Woodland Shadows Part Two
Disclaimer- If you recognize it, that's probably because it's in the books, and since I didn't write them, it's not mine.
A/N: Thank you for all my wonderful reviewers. Anyway, now that you've all thoroughly lost interest- Chapter Two!
Colleen followed the light-footed Elf along a passageway, turning left and right without realizing where she was going. It was obvious to her now that she was indeed in Mirkwood- but how on Earth- or any other planet for that matter- had she gotten there? And how did it exist anyway? Tolkien had made up Middle-Earth- or had he? Maybe he had created it somehow, when he had written about it? Or maybe he had written the history of a real country, under the guise of a fantasy epic? But that was absurd. Still, here she was, and she had absolutely no idea how she was to get home.
At that moment Rana stopped in front of an oak door. "Here is your bedchamber," she said quietly. "You may refresh yourself within." She led Colleen into a paneled room with a great four-poster bed in one corner. She went into a small alcove, and Colleen followed. Here she found a large bathtub and a great basin full of steaming-hot water. Rana transferred this into the tub, then left.
Colleen gratefully cast her clothes on the bed, and stepped into the tub. She washed off the grime of her journey with a cake of odd-smelling soap nearby, then lay soaking in the tub for a long while, thinking. She supposed she would just have to stay in Middle-Earth until whatever had brought her here decided to take her back. She felt lonely, and afraid, for however courteous the Elves were to her, and however well they treated her, she was an outcast here, a curiosity… "Oh, well," she thought resignedly "After all, how many people have a chance to travel to Middle-Earth? I might as well enjoy it while I'm here."
She got out of the tub, wasn't sure what to do with the water, so she left it there. She dried herself with a large towel, and went back to the main chamber. Once there, she found clothes in her size neatly folded on the bed. Her underclothes were still there, but her T-shirt, sneakers and jeans had vanished. In their place was a light-blue tunic, white leggings and moccasins, such as the Elves wore. After a bit of trouble she put them on, and found at the bottom of the pile a small silver horn, and a leather pouch with the few things that had been in her pockets. She checked through these hastily- yes it was all there, her house key, identification, watch, and what little money she had brought with her. Although she could use none of it here, she slung it on her belt, along with the horn- it reminded her of home.
Suddenly there was a knock at her door. "Come in," she said, and was surprised and pleased to see Legolas walk in. "Colleen, my father has given you freedom to come and go as you will, but he bids you not to stray far from our Halls- there are evil things in Mirkwood." She shuddered. "You don't need to tell me- giant spiders, and black squirrels- ugh." "That is what the horn is for," he continued "If you are lost, or in need of aid, wind it and help will come." "Thank you," she said. "But doesn't the Prince of Mirkwood have more important things to do than chat with strangers?" He seemed surprised. "You are our guest," he replied simply, as if that explained everything. And perhaps it did. From what she had read of Elves they were a kindly folk, though as a rule not too trusting of strangers.
Legolas bid her farewell, and left. She stepped outside her chamber, and with some difficulty, asking directions of passing Elves, she found her way back to the throne room. From there she easily found her way outside the Hall, and looked about.
She heard the sound of running water, and followed it, until she came upon a small bubbling stream. She followed it for a while, as it wound through the forest, occasionally chattering over rocky sections. When she tired, she sat on a mossy bank and sat listening to the water. A beam of sunlight slanted through the trees and glinted on something in the mud. She picked it up, and found it was a smooth oval stone. She looked at it more closely, trying to discern what colour it was, but it seemed to be constantly changing. One moment it was the yellow-green of new leaves, then the cloudy grey of a stormy sky, then the cool blue of a lake, or the dim purple of twilight under the trees. She put it in the pouch at her side. She would ask Legolas about it later.
It was growing dark. Colleen got up, and quickly followed the course of the stream back. She didn't want to be caught in Mirkwood at night! When she reached the stone wall, an Elf ran up. It was Jiphon, whom she had met earlier. "Colleen," he said, "I have been looking for you. There is a feast about to begin in the Great Hall." Suddenly realizing how hungry she was, she eagerly followed him.
A/N 2: Ooh. A mystery! What is the stone that Colleen found? What does it do? Is it magical? (Well, DUH, it's magical but what is it? You'll just have to wait and see!)