Chapter 6
The next morning, Lexi woke up, but kept her eyes closed. Since when had her bed been so comfortable? Her eyes flew open, heart pounding, but then she remembered: they were in Rivendell, not Illinois. Memories from yesterday came flooding back to her, and she looked around. The sun had just barely risen over the mountains, and a cool breeze blew in, lifting the silky curtains. Someone had been in already to give them new clothes and a basin of water.
Good service, She thought, smiling, and got out of bed, keeping quiet so Allie and Louis wouldn't wake up. Quickly, she washed her face and changed into the long robes, checking her reflection in a small mirror. As a little kid she had always loved to play dress-up, but this was actually real. She looked exactly like one of the Rivendell folk, without the pointed ears and waist-length hair.
"Mmph," Allie said in her sleep, turning.
Lexi tried not to giggle; her friend always sleep-talked. She silently snuck out of the room, heading outside to explore. She wandered around the beautiful gardens, which looked so well-kept, yet ancient. How long have those statues been standing there, overlooking the quiet gardens? Most were covered in ivy and foliage, making them appear even more old, but not any less amazing. Lexi could never sculpt, even with Play-dough. She giggled inwardly, remembering her attempt at making a clay design for art class, which turned out looking more like a lumpy rock than anything. At least she had one artistic ability: singing. She had always loved to sing, and quietly started an Ashlee Simpson song as she walked.
"Fall, with you I fall so fast..."
She came across a small, clear pond, and took off her sandals, dipping her feet into the refreshing water. She was singing so meaningfully and watching little golden fish dart around her toes, she didn't even notice someone step through the trees, listening with curiosity. Suddenly, she looked up and saw Legolas standing there. She felt her face grow warm as she realized he'd heard her singing the whole time.
"Hello again," He smiled, "What was that song you were singing?"
"Oh, it was nothing," She said, embarrassed.
"It was very good," He told her, sitting down, "So do you usually get up this early in the morning?"
"Not at home," She laughed, "I don't know why I did today. Do you?"
"I don't need much sleep," He said, "Forgive me, but where is your home?"
"The United States," She replied, "It's not in Middle Earth, so Elrond summoned us here for some reason. I don't know how he did it though. One second we were in Earth, the next...we were here."
"Are your friends from this United States as well?"
She nodded.
"I'm glad they're with me here, otherwise I'd be so lonely...I mean, being in some other world without them is weird to think about." She confessed.
"What was it like back at your home?" He asked.
"Um, it was...different," She told him, "A lot more crowded than here; like where I'm from, we don't have mountains. Some parts of the country do, but where I live, it's all houses, schools, and a few parks. We also don't have different kinds of people, like you have men and hobbits with you...we only have different skin colors, which isn't a big deal to me."
"I see," He said, "It sounds interesting there, I wish I could see it. I don't believe there's any way for me to get there though." His lips curved in a smile.
"Who knows," Lexi shrugged, "I'm here, aren't I?"
"True," He nodded.
"So what's it like back in Mirkwood?" She questioned him.
"It's a little like Rivendell actually," He answered, "Only there are much more trees and denser forests."
"That's cool," Lexi said, "I love forests; they're so calm...yet there's so much going on inside them. All the animals and stuff that live in them."
They sat in silence for a while, thinking and enjoying the morning.
"Well, I should go," She said after a while, standing up and slipping back into her sandals, "Allie and Louis are probably wondering where I am."
"I should also," He agreed, "I've been out far too long."
They said goodbye and walked away; Lexi to her room and Legolas to his guest house. Once she got back, Allie jumped up from the chair.
"Oh my god, Lexi, where were you?" She asked, "I was worried!"
"You sound like my mom," She laughed, "I was just out on a walk."
"See Allie, I told you she was fine," Louis rolled his eyes, then to Lexi "She was afraid you were kidnapped or something. Come on you guys, let's get some breakfast."
They went down to the courtyard, where they found all four hobbits and a few dwarves sitting at the long table, eating. One or two Elves were also seated, but they seemed to be talking rather than eating. Lexi, Allie, and Louis sat down by the halflings.
"Morning!"Allie said cheerfully to them. They said it back, and the teens helped themselves to some food.
"So are you all going to the council?" Lexi asked.
"Only Frodo," Merry replied, "But..." he leaned in closer, "Me and Pip are gonna eavesdrop, just to see what's going on. We helped get the Ring here, why shouldn't we be invited?"
"We always get invited to parties!" Pippin said, "I don't get it."
"Well, this isn't exactly a party," Louis grinned, "More like a long, boring meeting."
Just as they had finished eating, a loud, clear bell rang out.
"That's the warning bell," Frodo said, "We need to go."
They said farewell to Sam, Merry, and Pippin, and followed a group of Elves to the Council circle, where they sat by Gandalf. Once everyone was seated, Elrond stood to begin the meeting.
