A Stranger in the Woods

Chapter Two: The Group

They came upon a group of elves on horseback as they reached a clearing in the woods. The longhaired elves turned and grew quiet as they approached. Katie stopped a good distance away and surveyed the men suspiciously. She counted them- five elves. Including Legolas, six. 'Six against one,' she thought as fear churned in her stomach. She wasn't even convinced yet that she was in Middle Earth, or that Legolas was actually who he said he was.

'Although he does look a lot like him' she decided. Not exactly like the Legolas from the movie, but enough that it made her take a second glance. This Legolas looked older, and yet younger, if that was possible. He was better looking than in the movies. 'He's real' she suddenly understood. That was why he looked different, because he was real, and really standing in front of her, looking quite annoyed.

"Stay here" he ordered and walked towards the men. The elves dismounted as he neared and stood in a small circle, speaking quietly in what Katie assumed was Elvish.

Whatever language it was, she decided it sounded beautiful, almost like a song.

A handsome blonde elf spoke briefly, but Legolas interrupted him, sounding angry. Katie wondered what they were saying. She realized that if they were actually in Middle Earth then her appearance would come as quite a shock to them. She had on blue jeans and hiking boots, something she doubted they had ever seen before. She smiled to herself, finding the thought amusing.

She noticed that the blonde elf was studying her quite intently and took a cautious step back as he approached her.

"Hello" he said with a slight smile, "I am Lenwë."

"I'm Katie" she replied cautiously.

"I know. My brother has told us about your meeting."

Katie felt her eyes widen. "Brother?" she asked stunned, as Legolas walked towards them. Nothing had ever been mentioned in the books or the movie about Legolas having a brother. Of course, neither had they said that he didn't have one she realized. She glanced from Legolas to Lenwë and back again, looking for similarities. 'They're both cute' she thought with a grin. Lenwë was an inch or two shorter than Legolas, and reminded her of Haldir.

Legolas interrupted his brother's reply with an irritated look.

"You will ride with us to Rivendell." He ordered, grabbing her arm firmly and pulling her towards the horses.

Katie obeyed, feeling helpless, as the other elves mounted their horses and began to ride away.

Legolas led her over to an unsattled white horse then paused to look back at her.

"Can you ride?" he asked curiously. She nodded in reply. "Then you will ride with me," he stated as he stood there, waiting. When he spoke to her, it wasn't in a very nice tone of voice, however melodic his voice was.

"There's no saddle." She pointed out. She had only ridden bareback several times and was not sure she could get on the horse by herself.

Legolas looked up, realized her problem, then reached down and grabbed her around the waist.

"Wait," she whispered nervously. "What's going to happen to me?"

Realization dawned in his eyes and his face grew softer. He lowered his head slightly until it was mere inches away. There chests were so close they were practically touching.

Katie found herself unable to breathe. Her heart started to race in her chest and she could feel his soft breath on her cheek. No man had ever had this strong an effect on her before. Her knees actually felt weak, and she was quite glad he had a hold of her.

'I thought that was just a dumb saying teenagers came up with' she thought lightheaded. Heavens knew she was not a teenager. She was nearly twenty-six years old. Still, she found herself wanting to lean her mouth into his and find out what his lips would feel like; what they would taste like.

He spoke suddenly, breaking her thoughts. "No harm will come to you." He said in his hypnotizing voice. Then he lifted her onto the horse, and the moment was broken.

He gracefully swung himself in front of her, and nudged the horse lightly. Katie had to grab Legolas around the waist to keep herself from falling off the back. She noticed he was all muscle beneath his tunic, and after she steadied herself, quickly let go.

She tried to think of something to say- something to distract her from being so close to him.

"This is a beautiful horse," She tried.

He didn't answer, or turn towards her. 'He's not much of a talker,' she thought with a frown.

"What where you guys talking about for so long?" she asked after a long silence.

He glanced back at her. "We had to decide if we should take you to Rivendell with us."

After a pause, he added "There is an elf there who will know better than we what to do with you."

"You mean Elrond?"

Legolas tried to hide his surprise unsuccessfully. "You know Elrond as well," he said plainly. "You are full of surprises Lady Bennett."

He turned back around, bringing the conversation to a halt.

Katie sighed and decided to take this opportunity to study him closely. He had a bow and quiver strapped on his back, both where covered in beautiful, intricate designs. Two white knife handles stuck out by his arrows. She noticed his hair was thickly braided in the back. It looked perfect. She studied his hair in fascination- it was so long and soft. 'I wonder if it is,' she thought, and reached out and rubbed a few between her fingers. It was the softest hair she had ever felt.

She saw him stiffen and quickly stopped. They rode in silence for many miles, Katie feeling too exhausted to try starting another conversation. She yawned loudly; it had been a long, crazy day. Legolas glanced back at her as she yawned again.

"You may rest against me if you wish Lady Bennett" he said abruptly, and turned back around.

"Call me Katie or Katherine, Prince Legolas. Or should I call you Greenleaf?"

"How did you" he started then stopped. "Very well Katherine." He said icily. "If you do not wish to rest than I will not force you."

"I wish to rest, Prince" she snapped back "I just don't think it would be too comfortable with your knives and arrows against my face."

Katie knew she sounded bitchy, but was too tired to care. Wordlessly, Legolas removed his quiver and knives and placed them in his lap. His bow he held in front of him. He did this all without glancing back at her.

Katie rolled her eyes and warily laid her head against his back. Some of his hair tickled her face, and she realized it smelled great too!

'What kind of shampoo does he use?' she wondered curiously as she brushed his hair to the side. She then realized that elves probably didn't have shampoo, so she spent the following minutes speculating what smelled like it back home.

His clothes were soft and warm against her cheek. He smelled earthy and fresh, like the ground does after it rains.

Katie put her arms gently around his waist and felt him stiffen at her touch. After a moment he relaxed, and she felt her eyelids getting heavy. 'I hope I don't snore' she thought drowsily before she drifted off to sleep.

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A/N

Lenwë is pronounced Lynn-way

Alright everybody, let me know how you liked chapter 2.

I'm hoping to update once a week, depending on how fast I can type and The Hobbit Ivy (my beautiful beta) can get the chapters back to me. THANKS IVY!

If anyone has any questions about anything just leave an review or e-mail me. Thanks, Katie-sue