Into Love's Arms

They rose early the next morning and continued on toward Lothlorien. Even though they were well rested as the marched on the women found themselves falling further behind.

"How can they walk so damn fast?" Denise groused.

"They are used to it, besides they don't always have bumbling humans around to slow them up." Heidi teased her friend. Denise laughed with her when shuddenly she sighed.

"I wonder what happened to Melissa? Do you think she is here as well?" Denise asked worried. "She was walking with us."

"No remember we got seperated before we encountered the barrier thing." Heidi pointed out.

"True. I just hope shes ok."

They lapsed into silence as they walked on, the forest was beautiful. They looked around at the foliage and flowers. The birds and beasts, everything seemed perfect, serene, beautiful. Long after midday Haldir called for a stop, so the ladies could rest. Denise and Heidi sat down upon a felled tree trunk, they were exhausted beyond belief. Menhel came over and handed them a waterskin and two thin, wafer like things.

"Tis lembas, elvish waybread. Twill fill you up." Menhel said before walking away.

"I don't think he likes us much." Heidi muttered as she bit into the lembas. It was sweet and very tasty, she sighed and ate the rest. Denise sat there holding her dinner looking depressed.

"What I wouldn't give for french fries and a milkshake." Denise said longingly as she ate the lembas. "Wow this is good. Kinda dry though."

Heidi laughed at her friend and handed her the waterskin, Denise took it saying "I also think your right Menel does not like us. Wonder what we did?"

Heidi shrugged and looked away she found herself staring at the elves. Their beauty, grace, and slightly haughty demeanor was irresistable.

"What do you think of Haldir?" Heidi asked her friend.

"I find him nice." cam the offhand response.

"Nice? Just nice?" Heidi said shocked.

"Yes now his friend Legolas........Wow, just wow." Densie sighed dreamily as she gazed a t Legolas. He was talking to Haldir and as if sensing the looks, Legolas and Haldir looked over at them. Denise blushed and averted her eyes. Heidi mearly rasied her eyebrow and smirked at Legolas. She did not like him, he was mean! Well you deserved it. She shook her head it was his fault! She was scared, tired, and had almost died so her behavior was excusable. His yelling was not. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she barely felt Denise tug at her sleeve.

"Quit staring." Denise hissed as a red blush crept up her cheeks.

Heidi looked over at her fired "I do not like Legolas. I know what I said was wrong but I was scared. He should have been understanding." Heidi gasped, did she really say that? How childish! Denise mearly rolled her eyes and stood the elves were preparing to leave. They marched on as day gave away to dusk then night. It was dark, so dark. The women kept tripping over things in there way, for they could not see as well as the elves. A bone deep tired came upon them late into the night. They could barly keep their eyes open and they stumbled over everything in their path. Heidi tripped over a branch and she fell to her knees. She laid on the ground minute crying, Denise slumped next to her. Heidi embraced her friend crying, her knee hurt so bad and she was so tired. Denise was exhausted also so she leaned into the embrace wishing they could stay like this. So tired were they that they did not notice the elves stop or Haldir and Legolas walking toward them.

"They are exhausted mellonamin*" Legolas said as they knelt next to the women.

"We are close to Lorien we shall be there in an hour. We will carry them." Haldir said as he picked up Heidi. Legolas nodded and gently picked up Denise. The women were way to tired to argue, instead they simply lay as still as possible. A numbness settled over them and as the elves started to walk again they fell into a light sleep.

TBC