This one came out a lot faster than expected after the last one. For now, it mostly is just heavy editing with a few lines cut/changed/replaced, but later on it likely will be a lot more heavily rewritten. Thanks to everyone that's been reading the new version so far!

Chapter 1

Elaine opened her eyes. She was in a strange place that was clearly not the sky. How had she gotten there? Suddenly, it all came rushing back to her. She had fallen from the sky into a strange world, and then there had been that arrogant, rude elf who had pulled her out of that crater thinking she was insane. She could only assume that she had passed out at some point after he had carried her away from the crater she had landed in. Her head ached, and her throat was sore as well. Hopefully, she would be able to get something to drink soon.

"I see that you are awake now." She sat up with a jolt, startled, her head aching more from the sudden movement. A tall elf with long, dark hair was standing in the room with her.

"Who are you? Where am I?" she demanded, her heart racing. She tried to calm her anxieties; elves were already immortal, that much she knew, so they would have no need to cut out the heart of a star. Besides, that blond one I met before didn't even believe I was a star... So why would they even know about that?

"I am Lord Elrond, and this is Rivendell," the dark haired elf replied calmly.

Rivendell... Is that the same place as Imladris, which that elf mentioned before? Or is it in Imladris?

"Legolas will be happy to hear that you are awake now, he's been asking after you a lot," Elrond said.

"Legolas? I am sorry, but I have no idea who that is," Elaine replied, hoping that Elrond wasn't referring to the annoying elf she had met before.

"He must not have told you his name when he found you out in the forest on his way here; he's the one who brought you here," Elrond told her.

"Oh. Great..." Elaine muttered.

Elrond raised an eyebrow. "I take it you didn't have a good first impression from him?"

"Considering that he thought I was insane, no I did not."

"Insane?" Elrond's eyebrow remained raised, and there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

"He didn't believe me when I told him I was a star, which I am. I've spent most of my life up there in the sky, and I would really like to return to it," Elaine told him.

"I can see how he would think that, then. And he did mention something about what you just told me. But now that you are well rested, I highly doubt that you would say anything like that without truly meaning it." Elrond looked quite perplexed as he spoke.

He had better believe me. If he doesn't, I don't know what I will do. I need to find some way to return to the sky... Babylon candle! A Babylon Candle is what Tristran and Yvaine used. However, there probably aren't any around here, considering that I am in a totally different world... She bit her lip as the reality of the situation began to sink in. So, in other words, I am now officially stuck here for the rest of my life, which is forever, because stars are immortal. I will never see the sky again except for from a distance...

"Are you alright?" Elrond asked suddenly, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Oh, yes, I'm fine. Or at least I was..." Her voice trailed off as Legolas, the blond elf, entered the room. Her hands curled into fists. While they had only met briefly, it had been enough to leave her confident with her dislike for him.

"Its good to see you awake and not shouting at me," Legolas said, his voice annoyingly calm.

"I will be quite soon if you don't leave this instant," Elaine replied, anger sharpening her voice.

"I think I can handle that."

"Legolas, she insists that she is a star. I think she is telling the truth," Elrond broke in, changing the topic.

Legolas turned to stare at her, and she suddenly felt very small under his gaze.

"Are you done staring at me?" she asked after a few moments, doing her best not to appear scared, even though she was quite terrified.

He hesitated a moment before turning away, leaving the room.

What's his problem? she wondered. He has no reason to act like this. He didn't fall out of the sky into some strange place he has never seen before. So why is he being so weird? Is he always like this? She hoped that she wouldn't be around long enough to find out.

So. She wasn't crazy. She really is a star. But how is that possible?

"Is something troubling you, Legolas?"

The elf turned and saw Aragorn standing behind him.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were there, Aragorn. How are you?" Legolas asked.

"I'm doing well. But you seem bothered by something," Aragorn replied. "Is this about the girl you found on your way here?"

Legolas hesitated for a moment before slowly replying. "Apparently she's a star."

Aragorn stared at him, confused. "She's a what?"

"A star. A celestial being."

"How is that even possible?" Aragorn asked. "I've never heard of anything like that happening.

"That's what's confusing me, too. When I found her, I thought she was insane, but she is insisting that she's a star. Lord Elrond believes her, so she must be serious."

Aragorn was silent for a few moments. "What do you think Lord Elrond will do with her?"

Legolas hesitated for a moment before responding. "I'm not sure. I didn't really think about that. If she's a star, she belongs in the sky."

"But how is she going to get back into the sky?" Aragorn questioned. "As far as I know, it's entirely impossible and no one has ever attempted it."

"I have no idea."

"Were you just talking about me?" Legolas and Aragorn turned to see the star. Her long auburn hair flowed gently down her back, and she was clearly rather pale, with dark eyes.

"Yes," Legolas said slowly.

"I may not be from around here, but I am quite sure that it is considered rude to be talking about people, including stars, behind their backs," she said, frowning. Her dark eyes were cold as she looked at them.

"I don't believe we have met yet," Aragorn commented, approaching her. "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. And you?"

"My name is Elaine," the star replied, watching him carefully through narrowed eyes.

"Excuse me, I must be going," Legolas said, turning and walking away. He could still hear the conversation as he left, however, his keen ears picking up their words effortlessly.

"I really get the feeling that he hates me," he heard Elaine comment.

"I am sure that that is not the case, my lady." Aragorn's voice was gentle in response to the star's words.

"Thank you, but I'm not a lady. I'm just a star. And quite frankly I don't care if he hates me, because I don't care for him, either. It's hard to like people that call you insane and then proceed to drag you off to a strange place." Fair enough, he thought. It had hardly been a good introduction. With luck, however, Elrond would figure out a way to get her home sooner rather than later, and the two would never have to see each other again.