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A/N: Okay, I'm sorry it's been so long...Thanks for the reviews! Flames will be used to cook hot dogs and hamburgers! Suggestions and constructive criticism are always welcome!



Chatper Nine: Travels to Lorien and the Lord and Lady







Although she was treated very well after that first evening, Lorel could not bring herself to forget her first encounter with Mirkwood's people and remained wary and slightly afraid of all of the forest's inhabitants except her defender, Legolas. He spent quite a bit of time with her, but they never spoke of her family or her errand as she seemed reluctant to talk about it.

For a week, Lorel remained in the king's halls, then finally decided to move on. Legolas saw to it that she was well supplied and accompanied her to the gate to say farewell and wish her luck on her search.

Once she set out, she traveled on the path she had taken in, backtracking until she reached the eaves of the forest two weeks later. Continuing on the river and proceeding to follow it, she reached the Old Ford where she crossed and continued downstream. At the end of another week, Lorel crossed the Gladden River and became a little anxious knowing she was coming close to Lothlorien, her last hope for finding her father, Lordirion.

At mid-day, an uneventful week later, Lorel found herself at the edge of Lorien. She paused, looking hesitantly up and through the trees. Taking a deep breath, she stepped under the trees' canopy, a vast roof of golden leaves. Walking along the small, swift stream tha she'd followed in, Lorel's gaze kept darting around worriedly, although she didn't draw a weapon, fearing that anyone hiding in the trees would then attack.

She'd only been walking an hour when, out of the trees, there came a shrill, bird-like whistle and she was suddenly surrounded by several tall, fair-haired Elves. Eyes wide, Lorel put her empty hands out in surrender. One stepped in front of her and said sternly, "You are an intruder upon our land. What have you to say?"

"I...I mean you no trouble, but I'm looking for someone...Please, what are you going to do to me?" she replied softly, a little frightened, "Will you help me?"

"That is not for me to decide," the Elf answered, "You will not be harmed, only bound and blindfolded. We must take you to the Lord and Lady. Do not try to escape or you may be injured. We will guide you."

Lorel nodded, eyes still wide. She obediently offered her hands to be bound. The Elf's hands were firm but gentle as he snugly tied her hands together in front of her, not so tight as to cause pain or discomfort, but tight enough to keep her hands secure. Once that was done, a blindfold descended in front of her eyes, feather-light, but completely opaque; no speck of light penetrated it. With this done, firm, gentle hands took her shoulders and began to lead her, her guides' voices telling her when to step up or over and hands keeping her on what she assumed was the path. They continued like this for hours, stopping only once to eat where Lorel's hands were unbound and she was given food and drink with a warning not to try and see. Once they ate, the group once again began to walk. After another few hours, they stopped again and the blindfold was removed. The group stood at the bottom of a set of stairs that wound around the thick trunk of a giant tree. The leader of the band began to climb the stairs and everyone else followed. It was now twilight and Lorel was tired, hungry, and dirty. Several times she stumbled with weariness but was caught by the Elf behind her. After what seemed like years, they reached a platform, filed onto it, and waited. A soft white glow was cast on them by several misty lamps.

Two figures stepped into the light, the glow obscuring their faces as they descended the few steps to a platform a few inches above the one where Lorel and the others stood.

As they stepped onto the platform, their faces were revealed-a man and woman, both tall and fair beyond description. Lorel swallowed, eyes widening as they stopped, several Elves standing to their sides and slightly behind the couple.

"Who do you bring, Haldir?" asked the man of Lorel's guide.

"An intruder, Lord Celeborn. She was found following the Nimrodel and claims to be looking for someone. She wishes our aid, milord," answered the Elf.

"Who are you and why do you come here?" Lord Celeborn asked sternly.

"I-I'm called Lorel Elanna. I'm looking for someone..."Lorel whispered.

"Why do you search here?" Celeborn asked of her.

"I was told the person I search for might be here...Please, help me...This is my last hope..."Lorel whispered.

"You tresspass on our lands. Why should we help you?" he asked harshly, "You have done nothing to receive such aid." The woman looked into Lorel's eyes with a piercing gaze. Lorel's eyes filled with tears that spilled down her grimy cheeks, creating tracks through the dirt.

"Stop. Please! I beg you...Stop," Lorel begged softly as the woman's gaze made her relive Andra's murder, "I couldn't-didn't save her! I wasn't strong enough! Isn't it enough that I see it in my dreams? That everything brings it to my mind? I wasn't strong enough and I let her down! I know it, must you blame me too? Oh, please, I beg-stop! I can't -! I cannot do this! Please, let me die! I cannot bear to see it anymore! I am to blame! I-wasn't strong enough! Please let me go!..Please!" Suddenly one of the Elves off to the side-one of the honor guard-stepped up in front of Lorel saying angrily, "My lord, Lady, stop! She is a child! She is exhausted and grieved. She has obviously traveled far. Let her rest until tomorrow!"

Celeborn looked at the Elf sternly then said, "Very well. Tomorrow." With that, Lorel was left alone with the one who had confronted Celeborn. Lorel stared at her feet, face wet with tears.

"There now, young one," the Elf said, wiping her tears away with his thumb and raising her chin to look int her eyes, "Come, I will show you a place to rest." He unbound her hands and led her in silence to another platform across several catwalks. Once he stopped, he showed her where to set her things, he showed her where to clean up and gave her something to eat as he said, "The Lord Celeborn is often harsher than he means and the Lady Galadriel's gaze is often discomforting, but they mean no harm. Rest now, morning comes swiftly." Without a word, Lorel obeyed and was soon asleep.









Okay! Another chapter! Here are the personal notes!



Merry the Psychotic Coconut: Thanks for the praise! *blushes* You write well yourself! And you can have Fresca back...Just be careful, it makes you really really hyper and even more psychotic!



BBLLPMLover: Mirkwood Elves are more suspicious and so they sometimes take prisoners because of it. They were startled by her sudden appearance and the only way they could think of to deal with it was to hold her prisoner.



Hikage Kitsune: Thanks, I'll update ASAP!



HockeyRules5233: Thanks for the review! I'll continue! Send any suggestions/ideas you have and I may make the story longer...







Okay! Well, once agian, thanks for the reviews and continue to send them to me! I love them and, if you have any ideas/suggestions on what you want to happen or how to make the story better, tell me! Hugs and bunnies!





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