Authors note: I am so, so sorry for the very long delay. No, really...im not that sorry, hehe. My muse just tapped out for a while and so, now its back and im writing:) Its actually my friends that are making me write this. A lot of authors can sympathize with me on that, I know. Hopefully, I will be able to finish this story like my other story. The problem is updating it. Im lazy, gods beautiful gift to me *snickers*. Well, on with the story!!

Please, Please, Please, Please review...


~To Tremble With Fear~


Chapter Four: Lorien


"Ok" Courtney started in a huff "That's the last step I take!" She halted mid-way up the stairs nearly causing Ben to run into her from behind but he acted quickly. Before she knew it, Ben had swept her off her feet and continued up the stairs without a hitch. Courtney struggled for a second before she realized how much better this was for her feet. "Now, why didn't you do this to begin with?" she asked, upset.

Ben snickered and replied "You need to learn to use those little legs." The little hobbit stuck her tongue out at him which only made him laugh. Before long, everyone reached the top of the stairs and peered around the flat surface. It looked so magical. As to what light was giving off the soft glow among the trees and raised ceiling of the house, no one of them could guess.

They moved slowly, in a large group, towards more steps and everyone heard Courtney sigh heavily as she was already put back down on the ground by her Elven Saint. But before they started to climb the stairs, Orophin stopped the whole group from doing so. "Wait here" is all he said as he went up the stairs quietly.

Rumil went before the group and explained what was going on. The Lady and Lord of Lothlorien were coming to welcome them to the city and basically, determine whether they were a threat to Lorien or not. Rumil knew they weren't but the Lady knew all and she would see before she even reaches the bottom of the stairs that they were not a threat. "You cannot lie to the Lady" he finished "She will know your true self." He chanced a glance at Sonya when he said that and found her eyes lowered slightly. Rumil felt a slash of guilt through his chest but said no more. He stood straighter and walked over to one side, standing with one of the Elf-guards.

Sonya's heart beat rapidly, wondering what his statement about the Lady knowing their true selves meant. Was there some things she didn't know about herself that the Lady would know? That was incredibly unsettling.

The time couldn't have moved any slower for the four. They waited anxiously for the couple to appear but it seemed that humans in their own world were not the only ones who were fashionably late.

The room grew brighter as two beings descended the stairs. It was hard for all four to even make out the outline of Elf before the two reached the bottom. The light decreased slowly until all eyes were adjusted and clear. There, before them, stood the two most beautiful and precious looking Elves any of them had ever seen. One with golden hair that reached to her knees, and the other with golden hair that flowed to the middle of his back. Both were slender and very delicate but you could tell from their eyes they had seen more in life than any Elf among them.

"I am Lord Celeborn" the one with shorter hair said. He looked so innocent but deadly at the same time. Gesturing to his left, he continued "This is my wife, Galadriel. Welcome to Lorien." Everyone bowed their head slightly, out of respect.

Galadriel gazed upon Courtney...then Ben...then Holly and said "This is interesting." Her gaze fell upon Sonya and a slow smile formed on her lips. "Very interesting" she finished. Sonya blushed lightly but didn't lower her eyes. The Lady smiled at her bravery and looked to her husband, slowly saying "These beings are harmless." Turning back to the four, she continued "Come...you are very welcome in Lorien forest. Rest among our people for as long as you will." The four bowed again but the Lady wasn't quite finished. Her gaze fell upon Ben and spoke words only he could hear. In response, Ben's eyes widened and his face paled slightly. Galadriel smiled and turned with her husband to walk up the stairs.

When the Lord and Lady disappeared, Orophin reappeared and said "Come with me...you will stay together in a guest Pavilion." Ben's eyes widened again but didn't say a word for fear of saying the wrong thing. The group followed Orophin closely, and Rumil straggled behind. He was wondering just what the Lady had seen in Sonya.


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The Pavilion was huge. It had three rooms. One contained four beds, one was a washroom, and the other was like a sitting room with comfortable chairs. Courtney fell in love with the chairs. "I could sleep in this!" she exclaimed as she climbed up into one and sank into the seat.

Holly snickered and said "You very well could." She looked around the room and regarded how care-worn the room was. The Pavilion looked like an older version of the Plaza hotel suite, which she only got to see once in her life. Since Sonya was pretty famous back home, she got to stay in the swanky place with her for a night.

"Wow" Sonya whispered, reverantly. The place looked more holy than just guest chambers. "I don't think I can sleep here. I mean..." she started again, looking about her "I can't stop staring at the walls." Rumil came up behind her and moved her gaze to a specific painting. It was full of color and showed a beautiful open building where the trees mingled with the framework. It seemed that there wasn't even an inside. All of it was nature...much like Lorien but a little more brighter.

He leaned down and whispered "This painting is of Rivendell in all its glory. The Rivendell elves are our kin to the North. They live such peaceful lives near the Misty Mountains. Even to the Lorien elves, they are a bit of a mystery." He sighed lightly as she continued to regard the painting but surprised him when she turned with a smile upon her face. All he could do was smile back.

"I'm sure you are as much of a mystery to them as they are to you" she replied. The glint of pride showed through his eyes and Sonya had to turn away before she was drawn in, captured against her will...almost against her will.

As she walked away, Rumil's smile faultered and he lowered his eyes slightly. That feeling came upon him again. The feeling where confusion reigned and anger had to be kept at bay. He didn't want to be angry with her but all of it was eating away at him. Keeping his demeanor cool, he walked out onto the veranda from the sitting room and looked down amongst the lit trees to find some sort of peace.

Ben shakily walked to one of the chairs and sat heavily in it. This day was just full of events; Seeing a beautiful city, listening to a beautiful she-elf, and being told some new information about something he didn't think existed. He just needed to sit down and kick back. Yeah, that would do the trick.

"Is everything to your satisfactory?" Orophin asked everyone in the room. He walked around and smiled when he saw all the awed faces. It made him proud of his culture. Everyone chorused their approval which only made him smile wider.

Holly came back into the room and sat in the chair next to Ben. He tensed immediately. "If I didn't know any better, I would say this room was meant to charm the wits out of your guests" she said, trying to keep away a little bit of skepticism in her voice.

Rumil laughed as he came back into the sitting room. "They have found us out, dear Brother" he said, happily. Everyone looked at Orophin in shock, especially Sonya. No one knew these two were brothers. It wasn't exactly something that would be 'need to know' information but still, the two were like night and day.

"Aye" Orophin replied as he snickered at the faces. "Come...We will leave you now" he continued and gestured for his brother to follow "If you need anything, there are servants here to attend you. They will bring you some food later."

Rumil drifted to the door of the guest Pavilion and looked back into the sitting room. He got one last look at Sonya before he walked away. Orophin came to the door next and turned to say "Sleep well" before he shut it quietly.


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The door had been shut for a few minutes and there was nothing but silence. Everyone just stared at the closed door. Courtney dared a few words and said "Did what just happened...just happen?"

Ben blindly stared and said "Well, if it didn't happen...I want to know what just happened..."

"I think it happened" Holly offered "I mean...if it didn't happen, then what just happened didn't really happen."

Sonya stared at the door and silently confirmed "It happened." She stood and went to the painting Rumil had shown her. Everyone looked to Sonya. She turned with a bright smile and said "It really happened." Small smiles started to grace lips. This was the first time they got to be alone and really talk about everything that was going on.

Courtney stood and started dancing about the room. "I got to see Galadriel!" she exclaimed as she twirled. Everyone laughed at her and Sonya joined her shortly, followed by Ben and then Holly.

"We are really in Lothlorien!" Sonya yelled and everyone cheered. She fell into a chair shortly and sighed in pure ecstacy. This all seemed like a dream but she knew it wasn't. "What to do first..." she started. Everyone shortly joined her in falling into chairs. "I want to try Evermead (a fine elvish wine) first. I know they got some here!"

"Yeah, me too!" Courtney chimed in "and a 1420!" Sonya laughed and nodded.

Ben snickered and asked "What the hell is a 1420?"

"The finest brew in Middle-Earth!" the hobbitess explained happily.

"I'm there!" Ben exclaimed and stood "Where is it?" He felt he needed some beer more than anyone at the moment.

Holly laughed and said "In Bree." She stood suddenly, as if she had the best idea in the world. "Let's go to Bree!" she exclaimed.

Courtney stood too, saying "And the Shire!"

"Edoras..." Ben offered.

Sonya laughed and indulged, saying "Mirkwood!" They all laughed at her as if she said the most absurd of all places to go. "I love Legolas..." she said as she held up her index finger "He's number one!" The group fell out. It had been a while since the group had laughed uncontrollably this way. But then again, Sonya was always the butt of jokes when it came to Legolas. He was the one character that basically 'sold out' but she didn't hide the fact that she liked the guy. He did have a great looking ass to her eyes.

"So, what are we going to do?" Ben asked when the group calmed down again. Everyone looked to Sonya again as if she were the leader of the group to begin with.

"Let's do it" she said with a sly smile "Let's do it all!" Her smile widened when everyone whooped and hollered like a bunch of cowboys.


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"Send out the army" a crude voice commanded. He thought a few more seconds and finished "To Osgiliath."

"But, my Lord" a man came to stand next to the demanding King "The Stewards of Gondor will not uncheck your attacks. This is not a good idea. They will win and then come after us."

The King peered to his side. Without one word, he pushed the advisor to the nearest wall and harshly said "These attacks are not meant for victory, you twit. They are meant to weaken. You will do as I say or you will be put in the dungeon like the rest of my fathers former advisors. Understand?"

The advisor nodded vigorously.

"Say it!" the King demanded and pushed harder.

"I understand..." he said weakly. The King let go with a sneer and the advisor found his ability to breathe again. As the King walked away, the advisor clutched his stomach and looked up with a death glare. 'Rotten kid' he thought.


To be continued...