(A/N):

Silent Echoes- Yes thank you for mentioning that, and let me explain myself. Yes I know that ozone depletion and global warming are two different things. And Global Warming is the extremity of temperatures (colder in winter, hotter in summer… longer winters and summers, shorter autumns and springs etc…). But Bella doesn't know the difference. My uncle is an environmentalist so I know somewhat about the two. I'm not going to lie and say I'm all-knowledgeable on the subject. But from my experiences in talking with people, most people really don't know there is a difference and considering that I am not Bella I made sure she did not have much knowledgeable information/opinions about global warming etc… I would have had to flame myself if I made her ramble off some Noble Prize winning speech on the state of the earth's ozone layer b/c most people are not that informed.

However, I did read that thing in a magazine and a lot of people believe everything they read in magazines and well, I made it that Bella read the mag. an' she believed and now I'm rambling.

But anyways, I totally understand from where you are coming from and thanks for all the info! Go you! Oh, and I can't find that Mary-Sue quiz. I am in the process of looking, and when I find it you'll definitely be the first to know.

-To the rest of my reviewers….THANK YOU! And I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU! and tell yer friends about the story…maybe…pretty please…! =)

This chapter is dedicated to Mr. Rogers who passed away early yesterday morning. Poor ol' Mr. Rogers.

singsWon't you be my neighbor. sings

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       Novcristiel briskly led Bella down the long corridors to her chamber. The sound of Bella's stumbling footsteps echoed hollowly in the hall. Bella wondered at how Novcristiel could make no sound when she moved. When they reached Bella's room Novcristiel turned to Bella.

       "Wait here," she ordered. "I will be right back." And Novcristiel went out of the room leaving the door opened behind her.

       Bella gave sneer as she left, turning on her heel to the balcony. She leaned her elbow on the balcony rail, resting her chin in her hand. Bella fussed with her feet. She was restless. It had been ten whole days since she had been let out to do anything, and now, being stuck back in her room again, even for the tiniest moment, did not appeal to her. She stood up and twirled around, her back to the balcony. A familiar song, that her grandparents used to sing to each other popped into her head. Finding herself alone, and in somewhat a decent mood, she began to quietly sing.*

The very thought of you

And I forget to do

Those little ordinary things

That everyone ought to do

I'm living in a kind of daydream

I'm happy as a queen

And foolish though it may seem

To me that's everything

The mere idea of you

The longing here for you

You never know

How slow the moments go

Till I'm near to you

I see your face in every flower

Your eyes in stars above

It's just the tho…

Bella's voice had risen as she went along her song but quickly stopped singing when Novcristiel entered the room carrying a large porcelain jug.

       "Quit your singing and come wash up," said Novcristiel walking into the bathroom. Bella reluctantly followed and entered as Novcristiel was pouring the water from the jug into a large white basin with an attached stand.

       "Wash your face," Novcristiel demanded as she went to the closet and retrieved a towel. Bella dipped her hands in the water and splashed her face with it. The water smelled sweet, like jasmine or some other pleasant scented herb. When she finished she reached over for the towel in Novcristiel's hand and dried her face.

       "Come now," said Novcristiel. "Another garment has been finished for you. It's a much more appropriate dress for evening wear and dinner. You must change."

       Bella went out into the bedroom and from the armoire Novcristiel pulled out a gorgeous yellow dress made of satin.

       "Here, put this on," said Novcristiel and she placed the gown in Bella's arms.

       Bella quickly went into the bathroom and put it on. The satin was cool to the touch and the gown fit her well. The dress fell down to the floor and covered her feet. It was a slender fit and loosely hung from her hips. The top went down in a modest round cut with a beautiful green and yellow edging. The sleeves were long and ended in a small bell-style, also with the green and yellow edging.

       Bella went back into the room and stood in front of the mirror. Her jaw dropped. She had never felt so elegant before. She felt like she was dressing up for the Grammy's. She looked at her reflection from the bottom to the top, her eyes fixing upon her breasts. 'Well damn,' she thought. 'This dress makes me look flat as a board.' She turned to the side and inspected. She gave a slight grunt. 'Thanks for the A's mom.' Bella took a quick glance at Novcristiel watching her. 'Damn her and her double D's,' she thought.

       "They have to be fake," said aloud before realizing it. She snapped her head in Novcristiel's direction to see what she would say but to her surprise all she said was,

       "What has to be fake?"

       "Nothing," Bella said quickly. "The dress is wonderful. Thank you."

       "You are welcome. You shall be receiving more by the end of the week," said Novcristiel. "Now, let me fix your hair."

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By the time Bella was done freshening up the sun was gently sinking below the horizon. A small breeze blew through the halls as Novcristiel led Bella into another room filled with statues and paintings, except this one was furnished in blues instead of burgundies.

       "Wait here until you are summoned for dinner," Novcristiel said and left.

       Bella was not waiting long before a Merry Man came and announced that dinner was served and would she please follow him.

       She was led to the dinning room where Lord Elrond and two of the Merry Men who had captured her when she first arrived were sitting. Again she was placed at the end of the table, opposite of Elrond.

      "Greeting's lady," said Elrond, seating himself. "Let me introduce you to my sons. This here is Elrohir, and to my left is Elladen.  I am sure you recognize them." They both gave a polite half bow to Bella and seated themselves.

       "Yeah, I recognize 'em," Bella said agitatedly looking at them out of the corners of her eyes, not bothering to hide the anger that glowed in them. She didn't like the fact that she was having her dinner with the people who had so rudely captured her and hid her away for ten days. Elrond caught the irritation and spoke.

       "My dear, there is no need to carry hostile feelings towards my sons. I understand that you are upset, but there is no harm done. They were only doing their duty. How would people of your country act if a strange person came upon them in a mysterious way, carrying objects that were foreign and unknown to them?"

       Bella was going to come back with some retort but Elrond was right and she dropped her stubborn pride. "I guess," she began, her eyes lowered. "I guess we would've acted the same way. We probably would have been quite cruel actually. I…" she stopped. "I apologize."

       "Your apology is accepted," replied Elrohir.

        Silence engulfed them for a moment when suddenly some Merry Men entered with large silver trays and began to lay them on the table. When they had finished a modest feast of meat, vegetables, fruit and bread lay before them. A young maid came in and poured the wine glasses and placed them in front of each person. Another maid came in and began to light the candelabras and small torches that were placed around the room. When all was finished they quietly left except for a MMIT who stood quietly in a corner awaiting any order that was to be given.

       They ate their dinner mostly in silence, with Elrond and his son's occasionally trading bits of conversation back in forth in a language that Bella did not understand.

       When they had finished Elrond summoned the MMIT who was standing in the corner to retrieve the other servants and to clear off the table.

       "Now," Elrond began. "We must discuss your situation some more. I know I promised to leave this until tomorrow, but some decisions must be made, and made soon."

       "What kind of decisions?" Bella asked.

       "To be honest, my dear, the main decision is what we should so with you," replied Elrond. "How do you like it here?"

       "Well," Bella began, "I'm really not sure. I've been locked in my room for the past ten days, and today was the only day that I've gotten to see anything new. Well yeah, I guess I like it, I mean I dunno, it's really pretty and everything, it's just that, y'know, I don't feel in place." Bella fidgeted with her sleeves.

       "That's to be understood. You do sorely stick out, but until we find a means for you to return your world we shall try our best to make you accustom to our ways. Elrohir here, as well your hand-servant Novcristiel, shall guide and assist you. As for now, you are free to wonder about the gardens as you please and we shall begin classes to teach you the western written language. The spell Gandalf placed was only to adjust your mind to the Western verbal language. Being able to read will be helpful to you perhaps.

       "Now, the garments that you were wearing when we found you, they are being cleaned and shall be returned to you. But I must request you not to wear them unless you strongly desire too. They are not appropriate for any lady to wear."

       Bella, once again was going to protest. She really could not stand for men to decide what a woman could or could not wear, but she didn't want to argue. She let it pass; she was going to wear whatever she wanted.

       There was a silence for a moment. Elrond seemed to be in a daze, thinking deeply about something until a Nightingale rang in the distance.

       "That is all, my dear," Elrond said. "You are free to wander the gardens tonight or if you like, there will be some music in the large hall. If you would like to attend Elrohir could escort you there. It is up to you, good evening." Elrond stood up, bowing his head, and walked out of the room.

       Elladen stood and spoke to his brother in the beautiful language that Bella did not understand. They gave a laugh and Elrohir gave a playful punch to his brother and Elladen bowed to Bella and left. ****

       Elrohir got out of his seat and walked over to Bella. He bowed and introduced himself. "I am Prince Elrohir, and I apologize if I had made a bad impression on you when we first met."

       "It's alright," Bella murmured.

       "Would you like to attend the entertainment tonight?" he asked politely.

       "I'd rather not," Bella replied. "But thank you."

       "Well, if you change your mind you are welcome to attend. Good evening." And with that he turned and walked out of the room.

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(A/N): Howdy, I was gonna add more to this chapter, but then it would've been reaaaalllly long, I know how everyone gets fidgety with long chapters. So, I hope y'all like it. I should be updating soon…depending on play rehearsals an' my damn research paper( I loathe it). So, REVIEW=you all getting free trip to New Zealand. FLAME=a ticket straight to the 7the circle, 3rd ring…I think that's right, I disremember.

****this was my Mary-Sue ending to the chapter. Hehe, I was bored:

  Elladen stood and spoke to his brother in the beautiful language that Bella did not understand. They gave a laugh and Elrohir gave a playful punch to his brother and Elladen bowed to Bella and left.

       Elrohir stood up from his seat and walked over to Bella. Bella felt flustered and she jumped on him and the two had sweet, mad, passionate sex and lived happily ever after for about 5 minutes until they realized it would never work out and they went their separate ways. The end.