Disclaimer: I do not own "Lord of the Rings" or any of its characters. Unfortunately, the wonderful writer known as J.R.R. Tolkien would not give anything to me so I am stuck with my pathetic imagination.

Chapter 8: Always Alone

Samantha sighed as she placed a hand to her forehead. It had been a very long day and most of the time she had spent it in the healing house, helping the other wounded patients. Her time she had certainly been used wisely but she was also very tired and worn out. Samantha silently sat on her bed and buried her head in her hands. She decided officially that she never wanted to be a doctor or nurse or whatever. It simply took too much out of her to see other people like that.

After taking a quiet and lazy bath, Samantha put on her nightgown and sat down on her bed. She absentmindedly brushed her long hair, ridding it of the wet tangles. She smiled softly, remembering all the times her mother had done this for her. While Samantha talked, her mother would brush her hair and listen to everything she had to say. Samantha most definitely missed that now, especially with the fact that no one here could understand her or listen to anything she had to say. Until she learned the elvish language, she could not have a decent conversation with anyone. And the more she thought about it, the more she felt that she was truly alone, and she would be for a long time.

Samantha placed her brush down and stared at herself in the mirror. She was still the same as she had always been, with the exception of her new pointy ears which still managed to scare her slightly. She was becoming used to them, though, but she couldn't help but feel weird because of having pointed ears. The only thing that helped her was the fact that everyone around her had the same type of ears.

Her appearance was plain and compared to the other elves around her, she felt insecure and…somehow different. She had dark hair and the only elves she had seen so far with dark hair were Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir, but she knew there were probably more. Her eyes were a deep blue and were quite pretty, not to mention Samantha's favorite feature on her face, but she had noticed that most of the elves had grey eyes. And her skin was ever so slightly tanner than everyone else's. She was also shorter than most of Imladris's inhabitants and she did not possess the grace that she had seen the other elves have. She was quite different from everyone else, she decided finally.

Samantha let out a long deep sigh. She didn't belong here and she knew it. But where could she go? She was convinced that no one would know her language and where could she get without communication? Samantha wanted to go home and see her mom and friends more than anything but she knew that was not an option. So until she could figure out where she was and what was happening, she was stuck.

With this conclusion, Samantha stood up and walked over to her bed. She slowly pulled back the covers and positioned herself in a comfortable way to sleep. She blew out the light next to her bed before lying back against a covers. Staring up at the ceiling, Samantha felt a tear roll down her cheek, but she was used to this feeling. After all, she cried herself to sleep most nights just wishing to go home or at least to have someone to understand her and talk with her. She pushed these thoughts out of her mind and hastily wiped the tear off of her cheek. Taking one last deep and calming breath, she rolled over and fell asleep.

The next morning, Samantha braided her hair quickly and tied it with a string before putting on her dress. The blue, satin feeling cloth that surrounded her body was lovely to look at but quite frankly, it bugged Samantha to no end. She hated wearing dresses. Her least favorite part about formal parties and weddings was wearing dresses. Samantha was about ready to tear it to pieces but she did not want to give a bad impression to the residents of Imladris. Instead, she went along with wearing a dress but certainly savored bathing when she could relax without wondering if she was tearing or wrinkling the beautiful dress the maids had provided for her.

She tugged at her hair in frustration and growled loudly. She stole one last glance in the mirror before pulling the obnoxious dress up so she could actually walk. Samantha made her way over to the door, opened it, stepped out into the bright hallway, and closed it back up. She slowly made her way back to the Healing House, deciding that her time would be well served once again. Though she could not do much, it made Samantha feel busy, for she hated having nothing to do, and she could probably pick up more on the elvish language. And plus, it couldn't hurt to try and get to know some people.

Samantha stepped into the Healing House and was met with the quietness of the room. It was very unlike yesterday, where people were screaming and running around the room in a panic, and Samantha almost had to wonder if she was in the right place or not. However, when she caught sight of Sidhiel, Samantha knew she had reached her destination and smiled at her friend. Sidhiel had noticed the younger girl walk into the room and instantly glided over to greet her. Samantha returned the greeting, smiling slightly. She tried to make Sidhiel understand that she wanted to help and once the healer got the message, a wide grin appeared across her face.

Throughout the day, Samantha helped elves while they were drinking or eating, she helped adjust their pillows, and she even attempted a small conversation with a random elf. It had gone drastically, however, when she said something wrong and the elf burst out into laughter. A deep, rosy blush splashed her cheeks as the elf continued to laugh hysterically and several of the healers rushed over to see what had happened. They shooed Samantha away, thinking something was wrong with the wounded patient, and she did not take even one look back at him. She was utterly embarrassed. And the worst part was that she didn't even know what she had said.

Samantha hid her burning face in her hands and took a deep breath. So much for picking up on the elvish language, she thought to herself. Things were not going as planned in that area of her life. She had always found it hard while learning Spanish, even when she had taken it for four years. Languages weren't her best subject in school and the fact that she had to learn elvish to communicate made it even more stressful. Samantha released her head and began walking towards the door.

"Samantha!" a voice called out to her, making her stop immediately and turn around. Her eyes searched the Healing House, looking for the source from which the words had come. Her eyes fell on the familiar dark-haired elf who was currently in a bed down at the opposite end of the Healing House. He was sitting up, a bandage on his head, smiling at her. Samantha grinned back at him and obediently obeyed his hand that motioned for her to come over to him. Samantha stood beside Elladan's bed and waited for him to say something. He pointed to a chair a few feet away and Samantha brought over and sat down.

"Yes?" she asked when silence drifted between them.

"Manen nalye?" Elladan spoke to her. Samantha thought about what he said and was shocked when she realized that he had asked how she was. He was the one who had been hurt, not her! Samantha shook her head, laughing.

"Im maer, hantale. Man mathach?" Samantha felt very accomplished that she had been able to reply with "I am well, thanks. How are you?", even though she knew she had stumbled over the words a bit. She smiled at Elladan's shocked face. This look passed and was replaced a look that clearly stated that he was impressed.

"Pedich edhellen?" Elladan asked. Samantha shook her head, getting the common feeling of not knowing what he was saying. Elladan threw back his head and laughed and Samantha found it hard not to join in. A few minutes passed and Samantha looked out the window. It was dark now, she noticed, and she knew that dinner would be served soon. She frowned, knowing that she would have to leave Elladan to his loneliness once more. Sighing, she stood up.

"Navaer," she bid him farewell. Elladan glanced up at her, confused as to why she was leaving. Samantha made the motion of eating and a look of recognition crossed his face and he nodded. He suddenly reached out for her hand and before she could say anything or protest, he kissed it. Blushing, Samantha turned away as he let go of her hand. Samantha saw him grinning out of the corner of his eye and she walked away nervously, aware of his eyes following her. As she closed the door behind her, she smiled in spite of herself and made her way to the dining hall.

Samantha picked at the food on her plate. She wasn't all that hungry but she ate bits and pieces nonetheless. She sipped on her water and looked around her. She had grown accustomed to the seemingly perfect look of every elf. Even Glorfindel, who had a small scratch on the side of his face, looked perfect. She felt like the odd ball out compared to everyone else; they made her feel ugly and different. Taking a deep breath for the thousandth time that day, she managed to dismiss herself in elvish and she walked silently back to her room.

Samantha settled into her bed and began the fight to fall asleep. As the days went on, she found it harder and harder to sleep. She would toss and turn for what seemed like hours and one night she hadn't even slept at all. Why was this happening? A few nights ago she somehow found out that her eyes were even open while she slept. It certainly confused her to no end and she found it frustrating as always that she could ask no one to help her. Turning to lay on her right side, Samantha stared out the window and gazed at the full moon. It was beautiful and a light golden color and it also looked to be closer to her than any other moon she had ever seen.

Samantha tried to sleep once more but she found it very difficult to do so. She angrily threw off her covers and decided to go out and take a walk. She put on her black robe and quietly walked outside to where Glorfindel had led her only a few days ago. Samantha walked beneath the towering trees and listened to the soothing sound of the crickets and the water falls flowing gently. Even at night Imladris was beautiful, she concluded. Samantha spied a large tree only a few feet away from her and she quickly strode over to it and sat down, leaning against it. For what seemed like hours, she stared out at Imladris and sleep suddenly came. Her eyes drooped and she leaned her head to the side. Sleep greeted her gently and she knew no more.

Well, that's it! I know the chapter is once again a little shorter, but I'm trying to make them longer, I promise. Sorry this chapter is a little later than usually, but I have an eye infection and it's really quite hard to write and read so I can only do these things for a small period of time. Sorry again.

Thanks to all my reviewers:

windy- Thanks for your review! I'm glad you to took the time to review it. I enjoyed it. Thanks!

ScorpioMaiden- I'm a Scorpio too, just so you know. Scorpios rock! Well, thanks for your review! I'm glad you think so highly of my story. Don't worry; I made the same mistake at first when reading JesuslUver's review, I was shocked as well. Review again!

JesuslUver- Thanks for the review! Don't worry; she'll find out about their parents soon enough. It will probably be a little interesting. Review again.

Athena's Wolf- I'm glad you like it. I'll try and update again soon. Please review again!

Indigo-Moon- I'm so happy you like it and enjoy it. I'll update as often as I can, but please, not the cotton-wool balls! I have always loved the twins and I just wanted to give them a realistic way to act, especially in the situations they are in. Review again!

Jousting Elf with a Sabre- Thanks for the review! I'll update as soon as I can.

Andromida-1971- I'm so excited that you think it's fantastic. I can understand how Samantha would feel, and like you, I would probably be drooling more as well. I think it's good as well to have her not speak elvish, it adds more to the story that way. Please review again!

Pop-tarts- I'm happy you liked it. I'll try and update again soon. I don't want to leave you all hanging for too long!

princess cythera- I happy you loved it. Review again, please!

Fk306- Don't worry, Elladan will be okay. It's just part of the plot. You should continue to write you stories, I'm sure they're great! I'll read them if you continue them.

Joy4eva- And I'll update as long as you review!

EresseElrondiel- I know, poor Elladan! I know it's sad and I didn't want to hurt one of them either, but it's all part of the plot. Don't worry; Elladan will be okay.

TriGemini- Elladan is only hurt because it's part of the plot, everything will be okay in a few chapters. Samantha does want to go back home because she misses her family, who wouldn't? She also just wants someone to be there for her. Ok, for the explanation, here it goes: The flashbacks, the ones about her mother which is in italics, has already happened. In her old world, she's already dead, they're just flashbacks. Soon, whole chapters will be dedicated to what's happening on Earth and that will actually be happening while Samantha's on Middle-earth. Do you get it now? If you don't, I'll keep trying until you do. Review again!

PrincessofRain- Yes, I know, Elladan's hurt and it's very sad. I'm sad that I had to do it, but it's all part of the plot. Yes, Samantha will learn elvish eventually, but don't forget that this is all taking place over a matter of days right now so you can't expect her to learn it immediately. Review again!

Well, that's it! Please review again! Flames are not welcome but any constructive criticism is great and appreciated! Thanks!