A/N: Plenty for you guys to think about. But think about this one first: Madison/Eomer, or Madison/Legolas? Whichever you guys pick, the other one will be reserved for Daphne. :) So it's really Daphne/Eomer or Daphne/Legolas as well. Anyway, review and tell me everything you think about this chapter!

It was dark out, with the yellow horned moon shedding barely enough light to see by. Barely perceptible shadows twitched and rippled, giving every appearance of warriors hiding in the undergrowth. The fire was guttering low in the shallow hole they had scraped, the cherry-red embers glowing in synchronized harmony with the fireflies. Daphne could barely move, pain throbbing dully from every bruise on her body. Adavis was, after all, the best fighter in Middle Earth, and the large bruises dotting Daphne's face, belly, and ribs bespoke of this with every heartbeat. She groaned a little and sat up, kicking herself out of the sleeping roll. It was hopeless to sleep, anyway; she would have a better chance of talking to Tolkien, who usually sat awake, by himself, off in the distance. Limping slightly - there was a bruise the size of Nebraska on her left hip - she made her way over the a smooth gray boulder a little ways off from the Fellowship. Above her, stars jeweled the velvet blue sky, each twinkling dot sparkling brightly around the curved crescent moon. They formed beautiful shapes and fantastic stories, but Daphne didn't know their legends and tales. She was too busy looking up at the sky to realize that it wasn't Tolkien sitting on the rock.

"You're up late, Lady Daphne," said a smooth, quiet voice, the tones dipped in honey and amusement. Daphne looked down with interest and saw Legolas sitting on the rock, bow in hand, one leg tucked under him and the other tapping against the ground. He, too, was watching the stars, but now he shifted his attention to Daphne. In the darkness, she couldn't see the sharp planes of his face, but she could see the curve of his jaw, his skin pale in the scant light, the curl of his lips as he smiled slightly. "Are your wounds troubling you that badly?"

"Oh, please," Daphne grumped, sitting down gingerly next to him on the rock. He moved aside slightly, so there was a respective bit of space between them, and Daphne felt a little trickle of respect. Chivalry wasn't dead after all, she decided. Instead of vocalizing this, she forced a smile and shrugged. "Who knew that little Miss Perfect could land a sucker punch like that?" she asked aloud, pointing to her black-and-blue eye. Her pouty lower lip was cracked on the side where Adavis had punched her, and her belly was littered with bruises. There was, however, the lovely feeling of complete satisfaction whenever she looked at Adavis's scratched, swollen cheeks, lined with scars of Daphne's good-length nails.

"She does let on very little," Legolas said scathingly, "and yet at the same moment I know more about her than I would have liked to know." Daphne laughed softly in the darkness, velvet shades masking her silvery laugh.

"I know! Back on our world, Sues are much better. They're just characters in books, then." Daphne shrugged. "You can always write a really nasty review, but I prefer not to." She looked up at the skies. "The stars are beautiful," she commented.

"They have been dimmed as of late," Legolas said with a deep sigh. "Darkness is veiling Middle Earth." He looked at her, her wounds, her silver-green eyes, now slanted as she looked at the bright stars. "Much rests on your shoulders, Lady Daphne."

"Tell me about it," Daphne sighed. "All of a sudden I'm yanked out of my own world and thrown into my favorite book. I still can't wrap my head around it. And now I have to save the world." She rubbed her eyes gingerly, trying to apply minimal pressure to her blackened eye. "Isn't there some kind of law that says I have to had three days notice before I get kicked into another dimension?"

"I have a feeling Sauron does not follow the rules," Legolas said quietly. "We all have a great task set before us. We must work together to achieve harmony; not just for us, but for all of Middle Earth."

"It's going to be harder for you, you know," Daphne warned him, looking straight ahead. "Your character...I mean, you're really influenced by Sues. I'm sorry, but you seem more easily taken in than the rest of them. I mean, Gimli is hardly ever affected by them. But you and Aragorn are the worst, although sometimes Boromir gets thrown into the mess as well."

"I realize I am in danger," Legolas said, eyes lowered. "But I have complete faith in all Authors. I have...I mean, I owe much to one of them." he actually blushed as he said this and rubbed his nose self consciously. Daphne looked at him interestedly.

"What do you mean?" she asked curiously. Legolas felt a smile quirk his lips.

"Her name was Felicity. She was...an interesting Author. We spent quite a bit of time together before she was..." he cleared his throat. "Before Adavis overpowered her."

Daphne felt an icy trickle of fear slide down her spine. "What does it..." she paused and tried to shift the block of concrete that was taking permanent residence in her throat. "Does it hurt? I mean, to be overwhelmed by a Sue?"

"It depends on how far an Author is along in their book," Legolas said quietly. "The more you write, the deeper you become immersed in the web of magic surrounding Middle Earth. If you are nearly done, yes, the Bookkeeper says it would be quite painful. I can only thank the Valar that Felicity was not even halfway finished with her story." He sighed. "I do wonder sometimes if I did love her," he said the last few words very quietly, under his breath, and Daphne was barely able to catch them. "She was the most beautiful girl." He rubbed his nose again. "That is why you must get rid of Adavis, Daphne! For...for their sake. For her sake."

Daphne sat still for a long moment, allowing Legolas's words to wash over her like a cooling wave. He had an excellent point, and she would mull over it later. She was actually beginning to feel sleepy now; his hypnotic voice had taken the edge off her weariness. She yawned, stifling it with the back of her wrist. Daphne stretched and was about to get off the rock when she felt an iron hard hand grip her wrist and a cold blade press against her throat.

"Move, and you die." Hissed a voice in her ear. "Now, get off the rock. Slowly, mind."

Legolas seemed to be in a similar position, and Daphne was amazed that they had managed to sneak up on an elf. Even if he had been talking, he would have heard them. Slowly, Daphne stood up and faced her attacked, eyebrow cocked and her fists clenched. She was prepared to shriek her lungs out and then make a run for it, but as if reading her thoughts her attacker waved the glinting silver knife threateningly.

"Don't even think about it," the person said, the voice decidedly high and light, like dappled shade rippling over still waters.

"Who are you?" Daphne asked candidly, not particularly afraid. The figure before her was only a bit taller than her, and a lot skinnier. She was confident that she could rugby-tackle her before there was too much trouble. The attacker threw back her hood, blonde hair spilling onto her flushed cheeks, glittering green eyes bright and hard. Her cloak was velvety blue, melting into the fabric of the night. She was amazingly beautiful, with high, angular cheekbones and small, rosebud lips.

"I am Vanima," she snapped. "And there is no time for pleasantries. Wake your friends. We have much to talk about."

09

Madison rubbed her eyes with her knuckles, digging into her cheeks as she yawned. Everybody was awake in the middle of the night, and she had no idea why. Everybody was milling around, talking in low murmurs, and Madison wondered if something had come through and frightened Legolas or Aragorn. The last threads of a dream disappeared from her memory - all she could remember was a handsome blonde elf who had rescued her from ... something. Madison would have pondered this further, except there were suddenly three new figures before them. Adavis let out a shriek of delight and threw herself at the nearest one.

"My lovely Ethwein! How do you fare?" she said shrilly, trying to hide her scarred cheeks. A crimson hood was pulled slowly backwards to reveal a hauntingly beautiful face, so achingly beautiful it hurt to look upon her. Sad blue eyes, filled with melancholy tears, were framed by thick, dark lashes. Black hair, blacker than the soot of a ruined temple, framed her face in straight, thick locks. There was so much pain in her eyes that Madison felt her own eyes brim with tears just looking at them. The amazingly beautiful woman did not react to Adavis's demonstrative hug, other than to say in a low, mellow voice,

"Adavis. How good to see you again." She turned Adavis's scratched cheeks with one slim, elegant finger. "You have suffered almost as much as I, Adavis."

A slender blonde woman who was holding a knife gestured at the sallow-skinned morose model-looking girl. "This is Ethwein. She had suffered much. At the age of eight she was terrorized and molested by her brother, and at the age of ten she was imprisoned by her uncle. Her father forced her to marry a wicked old man who beat her with large leather whips at every opportunity. And now she is among us, broken in spirit and beautiful in features."

"That sounds completely improbable," Isabella snapped. "How much misfortune could one person suffer? And I would have done something about it - if she was suffering that much, why not kill them in their sleep? It's completely ridiculous!"

The dark-haired woman pulled back her sleeve melodramatically, revealing deep white scars along her wrists. Isabella was completely unaffected. "Oh, so you decided to cut yourself?" she snapped. "How very wise of you. I wish to bask in your wisdom, oh great and stupid Sue."

"Oh my God!" Daphne said aloud, mouth slightly open. "They're Sues! They're all Sues!"

The blonde haired woman continued, completely unaffected. "I am Vanima, Queen of the Forest. I carry noble blood in my veins. I can wield any weapon, speak to any animal, and I am at your utter service." She bowed low, exchanging glances with Aragorn, a comely smile passing over her lips as she appraised him. She continued prettily, keeping her eyes on Aragorn, who looked decidedly nervous. She gestured toward a figure clad in emerald green robes.

"This is Quilemna, my deepest and best friend. At a very young age, she was pledged to be married to a young man of Gondor, but she followed her heart and married the peasant whom she loved. After her father cast her away, her husband died tragically, leaving a rebellious and enraged woman." An emerald hood was pulled back to reveal fiery red hair and striking brown eyes, harsh and cryptic. Dozens of knives were belted to her waist, each point gleaming bitterly in the scant moonlight.

"Why do you carry so many knives?" Melody asked, a sneer on her lips. There was a growl of rage, and the redhead threw herself at Melody, pinning her to the ground. In the flicker of an eyelash, one of the numerous knives was in her hand and pressed against Melody's throat.

"How dare you speak to me in such a fashion!" she said savagely. "I should cut your miserable throat out for such insubordination! Do you know whom you are speaking with? I am Quilemna, daughter of Elrond and a poor mortal soul. My mother died swiftly after bearing me. Do you know what its like growing up without a mother, stupid girl?"

Melody kicked her knee upwards, rolling over and squatting firmly on the Sue's chest. She flipped her bangs out of her honey-brown eyes and glanced at Daphne, complete bewilderment on her face. "Exactly how many kids does Elrond have?" she spluttered. "To hear them tell it, he went around sleeping with every available mortal there is. And since when would Elrond force his daughter to marry someone from Gondor?"

The redheaded Sue got up, dusting herself off. The knife was still in her hand. "Watch yourself, girl. I carry these knives to cut the throats of people who displease me."

Melody was helped to her feet by Michael. "Touchy, touchy," she grumbled. The blonde woman in the dark blue cloak clapped her hands twice.

"And now, we bring a gift to the most beautiful, the most talented, the most amazing warrior ever in Middle Earth. Lady Adavis, this is for you." She stepped aside dramatically and pointed to the bushes.

Nothing happened.

"Ahem...This is for you!"

Still nothing.

"Shonji, get your miserable furry tail out here!"

There was a rustling in the undergrowth and a gigantic purple tiger stalked lazily out, thick white whiskers twitching contentedly. Gleaming white teeth were bared to the Fellowship, who ooo'ed and ahh'ed appropriately. He was the size of a horse, with icy blue eyes and black stripes coating his heavily muscled frame. He scanned the group, padding silently on thickly furred paws. He yawned, and then everyone heard him in their minds. The tiger did not speak, but they could all hear him. What a frightful bore. I would much rather be at home eating my shrubberies.

Madison giggled. Shonji turned his massive head towards her and offered her a catlike smile, accompanied by a swish of his tail. Do you find it amusing, little human? Yes, I do not eat meat - I am a complete vegetarian. And who might you be?

"Enough! Shonji, Adavis is now your mistress. Protect her with your life." Vanima said. If purple tigers could look disgusted, Shonji would be looking like that now

Do I have to?

"Yes!"

A sigh.

Very well.

Shonji padded over to Adavis and nuzzled her hand, licking the pale digits with his rasp cats' tongue. Adavis giggled and stroked his neck, pawing the rippling tapestry of raw power and hearty sinew, smiling her perfect Sue smile. Easily, she swung herself atop his broad back and he arched, muscles flexing, and let out a roar that shook the bowels of the earth. Michael clapped his hands over his ears and whistled appreciatively. "Very nice," he said, lightning grin flicking up his face with a blink and vanishing again. "Very nice. Adavis, babe, you got yourself a nice lookin' kitty right there."

Kitty!

"All right, tiger. Happy?" Michael stifled a laugh. Shonji twitched his whiskers.

Yes.

Madison yawned sleepily, stifling it against her wrist. Legolas was not fooled. "I believe our guests need sleeping rolls," he sighed. "And then we should all rest. It will be dawn before soon."

The Authors couldn't help but wonder what other terrors - or Sues - would be arriving in the morning.