A Dream Within Words

Chapter Four: Name Changes and Unhappy Decisions

Summary: A young and very imaginative Legolas soon discovers that dreams are not always formed at nighttime, and that even they can seem unbelievably real and just as dangerous than what they are assumed to be.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anyone associated with Lord of the Rings, nor with the Golden Compass. I get no profit from making this fan fiction. This is purely fan made. Also, the characters that I have created (meaning the brothers) are mine (duh), and I take great pride in them. If you so desire to borrow them, feel free to ask. - Large quotes by themselves in italics are words taken from the book, simply used for the dream like sequence. Everything else will be improved (to the best of my abilities). Italics with ' shall be thoughts.

A/N: (At the bottom, now :'3 )

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The Intercessor stood, waiting for the three children who looked at one another, stunned as to what they should do. Hearing him call Lyra's name again, the three children hesitantly headed over, Legolas more or less trying to mentally shrink himself down to the size of a hobbit or…heaven forbid, a dwarf, so as to escape the critical eye of the strange man. Roger leaned over to whisper to Legolas. "This man is Father Heyst, head of the church…you know what that is?' upon receiving a pointed glare, he continued. "Just…try to keep quiet, I guess…"

Legolas didn't need him telling him that. Really. Did the kid look like an idiot? Being Prince, he had probably received more of an education than Roger had, although this was information the elf would keep privy to everyone but himself. Or…at least try to.

When the children had stopped, the priest looked down at them with a light expression, more or less addressing the girl. "What have you been up to, child? I've have seen you come and go from that door a few times now,"

Lyra looked up at the man obediently. "We…were just looking around…under the college at the – uh- coffins," came her response, glancing over at the fathers' lizard dæmon before back at the man. She still couldn't believe that she was hanging around someone who didn't have a dæmon. That was just too bizarre.

When the man continued to ask her questions as to her reasons, the girl shrugged. She didn't have a true answer to give him…not one in which she wanted to actually give him, anyways. Shrugging was her best response, and she was rather good at it, although her gentle rub offs led to the attention of Roger and her newly acquainted friend from another world.

"And you two, what are your names?"

It was at this Roger and Legolas met eyes, not sure what to do. "Uh…Roger father," came the boy, looking nervously at Lyra who…well…shrugged. Father Heyst gave a pointed look to the blond, not exactly cold, yet questioning. "And you, boy?"

The elf met the man in the eyes, blinking a few times before opening his mouth to speak. Luckily, Roger beat him to it. "Th-this is Len, sir," came the hesitant response, Legolas nodding the affirmative. He would have to ask Roger about that. Len? What sort of name was that? Well…it didn't stand out so much as Legolas…at least in this world.

"I assume that's short for Leonard, my son?" the elf nodded silently, not willing to disobey whatever was being said. Upon receiving a sharp nudge in his ribs, he added. 'Yes, father."

"Am I right to say you two are servants?" With a nod from Roger to confirm that (followed by one from Legolas), the man continued. "Where do you work?"

"Kitchen," stated Roger, having to put up with the talking considering Legolas had no idea what he should say. Thank goodness there was someone here who could cover for him. Moving his deep blue eyes from the plump man in front of him, he stared at Lyra with confusion before his hand flew up to his ears, undoing the single braid that held his hair and covered the points with his golden hair. Receiving a thumbs up from the girl, he turned his attention back to Father Heyst, who was grilling out Roger.

"Then I suggest you be off," came the plump man. Roger wasn't going to be the one to go against him. Grabbing Legolas's wrist, he turned, darting down the hall and out of sight, heading towards the kitchen and far from Lyra. When they were far enough, the two stopped, looking over their shoulders before back at one another.

Small smiles grew on their lips before the two burst out into laughing. "Len?" "It was the only thing I can come up with. Legolas isn't exactly normal." "Neither is dignity for you, is it? You took off like a fox in pursuit of a rabbit," finally calming down, the two stood, Roger looking uneasily down the hall once more. "I suppose we should head to the kitchen, then…although…"

"What?"

"The kitchen staff'll know you don't work there, besides," he continued, giving the elf a once over, who merely cocked his head to the side gently in question. "You stick out like a sore thumb. Let's go get you into something that'll fit around here and…make you stand out less."

Legolas didn't at all like where this was going, considering the look Roger was giving him. He couldn't, however, just say 'no'. Not complying meant going home. Going home meant having to be made fun of by Hérion, left alone by his father, and be utterly bored. He didn't want that. Not yet. Following after Roger, he was led to an unanticipated doom.

After her little conversation with Father Heyst, Lyra turned and shuffled away from the large building, willing to put as much distance possible between her and the conversation she had just had. Pah. What did Father Heyst knew? Children like her? 'Nobly born'? She didn't need any of the hoity toity people the Father wanted her to associate with. Roger was a fine friend, as were many of the others in the streets! Not only that, but she had made an interesting new friend just that day!

She would have loved to see the expression on his face if she had told him that someone had popped out and suddenly appeared right there among a whole bunch of dead people. If only she knew what sort of person Legolas had been. Then again, maybe it was for the best, for her opinion of the odd-elf -from –another- land –without- a –daemon might have changed for the worst.

Done with being inside for the time being, the girl headed outside, walking with an easy pace. It soon ended, however, when the sound of her name came from behind her. Or…at least that's what she thought. It was rather soft and she began to doubt she even heard it. Stopping, she addressed her dæmon, "Pantalaimon? Did you say my name?" Upon receiving a no, she shrugged and moved to continue, only to hear her name once more (albeit more prominent than before), and stopped.

"Lyra, it's me!"

Turning to look, she stopped when she saw a seemingly unfamiliar figure wearing average, everyday, normal clothing. "…Legolas?"

Receiving a nod, her jaw dropped. "Wh-what happened to you?!"

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A/N: Sorry for the long Hiatus. I recently started college (second semester at a new school), and I now have virtually no time. I might be getting a job as well…I really should work on this. My inspiration is returning! Huzzah! Once again, thanks to Nebelkin for being my best and favorite reviewer! And a thanks to Hukrasoar for adding it to their favorites! Now I know for certain more than one person is keeping up with it.

IT GIVES ME HOPE, YO.

Till the next upload!

- Inwe