I look up to find Frodo looking down at me. It feels weird to have Frodo literally standing over me. It's weirder that he is now taller than me.

"It's not a big deal."

"The way that you are sighing it sounds like a big deal. Now come on tell me what is bugging you." He slide down next to me and waited for me to talk.

"Fine. I did some thinking and figured something out that is a real game changer."

"What kind of game changer? Does it have to deal with Legolas?"

"Try not to look so pleased if I say yes. But yes it has to deal with Legolas. You see when Legolas made the marriage proposal announcement. He said that he was planning on asking me to marry him. He never actually stated that he had actually asked me to marry him. Everyone just went off the deep end and assumed that I had said yes and that we were engaged. I just told Legolas and we have made an agreement to court until we have to return to Middle Earth. If I wish to I will go through with marrying him. If I don't wish to, then we will break the engagement and try to lessen Thranduil's wrath. Although to be frank I think he would be more than ecstatic over the idea."

"Well you do have a point there. Thandruil would love that. But I do not think that is what is causing you such distress in your sighing."

"I just don't know if this makes things easier or harder. What if something goes horribly wrong and we get into even more problems than we are currently. If that is actually possible. I mean I went into another world, lost my siblings, insulted a prince, then insulted his father, got engaged to the insulted prince, turned into a bird woman, came back home and announced the engagement and then found out that there really wasn't an engagement. It sounds like a soap opera."

"There are operas about soap in your world?"

"No, soap operas are dramatic TV. shows that are sometimes really, really dumb."

"So your situation feels dumb?"

"No, not exactly. What I mean is. I just am not use to situations like this."

"What if you got in a fight?"

"That is easy for me to deal with. I use to get into fights with any yahoo who tried to mess with my little sibs. I always won. Or beat the guy up enough to where we would call it a draw."

"I keep forgetting how tough a woman you are."

"No sissies live in Brooklyn. Broadway maybe. Not Brooklyn."

"Just to be accurate how many men have you had to beat up?"

"I lost count after 30."

"Oh. I would never want to get you mad."

"I wouldn't hit a friend. So if you did make me mad. Odds are I wouldn't speak to you or I would yell at you. Take your pick."

"I would rather just see you happy." The silence returns. As much as it could in a crowded New York Museum. That is visited by millions of people with families, cellphones and mp3 players.

"So you and Legolas are going to try courting? Does that mean the two of you are boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"As of now we both are." Legolas was back and he was taking careful measures to not sound smug.

"I apologize for being late. Gandalf and your Grandmama have been informed of our decision. Shall we look at the rest of the exhibits here?"

"Ah sure." I rise from my seat and he grasps my hand. I give a quick wave to Frodo and then we went off to another part of the museum. He says something of interest to me. That he saw an exhibit that he thought I would like.

"And what exhibit would that be?"

"Possibly one you know about, but one that you would say that you do not like because of the image you posse. Can you guess which exhibit that I am referring to?" He said as we climbed up the stairs.

"Judging by what you said it has nothing to do with a traveling exhibit. That would leave the permanent exhibits. Except that you said it was one that I would like, but not admit to it. You're taking me to the Butterfly exhibit which is a recurring exhibit."

"Correct. I hope I didn't get the idea wrong."

"I do like the exhibit. But what gave you the indication that I did like the exhibit?"

"Call it a lucky guess or it could be that I may be able to see a little bit of who you really are."

"I wouldn't start betting the ponies anytime soon."

"I believe we are here." We see the line to the exhibit and already the heat from the makeshift rainforest could be felt. The line goes by and we enter. I find that Sam is in there as well.

"Hey Sam!"

"Oh Hello Carla and Legolas what are you doin here?"

"Just taking a look at the exhibit same as you. How long have you been up here?"

"After all of you left the African animals' exhibit I came up here to see what everyone was talkin about. And I have been enjoying my time since. There are plants here which I have never seen before."

"Yeah this area is pretty cool."

"I wonder if I could get a specimen of one of these plants to take home to the Shire."

"I don't think they would do to well in the Shire. Tropical weather or a really good green house would be needed to keep those puppies alive."

"Still a gardener can dream."

"True." I turn around to watch a zebra butterfly flicker its wings on a leaf when I noticed that Legolas had company.

"Legolas you may wanna stand very still."

"Why?"

"Ya got at least six new little buddies on ya."

"What? Oh I guess they like me."

"I should say so young man. Here let me help you get some of those of ya." The butterfly guy took an orange and placed it near one of the little guys and it came right on to it. Then another followed suit.

"I didn't know butterflies liked oranges." Sam stared at the ones that were on the orange.

"Not many people do. Flowers only supply a limited amount of nectar each day. So we give them oranges to help with feeding. Can you hold still just a little longer? I am this close to getting the last one. And…there we go."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome sonny." The butterfly goes off towards a group of children waiting for him to answer their questions. We both continue to walk the way through leaving Sam to enjoy his time around the plants.

"I wonder how the others are doing."

"I am sure that they are doing quite well."

"Hey do you think I could ask you something?" He nods instead of giving me a verbal reply.

"Do you think that something is going on between my Grandmama and Gandalf?"

"Going on? Do you mean that there is possible a spark of love between the two?"

"Not going into specifics, yeah I guess."

"I cannot say for certain in it is love that is shared between the two of them. But I can say with certainty that they are indeed close friends. If your Grandmother was around during a time of war. I am certain that Gandalf would put his upmost trust in her."

"Yeah, Grandmama is good company like that. Still they seem like something closer."

"I would advise that we stay out of it. One relationship at a time."

"I agree, but I can't help but want to spy on them and confirm my suspicions."

"You do rather enjoy finding out things do you not?"

"I like mysteries they make life. Interesting. One of the reasons I wanted to be a cop."

"What is a cop?"

"It is a job. That defends the people, upholds the laws and inspires good. They solve the cases created by arch rivals and criminals. With only the clues that they leave behind. At least that is what a good cop does."

"Sounds like a warrior."

"In a way." I know I was getting quiet. It is something that he will have to get used to.

"Are you finding more reasons to cut off the engagement?"

"No. It is true that if we do get married I have to give up the idea of becoming a police officer, but that isn't why I am getting silent. I'm just tired."

"Here we can rest here." We sit down on a ledge area and the silence continues.

"Don't look up too quickly, but the couple in question is to your right." I dart my eyes and see that he was right. There was Gandalf and Grandmama. They were talking. Judging by the smiles on their faces, the way the two were link together at the elbows and by how the smiles turned into laughter. It was starting to look more and more like the two were more than just old friends. I was going to get to the bottom of this.

"Didn't we agree to focus less on the other couple?" Legolas said with a teasing smile.

"Come on you want to know if there is something between them as much as I wannna."

"I don't deny that it is something that peaks my interest. But I had learned a long time ago to allow Gandalf to tell me what he feels I need to know."

"So you are telling me that there is no use convincing you to allow me to go on and try to sneak around and figure it out?"

"I didn't say that. I'm just saying that maybe if we ignore them today we will have better luck finding out about them tomorrow."

"I see. Let their guard down. You could have said that from the beginning. Would have saved you some breath."

"You're the cop. Could you not figure out the clues laid before you?"

"I suppose I could, but you are not a criminal."

"Technically, yes. However that could change if I manage to steal your heart."

"Okay that was cheesy, but cute." His smile showed and we went on our way. The time passed by and we enjoyed our time. I had to explain a bit about what some of the exhibits were about or what some of the items that the people around us were using. It was quite a conversation too. Explaining how an iPod works. What the difference is between an iPhone and an ipad was. How they worked. At the end of the conversation I felt like such a tech geek that I could get a job with Apple.

"Your world truly thrives on machines."

"I wouldn't say we thrive on it. Not the way that it sounds if you think about the Matrix."

"Matrix?"

"It's a sci-fi movie trilogy that is still popular. Oh god I just realize something."

"What?"

"You wouldn't get it. But when we return to your world make sure that Lord Elrond never says Mr. Anderson." Legolas gave his eyebrow a quirk, but didn't ask any questions. We move on and then run into my sister with the twins. She looked like she was having a good time. She is so into one of the Twins. I just have to figure out which one so I can see to it that Snookie doesn't do something.

"Hey, you two. How have you been enjoying the museum?"

"We've been enjoying it well enough. You three see any exhibits worth seeing?"

"Probably ones that you have already been to. Did you guys look at the gift shop yet?"

"Which one?"

"The one that looks like it is carved out of a cave."

"No we haven't been to that one yet."

"Excellent. We were just heading there ourselves. Why don't the two of you join us?"

"I can't see why not." So yeah we follow them and Prima Donna wants to talk.

"I see that it didn't take much to convince Grandmama to let you two be alone. So how many times did you two get to have a rendezvous?"

"Please tell me that you are talking Kissing, not R-rated things."

"Of course. Even I know that you have more class than to do it in a public place. Still the answer I would like to have."

"In the total history of our relationship. We have only kissed once and that was in Middle Earth."

"You guys have only kissed once?"

"Not so loud. They have very keen hearing." The eye dart goes to them and she blushes at the notion.

"Oh. Still you guys should have had some time to kiss."

"Right now. It would be nice to just go look at the gift shop."

"Maybe he will get you something nice there?"

"I think the guys are going to more likely take home souvenirs to Middle Earth."

"How do you even have a fiancée without any romantic notions with in you?"

"Luck." 'More like bad timing.'

"That makes the most sense." We arrive at the gift shop and the three elves of Middle Earth are surprised by the layout and the items for sale.

"There are more items here for sale than those in some of our finest shops."

"This is industry and trade for you." Each went a different direction. I went up towards the Asian items display area. Figured it was about time that I got a new tea set to take with me to my martial arts classes. The old one was more or less busted beyond repair. To explain further why I would need to bring a tea pot. In the beginning days of my classes with Sally, I would accidently chip the china. So she made me bring a tea set. Her thoughts were if I grew more aware of the tea set being there as my own tea set I would more likely take steps to not knock it over. It worked and helped me with my martial arts moves themselves. And after class we would brew a cup and relax before going home.

One of the employees was demonstrating the way to truly enjoy and make green tea wising a tea set that they had for sale. I had to admit it was a good looking piece of pottery. Well crafted, intricately painted so that it looked like it was made of rock with an etched flower and vine on it. It was gray and came with four cups. It was a nice set, but truth be told. I favored the one that it was next to. A four cup set with a black square shaped tea pot that held a dragon on each piece and had red on the inside. It had metallic finish that gave it that edgy look I liked, but of course it was the more expense one.

"There you are."

"Hey, Grandmama. When did you get here?"

"We ran into Frodo and Sam. Then decided to get them some souvenirs for home. So how is your first date going?"

"I wouldn't exactly call it a first date."

"You know you're right. Where is your boyfriend?"

"We…"

"Oh there he is." 'Three two one."

"Over here Legolas." 'And cue the waving.' He saw and waved back and came towards us.

"So this where you went to."

"Yeah. How do you like the gift shop so far?"

"It is quite something. Although I would like to look around it with you."

"Oh don't let me stand in your way. You two kids have fun."

"Is it just me or does your Grandmama come and go as she pleases?"

"It's a little of this and that." His arm once more linked over my shoulders as he steered us in another direction. We pass by items made in the style of traditional African jewelry. They had a very Soho vibe attached to it.

"I take it you fancy jewelry."

"Not as much as other girls do. I only like two pieces of jewelry. I just like looking at them as art."

"I see. When you do go shopping what is it that you buy?"

"If it's for stuff I want. I just buy movies or please don't laugh books. I don't really go shopping that much. I can't get a job because I have to take care of the twins and so I don't have money to buy things." Legolas ponders his next question.

"What would you do if you had the money to buy something?" I really have think on this. I mean I never had any real money to spend and because I didn't have any money to spend I never really thought about what I would buy. So I give him a shrug.

"I don't even know what I would buy to be honest. Can't think of thing. A sandwich maybe?" Legolas stops our walking and breaks into a smile.

"A sandwich? You are easy to shop for then."

"Shop for? That was an attempt to buy me gift isn't it?"

"Yes, it was. But I think I have a better idea and we are going to have to go right now."

"What?" He takes my hand and we walk away. We travel a long distance through the museum; pass people and exhibits till we come to the room that lead to the hall of marine life.

"We have already been here before." He moves his hands higher up on my arms and pulls me closer to him.

"I know." We move closer to the area where you see the pearl divers. A really nice spot to look at.

"So what is it that you are trying to show me?"

"Close your eyes, please." I don't like closing my eyes for anybody, but I could give the guy a little break. My eyelids fall and I become blind to the world for a short while. I feel the cold wind from the air conditioning and hear the sounds of the people around me. There was a particular conversation of interest about a man having an affair with his third girlfriend, but something else grabbed my attention away from the cheater and that was the feel of lips on mine. It felt sweet and soft and yet there was a distinct difference from the first kiss Legolas had given me the time we were at the lake. He had confidence that time. This time he showed a taste of fear and timidness from the way he was so gentle with his lips. I guess this was because last time he had kissed me I shoved him away. He breaks away and I choose that time to open my eyes. To the shock of my life, there stood Frodo. He was smiling sweetly with his arms around me.

"Frodo?" My head was desperately trying to wrap itself around this. Is it a trick of the eyes? A joke? Oh please be a hallucination!

"I had to show you how I felt about you."

"Frodo, what happened to Legolas?"

"He went out for a bit." He said rather quickly as his lips came down again to kiss me. I blocked them from reaching their intended target. Frodo was hurt by my actions, but I was more furious with him for his actions. He should have understood that I couldn't have this kind of wave going through my already uncalmed waters. Jeez, I'm starting to sound like one of them.

"Frodo, please don't get angry with me but you have got to stop this."

"You are not in love with Legolas."

"But you are Legolas's friend. Or you once were. Please don't do this." I move his arms away from me. He doesn't look happy, but he offered no word of protest as he left. Legolas returns with something in his hands.

"I was hoping your eyes would still be closed." He said as he moved forward. I still couldn't tell what the object was in his hands. His face held mirth (another vocab word!), but soon grew into concern.

"What happened?" I didn't say anything. "Please what troubles you?"

I still remand silent. His eyes grew sharper with the silence. It was like he already knew what had happened. The feeling wasn't soothing in the least to me.

"It has something to do with Frodo, what has he done?"

"I set him straight. Please let us leave it at that." Legolas wanted to say more, perhaps demand me to tell him, but he thought against it and instead pulled me into him.

"Then let me give this." He gave me the box and I looked into it and found that inside that simple little box was something I didn't think I would find inside of it.