Notes: See Notes from pervious chapters for disclaimer. As always I would like to think my beta but this time her name is Ruth (Lady Akyrial) for her work on this chapter and I look forward to working on this story with her and Jessi (krillball6) good luck with school. I would like to say thank you to my mother for helping me with this chapter and I look forward to working with her on the chapters to come. Finally I would like to thank all of you who have read my story and all of you who have read and left a review for my story…On to the story!

Chapter 6

Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas and Tracey walked into the dining room to find everyone already seated; except Haldir…The day before, he received an urgent message from the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien ordering him to return immediately, thus, he left earlier that morning. Tracy took her seat and she peeked over to Elrond. She felt so bad for the way that she treated him that morning…she knew that he did not deserve it and she was hoping to be able to apologize to him alone when she got the chance.

As the food was being served, Tracey realized that she was hungry. She had not eaten since she gotten up that morning. She looked at the beautiful spread in front of her. They were having homemade chicken noodle soup and what looked like ham sandwiches and the drink was fresh lemonade. It smelt wonderful but it was making her kind of sad. This was the type of meal that Tracey and her family used to have after church on Sunday's.

The longer she spent in Rivendell, the more she realized that she missed her home and her family. Even though she was hurting in her world, she could not help but wonder what and how her family was doing, and she wished dearly to see them once again…but she knew that it was not possible for that to happen.

Elrond had looked up from his meal and noticed that Tracey was off in her own little world again. He called her name trying to get her attention so he could ask her what was the matter but she did not answer him. Elrond was really worried by now. He raised his voice slightly and called her name one more time this time. Tracey raised her head and a look of confusion came over her face

Tracey had not realized that she had stopped eating and drifted off into her own thoughts until she heard someone call her name. She turned her head and saw that it was Elrond that had called her name and he had a look of deep concern on his face. Elrond reached his hand out and asked gently, "Would you do me a great honor and walk with me?" He took her hand and then led her gracefully out of the dining hall to his study so that they could talk and so he could give her his gift.

Tracey was surprised and confused as she followed Elrond out of the dining hall. She nervously wondered what was going to happen. Would she get yelled at because of the way that she had treated him this morning. She also wondered why he was being so nice to her.

Tracey braced for what was to come when they entered his study; but she was surprised she and Elrond sat down and he gave her a chance to talk. Taking a deep breath, she began, "Elrond… I am sorry for the way that I acted this morning. I was not myself and I apologize for my rude behavior."

Elrond leaned forward in his chair and took Tracey's hand. "Indeed, you have nothing to apologize for. I understand the need to express one's pain. I feel that you are tired of just sitting around and you need something to do."

Tracey was stunned. 'He's not mad at me,' she thought 'how could that be?' She looked up and noticed that Elrond was no longer sitting in his chair. Instead, he was walking back from what looked like a wardrobe cabinet carrying a long delicately hand carved wooden box that he gently sat in her lap. For the longest time she just stared at it. As she stared at it, she attempted to memorize every detail of the beauty which she held. She saw intertwined vines and small leaves of delicate green adorning the lid which reminded her of the ivy that was growing around her favorite tree in her backyard.

She slowly brought her hand forward and touched the slightly cool and smooth wood finding a small mithril clasp. Carefully, she opened the box to reveal what was lying inside. She noticed royal blue velvet lining inside and the same type of cloth was draped over what was contained in the box. The whole time she was remembering one of her best birthdays in her not so distant past.

Flashback

Tracey was turning 16 and she was incredibly sad. All of her friends that she had invited to share her sweet 16 with her had stood her up. She could not understand why, if they were her friends, that they would do that to her. She was in her room crying when her daddy walked in and sat on her bed. He put his hand on her back and rubbed it gently until she calmed down. He then said. "I am sorry that your friends stood you up on your birthday… but you still have us. We are your family and we want you to come down stairs. We would like to take you out to dinner and because you are the guest of honor, you get to choose where we go.

Tracey got up and decided that she wanted to go to an Italian restaurant. So she walked down the stairs and standing around the dining room table were her older sister, her mother and father. On the table there was birthday cake with 16 candles and a small black velvet box and a large Flat present. Her mother told her to blow out her candles and make a wish. Tracey took a deep breath and blew the candles were out quickly. Her father then handed her the small box and she opened it to reveal her class ring.

She took in a deep breath because she knew that her mom and dad could not afford something like this at the time… but they got it for her anyway. She gave her family a hug. Then she opened her sister's gift for it was her very own cardboard elf. She laughed at the irony for she had one friend at her birthday party after all.

End Flashback

Tracy, having been lost in the memory, found herself chuckling because at that moment she was sitting with the actual elf that was her Cardboard friend back at home. Her laughing startled Elrond. The whole time she had been with him and his family she had been in a melancholy mood.

The laughter, he thought, suited her well. Pleased to see her smile, he wanted to know what had caused her to laugh. "Tracey, what amuses you so dearly?" he asked in his rich voice.

"I am just remembering something from my old life." She responded peacefully.

Elrond's curiosity was peaked, "Would you care to share it with me?"

Tracy pondered his request…she thought to herself, 'I am not ready to tell this guy that I have a life-sized cardboard picture of him in my old life.' To him she responded, "It truly is no consequence…something from my old life that gives me comfort. " Elrond still wanted her to tell him, but he knew that it was better not to push certain things with her...so he decided to redirect her back to the box.

Gently, he put his hand on top of the cloth and softly pulled it back revealing a bow and arrow set made of the finest polished wood. He hard her gasp in shock and he said, "This was my first bow given to me by my father and I would like you to have it. I feel that you should have something appropriate to train with when you are with my sons and Legolas.

Tracey felt a smile creep back on to her face because of his generosity, but she said, "Thank you my lord but I cannot accept this gift. I truly appreciate your generosity, but your father gave this to you. I would not feel comfortable with anything of such great sentimental value."

Elrond listed to her polite refusal, but he really wanted her to have it for many reasons. "Yes, penneth, he did give it to me…but it was his hope that one day I would give it to someone that really I care about… and that person is you." Tracey flushed at the intensity of his statement, then smiled as she accepted the gift and took it from his hands. She held it close to her and felt his emotions so close to hers. She felt his nearness, and felt something stirring within her body.

At this point Elrond was leaning so close to her that he could feel her breath on his skin and he wanted to kiss her. He looked into Tracey's eyes and saw that she wanted to kiss him as well. They leaned in close but just as they were about to kiss the moment was shattered by a knock on the door.

Elrond was irritated with the interruption, but he bid "Enter" to his sons and Legolas. As they walked into the room, Elladan spoke, "We are sorry to disturb you Ada, but we were wondering if Tracey would like to join us again on the archery field for some more practice." Elrond looked at Tracey and she shook her head yes. As she stood up with her gift, she tuned to him and said, "Thank you for your kind gift I will cherish it always. Would you do me the honor of introducing me to such a fine weapon this afternoon?"

Elrond smiled and accepted the offer, putting his thoughts on hold after the promise of a wonderful afternoon with his family and guests.

End of Chapter 6

Translations

Ada/Adar- Dad/Father