Author's Note: I am sorry again for being so late with the update! I actually wrote the beginnings of this chapter for a quite some time already. I started writing it in May but gosh, darn it! Work suddenly piled up (so much marking to do, met up with old friends, just generally getting so caught up with life, etc) and I was just so exhausted.

I've finished all three of the Lord of The Rings books and am now reading the appendix. I think I need to do that to prepare myself for The Silmarillion. I know that one's gonna be pretty heavy. Anyway, this fic takes place during the time when Gimli and Legolas visit the Glittering Caves and now it is when the two of them regroup with the rest of the Fellowship. Galadriel and her husband Celeborn are also there when they meet up with Treebeard. This chapter has no Treebeard yet but I'll have him appear in the next chapter.

The song Ithilwen sings: I forgot to mention that the songs she sings are inspired by real songs but I edited the words and wrote them most with the melody in mind. This song I wrote in this chapter is inspired by the song Lothlórien from The Lord of The Rings Musical. The first verse was sung by Legolas and this song is just so beautiful, I listened to it over and over again. They guy who acted as Legolas in the play is Michael Rouse and my god, this guy's voice is just...E.P.I.C! It was so clear and beautiful...Galadriel's voice takes the cake though! Boy, that woman can sing!

Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Everything familiar belongs to Tolkien and the ones that aren't are all mine. I make no profit from this, just reviews and the pleasure of writing.

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Chapter IV: Cradled In Light

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Ithilwen woke up the next morning without much effort. In her day and age, most Eldars did not need much sleep but when they slept it was similar to the way humans, dwarves and other creatures would sleep; that is, she would close her eyes and fall into another realm between life and death entirely. No Eldar was able to keep their eyes open if they were going to 'sleep'.

She blinked several times first and then yawned and began to stretch herself. Today was Tuesday, if her memory served to be correct and usually on Tuesdays she was expected to attend her dancing and singing lessons. It was a terrible chore to her for Ithilwen knew she was not any good at singing or dancing. Her singing instructor told her that her voice needed to be fiercer for Dark Eldars enjoyed growling and shouting in their songs. They claimed that graceful, sweet music was for the good and righteous and their God Hand Slan would consume their souls whole if they made such music. Ithilwen's dancing was always something that she did not receive much criticism upon probably because her dance instructor enjoyed humiliating her with torturous exercises rather than correcting her dancing. Ithilwen did not much care for the Dark Eldars' dancing anyway. She felt that the Dark Eldars' dancing was very lewd and quite vulgar for her tastes. Light Eldars would probably gladly slit their throats first rather than submit to such provocative dancing.

"Yes, yes," Ithilwen mumbled when she heard knocking on the door, "I will be ready in a few minutes. Give me but a moment, please."

"Lady Ithilwen?" Gléowyn called out from the other side of the door. "Are you presentable? I have brought your breakfast and I hear Master Legolas and Master Gimli will be wanting to see you this fine morning."

"I ask for a moment, please!" Ithilwen called out once more, her mind still drowsy and half in sleep still, "I will be ready for dancing and singing lessons soon, Lady Branwen! I swear to thee, I will not move my hips in modesty or shame any longer!"

And she was just about to fall asleep once more when Gléowyn's voice finally sank in and the conscious side of her mind began to ring alarm bells. She sat up immediately, eyes wide open and blinking rapidly as she scanned her surroundings. Indeed, nothing looked very familiar to her and her memory began to whirl into focus as everything that occurred the night before came crashing back to her like waves upon rough rocks by the sea.

'I was transported to the past, I think,' Ithilwen thought rapidly, 'I have met the characters of those beloved myths Haia and Angahard used to tell me and in which stories were told in books I have read myself….Legolas…And the dwarf Gimli!'

More knocking could be heard and Ithilwen scrambled out of her bed in fright.

'I also met a human lady of the fabled Rohirrim and this must be her!' she thought as she tried to calm herself. The freshly remembered memories had made her wary and fearful once more. It was unheard of; that one from the very distant future could travel all the way back to a forgotten past. A past that was considered legend and myth, not a tale to be taken into serious account.

"Forgive me!" Ithilwen called out as she frantically moved to the door to unlock it, "I will unlock the door now!"

With a light click, the door knob was free of its hold and Gléowyn stepped in carrying a tray laden with food and what looked to be a jug and cups. A delicious aroma wafted as she walked by Ithilwen and the elf was immediately reminded of Angharad's delicious cooking. It smelled so good; like fried eggs, bread and slices of cheese along with something else Ithilwen couldn't quite determine but she decided that whatever it was, it had to be something just as mouth-watering as the rest of the food Gléowyn brought.

"Did you forget where you were, m'lady?" Gléowyn asked, her eyes twinkling with humour, "You called me by some other name; I know not whom it was. I suppose 'tis understandable given your plight."

Ithilwen hung her head in apology for mistaking Gléowyn for someone else.

"I did, truth be told," she replied, "I forgot entirely of where I was, or perhaps it is better to phrase it as 'when I was'…Everything is very strange here and yet there's something that is also very familiar. As if I've been in a dream and I know not that it is reality already or as if I have tumbled into the land of dreams for I have fallen asleep yet I am not aware of sleep and think still that this is in the land of wake…This is all very strange."

"Indeed," Gléowyn agreed, wiping her hands on a piece of cloth. She had placed the tray on a large circular table beside Ithilwen's bed and she had uncovered most of the dishes so that it lay bare for Ithilwen's eyes to roam over it. It looked even more delectable than what she had in mind and her eyes glowed in approval.

"Oh, my, that looks absolutely breathtaking!" she exclaimed in wonder.

Gléowyn laughed and called for her to sit and dine.

"Come now, let us break our fast with this meal I have prepared," she cried, gesturing to food, "I brought enough for the both of us for I wished to eat with you on this very fine morn. Afterwards, you are to prepare yourself for once again, the elf prince Legolas and his companion, the dwarf Gimli wishes to see you again."

Once Ithilwen and Gléowyn both were seated, they began eating with much relish. Ithiwlen did not refuse anything was offered although there were a time or two when she shyly asked what were some of the food served for some looked very foreign to her.

"What are these?" she asked curiously, picking one from the plate with her cutlery and twirling it about to further peer at it.

"Those are called mushrooms, my lady," Gléowyn replied and then she looked at Ithilwen oddly, "Have you never before had a bite of mushrooms? They are a most common bit of growth and can be found nearly everywhere in this good Middle Earth."

Ithiwlen shook her head but she seemed to have found something utterly delightful for her eyes began to shine and sparkle the way they did when she had found something that was of utmost pleasure to her.

"No, I have never seen them nor have I tasted one before!" Ithilwen said, "But I have heard of them! Read about them to be precise! They were mentioned in the books I read about this era of the world. We no longer have anything similar to this plant in my time."

"Truly?" Gléowyn asked in disbelief, "Here and now it is a delicacy and not at all difficult to come across. One need only to look for a dark damp place and there you will find mushrooms."

Ithilwen stared a bit more at the mushroom she held close to her face. Taking a sniff of it, she closed her eyes to savour its unique scent. It smelled almost like a leafy vegetable she was familiar with in her own time; a strange damp mossy kind of smell. Ithilwen brought the mushroom close to her lips and tentatively took small a bite from it. Gleowyn watched in amusement as the elf lady chewed slowly with a dreamlike look upon her face.

"That is delicious!," she cried and promptly popped the whole mushroom into her mouth, smiling in pure joy as she did so. Gléowyn smiled at her in return and they ate together in silence after that.

It was after breakfast that Gléowyn politely excused herself from Ithilwen's company. She told the elf maiden that she could take her bath in the room next door. A dress and fresh bandages were prepared for her and if she so needed assistance, she needed only to call Gléowyn or any other lady and they would gladly help. Thanking the lady, Ithilwen hummed happily to herself as she set about to make herself ready. Ithilwen happily made her way to the bath, looking forward to a long good warm soak. She cared not of her wounds and thought that they seemed to have been on the mend and that put her in an even better mood.

The faint clinking sound her collar reminded her briefly of her loathsome betrothed Àinfean, however; determined not to feel fear in this era and new realm, Ithilwen quickly busied herself with other things such as the smell of soap and the warm bubbling water in the tub.

"Hmm," she said to herself, trailing her hand in the tub gently, "I think this calls for a song."

Her heart thrummed expectantly at the idea concerning Legolas' opinion of her singing. He explicitly told her that her singing voice was abysmal and that she should never feel the need to sing in his presence ever again.

"Well, he is not here so I will sing if I so wish to do so," she smiled to herself. Sinking her whole body into the tub, Ithilwen began to hum and sing softly. She closed her eyes and sank deeper into the water, thoroughly enjoying the tranquillity the water provided her.

"From the East he appeared, darkness and shadow in his eyes,

In his arms an unquenchable thirst for blood, a lust as high as the skies,

When his legs strode forth, deep into a forest of gloom,

He lifted his gaze and there he saw the place of inevitable doom.

Grant me thy mercy, O' Prince; give me peace for both body and soul,

The pinnacle of death, fear and deceit, a force of destruction untold!"

The song was an ancient one, taught to the Dark Eldars' children since young and one was expected to know the words at just a year of age. Of course Ithilwen learned this song much later in life, after her capture and when Àinfean decided it would be a tremendously wonderful occasion to force her to sing and dance for him for his pleasure. He hired dance tutors and singing instructors, forcing her to take up the lessons and widen her knowledge on Dark Eldar culture and ways of life. Most of their songs were about their tales of conquests done by their leaders or kings of great nobility. Very dark and gruesome tales they told and Ithilwen did not like the words but she did like singing (even though she was told repeatedly her voice was terrible) and the music of the Dark Eldars was quite hypnotic in a way.

Once she finished the song with some words of the Dark Eldars' language, Ithilwen got out to dry herself. She was just about to brush her hair when she noticed Legolas was already standing beside her.

His presence startled her and she lurched backwards in her shock. Eyes widening and her mouth agape as she took in his appearance, Ithilwen needed to take a moment to be certain that her mind had accepted it truly was someone she need not fear.

"Forgive me, lady," he began, "I did not mean to startle you but I heard you singing and I…Well, I owe you an apology for my rash words last night. They were spoken in haste and anger."

Ithilwen blinked at him and then she smiled happily at him, hoping that she could melt his icy demeanour and have him show the same kind of warmth he bestowed upon his dwarf friend, Gimli.

"Oh, you need not apologise twice, my lord," she said, still smiling brightly at him, "I understand that you were not yourself and I have already forgiven you."

Legolas shook his head solemnly, the movement so graceful and quick that Ithilwen thought he moved not at all for a brief second.

"You mistake me, lady, for I do not apologise on behalf of my treatment of you when you…That is I wish to make it known that when I said you were being disrespectful, I apologise. You are new here and as such you are unaccustomed to our ways. You were not aware of many of your social blunders."

Ithilwen could not believe his words just then and she could not tell how long she stood there gawking in front of him as he stood there looking so very grim and serious.

"Social blunders?," Ithilwen repeated in confusion, "Do you mean when I sang that 'evil' song as you called it or when I refused to strip?"

"Both," he stated, face still remaining very blank, "I can tell you are very young, mayhap barely out of childhood, I would think. You will learn the etiquette of this era though."

With that he stepped outside and refused to make eye contact with her. As he slipped by, he merely whispered to her that he wished to see her once she was ready. He briefly told her he wanted to see her in the hallway. It happened so swiftly, Ithilwen was left a little dazed and she swung her head back to watch the woodland elf's back as he walked away but she didn't see even that. All that her keen eyes caught were a trail of silvery gold hair that disappeared as quick as a flash of light.

'Very peculiar he is…' her thoughts echoed in her mind. Shaking her head, Ithilwen looked about her in search of a hair brush. She noticed that it was not only the walls and rooms that were excruciatingly beautiful to behold but it was also the furniture. Her table was carved out of white marble and it was large and extravagant but it was sturdy too and looked ever lovely and feminine in its appearance. All about it was carved designs that looped and she noticed that, upon closer inspection, there were tiny horses with their proud arched necks and flowing manes carved over the frame that surrounded the mirror. The craftsmanship was truly something to admire and Ithilwen thought how beautiful the Glittering Caves were.

After she had brushed her hair into a more tame appearance, Ithilwen proceeded to sweep all of her hair and tie it up into a very simple ponytail. She pulled her hair up high so that her neck and ears were left bare. It was not very comely but it was simple and convenient for it left her neck and ears cool on a hot day. Ithilwen favoured comfort over beauty whenever she could get it. Living with an evil prince like Àinfean who tortured and humiliated people for his pleasure had taught her that. If given the smallest opportunity for comfort, Ithilwen would seize it.

Legolas stood tall and straight in the hallway with his friend Gimli looking on at him in deep amusement. The dwarf's eyes were crinkled in a hidden smile and his hand came about to stroke his beard in an absent manner that the elf had come to notice as a gesture of ease for the dwarf. The elf prince could not understand what was so amusing to the dwarf but he did not have the patience to ask for an explanation either. Legolas simply ignored his best friend and his mind wandered to the wayward elf maiden they had encountered the night before.

Ever the cautious and wary elf, Legolas had taken measures to send out a message to Gandalf whom he felt was someone who needed to know of this situation and what to make of it. Fear and worry had gripped him slightly as he had called for the messenger to come forth and deliver the letter to the old wizard. He hoped nothing of ill fortune would descend upon them given the bizarre arrival of the elf maiden.

'I hope Mithrandir would know what to make of her,' Legolas thought to himself, 'She is young and foolish and so mayhap she has gone and lost her mind somehow…It is a better thing to claim than that she hails from a land far away. Where she comes from and whither does she wish to go? I know not but I wish Mithrandir may have a few answers.'

Gimli did not know about the letter he had sent to Gandalf but the dwarf was no fool and he certainly had guessed that the elf had probably managed to sidle up to some messenger and ask for a letter to be delivered. He knew his friend well in the short time that they had grown close to one another. The dwarf believed it was a good decision to make and given that the White Wizard could be merciful and compassionate, perhaps he would try to aid the lost elf maid.

"Steady now, lad," Gimli called out to him, softly, "You don't want to look too eager now do you?"

"Eager?" Legolas frowned in answer, "I have no inkling of what you are trying to say, Master Dwarf, but to be honest I have no desire to know it either."

Gimli laughed loudly at his comment and slapped his knees in his mirth. Teasing the elf prince had been pure entertainment and watching the immensely brave and wise elf behaving so obtuse truly caused him much joy.

"Oi, there she appears, Master Elf," Gimli said, nodding his head toward his right.

True enough, there appeared Ithilwen walking carefully towards them and her eyes focused on Gimli. Light shone through her eyes and she smiled gladly as she made her way to his side. Gimli was struck by her radiance and the way her beaming face seemed to glow with the ethereal light of all elves. She looked very much like any other ordinary elf save for her dress which was decidedly Rohirrim in style.

"Master Gimli!" she cried out in her happiness at seeing him, "Good morning to you! It fills my heart with a happiness unlike any other to see you and know with certainty that all I have seen and those I've met yester eve was not a dream."

Gimli grinned back at her and greeted her with the same enthusiasm she had emanated.

"You look different with your hair fashioned that way, M'lady," he remarked, eyeing her ponytail with a funny look, "I don't think I've ever beheld any maiden fashion her hair that way."

Ithilwen self-consciously touched the end of her pony tail, tugging at it shyly. Her eyes frowned in wariness and she bit her bottom lip before she answered Gimli.

"Is it very odd?" she asked, still tugging her hair, "Where I am from, pony tails are very acceptable and common hairdos. Many men and women wear them, however, women tend to make theirs a bit more intricate with other tiny braids woven in for effect. It seemed like a terribly good idea to wear it like this today. Something simple and not at all time consuming."

Legolas decided to make his presence known then although truthfully Ithilwen had been aware of him all along. No one could possibly miss the elven prince for all his strength and demeanour. One simply had to be dead not to acknowledge Legolas for he was indeed unique even among his kin. Ithilwen felt a rush of air pass through her as she lifted her head to look upon his face.

"It is a strange way to tie your hair," Legolas explained, his tone formal and his face blank, "Well, in these times at least. Perhaps in the First Age, our people may have fashioned their hair in a similar way…"

Ithilwen saw his eyes roam over her face…No, he was actually staring at her ears and bare neck and not her face. Then he turned away, frowning slightly as if her ears offended him. The expression was small and fleeting and Ithilwen wondered why he would look at her ears in disapproval. Perhaps her slightly large ears were hideous to him? Ithilwen twitched her ears to test feel of them. Legolas caught the movement and this time his eyes narrowed to near slits in what looked like simmering fury. He was furious but he masked it quite well so that to all others who looked at his face would deem him irate at most. However, elves had a unique ability of being able to read people and what they were truly feeling. Ithilwen was not quite keen with this gift but she could sense that the prince was not pleased with her ear twitching.

"Have you broken your fast, Ithilwen?" Legolas asked after a brief moment of uncomfortable silence.

"Ai, yes," she mumbled, eyes glued to the floor. When Legolas was being very cold and flippant like this, she always had a difficult time wondering where to look. Ithilwen loathed to look at him for he would only return her gaze with a cold blank stare that left her squirming.

"Good," Legolas replied offhandedly. He turned and looked onward toward the end of the hallway. "I was hoping you would take a walk with me and perhaps we could visit Mithrandir and the rest of The Fellowship. I grow weary of delaying the meet much further. We must make haste and go thither ere any other strange goings on were to occur."

Ithilwen snapped her gaze to him and she could tell the truth that belied in his words. He wanted her to meet Mithrandir so that he could determine what to do with her and if she truly was what she said she was. A small fire burned in her chest at his suspicion of her but she quelled it when she thought it was indeed his right to be skeptical of her arrival.

"Mithrandir?" she repeated, "The one often referred to as Gandalf, yes? Gandalf the Grey? Who later became Gandalf the White?"

Large innocent eyes blinked at Legolas and he suddenly wanted to believe in her words and her origins. That sudden burst of emotion left him speechless for a moment but he quickly regained his senses and glared at the elf maiden before him. She was truly foolish if she were a spy if she spoke aloud how she knew of Mithrandir for no spy would reveal something quite so openly. However, how had she come by such knowledge of Gandalf's transformation after he felled the foul Balrog and fell into the abyss? Not many knew the truth behind Gandalf's transformation and in truth many still referred to Mithrandir as Gandalf the Grey.

"How come by you know his name?" Legolas asked a little too harshly, "Many still call him Gandalf the Grey and you who claim to come from a distant land and time know his names as if you know him well."

"I know his name well from all the books I've read of this world," Ithilwen tried to protest, "You heard me last night when I spoke of the world I hail from. Your story or your life, as it were, has been recorded through time and Mithrandir's names have indeed been written down as well."

Legolas frowned slightly and his gaze shifted to some other space other than her face.

"All that you have said if indeed is true then you must understand my reservations to whole heartedly believe in such things," Legolas explained, "It sounds so far-fetched, you see."

Ithilwen nodded reluctantly. "I understand," she whispered softly, "But you must see that I have no reason to lie."

"We will see about that."

Legolas brought Ithilwen to the entrance of the caves and he lingered whenever she began to lag behind so she could catch up to him. Gimli also followed but he did not have the same problem as Ithilwen did.

"I'm sorry," Ithilwen mumbled every few minutes, flushing slightly under Legolas' stern gaze, "This dress is very long and I am unaccustomed to it."

Legolas would respond by rolling his eyes or giving an indignant sigh. He noticed with slight surprise that Ithilwen seemed clumsier than many ordinary elleths, often stumbling or tripping over her gown. Her silly clumsiness brought Gimli to tears with laughter when she had accidentally stubbed her toe on one of the foot of a chair earlier that day. The elf maid had screamed in pain and she literally hopped on one foot as she held onto the other. Legolas resisted the urge to hoist her up over his shoulder and put a stop to her idiotic antics lest she shamed all elves with her stupidity. Ithilwen saved herself from further shame by running (stumbling more like) into her room, all the while trying to convince others that she was fine.

Legolas wondered if all elves in her world were as clumsy and careless as her. She looked similar to elves in his world but her behaviour, voice and her peculiar clumsiness were all very different from what he was used to.

Gimli had told him he liked her when Ithilwen had stubbed her toe.

"Never met an elleth like her!", Gimli cried out, "It's like she's part Bombur and part Pippin!"

"She is an abnormality, I'll give you that," Legolas agreed reluctantly as he shook his head, watching the much younger elf hop about yelping and moaning in pain.

"She's wonderful!" Gimli crowed when Ithilwen bumped into a lady walking by with a basket full of hand cloths causing all the contents to fly out and float in the air prettily before they landed gracefully in a mess all over the floor. Ithilwen was apologising a mile a minute and she already had tears from the pain streaming down her face. Thankfully, the lady she bumped into didn't seem too angry.

"Stupid child!" Legolas had muttered under his breath but Ithilwen's keen ears heard him and she flushed even darker and that was when she stumbled and hopped haphazardly back to her room.

Now that they were finally going out to meet the rest of the Fellowship, Legolas tried to make himself look forward to meeting the rest of the company. He longed to see Aragorn's confident smile, Mithrandir's wise gaze and the cheerful hobbits whose warmth and merriment knew no bounds.

The elleth was like a babe, completely ignorant in her capabilities as a normal elf. She would walk in the same manner as Man would; stomping in her gait as if she expected her feet to land on the ground when all other elves would know that their feet floated on the ground and they merely "kissed" it. The sinister looking collar she had was still on her neck and the metal chain attached to it still clinked noisily when she stumbled or hurried.

'I need to ask Mithrandir about that as well,' thought Legolas.

Ithilwen grew more and more anxious as the minutes passed by. It was nearly an hour already and she noticed that the light in caves seemed to grow brighter and brighter. There was also a warmth she was completely unaccustomed with. It did not feel like anything she had ever experienced before and she was suddenly fearful of where Legolas was taking her. Was he taking her to a pit filled with demon fire where he would throw her in? Would he actually be that cruel?

Ithilwen shook her head at her silly thoughts. It was outrageous to think that an elf from this era would commit such a heinous act. He didn't hate her to that extent, did he?

She blinked back her tears because suddenly the brightness began to eat away at her eyes. Ithilwen had to blink rapidly before she noticed very tall archways and columns in the caves, all very beautiful and encrusted with gems and precious stones that gleamed in all that light.

"My lord? Legolas?," she called out hesitantly, "Uhh, why is it so bright suddenly? I don't think my eyes could take any more of this light."

Both warriors turned to look at her in puzzlement at her queries. Legolas had one eyebrow arched ever so elegantly but his face maintained the hostility he so often showed her. Gimli looked at her as if she'd sprouted a second head.

"What do you mean that it is so bright, lass?" Gimli asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"Aye, pray tell what is it about this light that irritates you so, lady?" Legolas chimed in, voice cold and clear and it felt like a bucket of freezing cold water had been splashed across her face.

"Uhh," Ithilwen began slowly, "Doesn't it bother you?"

"No," they answered simultaneously.

Ithilwen sighed but she was determined not to let the Mirkwood prince intimidate her to the point of silence.

"I am unaccustomed to such brightness," Ithilwen began patiently, "Where I come from, it is perpetually dark as night every hour of every day."

Legolas exchanged looks with Gimli at her confession.

"No, it cannot be so…," Legolas said slowly, "Are you telling us that you have never before seen the light of day graced by the sun, she who rises when the morning comes and shines her face upon all of Middle-earth?"

"Yes," Ithilwen replied honestly, "I have never seen the sun…I have never in all my years of living witnessed what you call the light of day. Our world, Earth, it is constantly covered in darkness. I told this to you last night when you questioned me of my origins."

Legolas and Gimli looked unconvinced but they nodded curtly just the same.

"Aye, yes, you did mention this last evening," Legolas agreed, nodding his head briefly as he recalled her words, "Forgive me and my friend. We have forgotten it since much has occurred."

Ithilwen forced a smile to her face but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"There is nothing to forgive, my lord," she stated in assurance, "However, I do not think that my eyes could withstand the bright light of your lady sun. Mayhap we could wait until night and see your friends then?"

Legolas frowned at her suggestion and Gimli began to grumble in disapproval too.

"I don't think we should delay our return to the fellowship," Gimli drawled out thoughtfully, "What say you, Legolas?"

"I agree, Gimli," Legolas tilted his head as he said this, eyeing Ithilwen with a severe look that showed his disapproval in spades, "We will not be delaying our journey to see our friends. You will meet Mithrandir and we will know if all that you say is true."

Ithilwen gaped at the elven prince and his dwarf friend. She could not believe her ears and she tried her best to control the sudden raging fire she felt grow in her chest. It was anger and hurt she was feeling at the prince and his companion. That they would dismiss her plight and accuse her of trying to prolong the meeting she was to have with Mithrandir, it seemed all too cruel.

"You still don't believe me…" Ithilwen cried out in frustration, "You think I'm telling lies and making all this up so that I would avoid being questioned by your friends…You think me a liar and a fugitive…What would it take for you to believe me!"

Legolas tossed his head in what looked to Ithilwen the most graceful movements she had ever beheld had it not been an act of defiance against her claims. The elven prince looked angered and to her shock, he agreed with her statements.

"How can we trust someone as suspicious and shabby as you?" Legolas said smartly, "You come dressed in rags, that hideous collar on your neck and claiming you hail from a distant future…You tell us we are nothing but mere tales of the imagination and that prior to our meeting you thought we were fictional. Do you realise that you sound like a person who has lost all sanity? That you are raving mad!"

Ithilwen gasped as if he had struck her in the face. She was so offended that she took several steps back, heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes darted to the dwarf that stood beside his elf friend in search of assurance but she saw none which made her heart sink even deeper. Gimli looked regrettable but he did not seem as if he were about to agree with her.

"Now, lass," Gimli started, "Do try to understand. It is not that we don't trust ye…It's just what you are saying does seem a little…outrageous."

Ithilwen shook her head in disbelief, slowly she took small steps backwards away from the pair and away from the light she grew to resent.

"Ithilwen!" Legolas called out, his voice like steel. It was a warning and Ithilwen knew he wanted her to stop and remain where she was.

"No," she whispered softly, feet moving backwards slowly but surely.

"Ithilwen!" Legolas said again, this time he moved toward her. Gimli also called out to her albeit his voice was much gentler but she ignored his call. She ignored both their calls.

Ithilwen gave a strangled wail and turned swiftly, running as fast as her bandaged legs could carry her. She heard the prince yell out to her but she was past caring. The light had been hurting her eyes too much and she could not tolerate it for a second longer. It was too painful and too foreign for her to bear. She could not bring herself to the mercy of the hard and callous ellon she'd met or his dwarf companion. They would take her outside and blind her with the raging brightness of their beloved sun. Ithilwen could not imagine a life without sight even after all the terrible things she'd seen and she fought for her safety and life that moment the same way she had fought when Àinfean was about to ravish her. With desperation and will for survival that outran any other thought.

"Halt, Ithilwen!" Legolas shouted, he ran with all his speed and strength to catch up to the elleth.

Ithilwen did not answer but his commanding voice made her whimper in fear as she remembered Àinfean's commanding voice and she ran all the faster for it. Her feet flew past her in such haste that she could barely see them move. Ithilwen had noticed that from the very moment she tried to run that the earth here was different and she was made all the more clumsy because the pull of gravity had been so light here that she always felt as if she would fly. Her feet never really touched the ground, she marvelled in realisation! In the stories, all elves could walk on snow and wore only light shoes! So it was true then!

Wind whipped at her face and the further she ran the darker the cave grew for she ran away from the light of the day. In her mind, Ithilwen thought she was getting to safety but she did not think of the consequences of Legolas finding her when she had nowhere else to go. She focused all her energy and mental strength on escaping from the prince.

She was so fast that she did not realise she had outrun the elf who took chase of her.

Legolas ran behind her but he watched in utter disbelief as she grew smaller and smaller from his line of vision. He could still see her and clearly too because of the superior eyesight he possessed but he noted grimly that she was much faster than him. However, Legolas could be a stubborn elf and once he set his mind to something, it was very difficult for him to give up on the pursuit. He kept running and he would keep running until he lost all strength which he knew would probably take him days for he had the immense vitality and strength of body as did all his people. Legolas knew with full confidence that he would catch up to her eventually.

Her skirts no longer flapped about her feet or legs when Ithilwen all but sighed and grabbed a hold of them and lifted them up. She could not care less what all the people around her said or thought as all her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of avoiding capture.

After a while of running, Ithilwen felt her lungs begin to constrict and her legs growing sluggish. She was running out of strength fast and she felt her fears crashing on her tenfold. She would be captured and Legolas would force her to go outside of the cave.

A door caught her eye and she quickly ran into it, hoping against hope that Legolas would not notice her movements and that she would be able to hide for a while. Unfortunately for Ithilwen, Legolas' keen eyes caught her figure disappearing into the room and he also saw that she had moved much slower than her earlier sprint. Mustering all of his strength, the wood elf focused all his energy on his powerful legs and willed them to go faster. He broke out at full speed that surpassed his earlier run and before he knew he'd appeared in the room Ithilwen ran into and was already making his way to her.

"N-no!" Ithilwen gasped, "How did you get here so fast? I saw you far behind when I chanced a look!"

Legolas offered her a sardonic smirk and moved steadily to corner her.

"I was far behind for a time until I noticed that you had slowed considerably. Ran out of breath perhaps? No matter, now we will make our journey to meet our friends and we will finally know the truth behind your words."

Ithilwen stifled a scream when the warrior prince moved to her side and grabbed hold of her and hoisted her up over his shoulder the way he did the night before. She weighed nothing compared to other things he had to lift for the purpose of training.

"My lord prince, please!" she wailed in protest, her small hands curling in the back of his tunic as she fought to steady herself.

"Please stop referring to me as such," Legolas said in a commanding tone, he popped his shoulder a bit as he spoke so Ithilwen had to scramble to hold on for dear life again. "My name is Legolas. Call me by my name."

Ithilwen ignored this and tried to tell him to put her down.

"I do not want to leave the cave!" she said, "Can't your friends come to see us in here instead? The light from the sun would burn me, I'm sure of it!"

Legolas let out a gentle humourless laughter.

"And who pray tell, are you to demand such terms?" Legolas mocked her, "As of this moment, child, you are a prisoner and you must do as I command and right now, I say we leave the cave and find our friends!"

Ithilwen groaned in protest but she ceased to struggle for she was afraid of the woodland elf's temper lest he hurt her if she further voiced her opinions.

"Come now," Legolas spoke softly; he took on a more gentle tone to try and sooth her, "It will not be so bad. My friends are truly fair and noble folk, they will not harm you. And I've never heard of anyone, elf or man who burned in the light of day."

Legolas walked back to the mouth of the caves where he found Gimli sitting by on a large boulder, axe propped up with both hands resting on it, waiting patiently for his friend to bring back the elleth. When he saw them he called out to them with laughter in his voice.

"Hello, there! Legolas my friend, that took longer than expected!" Gimli chuckled good naturedly, "The lass gave yeh a bit of a challenge, eh? Faster than she looks, I'll give her that."

Legolas returned his friend's good humour by smirking triumphantly.

"Yes, I'll give her that as well," Legolas agreed, "But in the end she could not outrun a warrior elf such as I."

"Ho!" Gimili boomed loudly, turning to look at Ithilwen whose face had gone red from hanging onto Legolas' shoulder for too long. "Did you hear that, lass? He says it with all the arrogance that comes hand in hand with being a pointy eared elvish princeling! What say you to that?"

Ithilwen giggled at Gimli's good humour but her laughter quickly turned into a frown when Legolas proceeded to put her down in an unceremonious heap on the floor. The ellon glared down at her for a bit before he moved to retrieve his belongings; his beloved bow and a small pack of some necessities.

"To answer your question, Master Gimli," Ithilwen whispered in Gimli's ear, "I say that the prince isn't very fast but what he lacks in speed he makes up for in stubbornness."

Gimli guffawed at this and Legolas placed his scowl on his dwarf friend then. He went to Ithilwen who was still sprawled on the floor to grab her arm and pull her to her feet.

"Don't think I did not hear that, woman," he said a little harshly, "Between the two of us, I think you are the stubborn one!"

"I fully agree, my lord," Ithilwen replied mockingly, "I truly hope you will be extremely satisfied when my eyes bleed from all that brightness. Please do purchase a walking stick for me when I am blind!"

Legolas glared at her but he bit his tongue and simply dragged the elleth to the large gates of the cave. It was already cracking open at Gimli's command and more light from the outside poured in.

All she saw at first was light, bright and glorious; its warmth washed her face and form and her eyes tried to adjust to it. The light poured in and everything seemed to be enveloped by it, drowning out even Legolas and Gimli. She could see nothing but golden white light, shining in its brilliance so much so that for a brief moment Ithilwen almost thought it beautiful. Then she blinked and still it was just light that she could see. She blinked again and the same thing happened. A panic began to stir in her and she tugged herself, trying to pull away from Legolas' grasp on her arm. He held on fast to her, he was much stronger than her and she could not break away from him.

"Legolas?" she cried out in a panic, "Legolas! I cannot see!"

"I am here, Ithilwen!" a voice answered her. She thought it sounded like Legolas but he sounded distant as if she was far away.

"I can't see!," she repeated, frantically this time, "I cannot see you! I cannot see anything! I'm blind! I'm blind!"

Ithilwen gasped when the realisation hit her and lost consciousness after that.

"Well, she looks like every other ordinary elleth," a male voice spoke. It was a strong voice with a deep timbre to it and it suggested a hint of wisdom in the gravelly undertones; perhaps it belonged to an old man.

"I know that but look at her collar, Mithrandir," another voice said carefully. A rich and clear voice, Ithilwen knew immediately it belonged to Legolas.

"Oh, do you think there are hobbits still in her time? I should like to hear about our folk if we are still around!" a high merry voice piped up. It sounded very youthful and cheerful, the kind of voice that was pleasant to the ears and immediately put one in a good mood.

"Hush, Pippin," the elderly voice reprimanded, "Let me have a look at her. Why yes, this collar is indeed very strange…Very strange…"

"What is very strange?" asked another high and happy voice, "Oh, what an odd looking collar that is! It's got spikes all over it! I wonder if she's ever cut herself wearing it? It does look painful!"

"Calm, Merry!" the elderly voice spoke again, "I think she is stirring to wake. Let's not get too close to her lest she feels even more frightened."

"But I thought Legolas called her a timid little mouse who was frightened of nearly everything anyway!"

"Be that as it may, Pippin, do you want her to be in hysterics? Gandalf's right. We shouldn't be too loud!"

"But you're shouting too, Merry!"

At that Ithilwen decided she had had enough of them speaking about her. She tried to open her eyes and suddenly relief washed over when she noticed that she still saw a brightness surrounding her but it slowly seemed to fade away to give shape to the people surrounding her.

"A-Are you Mithrandir?" she croaked out groggily, rubbing her left eye as she blinked up at a tall figure clad in a dark blue tunic. It bore the shape of a single white tree and Ithilwen thought it looked beautiful against the deep blue of his shirt. Her eyes took in the sight of his armour and chain mail and distantly her mind began to wander to the writings of the book.

'He doesn't look like how Mithrandir was described in the books...Perhaps they got that wrong...'

The man smiled then and Ithilwen saw that he had kindness in his eyes and he looked much younger than his initial grim appearance. Suddenly this man seemed taller, more regal and kingly than any other men she had seen. He was handsome in his rugged look for he wore a light beard and long shaggy dark hair that curled about his shoulders. Steel grey eyes crinkled in his smile at her and Ithilwen saw pity there as well.

"Y-You are...No you must be the king! Aragorn, the King of Gondor! You had other names too, so many names!" she laughed a little, "Elessar king, Strider, Estel just to name a few...Ha ha, I can't remember them all!"

Aragorn looked at her in surprise then.

"You know all the names I have used and my real name as well," he said carefully, "If Legolas has indeed spoken the truth of your words and you words are indeed truthful then you are well versed in our stories."

"I do not pretend to know everything of your lore," Ithilwen said, smiling brightly at him, "But I do know quite a bit for I have read your story many a time. I am not very well versed as others may be but your tale...It is a most beloved story."

Ithilwen said it with a look of wistfulness that made Aragorn return her smile. The Gondorian silently thought that she was the very picture of childhood memories for she looked as if she was indulging in one of her one at that very moment.

"Now that we've established Aragorn is not Gandalf," Legolas spoke up, "Allow me to introduce the rest of the fellowship you've so admired."

He gestured to a tall man all clad in white. He had a long grey beard and he held a white staff that was taller than him. At his side, Ithilwen saw a long sword that hang from his hip. He radiated wisdom, kindness, cunning and above all courage in the face of adversity. She could also feel the aura of the power that was inside him, some deep ancient magic and it made her fear and admire him all at the same time.

She didn't need an introduction to this old man. She knew who he was already.

"Mithrandir," she spoke softly, wonder in her eyes. Legolas had said the old wizard's name at the exact same time as she and he glared at her then. She did not notice his eyes though for hers were glued to the old wizard's.

Suddenly, as if aware of her open gaze at the old wizard, Ithilwen quickly threw herself to the ground and bowed to him, her body bending and her arms spread out about her as she prostrated before the wise old man.

"Forgive me, O' Wise Mithrandir!" she said softly, trembling a little, "I did not mean to be so rude. I merely am in awe of thee! So many times I have read the words that describe your valour and bravery in the books that your mere presence stole my breath away for an instant! I did not mean to gawk open mouthed like a fool."

Gandalf bent forward and placed a hand on the elleth's shoulder.

"Rise up, my lady," he said gently, "You need not fear me. I am here to help you as best as I can. There's no need for such gestures and words."

Ithilwen looked up slowly and she was glad to look upon Gandalf's face for he was smiling kindly at her.

"Prince Lego- I meant, Legolas told you, I assume, of my strange appearance in this era?" she asked slowly, "You must believe me when I say that I speak nothing but the truth! I truly did not know whether you are real or not prior to this occurrence and that I-!"

Gandalf stopped her then with a casual wave of his hand.

"Hush, young one," he said, smirking slightly, "It's best we leave the talking to later. I think Legolas would like to continue with all the introductions."

Legolas eyed her in annoyance but he continued with the introductions anyway.

"This is the ring bearer Frodo Baggins and his friends Sam, Merry and Pippin," he spoke as he gestured to them, the hobbits each nodded politely in return, "They hail from a distant land and will be returning there soon. They are hobbits of The Shire."

Frodo and his friends smiled at her in a friendly manner. Ithilwen saw that they were not the children she had expected them to be despite their small stature. It had been decades since she had seen children but never before had she seen hobbits or any one of their kind. There were no hobbits in her time, at least, not any more.

She walked over to them and stood before them before she knelt down so she could see them at eye level.

"I have read your tales time and time again," she said softly, her voice filled with admiration and excitement, "I have heard the songs, seen the plays and watched the musicals they made in your honour...Ever since we were little children, everyone in my time knew of your story. Let me tell you now what an honour it is for me to meet you all. Your courage and deeds know no bounds!"

She bowed once more in a similar manner to when she first greeted Gandalf which caused the wizard to laugh out loud at her gesture.

Legolas continued introducing her to the rest of their company which included the Lord and Lady of the Lórien, Galadriel and her husband Celeborn. They were so beautiful and regal to Ithilwen that she thought they glowed with a luminous light that surrounded them. She wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her again and she blinked back the prickly pain that stung her eyes at all the lustrous light. She recalled in her readings that elves would sometimes appear to glow or emit some form of light. It struck her with wonder that the writings had been true once more. No Eldar shimmered with light in her time and era.

"My Lord and Lady!" she cried and this time she stood and bowed before them unlike the previous gestures in which she knelt and her forehead touched the ground.

"Ithilwen, child of the distant future," Galadriel said in turn, nodding toward her. Her husband Celeborn also followed her actions. They did not smile at her but they looked welcoming nonetheless.

"You know whence I come?" Ithilwen gasped.

'You spoke truthfully to Legolas for I can see into your mind and I know whence you come,' Galadriel's voice rang true in her mind and she gasped once more and looked into the Lady's eyes and she trembled in awe. It was quite overwhelming, the experience of hearing someone else's voice in your head.

"My Lady!" she cried tremulously, "I wish for you to answer my questions! Please, I beg thee!"

Legolas looked apologetically at Galadriel and he looked so mortified at her behaviour that Ithilwen was struck with a tinge of fear. The woodland elf made to move to her so he could silence her further queries but Galadriel shook her head at him.

"'Tis alright, Legolas Thranduilion. I too wish to ask her a great many questions," Galadriel said kindly, her face passive yet her eyes held still the welcoming warmth.

"Will Mithrandir join us as well?" Ithilwen asked, her eyes shifting nervously from Legolas to Gandalf.

"Aye, I should like to examine that fascinating object you have around your neck," Gandalf replied and the Lord and Lady and he moved with Ithilwen to another place slightly further away from the rest of the group. Before they left, however, Gandalf glanced at Legolas knowingly and the elf prince knew that they wouldn't stray far away for him not be able to listen to their conversation. Gandalf wanted him to hear their words.

The minute they moved out of ear shot, Merry and Pippin quickly sidled to Legolas' side and they tugged lightly at his tunic to get his attention. Legolas smiled down at them in humour.

"What's going on, Legolas?" Pippin chimed, "What about that collar that she's got on that's got everyone talking?"

"I would like to know why we are being left out of this conversation in the first place," Merry added sulkily, "You and Gimli are our friends and since she concerns you, she should concern us too! I want to know if it's' true that she really does come from the future."

Legolas and Gimli laughed joyfully at their words. The hobbits were always a source of endless humour and cheer for them and it was as if nothing could daunt their spirits.

"Aye, I too should like to know of her strange appearance," Aragorn spoke as he stroked his beard lightly, "She knew most of the names I used and she looked like she had met her childhood friends when she spoke to me...She's certainly different from all the elleths here in our time and realm."

Legolas sighed heavily and shook his head at the king's words. Gimli, however, was quick to agree with the Dúnedain warrior king.

"Yes, I too think she is very different," Gimli said, smirking a bit. He proceeded to tell Aragorn of Ithilwen's clumsiness in the caves and the incident where she stubbed her toe and accidentally bumped into a woman carrying a basket of cloth. Aragorn and the hobbits laughed but Legolas remained grim faced.

"Did she really do all that?" Sam said through giggles.

"Aye, she did! Ask Legolas here and he'll tell ye the truth of it!"

"Legolas, did she really stubbed her toe and dance around hopping on one foot from the pain!?"

Legolas smiled indulgently and he nodded.

"Well, if that's the truth of it, I have to say I can't really imagine it all," Merry said honestly, "Looking at her now, she looks like any fair elf maiden. Very beautiful she is though. I like her hay coloured hair and her eyes, she has warm eyes."

"Now that you say it," Pippin chipped in, "I too find it difficult to picture such a lovely lady hopping around with a hurting toe and bumping into people...It is so...un-elf-like!"

"Un-elf-like?," Frodo asked, his tone tinged with humour.

"'Tis the perfect way to describe it!"

"No it's not, you half-wit!" Merry retorted.

"Well, let's hear you come up with a better one!"

The hobbits squabbled over themselves and Gimli watched them indulgently for a while before he noticed that Legolas was not paying attention to them. The dwarf turned to Aragorn and found that the Gondorian king also had his attention focused on the elf. Legolas returned their gazes and all three exchanged similar looks. They knew immediately that Legolas, with his superior hearing abilities, could still listen to the conversation that was being carried out a little further away from their group. Gandalf and the others had done this one purpose, knowing full well that Legolas could still hear them.

It didn't take long for the hobbits to quiet down and pay attention as well.

"What are they saying?" Aragorn spoke softly.

"The Lady Galadriel believes her words to be true for she has looked into her thoughts and she has spoken the truth of it," Legolas answered carefully, "All of them think that she is sent here for a reason. They also believe that Gimli and I play a very important role in her appearance since we discovered her. That should mean something of significance..."

"Is it the work of another evil force?" Frodo asked in fear.

"It is possible," Legolas agreed, "The three of them seem to agree on it as well. The collar she owns gives Mithrandir a bad feeling. He says he feels evil about it, as I do too. We are uncertain if it is the Enemy's doing but it should not be so for he has fallen and his powers have gone now...Unless...The God Hand she spoke of in the future...Well, we know nothing yet..."

"The God Hand? The one you said had a funny sort of name? Slan? Or was it Slant?" Pippin said, his eyes widened, "Are you saying that that could be Lord Sauron in the future?"

"Nay!" Legolas quickly said to correct him, "Speak not of such things as they are past us. Sauron is defeated! We will not speak of the unpredictable future for our only source to it also happens to be as volatile as the rushing rivers that swallows its prey whole."

"I don't think it is Sauron, this God Hand you spoke of," Aragorn mumbled in agreement, "But I understand what you are trying to say, my friend. The future is unpredictable and even the lady who hails from it is unsure of the nature of this God Hand...It could be anything...or nothing..."

"Her betrothed though," Gimli spoke up suddenly, "What of him? Do you think he could have travelled with her to our time as well?"

"Mithrandir is voicing his concerns of the possibilities," Legolas muttered darkly, "Both Lady Galadriel and her Lord husband Celeborn think that he may cause much harm and danger if he did arrive here in our time...Lady Galadriel, however, is more concerned with Ithilwen's adaptability to our surroundings since she is not used to daylight and it would appear that her clumsiness is caused due to the elves being incapable of walking the way we can in our time."

"What do you mean by that, Legolas?" Merry looked perplexed when he asked this.

"You have seen me walking upon snow, yes?" Legolas smiled down at his friend patiently, "Well, my people are capable of such feats...Her people- I mean, our people, in the future, well, we are not quite as gifted any longer."

"Verily?" Aragorn exclaimed in wonder, "The elves have always been gifted with what looked to us of the Edain to be magical attributes. It cannot be that the future elves hold no such gifts."

"So it would seem," Legolas smirked, "The lady sang a song the night she came to us. I must tell you what a horrifying shock it was to hear the voice of an elf that could not carry a tune."

Aragorn and the hobbits all looked at him incredulously.

"An elf that can't sing?" Sam said in disbelief, "I've never heard of such a thing!"

Legolas laughed at this comment but he stayed firm with his words.

"Yes, my friend. I too was shocked beyond belief when she sang. What's more her song was of a dark and grisly tale, not suited, I think, to be sung ever in the fair halls of The Glittering Caves."

At the mention of the Glittering Caves, all four hobbits and Aragorn tuned in to their friends Gimli and Legolas and they showered the two with questions.

Legolas was quiet for a long time after they'd finished with their curiosities. He let Gimli do most of the talking and he was rather amused at that.

"And never before has a Dwarf claimed a victory over an Elf in a contest of words," he said in amusement.

He sighed inwardly as his eyes trailed over to Ithilwen who was talking quite animatedly to Gandalf in the distance. He had desired to visit Fangorn and explore it to his heart's content with Gimli but now with Ithilwen's appearance, Legolas knew that he would have to postpone his exploration quest and focus on her strange appearance first. The mystery surrounding her left him with a bad feeling that seemed to be a dark premonition.

"It is strange, mellon," Aragorn confessed in deeply troubled tones, "That this elleth would appear before thee and that she is so out of the ordinary. Elves that can't sing or walk lightly over snow or earth..."

Legolas nodded and he too looked a little troubled.

"Aye, if this is true then my people have lost most of our magic," Legolas stated, and then his eyes flashed darkly at his friends. "But that is not what concerns me the most about the future of my people."

"What is it then?" Sam asked carefully, fear slowly creeping up his spine as he looked into the blue eyes of the woodland elf.

"My people are leaving the shores of Middle-earth and sailing to the Undying Lands," Legolas explained, "Soon, all of us will leave...There will come a time when no elves will walk upon Middle-earth...Why then are elves still living amongst Man in her time?"

Aragorn turned a bit paler at this and his eyes widened in fear at Legolas' words.

The others too looked a bit disturbed by his words.

Legolas turned to gaze back at Ithilwen and the other three wise beings talking to her. She was like a bad omen, this elleth who had fallen into their time...He prayed that it wasn't so.

A/N: I was hoping that this chapter reached the previous word count (12,000+ words) but sadly, no. It's 11,000+ words...That's okay, I guess.

Legolas is just like the one in the books in which he has heard the cries of the gulls and felt the need to sail to Valinor. But just like in the books, he will go on a quest first with his buddy Gimli (and Ithilwen now that she's in the picture). Also, he helps make Ithilien a better place and even brings some of his Mirkwood people to come to establish a colony there. I am going to stick to that in my fic. I hope you all will like it.

Please do review me! :D I do so enjoy receiving them!