Celeborn blocked out the pain from his broken ribs. His mind was solely focused on getting to the trees, and then he could worry about the little things (like broken ribs) and the big things (like he had been magically transported to a different place). He was so close, he could smell the fern on the breeze. It was right as he crossed the tree line that he felt...off. He was not alone, he could feel it. The eagle flew over his head and landed on a tall branch. It stared at Celeborn, shifting its head from side to side as if in contemplation. A branch snapped to his left and he tilted his head in its direction. Though he did not fully turn, choosing instead to face forward with the tree line at his back. Another branch snapped, but it was more to his right now. He knew it, he was surrounded. He brought his axe up and waited. He would not move, let them come to him. He was patient, he could wait.

Slowly they came out from behind the trees and bushes, until they formed a semi-circle around him. Though they were not men or dwarfs, or even other elves. They were different, even unto themselves. Though Celeborn could see a man or two among them, and a couple dwarfs as well, there were other creatures. Some were half man and half horse or half something else, Celeborn could not place them. And they were all armed.

One of the horse-man stepped forward, He looked Celeborn up and down. And suddenly Celeborn was very aware that he was covered in blood. It had drenched his clothes and face, and he was sure his hair was more red than silver, the chances of this encounter ending in more blood went up with his realization.

The horse-man then spoke. His voice was deep and his language was strange.

"I can not understand you." Maybe they knew his language, and if not then they would at least know that they did not speak the same language.

The horse-man looked confused and then spoke again.

"I do not speak your language." Celeborn shook his head for good measure.

The horse-man seemed to understand as when he spoke again he added gentures. He pointed at Celeborn's axe and made a down motion. Celeborn understood, but that did not mean he would comply. He shook his head no.

The horse-man tried again. Celeborn shook his head no and gripped his axe tighter. The horse-man understood, and annoyance flashed through his face with the understanding. A new voice spoke. It was a man, he was behind and to the right of the horse-man, and as he spoke he drew and notched an arrow. He pointed it at Celeborn.

Celeborn strengthened his stance and brought his axe up-challenging. If it had been orcs he would have bared his teeth in a promise of blood. But he did not want blood. He wanted to go home, but to go home he had to be alive, and he was not quite sure that he could survive this second confrontation. He was highly outnumbered and he did not know their level of expertise

Oh what a glorious day today was going to be! Lucy was sure of it. Not only was it utterly perfect outside, with a sweet breeze mingling and dancing with the sun's rays, but Peter was returning! And just last week Edmund had come back, and he had brought the most wonderful guest! They were not quite sure exactly what he was. Though he did look like a son of Adam, except for his pointed ears of course, but he did not feel like a human; at least not to Lucy. She could not put her finger on why she felt this, but there was something about his presence, about the warmth in his eyes, or that on occasion he seemed to nearly glow, that just yelled 'not human'. Perhaps he was some form of dryad, or fairy, or something. Whatever he was, it did not matter much to Lucy, she liked him-and that was that. Of course it did not seem to be enough for General Oreius, who for whatever reason had taken a dislike to their guest, or perhaps it was not dislike, but caution. All the same, he could stand to be a whole lot friendlier, especially to someone who was obviously far from home and very confused. Why, their guest did not even know the common tongue! Though that would not be a problem for long, Lucy was sure, as she had made it her personal mission (with a lot of help from Ed) that their guest would be able to communicate, without any trouble, in no time.

But now was not the time for her to ruminate on such things. Peter would be here any minute now, and she was set on meeting him at the dock! Looking at the overly frilly dress her sister had had laid out for her, Lucy scrounged up her nose, that would not do. Instead she settled for a much simpler lighter dress-one of her favorites. She loved the way it felt, and often wondered if that was what the dryads felt like in their leaf forms-unencumbered and free.

She went out trying her best not to run through the halls, and it was right before the gates that in her grand bid for freedom she ran right into a solid mass. Strong hands grabbed her before she could hit the ground. Looking up she realized who she had just run into.

"Elrond!" She was sure she was butchering his name, at least it definitely didn't sound quite right coming out of her mouth.

"Queen Lucy," he said with an elegant bow, "Forgive...me," he spoke slowly-deliberately grasping for each word, as if his mouth was not made to speak such a language. And with the exotic mark he left on each word it was obvious he was used to forming much more elegant sounds.

"Oh no! You do not have to be sorry! It was my fault! My brother is coming and I was so excited to get to the dock that I was not watching where I was going and completely ran into you!" She looked up to a very confused face. Oh right. He barely spoke her language and here she was talking as if she were a squirrel. She took a breath and slowly spoke again and this time added hand gestures, "No. Not you. It was me."

He understood her, and with an elegant nod of his head he accepted her words.

"Why don't you join me?" She gestured for him to follow, and he did. Though she wasn't quite sure if he understood why he was following her.

There it was! Peter's ship had slowly been getting closer and closer, and not for a moment had Lucy taken her eyes off of it. She had missed her big brother very much of course, and she could not wait to be told about all his adventures! She could barely contain herself as it docked. Her brother and sister stood to her left with General Oreius and the royal guards beside him. Elrond still stood beside her (though he had scooted a bit behind, seeming to know his place was not in front) where she had dragged him when he began to walk too slow for her tastes.

Peter's ship docked at last, and there he was! Her big brother embodied the very essence of the title he had earned-magnificent. Lucy could hardly contain herself as he regally walked up the dock to where they waited. She was so excited she was practically dancing in place, until at last he was before them, and very properly, he bowed. Just as properly (at least from Susan and Edmund) the bow was returned. Lucy could no longer hold back (nor could Peter for that matter), and before she knew it she rushed into his arms and squeezed for all her life was worth.

"I missed you too, Lu," he said in amusement as she finally let go.

With the hug out of her system, she is then able to say hi to everyone else that had gone with Peter. There was Peridan, and Captain Oron, oh and Gamri! She was so glad to have them back! Then at the very last walked someone whom Lucy did not know. From a distance all she could say about him was that he was tall and had long blond hair. Then once he got close enough and she could see clearly, she sucked in a breath. He was, well beautiful, was her first thought, but then she realized (once seeing his ears) that he was another like Elrond. And she was certain of one thing, this was no man.

The deep voice behind her startled her, and seemed to have caught everyone else's attention as well. It was Elrond, and he spoke again, this time louder. Looking to where the other...well other one...was, Lucy saw his head snap towards the sound. Then Elrond spoke again. It was one word he was saying. Lucy would have bet that it was a name.

The other one, cautiously came nearer, as if unsure if he was being tricked. But Elrond made quick work of the distance between them and much like Lucy had done to Peter encircled the other in a hug. Though unlike Peter, the other one did not immediately reciprocate. He was stiff and unsure, until slowly, as if he was unaware of what he was expected to do, he returned the hug. Then, much quicker that Lucy and Peter had, they let go. Though they still talked in hushed tones.

Lucy took the time to study them. How similar yet different they were. There was a warmness around Elrond, a domesticity-especially in places such as the library, where he would immerse himself in trying to learn a new language. Yet in the other one, Lucy could feel no warmth (though she was rather far away, but still, she was rather good at "feeling" others). Instead he felt...wild.

Then saying one last thing, Elrond led them back to where Lucy and the others waited.

"Everyone, this is Thranduil," Peter announced.

So that was what Elrond had been calling-the others name. Though it had sounded different coming from Elrond himself. She inclined her head to him in greeting and received the gesture back-very elegantly. Now that she was closer to him and able to take him in, Lucy was able to pinpoint what it was that he felt like. He felt fey, as if in any moment he could fly off in the wind and would only be heard of again dancing with the dryad in the starlight. Yet it would be a cold wind that would take him, and perhaps it would war with Elrond's warmth beforehand. Yes, this Thranduil was not at all like Elrond, and in many more ways than the gold of his head.

"Thranduil, these are my brother and sisters. King Edmund and Queens Susan and Lucy," Peter continued.

Elrond whispered something to Thranduil and an understanding lit up the blond's eyes (and they were really very pretty eyes). And Thranduil-seeming now to understand their station-drew himself up and bringing his hand to his chest he swept it out towards them while bowing his head. It almost felt like a blessing; a showing of respect that Lucy felt was rare. Yet Lucy's warm feeling at the gesture was stifled when she saw the fading marks on the wrist-scars. And she wasn't the only one that noticed if the pinch between Elrond's eyebrows was anything to go by. Though luckily, Lucy was able to gather her attention in time to return a regal nod to the gesture. With the introduction taken care, they all began the walk back to the palace.