Thank you for all my reviews, and it would be really nice if I could have some more! Please? Pretty please with Leggy on top? Heehee….

Hope you like this chapter. Replies to reviews are below. ^_^

~Lainfaer~

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Elerrina – Yeah, I bet I will! Thanks for being supportive! You should put the story up. I'd definitely read it! I hope you enjoy the rest, and thanks for reviewing. ^_^

Lothliana – YOU COPY-CAT! That's what I always say in my reviews to you! I'm the one who's gonna do the hassling! And you cannot spell Pippin right! Its 'in', not 'en' you dipstick! AND GO TO SCHOOL ON WEDSNESDAY ELSE I'LL NEVER TALK TO YOU AGAIN!!!! Please? :(

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Chapter 4: Dancing?!

For the next few days, Amy remained in her room, out of sight and sound of the Elves. She rarely left it, as everything she needed was either already there, or Seregon would bring it to her.

She would sit on the end of her bed, thinking about home and everything she was missing. Not only her friends and work colleagues, but other, more personal things. Her horse Spirit, and her apartment. It had taken her years to save up for it, and now she doubted if she would ever see it again. Her car too. Well, she knew it was completely ruined now, after the crash, but she still missed it. She had won it in one of those competitions that are usually fake money earners. Yet she and Natalie had entered just for fun, and Amy had come out with the top prize.

One day, a week after her arrival in Mirkwood, she wandered out onto her balcony for some fresh air. Seregon had told her it was early November, and she could feel the chill in the air. Yet the sun was still shining brightly in the icy blue sky. Few clouds drifted above the treetops, and everything seemed peaceful. The Elves were walking about in the courtyard below, some leading horses to the stables just across the other side. She could see the archway, which was the main entrance into the courtyard. Every now and then, a scout would return from patrolling the borders, and another would leave. Elflings that were being taught how to use a bow and arrow for the first time were following Silivren round like puppies, clutching their tiny bows with little quivers upon their backs.

She smiled at their faces as they examined the near deadly weapon they held. Every pair of eyes was wide with wonder, some with fear. She knew how they felt. When she had first sat upon a horse, she had never felt so frightened in all her life. She guessed it must be the same for them.

It was Natalie who had got her into riding in the first place. They had saved up together, then bought Spirit. She dearly missed him. Apart from Natalie, he was her closest friend. He was only a small horse, yet he could gallop quite fast. She adored him, and had only had him about four years. She and Natalie shared him, but since Natalie had moved up to London, only Amy had been able to ride him. She knew Natalie missed him, and would often send her photos of him, to keep her happy. She also kept her updated on what competitions he entered. She would enter him into as many shows as possible, and he already had plenty of rosettes. Now she knew how Natalie had felt for the past two years.

//Will I ever see him again? What about Natalie? Anyone? Will I ever get back home?//

She sighed and wandered back into her room. It was mid-afternoon, and the sun was passing over the roof of the palace. Shadows lurked in every corner, flickered on every wall. She sat down at her dressing table and pulled the brush through her hair. She had nothing better to do after all.

Her leg had healed marvellously, and only a tiny scar would remain. She knew from the story of Lord of the Rings that Elves were the Masters of Healing, and so she was better almost immediately.

She had spoken to the King again, but she had not seen Legolas. She often wondered where he was, what he was doing. He looked slightly different from how Orlando Bloom had portrayed him, but she still couldn't stop daydreaming about him at every possible moment.

She put the hairbrush down and frowned thoughtfully. She was really bored by now, and wanted more than anything to go riding. But she did not have her own horse with her, or any of her riding gear. She did not doubt that the Elves would willingly lend her some, they had leant her everything else after all, but which horse would she ride? She didn't know any of them, and they might not like her, as she was human. A plan started to form in her mind.

****

Cautiously, quietly, she opened the door and peered out. There was no one in sight. She stepped out, and pulled the cloak tighter around her shoulders. She carefully shut the door, and started walking down the hallway in the direction Seregon had taken her to see the King. She knew that if she turned right instead of left, she should come to a side door. Then that would lead out into the courtyard beside the stables.

Her plan in place, she picked her speed up a little. She passed a few Elves who just nodded their greeting and continued on their way. She would nod or smile in return, but kept walking.

She reached the turning, and went right. She soon came to the door, and stepped outside for the first time in a week.  

The Sun hit her as if she was welcoming her back into the outside world. Her warmth seemed to envelop Amy like a blanket, and she smiled to herself. She stepped cautiously into the courtyard, very aware that there were many people around who knew she should still be in her room, resting.

//These Elves seem to think I need ages to recover. I am stronger than they think, obviously.//

She neatly side-stepped an Elf who seemed in rather a hurry heading for the palace. She stole a glance at him, and saw he looked rather worried. She shrugged the thought away, and carried on into the stables.

It was literally empty, save for a couple of people seeing to their horses. It was huge, and the number of pens seemed endless. All around her was the smell of horse, and she could hear them all shuffling around. She walked down the main aisle, peering into every pen.

Many of the horses were stallions, tall, proud, and powerful. Some snorted at her as she passed, and she hurried on. There were also a lot of mares, and they seemed a lot friendlier. One even came up to the gate to her. Amy cautiously reached out her hand, and patted her nose.

The mare nodded her head, enjoying the attention. Amy laughed. "You're lovely," she whispered. "What's your name?"
"Her name's Celegmin," someone answered.   

She jumped away from the horse in shock. A figure stepped out of the gloom from towards the back of the stables. She bit her lip nervously, but remembered to curtsey.

"My Lord," she said graciously, rising.

Legolas raised an elegant eyebrow. Amy noted he had a tendency for doing that.

"You are meant to be resting," he said, stroking Celegmin.

"I cannot stay in the same room, day in, day out," she answered. "I needed some fresh air. Plus, I wanted to see the horses."

"You ride?"
"Yes. At home, I had a horse called Spirit."

"Laith, or faer then."

"Excuse me?"
"Elvish words for spirit. Laith or faer."

"Oh. They're nice words."

Legolas looked at her, his hand still resting on Celegmins' nose. She tried to lick his hand. "Where are you from Amy?"
Amy glanced at the mischievous horse, and had to struggle not to laugh. "Far away," she replied.

"Where?"

"A country called England. I lived in a town called Poole."

"I have never heard of these places."

"You wouldn't have. They're not in this world."

"I don't understand."

"Neither do I," she answered, looking back at Celegmin. The horse looked sorrowfully at her. Legolas had removed his hand. She smiled, and stroked her again.

"So, what are you going to do now?" he asked.

"Try and get home I suppose," she replied.    

"How did you get here?"

"I was hurt, seriously, and when I woke up, I was here."

"Strange."
"I know." She sighed and looked at the floor. "I miss my home, and my friends."

"What about your family? Don't you miss them?"

"I don't have one."

"What?"

"I don't have a family. I was orphaned when I was four years old."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Nah, don't worry. Its Natalie I really miss, not the people in the orphanage."
"Who's she?"
"My best friend. We bought Spirit together, and she was the one who taught me how to ride. I was on my way to see her when I came here."

"You may get back, one day," he said softly.

She looked at him. He smiled at her. She smiled back. "Yeah, maybe." She patted Celegmins' nose once more, then left.

Legolas watched her go, a thoughtful expression on his face.

//She does not know how she got here? That is strange indeed. I think I had better talk to father.//

He too, gave Celegmin a last stroke, then followed her out of the stable.

He caught up with her as she left the courtyard to go back in the side door. "Wait Amy," he called.

She turned and looked at him. "Yes?"

"I've got an idea. Come with me. We're going to see Adar."
"Adar?"
"Father."

"Oh, right." He took her hand, and led her to his study.

****

"Legolas, I don't know. What if Lord Elrond doesn't know."

"Adar, what can we lose? Amy here wants to go home, right? And you're as confused as I. We need someone else's opinion. Lord Elrond is the obvious, as he is very wise, and I'm going back there anyway."

Thranduil looked at his son over his desk. Amy stood nervously beside him, shuffling her feet on the floor slightly, not being able to meet the Kings' gaze. Whereas Legolas was looking his father straight in the eye.

"Very well. But I am leaving it up to you to organise her travelling things. Amy." She looked up at him.

"Yes my Lord?"

"You have heard of Lord Elrond I take it?"

"Vaguely my Lord, yes."

"Good. Legolas will help you pack your things. Hopefully he will know more about this than I."

She smiled and bowed her head to him. "Thank you my Lord. I am most grateful."

He smiled warmly at her. "It was nothing Amy. Before you go however, there will be a feast and dance. You are most welcome to come. I am sure my people want to meet you." She gulped.

"Oh, thank you my Lord. I will be…honoured to attend."

As she stepped out the door with Legolas, she made a small squeal in her throat. Legolas looked at her. "What's wrong Amy?"

"A dance?" she squeaked, her voice several octaves higher in fear. "I can't bloody dance!"

He laughed. "Oh don't worry, it'll be fine."

"That's easy for you to say!" She groaned and held her head in her hands. "I am going to make a complete ass of myself."

"A what?"

"An idiot."

"No you're not. You'll be fine. Everyone knows you, or about you anyway. They'll all be asking questions about you and your world. I expect you'll hardly have to dance at all."

"I hope you're right," she replied, walking down the corridor.

He smiled at her retreating back. For a human, she wasn't that bad. Quite shy, he had found, but he could sense another feeling, hidden deep inside her. Something loud and excitable, desperate to get out.

//She obviously feels she has to be quiet around Elves. Wait till she sees how we act at dances…with wine…//

He walked back to his own room.

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They're getting closer. Hmm, I wonder what will happen at the dance? Hmm….

Reviews please! Cookies to everyone who reviews. ^_^

~Lainfaer~