Disclaimer: "La, hmm I dunno what to say. I obviously don't own mister elfypooh over there. stares at the elf dragging Gollum off of the poor Hobbits Dude, shakes head why would he want to suck a hobbit foot? Imagine the hair balls. Anyway, YO Leggy! I don't own you do I?" "Nay, you do not. I am a bit busy at the moment, can we hold the disclaimers off until later milady?" "Pfft, elves. Can't you help me? I mean you're my muse ya know. Screw the hobbits. They can take care of themselves." "I was helping Gollum, have you ever smelled a hobbit foot? Not a pleasant scent." "Sigh, Legolas, get your cute lil bum over here and wave to the people." elf trudges over, head hung low sulky face on "Hi" elf waves "Good elf." "Yeah, can I go now?" "You may, but next time. No more hobbit feet alright?"

Chapter 7 – Allergies, Aragorn, and a New Journal

Laura slowly rolls over in her bed, and groans. Sighing she gets up slowly, careful to hold onto something. Her head is stuffy, her nose is running, and her eyes burn. Crossing the room to the bathing area across her room, she throws some cool water on her face, and sighs. Finding a towel to dry herself on, she sits at a small intricately carved desk. Like everything the elves made, it's gorgeous, and she spends some time running her fingers over the carvings.

Legolas had given her several gifts yesterday, among them were fruit, a shawl, and a lovely leather bound book with pages and pages of blank yellow paper. She pulled out a pen, and dipped it into the ink. She would keep a journal here in Middle Earth.

"Legolas tells me that a dear friend and his wife are going to be coming to Mirkwood soon, and he would like for me to meet the friend. He says he fought beside him during the war of the ring, so I'm going to assume it's Aragorn. I don't believe Gimli ever married. What would Aragorn be coming here for though? Shouldn't he be off ruling his own kingdom? I didn't ask, it should be pretty interesting meeting the King of Gondor, and his wife Arwen.

I'm sitting here, writing in a small journal like book I've been given, and I'm wondering how I will react to meeting Aragorn, and if I'll like Arwen. I was never a fan of Liv in the movies, but still I felt for Arwen. This is such a strange little adventure I've created for myself. I did though didn't I? This couldn't be real, I'm dead or I'm dreaming. Middle Earth shouldn't be real, yet here I am in Mirkwood, spending my days either going through a library full of books I can't read, or I'm with Legolas, the prince, my biggest crush for years.

I wonder what Legolas thinks of me, he has to be nice to me, I'm in his kingdom, and he has to be hospitable right? But he did take a day off from his duties to spend it with me. We have fun together, I only wish I could tell him of my world, so he could experience it as I'm experiencing his. Maybe I will tell him eventually, he seems like the sort who could handle it. He's always so calm, collected, and I doubt he would toss me into a jail cell. I think I will, yes, I will. I just need to find the perfect time to do it, and perfect place.

I'm going to stay in my room today, I've been feeling a bit under the weather, and I don't think elves are used to seeing sick people. I'll just stay here, and rest. Maybe Legolas will stop by later, I'd like that."

Laura replaced the pen in the vat of ink, and closed the book. Sighing she crossed the room, to lie in her bed again. She would be going no where today. Crawling into bed, she groaned, pulling the covers up and over her head.

"Mom?" She stopped, and listened. Darkness surrounded her, and she could see no more than five feet in any direction. "Is that you mom?" She spun around at a high pitched screech, and a flapping of wings. She saw nothing, she looked in every direction, and then above her. There a large black bird coming in her direction. She ran away, as fast as her numbed legs would allow. She heard the screech again, and turning the birds talons grazed her face making a long scratch along her cheek. Putting a hand to her cheek, she tripped and tumbled into the black.

Now she was falling, with no end in sight, no light, no noise, and no bird. She couldn't move, she couldn't even call out now. Suddenly a voice rang in her head, a mans, it was Sam. "Take my hand child." She still couldn't speak. "I know you cannot, speak to me with your mind Laura." She was confused, but tried thinking what she would say. "I can't see your hand Sam, where are you? All I see is endless blackness." "Good Laura, that's it. I'm here Laura, all around you. Just reach your hand out, use your mind."

As suddenly as she was surrounded by darkness, she was now surrounded by a blinding light, and it was leading her away from the darkness. She felt she could move again, and she turned to see Sam beside her smiling. "Sam, what's going on?" Sam said nothing to her, but only smiled nodding towards the colors up ahead. He was leading her into a swirling hole of colors. She began to panic, and try to pull away from Sam, but his hold would not loosen. "Sam! Let go, I don't want to go there."

Laura bolted upright in bed, and collided with a body. "It's okay Mel, calm down, you were dreaming." Laura cried out, and pushed at Legolas, and he pulled her close to him. "Shh, you're okay." Legolas soothed, running his hand down her hair. "Legolas?" Laura whispered confused. Legolas nodded, forgetting her head was buried in his shoulder. "Aye." Laura pulled away from him, and pulled the blanket around her. "What are you doing here?" She asked confused and embarrassed. "Aragorn has arrived, I wished for you to meet him, but I can see you are in no shape to even get out of bed. You are sick?"

She sniffled, and pulled the covers closer to keep out the cold, yet still she shivered. "I guess I am. I thought it was only allergies but, uh." She trailed off wondering if he knew anything about allergies or being sick. "Aye, you are sick. I will have more blankets sent up, and something for you to eat and drink." Laura nodded. "Thank you." Legolas stood and crossed the room to the door. "I will check up on you again this evening milady." She smiled, and Legolas left. Falling back into bed, Laura slept the rest of the day away.

With the setting of the sun Laura woke from her deep troubled sleep. Rising from the bed she found that her fever had gone and she could breath again. She made her way into the bathing room, and shed her night clothes, and washed up before slipping into a dress. Cracking the door open a bit, she listened to the soft chatter of elves in the hallway. Sighing she slipped out the door, and made her way out of the palace and into the gardens. Laura sighed, lowering herself to a bench.

Breathing in the cool evening air, Laura slowed her breathing, and cleared her mind. She would take some meditation time, she had neglected her charka's and centering since coming to Middle Earth, and she was feeling it. Chanting her mantra to herself she slipped into a waking dream. Her eyes stood open, and unfocused, and her posture straight, and relaxed.

After long minutes of silence, Laura began to stir, her peaceful reverie disturbed by voices seemingly speaking to her. "Laura?" She fluttered her eyes, in an attempt to focus them on what stood before her. "Laura?" She heard again. She closed her eyes, and breathed deeply, then exhaled sending out all bad energy. She opened her eyes, and jumped to find Legolas and Aragorn standing before her, bent over, examining her closely. Both laughed and stood straight, backing up a few paces to give her her space.

Laura sighed, and shook her head. "Good day Legolas. What can I do for you?" She inquired. Legolas smiled, and offered her his hand to stand. She did, and was turned to face Aragorn. "Milady, this is Aragorn. An old and dear friend." Laura smiled. "Yes, I know. It's a great honor to meet you Aragorn." The king smiled, and bowed slightly, and Laura returned the gesture. The two stood smiling, when Legolas turned her again to face him. "You are well? You would not respond for some time just now milady."

Laura stared at him questioningly, then smiled. "Oh, yes. I'm fine thank you, I was only meditating." Legolas looked confused, and Laura decided to explain without him asking. "It's a cleansing tool. I sit, I clear my mind, I don't focus on anything, sights, sounds, smells. I go to another place, and just allow my spirit to cleanse itself." Legolas nodded. "Your eyes were open and unfocused. An elf who didn't know better may have thought you asleep milady." Laura laughed. "Indeed, you do sleep with your eyes open here don't you." Legolas nodded. "We were just headed in for a feast in honor of Lord Aragorn's coming. Will you join us milady?" Legolas asked, now standing beside Aragorn.

Laura nodded to Legolas, and started to walk back towards her room, when she found Legolas beside her. She looked at him questioningly, and he smiled. "I will walk you to your room milady." Laura smiled. "That's not necessary. You should be attending to your guest." Legolas nodded. "I have, all day. Now I wish to attend to you milady." Laura grinned. "Is that a promise?" Legolas nodded. "Aye, I do suppose it is." Laura laughed. "Oh never mind Leggy, I was just trying to get a romp in the hay out of ya." Legolas laughed. "You do like that hay milady. We will romp in it tomorrow if you really wish to. You will have to teach me though, for I do not know what this romping is." Laura stopped in her tracks, and doubled over in laughter.