As I held the bow I figured out it wasn't his. This one was smaller so I wouldn't have trouble holding it. Haldir was trying to teach me the basics of holding a bow properly, and I wasn't doing so bad. When I had that down to his satisfaction, he taught me how to shoot without actually giving me an arrow.

Smart elf.

When I had this down to his satisfaction I was given an actual arrow to fire. I made sure he was safely behind me before pulling the string back. My arm was shaking slightly from the unfamiliar workout. I aimed down the arrow and released before my arm gave out.

The arrow fell five feet short of the target. I was surprised that I had done so good. I did a little happy dance, but stopped when I saw Haldir's slight frown.

"What?" I asked.

"You didn't hit the target. Your shot fell short. You didn't pull back far enough." he listed the things I did wrong.

"Well, you're lucky I didn't shoot someone. Or myself for that matter. And i'd say that's pretty good for a beginner."

Haldir sighed and the archery lesson continued. It took two more tries for me to hit the target, and hit one of the rings halfway to the middle. I did another small happy dance at this accomplishment. I was starting to think that my clumsiness wouldn't come into the picture.

But I wasn't that lucky.

It was nearing lunchtime and Haldir had just finished correcting a few small mistakes I had made. I hadn't progressed any further than hitting the rings halfway to the middle.

Faulkner: I hate moving. Simple as that. I. Hate. MOVING!!!!!! IT IS A SERIOUS PAIN IN THE ASS!!!!!!!

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

My arm was tired and I felt like it was time to stop. Haldir insisted that we kept on going.

Foolish elf.

I drew back as far as I could go and felt my arm shaking uncontrollably. I let go too early and heard Haldir curse. I watched in horror as the arrow hit a tree and rebound towards an elf. The elf yelped and dropped to the ground. It missed him and went into the forest.

I saw the elf shakily get up and stare at me with an open mouth. I turned to Haldir and saw that he was angry at me.

"LUNCH BREAK!" I yelled. I dropped the bow and high tailed it outta there.

--------------------------------------------------------------

I stayed in my little tree house room thingy all through lunch. A messenger dude had come to get me for lunch, but I had told him that I wasn't hungry. He had looked at me for a few seconds before bowing and leaving.

Frankly, I was scared shitless at what Haldir might do. Even though it was his fault for not listening to me when I told him my arm was tired.

But back at the Institute the orderlies didn't care whose fault it was. Only that something bad happened and you did it. No mercy, not even for the crazy people.

God, I hated that place.

My stomach kept complaining at its emptiness and I kept trying to keep myself busy. I got bored with the cards and they were my only source of entertainment. I laid on the made bed and stared at the ceiling. I hated being bored.

"I am a question to the world

Not an answer to the earth

Or a moment

That's held in your arms

And what do you think you'd ever say?

I won't listen anyway

You remove me

And i'll never be what you want me to be

And what

Do you think you understand

I'm a boy, no i'm a man."

I thought I heard something creak, but dismissed it. What could be creaking all the way up here?

"You can't take me

And throw me away

And how can you learn what's never shown?

Yeah, you stand here on your own

They don't know me

'Cause i'm not here

And I want a moment to be real

Want to touch things I don't feel

Want to hold on and feel I belong

And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same

They don't know me

'Cause i'm not here

And you see the things they never see

All you wanted - I could be

Now you know

And i'm not afraid

And I want to tell you who I am

Can you help me be a man?

They can't break me

As long as I know who I am

And I want a moment to be real

Want to touch things I don't feel

Want to hold on and feel I belong

And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same

They don't know me

'Cause i'm not here

They can't tell me who to be

'Cause i'm not what they see

Yeah, the world is still sleepin' while I keep on dreaming for me

And their words are just whispers and lies i'll never believe

And I want a moment to be real

Want to touch things I don't feel

Want to hold on and feel I belong

And how can they say i'll never change?

They're the ones that stay the same

I'm the one now

'Cause i'm still here

I'm the one

'Cause i'm still here

I'm still here

I'm still here

I'm still here...."

I sighed and closed my eyes for a second, relishing the silence. Then my stomach had to go and ruin the moment by growling.

"Oh, phooey. Fine then, have it your way. Stupid stomach's a bottomless pit." I grumbed to myself. I opened my eyes and sat up. I thought I heard that creaking noise again. I looked around the room and saw nothing.

"I've gotta be goin' paranoid." I shook my head and climbed out of the tree. I looked around for Haldir. "Okaaaaay. No Haldir in sight. Maybe i'll get lucky and not get a serious ass-whoopin'."

"What is an 'ass-whoopin'?" a voice asked behind me. I jumped out of my skin and whirled around.

I paled as I saw that is was Haldir. He was leaning agains the tree as casually as can be. Oh dear, I was in for it now. I tried to speak, but nothing would come out. Dammit, not good!

"Were you looking for me?" he asked. He stood up straight and walked toward me. My eyes widened and I backed away from him. He stopped and frowned. "What is wrong?"

I did the only thing I knew to do.

Run.

I ran as fast as I could away from him. I ran away from what he was bound to do to me. I was scared of him, and afraid of what he would do to me. Yeah, sure, he could be nice at times. But I knew there was always that small pocket of anger sleeping inside him somewhere. I was so scared of that.

There. I admitted it. I was scared.

I stopped running when I was out of breath. I stooped over and tried to catch my breath and slow my breathing down. When I looked up I found that I was in a small clearing. I sat down and leaned against the trunk of one of the giant trees.

It was peaceful there and it helped me try to reason with myself. I knew Haldir would never hurt me. He hadn't yet, and he had had good reason to a few times. So why did I run from him and think he would hurt me?

Argh. It was the Institute. It had done this to me. I sighed and looked at the green grass that surrounded me.

"I did not see you at lunch." a deep voice said from in front of me. I looked up and started when I saw Lord Celeborn. What was it with these damn elves and scaring the crap out of people!?

"I wasn't hungry." I mumbled. I looked back at the grass and frowned. My stomach was saying the exact opposite.

He chuckled. I guess he heard it too. Damn their ears.

"What is the real reason?" he asked me. I kept staring at the grass. Maybe if I didn't answer he would go away.

No such luck.

"I will not leave until you answer me." he said, as if reading my mind.

I mumbled an answer that was the actual truth. I figured that hell, what was the worst he could do? Certainly no worse than those dead-beats at the Institute.

"Pardon?"

"Something happened and Haldir got mad at me. I didn't want to meet him at lunch." I said louder.

"What happened?" I heard only concern in his voice. That would change after I answered this question.

So, I told him what had happened. I was careful to not sound scared, even though I was. Who knew what would happen to me. I waited after I finished my little story to hear the yelling. There was silence for a little longer than I would have liked.

"Haldir should not be mad at you." Celeborn finally stated. I looked up at him, shocked. "It was his fault for not listening to you. Besides, he should be over a small thing like that. The elf was unharmed, you say?"

"Well, maybe a little scared and dirty, but fine." I managed to get out. He wasn't mad at me? Well, this was a first. "I think i'll go now." I needed to figure out what the hell was going on. I just didn't understand this place and its people.

Damn, I should have read those stupid books.

I got up to leave, but Celeborn stood in my way. I looked up at him, and saw that he truly was concerned. My feelings started to go berzerk. I couldn't understand why, but I knew he was concerned for ME. He was curious about why *I* wasn't at lunch. He cared about ME.

Little ol' me.

And then the water works opened up.

I started to cry. I made sure I didn't make any noise as I lowered my head and tried to dart around him. Damn his reflexes! He saw this and grabbed me. I struggled, but he was too strong. He pulled me into a hug and I still tried to escape. But I gave up and tried to lose myself into the folds of his robes.

I didn't get the people here. I was scared at all the differences and all the newness. It was scaring me more than the orderlies did. I just don't think I could take it.

Celeborn understood a little of what I was feeling, I guess. He took it all in stride and let me cry. He held me and whispered soothing words in elvish. I calmed down after a little while, but still held onto him. I guess I was afraid that if I let go, he would disappear.

It probably sounds funny to yah, a seventeen year old crying and being comforted by an elven lord. But it's the God's honest truth.

I closed my eyes and cherished the few moments of safety that I felt. And to this very day I still remember that moment. But, what I thought was all too soon, Celeborn pulled away slightly and moved so he could look straight in my eyes.

"I know it is all a lot for you to take in, so young. But you must try your best. We will all need you, and your rare abilities. If you do that, no one will have any reason to be mad at you." he encouraged. He smiled and hugged me again. "Your best, is all that matters." he whispered in my ear. He pulled back, the smile still on his face.

I gave him a slight grin. "Thanks. Like you said, it's just a bit much to take in all at once. I guess I needed to get that out. All better now." My stomach complained, rather loudly I might add. Celeborn chuckled and stood up straight. "Weeeeellll. Almost anyway. I'm starving. Is there any chance that I might get something to eat? Please?" I pleaded.

This time he let out a deep laugh at me.

"I can't help it!" I crossed my arms over my chest and pretended to pout. "I'm a growing teen. I need food." Then I added with a sly grin, "Unless you intend on starving me as part of my training."

He gave me a mock horrified look. "Me? Starve a growing girl? I couldn't do it with my own child, let alone you. Now, come. Let us get you something to eat." He put an arm around my shoulders and directed me away from the clearing and hopefully to a place where I could stuff myself.

As we walked, I thought back to his words.

"You had a kid?" I asked. Celeborn nodded.

"A girl. Her name was Celebrian. She married an elf named Elrond. You will learn about him in some of your studies that I am arranging. He is the Lord of Imladris. Or Rivendell as the Men call it. They had three children. Twin boys, Elladan and Elrohir, and a girl, Arwen."

"What did she look like?" I asked. I bet she was gorgeous. Any child of Galadriels and Celeborns was bound to be beautiful.

"She was beautiful. She looked much like her mother. Long blond hair and bright blue eyes with the loveliest smile you would have ever seen." he said fondly.

"Where's she now?" I asked tentatively. He talked as if she was dead. I didn't want to open up any old wounds.

He smiled sadly and replied, "She has sailed for Valinor."

I didn't ask any more questions and we walked in silence. The few elves we did pass bowed at Lord Celeborn and gave me a funny look. I thought that if they didn't like me, that was their problem.

We came upon a building that was fairly empty when we entered. The only elves there were a few who were getting an early start on dinner.

When we entered, a she-elf came up to us and bowed to Celeborn.

"What can I do for you My Lord?" she asked timidly.

"Narya here missed lunch. I was wondering if there were any leftovers that she might have." and he indicated me to the she-elf. She nodded and showed us to an empty table.

"If you'll wait here, I think I can find something." She smiled at me, and I smiled back.

I took a seat and looked around. I noticed that all the workers were watching as discreetly as they could. I sniggered to myself at their wonder. I turned to thank Celeborn, and found that he had sat with down also. I tried to tell him that he needn't be there, but the stubborn elf wouldn't listen to me.

I sighed, deadpanned. Then shrugged. If he wanted to watch me eat, then he could watch me eat. After all, he was the King of this place. He could do whatever he pleased.

The she-elf returned with a plate full of food. I thanked her and gave her a happy smile. The elf smiled back and bowed at Celeborn. I thought my back would break if I had to do that much bowing.

I shrugged again and started wolfing my food down. I ate fast, but I always used my table manners. I chewed with my mouth closed and didn't drop any food. I wasn't wasteful when it came to food.

In less than four minutes all the food was gone and I was asking for seconds. The she-elf looked at the plate in surprise, then me. She shook her head and took the plate to get me more. I looked back and saw that Celeborn had a funny look on his face. His mouth kept twitching, and I finally got fed up with it after a minute or so.

"What?" I asked.

"I have never seen anyone, or anything, eat that fast, and then want more." He shook his head, and then I realized that he had been trying not to laugh. "And I do not think that I will ever will again."

"You're probably right about that. I've seen a few people try to eat like me, and then get sick and throw it all up again. You won't believe this, but a few people even betted on who could eat faster without letting it all back up. I won too, and I was only ten when this was happenin'."

He raised and quizzical eyebrow. "Really? And where was this?"

I didn't get the chance to answer, because the she-elf came back with another full plate. Less than four minutes later, I was finished with that plate.

When the she-elf came back, I asked for some water. She smiled, took the plate, bowed at Celeborn, and went to get my water. She came back with an empty cup and a pitcher full of water. I thanked her and filled my cup.

I surprised them yet again, when I drank all of this in one go. I put the cup back down and filled it up again. This time I drank a bit more slowly so as to not give myself a stomach ache. When I finished that cup I thanked the she-elf and stood to leave. The she-elf bowed to Celeborn and we both left the kitchens.

I looked around, trying to memorize where it was so I could find it again.

"I guess i'll go back to my room and get bored. Thanks for everythin'." I started off, then turned back around. "Ummm.... Could you tell me how to get back?"

Celeborn let out that deep laugh again and led me back to the treehouse thingy that I stayed in.

Celeborn said good-bye and turned to leave, but I stopped him.

"What are these things called anyway?" I asked.

"Talans, or flets." he answered.

"Ah. Thanks." I went up the ladder and inside the flet. I turned around and looked out the window. I was surprised to see Celeborn still standing there. I was about to ask him what was wrong, when I noticed he hadn't noticed me.

I saw his lips move, and just barely caught what he said. It would have been a lot easier if I had that damn elvish hearing.

Problem was, he was speaking in elvish! After saying a few lines of something he got a wry smile on his face. "Somehow, you have already wormed your way into my heart." Then he turned and strode off.

I turned back into the room and sat on the bed. I sat there and tried to understand what the hell he said before the english part. After five minutes I gave up and fell back onto the bed. I think I could have adjusted to this life if it meant no meds and a comfy bed.

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

Faulkner: I would have wrote the actual elvish he said, but I don't have time to figure it out. I might find some time to do it later and write it in some day.

Pinky: The song was I'm Still Here by the Goo Goo Dolls.