Author's Note: Thanks again to all my reviewers for reviewing. You will thank me later if you enjoy this story. I love you so much for encouraging me to write.

Disclaimer: I of course do not own any character in this story except for Amaris and maybe a few other characters along the way.

Love You

Chapter Three: Caught by Dawn

A ring of trees surrounded the clearing the castle was in. The tree I was in was one of the larger one's that was in the second ring surrounding the castle. The bush I had hid in was just before the first row of trees and from the way it looks I was surprised that I wasn't spotted. Good thing the elves weren't paying to much attention to me.

As the night drifted on the air became colder and damper. Owls were hooting, bats screeching, and when the wind blew the trees branches would creak. On top of all that the moon was creating all sorts of creepy shadows on the trees and ground.

Since the sleeveless nightgown didn't serve as much protection from the night breeze, by morning I was nearly frozen solid. I still had not seen the men return. Maybe this was my chance to get away.

Still wondering to myself on how I could have possibly spent the night in a tree, (one reason was because I was fearing sleep). Someone could have slipped up on me during the night and I would have been chopped liver.

I figured by now they had gone further than I was and that gave me the chance to get out of this place. And so after a long and strenuous night I finally climbed down from the branch I had been perched on. I let out a sigh of relief to be back on solid ground again. The tree I had figured to be good and sturdy was actually termite infested. I know, go figure, right?

As I looked at my surroundings I realized just how mystifying the trees were. In the dark they had appeared so creepy but now that I could tell what was around me I was pleasantly surprised.

For miles all I could see was green. The trees were so thick in some areas it looked like nighttime still.

Sometime during the night I had decided if this was in fact Middle Earth than I needed to find the one person to answer my questions, Galadriel. The reason I thought of her was because she's supposed to be the knowledgeable one on Middle Earth. OK maybe she isn't so knowledgeable; the thing is I didn't know where to start looking for Gandalf since he's always moving around. So I began to walk in what I thought was the general direction to Lothlorien.

Probably at that moment in time the most important thing I had learned in school was the lesson on sun directions I had in third grade. I think I can remember the sun rising in the west (this is a joke I am not really this stupid). As I walked I tried to avoid these three things: 1) the elves, 2) spider webs, and 3) dark places I couldn't see through.

The path I tried to stay on was probably one of the lesser used one's. It was covered in brown dried up leaves and grass was sticking up everywhere in odd places. This time I actually got the chance to enjoy the scenery as I walked away from the castle.

The trees here were so different than the ones I had in my woods at my home. These trees actually felt like they contained life, more than the regular kind of plant life. It seemed like the trees actually filled with emotion and feelings.

The bad thing about that wasn't paying enough attention to the footsteps behind me. Before I got the chance to turn and run a hand clapped over my mouth and dragged me off the path.

The last thing I remembered was feeling a slight pain in my neck, the unnatural aroma of pipe smoke, and hearing a harsh but kind voice say "Sleep, my sister," as I fell limp into a stranger's arms.

-

"It's about time you woke up," a male voice spoke up from my left. " I'm surprised you were still asleep for that long. I must've added to much pressure for you too handle in your weakened state. When did you wake up and why are you out here?"

As he continued to speak I rose up and began to rub the sore spot on my neck. I looked to my left and the stranger straight in the eyes with a Who in the hell are you? Look on my face.

The man appeared to be in his late thirties and very travel worn. He had eyes of ice and water. Laugh lines surrounded his eyes and allowed him to look mysterious and handsome at the same time. His messy hair looked like it had been washed in grease. And by what he was wearing it looked like his favorite color was black.

He gave me a strange look then asked me, "What? Is there something wrong? Amaris, I know it's been a while but came on you couldn't have forgotten me that fast." I cocked one of my eyebrows and answered, "I have two questions, 1) who are you and 2) What are you talking about?"

"You don't know me?" asked the man.

I answered him with a "Nope" and he shook his head while giving me an amazed look. "Amaris, I am your brother, Aragorn."

-

Author's Note: Glad you liked the last chapter. Next one will be up in a few days. Review if like, you will make yourself and me happy at the same time.

ccptwalker