Mall
Trotting With An Elf.
"I've looked in all my books, checked out all the possible websites nothing.
I've come up with absolutely nothing." Amara ranted over a bowl of cereal to her
new elven companion. Both Amara and Legolas had spent almost the entire weekend
crooning over books. While Amara's eyes were glued to the computer screen,
Legolas wandered through the house marveling all the "inventions" it had to
offer. That whole day she had basically tore her hair out trying to find away to
get him home.
Dropping her spoon, she rested her hand on her cheek. "Maybe you're meant to be
here. For like some odd reason or something."
Legolas who was watching television with a surprising interest had tuned her
out. Not knowing Amara kept talking.
"It's like the Wizard of Oz. Before you came was there a tornado in Mirkwood?"
When an answer didn't come fourth she asked again. Still there was no answer.
"Legolas?" Amara turned around to see Legolas with a faint smile on his lips as
he watched the animated character in the shape of a sponge on television. Amara
sighed and strolled over to the remote and cut the television off.
"Sorry Amara did you say something?" Legolas looked up from the television.
"I asked was there a tornado in Mirkwood before you came here?"
Legolas slightly shook his head, "No, though it was raining quite heavily."
Amara nodded. "Since I think you're going to be here for awhile I think it's
time to get you adjusted." Amara fished through the pockets of her overalls and
pulled out a set of keys. Jiggling them she watched in amusement the curiosity
spread across Legolas' face.
Legolas
looked at the vehicle before him. How can anyone get from one place to the next
in something like this, his brain thought. He took a deep breath. The air that
filled his lungs was certainly not the air of Middle Earth which was sweeter.
The air here was much thicker and more polluted. The feeling of wanting to
return home began to pick at him.
Amara locked the door to the house and turned to see Legolas with his arms
crossed studying the car. Laughing, Amara walked over to the elf who towered
over her small form.
"What do you find amusing?" Legolas asked, no expression at all on his fair
face.
"You're homesick aren't you?"
"Excuse me?"
Rolling her eyes she elaborated. "You miss home."
"Well yes. Nothing against your world, I am sure it is fine. I just-"
"Miss home. I figured that. I'm sure you'll get back, though I don't think
you'll be going home today. So until then I'll be the one to show you around my
world but first we have to get into the car." Amara motioned towards her lime
green Volkswagen. The only reason her parents bought her a car was so that they
could kick her out the house or send her on one of their many errands. Amara
climbed into the driver's side and Legolas on the passenger side. Starting up
the car Amara warned Legolas.
"I suggest you buckle up."
Legolas took her warning to heart having not ever ridden in a car before. He sat
as still as a statue when the car started rolling. Amara let the windows down so
the air ruffled her thick dark locks. Legolas was enjoying the ride. All of a
sudden Amara burst out laughing when she came to a red light.
Legolas gave her a sideways glance. She was a strange girl, he thought.
"Why do you laugh?"
"I just think it's funny that a tall elf prince like you gets homesick," Amara
managed to get out between fits of laughter.
"Would you not long to be home if you were taken from your dwelling?" Legolas
turned from the window to face Amara.
Amara stepped on the gas and glanced at Legolas, a single word came from her
mouth. "No."
"You have to be jesting right?"
"No I am not jesting...I would not miss home at all."
Legolas waited for her to elaborate but she never did so he dropped the subject
not wanting to press anything.
"Just where are you taking me Lady Amara?"
A wicked grin spread on Amara's face. "I told you I'm going to get you adjusted
to my world." Was all she would say.
Pretty soon Amara's car was parked in the parking lot at the mall. Legolas got
out of the car and looked around.
"Where are we?"
Amara walked around to Legolas. "You'll see when we get inside. Now a few rules
before we go."
Legolas sighed. Never before had he been spoken to like a child. His whole life,
even when he was but an elfling, people had spoken to him as if he were an
adult.
"Don't speak to anyone unless someone speaks to you. Even then don't say
anything weird like mentioning you're from Mirkwood or anything about Middle
Earth."
Amara observed the elf before her as if he was a creature from another world and
actually he was.
Legolas looked on at Amara, "What?"
"And most importantly don't let anyone know," She stood on tip toe and brushed
his light blonde hair so that it covered his finely pointed ears. Amara gave
Legolas' hair one last touch before settling down to her regular height.
"That you're an elf." Nodding her head with satisfaction she made her way into
the over crowded mall.
A burst of artificial air hit Legolas in the face while Amara welcomed it.
Legolas looked around. There were many levels to this mall which was over
crowded with people. The sight was amazing. Amara walked ahead thinking that
Legolas was behind her.
"We have to get you clothes and here is the place. I bet you don't have places
like this in Middle Earth." When her question went unanswered she turned around.
Legolas was still marveling at the scenery of the mall while people pushed
passed him giving him strange looks along the way.
"Legolas!" Amara rushed back and dragged him forward.
"I find this amazing. We having nothing like this in all of Middle Earth."
Nodding Amara smiled, "I figured that. Look if you don't want to end up seeming
like a big goof ball I suggest you stick with me."
"So many rules when being among you." Legolas murmured.
"Well until you get the hang of being here I have to be as strict as possible.
Besides you're a tough dude you can handle it."
She made her point when she jabbed her elbow in his arm and felt instant
hardness.
"So how am I to fit into this world of yours?" Legolas asked ignoring the
surprise hit.
"Well first everything starts with looks."
Ignoring the 'and boy do you have em' her brain screamed she led Legolas
into the nearest clothing store.
"Now I don't really know anything about fashion so bare with me."
"We are both the same in matters such as these then. It is unusual for woman to
wear breeches and such a fabric that you wear does not exist." Legolas felt the
blue jean material on Amara's overalls.
"There called pants Legolas, pants and my overalls are made out of a material
called blue jean. Here it's perfectly normal for woman to wear pants and
speaking of pants you need some. I swear you can't go walking around in my
father's clothes."
Legolas looked down at the overly baggy pants he too silently agreed.
"Where would you like to start?" Amara and Legolas walked through the many isles
of clothes.
"Tunics I'd say." Legolas suggested.
"Shirts right."
Amara fingered through a rack full of shirts while Legolas did the same. For the
first time in a long time Amara was having a bit of fun. Brittany was about the
only other person that would let her pick out her clothes. Thinking of Brittany,
when Amara had told her that Legolas was an elf from Tolkien's Middle Earth
Brittany had told her to be careful. There were all sorts of freaks in L.A.
which was true, but Legolas was the real deal.
Stopping at a blue shirt she read its saying and smiled.
"Hey Legolas do you like this shirt?" She turned around and held it up for him
to see.
Turning from the green shirt he himself had picked up he looked at the shirt
Amara held. In white letters it read 'Never Grow up'.
"I figured since you're an elf," she whispered. "You'll like stay the same
forever."
Legolas smirked, "I like it Amara."
Amara nodded with a brief grin and placed the shirt in his hands. She moved
quickly through the rest of the racks this time not asking for the elf's
approval. Pretty soon a mound of clothing was piled high in Legolas' hands.
"Do you not think this is enough Amara?" Legolas asked following Amara through
the store. Looks from girls followed Legolas but he ignored them being used to
getting those types of looks in Mirkwood.
"I suppose your right. Go try em on." She pointed him in the direction of the
men's dressing room.
Taking a seat outside the dressing room she sighed. Shopping can be tough
sometimes, she thought to herself.
She waited a few minutes and finally Legolas emerged from the dressing room
looking absolutely normal. Amara put a finger to her chin in judgment.
"Turn around," she commanded.
With annoyance Legolas turned around. The faded blue jeans and green t- shirt
worked for him. She nodded her head with approval.
Once again Legolas was forced to lug the heavy clothing this time to the
counter. The clerk an elderly woman eyed the two suspiciously as she rang up the
clothes. Legolas picked up a pair of sunglasses and eyed them with interest.
"What are these?" He held up the glasses for Amara to see.
Amara glanced at the clerk who strangely stared at Legolas. Laughing nervously
she turned to Legolas. "You're funny."
Legolas' brow wrinkled, "I was not trying-"
Amara dragged Legolas away from the counter. "Didn't I warn you about saying
weird things? Anyway there sunglasses, they help keep the sun out of your eyes.
Here." Amara took the glasses from him and placed them over his eyes. Laughter
erupted from her mouth.
"What is funny?"
All Amara could manage to do was point to a near by mirror. Turning around a
smile spread across his lips as he saw his reflection.
"I look silly."
Amara wiped the tears from her eyes and said I know. The total for the clothes
came up to a whomping $875 dollars. Amara pulled out a thick white envelope and
counted out the bills. 'Thanks dad,' Amara thought as she handed over the
money.
Amara and Legolas both strolled carelessly through the mall both carrying there
fair share of bags. Legolas finally taking on a normal appearance.
"This was quite an enjoyment."
He nodded, "In Mirkwood we don't have anything like this, though there are shops and such."
"I would like to go there someday."
"Perhaps you will."
Amara silently agreed. Looking ahead, she froze dead in her tracks. Quickly, she scrambled behind Legolas.
"What is it Amara." Legolas asked in puzzlement, looking behind himself. Amara hid perfectly behind Legolas.
"In front of you, look."
He did so. "There are a group of boys."
"Not just any boys," she spoke hurriedly. "It's Brad and his gang they like to torment me."
"What for?"
"Because...it's a long story, let's just say loads of people think of me as a dork."
Legolas continued to watch the boys. One of them lifted an object from a woman's purse while the rest of them laughed and they turned a corner. Legolas scowled. Slowly Amara emerged from behind Legolas and took a breath of relief.
"Come on let's get some ice cream." She knocked Legolas from his staring.
"Ice Cream?"
"Its cold, creamy and sweet, you'll like it."
Amara ordered her favorite, chocolate chip ice cream and she got vanilla for the elf.
"Here you go your highness." Amara joked handing Legolas his ice cream. They both took a seat in the food court.
"Thank you," Legolas said.
Amara trailed her cherry through mounds of whip cream that she ordered stacked on top. There was a silence until Legolas broke it.
"I do not think you to be a dork whatever a dork maybe."
Amara looked up from her ice cream and rolled her eyes with a small smile, "Thanks Leggles."
"Leggles?"
Smiling Amara held up her spoon. "Cheers."
Legolas clinked his spoon to hers. "Cheers," he said matching her smile with one of his own.
