Julie: I hope you will update this story soon I would love to know what happens next. when are they taking her to Lothlorien and how long is she staying because I know they want to keep her save because of who she is. update please.

Me: How long will Skylar stay in Lorien...hmm...I see a while, a good long while. Plus many other places will she stay...(that sounds like something Yoda would say, lol)

Kristin: I hope you will update soon I want to know what happens at the festival of starlight and if she will play her instrument again and what her dress will look like. Will she tell Lord Elrond the stuff that she came with like the car and what it does. Who else will be coming to the festival? update please

Me: Thankfully a lot of what your asking is answered in this chapter...although, no festival in this one, sadly. In the next chapter I swear! Don't hate! lol

Christine: I hope you have not given up on this story hopefully you are just busy in your life. I hope you update your story very soon. I do love this story its interesting and cant wait till she meets other people and go to Lothlorien for how ever long it takes for her to be save. Maybe the Valar will grant her since she is human half immortality or slow her aging process down so the Lothlorien Elves can protect her more better. She will be staying their awhile and she has information that is tied to the war. update soon.

Me: *sobs in a corner* I'm so sorry! Life happened! Work has been weird lately, my job was bought by another business and frankly it's been slightly topsy-turvy readjusting...then they got my schedule wrong and I worked multiple days in a row...and when I finally got a days rest I spent it at the theatre watching Wonder Woman (which is great). So alas, I'm back! Skylar is back! And we apologize for our "aloofness". Anyway, you brought up something interesting...Will Skylar receive immortality? ...Hmm, wouldn't you like to know? lol

3 days later…

Tauriel had started to meet Skylar early in the mornings before breakfast and even before most in their right minds were awake. Together they ran, usually running a few good laps around the spacious body of water and then would proceed to walk and extra lap to cool down. In those moments both would share stories from their pasts…and in all its strangeness, Tauriel had become something of a friend.

Skylar described what it was like to fly in an airplane, much to the elf's dismay and Tauriel gave insight into her days as captain of the guard. She explained fighting giant spiders, chasing away hordes of Orc's and even her journey to Lorien. "So you are telling me, that your people have the ability to fly?"

"Yes, it's quite fun actually, and a quicker source of travel."

"Show me."

Skylar paused momentarily to glance at the elf, a bit stupefied," show you what?"

"How you fly, of course."

At that Sky threw her head back, releasing a gut clenching laugh. "What is so funny? I find it most extraordinary." Tauriel almost appeared offended as she all but glared at the strange mortal.

"Tauriel, you misunderstand," she pauses, stifling a chuckle," we can't actually fly…We build machines that are capable of flying and then they carry us wherever which way our destination is."

At that the red headed ellith had the good graces to look embarrassed," yes well, I suppose that makes more sense." Laughing, the two continue their trek, crossing over a small creek and making their way back into town.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

"This way," an elven guard garbed in a maroon cloak and silver armor beckoned the lord of Dale to follow," the king will see you now." Obediently, yet somewhat cynically, Bard obliged, his own robes of forest green and pastel yellow (the colors of Dale) trailing after him.

Bard, while considered by many, if not most, to be quite an upbeat fellow, well…as he shadowed the elven guard down the caverns of Mirkwood, the closer they approached Lord Thranduil's study, the lighting seemed to become dimmer and dimmer. A sudden sour taste coated his tongue as they reached the end, a large door, carved from the surrounding stone and painted in gold and silver, was pushed open by two other elven guards, their faces masked by the helms they wore.

"Ah," Bard states enthusiastically, hoping to break the sudden tension," at last. It has been to long my old friend." He just then realized just how silly 'my old friend' might sound to an elf…either way, what was said was said.

Before him, the elven king rested behind his great desk, a slight troubled look on his smart face. It startled him for a moment just how much Thranduil remained the same, when it then dawned on him, just how much of a stranger he must appear to the elven king.

"War is coming." The elf muttered, expertly drawing the Lord of Dales attention. Just like that? The ex-fisherman thought, no pleasantries, no warm welcome nor offer of tea? He really has not changed.

"A beg your pardon my Lord…war?"

"…Leave us." The elven king's low baritone filled the space in an portentous way as the sudden sound of the titanic doors cleaved together, signaling his order was fulfilled. They were alone. "Please, sit." Thranduil beckoned towards the wooden chair seated before him. Silently, Bard did as was instructed, hoping the elf would quickly fill him in.

"What do you know Thranduil? What was so urgent for me to arrive as soon as possible?" To answer, the elf merely lifted a piece of parchment in his direction, encouraging him to take it.

A bit apprehensively Bard took the paper as Thranduil declared in a laxer tone, "I received this from Lord Elrond two moons ago…" He went silent then, allowing the letter to speak the rest. A moment later Bard quickly glanced up at the ellon is a great state of perplexity.

"Please tell me this is a jest, Thranduil. Some elaborate scheme to…to…" He was drawing a blank…the king of Mirkwood was not the facetious type. A far cry from it actually.

"To what in deed?" The elf laced his long digits together atop the mahogany desk, his eyes completely serious…if not severe.

"Alright," Bard sighed, running a hand through his hair," so let's say this," he gestures the paper in his fist," speaks truth…What part do I have to play in this?"

If it were possible Thranduil's eyes hardened even more, becoming cold steel as he uttered his next statement," I have known the elf Elrond for a long while, stretching back to your ancient ancestors." He pauses then, almost seeming to struggle with his next statement. "He would never create a deception such as this, especially when what he writes pertains to the soon to be or imminent return of Sauron." The elf scowled at the last word before continuing. "Why I have called upon you is simple. I need people who will agree with my cause and stand behind me if need be."

Bard rested his elbows over his knees, leaning slightly towards the elf. "And what is your cause?"

Swiftly the elf replied," while I take no pleasure in this but I must say, for the greater good of all Arda," his voice once again grew sharp, "this witch must not be allowed to live if so any minuscule amount of that wretched letter be true."

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

Back in Rivendell:

"I think I would pass out if I'd seen one, how do you do it?"

Tauriel smiled a smart smile as she gazed down at the shorter mortal," one becomes desensitized I suppose…and when it comes to defending your home, even more so." The two sat at one of the tables seated under a blossoming cherry tree, both picking at their bowls of fruit. The wind was sweet as it gently blew past.

"I guess that makes since…but still. I thought spiders like this," Sky gestures a size with her fingers, "where bad…but the size of a car…Lord have mercy." She shook her head flippantly at the thought.

Tauriel paused in tearing off a piece of her roll to gaze at Sky, the elliths green eyes questioning. "What is a…a c-ar? Another invention?"

Skylar smirked, popping a blueberry into her mouth, "yep, but unlike a plane, a car travels on land."

At that the elf goes silent, contemplating what the girl had just shared. "I would have loved to see such a sight…for I cannot picture such a device in my mind."

"Well," Skylar swallows down a gulp of water," you're in luck." Tauriel appeared confused when she continued," it just so happens my car came with me…It's only a few miles from here."

"You-a-, um…" the elf was flabbergasted," I would love to see this invention of yours."

"-What invention?"

At the sudden voice, both elf and mortal sharply turn their heads, only to see another elf standing a few feet away. By now the sun had traveled a good distance into the sky…if Skylar had to guess she would say it was around ten or eleven in the morning. With that said, the sun coming from the east momentarily hid the persons face. For a moment all she could see was hair so fair and light, she almost mistook it for the rays of sun itself.

When Skylar said nothing, the elf stepped even closer and in that moment she had a recognition- "Ah, Haldir." Tauriel quipped," finally, you reveal yourself. Here I was beginning to think you had sailed without making a mention."

The Marchwarden was tall, so tall in fact Skylar had to crane her head just to see his complete face. He wore simple robes of grey and a touch of green, yet still appeared as if he'd just stepped off the pages of a magazine…and…and…why did he have such a pissed look on his face?

The elf all but stared down the bridge of his nose, practically glaring at her. Which she could easily write off, that is until he opened his mouth," a little thing such as yourself shall be the one to bring disaster upon my people?" His tone wasn't questioning but instead rather accusatory.

"Haldir!" Tauriel chastised, her face serious," watch your tongue." The Marchwarden remained unfazed by the elliths harsh tone as he continued to gaze at the mortal.

"No, it's okay." Skylar raised her hand," perhaps he's right." At that both elves appeared momentarily startled, albeit she was a little stunned herself. "But," Sky rose from her seat, a determined look sketched on her face as she took a few steps towards the ellon. "According to Elrond and even your Lady this Great War was coming, regardless of my supposed future actions. It would have happened one way or another, so don't point your crooked finger at me."

Haldir's pale hair swirled around his shoulders, the sunny day and pleasant weather conflicting with the elf's scowl. "It is evident you know not of what you speak. Your supposed future actions are but written in stone, for the Lady has declared your actions so, therefore it is."

"You sure have a lot of faith in her, are you certain she or Elrond are not wrong?" The wind stirred slightly, as if sensing the sudden tension. Skylar crossed her arms defensively, ready for a verbal battle.

If it were possible the elf's glower deepened, as a result his eyes turned icy," the Lady of the Wood has and is always accurate in her forewarnings. But a mortal such as yourself would be ignorant to such knowledge, as is to be expected."

Before Sky could launch her hundred and twenty pound self at the offending elf, Tauriel stepped in, her eyes wide. "What has ill-tempered you my friend? The elf I know has never uttered such hate-filled words! Especially to a female!" The head headed ellith was perplexed, even though elves and man did not always see eye to eye, all elflings from an early age, specifically ellons, are taught to respect and cherish all womankind. Needless to say, his sudden lack of respect and animosity was surprising at best.

"What has ill-tempered me? Have you not listened? This mortal," his fist comes up, animatedly pointing at Skylar," will bring about the return of Sauron! The war that will shake the foundations of this world! Do you not find that distressing? Have you lost all sense?"

Tauriel's checks flare, a pink sheen staining her otherwise clear skin as she eyes the Marchwarden incredulously. "You sound just like him." At that, the ellon pauses, his eyes softening as his palm drops to his side, suddenly realizing what exactly he had just said.

He sighs, as if deflated of all otherwise pent up energy. "Tauriel, forgive me. I went too far-"

"Come Skylar. Show me this invention of yours." The ellith is off, her pace quick, her arms encircling her lithe figure as she walks aimlessly away.

"Tauriel, please…" Despite his sincere tone he does not follow…another thing each ellon and man have learned through the centuries is, never engage with a scorned female.

{}{}{}{}{}{}{}

"Tauriel, wait up!" Pant "My legs are not as long as yours." It was true, out of every single elf Sky had meet so far, even female, they were all taller than her…To the point even both Elladan and Elrohir had started teasing her about it, calling her short legs and other such ilk.

"If your going to lead can we at least go in the right direction?" At that the ellith paused, as if suddenly aware of where she was.

She turned then, her red hair a halo around her face as she utters, "forgive me, I did not mean to cause you worry. I was…somewhere else." By now Skylar had caught up, standing only a few feet away.

"S'alright. It happens to best of us….but if you don't mind me asking," she hesitated for a moment, hoping not to anger the elf but to curious to resist," who was the he you referred to? The one Haldir sounded like?"

"The one I spoke of previously… Thranduil."

Oh…well, should have known I suppose? She concluded to herself, she had known the things the elvenking had said to Tauriel in the movies. Come to think of it, the Marchwarden did sound a bit like Thranduil. Condescending…prideful, but in the same breath, Skylar could not fully be angry with the elf, at least not about the part where he worries for his home and loved ones.

"Yes, I remember. He sounds like a kirffing imbecile if you ask me. You shouldn't entertain the thought of him. Of both of them for that matter, at least not right now." Skylar acted like she dusted her hands of dirt, only to flamboyantly raise her hands above her head, as if revealing her now 'clean' palms before declaring," see, forgotten. It's that easy."

Despite herself, Tauriel smiled before lazily mimicking Sky's actions, "forgotten."

"Where almost there." Skylar stepped over a cluster of fallen branches, easily guiding the ellith down the small animal path. "I've been sneaking out here every once in a while, at least when no one is paying attention."

"I received news that a band of hooligan orcs attacked you when you first arrived. Are you not afraid of a repeat of that situation?" Side by side the two walked, the sun now beating down over their forms like a suspended furnace.

"I was at first…okay, maybe a little still. But Elladan mentioned it's very rare when that happens. Apparently the orc's know not to come to close to the border…also, I just want to make sure she is-" Skylar stopped mid-sentence as a very familiar yellow came into view. "-okay…and she appears to be."

"…What in the Valar?" Tauriel froze, her voice slightly higher in pitch. Around them the wind was soft, lazily sifting through the surrounding foliage. Without hesitation, Sky quickly edged towards the Jeep, happy to see all is well…She feared each time she returned, someone…or something, would have vandalized the wrangler.

"This is my car...it's called a Jeep. She's a beauty isn't she?" Skylar ran a palm over the sleek hood, knocking off bits of debris caused by wind before cracking the driver's door open. "Wanna see something really cool?"

Still meters away, eyes wide with wonder, Tauriel responded in inquiry," cool?"

"You know, cool is another way to describe something as neat, grand, breathtaking." Like that she happily sat inside, closing the door behind her, only to then lean over in the suffocating heat of the jeep, to open the passenger's side. "Come on, it doesn't bite!"

Slowly and still somewhat uncertain, the elf made her way up and around to the passenger's side. Skylar patted the cushioned seat, a smile on her features," sit. You asked to see what it does so I'll show you." With that said she produced a set of keys from her back pocket. Her house key, mail key, and of course the clunky key of the jeep where all attached to a lanyard that read; Life is a Beach, which then displayed various objects such as crabs, seagulls, sunglasses, and palm trees. Needless to say, it felt good to have the item in her hands again.

"Or perhaps it'll be better for me to turn it on and perhaps take her for a spin while you stand there?" She grinned mischievously, egging the elf on. As if sensing the challenge, Tauriel grabbed the side of the door and slowly set her rump in the seat, her feet soon following her. "Alright, alright. Now close the door." She motioned towards the handle.

"It's stifling in here."

"Not for long, but I'm waiting on you." Tauriel's eyes screamed questions but, her curiosity winning the better of her, she quickly obliged. The door smoothly snapped shut, trapping them side.

"Now what?"

Sky grinned, unable to help herself," now this." She deftly unlatched the silver Jeep key, neatly bringing it up and twisting the item into ignition. The Jeep momentarily vibrated as it purred to life. Tauriel jumped, grabbing the, as Sky calls it, 'oh crap' handle, before wearily eyeing the mortal.

Cranking the switch from heat to A/C and turning it to full blast, cool air immediately began to sift from the air unit. "What is this?" the elf, mystified, ran her palms over the circular vents, perplexed by the chilly breeze that greeted her.

"Pretty cool huh? When people travel by car, whether it's hot or cold, they use this to heat or cool themselves. But you haven't really seen the cool part." Sky pressed the breaks before shifting the Jeep into drive. The vehicle gave a soft lurch as it slowly began to drift down the path they had just come from.

Smiling Sky turned, only to see the biggest grin stretched on Tauriel's face. "We're moving!" Like an excited little child, she pressed her face to the glass, eagerly watching tree after tree filter past…even though they were only going fifteen miles an hour…Sky didn't want to push the elf.

They made it for another thirty seconds when suddenly two very familiar people suddenly spawned from the tree line. She hit the brakes, jostling Tauriel for a moment before she placed it into park. With the Jeep still purring, Skylar rolled down the window. "I just wanted to move it closer to town. I don't want anyone to see it."

She was still differentiating the two but Sky was pretty sure Elrohir was the one to come forward, his sleek black horse hesitant of the wrangler. "Seems to defeat the purpose when you are bringing it closer to civilization." His silver eyes roamed the body of the machine, his eyes alight with bewildered wonder, his fingers clasping the leather reins with pent up energy.

Skylar smarted, he was right. "You know what I mean…I mean outsiders. This equipment isn't something to play with." For all she knew, someone stupid enough could cause a fire around the vehicle, which would cause an even greater fire. Someone could try to destroy it or take it apart, ultimately terminating something from her world. Or perhaps it sitting in the hot sun would slowly cause it to wither away, flattening the tires as well. She wouldn't stand for that…

Tauriel was out of the car in a second, her green skirt flapping behind her. "How did you manage to find us?" She points at the jeep," perhaps the growl of this invention?"

Elladan finally spoke as he too approached, his horse now walking beside him," no my lady, a certain Marchwarden informed us that the two of you," he gestures to Skylar as well," were off about in search for mischief…and depending on what that mischief might be we perhaps were planning on joining you."

"To make sure all is well of course." Elrohir simpered cheekily, drawing closer to the Jeep. "What a wonder this is…tell me, Lady Skylar, that this thick item treks faster than that?"

It was Sky's turn to grin as all three turned to regard her. "Believe me, that was child's play."

{}{}{}{}{}{}

10 minutes later…

All three elves had a vice like grip over the 'oh crap' handle as Skylar drove, kicking the Jeep up to forty. It had taken little to no effort convincing the twins to ride inside the back while Tauriel rode shotgun. "Hold on!" In her immediate peripheral Sky see's the ellith brace herself as Sky suddenly erupts from a tree line and into a meadow…only to pull a donut. Once twice and by the third time all four of them were laughing. Giggling like school girls as the combination of g-forces, and excitement got to the better of them.

"I haven't had this much fun since I first joined the guard in Lothlorien!" Tauriel squeaked in delight, her face slightly red from the adrenaline and perhaps partially due to the fact her heart was working overtime to ensure blood reached every part of her body.

Skylar laughed at her comment, recalling some stories the ellith had shared, one pertaining to what she had just said. One of this stories involving Haldir and his brothers, a lot of consumption of wine, and a pie.

Slowly, Sky hit the brakes, turning the steering wheel to straighten the jeep and gently bringing it to a halt. "I told you it was cool. What do you think?" She pats the dashboard in emphases.

When she receives no immediate answer she fears the elves are dissatisfied, but the moment she turns to regard the twins Sky couldn't help but laugh. Both Elladan and Elrohir are blurry eyed, faces pink and a grin that can rival the Cheshire himself is stretched across their faces. "I feel like an elfling again." Tauriel smarts, her voice slightly higher in pitch," that was fun."

Skylar's own heart thudded wildly inside her chest as her eyes roamed the three one last time before turning back to the wheel. "Okay, where should I park her?"

It so turned out there was a small wooden barn, only approximately a quarter mile from Rivendell. It had been used as a storage for rice and wheat during the colder seasons, but recently the barn had caught fire, and while the building still stood, for only a partial part of the roof had suffered, Elladan had declared it usable since it was now vacant. With that piece of info Sky had asked him to show the way.

She was curious why she hadn't see the building before, especially since she had explored the surrounding area. Come to find out it rested closer to the crop fields, and beyond that rested the residents that lived within Rivendell…No wonder, Sky thought, she was never eager to engage with the locals…to many stares.

By the time the Jeep was safely nestled inside its new home the sun was just now making it's descend across the large expanse of sky. A dove softly cooed somewhere close by as both women began making the trek back to town. Elladan and Elrohir had mentioned they needed to return to retrieve their horses, which Tauriel and Skylar had understood and had promised to see each other again later that evening. Tonight marked the first out of three days in Celebration of Summer. Sky wasn't sure how others would receive her, specifically since Tauriel had asked Sky to play for everyone…She had hesitantly obliged.

Sky's calves throbbed slightly by the time she made it up the four flights on stairs to reach her flat. She had parted ways with the red headed ellith not even fifteen minutes ago and was already missing her company…as strange as it sounded the ellith reminded Skylar oddly of Sam. Both where hot headed, quick to speak their minds yet gentle and compassionate when the moment called for it. Not to mention, out of all the elves, other than Elrond and the Lady, Tauriel was the most excepting of her…She wondered if she had Kili to thank for that?

Wish I could have meet him…She thought, quickly opening the wooden door, only to see- "Skylar Walker! What shall I do with you, it is nearing nightfall and you are not even dressed!" Val huffed flippantly, her ivory dress, filled with lace, beads and embroidery fell elegantly around her tall but lithe physique.

"Ooh…I'll be ready in a minute." She sounded like a whiney child.

"I do not want you ready, I want you resplendent. For tonight you shall be presenting yourself to all!"

Sky stepped behind the folded out drape as Val handed her her own dress. This was the first time Skylar was seeing it since three days ago. Val had been true to her words, the dress had been cut, trimmed, and otherwise remodeled. The thick layers of lace had been completely removed, leaving behind only the silky white cashmere. The design was simple, just exactly as she called for, yet would appear to complement her feminine form…at least what she had.

Sam had always made fun of Skylar. She was small breasted, small hipped, and overall a small build. She had hated school picture day simply because, while other girls in her grade and even below, had already filled out, Sky, well…she was just trivial. Typically, stuff like that hadn't bothered her too much but now, as the cool material slithered over her body, she couldn't help but compare herself to the ellith in the room.

"Val…" She stepped out where she could be seen," be honest, does this look silly on me?"

"Hush-" she chastised, coming closer to inspect Sky's windblown hair, "you look lovely…but what has happened to your hair?" Skylar grinned to herself…perhaps a certain elf *cough* Elladan *cough* had eagerly suggested she roll the "sheets of glass" down.

"…you wouldn't believe me even if I told you."