This is my second story so I will be working on my current and this one. I will have longer chapters, hopefully, but not as frequent as the other. I hope you like this one too!

In this fanfic Legolas did not go to Ithilien after the ring was destroyed.

I do not own LotR :(

Chapter 1

Ariyah hart rested her head against the cool glass while Colt leaned on her shoulder. Hmm, he must be asleep. I might wake him up when we get to school. Depends on my mood. The incessant chatter of the bus irritated her but she grit her teeth and closed her eyes. Why does no one value peace and quiet? Well at least I'm not Noah right now. His acute hearing would torture him.

They pulled up to the school as the soft plunking of raindrops ceased, the shadows of clouds darkened the pavement, and a sudden blast of bone-chilling wind swept through, ignoring the walls and windows of the bus. Colton's eyes flew open and he shuddered. He either didn't notice that he was touching Ariyah or didn't care, for he sat motionless.

Ariyah looked over the seat and widened her eyes. A freak tornado was hurling toward them, angry winds whipping around it. She looked around to see the worried but not panicked eyes of her peers. Do they not see a giant cyclone coming straight for them she exclaimed, finding the very thought confounding. She glanced over at Colt who stood up and followed his gaze.

What the heck! A tornado's coming and no one's doing anything! His heart was beating out of his chest. A few kids turned to see what they were gawking at but quickly lost interest. I think I've finally lost it. Only took thirteen years. Colton laughed bitterly and Ariyah turned to stare at him.

Kids were getting off the bus and not wanting to replay the napping incident, which he still hadn't forgiven Ariyah for, they both hopped off but stood outside the doors of Greenwood Middle. It came faster, furiously tearing at the ground beneath it.

They whipped around to the sound of Reagan screaming and then fainting. Kids around them weaved past them as if they weren't there. Next to Reagan, Zach was about to have a heart attack. Millions of signals surged through his mind making him dizzy. Behind them, Noah was a block of ice.

Hmm, maybe I haven't gone crazy yet or they all have with me. Most likely the latter Colt concluded as the wind picked up and a deafening roar pounded in their ears. They all stood, and laid, perfectly still. I think we've abandoned all common sense by now Ariyah thought, fighting to even turn her head. The fear was paralyzing. Dirt and grass were the only things that found themselves caught in the tornado as it brushed the side of the building leaving it perfectly intact.

Colt found overwhelming fear crash into him, holding him fast in place. Oh no, if I'm going insane, I at least want to live another day before it takes me fully. He gathered all his courage and started pushing everyone, willing their feet to move. He tried the school door, but it was locked. It was coming, fast, there was no time for someone to open the door. They ran around the side of the building, even Reagan found the intelligence and consciousness to scramble up and avoid being sucked into death. Colt stayed in back grabbing the other's arms to keep them ahead of the howling beast.

"We can't outrun it," Noah yelled over the wind, stumbling and falling behind. It sucked him up and the others ran faster, none wanting to end up like their friend. Ariyah yanked on the side doors and when they wouldn't budge, she sprinted away. They started lifting into the air, being pulled back toward the tornado.

Zach heard a yell, then realizing it was his own. The raging winds batted him around pulling him in several directions at once. His foot connected with something solid and a surprised yelp told him it was Noah. Zach open his mouth to apologize but the wind sucked away his air, leaving him gasping for breath.

Principal Val sat content in his office when he saw five of his students sprinting across the lawn for their lives. Nothing chased them and Val sat thoroughly confused. He stood up to go confront them when one by one they vanished from sight. Val stood wide-eyed and unblinking. A heavy force washed over him, willing him to forget. He turned around, still dazed, muttering about lightening his hand on the wine for a while.

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They reappeared, falling through thick branches and vines. Colt's leg snagged a limb that turned him spinning to the ground. Thankfully his fingers found a lean branch just before he smashed to the forest floor. Two loud thuds and groans informed him some of the others were not so lucky. He looked down to see Reagan and Noah flat on their backs while Zach dangled above them, his hoodie caught on a branch.

Ariyah gracefully hopped from her branch, unhooked him, and let him drop. They all marveled at the foreign landscape around them. Reagan jumped up and screamed, waving her arms frantically. When she finally stopped, she sheepishly explained, "A spider crawled on me." Composing herself she looked to Ariyah.

It took every cell in Ariyah's body not to roll her eyes. She found something familiar and comforting in the trees even though the air fell thick, and light, scarce. Colt mentally surveyed his company. Not exactly who I'd want to be stuck with in god knows where. Ariyah's not too bad though.

It was Reagan who finally asked the obvious, "Where are we?" Her question was met by silence, a heavy silence of a group who was utterly lost.

Zach was the first to pipe up, "Why is it so dark?"

Dark. That was it! Ariyah looked up, the trees tall but many limbs sprouted out. They could climb above the canopy and look over. "Guys lets climb the trees!"

Colt immediately caught on, pulling himself up and starting to climb higher. Reagan, however, did not, "Why are we climbing the trees?" The others began scrambling up, scraping themselves on the bark.

"To look over the tops so we can figure out where we are," Ariyah clarified, already fifteen feet off the ground. They all erratically climbed up, arms tiring from the work.

"Why do these trees have to be so tall," Zach breathed, resting on a branch.

His only answer was an indifferent, "Why don't you ask them?" A slight breeze rolled by and creaking of bark filled the air. Ariyah involuntarily shuddered. Almost like they heard us.

"We're almost there," Colt announced from the top. Reagan sighed in relief loudly, reminding everyone she was still there. She was quiet for a while at least Colt acknowledged. She must be lost without her posse, even though Ariyah is supposedly her best friend. They grew distant lately though. Not a good idea to ask why.

The top layer of leaves was pushed away, and he was met by a golden son setting low in the red sky and mountains off in the distance. Ariyah sucked in a breath as she came up next to Colt gazing at the scene in front of her.

Noah's and then Zach's heads popped up and it was their turn to stare stunned at the sunset and distant mountains. Reagan was still nowhere to be seen. She's fine they all thought as they debated on their route.

"We should head for the mountains, it would get us out of here and hopefully to other life," Zach proposed, slightly proud of his suggestion. Colt nodded but continued to search around.

"There must be somewhere closer where we could…" Colt was stopped short by a muffled yell.

"I'm stuck! Can someone help me!" They all looked to Ariyah, she sighed when a shrill scream cut through the trees. "Help! Guys help! A giant spider!" Ariyah heard the desperation and fear in Reagan's voice and swung below the leaves to help her friend.

She was met by three car sized spiders scurrying toward them. Reagan lay tangled in some vines. Ariyah pulled on one side of the vines until Reagan spun down, unraveling herself. "Uh guys, don't come down," Ariyah yelled up. They of course didn't listen.

Zach poked his head down, "Why… Ahhhh!" He took a step back and tumbled from the branch. A loud crash of leaves rang through the air and a weak, "I'm ok. Not really though," came from below.

Colt stood above the leaves, waiting for Ariyah's instructions. He almost jumped down when he heard a crash and inaudible voices. No, Ariyah told us to stay here. I trust her and believe she can take care of a spider. Zach, not so much.

Noah moved to follow his friend, but Colt grabbed his arm. "Ariyah said to wait here," he reminded.

"Yes, but does it sound like everything's okay down there."

"We have to trust that she can handle it."

"I have no doubt that Ariyah could take on any size spider and win but what about Reagan and Zach," Noah countered.

Colt waited a beat and nodded. Leaving them alone is not the best idea. They scaled down to see two large pincers in their faces, the sound of clicking and whirling in their ears.

Ariyah was pinned by a ginormous spider, she looked over and almost rolled her eyes. Does no one listen to me? Colt saw her expression and mouthed sorry as he grabbed a broken limb and swung with all his strength.

The spider screeched, hurling itself at Colt again, he dodged and wacked it off the tree. It hit a branch and scurried upright to resume its attack. Noah was being dragged by his leg and desperately clawed at the bark, kicking with his other foot. The spider clutched him harder and he let out a gasp of pain.

Ariyah yelled to confuse her attacker, the spider hesitated, and she scrambled away. Hopping up to the trees she saw Zach being wrapped in silk, wildly kicking against his restraints. Reagan lay next to him, unmoving. Ariyah grabbed the spider's leg and pulled as she kicked it. The leg came off, oozing blood and Ariyah gagged.

The seven-legged spider turned toward her, pincers snapping, eyes black and cold. Then an arrow flew past Ariyah straight into the spider. She turned but saw nothing. She scooted back and looked up. Dozens of people stood in the branches, bows and swords at the ready. Three arrows whistled through the air hitting the spider that dragged Noah. It fell but as did Noah, tumbling into the foliage.

Colt jumped down, smashing his makeshift club at the spider. It released Noah and scurried away, succumbing to its wounds. No one moved a muscle. Ariyah had cut away Zach's and Reagan's cocoons and looked over at Colt, "You guys okay?"

Colt laughed and rested against the tree, "Never better. Noah's hurt though." Then they all looked to their rescuers.

Ariyah couldn't make out their faces but she was thankful anyways. A group of dwarves could have rescued us, and I'd be no less grateful. "Thank you for saving us. We wouldn't have survived without you."

Nothing seemed to happen but Ariyah suddenly felt someone behind her. She spun around, laying eyes on the most handsome human she had ever seen. Then she noticed something crazy. Oh my gosh he has pointy ears! This is insane! This only happens in books!

The elf nodded, "You are welcome. I am Legolas Greenleaf of the Woodland Realm. You are in our forest." He swept his hand around and the others emerged from the shadows.

Ariyah paled, Legolas! Greenleaf! This, no, not possible! Legolas looked concerningly at Ariyah, "Are you all right? Are you hurt?" She managed to shake her head and composed herself.

"Goheno-nin, I did not realize where I was and who I was in the presence of," Ariyah stuttered, silently scolding herself while the rest of her brain shut down. Jeez Ariyah, great first impression. This is absolutely crazy though. She lightly bowed and hoped to god that the others followed her lead. Colt thankfully did while Noah inclined his head, still sitting from his injury.

Reagan just continued to stare and then brightened, "Isn't, isn't Legolas a character in those books!" Aye! You will be the death of me Ariyah thought, putting her hand in her head.

Legolas twirled around and tilted his head. Reagan blushed at the attention and looked past him to Ariyah for help. Ariyah! He's really cute and I can't say anything, and I don't even know what the book's called! Ariyah took pity on her but couldn't tell Legolas that he was in a book, yet. We could just be in another world that's a book in ours. My head hurts thinking about this she thought.

Ariyah cleared her throat and Legolas glance back at her, "Please my lord, she took a hard fall from the top. She must still be disoriented."

Legolas turned around to look straight at Ariyah. She must be the leader. He glanced at Colt, and him second. "Who are you?"

"I am Ariyah, this is Colt, Noah, Zach, and Reagan. We aren't from here." Ariyah motioned toward each of them as she called their name. Colt bowed again and Noah followed his lead.

Legolas smiled, "Really? I couldn't tell. Where are you from then?" Ariyah found his joke surprising but comforting.

"We are from…" she was cut off by Reagan who was staring daggers at Ariyah.

"I am not disarented or whatever. I'm perfectly fine. We are from planet Earth. Banger, Maine to be exact. You," she pointed her finger at Legolas, "are a character in some book are teacher made us read an excerpt from and this place is insane!" She ended her rant with her arms held up in exasperation.

Legolas arched his eyebrow and glanced at Ariyah, now I know what you mean. She must have taken a very hard fall. Ariyah fought to keep calm and not strangle Reagan. Why can't she shut her trap for one minute she asked the gods above.

Colt's eyes flitted between the three of them and spoke softly and evenly, "We are from Gondor my lord. We went hiking when a pack of Wargs chased us into here. We lost our way when the spiders attacked us."

Ariyah almost sighed with relief. You can always count on Colt to think fast. Legolas turned toward Ariyah. He's waiting me to confirm she realized. "Yes, we were looking for the way back to Gondor when the spiders found us. We are lucky you came."

"All of you will follow me. You will be my guests until we can send you home. Hmm, sixty-five years since we saved others from those spiders. Unfortunately, they were dwarves," Legolas muttered the last sentence to himself but Ariyah heard it all the same.

At least I know where we are in time now. Five years after the ring was destroyed, that means Aragorn is king! "I will send word to Gondor, your parents must be worried sick," he added.

Thankfully Noah knew enough about the books and had enough common sense to know that sending a message couldn't end well, "We are orphans my lord," he informed softly, "We take care of each other. There would not be many in Gondor who would miss us." I could hug you right now Ariyah thought as the company fell silent and Legolas frowned, sad understanding in his eyes.

"I am sorry. I too lost my mother. I'm sure your king will wish your safety though." Legolas signaled and they started toward the palace. Ariyah and Colt helped Noah up. "The palace is not far, there will be healers who can tend to your friend." Ariyah found it amusing that Legolas seemed to direct his conversation at her. Reagan found it annoying.

Thx for reading! I hope it was interesting and caught your attention! Please review xD