Chapter Thirteen: Oh wow, the story is a teenager now…our little ficcy is growing up…(sniff)

The ten friends moved begrudgingly back in the room, settling into their seats.

"You know, we don't HAVE to read the rest of this story…" Legolas said, looking hopeful.

"Hmmm…" Elrohir pondered this, looking thoughtful. "Nice try."

"DO YOU ALL HATE ME OR SOMETHING!" Legolas yelled out of the blue.

They nearly fell out of their chairs.

"Peace, Legolas, we are nearly half way there." Arwen said soothingly.

"So we are headed to Rohan, I presumeth?" Starr conversed with Gandalf. The old wizard assented and the two began discussing best possible strategies while Aragorn was Manly, Gimli was Ugly, and Legolas was Sexy.

"By the Valar…are appearances the only thing that matter to this woman?" Faramir remarked almost incredulously. "Never judge a book by its cover."

Gimli raised an eyebrow and gave the book in Elladan's hands a pointed look.

"Well, alright, judge THAT one by its cover, but that's not what I was going for with this…"

They did not stop to make camp, but kept riding throughout the night. Starr stifled a yawn. The Elf she rode in front of needed not a great deal of sleep, but she did, so she settled back against him, fluttering her eyelashes drowsily.

He smiled to himself, and began to sing an Elvish song very softly. The combined motion of the horse's pace and the lulling qualities of the sleeping caused Starr to fall asleep almost immediately.

(Dream Sequence)

"Oh PLEASE don't let it be a nasty dream!" Elladan pleaded the powers that be.

"I'm leaving if it is." Gimli said firmly.

"Ditto." Muttered Aragorn.

Starr was in a hallway. Gasp! The hallway at school. Suddenly it was filled with students, hurrying to and fro, knocking her about harshly. It was her worst nightmare: she was invisible to the world! Her tremendous beauty, and no one could see her!

Suddenly a shadow loomed over her and she whirled to see a stern-faced Mrs. Lurtz towering over her.

"Three months of classes you have missed! You'll never catch up!"

The teacher shoved a heavy load of books into Starr's hands and disappeared. More and more teachers began coming up to her and giving her work to do.

Starr let out a choked sob as the books tumbled from her grasp, a steady flow of teachers still coming. They scolded her and smacked her with the yardstick for being careless.

"That's just wrong." Pippin moaned.

"No…stop…leave me alone…I don't have to listen to you any more…go away, go away! Help me! Someone, help!"

Starr snapped awake, her breath coming in short gasps. Legolas's arms were around her tightly, and he had paled significantly.

"Are you alright, melamin?" He asked, his voice full of concern.

"Bad dream…" she gasped, tears now streaming down her cheeks. Her shoulders shook uncontrollably as she sobbed silently.

"THAT was a bad dream?" Eowyn said. "No, that wasn't a bad dream, and I should know."

Up ahead, Gandlaf smiled sadly and turned to Aragorn. "It seems our fair female companion has many demons of her past still to battle."

"A little work never hurt anyone, so this chick needs to grow up and get a life." Merry said suddenly. Fearing another Scary Hobbit Outburst, the others tensed and gulped visibly.

But Merry calmed down and went on listening.

"I need to be distracted, and I also need you to keep me awake, so talk to me. About anything. About our children."

"Their children?" Pippin asked. He and Merry looked at each other for a second, then shuddered simultaneously, twin looks of horror on their face.

Elrohir excused himself for a second. He returned, muttering something about 'weak stomach'.

"At least you have an excuse to leave the room." Legolas said, looking deadpan.

"We'll have the most beautiful children ever." Legolas said, rubbing Starr's back soothingly. "Two girls and one little boy. The girls will be the fairest in all of Arda, sweet young things, doe-eyed and soft-spoken. The boy will be intelligent and a born-leader."

"And their names? What would you want to name them?" Starr asked.

"Mallovorien and Meluivain for the little girls, and Edraitheru for the boy."

Starr sighed. "Elvish names are so beautiful…"

"Interesting choice of names." Arwen said thoughtfully.

"I do like them. I probably would pick names like that…" Legolas said.

"She knows you too well. It's scary." Elladan said, going wide-eyed.

The next day, the five travelers found themselves at Medrusold, the Golden Hall Thingy.

They led their horses up towards the hall, people outside of their homes staring.

"You'd find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli complained.

"Starr's beauty seems to fascinate them." Gandalf explained.

Starr gave them a dazzling smile to make their day. The people relaxed and went back to their daily activities.

"More like they are upset because their king is possessed." Elrohir said.

Starr noticed Aragorn staring, and followed his gaze up to Modreold. There was some chick, all in white.

'Oh great, another greasy haired, wannabe beauty.' Starr rolled her eyes. But the girl was gone, and the group continued to make their way up to the Hall.

"Oh, fudge, I forgot she was going to mercilessly trash my appearance and undermine my character." Eowyn groaned.

"Don't worry, it'll be over soon," Arwen said sympathetically.

"You know, breakfast was good, and I was almost ready to come back, and thought I could put up with it. But you know all those annoying little quirks like what her narcissism, her sayings, her PERSONALITY? Well, they'll all back, and she's picked up even more new ones!" Aragorn said suddenly.

His only response was an affirmative groan from Legolas.

To be continued….