Mellon1: Thank you so much. You are one of the reasons I keep this story going. The reviews from you and all the continuous reviewers, you all keep me going.

Aislin: Lazy bum, I see how you are, lol! Just kidding. How are thing going with your story, any luck yet? I agree with you on the part where the boots surround her, I think that was one of my favs. And as for why she was acting like a child so much… it'll explain it a little later, because I did realize you were right about that.
You talk in your sleep? My friends, evil people really, in highschool stuck my hand in warm water. So instead of a normal person who's suppose to wet their pants, I start telling them what I was dreaming about which was being chased by a unicorn.
Anyway, the radio has done that to me, played creepy songs that fit the mood, I think it was only fitting Shantel heard it too.

MaverickGirl: I liked that too, shows partially how stubborn she is.

Annakas: We don't know how this is all going to end, my muse still hasn't told me, but I guess we'll all have to wait and see.

Serpent of light: Thanks so much for the compliments! I don't know if Shantel will go home or stay in middle earth, I'm arguing with my muse on the subject.

Blahblah: Okay, here's the new chapter, the orcs stood behind me while typing, eww they're slobbering on me!!!! And it's in less than two days so tell the orcs to go!! :o)

Mrs. Ekeena Greenleaf: It's okay, I actually love all the questions you have, shows that you are still interested. Plus it helps me think of things I should make sure to put explanations in for, so keep up the questions, because they all will eventually be answered.

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

"Shantel?" Turning she saw the twins standing at the door of her room. "Can we come in?" She nodded and sat down on the bed.

"You're not mad at us for last night are you?" Elrohir asked.

"No," Shantel smiled. "Half the fun was actually the fight." This got a chuckle from the elves. "But I am sorry for acting so childish. Kinda funny if you think about it. Go on this long journey, end up with Frodo at mount doom and then I go crazy looking for my ring."

"You're right," Elladan gasped. "We should destroy it!"

"I don't think so," Shantel huffed. "Beside, Aidian had it and he gave it back. So promise you're not mad?"

"We promise," Elrohir said. "Just one question though? Who is Santa?" She tried not to laugh, really she did, but snickers were coming out and it wasn't working. After laughing out loud, she explained who Santa was and what he did every December 25th.

"Presents, I like this idea," Elladan nodded. "But for now, we came to say good bye, we are returning to Rivendell, but do not worry, we will be back."

"I'm going to miss you guys," Shantel leaned over and hugged them each. "Who am I suppose to torture while you are gone? Aragorn will be too busy."

"There's still the hobbits, and Legolas, and I believe that Gimli are still around some where," Elrohir said thoughtfully.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I'll have to find out where they are hiding." They left momentarily to let Shantel get dressed and then brought her down to the hall for breakfast. Sitting by Aragorn Shantel was able to apologize to him and get tabs on where every one else was. Once Elladan and Elrohir were gone, Shantel was pulled aside by Aragorn.

"Arwen will be coming here soon, to join me in marriage," Aragorn said. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind helping in decorate, for I am not so good at those things."

"I'd love to," Shantel said, happy for something to do. Giving her leave to use whatever money she needed, Shantel went into town looking at the market stalls that were set up. Finding one with fabrics, Shantel looked them over and bought several bolts of netting in light colors of green and blue.

"Please deliver these to the palace," Shantel asked then thought, is that the right term?" If it was or wasn't they knew what she was talking about and nodded. The next stall was selling silver ware and Shantel gave that a quick look, then passed onto glass blown goblets. Picking a few up carefully here and there, she put them down gently when a screech came a few stall down.

"This little child tried to steal from me!" Rushing over Shantel had to push her way to get through the crowd. The lady, owner of the stall was holding small child by the ear and getting ready to hit his bottom with a board she found. Wait that was no child.

"Unhand Sam at once!" Shantel stepped forward grabbing the board. The lady, surprised let go of Sam and he ran around behind Shantel's legs. "What do you think you were doing?"

"Is he your child?" The woman asked, crossing her arms.

"I think not," Shantel laughed. "He is older than me. "You've heard of Frodo of the nine fingers, right?" The lady nodded. "Well this is his companion, Samwise." The lady's face registered shock for a moment before returning to the stern look she had.

"Then why was he trying to steal from me?"

"Sam, did you try to steal?" Shantel asked looking at her friend.

"No," Sam said. "She was talking with some one and I wanted to buy one of her apples but not interrupt her. So I started to eat one while looking at the stuff next to her. Next thing I know, she's screeching about a thief, so I get ready to chase him down when she's pulling on my ear!" Sam was dancing around animating the story as he told it. "That hurt, how much is the ol' apple anyway?" The lady said the price and Sam put twice the amount in her hand, then stormed away from her.

"Thanks Shantel, but I'm going back to the palace, I ain't staying out here alone," Sam said. "Too dangerous with all these big folk and little ol' me."

"You're welcome to come around with me," Shantel said. "I'm helping Aragorn decorate for his wedding, want to help?" Sam lit up.

"Certainly! If only Frodo felt well, he could join us!" Sam gushed.

"Frodo is not well?" Shantel was concerned for the hobbit.

"No he claimed to be weary then stayed in bed." Shantel nodded remembering he wasn't at breakfast.

"We'll have to pick up a present for him then," Shantel said and held out a hand for Sam. He took it as they walked down the busy streets. Later they found Pippin and Merry, running around terrorizing the farmers with their mushroom crops. Shantel thought it was cute but apparently the farmers didn't think so, and demanded to be paid for damaged wares. Assuring him that Aragorn would cover the cost, she started to feel a little bad about using his money.

"We have to promise to cause no more trouble because Aragorn is paying for it all," she heard Merry say.

"I think that is an excellent idea," Shantel said.

"But you didn't do anything," Pippin argued.

"Yet, but I'll have to make sure now that I don't," Shantel pouted. "You all ruined my fun!" Assuring them she was kidding, they went out to get flowers for Frodo and returned in time for supper. Frodo was there and the hobbits went over and gave him the flowers. He seem to brighten up a little but still looked rather down. Legolas and Gimli were once again absent, but Aragorn confirmed that they were still around, only checking out the surrounding area's with scouts and would be back soon. Eating very little, Frodo got up and went out onto one of the balconies. Excusing herself, Shantel went out to where he was, sitting on a bench.

"Hello Frodo," Shantel said quietly.

"Hi," He replied with out much enthusiasm.

"What is the matter?"

"I just feel so worn," Frodo sighed. "Bearing the ring took a lot more out of me than I knew was possible, and filled me with something else. A temporary power perhaps, I'm not sure. Then once the ring was destroyed, I now feel so empty, like that hole will never be filled again.

"If I could think of something that might help make this easier, I would go forth and do it. I used to yearn to travel with my uncle Bilbo on his adventures, go see Mirkwood, the edges of Middle Earth." Frodo spread his arms wide for emphasis. "Now I just want to find a hole and curl up inside and never move again." He slumped back over like the weight of his shoulders was too much for him. Shantel felt moved to tears, her own inner turmoil forgotten for a moment, and thinking of poor Frodo.

Going over to him she hugged him, not surprised he had tears pouring down his cheeks as well. He hugged her back, and in that hug, she could feel him try to pour out all the frustration and emptiness in him, not into her, just out, out and away. Rocking him, Shantel just sat down there, leaning against the balcony and holding Frodo like a child, rocking him in her arms, while she hummed an old tune from Enya, trying to find some comfort for her friend and seeking some comfort as well.

~*~

Ever day, Nick would come over to see Scott and notice his friend was feeling lower and lower every day. Even though he didn't say so, Nick could feel it from his friend. Before Shantel, Nick use to joke about finding him a girl, but that joke was no longer appropriate. Scott continued to read the book every day and seemed to grow a bit frantic now, it was getting closer to the end of the pages of the third book. After that there would be no more.

The evening the song Dream, dream, dream came onto the radio, Scott sat there listening to the song, until it ended. As soon as it did, he sat straight up and yelled: "He kissed her!" And grabbed the book rereading the part where Shantel got her memories back. He was fuming and aiming his anger at the guy, almost ready to tear those pages out until Nick stopped him.

"You'll be upset at your self if you do that," Nick said. "Two, Shantel told him there was some one else when she got her memories back, so no worries. She doesn't even remember the kiss. Oh and three, told you she'd fall over." He couldn't resist adding that in and got a crooked grin from Scott.

"What will I do if it ends and she's not here?" Scott asked once.

"Be thankful that you know where she is and that she is safe," Nick said. "For her family doesn't know and if you tried to tell them, they'd lock you in the insanity ward. If she doesn't come home, they'll have to live with the pain of not knowing and I think that would be worse." He nodded at that, being true but Nick knew Scott still felt disturbed about the whole thing.

"I miss her too," Nick told Scott once. "I lost one of my best D&D players," Scott threw a couch pillow at Nick, knowing he was only joking and let out a small laugh. "I keep thinking she'll love the movie, Lord of the Rings then I have to remind myself, she lived it, practically from the beginning with Frodo."

Reaching Scott's, Nick raised his hand to knock, and paused hearing music inside. He was listening to opera? No Phantom of the Opera, but Scott didn't care for that music, wait a second. Pushing open the door, Nick stood looking at the room. Flowers were every where, along with pictures, all of Shantel, and the lights were dimmed. Sitting on the couch, wearing dark clothes, Scott sat there, staring at a candle on the coffee table.

"Man, what are you doing?" Nick came in fully and closed the door. "Is Shantel okay, she isn't hurt is she?"

"No she's fine," Scott said monotone. "She's helping Aragorn decorate for his wedding, and she's helping comfort Frodo."

"Then what is this, looks like a funeral passed through and left decorations," Nick motioned around.

"That's what this is," Scott said. "I'm mourning for Shantel. I've lost her and I don't think that she is ever coming home."

"You can't stop believing that she'll come home," Nick turned on the lights and blew out the candles. "You can't give up hope."

"It's not a hope thing, it's a feeling I have," Scott said. "Or I just can't take the thought of her being gone anymore. In a sense she is dead, think about it! We can still talk about her, what she did, what she liked, but that's all. It's all in past tense and there's nothing showing that it's going to change!

"I can't do this anymore, I can't keep living like this" Scott rubbed his hands through his hair.

"So you're letting her go?" Nick was sad for his friend but wasn't sure what to do.

"Never," Scott said. "She'll always be in my heart, but I can't keep living in the past, I have to move on. I'll always love her, but the book." Scott picked up the last book he was reading. "This will remain closed from now on. I'm putting all of them in a deposit box in her name and they will only be able to be opened by her." Nick watched his best friend, the man he grew up with, start to tremble and Nick did the only thing he could think of. Walking over, Nick hugged his friend, his brother and let him cry, sobbing for Shantel, while quiet tears slipped down his cheeks.

~*~

The next few days, Shantel would spend time with Frodo trying not to let his sense of overwhelming get to him self. She felt a sort of kinship with him, even though what he felt was for a completely different reason than the reason's she had. They both were feeling empty, lonely, and sad. The only time they had been separate of late besides sleeping, is when they would go to clean up and change for dinner. At Frodo's door, Shantel knocked but got no response.

"Frodo, are you ready?" Waiting she got no response. Trying the handle, she found it turn easily and peeked in, not wanting to embarrass the hobbit. He sat on his bed, cleaned up and dressed, but staring at nothing in particular.

"Frodo?" Shantel waved a hand in front of his but got no response. His eyes, blankly staring were still full of life, full of happy memories. She knew he was playing about how happy he was but Shantel was shocked to see it was so much deeper then she even realized. The time she found him on the balcony, he relaxed when she rocked and hummed to him, even looked at peace. Maybe that would help this time. Climbing onto Frodo's bed, she gently tugged the unresponsive hobbit into her lap, banging her elbow on the bed post too. Winces for a moment and thinking that was going to leave a bruise, Shantel was able to cradle the hobbit in her arms like a small child. There was a song she found in her CD book earlier and she sang bit's of it to her friend.

Looking in your eyes I see a paradise
This world that you know, is it really true?
Sitting here with you, want so much to give you
This love in my heart that I'm feeling for you.

Let 'em say we're crazy, I don't care 'bout that.
Put your hand in my hand, don't ever look back
Let the world around, just fall apart.
Baby we can make it if we're heart to heart.

And we will build this dream together, standing strong forever
nothing is gonna stop us now.
And if this world runs out of lovers, we'll still have each other
nothing's gonna stop us, nothing's gonna stop us now.

And she rocked her friend, feeling his body relax, and start to stir.

He was going to talk to her, there was no question about it, it wasn't fair! Aidian stopped his storming down the hall trying to reason with himself why he was even doing this. Yes, Shantel belonged to another, in another world, another place, whatever it was, but he still wanted to at least be friends with her! At least he could have that!

But could he handle just being friends?

Yes he could, he would, if that was the only way to get close to her.

But will it be enough?

"He'd make it enough, no one would have to know how he would be holding himself back from sweeping her in his arms. All he knew, Aidian stood up as he thought this, he wasn't in anyway going to let her go! There was a spirit he saw in her, and he wanted some essence of that spirit in his life. She wasn't in her room and he knew she had been around Frodo a lot lately. When she didn't arrive in the hall for dinner, Aidian claimed to have something to do, and left in search of her towards the hobbit's room. Getting closer he heard Shantel singing.

And we will build this dream together, standing strong forever

Getting towards the door, Aidian saw Shantel rocking the hobbit singing to her. To some that didn't know them, they would have thought it be a mother and child. Or a human and hobbit in love. But seeing how still Frodo was, Aidian waited feeling that the hobbit was having trouble and that Shantel was simply helping him through it. At least he hoped that was going on. She stopped singing soon after and he saw Frodo sit up and look around as if he just became aware of his surroundings.

"What happened Shantel?" Frodo asked her confused.

"I'm not sure," Shantel said. "I'm just glad I was able to help you. We are late for dinner though, think they saved us any food?"

"If not Sam would storm the kitchen demanding we be fed." Both laughed at the thought of Sam doing that.

"Then let us go and save poor Sam some dignity," Shantel said climbing off the bed.

"That's saying he still has some," Frodo answered following. "Why is my door open?"

"I must have left it open," Shantel said then paused hearing some one knock. "Who's there?"

"Shantel, it's Aidian, I wish to speak with you." Shantel bit her lip and Frodo looked up in concern.

"Want me to send him away?" He whispered. Shantel shook her head.

"I should talk to him." She put a hand on Frodo's shoulder. "You get to dinner, I'll be along shortly."

"Yes, mother," Frodo joked, earning a jab from Shantel before they opened the door, and he walked down the hall. They stood there for a moment, looking at each other.

"Hi," Shantel said, then looked away. Why did she always get so shy?

"Hi," Aidian said and then stepped forward, taking Shantel's hand. "Listen, I simply wanted to apologize for the way I stormed off and I wanted to let you know, that even though you have your love, where ever he is, if it is all right, can I be your friend?" This was said all in one breath.

"Of course," Shantel said. "I do like you, I truly do, and I think that it's great you still want to be my friend. I want to get to know you better, tell you about my past, learn of yours. It's just right now, I need time emotionally to deal with the idea that I might go home, I might not. If I don't, I," Shantel stopped feeling at a loss for words.

"Then say no more," Aidian said and pulled Shantel into a hug, feeling her start to tremble. "I will be here as your friend. If more comes of it, that's fine with me, if not, then that is also fine. All I know is I want to be with you, one way or another, and I will take you anyway I can get." Shantel pushed her back gently enough to look at his face.

"You sound like a love struck teenager." Her nose was wrinkled.

"A what?" Aidian asked.

"Uh, let me see, it's an oldie, a song, that goes:

each night I ask the stars up above, why must I be a teenager in love?"

Aidian laughed. "Well it is not quite love, but I do care for you."

"That's fine with me, because I care for you too." Shantel said. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I heard you say something about no food being left," Aidian said. "Can I escort you to what is left of dinner?"

"Certainly," Shantel smiled at him and felt a little happier inside. The happiness was short lived. As the night went on, her heart felt like it was getting heavier and heavier. In her head and heart, she used to hear and feel music and laughter. She thought it was coming in from her world, if Scott was reading, the noise around him would some how get through. But now there was only silence. It was unbearable! Frodo and Aidian both noticed it and tried to keep Shantel talking, but soon, she only resorted to nodding and not giving any verbal answers anymore.

"I feel so empty," Shantel said, tears starting to come down her cheeks. "I miss him, and I don't know what to do." Aragorn was still there, along with who remained of the fellowship and Aidian.

"You must move on," Aragorn took her hand rubbing it in his. She just let it hang there. "You do not have to let him go or stop loving him, true love never goes away, but if you do not move on, it will be the death of you."

"I some times think that it would be easier that way," Shantel whispered feeling her heart breaking. Her throat tightened up and she breathed in a shaky breath. "Can I go to bed now, please, I want to be alone." She didn't really want to be alone. She wanted to be held, to be loved, but he wasn't here. No matter how hard she closed her eyes, he wasn't there.

Finding that her friend had escorted her back to her room, each hugged her and left her to change and go to sleep. Once that was done, all but the sleeping part, Shantel was looking out the balcony just watching the clouds go by. Tired of standing she sat on the floor but found it harder to see the clouds from there, so she swung one leg over the balcony rail. Then she looked up to see she could just reach the turret, but trying to climb up there would be suicide. Regardless of what she said after dinner, she didn't want to jump into death's arms.

There was a small turret below that Shantel could crawl onto, thought she had to be careful and found a nook, where she could lie and just watch the sky. Few clouds were out this eve, and Shantel still felt empty but a little better. She would almost think that some one was with her.

"Is this how you spend your nights?" She looked towards the voice which was next to her and smiled.

"Legolas, when did you get back?" She leaned over hugging him and held on tight, while he rubbed her back.

"Just a few minutes ago, thought I investigate the strange figure on the roof," He said.

"They don't get any stranger than me," Shantel gave him a small what can you expect shrug.

"I talked with Aragorn," Legolas turned serious. "He told me of what you said at dinner. Do you still feel that way?"

"It's not that bad when friends are around," Shantel said quietly. "But it some times gets so overwhelming, that I feel that I am going to cry and I don't like to cry in front of others and…" She stopped and furiously whipped the tears off her face.

"Come her mellon," Legolas pulled Shantel close, and she resisted at first. Feeling that he wasn't letting her off, she let herself snuggle in his embrace and cried. Cry out all the frustration, all her sorrow and the emptiness, that horrible emptiness! Pulling herself together, she told him of Aidian and that she cared for him, though he was still new to her.

"I don't want him to get the wrong idea, but I don't want to be alone tonight, not really," Shantel said, her throat now a little sore.

"I'll stay with you," Legolas said. "We have done this in camp and I see nothing wrong with comforting a friend." She gave him a small smile and let him help her climb back down to her room. She crawled under the blankets, while Legolas laid on top next to her, and let her rest her head on his arm.

"Thank you," Shantel sighed feeling like she could rest now and falling into sleep. The sun woke her up, with a bright wake up call right in her eyes. Opening them was a mistake for she looked straight into the dawn.

"Oh shi-" Shantel rolled trying to get out of the glare and fell off the bed. Legolas head popped over.

"Are you-"

"That phrase is outlawed," Shantel said raising a hand in the air. Getting up she shook her head. "Didn't this also happen in Rivendell?"

"I think your legs became tangled and you were about to loose your pants," Legolas said pretending to be thoughtful.

"Lemme see a pillow," Shantel reached out and grabbed the one he handed, only to promptly throw it back at him.

"Hey!"

"You've been hanging around me too long of you're going to start saying hey!" Shantel laughed and stretched. She looked at Legolas for a moment and then covered her mouth.
"What what's the matter?" He started to pat his head and found what Shantel thought was so funny, his hair was sticking up on one side.

"You look positively, Legolicious," Shantel finished in laughter as he scolded her in elvish as he made his way to her mirror to set his hair right again. The laughter helped lighten Shantel's spirits, but she knew she was going to have some hard times ahead.

"I'm going to have some hard days," Shantel said to herself.

"Yes, but I will be here to help you," Legolas responded. "Along with the others."

"Well I hope you guys are ready, because my mood will swing like those of a pregnant woman," Shantel joked, making Legolas jump and look at her.

"As long as that is not the reason," Legolas raised an eyebrow.

"Not funny!" Shantel said playfully throwing another pillow. "Besides it'd be an act of God, and I'm no Virgin Mary."

"Who?" This distracted Legolas enough to get hit with a pillow. He grabbed one and started to chase her. She'd definitely have to get everyone together to tell them about Christmas. Wonder what they'll think of elves making toys? Probably claim it's being done by hobbits.