Apologies for taking so long, and for how short this is. Work has been amazingly busy.

Part 7

Five days and nights it took to journey to the Misty Mountains. When once it took the Elven prince a mere day to travel from Rivendell to the mountains, Legolas did not so much notice how the sun gave way to the moon, and the moon gave way to the sun for the few cycles that they did. With his arms around the strange young woman with no kingdom to call hers, Legolas felt more at home than he did in Greenwood before Mirkwood it became.

When at last they came to the foot of the forests, Legolas stealthily jumped from the mare and reached up for Chloe. "Now on foot our journey must be, for there are far trickier roads than a horse can tread. There are more dangers ahead."

Chloe looked down and fluidly, intentionally ignoring Legolas' offer of support, jumped. "You're trying to scare me!"

His golden brows furrowed. He met her eyes intently. And then he smiled. "You are right. We must allow the mare to run free in these woods. She will return when next we call for her. Now we are close to my kin's domain and there can be place safer from the Urukhai."

She shook her head with a smile. She looked up at the long trek up the mountains. "There is no way I am walking that."

He took her arm and propelled her towards the dark wooded areas. "We shall pass through the forest."

"Do you remember what happened the last time I was in a forest?"

Legolas chuckled and led her towards the woods. "Those were the unfriendly forests of far Rhudaur. This is a portal to my father's realm. Anxiety is unneeded."

And so they forged on, with Legolas fighting off the crawling thickets and hanging branches so that the young woman following him would not get torn by Middle-earth's vicious foliage. Her hand was firmly enclosed in his as they walked.

Chloe finally understood Lana Lang. In those moments in Smallville, when Lana had the temerity to complain when it was she who insisted that she tag along, Chloe had been irritated. Now, several thousand years and miles away from the girl, Chloe could not believe that she was actually relating to Lana.

When she truly thought that she was going to go insane by the endless and difficult journey, they came upon a clearing and Legolas stopped.

Chloe's lips parted in amazement. Before her, the dark woods had dropped to reveal wondrous lighter greens and gleaming silvers. It was a magical place that was born out of the mists.

An Elf walked out of the mists and stood in gray robes in front of them. Legolas allowed Chloe's hand to slip from his as he stepped forward.

"Cousin!" he greeted, and embraced the Elf. "It has been a long time, Tolfer."

Tolfer patted Legolas on the back and extended his hand to Chloe. "Welcome to my home."

Chloe walked towards the two and placed her hand in Tolfer's. The Elf drew her into an embrace. "Thank you," she replied, smiling. She had not really thought about the reaction she should expect from the Legolas' family. Now, she was thankful that she seemed welcome here.

They were led to the living halls of the realm, and ushered into separate chambers. Chloe marveled at the wonderful cloth that covered the bed. She touched the small trinkets in her room. Was it too big of a coincidence that there was a stack of scrolls on a table beside her bed, as well as a writing implement? Chloe hurriedly spread the scroll on the desk and dipped the feather tip into ink, then settled down to write.

Five minutes later, she faced a blank parchment. She had so much in mind, yet nothing came to words.

There were together for endless days, without breathing space. Yet here she sat wondering what Legolas was doing. She had to see him again. Chloe stood and turned around.

Tolfer stood outside her room, staring at her. When their eyes met, he walked away. Chloe's hands reached around herself to warm her suddenly cool arms.

She waited for several minutes before she finally made her way out of the room, and finally to Legolas'. Chloe knocked on his door. When he did not answer, Chloe sighed. Legolas must have fallen asleep. During the travel, Chloe had never seen him stop for rest. He deserved his sleep.

She walked back to the room given to her. On the bed lay a silken white gown. Chloe rushed forward and lifted it in her arms. "So beautiful!" This was type of dress that would have made even Lex Luthor wince at the price.

"You like it?"

Chloe whirled around, clutching the gown to her chest. She breathed in relief when she saw Tolfer standing in her room, leaning against the window. "You scared me!" she gasped.

"I apologize."

Tolfer walked towards her and lifted the gown against Chloe's body, allowing the material to touch her from shoulders to knees.

"Why are you here?" she asked.

The Elf regarded her for a long moment, and Chloe was unnerved by the way she could not read him. "Please wear the dress tonight when we sup. I wish my people to welcome you as well."

Chloe stiffened when Tolfer brushed against her on his way out of the room.