Chapter 4
By Crystal

Author's Notes: By the way, for those who are reading 'Instinct of the Heart', I'm sorry, but I will delay that for a while because I want to focus on this story more. But I WILL update it after Legolas shows up in this story because all of you might kill me if I delay this story ..

Oh, and I have a new beta...  Thank you Lady Arianna!

*We all know who this belongs to ^^;;*

I clenched my fist as I left Iris' room and put on a fake smile for Iris' mother, who was downstairs. Iris still lived at her parents' house. "Mrs. Wright, Alan and I will be leaving now." Her mom did not know about her and Zach's breakup.

She nodded, "It was nice seeing the both of you again." She smiled and opened the door for us to leave.

I left quickly, scared that I would not be able to hold onto my temper long enough. The moment I got in to car and knew I was out of earshot, I felt anger come to me, "I can't believe Zach cheated on Iris." I almost growled, "All of us women and girls... All we want to do is love and to be loved in return. Is that too much to ask for?!"

Somehow, my mind would always drift back to a certain blond.

Alan laid his hand on my arm, "She'll get over it." He reassured, "True love is not easy to find."

Sighing, I nodded, "Fine." I admitted, "True love is not hard to find. But I rather not have found it, if I were to lose it in such a short time."

Alan raised his eyebrow, "So you regretted?" He asked, I was about to answer when he cut me off, "You are lucky, Jessica. Do not ever regret finding love, even if you have lost it. You don't know when he will come back to you. I believe that Legolas will come back... When you see him, everything will be worth the wait. After all, 'absence makes the heart grow fond', does it not?" He said, a small twinkle in his eyes.

I frowned and sighed afterwards, "For some reason, I think both you and Irene know something I don't..."

He smirked, "Perhaps."

* * * * *

Growling, I pounded the wall, frustration painted on my face. "Who gave it to me?! And if it is him, then why won't he frigging see me?!" I said, gritting my teeth.

"Perhaps it's because he wants to give you a surprise?" Alan suggested and shrugged.

I looked down on my bed and said sarcastically, "Yes, he's going to come knocking on my door tomorrow since it's Valentine's Day and sweep me off my feet." I let out a breath of air and sat down on my bed, right beside a certain green dress and a cloak I had gotten from the Lady of the Woods. I clenched my fist, "This does not make any sense." I mumbled.

"Yes it--"

I cut Alan off, "For all I know, it could be YOU playing this trick on me, and it's not funny at all!" I said, exasperated. "Alan, please stop playing this trick, it's going to kill me someday."

"It's not me!" He protested.

I frowned, "If it's not you, then who can it be?" I snorted, "Legolas Greenleaf from Middle-Earth coming to see me? Puh-leeze." I said, sarcasm dripping. "And I don't have time to ponder over this!" I waved my hands around, "I have to go to Iris to this Cottage thingy with you! And you're all packed up and ready to go tomorrow morning while I'm still not ready!"

I sighed, frustrated and let out another breath, "Sorry Alan, this whole thing with the Middle-Earth reminders is making me insane and grumpy. Carrie and Josh are ready to go too..." I mumbled under my breath, "While I'm spending time with Iris, you and the lovebirds thinking about a certain Elf, Bruce and Irene are going to have a happy, happy Valentine's Day."

Alan snorted under his breath, "I doubt they're going to have a happy, happy Valentine's Day."

Raising my brow, I asked, "What do you mean?"

He shook his head, "Nothing, nothing, nothing... Get packing, will ya?"

"Shut up."

He chuckled, "While you pack, I'll be in the living room enjoying your television. See you later." He waved and without another word, he dodged a slipper that I threw and him and left me alone... In my room. With a two hours to pack my suitcase for a two day trip before I have to leave my house and go to one last spar with Eddie. I promised him one before I left.

Darn it.

I walked over to my desk and took the whole drawer out and was about to dump all ninety-nine origami flowers in a suitcase when I stopped. "Why the heck should I put it in a suitcase?" I asked myself, and then shrugging, I taped a piece of cardboard over the drawer lightly so the flowers wouldn't come out and left it on the floor, "One done," I muttered.

Sighing, I packed a pair of jeans and a turtleneck in case it got too cold and a t-shirt, also another t-shirt and a pair of shorts for sleeping. I also brought a toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, two towels. One for the face and one for drying myself up after the shower.

I packed a few more stuff before I went back to my room and took out 'Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' and 'Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' and packed it in my suitcase. Those two books were my favorite ones out of the three, mainly because I was in the story and every time I read something, I would think about that I was doing at the time. Teasing Boromir? Talking to Aragorn? Joking with the Halflings? Speaking with Gandalf? Laughing with Gimli? Or was I kissing Legolas?

What actually bothered me the most sometimes was thinking back and knowing I hadn't spend all my time in Middle-Earth loving Legolas. That was what annoyed me most. For five months I was there and it was not until three months later that I knew I loved him.

Ah well, that's life.

I also packed my collection of Piano CD along with my CD player. I loved listening to the sounds of piano when I read, it brings me a sense of peace. Finally, I closed my suitcase and looked around the room, seeing if I had missed anything and at last, I hanged both the cloak and the dress in my closet. Did I mention that the Leaf of Lórien was still on the cloak?

When I opened the door to the hallway, I could smell pasta and I went into the kitchen. "Thanks," I said as Alan handed me a plate of spaghetti. I sat down and ate very unladylike.

We ate in silence until Alan finally spoke up, "I have one class when you're sparring with Eddie, so I can't pick you up from it. But I'll be able to drive you to class, which starts in about twenty minutes, so you should hurry up." He stated.

"What are you doing when I'm going to be in class?" I asked, stuffing a forkful of spaghetti in my mouth all the while checking out the clock. 12:11.

He shrugged, "I'll be around. Perhaps check the house one last time and get all the suitcases in my car so we don't have to do that tomorrow morning at five o'clock. I'll probably go over to my house and then over at Iris' house."

"You can bring mine down when we leave for my class," I suggested, "Then you can pick up yours and Iris' only. Josh and Carrie are driving themselves, right?"

He nodded.

I stuffed the last forkful of spaghetti in my mouth and chewed it, then swallowed it, "So you're driving me to school, then getting everyone's baggage and then going to class while I walk to swordsmanship and I'll also walk home, right?"

He nodded again.

"Fine. Wait here, I'll go get my books and sword." I stacked the plate in the sink, reminding myself I had to clean it before I left for the trip and went to my room and grabbed my sword and stuffed it at the very bottom of my schoolbag so no one would know, then I stuffed my 'Othello' in my schoolbag along with my notes and paper and stationery.

* * * * *

English was indeed boring today for all we did was reread the play by ourselves and we also had to write an in class essay today, which I might've done horrible in.

As I walked slowly to the dojo, I pondered over tomorrow. We would have to wake up at around four, drive to the ferry and along with our car, go in... Get off the ferry, one hour drive to the windmill cottage, unpack... Then I would go out to the windmills and let the flowers fly.

A smile unconsciously came to my lips as I thought about the flowers.

I began picturing in my mind how Legolas would show up. Perhaps he would cover my eyes and wrap his arms around me and kiss the nape of my neck? Perhaps he would surprise me by stalking me while I walked back to the cottage?

My smile disappeared as I shook my head, clearing the thoughts from my head. What are the chances of Legolas showing on Earth? None. I sighed as reality once again sank in my mind and I was about to look where I was when I felt a hand grab my wrist. I turned around quickly and shook it off.

"Whoa, Jess!"

Eddie. I frowned, "What the heck did you do, grabbing me like that?!"

He looked surprised, "You were just about to walk past me, it was like you were daydreaming or something... I thought you said you would spar with me today before you left for Valentine's Day with Iris and co."

"I did! I was going to spar with you, but I'm not even..." I looked at my surroundings, "Okay, never mind. I AM where I want to be. And for your information, Eddie, I WAS daydreaming." I let him drag me towards the room where we usually sparred.

"About what?" His voice was laced with curiosity, "What, or who," His eyes held a tint of twinkle, "were you daydreaming about?"

I shrugged and answered as serious as possible, "Ah, you know, that Elf Iris has a crush on? Legolas Greenleaf from 'Lord of the Rings'?" He nodded, "Well, I was thinking about him sweeping me off my feet tomorrow on Valentine's Day."

He snorted, "What is with all the people with that Orlando Bloom dude."

This time, I snorted, "I did not say the words 'Orlando Bloom', stupid. I said 'Legolas Greenleaf'." Then I added quickly, "Plus, you know I'm not like Iris. I'm not into fictional characters from books."

Yeah right, Jessica Hanson. You are crazy about Legolas Greenleaf.

"True. Iris is insane." He sighed, "Shame she's taken."

I blinked, "You're interested in her?"

Eddie's eyes widened, "Shit, I did not just say that."

I smirked, "Oh yes you did. I heard you well." Then I lowered my voice, "Perhaps, if you come with us tomorrow, then you might just be able to ask her out." I did a hand motion, "After all, Zach just cheated on her and they broke up yesterday. Perhaps she needs someone to comfort her."

"Don't play matchmaker here, Jess. You've never done that."

I snorted, "You obviously don't know me well. I've matched one couple together and if I'm not wrong, their either living happily together or they've already married."

"Oh? And who might that couple be?"

"Well, Bor--" I stopped myself, "Boris and Elizabeth." I corrected myself, "You don't know them though." I sighed, and then became serious, "Except if you're really interested in her, give her some space first. I think she's still sad about Zach. Alan is blaming himself because he matched them together..."

And I'm feeling guilty because I stole Legolas from her.

He looked at me, "Are you serious about coming tomorrow?"

I nodded, "I'm serious. It's just Carrie and Josh, then Alan, Iris and I. Carrie and Josh can share the queen size bed; Iris can take the double... Both you and Alan can take the single and I'll sleep on the couch."

He frowned, "Shouldn't the girl be the one taking the bed?"

"Yes, but I'm no normal girl, so I'll take the couch instead, thank you very much. But are you coming? Because if you are, then meet at my apartment at four thirty in the morning. We're leaving at five o'clock in the morning."

Eddie nodded, "I'll phone you tonight and tell you about it."

"All right."

As we reached the sparring room, Eddie put on his armor while I just did some swings with my sword, once again testing the sword in my hands. I've lost it for a year, and it's better if I get used to it anyhow.

We got better for sparring and once again, I made the first hit, making contact with his sword with a clear ring. I pushed back and advanced again, slicing horizontally, hoping I would catch him, but he had a fast reaction today. "You're not as quick today," Eddie stated.

I nodded, "A lot has been on my mind today," I replied as I swung my sword again where his neck was. He ducked. I bent down and spun around until I met his face, he smirked. I growled softly as I stabbed right through, but he waltzed away, I twisted my body to the right just to miss his blow. Afterwards, I jumped back, putting distance between him and myself.

For the first time since I've returned from Middle-Earth, it felt as if I was about to lose a fight. It was only because thoughts were swirling around my head. They refused to disappear from my head and I didn't have enough strength to push them away either.

A second later, I felt a familiar cold metal on my neck, "I win."

As he pulled away, I stayed in the same position, stationary, as if something was making me stay in that position. And indeed, something was. My memories. For the first time, I couldn't push them away... They were getting more and more on my nerves...

"Jessica?"

I snapped out of it and looked at a worried Eddie in front of me. I forced a smile. "Sorry, I'm fine... like I said, a lot has been on my mind... Sorry this didn't turn out to be a good spar..." I apologized, "I think it'll be better if we stopped here. I wouldn't win any fights today."

He nodded, "I think it's a good idea. I'll phone you tonight after dinner and tell you if I'll come or not. Until then, go home and rest a while. You look pale."

"Thank you..."

I wasn't sweaty at all, so I just packed my sword and gathered all my stuff and walked out the door, not even saying a goodbye to Eddie. As I walked, I only grew more and more frustrated and finally, I couldn't handle it any longer. I punched the brick wall beside me, "Ow f--" My eyes widened as I looked at my fist that was angry red. But what shocked me speechless was not myself punching the walls, which happened every few days. Typical. But I almost swore. Swearing.

I shook myself and continued walking in a daze, wondering what happened to me. A sudden fear took me when I thought I was finally forgetting the things that had happened in Middle-Earth. Everything had seemed so real to me, but perhaps my brain would suddenly... It was not possible, was it? I mean, sure, I agree that forgetting those memories would probably be best for me, since I wouldn't have to think about them anymore... But it was part of my life! It was the best part of my life I had ever had...

I continued pondering over my insane ideas and I continued contradicting myself... That is, until a hand pulled me in an alley.

"Shut the fuck up before I slice your throat open."

My eyes widened myself and I scolded myself for not paying attention to my surroundings. I had a knife against my neck and both my hands were pinned down right in front of me. Not good.

I almost cursed.

Why the heck did it have to be this day that this... Ugly, degrading piece of crap had to take me? Why couldn't it be any other day when I was alert and careful about my surroundings? I was thinking of how to get myself out of this mess when I heard a very familiar sound.

I stopped myself from moving and as fast as lightning, an arrow was buried into his hand. It was the hand that was holding the knife. Instantly, he released the knife and without a second's hesitation, I pushed him away from him and I heard his back connect with the opposite brick wall. I pulled the arrow out forcefully, knowing it would hurt less this way... That is, unless a criminal would rather go to the hospital to get it treated, but I doubt it.

I grabbed the bag that was lying on the floor and without looking back; I made a mad dash back to my apartment.

And this time, it was even harder to push the memories and thoughts back... It was certainly the sound of a bow, but that... That familiar sound...

Legolas... Manke naa lle?  (Where are you?)

* * * * *

Sorry, I don't have replies to reviews this time...  But I will next time!

Anyhow, Legolas shows up NEXT chapter, so watch out for it!  Other than that, not much more...  I got 62 reviews for this chapter!  Thank you everyone!

-Crystal

Monday, September 08, 2003