disclaimer: if you recognize it, it's not mine. everything else is. don't sue…i only own lint and an old beanie collection

KayBay2507: hey, thanks for the review. i've always thought of Legolas as one who was more prone to adventure out and about than being stuck in formal robes and politics. i like that one so much better. some people can pull off the arrogant leggy, really well, but i'm not one of them. i've got a lot more in store so keep reading! thanks.

Chapter 5

"What, Elenayave?"

The voice drifted to her ears, and she fluttered her eyes open. Her vision was blurry at first, but slowly, it focused in on Legolas's handsome face. It was filled with concern and worry as he looked down on her sleepy form.

"I had a dream," she said. "About a ball and I was this other girl. I met you out on the balcony. Then, I found out you were the Prince."

Legolas smiled. "That was when we first met, melamin. I thought you would slay me once you found out my identity."

"Why did you lie to her?"

"I figured you didn't know and I definitely didn't want anyone else bothering me at the moment. But you weren't like the others." Legolas paused, brushing her hair back off her face. "You didn't giggle incessantly at everything I said. You didn't worship me like I was an idol. You treated me like I was a normal every day person. I must say, it was rather refreshing."

"But you lied to her. I could feel how angry she was with you. It was almost as if I really was her," Linilya stated.

"Because you are her. And your memory is coming back. You're remembering things from dreams. And yes, you were extremely upset with me. If I remember correctly, you didn't speak to me for three days."

"Of course I didn't! Duh! I don't take lying very well."

"I know," Legolas replied, grinning. "You made it quite clear, melamin."

Linilya smiled and sat up in her bed, her hair flipping back into her face. She propped up her pillow and leaned against it.

"What does that mean, melamin?" she questioned. The word rolled off her tongue pleasantly, the language filing away into her mind.

"My love," he answered, again brushing her hair back. He cupped her cheek tenderly in his palm and traced his fingers over her cheekbone.

"Tell me something else," she urged. "What kind of Elvish is that? Sindarin or Silvan? Or is it Quenyan?"

"Sindarin, but it's from the Silvan dialect. Vanimle sila tiri lirimaer. Lle naa eken yassene huine."

"Hmm," she mumbled. "That's beautiful. I wish I could speak it."

"You can tarien. You know Elvish just as well as I do."

"No I don't, you silly Elf."

"Umbar nwalka, poikaer, nin sinta."

"How do you know if you've never experienced this?" she questioned.

Legolas quirked his brow and smiled. "See. You know what I just said. Nin sinta means 'I know'."

"So I know a couple words. That's not going to help me much. What's the rest of it mean?"

Legolas shook his head and grinned. "You will remember. But until then, tarien, I'm not going to help you."

"Mae govannen means hello. I know that. Nivereal told me."

Legolas closed his eyes as he heard her speak the elvish words. It sounded so right; it was something he was used to. It rolled off her tongue in the most pleasant way. He wished, yet again, that her memory would be restored. He knew the dream was a good sign, but it was a slow beginning. And her knowing Elvish was not going to help him gain her love again. He shook his head in defeat.

"Is that wrong?" Linilya questioned.

"Nay, melamin. It is correct."

"What's wrong then?"

Legolas met her gaze, his eyes peering into her being as he had done at the ball. But this time, there was a certain sadness held in the blue orbs. He forced a wistful smile and sighed. His hand met her chin and held her head up to his. The three simple words he uttered shot straight to her heart. "I miss you."

Linilya stared at him, almost feeling the pain he was dealing with. She cocked her head to the side and thought. "Are you absolutely sure you have the right girl?"

"Yes, love. You are my wife," he whispered, his eyes somehow holding back the glistening tears that threatened to fall.

"Then why do I have the memory of another place? Of a different world completely?"

"I can answer that, if I may," a deep, raspy voice filled the room.

Legolas stood up from his chair and greeted the old man with jubilation. "Mithrandir! I thought you would never arrive!"

"Well, I am here now, so let me have some time with the poor girl. She is probably scared out of her mind."

"Not anymore," Linilya chirped happily. She glanced at Legolas and winked, and he smiled broadly at her sudden merriment. "But I do have a few questions."

"Of course you do, child. Of course. I will explain all of it, though it may take a while. Legolas, you may stay if you wish," Mithrandir said, smiling softly.

Legolas glanced down at Linilya and quirked a brow questioningly. Linilya nodded fervently and he took his seat in the chair again. Then, Linilya looked back up at Mithrandir.

"You're Gandalf?" she questioned.

"That I am," he replied. "I take it you know who I am, then."

"Yes," she intoned sheepishly, receiving an odd glance from Legolas.

"Well, then. Let me start at the beginning. I suppose Legolas has already told you of your true being and your capture?"

"She doesn't believe any of it," Legolas cut in quickly, before Linilya could even open her mouth.

Gandalf smiled again. "That is understandable, for something was at work here Legolas, and she has experienced something that to her, was very real."

"Explain," Linilya said simply. "In as few words as possible but make it clear. Then tell the whole story so I know where you're coming from."

Gandalf shot a glance at Legolas, who grinned. Linilya shrugged off the exchange and focused in on the old wizard.

"At some point during your capture, you were unconscious. Your spirit left you then. It went into the body of another young girl, not too different from yourself in another world, to protect itself. You experienced her life as Linilya Lawrence from San Diego, California, when in reality she is a separate being from an alternate universe."

"Are you saying I had an outer body experience?" she asked skeptically.

"In a way," Gandalf mused. "You were found unconscious and brought into the Wood. But your spirit remained in Linilya until you awoke. Of course nothing in Linilya's life has changed. She is doing quite well now, as a matter of fact. But you were destined to come back. The Valar decided it was not your time to pass and they sent you back. You are Elenayave, as much as you wish to deny it."

"So, I was Linilya? I was actually in her body, living as her, with all her memories and thoughts? And in the car accident I was pulled from that life back here to where I was supposed to be?"

"Exactly."

"So none of it was real?"

"Oh, yes. It was all very real. There really is a girl named Linilya Lawrence in San Diego who had the life you lived. But now, you are back in your own life, though it is nothing more than a dream to you."

Legolas sat rigidly in his chair, his face emotionless, but his eyes holding a tumult of emotions. "If Linilya had died in this car accident, would Elenayave have died as well?"

"Yes," Mithrandir said, his face grim. "So we are all very lucky to be sitting here right now speaking to each other."

Linilya's color drained and she forced a weak smile. The information sank into her slowly, all of it new, and most of it scary. "The books I read about Middle Earth? Is that…?"

"All of it will come to be. We are precisely 500 years prior to any of those events," Gandalf stated. "By the time that arrives, you will have forgotten most of this conversation."

"Why does she remember nothing of her previous life?" Legolas asked, leaning on the frame of the chair. "Nothing of the Wood, or her family, or friends?"

"When her spirit moved, some of the information it carried was lost. It will come back Legolas, I assure you. It won't take long. Most of it will come in dreams."

"I've already had one," Linilya said softly.

"Good. Good. No, it won't be long. You'll remember everything, child. And then you can live in peace again. For awhile…" Gandalf winked at her, grinning.

Linilya grinned too, content with his explanation. So she was Elenayave, but she was also Linilya. It was slightly confusing, but she knew that everything around her was real, so it wasn't someone's idea of a sick joke. She leaned back into her pillow and sighed. She let her eyes relax and close. It was a lot of information. Her brain swam around in her head, trying to soak everything up.

"Now do you believe me?" Legolas questioned softly.

Linilya opened her eyes, and when she did, Gandalf was already gone. She smiled to herself, then looked up at Legolas. She nodded slowly, and his eyes shone with relief and happiness.

"I know this is hard for you, Lena. But it will come," he whispered as he knelt down beside her. He paused for a moment, stroking her cheek softly with his fingertips. "I love you," he murmured quietly.

Linilya stared at him, her eyes wide with shock. No one had ever spoken those words to her except her mother. But there it was, right in front of her. She could see it in his gaze. His face rarely held emotion, but everything was revealed in his eyes. The love, the trust, the joy, it was all there, shining brightly down on her. It was then that she realized how deep Legolas's bond with Elenayave must run. The Elf truly loved her, and he would do anything to have her back the way she was.

Linilya smiled softly. She traced his jaw with her fingers and sighed. Legolas was beyond doubt, a beautiful person. He was tall and lithe, his muscular body powerful and strong. His face was that of an angel, possessing high cheekbones and a strong jaw. His wild blue eyes fluctuated in color, sometimes a deep royal blue, and sometimes a clear, bright crystal. His perfect, gracefully arched eyebrows were darker than the rest of his honey golden hair, and they further accented his eyes. And his lips…his lips were thin, yet seemingly inviting, and curved into a beautiful smile. His hands were larger than hers, but always were they tender, and his fingers were slightly rough at the tips, calloused from the constant work with his bow.

And the best part of all, he was madly in love with her. Linilya couldn't even begin to consider how lucky she was. Legolas was her image of a perfect guy. He possessed a fabulous sense of humor, even in the worst of times, so she was told. He was always gentle and kind, excluding his moments on the battlefield, and even then he showed mercy. His words were never spoken in haste, but always thought out and never harsh. He was not the least bit arrogant or conceited in his skill or beauty, but instead, only carried himself confidently. Legolas was quick-witted and clever, never letting anyone outdo him in a contest of words, and he often offered encouragement to those who were in most need of it. He was calm and rational, self-less and rather modest, though a firm and just leader of his people.

"I can see why I loved you before," she stated slowly, not wanting to hurt him. "But I think I'll need to go through this all over again."

Legolas nodded and smiled faintly, pulling her head a little closer to him. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead and stood up. "It's all right. I waited over 2000 years to first find love. I can wait a couple months to regain it. As long as you promise me your friendship and trust."

"It's yours."

"Good. Now. First things first. No more Linilya. You are Elenayave, and that is what you will go by from this point on."

"Okay," Linilya agreed, nodding.

"Secondly, I'm sure Ada will want you attending the festivities and balls again, though I'm not so sure. You do remember how to dance, don't you?" Legolas questioned.

"Uh, you mean waltzing or what?"

"Similar, yes, but not quite. I'll have to teach you again. I do hope you haven't forgotten your manners," he added, grinning.

"No, silly. I know that much at least."

"Thirdly, until further notice, you are not to go wandering in the woods without someone to guide you. It's too dangerous," Legolas stated firmly, a small frown on his face.

Linilya nodded her assent. She knew why already, due to her reading of books. She didn't particularly wish to be attacked by wargs or orcs or spiders. It was much safer inside the borders of Mirkwood.

"Fourth, you are a co-captain of the guard. You are expected to return to your position as soon as possible. You will find it necessary to retrain yourself with your weapons."

"Whoa…slow down here. I'm a what?" she asked, incredulous.

"A co-captain of the guard. You share my responsibilities. Don't worry about it now. You're in my guard, so I'll help you get used to it again. And last but not least, you do have a personal servant. I know you hated it last time and you probably will this time, but she is a rather sensitive girl. Please don't upset her, lest she end up in tears again," Legolas finished breathily.

"Oh. Oops. My bad," Linilya grimaced sheepishly. "What's her name?"

"Elaren. She'll help you dress and get ready for formal occasions, run errands, and such."

"Anything else?"

Legolas smiled warmly and walked over to the vanity on the far side of the room. He picked up a glistening piece of metal wrought into a fantastical design of leaves and flowers. Sparkling jewels were set carefully into the shaped metal, making it appear even more magnificent. It was a tiara, representing her status in the society.

"This is yours," he said softly. "Please wear it when you're not on guard. Or maybe the other silver one, if you're not dressed up."

"It's beautiful," Linilya whispered, taking it gently in her hands.

"Ada had it specially crafted for you after the wedding; he was so thrilled that I'd finally bonded."

"He really pushed that, didn't he? That you wed?"

"For centuries. At one point, he told me he didn't care if I married a pigeon, as long as it was done and I was happy."

Linilya grinned. "Wouldn't do much for the children though, would it? Speckled and gray with beaks…"

"Standing proudly on the archery field with bow drawn and feathers everywhere…no, I'd say not," Legolas answered laughing.

Linilya yawned and stretched, reaching her arms up from the bed. She groaned as her back popped, and the pressure there was released. Her stomach rumbled and she giggled self-consciously. "What's for breakfast?"

Legolas smiled in amusement. "Hungry?"

"Starving," she replied. "Take me to the food," she teased. "I don't care who you are, just feed me and I'll love you forever."

Legolas cast her an odd glance, then realized the humor and laughed. He held out his hand to help her rise from the bed. He turned, to allow her to dress. Once she was finished, he gently brushed out her red locks until they shone. He offered his arm, and she gladly took it, letting him escort her to the dining hall.