Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tolkien's characters nor his beautiful scenery. I bow in awe of his mastery.



~To Tremble With Fear~


Chapter Two: Facade


*First Person: Sonya

"Speak" the elf demanded. His narrowed eyes left no room for argument. I stood there frozen to the ground. My lips protested to break the silence because it felt like an etheral moment. It was too precious to even think.

Thankfully, my brother knew where his tongue was and said "We come in peace." I heard Holly giggle just a bit from the overly-used phrase. The leader seemed happy with the comment and loosened his gaze somewhat. Although, he still didn't look favorably at Holly. That couldn't be good, right?

"What are your names?" the imposing leader asked in his booming voice. Those arrows, for some reason, were really worrying me. Can't he tell them to stand down or something?

"My name is Sonya" I spoke out. Yeah, I knew this stuff. "This is my brother Ben and my good friends Holly and Courtney." Hey, I even motioned to everyone as I spoke their names. Maybe this elf wasn't so scary after all.

The leader was joined by another elf who came out of battle stance to speak with him. They whispered but I heard what they were saying. They were talking of plans to move us. But to where? We didn't even know where in Middle-Earth we were. Ben looked at me with a concerned expression and I met his gaze with one that assured I was fine. But still, he wrapped me in his arms as a way of protection and keeping them from separating us. "Where are we?" I asked without properly thinking my way through. Ben's arms were incredibly comforting.

The elf turned as if I had just cursed him out. It was anger (probably at being interrupted) and confusion all at the same time. "You know not of where you travel?" he asked and I shook my head. He turned back to the elf he was speaking with and they spoke a few more words. If I heard correctly, they were going to take us to 'the Lady'? Why did that sound familiar? "Come, we shall lead you to the city of the Galadhrim" he said, motioning for his group to stand down "You will come before our Lord and Lady." He turned to start leading but stopped as if remembering something. Looking back at us, he said rather unwelcomingly "Welcome to Lorien Forest."

The patrol of elves surrounded us on every side crowding us into a space we couldn't escape while he lead us to Lothlorien. I took a side glance to Courtney and mouthed "Galadriel." She nodded to me with a smile on her face. This had to be a dream.

"I don't like this" Ben murmured to me, looking around at the elves. He hadn't let me go ever since he wrapped his arms around me. I had a feeling he was more scared than I but he would never admit it. "Do you know where we're going?" he asked.

I nodded. "To Lothlorien" I replied, lightly "Calm down, Ben. I have heard Lorien elves are pretty tough when it comes to strangers at their borders."

He snickered nervously and asked "Where did you hear that from?"

I smiled back at him and said "Somewhere on the internet?" He just shook his head at me and smiled. At least the light conversation eased him a bit. Now, he only held my hand...albeit tightly. "Do you think this is Haldir?" I asked Holly who was walking beside me. I motioned my head to the leader to emphasize.

She shook her head and said "I don't know." Tilting her head slightly, looking him up and down, she said "He doesn't look like our sexy elf...But I guess he'll do." I looked around to see if anyone heard that. It was a little embarissing. In fact, Holly probably didn't remember that elves had such good hearing.

The elf I saw talking to the leader earlier had a smirk on his face and I knew he heard. He glanced at me and noticed my staring. The elf promptly went back to his cool demeanor and marched on like the rest. There was just something about that elf that spoke to me.

Looking over at my brother, I motioned for him to let me go for a second. He was skeptical and tried to hold on but it wasn't going to happen. I made my way to the other side of the circle until I was right beside that elf. Walking as if nothing was wrong or amiss, I could feel the elf tense slightly next to me. "What is your name?" I whispered, hoping the leader wouldn't catch on that I was talking to one of his elves. He didn't even move his gaze to me. Oh yeah, he was ignoring me. Actually, I expected this. "Please, Believe me that we are not here to provoke your people" I whispered "We know no one in this world. Won't you speak to me?" He brought his gaze to mine and we locked eyes for what seemed like forever. So much passed between us...understanding, guilt, and even a little hope. I found myself very attracted to this elf.

I broke the gaze with a soft blush and he smiled at me. "Nothing shall harm you" he whispered to me. Was that a double entendre? 'You' as in my group or 'you' as in me? I gave him a small smile in return.

"Rumil!" the leader called and the elf I spoke with jerked his head back where it belonged, marching with the rest of the patrol. Damn leader. 'Rumil' I thought with a sigh. That's a nice name. I shook my head to clear the thoughts that started to push through. Man, I really needed a boyfriend.

Ben came over to me and wrapped his arm around my waist, whispering "What did he say?" I smiled at him.

"We are alright, Ben. There is no need to fear these elves" I said, a little above a whisper just so Rumil would be able to here clearly. Looking over at the elf, I swear I could see a glint of happiness in the elf's eyes. I smiled knowing and feeling completely safe...as long as Rumil was around.

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When Courtney's growling stomach became too much for the leader to hear, he stopped everyone to have something to eat. The four of us sat in a close circle, Ben being close enough for our knees to be touching. They gave us sweet bread. "Lembas" I held up the bread for all to see "I can't believe I'm really eating Lembas." Holly and Courtney smiled but Ben was too consumed by the activity outside our circle to pay attention.

Among the four of us, we shared one water sac, which I deemed would not last longer than fifteen minutes. We were tired, hungry, and very thirsty. Surprisingly, a few bites of the bread and I was full. A few swiggs of the water and I was ready to run a Marathon. What the hell was going on with me? I stood and stretched, feeling completely refreshed. When I looked around, I saw every eye on me like I had just did a song and dance out of tune.

I locked eyes with Rumil for a moment and his eyes begged me to sit down. Within a spilt second, I was hitting the ground with the ferocity of tripping on my ass. Which is not fun, mind you. I quickly scooted near my brother as if running from the gazes.

At that moment, everyone went back to their activities; sharpening, eating, or even checking arrows. 'Ok, no moving without their permission. Great, just great.'

Watching my other friends eat, I glanced at Rumil every chance I got. I found he was doing the same, a small smile on his lips when we would catch each other. I would just look away with a slight blush on my features. That was elf was shameless.

After a while, he stopped glancing and just stared at me. At one moment, I stared back and we shared more between us. He had such beautiful eyes and they were so full of emotion. I always had something for people with passion.

I heard light footfalls behind me and a beautiful yet dangerous voice said "Come with me." I looked up and found the unyielding eyes of the leader. "Come" he repeated more demandingly, taking my upper arm to help me stand.

I stood and my brother automatically grabbed onto my other arm, saying "She stays with me." Looking back, I saw the fury started to rise within Rumil. He was so easy to read. But he didn't move almost as if he couldn't.

"Calm yourself" the leader responded and jerked my arm towards him.

"I don't think so, Taur'quessir[Sylvan elf]!" my brother yelled, pulling me back towards him. 'Wow, that endearment didn't sound too endearing.' The leader sneered and motioned for a couple of elves to hold my unyielding brother back.

"Dina[Be silent]!" When my brother was removed from my arm, I reached out to him in panic. I didn't like the situation. But I was lead away, quickly, from the rest of the group. Was he going to kill me? The fear started building with every step taken.

We were quite a distance away before he stopped and sort of threw me towards a tree. "Leave your stares and sweet words for those of your own kind" he said, throwing me off guard. He did all this to tell me to stay away from his Elves?

I matched his glare and said "You give me no room to argue. So, fine." He laughed slightly, thinking I was playing some game. Maybe I was. Since when did I stay away from a man I fell head over heals for? Well, technically, this guy was an elf but same difference.

He walked closer and closer until he was just inches away from my ear. "What makes you think he acts this way out of pure attraction?" he asked, menacingly "He is anything but pure when it comes to what he wants and gets." I shot him a glare, angry that he would make such a claim on the only elf that showed kindness. Thinking for a moment, a lot of freaky guys I've met were usually the sweetest at first. "Do not tempt him to want you. You would regret it" he finished, flatly.

"Then, why warn me?" I asked, a little upset since he was being an ass from the beginning. He brought his hand up to my cheek and caressed it lightly, making me freak out.

"I do not want this beautiful face to hold anything but a smile" he whispered. I shuddered, though not from anticipation but from repulsion. Mostly, because this elf scared the hell out of me and now he was slightly hitting on me. Creepy.

I smirked and replied "It would be hardplace to refuse such a request." He smiled and backed away slightly. Thank God!

"Then, I shall be happy to help produce more smiles from my lady" he said, bowing slightly in front of me. I raised an eyebrow and bit my lip to keep from laughing. When he looked up, I saw that glint in his eyes as if he just won a prize. I smiled slightly, almost frightened to show the truth.

'Just stay away from me and we're good.'

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When I got back to the camp, Ben took me in his arms and thanked God a million times, which made the other Elves look at him funny. 'Oh yeah, Elves don't believe in God here. It's the Valar.'

Before long, we were back on the road, walking towards Lothlorien. It was nearly dark before the leader decided to stop again and this time, to sleep. I was very thankful and I knew Courtney and Holly were happy too.

They gave Courtney and Holly a bit more food as they had asked for some. We all took a big gulp of water and settled ourselves in a huge pile to sleep. We were quite funny looking. Ben had his arm draped over me, I had my head on Holly's shoulder and Courtney was actually spooned between myself and Holly. She was so small and was probably the warmest of all of us. Lucky git.

I couldn't sleep. Those words the leader had said kept coming into my mind, haunting my sanity. I thought I was good at spotting the bad eggs but I had been wrong before and it surely wasn't gonna change just because I was in a different world. Well, different time. To tell the truth, I still was unsure of how we got here.

Sitting up carefully, I made sure I woke no one, including the leader. I lightly kissed my brother on the forehead and walked a bit away until I was able to see the sky. Surprisingly, the moon was out and it looked just the same. 'My security blanket.' I smiled and kissed my hand, gesturing to the moon in respect. I loved the moon, it constantly waxed and waned but was the same nonetheless. As long as the moon didn't leave me, then I never felt alone.

"You are a stargazer" I heard a voice beside me and I turned to find Rumil looking intently at me. I tensed, those words the leader had said making me feel uncomfortable yet again. He frowned at my reaction and said "I am sorry for interrupting." He started to walk away and something inside me screamed to stop him.

I reached out and lightly tapped his arm, saying "You weren't interrupting. You just shocked me." He turned and smiled lightly.

"Shocked you..." he repeated "No, you do not need shock." He looked down, as if in guilt. "What did Orophin do when he took you away?" he asked, tentatively. It seemed this elf was generally concerned, so I indulged. 'Orophin is the bitchy elf's name, then.'

"He only wished to talk" I said, ignoring giving the content of the discussion. Rumil didn't seem happy with that answer.

"He did not hurt you, then?" he asked, watching me carefully to make sure I didn't lie. I shook my head and I saw him sigh a bit...in relief. I turned from him and found the spot where the moon shown through the canapy of the forest. Sitting slowly, I didn't take my eyes off of it. He smiled and joined me on the ground, looking up as well. "What fascinates you so?" he asked.

I sighed and replied "It is beautiful and its the only thing upon this earth that I can count on never changing." He laughed lightly and I looked at him. "Why are you laughing?" I asked.

"It is only..." he started "The moon is everchanging." I smiled like I had him in my trap. 'Yes! Opportunity!'

Looking over to him I said "But you only look with your eyes." He ceased smiling and looked at me questioningly. "It is always a full circle but sometimes, it wishes not to show itself fully or at all. But that doesn't mean thats its not there or that it has changed" I continued "I know many who act and believe in different things in the same respect. It's there. You just have to see with your heart." I looked back up to the moon and closed my eyes, basking in the moonlight. "Change can be a facade" I finished.

He was silent and I looked back to see if he was still there. Oh yeah, he was there and stared at me with a smile upon his face. I stared back, hoping that maybe a smile wouldn't form on my lips. I was still unsure of myself here. He leaned forward, his hand reaching out to caress my cheek but I backed away. Sitting back in his place, he frowned and looked completely rejected.

"I'm sorry" I said quickly but he shook his head.

"No" he said "I should not have..." Trailing off, he stood and started to walk away. He stopped and turned, saying "Promise me one thing, Sonya." I looked up and locked with his gaze. "Do not change from the she-elf who came to me for reassurance this morning" he continued "Change can be a facade, right?"

Guilt crossed my eyes and he smiled sadly. "Maybe" I whispered. He nodded and walked away. 'Shit. He got me there.'

To be continued...


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