A Stranger In The Woods

Chapter 24: Answers?

The next day dawned bright and sunny, as most days did in Caras Galadhon. Katie ate her morning meals with the group again- this time without the awkward stares. 'I guess they got use to me in a dress,' she thought as they finished lunch. Everyone scattered to do their own thing, leaving her to her own devices once again.

"I guess I'll take another walk," she muttered to herself, not knowing what else there was to do.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Legolas spoke up from behind, startling her.

Katie tried to hide her surprise. "If you want," she said nonchalantly.

Legolas took her arm and headed down a well-lit path. "Are you enjoying your stay here thus far?" he asked politely after a minute of silence.

"Yes…it's very beautiful."

She glanced over at him, struggling to take in the sight of him. He was dressed in a silvery-blue tunic today, still sans weapons.

"How long do you think we'll stay?" she asked, trying to focus on the conversation.

"I do not know," Legolas admitted. "How long do you wish to stay?"

"I don't know," Katie shrugged, wondering at his question. "Maybe a few more days."

Legolas stopped and looked down at her intently. "You could stay behind if you wished," he said all at once.

She took a step back, feeling hurt. "You want me to stay here instead of going on with the group?" She asked incredulously.

"It would be safer here," he pointed out softly. "Mordor is no place for a woman."

Katie jerked her arm completely out of his grasp. "If you don't want me to go with you, just say so," she hissed and began to walk off.

Legolas quickly caught up with her and grabbed her arm to stop her. "Why must we always fight?" he asked pleadingly.

She spun around to face him. "Why are you such a jerk?" she growled.

Legolas frowned. "I do not even understand what that word means."

"It means you're an unfeeling ASS!" She spat back angrily.

"Oh," he said with a sudden smile. "Is that all?"

Katie felt her anger melting away and tried not to smile back. "Would you like me to continue?" she asked-trying her best to sound mad.

"Look," he suddenly turned serious. "I do not wish for you to stay, I just thought perhaps you would be happier here."

"Well," she all but growled, "I wouldn't."

Legolas was about to reply when Haldir appeared.

"Good afternoon," he said pleasantly as he walked up to them. "The Lady wishes to speak with you," he told Katie and took her other arm.

"What does she want?" Katie asked hesitantly.

"I do not know." Haldir said with a smile. "We still have a little time before you are expected."

They walked back towards the city slowly, Katie enjoying having a handsome elf on each arm.

"There is a pond just north of here where I sometimes swim," Haldir stated, breaking the silence.

"I love to swim," Katie said honestly. In fact, she did it whenever she had a chance.

"We must go then," Haldir said with a smile. "The best time is in the evening before the sun sets. The water is perfect then."

"Let's go tonight," Katie said, feeling excited. She turned and looked over at Legolas. "Will you come with us?"

"Alright," he agreed with a little smile.

"We will meet at the pond after the evening meal," Haldir decided, then tugged her arm away from Legolas. "We must be going now," he said apologetically. "We do not wish to keep The Lady waiting."

"Until tonight," Haldir added as he pulled her away.

"See you later, Greenleaf," Katie called back over her shoulder as he stood there and watched them leave.

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Haldir led her through the city in silence. Katie was nervous about the meeting. 'What does Galadriel want to talk about?' she wondered as they reached a large door. 'I guess I'll find out,' she thought with a shrug, then pushed the door open and timidly entered.

"I will see you tonight," Haldir said softly, then shut the door, leaving her alone.

Katie fidgeted with her dress as she looked around the large room. The furniture was all ornate and clearly handmade. All the pieces were large, but the room still had a sense of spaciousness.

"Do you like it?" A voice asked from her right.

Katie turned to see Galadriel enter from a small side door. The Lady looked beautiful and perfect like always.

"Yes," she answered the elf, unable to hide her appraisal. "The room is very beautiful." It was, in fact, perfect.

"It was my sister's room." Galadriel stated. "I believe you know of her."

"Yes," Katie muttered, uneasy with the elf's intense gaze. "Why did you wish to speak to me?" She asked, suddenly wanting nothing more than to flee the room.

"Your mind is troubled," Galadriel stated, ignoring the question. "Troubles in love?"

"No," Katie snapped, irritated at the Lady's knowing smile.

"So, have you admitted your feelings to Legolas, then?" She asked, already knowing the answer.

"I have no feelings for him except friendship," Katie lied. Actually, she felt a lot more than friendship for him, but love? She didn't know about love.

"You are afraid of his response," Galadriel spoke plainly. "I have seen into his mind, and I know his heart. Would you like to know how he feels about you?"

Katie thought about it for a long minute. It would be nice to know what the elf was thinking. How many times she had wished for the very thing Galadriel was offering, but she knew in her heart it wouldn't be fair.

"No," she decided. "Now can we please talk about the real reason I'm here."

Galadriel smiled. "I see my sister's spirit in you," she said fondly.

"What does your sister have to do with me?" Katie asked rudely, wishing the woman would just get to the point.

"She has everything to do with you," Galadriel spoke softly. "She was your mother."

Katie sucked in a breath, shocked at the declaration. "My parents are dead," she whispered once her voice was steady enough. "They died in an accident-."

"It was no accident," Galadriel interrupted. "They died saving your life from a group of orcs."

"But-but," Katie stammered, trying to make sense out of what the Lady was saying.

"My sister had a rare gift among the elves." Galadriel continued, heedless of Katie's shock. "She used that gift as she lay dying beside her husband, causing you to disappear from Middle Earth…Knowing that when the time was right, you would return and take your place at the thrown of Lothlórien."

"Prophecy says you will unite the elven cities, and return peace to Middle Earth." She finished finally.

"Well, that's bullshit," Katie stated plainly. "I'm sorry to tell you I already have a mother, I won't be taking ANY place on ANY thrown, and I sure as hell won't restore peace to Middle Earth."

"Frodo will restore peace," Galadriel answered back, unfazed by her calm anger.

"This can't be true," Katie said, starting to feel a little desperate. "I have a home, I have parents…"

"Everything I have said is true," The Lady assured her.

"So what am I then, an elf?" Katie asked, still not believing the story.

"One would think you would be pleased to find out you were immortal," Galadriel sounded a little sarcastic. "Or do you wish to die?"

Katie rolled her eyes, she couldn't help it. "I just don't think being immortal is all it's cracked up to be."

"You would rather die in sixty years- all alone in your old world?" Galadriel asked her voice angry.

"You would rather I was alone here and never die?" Katie shot back.

The elf studied her for a long minute before speaking again. "Would you give up everything here to return as you were?"

"I don't know," Katie whispered, wishing people would quit asking her to make that choice. "I want to see my dad."

"Your father will be dead soon," Galadriel stated. "What then?"

Katie felt a deep sadness wash over her, knowing the woman's words were true. Her dad didn't have much time to live. She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall.

"How can you expect me to start a life here, when I never got to finish my last one?" She asked truthfully, then turned and fled the room before the Lady could see the tears streaming down her face.

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A/N: Alright, I know it was a little short, but tough. One request: PLEASE don't review me telling me to update. I will update every Friday, or as close to it as I can get. So quit crying about updates. The reviews are for actual reviews. Not pleading for updates. Have patience.

Katie-sue