Ms. Evermore- Thank you thank you thank you- I hope you won't be disappointed

Aem- yes the lack of transitions between the three is completely intentional. They're the same story and the same characters, just altered slightly. Thanks

Snow crystals- hi Julia- thanks- I hope you'll keep reading

Thanks to all my readers and reviewers- I'm a review junky- please review xxx

"Nana. Nana!"

I awoke startled by the sound of Eleni's voice. The quick burst of anger that I had felt at being awoken melted at the sight of my smiling daughter. Eleni grinned excitedly and kissed me before running off and joining her brother and father who were playing on the grass.

I closed my eyes for a moment before opening them once more. I smiled as I looked around. I was lying underneath a huge blossom tree that shaded me from the sun. The trees all around shrouded us in protection and warmth. The grass was so green and the flowers were so colourful, it was as if I was seeing everything for the first time.

Niall ran after Eleni, both of them giggling incessantly and neither of them aware of the rules of the game.

It was times like this when I realized that I did miss home. I missed television, CD's, cars, coffee, chocolate, Jacobs's creek wine. It was strange to think back like that. I no longer had access to things like that. Things that I once picked up once a week when I went shopping were no longer there. The life I have now is nothing to complain about, but earth was my home and a part of me will always wonder what's changed.

I jumped when I felt a hand slide up my leg and settle on my waist.

Lazily I tuned to see the smiling face of my husband. He looked peaceful. There was nobody who needed to see him and there was nobody who desperately needed him to sign something or go over some plans.

I rolled over onto my back and studied Legolas as he watched our children play.

The sun glinted off of his golden hair making it seem like spun gold. He had forsaken his braids today and had merely twisted the strands and tied them back. His eyes sparkled with life, a quality that he had been lacking these past weeks. His lips were curved into one of the most beautiful smiles that I have ever seen.

The light beige tunic that he had on made him seem so relaxed. I lifted his hand and played with his slender fingers. He had rolled the sleeves of his tunic up and unbuttoned it so that his alabaster chest was visible. I loved the muscles in his forearms and his chest; I have no idea why I just do.

I closed my eyes and felt him pull me to him, nestling me into his chest, as he lay propped up on one elbow. Still sleepy I curled up on my side, my face against the cool fabric of his tunic and let myself slip back into sleep.

---

"Adar, why is Nana asleep?"

I raised my eyes from my sleeping wife and focused on my small son who was looking at me with curious eyes. His silver hair was pulled back into one thick braid and his tunics, which before had been clean, was now dishevelled and a little dirty.

"She is a little tired that is all"

He nodded but still did not move his eyes from his mothers form. Eleni, now interested in seeing what her brother was doing slowly sauntered over. Like Niall her clothes were dishevelled but on her face was a beautiful smile. Her hair like Niall's had been braided so that it was out of her eyes, but strands had come loose and were getting in her eyes anyway. Her pale blue dress had a few grass stains on it but it did not matter, she had plenty of other clothes.

"Niall, what you doing?"

Her soft voice floated through the air and Niall turned to look at her with confused eyes. He offered his hand to her and she accepted it, as had become their custom. I couldn't help but smile at the picture the two of them made.

"Come play"

Niall turned to his sister, grinning, his eyes dancing with excitement and the two were off once again, playing among the tall grasses.

As I watched them my mind tuned to the dark news that we had received from Imladris only a few days ago. Attacks were being made on its boarders and more elves were dying everyday. Our borders were faring no better. The numbers of dead and injured elves is rising steadily and we have neither the resources not the elves to counter the attacks.

Councils have been called and meetings held but still we cannot find a solution.

Word has been received of Haldir and a small contingent of troops who are to arrive within the month. I have faith in my own elves but the elves of Lorien are more skilled in wielding their weapons, they are more patient than we and it serves them better in battle.

Unbeknownst to everybody, three weeks ago a small number of well-trained warriors were sent on a mission. They are to retrieve as much information as possible about who is commanding the attacks. Their leader for the moment is anonymous and we have no idea who or what we are fighting.

A yell from Eleni startled me and pulled me from my thoughts. With a forced smile I pushed my previous thoughts to the back of my mind and allowed myself to simply bask in the sun and lay with my wife, who was still asleep.

Thalia has been strange lately. She has been restless and irritable, more so than usual. Her mind is elsewhere. Perhaps she too is feeling the change in the air, I do not know.

I shifted and wrapped my arms around her as she sighed in her sleep. It suddenly occurred to me that the front of my tunic was wet. Without waking her I moved her slightly to see what it was. There was a large damp patch on the front, but the grass was not wet and I hadn't spilled anything. I shook my head and looked at Thalia, and I found the source of the damp patch. Tears were running freely down her cheek as she cried silently. This was not the first time that she had wept in her sleep, but unfortunately she refuses to talk about it. Her eyes were dull in sleep but clear emotion was still obvious.

Not wishing to wake her I gathered her to my chest and sang quietly to her. Within a few short moments she was peaceful once again.

"Adar, help, adar!"

Niall called me joyfully as Eleni tackled him to the ground and sat on his chest. I got up carefully and placed my cloak over my wife. I was puzzled by her tears but the desire to comfort her came first.

I got up and ran after my giggling daughter.

---

In the dark lands of Angmar the long dead enemy surveyed the death toll and was pleased with the elves loss, however he was less than satisfied with his own loss. But it did not matter, when he had what he wanted, all would be well and what he wanted...he would take.

"My Lord"

The cloaked figure raised his head, his eyes surveying the large orc that stood before him,

"Speak quickly"

His voice would bite into even the most hardened of warriors; its icy quality was enough to terrify the orcs into submission. The orc grinned, his yellow eyes narrowing in glee,

"We have found her"

The figure hissed and laughed manically. His goal was getting closer; all he needed now was the elf. Once he had the elf, he could overrun Mirkwood for in his grief the King would be sufficiently weakened for his orcs to destroy the elves. His kingdom would grow and darkness would rule once again.

The elf would be the last key. All he needed to do was make those snivelling elves tremble with fear with the knowledge that he would kill them all, one by one, and there was nothing they could do about it.

"Why are you still here?"

The orc shuddered but remained where he stood under the harsh glare form his master.

"My Lord. We have found an elf. A very...dirty elf sneaking around. We should kill him"

The orc sounded hopeful, and he would get his wish. The elf would die, but he would serve a purpose.

"Bring me the elf"

The orc snapped his finger and the elf was dragged into the room. Bruises marred his once perfect skin and blood ran down his face where his nose had been broken. The leader, not wishing to disappoint the orcs laughed manically before raising a sword, a sword that was fabled to bring even the fearless to their knees.

The elf saw the tall figure looming over him and closed his eyes, accepting defeat, but knowing that his comrades were already on their way back to their king with all the information they had gathered in the short time that they had been there,

He sword came down, making the elf's head roll across the room, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. The green unseeing eyes looked upon the figure of his demise while his soul departed for a better land.

"Take the head and put it in a box. Make sure that 'King' Thranduil receives his...gift"

Down in the bowels of the land evil stirred, rising once again to service he who summoned it. A white-hot fire licked at the blood-encrusted skin of the hundreds of orcs that dwelled there, waiting for orders. They would not have to wait long.