Okay, here's Part 2! There's more Legolas, as requested, and yes it is going to last longer than seven days. Thanks for all the positive response; let me know what you think of this next bit!
-- Arwen Tinuviel
The first thing I became aware of was a dull ache near the small of my back; I had been lying on the ground for heaven knows how long in the rugged outdoors with no more than a cloak for a mattress. Next I heard voices. Bell-clear, ethereal, but also laced with the bite of some heated discussion. I couldn't understand the language, and for a long time I didn't know where I was. Suddenly I caught the word "Imladris" and a spark of remembrance woke up my tired mind. Where have I heard that? I wondered, It sounds so familiar . . . It was, of course, the Elvish name for Rivendell. As soon as I remembered that, I remembered the night before and our meeting with Legolas and his band of Wood Elves. I sat up sharply, wincing as my head throbbed and feeling returned to the rest of my aching body. I heard rustling beside me as Justin made his over to me.
"Morning," he mumbled with a lazy grin. It was still dark.
"What time is it?" I asked.
"I don't know. Must be early morning though. I didn't ask." He nodded in the direction of the Elves, who were still in the midst of debate. Legolas and another fair-haired Elf, apparently his second-in-command, or whatever the title was for Elves, were speaking in hushed, rapid Sindarin and gesturing continually back to Justin and me.
"I think we're in trouble," Justin said, a note of amusement in his voice.
"Oh, perfect," I muttered, "We've pissed off the Prince of Mirkwood. What do we do now?"
"Just wait – we don't know what they've decided yet."
"Well, how long have they been at it?"
"I'm not sure. Seems like a long time to me, but I don't know the language. If I could follow the conversation it wouldn't seem as long. Can you understand any of it?"
"Not really, just a couple words here and there. I heard them mention 'Imladris' once, but that's about it."
"Imladris?"
"That's Rivendell, remember?"
"Oh, right. I bet we're slowing them down a lot by tagging along. Putting them behind schedule or whatever."
"I didn't think of that . . . He offered to help us though – we didn't ask to tag along ourselves."
"Yeah, but he didn't really discuss it with the others. I bet that's what's happening now. And they're probably more worried about Sama –"
"Shh! don't say that name. Jesus!" He laughed at me.
"You're really that scared still?"
"Justin, in case you haven't figured it out by now, this is all real. It's real! I'm not making it up this time! You saw her too – you were there!"
"Hey, calm down! I was just teasing. There's no harm in the name you know. And you remember what Hermione Granger said, don't you?"
I sighed heavily; I hated it when he used my faultless geek-memory against me!
"'Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself,'" I recited.
"That's right. You might as well heed that advice as long as we're in a parallel universe anyway. Who knows? We might end up in Diagon Alley next!"
I rolled my eyes at him, but I knew he could be right. At this point, I was willing to believe anything was possible.
Legolas approached us; the other Elf was mounting his horse already.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, seeing his fair features contorted with anxiety.
"We must leave this forest," he said, fear clouding his eyes, "The danger is closer than I thought, and not just the one that stalks you. Come, we must leave quickly. We've already lost too much time as it is." As he spoke his white horse wandered over to him, as if reading his wishes. Justin and I stood up shakily, our remembered fear from the previous day coming back to us at full force. I suddenly recognized the cloak I was wearing: it was the same one Legolas had worn (or, at this point, was going to wear) at the Council of Elrond. He gave me his own cloak during the night, I realized, running my fingers along the soft folds of the soft, sand-colored fabric. And I wondered . . .
The chestnut-haired Elf (whom I later learned was named Malfanaion) was leading Justin to his horse. Legolas mounted his horse and motioned for me to come closer.
"Come on," he said, extending his hand to me, "You ride in front of me this time. You can sleep if you need to – I promise not to let you fall."
I could feel myself going weak in the knees listening to that clear, resonant voice and seeing those shining eyes gazing into mine so intently. Wonderstruck, I took his hand and let him help me onto the horse, in front of him.
The horses ran even quicker this time; I was glad Legolas was behind me, to keep me from falling off. Also, I was very much enjoying being so close to him. I forgot the danger in that moment, my attention focused solely on my fantastic surroundings and the kindness this beautiful creature was showing me. I feel guilty admitting this, but for a short while I completely forgot that Justin was there with me. The Elven steeds flew swiftly through the last of the thick trees of the forest. We left Mirkwood behind us, turning south to follow the Great River. It took my breath away when I saw it: it was amazingly blue, untouched by the pollution of modern industry, and roared with a powerful voice. Further to the west I could see the majestic peaks of the Misty Mountains; I barely had time to take it all in as we were speeding down the banks so quickly. I peered south, trying to get a glimpse of the Argonath if I could, but we were too far away. When I adjusted to the rhythm of the hoof-beats I felt quite comfortable, and some of the events of the past – Had it only been twenty-four hours? – came back to me, filling my head with unanswered questions. I turned my face back towards Legolas; I was surprised at first seeing his own face so close to mine. He was staring straight forward fixedly, his delicate jaw set. I wondered whether it was a good idea to ask him what I was thinking . . . Only one way to find out! I reasoned.
"Legolas?" I asked quietly.
"Yes?" His soft eyes met mine; I faltered for a moment, seeing that I had his full attention.
"How did you know about . . . you know . . ." I said awkwardly.
"Samara?" he asked. The air didn't react when he said the name, not the way it had when I'd said it; it sounded almost lovely spoken by his gentle voice.
"Yes," I answered.
"You told me."
"What do you mean?"
"You were afraid of something; I didn't know what at first. I could see it in your eyes. You're still afraid. I don't understand what she is, or why she followed you here. Could you have done something to provoke her?"
"No! I mean, I never . . ."
"Yes? What is it, Esther?"
I didn't know how to explain it to him. He surely wouldn't know what a video-tape was, much less why I would have to watch one to get Samara to come after me. And I hadn't even watched it! Which is why I didn't understand it either.
"But," I continued, deciding to avoid the subject for the time being, "You understood so quickly. You knew that she was still watching us."
"We can all sense evil, Esther."
"We? Elves, you mean?"
"No, all of us. Including you."
"Really?"
"Is that so hard to believe?"
I considered this; I had felt a certain apprehension that night when Justin and I had gotten home. I had ignored it, of course, because I'd been skittish ever since seeing The Ring and had written the reaction off as paranoia. Had she been tracking me all this time? Why me? Why was I so important?
"I don't understand," I said finally.
"Nor do I," said Legolas, "But you will, in time. Be still now; we have a long journey ahead of us yet."
I sighed sleepily, and then faced forward again, allowing myself to rest back against him.