A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Before I start the thrilling conclusion to my cliffie (haha, yeah right), I want to answer some questions that saiyan-girl-cheetah asked me.
First: Nicole doesn't miss her family that much, since she never really fitted in well, and they aren't looking for her anymore because she's one of those missing kids that never show up. An unsolved disappearance. Her family deals with it eventually. Plus, Nicole has a new family: the Fellowship is practically like a group of brothers that she hangs around with, because they are the people that she spent the most time with and is very close to.
Second: Borry and Pippin never visit because: (a) Boromir isn't comfortable in Lothlorien and doesn't want to wander around trying to find Nicole because he could get lost; and (b) because Pippin is caught up in all the excitement of being with Elves, although he misses Nicole terribly. I know that it doesn't look like it right now, but hopefully Chapter Eighteen will deal with all of these issues.
Ok, I think that's it. And specially thanks to Mellon1: you review all the time and I love you for it! Thanks! ~MoI~

Disclaimer: Roses are read, Violets are blew, I don't own LotR, and I kan't spel two. :)

Home Sweet Home

Chapter Seventeen ~ Stupid Elves

Combining her present state of mind with her usual inattentiveness, this caused her to keep running without paying much notice to what was happening around her. Nicole was nearing the grounds, when she rounded one of the last trees in her way, dashing madly with excitement, and... ran into a person she had least expected to meet on this morning...

She bounced off the solid wall of a person's chest and fell to the forest floor. Not yet noticing who the person was, Nicole brushed the hair out of her face and tried to disentangle herself from her dress and rise to her feet. The person was silent and a hand offering to help her up came into her view. The girl took it without question, since she was in Lothlorien, so it was likely just one of the Elves she trained with.

*Thanks,* she muttered, out of breath from her running and still anxious to see what the surprise was. She silently cursed the Elf for making her fall and making her later than she was, but what could she do about it? Stupid Elves... never watch where they are going. They just go charging around the corner with no consideration of the consequences it has on others. It occurred to her that this was a pretty accurate description of herself, so she finally ceased straightening the hindering skirts to look at who she had walked (or rather, run) into this time.

The fierce blue eyes that stared at her now were the same ones that had scared her to death so long ago in the foothills of Caradhras.

*You are an Elf,* were the stony words that came out of the mouth of Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood.

Nicole could've sworn that she would have fainted right then and there because of the sudden appearance of her enemy, but shock kept her conscious. I take my last comment back. Stupid me, for running into him. RUN Nicole, run and don't look back! Despite the somewhat better relations that they had begun to develop in Moria, Nicole was still far from considering Legolas a friend. Therefore, her body responded to the frantic pleas of her fanatic mind, and she dodged him quickly and sprinted for the training grounds.

Her running abilities had improved, and she was far more aware of her surroundings now, but that didn't mean she was faster than the Elf Prince. He chased her nimbly and caught her arm just as she reached the little pavilion where the other Elves usually changed their clothing for practice clothes (Think of it as a change-room where you can keep your exercise clothes. Of course, Nicole never got to wear normal clothes, because it never occurred to anybody that fighting in a dress might be uncomfortable.). The girl noticed painfully that the Elf's grip was very strong, and now she was in a position where she had no way to avoid his questioning gaze. What? Nicole thought defensively. It's not like I ran into you and then ran from you because I was terrified. I was just... late.

But thankfully, before Legolas could ask her anything or Nicole could think of a way out of the situation, Lathanir came up to them from further inside the training grounds, smiling happily.

*Ah, I see you've already met! Excellent!* he said. This sort of smug, proud, and confident tone was not normal for Lathanir and Nicole suspected another plot against her was in the making.

*Met?* she said weakly. DOESN'T HE KNOW HOW I GOT HERE???? ARGH, that stupid Elf, he set this up! What's he planning?

Legolas quickly dropped her arm and stared at Lathanir. *You don't mean--?*

Lathanir nodded emphatically and interrupted Legolas. *Yes, this is the girl. She hasn't been training for very long, but we feel she needs some hand-to-hand practice.*

*Hand-to-hand?* she questioned with wide eyes. They don't mean that I have to fight with LEGOLAS, do they? That's impossible, he'll slaughter me!

The Elves ignored her and Legolas replied. *We have met, although I think some things have changed since then. This is the girl that traveled with my companions. As I remember it, she was a human.*

*She was? Oh yes, I'd forgotten about that,* Lathanir realized. *Well, we had quite a fiasco with her when she came. Insisted on learning to fight as opposed to being a proper lady. It's truly amazing she hasn't failed at anything yet.*

*I'm not completely weak,* she protested, being ignored again.

*She was taught some basics of the sword and axe, and had some experience in battle,* the Elf Prince informed the Galadhrim.

*I didn't have much of a choice in that,* she muttered testily, ignored for the fourth time.

*Her skills have much improved. Good archer, good with swords, with the two long knives, although we never thought to teach her how to wield an axe. That's really more of a Dwarvish weapon,* Lathanir continued the conversation.

*Gimli taught me,* she said, without any hope of being heard.

*It is. And you taught her all this within the time since we arrived? Hasn't she sustained any injuries?* Legolas asked incredulously.

*Like I said, I'm not weak,* Nicole mumbled.

*Hardly any,* Lathanir told him. *In fact, a couple of weeks ago she jumped off the stairs from a sizable height and simply walked away. And then later, she was trying--*

*NICOLE!* she yelled out, silencing the two ignorant Elves.

They stared at her in silent surprise.

*I have a name, I would appreciate it if you would use it,* Nicole ground out through her clenched jaw. Her outburst was met with more blank stares. She sighed in frustration and continued. *Let's just get to practice. What's this I hear about hand-to-hand, Lathanir?* She pinned him with a glare for not telling her who she was going to practice with.

*You should have some combat practice to solidify everything we've taught you,* he explained and offered no more.

*And why am I training with him?* Nicole questioned further, indicating Legolas.

*As I am sure you have noticed, this place is full of Elves and I would much rather spend my time with people of my own race. But I also wanted to practice, and I came here. Lathanir offered me a prospective challenge and I took it without knowing who I would face,* Legolas told her.

*I have no idea what 'prospective challenge' means, but I'm guessing it refers to fighting me,* Nicole commented. She considered her options for a moment as the trio began walking to the section appointed to sparring (practice fighting). I could still run, but then they would just catch me again. I could suddenly and inexplicably fall and break my leg. I could... fly off in a spaceship? Or I could just ask really really nicely and maybe Lathanir will let me off. On the other hand, if I stay I run a high risk of getting murdered by a Prince who wants revenge for trying to cut his hair off ages ago.

*Is there a problem, Nicole?* Lathanir asked, finally using her name.

She sighed again and pushed her hair away from her face in resignation. *No, no problem,* she muttered. They had reached the fighting area by now and saw that Lathanir had already set out a table of different weapons that they could use. She approached it and took in the selection. Among the display of shiny metal, she found a sword that was just the right length for her, not too heavy, and, she admitted with some hesitance, it's pretty. Well, it is. Shiny blade, a little tracing of a leaf at the base of the blade, a carved hilt with a pretty green stone on it. if I have to go down in this fight, I might as well go down in style, right? Right? Nicole's logical mind wasn't convinced. The girl took up the sword and swung a few practice strokes while Lathanir warned Legolas to go easy on her. She had to resist the urge to snort. Yeah right, that Elf will do anything but go easy on me. Lathanir will be picking me up in pieces before the hour is over.

*Are you ready?* Lathanir asked, looking to both of them as they nodded and moved out into the open space.

Nicole held the sword steady in front of her, trying to ignore several Elves which had stopped to see what was going on. Legolas unsheathed his two long knives and took a battle stance. The Elf prince regarded her with a raised eyebrow.

*Surely you don't expect to fight me while still wearing that dress, do you?* he quizzed her.

Nicole smirked. This guy obviously knows nothing about these Elves. *They haven't given me anything normal to wear, so I've been training while wearing dresses,* she replied with a hint of anger and annoyance as they circled each other.

He abruptly stopped walking and put his knives back into their sheathes. *I will not fight you,* he said firmly.

Nicole advanced slowly, her sword lowered slightly. *Why?* she asked with a dangerous glint in her eyes.

*You are wearing a dress. Clearly you will not be fighting as well as you can. I do not wish to fight an opponent unless that opponent is fighting at their best.*

*Yeah well, tell that to Lathanir and the rest of them,* Nicole replied harshly and leaned on her sword. I hope they get into an argument... Maybe then they'll forget about the fight and I'll be let off. Or at the very least, maybe I'll get some normal clothes. To her great disappointment, the moment that Legolas actually told Lathanir and asked that Nicole change, Lathanir complied quickly and she was led back to the changing pavilion. Her jaw dropped at this and she couldn't find the words to either protest or rejoice as she was pushed into a partitioned cubicle and given leggings, a tunic and boots to change into. THAT IS NOT FAIR!!!! I've been bothering them for weeks, and he just asks and poof! What is this? Are they racist or something? Nicole winced as she reminded herself that she had to start thinking of herself as an Elf more often. She emerged from the pavilion with a huge smile on her face because she was finally comfortably clothed. Abandoning the rumpled dress at the front of the pavilion, she jogged lightly back to the two Elves.

Lathanir couldn't help but stare at how changed she looked, because she had once again pulled her hair back into a French braid, looked much more at ease in the new clothing, and didn't look like the same girl. Although, that could have been partly due to the idiotic grin she couldn't wipe off her face. Three weeks of dresses, now normal clothes, it's not surprising that I'm practically bouncing from joy. *C'mon, kids, lets do this thing,* Nicole said cheerily, much more confident about the fight.

Taking up their positions again and circling each other, Legolas and Nicole each tried to judge the other's first move. The Elven Prince was the first to strike, jabbing low and to the left. She jumped aside and moved her sword to strike him across the back, but his quick spin put his blades in the way of contact. The fight went on in much this way: Legolas striking, Nicole trying to get him while he was inattentive, then being thwarted and reduced to more circling. It was tiresome and finally Nicole decided to take matters into her own hands.

The girl ducked to the left and under the Elf's arm, then taking a step to the side so that she was on his unprotected right side while he was still whirling to get at her behind him. A carefully placed foot caused him to stumble. In the second of a loss of balance, Nicole brought the pommel of her sword down between his shoulder blades, but not hard enough to seriously harm him. The fact that the girl had even managed to hit Legolas annoyed him greatly, so he returned the favor with interest. Likewise, Nicole didn't appreciate being hit in the stomach, so the fighting began in earnest now. As each Elf found another way to strike their opponent, they got more and more angry to find that they were being blocked or repaid. Within a matter of a minute, blades were flashing brightly as they sliced and diced and attempted to gain an upper hand. It was obvious that Legolas wasn't trying his hardest, but Nicole was getting short of breath already. Stupid Elf... probably thinks I'm still not fighting at my best, Nicole thought bitterly as she side-stepped another slice aimed at her ribs. I can't get any better. At least the clothes help. Normal clothes are good! Making use of her normal clothes, she was able to leap onto the table of armor to get out of the way of another swipe of blades, this time aimed at her knees.

With some curiosity, Nicole noticed that Legolas' next stroke was not aimed at her, but rather the table legs, a second before the blades hit the wood. She jumped off the table, momentarily putting her hand on his shoulder to give herself some extra force. As she had hoped, the push on his shoulder sent the Elf prince off balance once more, and gave her the opportunity to use the broad side of her sword to sweep his legs out from under him. Before she could react or even register how the movement was possible, the Elf had used her own move against her and wrapped one ankle behind her feet, and delivering a hit to her shoulder, causing her to fall flat on her back. Legolas stood triumphantly over her, one foot on her stomach to keep her from moving.

His eyes shone with an unnatural gleam of evil. Bending over her, he reached for a handful of Nicole's hair and held his knife to it. "Does this seem familiar?" he questioned, using Westron to keep the words somewhat more private because they were surrounded by Elves.

As terrified as she was, the girl couldn't resist her next comment. "Go ahead, cut it off. It's only a bother to me anyways."

The Elf frowned for a moment and calculated a new plan of revenge. He abruptly dropped the fistful of hair. "Since you seem so eager to cut off your hair, perhaps it is best that I leave it as it is. It seems a more fitting... reward," he said sarcastically.

Sure, a reward. Oh joy, I get to live with hair that's a mile long. What a great prize. Nicole thought those words were pretty accurate, and was about to say them but she realized it was rather hard to form syllables. Ow... can't.... breathe.... She gasped painfully, and tried to squeak out several words. What came out was, "can't breathe... lungs... coll-apsing... need air," before she succumbed to a fit of coughing.

Thankfully, Legolas removed his booted foot promptly and oxygen was restored to Nicole while his composure instantly flickered towards concern. Nicole kept a grimace of pain on her face but grinned inwardly. Quickly sweeping her legs across the ground and to the side, she successfully brought Legolas down too, albeit he landed heavily on her legs. While he lay for a moment in shock, she pulled herself to her feet and smirked down at the prone Elf. "You're right, it does seem familiar," she replied, idly twirling one of the prince's blades in her hand, contemplating whether or not to cut some of those 'precious' golden locks off.

Lathanir cleared his throat, rudely interrupting Nicole's moment of gloating. She quickly replied silently with, stupid Elf. I'm never allowed to have fun, am I? Reluctantly, she flipped the knife over in her hand, offering the hilt to Legolas. He took it suspiciously and accepted the hand up she gave him. Having done her good deed for the day she turned to glare at Lathanir. *Are you happy now?* she grumbled.

*Very,* he said dryly.

*Your skills have improved,* Legolas admitted in an attempt to turn the attention away from himself.

*Yes, she has been able to keep up somehow,* Lathanir replied as though Nicole being good at something was a surprising bit of information. Nicole cleared her throat in annoyance. *Very well, Nicole has improved and we have taught her as much as we can.*

*Thank you,* she said smugly.

*I think you misunderstand me,* said her teacher. *You have improved, but you still aren't near perfect.*

*Hey!* Nicole said, immediately taking offence. *What's that supposed to mean?* she demanded and advanced towards him.

Lathanir laughed off the idle threats the girl was trying to make. *Dear girl, I had no idea you would stay with your training for so long, and I truly am happy that you have progressed so far. But you are still no match against a fully-trained Elf.*

Nicole mulled that over in her head for a minute, but decided that it was the closest thing to a compliment she would get from him and accepted it with a grin. *Oh really?* she couldn't help asking and raised an eyebrow. Nicole glanced at Legolas and bit back her laughter.

The Elf Prince glared and replied. *Rest assured, I would have beaten you if I so desired.*

She rolled her eyes and laughed at the response. The merriment was interrupted by Haldir and Ella's approach. The latter's eyes widened at Nicole's clothing.

*What happened? Did you not find a dress?* Ella asked in horror. *There were many, I made sure--*

Nicole laughed again and reassured her friend. *Don't worry about it, I finally got normal clothes. It's so great!* she exclaimed and whirled in a circle to demonstrate how easy it was to move. And then succeeded in tripping over her own feet and landing hard on her hands and knees.

Haldir offered her a hand up and revealed why he had come, and why Ella was with him. *You have finished your training in weaponry. This is an area where only more experience will fine-tune your skills. However, your other training has not yet been completed, Lady Nicole.*

The use of the title "Lady" in conjunction with her name should've clued Nicole in. But it didn't. Even when she linked arms with Ella as the Elf steered her back through the forest, leaving behind the training grounds but keeping Lathanir and Legolas in tow. While they were mounting the stairs back to the main flet of the Lady, Nicole still didn't figure it out. Ella kept chattering about some new braiding technique she wanted to try out. Nothing clicked. Only once Ella had led the way into Nicole's room, Nicole finding it to be completely different from the way she left it that morning, did a suspicion begin to take shape in her mind.

Her bed and wardrobe had been shoved into a tight corner, the chairs and tables were removed and her washroom space had been dramatically decreased. The room seemed a whole lot bigger now because of all the floor space, although some of it was taken over by other endeavors. By the window a dress-making area had been set up were an Elf worked diligently, leafing through samples of materials she held in her hand. Another Elf was pulling down the curtains to let in more light while his coworker swiftly rolled up the rug, revealing a smooth floor. The changes to her living space set alarm bells ringing in her head.

*What are you doing?* Nicole demanded letting go of Ella's arm and rushing forward into the room. The pieces of the puzzle were quickly putting themselves together. Lady Nicole, such a polite term-- hair styling tips from Ella-- dressmaker in my room--- although I can't figure out what they need all the space for, or why the carpet has to go. Other than that, I think they're trying to do something... I think it's something that I'm not going to like at all.

*You have completed your combat training,* a voice said from behind her, entering the room seconds after Nicole's group. Galadriel had spoken to her and Tarcalen and Ulanieta, confidants of the Lord and Lady, followed in her wake. *Now it is time for you to begin your other training.*

Nicole's eyes widened. I only signed up for one training!!!! No more, please! And besides, this one looks more difficult than fighting. She questioned the meaning of the statement in a quiet, frightened, and also partially dangerous voice. *What do you mean?*

*You must be trained to be a proper lady.*

The girl groaned and moved across the room to throw herself onto her bed and scream into a pillow. Stupid Elves! Stupid Elves! Stupid Elves want to force me to become a stupid lady, not going to happen. No stupid dresses! No stupid braids! ARGH!!! Stupid Elves! While continuing her mental monologue she had begun to rhythmically pound her head against the mattress and letting out noises of frustration at intervals. The Elves all turned to look at her, more confused than usual concerning her behavior. No one moved to attempt to stop the girl from further injuring herself. A few minutes later, realizing that nobody cared about the pain she was about to go through, Nicole flipped onto her back in exhaustion. She closed her eyes tightly, and regretted the words that were about to come out of her mouth.

*What do I have to do?* asked Nicole through clenched teeth.

This set the Elves into action. Ella immediately turned towards the wardrobe, flinging through dress after dress, eventually pulling out a truly extravagant one that Nicole would never wear (light pink and lilac satin dress with sheer sleeves and gathered at the waist: very girly). Ulanieta went to begin consulting with the dressmaker on what fabric would be best and what color would suit Nicole. Tarcalen directed the two Elves clearing out the room to put the furniture as far out of the way as possible. Galadriel began to look through a number of items that had been brought in and dug out a brush and a few hair accessories. Lathanir, Haldir and Legolas watched this all with amusement until Nicole got up and marched them out of the room.

*No, uh-uh, there is no way that I'm allowing you three to witness my utter humiliation as a warrior and be turned into some happy, shiny, blonde who thinks only of flowers, rainbows, and what dress she should wear tomorrow,* she told them as she herded them out the door. They were laughing now and this only served to promote Nicole's annoyance. *OUT! NOW!* she commanded sternly, pointing down the hall. *And not a word of this to anyone! NOBODY!* The three Elves left at last, although their laughter could be heard for a while.

Nicole stormed back into the room, huffing and puffing and wanting to blow her room down. Ella forced her behind the screen hiding the bathtub, demanding that Nicole get herself clean or else. Needless to say, Nicole wasn't used to taking a bath when a whole bunch of other people were in the same room and only separated from her by a screen. So she cleaned as quickly as humanly (it should be Elfily, but that doesn't make sense as a word) possible and was getting dressed again within five minutes. The second she stepped out from the screen and Ella saw that she was again dressed in her training clothes, the Elf shoved her back again and handed her that horrid pink dress. Emerging moments later, Nicole glanced in disgust at the frock she had been forced to wear. She was immediately swept up by and ushered into a chair, Ulanieta taking a seat in front of the girl and beginning to explain the concept of etiquette to her while Galadriel began the task of putting Nicole's hair into some semblance of order.

In the middle of a truly inspiring discussion about sipping, not chugging, from a glass, Nicole interrupted Ulanieta.

*Why must I be submitted to this torture?* she moaned in anguish.

Ella was amused by the question, Ulanieta frowned angrily, Tarcalen and the others were too busy working on some other chore that Nicole couldn't see, but Galadriel was the only one willing to reply to the question.

*As I am sure you must have noticed, the Fellowship has rested here for nearly a month,* responded the Lady. *It is time that they must move on again. I have spoken with Aragorn and he plans to leave in four days time. Elves are not willing to allow their guests to leave without a celebration to speed them along their way, thus a festivity has been arranged for two nights before the departure. It is my thought that you would like to attend the event,* here Galadriel paused and Nicole nodded her agreement. *It is clear that you cannot go to such a celebration with no training whatsoever of how a Lady should behave. You must be taught etiquette, poise, perhaps some music and dance as well. And we must make you look the part of a lady.* Galadriel continued to describe the schedule for the next days, none of which interested Nicole and most of which repulsed her.

Oh joy, she muttered silently and sarcastically. I get to be a lady. Poise, grace, and all the brain cells of a stick of celery. The name Gracie-Lou Freebush comes to mind. Nicole grimaced as the dressmaker held up the fabric she had chosen to use: a deep blue satin and a translucent blue sheer fabric. Stupid Elves.

A/N: Sorry... this took about two weeks to write, and I know that it may not be worth it, but if any of you go to be educated, you understand that it IS physically possible to get buried under a mountain of work. Gracie-Lou Freebush isn't mine, by the way: she belongs to Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality. Great movie, that one. Hopefully all you Legolas fans are happy with his appearance. Those of you still waiting to figure out what's been going on with the Fellowship, rest assured that the next chapter will be entirely about them. Although in reality, the Fellowship didn't do much in Lothlorien. They just lounged around and lost track of time. It was a month in total... personally, I don't understand how it's possible how to mess a month up with a few days, but I'm rambling so I'll just stop typing now. Review please! ~MoI~

P.S. ~ If you were able to talk with the members of the Fellowship, each on their own, what would you say to them and why? Please reply in your review, or e-mail me @ morgaine@myst.net if your answer is really long. Thanks!!!!