The Neighborhood

Skye drove in silence, trying not to stare at her passenger as he looked from window to window in awe. He'd pulled his hood down and she covertly studied his features. His long blonde hair was very light, and he had it pulled back in a fancy braid. His face was fair skinned and flawlessly perfect like a porcelain doll. He didn't exactly look feminine, just very young… and baby face like. He was definitely handsome; there was no question about it. His eyes were the biggest contradiction though. They seemed at times to reflect a great depth of thought and wisdom. Then at other times they seemed to her to be full of child like innocence. All in all, she found him fascinating.

His clothes made him look like a grey robin hood or something. The first thing she'd have to do would be to get him something different to wear. After that, she didn't know what the hell to do. Why did she agree to take him with her? She was no tour guide for the imaginary world. Did she really buy his story? She glanced at the ears again and bit her lip and looked away when he noticed her staring. Damn, that's embarrassing.

"You are bothered by it," Legolas said matter-of-factly. He did not seem to be insulted, but she didn't want him to think she was judgmental, prejudiced or rude.

"No, it really doesn't," Skye said truthfully. "I am simply trying to decide if I really believe it or not."

"Is it so difficult to believe?" Legolas asked.

"Yes, and no," Skye said with a sigh. "I stopped believing in fairy tales a long time ago."

"Ah yes, I am familiar with these tales," Legolas said. "Visitors from your world shared a few of these stories with me. I like the one about the Snow Princess and her seven dwarves."

Skye stared ahead as the traffic started to get heavier. She was trying to wrap her mind around what he'd just said. "Visitors?"

"Yes, they live in my world now, but they came from here," Legolas said. "That is why I came, to see what it was like."

"Well, Legolas, I got news for you. Life here ain't no fairy tale," Skye said. "You'll be glad to go home from here I think. I'm sure those visitors could have told you that if you'd have asked."

"I will judge for myself," Legolas said seriously as he watched the gathering congestion on the road nervously. "I have already found one pleasant person in this world."

"Um, yeah," Skye said lightly. "Try to hang on to that thought. I'm sure you'll change your mind when you get to know me better."

Legolas started to say something, but she just waved her hand for him to forget it. The car pulled up to a row of tiny buildings and she handed a man some green paper.

"What,,,?" Legolas asked as she pulled ahead through a little gate.

"Toll," she said. "This is the Golden Gate Bridge. Take a good look, it's a clear evening. This is postcard perfect here, sunset on the bridge with Frisco up ahead. Your tour starts now."

Legolas stared at the massive towers and then looked out his window at the water. It was amazing construction. The city ahead was full of tall buildings of various heights and shapes. There were lights in the windows and it made it seem even more magical. The sun sat on the water, reflecting orange and red and pink in the sky. It was a beautiful sight and Legolas was sure there was magic in this world.

"It is beautiful," Legolas said wistfully.

Skye sighed and gave him half a frown as they passed the bridge and headed into town, "From a distance, many things are beautiful. You will change your mind in a hurry when you see my neighborhood."

Legolas said nothing as he studied her a moment. She seemed sad, and he wondered why. Perhaps he would figure it out if he paid attention. At the moment he was just overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of this city. There were glowing signs on all the buildings, and people coming and going on the streets. They stopped at a corner where a man sat playing an instrument and singing. Legolas smiled as he watched people putting money in a box for him. They continued on, and he saw people with unique features. Most had black hair with eyes that were almond shaped and slightly slanted. The architecture was different here, brighter and more colorful. Suddenly he heard loud popping sounds and he practically jumped out of his seat, but his… belt held him down.

"What was that?" he asked quickly.

"Fireworks," Skye asked, "Look there, it is a Chinese wedding. The firecrackers scare away bad spirits and bring good luck."

"Really?" Legolas asked.

"That's what they believe," she said with a shrug.

Legolas stared at the elaborate gown the woman wore as they drove by and turned to look back, but snapped around when he felt the car tip way down. They were going down a hill that was so steep he thought they would tumble down. His hands clung to the panel in front of him and he suddenly shut his eyes and held his breath. He opened them slowly when he felt the car level off again. He glanced at Skye, and was grateful she said nothing about his cowardly display. She turned another corner and went down a narrow street. The buildings seemed much different here, perhaps older. The streets were darker, and there was rubbish scattered on the paths. He stared at the doorways, realizing that there were people lying in them, old, sad, filthy, unkempt looking people. He looked at Skye, who didn't seem to notice and he understood what she had meant about her… neighborhood. At last she halted in a narrow alleyway between two buildings. She turned her key and the car ceased its noise and vibration. Legolas watched her sigh and then turn to look at him with a blush on her face.

"This is it," Skye said. "This is where I live. It's not the Ritz, but I promise it is cleaner inside. Put your hood on and whatever you do, don't talk to anyone out here. And take everything with you. Hide the weapons."

Legolas nodded and replaced his hood. He gathered his things and draped his cloak around them as she had asked him to. She took the things out of the back and then opened a door on the building by where they had stopped. It was dimly lit inside, and she paused nervously.

"Is something amiss?" Legolas asked.

"Uh, no, just… it is unlocked, and that is unusual," she said. "Go inside while I lock up."

Legolas went in and looked around. It was but a stairwell, and when she finally followed, she led him up three flights of stairs before turning aside to go down a long hallway. There were only four doors, and she halted by the last to unlock it. She opened the door and reached inside. He heard a click, and the room was flooded with light.

"Come on in," she said. "It's not much, but it's mine."

Legolas entered a very large room with very high ceilings. The windows were nearly two stories tall, and the floor was a fine looking hard wood. To his left was a wall with two doors and to his left was another set of stairs leading up to a sort of loft. Behind the stairs was a smaller room with couches and book shelves. Skye walked around the end of the wall to his left into the larger open area and turned the corner out of sight.

"Don't just stand there, come on in and relax," she said.

Legolas followed her, looking around at everything with interest. She stood at a long table that was about waist high. There was a sort of basin in it and she turned a little round thing and water poured from a spout. Legolas cocked a brow as he watched her wash her hands under the water.

"Oh, say, just put your things on the table and I'll give you the nickel tour," Skye said with a smile. Legolas laid out his weapons on her table and left his saddlebag on the floor beside it.

"Great, okay, this is the kitchen," she said and then turned and opened a cupboard. "Here's the fridge, so if you get hungry or thirsty, help yourself."

Legolas stared at the lit up shelves and stepped closer. It was cold inside, and he just said, "Its… cold."

"Yes, so the food keeps longer," she explained. "Let me guess, no electricity where you're from?"

"If you mean cold cupboards, then no there are none," Legolas said.

"Okay," Skye said as she shut it and headed out of the kitchen. She came to a door and then paused. "Do you have indoor plumbing?"

"What is that?"

"That's a no," Skye said, rolling her eyes. "Here's the bathroom. That is the sink for washing, and the bathtub and shower, and the toilet."

Legolas furrowed a brow and Skye sighed, and demonstrated how to turn on the water, stop up the drain and flush the toilet. Legolas silently watched and nodded his understanding. Then he followed her back out to the large open area.

"Okay, this is why this place is cool," Skye said. "It used to be a warehouse before the owner turned it into loft apartments. "I have room for my plants, all along the wall here. Over there is my piano, and no, I don't play very well. Here's the table," she said as she walked past it and then she halted. "And this is where I practice."

Legolas looked at the big empty room with a cocked brow. The wall was one big mirror, and there was a sort of railing about waist height on the other wall. He tried to imagine what she would practice but he had no idea.

"What is it that you practice here?" Legolas asked.

Skye sighed, "Dance."

Legolas nodded. He was familiar with dancing, to an extent. The Avari danced more than his own people, and there was some dancing at celebrations among men. He never heard of anyone practicing dance before. Skye had a faraway look on her face for a moment and then seemed to return to the present.

"And that up there is my bedroom and right under it is the living room. The couch is very comfortable, you can sleep there," she said finally. "I'm going to go upstairs and change out of this ridiculous costume and then make us some dinner."

Legolas gave her a smile, "Very well, I will wait."

"Go ahead and get comfortable," she said over her shoulder as she climbed the stairs. "Kick off your boots and get rid of the cloak and coat. I'll run next door after dinner and see if my neighbor has something more… appropriate for you to wear."

Legolas frowned. His attire was fine. He removed his cloak and took off his coat, folding them both neatly and laying them on the couch. He slipped out of his boots and stopped. He was unsure of how comfortable he should get. Suddenly he realized he was alone in her home without a chaperone and he felt a knot in his stomach. He called up to her.

"Skye?" he asked.

She came to the railing, "Yes?"

"Where is the rest of your family?" Legolas asked.

"I live alone," she said, and then realized she was alone with a stranger. A huge red flag waved and she gripped the railing tightly. "Why?"

"You are… unmarried and live alone?" Legolas asked in confusion.

"Well, I have neighbors," she said quickly.

"But you live here… alone," Legolas clarified.

"Yes, I'm a single student with my own place," she said. "My parents live in San Diego."

"And yet you invited me into your home willingly without a chaperone? Will this arrangement not cause a scandal?" Legolas asked.

"Do you plan on scandalizing me?" she asked nervously.

Legolas' eyes suddenly got wide at the very thought, "Certainly not!"

"Then don't worry about it," Skye said. "You're a guest from out of town, way out of town."

Legolas sat on the couch and stared at the collection of books as he tried to collect himself. He'd expected her to have a family here. He did not expect to be alone with an attractive woman. He had no understanding of the customs here, but he still felt that this was unacceptable. He heard her feet on the steps and turned to look. When he saw her, his jaw dropped and he stared gaping. She wore almost nothing, and he was appalled. Her pants, if indeed they could be called that, barely covered her…her, by the stars! And her shirt… well at least her bosom was covered. He stood up and followed her into the kitchen, trying to focus on her face, just her face.

"Skye," he said quietly, feeling the heat in his cheeks and knowing he was blushing. "Is that attire appropriate for a woman entertaining a male guest?"

Skye looked down at her shorts and half shirt in confusion. She always dressed comfortable in the evening. Then she saw his face and realized he was half sick with embarrassment.

"Women don't wear stuff like this where you're from?" she asked.

Legolas gulped hard, and slowly shook his head, trying to resist the urge to look at her bare stomach. His first glance had been pleasing to say the least, but disturbing. If she flaunted her body like this, what sort of person was she?

Skye suddenly blushed, realizing her error. "I'm sorry to make you feel uncomfortable, I'll go change," she said quietly. She disappeared up the stairs and searched for another option. She grabbed her cotton Spongebob pajama pants and a full T-shirt. Now modestly dressed, she returned to the kitchen and started cooking in silence. Legolas sat at the bar and watched her curiously.

"I embarrassed you, I am sorry," Legolas said.

"No, it's my fault. I should have known better than to… people dress much differently here… oh, hell with it!" she said in exasperation. "I don't want you to think I'm some kind of slut, believe it or not, that was considered modest."

Legolas stared at the bar, not wanting to meet her eyes. He'd never seen that much skin on a woman before, and he was still reeling from the experience. Her face was not all he found attractive; and he berated himself for staring at her. He didn't know what a slut was, but he imagined it was not good. "I do not think poorly of you," he finally said, hoping that would put her mind at ease.

He looked up, and she gave him a smile. Her features softened with the change, and her eyes seemed to light up. Her hair was a little wild and she had a dimple in her right cheek. Her teeth were crisp white, and though not crooked, they were not perfectly straight either. The one feature he found the most enticing was her eyes. That bright clear blue just drew him to her. In their depths he saw curiosity, uncertainty, innocence and confidence all rolled into one. He had the strongest urge to reach out and touch her face, but the moment had passed and she returned her attention to cooking.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Legolas sighed, and then looked up when he heard her door unlock and then open.

"Yo, hello Blaze!" a male voice called.

Around the corner a man appeared with a big brown bag in his arms and a smile on his face. He stopped and stared at Legolas curiously, and then looked him up and down with… a look of undisguised desire?! Surely he was wrong, that would be… unthinkable.

"Oh, I see you brought home a souvenir from the faire, honey. I absolutely love the medieval costume and the cute little ears. Can I borrow it?" he said with an odd tone in his voice.

Legolas felt his stomach turn as he realized what it was about the man that disturbed him. His mannerisms were quite feminine, and he seemed… attracted to males. Legolas looked at Skye, who simply ignored the man's comment.

"Legolas is a friend from out of town," she said. "Now, behave Steve, or I'll tell Mike that you are checking out other men."

"Oh, you are just no fun to tease," Steve said with an exasperated tone. "So tell me, did that bastard Brian give you grief again today?"

"He was unpleasant, but didn't try to pinch me again," she said. "Thankfully this was the last day."

"Good, you should have sued for harassment or something," Steve said seriously.

"He was harmless," Skye said. "What's in the bag?"

"Oh, I brought you some leftovers from the restaurant. I figured you'd be tired after the faire and wouldn't want to cook," Steve said. "I know you will just not eat if you don't feel like cooking. You're wasting away."

"I have company, so I had to cook, but I think this smells better than what I was going to make, Thanks," she said.

Steve gave Legolas another look and sighed deeply. "So, how good of a friend is he?"

"He's sleeping on the couch, Steve," she said seriously. "You know I'm not that kind of girl."

"Yes, but you never brought anyone home before," Steve said.

"I was unexpectedly stranded, and she graciously offered me a place to stay," Legolas said. "I am quite honorable, I assure you."

"Oh, he is cute," Steve said.

"Cut it out," Skye said in annoyance. "Hey, you got anything he can borrow to wear? All he had was his renaissance costumes, and…"

"Of course," Steve said. "I'll be back in five." He left, and Legolas shivered.

"He is... your friend?"

"My neighbor," Skye said. "He and his roommate, Mike, are romantically involved."

Legolas cringed, "Is that common here?"

"More than you'd want to believe," she said. "I don't agree with it, but they are good neighbors, and they look out for me."

"He had a key to your door," Legolas said as he looked at her seriously.

"Yes, I am gone a lot, and he keeps an eye on the place," she said. "He and Mike are kinda like big brothers… or sisters, depending on how you look at it."

"That is not funny," Legolas said. "Such behavior is… disgusting where I am from."

"Yeah, well I try not to think about it," Skye said as she put her cooking away and started pulling boxes out of the bag her neighbor had brought. "Oh, good, moo goo gai pan! And sweet and sour pork… chicken, chow fun and…BBQ pork buns!"

Legolas looked at the open boxes curiously but the smell was appealing and won him over. She gave him a plate and a utensil she called a fork and they started to eat. About the time they were finishing up, Steve returned with an armload of clothes.

"He looks like the Armani type," Steve said. "I can just see him on the cover of GQ Magazine."

"A pair of jeans and a few t-shirts would have been fine," Skye said in annoyance.

"Well here, he can pick what he likes from this, it was all going to goodwill anyway," Steve said. "I have to go, Mike is taking me to that new play later and I have to do my hair."

"Have fun," Skye said. "And next time you drop in, knock first."

"Oh, honey! Blaze has company!" Steve said as he headed for the door. "Bye kids, don't do anything I wouldn't do… oh, I guess that leaves you wide open, doesn't it?" He left, and Skye visibly let out a breath.

"I am so sorry," she said.

Legolas scowled at the door, but quickly schooled his expression into an understanding one. "You are most patient to tolerate that… unique behavior."

"Um, right," she said. "Go ahead and find something to wear. He has impeccable taste in clothes, and most of those are brand new. I'm sure you'll find something nice."

Legolas took the pile of clothes over to the table and looked them over. They seemed fine, and he selected an outfit to wear the next day. Skye cleaned up and paused by the stairs.

"I'm going to bed," she said. "I left some blankets and a pillow on the couch for you."

Legolas gave her a bow, "Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Skye."

He watched her blush and then nervously shift from foot to foot. "Uh, goodnight then." She practically ran up the stairs and disappeared.

There were no walls to her room, but he respected her privacy and made no attempt to look up there. He simply went back to her living room and made up his bed on her couch. The cushions were quite soft and he found it comfortable. But sleep eluded him. The noises of the city were strange and frightening. There were shouts and screams in the distance and strange piercing shrieking noises.

He thought of his home in Ithilien and wondered what his people were doing now. With the fall came harvest, and preparations for the cold months of winter. The only night noises there were the sounds of the night creatures like wolves or owls. Often there was the chirping of crickets and the pleasant singing of the Elves. He longed for one of Jamie's songs or one of Miranda's stories. Even a gruff and slightly off color story from Gimli would be nice right about now.

He lay with his hands behind his head, staring up at the ceiling and contemplated the woman who slept up there. She was a mystery. He wanted to know her thoughts as much as he wanted to understand this world. She was a giving person, he could see that, but she was very guarded as well. He was anxious to see what tomorrow would bring. He hoped it would not bring another encounter with that Steve person again. He would enjoy this world much better if he didn't have to meet any more… of that sort.

After what felt like hours, Legolas finally fell asleep. He was lost to oblivion, though he did dream.

He was walking in a meadow on a clear sunny day. Before him sat a woman, facing away from him, and he called to her…

"Skye?" he said.

The woman turned, but it was Miranda, "Legolas, I missed you…"

Legolas shot straight up, and tried catching his breath. What was the meaning of such a dream? He closed his eyes and willed the vision from his thoughts. This was not why he was here. He did not come here to find another Miranda, no. He came to see this world, and learn about it, not to find love. It would be unfair to seek love here. He would compare everyone to Miranda or Jamie and that was just wrong. No one should be judged by another person, no one.

Legolas lay back and tried to reclaim sleep. It took a while, but he succeeded. He was content to dream no more that night.