AN: First off, I would like to explain the previous chapter, since most people didn't like it (or the slash part, anyway). I wrote that chapter while I was a) really pissed off, b) feeling rebellious and c) under a heavy writer's block. I found your reactions really amusing, though. I know I'm weird, but if I read a random chapter like that in someone else's story, I probably would've died laughing. But that's just me. Anyway, the previous chapter has no bearing on the rest of the story. Other than Haldir/Legolas (if I decide to do it), there will be no obvious slash pairings in the story; however, you are always welcome to read between the lines (I encourage it, actually). There will probably be fruit for most pairings (slash and het) throughout the story, even if I don't intend it. Feel free to request subtle hints, I can't promise anything, but I like to be a little sneaky sometimes. I promise there will be nothing sexually graphic (violance may enter at some point, though) and Verdi won't fall in lust/love with anyone (and no one with her).

Enjoy...

"English talking"
'thinking'
~Galadriel mind-speaking~
*Elvish talking*

*You're joking!*

*I am not joking.*

*You've got to be joking! Tell me you're joking!*

*I assure you, I am being completely serious.*

*You can't be! You're sending me to Imladris, alone!* Verdi almost wailed at Haldir. The two of them were standing in her talan, just after the day's lesson.

*You won't be alone, Glorfindel will be with you.*

*Exactly, I'll be alone, all alone. I'm not going.*

*Yes, you are.*

*No, I'm not. I don't want to pee in the woods and go days without washing. And what if I get attacked by Orcs?*

*Lord Glorfindel can handel them, he is a more than capable fighter. You are going, if I have to knock you out and tie you to Linta.*

*Why?*

*Because it is important, you need to get to know the elves there.*

*Why? Why can't they just come here?*

*Verdi, you are going to have to leave these woods eventually, and Elrond cannot simply pack up his entire household and bring them here, just to meet you.*

*But,* Verdi began.

*You are going, end of story.*

*Alone?*

*Just you and Lord Glorfindel.*

*Well, at least the twins will be there, right?*

*I should imagine so, why?* Haldir was suspicious.

*Oh, I've just heard so much about them.*

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"I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts, deedle-ee-dee. There they are a standing in a row, oh oh oh. Big ones, small ones, some as big as..."

*Do you want to call every Orc in Arda upon us?* Glorfindel seethed. For some unknown reason, the elf lord did not like Verdi. She had tried on numerous occassions over the past couple of weeks to talk to him, but it was like talking to a rock. He said the fewest words possible, rarely more than three in a row, and could often be spied glaring at the human.

"You're head." *Well, sorry, but unlike some, I cannot live in total silence for days on end. You need to live, man. Losen up and dance a little.* Glorfindel glowered. Verdi wondered if it had something to do with her accidentaly spilling soup on his best robes back in Lothlórien, but it wasn't like she'd done it on purpose. She had been trying to dump pepper into the bowl, but Haldir had elbowed her.

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They were almost there, a few more days. Soon, she could take a nice, warm bath, get clean. She'd be able to eat real food, and use a real (sorta) bathroom. So soon, so soon.

*Ahhhhhh!* Verdi almost fell off her horse.

*What now?* Glorfindel asked in a tired voice.

*The tree! It looked at me!*

*The trees here don't have eyes, it couldn't look at you.*

*But it did!*

*I promise you, it did not. Will you please refrain from loud noises, or even better any noise at all? We still haven't reached safety.*

*I thought you were a more than capable fighter?* Glorfindel bit back a retort and wondered who had told her that.

*Ahh! It winked at me! The tree winked at me!*

*I repeat, trees don't have eyes. Come.* The elf rubbed his head, which hurt like crazy. Verdi followed, but kept glancing at the trees.