The Lost Ones

Disclaimer: I don't own LotR or anything else that Tolkien owns. Heehee, I do own Adriana and her bf.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter Four

I paused for a moment. For about ten seconds, I didn't want to go home. For a little more then a moment, I wanted to stay here with Prince. I looked up at him, and I saw Keith. "There is someone..."

Prince looked down at me, "Who?"

A blush claimed my cheeks, "His name is Keith. He and I were dating before I ended up here...I never thought he loved me enough to marry me or anything, but it was something special. I had a dream last night that my friends and Keith were gathered around my grave...they think I am dead!"

He stopped, the foolish maidens were long gone and we were in a part of this Palace place that I did not recognize.

Legolas looked down at the ground, "I loved once."

The pain in his eyes made me want to cry. I shook my head, 'Cry? You aren't a sissy! You've cried enough; be strong for once! What would Keith say if he saw you like this!'

Prince looked at me, "There is a festival in Rivendell in a fort night's time...will you attend it with me?"

I looked up, surprised. "I suppose...why all of a sudden?"

The Mirkwood heir sighed, "Because I was supposed to attend it with my love...but she passed away seven months ago."

That same pain returned to his haunting gaze. "You loved her..."

Legolas smiled, "Of course I did. She gave me my son and daughter."

I gasped, "You have kids!?"

Prince looked confused, "Yes...I am four thousand years old now, I would hope most elves my age have had at least one child."

"Four thousand?! You hardly look a day over twenty!"

He laughed, "Please don't remind me of my adolescence, I was quite the rambunctious child."

I laughed too, "I can see that one."

Legolas turned to me, "So how old are you?"

A blush covered my cheeks once more; "I am eighteen...but that is older for a human then an elf obviously."

He nodded, "I realize that pen neth."

I glared at him, "Hey, what's that mean? No hablo elvish."

Prince laughed, "It mean 'little one'."

Another cold glare, "You are so mean!"

He smiled, "Come, we need to have you fitted for dresses if we are to attend the festivities."

I stared up at the sky for a long moment, "Yes. I suppose I can try and return another time."

Prince nodded. "The seamstress is just down this corridor. Hopefully she will have time to fit you in."

With a smile, I followed him. "What festivities are these in honor of?"

Legolas smiled. "It is Ehtele'mele, or the Vernal Equinox. The holiday is a week's worth of romantic festivities and song."

I giggled. "It sounds delightful. I would be honored to go with you. Are your children going to attend?"

Prince laughed. "Oh no, they are too young. My son, Reyn and my daughter, Lidelwen are only 240 years old."

"240? That's young?" I sighed. "I supposed I have a lot to learn of your culture still."

Legolas nodded. "Yes, I am sure you do. After your dresses are fitted I will find you a horse and we will prepare to leave."

I laughed. "A horse? You can't be serious!"

He turned. "I am not feigning you Lady. Now, here is the seamstress. She will measure you and tell her that you wish to wear garnet red and gold. I would think those two colors would suit you best for such a holiday."

With a shrug I walked into the room and he departed with a slight wave.

~

Having my dress fitted was awfully embarrassing. The elven seamstress kept remeasuring to make sure that 'one as short as I was truly so large'. It was definitely harsh on my self-esteem. After she started sewing away, I decided to wander until I found Prince.

Once I did find a corridor that looked familiar, I started down it. Luckily, half way down the corridor I ran into the she-elf who had healed me. "Excuse me...Arwen...do you perhaps know where Legolas is?"

She smiled at me. "Yes. Come along, it is just down this corridor on the right."

I smiled. "Are you returning to Rivendell for the holiday?"

Arwen nodded. "Yes, but I am staying behind until Aragorn and Eldarion return from Lothlorien and Legolas's sister returns here."

"It will be fun. Legolas has asked me to accompany him."

The elven woman gasped. "He has? I see...very well. Here are his chambers. I must speak with the King. Good day."

She turned and walked quickly down another corridor. I sighed. "Terrific." 'What is so special about him asking me to attend this feast with him?' I shrugged. "Legolas?" I knocked on his door.

"The Prince is out in the stables. Just go up the staircase on your right and turn left."

I did as the maid had instructed me and found him packing saddlebags. "I have two dresses packed for you and two suits for myself. Arwen will be bringing the rest on a separate horse when she journeys to Rivendell."

He smiled. "Come on. This gelding is yours."

The toffee colored horse before me looked terribly beautiful. "Diola lle Prince Legolas. Are we leaving Eryn Lasgallen tonight?"

Prince smiled. "We are leaving now."

I gasped. "I cannot ride in a dress. I insist on wearing pants."

Legolas laughed. "Fine." He took a pair of leggings out of his saddlebag. "Put those on under your gown and mount Naurion."

With a roll of my eyes, I did as I was told. "Do I just follow you?"

He grinned, "If you can keep up!" He tore off into the brush. I had never ridden a horse before...but I had seen it in many movies. With a light kick, Naurion took off in a gallop after Legolas.

The journey to Rivendell would be a long one, but I could tell I would enjoy it greatly.

~~~To Be Continued~~~ I UPDATED!! WOOHOO! Hope you all like it!