So here's the next chapter. No bloodshed just yet, but if you wanted to see romance, here it is. It ain't much, but it's there. You know, if my English teachers read this, they would kill me for using 'ain't.' They'd say something like, 'ain't isn't a word.' Well if ain't ain't a word, how come everyone uses it!

Whistler: That's like saying tater and mater. Just strange, that's what it is.

Elfbrat: That's my dad's fault. He always says tater and mater instead of potato and tomato. Anyway…read on and enjoy.

Disclaimer: Okay, I realized I keep forgetting to put these up, my bad. (begins to write apology to lawyers threatening to sue) Let the records show that I do not own anything of Tolkien's or anything else that may come up. Arlene, Roxy, Anamaria, and the evil threatening to take over M.E. is my creation. So if you try to sue me, all you'll get is a crappy computer that's about shot and maybe 20. So please let me be.

: Moonlight and Raindrops :

Once again, my stomach woke me up. However, I was so sore from training the day before that I didn't think I'd be able to get up. Not without some help, anyways.

Someone knocking at my door tore me from my thoughts.

"Who is it?" I called.

"Tis I, my lady." Thank the Valor, it was Anamaria!

"Come on in." I hollered, wincing as my muscles contracted and relaxed. I swear it even hurt to speak.

She poked her head from around the door before coming in all the way. "What in the name of Eru are you doing still in bed! Come now, up with you. I'll get your bath ready." She said as she puttered about the room. When she came back from the bathing room and noticed that I hadn't moved, she started to scold me like I was a child.

"Come now child, up with you. The sun is up and bright as well as the rest of the palace. Lord Aragorn told me that you and Lady Roxy are to meet with him at breakfast. Lady Roxy has already left and it is not wise to make our King wait."

"That's great and all, Anamaria, it really is. There's just one problem."

"What's that?"

"I'm so stiff I can't get out of the bed." I replied.

She started chuckling and apologized as she helped me up and to the bathing room. I managed to undress, very slowly mind you, and nearly screamed in agony as my stiff limbs hit the steaming water. Anamaria heard my squeak-gasp and came rushing in as my butt sank to the bottom of the tub.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, just peachy…"

Let's just say that bath left me looking like a lobster. So I pulled on a baggy pair of sweats and a tank top and went barefoot as I made my way downstairs.

The smells of breakfast made my stomach rumble again, so I nearly sprinted to the breakfast hall, despite the pain.

Gimli was the first on I seen. He reminded me of a kid as he sat at the table and his feet didn't touch the floor. "What's up?" I asked casually, taking a seat across from him.

"I should ask you the same question, lass," he rumbled, chuckling to himself.

Looking down at my plate, I said, "Let's just say I had a much warmer bath than usual this morning."

"Then I take it you are sore?" Legolas asked, sitting down beside Gimli.

"I'll be fine later, though," I nodded, trying to swallow a big piece of bread. "But I think I bit off more than I can chew yesterday."

"Here! Here!" came the chorused voices of Elladan and Elrohir.

I followed the sound of their voices to find them sitting at the far end of the table. "What's that supposed to mean?"

:Oh please, Arlene, don't play dumb. You know good and damn well that you've busted your ass since you received those letters. Everyday, nonstop, it's no wonder that you're sore: Roxy said, slapping me on the shoulder.

"By the way, has Aragorn found any clues in the letters?" I asked.

For a while no one spoke. The silence was killed by the puttering of four pairs of Halfling feet coming in.

"What's the matter?" Frodo asked.

"Letters," was all I said. They knew straightway what I meant. "Clues," I added, sipping my drink.

"Oh, I know something!" Pippin said.

His outburst caught my attention, and I pulled him by the arm. "Tell me anything you know." I pleaded.

He stared at me for a short time. "I remember that the carrier was wearing a dark gray hooded cloak. His clothes were also dark. But I could see something shiny on his face, like a chain that started at his nose. He said, 'Make sure that these are given to the Lady Arlene Harris.' I looked down for a second, but when I looked back up, he was gone. There wasn't a trace that he was even there, not even a footprint. Except for this," he finished, pulling something out of his pocket.

It was a red feather. A red feather and a chain were my only clues.

Whoa…a chain!

"I think the carrier was one of the guys who tried to do me in." I told Aragorn, as he paced back and forth. My stomach had this huge gas bubble that was pressing against my ribs. I guess that's what I get for eating in such a hurry.

"What makes you think that?" Gandalf asked.

"I remember one of the jerks had a nose ring with a chain that went to his left ear."

"But that doesn't explain the feather." Aragorn said, stopping his pacing. Finally…I was starting to get dizzy…

I nodded. Angel: Maybe it was a calling card. Devil: Nah. That would be stupid. Imagine the little angel and the little devil on my shoulders arguing with each other. Devil: Of course it was one of those guys, but I don't recall wings. Angel: Although…I wouldn't overlook it. Over a month ago I thought I was human… Devil: …and then I find out that I'm a distant relation to Elves… Angel: …and I can do things like fly… Devil: …and shoot bursts of fire from my hands! Angel: OWWW! Makes head hurt… Devil: You make a good point, let's not think about it. Angel: Finally something we agree upon. Devil: You just have to get the last word in, don't you? Angel: I do not. Devil: Oh you do too. Angel: Do not! Devil: Do too! Angel: Do not! Devil: Do too! …and it just keeps going…anyways.

Something else that kept bothering me was how the carrier knew where to deliver the letters. It's not like that could call around. Wait a minute.

"I think I'm on to something," I said at last, catching everyone's attention. "There may be one thing we didn't think of; how they knew where I was to begin with. Is it possible that they obtained one of the palantir?"

:What are you talking about:

"Take a seat, Roxy. This will take a few minutes," I said, pulling out a small notebook I had written some odds and ends of things in.

"The palantir. They're crystal globes wrought by the Noldor in Eldamar. The Master-stone was kept in the Tower of Avallónë, but the Eldar gave seven palantiri to Amandil of Andúnië. The palantiri showed scenes far away in time and space, especially things near to another palantir; two Stones thus could be used for communication. A person of strong will could learn to control the palantir and with it see where and whenever he wished.

At the fall of Númenor, Elendil brought the palantiri to Middle-earth and placed them throughout his realm. The chief palantir he placed in the Dome of Stars in Osgilliath; this stone alone could view all the others at one time. The others were placed in Minas Ithil, Minas Anor, Orthanc, Annúminas, Elostirion in the Tower Hills, and the Tower of Amon Sûl. After the fall of Elendil the Eldar took back into their care the palantir of the Tower Hills, which only looked to the Undying Lands, and from time to time the Eldar made pilgrimages to the Tower Hills to look at Eldamar and Valinor. This palantir was put aboard the white ship of the Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings in the Third Age 3021. The palantir of Amon Sûl was long coveted by Rhudaur and Cardolan, for it was the chief stone of the North-kingdom and the other two were possessed by Arthedain and the Eldar. In the Third Age 1409 the tower of Amon Sul was destroyed by Angmar, but Arthedain recovered the palantir and carried it to Fornost. The palantiri of Amon Sûl and Annúminas were kept at Fornost until the fall of Arthedain, when they were lost in the shipwreck that killed Arvedui.

In Gondor, the palantir of Osgilliath was lost when the city was burned during the Kin-strife. The palantir of Minas Ithil was captured by the Nazgul when they took the city in Third Age 2002, and Sauron gained control of it. This made the other palantirir dangerous to use, especially the stone of Minas Anor, to which the Ithil-stone was most closely aligned. The Ithil-stone was probably destroyed when Sauron fell in the War of the Ring. The Kings and Stewards of Gondor did not use the palantir of Minas Anor after the fall of Minas Ithil until the time of the War of the Ring, when Denethor II, grown grim after the death of his wife, felt that he needed the knowledge that the palantir could give him in order to counter Sauron. However, Sauron so manipulated Denethor's visions and assaulted his mind that the Steward went mad during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and burned himself with the palantir in his hands. After this time, the only picture that could be seen in the palantir, except by one of very strong will, was of two burning hands.

The seventh palantir, that of Orthanc, was unused for most of the Third Age. In 2759, Saruman came to Orthanc in order to find the stone, but in using it he was ensnared by Sauron. During the War of the Ring, Grima threw the Orthanc-stone out of the tower and it was recovered by Aragorn, who as its rightful user wrested it to his own will. With the palantir of Orthanc Aragorn discovered many things, including the fleet of the Corsairs that was approaching Gondor, and with this knowledge he planned the course of action that resulted in the victory of the West in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. After the War of the Ring, Aragorn used this palantir to show him the state of his kingdom.

Also called the Seeing-stones, the Seven-stones, and the Seven Seeing-stones. The palantir of the Tower Hills was called the Stone of Elendil. And that's that."

:Damn.:

"Someone has surely been brushing up on their history." I turned around to see Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn not three feet behind me, smiling that mischievous smile; it seemed she was impressed.

Then it happened. I opened my mouth to comment, but instead I let rip a huge belch that could have set a new record on the Richter Scale.

No one spoke. I knew my cheeks were burning from embarrassment. Roxy, I noticed, was holding back a fit of giggles, as were the twins. The Hobbits, namely Merry and Pippin were staring at me in awe. Legolas and Celeborn looked at me with wide eyes. Gimli just grinned. Gandalf showed signs of restrained laughter. Aragorn put his head in his hands. Arwen and Eowyn covered their mouths. Eomer and Faramir just stared in disbelief. I looked at Galadriel. She was smiling. How the hell can she be smiling! Isn't she offended!

Then she started to laugh, which made me feel a little better, so I laughed too. "My apologies, Lady."

"It's a wonder it didn't happen in the middle of your little speech!" Gandalf commented. "It would seem that Arlene takes great enjoyment in reading…"

"…and clearly embarrassing me." Aragorn finished.

I placed my hands on my hips. "Well excuse me! It wasn't like I was planning on that happening! It sorta snuck up on me."

:Give her some credit, though, Aragorn. She outdid the Hobbits:

Waving off Roxy's praise, I turned back to Galadriel. "I take it that Aragorn has told you of the letters I received?"

"Yes. I was gazing into my mirror when you got them. Something made me uneasy, and I prepared for departure as Aragorn's message reached my kingdom."

"So you know of something?" I asked.

"Yes…I do. And I will tell you. But not yet. This evening. I will inform you of my theory this evening. However, there is someone that would like your company before." She finished, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder and moving her gaze past me. I turned my head and followed her gaze, feeling a vein in my forehead come out when I noted that she was referring to Legolas.

Great. Just great. What does he want now!

I found out later that said Elf's motive was to get me reacquainted with riding a horse. With that said, I was given an hour to change and meet Legolas down at the stables. Roxy followed me back up to our room, beaming like the sun. I had a feeling that she knew something that I didn't and wasn't planning on filling me in, so I didn't argue. I wasn't in the mood to. Not only did I embarrass myself this morning, my annoying Elf-comrade tells me that he's going to teach me how to ride a horse again, and he TELLS me to be down at the stables within the hour. How dare he!

As I stormed about the room, Roxy perched herself on top of the already made bed, still grinning. Eventually curiosity got the better of me.

"What are you smiling about?"

:Why do you ask:

"Just curious is all."

:You know what they say about curiosity and cats, Arlene…:

"Well then it's good for me that I'm not a cat. So why are you so happy?"

:What do you think of Legolas:

"Huh?"

:What do you think of Legolas? It's a simple question.:

"I don't know. Why'd you answer my question with a question?"

:Just answer mine please.:

"Fine. I don't know. Why?"

:Do you like his looks:

"I guess."

:What about his personality:

"Honestly, I think he can be a smart ass at times. Other than that, I guess he can be charming."

:Well do you 'like him' like him:

"I dunno. Maybe…but then he starts acting like a smart ass prince and that feeling gets shot to hell."

:I think you do, Arlene.:

"What!"

:I've seen the way you look at him. You flirt with him-you may not think you do but you do. So suck it up and face the facts that you may have feelings for the Elf, regardless of how much he pisses you off. Think about his other qualities once in a while and you'll see what I mean.:

By that time Roxy was off the bed, grabbing my face and literally forcing me to look at her as I try to pull on a pair of worn and torn jeans. After she let my head go, she tossed me a white button-up shirt that I put on over my tank top before she resumed her perch on the bed.

"You think that?" I asked, buttoning the shirt.

:I do.: she stated, crossing her arms.

Well I think you're nuts, Roxy. But right now I ain't got time to argue over the matter. I didn't say anything else on the topic at hand, but pulled on my boots and tied my hair back. Then as I reached the door, I threw Roxy the peace sign before leaving.

Note to self: Next time I go to Wal-Mart or Payless to buy boots, test them out on a non-carpeted floor to see if they sound like horse's hooves when I walk. I swear that people can hear me coming from a mile away.

Click. Clack. Click. Clack. Argh!

When I got to the stables, Legolas wasn't there. And he tells ME to be on time… A whinny brought me out of my musing, and I saw that it was Morwen, Roxy's horse, that had made the noise.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked, patting her nose. Morwen replied with a bob of her head and a snort. "I take it you're not having a good day?"

"Actually, I think Morwen's jealous because she isn't getting all the attention." Legolas said from behind me. "So are you ready to ride again, Elfbrat?"

"Don't start."

"Alright. I'm sorry. Are you ready to ride again Arlene?"

"I guess so." I sighed, turning around to find that he wasn't there!

He came back around a corner again with his horse, Arod, and another white horse with a few gray spots dotted here and there, along with a gray diamond-shaped spot just above two of the bluest eyes I have ever seen on a horse.

"Good, because I have a present for you. Here she is, what do you think?"

I could only stare as they moved closer. "She's beautiful. What's her name?"

"That's just it. We thought that it would be best that her new owner should have the privilege of naming her."

I stared at Legolas. "Are you serious? She's mine?"

He just nodded and smiled. "What will you name her?"

"I'm not sure yet. What's her history?"

"This one carried a soldier from Minas Tirith. He was ambushed by a group of orcs and Uruk-hai and was murdered on the spot. This young one was injured, but she managed to escape with the help of other soldiers fleeing the area. Many were killed, some injured, and it was lucky that she survived at all. She's a tough one, I'll give her that." Legolas finished, scratching her nose, which must have made Arod jealous, because the next thing I saw was Legolas getting goosed in the butt by Arod's nose.

I held back my laughing fit that threatened to break loose. "I think I know what I will call her."

"What?" he asked, rubbing his now slightly sore bum.

"I shall call her…Uma. It was the name of an actress where I came from that played a character that reminds me much of this horse. Strong, determined, proud, and a will to never give up without a fight."

Legolas just shook his head and sighed. "I may never understand you."

"Hun, I don't even understand myself sometimes."

"Alright, let's begin before it gets too late."

Three hours later…

Not only was the sun starting to go down, but I could feel the air around me change. It was going to rain tonight. And I still couldn't get the hang of riding a horse again!

This is ridiculous! It should be like riding a bike! One of those things you never forget! There should be an exception to that theory…

"I thought Roxy said that you had been on a horse before." Legolas said from his position atop Arod.

"Roxy told you what! Maybe she didn't tell you, but I had a bad experience with horses when I was 10. Something spooked that horse. Long story short, 12 stitches in the side of my arm and 4 on the side of my neck. Doctors said it was a wonder my neck didn't break when I landed on that rock, or worse, it could have paralyzed me if my body had landed at a slightly different angle. Haven't been on a horse since."

Legolas looked at me with sympathetic eyes. "I'm sorry…I didn't know. I wish you would have said something earlier; I wouldn't have pushed you the way I have."

"It's fine, you didn't know and I guess Roxy didn't either," I said, readjusting myself on the saddle. "Say, how about a quick race back to the stables? It's gonna rain and I'm not too keen on getting wet just yet."

"Are you sure? Do you think you can handle it?"

"Sure! What, afraid of being beaten by a woman?"

"No, I'm not. I just don't want you to get upset when I win."

"Alright, alright. On the count of three. Ready? One…two…three!"

I barely nudged Uma and she took off like a bottle rocket. She was going so fast that I was partly afraid to turn my head to see if Legolas was behind me or not.

Then I felt the rain start to fall down upon the land, the dark gray clouds covering the sunset like a blanket. It was just a light sprinkling of rain, but I had a bad feeling that something I was not planning on was going to happen. Kind of like that Yosemite Sam cartoon where he's riding the horse and it either won't go or won't stop-either way he has to whack it with a guitar or something. Never fails he gets a horse that's hard-headed. Heehee, that was a funny cartoon. Wait. Can't think about that now, gotta find a way to get Uma to stop.

What came next was totally unexpected. A huge clap of thunder boomed across the sky. It was like the Valar commandeered my stereo and enlarged the speakers to 200 of their ability and put in an Ozzy Osbourne CD. Very, very, very loud.

Uma reared back on her back legs and my hands lost their grip on the reins, and when she was back on all fours only then did I go flying over her head. It wasn't her intention to do that, and I understand that, the thunder just spooked her.

Well, THAT'S one way of getting Uma to stop…not exactly what I had in mind, but… My thoughts trailed off as I looked up to see Legolas and Arod come running up to us. Legolas made a point of gliding off Arod which made me a little steamed, Show off…

"Are you alright?" he asked between breaths as he started to laugh, something that really pissed me off.

"Like you would care!" I shouted, half mad and half hurt as I leapt up and took off in a sprint for the stables. Now why in the hell did I have to wear boots with a two-inch heel!

The rain started to pour down as I neared the stables, causing the white shirt I was wearing over the tank top to become transparent. The pounding in my ears prevented me from hearing Legolas running up behind me with our horses in tow.

"Wait Arlene! What did you mean by that!" he shouted.

"No! Just leave me alone!"

"Will you just stop and talk to me! Talk to me!" he half hollered and half ordered as he grabbed my arm, jerking me around to face him. I watched his face turn from frustration to sadness to confusion all in one sweep.

"What do you want?" I said, feeling the rain and my tears mixed together, running down my face.

"I want to know what you meant by saying 'like you care."

"And here I thought you were quicker than that!"

"Just tell me what you meant Arlene."

"You say you care, you say you're concerned, but it's just lies! If Aragorn was thrown from his horse like that, would you laugh at him?"

"That's it? You're upset because of that?"

"Yes! That really hurt. I thought you were my friend, I mean despite the teasing in the past, but I can't believe you laughed. And after what I told you about when I was 10! I would have at least thought that you would have sounded more concerned."

"I'm sorry I laughed, but it was kind of funny."

My reply was "Hmph!" and I turned to leave but he grabbed my wrist.

"Hey, don't be like that. I said I was sorry…" Legolas said, leaning in closer to me.

He was starting to make me nervous. "Uh…yeah…okay…" was l could say.

"That's better." He finished, and not a moment later pressed his lips against mine, not something that I was expecting. So yeah, it took me by surprise to say the least. What could I do? He held my wrist with one hand, his other arm moving around my waist, so he wasn't planning on letting me go anytime soon. After the initial shock wore off, my brain started working again. Remember the little angel and the little devil? Angel: Kiss him back, Arlene! Devil: What? Angel: You feel those sparks, kiss him! Devil: Why should she? Angel: She has feelings for him that she's denying! Devil: Really? Angel: Yes, really! Now kiss him Arlene! Devil: Yeah, the Angel's right! This may be your only chance, don't let us down!

Clearly they had come to terms again, which was beginning to worry me, but regardless of if they agreed or not, his kisses felt too good to not respond to.

Unfortunately, the kiss ended all too soon. Wait, did I just say that! The rain was part of the reason. Our needing to breath was another. But the main reason was that I needed to talk to Galadriel. As we put Uma and Arod back in their stalls, I couldn't look Legolas in the eyes. It took me a minute for the stars to go away. But after I made sure that Uma's stall was secure, I turned on my heel and ran back into the palace, leaving a very confused Legolas behind.

"Get caught in the rain?" I heard Galadriel say as I entered the room. Naw, I was riding my horse and all of a sudden the sky sneezed. Here's your sign.

I knew Galadriel would read my thoughts, so I thought it rather than said it out loud. When I looked at her, she started to laugh. I guess that left a really amusing after-image.

"Now, let's get down to business, shall we?" Galadriel said, taking on a more serious tone, despite the humor still in her voice.

Elfbrat18: So that's it. Whatdya think?

Whistler: Very moving. Especially the slight romance between Arlene and Leggy.

Elfbrat18: Well see, it wasn't something that I was planning on, but it just seemed to work that way. I also wasn't planning on the story being as light hearted as it is; well not for this long anyway. It's going to get darker quick, and it's gonna start in the next chapter.

Whistler: So stay tuned and tell her what you think! Peace out!

Elfbrat18: Yeah! Peace, Love, and Legolas! LOL!