Running has never come easy to me. I've literally gone through blood, sweat, and tears to get where I've gone. But one thing is for certain, if I had never pushed through horrible cramps, unattractive and painful tripping, nasty hot weather and chilling rain, I would not have ended up where I am now.

"Bye dad I'm going for a run." I said as I grabbed my headphones from the counter, tripping over the dog bowl as I passed the couch where my father was laying reading one of his books.

"Be careful." he replied, continuing the routine dialogue we've stuck to since I was fourteen. I'm seventeen going on close to eighteen now, and my running habit has only been kept up by daily new music downloads. So, as I stuck my headphone buds in my ears, I scrolled through all my songs until finally just putting it on shuffle.

After a quick stretch I jogged around the house and made my way to the trail leading into the woods. It took me quite a while when I was younger to get over my fear that I would be one of those girls in the horror movies saying 'hello?' into the darkness about to get murdered. Thankfully that paranoia was long gone. But, to my defense, it did still look like the woods from Jeepers Creepers. Setting a brisk pace, my legs carried me over fallen logs on the winding path.

Letting my mind wander, I went over the week's past events. Nothing eventful. Nothing really interested me at school except for end of the year pranks, parties and friends. The cafe I worked at in the afternoons was just a crappy job pouring coffee to earn money for college. Boys didn't express interest in me, so there was no boyfriend in the picture. My life felt like I was just going through the motions.

Once I hit the one mile mark in the trail I was able to settle into a rhythmic breathing and leisurely pace. I was taking it easy since I had come home late the night before, sneaking in through my window after playing drinking games and going to the local park where all my friends would meet late at night. I wasn't exactly the poster child for perfect grades and good decisions.

As I ran, the forest path suddenly became much more dark and tangled than I remembered. I pushed the thought away and convinced myself it was just mucky because of the rain a few days earlier. Not until my feet were suddenly becoming tripped up and my hair snagged out of it's pony tail did I start to panic. Stopping, I put my hands on my knees panting, glad no one was around to see me looking like I was going into labor. A rustling noise sounded from behind, so I spun around, hands in weird defensive pose.

What the hell?

I came to four realizations in that moment:

1. I am in the woods alone with absolutely no weapon.

2. Daft Punk's 'Get Lucky' would be the song I would be murdered to, which I wasn't sure how I felt about, seeing as how a death song is usually a little more serious and mournful.

3. Why the hell does the dude standing in front of me look like he's on his way to a renaissance festival?

4. I really shouldn't be thinking this. It's totally inappropriate, but this guy is kind of hot.

We stared at each other for a good twenty seconds.

"Do not move. Who are you and what are you doing here?" He ordered in an all-business tone.

Transfixed by the end of a very sharp looking arrow pointed directly at my face, all I could utter was a very intelligent and poised 'uhhh'.

As he surveyed me, I took the chance to observe him too. He had long blond hair that was halfway pulled back, with braids on the sides. His eyes were piercing blue and he seemed to be wearing some weird green tunic thing with what looked like armor on the shoulders. I tried to speak again.

"Look, um, please don't kill me. My dad is a redneck, trust me, you don't want to face his wrath. Seriously, one time in 7th grade, this boy gave me a valentine's card and my dad threatened to chop his man jewels off." I rambled, so far past panicking I was numb and spewing nonsense.

Drawing back his bow, he stepped backwards and said "Follow me." Not seeing any other choice, I followed.

As we were walking-well, he was walking, I was kind of just staggering over roots and clumsily ducking through branches- I was painfully aware of my vulnerable mud-splattered appearance. My mane of curls was probably borderline scary and I was sweaty from my run. My mind was racing as to whether or not he was leading me to my death or something even worse. I didn't even understand how this was all possible. These woods we were in were not the woods I began my run in. These trees were dark and sick. Even the man was mysterious and almost inhuman looking.

I'm not going to lie, as we walked, I mostly just admired his grace and incredible posture. He seemed to just glide with ease. His movements though, also suggested he didn't trust me, as he kept looking sideways at my body moments. Honestly, he really shouldn't be worried. Not only was I weaponless but I'm literally 5 feet 4 inches of hair and curves. I had muscles from running, but it was mostly in my legs.

The tall man guiding me through the foliage was quiet, saying nothing. Not exactly known for having any tact anyway, I blurted out "What's going on? Did I run onto private property or something? Are you going to one of those cosplay events?"

No answer.

"Okay I don't know what to do I feel like this is either a really well thought out prank or you're a murderer"

He turned to look at me "This is neither." then turned back to look ahead, his grip on his bow tightening, his face grim.

Alright then.

After walking(staggering) through the dense forest for what felt like an hour, the trees seemed to lighten up a bit and look a bit less unruly. Soon we came upon a huge archway leading into the side of some cavern. And when I say huge, I mean huge. It was like thirty feet tall.

Guards I guess, were posted on either side of the entrance, looking very sinister in their stances. They gave a slight bow to the man who found me and regarded me with very obvious suspicion and slight curiosity. I hurried past them, trying to be brave and not tremble as I neared panic again.

I closed my eyes for just a moment, willing myself to believe it was all a dream and I must've just drank a little too much the night before. I opened my eyes.

"Oh my God." was all that escaped my mouth as I gazed at the sight in front of me. It was a giant cavern that seen to go on for miles. Trees and carved stone made pathways that led in all different directions like a labyrinth. The blond man was probably getting very annoyed with me, but I couldn't contain my utter awe. The maze was so breathtakingly intricate I couldn't move for a couple of seconds.

"King Thranduil's throne room is this way" he said, guiding me along a passageway towards the center of the cavern. He was looking at me like he couldn't figure out why I was so amazed by all the nature, his stern features looking over every expression on my face.

I broke out of the spell my surroundings had put on me."Erm…okay." Awkwardly, I walked beside him on a long winding path, not able to speak until we approached a cleared pavilion of the so called 'King', getting more nervous with each step.

I gazed upward and raised my eyebrows, confused, disturbed, and amazed at what I saw.

He sat on a throne of huge antlers. Regal and magnificent looking he regarded me with calm curiosity as he perched up on his throne. His hair was the same color and length of the man who captured me, though his head was topped with a berry and antler decorated crown. He was so intense it was hard to look him in the eye. It was as if he radiated sheer power,

"Who is this strange elfling you have found Legolas?" I kind of just stared up at him with wide eyes. Oh, so that's my kidnapper's name. Legolas. Just as strange as Thranduil.

Legolas stepped forward. "The girl claims to have run into our world on accident, obviously lying. I was in the middle of patrolling the outer territory and she appeared through the trees. No one else was in sight. She wears strange clothes and her accent has never been heard of. She does not seem very graceful like our kind." he announced, frowning thoughtfully at me.

I frowned right back. Whatever was going on was wearing thin on my patience. I had plans tonight after work and it didn't involve getting kidnapped and questioned. Though initially the idea of getting murdered was fresh on my mind, now it just seemed more like a prank.

"Excuse me? You expect me to be worried about my grace at a time like this? I'm stranded in strange woods, tired, and taken captive by some weird man, yet you expect me to glide around like some fairy princess?!" I exclaimed, finally snapping. In my rage, I had forgotten the king was present until he spoke with a slight sense of amusement, tilting his head to the side to observe me.

"You are right Legolas, this elleth is not of our territory." He turned his head towards me, "tell me young one, how did you come upon my realm?" his eyes were watching my every move, as if to catch any lie.

I sighed, rubbing my hand over my eyes. "I was going for my daily run when all of the sudden the woods changed around me. I finally stopped and came face to face with this dude." I said, gesturing half-heartedly towards the blond called Legolas. All that I wanted was to go to sleep and wake up in my real bed in my real house.

The king took a moment to gaze at me, probably deciding what the hell he was going to do."You are weary."

I nodded, eyeing him carefully.

"I will let you rest tonight under careful watch. Try to escape or harm anybody, and you will be put to death. You are of my race, but you are also a strange foreign may never be too careful in these dark times."

Did he just call me a creature?

"I do not see reason to imprison you yet, as you are indeed one of our kind, but my trust shall be earned before I set you free. Do you understand?"

"Um yes sir?"

He continued to stare at me and suddenly all the sleep I hadn't gotten the night before, my hangover, and the trauma from the current events hit.

I turned to my first blond captor, who was looking at me intensely once again. "Lead the way Leggy." I slurred, becoming quite hazy under all the fatigue and confusion now that I knew there was no immediate death. Last thing I remember was the shocked face of Legolas as I grabbed his hand and pulled him away from the throne room and it's intimidating occupant.

Sneak peek of next chapter:

I bolted upright in my bed, suddenly wide awake. "Did he call me an elf?"