Toilken characters fo not belong to me. I"m only borrowing them.

Chapter 4



She woke the next morning lying across her bed. She sat up pushing her hair out of her face. Looking around her room she remembered what had happened last night. Her cheeks burned when she thought of how she had humiliated herself in front of him. In broad daylight she was able to berate herself, but last night she had been terrified.



As she began to wash, Elwynne came in with a clean tunic. "I was told to bring you a new tunic." Elwynne looked at her steadily. Finally, Adara stammered, "I spilt something on it." Elwynne just nodded and helped her finish brushing out her hair.



When Adara was putting on the new garment, there was a knock in the door. Elwynne answered it and then came over to Adara holding a lovely gown. "You are to wear this today. You are to meet Elrond." Adara paled at the thought.

"Don't worry, youngling. You won't be alone." Elwynne assured her.



Elwynne helped her put on the simple yet beautiful frock. It was a glimmering creation that changed colors as the she moved. The colors ranged from gold to a deep velvety brown. It was lovely with her red - gold hair. She twirled in front of her mirror. "It's beautiful." she exclaimed.

"Yes, the Prince of Mirkwood did well." Elwynne remarked.

"Prince? Who is this Prince and why is he concerned with what I'm to wear?" Adara asked. Elwynne made no reply. She continued to arrange Adara's hair in silence.



Time seemed to creep by as Adara waited for her summons to meet Elrond. Her stomach twisted and she couldn't eat or drink for fear it wouldn't stay down. Finally there was a knock on the door. Elwynne answered and then told Adara, "Your escort to Elrond is here."

"My escort? I thought you were going with me?" Adara exclaimed. Elwynne shook her head and led her to the door.

Standing there in rigid silence was Leoglas. Elwynne presented Adara, "Here she is, Prince Leoglas of Mirkwood, Adara of Men."



Adara gasped in shock as Leoglas' eyes took in her gown and hair. He nodded in approval without comment about her appearance and held out his arm to take her to Elrond. Adara quaked inwardly as she was led down the stair way to Elrond's courtyard. Was it trepidation at meeting him or was it because she was on the arm of Leoglas that she was breathless and trembling? They stopped at the door and Leoglas turned to her and finally spoke, "I will present you and then he will ..." He broke off when he realized how pale and frightened she was.

"Adara, Elrond will not harm.. He is fair and kind. It is by his hospitality you have been here to recover from your wound."

Adara continued to tremble and she swayed on her feet. Leoglas took her face in his hands and looked her in the eyes, "Adara, there is nothing to fear. I will be right there with you. As before I will protect you." He held her face for a moment longer and Adara was no longer frightened at the prospect of meeting Elrond: she was frightened by what she saw in Leoglas' eyes. He dropped his hands and reached out to open the door.



She entered a courtyard full of color and light. She could see people everywhere and assumed they were elves, yet as she looked closer she noticed dwarves and men were among those gathered. She shrank away from the group of men closest to her. The fear she had of Leoglas was nothing compared to the fear she had of her own kind. Legolas felt her draw back towards the door and gently nudged her. "You have nothing to fear from these men. They have more honor in one breathe they draw than the entire lives of the ones who you were running from."



Adara took a deep breath and continued on. Legolas led her to man sitting in a tall backed chair. He was speaking to a young elf maid of incredible beauty. They stood in silence until Elrond had finished conferring with her.

He turned to Legolas and Adara.

"Legolas." the man said with a nod acknowledging him.

"Elrond." Legolas nodded in return. He stepped back and said, "Elrond, I present to you, Adara of Men."

Adara panicked not knowing if she should curtsy or fall on her face in gratitude for his help. In the end she bowed her head respectfully until she heard him speak.

"Are you faring better now, maid?" he asked. She looked up into his face. His dark eyes were kind and his face was handsome and she was unable tell how old he was but she was certain he was far older than any man she had ever known.

She found her voice and said softly yet clearly, "It is because of your compassion and hospitality that I am able to stand before you on this side of the living. I thank you, my lord."

"It is not I whom you should thank, but young Legolas. He is the one who bore you here on his back and pled your case to me. Thank him, maiden." Elrond informed her.

She stood there tongue tied and stared at the floor as color flooded her cheeks and faded away until she was pale.

The elf maid that was standing beside Elrond came forward, "I am sure Legolas is aware of how much you are grateful to him. I for one am glad you are here among us, Adara."

Elrond spoke, "This is my daughter, Arwen. She has been most interested in your recovery."

"I would have introduced myself early, but I have been away." Arwen explaimed.



Leogolas spoke up, "How are you, my lady Arwen." "I am very well, Prince Legolas." she answered. Adara looked at both of them, wondering if there was any type of relationship between the two. Somehow, she realized the question was asked out of politeness, rather than some deeper meaning.



Legolas addressed Elrond, "If by your leave, I desire to show Adara the Falls beyond your courtyard."

"Of course, young Legolas." Elrond gave his permission.



Legolas presented her his arm again and led her through a door beside Elrond's chair.

As she stepped through the door she could hear the roar of many waters rushing over falls and she could feel the mist from where she stood. She released Legolas' arm and began walking forward, curious to see the falls that made such a mighty noise.



She had gone no farther than five paces when she realized she was at the edge of a sheer cliff. She swayed from the vertigo that she experienced and was on the verge of losing her balance. Her feet began to slip and she tried to throw herself backward. Just as she thought she was about to fall over the edge, Legolas grabbed her arm and pulled her away from danger.



He had pulled her up close to his chest when he had grabbed her and instead of releasing her, he wrapped an arm around her and held her closer. "It seems I am constantly keeping you from danger." She thought she heard laughter in his voice, but when she looked up to his face, his face was solemn and his eyes were grey as the sky before a terrible storm.



He gazed down at her without speaking and then whispered, "This is folly."

"What is?" she managed to say through dry lips. His countenance was disturbing.

"To love a mortal. It is as dangerous for me as it would be for you to drink of the waters of Rivendell. It would mean a lifetime of sorrow and wandering."

She tried to push away from him at his words, he only tightened his hold. "What do you mean of love?" she demanded. "You do not know me nor I you."