A/N: I'll be the first to admit it- I have no idea where anything else is in M.E. I was looking at the map in my book and hopefully what I wrote corresponds with everyone's knowledge of the area.

I believe that the kingdom of Mirkwood is in a cave or in caves (is it? I don't know.) but for the purpose of this story, it isn't.

Thranduil... his personality is completely off, I know. Creative license- you gotta love it.

R/R! Thanks!

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Chapter Three: Alice and the Caterpillar

"Father." Legolas said, entering his father's library.

King Thranduil stood at one end of the large table and raised his head. On the table before him was a large book, heavy and well aged.

"Are you looking over the ledgers again, father?" Legolas said, raising his eyebrows. "And before breaking fast with your family. What would your subjects think of you, your Highness?"

Thranduil smiled and waved his son in further.

"They would think me to be a king heavily invested in his kingdom." he said. "Dedicated to his people so much so that he holds off on his own nourishment for them. But I won't have you at my heels like a little dog about it. I shall be at the table the same time every morning, which is more than I can say for you."

Legolas smiled, enjoying his time with his father. He was the eldest son of three and it was not often that the first born had time to banter with his father. Usually, when he was with his father, it was in front of a crowd- the royal cabinet members or the elves of Mirkwood.

Though he had inherited his mother's slim figure and delicate features, he was his father's son- with his ever alert eyes and noble bearing. His mother had been a gentle creature, soft hearted and equally soft spoken whereas his father was quick-witted and sharp. But he was also highly intelligent and a deep river of kindness ran through his heart. He guided his kingdom with a firm but caring hand and Mirkwood flourished under his rule.

He was the kind of ruler that Legolas hoped to be someday- the kind of elf that he aspired to be.

"So what brings you to my presence this early, my son?" Thranduil asked. The faint gleam of merriment still lingered in his blue eyes. "I would have expected you to be swinging from tree branch to tree branch by now, trying to ignore your royal duties."

Legolas ducked his head to hide the flush in his cheeks.

"The girl has awakened." he said, raising his eyes. "She remembers her name but not much else."

Thranduil nodded and closed the book in front of him.

"Does she still seem afraid of us?" Thranduil asked thoughtfully.

Legolas paused.

"She seems a bit apprehensive." he said. "But I don't sense the same fear as I did from yesterday."

"Strange." Thranduil muttered, stroking his smooth chin with his hand. His blue eyes glittered like jewels. "Afraid of elves. And she didn't seem to know that you, Faran, and Fortinbas were elves."

"Father..." Legolas hesitated and then forced himself to go on. "She had a bit of a fit this morning. She grabbed her head and then began to thrash about on the bed as if she were in intense pain. It was odd. She was speaking about her mother before..."

"So she remembers her mother?" Thranduil said.

Legolas shook his head.

"No, she said the word mother as if it held no real meaning for her." he said. "But after the fit, she told me that she had a vision of some sort concerning her mother or someone she thought to be her mother."

Thranduil's face grew still and emotionless as he thought.

"And she speaks Sindarin." Legolas continued. "With no trace of accent. As if she were born speaking the language. Yet when I sang to her, she didn't seem to recognize the words."

He closed his mouth and looked at his father, troubled.

"Ah, a mystery." Thranduil said. "Will she be coming to the breakfast table? I would very much like to meet this girl."

"Aye." Legolas said, nodding. "I have asked Kythelin to help her prepare for this morning."

Thranduil picked up the book and placed it back on the shelf where it had been before. Legolas' thoughts flew around in his mind and he struggled to find the right words to speak next.

"Father." Thranduil turned around. "Father, she is not an elf but... but..."

"But?" Thranduil asked. This time it was his turn to raise his eyebrows. His usually eloquent first-born son seemed to be having trouble speaking this morning and it amused him though he did not show it. "Get on with it, Legolas."

"But she could easily pass for one!" Kythe said merrily, walking into the room.

Legolas turned around and Kythe bowed to the King.

"Good morn, your Highness." she said in a softer tone. Thranduil smiled at her and nodded.

"Good morn, Kythelin." he said. She stood up straight and looked slyly at Legolas.

"I believe what your son meant to say was that the girl, though obviously human, can pass for an elf with a bit of help." she said. She flashed a smile at the King. "She has very dark hair, typical of humans but her facial features are exquisite. She has the eye color of an elf and the height of an elf. All that she truly lacks is the ears, my Lord."

Legolas sighed.

"That's not what I meant to say, Kythe." he said, sounding mildly annoyed. He looked at his father. "What I meant to say was that the girl has a strange air about her. Not dangerous- just different."

"Ah, I'm sure that is exactly what you meant to say." Kythe said, nodding. She bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing.

Legolas threw her a dangerous look, allowing his emotions to show clearly on his face.

"Kythe, where is Faran?" he asked sharply. "Surely you'd rather be chattering away to your beloved betrothed than trying to put words into my mouth."

Kythe's cheeks flushed faintly and she smiled.

"For once, Legolas, my dear friend- you are right." she said. She gave him a pointed look. "Karalynn is in her bedroom waiting for you. I have reason to believe that you will be quite pleased with her appearance. I suggest you make haste there now."

She curtsied again to Thranduil.

"Your Highness, may I take leave of your presence?" she asked.

"Of course, my child." he said. "I shall see you at the breakfast table."

She smiled at him and walked towards the door. Then she stopped and turned around.

"Your Highness, perhaps I should tell you this now." she said. "I think Karalynn believes we are all speaking another language. She insists that it is not Sindarin we are speaking but another language, Ing-Glesh. The poor dear looked disturbed when I told her that it could not be so for I only know Sindarin and yet I understood her speech."

Thranduil nodded and Kythe opened the door and walked out.

Legolas raised his eyes towards his father again.

"And the mystery deepens, my son." he said quietly.

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"Karalynn."

She gasped at the sound of his voice and whirled around, nearly losing her balance. She hadn't heard him come into the room and her heart pounded in her chest at the sudden intrusion of her thoughts. The window of her room had opened up to a small balcony and after Kythe had left, she had stood at the edge of it, looking over at the scenery below her.

Well, not really looking.

She had been too deep in her thoughts to really take notice of anything. A chaotic mix of random words and phrases seemed to echo in her mind like voices in a cavern.

( "Who are you?' said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.

Alice replied, rather shyly, `I--I hardly know, sir, just at present--

at least I know who I was when I got up this morning,

but I think I must have been changed several times since then." )

"`What do you mean by that?' said the Caterpillar sternly. `Explain yourself!'" Karalynn said the words out loud softly. She frowned before going on. "`I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, sir' said Alice, `because I'm not myself, you see.'"

But what did all of that mean?

She knew vaguely that it was a story but of what, she didn't know. She couldn't remember. But somehow the words seemed appropriate to her situation.

Strange, this story of a girl named Alice who didn't know who she was....

Strange, indeed.

And why did it constantly whirl about her head?

"Alice in Wonderland." Karalynn said. "That's the title, isn't it? I think. Something about a... white rabbit. Down the rabbit hole... the Cat with the grin and the Caterpillar's advice... "

And then she heard Legolas' voice, snapping her out of her thoughts.

He walked noiselessly towards her and she took a step back involuntarily when she regained her balance.

He paused for a moment as he stared at her and stopped walking.

"My lady," he said, holding out his hand. "I apologize for surprising you. Elves tread silently and most creatures can not hear us moving about. I should have made some signal of a sort before I said your name. Come, breakfast awaits."

Karalynn stepped forward again and forced herself to move the rest of the way to him. His eyes were too intense and his beauty so disturbing that it was almost repulsive. But his was one of the only faces she knew at this point and she had to hold on to anything even remotely familiar.

Once again she was struck at how soft his hands were and she was too distracted to notice the way his gaze lingered over her body.

"You look.. beautiful, Karalynn." he said, smiling slightly.

"Thank you, Prince Legolas." she said simply.

Only a very faint trace of surprise showed on his features as he took her hand in his.

She didn't know what she looked like, not really. There were no full length mirrors in her room and even if there were, she doubted she would have cared. She had the feeling that she had been indifferent to her looks in the past. Or perhaps she was simply too over-stimulated to even care. Too many things had happened to her, too many questions unanswered and the way she looked was the least of her concerns.

Kythe had indeed chosen the silver-blue gown and set it out on the bed as Karalynn took a quick bath. The bath had been embarrassing for her for it was simply too much. The water had been sprinkled with rose petals, scented with oil and the soap was speckled with gold and silver bits. Karalynn had been too intimidated to use most of the toiletries that had been set out. When she was finished and dry, she had thrown on the garments set out and Kythe had helped her fix her hair.

Apparently, bathing and dressing were ordeals that one needed help for.

"My father is eager to meet with you." Legolas said, pulling her gently out of her room. "Kythe, Faran and Fortinbas will also be there as well as my two younger brothers."

Karalynn said nothing, still thinking.

He placed a hand at the middle of her back as they walked down the long hallway.

"You will be in good company." he said. "My father and brothers are kind souls. I assure you that you will be in the company of friends."

Karalynn looked around the hallway, barely hearing his words. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen- or at least she thought so now. The floors were marble and the heels of the shoes that Kythe had given her clicked on the surface like little bells. Large stone pillars lined the hall and each one was covered by a veil of small, white flowers. Past each pillar she could see that trees were lined up along with them. Living columns to protect the open hallway of the palace.

It was breathtaking.

Karalynn drew away from him and stopped walking. She stared up at the ceiling above her in awe. Like her room, the ceiling here was painted. A changing view of the seasons- the young blue of a spring sky, the bright blue of a summer sky, the slightly gray-tinged sky of fall and the nearly white skies of winter.

"The paintings you see here are all works of Gwynedd Autumnwind." Legolas said, walking closer to her. "He is the royal artist."

"I've never seen anything...." Karalynn began and then she looked at Legolas. "Where am I?"

Legolas frowned. "You are in Mirkwood, my lady." he said. "I told you that..."

"Yes." Karalynn said. "But where is Mirkwood? This is just one palace, right? One kingdom? What land is Mirkwood in?"

Legolas blinked, not understanding her question.

"Mirkwood is a woodland realm." he said. "We are bordered by the Anduin River to the west and the Grey Mountains to the north. This entire land is called Rhovarion by..."

Karalynn was shaking her head.

"No, none of this seems right." she muttered. Her brow wrinkled with thought. "Those names are not familiar. They're too different. Too..."

Her gray eyes met his again.

"This entire land. What is its name?" she asked.

Understanding flooded his eyes and he smiled at her.

"Oh." he said. "You are in Middle Earth, my lady."

Earth.

Yes, that sounded right. Earth was okay. But... Middle Earth?

Middle Earth had kingdoms, kings and elves.

Earth, she was sure, did not.

Middle Earth did not sound familiar.

Earth did.

The things of Middle Earth felt strange to her and suddenly she was sure that she had no right to be there. But if she didn't belong in Middle Earth.... then did she belong in Earth?
( ...but what is Earth?... )

( ...where is Earth?... )

"I don't belong here." she said slowly.

"We will find out where you live, Karalynn." Legolas said, frowning as his eyes moved over her face. She found that she didn't like his gaze directed so closely at her and looked away.

He took a step closer to her and tucked his finger underneath her chin, lightly forcing her face towards his. "We will return you back to your home. We will find a way to help you recover your memories. I promise you that."

"My home is not in Middle Earth." she said. Her eyes grew darker as she looked at him. "I don't belong in Middle Earth."

"Of course you do." he said. "You've simply forgotten from what township you come from. My father's messengers will come back within the week, Karalynn. You belong here. Middle Earth is your home."

She said nothing as he looked into her eyes. He seemed to be searching for some sign of agreement and she would not give it him. Somehow, in some way, she knew that everything she saw around her was wrong. Or rather, she was wrong and everything around her was right. Maybe she didn't belong to Earth as well but she knew for sure that she did not belong in Middle Earth.

Yet she didn't even know if she had a home at all.

She did not tell Legolas these thoughts as he gently took her arm and led her down the hallway.