MaverickGirl: Thanks, here's a new chapter that I came up with

BlahBlah: What about Scott? He's still there… some where… okay I'll make a mention of him in the chapter :o) Thanks for putting me on a favorite list :o)

Mrs. Ekeena Greenleaf: Thank you :o) Here's the next chapter!

Ainu Laire: We'll have to wait and see what happens to Scott, or if Shantel ever finds anything out about him :o) I'm going to try to keep it as LOR as possible, seeing as to how that is the category it's in. Any other characters will be simply glimpses. The main characters will remain the same. The location is still middle earth, just past Fangorn at this point, little inn on the side of the road :o) Another favorite list yeahh!!!

~*~

In the morning, Shantel was woken by someone pounding on her door. Sitting up suddenly she looked around before remembering that she was still at the inn, that the three jumi brought Legolas, Gimli and her to. The pounding restarted, reminding Shantel of what woke her as she scrambled out and staggered to the door.

"What da ya want its…" Shantel paused as she looked at her imaginary watch, seeing as to how it got broken. "It's too early, who is it?"

"It's Legolas, let me in." Shantel opened the door and stared at the elf.

"I was having a good dream," Shantel said as she yawned. "It was about ice cream, and whip cream, with fudge…"

"That's wonderful but we have to get going," Legolas grabbed Shantel's arm steering her back inside the room. "Where's your clothes you need to dress quickly."

"Why what's going on?" Shantel was started to feel more awake from Legolas urgency.

"It's horrible, the worst thing that could possibly happen," Legolas muttered throwing clothes at Shantel.

"What is Sauron back?" Shantel was starting to worry herself.

"It's worst," Legolas got up and grab Shantel by both her arms. "I just received word from my father that he had chosen me a bride!" She stared at the prince in disbelief, and coughed as the laughter bubbling up inside threatened to come out. Seeing the weird look on Shantel's face Legolas frowned.

"What you're not…" Legolas stopped as Shantel nodded her head and started laughing hard. He let go of her as she stumbled to the bed sitting down. "This isn't funny." The elf crossed his arms and glared at Shantel who now was hiccuping as she tried to stop laughing. Both were sobered up from the issue in the next instant when a scream erupted from down the hall. Looking out of from Shantel's room, they saw Gimli running down the hall as fast as he could go. Behind him was Danielle throwing crumpled bits of parchment, and anything else she could at the dwarf.

"You sneak!" She screamed. "How dare you sneak into my room!"

"I wan merely trying to see if you were awake!" Gimli yelled as he ran. "But what a vision," He finished in a whisper as he past Shantel and Legolas into his room, locking the door. The two ducked as Danielle ran past and up to the room, Gimli was staying in hitting it.

"Careful Danielle," Lavitz said as he walked by her. "Or he might get the impression you're interested."

"Shut up Lavitz!" Danielle yelled at him.

"I think I'm going to stay in here until she cools down," Shantel said as she ducked back in. Sitting on the bed, she waved Legolas over. He sat down and she gave him a hug.

"I'm sorry that I laughed," Shantel said. "I just couldn't help it, you were acting like it's the end of the world."

"I do not want to marry, yet father feels that I should even though my older brother, Tuthinel, is married with one child, last I heard." Legolas sighed.

"So can't you simply tell him how you feel?" Shantel asked.

"He won't see reason," Legolas said. "He certainly didn't see reason when the dwarves invaded our realm, unintentional as it was." Shantel nodded and remembered from the cartoon of the hobbit, Legolas father was in it, but thank god the elves of Mirkwood were not that scary looking.

"We will have to travel there next so I can politely refuse." Legolas made a face like he was swallowing something nasty as he said this. "I figure we get there as soon as possible as stop any further planning."

"So we're going to leave the jumi?" Shantel gave Legolas a half grin.

"It's probably a good thing for Gimli's sake," Legolas leaned over looking out the door. It was quiet now. "Why do you want to stay in the company of Lavitz?" He put up a hand to his chest as he puffed it out, imitating a snobby person.

"Well if I can just stare at him it would be okay," Shantel thought. "I mean he is good looking, and he's got a great voice, Legolas stop waving your hands at me to stop I'm not finished. I simply have to say he's…" Shantel smiled remembering what she called Legolas once. "He's Lavolicious."

"Am I now?" Shantel gasped as she saw Lavitz leaning in the doorway, smiling like he heard every word she said.

"How much did you hear?" Shantel asked feeling her face burn.

"I would assume everything, for all you said is true," Lavitz said and stood up. "But we will not be going to Mirkwood, our artifacts." He pointed to the bracers as he said this. "Tell us of another location we must see to."

"Too bad," Legolas said. " I was thinking I could possibly persuade Danielle into doing a favor for me."

"What favor?" Danielle was walking by when she heard this. Legolas explained the arranged marriage again as the two listened.

"I'm sorry about that," Danielle gently touched Legolas shoulder. "But what could I have, oh." She stopped realizing what he meant. "And what would you tell your father once we don't marry? He'll start all over again."

"True," Legolas sighed.

"Well you'll just have to face him," Shantel stood up. "And I'll be there with you like Gimli. Right Gimli?" The two jumi turned to see Gimli tip toeing behind them, trying to sneak past. He froze and gave Shantel a glare as she made an apologetic face. TO his relief as well as Shantel's and Legolas, Danielle just turned abruptly and walked off.

"I have more to bother her about," Legolas laughed to himself.

"You know, back where I live, people would think you have a crush on her," Shantel said. "Is that it? DO you like her?"

"Shantel can you see me settling down with one female?" Lavitz leaned close to Shantel looking in her eyes.

"I uh, well I," She wasn't sure how to respond especially since his eyes were so memorizing.
"See," Lavitz stood up breaking the spell. "I should get my stuff, we'll be leaving soon as well." As he walked off around the corner, Shantel leaned over looking from his legs up when Legolas smacked her arm.

"Ow what was that for!" Shantel rubbed her sore arm.

"You have some one!" Legolas scolded.

"Yeah, I was looking, not touching!" Shantel grumbled and gave Legolas a helpless grin. "Let me get my stuff and I'll be ready to go." It wasn't too long, before everyone was down stairs, Gimli made sure to keep himself a good distance from Danielle as they said their good byes.

"It was great to meet you all," Shantel said as she shared a hug with Danielle and shook Tolqwist hands. She went to shake Lavitz hands, then gave up and hugged him too as he gently patted her shoulder.

"Well met friends," Legolas told the three. "Be safe in your journey, and we shall meet again."

"I'm sure we will," Tolqwist said. Gimli was simply standing on the edge not saying a thing. Feeling bad for her friend, Shantel leaned over to Danielle.

"I'm sure he didn't mean to," Shantel whispered. "I've known him for a while, he's really a good guy, please say something to him?" Danielle sighed but gave Shantel a small nod.

"Farewell Gimli," Danielle said, getting a surprised look from him. "Next time we meet I trust you will not enter my chambers again." Ducking his head he nodded, but was able to see the small smile Danielle gave him and Shantel's even bigger grin. The jumi disappeared down the road, as a few words of conversation drifted back.

"So I heard you were taking the dwarf up now."

"Shut up Tolqwist!" Danielle scolded. Shaking their heads the three turned a different direction to make for Mirkwood Forest. Legolas explained they knew they would be getting close by the change in the trees.

More trees," Gimli groaned. "Why couldn't your home have been underground?"

"But it is Master Dwarf," Legolas replied with a grin. "Or did you father not tell you that?"

"I will not repeat the words of my father about Mirkwood," Gimli said. "I will make my own decision on them."

"Uh guys," Shantel interrupted. "What's that on the road?" Looking ahead, there were about two people standing in the road, not moving as the group came closer. Their dress was in tattered rags, but they were armed with a sword and an ax. Legolas and Gimli road in front of Shantel telling her to stay back

"Good day, can you spare some food to weary beggars?" One man asked.

"I'm sorry we have nothing to spare," Legolas said in his authoritative tone. "Now move aside."

"Please?" The other joined. "We have not eaten in days!" Shantel was looking from her vantage point and pulled out a piece of Lembras.

"Here!" She tossed this by as one guy caught it. "Split it and there's food, now can you move?" Instead of moving the men tried to walk towards Shantel, earning a bow pulled in front of them, as Gimli pulled out his ax.

"Stand aside!" Legolas ordered.

"No harm meant," One said. "Merely wanted to thank the maiden."

"You can thank her from a distance," Gimli joined in the debate.

"Thank ye kindly mistress," The men said as they stepped off the road. Steering Shantel around, they waited until they were out of earshot.

"Why did you do that?" Legolas asked.

"Well they said they were starving, and we'll be at your dads soon," Shantel shrugged. "Why?"

"Those are thieves," Legolas said. "Rogues. We must ride quickly to make sure they don't come back with numbers." Shantel glanced behind, then followed Legolas quickly as he started to ride off with Gimli. They rode hard until dark, and had to rest and make camp. Getting a fire started, Legolas left then returned with a deer.

"We'll have some meat tonight," Legolas said as he started to skin it. Shantel grimaced then thought to herself, 'Don't be silly think of where hamburgers come from.'

'Yeah but you don't skin the cow your self.'

'So, it's still the same thing, I'm not skinning the deer.'

'But it's still gross, I'm sure about all that blood and the guts and…'

'It probably isn't all that bad.'

'You think so? I dare you to go over and help then.'

"What? Me? Wait a second.'

'But I thought it wouldn't be so bad.'

"I don't, well fine, I'll prove it!' Shantel stood up and shook her head.

"I'm arguing with myself," Shantel sighed. "Great I'm head to the loony bin, Hi Legolas can I help?" standing by him, Shantel looked and saw yes there was a lot of blood, but Legolas and Gimli seemed to be doing it in a way where they didn't get it everywhere, like she thought it would.

"Are you sure?" Gimli asked raising his eyebrow.

"Well, I'm just curious," Shantel shrugged and swallowed. Okay maybe she couldn't stomach this. "But I think my curiosity is satisfied so I'm just going to go and sit back down and…"

"Just a moment, you can help," Legolas said. Reaching over he pointed to some wood. "Feed this to the fire so it doesn't die."

"Okay!" Shantel grabbed the wood and all but ran out of there. 'Okay inner voice I guess you kinda win that one.' The food was prepared and cooked and Shantel found that it didn't taste that bad, in fact.

"Hey this taste like chicken!" Shantel said after a mouthful.

"No it doesn't lass," Gimli said his mouth full.

"Okay it doesn't," Shantel nodded and smiled. "It just sounded like a good saying to say right now."

"You are an odd one," Legolas smiled.

"And you're now just figuring this out?" Shantel asked innocently.

"No I am now just making that comment," Legolas said and got up slowly walking over to Shantel.

"What are you doing, this is my dinner," Shantel said protectively cradling her food. "You can't have it!" And she started to bark at him, quiet little yips.

"It's not the food I'm after," Legolas said as he came closer.

"Dude, you're scaring me," Shantel got up and started to back away. "You're acting like the guy who can't get a date!"

"A what?" Then Legolas pounced when Shantel wasn't expecting it. Pinning her to the ground, he started to tickle her sides as she kicked and tried to throw him off, as she laughed. Gimli was cheering Legolas on, as Shantel tried to get enough breath to speak.

"St-st-stop!" She gasped. "You're g-going to m-m-make me pee m-my pants!" This got Legolas laughing hard enough for Shantel to push him off as she caught her breath.

"You evil elf!" Shantel scolded playfully. "I should rat your hair!"

"What is 'rat' your hair?" Legolas asked.

"When you brush it the wrong way and make it all puffy," Shantel said. "It was a big thing in the sixties and eighties, especially in the movie Grease."

"Okay what is Sixties, Eighties, and a movie Grease?" Gimli asked.

"The sixties and Eighties are time era's," Shantel explained. "And Grease, that was a great movie, a story about a girl and guy and it has songs about how they fall in love. My favorite song, I embarressed my friend with this one. On her seventeenth birthday, we were walking down the street at night, when I stepped forward and started to sing as loud as I could:

Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee
Lousy with virginity.
Won't go to bed till I'm legally wed!
I can't! I'm Sandra Dee!

Watch it! Hey I'm Doris Day.
I was not brought up that way!

Don't come across, even rock hearts have lost
Their hearts to Doris Day

I don't drink, I swear,
I don't rat my hair, I get ill from one cigarette!

Shantel stopped seeing the confused looks on the guys faces. She was acting out the song as she sang it but sat down once she stopped.

"Sorry forgot it doesn't make much sense unless you've seen the movie," Shantel said. "It was really funny though, my friend was blushing bad." The two simply nodded and gave Shantel a gentle smile.

"So I'm okay even in all my weirdness?" Shantel asked.

"Yes, even in the weirdness," Legolas said and stretched. "We should get some sleep, Gimli I'll wake you for second watch."

"Can I help?" Shantel asked as she yawned.

"Yes you can help by sleeping," Legolas said. Bedrolls out, Shantel stretched out on it and hummed Summer Nights to herself as she fell asleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Scott my man, how have you been?" Looking up from his desk, Scott gave his boss, Derek, a smile.

"I've been better," Scott said. "What can I do for you?"

"Well, I don't want to ask you to so anything you're not ready for, but," Derek sighed. "Shantel has been gone a long time now and I was thinking, my sister, she just came to town and was going to go out with me and my wife tonight. Why don't you join us?" Scott sighed himself and shook his head.

"I don't know," Scott said. "Some times I don't feel that I'll be ready to ever move on."

"Well I'm not asking you to marry the girl, just come out and have a drink," Derek boasted. "Can't hurt to do that could it?"

"No I suppose not," Scott replied. "Just understand if I'm not the greatest company."

"No worries there," Derek nodded. "I'll tell Cynthia that it's a go and to make sure Jodi is ready. We'll meet you there." Derek scribbled the address on a post it and walked off. Looking at it, Scott just didn't know what to think. Seeing other girls was not something he was ready to do, but maybe, this could help him not worry over Shantel so much. Not worry about her possibly being with anyone else, not that she didn't have a right to, it just still hurt. A tear rolled down his face as Scott realized he was crushing the post it. Flattening the paper out he quickly brushed his face off, thankful for the security of his cubical and decided to give it a try. Not to see another women, but to go out, maybe help settle his mind.

Later that evening, Scott paused outside the Dance Arena. That's where he was meeting Derek was in this dance/bar place. With a pang, he remembered how Shantel use to love coming here and even though he didn't care to dance, she would. Dance with herself until some one else joined her, which pulled a little jealousy, but Scott wouldn't pull her out of the floor, he trusted her. He still trust her.

Going in, he was enveloped with a low techno beat. The dance floor was in the middle, while booths were set around the edge along with several small bars located around the area, it was a very big club. Paying the bouncer, Scott looked around and spotted Derek right away. As usual, Derek wore, the dark shirt with dark kaki's, and slicked back hair. His wife, wore a sparkly top, with matching pants, and next to her was a woman, who wore a low blue shirt, and black pants. Scott himself was wearing, jeans and a dark t-shirt.

"Good to see you made it," Derek yelled, it was the only way to talk in some area's. "Cynthia and I were just going to dance so I'll leave you with Jodi to get aquatinted. Jodi that's Scott!" The two left as Scott tried to think of something polite to say.

"Should we move to a booth away from the speaker?" Jodie asked. Scott nodded and they walked to a side booth and sat down, one on each side.

"Cynthia told me that you're going through stuff and not to expect much," Jodi admitted. "But if I can help in any way." The last sentence was said suggestively as Scott figured what Jodie meant as she touched his hand.

"I'm sorry Jodi," Scott said. "I don't mind getting to know you, but it won't be like that."

"Oh," Jodie took her hand away in a pout. "Then how about a drink."

"I can order you a drink," Scott said and headed to the bar. The night was just starting and it seemed like it would be slow, Scott was not looking forward to this.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Waking during the night, Shantel looked around. There was a feeling of distress, but she didn't know where it came from. Putting her head back down she dismissed the feeling as something from a strange dream, and drifted back into slumber. Legolas woke her in the morning, as seemed to become customary as they ate and continued their journey on. It would be several weeks before they reached Mirkwood and a day or so before they would even be in his kingdom. Not much happened on the trip, besides future plans were made for going to the Lonely mountain to visit Gimli's home, then to see the Shire, that was one Shantel was looking forward to.

The group had been traveling through fields and past many farmlands, with the occasional grouping of trees here and there. Soon, the tree's started to become more dense, thicker, and the sun seemed to be blocked out more and more.

"Legolas is there any light in your home land?" Shantel asked.

"Natural light," Legolas said. "Though the source for most is a question, but some is from phosphorus, and candles."

"I can appreciate Mirkwood, so far," Gimli said. "But still look forward to seeing your actual home."

"Well you won't have to wait too much longer," Legolas said. "In another day you will see what I have told you about."

~*~

I know it's a little shorter than normal but it seemed like a good place to stop there. I guess I could have gone on leaving a bad cliffhanger, but nah, too tired. I typed this when I really should have been in bed, so some parts I thought I might have dreamed may actually be in the story. Ah, adds to the entertainment I guess.