Wut up, guys! Welcome to chapter 2!

Once again, I own nothing. Not a single thing.

-ChoupetteLagerfeld

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Kerrianne's eyes fluttered open and she was immediately alarmed to see the ground bobbing up and down in front of her eyes and her unruly hair falling about her face. It took her a moment to realize she'd been flung over the shoulder of the man she'd met earlier and was being carried at a fairly swift pace.

"Hey!" She exclaimed, squirming in order to get down. He didn't answer her but his grip tightened around her legs as she kicked and scrambled at his back in order to right herself.

"Stop moving," He grumbled at her, his pace accelerating slightly.

"Dude! Put me down! Where the fuck are you taking me?" Kerrianne growled back, grabbing a fist full of his long blonde hair and yanking it. His head whipped back and a second later he dumped her unceremoniously on the ground.

"Hey!" Kerrianne glared at him from her spot on the forest floor. She wanted to rub her backside in pain but wouldn't give the elf the satisfaction. "That was uncalled for!"

"You dare to pull my hair!" He answered hotly, his blue eyes flashing. Kerrianne blushed.

"I'm sorry but you wouldn't put me down! I don't know where you think you're taking me but I don't go anywhere against my will," Kerrianne stated as she climbed to her feet and brushed herself off. She pretended to ignore his gaze as she pulled her shirt down, which had ridden up somewhat while she'd been carried over his shoulder.

"You are trespassing in the forest of my people, far too close to the walls of my city for comfort. You don't know where you are and you are dressed unlike any mortal I have witnessed. While I can't see you being much of a danger," At this point he looked her up and down with a slight sneer. "I cannot let you continue to wander on your own. You will answer to my Lord and Lady and they can decide what to do with you," He finished in a firm tone. Kerrianne sighed and weighed her options. She didn't really have any, to be honest. She doubted she could overpower or outrun the elf and so far he hadn't been cruel to her. At least he wasn't aiming an arrow at her heart anymore. She supposed she'd have to meet the rulers of his city and hope that they too wouldn't consider her a threat. Maybe they'd even be able to help her get home.

"Fine," Kerrianne acquiesced. "But I can walk there myself," She motioned for him to lead the way. He studied her for a moment, as if he expected to make a break for it but must have decided even she wouldn't be that stupid, for he continued on his path at a brisk pace. Kerrianne jogged a little to keep up with him.

"Hey can you slow it down a little? Not all of us have giant elf legs," The word "elf" felt weird in her mouth and she shook her head. She had to stay calm because if she freaked out now, she might not ever recover. She took a fortifying breath and glanced at the elf beside her out of the corner of her eye. He did slow his pace slightly but stared straight ahead. Kerrianne couldn't see any discernible path ahead of them but he seemed to know exactly where he was headed.

"I'm sorry for pulling your hair," Kerrianne said quietly after a few minute of walking in silence. He didn't say anything but nodded his head to acknowledge her apology. They walked in continued silence for maybe twenty more minutes before Kerrianne broke the quiet between them once more.

"I'm Kerrianne, by the way," She stated, waiting for him to respond. "And this would be the point where you tell me your name," She added in slight annoyance. This elf must be the most stoic person she'd ever met!

"I am Haldir, March Warden of Lothlorien," He replied, his voice swollen with pride.

"What does that mean?" Kerrianne asked, her curiosity piqued. It didn't surprise her that he had an important sounding title. The way he carried himself made it fairly obvious that he had a high station.

"It means that it is my honor and duty to protect my people, my city, and the forest you found yourself in," He answered, glancing down at her. Kerrianne mulled this information over for a second.

"So you're a soldier," She stated, swallowing thickly. She was pretty lucky he hadn't been rougher with her earlier when she pulled his hair! She'd really needed to stop acting without thinking.

"I am," He replied. "Wait here," His arm reached out and stopped Kerrianne in her tracks. She waited while he walked ahead through the trees, wondering what he was doing. He returned a minute later and motioned her forward. "Normally strangers are blindfolded before being led into our city but somehow I doubt it matters in your case."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kerrianne, asked not sure if she should be insulted or not.

"It means you were blissfully unaware during the whole walk here and I'd be greatly surprised if you could find your way here again given the opportunity." Haldir answered, his back turned to her once more as they passed through a grove of trees. Kerrianne blushed, knowing what he said was true. While the forest was beautiful, she'd been distracted by her companion during the entire journey through the woods.

A moment later they came upon a large gate and several elves dropped from the canopy of trees above, startling Kerrianne. She stumbled into Haldir's back before catching her footing and blushing a deep crimson under the gaze of the elves.

"Haldir, you bring an unexpected visitor with you," One of the new elves stepped forward, his hand on his chest in a kind of salute to Haldir.

"Rumil, this is Lady Kerrianne. She is a lost wanderer and I would bring her before our Lord and Lady. They will know what to do with her," Haldir stated as he motioned to Kerrianne. Her eyebrows rose at his use of the title "Lady" but she didn't say anything as they group of them walked towards the giant gates and they slowly opened to reveal further trails and large trees ahead.

"It is good to meet you, Lady Kerrianne," Rumil bowed his head slightly at her as he walked by her side. Kerrianne glanced up at him, noting that he too had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Was every single elf model material?

"Um, you too," Kerrianne awkwardly held out her hand and Rumil looked at her, surprised before he took her hand in his and brought it up to his lips. He placed a soft kiss upon the back of her hand as his twinkling eyes stared down at her. Kerrianne blushed and hastily removed her hand from his grasp, glancing around to see if any of the other elves noticed. She caught Haldir's withering gaze before he turned back around, his long curtain of hair swishing over his shoulders. She could hear the others snicker around her as her blush deepened.

As they crested a small hill, Kerrianne stopped mid step as she took in the city before them. Great trees grew from the forest floor and wooden spiral staircases twirled around the massive trunks, leading up to platforms in the trees. A river babbled below them, winding between the trees and she watched as elves walked over bridges and up winding stairs. It was breathtakingly beautiful and she'd never seen anything like it.

"Welcome to Caras Galadhon, Lady Kerrianne," Rumil said from beside her as her eyes drank it all in. Somehow, she immediately knew this was the beginning of a great adventure.