Hi everyone,

People seem to have very strong feelings about Lauren and who she should end up with - there's a lot more surprises coming for this and other characters.

As always, so grateful for your reviews

-Edith

As Legolas and Lauren walked further away from the festivities, they broke out in a run and a laugh. They had such a good time running and laughing that they had inadvertently entered the plains outside the borders of the forest. They came to a rest on a boulder, a short distance outside of the realm's borders.

"I can't believe you just did that" Lauren exclaimed, breathless.

Legolas shrugged. "What good is being a Prince if you can't do something useful with the title" Legolas said sarcastically.

"What do you think they're thinking?" Lauren wondered, motioning back to the forest.

"They are probably still picking their jaws off the floor" Legolas smiled mischievously. Then, his expression turned serious. "By kneeling, I offered you my allegiance, as Prince of Mirkwood it means you would have that of my realm."

"Were you being serious?" Lauren asked.

"I take very seriously how I represent my realm Lauren" Legolas explained. He'd spend his treasure for her, go to war for her. He had felt that way about her since they were both elflings. Legolas wondered over the years whether it had been a silly childhood fantasy. But he had discovered his feelings hadn't changed when Lauren returned to Middle Earth as an adult. She was independently minded, driven, and beautiful – a very attractive combination. Legolas had always known that Haldir was her guardian would give the marchwarden an advantage in Lauren's affections; their bond was made of ancient elvish magic. But their bond was not necessarily romantic, it would only be if they wished it. Legolas knew that the marchwarden was not demonstrative of his feelings, he was famous for that. Therefore, he could not tell the extent of Haldir's affections for Lauren. So far, Lauren had not demonstrated any romantic inclination towards Haldir, and Legolas intended to keep it that way. Legolas knew he had the upper hand in charm and position. He also understood that Lauren wanted a man who would show their loyalty and love to her. Haldir, would have difficulty with this.

"Thank you, Legolas, for doing that" Lauren said sincerely. So rare had she encountered a man who would so publicly put her first.

"You deserve to be someone's first choice Lauren" Legolas had hit the mark. Lauren smiled at him. He had won her trust. "Come on, we should head back before Haldir throws a fit. I'm sure he knows by now that we crossed the borders of Lorien. We're not supposed to be out here."

Haldir was indeed informed that the Princess of the realm left the protective sphere of Lorien in the company of the Prince of Mirkwood shortly after they exited the midsummer festival festivities. He was the marchwarden of the border guard, it was his job to know. He had been speaking to his brothers and George when his second in command approached and whispered the news to him, clearly concerned at the breach.

"Brother, it looks like you have competition" Rumil had warned, referring to Legolas.

"Lauren wants someone to who puts her first and makes her feel secure. Lauren actually needs someone who will protect and guide her" George had said sagely.

Haldir took their advice to consideration, and excused himself for her had more pressing matters. Elrond was walking towards him, with worry on his face. He had just been given the same news. Both were thinking of the last time Lauren had been on the plains outside the woods. Haldir spoke briefly to Elrond, assured him he would find Lauren and ensure her safety.

Rumil and Orophin followed their captain, understanding that something was afoot at the borders. Haldir explained the situation to his brothers as they sprinted to the outpost closest to where the two young royals had crossed the border. The marchwarden and his brothers quickly climbed to the top of the output where there was a platform and scanned the plains beyond their borders.

"There, I see them directly north of here" Orophin said. "They have just crossed the borders back into the woods, they head towards Caras Galadhon" he concluded. Haldir breathed a sigh of relief, Lauren was safe. Then he stalked angrily towards the city.

Lauren and Legolas did not stay out of trouble long after they returned to Lorien. The pair had barely made it into the garden surrounding the festival flet when Haldir intercepted them.

"What do you think you were doing, taking her out to the plains?" He shouted angrily at Legolas. Station be damned, he was furious Legolas had risked Lauren's safety.

"Haldir, calm yourself. She is fine. We just went out there for some fresh air" Legolas replied calmly. The marchwarden's very uncharacteristic loss of temper gave the Prince a hint of the depth of his affection for the Princess.

"You were irresponsible!" Haldir accused.

"Remember to whom you speak marchwarden" Legolas countered, he did not like being told off, especially by Haldir.

"I do not care who you are, you do not cross the borders with such disregard. You put her at risk" Haldir commanded, his voice rising further.

"Haldir, we're both fine. There's no need to be angry" Lauren added.

"Your safety is my responsibility" Haldir said protectively.

They were interrupted as Elrond hurried over, followed by his children. They had heard about where Legolas and Lauren had been. It was her brother who spoke first, he let her have it.

"Lauren, what you just did was highly disrespectful, to Ada, Arwen and not to mention our grandparents" Elladan fumed. His father's latitude towards the youngest child has not sat well with him.

"This is none of your business" Lauren countered; she didn't take it from many people, and Elladan would not be one of them.

"You are hurting my family, it is my business" Elladan accused. He would not hold back any longer. Elrohir had tried to pull him back but he would not have it. Arwen stared him down. She understood her younger sister was much more complex than many knew.

Lauren narrowed her eyes. "Yes Elladan, you're right. They are your family." Then, she simply turned around and walked away.

It was the early hours of the morning before she stopped pacing in her flet. She needed to calm down. A bath seemed like a good idea. She was still restless after the bath. So she donned her workout clothes and went out for a run. It was a strange time to run, but physical activity was calming to her. She sprinted, as fast as she could, and somehow ended up at the Galadhrim training grounds. As she bent over to catch her breath, she caught sight of another at the otherwise deserted grounds.

Though Lauren tried to avoid his gaze, she could not avoid her cousin. He walked over and waited for her to straighten herself. She saw sympathy in his eyes.

"Couldn't sleep?" he guessed correctly. Lauren shook her head.

"Not going to lie, you managed to offend and worry your whole family tonight" George said.

Lauren sighed heavily. "It's complicated."

"And you didn't handle it well. You were selfish" George finished for her.

"He told me he loved me. He told me they wanted me. It turns out I am just the spare" Lauren insisted.

"Elrond? How can you believe that Lauren, when all that man has done since you came here was go out of his way to make you happy" George reasoned. To that, Lauren didn't want to respond. George continued "you're so focussed on your pain, your suffering. You were a baby. You don't even remember. What about your family's suffering. They lost a wife and mother too. They also lost a daughter and a sister. While you were being raised Uncle David and Aunt Elizabeth, they had to live everyday with grief. You had a great life with Uncle David and Aunt Elizabeth. Your brothers and sister here probably feel they lost both parents – from what I heard, Elrond has been consumed by his grief. It's time to grow up. Stop lashing out at them" George counselled.

"I'm never going to be one of them. The life I was supposed to lead here, it's gone. I can't just be reinserted into middle earth, like nothing happened. They're a family. And then there's me. I don't fit in here, I'm not docile like they expect their women to be. But I'm not really a Johnson either. So where does that leave me?" Lauren asked.

"Uncle David and Aunt Elizabeth have never treated you any different from Robert-" George responded.

"I'm still different. I don't look like them. There are plenty of people out there who think I don't deserve the Johnson name or the fortune" Lauren insisted.

"They- We have never felt that way" George countered. He was getting a glimpse of Lauren's inner conflict. It was much deeper than he had known. He put his arms around Lauren. Their arguments aside, they have grown up together. She was family. As the early morning sun peaked through the trees, causing them both to squint, "come on, let's get something to eat."

Grateful to have shared some of her burdens, she nodded in agreement. They found their way to the kitchens and helped themselves to an early breakfast. As they sat, Lauren asked "so how long have you been seeing Ayla?"

George looked up from his bowl in surprise. Slowly, he lowered his spoon. "We met soon after I arrived here" he answered cautiously.

"How did you meet?" Lauren continued her probing.

"Her brother, Ninthalor, is a soldier in the Galadhrim. He's become a good friend. One day, she came to the barracks to bring him some home made bread" George recalled fondly.

"You really love her?" Lauren asked directly.

"Yes, Lauren. I've never felt anything like it. And I know what everyone's going to say. It'll never work – but I'll make it work. I want to be with her. You should give her a chance" George insisted.
"How are you going to make it work? You literally live in different worlds" Lauren tried to reason with her cousin. It was impossible.

"I'll stay here with her" George said quietly.

"You'll just give everything up? Your life, your career? What about Juliette – you're all she has now" Lauren argued. George and Juliette's parents had died several years prior, within a short time of each other, both to a quick illnesses.

"Lauren, we don't have a lot of time. That's what I've realized. We only get so much time to live. The elves, they are immortal. We are just a speck in time. I want to spend whatever time I have with her. I've never known true love until Ayla. She's taught me kindness, patience, forgiveness. I don't ask that you agree with what I'm doing. I'm only asking for your understanding. But I'd also like your support" George pleaded.

Lauren sighed. "We've all been raised to uphold a family name. But if my mom's death taught me anything, it's that we have to make the best of the time we have. I don't agree with what you're doing. You're giving up a lot. Your career, everything you've known on Earth…" Lauren trailed off.

"It's my decision, I'm making it willingly" George told her.

"Alright George, I'll try with Ayla" to that, her cousin let out a breath of relief. "But you know Juliette is not going be OK with this. If you thought I didn't take it well, your sister is going to make me look tame" Lauren warned.

Before George could answer, Legolas joined them at the table. "May I have a moment with Lauren?" Legolas asked.

George maintained the utmost civility and ceded the conversation. Legolas wanted to speak with Lauren alone. "Let's go for a walk" the prince suggested. With that, Lauren got up with the prince and they took a walk in the woods.

"I got you in trouble last night, I am sorry Lauren" Legolas began, as they made their slowly way in the woods, with no particular destination in mind.

"No, you were there for me. I was the one that didn't handle the situation well." Lauren answered, with a small smile.

"I acted rashly. But your happiness, it matters to me greatly. Last night, when I knelt before you, I gave you my allegiance. You will always have it." Legolas admitted, giving Lauren his most charming look.

"Thank you, Legolas" Lauren said earnestly.

"You seem to be stuck between two different worlds. You can't please everyone. You should do what you feel is right" Legolas offered some advice. Then, he regretfully informed Lauren that he would be leaving Lotholorien in a few days time.

"So soon?" Lauren was disappointed.

"But not for long. I must attend to some affairs my father, the king, asked of me. I shall be back quite soon, and frequently. As an emissary for Mirkwood, I consult with Lady Galadriel regularly" Legolas quickly explained.

"I will see you off" Lauren resolved.

"I would like that" Legolas returned.