Disclaimer: You know the drill. Nothing is mine but my characters.

Chapter 6: Getting to Know You

He was pacing outside the door. How long are they going to be in there? He wondered. Swinging the pouch around his finger he waited and waited and waited. Suddenly the door opened and Elrond's messenger said to him. "Oh you're right here. I'll be back in a second." Closing the door once more Elladan was left in the empty hallway. Sighing he crossed his arms and stood there. How long is a second going to be? In fact it was a pretty long while. The next time the messenger opened the door he found the young prince sitting down, leaning on the wall, eyes glazed with slow steady breathing. Smiling he bent down and tapped sleeping beauty on the shoulder. With a jump Elladan sluggishly stood up and rubbed his eyes. Finally he was being let in where his father was speaking with that strange girl.

"Hello Elladan. Did you get the flower?" That's all he thinks about? His potions…

"Yes I have them."

"Good. We are going to give Laraine here a little demonstration."

"Well, what are we making?"

"You read the books about it. There is only one thing we could possibly make."

"The s—"

"The…surprise." interrupted Elrond.

Confused, Elladan walked over to his father and whispered in his ear. Nodding Elrond whispered back. Laraine was obviously just staring at the two. What are these two up too? Normally it's the twins up to mischief but Elrond? Wow, now I know where they get it from. They finally stopped conversing between themselves. Elladan gestured to her to join him. What are they supposed to demonstrate? I know all about them! She stood up and followed Elrond with Elladan behind her. In the center of a small separate room was a pot on a fire. Motioning for her to sit on the bench nearby Elrond told 'Dan to chop up the flowers. A couple of hours went by and Elrond was stirring and stirring. Laraine fell asleep.

"Ada, have we finished yet? All the ingredients are in and you stirred for a long time…"

"Yes I have finished. Where's Laraine?"

"She's sleeping." She looks so pretty…huh? Wait, she's the intruder. "I'll wake her."

He walked over to her and tapped her on the shoulder. Slowly she opened her eyes. So I guess I'm still here… She rubbed her eyes as Elladan told her they finished. She faced him and nodded her head. Standing up she stretched a little and walked over to Elrond. He had already unhooked the pot and placed it on the table. Handing her a cup he told her to drink it. Well he's Elrond, so he's not going to kill me. After draining the whole cup she sat down again and crossed her legs waiting. Elrond pulled up a chair in front of her and began his interrogation. The sayer of truth should be in effect by now.

ELROND: I want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

LARAINE: Anything else judge, jury, and executioner?

ELROND: -confused look but he let it slide- Full name.

LARAINE: Laraine Gonzalez.

ELROND: From where are you from?

LARAINE: Toronto.

ELROND: Where is this place?

LARAINE: Far north in Canada.

ELROND: Why are you here?

LARAINE: Because I wished it. Did Bilbo pass by here yet?

ELROND: Yes, a bit of a while ago…how do you know that?

LARAINE: News travels fast. Whatever the hell he gave me is probably some truth thing.

She felt the urge to spill everything; her wishing ability, the fact that this is just fiction. It kept on pushing her and pushing her but she fought and fought. He will not win. The potion seemed like a probe in her mind fighting against the wall she was putting up. There was a battle going in her head. She cringed when the probe rammed into the wall. Elrond chose to ignore it and kept questioning her. Again and again the probe would hit her wall. She stood up straight and tolerated the pain. Finally the probe completely destroyed itself. She relaxed and sighed.

ELROND: Why are you dressed so strangely?

LARAINE: Because that is the way some people dress in Canada and the US.

ELROND: The US?

LARAINE: Unites States. Right below Canada. Like Rohan and Gondor.

ELROND: You know about Rohan and Gondor?

LARAINE: Who doesn't? I'm so glad the beating stopped in my head…

ELROND: How did you get here?

LARAINE: Walking…

ELROND: Who are you? What are you?

LARAINE: I'm Laraine Gonzalez, and I am of the race of men. I am not a divinity…

ELROND: I never thought you were. How is it she can answer every question easily?

ELLADAN: Father she is my age, I don't think she could possibly have done anything wrong.

ELROND: I think you're right…Elladan, give her chambers. We will be hospitable. There is something about her that I can't put my finger on…

ELLADAN: Yes father. Come with me.

END OF INTERROGATION

It felt strange walking through hallways that you never thought you'd walk through. It was beautiful. The patterns and carvings on the walls were captivating. There were so many hallways, twists and turns she could already imagine herself getting lost here. There was an awkward silence between them. He just saved her butt from the prying Elrond. Excuse me, Lord Elrond. She's going to have to live under his rules now. He's kind enough to give her to give her a place to stay.

"Thanks." she whispered.

"For what?"

"Getting me out of that tense conversation with your dad."

"Dad? Ada?"

"Yeah…"

"It was nothing…" No blushing allowed, Elladan kept saying to himself, I know she's pretty but she's too mysterious for you. You don't know her family, from where she's from, or anything about her other than her name is Laraine.

At this moment, startling Elladan out of his thoughts, Elrohir burst through on of the doors and ran behind his brother screaming incoherent words. A dark-skinned woman appeared after him holding a butcher's knife in one hand and a rabbit in the other. "You have not finished here little princeling! Wait until I tell your father!" Elrohir yelled to please save him so he didn't have to watch her mutilate the rabbit. The woman yelled back threatening to tell his father. Laraine stepped away not wanting to get involved.

A new voice sounded behind them; a sweet sounding voice with a venomous tone. "Mapes don't worry…Elrohir," she said as she grabbed him from behind and shoved him forward, "is going back." Elrohir did a cheap smile and as Mapes grabbed his arm he looked back and gave her angry face that promised trouble. Arwen smirked back at him. Turning around Laraine saw another elf slightly shorter than she was with raven dark hair wearing a light blue dress. You could still see on her face residue marks of what looked like black marker. Haha! Looks like the twins have been up to something! Time to act like the clueless… "Elladan, I never knew you had a twin brother." But the sweet voice answered, "Sadly so. Now I have to put up with it."

Laraine put on a small smile not wishing to get on her bad side. Holy, I never thought Arwen was this scary! Elladan cleared his throat and began to walk again. Laraine hurried to follow him and Arwen was left behind. "Sorry about that, that was my younger sister Arwen and my brother Elrohir." he said. "I would love to play a prank on her." she commented. He was quite surprised when he heard that and put on a grin, "Then you are going to have a great time here." He led her to her room. Elladan decided to give her the empty one across from his because if she was as mischievous as she seemed…jokes and pranks will improve dramatically.

"Here it is." He said pointing at the door. Elladan opened the door and led her inside. "Now, the bathroom is there on your left…and if you need anything I'm across the hallway." He added. Laraine smiled and gave her thanks. She sat at the desk and looked at the old fashioned feather and ink. Elladan walked up behind her and told her that tomorrow she's to go to a tailor so she has more clothes. She nodded her head. As she took the "pen" and started drawing out the hallways, he sighed and went out the door. As soon he was out he stood by the door. I need to say something to her… When she realized he left she commented in a low voice, "I love his grey eyes." He smiled.

Elladan then made sure she heard him walk away from the door. He heard a word never known to his elven ears coming from that room. Shrugging he went into his room and threw himself on the bed. He placed his hands behind his head and smiled at the ceiling.

t b c…

Sorry for the short thing but school started again…and usually I just write when I'm on a roll..unfortunately. But no worries, I'll try to add more in the next chapters. (as I'm sure I've been repeating myself)