful blue color with delicate embroidery at the cuffs. I gasped at the sight of it. "Oh, Erendis, isn't that one of the prettiest things you've ever seen?"

"It is a very fine dress, Lady Anna," Erendis smiled. Erendis and I had become fast friends. Socially, it was probably not proper for us to be close, but as I didn't know any rules dictacting behavior towards servants, I figured it didn't matter. I had never seen any of them treated with any less respect or kindness than a member of the nobility. No one really seemed to care about my actions, though I always strove to behave in the most proper manner.

"Come, Erendis," I squealed happily, grabbing her hand and pulling her after me. I had found that being in Middle-earth, I was, ironically, much more of a "normal American teenager." I thought it was odd, but I felt more comfortable here, and therefore was more myself. Arwen and Morwing, especially, with whom I had spent ample time, had grown accustomed to my frequent outbursts and cries of frustration (when spinning, or, as of late, weaving, because I often made mistakes) or excitement, like today. They would smile and often seemed bemused, but they let it pass.

My steps slowed as we reached the dining hall. Lady Eowyn was due to arrive sometime after breakfast. Erendis left me to go and eat in the servant's quarters and I entered alone, bidding everyone good morning and assuming what had become my usual seat. It felt wonderful to have a standing invitation to breakfast with the King and his family and friends.

A/N: Eh. I don't love it. But here it is. Next chapter will be better... I hope!