Note: All questions will be answered in time! I may make this A/L after all. Sorry if I mess up the Japanese words- I'm using an online translator for them. *winces* I'm doing the best I can. Only the unknown characters are mine… with the exception of one of them. The rest are all J.R.R. Tolkien's creation. Try to guess which character is Legolas… *grins* = Different language (other than English and Elvish), " " = Basic English, and ' ' = Elvish. Tell me if you want me to continue. Translations at the bottom, again.

Blue-Eyed Strangers

Part 2

Aragorn, Gimli, and Frodo gazed around at the town before them.

It consisted of several buildings, some of which were tall, and a few that were not. All of the roofs were a dark color, save for one roof, which was a light blue. Each building was small, with the exception of a large building in the center of the town. That particular structure was a dark green, and stood several stories high.

Different colors were used on the other buildings, ranging from a brick red to a blue, a green, yellow, and even a white building. They were mostly made of stone that had been painted with the dye used for clothing. Little carts were set out, with food and other trinkets for sale in the outdoor market.

Aragorn was uncertain of where to go. This strange town was a little too quiet for his liking. No one spoke, as they went about their business. Everyone wore the same type of covering around their face that the stranger who'd brought them there had.

Gimli noticed something else that was puzzling. Everyone in this town had blue eyes, save for himself and Aragorn.

Frodo murmured, "Is it just me, or is the town a lot warmer than the forest was?"

A frown marred Aragorn's face. He didn't have a good feeling about this. But the one who'd led them here had been decent enough. The human had noticed the change in temperature as well.

Shiranai was on his way to the inn when he saw the three strangers standing there, staring around at everything.

The blue-eyed figure sighed. Miataru must have brought them here, he thought. Shira went over to them.

Aragorn was startled when a second stranger walked over to them. He asked them something in the dialect, which Aragorn translated to mean: 'Who are you?'

"I'm sorry, we do not speak your language very easily. I am Aragorn, and my two companions are Frodo and Gimli."

Shira knew regular English very well. "What brings you here?" he questioned. He wore the same robe and hood that Miataru had, but had different leggings on, and a red shirt.

"We are searching for someone," Aragorn explained. "And Frodo needs to get warm. Someone led us here, and then he left."

Shira sighed again when he saw the cold child. "Follow me," he said. "I shall take you to the inn and dining hall."

Gimli, Frodo, and Aragorn exchanged a look, before following the stranger to one of the medium-sized structure. It was a green color, and Shira opened the door.

No one was speaking inside of this building, either. Everyone sat there eating or polishing their weapons. No noise was made at all.

Frodo disliked the quiet in this town, especially compared to the Shire or Rivendell. There had been plenty of laughter and marrying there. Here, it was as if they disliked noise.  

Gimli was troubled by the silence as well, but at a warning glance from Aragorn, he refrained from saying anything. The dwarf kept a close eye on everyone, as he kept his trusty axe on hand.

Aragorn was on edge now. It was one thing for people to be silent outside, but must they be so quiet all of the time? The human also wondered why the people in this town all had their faces covered.

Shira was a little annoyed. He had better things to do with his time than lead complete strangers around the town. But he also could not just leave a child outside in the cold. Miat was going to get a reprimand from him, Shira thought. He might be young, but he knew the rules. Though they were broken a lot, it could not go unpunished. And Shira would have to inform Tsuku and Shiyuu that strangers had come here once again.

Gimli, Frodo, and Aragorn were told to stand there, while the stranger went up to the counter.

The keeper of the building looked at Shira.

Karera ni-do nomikui, Shira told him, gesturing to the three strangers. He also reserved a room for the three to share.

The keeper frowned but nodded. He asked if Shira needed anything.

Shira smiled and shook his head. Nain, arigatou. He took the tray that the keeper handed him, and brought it over to where the strangers stood waiting.

Shira then led them to an empty table, and placed the tray on it. He gestured for the group to sit and eat.

"The bell will be ringing soon for dinner, so eat and rest. Until then, silence is the rule," Shira told them in a low voice. "When you are finished, there is a room waiting for you upstairs." The stranger then turned and walked away.

The Man, Dwarf, and Human looked at each other with identical looks of confusion on their faces. They then sat and began to eat, gazing around the room.

It was rather large and spacious, with wooden furniture. Numerous tables and chairs were set up across it, taking up most of the room. There were no pictures in here, just empty walls and silence.

Frodo kept flicking his eyes around nervously, for most of the people in there kept looking at him. The Hobbit disliked it intensely, and tried to concentrate on the food. But the soup was bland, with no real flavor at all.

Aragorn was ill at ease, for he had noticed the looks that Frodo kept getting. His sharp eyes went from one person to another, as he ate. He was prepared in a moment's notice to strike should anything happen.

Gimli disliked the severe tension that he could see in Aragorn. The dwarf was uneasy, even more so now than ever. The silence in here was enough to make one wish for a singing elf to bring cheer. But that thought depressed Gimli, for he remembered how many times he had teased Legolas for singing so often, as befitted an elf. The dwarf would rather have Legolas back- singing and all- than not have him alive.

Aragorn's thoughts were of Legolas, as well. The elf's smooth, gentle singing voice, his

dignity and strength, both inner and outer. He missed him so much, that Aragorn could barely stand it. And he feared he would never see the brave and beautiful Prince of Mirkwood again, or get to tell Legolas just how much he truly meant to him.

Frodo was thinking wistfully of the nights when they were on the Quest. Legolas had always cheered them up with one of his songs. Sometimes Frodo even forgot that the elf was missing, until he saw the sadness in Aragorn's eyes.

A bell rang, which startled the three out of their thoughts. A low murmur of noise began, as the hooded figures began speaking to each other. They removed their masks and hoods, talking quietly. That act revealed that nearly all of them had dark hair, but all had blue eyes. Most of them whispered to each other about the strangers in their town.

A sweet, alto voice echoed from somewhere nearby. It cut through and reached the hearts of Frodo, Gimli, and Aragorn. The voice was rich and pure, in note and volume as it sang intensely in the language of Seidou Rosuto.

It was nothing knew to the patrons in the dining hall. They'd heard it before, and knew that the singer was amusing the children once more.

But it meant everything in the world to the three who sat there in shock.

For the beautiful voice echoing around them was that of whom they sought.

Legolas Greenleaf.

To be continued (maybe)

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Karera ni-do nomikui = They need food & drink.

Nain, arigatou = No, thank you.

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