Author's Notes: *Sniff* Pooh! This story's very nearly finished. Thanks to everyone who reviewed our little project! The usual disclaimers apply.
Chapter 7
As soon as Legolas had left Elyssa's world, he found himself standing in his room, still wearing his zippered pants. Excited, he ran to his balcony happy to finally breathe the clean air of his world. The moon hung lazily in the sky, and as he basked in its bright glow, he sighed. He was home.
Legolas quickly looked about him. Seeing the coast was clear, he began to dance shyly occasionally mumbling the word "Macarena". Soon he found himself in full swing stepping to-and-fro wildly.
"This is quite amusing," he chuckled. He hopped a little and a small slip fell from his clothes. Bending over to pick it up, he found the picture he and Elyssa had taken in the mall and his eyes softened. Instantly, his return home had become bittersweet. The fresh air seemed sour and Legolas thought of nothing else but to see Elyssa's smiling face. He no longer knew his reason for return. There was only one thing that he had ever really loved and she existed only in a different realm.
Making his decision, Legolas changed his clothing to ensure agility then he quickly leapt from his balcony to find his horse waiting for him. He was surprised, given that he had last left the steed next to Gandalf's hut. Quickly mounting the horse, he rode speedily to the grey wizard. The night was still young; the moon was settled low near the horizon amongst the great trees. He neared the tiny shelter and his keen eyes picked up the faint flickers of firelight. Finally, he arrived and quickly entered.
"Gandalf!" Legolas called desperately, "Please, I need your help." Gandalf was sitting in front of a small fire, a pipe in his hands. He hadn't moved but Legolas knew he was listening, "I wish to go back."
There was a long pause as Gandalf took a long puff from his pipe, then finally, he spoke, "I'm sorry, Legolas, but you cannot go back."
"But I have to," he cried passionately, "I have to…"
"Why is that?" Gandalf asked, turning to the elf.
He felt his voice catch in his throat and tears began to form at the corner of his eyes, "Because I love her."
The great grey wizard returned to his pipe and after taking another puff he said, "There are dangers in the other realm that are far beyond your understanding, dear Legolas. You will not find happiness there." The elf quickly realized that he wouldn't win. Defeated, he departed from the small cabin.
Haurion left his hiding place from behind a wooden door and sat down in a chair next to Gandalf. After a moment of silence, he finally asked, "Gandalf?"
"Yes, boy?"
"I was wondering…"
* * *
Legolas stepped away from the hut. He whispered something to the great mare and it trotted off through the woods. He felt his heart wrench in his chest and he knew that it was breaking. Still, he welcomed it knowing that he would prefer death to never being able to see Elyssa. He began to wander the forest, reflecting on the short time he had had with her.
Legolas found himself travelling down a narrow, slightly worn path. He smiled at the memory of Elyssa wearing her beautiful white dress, poised perfectly at the top of the stairs. She had danced a strange dance and he found her all the more adorable. He remembered how she had taught him to dance and tried to recall how her small lithe form seemed to fit so perfectly well in his arms. Then another moment found its way to the surface of his mind. He awoke to a sobbing form lying on his chest. She seemed so upset and he wanted nothing more than to comfort her crumpled form.
A chuckle formed deep within Legolas as he remembered the karaoke party. He could still hear Elyssa's tuneless voice singing. "Sittin' here in the middle of a creepy forest…" His head shot up and he looked around. That wasn't the song she had sung.
"Gonna kill a creepy old man one day… he told me to wait here for my destiny!" Legolas walked quickly through the brush wondering if he was going mad.
* * *
Elyssa continued her song, "This is probably a pretty nice forest… in the day time. But right now Elyssa's probably gonna get raped." She enjoyed singing about herself in third person. It made it especially cool. Nervously, she began to finger a small tear at the edge of her skirt.
* * *
Legolas gasped when he found the clearing she sat in. Her back was turned to him and she rocked back and forth as she sang, her voice cracking. He slowly crept up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. Screaming with all her might, she sang, "I know karate!!! So you'd better run away!" To his surprise, she broke into a run, calling over her shoulder, "No I don't…!!!" Legolas ran after her, easily over taking her. The poor girl kept tripping.
When she tripped, she grabbed a stick and flung it at the assailant. To her horror, he caught it with one hand. Whimpering, she coward back. He threw the stick to one side, taking another step toward Elyssa.
"Elyssa," he whispered.
"What did you say?" she asked, getting up. Legolas stepped into the moonlight. Unbelievingly, Elyssa stepped closer to him bringing a hand to his cheek. She caressed it slowly before taking some of the skin between her fingers and pinching with all her might.
"My Lady," he asked, rubbing the side of his stinging cheek, "what was that for?"
"We have this thing on my world. You pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming."
"Well then, why did you pinch my cheek?"
"Are you kidding? I'm very sensitive to pain."
Ignoring the pain, Legolas wrapped his arms around the girl. She was here, in his world. He looked down at her. Elyssa's chin was tilted upward, her eyes were closed, and her lips slightly puckered. Slowly, she opened one eyelid and, seeing he was looking at her, she quickly closed it. Legolas laughed. The moon bathed over her features giving her an ethereal look. Elyssa looked very lovely. He lowered his head to hers.
The very first kiss they shared was sweet and tender. Elyssa felt herself burst with joy for the elven prince. Every touch scorched the girl's skin and sent quivers to spill over her body. Her knees barely held her, and if it weren't for the protective arm around her, she would have collapsed to the ground. Legolas held Elyssa tightly, scared that if he let her go, she would vanish into nothingness. He poured every ounce of love and passion into their moment all the while trying to drink in more. Finally, when the need for breath was too great, they broke apart.
The magic of the moment had still not left. Legolas found himself kissing the tip of the girl's nose, her eyes still closed.
"I love you," he whispered.
Her long lashes fluttered open and her lips curled into a charming smile, "I love you."
* * *
"I was wondering why we brought Elyssa to Middle-Earth?" Haurion asked.
Gandalf stroked his long beard, "When you become a great wizard like me, my boy, you hear things. Many things. Most of which are not of this world."
"What did you hear, sir?"
"I heard… the wish of a young girl and the cry of an elven heart."
"Oh that is so sweet, sir!" Haurion exclaimed, getting up for a drink. He was feeling thirsty. "I hope Elyssa and Legolas have a million babies and name one after you! And two after me, of course. After all, I wrote the poem that instructed them how to get to Middle-Earth. Took me almost three hours, it did!" he said, holding up two fingers, "Three!"
Haurion turned and bumped into a small table.
"Yes, let us not forget your epic poem."
"Uh-oh."
Gandalf looked over to where Haurion once stood, a shattered flask of ralmara potion in his place. Shrugging, he sighed as he took another long puff from his pipe.
* * *
AWWW! *That was so sweet* Just the Epilogue to go. Please review!
Erika and Jerika