Disclaimer: This is Tolkien's mud puddle and I'm just making mud pies. Ain't gettin' nothing off of this, so if you want to sue me, all you'll get is my notebook and a floppy disk. Which doesn't work…evil floppy disk…*grumble-grumble*

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

Yay! 45 reviews!

Katie: ¡Gracias! And I'm sorry, but no such luck. There is only one pet-elf named Legolas, although…he does have a half-brother that looks amazingly similar…will you settle for that?

Aislin: *hangs head in shame* Yes, I know. It's pretty pathetic, really, but I'm glad you're willing to understand my needs. I apologize for the wait, this time and last, you've been quite faithful to me lately. *sob* I feel so loved… Anyways, as for the romance, I'm afraid that you're just going to have wait like the rest of the readers. No special treatment! If I give it to one person, I have to give it to everybody! At least, that's what my kindergarten teacher told me. Personally, I think she's lying, but hey, that's just me.

Lily of the Shadow: Yes, my hyper friend, that is the review button. Congratulations! You left a review.

Starbrat: MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! AND ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD!!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!!!!!!!! Ahem…sorry 'bout that. My elation got the best of me! IN YOUR FACE! *slaps self on hand* Heh…well, thanks. You do not know how much I appreciate that coming from you, however begrudgedly given that was.

Paperclip Princess: Mini-Balrog? Oh, OH! Mini-Balrog! Gotcha! His name is…Well, I don't quite know. I haven't named him yet. Hmmmm…That gives me an idea…Thanks!

Diadora: *smirks evilly* We might, we just might.

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

[odd author's note had been censored to protect reader's sanity] Weird. I know, I know. I'm a little odd this morning…

Pet-elf Legolas: A little odd?

SOME: Shut up. I didn't ask you. I don't need any comments from the peanut gallery.

Pet-elf Legolas: *sulks and pouts in a corner, offended*

N/E/Ways, it's like 3:00 in the morning, so my brain isn't exactly functioning properly. Not like it does any other time of the day, but in the wee hours of the morning especially. And yes, ladies and gents, my pet elf does indeed speak. *mumbles 'unfortunately'*

Pet-elf Legolas: I heard that!

SOME: Unfortunately, he also has excellent hearing.

Pet-elf Legolas: You're just jealous.

SOME: *gives pet-elf murderous look and hands him over to a waiting Agent Smith*

Yay! Matrix rocks!

I know, I know. I'm shutting up. Now on to the story.

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

Moon Song

Chapter 6- Explanations of Desertations

Moonlight bathed the desert sand in cool rays of luminescence. The never-ending expanse of sand stretched as far as the eye could see. A small gust of air brought warmth from the cooling sands, aiding them in their nocturnal quest to become crystalline beads of seeming ice. Not a tree or shrub marred the horizon and gentle slopes shaped the terrain into an imaginary winter wonderland.

But the solitary figure standing amidst this land of white and light did not notice the beauty surrounding her. Her thoughts were centered elsewhere, on a different sort of plain. A desolate and dark land, evil lurking in every shadowy corner.

How could he do this to her? Leave her all alone in an unknown place with a strange people she knew nothing about! They could have killed her for all she knew!

Alyce turned to the camp behind her, assuring herself that all were asleep. She walked a little further away to make sure she was out of earshot. She stared out at the horizon, contemplating ways to summon him. Finally deciding to go with the simplest plan, she yelled his name into the wasteland, cupping her hands to form a megaphone. "Khelek! Come here, dammit! We're gonna have a nice, long talk!"

There was utter and complete silence, then the ground began to rumble. It was like a grumble low in the earth then it grew louder and stronger, creating a mini earthquake. A small crack appeared several feet ahead of her. The sound and vibrations grew in intensity as if it were closing in on her. Suddenly, an enormous geyser shot up out of the crack, the pressure of unknown millennia backing its flow. The tiny crack was replaced with a gaping hole. The rush of water continued for a few moments then dropped down to the desert floor, birthing a small pond, its surface reflecting the moon with the placidness of the Sea of Núrnen. A dark shadow approached the surface and a giant black figure reared up out of the water. Brilliant blue orbs shot open to stare at her, with the intensity of a thousand suns.

Alyce cocked an eyebrow, unfazed. "Nice entrance." He snorted and lowered his head, his gaze softening, to look her in the eye. "You rang?" She smiled grimly. "You and me are gonna have a nice, little heart-to-heart…"

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

Bright sunlight streamed in under Kathy's eyelids, shattering her pleasant dreams. She rolled over, trying to block the sun, but to no avail. Her mind and body were already wide awake and no longer wished to rest. She sighed and sat up, knowing that she would never get back to sleep now. After a brief moment of disorientation, she recognized the room and the previous day's events flooded her mind.

A polite knock on the door brought her out of her trance. "Who is it?" An answer came back, muffled by the great oak door. " 'Tis only I, Losloth." Losloth? The shrieky little maid that ran away screaming Bloody Murder every time she saw her? Oh great. What did she want? "I have been elected to be your personal maid." Losloth's voice hastily explained from the other side of the door. "Oh no!" Kathy moaned in despair. The Powers-That-Be played cruel tricks on those that did not expect them.

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

I tell you truly. I left for your protection. Khelek tried to convince her but he could still see that she was suspicious, if the glare on her face was any measure of disbelief. "Protection?! How does your leaving me give me protection?!" Alyce growled, her patience wearing thin.

He was talking nonsense! He probably just felt guilty and was grabbing at straws. Really, if anything, him staying there would have given her more protection than him leaving.

The Water Balrog sighed in exasperation. Why couldn't she see his logic?! Why must she be so childish?! It wasn't a question of loyalty, just plain old common sense!

Do you know what the Haradrim would have done if they saw a Balrog? What any sane person would have done? And Morgoth, child, what would they think if they saw you there and I, sitting docilely behind you, not even attempting to kill you?! Great Gorthaur the Cruel! They'd probably believe you were the heir of Sauron, nay, Belegurth himself! His patience also grew thin. He exhaled loudly in frustration.

Alyce stopped her pacing and stared at him, her face blank. She was dumbstruck. He had been trying to protect her? By presenting her as a normal person, without the companionship of a Balrog, which would have made her seem to be something she was not?

"Oh."

Now she understood. And he was right, it would have been quite an odd scene to behold. She sighed and appeared to be suddenly very interested in the ground, her face burning red with shame. "I'm sorry, Khelek." She scuffed the desert sand with the toe of her boot. "You're right, of course. I shouldn'tve thought such a thing of you." Alyce glanced back up to look him in the eye, her expression a plea of hope. "Will you forgive me? For blowing up at you and not believing you?" The Water Balrog cocked his head, giving him a thoughtful appearance, then he grinned, or at least as much as a Balrog can grin.

Of course, mellonamin.

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

After Losloth finally found a dress that would fit her and sent her dimensions to the tailor, she led Kathy to the dining hall, seated her, curtsying to the two men already sitting there and scurried off. But before she left, she tried to give Kathy some assurance by saying that she would be fine since they, the two men, were there. Some help that was.

Kathy felt like an idiot. Losloth hadn't even introduced her to them. All the assurances in the world couldn't help her then. She turned to them. They seemed to be having their own little conversation. Good, maybe they would ignore her until Lord Elrond and Lord Glorfindel got there. She hoped against all hopes that they would…No such luck. Almost immediately after she spun to face the two men, they saw her.

How could they not? That accursed maid had stuck her right across from them! The man on the right recovered first. "Oh! Good day, Lady. We did not take notice of you, there." The other spoke right after him. "No, indeed, we did not." They then smiled at her.

That was when she got a good look at them. Ebony hair, features like Lord Elrond, noble bearing, built bodies. They were practically mirror images. Holy… Her eyes widened. "You're the twins, aren't you?" Brilliant observation, Captain Obvious. Their grins broadened, and they pivoted their heads to look at each other. In unison. "Yes, we are. Forgive us for our appalling lack of manners. Let us introduce ourselves. I'm Elladan." The second twin spoke up a split-second later. "And I'm Elrohir." But before any of the three could utter another word, the two lords of Imladris arrived through a second door in the back, engaged in an animated discussion.

Glorfindel took note of their audience first. "Greetings, Lady Kathy. How do you fare this fine morning?"

"Okay, I guess." The redhead replied, attempting to smile but failing miserably. Her stomach fluttered with nervousness. She was in the presence of nobility. The blond elf-lord dipped his head in approval and smiled. He acknowledged the twins and sat down. After Elrond greeted his children and special guest, he sat down at the head of the table.

Kathy then noticed that she sat at his right hand, to the right of Glorfindel. Some vague thought about honor crossed her mind but she brushed it away as irrelevant. The young woman turned her attention to the delicious food the servant was placing on the table.

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

The breakfast hadn't gone as bad as she thought it would. Elladan and Elrohir were quite fun, having many humorous anecdotes from their youth. Lord Glorfindel had warmed to her slightly and Master Elrond was definitely looser before he faced the trials of the day. Maybe things wouldn't be so terrible after all…

Belegurth is Morgoth. I put his name there because Morgoth was the original creator of the Balrogs. Khelek thinks of Morgoth as his god like the Elves do all the Valar, for obvious reasons.

I have an excellent idea! I'm going to start a contest! Anybody who can come up with the best name for my Mini-Balrog gets…absofuckinglutely nothing! But they do receive credit for a job well done and get to spend a whole day and night with my pet-elf Legolas. Yes, that's right! He's all yours for one whole day and night!

Pet-elf Legolas: Don't I get a say in this? What am I, chopped liver?!

SOME: *shoves pet-elf in giant trunk, muffled yells for help are heard*

SOME: *sits on trunk* So review! Review! Review!

I'm also revising my other chapters. I promise, Legolas and Aragorn will be in the next installment of Moon Song. And Nicole might just appear in a cameo.

On the next episode of Moon Song, several years have passed and we will find out what has happened to the two friends. Legolas and Aragorn appear! Nicole has a cameo and we finally start to have fun! All on the next episode of… Moon Song!

*end theme music begins to play*

Reviews are my bread and water! Feed me !!!