Chapter 7: A Clever Disguise



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*[ ]* - indicated the translation of the Elvish words into English.



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Ashley, of course, didn't hear her friend knock on the door. So, after a few moments of waiting, Amy decided to show herself in.

Reaching into her bottomless pit of a purse, she withdrew a house key and, fitting it to the lock, entered.

"Ash!?" She called, a bit wary of walking into her friend's house without permission.

Knowing that her best bud loved to sleep late, when the occasion called for it, Amy walked down the hallway and nearly ran straight into her friend's guest.

"Holy...." she gasped, scared slightly out of her wits by the Elf's sudden appearance.

Legolas looked at her for a moment then smiled, "You must be the friend whom Ashley was talking to last night."

It wasn't really a question but a statement.

Amy nodded, "Uh yeah... I didn't completely believe her but whoa..." she caught herself, realizing that she must look rather dumbfounded. Of course, she thought, who wouldn't with an Elf standing in front of them.

"So um... where is Ashley?"

"Asleep."

Suspicion crept slightly into Amy's voice, "Asleep doesn't tell me much. Asleep where?"

Legolas turned slightly, "In the guest room, or so that was what she named it."

"So, let me get this straight. You slept in her bed and she slept in the spare room?"

The Elf nodded, beginning to get the picture which Ashley's slightly over protective friend had conjured up, "We talked a little after she finished talking to you and then she went to bed."

"Uh huh..." Amy looked at him for a moment, "I suppose Elves are not very good liars though, according to everything I've read." she smiled, "Thanks."

And with not a single word more, she slipped past him and walked farther down the hallway. Legolas however, just shrugged and leaned against the wall, waiting for her return.



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Of course Ashley had not overslept, at least not this time anyway. She was up and about, brushing her hair one moment then putting on make-up the next. That was how Amy found her and, slipping into the room unnoticed, sprang up behind her friend.

"Hi!" her blonde friend said, a smile on her face.

Ashley wasn't really startled, but she jumped slightly, "You would get along well with Elves, Amy. You both delight in trying to scare me."

Amy laughed, "So what else is new. Anyway," her voice lowered to barely above a whisper, "What happened?"

"Huh?" Ashley turned to her friend, a confused look on her face.

"Don't tell me NOTHING happened between you two after we got off the phone last night."

"Amy!" the woman shoved her out of the way and made for her closet, "How can you think such a thing?"

Her friend gave her one of her famous 'it's me' looks, after having fallen onto the end of the bed, "Oh come on. You know me well enough to know that I'm going to be a bit protective here."

Ashley sighed, "Nothing happened. When we stopped talking, for the second time mind you, I saw him outside on the porch. But... well... he was hurt, inside I mean. But we talked for a bit and then I came in here to sleep. He slept in my room, since he had been in there for about four days prior."

"Nothing..."

Ashley came back out of the closet, fully ready for the day, "Nothing. Sorry."

With a sigh Amy stood and stepped toward the door, "Oh well."

"And don't you get any ideas either." Ashley added before they walked out into the hallway.

But Amy just smiled and whispered, "Who, me? Never."

Legolas, who had been lingering in the hallway, turned to them, "Mae aur." he said with a slight bow of his head. *[Good morning.]*

"A an le, Legolas." Ashley returned. *[And to you, Legolas.]*

Of course poor Amy was totally at a loss for words, "Okay, English is needed so the friend here doesn't get completely lost."

Ashley sighed, "Oh fine, spoil our fun." she laughed but then noticed Legolas' appearance for the first time, "Oh no... that won't do."

He looked down at himself, "What won't do? I dressed in the clothes you gave me. Does it not suit me."

Before Amy could reply, Ashley stuck her in the ribs with an elbow, "It suits you well but your ears. Everyone in town is going to flip if a man with pointed ears walks down the street."

"Flip?" he questioned.

"That's slang, it means that they're going to think they've lost their wits." Amy replied.

"Ah..."

Ashley shook her head, "Any who, we have to do something about your ears." she turned to her friend, "Amy, do you still have that OCU cap in your car?"

"Yeah... Oh I get it. If he wears a hat, it'll cover his ears, or most of them anyway."

"Right."

Legolas was a bit wary of it all though, "What is a cap, if I may ask."

Amy rushed outside and, within a few moments came back, handing Ashley the hat.

"It's something you wear on your head to block out the sun." Course then she remembered that Elves liked the sunshine, "Not all of it mind you, but it umm...." she took a minute to think, "Instead of using your hand to shield your eyes, so you can see farther, you just wear the hat and this," she indicated the brim, "has the same affect."

He did not answer but looked at her quizzically.

Walking over to the Elf, Ashley handed it him, "Just put it on your head."

He did so and the two women stood back and admired his new attire. He was dressed in blue jeans, the longest pair Ashley could find. And, since her friends tended to stay a while at her cabin, there were many to choose from. His shirt was green, of course, and long sleeved. It buttoned up the front with a collar. Lastly, were his shoes. They were one of the guy's doc boots which had been left from a long while back.

"Hey, aren't those Kenneth's?" Amy asked, pointing to the shoes.

"Yeah, but remember when we had that huge party and you and Kenneth and Mark decided you'd stay the night?"

Amy nodded.

"Well, Kenneth forgot about the shoes, don't quite know how, but he did. I've been meaning to return them, but haven't gotten the chance."

Legolas sighed, "So, does this suit you better?"

"Huh? Yes, of course it does. Though the hat looks a bit odd... maybe it's because I've never thought of you wearing a hat before. Who knows." Ashley smiled, "Well anyway, we'd better get going. Amy, can we take your truck?"

"Ah, I'd rather not. It'd been acting up a bit on these hills, let's just go in yours."

Ashley shrugged, "Alright."

Once more, Legolas was very confused and he looked to the woman for a moment, mouthing the word 'truck.' But she just laughed and said she would explain it later.



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Within moments, after grabbing her purse, Ashley locked the house and jumped into the backseat of her Suzuki SUV. Amy had ushered Legolas into the passenger's side and when he was seated, he turned himself slightly to face the woman in the back.

"Nileregwen, man be sen nad?" He asked, keeping his voice calm but fear threatened him. He had never before been in such a thing as this and, the Elf pondered silently what its use might be. *[Nileregwen, what is this thing?]*

But Ashley laughed as she withdrew her cell phone from her purse, "Ha be car. Caru in naeth, Legolas. Le innas no brand, estelio nin." *[It is a car. Do not worry, Legolas. You will be fine, trust me.]*

Legolas smiled at her, "Ir agorech hir lu istui i glam edhellen?" he asked. *[When did you find time to learn the speech of the Elves?]*

"Im nauth ha nai ned tulu." The woman replied. *[I thought it may be of help.]* She looked him in the face, "Im istui ha ir sui le hoda naegro a ab." *[I learned it as you lay in pain, and after.]*

He looked at her and their eyes held one another. But the arrival of Amy in the driver's seat shortened that moment and it was quickly lost.

"Are you guys ready?"

Legolas nodded and, with a smile Ashley replied with a yes. Soon they were off down the bumpy dirt road which led from the town to Laura's house. All the while, Ashley watched Legolas' fascination at the world about him and of how fast they traveled.

"If such things existed in Arda, it would not take so long to travel from my home to Rivendell. I often tire of that road, though no one but the two of you know that secret."

"And we will keep it well hidden." Amy replied, her concentration on the road.

Ashley however, was occupied elsewhere and was speaking rapidly into her cell phone.

"Yes... I know it's a holiday but.... Kenneth, I need you to call a meeting at Castle Dungeon. Everyone, and bring all the reports you have. Tell Mark when you get there that we'll arrive in about thirty minutes." There was silence and Ashley rolled her eyes, "I can't tell you now what the trouble is. But I... no.... I need all the reports on paranormal activity."

Amy glanced in the rearview mirror and smiled, knowing what her friend was going through on the phone. But Ashley just glared at her and continued on.

"Yes, something has happened and I'll tell you when you get there, provided all the reports and members are present.... You do to have the authority to call a meeting, we're joint partners after all."

The Elf was growing rather interested in the conversation and turned to see the woman, her head resting on the driver's side backseat window and an exasperated look on her face.

"Kenneth, just do this alright. As a favor to me. When you learn why I need this, you're going to do one of two things. Either you shall bash me in the head upon learning the news, or faint." She laughed, "Yes, I said faint. Good, then I'll see you soon. Bye."

Ashley hung up the phone and flung it into the seat beside her, "AH!"

"Kenneth giving you problems again?" Amy asked.

"How'd ya guess?"

Legolas raised an eyebrow, "What was that all about?"

But Ashley's mood instantly brightened upon hearing his voice and she smiled, "About trying to figure out a way to get you home."



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Disclaimer: Refer to chapter 1 for this.



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Reviews:



Uta: Thanks so much! I'm trying not to throw Legolas into a head over heels situation, he doesn't seem like that kinda guy. But Ashley, well, since she's based on me she has a problem with falling for a cute guy upon first glance. Have no fear however, for closer and closer they will grow.