Suddenly, Lokelani was in a dark, lush forest. It was very mossy, the
air was thick, and Lokelani found it beautiful. She took a deep breath of
air and breathed in the clean, sweet scent of beech and oak.
"Do you like the smell of Mirkwood Forest, my lady?" Legolas asked smiling at her.
"I admit it does please the senses." Lokelani answered.
"We must be setting off for the Hall of my father. I must tell him that I have discovered this time portal.and we must find out more about it." Legolas said, and taking Lokelani's hand, lead the way. The followed a narrow path through the woods that had obviously been used often. Soon they began passing small huts in the branches of large beech trees and on the ground, and soon came upon a river. There was a bridge over it leading to a shallow cave, which was King Thranduil's palace. Lokelani and Legolas entered the vast hall. At the end of it Lokelani saw an elf with golden hair like Legolas' sitting in a large wooden chair with elaborate carvings. He had a crown of leaves upon his head, and Lokelani knew this must be King Thranduil.
"Legolas, my son, back so soon? I assumed you would be gone until dusk." Thranduil said to his son, not noticing Lokelani.
"Something happened, my lord." Legolas replied to his father's greeting.
"What? What is it? Don't tell me you've seen orcs." Thranduil said, his brow furrowed.
"No. Before I tell the tale, I would like to make a confession, and hope you will forgive me." Legolas said, sighing. "The other day, I overheard you and Mithrandir discussing something.to say the least I was eavesdropping on your conversation. It was about a time portal. I have found it."
"Forget the eavesdropping.you've found the time portal???" Thranduil said, completely shocked. "Tell me about it, where was it, and what did it look like? Did you find anything suspicious near it?"
"My lord, I was climbing a tree. I was near the top branch when I saw strange markings on the trunk. They were in an oval shape, and in a language I have never seen before. When my hand neared it, the markings would glow green. I touched it, and went through.I am not sure if this was a mistake or not." Legolas said trailing off, and looking at Lokelani at the corner of his eye.
"You went through the portal? What happened? Where did it take you?" Thranduil asked urgently.
"To a place I know hardly anything about. This is where my guest comes in. Father, this is Lokelani. I brought her with me through the portal." Legolas said, gesturing to Lokelani. Thranduil looked wildly to Legolas' left. He had obviously just realized she was there.
"You brought a creature through with you?? Legolas I do not think that was a wise decision. But at least she is an elf." Thranduil replied.
"I.what? My lord, I do not believe I am an elf." Lokelani began.
"Then why are your ears pointed, and why do you resemble one of the ancient high elves that once passed through these lands?" Thranduil said impatiently.
"What? My ears ." Lokelani began, but was cut off by Legolas.
"My lady! Since we came to Middle Earth, your appearance has changed! Your ears are indeed pointed!" Legolas exclaimed. Lokelani looked in a mirror that Thranduil handed her. Pointed ears poked out through her thick black hair.
"As to that, I cannot explain it my lord." Lokelani said. "But I can tell you of my world. It is a planet called Earth, and it is very different from this world. It is a land dominated only by men, and if there are elves and hobbits, no one knows of them. We do not dress the same, and are much more advanced in technology and weaponry. The creatures are very different, and yet there are some of the same as well. However, there is one thing strange about this entire situation. Everything about Middle Earth, and this world, and the doings of its people, is fictional to the people of my world. There are many books about Middle Earth, but they are said to be fictional, fantasy. I myself have read these books and did not believe it to be true, until I met Legolas near my home. I would not let Legolas read anything from any of these books, because they are about the future of Middle Earth, and by him reading them, it could cause something horrible to happen. Him knowing what the future holds could cause him to change his actions, and therefore could change the entire future of Middle Earth completely." Lokelani finished with a sigh.
"Well, I can see you are very educated, for a female." Thranduil said impressed. "But what are these clothes you are wearing? As soon as we finish discussing this time portal, I will have one of my servants dress you properly, and have a room and bedchambers be made up for you. You shall stay in my palace.." Thranduil smiled at Lokelani.
"Father, we have some questions about the portal." Legolas began, "Will Lokelani be able to get back to her world? Does the portal stay open forever? Why were you and Mithrandir so worried about keeping it a secret?"
"Lokelani can get back to her world, yes, but not for another year. The portal only opens exactly one month and a day before the spring equinox, stays open for a day, then closes. Mithrandir and I were so worried because there are a million horrible possibilities that could result in this time portal being discovered by the wrong person. Think, Legolas. We knew that the world it transported to was more advanced in technology, and therefore weaponry. What if a servant of the Dark Lord were to go through it? They could come back with horrible weapons to destroy all life of Middle Earth. The worse scenario we thought of was someone coming through from the other side.we didn't know what the creatures were like there. Thankfully, it seems the one you found is completely harmless." Thranduil said.
"I'm not going to see my family.for a year??" Lokelani exclaimed.
"Lokelani, I'm so sorry.I should have never asked you to come with me." Legolas said softly with sorrow in his eyes.
"It's not your fault.you did not force me to come here. At least I'm not someplace dull." Lokelani said with a smile. Legolas smiled back warmly.
"Ah yes! I shall arrange some bedchambers and proper clothing for you, my lady. Go with Dimdalial, and she will show you the way." Thranduil said smiling.
"Wait.Le-.." Lokelani began, looking at Legolas.
"You will be able to see my son soon." Thranduil said with a soft chuckle, and Lokelani followed Dimdalial.
The elf-servant Dimdalial was a pretty elf woman that was somewhat short for an elf. She was wearing less elaborate clothing than Thranduil and Legolas, even though Legolas' weren't exactly princely.
"Right this way, my lady. Ah, yes here is your room!" Dimdalial said as she opened a heavy wooden door. The room inside was unlike any Lokelani had ever seen. There was a beautiful canopy bed to the right, and windows on the entire opposite wall of the room. Thin, silky, blue curtains hung from the windows and canopy bed, and danced in the light breeze coming from the open windows. On the left, there was a beautiful armoire with wonderful, breathtaking carvings of angels.
"Welcome to your room, my lady," said Dimdalial smiling at Lokelani's shock. "Why don't we get you some clothes, and fix up your hair? My Lord Thranduil said there is to be a special dinner tonight in honor of your stay."
"For me?! That's so flattering! But what will I wear?!" Lokelani said, suddenly realizing she only had on her Eeyore pajamas.
"Do not fret my lady! We have many frocks here, and I believe they are just your size! You just wait right here, I have the perfect one!" Dimdalial said, and ran away excitedly. She came back with a beautiful forest green dress. Lokelani tried it on, and it fit perfectly. The waistline was low, as the normal fashion of elven dresses. At the waistline there was a thick golden belt of the same soft material as the dress, but in a golden color, and it went down to the bottom of the dress. There were beautiful embroidered markings in gold all over the dress. The neckline dipped down teasingly, but was not revealing. The sleeves of the dress were beautiful and long and trimmed in gold.
"It brings out the green in your eyes, my lady. You look beautiful!" Dimdalial said happily. "Now, for your hair." Dimdalial brushed the tangles out of Lokelani's long dark tresses, and did two small simple braids that made it look as if Lokelani had a little tiara in her dark hair. Dimdalial weaved in little gold ribbons with the braids, so it really did look like a crown. "It seems you do not need jewelry, my lady. Where did you get that beautiful pendant?" Dimdalial asked Lokelani. Lokelani always wore a beautiful golden necklace that was her grandmother's. She only took it off if she were in the water. The pendant was a small, pretty light pink rose attached to a small green leaf, and was on a light golden chain. Lokelani told Dimdalial that it was her grandmother's.
"That necklace reminds me of something, a tale I heard long ago, though I cannot recall it. Oh! We must get you going to the main dining hall! The king and his court will be waiting!" Dimdalial said rushingly. "Here, wear these slippers." She gave Lokelani matching forest green sleepers to wear with the dress. "You look wonderful my lady! Prince Legolas will not be able to resist your beauty." Dimdalial said with a smile.
"What?? Dimdalial, what do you mean?" Lokelani said, shocked.
"Nothing, my lady, quickly, I'll lead you to the dining hall!" Dimdalial said, and quickly dragged her out of the room.
"Do you like the smell of Mirkwood Forest, my lady?" Legolas asked smiling at her.
"I admit it does please the senses." Lokelani answered.
"We must be setting off for the Hall of my father. I must tell him that I have discovered this time portal.and we must find out more about it." Legolas said, and taking Lokelani's hand, lead the way. The followed a narrow path through the woods that had obviously been used often. Soon they began passing small huts in the branches of large beech trees and on the ground, and soon came upon a river. There was a bridge over it leading to a shallow cave, which was King Thranduil's palace. Lokelani and Legolas entered the vast hall. At the end of it Lokelani saw an elf with golden hair like Legolas' sitting in a large wooden chair with elaborate carvings. He had a crown of leaves upon his head, and Lokelani knew this must be King Thranduil.
"Legolas, my son, back so soon? I assumed you would be gone until dusk." Thranduil said to his son, not noticing Lokelani.
"Something happened, my lord." Legolas replied to his father's greeting.
"What? What is it? Don't tell me you've seen orcs." Thranduil said, his brow furrowed.
"No. Before I tell the tale, I would like to make a confession, and hope you will forgive me." Legolas said, sighing. "The other day, I overheard you and Mithrandir discussing something.to say the least I was eavesdropping on your conversation. It was about a time portal. I have found it."
"Forget the eavesdropping.you've found the time portal???" Thranduil said, completely shocked. "Tell me about it, where was it, and what did it look like? Did you find anything suspicious near it?"
"My lord, I was climbing a tree. I was near the top branch when I saw strange markings on the trunk. They were in an oval shape, and in a language I have never seen before. When my hand neared it, the markings would glow green. I touched it, and went through.I am not sure if this was a mistake or not." Legolas said trailing off, and looking at Lokelani at the corner of his eye.
"You went through the portal? What happened? Where did it take you?" Thranduil asked urgently.
"To a place I know hardly anything about. This is where my guest comes in. Father, this is Lokelani. I brought her with me through the portal." Legolas said, gesturing to Lokelani. Thranduil looked wildly to Legolas' left. He had obviously just realized she was there.
"You brought a creature through with you?? Legolas I do not think that was a wise decision. But at least she is an elf." Thranduil replied.
"I.what? My lord, I do not believe I am an elf." Lokelani began.
"Then why are your ears pointed, and why do you resemble one of the ancient high elves that once passed through these lands?" Thranduil said impatiently.
"What? My ears ." Lokelani began, but was cut off by Legolas.
"My lady! Since we came to Middle Earth, your appearance has changed! Your ears are indeed pointed!" Legolas exclaimed. Lokelani looked in a mirror that Thranduil handed her. Pointed ears poked out through her thick black hair.
"As to that, I cannot explain it my lord." Lokelani said. "But I can tell you of my world. It is a planet called Earth, and it is very different from this world. It is a land dominated only by men, and if there are elves and hobbits, no one knows of them. We do not dress the same, and are much more advanced in technology and weaponry. The creatures are very different, and yet there are some of the same as well. However, there is one thing strange about this entire situation. Everything about Middle Earth, and this world, and the doings of its people, is fictional to the people of my world. There are many books about Middle Earth, but they are said to be fictional, fantasy. I myself have read these books and did not believe it to be true, until I met Legolas near my home. I would not let Legolas read anything from any of these books, because they are about the future of Middle Earth, and by him reading them, it could cause something horrible to happen. Him knowing what the future holds could cause him to change his actions, and therefore could change the entire future of Middle Earth completely." Lokelani finished with a sigh.
"Well, I can see you are very educated, for a female." Thranduil said impressed. "But what are these clothes you are wearing? As soon as we finish discussing this time portal, I will have one of my servants dress you properly, and have a room and bedchambers be made up for you. You shall stay in my palace.." Thranduil smiled at Lokelani.
"Father, we have some questions about the portal." Legolas began, "Will Lokelani be able to get back to her world? Does the portal stay open forever? Why were you and Mithrandir so worried about keeping it a secret?"
"Lokelani can get back to her world, yes, but not for another year. The portal only opens exactly one month and a day before the spring equinox, stays open for a day, then closes. Mithrandir and I were so worried because there are a million horrible possibilities that could result in this time portal being discovered by the wrong person. Think, Legolas. We knew that the world it transported to was more advanced in technology, and therefore weaponry. What if a servant of the Dark Lord were to go through it? They could come back with horrible weapons to destroy all life of Middle Earth. The worse scenario we thought of was someone coming through from the other side.we didn't know what the creatures were like there. Thankfully, it seems the one you found is completely harmless." Thranduil said.
"I'm not going to see my family.for a year??" Lokelani exclaimed.
"Lokelani, I'm so sorry.I should have never asked you to come with me." Legolas said softly with sorrow in his eyes.
"It's not your fault.you did not force me to come here. At least I'm not someplace dull." Lokelani said with a smile. Legolas smiled back warmly.
"Ah yes! I shall arrange some bedchambers and proper clothing for you, my lady. Go with Dimdalial, and she will show you the way." Thranduil said smiling.
"Wait.Le-.." Lokelani began, looking at Legolas.
"You will be able to see my son soon." Thranduil said with a soft chuckle, and Lokelani followed Dimdalial.
The elf-servant Dimdalial was a pretty elf woman that was somewhat short for an elf. She was wearing less elaborate clothing than Thranduil and Legolas, even though Legolas' weren't exactly princely.
"Right this way, my lady. Ah, yes here is your room!" Dimdalial said as she opened a heavy wooden door. The room inside was unlike any Lokelani had ever seen. There was a beautiful canopy bed to the right, and windows on the entire opposite wall of the room. Thin, silky, blue curtains hung from the windows and canopy bed, and danced in the light breeze coming from the open windows. On the left, there was a beautiful armoire with wonderful, breathtaking carvings of angels.
"Welcome to your room, my lady," said Dimdalial smiling at Lokelani's shock. "Why don't we get you some clothes, and fix up your hair? My Lord Thranduil said there is to be a special dinner tonight in honor of your stay."
"For me?! That's so flattering! But what will I wear?!" Lokelani said, suddenly realizing she only had on her Eeyore pajamas.
"Do not fret my lady! We have many frocks here, and I believe they are just your size! You just wait right here, I have the perfect one!" Dimdalial said, and ran away excitedly. She came back with a beautiful forest green dress. Lokelani tried it on, and it fit perfectly. The waistline was low, as the normal fashion of elven dresses. At the waistline there was a thick golden belt of the same soft material as the dress, but in a golden color, and it went down to the bottom of the dress. There were beautiful embroidered markings in gold all over the dress. The neckline dipped down teasingly, but was not revealing. The sleeves of the dress were beautiful and long and trimmed in gold.
"It brings out the green in your eyes, my lady. You look beautiful!" Dimdalial said happily. "Now, for your hair." Dimdalial brushed the tangles out of Lokelani's long dark tresses, and did two small simple braids that made it look as if Lokelani had a little tiara in her dark hair. Dimdalial weaved in little gold ribbons with the braids, so it really did look like a crown. "It seems you do not need jewelry, my lady. Where did you get that beautiful pendant?" Dimdalial asked Lokelani. Lokelani always wore a beautiful golden necklace that was her grandmother's. She only took it off if she were in the water. The pendant was a small, pretty light pink rose attached to a small green leaf, and was on a light golden chain. Lokelani told Dimdalial that it was her grandmother's.
"That necklace reminds me of something, a tale I heard long ago, though I cannot recall it. Oh! We must get you going to the main dining hall! The king and his court will be waiting!" Dimdalial said rushingly. "Here, wear these slippers." She gave Lokelani matching forest green sleepers to wear with the dress. "You look wonderful my lady! Prince Legolas will not be able to resist your beauty." Dimdalial said with a smile.
"What?? Dimdalial, what do you mean?" Lokelani said, shocked.
"Nothing, my lady, quickly, I'll lead you to the dining hall!" Dimdalial said, and quickly dragged her out of the room.