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When I awoke Thalia was still tightly nestled into my arms. I had no wish to rise. The events of the past few weeks had taken their toll on me and my mind was a jumble of confused thoughts.

I had never experienced such strong emotions before; either in myself or in another. After she told us her story I could hardly think. Her emotions were over spilling into my own until I could no longer distinguish either one. She had suffered so much pain, especially for such a young one. She had only lived for twenty one summers and to an elf that is but a mere second. I still cannot understand how one so young and inexperienced in life could have survived what she had and still have a whole heart.

I was confused, why had I given my heart away so easily? Did I pity her or did I really love her? My mind told me to be cautious, what if I really did love her but she was too fragile for this, or she may be giving her heart away so freely because I am the only one whom she feels safe with?

I shook my head sadly and rolled over onto my back being careful not to wake her.

I felt betrayed by her, I know that it not her fault, and she did what she had to. But still, she had kept secrets from me. I had thought that she was happy, in my ignorance I had let her wilt away and slowly die inside. Until a few days ago I had been curious as to what had happened to her. Now I almost wished that I hadn't asked. I know that that is selfish. My father once said that it was proper for a prince to behave in the best interests of his subjects. Some day I would be king. Could I handle that, was I capable or trustworthy of the position of looking after a kingdom? I was beginning to doubt it; before I had been so sure. I felt a pang in my heart as I thought about home. The tall trees that stretched up into the sky and were topped by a beautiful canopy of leaves of all colour in the autumn and were a fresh green in the summer. I could almost smell the musty smell of the trees and the fresh smell of the earth. I could see the path that led to the spring and the path that led the barracks. I remembered training in the grounds before I left.

It was the first moment since I had been in Lothlorien that I wished that I was home. I was desperate to talk to my father, and I wanted to talk to my mother about Thalia and my feelings. She always knew what to say.

In my head I walked the path that would take me home.

Unable to think anymore I got up from the bed, dressed and left, intending to find Haldir.

---

I woke up alone. Legolas had stayed here last night; his scent still clung to the pillows next to me.

I rolled over onto my back and stared at the ceiling. My eyes traced the vines and leaves that had been painted on it. The vines were silver and the leaves were a mossy green. I'd never noticed before.

The sway of the curtains caught my eyes and I got up. Legolas must have opened the balcony door. I shivered as the cool air hit my skin, and I gasped at what I saw. The trees were huge, their bark was silvery and it looked like they were radiating light. Even the leaves seemed to shine, my enhanced eyes sight allowed me to see each leaf in great detail, some were silver, some golden, others were a bright green.

There were bunches of white flowers under each tree.

I was seeing a new world for the first time. Then it struck me. This wasn't earth, I hadn't grown up here. I hadn't played in the parks and been to school here.

This was another world completely. This was Middle-Earth. I can honestly say that I didn't want to go back home. What was there for me to go back to? An abusive dad and two siblings. No there was no point. But what about my mother? I would miss her, had I made the right choice staying?

My mind was open and I could think freely. It was like discovering a new me. Was it because I was an elf now, or was it because I didn't feel guilty anymore?

Either way it was confusing me.

"Let's go and explore", I was talking to myself, hmm an improvement.

Going inside I ran my fingers over the carvings on my wardrobe door. I let my fingers dance along the many beautiful fabrics. Finally I picked out a dress.

It was a gorgeous dark purple velvet dress. With long bell sleeves. I quickly pulled it over my head and twirled around in it. I giggled as I thought of all the times that as a child I had wanted to be a princess and wear beautiful dresses everyday.

Out of the corner of my eyes I spotted Lord Celeborn on his morning walk. I ran over to the balcony and shouted him, waving like a retard.

---

Lord Celeborn raised his head as he heard a voice shouting him. He smiled as he saw Thalia waving madly at him. He stood still as she disappeared and burst out of her door and down the steps. She ran over to him and gave him a hug, which he gladly accepted.

"Hello, my Lord" she said grinning like a child

"Good morning Thalia. And what may I ask, is the reason for your happiness?"

"Actually I've discovered something" she said secretively

"And what is that?"

"I'm in another world" her face lit up and her grin got wider and wider

"I know. My wife has told me everything"

"No, No you don't get it! I'm in another world, I'm in Middle earth. This is Middle earth!"

Celeborn said nothing

"Look, I can see everything. The trees, the flowers, the birds. I feel like I can see everything and I can feel everything. It as if I've never seen or felt anything before".

"Ahh, I see. That is because you are finally accepting Middle-Earth"

Thalia cocked her head in question. Her silvery hair spilling in front of her eyes and down her shoulders.

"When you first entered Middle-earth you were in pain. Your surroundings mattered not to you. You were trapped within your pain and therefore you were unable to see anything else. Can you recall details of Rivendell, or of people? Could you tell me, despite all the time that you have spent together, does Legolas have a design on his jerkin, where does Legolas come from, what is Glorfindel's horse called?"

She looked thoughtful for a moment then frowned and shook her head. Her hair once again spilling in front of her eyes.

"Come here child", he led her to a bench that was next to an exquisite fountain and sat her down in front of him. He began braiding her hair so that it stayed in one place.

She took this opportunity to examine the path; even that was interesting. There were small motifs and patterns on each one.

"So why did I not notice how big the trees were, or any of those other things" she asked

He lifted her up and turned her to face him.

"Because you were so trapped in your own mind, you were not able to really see anything. Until now you have been vaguely aware of your surroundings, but you have not been able to really look. You were trying to deny that you were in another, unfamiliar place. It was too much for you to deal with so you shut everything else out"

She nodded her head in understanding

"Have you seen Legolas anywhere?"

Celeborn laughed at her new found energy.

"Indeed I have. He is with Haldir and Rumil in the dining hall"

"Thank you"

She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. He watched with amusement on his face as she skipped down the path.

"When will you ask her? It has to be soon"

The three elves stood talking in a corner when Thalia skipped into the room.

"Hello everybody, miss me?"

She grinned cheekily at them.

"Wow, look at your hair. Do you always wear it like that?"

She reached up to Haldir and tugged on his braids. He chuckled. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at him.

"Indeed I do. Have you never noticed?"

"Nope, they're very pretty"

"I shall take that as a compliment"

She nodded enthusiastically, "You do that"

"Hello Leggy"

"Since when do you call me 'Leggy'? What is wrong with my name?"

"Nothing"

She didn't wait for an answer instead she grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the dining room.

"Where are we going?"

"Nowhere…I wanna explore"

"Where would you like to go?"

"Everywhere" she laughed and twirled around before dissolving into giggles and falling over,

And in that childish moment as he watched her, all his previous thoughts and doubts disappeared.

"Come on!"

The two of them spent the rest of the day exploring the city. It took a little longer than usual because Thalia stopped to examine everything-literally. She was amazed by the buildings and the gardens. They were like nothing she had ever seen before.

The sun had already set as they reached their room- it had stopped being Thalia's room long ago. All of Legolas' belongings had been moved and everybody knew where he could be found.

Thalia stopped to look at the fleets above them. The lights shone like the stars and they had an ethereal look to them.

Shrugging she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the dining room.

"Thalia" Galadriel called her over to her.

"I have head some strange things about you this day"

"Oh yes, and what might they be my lady?"

"My husband tells me that you have discovered your whereabouts. Do you feel well?"

The two women looked at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing. It was rare for the lady to jest and even rarer for her to tease somebody.

"I am glad that you have let go. Embrace this Thalia; I know that this is a new world and it is unfamiliar, but you will be happy here, am I certain"

Galadriel looked around at the smiling faces of Haldir, Glorfindel, Rumil and Orophin and of course her love, Legolas.

"Well, well, well…what do we have here?"

Thalia spun round to face the speaker.

There were two hooded figure stood in front of her. She didn't feel threatened. Her eyes found the broach fastened on each persons cloak; it was the Imladris symbol- the symbol of Lord Elrond.

"Elrohir, Elladan!"

The two threw back their hoods to reveal two identical faces, the same twinkling grey eyes and strong cheekbones.

"Where have you two been?"

"I apologize Thalia, but we had to travel to Dwarf lands. There has been trouble on their boarders and they requested help" Elrohir explained.

"What are you doing here?"

Galadriel stood up,

"Thalia, you have fulfilled the first part of your journey, it is now time for you to return to Imladris, and complete what it is you need to do. You know of what I speak"

Thalia nodded and smiled. It was a nervous smile. The napkin that had previously been lying on her lap was now crushed in her hand.

"I do".

"Very well. You shall depart at first light"

"My lady…" Haldir began

"Yes Haldir you may go"

Haldir grinned.

"It is time for everybody to get some rest. Remember, you leave at sunrise".