A/N: Eek!!!!!!! I got a review! I'm so excited. I thought everyone would hate this, but if at least one person is reading it I'll keep updating. SandraSmit19 thanks for the review it was really encouraging. I agree with you, if the fic is well written I'll read it. Since I have no life seems like a good thing to do. Anyway, whoever is reading this here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR of the characters or well you get the picture. Although, don't tell anyone, my friend Suzanne and I are planning a trip to Middle Earth to kidnap Legolas, Figwit, Aragorn, and Faramir. But for now it's still a secret so keep your mouths closed!
Legolas dismounted in front of the Palace steps and pulled down Ana who had been riding in front of him. Her shoulder kept her from riding on her own, since the injury made her incapable of moving it very quickly or in a hard way. She looked up in awe at the castle standing before her. It was of some gleaming stone that shone in the sunlight, and she was sure it would glow like the moon during the night time. "This is where you live?" she asked in wonder. "You could fit our entire trailer park in here at least twice." Legolas looked amused at her statement and replied, "yes, I live here, though I do prefer being out in the wild. Much easier to think away from all these crazy people." He said the last part under his breath, gesturing to the mass of elves swarming around them. Ariana giggled, but quickly grew sober as she realized that she had no idea what was going to happen to her once she got inside. Legolas noted the change in her expression and laid his hand comfortingly on her arm. "It will be all right," he murmured, "just come with me. I will not let anyone of anything harm you." Though they had just met, Ariana realized she trusted his word and allowed herself to be led up the steps into the castle. The two felt eyes on them from all around as they walked down a long echoing hall. Unconsciously Ana got a together grip on Legolas's arm, and he moved closer to her in response to her nervousness. A huge wooden door swung open as they came to it, and the pair stepped inside.
Ana gasped at the sight that met her eyes when she entered the hall. It was an enormous hall with a large ornate throne at eh other end, and upon the throne sat and elf. Ana knew at once that this must be Legolas's father, they had the same hair and eyes. This then was the elf king. Legolas nudged her to shut her mouth and pulled her up to the area in front of the throne. She curtsied low before him, and even Legolas bowed. "I am King Thranduill," said the elf, "kind of Mirkwood. Tell me, child, what is your name? It is all right," he said gently when she cringed back closer to Legolas. "My name is Ariana, you highness." The king gasped slightly when he heard her name. Ariana started to ask what was the matter when her ears caught footsteps out in the hallway. It was strange how her senses had sharpened since she had been here. Just as she was going to say something King Thranduill said, "Ah yes, Gandalf has arrived. Now we will finally get some answers to all of our innumerable questions." Ana kept her eyes fixed on the door and watched as they swung open and an old man with a grey cloak and a long beard swept into the room. He held a long wooden staff in his hand, and just from seeing him Ana felt a sense of peace, as though soon everything would be better. Legolas hurried from her side to go to the old man, and suddenly Ana felt alone. She shook the feeling off, it was ridiculous to be that attached to another person. She had always depended on herself and that wasn't going to change. Gandalf smiled warmly and said, "Legolas, it is good to see you again. And King Thranduill, I hope that I find you well." Ana was amazed to see the solemn elf smile at Gandalf and nod. Then Gandalf turned to Ana. His eyes were a piercing ice blue, not a bright blue like Legolas's. Ana felt like Gandalf was able to see into her mind, and almost automatically she imagined a wall going up and blinked as though closing a door to her thoughts. Gandalf seemed pleased for some reason and said, "Ariana, I am glad you have finally decided to join us. We have been waiting for you for a very long time, my dear. No, don't ask any questions yet. King Thranduill, amy we please take Ariana somewhere she can sit down, I'm sure she must be tired?" The King nodded, and Ariana found herself being swept down another smaller passage between Legolas and Gandalf. The room she entered was much smaller and friendlier, and Ana at once felt more relaxed. Her shoulder wasn't bothering her at the moment, in fact she had quite forgotten about it. The four sat in lovely, comfortable chairs, and Gandalf said, "Ariana... you do still go by that name, do you not?' She blushed and said, "Actually after my... I normally am called Ana now, but I do not mind Ariana it's just that sometimes..." Her eyes fell to the floor. She didn't know how to say what so desperately needed to be said. She felt a hand lift her chin up and looked into Gandalf's eyes. "It is all right, Ana," he said. "No more needs to be said." She smiled a small grateful smile at him before falling back into the mask she normally wore. "Ana, I am going to tell you a story that King Thranduill may have heard in a legend as a small child but I am most certain the young Prince here has never heard. It is the story of the Sensors, a people almost forgotten on Middle Earth..."
Once many years ago, before Sauron (I'll tell you about him later, Ana)rose to power the first time, lived the Sensors. They were no specific race, though obviously their features much resembled the first born, the elves that is. There were three Sensors: the Sensor of Emotion, the Sensor of Health, and the Sensor of Belonging. The elements of a person, the very foundations of life. The Sensor were good, so good that Sauron could not corrupt them. But he could kill them. The Sensors were great counselors and healers they could not be lost forever. So they were sent away, for their own protection. To the place you call home. There was only one flaw in this plan. You see, we knew that when the time was right the sensors would find their way back here. But we did not count on their losing their immortality when they left Middle Earth. We realized our mistake at once, and it was deemed that the Sensors' powers would pass on in their blood. That way their legacy would never be lost. And when the time was right, the new Sensors would be called back to continue the work of their ancestors.
The group sat as in a trance, hanging on Gandalf's every word. When he was finished, Ana said in a small voice, "That was a wonderful story, but... what does it have to do with me? You can't mean that... No, I couldn't be..." Gandalf nodded. "yes, I am afraid so. You, Ariana, are the Sensor of Emotion. Now that you are back where you belong your powers will awake and become strong. And I believe that you will claim your ancestor's immortal life. You will need to practice using this gift of course, but you have already successfully blocked me from sensing your own emotions. Remarkable for such new powers." Ana stared at Gandalf in shock, then turned to meet the eyes of Legolas. This was so huge, she couldn't take it all in, it was far too much for her to handle. The blackness was closing in on her, the room and faces were growing dim. She pitched forward out of her chair, and gasped a small gasp as Legolas grabbed her shoulders to keep her from falling. He cursed himself as he remembered her shoulder. How could he have forgotten? Gathering her into his arms he silently walked out of the room, and down the hall to the Healers. She would get the best treatment available if he had to bring in Elrond himself.
Meanwhile King Thranduill was discussing Ana with Gandalf. "Gandalf, you said there were three Sensors. What of the other two?" The old wizard shook his head and replied, "I do not know where they will turn up. It could be anywhere. Anywhere that is good, I mean. The Sensors will not tolerate evil. Ah, Legolas, you are back. I trust you have taken Ana to the Healers, I noticed her shoulder was a bit sore." Legolas shook his head bemusedly. Gandalf never missed a thing. "Good," the wizard began, "then I must discuss with you the subject of Ana. Soon her powers will begin to kick in quite strongly, and everyone will need to be prepared. First her hearing and sight will begin to sharpen and she will take on almost elven qualities." Legolas interrupted, "That has already begun. I have noticed since I first found her how sharp her sight and hearing were, even better than my own, and her step Is that of an elf warrior. Completely undetectable. I have already found how fast she is," he said with a wry smile. Gandalf could tell the Prince was remembering a specific incident, and decided not to pry. He nodded and said, "Yes, well she is remarkably advanced. As I was about to say, soon she will begin to feel others' emotions. Understand their feelings. At the beginning she will not be able to control herself and will be bombarded by all emotions whether she wants to know them or not. So I suggest that if there is anything you don't want her to know you are feeling, steer clear of her for a few days... or learn to put up a shield the way she does. It will not be as strong, but it would give you time to get away from her if she accidentally started reading you." Legolas frowned and said, "How do you do that, put up a shield? And how would I know if she was reading me or not?" Gandalf smiled, he had guessed Legolas would want to stay around Ana. He also figured Legolas wouldn't want her in his emotions, there were certainly some feelings he would be embarrassed for anyone but especially her to know. "It will feel as though a door has been opened to your mind and that your mind is laying open and defenseless. When this happens you must imagine the door closing and a huge impenetrable wall is around your mind. If she's not trying deliberately to read you, then this should stop her long enough to gain control. I can practice with you, or better yet, you can come to lessons with Ana. It will help both of you tremendously." Legolas nodded, this was the perfect way to do things. He knew Ana would need a friend, she didn't seem to know much about having friends, he guessed she didn't have very many. Well that was going to change If he had anything to say about it. "Father, may I be dismissed to go and rest? I am weary from my journey and would like to get into fresh clothes." The King nodded and Legolas made his way out of the room. He couldn't wait to get into fresh clothes, he had been in the forest for 2 weeks and he was sure he was filthy. After changing he sat down on his bed and almost immediately fell back on the pillows fast asleep.