Always love the feedback, it does help me knowing that people like the story and what they think. Not to mention, I always love creativity cookies. (::)

CHAPTER TEN

The vibration on Amanda's desk made her breath catch. She smiled and shook her head while she glanced at the new text message alert. She had decided before leaving off to work that she would get her Elf friend a cheap cell phone so that he could contact her, she had shown him how to call and to send her a text. It seemed he had waited for all of the thirty minutes before he had decided to use this new ability.

Legolas: Did you arrive at your destination safely?

Amanda: Yes I did.

Legolas: When will you be returning?

She looked at the massive amount of files that now occupied her once orderly office. She felt overwhelmed at the stacks that she knew she would end up going through, since her uncle seemed to merit his data entry staff on appearance rather than ability.

Amanda: It will be awhile. I have loads to do.

Legolas: Are you sure I cannot aid you?

She sighed, and looked out the glass window that separated her office from the madness on the floor. The blonde bimbos were standing around filing nails and reapplying lipstick. They were not all really blondes, their hair stylus had long disposed of whatever natural color they were. That became apparent when the local hair salon had a water main break a few months back, there were a lot of roots showing within the blondes at the office. Though unfortunately, they apparently were all bimbos. That seemed to be another qualification for her uncle. She knew there were many intelligent beautiful women around the world. But then again if they were all that intelligent, they would not work here. She shook her head and looked back at the screen.

Amanda: I really appreciate the offer, and very tempted. You would prove to be better at helping me then some of these coworkers of mine.

Amanda: So is it boredom or curiosity?

Legolas: I must admit is curiosity that drives me. However, to render aid to a beautiful maiden in distress is always a worthy cause.

Her heart nearly stopped at the word beautiful. However, she realized that her new friend loved to tease her. Amanda chuckled and shook her head. She reached over and grabbed another file off the pile and glanced down at it. Whoever was in charge of these files, seemed to have no idea when it came to priority of information. They read more like instruction manuals, rather than nice columned information that could be easily read. It was then the cell alerted her to another text. A feeling of guilt hit her as she remembered she did not answer his last message.

Legolas: I will keep the cell on my person. And I shall be at your call should you choose to accept. I feel there are things that I must do if you otherwise do not require anything of me.

She wondered what the Elf would do while she was gone. A part of her felt annoyed that he did not seem to really need her there, though, another part of her was glad he wasn't so helpless.

Amanda: I might reconsider later, but I will try to do as much as I can. There is some money in the box on my dresser if you want to go to the store. Stay out of trouble.

Legolas: I will not delay you from your task any longer. I am honored of your concern for my safety, but it is unneeded.

Amanda turned back to her keyboard and began the daunting chore of sorting out information into the input boxes on the screen. It was the repetitiveness of the task drove her mind blank. Hours had passed, and the words on the screen began to blur together. She checked the time, and it was now six. Her stomached decided at that moment to complain, and she got up and stretched. She considered just grabbing something out of the snack machine and get as much done as she could. Though it seemed fate had stepped in, and decided for her with the vibration of her phone.

Legolas: Elssandra has made aware of my presence. I will lead her servants away. However, I have obtained some confusing yet valuable information. It might be best if we meet somewhere. I was able to flee before she caught sight of me.

She felt as if a one-ton weight had settled into her stomach. Her breathing became shallow, and she felt fear as it prickled her skin.

Amanda: Where are you? I will come right now.

She grabbed her coat and purse and left the building without a second thought. Fear drove her. What had he been thinking? What would she do if something happened? She made it into her car and had it running at record speed. She sat there staring at the mobile screen willing it to vibrate. Willing for him to be all right! Her hands trembled now, and she found it hard to catch her breath. Though she had been waiting on it, the vibration still made her jump.

Legolas: I am safe.

She inhaled in relief, but her hands still shook. She threw the car in reverse, only her foot on the break held it in place. She leaned her forehead on the steering wheel and closed her eyes. Then the phone vibrated again.

Legolas: I will come to you. However, I know not the way. You have no need to disrupt your work.

Amanda: I was going on break. It is fine. Tell me where you are.

Legolas: I am most glad I did not disturb you. The store in which I am is named Café Latte.

She made it to the coffee shop in the middle of rush hour, in under five minutes.

Amanda pulled in, and he was in the car before she even came to a complete stop. His eyes scanned the street outside the window. She hit the door locks and turned to him, she looked him over but not seeing any rips or tears in his clothing, or scratches on his skin.

"Legolas, what happened? Are you all right? Did you get hurt?" Her questions came out in a rush. She looked around to see if anything was amiss.

"I have feared for your safety." He then turned and looked at her. "Elssandra has many ways of tracking her quarry."

"You were afraid for me? You're the one being chased. That woman doesn't even know who I am!" She began, she was upset and bewildered. Why he was afraid for her?

"I was afraid she would find me at your home." He stated to her pointedly. He waited for a moment, as if to let that sink in.

"Though she misspoke today, and uttered information that I doubt she knew would aid me." He glanced back out the window then turned smiled at her. "She had tensed, and after that called for her guards. She told them she felt my presence. That life had not left me."

"I am confused. Isn't this a bad thing? That she knows you are alive?" She responded but did not understand why he was smiling at this information. The evil woman had known he was alive and close. He seemed less tense as he watched whatever it was he had seen.

"She had used magic to trace me, but it had failed her. She had been seeking me out these many days, but her attempts were folly." He explained then looked back at her. "I think she has been unable to sense me because of you"

"Legolas I do not have magic…" She sighed.

"I know, perhaps you are immune to her spell since you were born into a world without magic. She was in a black van and has tracked me thus far. Though when I entered the car, I watched her become confused and pass us completely." He now seemed more relaxed, more like the Elf she knew.

"Then why didn't all these other people here block her magic?" Amanda questioned him.

"They seem to interfere with it. I think it has to do with proximity." He replied.

Something nagged her, but she had not found out what it was yet. "Then why hasn't she sensed you all those nights you go on stake outs at her place?"

"The spell requires concentration, and her magic is greatly diminished. She cannot hold it for more than minutes at a time." He explained to her, but her mind itched at something that didn't set right with her.

"Though not diminished enough to chase you for from her place to the city, in rush-hour traffic? That was what? Over an hour at least, Legolas?" She said, his head whipped around and stared at her in shock, as the realization hit him.

Bingo.

"Then perhaps her magic is not as diminished as we were led to believe. This is cause to be wary. If she has her magic, then why does she not use it? There is something else that keeps her from it." He stated.

"Well, where to?" She asked him, as she willed the last of her nerves to settle.

"Have you not eaten?" he asked her.

"Nope, I came straight here when …." She began but he smirked and glanced at her stomach, and that stopped her.

"Then perhaps it is best that we should find something to ease that stomach of yours." He said still smiling.

Amanda looked at him. There was no way! "I haven't heard it grumble…" But his smile grew wider.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Fine where should we eat then?"

Eating in, presented far more vulnerability than Amanda cared for at the moment. Furthermore, she still had to get back to work. She settled for Sonic, and after receiving their orders she drove to the office, this time Legolas followed her.

As they passed, the main floor, it had become eerily quiet. Amanda looked straight forward and tried her best to ignore the looks they were getting. The only males under her uncle's employment were either old, balding, overweight; or young acme covered interns. So Legolas' presence was noticed. They made it to her office without interference, and she let out a breath as he closed the door.

She had turned and looked at Legolas, then rolled her eyes. She half expected the usual questions. She instead was greeted with a smile and a shake of his head, before he glanced around the office. She threw a fleeting look behind him, and saw the Chihuahuas salivating at the new meat.

"This is quite a task you have been presented with. Tell me how I can aid you, Lady Amanda." He said, as he picked up a file and glanced within it. "All of this must be typed within the computer?"

"Yes, and in an organized manner." She told him.

He looked up from the folder in shock. "This is madness, is there no one to here to assist you?"

"Well they are supposed to." She pointed at the women outside of her office. "I am sure you understand how much that actually happens."

Legolas smiled then he picked up several folders, and Amanda threw him a bewildered look. He paused, and turned, then actually winked at her before opening the door. He walked up to a group that stood not far from her door, it did not take him long to charm them, nor several others in handing off a great percentage of the workload.

As Amanda had reached the bottom of the box on her desk, he had returned. "If you have an extra computer and show me what you need done, I will help sort some of these myself."

She smiled at him, "You mean to actually accomplish more, than the miracle it took to make them do actual work?"

He laughed, and smirked mischievously, "They are unaware that I hear the words they speak of me. It was quite simple to approach those who look upon me favorably then ask them to do something to help."

"Sneaky Elf." She said, as she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Just keep them working and this will get done soon enough."

To my awesome Reviewers:

XxJigoku-no-HanaxX. : Sorry, that chapter has already sent off to the beta, might have to work it in later. Though I would like to point out that our elf seems to not react to things that scare the crap out of us. Though Amanda has thought of another weakness that must be exploited.

Gypsophila paniculata: *cough*sequel *cough*

LOTR Geek – The toy store, now that is an interesting idea….. hmmm And thanks for the cookie, I needed the snack.