Ok, I've just realised, that this chapter is roughly the same length as 5! I thought it was longer. I'll update in a couple of days for you. ^_^

~Lainfaer~

Chapter 6: Dawn Discoveries.

At dawn, Beinlóth had to be up to open the chickens. When she had shooed them all out of the house, she re-filled their food tray and water container. She made sure no one was looking, and snuck along to the stables.

He was still there. She smiled and tiptoed up to his pen. She looked around for the stranger, but could not see him in the darkness. She guessed he must be sleeping in a far corner, and Fán was hiding him.

"You really love my horse don't you?" asked a voice as she petted his neck.

She jumped back from the pen gate as he walked into the faint light coming through the cracks in the door and ceiling. He had his hood up, but she could see him smiling.

"Yes, he's beautiful," she answered, looking at him defiantly.

He nodded and removed his hood. "I had to make sure it was you and no one else." He looked at her sharply. "No one must know I am here, understand?"

She nodded. "Of course. I can keep a secret."

He smiled, and his expression relaxed. "I know. I just have to be extra careful." He stroked Fáns' mane, and the horse nuzzled him.

Beinlóth smiled to herself. She could see they were close. "How long have you had him?" she asked.

"About five years," he replied.

She leant back on the pen door. "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"
He grinned and looked at her. "You wouldn't believe me."

"Why?"
"You just wouldn't." He left Fáns' side and leant on the pen next to her, but still on the other side. "Do you know what you are called?"
"What do you mean?"   
"That wasn't put very well. I mean, what your race is."

She raised an eyebrow. "I just thought I was a human gone wrong."

He laughed, and that sound lifted Beinlóths' heart. "Oh no, you're far better than these filthy humans, excuse the expression. Have you heard of Elves?"
"No."

"Well, that's what we are, Elves. You're not deformed, or mutated, no matter what you have been told. You are one of the most beautiful creatures ever to walk this Earth. All Elves are. We are the First-Born, the first people to walk Middle-Earth. We are so different from humans; it would take too long to explain everything now. But you are no human. You are an Elf. And you don't belong here."

She gaped at him, eyes wide. "That's…new to me." So much news at once. It was a lot to take in.

"Look, you had better get back to the house. I don't want you getting into trouble. I'm going to take Fán back to Mirkwood, and as soon as I can, I'll come back for you. I would take you now, but my father will need to know I've found you. Can you help me get out of here?"

"Yes, what do you want me to do?"
"Just keep that man and his wife away from the stables this morning. My scout is waiting on the borders of your village for me. I have to get to them safely and hopefully without firing any arrows. If I am seen leaving, the humans are sure to come after me. I don't want you to be in any danger, and so when I return for you, which I will, I will bring others to help."

"Thank you," she whispered, tears threatening to spill. She was finally going to get out of here? Back to her real people, her true race? She was ecstatic!

He smiled at her expression and brushed a stray tear away. She smiled back at his soft touch. His skin was like silk on hers. "I promise I will return, one day as soon as possible," he assured her. She nodded.

"Now, get back, and I will hopefully be gone by noon." She nodded again, and smiled one last time. She started to leave, then remembered something. She turned around.

"What's your name?"
He smiled. "Legolas."

"That's a lovely name. Does it mean anything?"

"Greenleaf in my language. That's the language of the Wood-Elves. Sindarin, it is called. Yours means Fair Flower. How did you know what your name was anyway?"

"My bracelet." She held up her right arm, and there was a thin silver amulet round her wrist. He nodded. "Of course, I remember now. Good luck, and I will see you again soon."

She nodded, smiled, and then left, running back to the house before Terena and Aronuel got up.

Told you it was short! So, please review with what you thought of those two. And don't forget about the unicorn! ^_^

~Lainfaer~