A Stranger In The Woods

Chapter 25: The Swim

Katie growled in frustration, pacing the floor to her room for what had to be the hundredth time since her talk with Galadriel. She was getting nowhere. Nothing the Lady had said made sense, yet it did. It was confusing. She didn't know what to think, how to feel. "I hate this," she spoke aloud, voicing her feelings to the empty room. There was no one else to tell. No one else who would understand.

"What am I going to do?" She asked the elven looking woman in the mirror. No reply.

The longer she sat and thought about it, the more Katie realized there was nothing she could do. Denying she was an elf wouldn't get her home. Neither would admitting it. Like it or not, she was stuck in Middle Earth.

"Well, there's only one thing left to do," she decided suddenly. "Swim."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

She reached the pond just as the sun began to dip behind the trees. Quickly, she removed her dress and shoes and set them just offshore on a rock. She still had a while until the men got there, and she was glad for the time to herself.

'Haldir's right,' she thought with a sigh as she stepped into the clear water. It was perfect. The warm water felt like heaven on her sore muscles. Slowly, she edged herself in, until she was submerged past her chest. She gazed down at the reflection in the water, studying her face amid the ripples.

'Am I an elf?' She wondered before she could stop herself. The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. Abruptly, she dove into the water, cutting off any other thoughts she could have had. She swam that way for over a half hour, until a deep voice sounded behind her.

"Good evening." It was Legolas.

Katie turned and smiled; glad it was him arriving first and not Haldir. "Good evening."

He stared down at her, looking hesitant. "How are you?" He asked slowly.

"Fine…" She gave him a confused look.

"You were not at the evening meal," he stated, looking vaguely uncomfortable. "Do you care if I join you?" He asked when he got no reply.

"Of course," Katie said, trying to conceal her grin. She had been looking forward to seeing Legolas without his shirt all day. It would be the highlight of her once boring life.

She felt her breath catch in her throat as turned away from her and removed his tunic. He sat it on a nearby rock and quickly slid his long shirt over his head, exposing an amazing chest. It was smooth and flawless, lined with perfect six-pack abs. He was more muscular than she would have guessed; years of hard work and archery were evident from his buff arms. He began to remove his pants and Katie had to bite back a gasp. She marveled at how his muscles flexed as he moved, unable to look away. Wishing she could stare at his perfect body forever. He was dressed only in some white breeches that resembled long shorts.

'I wish he'd take those off too,' Katie thought wickedly, then looked down quickly as he turned and walked into the water.

She dove under the water, hoping to cool off the blush on her cheeks, and praying that he hadn't noticed her staring. Now she'd never be able to look at him without picturing him half-naked. She surfaced and sucked in a deep breath of surprise when she realized he was standing directly in front of her.

"What is wrong?" He asked, sounding concerned.

Katie tried not to stare at him. Tried not to notice how the water line stopped right above his pants, and how his wet hair looked dark slicked back with water. How the water glistened off his bare chest.

An overwhelming feeling of lust shot through her body and she turned as her body tingled with need. He grabbed her waist firmly, turning her back to face him.

"What is wrong?" He asked again.

Katie looked up into his eyes and swallowed hard. His once blue eyes appeared nearly black, staring into her soul. She could feel his strong, hot hands through the thin fabric of her camisole.

"Did The Lady say something to upset you?" He asked softly. His hands slid to her back.

Katie nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

He pulled her slightly closer. "Tell me," he whispered concern evident in his voice.

"She said," her voice broke and she began again. "She said that I may never see my father again." It was only half the truth, but she couldn't tell him about being an elf. Not yet.

Legolas stood there for a second, and then pulled her tightly against his bare chest. "I am sorry," he spoke into her wet hair.

Katie hesitated, then wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back. "It's been a long time since I've hugged anyone," she muttered closing her eyes, only semi-aware she was talking aloud.

"Amin atta," Legolas whispered back as he softly stroked her hair.

Katie opened her eyes and was suddenly very aware of his half-naked body pressed against hers. A hot bolt of lust spiked through her, and she looked up into his handsome face and fought the urge to kiss him.

He smiled down at her kindly, oblivious to her inner turmoil. "Feel better?"

She nodded and slid her hands softly down his back. "Thanks." The feel of his smooth, flawless skin under her fingertips unnerved her.

Slowly, he released her and took a step back, looking frazzled. "Haldir is approaching," he stated.

Katie swam away from Legolas as Haldir quickly undressed and joined them. "I apologize for being late," he said as he slipped into the water. Katie looked him up and down curiously- his chest was flawless like Legolas', but broader. 'He's actually a few inches taller too,' she realized as the elves stood side by side. She glanced from one to the other and couldn't help but smile. 'I've died and gone to heaven,' she thought with a small chuckle.

Haldir turned to face her. "What is so funny?" He asked with a smirk.

"Oh nothing…I was just thinking of how many women would kill to be in my shoes right now."

"How may?" Haldir teased, swimming closer. Legolas just watched their banter from the side of the pond.

Katie decided to be bold. "Well, take the number of women you've been with and multiply that by, I don't know, 50,000 or so."

Haldir laughed aloud. "I have been with many women, but perhaps not as many as men from your world. And I am over 500 years old," he added.

Katie raised her eyebrows in shock. She hadn't seen this side of Haldir before- the joking, flirty side. He usually appeared so stoic and serious. "So elves don't wait until marriage to have sex?" A statement rather than a question.

"Not usually." Haldir admitted. "Elves live for so long is not practical."

Katie thought about what he said. "Are women elves allowed to be so 'practical'?" she asked blatantly.

Haldir began to look annoyed. "It is usually frowned upon if a woman gives herself to a man before marriage."

She rolled her eyes. "Frowned upon yes, but I'll bet most women do it anyway."

"Why do you say that?" Legolas asked softly- finally joining their conversation.

Katie looked from him to Haldir, then back again. "Well, neither of you are virgins," she pointed out. Neither elf objected. "And neither of you are married, so both of you had to sleep with women…unless you prefer men." She considered aloud.

Both elves looked shocked.

"Well maybe not," She muttered. "But my point is, none of the women you've been with married you, and I'm willing to bet few were virgins. So there goes your theory on women waiting until marriage to have sex."

Haldir and Legolas both stood there- staring at her. Neither spoke.

"Have you ever been with a man?" Haldir asked after a long silence.

Katie considered lying, then decided against it. She was surprised he even asked. "Yes"

"How many?" Haldir demanded.

"One, but I don't understand why it matters." Katie shot back, rather annoyed. She hadn't asked him for an exact number.

"Did you love him?" Haldir asked, ignoring her dirty look.

Katie decide she might as well tell the truth. "Yes. We dated for almost four years."

"What happened?" Haldir looked curious.

She closed her eyes, thinking about her ex-boyfriend Brian. "A pretty, red headed woman named Allison. Could we talk about something else now, please?"

Haldir cocked his head to the side. "I am just trying to figure out what about your old world was so great that you hurry to return to it."

Katie flinched as if slapped. "You know nothing about me, or my world," she said angrily, then turned and walked out of the water.

"I know more than you might think," Haldir said seriously, only serving to fuel her anger more.

"Then you should know I don't like people who pretend to be your friend only to spy on you." She hissed as she quickly dried herself off and pulled her dress over her head. She was shocked to see Legolas stepping out of the water as also. He wordlessly pulled his clothes on, leaving them damp and clingy. Then he took her arm and walked with her towards the city.

"Come on," Haldir said as he watched them leave. "You took it wrong."

Neither looked back.

After they were a good distance away from the pond, Legolas released her arm and stopped walking.

"That was wrong for Haldir to say." He stated. "Are you alright?"

"I am now," Katie admitted with a small smile. "Thank you for coming with me." It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for her.

"That is what friends do," Legolas said quietly. He looked semi-embarrassed. "We are friends are we not?"

Katie looked up into his pale blue eyes and felt the walls around her heart crumble into dust. "Of course we are," she whispered. 'Of course we are.'

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: I am so, so, SO sorry for the long wait. You would never believe if I told you all my reasons why I couldn't update. Plus, on top of it all, this was probably the hardest chapter I've had to write. I didn't know where to draw the line at Haldir and where to cross it. It is nice to have free rein, but I'm afraid many people won't like what I've done with him. Let me know.

Katie-sue