Err. Sprite. Email? *scratches head* what email? And this one's for Starbrat in celebration of finishing finals and for Tina – who faithfully reviews every chapter! Also – everyone go check out Sprite's Me & My Elfie. It's damn good – and hey! I'm in the new chapter! *Does crazy dance around the room* It still ain't mine – but that isn't for want of trying…

Locked Out.

Thranduil and Veborion left the room deep in conversation together. Me? I was still in bed, wondering what the heck the 'Sues' were getting into now. Exactly how much trouble could a bunch of them (or should that be gaggle? Or herd? Just what is the collective name for a group of 'Sues I wonder?) get into?

I pondered this for a while. The longer I thought the more lurid and disturbing the ideas became. I decided that staying in bed and conjuring up images of the 'Sues' was probably far more frightening than anything they could come up with themselves. After making that reassuring assumption I got out of bed and made for the door, determined to find out just what had been going on in the Palace whilst I was recovering from my injuries.

***

After wandering what seemed like endless corridors within the Palace I finally came across a locked door, behind which there were some very irate voices. Including one, which sounded suspiciously like Thranduil's.

"…If you had not invited them to this ridiculous charade for that worthless son of yours…"

"You question my decisions? In my own Palace? What manner of…" That had to be Thranduil, I noted and boy, does he sound pissed.

"…If you had not revealed exactly what Legolas was we would not have this problem." The other voice, which also sounded vaguely familiar, thundered, "Now the whole of Middle Earth is under threat! How do you expect us to return to our own lands under the threat of these creatures? You have seen their skills in defeating their enemies, not counting their immeasurable beauty. One look at them and our armies become useless! One entire division of Rivendell's archers tried to use their bows as instruments in accompaniment to their songs of undying love and devotion as they sang to the creatures! They are unstoppable!"

I could take no more of my curiosity. Who was the owner of the other voice? He sounded so, so, well, 'kingly'. I peeked through the keyhole. Of course. I mentally slapped my head. Who else would sound 'kingly' but Aragorn?

"I am such an imbecile sometimes." I muttered to myself. Then I glanced at the other occupants of the room. Pretty much every race on Middle Earth was present. Wizards, Elves, Dwarves… I was pleased to note that Legolas and Gimli had obviously made up, sitting as they were on a bench together, with Gimli holding onto Legolas's hand tightly.

Nice ring too. Very big and sparkly. The dwarves had dug deep into their mines for that one I noted enviously. Wish that Vebby would buy me a… NO STOP IT! Dammit! I inwardly shouted. Now is not the time for such things! I sighed and turned my attention back to the room.

I listened for a few more minutes as the suggestions for defeating the 'Sues' became more and more bizarre. My personal favourite involving apples. No don't even THINK of asking. You really do not want to know.

I shook my head as I realised that they were no closer to coming up with a solution than they were in the beginning. My thoughts also turned back to rings and Vebby. Not that he'd ever buy me a ring. I resolutely turned my thoughts away from anything to do with 'rings' and Veborion in the same context. I had more important things to think about.

Because I knew that something somewhere wasn't right. Something somewhere was missing. If I could just remember what the heck it was.

"My memory is like a sieve." I declared to the empty corridor I had wandered down. "Argh!" I let out a shout of frustration. "If I could just remember… Whatever the heck I'm trying to remember! ARGH! It's driving me insane!" I shook my head and sighed, annoyed at myself and the situation. I looked up at the ceiling. "No help up there are you?" I said aloud to it. "Well if you aren't going to help then maybe looking at the floor will provide answers."

And amazingly enough it did.

Everything became clear. I couldn't believe it. Why hadn't I realised it earlier?

Idiot.

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Ahhhhh. Confused? Hehehe. Will be revealed in next chapter! R&R please!