Mystic Myra 8: Your waiting is over.

pink bunny: Here it is.

Guest 1: Don't worry. I've got a sequel story in mind that will feature Edana as the main character.

Guest 2: Thank you.

Disclaimer: I do not own "The Hobbit."

# $%#%^&*()&*^&%^$%$ ##%^&*(^%#!% $%^&

Chapter 6: Ears and Fears

Sarah didn't know how long she was running. She wasn't aware of how fast she was going or all the places and people she passed. Anyone who saw or heard her coming got out of her way as fast as they could. Sarah didn't notice when she nearly crashed into Edana, who was pulled to the side at the last minute by her fellow workers. She didn't hear her cousin calling out to her as she ran away.

Her mind was numb.

When she finally stopped, she heard a chorus of animal voices in her mind. Looking around, Sarah found that she had run all the way to the elk stables. Large heads leaned out of their stalls, and all of them were asking if she was alright and what was wrong and why was she crying.

Sarah wiped her hands on her cheeks to find that she had indeed been crying. Drying her face, she went to each individual elk to give them a head rub and insure them that she was fine.

You are not fine said a deep yet kind voice as she came to the last elk. Idhrenion, Thranduil's personal elk, looked at Sarah as she approached him. Something has upset you greatly. Tell me.

Sarah unlatched the gate to Idhrenion's stall and walked in, noticing that it had just been cleaned and fresh straw had been laid down. A hay bale that had been pushed up against the wall provided her with a place to sit. Idhrenion waited until she was seated comfortably before walking up and resting his head in her lap. Sarah rubbed his face and neck as she spoke.

"I just learned that my copper fire everyone's been talking about is magic," she said, hoping to avoid the real issue.

I knew that Idhrenion said. The copper fire is in all animals, but none burn as brightly as you. You are surprised?

"I suspected that it might be magic," Sarah answered, "but it's one thing to have a theory and another thing to find out you're right."

Indeed. But this is not the reason for your tears. Sarah mentally groaned. I heard that.

If this had been any other time, Sarah would have been excited that her efforts of mental communication with an animal had finally worked or laughed at Idhrenion's last comment. Now, though, she could only give the elk a pathetic attempt at a smile before speaking again.

"King Thranduil is my father."

I knew that as well. I could tell by your scent when you first came here. Sarah wasn't surprised to hear that. This upsets you?

"Obviously."

Why? Idhrenion asked. The king is a good man. He does tend to have an occasional bad day, and he does have a bit of an attitude. Other than that, any elf maiden would be proud to call herself Thranduil's daughter.

"But I'm not 'any elf maiden,'" Sarah said. "I'm just a one-time human girl who woke up in a completely different world one month ago to find out that her family isn't actually her family and that her real father is a freaking elven king, for crying out loud!"

Idhrenion laughed at her language, then nuzzled her face.

Give yourself some time to let it all sink in he said. Get to know your father and let him get to know you. Soon you will see that your fears were nothing but silly paranoia.

"You don't understand," Sarah said in a low voice.

Understand what? Idhrenion asked. Explain it to me.

"My previous family included a father," Sarah began. "He would seem like such a nice man if you met him on the street, but he was different at home. He wasn't the kind of man I was proud to call my father. I was actually happy when he died."

As she spoke, Sarah's mind flashed back through all her memories of her father: calling her 'stupid' and 'idiot' when she came home with grades that were less than one hundred percent; the parties and activities he had forbidden her to attend for whatever reason he could come up with; her toys and books that he took away from her if he thought they were useless or a waste of time; all of her many attempts to please her father that only ended in more criticism and disappointed glares; and various other memories that were equally unpleasant. He never hurt her physically, but he seemed to have made it his mission in life to make her feel like she was the most worthless girl in existence.

He had almost succeeded when he had died suddenly of cancer, and Sarah felt a huge weight lifted from her shoulders.

She was free.

"I've suffered a broken heart at the hands of a father before," Sarah continued. "I'm afraid of it happening again." This time, Sarah could feel the tears as they fell from her eyes and ran down her cheeks.

Thranduil would no more break your heart than he could command the sun to never set Idhrenion said. Do not be afraid, princess. You are safe.

The excitement of the day and the effort of her long run finally caught up with Sarah. She laid down on the hay bale and closed her eyes, the protective presence of Idhrenion comforting her as she fell asleep.

A figure emerged from the shadows and walked over to Idhrenion's stall. He entered, unafraid of the great elk who was well known for being very picky and attacking anyone he didn't like if they came too close to him. The figure walked over to the elf maiden asleep on a hay bale. He watched her for a moment, then reached out to brush a few strands of hair away from her face.

"I will never hurt you, my daughter," King Thranduil whispered. "Please know that." He watched her for a few minutes before gently picking her up and walking out of the stables.

Thranduil did not care how many people saw him as he carried his daughter back to her temporary quarters. Edana, who arrived at the same time he did, opened the door for him when she saw her sleeping cousin in his arms. She also gave him quite a death glare, which he of course either didn't notice or chose to ignore.

Thranduil set Sarah down on her bed before removing her shoes and pulling the covers up to her chin. He took one more look at his daughter before silently walking out. He went back to his private quarters where he remained for the rest of the day, crying until he had no more tears to cry.

# $%#^&^**())(*&%$^%!# #$%^&((^*%&$^!#$%^&*()*(*#%& $#%# !

So what did you think of that? Thranduil may seem a little OOC here, but who knows what he does when no one can see him.

I chose a random elf name for the elk. Didn't want to call him something like 'Bambi.'

No one has guessed what book Sarah was talking about in the last chapter. That is still open for guessing.

Please review.