Hi Everyone! Sorry it's been a while but I've been busy and so has my Beta! But without further ado here is chapter four! Sorry, I didn't get to the festival just yet, but I think you'll enjoy this chapter nonetheless!

P.S. Sorry I really couldn't think of a fitting title for this particular chapter!

Chapter 4:

Riding wasn't as bad as I expected, just as long as I didn't look around while moving. To the dismay of the sons of Elrond, I refused to open my eyes at any point.

"You are a sorry excuse for an elf. Ro, have you ever met an elf that couldn't ride a horse?" Dan said as we slowed down reaching a small clearing.

"No, Dan I have not."

"Quit ganging up on me! It's not fair! Besides, I'm not a normal elf." I said matter-of-factly.

"Indeed, you are rather weird." Elrohir said from behind me and received a hard elbow to the ribs.

"That hurt!" He said letting go of the reins to nurse his wound.

In a split second, the horse reared up and I reached for something to hold onto. Sadly, her mane was the only thing in reach. As I held onto the rough hair, she bolted forward sending Elrohir off the back of the horse. I screamed as she took off at a full gallop through the forest along the dirt path. I was holding on for dear life as she continued at great speed.

A few moments later, the twins were beside me and Elrohir jumped back over behind me. He grabbed the reins and halted the horse. He gathered me into his arms and slid off the horse. I didn't realize I was shaking until he tried to stand me up and my knees gave out.

"I am so sorry Lina. I never mean to let go..." I just wrapped my arms around him and held on as if my life depended on it.

"I think she's done enough riding for some time. Just make sure she is okay and walk home. I'll lead the horses back to the stables." Elladan said as he reached for Vanya's reins. Soon the elder twin and horses were out of sight and mind. I just rocked back and forth, as I kept replaying the scene repeatedly in my mind. I could have died. I felt Elrohir rubbing circles on my back, freeing me from my trance. I looked up to meet his gaze. Guilt, Sorrow, and Care were all very visible on the young prince's face. I simply held on tighter as I finally got a grip on my own emotions. I pulled away and sat down under a nearby tree. He came over and sat down next to me.

"Lina..." I smiled at the nickname I apparently earned but never realized it until just now.

"I like that. No one has ever called me that. It's always been Evangelina; no abbreviations, so formal."

"There is definitely no need for formalities between friends." He said smiling. I just laid my head against the bark and looked up through branches and leaves.

"I still can't wrap my head around this whole situation. I read about this world in a book when I was younger. Then one day, I wake up in Lord Elrond's home! Now I'm friends with his three children, learning to speak and read Elvish, and how to be an elf. Well trying to atleast, today was definitely not my best attempt." I earned a smile and chuckle from him at that before continuing.

"It's surreal to me. I'm waiting to wake up back in my room and this all be nothing but a dream."

"This is no dream. You are here and now, you are a beautiful elleth who will learn her purpose. You have been here for nine months, accomplished many feats and will continue to grow in the years to come." He said looking me dead in the eyes with a hand on my shoulder.

"Thanks Elrohir."

"Ro. Since nicknames are in order." He said with a smirk.

"Of course, Ro. Come let's go, we have one heck of a walk back to the city." We finally reached Elrond's house just as dusk fell over the valley.

Arwen knocked on my door and entered my room with a smile on her face.

"Good evening Evangelina." I was greeted by elvish. Crap, I missed my lesson this afternoon.

"Good evening Arwen."

"I brought you some tunics and leggings. My brothers said you agreed to start training with a blade in a few days."

"Your father said it is a wise choice some time ago. Plus, I could use a break from history lessons with Erestor. I can't stand him."

"He is indeed a difficult elf. I remember my own lessons with him. Nothing has changed over the millennia. A break will do you well. We shall review many things tomorrow afternoon as well, since you missed two lessons this week. You are slipping."

"Sorry, I've just been preoccupied."

"Do not let my father know you are neglecting your studies to spend time with my mischievous brothers."

"Mischievous is not the right word."

"Spoiled, Arrogant Princes?" She asked raising an eye brow.

"I would say inventive."

"So I am safe to assume you admire their work."

"Let's say Glorfindel will find himself in a sticky situation when he puts on his boots to go riding."

"He holds a special place in his heart for you and this is how you repay him?" She asked putting her hands on her hips.

"I didn't do anything. I just observed and failed to stop your darling brothers."

"You still are an associate to the crime."

"Touché" I pouted but then saw the look of confusion on her face. It only appeared when I used slang terms most of the time. The word is French, so I guess it would be unfamiliar to her as well.

"What does that mean?"

"It means you caught me in my words, so to say."

"I see. Nonetheless, here are your training clothes… and this is something I am excited about." She said holding up what looked like a clothing bag.

"What is it?"

"It's your dress for the Summer Festival in three weeks' time. It will be so much fun. There's a large feast, music, and dancing! Elves come from all over for this festival. We only have it once every decade to ensure its reverence."

"Parties were never my thing. Let alone dances..." I said looking at the dress in her hands.

"Come on try it on so I can see if the seamstress needs to alter it." I slipped on the dress and my jaw dropped; it was beautiful. (A/N: Sorry guys, you have to wait for the festival for the description! :P )

"Arwen, I can't accept this. It had to cost a fortune."

"Actually, it is one of my mother's old dresses that she had changed for me to wear but I could never bring myself to do so. You will shine brightly in it. I will just have it taken in slightly at the waist." She said, taking some pins to pull it tight to my body.

"I cannot wait to see all the ellons' reactions." She said stepping back with a smirk on her face.

"So you said elves from all over are coming. From where exactly?"

"It depends. Relations are good all-around so probably Mirkwood and Lorien alike. The rangers of the north usually attend as well." Aragorn would be among them. However, I don't recall when they met exactly. It will be a true honor to see the two in love.

Two days later, the twins decided it was time to start my sword adventures. So at dawn, I was to meet them on the training grounds. One of the twins stood on the opposite side of the clearing twirling something in his hand. As I stood there and looked closer, I could tell it was Elrohir. He turned to face me with a smile.

"This is for you." He held out an elegant sword. It had an ivory casted hilt and the blade was smooth with some elvish ruins on the crease. I ran my hand over the blade.

"It's beautiful."

"It was forged just for you. However, we will be training with lighter and duller blades until you build endurance and skill." He said handing me a sheath for the magnificent sword. He then handed me a slimmer and almost weightless blade. There was natural grace to its design but not the deadly beauty of my other blade.

"Today, we will start with proper posture and beginning stances while holding a blade." He said coming to stand next to me instead of in front of me.

"Show me how you think you should hold the blade." He stepped back.

I gripped my sword, holding it straight out like all the action movies. Elladan was entering the clearing laughing.

"We have a long task in front of us." He said joining his brother.

"That bad huh?" I said pulling the sword back to me with a frown.

"Nothing we did not expect. You have no experience at all. Perhaps we should do a quick demo for her Dan. So she has something to work towards." Ro said with a grin.

The next twenty minutes, I kept pulling my jaw off the ground. The twins didn't look like they were fighting, they looked like they were dancing. I could hardly expect to do any of this, not with 10,000 years of practice.

Finally, Elrohir slipped up and Elladan put his sword to his younger brother's neck.

"I win again Ro." He said, sheathing his blade. They both turned to me and I just fell backwards against a tree.

"What did you think?"

"I'm just gonna give up now." I said shaking my head still in absolute awe.

"If you think we are good, you should see Legolas and Tauriel go at it. Especially, if one of them needs to blow off steam. We could actually arrange that soon. They usually attend the Summer Festival."

"As in Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood?"

"Who else?" Dan asked.

"I don't know. It's just I've read quiet a lot about him in the books from my world."

"I see."

"So let's get started..." Ro said changing the subject.

They learned quickly to first show me a stance, then let me try it, before correcting me about twenty times. I wasn't horrible, but I was no natural either. It indeed would be a long journey.

Over the course of the next two weeks, I built up enough strength and reflexes that I could block some attacks when not distracted. But it was evident that the twins grew impatient with my lack of coordination most days. I knew this would be hard but still, this is ridiculous. It feels as though I've done nothing but hold a blunt blade and change positions for two weeks.

"How about we take the week off since the preparations for the Festival are beginning tomorrow morning?" Ro asked, after a day where all three of us were frustrated.

Three days before the start of the Festival, I was walking through the east garden when I heard a set of horses arriving at the gate. I picked up my skirt and slowly jogged to the gate. As I reached the tree standing nearest it without leaving the garden, I climbed up to the second sturdy branch to see better. I saw Glorfindel awaiting the arrival, royalty then. I wonder if it's Lady Galadriel? I would love to meet her! I heard them getting closer. As the first horse came into view, I was disappointed to not see a blonde haired, blue-eyed elven Queen appear. Instead, it was a girl no older than 16 in mortal years. She was tall though and her elven features were prominent. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a tight braid but her bangs fell around her face framing her dark green eyes.

"Princess Friel, a pleasant surprise. We were expecting your brother and perhaps a few of your guard." Princess Friel was the young Princess of Mirkwood. Arwen had told me that she had not even reached her 1000th summer yet was more deadly with a blade than the king and his best men.

"Who needs guards Glorfindel? Certainly not my brother and I. However he and Tauriel have been awfully slow this trip." she joked as she jumped off her horse and hugged the blond elf.

"He is approaching." she said with a frown.

I prepared myself as I leaned further onto the branch. Legolas was by far one of my favorite characters from the trilogy and I am mere seconds from at least seeing him. A grey horse came through the trees, bearing a blonde elf. He was tall and looked nothing like the actor, Orlando Bloom. His cheekbones were prominent but not as high as Elrond and his sons. His eyes were much softer and blue! The purest, most magnificent blue I'd ever seen. They were like lightened sapphires. I can see why he was so popular when the movies were released. I almost fell from the tree, trying to get a better look. I am no man chaser by any means, but he is definitely eye candy. He jumped off his horse and clasped shoulders with Glorfindel.

"Welcome, Prince Legolas."

"It has been too long my friend."

"Too long indeed." They both turned as two more horses came into the clearing. An auburn haired elf with dark brown eyes came forth with a smile, but she was not in a dress, but a training tunic and leggings. Finally was another blonde elf, but he didn't seem to interested in the surroundings.

"Tauriel, Milin greetings." Glorfindel said nodding slightly.

They walked towards me. Crap they have to pass through the gardens to get to the stables. I slowly leaned against the trunk of the tree praying I wouldn't be seen.

"Come you have had a long journey, let us get you to your rooms." As they disappeared into the house and I sighed in relief.

"That was too close." I said sliding down the tree onto the ground. I looked at the sun and realized it was almost time from dinner. I ran to my room to make myself presentable.

I had on one of my favorite everyday dresses in hopes of making a good first impression. It was dark blue with typical bell sleeves and a white under skirt. I wore my hair in a traditional braid Arwen had finally succeeded in teaching me.

I had to act as though I didn't know they were here. I walked into the dining hall causally as I could. They were the first real guests to my home since I arrived, and it was time to put all of Arwen's lessons to good use.

Elrond sat at the head table with the Twins on his left and Legolas and Friel on his right as they enjoyed the small conversation.

"My Lords and Lady" I said bowing slightly upon reaching the table.

"Ah, Legolas, Friel, this is Lady Evangelina. Evangelina this is Prince Legolas and Princess Friel of Mirkwood." Elrond said standing

"T'is a pleasure to meet you both." I said curtseying.

Legolas stood and reached out to take my hand bringing it to his lips.

"The pleasure is all mine." He said flashing a smile that made my heart stop.

Soooo our favorite blond elf has made his appearance! Hope you liked it! Next chapter is the festival I promise! I'm getting to some of my favorite parts of the story to write!

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Until Next Time!

-B