Big hugs (and puppies, as well as hordes of mini-chocolate chip muffins…yummy) to Melissa Greenleaf, Merenwen, Little-Lost-One, Nevweh, Amy, Princess of Mirkwood, and Paperclip Princess. Sorry if I didn't include your name if you reviewed, next chapter promise!
MirkwoodA daze of colours flashed in front of Em's eyes. All bright and blinding. Flashes of faces of people with long blond hair, the wolf, Colm closing the door, the graveyard, the grave, a beautiful maiden with long golden locks, and an old man appear before her eyes giving her restless sleep. As though small mischievous faeries where whispering in her ears, giving her unquiet dreams. Her weak form tossing and turning in the grand bed. All the faces and the colours soon overcame the girl and she bolted straight up in the bed she was currently placed in and was met with an unfamiliar sight. The girl looked around awe-struck at where ever she was. All the colours of the room where either white or creamy and there was etches and details everywhere. Arcs surrounded the room. The wall was covered in beautifully crafted figures, and leaves running through out the room. Em was currently sitting up on a huge queen sized bed with a canopy covering the top. She clutched the silken sheets against her form as she felt alien fabric around her body. She looked down to see she was no longer dressed in her jeans and top but a silk nightdress with long sleeves. Em gasped and looked around her again.
''Your clothes are being washed if you're wondering.'' Spoke a voice from behind her as she turned around she saw an old men in strange grey robes and a most bizarre hat, who was currently smoking a pipe. His voice was dripping with mirth as he look at the wide eyed girl, who currently strongly resembled a bunny caught in the headlights of a fast approaching vehicle. ''What? Where am I? Who are you?'' Em squeaked out. At that instant in glided a beautiful women with long golden hair that reached almost to the ground carrying a pile of clothes, as she hummed a soft tune. ''Questions later.'' Spoke the old man as he got up from the chair he was sitting in moments before and, smiling, left the room.
''I am to be your handmaiden while you stay here, milady. My name is Amothien. I have to get you ready to see King Thranduil and Gandalf, but that's not until after dinner. So I have to get you ready for dinner first then don't I?' Chuckled Amothien as she set the clothes down on a small table, placed her hands on her hips and smiled down at the girl in the bed who was currently looking at Amothien like she had three-heads. ''What…'' Amothien laugh at the expression on the girls face as she pulled her hair behind her ears. At this simple gesture Em's face went faster then the speed of light from the sarcastic expression back to the bunny in the headlights expression. Amothien could not help but laugh more. ''Your…your ears…'' gaped Em ''Yes…''asked Amothien ''WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH YOUR FRICKIN' EARS?'' Screamed Em as she jumped up from the bed and backed up against the headboard. Her eyes remaining on Amothien's ears the whole time. ''Oh dear, little one, please calm down. You must believe me you are in no danger. You are perfectly safe here.'' Amothien said as she sat on the bed trying to sooth Em. ''Where? Where is HERE? Why are your ears like that?'' Em quickly asked as she looked around for some way to escape if need be. ''We are in Mirkwood. In King Thranduil's palace. There is nothing wrong with my ears. All elf's have ears like my own.' Amothien said calmly ''Mirkwood? What the heck is Mirkwood? Who is Thran is ill?' Em gasped ''Mirkwood is one of the elven realms in Middle Earth and.'' Amothien explained as she tried to get Em to get off from the bed and calm down. '' King Thranduil is its ruler…''
''ELF!!! YOU'RE AN ELF!'' Shrieked Em as she jumped from the bed and slowly backed up in the corner of the room. ''Now, it's okay dear. Yes I am an elf but I wouldn't harm you.'' Amothien said as she moved to where the girl was backed up against the wall, with her hands in the air as if she was approaching a cornered animal. She started singing an elfish hymn as she took Em's hand and lead her towards the two chairs. She made Em sit down in one and then poured her a cup of a drink. ''I think it would be best if you heard some of what has been going on before you are meant to talk to Gandalf after dinner. Well drink this up while I tell you then. You have had some adventure already have you not?'' Amothien handed the china cup over to Em, who if it was possible her eyes had grown even wider. ''Well, as far as I know, and can tell you, you were brought her by Gandalf. That's the old man you met just moments ago, he really is a very powerful wizard. With some help by the Lady Galadriel. She is also an elf, very beautiful and ruler of Lothlorien, the most beautiful elven realm in Middle Earth, she is very powerful too. Drink up now, there's a dear. They brought you here, well to Middle Earth. Must be much different to where ever it was they brought you from. Did you never see an elf before or hear at least about them? I am not sure why they brought you here I suppose they will tell you themselves. Now we must get you ready for dinner, if you want your questions answered that is.'' Amothien gracefully rose from the chair and looked down at Em, whose eyes were quite large but less then before. The elven hymn and tea had calmed her down enough. ''Just one question…'' ''Yes?'' What was in that drink you gave me.'' Amothien laughed her musical laugh again as she led Em into the bathroom where there was a waiting bath already for her.
Some time later Em emerged from the bathroom looking much better then after her ordeal. She went back into the room and found a dress waiting for her and Amothien preparing the vanity table.
''Aah, there you are. Now do you not look much better without all that black stuff around your eyes. Come get dressed and then I'II do your hair.'' Amothien sang out
''Get dressed into what? All I see is that dress and I don't wear dresses.'' Em stated flatly
''What do you mean don't wear dresses of course you do.'' Chirped Amothien
''No I don't'' Em chirped back in the same tune
''All maidens wear dresses.'' Stated Amothien
''Well then…I'm a rebel and I refuse to dress as medieval Barbie.'' Em replied, folding her arms across her chest to emphasize her point.
''All the maidens at dinner will be wearing dresses. You don't want to be the only one not dressed in a dress now do you?'' Amothien chirped but this time a note of pleading could be heard.
''Boy, you elf people are sure big into peer pressure, aren't ya.'' Em drawled
''Please wear the dress. It matches your hair, at least'' Amothien begged, as she notice two distinct locks of lilac hair flow down Em's head, framing her face . After five minutes of begging Em, grudgingly, gave in.
Amothien sat Em down as soon as she was changed into her Lilac gown with bell sleeves.
''We have to make the most of your hair now don't we.'' Amothien said as she began try to hide the locks away from view.
In the end Em had most of her hair down except for a few pieces held back from her face. ''Perfect.'' Amothien said as she surveyed her work ''Now, accessories.'' Amothien squealed with delight as she began pouring over boxes of trinkets on a small table . Em finally opened her eyes and staring in dismay at the sight that was looking back at her ''Yeap. My worst fears have indeed come true. I'm Medieval Barbie. Better know as the Anti-Christ. Oh joy of joys.'' Her sarcastic tone could have been picked up ten miles away ''Ooh! This will look just delightful on you.'' Squealed Amothien as she picked up as silver necklace with a tear shaped purple stone on in and placed it on Em's neck. ''And what would Barbie be without her friends?'' Em asked no one in particular but even she had to admit she didn't look half-bad at all.
Far sooner then expected a loud chime rang throughout the palace. ''It is time for our dinner meal. We are going to be eating in a private room. Only you, Gandalf, King Thranduil, his son and myself will be attending. Come now, we mustn't keep them waiting.'' Amothien spoke while she pushed Em towards the door. ''Just one more thing before we go.'' Em said ''Yes, yes?'' Amothien said, praying they wouldn't be late ''What's your name?'' Both girls laughed at that. They had spent the last three hours together and they didn't even know each other's names ''My name is Amothien. And what do they call you?'' ''Well, insane, mostly, but my name's Em.'' Amothien then tried to copy the look she had seen on her friends face earlier ''Is Em short for something.'' ''Yeah.'' ''What is it short for?''
''That's a top military_CIA_big_government_cover_up_secret_thingy_ma_giger, in short, I tell you and a bunch of highly trained ninja mutant hero turtles would have to kill you.'' Now it was Em's turn to laugh at the look of bewilderment on Amothien's face. ''I think it would be best if we departed for dinner now.'' Amothien said, still trying hard to pull off ''the look''.
Yes, it was short I know. Look she's made a friend. Reviews are always welcome *hint, hint*
TURTLE DOVES ROCK
IMPC