A/N Hello Everyone! I hope you enjoy this story. It will be a Slow-burn romance between Female main character and Legolas.

"It's just a book give it a rest already," I sighed in annoyance.

Dargan was obsessed, it was easy for him to get that way. He got tested back in high school and we found out he was on the spectrum. Right now his newest hyperfixation is anything Middle-Earth. I love him I do, he is my best friend, but I am tired of hearing about Middle-Earth.

"It's not just a book Calico, if it were just a book why would we still be talking about it? You know they predict the Hobbit to surpass the Bible in sales, the Bible! You know, the whole reason they made printing presses!" He waved his arms around in animation.

We were roommates, I had a crush on his older brother in high school, it is the only reason we became friends. I was shallow then, I didn't see how truly great Dargan was. Nor did I see how awful his older brother was. We've lived together since my eighteenth birthday so a full 6 years, I'll be 25 soon.

Dargan worked in IT for the public schools, it was a cushy job that he did well, he just needed reminding to actually go to it. When he gets in these obsessions it seems nothing else matters to him, not even food, he lives and breathes only his fixation.

I cannot fault him; I'm currently in school for my 3rd career path. I became an event planner straight out of high school; it was easy with a flexible schedule. It didn't pay well however with us living in such a small town I often had to travel to larger cities and the cost of gas ate away at my profits.

My second career choice was wildly different I became a school bus driver, the CDL test was scary but nothing was scarier than a bus full of teenagers. It's been great with Dargan because I can take him to and from work and during the day I can do classes for what I really want to do. A year ago my mom passed away, cancer. It was a long and ugly process and in it, I found grace and compassion in her caretaker, the hospice nurse. That is what I'm currently going to school for, I have only a few more months before I get my nursing license.

"Ok did you eat dinner yet or do you want to grab something with me?" I asked interrupting his rant about the War of The Ring I wasn't even paying attention to.

He blinked slowly, "I'm not hungry."

That means he didn't eat nor does he plan to until he feels satisfied with his obsession. When we first became friends his behaviors scared me, I thought he would starve and waste away, but perhaps he isn't so different than I am when I choose to forgo a meal for sake of dieting or because my mood doesn't allow me to eat.

"Can we go here tomorrow?" He pulled out a 6-page Google Maps direction printout, with not only the pictures but the written directions as well to some location.

I glanced at it seeing it was some type of wilderness hiking trail, "Yeah, we'll have to leave early though because I have my biology class tomorrow," it was only a 45-minute drive.

He smiled widely, "This is where it happened, I was on Reddit, and the location is supposed to match what was written in the book perfectly."

I quirked a brow, "Dar, they're fiction books." I started to say but changed my mind knowing it was no use. "I'll see you in the morning, wear socks!"

He smiled mischievously at me as I made my way to my bedroom and shut the door, that boy would be the death of me. I don't know what I'd do without him, what started out as a fake friendship to earn his brother's affection turned into genuine affection on my part. Dargan is the closest thing to family I have, I would die for him, even kill if needed.

I shook my head as I changed into my pajamas and began brushing my teeth. Calico, he called me that as a term of endearment, in school however, it was a name I bore out of hate. I have vitiligo, as a white woman it isn't quite as noticeable on my skin as someone darker though it is noticeable when I blush or get flustered. It's almost as reverse freckles on my skin, others that I know have larger patches of white, but on me, it's small dots like freckles. They don't darken with a tan, they don't rosy with a blush, they're white forever. Thankfully it hasn't spread further. A few years ago some of the front pieces of my hair began turning white in chunks, which looked like early 2000s chunky highlights in my dark-brown hair. My appearance doesn't bother me so much anymore; being around high schoolers every day helps you to grow a thick skin. My last thought before falling asleep was if I needed to get gas in the morning.

Dargan was awake well before I was, he was not wearing socks, however, but reassured me that if he did get blisters I should be qualified to treat them. We left before the sun was up, before I could even get my precious coffee. He had one of his books in his lap the entire drive, in between reminding me where to turn and reading the mile markers he would excitedly turn to the same page and read it over and over.

I wore my scrubs, I wasn't sure if we would get back in time for me to shower and change, so hopefully the hike isn't so dirty.

"We're here, we're here!" Dargan excitement was contagious. I parked my car in the small gravel lot and took a moment to appreciate the tranquility that surrounded me. The scent of pine trees filled the air, and the gentle rustling of leaves provided a soothing soundtrack. The sun was beginning to peak over the horizon, the car lot was empty we were the sole hikers, which made Dargan ever the more ecstatic as we were both introverts.

"Providence! This is providence!" He didn't wait for me, as he began walking toward the trailhead with his nose deep in the book.

I chuckled lightly to myself watching him. I locked the car and began my trek toward the trailhead. The trailhead was marked by a wooden sign, weathered and worn from years of exposure to the elements. The ground was slightly damp causing one to sink but not quite muddy. It would however make for blisters if Dargan was not careful.

The path stretched out before me, inviting me to explore its mysteries. It wound its way through the towering trees, their branches forming a lush green canopy overhead.

"Calliope! Come on, it's this way hurry!" Dargan yelled from farther up the trail. He used my real name as a parent would use a full name. His scolding however was more endearing than anything else. Shafts of morning sunlight pierced through the leaves, creating patches of warmth on the forest floor. I could hear the gentle gurgle of a nearby stream, promising a refreshing break later on.

I caught up to him just as he stopped before what looked like a dead end. "It's here; I recognize the trees, this way." He waved his arms around to catch the spider webs before he walked into the underbrush and off the path.

"Wait Dargan what if we get lost, hey wait for me!" He was fast, so fast I had to sprint to keep pace with him, and even with that he was often lost to the foliage and concealed from me. The air felt cooler, and the sunlight struggled to filter through the dense canopy of leaves overhead.

"It's here, it's here!" His voice seemed to echo from somewhere near me. I turned around in a circle searching but never finding.

Panic began to surge through me, "Dargan we shouldn't be out here, we need to get back to the path,"

I glanced around, trying to find any recognizable landmarks or signs that might lead me back to the main trail. The dense woods seemed to close in around me, and all I could see were trees and underbrush in every direction.

"It's here Calico! I was right!" I ran to where I thought I heard his voice, only to hear an echo in a different direction.

A sense of vulnerability washed over me as I realized that I had no cell phone signal out here in the wilderness. I couldn't call for help, and there was no one around to ask for directions. It was just me and the forest.

"Dargan, can you hear me? Play marco-polo with me yeah?" I tried to keep my voice calm so he wouldn't feel anxious. His response was another echoed word of elation. I ran to it, trying with all my might to find him, that was until I ran straight into a tree root and flew through the air. I landed on something soft and whiny.

"Sorry," I groaned sitting up to see Dargan underneath me.

"You are not a good nurse." He said matter-of-factly.

Dargan lacked all manner of discretion; it was why IT seemed to be the best job for him. He tried fast food like most high schoolers but he didn't have a way with customers like the rest of us had.

I remember his second day at Mcdonald's, his boss had placed him on the drive-thru. A car drove up wanting to pay it forward and pay for the car behind them. He punched the numbers in scanned their card gave them their food and sent them on their way, then the car behind them pulled up and he realized his mistake. He had accidentally forgotten to charge that car for their own meal which was over 50 dollars. And the car that had just pulled up was only 2 shakes. So what does he do? Get a manager? No. He says,

"Hey the car in front of you paid for your meal," they cheered they blessed God, wow there really are good people out there huh?

"So as an act of kindness, you should pay for theirs."

"What?" They said in response.

"If you don't then you're not a good person." He replied.

I'm not sure how he managed to convince that couple to do that but he did, he can be very persuasive. He worked there for but a few weeks, many customers complained to corporate about his behaviors while others thought he was the best worker they'd ever met.

"Yeah well I'm not a nurse yet, come on, we should get back on the path."

I helped him to his feet, as he ignored me and began walking in the opposite direction. The trees began to take on a different hue as I followed him, many so tall they blocked out the sun entirely.

"Dargan please come on," I pleaded trying to think of a bribe that would work when a dozen men began falling from the sky. No, jumping from the sky.

"What the-" I began to say as these long-haired men surrounded us, they were dressed as if they were going to a renfaire, their bowstrings taut and arrows pointed at our faces.

Dargan was not at all afraid or put off, extending a hand towards one of the blonde men, "Dargan here big fan," the man took a step back and spewed a string of words I had no hope of understanding.

I felt my pulse in my throat and my knees began to feel weak as an even taller more foreboding man pounced down from the treetops and began speaking in the same foreign tongue, his eyes narrowed as they met mine before he switched to English. "The Lord and Lady have been expecting you; we will escort you to Caras Galadhon."

The men lowered their weapons holding their hands over their chest and bowing curtly to the blonde that spoke. Dargan chose that time to again lack all manner of discretion, "Actually, I don't mean to be rude but it's pronounced Caras Gall-adhone, it's a common misconception, most people would make the same mistake you have although very good Sindarin."

The man along with the other men didn't know exactly what to do with Dargan's frankness so we began walking. Dargan began speaking in the same language those other men spoke in; at this point, I think it was the lack of coffee that did me in. They say a lack of caffeine can perhaps cause hallucinations.

The men spoke back and forth with Dargan, none feeling the need to speak ENGLISH, excluding me entirely. They laughed and joked like old friends by the time we reached whatever Caras Galadhon was.

There was a great wall of green before us causing us to stop, a trumpet sounded then the wall began to move and I had to stumble out of the way so I did not get hit. Once the gate was opened we were greeted by more blondes and none speaking ENGLISH. Two tall, slender sentinels, dressed in silver and green, stood on either side as we passed, their eyes filled with wisdom and a hint of sadness. The forest canopy above was a tapestry of emerald leaves, gently swaying in the breeze. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a soft, golden glow upon everything it touched.

I could see homes, gracefully constructed high in the trees, connected by delicate bridges that seemed to defy gravity. Each dwelling was a work of art, blending seamlessly with the natural world, and the soft laughter of the people echoed from within.

My knees shook as the realization finally set in; Dargan turned around and looked at me, saying a phrase in that language. Middle-earth, we're here somehow.

It was the man who spoke English; he lifted me easily into his arms, not bothering to see if I could walk on my own again, deciding for me I couldn't.

I stared at him. He had a regal presence that commanded respect. He had long, blonde almost silver hair that cascaded down his back in smooth, flowing waves. His hair shone like moonlight, and it was adorned with delicate braids. His features were finely chiseled, with high cheekbones and a strong, noble jawline. His complexion was fair and flawless.

I felt insecure in his presence, my spotted complexion made me feel even more inferior. I didn't look to the steps he carried me up nor to the bridges we crossed, I stared only at him and was unable to think of anything other than how inferior I felt.

It wasn't until I was set down on my feet I realized we stood in front of two new people. The Lord and Lady. I did not need to be told, I could tell from their overwhelming presence.

"Thank you, Haldir,"

She was beautiful even more so than the man who carried me, while he seemed like the moon and a reflection of beauty she seemed to glow from within like the sun itself.

She stared at me, her face was young, but her eyes were old. "Do not fear young Calliope,"

She spoke but her mouth didn't move, nor did the others react as if they heard her.

I couldn't speak, my mouth felt dry, all I could seem to do is blankly stare at her as she slowly filled my mind. She showed me images, proof of the reality I was questioning, it seemed every question I thought up she would answer before I was finished thinking.

I was here for a reason, so was Dargan, though we don't know what exactly it seemed important. She saw us in her mirror, there was a great battle to be had she said, Middle-Earth was in danger and we were important for its fate.

When she was done in my mind she turned her gaze to Dargan who began to nervously babble, "I watched porn with you in it, well it wasn't really you, it was an actor, you are much more attractive than the actor was."

He seemed unaffected by her wandering in his mind and it seemed anytime she would speak to him he would not know how to think in reply and would speak out loud.

"Sorry, I was thinking about the porn again sorry you had to see that,"

She seemed to get irritated and switched to speaking out loud herself. "This book you hold, it holds the secrets of the future?"

"Yeah," He answered with a shrug. It was The Fellowship of The Ring, so if that was the future then where are we exactly in the timeline?

"You must destroy it."

His eyebrows knitted together and his head tilted to the side dramatically, "Do you know how much this cost?"

I need to get out of here. Whatever the reason for my being here was a mistake; I don't even like Middle-Earth. Maybe I can retrace my steps in the forest and find my way back.

"Dargan, these secrets you hold must not be seen by any other, I'm afraid for what I've seen in your mind already."

"I already said sorry for the porn."

It took quite a bit of convincing, and I'm not even sure why she chose to convince him and not take it herself to destroy it, everyone in the room could have easily overpowered him. The way she smiled at him showed that she was genuinely amused and not put off by his refusal however, they all acted as if he were just a child.

When he finally agreed to destroy it his mood was nothing but sour, he grumbled to himself the entire journey to wherever Haldir led us after we were dismissed. The book was cast into fire. The Elves when speaking to each other would speak Sindarin, but to me at least speak English, so when the Lady asked Haldir something regarding us, I was none the wiser.

"Communism, let's just take things from other people that aren't ours and force our beliefs on everyone." Dargan shook his head in front of me as he followed after Haldir.

"I think that's a bit of a stretch," I muttered in reply.

He whipped his head around, his cropped hair was coated in sweat and his face was red from his anger. "Oh yeah? What did the communists do Calliope? Burn books."

Haldir stopped walking and motioned us inside of a small treehouse. "This will be your talan for your time here; an Elleth will be up shortly with provisions and raiment for the both of you." He gave a curt nod before dismissing himself leaving the two of us alone in a treehouse in Middle-earth.

"You're a communist!" I accused in anger pointing my finger at him, "I don't even like Lord of the Rings! You dragged me here against my will!"