Now, now, I know you were worried, no I am not dead. Sorry about the delay, all the same I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 4: Concerning the Other

"Elves?" Ari repeated, this time in a low whisper.

"Don't bother, he can hear everything." The dwarf rolled her eyes. "Yes, elves, the perfect pointy-eared creatures that they are."

""You do not get along with them?"

"Of course not, elves and dwarves have had a long going feud for – for… longer than I've been alive, that's for sure! Careful, he might throw us in the dungeon for no apparent reason!" Vena did not try to hide the venom in her voice.

"Visitors are rare for us," the elf scout stated, ignoring Vena's bitterness. "The forest is far too dangerous for travelers. We do not have many wanderers through this forest. I will present you to my king, Thranduil, and he will decide."

"Decide what?" This was the first Ari had seen Vena so openly angry.

"Whether you stay, or not," he answered coolly.

"If it makes it any easier," Ari interjected, feeling the tension between elf and dwarf, "we can just be on our way. No need to go through the trouble, we had not planned on staying."

"After your encounter with the spiders, you still plan to travel?" Perhaps his tone of voice was mocking, or perhaps he was harmlessly teasing the girls. Vena did not care; she still steamed angrily to herself over the blasted elf, murmuring what Ari assumed to be curses in dwarfish.

The three continued to walk through the dark forest. The elf's strides were quick and Vena had trouble keeping up, adding more to her misery.

This lasted a little longer until they came upon an opening in which the sun seemed to shine just a little brighter. The paths that wound around the opening were dirt, occasionally covered with decaying leaves, and the houses were stone – some were more magnificent than others. The trees encircling the village were just as lifeless and ominous as those deeper in the forest; however they seemed to hug the village, giving it protection from unwanted onlookers. A single cave sat in the back, within a massive stone wall, which was where the scout was leading the two girls. This cave, Ari could only guess, was the palace in which the King resided.

The walls were cold and heartless; leaving a chill so subtle is was almost eerie. And yet despite wariness the walls gave off, the palace was truly fit for a king. It was lavishly decorated with carvings of a strange language and pictures of past events, weaponry of the greatest kind hung on the walls, silks and fine cloths were scattered here and there. The atmosphere of the palace held mystery as well as elegance that sent a thrill through the two wanderers. It was both beautiful and creepy.

Ari was fascinated by every room and hall. She wished to inspect further, but was sure her elf guide would not be pleased – not to mention she'd be lost the instant she was left alone.

Vena was finding it very hard to remain indifferent. The walls of stone were similar to that of her home – the ceiling was not nearly high enough and the air of the palace was completely different – she could appreciate fine work when she saw it. But the weapons, oh the weapons! She'd heard of the fantastic craftsmanship of elves, but never had she seen it. The rumors and stories were not lies. The elves spent centuries upon centuries – more even – perfecting the skill and that sword right there, that was perfection.

A melodic, velvety voice, not unlike that of the elven scout, dragged the girls out of their thoughts, echoing around the quiet halls.

"Ramnil."

The elf leading the two outsiders suddenly spun around and bowed deeply in the direction of hall leading elsewhere, uttering "Milord," under his breath. Another elf, far different from the scout known as Ramnil, appeared from the adjoining hallway. His outfit was far more exquisite than the scout, and he was just as marvelous, like a statue carved out of marble, and graceful too, with fluid, swift steps. The elf had a far more regal air about him, and set atop his head full of long light silvery hair was a ring with intricate metal designs. Was this the king?

Ari suddenly panicked. The country she came from had no kings, and never once did the thought pass her mind that learning proper etiquette for royalty would be a necessity. Abruptly, Ari became aware that an excellent first impression was vital, or she risked being thrown into the dungeon. Ari's mind raced, what to do, how to act, what was her name again? Oh, this wasn't going well. She closed her eyes to think things through, hoping she might receive some sort of epiphany. Nope. Nothing. And when she opened her eyes again, the handsome elf king was standing in front of her, a quizzical look upon his features. Did he say something? Oh, things really weren't going well.


The moment the regal elf appeared, Vena felt more than saw Ari go rigid. When the dwarf looked up at her companion's face, rather than seeing the olive colored eyes she was accustomed to, Ari's eyes were closed, fluttering as if she had to fight to keep them closed. What on Middle Earth was going through that girls head?

Vena's head turned quickly to the approaching elf, who, after speaking in unnecessary hushed tones with Ramnil – they were speaking a language neither of the travelers recognized – waved the scout away.

"I am Legolas, son of Thranduil, Prince of Mirkwood," he introduced. "I apologize in advance for any unwelcome thoughts directed at you both; we are not familiarized with visitors here." Vena nodded in acknowledgment.

"Vena."

Thee prince turned to Ari, looking expectantly at her, but his expression changed to one of surprise and then concern. "Are you well, Milady?"

Vena had to suppress a laugh, for the only answer the elf received was a questioning stare. When the elf did not obtain an answer he turned back to the dwarf.

"You were attacked, I understand. Was she injured?"

"I do not believe so. However, from what I understand, she has not traveled in such dangerous forests before. She let her guard down often when we first entered. Perhaps it is shock, or she may just be tired," Vena offered. Truthfully, she knew not what was happening, but hoped some rest would do her friend good. As much as she distrusted the elves, for Ari's sake they needed a place to stay. The dwarf thought for a while, trying to think of a way to ask a long suspected enemy for help. But she needed not.

"I realize that our kind does not get along well with your kind," the Prince seemed to shift awkwardly, but Vena was sure she imagined it. "But there is no need to make your friend suffer through the forest again. If you two would wait until one of my men can escort you out, you are more than welcome to stay here."

Vena thought for sure Ari and she would have been thrown out into the forest to be killed by this point, but it seemed the princeling before was generous enough to let them stay a while. Perhaps the elf's charms were getting to her, or it could be the fatigue, but Vena consented. She dared not go back out in the forest. Certainly she could defend herself in a rough situation, but whatever that monster was seized all the fear in her body and made her forget all her uncle taught her about battling. She could not face that again. Nor could she make Ari face that fear once more. So she agreed.

"We will wait."

Legolas smiled gently, understanding her hesitation. "Follow me, I will show you to your room."

As the elf walked away, Vena gripped Ari's hand, as though to lead her through the halls, but once her hand was taken, Ari came to her senses.

"We're staying here? I thought you disliked the elves," she asked. Vena chuckled.

"So you heard everything? We thought you were out of all your senses." Ari only shrugged sheepishly. "We cannot go back out there. Princey over there says he will find us an escort. Until then-"

"You will remain under my care. I will inform my father of your staying, however I suggest you best stay out of his path, he is not as lenient as I am when it comes to outsiders," the elf finished without turning back.

"Oh." Was the only retort Ari could come up with. Another few moments of silence passed before Legolas stopped in front of a door. He turned and smiled pleasantly at the two wanderers.

"This is where you will be staying. Think of yourselves as my guests, please. I will stop by when it is time to eat dinner, until then time is yours."

"Oh, uh, thank you," Ari bowed her head slightly. He nodded at her and walked gracefully away.

The girls entered their new room. Ari was relieved to see a full sized bed. Back in the Shire she had slept on the ground – the beds being incredibly small – and in the forest she had either slept on the dirt or in the trees, neither of which were very comfortable. But now, she could finally rest on what seemed like a real feather bed. She did not try to hide her excitement, running past Vena, jumping face first into the soft bed. Vena chuckled and casually walked in,, lifting herself onto the bed across from Ari.

"As much as you love the forest, you still missed the luxuries a proper house provides."

Ari answered by snuggling her face further into the soft pillow, giving a muffled contented sigh.

"I suppose staying here is for the best. Oi, I really hope this elf isn't going to come back and bite me, but Princey seemed sincere enough. We should probably decide where we are going to go next. Any ideas?" The question was left unanswered, for when Vena turned to her human friend, she was sound asleep, breathing deep and slow.

"Oh," Vena smiled. "We've had a trying day, you deserve some sleep."


"Help her! Help her, please!" Brittany Kavanaugh's fce was contorted in pain. "Please, Please! Help!"

The medics were pushing her out of the way, shoving her uselessly, for the girl would not give up.

"She's my sister; I have a right to see her Save her!" The doors closed and Brittany was shut out from them, from her sister. She gave up, her head falling into her hands, and she cried.

Her father still fought, but the nurses wouldn't let him through. Finally, after an eternity of hopeless struggle, he sat down and slid an arm around his daughter's shoulders. They sat together in silence for a long time. Hours upon hours passed. When the doctor finally came out from the doors that sealed the two from their family, his face was not a comforting sight. He had to think for a few moments, opening and closing his mouth more than a few times.

"I'm sorry." Two words is all it took. Two simple words. Two words that sent father and daughter into hysterics.

The doctor waited patiently, understanding their grief. The two stood silently, once their sobs had quieted down, and followed the doctor behind the sealed doors. There she laid. Cut and bruised, broken. She was broken. Bones were crushed, hair caked in dirt and blood, slightly wet, dripping tiny, silent, droplets to the floor. Her face though, her face.

"She looks at peace," Brittany choked out. Her father placed a gentle quivering hand on the dead girl's cold forehead.

"My sweet Arisa."

The doctor sighed to himself, this was always so hard. "If it hadn't taken so long to find her – I'm so sorry. The truck threw her into the river. We couldn't find her – I'm so sorry." But the doctors words went unheard.

"My sweet Arisa. My darling Ari."