Wow… I didn't think everyone would think it was so bad that they sent her away without telling her—after all, if they had told her, she would have had to watch them leave, and if not, she still wouldn't have ridden to Mirkwood very quickly, and I think that that could have been dangerous, even though this is set after the quest.

Oh, and yes, I do have two new stories up currently. One (Not A Word) is beginning to come along nicely, but the other (Among the Brambles) will need some time to develop itself, so if you're reading and not reviewing because there's not much there yet, bear with me. I like it, and there are several twists on the way.

I've also had a few spats with myself over this story, and the result of that is two short stories that shall be posted after some editing in a collective work which I haven't figured out a name for yet. Either 'Stories without chapters, and chapters without stories,' or 'A Moment in Immortal Time.' Haven't decided yet.

To Reba: I've read some stories where they can only conceive if they wish, some where even the male has some control over it, and some where they have no control whatsoever, but know potions and such to avoid pregnancy if they so wish. As I don't know what is true, I'm taking a little bit of creative control for my story. If there is a Tolkien basis, let me know, and while I won't change it for this story, I'll certainly remember it for future ones. Would that control extend during an unconscious/fading state as well? I don't know. Thanks for writing… and I agree with you on the rating—along with the better safe than sorry part.

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Lunian opened her eyes to see a richly painted wall. She blinked and looked again, and frowned when the view remained the same. Not to say there was anything wrong with the view. It was a beautifully painted picture of a garden. Of course, it was an impossible garden, with flowers of all seasons blooming in a brightly lit area with a waterfall in the background.

When she turned to look out her balcony, there was instead a wall there, and she remembered with a painful start that she was now in Mirkwood. She reached for the pocket with her worry stone, but found no stone. And no pocket. She pushed the covers aside and sat up, becoming dizzy at once. Little lights danced around the edges of her vision, which were fading to a dirty brownish-black.

She decided not to try getting up just so quickly, and looked around the room as her lack of movement slowly cleared her vision. Though it was more enclosed than she was used to, it was decorated in rich hues, mostly red with a bit of blue here and there. The entire room was a garden mural, with a bright sky and a few lazy clouds painted on the ceiling. She smiled, and noticed the 'tree' beside her was actually a table, barely noticeable since it was only slightly extended from the wall. Her worry stone was upon it, sitting upon a piece of paper that had been folded over.

Guessing the contents correctly before she read the note, she was happy to know Legolas would be right through the wall should she ever need him.

Legolas.

He had been her saving thought through the last few days. Since setting out from Imladris she had stopped only when it was utterly necessary, eating and drinking only enough to sustain life. Her horse had felt her desire for speed, and they had fairly flown through the dark woods with more haste than made sense, the end result being her face and arms had been stung by countless twigs, her hair caught in several until her hood had finally decided to stay up.

Then she had wound up captured by the guards, who insisted a mortal would never be sent by an elf as a messenger. They kept trying to turn her away, and she kept insisting, feeling the fear and despair of the reckless journey threatening to engulf her. Finally someone had come from the palace insisting she be brought in. She heard his voice, full of the murmur of the water laughing over the rocks, and it was all going to be all right. He would make it right.

As his arms came around her, it was. Everything was right with the world as long as she was with him.

And that was a scary thought if ever she had had one.

But still, it had been so good to see him after so many dark days of hurrying forward in what she hoped was the right direction to reach the palace.

Lunian shifted so her legs dangled off the bed, and slowly stood, fighting another wave of dancing lights and the blackness that threatened to overcome her vision. On feet made unsteady by her uncertain eyes and the light feeling in her head, she walked slowly to the door Legolas has said joined their rooms.

And ended up in another room which he definitely did not sleep in. A large tub rested against one wall, a basin the other, and a door right across from her. Only a few more steps. She grit her teeth and gathered her energy, ignoring the lights dancing through her head as another wave of dizziness was added to the black edges slowly crowding out her sight. She opened the door and clung to it, unable to see anything in the room she had entered. She sank to the floor, unable to stay on her feet any longer.

"Legolas?" she asked the air, and heard a soft sound suddenly. Arms surrounded her, helped her up. "Legolas?" she asked again, her last coherent thought one of wanting to know who was standing so close she could smell the slight scent of wine on their breath.