*Not very important flash back*

I heard Legolas mutter loud enough for me to hear, "Not another one." I whirled on him and threatened to slap him. He started laughing hysterically, and I didn't speak to him most of the walk home.

*End not very important flash back*

When we reached home, I decided to forgive Legolas and quickly pushed him into the bathroom to change before Dad saw him. "Hurry up" I whispered. "I'm going to order the pizza."

I called in, ordering pepperoni and pineapple. Most people think that is a sick combination, but actually it is quite good and I would recommend it.

When I knocked on the bathroom door, no one answered. I peeked inside my room, and saw Legolas standing in front of my mirror. He seemed to have figured out the clothes alright, but as I got closer I saw the pants were on backward and the shirt was inside out.

Shaking my head, I walked over to him and tried to explain how to figure out which way was which. He understood quickly and got the clothes on correctly. Uh... AFTER I had left the room!

"Now," I said. "I probably shouldn't have, but I've invited you to dinner. You have to come, and at least try some of my favorite food. Oh, and we have to fix your hair!"

Legolas stared at me warily as I fiddled with his soft, blond hair. I decided the best way to make it cover his ears was a low ponytail, and Legolas winced when I tied it with a small elastic band. "What's the matter?" I asked.

"Never has my hair been so disgraced by such an un-Elf-like fashion!" He said sadly. I sighed in exasperation.

"Live with it!" I jumped as I heard movement from down the hall, and realized Dad was up. "Ok, you go outside, and act like you just arrived. Ring the doorbell."

"Doorbell?" He asked as I pushed him toward the front door.

"Just push the button!" I said as I thrust him outside and closed the door as quickly and quietly as I could. I waited for about thirty seconds before peeking out through the window. There, Legolas stood patiently jabbing at the button on his pants.

I clapped a hand to my forehead, as I felt a headache coming on. I opened the door quietly. "Uh Legolas?" He looked up. "THAT button." I pointed.

"Oh," He said, staring at the doorbell quizzically. I sighed, shut the door again, and waited. Suddenly, one, LOUD, long ring sounded through the house. I covered my ears and crouched, "LEGOLAS!!!" my mind screamed. Thankfully, after about twenty seconds it stopped, and of course, my dad was in the room within the second. Then, before I could open the door, about thirty fast, one-right-after-the-other rings sounded, continuing and continuing. Not waiting for him to finish, I threw open the door and shoved his arm away.

"Hi Steven," I said, unnaturally loud, pulling him roughly into the house and closing the door. He looked at me strangely. I raised my eyebrows, hoping he would catch my meaning, but he just looked at me even stranger. He opened his mouth to say something, but I clamped my hand over his mouth. "Oh, Steven, I found your jacket at school... here... it's up in my room..." I smiled at Dad as sweetly as I could while sprinting up the stairs dragging Legolas across the floor behind me.

After we reached my room, I let go of him with a great show of aggravation. "STEVEN! Get it, that's your name now. For tonight, anyway." I had shown him a picture of a skater boy, a former crush of mine. At first he had been totally repulsed, but after the first shock he asked if he had to get an earring in his tongue. I said no, but it would look cool. He had then hit me with my pillow. "Come on. You remember what I told you..." He nodded reluctantly and made a face. I glared at him.

After a moment, we began to walk down the hallway toward the stairs. Then I remembered something, and grabbed my jacket off my bed and shoved it into his hands. "Pretend this is yours!" I said. Unfortunately, it was pink and said, "So many boys, so little time..." very largely across the front. Dad was waiting for us.

As we descended the stairs, Legolas slouched loped slowly. I almost laughed; he was doing a great job. His jaw was very relaxed, so that his mouth was hanging open just a little. He had a weird, cool, bored-with-the-world expression that was too perfect. When he saw Dad, though, he smiled big.

Dad did the same and shook Legolas' hand warmly. As he shook, Dad began scrutinizing Legolas closely. He obviously thought this guy looked way to old to be in high school, but he tried to hide his feelings and began to say something stupid about the weather.

Just then, thank heaven, the pizza guy came and rang the doorbell. I exhaled and went to answer the door. When I paid the guy and came back in, Dad had taken Legolas into the kitchen and was giving him a detailed tour of his toaster collection.

I rolled my eyes and set the pizza on the table. I glanced up at the clock, and saw that it read 7:45. "Okay," I said, "do you guys want to wait for Mom, or eat right away?" Legolas looked at my dad.

"Sure, let's eat!" My dad boomed, and I hid my face in embarrassment at his weird laugh. I sighed and got out the plates. We sat at the table, Dad at the head and Legolas and I on either side. Dad looked at me.

"Oh!" I said, smiling sheepishly. I bowed my head and motioned for Legolas to do the same. He obeyed, though looked puzzled. "Thank you Lord, for this day, for this food, and for all you have done for us. Amen."

I opened the box and lifted out three slices of pizza. I set one on each plate, and pretended to bite into mine. I was actually watching Legolas as he lifted the strange food on his hands. I bit into mine, and raised my eyebrows, hoping he would bite into his.

My eyes widened with anticipation as he raised it to his mouth. His eyes glared at me, just before he bit down. He looked confused at first, then made a strange face as he chewed the food. He looked at me strangely, but I pretended not to notice and began saying something about school.

Dad had taken no notice of any of this and was busy devouring his second piece of pizza. But I did notice that Legolas ate the rest of his slice.

* * *

Just as we finished, the door opened and Mom walked in. She stared when she saw Legolas sitting at the table, but I spoke before she could say anything. "Mom, this is my friend, Steven." He nodded politely and Mom smiled a big, fake smile.

"Nice to meet you, Steven," she said pleasantly. "The pleasure's all mine," He said formally. I grinned nervously "Well, Steven, guess we better get to work on that project. He looked at me strangely but nodded and we went upstairs.


"All right!" I said a loudly as I dared. "You go, Legolas!"

"Go where?"

"Uh, just an expression. It means you did an awesome job."

He grimaced. "Thank you, but can I now change out of these uncomfortable clothes?"

I laughed and nodded. "But first tell me, did you like the pizza?"

He nodded and smiled at the thought. "I have never had such a strange or delicious concoction. I must see if the cooks can make it back home." His smile faded at the thought of Middle Earth, and I coughed nervously.

"Uh, you can change now. My dad goes right to bed after dinner. Don't ask me why."

* * *

Just as Legolas came out of the bathroom, the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." I yelled as I rushed down the stairs. I flung open the door, then stopped short. It was Devon.

"Hi, Kara," she said. "I'm here to work on that project."

"Oh my gosh! I totally forgot" I said, my mind racing. I had told Devon yesterday that she could come over and I would help her with a history assignment. "Look, Dev, um, this isn't really the best t...."

Just then, at the worst possible moment, Legolas walked into the room, adjusting the string on his bow. I heard Devon scream behind me, and before I could stop her, she flung herself at Legolas just as I had only a day ago.

* * *

I closed my eyes and put my face into my hands. Devon was babbling something about Orlando Bloom, and Legolas was backing away from her. I saw his hand move to one of his knives and wondered absently if that was my cue to interfere.

"Devon!" I said in what I hoped was a commanding tone. Commanding or not, she stopped talking and turned to me with

* * *
a look of adoring wonder in her eyes.

"What is HE doing here?" She asked incredulously.

"Actually, nothing," I said bluntly.

Legolas was pressed against the wall, and while staring at her steadily proclaimed, "I am Legolas Greenleaf of the Woodland realm." Devon's eyes widened and she seemed to stop breathing.

She froze for about thirty seconds, and just as I was about to hit her on the back or something to make her breathe, she drew in a long breath. I breathed a sigh of relief, glad she hadn't freaked out, but just as I was about to thank God, she screamed.

Legolas jumped a bit and began edging his way toward the door.

I drew an exasperated breath. "DEVON! Calm down! It's a loooong story......"

* * *

After we had finished the story, Devon had finally calmed down. By then my mom had joined us, so we sat in the living room to discuss the problem of keeping Legolas hid until we could get him home. Actually, Mom and I were discussing the problem, and Devon was whining her inputs on keeping Legolas here.

I noticed Devon was giving Legolas looks out of the corner of her eyes, and he was continually moving closer to me, as if I was going to protect him from my spazmatic friend. I laughed out loud at the thought of this muscular warrior cowering behind me, with a bunch of teenage girls trying to get at him.

Legolas turned to me. "What brings you mirth? How could you find joy with her in the room with us?"

I giggled and clamped my hand over my mouth, but didn't answer.

"Legolas," Mom said, "do you want to sleep in the guestroom again?"

He cocked his head. "I think...I would like to be under the stars tonight."

She nodded understandingly. "I'll set up a cot for you on the patio." She stood up to do just that, and Legolas went with her.

* * *

When she came back, Legolas wasn't with her. "Where's Legolas Mom?" I asked.

"Outside. I needed to talk to you two without him."

I nodded and waited for her to continue. She took a deep breath. "I'm afraid you two are going to have to take Legolas to school with you.

"What!!?" Devon and I said in unison. "Mom," I exclaimed. "We can't! He'll never make it! EVERYBODY will know him!"

She shook her head. 'He can't stay home. Your father is taking the day off tomorrow. He'll freak."

I leaned over and banged my head on the coffee table until it hurt really bad. I sat up and took a deep breath. 'Ok. He can wear the clothes I bought for him today. I'll have him wear a hoodie so no one can really see his face."

"But Kara," Devon protested. "What about Becky?"

I felt like crying. Becky was crazy about Orlando Bloom. She would recognize Legolas before you could say he wasn't. "We just have to hope she gets sick or something. Now, He can't come into to class, so he'll have to keep occupied. Guess we'll figure something out.?"

Devon looked skeptical but she nodded, then we went upstairs to work on the project. It was going to be a long day at school tomorrow.

* * *

I was about to go to bed when I heard a noise that sounded like a combination of dog barking and Elvish curses. I groaned and hurried outside to see what my Legolas. I tried to open the back door, but found that it was blocked.

"Legolas," I called, and pushed aside the small curtain that hung over the window. My view was blocked by what looked to be an elven cape. "LEGOLAS!" I yelled louder, and pushed even harder on the door.

Suddenly the door gave way and I fell forward flat on my face. Strong arms lifted me from the ground where I lay, not sure whether to laugh or cry. "Are you all right?" Legolas' soft voice said from beside me.

"Fine," I replied huffily as I brushed myself off. "What happened?"

"Well, I was in front of the door and unaware of your presence, when I felt you pushing so I stepped aside, not expecting..."

"Not that," I said wearily, cutting him off. "I mean with the barking and all..."

"Oh! Well, that animal was making a horrible noise, worse than any orc I have ever heard. I was attempting to politely request for silence, when the little beast reached up and tried to close it's jaws around my hand. It must be some breed of warg..."

I looked over the yard and saw Peekee, my neighbor's Scottish Terrier. He had gotten out again, the third time this week. "Oh, don't worry about him." I sighed, "Here, I'll make sure he doesn't bother you." I coaxed Legolas close to the now growling Peekee, and picked up the furry creature.

"Now Peekee, what nasty thing for you to do," I crooned, stroking the dog's brown fur. "Here," I said, taking Legolas hand. I brought it closer to the little dog. Legolas looked wary but he did not protest as the tiny nose snuffled at his hand. Then a small pink tongue flicked out and swiped over Legolas' knuckle.

Legolas started at the gesture, but I smiled. "He likes you!" I said happily. I always seem fake and weird when I am tired, and this time was no exception. Nonetheless, Peekee was quiet and even wagged his tail when Legolas reached out a tentative hand and stroked the dog's little head.

I staggered back to bed a few minutes later and prayed that nothing more would happen. Spending all day with Legolas was exhausting. Thankfully, nothing more was heard from Legolas or Peekee for the rest of the night.

* * *

When I got up (VERY EARLY!) the next morning I went outside, hoping that the too-quiet night didn't mean another disaster. But I felt a little pang of warmness as I saw Legolas. He lay on the cot on the patio, his eyes open in the strange Elven sleep. Peekee lay curled up right in the pocket of his crossed arms, also asleep; his little tail wagging in his doggy dreams.

**********************************************************************

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blue alien: Thanks! Just to let you know, It is ME, Filia Regalis, who does all the authors notes, unless otherwise specified. In fact, I wrote the whole 2nd AND 3rd chapter by myself! So, don't insult me. We're both insane, just ask Devie! Trust me, the next chapter is coming. No emails, please! ;-)