Chapter 5: The Gardens.

A/N: I'm sorry I've been so busy! At this present moment, I don't have any more of the story. This story is kinda going along slow… Yay! I have a title now. I've been thinking about what is going to happen as the story progresses. This chapter is also a bit short

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Elerina sat on a beautifully carven stone bench next to Míriel in the gardens. She shivered slightly in the evening breeze, and wrapped the cloak she had borrowed Míriel tighter around herself. She looked at the pink sky, smiling to herself that it would be night soon.

She glanced around at the beautiful gardens. There were flowers, plants, vines and trees of all varieties and colors. She had never before seen any plants so beautiful. She noticed a great Weeping Willow tree, and thought that it was the most beautiful of all. With its long vines trailing down to the ground and its gnarled and twisted trunk, it looked old and mysterious.

Legolas suddenly walked up. He meekly sat down while Elrond gazed at him.

"It's not like the Prince of Mirkwood to be late, Legolas," Elrond said sternly. Legolas began to protest that it wasn't his fault, but a glare from Míriel kept him silent.

"I am sorry, Lord Elrond," he said quietly.

"Well, all is forgiven. We need to get down to business. Young Elerina, tell us about yourself." Elrond smiled warmly at Elerina. Elerina hesitated at the faces of Elrond, Míriel, Thorontur, and Legolas all staring at her, but regained herself and began.

"Well, my father died when I was seven, and I never knew my mother. I went to live in an orphanage where I've been for the lastten years before I came here. Everyone hated me, especially the Mistress. Then this morning, or was it even this morning? I don't know, but I called Sandy a pig and then the Mistress was beating me, and the world went black. The next thing I remember was Legolas when he found me. Everyone here is so different from me, and yet so much the same, I don't know what to think. I know that I have absolutely no idea where Rivendell or Middle-Earth is, but that might just be since I was cooped up in an orphanage for so long," Elerina explained. Elrond thought for a moment and then spoke again.

"Interesting. Where are you from? Thorontur has traveled to the four corners of Middle-Earth. He should know of the place," he replied.

"I'm from Boston," she said.

"Boston?" asked Thorontur, a puzzled look on his face.

"Yes. Boston, Massachusets," Elerina replied a little hesitantly.

"I know of no such place," Thorontur said, the look of puzzlement on his face deepening.

"I suppose we need to find a way to get you back to your home," said Elrond.

"Are you sure? I had such a horrible life, and everyone here is so nice to me. Please, I don't want to go back there," Elerina pleaded.

At this Legolas spoke for the first time. "If Elerina's life was as bad as she says it is, I see no reason to make her go back." Thorontur coughed loudly at this and Legolas glared at him.

"Yes, and I see no way we can get her back. We don't even know how she got here," put in Míriel.

"I need to think about this, but right now matters of more importance are at hand. Elerina, I suppose you must stay here for a few more weeks. Is that all right?" Elrond said.

"Of course," she replied calmly, but inside she was bursting with relief.

"You may all go now, if you wish," Elrond said and stood up. While they were talking it had grown dark, and a servant came out and lit a few lanterns for light.

Everyone else stood and quietly walked inside, but Elrond stood gazing at some of the flowers, deep in thought. Suddenly a branch cracked, and two figures toppled on top of each other to the ground from the Weeping Willow tree. They stood up and brushed themselves off, but froze at the sight of Elrond.

"Elladan! Elrohir! I should have known," Elrond boomed.

"It was his idea!" 'Dan and 'Ro said at the same time and pointing to each other.

'Will they ever grow up?' Elrond thought as he ushered his sons inside.