Chapter 5

A man stood a few metres away from Adrienne in the deserted street, facing away from her. He wore a large red jumper and baggy pants that revealed red and white Triple J boxers. He carried a boom box over one shoulder that blared the lyrics, "It's a mad world," over and over. The man turned towards Adrienne and Legolas' face beamed from beneath a golden visor.

"Hey hey honey," said Legolas, " what you doin' down this part o' town?" He grinned manically, and before Adrienne had time to answer he began to screech, "Rivendell! Celebhiril!" as he promptly turned into a ringwraith.

Suddenly, Peter Jackson appeared out of nowhere dressed as a hobbit and proclaimed loudly, "There ain't no Celebhirils round here; they're all up in Melbourne!" At which point the wraith's horse reared on its hind legs, and the ringwraith, now sporting a cowboy hat, rode off into the sunset.

All of a sudden, Adrienne found herself in the front yard of her home in Melbourne. Here dozens of zombies, all of whom looked remarkably like Harry Potter, approached her from all sides.

"Nobody can steal my preciousss from me!" Screamed Adrienne at the nearest Harry-zombie, "Nobody! Nobody! Nobody!"

"Adrienne!" She heard a strong, calm voice out of nowhere calling her name, "Adrienne!"

"Adrienne!" She heard one more time as she woke with a start to see Elrond standing over her, looking rather disconcerted and worried.

"You were dreaming, Adrienne." Said Elrond calmly. Adrienne sighed in relief as she became conscious of her surroundings. "I could hear you yelling from my chambers." He continued.

"I'm sorry! I had a nightmare." Replied Adrienne, hoping she hadn't woken anyone.

"Yes, I realised. Are you alright?" Asked Elrond.

"I'm fine, thanks." Replied Adrienne. Elrond nodded, brows still furrowed in discontent. Adrienne smiled and said, "Sorry I disturbed you. You can go now, if you want."

"Of course. Losto mae ((sleep well))."

It was a long time before Adrienne could get back to sleep.

***

When morning came Adrienne did as she had decided the night before and went to Legolas with the books she had found.

"'To Celebhiril, to write all of your thoughts. From Father.' It's a diary." Legolas told Adrienne, flicking through the book, "Do you want me to read more of it to you?" But Adrienne didn't hear his last question, for she was in a world of her own.

"I remember." She said quietly, looking up at Legolas, an astonished expression on her face. Legolas furrowed his brows. Adrienne continued, "I can remember Father - I mean Elrond - giving me this book!"

"Then it has begun." Said Legolas, smiling.

***

The day progressed slowly. Adrienne had lunch with her 'new' family and Legolas. Here she learnt that her other brother, Elrohir, was currently in Gondor visiting King Ellesar and their sister Queen Arwen.

It was strange for all of them to get to know each other again, especially when Adrienne had no memory of knowing them before, or almost. Adrienne, obviously, still had a lot to tell them of the world she had lived in for the previous seventeen earth years, and Elrond, Elladan and Legolas had to re-educate her about the basics of the world she had lived in for almost all of her life, while they waited for her memory to return.

Adrienne asked quite a few questions apropos her situation, including whether she would need to be taught Elvish. Much to her relief, Elrond was sure that the language would return to her with the rest of her memory, so there was no need to be taught.

Both Elrond and Elladan were pleased to hear that Adrienne's memory was already returning to her, although surprised that it was happening so quickly. They were not worried though, for they trusted Gandalf that all would happen without problem.

As they ate Adrienne tried to remember all that Elrond had said the night before, and suddenly it occurred to her that she had forgotten something very vital. He had said that they thought that she was the girl who would ultimately save the world. This seemed quite silly to her; the thought that she may be some kind of superhero, and she pushed the unfortunate image of herself masked, caped and wearing Lycra out of her mind and asked what he had meant by this, and could he tell her more.

"I'm afraid there is little more I can tell you," replied Elrond, "for little more is known. Prophecies have a habit of being ambiguous. But you seemed to fit all the signs; the night you were born, your strength, senses and intellect. We won't know for certain that it's you, or that it's anybody at all, until something happens."

"So we've got no idea how long I have to wait?" Asked Adrienne. Elrond shook his head. She sighed resignedly and said, "I sure hope you have coffee here."

***

It seemed to Adrienne that there really was not much to do in Imladris, aside from talk and eat. Legolas had told her of various games and the like, but these did not really interest her. Adrienne was so used to sitting at home reading, using the phone or computer, or surfing the internet, that she felt quite out of place in a world that never even heard of electricity.

Still, she found solace in talking to Legolas, for he was almost always around. They got on so well together, it was like the world had meant for him to find her in the forest. She had to admit to herself that she was beginning to form more than just friendly feelings for the delectable Elf prince.

There were moments when his face would take a certain expression, like his amused smile, or when he would say a certain something, that made Adrienne's insides begin to melt. She repressed these feeling though, for she believed that he could never feel the same way about her - no matter how much she wished for it.

***

As days passed, Adrienne began to feel different, although just in minor ways. She began to feel taller, slightly stronger, and she began to remember more about her previous life. It was not long before she could pick up on the conversations of other Elves speaking their own language, and understand parts of what they said. She was becoming Celebhiril.

***

On the evening of Adrienne's eighth day in Rivendell, a Saturday, Elladan had organised a banquet in honour of Adrienne's return. Not only did Elladan enjoy a good party, he also hoped that meeting 'old friends' might help jog Adrienne's memory.

The evening ran smoothly, and Adrienne met many interesting people, including a delightful Elf by the name of Titharas, whom Adrienne spent a good deal of time talking to. It was frustrating at times though, not only for Adrienne but also for those who had known her well previously. She was a different person, for now, and they, like her family, had to get to know the 'new Celebhiril'.

Of course, it was strange being called 'Celebhiril' by many as well. Several times someone behind Adrienne had attempted to get her attention by calling out her Elven name, and several times she had not realised that they were talking to her.

During the evening, Legolas caught Adrienne's attention from across the hall, and wandered discreetly over to her. At the time, Adrienne was telling yet another intrigued Elf the story of her life over the past week, and so she found Legolas' interruption a welcome one.

"Care to dance?" He asked nonchalantly, gazing at Adrienne.

"I have no idea how," Adrienne replied truthfully, "but why not." She continued, grinning. She excused herself from her audience, and followed Legolas down to the other end of the hall, where half a dozen other couples danced to a violin quartet.

"So, how exactly do you dance?" Asked Adrienne, suddenly nervous. She looked around at the other couples, and found the dance to be somewhat like a waltz.

"Like this." Replied Legolas, taking her hands and placing one around his neck, and holding the other gently in his own. He placed his free hand around her waist, and took a step to the left.

He was clearly about to explain the next step, when Adrienne performed it, stepping backwards. She found she knew the next step as well, much to her own surprise.

"Don't know how, eh?" Said Legolas, wearing that amused smile that always made Adrienne weak at the knees.

"It just came back to me." She replied, smiling.

They danced in this fashion for the next few songs, while Adrienne got used to the style of dance again. As they danced Adrienne felt her desire for the Elf-prince increase. She had never been this close to Legolas before, and she knew she didn't want to leave his arms.

Suddenly, the most recent song, a lively tune, ended and the next one began. This piece was much slower; melodic and romantic. She felt Legolas lean in to whisper in her ear, "We've got to be closer for this one."

She felt her heartbeat quicken as he slid his hand further around her waist. He let go of her hand, and positioned this arm around her waist as well. She put her now free hand around his neck, this bringing them so close that their faces were side-by-side. She could feel his warm breath blowing strands of her hair, tickling her ear.

This perfect moment seemed to last forever, and even when a new song started, another lively one, neither changed their stance. For the first time Adrienne believed that maybe, just maybe, Legolas might return the growing feelings she had for him.

***

Later that night, as Adrienne lay in her bed, she wondered if she had simply imagined dancing with Legolas. It seemed to good to be true, and felt no more real than the dream she'd had the previous night.