Disclaimer: If you recognize it, then it's not mine. Characters belong to the amazing J.R.R. Tolkien, (Except for Ellen, who is of my mind.) and some of the ideas portrayed probably came from other fanfics and stories I've read.

Notes: ** is the thoughts of our main character Ellen.

SPECIAL THANKS!!!

Mornie Utule- I'm glad you like it so far!!!

Meethrill- Thanks for your reviews! They mean a lot to me!

SilvrWingsDragon- Hey thanks for the e-mail! I am working on future chapters!

Chapter 5 - New Name, New Ears, and a New Friend.

"I still do not see what is so wrong!" Arwen followed Ellen around the room as she paced furiously.

She was fuming. "Tell me Arwen. What is so wrong with my name?"

"You mean Ellen? Not a thing." She replied, trying to sound indifferent.

"Don't lie." Now it was Arwen's turn to be angry.

"How dare you! I would not lie! It is a wonderful name. It is just a little different sounding."

"Ok. But Valanar? Come on!"

"Valanar is a beautiful name! You do not even know what it means. That is what is the most important."

"I don't care. I don't need another name!" Ellen's voice was getting a bit too loud. Arwen glanced nervously around.

"You promised to keep your voice lowered, remember?" She hissed.

"Sorry. But I don't want another name." Ellen felt the urge to stick her tongue out at Arwen, but caught herself just in time.

"It is just to use while you are here. To help you blend in more; avoid unnecessary attention."

Ellen paused to consider this. "True…So what does it mean?"

"Power… and fire. You must have made quite an impression on Gandalf, with your hot temper. It is a rare name. One to be proud of."

"Hmmm. That is interesting." Ellen admitted. She paused as if considering it. Arwen held her breath. "But I still don't want it." She announced.

"It is the wish of Gandalf that you go by it." Arwen argued.

"Well he can call me it, but I won't answer." Facing the balcony, she crossed her arms, deeply frowning. Suddenly Arwen made a sound. Ellen didn't believe it, but it almost sounded like she was giggling. She turned around. Arwen was leaning against the bed post, laughing.

"You're laughing? What is so funny?" Ellen demanded.

"You are so difficult. You are worked up, over such a little thing as this. I'm sorry I find it so amusing." She paused and took a deep breath. "Here, we often bestow new names upon people, or even change their old ones entirely. You know that I go by many names, which I have been given over the past ages. I take it that you are not used to such traditions?"

"No." She tried to remain firm in her argument, but Arwen's giggles were contagious. Ellen smiled. "I suppose I could go by it." She took a deep breath and tried to think clearly. *Even if Valanar is a different name, I'd be able to answer to it. It's really not such a big deal. But why is it so important to me that I keep my name? Why do I need to stay Ellen?* Slowly the reason came to her. She looked at Arwen, who was still leaning against the bed post. Her volume level back to normal, Ellen spoke. "But it's the only tie I have left to my home."

Arwen's laughter slowly ceased. She looked at the girl. A look of understanding appeared upon her fair face. "Yes." She nodded. "You are right. Very well." Arwen turned to leave the room. "I will see to it that your name, Ellen, remains. Though I think that many will find the name Valanar suitable for you as well, especially for introduction occasions." She bowed her head and left the room through the main entrance.

Ellen flopped down on the bed. It was nice and soft. Grinning at the thought that had emerged, she stood up, and threw herself back onto the bed as hard as she could. It felt like she had landed on a cloud. There was no 'thud' of a mattress, or the recoiling of springs. *I have got to take one of these home with me.*

Ellen lay there for a few minutes just thinking and listening. The birds outside were singing soft, summery songs. The late afternoon sun streamed in through the trees and onto the balcony. She was thinking about home, and how she'd like to wake up and find it was all just a dream. She mind wandered and she began to think about Conrad. *Wonder if he misses me. He'd never believe this. I guess I won't get a chance to tell him about it before I go to school.*

She was still daydreaming when Merry and Pippin found her. They snuck in quietly through the entrance and she wasn't aware of their presence. Using hobbit stealth, they silently made their way over to the bed. Ellen didn't stir. Merry climbed up on the bed and sat down next to her. Pippin went around to the other side: closer to her head, and carefully leaned his elbows onto the bed, resting his chin. When Merry saw Pippin was ready, he whispered in her ear.

"Time to wake up Valanar." Ellen's eyes shot open, to be greeted once more by Pippin.

"Whoa!" Realizing who it was, she rolled her eyes. "You have got to knock that off. You almost scared the life out of me."

"Wasn't it thrilling?" Asked Pippin, rolling his eyes in a dreamy way.

"Geez!… Hey, who told you about my new name?" *There was no way they would know unless…*

"How was the meeting?" Merry inquired.

*How does he know that? I thought that was a secret. Shoot! Was I talking in my sleep again?* She decided to play innocent. "What meeting?"

"The secret one. The one we aren't supposed to know about." Merry continued.

"Well if it was a secret, then how do you know about it?" She pushed.

"We hobbits know everything!" Exclaimed Pippin. "Especially about all the secret meetings that go on around here. Its our specialty."

"Everything huh?" Ellen asked. Merry watched Pippin nod his head up and down enthusiastically.

"You bet your best brandy!"

"Ok. Then tell me, Sir. Know-it-all. How do I get home?" An uncomfortable silence by Pippin followed. Ellen felt a little bad for bringing that back up again. It wasn't the hobbits fault that she was stuck in Middle Earth.

"I'm afraid only Galadriel could tell you that." Merry said softly. "Its up to her really."

"You knew Galadriel was here?" Her mouth hung open.

"Hello? Secret meeting? Yes?" Pippin said as he stood up straight. Feeling his stomach rumble, he proposed. "Well Merry, I'd say it was about time for dinner?"

"I'd say you're right Pip." He looked down at Ellen who was still lying on the bed. "What do you say?"

"I am hungry. Didn't eat breakfast, apparently missed lunch. Dinner would be a good thing."

"Come on." Said Pippin. "We'll take you down to the hall. They play music and lay out all sorts of food and wine. Then there's story telling and poem recitations and…"

"Well you'll see when you get down there." Merry interrupted. He jumped off the bed so Ellen could sit up. They had just reached the entrance when Arwen appeared.

"Where are you going?" She stared at Ellen.

"Dinner?" Ellen glanced at Merry and Pippin.

"Not in that dress you don't." She ushered the hobbits off and headed over to the giant wardrobe-type furniture. Swinging the door open, she pulled out an ivory and cream coloured evening gown. "This…" She said as she laid it on the bed. "…should do nicely." She herself was wearing a grey coloured gown with silver trimming. "Oh and I also found you some smaller slippers." She pulled them out of the bottom drawer of the wardrobe, then pushed Ellen behind the dressing wall.

"Why the sudden need to change? Did I get the green one dirty?"

"Goodness no. You don't wear the same thing all day. Especially not to dinner in the evening. Its unthinkable."

"I see. What's the reasoning behind that?" Ellen's voice became muffled as she slid the evening gown on.

"It just isn't done. Age old tradition I suspect."

"Oh. You mean like holding your breath whenever you drive by a graveyard?"

"Excuse me?"

"Never mind. Silly example." Ellen stepped out from behind the screen. "Did I put it on right?" She twirled around.

"Perfect. We just need to close this clasp. Turn around."

"Oh, is that what that is? I thought it was some sort of an elvish accessory. Darn thing was so complicated."

"There!" Arwen hooked the two pieces together and turned her around again. "You look stunning. And you hair really did smooth out nicely. I've never seen hair that behaved like that."

"Thank you!" Ellen pulled on the slippers. Instantly she could tell that they fit much better than the last pair.

"Are they better fitted?"

"Much. They're great. Now. Can I go eat?"

"Not just yet."

"Why not?" She could see that Arwen had a very guilty look on her face. *Oh no, what now?* "Arwen? Why not?" She repeated, slightly more forceful.

"Well it is improper for such a lady to attend a formal evening meal unescorted…"

"Arwen you didn't!" Arwen grinned apologetically. Ellen didn't have time to complain or scold, suddenly two figures appeared at the entry.

"Ellen I'd like you to meet my husband, King Elessar. And a very good friend of ours: Legolas, son of Thranduil, King of Northern Mirkwood. Elessar, Legolas, this is Valanar, our guest for a time." There was no need for introductions, but Arwen thought it proper, so they all went along with it. King Elessar and Legolas bowed. Ellen followed Arwen's lead and nodded her head once to show respect. Elessar offered his arm and Arwen accepted it. Together, they began down the hall.

Ellen stood there, realizing she was about to do what so many other Mary-Sues had done. She swallowed her pride and took his arm, allowing him to escort her down to dinner. She was so uncomfortable, she didn't speak to him. Strangely enough, Legolas said nothing either. The couple followed Elessar and Arwen in silence to the dining hall. It was brightly lit and slightly crowded. Apparently there were many other activities going on in Rivendell that night. Musicians were playing in the corner, some people had already finished their meal and had gathered around a great stone fireplace to talk and tell stories. Ellen saw Merry and Pippin in the middle of a long table, looking to have a 'jolly' time - as they would have said. She wished she could join them. But to her horror, she found herself being lead to the front of the dining hall by Legolas, towards a group of important looking, finely dressed elves. She felt slightly better to see that Galadriel was among them, as well as Gandalf. They arrived at the table and Arwen introduced Ellen to all that were seated at it. Arwen introduced her as Valanar, and she didn't object. Her mouth was dry and she was busy wondering how in the world she would survive the next half hour, or hour: depending upon how quickly elves ate. Nodding her head, Ellen greeted them, hoping that she was doing the right sort of greeting. But everyone nodded back, so she figured she was safe. Legolas pulled out a seat for her, and she sat down. Then he sat down next to her. Galadriel was across the table from her.

*How did I do?* She wondered to Galadriel.

-Very well. I am impressed. However, I thought you were going to point your ears before dinner?-

*Oh my gosh, I completely forgot! All I have to do is wish right? Hang on a moment.* Ellen wished, but she didn't feel anything happening. At the same time, she was trying not to look like she was wishing, so the whole thing became very complex. However, looking to Galadriel once more, she could tell something had happened. *How's that?*

-If I hadn't seen it, I almost wouldn't have believed it.- Thought Galadriel.

*Really?* Ellen reached up to tuck some hair behind her ear, and sure enough, it was pointed. *Wicked! Wish I had remembered to do it before dinner, I'd have watched myself in the mirror.*

Ellen was relieved to see they passed food much in the same matter as that of a family dinner. Except it was only passed around once, so she didn't get to try that warm, light bread again. Or that amazing soup that had some sort of vegetable floating around in it. Apparently the elves didn't believe in having seconds. Conversation was light and no one asked her too many questions, so she managed quite well. Most of them sat talking for a good half hour after the meal had ended, and Ellen grew tired. She held back a yawn rather successfully, but more were to follow. Seeing this, Legolas rose and excused himself and her from the table. Everyone nodded a final goodbye for the evening and she allowed herself to be escorted from the hall by Legolas, but not before waving goodbye to Merry and Pippin who sadly watched her go as they sat by the fire amidst some new friends, smoking pipes.

Ellen hadn't dreaded accepting his arm so much this time. It seemed better than the alternative of sitting until the others had finished conversing. Ellen thought that maybe, during the escorting process, no speaking was to take place. In this case, it was a good thing. She found that theory to be false, however, as soon as they had left the hall.

"Did I say something to offend you?"

"Hmm? Oh, no." She tried to concentrate on where she was walking.

"Then I have done something to make you uncomfortable." This was more of a statement than a question. Ellen wasn't sure how to answer this question. She hadn't really planned on having this conversation. She didn't answer. When they reached the garden at the end of her steps, he asked her one more time.

"What I have I done to earn such a punishment as the silent treatment? I must have done something to make you angry or uncomfortable." Seeing that this just wasn't going to go away Ellen answered.

"No. Well yes. Maybe." *Geez, can I be any more vague?*

"Please tell me what I did so that I may make amends." He seemed pretty sincere.

"I guess its more my fault than yours." She started. "I'm a little uncomfortable around you because…"

"A little?" He interrupted. "You refused to speak to me the whole way to the dining hall, you say nothing during dinner. You leave me standing in the walkway without a response when I spoke to you about this evening. You exploded at me when I tried to start a conversation with you this morning…I feel as though I've done nothing right when it comes to being around you."

"Well if you knew why maybe you'd understand me a little better."

"Agreed. Why are you 'a little uncomfortable' around me?" Ellen sat down on a bench beneath the tree. He remained standing.

*If you'd read half the Mary-Sue's I'd read, you'd understand.* "Umm. I'll put this simply and to the point, so I can get it out of the way and be done with it."

"Do what you wish."

"I've read a lot about you." Legolas didn't have to ask what she meant when she said 'read'.

"I haven't heard too many of those tales told about me in other worlds." He responded. "Some of the people we met that had come from other worlds, spoke of them. I take it that you have allowed some of these stories to create an unrealistic impression about me, maybe the others as well? I'm sure I'm not the only being in Middle Earth that can be read about in the stories."

"You've probably realized you are one of the more popular subjects to talk about though. In the stories that concern you, the ones where a girl falls into Middle Earth; well it seems that every girl you meet from another world, one way or another, ends up in bed with you."

"I see."

"And that's not how I want my life to be when I'm here: Head-over-heels in love with you. It's not you, its just that there are other people in my life that already…occupy…" She stopped herself. *No, you don't have anyone like that. You don't have the time.* She thought, trying to convince herself otherwise.

"Please, say no more." Legolas saw her conflicting, her heart with her mind. Sitting down next to her, he tried to divert her attention back to the problem they were originally dealing with. "I can understand why you feel the way you do. There is no need for it. Can we not be friends at least?" She looked at him. *Friends huh? That's what the last guy I met said to me.* That had been an incredibly uncomfortable situation for her, not to mention the false rumors that had been spread the following weeks. Then Ellen realized that Middle Earth couldn't possibly be the same way. Legolas had smiled at her and said this in such a non-threatening way, that for the first time, she felt comfortable enough to smile back. "Will that work?" He asked her.

"Yes," She nodded approvingly. "It should work fine." *Well that's over.*

"Now if we could just settle one more issue."

"What's that?" She wondered.

"What do I call you? Valanar or Ellen?" She laughed. She remember the argument she had gotten into earlier with Arwen.

"I honestly don't know. That was Gandalf's idea. It's probably better if you call me Valanar in public. For the sake of 'avoiding unnecessary attention', if you understand what I'm saying."

"Yes I can see how that would be important. If a human such as yourself was found so elegantly dressed in Rivendell, question would most likely arise. By the way, I love what you've done with your ears."

"Wow. Thank you." *Someone noticed!* "I did them during dinner. You really can hear more with them can't you?"

"I suppose so, but I never had rounded out ears before. Only humans have such a unique characteristic. It is said elves have a keen sense of hearing."

"Yes, I've remember now that I'd heard that before. And good vision too." She added. A bird made some settling movements in the tree above. Ellen looked up to see if she could spy it among the branches. There was movement in the tree, but her attention was quickly directed to the stars.

"Wow. You always read so much about the stars in the stories, but nothing can prepare you for the actual sight of a night sky in Middle Earth. Amazing. Its so clear! I always thought the view from our mountain cabin was wonderful. It can't even be compared to this!" Legolas had seen the stars before. The elven race had been born under them. Right now he found himself focusing on the tree. Something, or someone was hiding in its branches. Legolas knew no bird would be stirring this late in the evening, unless something had disturbed it. He was going to take a closer look, but Ellen decided it was time to get back to her room, so he decided to see that she got there first.

Walking up the stairs, arm in arm, Ellen began to wonder how many of the stories she had read were actually true. Did Legolas really spend large amounts of time worrying about his hair? Did Arwen have to hire a child to help King Elessar maintain the proper degree of cleanliness? Was Gandalf really addicted to pipe weed?

Ellen made it to the top of the stairs without too much difficulty. She was getting used to manipulating her dress so that she might walk comfortably. They reached the entrance to her room, and she let go of his arm. There was an awkward pause on his part when they goodnight. She turned to go in, but something made her look back. He was still standing there. She looked at him questioningly.

"What?" He just looked at her a moment, and then replied.

"It is customary among elves, that when you are accompanied to whatever formal occasion, you give a kiss to your escort at the end of the evening." But seeing that she appeared very uncomfortable about that, he quickly excused her from the ritual. "But since you are unfamiliar with the custom, we'll dismiss the idea for tonight." Ellen visibly relaxed.

Smiling, she wished him a goodnight, and entered her room. Legolas remained outside her room for a moment, wondering what she was doing in Rivendell. It was a mystery. She certainly didn't seem to want to be there. He walked down the hall to the stair, and descended into the garden. The tree of interest was now empty. The suspect had fled and it was too dark outside to find a trail. Strange things were brewing in Rivendell. Not dark things, but certainly strange.