Chapter Five: Arrival

Sam watched the others in front of her as they followed the Elves into Rivendell proper. There was something she didn't trust here. What were nine normal kids like her and Fred doing here, in Middle Earth, of all places? Something was up, she was sure of it. She watched as Leo talked happily with the Elves up in the front. He seemed to be the only one who was completely comfortable with the twins. Him and Ginny, that is. Ginny was practically drooling over them, Sam thought. Either she thought they were hot, or she was over-impressed by their knowledge of magic. But they were the only ones.

"Something's just not right…" Sam muttered, looking behind her. But nothing was there. Just the path that they had been walking on, and the mountains high above them.

"What's not right?" Fred asked, frowning as he slowed down so Sam could catch up.

"I'm not sure." The girl admitted. "But something isn't. Why else would we be sent here…or summoned…or whatever happened…"

"I don't know." Fred agreed. "But I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."

"I am sure you will." A gentle voice said from behind them. The two friends turned around to see a tall blonde Elf standing there behind them.

"Who are you?" Sam asked, sounding ever so polite.

"Glorfindel, Chief of the House of the Golden Flower." The Elf replied, placing a hand over his heart in greeting. "And you two are…?"

"Fred Baggingston." Fred said instantly. "And this is my best friend, Samantha Gardner."

"Sam will do fine, thanks." She said quickly, sticking out her hand.

Glorfindel looked at it for a second, before his eyes widened in recognition and he grasped her hand in his, shaking it. "Apologies." He said, smiling. "I had forgotten about that human custom. It is a strange one, I must say."

Sam frowned. "I suppose."

"Glorfindel!" two voice called from ahead, and the three of them turned around to see the twins hurrying towards the blonde Elf, grinning broadly.

"Ah, Elladan. Elrohir." The Elf said, inclining his head. "Your father was looking for you."

"I imagine." One of them said. "But Elladan had to go and chase after the rabbit."

"Did not." Elladan said. "It wasn't my fault that it had taken some of my food."

"You're the one who left it out." Elrohir said, rolling his eyes.

"Please forgive the Twins." Glorfindel said loudly, making sure he was heard over the identical Elves. "They tend to get carried away. They are the only ones in Rivendell who are like this, I assure you."

"Hey, no big." John said with a shrug. "They're funny."

"Thank you." The twins said together, grinning. Then they turned to Glorfindel. "Why was ada looking for us?"

"Because he wanted to make sure that you found the Nine." The Elf-Lord said, gesturing to the group of teenagers around them. "And now I can see that you obviously did."

"Yes, we did." One of them said. "Elrohir and I are quite capable of doing things by ourselves."

"Yes." Elrohir agreed. "We aren't seldo any more."

"I can see that." Glorfindel said, shaking his head. "But come, we must get to Rivendell. The sun is setting, and it is no longer safe to be out at night."

"Ah, Elladan, Elrohir. You have returned." A tall, dark haired Elf said as he walked down the steps of the front of one of the many buildings of Rivendell. Sam frowned. She noticed that all of the Elves so far seemed to be tall. It was sort of annoying, seeing as she wasn't very tall herself. She was only about five foot five…

"We have, ada." One of the Twins…Elladan…said. "And here are the Nine, as we promised to bring back safely."

"Hey, we have names, you know!" Sam said, feeling even more annoyed.

The Twins' father looked at her and nodded apologetically. "Forgive me." He said, inclining his head. "I am Lord Elrond. And you are?"

"My name's Samantha Gardner." She said, frowning. "But you can call me Sam. Don't you dare use my full name."

Suddenly, one of the Twins started laughing, but a stern look from their father got them quiet again.

"Very well, Sam." Elrond said. "And who are your friends?"

"I'm Fred Baggingston." Fred said, stepping forward.

"John Gloinson."

"Beau Romir."

"Ginny White."

"Hailey Tookson."

"Matthew Buckington." Merry said after his cousin. "But I go by Merry."

"Daniel Strider." The dark-haired boy said, coming to stand next to Sam. "But I go by my surname."

"And I am Leo Greenwood." The fair-haired boy said, placing a hand to his heart. He was the only one to do the Elven custom.

"Mae Govonan." Elrond said, returning the gesture to Leo. "Welcome. Now come, let us go inside, for it is still winter, and you all must be cold and tired from your walk."

"Are we ever!" John said, only to be hastily shushed by Ginny.

"He means thank you very much, my lord." The witch said hastily.

Elrohir smiled. "Don't worry. You don't have to be all proper like. That's ada and Glorfindel's job."

"Come." Elrond said, ignoring that comment. "Follow me. I shall lead you all to your rooms, where you can freshen up and change into appropriate clothing. I shall send some one soon enough to come and get you to lead you to the Great Hall."

Okay, then guys! I got some reviews, and that made me happy inside! But I would love to get more reviews…maybe then someone could bop my friend Sammie on the head and make her write more…lol…well, if I get THREE reviews…that's all I'm asking for is THREE, tho I'd love more…if I get them by Wednesday, then I'll update with another chapter. If not, then no chapter until Friday, or until I get three reviews. Seriously. Thank you, tho, for those of you who did review! It made me very happy inside and outside! I'm not forgetting about any of you! Well, lunch time is in a few moments! So REVIEW!

PHE