Author's Note:  The reason I haven't been able to update for so long is because we have moved to a new house and my mother packed the computer first but we didn't move until like a week and a half after that.  Ughhh…. I was mad, although I have a feeling I wouldn't have been able to update anyway since we had testing all last week.  Well if only that was it, but just to add to all the confusion, we are attempting to switch to DSL, but the parental units are having trouble setting it up, and they refuse to pay $200 for a specialist to come and install it.  So not only does DSL not work, our regular Internet connection doesn't either.  Arrrg.  So honestly, I have no idea when I'll update again. 

For those wondering, no I am not dead and I hope to be able to update very soon, as soon as I get the chance.  Sorry for the horribly long wait again.

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Very soon, Legolas and Kenisse were joining Nerodel and Alinne at the large table.  They sat on the other side, Kenisse carefully positioned herself across from Alinne, surely so Legolas wouldn't get to look at her too much.  To her dismay however, Legolas could see Alinne perfectly and they held each other's sad gazes as soon as Legolas took his seat.

"Good evening" said Kenisse cheerfully.  "How was everyone's day?"

"Kenisse, you were in the same place as us all but two hours of the day." Nerodel answered with irritation.

"Well excuse me for trying to bring a little cheer to the dinner table!" she yelled back in frustration.

"Oh please, do shut up Kenisse, no one needs their day ruined by hearing you speak the whole time."  The voice came from the doorway of yet another large set of doors.  He (Him being the wizard, He still doesn't have a name by the way) was slowly ascending towards the table making quite a grand entrance.

"I apologize sir, I did not know you were here already."  Kenisse said quietly.

The wizard sat down at the head of the table and called for dinner. 

A nauseatingly filthy orc came out, housing multiple piercings on his nose, and asked what everyone would like to have.

"I will have the special." The wizard answered.

"I will have the same, you have an incredible taste My Lord." Kenisse said smiling towards him.

Alinne couldn't help from rolling her eyes. She was busy complaining to herself about Alinne, but soon her thoughts were interrupted.

"And you lady," the orc inquired, "what would you like tonight?"

Are all orcs this polite?  Oddly I think I like this orc more than Kenisse.

"Have the special, it is absolutely delightful."  Kenisse said leaning over the table towards Alinne and bringing her hand up to her mouth as if she was whispering a secret no one else was supposed to hear.  If that was really her intention, it was absurd, seeing as she said it loud enough for the orcs in the kitchen to hear.  Alinne had no idea where the kitchen actually was, but it must have been relatively far away.  (She hoped it was anyway.)

"The special?" she though out loud.  "What might I ask is the special tonight?" she said turning towards the orc, but keeping her gaze just to the side.  The dirt clinging to his skin and the crusted blood would surely make her sick.

"The special tonight is fried man meat with baby fingers."

Oh my God I am going to be sick!  Dear God PLEASE do not let it be that those are REAL baby fingers!

"Would you like the special then?" The orc persisted.  He must not have been looking at her since her horrified and disgusted expression was clearly answering him.

Alinne looked towards Legolas, across the table.  He looked even more disgusted than her.

I suppose it is because he had a man for a friend.  I have never been close enough to one to even consider them my friends.  Still…  Do they really serve human flesh on a daily basis?  How can they stand that?

"Will you have the special milady?" the orc asked again.  If he was getting irritated, he was doing a great job of hiding it.

"No, I really think I am not hungry any more." She answered, holding on to her stomach for effect.

The orc looked over towards the wizard in silent question.

"It is alright Trebor, the lady may be excused to her room."

"And you sir," the orc said turning towards Legolas, "what will you have?"

"Not the special." He said quickly, "I do not think I am hungry any more either."  Before the wizard could say anything however, Kenisse quickly said,

"He will have a plate of vegetables, cooked with no sauce or any meat products."

"No, I am not hungry for anything."  Legolas tried to argue.

"I do not care, you will stay here and eat what is given to you.  I will not have you gallivanting around with her." She answered cruelty.

"Sir Nerodel, what would you like tonight?"  The orc turned its ugly head towards a quite sad looking elf at the table.

"Have the special, Nerodel," the wizard said with a spark in his eye, "you have never had it before."

"My lord, I have already told you - " Nerodel argued.

"You do not have a taste for it, I know, but how can you know that if you have never tried it?" the wizard continued.

"Trebor, I will have the usual please." He finally said ceasing all further arguments.

"Very well, sir." Trebor nodded his head and walked off.

"Do you want to go up the room Alinne?" Nerodel asked, looking towards her.

"Yes please." She answered quietly, careful to not begin another outburst from the wizard or Kenisse.

"I will walk you up then." He said getting up, "come along."

Bidding Legolas a sad goodbye with her eyes, Alinne followed Nerodel down the dark corridor.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I should have warned you about the dinner, sorry" Nerodel apologized as he sat down on the white fluffy bed.

"Why are you apologizing?" Alinne asked.  To her, the act seemed very considerate, but completely useless, keeping in mind that she was technically a prisoner.

"I do not know, I suppose.  It seemed like a fitting thing to do right now." He answered.

They had gotten up to the bedroom without saying a single word.

"Are you tired?" Nerodel asked as he pulled back a blanket from the bed.

"Yes, and no." Alinne answered.  She had no idea what she wanted anymore.

"Alright…" he mumbled. "Would you like me to leave?"

"No, please stay, I really am tired, but there are so many things I want to ask you."  Alinne answered quickly.  It had become very easy to talk to Nerodel, she noticed.  He had changed somehow, although why he had changed puzzled Alinne.  For as long as she had known him, Nerodel was a chauvinistic, mean, and self obsessed man, and yet, suddenly he was sweet, considerate, and someone she felt comforted with.

"Well we can do both at the same time." He answered with a smile.  "There is a nightgown in your room I believe, I will change out here, and then you may ask me anything you like.

"Alright, thank you." Alinne said quietly with a bit of a smile on her face.

            Alinne walked into her room and indeed, just as Nerodel had promised, there was a nightgown waiting for her.  With a lot of effort she was finally able to pull the dress she was wearing off and took a deep breath, enjoying the feel of nothing cutting her breath short.  She never did like fancy dresses.  Shielding herself with her arms from the cold she looked around the room again.  It was no different from what she remembered before, but the feel of it had changed.  She no longer felt afraid or worried.  She felt no easiness in this place, still, there was something, peaceful maybe, that gave her an ongoing hope that all would turn out well.  With the nightgown slipped on, she hurried out of the room.

            She saw Nerodel at the window, not done changing obviously, his nightshirt was in his hands and his night pants hung loosely on his hips.  She never realized how thin he was, beyond even what an elf usually is.  She continued to watch him, the way the moonlight danced along his face, until she realized that what this should be, is a quite awkward moment.  Quietly she walked back into her room.  She had noticed his face twitch slightly, maybe he heard her, but either way he made no mention about it.

Author's Note:  Ughhh, you can't even imagine how sorry I am about the wait.  The sad thing is, I've had most of this chapter typed up already, I just haven't had access to a computer in months.  Well, now that I've got it going again, I hope to be able to finally finish this story in a timely manner.