"What is that hanging light?" Legolas pointed to something beyond the windshield. He and Seren had returned to the truck at the edge of town when the roads became too slushy to traverse on foot. The sickness he experienced before didn't seem to trouble him now that there were things to see besides trees.

"It's a street light. It controls traffic so people don't drive into one another," Tal said.

The light was red but changed to green as they approached. They were too far off to make it in time, however. Legolas stared at it.

"It changed colors! What does that mean?"

"Green means it's our turn to go. Red, of course means we must stop."

"And the golden hue?" Legolas asked as the light changed to yellow.

"It's a warning for us to slow and prepare to stop."

The light went red again and Tal let the accelerator up. Without traffic coming from the other direction, it quickly went green and they rolled under it. Legolas craned his head as far forward as he could as they passed and then whipped around to watch it from behind.

The truck turned and the light disappeared from view so he turned forward again and his jaw dropped open a bit. A stretch of road rolled before them, filled with structures all packed tightly at the edges of the pavement. More color changing lights filled the expanse of the window's view and some buildings were brightly lit, some with garish blinking signs and others with carved wooden plaques that were illuminated from the ground by strong lights.

Some of the structures were dark, however as they had remained closed like Drecker said. Still there was much to see. To Legolas, the town of Big Bear resembled most human towns in many ways but there were differences he'd never seen before. The hanging lights and signs were the most eye-catching and he stared at each one as they drove past before coming to a stop at a building with sign declaring it as "Smith's General Store".

Legolas got out as soon as the vehicle stopped and gazed around, turning in slow circles to take everything in. Some buildings were wooden, some were stone and others were constructed of materials he'd never seen before. Most were larger than the average town structure in Middle Earth. Taverns were usually the only establishments that had a second floor. Homes were also larger than what he expected. The streets branching off of the main thoroughfare were lined with dwellings two or three times the size of most human homes in his world, and yet they were rather plain and all made the same. Some were dirty and bore scars of disrepair. Strangest of all was that humans here seemed to have traded an expanse of fields for larger walls.

The streets were dotted with what he suspected was refuse. Small pieces of paper-like litter drifted past on the occasional breeze. There were also no animals. The smells and sounds of livestock was a mainstay of any human town in Middle Earth and the lack of them here was a constant dissonance against his mind. It wasn't what he expected of a human settlement, yet he wasn't all that much surprised.

The townsfolk were also quite different from what he knew. They simply walked to their destinations with no attention paid to those they passed. More than once, Legolas found himself catching another's gaze and offered a friendly nod only to receive a wary blink in return as they hurried on.

He looked at Seren, confusion pinching his features. "They don't seem very welcoming."

She smiled and took his elbow, guiding him toward Smith's. "Most people are simply going about their day and wish to finish the tasks they must. Stopping to greet neighbors or take in one's surroundings isn't common, especially in this weather."

They were upon the door of the store and she opened it for him, gently nudging him inside. His frown deepened with confusion. "To not be acknowledged by your own people… It seems a lonely existence."

Seren didn't answer that and followed him inside the store. He blinked against the glare coming from the lights in the ceiling and his nose began to itch from an untold number of scents. He could pick out stone, wood, wool and some herbs among the cacophony but so many others were beyond his reckoning.

There were rows of shelves packed with items and he guessed these were Smith's wares. His eyes widened at the sheer size and variety of the display. Tal approached him but Legolas took off down an aisle, leaving the tall human to follow after him. He quickly reached the end and turned around to the next row of shelves. Walking fast, his eyes flickering over the many platforms with goods on them, he reached the end again and turned down the next row. When he reached the end of that aisle, he stopped and stood in the main walkway. His gaze traveled the length of the store, lined with still more rows of shelves and he felt a little giddy.

"I've never seen a merchant with so many wares in one place!"

Seren was busy talking to Smith but they both looked up when they heard him. Smith shook his bushy gray head, scowling from a withered old face but his eyes crinkled a little in amusement.

Tal chuckled and followed as the elf strode along each aisle, his loose hair a forgotten concern as it swirled around him with very turn. Every now and then, Legolas would stop to point at something and ask questions. Sometimes he simply picked an item up and stared at it strangely before placing it down. More than once Tal had to stand the items Legolas examined back up as they were set down with such haste when they were abandoned for the next thing to be perused.

When Legolas finished the exploring the aisles, he made a beeline for the far side where racks of firewood, furniture and a vast assortment of home decorating and maintenance items were standing. Suddenly he stopped and turned to stare at the back wall. His eyes were round and his mouth slightly agape. Slowly he stepped forward.

Tal looked and immediately saw what had so enthralled their friend. A white pelt the size of a blanket was hung from a rod on the wall. It was nearly twice as wide as a man's arm span and almost longer than Taliesin was tall. It was a brilliant soft white. The hairs shone with a silver and gold luminance deepening to the color of pale vanilla at the roots. The sign next to it declared it as a spirit bear pelt. Legolas reached out and stroked the fur, surprised at how soft it was to the touch.

He breathed out heavily as the hairs whispered over his fingers. Tal came to stand beside him and he glanced at the human.

"I was reminded of my father…"

The elvenking was fond of splendor and this pelt, as white as the driven snow, would have been quite at home in his father's chambers – or on his shoulders. Winter was coming to the Greenwood. Something practical and as grand as this pelt would make a fine gift for Thranduil. But he had no currency here. He wasn't sure he understood what the four numbers on the label amounted to but he knew it was the price being asked. Legolas lowered his head as his thoughts sobered and gently took his hand away from the fur.

Smith stood behind his counter, watching and waiting. The pelt wasn't cheap and most prospective buyers tried to argue for a garage sale bargain. It had soured more than one of his friendships in Big Bear.

Tal caught his gaze for a moment and nodded. Then, before Legolas's startled expression, he started unclipping the expanse of fur from its rod, careful not to let it touch the floor. His height was an advantage in that. He neatly folded it and carried the large bundle to the counter.

Smith watched as Tal approached. The time for haggling had come. The pelt was set gently in front of him and he met the younger man's gaze. They simply stared across the counter, each waiting for the other man to speak.

"Well, ring it up Smith," Tal said when the silence stretched too long.

The proprietor blinked and took the bank card being held out to him. "That fur has been hanging on my wall for years," he said as he rang up the purchase. "I was beginning to think I'd be buried with it." He handed the piece of plastic back and took the pelt to the table behind him for wrapping.

When it was returned, he handed it to Legolas. "One thing to remember: Never wash it in a machine."

Legolas stared in wonder and looked between Tal and Seren. "I've nothing to offer in return," he said as he took the package.

Tal smiled. "It's a gift. Think of it as a souvenir of your time here."

"Thank you." He stared at it fondly. He looked at Smith then and gave the tiniest bow before heading out the door after Seren.

They stored the pelt and Seren's firewood in Tal's truck before walking to the farmer's market across the street. The little grocer frequently stocked fresh produce from the farms that surrounded the base of the mountains and there was plenty of food Legolas found agreeable there so they put together a lunch at one of the tables in the eatery near the entrance and ate a meal in companionable silence. Legolas thanked them each for the fur of the Spirit bear and insisted he would repay them somehow but neither of them would hear of it.

After lunch was done, the trio returned to the streets. Legolas had questions about everything; what every sign meant, why there wasn't snow in the street here like there was at Seren's cabin and why homes were so big and the yards so small. The bar at the end of the main drag was a particular curiosity. The noises and smells coming from it were as repulsive as they were intriguing. The hard thump of jukebox rock and roll could be felt through their feet as they approached.

Tal and Legolas went inside but moments after they entered, they came back out. Tal was following Legolas who had his hands clamped over his ears and was coughing and gagging, his nose scrunched and brow pinched. He straightened and breathed deep of the fresh air.

The elf met Seren's gaze a look of disgust on his features. "People go there for leisure?"

Seren laughed. "Some do."

"The taverns of Middle Earth are far less caustic than that place. How do you stand it?" He blinked to help clear the sting of smoke still in his eyes.

"We don't," Tal said, chuckling. "Come on, I think you'll like our next stop."

The next stop was a tourist shop. It was the sort of place visitors could buy maps and fill their pockets with free brochures that advertised Big Bear's attractions. Being a ski and camping destination meant there was seasonal traffic so, of course, there were themed trinkets of every variety and shelves stocked with over-priced snacks.

Legolas took a moment to appreciate the store's decorated interior. Christmas had been a couple of weeks ago but the little faux cabin still had its tree and lights up. The fake presents drew his attention and he shook each of the shining packages in turn. His reflection stared back out at him from dozens of shiny little spheres and he poked a red globe, watching it sway back and forth.

When he turned his attention from the tree, he saw a rack with books on it. Only these books sported images on their covers that he couldn't fathom. He rushed over to them and pulled one from its nook.

"What is this place?" He pointed at the image of what looked to be a tall building. It was far taller than any he'd seen save for the towers and castles of Middle Earth. But these strange buildings were perfectly straight, some with smooth lines, and reached far higher than any design he'd ever laid eyes on. What most took his attention was that there were so many of them! All tightly packed together.

"That's Los Angeles," Seren told him. "It's the nearest major city."

Legolas stared intently at her. "There are other… 'major cities'?"

"Of course."

She rummaged through the rack until she found the big book she was looking for. She pulled it out and Legolas stared at the cover. A collage of famous images of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Washington D.C. and many others were displayed there.

He set the other book down and gently took the larger tome from Seren and opened it. The page that it opened to was about she said was called Detroit, Michigan and he stared at the numerous tall structures pictured there. Seren pointed out the smaller images of the attractions within the city, like Hart Plaza and the Henry Ford museum, something called a people mover and an arena she called Commerica Park where sporting events took place.

He flipped through the book and opened to another city. It was New York. He smiled for having recognized it from the cover. It was even larger than Detroit and had many more buildings that seemed to scrape the heavens themselves. A picture of a green statue piqued his curiosity and when he asked about it, Seren told him it was the 'Statue of Liberty' and she went on to describe its significance.

When she told him about the underground network of tunnels called the subway, he blurted, "Could we go there?"

Seren paused. "Well… New York is very far from here. It would take days to travel there."

"It's getting dark," Tal said suddenly.

Legolas and Seren glanced out the window and frowned.

"It's too early for nightfall," Seren said.

"Do you hear that?" Legolas asked them. He seemed to be listening to something only he could pick up.

Seren watched him for a moment before looking at her brother. "We should get back to my cabin. The fires have probably gone cold by now."

She took the big book and grabbed a bag of jerky and can of tea, ringing them up hastily. Tal and Legolas followed suit a moment later with selections of their own and they left the shop. They had to gather their coats close about them as a bitter wind had started up. Suddenly the truck seemed very far away as they put their heads down and trudged forward. Just as they reached the vehicle, Seren's head perked up.

"Sirens…"

"I hear them too," Tal said.

He opened the doors and they had all climbed inside and shut them against the cold when the sirens grew louder.

"They're coming this way," Legolas said. If it was possible, the sky darkened even more as he uttered those words. There didn't appear to be more clouds than there had been before. It was like the sun had dimmed.

The wail of the sirens reached a new pitch. Tal started his truck and backed out of their spot in time to see the flashing lights come around the bend. What seemed like every police SUV in Big Bear cruised past them, followed by every cruiser. Mysteriously, they slowed as they approached the light but a second later, the snow plow came into the intersection from a different direction and turned in front of the police vehicles and lead the way out of town.

"They're going up the mountain!" Seren looked at Tal in a panic.

He didn't need to be asked. He put his truck in gear and took after the entourage of blue and red light.

Legolas had many questions but he didn't think it was the right time to ask them. With every turnoff they passed and the higher up the mountain they traveled, Seren fretted about the likelihood of her cabin being the reason for the police response. His stomach also started to rebel against the motion of the vehicle so he focused on breathing deeply and calming his nerves. The journey took far less time with the plow leading the way and soon they passed the last street that offered an inlet of homes. This high up, few people dwelled in groups. Only the occasional house stood by the roadside now.

They were almost back to Seren's cabin when they rounded a bend and found a barricade on the road right before her driveway. The police vehicles were allowed through immediately but Tal's truck was waved to a stop and a deputy approached them.

Tal and Seren didn't wait for the cop to reach them. Legolas followed a moment behind as they exited the truck and confronted the man.

"I'm sorry folks, but you have to go back –"

"My home is up there!"

The deputy fixed Seren with sad gaze. "I know Ms. Evans but you can't return just now. We have a situation."

"A situation? Where's Drecker?" She took off past the deputy and walked deeper into the midst of flashing light, calling for the sheriff.

She heard him before she saw him.

"I don't care about privacy laws! Get me that number!"

Seren rounded an SUV and found the man all but chewing on his phone. When he saw her, he slumped and rolled his eyes. "Never mind!" He yelled at the person on the other end before hanging up and pocketing the cell.

"Drecker," Seren said.

Tal and Legolas had come up behind her and stared at Drecker as he started to explain.

"I've been trying to reach you. We have situation –"

"So I heard," she quipped.

"It involves your cabin –"

"I figured as much," she cut him off again. "Tell me something I don't know."

Just then, a man in a suit stepped from around the far side of the SUV and handed Seren a picture. She gasped at the image, not because of the grotesque figure in it but because she recognized it. An orc lay dead on a morgue slab. It was a clearer picture than what she saw in the portal Legolas arrived through but it was unmistakably an orc.

Legolas felt his gut clench. He wasn't the only one to make it through to this world after all. He was on the verge of speaking up when he felt Tal place a hand on his shoulder. When he looked at the man, a warning was in his eyes. Tal shook his head imperceptibly and Legolas understood so he kept his thoughts to himself.

"Have you seen anything like this roaming around?" The man in the suit finally asked after watching Seren's reaction closely.

"It's disgusting." She covered her mouth with a hand and held the picture for The Suit to take. "What is it?"

"We don't know," Drecker said. "We think he's from some isolated mountain tribe farther into the peaks of the mountains."

"A tribe?" Taliesin stepped forward, dropping his hand from Legolas's shoulder. "I've never heard of any tribe in these mountains except the Serrano people."

"Who knows what's up in those mountains?" Drecker shrugged.

"What does this have to do with my house?" Seren crossed her arms and scowled at the cop and the Suit.

The Suit actually blinked and shared a glance with Drecker. "This… individual wasn't alone. There are others. When we tried to apprehend them, they fled and took refuge in your cabin, with Elias as a hostage."

Words failed Seren for a moment. She didn't like Elias but he didn't deserve whatever attention these creatures would surely visit upon him. Her arms fell to her sides while her mind absorbed this information.

"You must drive them out!" Legolas stepped forward, glaring at the men.

"And you are?" The Suit regarded him coolly.

"A friend," Legolas shot back.

"We're doing everything we can. We've got a negotiator on hand to see if we can talk them down. I need a number where you can be reached and I promise I'll call you as soon as it's safe," Drecker said. He seemed to think he was placating them.

"Talk to them?" Legolas looked on the verge of laughing and scoffing.

Seren didn't answer and stormed down the driveway to her house. Vaguely she heard the Suit yell for her to stop but she didn't heed him and no one actually tried to stop her as she wove her way between the trees. A few moments later, she heard Tal and Legolas jogging to catch up. The yard was brilliantly lit by the multitude of flashing police cars and she saw her cabin through the trunks and branches, surrounded by officers. Most were huddled behind the open doors of their vehicles or riot shields as arrows occasionally flew toward them.

When she reached the edge of the tree line, she kept just outside of the clearing and circled around until she could approach behind the opened doors of a large SUV. Tal and Legolas slipped into position behind her and the cop taking shelter behind the front door looked back at them in alarm.

"You shouldn't be here!"

"This is my house!"

She would have said more but a scream diverted her attention to the front window. The glass was shattered and she could see dark, deformed shapes moving about behind the other windows. Some were holding firewood that had been lit and several small flames danced around the windows as the curtains were set ablaze.

"They're going to burn my house down!" The urge to run into the cabin and put out the fires made standing still difficult but another scream put that out of her mind as figures appeared in front of the living room window.

The screams had come from Elias, held hostage in the grip of an orc. He was bleeding from many wounds and his clothes had been slashed in places where strips of skin seemed to be missing. Dressed in only jeans and a gray thermal shirt, he shivered though cold or shock could have been equally likely as the reason. His right hand bled from many stumps where fingers had been and his right ear was missing.

The orc laughed and licked at the blood trickling from the absent ear as everyone watched. Seren felt she might be sick and anger began to burn in her belly.

"Give us the prince and you may have this pathetic human returned to you alive!" He gripped a fistful of black curls and positioned a familiar knife to Elias's remaining ear and the man screamed again.

"That's one of my daggers!" Legolas whispered harshly in Seren's ear. "He's here for me."

"You're a prince?" Tal asked.

"Oh of all the - Taliesin!" Seren admonished her brother. "How could they know you were here?" She looked at Legolas, worry creasing her brow.

"They have keen senses." He nodded toward the orc with elvish blade in his hand. "I never should have left my knives here."

"It's not like you knew you had been followed when we left them behind."

One of the officers stood up and shouted across the distance, "What prince are you referring to?"

"The elfling that ran from us with his tail between his legs! I'm not a fool. He has been here. Where does he hide now? I will not wait much longer…" To make his point, the orc put pressure on the blade and Elias began to whimper as fresh blood oozed from the cut.

"Your neighbor will be killed if I don't show myself!" Legolas hissed. He would not hide like a coward while these creatures tortured this man.

A crash drew everyone's attention toward the kitchen where orcs were rummaging through the pantry and fridge. The sound of breaking glass had come from an oil lamp and an orc that held a torch was suddenly engulfed in flame. Elias took the opportunity of the distraction to break free and stumbled from the house. An arrow suddenly appeared in his leg and he went down screaming and clutching at it.

Seren watched in horror as the kitchen started to glow brighter with the flickering light of flames. "No…"

"Get a fire engine here NOW!" Drecker appeared with the Suit following close behind.

The engulfed orc stumbled to the end of the kitchen and out the front door and immediately the assembled cops began firing their weapons at him. He turned away from the hail of bullets, trying to take shelter by the side of the cabin.

Drecker called for them to stop as the figure drew near to the propane tank but he continued to shuffle forward.

"Stop him!" Seren stepped forward, but Legolas and Tal pulled her back as an arrow from the far side of the cabin whizzed past.

The orc staggered into the propane tank and finally fell to the snow covered ground. His body still burned and the flames licked higher as they cooked more of the orc's flesh. Someone yelled for an extinguisher and several people pulled red canisters from their cars but were stopped as more arrows rained down on them.

Legolas scanned the trees behind the cabin and could see a dozen or more orcs hiding there. Around him, he could hear the others shouting.

"There's too many!"

"They're in the trees!"

"We have to put that fire out!"

"What's taking that fire truck?"

The white paint on the tank started to bubble and melt…

Seren couldn't take her eyes from the tank even as she wished and hoped for the fire to die down in the snow.

The sound of new sirens could be heard coming up the pass and the noise distracted the orcs. A brave officer with an extinguisher ran toward the tank but was tossed back violently when the propane canister rocked the ground as it finally exploded. A half second later, the gas lines running through the cabin followed. Heat and bits of wood flew out in every direction as Seren's house was blown to pieces.