Behind the Scenes

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story, except for a few – Lalandra (Ana), Nikki, Kim and Rosemarie (Rose, or Marie). I also don't own the song Dream a Little Dream of Me. Thanks

Prologue

I was awoken by the sweet sound of, my roommate, Kim's voice.

"Nikki!!! Get your lazy ass up! Everyone is gonna be here soon and I need you OUT!" I rolled over and sat up on my bed. Turning to look at the clock I could see it was already past 3…pm… shoot. I quickly got up and ran into the bathroom to take a shower. I changed into my khaki bellbottoms and hunter green halter. I hurriedly wiped the fog from my mirror and took a good look at myself. My blue eyes still looked sleepy, even though I was wide-awake, and my blonde hair was a complete mess. I brushed my teeth and my hair, put on some light make-up, and ran back into my room. I tossed on my shoes and grabbed my favorite book Fellowship of the Ring and headed out the door, down the block to my little hiding spot.

Okay, not exactly a hiding spot. It's really a quite popular kiddy park just a few blocks from my dorm room. Anyways, I sat under my tree, an old willow to be exact, and began reading. About half the book later my eyelids were starting to droop. It wasn't long after the sun had set, that I fell asleep.

~

I was woken by someone lightly shaking me. Slowly I opened my eyes, and saw a rather pretty young woman in front of me.

"Well, good evening La-uh…Nikki!" she had long dirty blonde hair and clear blue eyes. She held out her hand and helped me up. She was taller than me, about 5'10, I'm only 5'3… don't laugh!

"Who-who are you?" I stammered. Taking sidelong glances; I could see I was not in the kiddy park I knew only too well… I was in a small clearing, standing under a tree in the middle of it.

"My name is Rosemarie. Let me be the first to say – welcome home, mellonamin." Though I had never heard the word before, somehow I knew what it meant. Mellonamin meant friend, well, my friend if ya' wanna get all technical about it.

"Saesa omentien lle." I replied. Freaky! "Uh, may I ask you something?"

"Anything, milady"

"Where am I, and… what language was I speaking?"

"My dear child. Oh, this is going to take a lot of explaining. You are in Middle Earth. And I am pleased to inform you, you know some Elvish." I let out a laugh. This is one hell of a dream! Oh well, I'll go with the flow. "Khila amin." Right, follow this crazed lady. Next thing you know, she's gonna be telling me that I'm some sort of elf! HA! We walked for a long time in silence, finally she said "did you want to visit your horse before you turn in for the night?" a horse! Yuppie! I've always wanted a horse! I nodded and ran towards the stables, which were within seeing distance by now. I stopped once I got inside. No, all these horse's were… boring! Brown, black, or white. Yawn! None of these would be my horse. "I believe yours is out roaming the field. I must worn you though. He hasn't let anyone ride him sense you left… be careful." I gave her a snort. I think I can handle my own horse, thank you. I walked outside and took a look around. There he was, I was certain of it! The closer I got, the more confident I became. He was white, with big brown spots. His mane was silvery white, his eyes an intense, wild green. He tilted his head curiously. I reached up, and touched the only white spot left on his chocolate brown face. It was thin, and long. It reminded me of a lightning bolt.

"Lightning!" I whispered wrapping my arms around his neck. He gave a small snort, as if telling me I had taken more than long enough to come home. "Lets go riding!" I exclaimed climbing onto his back. His name fit him well indeed. He was fast as lightning, and just as silent.



~

The sun streaming through my window woke me up. After I had taken a bath, I saw that Rose had laid a dress on my bed for me. Great, a dress… oh well I must fit in. It was a dark green and came down to the floor like a bell. I groaned inwardly.

"It is good to see you are awake little one." Rose said cheerfully. I waved her comment aside. I am NOT a morning person. There was a sound of a horse neighing off in the distance.

"What's going on?" I asked leaning out the window.

"Oh, the prince has been sent on an errand" I got an eerie feeling.

"Is he, uh, going to get a halfling?" she seemed surprised by this and nodded. I rushed out my room and down the spiral, marble stairs, out to the stables. I quickly put a saddle and reigns on Lightning, and got on, soon we were right behind the prince.

"Legolas!!" I screamed. He didn't even glance around. I know he heard me! I lightly kicked my horse so he would speed up. Soon we were neck to neck with The Prince of Mirkwood. He glanced over at me, but only to speed up his horse. Asshole!

"This is no time for a race!" he yelled behind him. What does he think I am?! Some little kid, playing a dumb game?! Lightning automatically sped up, meeting his horse once again.

"Stop!" I shrieked.

"No!" that's it, no more little nice girl. I grabbed the reigns from out his hands, and pulled on them, stopping his horse.

"Get off!"

"Let me go! You're wasting my time!" I jumped off my horse and stood next to him.

"By stopping you, I have gained him time. Get on my horse!" for the first time he took a good look at my horse, and shook his head.

"I'm not getting on that thing! He'll throw me off! Let me pass!" I pulled on Lightning's reigns so he was facing me. I whispered some words to him, telling him to let this man ride him, along with a hobbit they would encounter. He nodded and snorted, understanding.

"Get on, he will not throw you." Reluctantly Legolas did I said, and climbed up. I turned back to my horse saying "bring him back to me unharmed." Legolas nodded and replied

"I promise you, I will" my gaze snapped up to him. A small smile spread across my face.

"Was talking to my horse!" before he could say anything more, I slapped Lightning's romp, and he sped off.



** Mellonamin - My friend

** Saesa omentien lle - Pleasure meeting you

** Khila amin - Follow me