"Though, I must say," Boz said changing the subject. "I saw that little number you gave the prince there."

"Oh… yeah." I really didn't know what to say. Was I in trouble on top of all this?

"Usually I would say 'good job', but you know we Travelers can't afford to get in trouble."

"I know; something in me, just snapped. But I do feel better." I whispered.

"Aside from that how did it go?" My dad's expression was loving and kind.

"Just fine, I'm going to my room now."

"Ok, luv." Dad stood up and gave me a huge bear hug.

Sitting down on my bed I looked at the small scrolled parchment in my hand.

Legolas said he thought it was from another Traveler. Ooo! What if it's not and the government has finally found us? What if they permanently open the portal and ruin Middle Earth with hot dog stands and shopping malls! Not to mention the hoards of fan girls that would eat everything alive.

I shuttered.

Untying the leather cord, I carefully uncoiled and unfolded the paper to reveal a message, and directly to me! Just like the Elf said. I began to read the small neat handwriting.

Victoria,

It's been over eight months since I've been in touch with you and I have to say: a lot's happened since then. It you remember, you moved to Mirkwood before I had a chance to find out where you were going, and unfortunately before dad and I moved to a different region in Middle Earth. We've been wandering here and there with the Gondorian Rangers. It's quite fun no that there are no real dangers of ork attacks. Anyway, dad and I found our way to the Mirkwood border and thought we would stop and visit the city. I only found out that you were living here a few days ago when we ran into the border patrol and told them that we were Travelers.

I smiled at the letter in my hands.

At the moment we're two days from the city, so by the time you read this I'll most likely be there tomorrow.

Tomorrow? It made me happy knowing that I wouldn't have to wait a long time to see my child hood friend again. With that in mind, I continued to read the message.

I can't wait to see the palace and your home. You will have to introduce me to all your friends and get me familiar to the surroundings. Oh, by the way, I found this for you. (Turn page over)

Following the instructions, I was rewarded to find a small blue sea shell attached to the back of the page. I smiled at the unexpected gift and turned the paper back over.

I know you love the ocean and that midnight blue is one of your favorite colors. Maybe you could use it in your jewelry hobby. Anyway, I hope to see you tomorrow. Give my best to your parents.

Until then,

Jesse

I was speechless. Jesse hadn't seen me in over a year and he still remembered all those things about me? Wow.

I hope he's hot. Any boy who remembers my favorite place, color and hobby is definitely worthy of my attention. Unless he grew up into a dweeb…knowing him… not likely. He was cute as a little kid, cute as a tween, and cute when I last saw him. He could be hot. It was possible. Darn it! Now I got to wait a whole freakin' day to find out.

Flopping down on my bed for the second time that day, I held the small shell up to the light. It was no bigger than thumbnail and held a dark midnight blue color. My artist's mind already at work, flipping through the possibilities as to the shell would be used for.

I looked up to the ceiling. The Valar must hate me or love me. I think today proved that they had a hard time deciding that fact themselves. Oh well. Jesse was coming!

Standing up, I walked over to my desk and put the shell into a small empty jar I used to clean paintbrushes. With the letter in hand I headed to the living room. Thankfully mom was out of her coma like state and talking. After witnessing Legolas kneel in front of me from the living room window she had drawn the wrong conclusion thinking that he had proposed to me.

"Hey mom." I said sitting down on the couch.

"When you were outside…" she began cautiously.

"No he didn't propose to me," I added, ending that subject. "But he did give me this." I handed her the letter.

"A suicide note?" she inquired hopefully taking the folded paper.

"Mom!"

"Just kidding!" She said opening the letter. After inspecting it and skimming over the words, mom raised and eyebrow. No doubt over Jesse's accurate memory of my habits.

"Well he still seems like a nice boy." She said smiling mischievously. She acted just like a teenager when it came to scoping out boys for me. But as for Jesse, he was the apple in her eye when it came to boyfriend material.

"Aside from the fact that he 'still seems nice' I'm just excited that I'll be having another non-Middle-Earth-speaking-person to talk to." I said excitedly.

"Who is a boy your age and very, cute." Mom added.

I had to smile and nod in agreement.

"You should go out with him," she encouraged.

"She should go out with who?" Boz inquired stepping out of the kitchen with a mouthful of cookie.

"Jesse Calaway." Mom told him.

Boz raised and eyebrow. He was never good with names.

"Eric's son…" she continued.

"Oh! Right! The light bulb flickered on. "Yeah," he began, spitting crumbs as he talked. "You should go out with him." Boz stuffed another cookie in his mouth.

"Really?" I asked in slight shock.

"Sure! He's a great kid. I wouldn't have a problem with it."

Oh… my…gosh. Boz just approved of a guy? The Valar must love me. Thank you! Please, please, please let him be hot.

"Aside from having a rough morning and getting a sweet letter, what else did you have planned for today?" Mom asked, while Boz plucked the letter out of my hands.

"Well-" I thought for a second. "I guess I'll do the usual." I muttered shrugging my shoulders.

"Sounds good."

"Aww, this is so sweet!" Boz cried in his thick Scottish accent.

Shaking my head I got up and took the note from him, cocking my head to the side in a 'please-be-serious' way.

"I'm going to go paint." I called over my shoulder before walking to my room and shutting the door.

Jesse Calaway…who would have thought? Well, everyone in the small congregation of Travelers thinks we're cute together. Ha! Take that Legolas you garden gnome! Be nice Victoria, be nice. He said he was sorry………GARDEN GNOME! I bet Professor Tolkien had a small porcelain statue of you in his garden next to the skunk cabbage.

I sighed.

But then I bet he moved you out of the skunk cabbage to the flower garden 'cause he knew that you were a really nice guy at heart.

I sat down at my empty easel, thinking of ways to pass the time.

Midnight blue.

Start with midnight blue.