Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize as Tolkien's.

vmiller: Thanks. Glad you like it.

Le Suze: Not really. Something big happens that changes that. (Not what you're thinking.)

Banana4422: Thanks.

Laer4572: She's not the only one up for a surprise...wonder how he'll take it.

Marpessa: You again? Really, haven't you got anything better to do?

Raz 42492: Maybe you'll make it next year. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya. :)

Crecy: They didn't use the arrowhead for the spears. They used the knife to whittle sharp points on long, sturdy sticks. Sorry, guess I should have made that clearer in my writing. :)

zyxyz: Thanks.

brownie24: Sorry, no Christy bashind in this chapter. They're too busy.

Okanim: Hey:) Where have ya been? I missed ya.

Hermione Heart: You're here now. That's all that counts. :)

The Fresh Princess: She's so clueless when it comes to guys. :)

Alexis is startled awake by Gwindor roughly shaking her shoulder. "What? What is it?" she asks groggily.

"Orcs," he says standing up and shooting his bow. "Wake the others. I must help Legolas and Círdan." She nods and jumps to her feet. Gwindor quickly joins the other elves in fighting off the group of orcs.

Alexis hastily wakes the others as she notices the fight getting closer to them. By the time they are all awake the fight is right on top of them and Zach pushes the girls toward the stream. He then shoots an arrow at an orc trying to sneek up behind Cirdan.

"What should we do?" Melinda asks worriedly.

Alexis watches the fight and feels utterly helpless. "I don't know," she whispers. Alexis watches in horror as an orc creeps up behind Professor Jones and she jumps up without hesitation. "Professor! Look out!" Her warning comes to late, however, and his right shoulder is pierced by an arrow. Not thinking of anything but protecting the now wounded Professor, Alexis draws her knives and jumps into the frey. With adrinaline pumping through her body she doesn't think about anything but cutting down the monster that was now approaching Professor Jones with a sword in his hand.

After the last of the orcs are dead Alexis realizes what she just did. She looks down at her hands that are covered in the black blood of the orcs and she collapses onto the ground and empties the contents of her stomach. Someone kneels next to her and pulls her hair back before rubbing her back comfortingly.

She glances up into the sympathetic eyes of Legolas with tears in her eyes. "I, I just killed another living being," she whispers.

"To save the life of another," Legolas reminds her. "It would have killed Robert if you had not protected him. Remember that and it will ease the pain of taking another's life."

Alexis nods and stands up with Legolas' help. She looks over at the group that is huddled not far from them. Cirdan is bandaging the Professor's shoulder. James and Melinda are both hugging a hysterical Christy with tears in their eyes. Gwindor is kneeling on the ground but a tree blocks her view of what he is doing. She looks all around the area but when she doesn't see Zach anywhere she slowly looks up at Legolas.

"Legolas," she chokes back a sob as realization sets in. "Where is Zach?" He sadly looks back at her and she shakes her head. "No!" she shouts. "No." Alexis sinks to her knees and covers her head with her hands as she cries. Legolas kneels next to her and pulls her to him. She wraps her arms around his neck and buries her head in his shoulder. "I'm losing all my friends to this stupid world."

Alexis pulls away from him when anger settles over her. She turns and glances at the Professor, her gaze landing on his injured shoulder. "This is all Tolkien's fault!" The small group of humans eye her warily and the Professor gives her a warning look. "No! None of us would be here if he hadn't written those damn books! You wouldn't be hurt and Nick and Zach would still be alive," she yells at Professor Jones.

Professor Jones shakes his head and tells her softly. "We don't know that, Alexis."

"For all we know, Tolkien could have ended up here just like we did and then somehow got back. What if it wasn't just a story he made up, but something that he experienced?" James says as he glances at the elves who are watching them in confusion.

Christy looks up hopefully. "If that's true. If he came here and then went back, does that mean there's a chance we can go home too?"

"Yes," the Professor says. "If he found a way back then there has to be a way. We just have to find it."

Alexis shakes her head. "You all are forgeting one thing." They all look at her and she continues. "We are in the time that he wrote about, the beginning of it. So if Tolkien ended up here too, then he is here now and you all know how many years the books covered."

Melinda looks around worriedly. "So we're stuck here?"

"Come," Cirdan says softly. He's unsure of the meaning of their conversation but he does get that they are unable to get back to their home and he feels bad for them. "It's time to leave."

Alexis glances up at Legolas, who is already on his horse. He is looking straight in front of him and his eyes are blank of any emotion. Once everyone is ready they set out for Rivendell. Alexis looks back at the horse Gwindor is leading that's carrying Zach's body and she begins to cry silently.

When they reach Rivendell, Elrond is standing on the main steps waiting for them. "Legolas, it is good to see you again." Elrond greets Gwindor and Cirdan before turning to the small group. "Ah and I see you brought guests from Earth, Legolas," he smiles.

Legolas scowls at the group before turning to Elrond. "They lost their way and my father offered his hospitality. This is Alexis, Melinda, James, and Professor Robert Jones. We lost Zach when orcs attaked us this morning," Legolas says motioning to the body on the horse.

"I am sorry for your loss, my friends. Come. I will have someone show you to your rooms where you may clean up and rest. We will also prepare your friend's body for a proper burial," Elrond says and leads the group inside. "Legolas, your room is ready as is Cirdan's and Gwindor's."

Legolas thanks Lord Elrond and heads to his room without a second glance to the group, however the other two companions say their fairwells before making their way to their rooms.