A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the late posting tonight. Also, sorry that it's not a long chapter and that it's not a good place to leave off. I've had quite a bit going on lately. I will be making the next chapter longer because there will be a lot to happen. Also, yay! They're in Lothlorien! They will be there for a while, so prepare for more Legolas and Tori moments. Also, anyone have nay guesses to who Tori has been seeing in her dreams? If you guys want to be updated on when the next chapter is updated, Follow & Favorite Starlight to receive notifications! Also, I LOVE getting Reviews. Even if it's just to tell me something as simple as what you think of the story so far!

Namárië,

Tasarin

Chapter 26: Into the Woods

One of the first things to encroach upon my sense as I roused was nasty ass body odor. Ugh, Boromir! The next bit was that I was gracefully being carried like a sack of potatoes over his beefy shoulder and said shoulder was digging painfully into my lower abdomen with every jarring step. I moaned as a particularly painful wave wracked my body and I smacked Boromir's shoulder blade with the butt of my hand.

"Let me down." I groaned as he stopped and set me on my feet. The instant that his hands retreated, my stomach cramped up so hard that I fell to my knees with a hiss.

"My Lady?" Boromir reached for me at the same time I swatted away his hand. Despite his well meaning gesture, I couldn't handle his nauseating stench; something about it was annoyingly frustrating and I couldn't help it as my temper flared along with another wave of pain.

"Just leave me alone for a moment." I bit out through clenched teeth, but was minutely relieved when Boromir obeyed my wish. I looked around as the others in the company rested around me. Each of their eyes held a haunting sadness, and the air was heavy. Something was missing from my companions that I couldn't put a finger on as I looked at each of them. Frodo was bent over in pain, Sam had a very large gash from brow to hairline and the other hobbits' faces were streaked with dirt and tears.

Legolas lingered close by and when I had met his eyes, he came forward, kneeling down to gather me into his arms. His smell was wonderful, and I smiled into his neck as he held me. His scent calmed me and I relaxed further against him as I felt fatigue pull at my consciousness.

"Are you in pain?" His voice sounded rough like he had been yelling for hours. The last thing I remembered was getting slammed against the wall with Frodo. The back of my head felt a little tender, but it was my middle that was sore and cramping. With first the attack of the Watcher and then the spear, it was little wonder why I was in such pain.

"It hurts." I winced as he pulled me into his arms and stood. His eyes were silver in the fading light. How long have I been out for?

"Where does it hurt?" His eyebrows pulled together worriedly as his eyes roamed around my face. I rested my head against his chest, feeling the pull of sleep again despite the pain, "Tori?" Legolas' panicked voice roused me.

"Sorry...My head hurts a little," I cringed as another cramped rolled through and I gasped. My eyes filled with tears.

"Where else, Tori?" I couldn't find the words so I rested one of my shaky hands where it hurt, "Rest now, Tori, I will take care of you and carry you to Lothlórien." The pain started to dull again, and I dropped into a restless sleep.

…

There was a bright white light all around as I opened my eyes. Like being in a room where everything was clean and pristine, but instead of a room, I was in a sea of billowing white clouds that were soft as cotton candy. Where the hell…?

"Hello again, Little One." A booming yet gentle voice called from behind me and I recognized it immediately. I turned and my eyes met the deep blue ones of the Ellon that I had dreamt about in Rivendell. I had honestly forgotten about him during our travels. I realized that I hadn't dreamt about him since I left Rivendell. I wonder why?

"Hello…" I floundered, trying to remember a name, but I never could remember the dreams that I had of him. They were always fuzzy, but this dream felt so different from the others; almost clearer. He chuckled.

"Are you ready this time?" That took me aback.

"Ready for what?" His lips stretched over pearly white teeth as he smiled kindly. His eyes were so tender as he watched me shift from foot to foot. Why did he look at me like that? Like I was something very precious to him?

"To listen." He said simply, stepping closer to me. I looked up into his eyes. He was unbearably tall. Like, taller than Glorfindel by a foot at least.

"I don't understand." He nodded thoughtfully before kneeling to my height.

"I know, my Elenwin." Young Star. I started at the name, a feeling of nostalgia blooming warmly in my chest.

"That's not my name." Even my voice sounded unsure and more like a question than a statement.

"Of course it's not." His lips curled into a smirk for a moment, but then softened, "There is not much time left before you wake, my dear. I need you to relay a message for me."

"What kind of message?" He held out his massive hand to me and I placed mine in his.

"It is a message to the Lady of the Golden Wood; Tell her that the time has come." I waited for him to say more, but it had seemed that that was the whole message.

"That's it?" His laughter was infectious as it filled the open space around us.

"Yes, that is all. She will know what it means." I shook my head in exasperation.

"Of course she will." I said under my breath. He smiled in amusement but stood swiftly.

"Wait, where are you going?" His presence was oddly comforting and the thought of him leaving filled me with sadness. His large hand dwarfed my check as he held it softly.

"We will have more time to talk another night in your dreams, little star."

"Can I at least have your name?" He considered me thoughtfully for a moment before he nodded.

"You may. Some call me Atandil."

"Some?" I asked dubiously and he smiled mischievously as he turned away.

"It's time to wake, my dear." His voice bounced around me as he started to fade into the white.

…

It was bright as I came to. The soft whisper of fabric beneath my legs as I roused. What a strange dream. I had actually remembered it this time though, oddly enough. The pain in my abdomen felt muted, more like a dull ache to be annoyed about. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked around curiously.

I rested in a very large bed, wrapped comfortably in lusciously soft cream sheets and blankets of golden yellow. My eyes landed on a form sitting in a chair beside my bed; Legolas. His eyes were open, but glazed with a restful sleep.

It had been something that I wasn't used to much when I had first been to Rivendell, but I had always been told that I slept with my eyes open on earth. It wasn't that hard to get used to. The skin under his eyes were very pale lavender, a classic sign of not getting enough sleep. He hardly looked comfortable in the posture he slept in.

"Legolas?" My throat felt dry and my voice sounded hoarse. I swallowed right as his eyes started to clear.

"Tori! Oh, How my heart sings to see you awake and well. How are you? Are you still in pain?" He sat down onto the bed and I fell into him as his weight dipped into the mattress. He held me closely in his arms.

"I'm feeling better...What happened after I fell unconscious?" Legolas noticeably tensed and held me tighter.

"We fled, and-," The door opened suddenly, and in walked the most beautiful Elleth I have ever seen. Arwen was stunning, but this she-elf shined bright as the morning sun. Her blue eyes twinkled like the sunrise over the crystal waters of the ocean. She smiled as she took in how close Legolas and I were. Legolas cleared his throat and stood from the bed, looking hesitantly at me. His face started coloring before he vacated the room. The door closed with an almost inaudible click, and then I was alone with the shining elleth.

"Your companions have told me that you are called Tori." She glided forward and gracefully floated(?) down into the seat that Legolas had been in moments before. I nodded shyly as she watched me. There was a small pressure in between my brows for a moment, but then it faded, leaving behind a funny tingly feeling.

"That was the name I was given." I confirmed. Her brows knitted together briefly, before smoothing again.

"I am Galadriel. Welcome to Lothlórien."