Chapter 10

            "Poor Frodo," Chelli lamented.  "Everyone keeps looking at him strangely.  He probably thinks that they think it's all his fault that Haldir won't take us in."

            "It's not his fault!" Michelle cried in horror and walked over to comfort him.

            "I think that it's Gimli's fault – Bad mannered pig!"  Ashley growled.

            "Well, I'd prefer Gimli to having to deal with all those stuck-up elves like poor Esther does," Jennifer sighed.

            The girls glanced to where Haldir, Esther, and Aragorn stood arguing.  They turned back around.

            "Katie, do you realize Jennifer just insulted you?" Jenny asked after a moment.  There was silence.  "Katie Erin, are you there?"  Again, there was no answer.  The girls looked at each other.

            Jennifer reached out and gave Katie a shove to brink her back to reality.

            She began to teeter and then to fall off the leaf shaped platform.  Jennifer screeched as she was shoved out of the way be a strong arm.  Haldir quickly grabbed Katie and pulled her to safety.

            "There is something I think you have not told your friends, Ara.  Who were you talking to?"  Haldir questioned dryly in Elvish while he held her so she could regain her bearings.

            "Frodo," she answered quietly.  "How did you know?"

            "I've seen Lady Galadriel using those powers enough to recognize the signs.  I suppose I must take you into the Lorien now.  Galadriel must teach you to use your powers.  Gather everyone and get your things."

            Haldir walked away to discuss things with the other guard elves.  Legolas was instantly at Katie's side supporting her.  Esther went over to Jennifer and began to chastise her.

            "Katie, are you all right?"  Frodo asked in concern, feeling as if once again it was his fault.

            "I'm fine, Frodo," Katie sighed and pulled herself out of Legolas's arms.  "We're going to Lorien.  Haldir says that there is much that Lady Galadriel wishes to say to us."

            There was a cheer from the girls now that they knew that they were going to the Wood.  Legolas hovered at Katie's elbow as she picked up her stuff and he picked up his. 

            "What was that all about, Ara?  What power is Haldir speaking of?" he questioned while holding her back from joining the rest of the group.

            "I can read minds and speak into them.  I've been using the gift to help Frodo.  I only realized I had it awhile ago," Katie answered, pouting.

            "Why did you say nothing earlier?"  Legolas asked in dismay.

            "I didn't want to worry everyone else, Legolas.  Come, Haldir is getting ready to lead us," Katie gestured to an awaiting Haldir.

            "We're going to talk about this later.  All of us," Legolas told her in a low growl.

            Katie ignored him and brushed past.  He sighed a sigh of defeat.  His admiration of the young elf/girl was too much for him to handle along with this task of the ring.  He followed the rest of the group down the ladder and onto the firm ground.  He gazed thoughtfully to the front of the group where Katie was walking beside Haldir and speaking in Elvish.  He pushed Jennifer and Boromir out of the way and hurried to catch up.

            "I see you've quit your pouting, my friend," Haldir noticed dryly as Legolas stopped in between Katie and Haldir.

            "I have, but Ara and I are going to discuss this later," Legolas stated.

            "I assumed as much when I realized I had the power, Legolas," Katie retorted.

            They walked in silence for a moment.  In the background, they could here Chelli asking how much further it was going to be of a stoical elf.  After that, everything was quite until they reached the edge of the wood where they stopped to speak of the beauty of it.

            Lorien was awe-inspiring for everyone, even Aragorn who had seen it before.  Haldir led them up a long spiral staircase and finally everyone began to talk.

            "Legolas, is it safe for Katie to climb up these steps in that dress?"  Jenny taunted from behind them.

            Katie turned cherry pink and refused to look the elf walking beside her. 

            "If the lady insists that the dress is going to cause Ara problems then I shall carry her," Legolas retorted, turning and bowing to Jenny.  Chelli giggled as Katie found herself once again in the arms of the elf.  She threw her arms about his neck and hid her face in his shirt.  Aragorn laughed.

            "It seems to me, you've picked a shy elf to sweep off of her feet," Aragorn commented.

            "Yes, she is shy, but not so shy as to protest," Esther giggled.

            "I'm surprised she's not thrown over his shoulder again," Pippin piped up, winking at Jenny.

            "No, Pippin, this is much more romantic," Chelli said.  "It's almost as if he were caring her after the wedding.  You know- like a groom and bride."

            Haldir began to laugh when he noticed that Legolas was hiding his face with his hair.  "You've embarrassed two elves this day.  I'd say that this is a record."

            "Stop making fun of the elves," Gimli growled.  Ashley nodded her agreement.

            There was silence until Esther's voice was heard, "I'm surprised that Pippin isn't carrying Jenny.  You must remember that they had quite a time together in that tree."

            "Here here!"  Boromir called.

            "No.  I'm surprised Jenny isn't carrying him!"  Jennifer laughed and received a glare from Jenny.

            Pippin smiled and threw Jenny over his shoulder.

            "Hey!"  Jenny protested.

            "Shhhh, hobbit," Haldir called quietly.  "We've almost reached her room.  Everyone must be quite."

            Everyone entered silently, Legolas still carrying Katie and Pippin still carrying Jenny.