Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize as Tolkien's.
Raz 42492 Here he is. :)
Misao, Demon Master: Yep. And I did it again. :)
Mel0Yel0#03: Happy late Birthday! Mine to... I think you'll like this chapter. :)
Renee: I think Thranduil will surprise you.
Hermione Heart: Thanks. And to answer your question, the things in bold are Elvish. The king was speaking common which in my story just happens to be English. I know common is actually Westron which is not English but hey...it makes it easier :)
Laer4572: My point exactly. :)
Okanim: She won't always react calmly to everything. She will freak out eventually.
SilverRaiine: Yes, there will be romance but you just have to keep wondering for awhile. It doesn't happen for a few chapters yet.
The Fresh Princess: Thanks.
A/N: Things in bold are spoken in Elvish. This is a short chapter, I know but it leads into the next which is the Journey to Rivendall (Is that spelled right? I'm to lazy to go look in my LOTR books to make sure.) I tried posting this chapter yesterday but ff wouldn't let me log in so its not my fault it took so long. Blame ff. LOL
Three hours after James joined the group they were all beginning to wonder if they had been forgotten about when a male elf entered the room. "King Thranduil wishes to speak with you now."
"Thank you." Alexis turns to everyone else who is already standing. "Here it goes," she mouths to the others. They all say a silent prayer as they follow the elf out of the room.
They are lead down a series of hallways until the elf stops in front of two large, extravigantly decorated doors. One of the two guards standing at the doors opens them and the group is lead into the throne room. The elf stops in front of the King and bows to him before moving to the side of the room. An elf standing to the right of the King catches Alexis' attention as she bows to the King. She imediatly realizes who he is and is completely surprised that he looks almost exactly like Orlando Bloom did in the movie.
"I have been told that your friend's fever is gone and that he is resting comfortably." King Thranduil says and Alexis returns her attention to him. "And now that the other matters that I had to attend to have been dealt with I have a few questions I would like to ask you."
"Of course, my lord," Zach replies. "We will answer any questions you have. We have nothing to hide."
Thranduil smiles. "Good. First off I would like to know why you were wandering in my realm?"
"We were searching for the wizard known as Gandalf the Grey. We had heard that he had past this way recently and became lost during our search," Alexis answers.
"Yes. He was here not long ago. May I ask why you search for him?" Thranduil questions.
"Our ruler sent us with an urgent message for Gandalf about the increased orc attacks on our people near the Shire." Alexis replies calmly.
"Yes, we have also suffered an increase in attacks as of late." Thranduil looks lost in thought for a minute and glances up at Legolas. "We also have urgent news for him as the creature known as Gollum escaped during the attack you witnessed. I have reason to believe that Gandalf was on his way to Rivendall. I am sending a small party there with news of Gollum's escape if you would like to make the journey with them."
The members of the group all look at each other, silently asking what they should do. Finally Melinda speaks up. "Thank you, but we can't leave Professor Jones behind. We would like to wait until he is able to travel, my lord."
"We are not to leave for another week yet. He should be well enough to travel by then," the prince speaks for the first time during the conversation.
Alexis glances at the others before looking back at the prince and then the king. "Then we will accept your offer. I would also like to say that we are most grateful for your hospitality, my lord."
"You are most welcome, child." The king turns and calls for a maid to show them to the guest rooms. He then turns back to the small group before him. "If there is anything you need during your stay you may ask one of the maids."
They thank the king and then quickly follow the maid out of the throne room.
The group has been in Mirkwood for four days and Professor Jones is doing much better and is usually found wandering through the palace gardens. The preparations for the journey to Rivendall are mostly complete and each of the group has been given travel clothes and the other necessities they will need along the way.
Alexis and Melinda are at the training fields watching a friendly archery competion between several of the warriors when Legolas walks up to them. "I am headed to the stables. Would you like to come and choose a horse for your journey?"
The two girls quickly stand to bow but he holds up his hand to stop them. "Do not bow to me. I'm not one for formalities."
Alexis smiles. "We'd love too."
As the two walk along beside Legolas, Melinda nervously leans over and whispers in Alexis' ear. "I'm not that good of a rider. I've only been on a horse twice in my entire life."
Legolas glances over at Melinda and smiles. "Do not worry. I have just the horse for you, Lady Melinda. She is very gentle and patient with novice riders."
Melinda looks at him in surprise and Alexis laughs. "Elves have extremely good hearing, Mel." Alexis gives Melinda a warning look as her laughter dies down.
"Ah, good thing to know," Melinda replies as they near the stables. "Oh, fun. Christy's here," she says in false enthusiasm when they find the rest of their group watching the horses in the corral.
Legolas enters the corral and motions for the others to follow him. Alexis spots a large gray stallion with a white mane and tail standing not far from the group. She starts toward him and Christy snickers. "Leave it to you to feel sorry for the ugliest horse."
The stallions ears lay back against his head and he suddenly charges toward the two. Alexis steps to the side as he stops in front of Christy and rears. Christy screams and stumbles backwards. She trips and lands in the water trough. The stallion shakes his head and whinnies as if he's laughing at her. Everyone in the group bursts out laughing and Legolas fights to hide his amusement as he helps Christy out of the water.
"I found the one I want to ride," Alexis laughs and reaches out to pet him.
"Lady Alexis, he is not for a novice rider." Legolas says stepping forward.
Alexis smiles and scratches the stallion's head. "Prince Legolas, I have been riding horses all my life. Don't worry, I can handle him."
Legolas sighs, "Alright, but on one condition. You have to prove to me that you can handle him first." He motions to one of the stable hands, who comes and leads the stallion into the stable to saddle him.
Christy watches the horse being lead into the stables and grumbles, "I don't like that horse."
"I don't think he likes you much either," James chuckles and Legolas turns and pretends to look at something behind him to hide the grin on his face.
Christy huffs and stalks off toward the palace.
Melinda watches her leave and then turns to everyone else. "That was priceless."
The stable hand comes back out with the stallion and hands Alexis the reins. Alexis grins and jumps into the saddle. She nudges the horse into a slow run and after a couple of times around the corral she slows him down to a walk. "He's not hard to handle. He just wants to go for a good run," she tells Legolas as she reins the stallion to a stop in front of him. "What's his name?"
"Lamalas," Legolas answers.
Alexis grins. "Lamalas, that's a very fitting name for you isn't it?" she smiles as she strokes the horse's neck.
Zack looks up at her in confusion. "What does it mean?"
Alexis slips off the stallion and turns to face Zach. "Fierce Spirit." She looks back at Legolas. "So can I ride him?" she asks hopefully.
"Aye," Legolas smiles. "You can ride him."