Chapter 2

"Where is she?" said Elrond with trepidation. He spoke to a guard before him, "Gandalf said she would be near, yet a day has passed and you have not found her. She's in a place unknown to her, alone!"

***

"It is time to awaken, Lady Adrienne." Said Legolas gently, "Come on."

A thin mist surrounded them. It was just getting light - too early for Adrienne.

"What the?! Bloody hell no! Piss off!" Replied a half-asleep Adrienne in a slurred voice. She was not a morning person.

Legolas raised his eyebrows at this display - and decided he could wait a while.

***

After Legolas had managed, with great difficulty, to convince Adrienne that she must wake if they intended to reach Rivendell before the forth age ended, the two set off.

Adrienne had trouble keeping up with the Elf. Her mortal legs were tired and still aching from yesterday's walk. She never had been particularly athletic; she had always done terribly in running races, much to her humiliation. Legolas had to slow down, but it didn't bother him, for they had many things to discuss. As with the night before, they told each other about their different worlds. Legolas was intrigued by stories of electricity, technology and our 'advanced' cities and Adrienne was equally enthralled to hear of Middle-earth's people and current affairs. By now Legolas was convinced that Adrienne was sane, and that all she said was true.

Time passed quickly as they conversed. It didn't seem like they had travelled far when Legolas told Adrienne they were nearing the hidden city. What Legolas could hear, but Adrienne's mortal ears could not pick up, was the faint chatter of voices and such, and the noise of the river running through the city as it splashed gently onto rocks.

Ten minutes or so later they passed across a bridge over the same river Legolas had heard. At the other side they came to a wide balcony that looked across the entire city. Adrienne walked forward and lent against the balustrade, staring in awe at the beauty of Rivendell. The architecture, for one, was breathtaking. All was crafted with such detail and care. Mere words of our language could not begin to explain the beauty of the place.

There was a great peace in the air. It felt as though as long as you were there no harm could come to you.

"It is amazing. After coming here so many times it still manages to take my breath away." Said Legolas, almost in a whisper. He moved to stand beside Adrienne. They stood there for a while more, just watching.

Their peace was broken by a voice from behind them:

"Legolas Greenleaf. Much time has passed since you last came to our land. What brings you?" They both turned to see a male Elf with long, dark brown hair, blowing slightly in the breeze. He was wearing a royal blue tunic, embroidered with silver.

"Well, you don't sound particularly pleased to see me! And in reply to your question - I needed a rest from life." Legolas grinned, "You know how my father can be!"

Both men laughed merrily and embraced in greeting. Adrienne wondered for a moment why they spoke in the common tongue and not in Sindarin. Perhaps the tongues of Mirkwood and Imladris differed a bit, she thought.

"It is good to see you Legolas!" Said the Elf

"And likewise Elladan." Replied Legolas

After hearing his name, Adrienne realised who this man was - he was one of the twin sons of Lord Elrond!

"And who is this beautiful maiden whom you have bought with you?" Asked Elladan. Adrienne smiled, and blushed slightly at the remark, though she did not notice him glance at her strange clothes.

"This is Adrienne. I found her wandering by herself in the woods half a day south of here. She has an exceedingly interesting story to tell." replied Legolas.

"Welcome to Rivendell, Lady Adrienne. I am Elladan, son of Elrond."

"Um, hello. Sir." Adrienne replied, and curtsied to the best of her ability, not knowing at all how to act around the son of a great Elven Lord. She then realised how much she contradicted herself by this, as she had been acting casually around Legolas, son of a king. She was rather embarrassed, and even more so when she noticed both men conceal a chuckle.

"Please, call me Elladan." The Elf said, grinning.

"Are you two hungry at all? I was just about to have lunch. Join me?" Both Legolas and Adrienne eagerly accepted the invitation.

"You shall have to tell me this story Legolas speaks of when we get to my chambers." Said Elladan. Adrienne simply smiled in reply.

***

The three began down a pathway that led down to what Adrienne assumed was like the main square. Legolas and Elladan walked together and conversed while Adrienne walked slowly behind taking in the beauty of the place. Nature was so perfectly combined with the buildings. It was incredible to say the least. They walked through several passageways and eventually came to a sort of patio, where there was a round table with four chairs, though it was set for only one.

Elladan called to his attendant, a female elf with extraordinary eyes, who stood by the doorway that Adrienne assumed led to Elladan's chambers. At Elladan's request, she produced cutlery and the like from inside the room by which she had stood, and added them to the table. She then left to get more food and drink.

Legolas removed his bow and quiver from his back, took his bag from his shoulder and laid it all against the balustrades, which were covered in vines. The three seated themselves around the table and Adrienne began to tell her story for the second time.

"- And the next thing I know I'm eating lunch with Elladan, son of Elrond and Legolas Greenleaf." Adrienne finished off her tale, and took a bite of an apple.

All through Adrienne's account Elladan had grown more and more amazed. Adrienne felt he knew something she didn't. "It is you." He whispered too quietly for Adrienne to hear, but Legolas sent him a confused glance. Elladan, who looked too amazed to notice Legolas' expression, smiled and said: "I think my father will be very interested to meet you, Lady Adrienne. Very." Adrienne's eyes grew wide; she was to meet Lord Elrond. As if these two wasn't enough excitement for one day. Elladan continued, "But for now, I will arrange for two bed chambers and, if you don't mind, Adrienne, attire more suited to the," he hesitated, "weather."

Adrienne cracked up. "I suppose I do stick out like a sore thumb dressed like this, but then your clothes look very different to me. Much better than mine though!" She looked down at her plain top and skirt and compared them to the beautiful garb of the two elves either side of her.

"Your clothes are not that peculiar, really." Said Legolas. "Just, simple, I suppose, to our eyes - and I mean no offence."

"None taken. You're absolutely right. At home our clothes have become very simplified over the ages." Stated Adrienne, and so they went on and talked for a time, while Elladan's attendant was arranging the rooms and clothes for Adrienne.

Elladan seemed very impatient for the attendant to come back, and when she did he spoke quickly to Legolas and Adrienne. "My sincere apologies, but I must go urgently and speak to my father." He gestured towards the attendant, "Gilhena will show you to your chambers." Legolas and Adrienne both nodded and Elladan continued; "I shall speak to you both very soon!" Elladan smiled widely and turned to leave.

"Thanks for lunch." Said Adrienne.

Elladan turned back for a second, "A pleasure, Lady Adrienne." He smiled and nodded in farewell to Legolas and left.

Adrienne could not have been happier; she was in Middle Earth. Although, she had no idea quite how much her life was about to change.