Now it has come time for a word from your Author, me!! I'm very thankful to the reviewers who have been brutally honest. It has helped me to improve upon my work. Thought I wish more people would read this, maybe lots of people have read this and just haven't reviewed. Ok Gollum: Galadriel can have more then one grand daughter if I want her to, it's my story!! Annoying Took- I know that she well be considered a mary sue in the eyes of other people but my wonderful, well thought out, non-perfect Mena is only slightly Mary-Sue, okies I'm in so denial but still she is a well developed character.
Now Hiro-Tyre- thank you thank you thank you!!!! Your criticism is much needed and you editing techniques are wonderful. But you need to read my story more closely. Every One :Thanks to every ones flames I was able to pop enough popcorn to end world hunger thank you. -lùrëa àra
Chapter 2
I lay on my back listening to the sounds of Lorien in the morning. I could tell that it was early, I just couldn't tell how early. The only thing I knew for sure was that it was Saturday.
' hmm what is that in Elvish tongue again. Thinking too hard, too early, Oi, my brain hurts. *giggle* hmm Saturday... Saturday, huh…. If my world hadn't been recently been switched for Middle-earth, then I'd be getting ready for dance class, No wait if I hadn't gone into this world I'd be packing for the plane back to Canada. So, I wonder what will be going on in the New World of Mena today" My train of thought stopped as I sensed that another being had climbed on to my sleeping platform.
"I na ye?(who is there?)" I said with my eyes still closed.
"Legolas Greenleaf, Ar-Mena."
'What, by the Valar, is he doing in my room? Wait...Legolas Greenleaf is on my platform room thingy. Hmmm Orlando Bloom. Wait. He's the real thing. No makeup, no wig, no other movie jobs. This isn't even a movie. I need to get a grip. I need to... I need to... Garr!!!' My eyes flew open and I sat up.
~Legolas pov~
She sat straight up and clutched her blanket to her chest. She looked beautiful, all soft and unbound. Her long reddish-brown hair fell down her shoulders and back.
"What do you want?" She asked me. She looked kind of stressed. A slight frown creased her brow. She was giving off energy that seemed nervous, confused, angry, up set and yet once her eyes focused on me her lips turn up in a small smile.
"The lady of Lorien wished me to show you around today and to help to become acquainted with this area."
"What time is it?" she asked and placed a hand on her forehead as if to make it stop spinning.
"There's no way to really tell the time of Lothlorien. But it is just after the rising of the sun"
"Saywhat?!" She fell back onto her pillow. "Too early!" She groaned and pulled her blanket over her head.
I lifted an eyebrow. This strange girl seemed more like some silly little girl then the long lost granddaughter of the lady of Lorien. When the Lady had asked me to show her granddaughter around I was slightly angered that I would have to play nurse maid with this human-like elf. She was nothing like a proper elf. She wasn't very graceful in her ways. She was far too outspoken. But now that I see her I'm slightly glad that formalities didn't allow me to say no to the Lady. I let out soft chuckle and walked over to her. I pulled the blanket out of her grasp.
"Why do you hide you beautiful face from the morning light, Arwenanim?"
"I'm not hiding; I'm trying to fall back asleep. It's too early in the morning. I should still be asleep."
"Lady, no one is still asleep. About this time everyone is awake." I laughed again at her utter refusal to arise.
"Garr!! I'm too awake to fall back asleep anyway. I am kind of hungry. Where do you get breakfast in this place?"
"You have a very strange way of talking, Arwenanim. If it is food you want follow me."
I handed her the robe that lay near by. She threw back the blanket. I felt the warmth of a blush on my cheeks I turned away. She only wore a light chemise. Ai! Why am I blushing? She does have a nice body- NO! Legolas pull your self together! You got to stop thinking about her like THAT! She's way too young and besides she's untouchable. No one has a chance with a daughter of Lorien unless they give consent. Might as well forget about her and move on.
"Well are you gonna take me to food or not?" She said. Her robe was now tied firmly into place.
~Mena pov~
I wonder what got him all embarrassed. It's not like I was nude or anything. I was wearing the nightgown Daffidillan had made me. So what if it was a little revealing? I tied the sash of my robe and followed him to the small set of steps. Bows and curtsies were in no short supply as we walked hopefully in the direction of food. The trees branches touched and enter twined they weren't totally locked together but enough to still allow some of the sun's morning light in. Great tapestry hung from the branches, each depicting some great moment or battle. I knew my mouth hung open in awe but I didn't care. The colors that surrounded me, I could never describe for there were no names for them in the human tongue, their beauty seeming to be a visual poem of the High-Elvin language. The people spoke with soft tones and gentle expressions. As we walked I saw young elf-children playing odd little games and the older ones watched or played games or acted at things unknown to me..
"So what are they doing?" I asked Legolas' back. He turned looked at what I was pointing at and merely shrugged.
'Games.' He said and kept walking.
"Ok what do you do for fun around here?" I ask
"After we get something to eat I'll show you."
When we entered what turned out to be kitchen a group of serving elves rushed over with platters covered with fruits, cheeses and breads. I grabbed a banana looking fruit and went sat next to Legolas at the small kitchen table. We ate in silence. I looked about the kitchen. This was definitely something out of a fairy tale. All it needed was unicorns, rainbows and candy raindrops. The kitchen was a very busy place. Elves ran to and fro delivering, fetching, making, eating and cleaning. A female elf was elbows deep in bread dough and was pounding it as if it were an enemy. A little boy elf was feeding the large kitchen stove with bits of materials. Though it was a busy place the kitchen was also very relaxed. No one seemed too worried about anything except making sure that their tasks were complete and all were happy. In the far corner a group of cleaning maids sang to lighten their chore.
"Whistle you work
Just whistle while you work
It won't take long when there's a song
Just whistle while you work!"
'Is that I what I think it is?'
"Legolas, where did they hear that song?"
"What? Oh they heard it from the last visitor a Master Walt-something."
"HAhahahahahaha!!!" I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. I looked at Legolas he was giving me a questioning look.
"Sorry, but that's Walt Disney and he was the first maker of an animated film. He has a company, theme parks and his family has loads of money."
A deep frown creased his brow.
"Never mind," I said as I shook my head.
"No I would like to know. You have peeked my curiosity."
"Ok first off, a film is a bunch of pictures that run together and are most of the time very entertaining. An animated one the same thing but the pictures have been drawn."
"Oh…"
I laughed and continued.
"A theme park is a place that has a bunch of rides that go along with films and such that have been made."
"Ride?" he asked bewilderment was plain on his face.
"Big machines that make people sick."
"Oh…"
"I can see that I'm just confusing you even more, so lets just drop this conversation okay?"
"Okay. Well since you've told me some of you world let me tell you about mine. The games that the younglings were playing are call kifra, the point of the game is to out smart your opponents. The older ones were practising their skills."
"I see."
"Do you have any archery skills?" He asked as he stood up.
"I've done some archery in school but that's about it."
"Would you care for a lesson?"
"Are you gonna teach me?"
"Who else, I am the best." He said off hand with a motion of his wrist.
"Modest aren't we." I raised an eyebrow.
"It's true though, I have yet to be beaten in any contest of skill. Come fallow me, we well find you a bow." He took my hand and led me out of the kitchen. We came to the large Armoury: swords, small swords, dirks, knifes, daggers and other weapons line the walls and fill large chests. Legolas opened a large wardrobe that was filled with bows. They were magnificent, some were a pale green color with silver lining and other just plain but beautiful wood. Legolas lifted my left arm and did some visual measurements and then turn back to the wardrobe. After a few moments he withdrew a one of the plain bows.
"I think this well do." He said and once again pulled me by the arm.
"Oi! Let go before I kung-foe dodoe on your ass!" I said as I tried to yank my arm out of his grasp. He instantly let go.
"I'm sorry my lady. I didn't realize I was hurting you."
"You weren't but I just don't like being pulled around." I said. "Are yah gonna teach me or not?"
"Ok follow me."
Boy did he ever have long legs, I had to practically run to keep up with him. We came to a small clear area. Other elves stood with arrows cocked and targets in sight.
"Do we have to do this in front of all them?" my voice quivered.
"I don't understand, you wished to be taught and yet to do not want the best instructors present?"
"I didn't wish I only took you up on your offer. I suck at archery. I miss the target most of the time, and last year in gym I was way off target. I hit my teacher."
"Nothing bad well happen come on." He held my hand with a firm grip and led me to the others.
"Curumos!" He called to the others. The others lowered their bows and turned to see who was coming their way. Many waved and called to us. I received a few nods and bows from they men. Much to my surprise there weren't any women present.
"Are there not any other females?" I asked in a low whisper.
"Oh yes many of the women of Lorien are great archers. Some well probably show up later today."
We spent the next hour going over the holding and aiming of the bow I never realised how much of a perfectionist he was, he sure wasn't in the novels but, of course me, with my short attention span spent most of that time in Legolas' sturdy arms staring at his face. * the author has now gone off in to lalaland so for the next little bit till she returns I shall be typing. Bet your wondering who I am the other side of her brain the one without a romance area. Now back to our story*
Finally we came to the good part, the shooting. After my first few shots I was the laughing stock of Lorien. All my shots either hit the ground or went above the target. After the first hour of this I was about to throw my bow on the ground and stomp all over it.
"My lady you must calm down." Said an Archeress named Milliki. "Here, come let me show you. That over grown daisy doesn't know how to teach females."
After 15minutes with her I was at least hitting the target.
"Well done my lady! Now I want you to try to relax close your eyes and trust you internal instincts. Breathe in and out every seven seconds and try to see with closed eyes." Milliki instructed and positioned me in place.
~~~~~~ POV of Melisa's non-romantic brain.~~~~~
As Milliki whispered into Mena's ear one of the other elves picked up a small metal disc and tossed it into the air.
"ok my lady release."
With a twang the bow string snapped and much to Mena's and many other surprise she had hit the disc dead center.
"Holy shit!!!!" Mena said and ran over to pick up her arrow. It had gone straight through the disc.
"Well done my lady Well done!!!!!" every one clapped and cheered. Everyone that is except Legolas who was still upset about be called an over grown daisy. Legolas stood leaning a against a tree with his arms folded over his chest. He wore a frown but still he showed a small smile to support Mena.
As the day progressed Mena was able to hit the target at least on the edges and had hit two more discs. Near late afternoon Mena's arm and fingers were sore and her stomach wished for nourishment.
"Milliki I really need to stop. My arm and fingers are about to fall off! And I could do with some food."
"Ok my lady I won't press you to do more then that which is right for you. Legolas take this fine lady to the kitchens and get her some food before she passes out." Milliki ordered.
~~~~~~~Mena POV~~~~~~~~~~
At Milliki's orders Legolas came over from his tree and linked his arm through mine. I gratefully allowed him to pull me away from the archery clearing. I leaned against him, a small sigh escaped my lips. Perfection I thought.
"Mena, did you enjoy to day?" he asked softly above me.
"Yah." I breathed. He gave a small chuckle. My timing couldn't be more perfect; a root jumped up out of no where and tripped me.
"EP!" but instead of falling flat on my face I was held tightly in a certain elves arms!
"Are you ok my lady." He asked as he straightened me.
"Yah. I'm fine it happens all the time." I said with a small wave of my hand.
"You have been worn out by all the excitement of today. Here; your too weak to walk." He said after I had tripped for the fifth time. He picked me up into his arms. He carried me back through the court yard and up to my platform. The small maid Daffidillan sat waiting in my room.
"What happened to my lady?!" She demanded.
"She was merely tired from her long day of stringing archery practise." Legolas said and put me down.
"My lady you didn't go out in just your chemise and robe did you?"
"No I went naked" I asked with sarcasm dripping form my words.
"Thank you for bring her ladyship here Legolas, now leave I have to make her presentable for dinner." Daffidillan said as she pushed Legolas out of the room and nearly off the platform.
"Now my lady well shall we dress you in?"
"Does it really matter?" I said as I flopped down on to me bed.
"Yes it does your grandmother the lady Galadriel wants you to look your best so your going to look your best! Visitors from Rivendale have come! I think the red and gold would look the best." Daffidillan said the last part more to her self then to me. She went over to the wardrobe that must have been put in my room while I was out. Daffidillan opened the doors. Inside the large wardrobe was filled with many dress and other things such as under garments and the like. The small maid pulled out a long red slip, red stockings and garters, a pale gold under gown with long sleeves, a red bodice then came over to where I sat on the bed. She dumped them on the bed. Grabbed my hands and pulled off the bed. She lead me to a wooden tub filled with steaming water and scented with a fragrance close to vanilla but with a spice to it. I stripped and sat in to the tub. I sighed with supreme pleasure. I washed me hair and self then reclined to enjoy the heat from the water. After about ten minutes Daffidillan came in and made me get out of the tub. She handed me a towel. We went back into the bedroom and she helped me into my finery.
"My lady what is this weird contraption you were wearing yester tide?" Daffidillan asked as she held up my bra.
"OH! That would be a bra. In the world I was raised in the women of the culture wear them to support or add to their chests."
"Oh like a bodice?"
"Yah but lighter."
"Oh I see." She dropped it and continued to go through my pile of things I had been wearing when I came into middle earth. "What in Valar's name is this!?" She asked when she found the Discman I had hidden in my pocket.
"It's a Discman," I answered as I brushed out my hair. I sat in my slip and stockings with a towel around my shoulders on my bed. "It plays music through those head phones."
She gave a strange look.
"Bring it here I'll show how it works."
She came over and handed it to me. I place the head phone on her head , checked that the volume was low and pressed play. She gave a startled jump went the sounds of Celtic drumming and singing hit her ears.
"What a strange object!" She exclaimed. I showed her how to work all the buttons and took out the other CD's that were in my cloak. She really liked the couple pop songs I had on a mix.
"The batteries won't last forever; even though they are rechargeable and the Discman recharges them eventually they'll stop working." I warned her. She nodded turned it off and went back to the task of getting me ready now that my hair was dry.
"There we go my lady all ready." She said and handed me a hand mirror. "You truly are a beauty my lady."
"Thank you Daffidillan. You did a wonderful job!"
My hair was coiled atop my head with a few curls framing my face, which was make-up free but glowed. I wore small acorn earrings that jingled when I move my head. And bit of red ribbon around my throat. Then of course the rest of my out fit along with pale gold slippers.
"Here my lady." She said as she handed me the ear yulda. I took a small sip there was an instant tingling sensation.
I knock came at my tree. Daffidillan went over to the top of the steps to see who called.
"Ah, my lord Legolas come right on up my lady is ready." She called.
I dropped the mirror on my bed and went to stand beside Daffidillan.
Legolas' jaw dropped to his chest when he saw me.
"My lady!" He said with a courtly bow.
I smiled and offered my arm when he straightened. He linked it through his and led me down the stairs.
"You look amazing lady Mena." He said
"You don't look to bad your self, lord Legolas." I said with a wink.
He wore a light blue doublet and white tights. All his hair had been braided with leather thong interwoven.
"Thank you my lady."
"Ok could you please stop with all the my lady stuff it's really starting to bother me. Just call me Mena."
"I've never cared for the titles my self either. I'll call you Mena so long as you call me Legolas."
"Done." I said with a small laugh.
We entered the dinning hall. It had been decorated and a great feast was spread on the table.
We sat at our respected spots and dined. I had the great pleasure of meeting Arwen and her father lord Elrond, Even without my book knowledge I could see the love between Arwen and Aragorn when ever the talked or look at each other. Once the meal was finished the servers came and cleared the table and moved it so that here could be dancing and other joyous activities. I was asked often by the many other elvens lords that had become smitten with my so called beauty. Personally I could see what was so great. I was short and very klutz along with having dyed hair with roots beginning to show. But still every one of them would flatter me with compliments. I didn't like any of them except of course for Legolas, who I let ask me the most to dance. I fear I stepped on toes more then the floor trying to learn the new dances, well dances that were new to me at least.
By the time Legolas had escorted me back to my platform room thingy my feet were acheing. I surprised us both by full filling a natural habit after a date of any sort I kissed him lightly on the lips. He stood there stuned as I climbed the stair to my room. I collapsed on my bed with a joyous sigh. And let Daffidillan undress me and help into a night gown. She left with a knowing smile. I instantly fell asleep.
Thank you all now read flames are welcome!