How Does It Feel

Title: How Does It Feel (7/?)
Author: palephoenix (palephoenix_6@yahoo.ca)
Genre: LOTR FP-het
Pairing: Legolas/OFC
Rating: PG for now...
Warning: Mary Sue... I'm in a Mary Sue mood... if ya don't like it, don't read it!
Archive: My site if I ever get it done... aff.net
Disclaimer: Not for profit, purely for entertainment purposes. The characters belong to Tolkien and the actors belong to themselves. I'm just borrowing them. I don't know the actors; if I did I wouldn't be writing this... I'd be keeping Orlando in my bed for the next five years.
Feedback: pretty please with Orlando on top???
Notes: Eilish is pronounced 'eye-lish'... As far as I know it is the Irish version of Elizabeth... As in previous chapters, words in italics are in elvish, with the translation at the end of the paragraph. I pinched the nickname for Legolas from Eressë's 'Greenleaf and Imladris' series, which, if you're into slash, is worth a read. It's posted on libraryofmoria.com if anyone is interested.
Summary: Labour and delivery nurse Eilish Bell is in a car accident and finds herself thrown into Middle Earth.

Chapter 7

The evening meal was rather quiet, giving Eilish and the Mirkwood elves time to relax after their journey. Eilish was seated at the head table between Legolas and Arwen. The meal was a pleasant change from travel cuisine. A server circled the table filling goblets with fine Imladris wine.

When the server reached her Eilish politely declined. "I'd rather just have water, if it's not too much trouble," She said.

"We have some strawberry cordial that the elflings enjoy, if you would prefer, hiril-nin," The server suggested.

"That would be wonderful," Eilish smiled gratefully. The server returned the smile and moved off to fetch the drink.

"You do not like wine, Eilish?" Legolas asked curiously.

"I'll tell you about it later," Eilish said softly, looking a little uncomfortable.

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After the meal Eilish and Legolas joined Lord ELrond in his study to talk. The elf lord's chamber was cosy and Eilish relaxed quickly, though she didn't release Legolas' hand. They took offered seats in comfortable chairs before the dark-haired elf's desk.

"Eilish," Elrond began, smiling reassuringly at the red-headed woman clutching the Mirkwood prince's hand, "I am sorry I was not able to welcome you to Imladris when you arrived. Lady Galadriel spoke to me several days ago, telling me that she had seen your comio tho this land. Perhaps you can tell me the events that led to you finding yourself here."

"Okay, sure," Eilish agreed, thinking back to the day. "Um... I was driving home from work. I'm a nurse and I'd just got off a 12 hour shift at the hospital I work at."

"Driving?" Elrond asked interestedly.

"Driving my car... Um, it's like a cart and horse, but it doesn't need a horse to move. It runs by burning a liquid called gasoline," Eilish tried to explain. "I don't know much about the mechanics of it."

Elrond nodded, getting the gist of what she was describing. "Go on," He urged.

"Um," Eilish closed her eyes for a moment to think, "I was listening to the radio, they were playing a song I really like. I was singing along while I drove. I was on a road called Lonsdale Avenue, and I was getting ready to turn onto the street my arpartment is on. I know I was thinking about getting a parking spot. It's usually hard to find a place near my building," Eilish frowned as the events of the day replayed in her mind like a movie. "I... I think I was in an accident... Someone hit me... hit my car... And the next thing I knew I was in the middle of a clearing. I knew I'd never seen anything like it before. My ribs were bruised and sore. My bag was next to me, so I picked it up and started walking. I'd been walking for a few hours when Legolas and his guards found me."

"We stopped as I was worried that Eilish was lost. I introduced myself and inquired if she needed any assistance," Legolas told Lord Elrond. "When I gave my name she paled and I was concerned, so I dismounted my horse and asked her if she was well. She simply asked where she was. I replied that she was in Arda and her face lost all colour. I was alarmed and stepped closer, which was fortunate as she lost consciousness not long afterwards."

"I have never passed out in my life before or since that day," Eilish protested, blushing lightly. "Um... I guess I should explain exactly why I did pass out. This is gonna sound really strange to you, I'm sure," She warned. "Well, in my world there is a set of three books, a trilogy, by a man named John Tolkien. The trilogy is called 'The Lord of the Rings' and it tells a tale in a place called Middle Earth. That's why I fainted when I heard where I was. I mean, you wouldn't expect to suddenly find yourself in a place you believed to be merely a story setting. When Legolas introduced himself I probably did go pretty white, because one of the characters in the story is called Legolas Thranduilion or Legolas Greenleaf."

Legolas stared at Eilish, blue eyes wide with disbelief. Elrond simply arched one eyebrow knowingly, certain she was telling the truth.

"I am in this story?" Legolas asked incredulously.

"You are," Eilish affirmed. "Not only that, but you're one of the main characters." Legolas looked quite stunned and Eilish gently squeezed his hand.

"It seems you are here at a very opportune time, if your story tells what I believe it does," Elrond said seriously. "In two days time we will hold a council to decide the fate of The One Ring," He told her, watching to guage her reaction.

"The council of the Ring," Eilish swallowed hard. "You're right... about the story."

"I will not ask you to tell me specifically what our choice in this matter shall be," Elrond said firmly, "But I believe the best course of action in this situation shall be to send a small group forth to make an attempt to destroy the ring. Should that be the decision we make, I would ask you to accompany them, to go to Lothlorien and speak with Galadriel. She will be able to aid you in discovering how you came to be here."

"Okay," Eilish said softly, taking a deep breath.

"That is all I wished to speak of at this time," Elrond said, standing.

Eilish stood, pulling a rather subdued Legolas with her. Elrond escorted them to the door and they left, making their way back to the rooms they'd been given earlier. Eilish pulled Legolas into her room and sat him on the bed, before grabbing her freshly washed lilac-coloured scrubs which were neatly folded on the dresser and entering the bathroom to change. She emerged a couple minutes later and retrieved her hair brush before taking a seat next to the fair-haired elf.

"Hey," She said softly, placing a hand on his arm, "Are you okay?"

"Aye," He answered quietly, turning to face her as she began to pluck the pins from her hair. "I do not know what to say, though."

Eilish set the hair pins on the bedside table and wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Calenlass, I know this is confusing for you. It's just as weird for me."

Legolas pulled away, a soft smile on his lips. "Calenlass?" He asked, his eyes twinkling.

"A nickname. Do you mind? Arwen told me the words," Eilish said, her cheeks turning a little rosy.

"Nay, I do not mind," Legolas whispered, and kissed her softly on the cheek. "What shall I call you?"

"Some of my friends at home call me Red," She offered, "No one here does. So you'd be the only one. What's the elvish word for red?"

"Caran," He told her, trying out the nickname. "Yes, I like that. I shall call you Caran, but only when we are alone."

"I'll only call you Calenlass when we're alone, too." Eilish smiled and continued to unpin and unbraid her hair.

"Allow me, Caran," Legolas said, gently brushing her hands away and removed the last pins and began to unwind the remaining braids. When it was all free he picked up the brush and began to run it gently through the long red locks.

"Your hair is beautiful, melui," He whispered, stroking the silky strands reverently.

"Thank you," She said softly, blushing, "It's a well-known Irish trait. Red hair."

"It is lovely," Legolas breathed, inhaling the sweet scent of the shampoo Eilish had used. He carefully plaited the long strands into a long braid and secured the end with the hair elastic which had been wrapped around the handle of the brush.

"Hey, good job," Eilish grinned, studying the braid. "Thanks." She turned to face him and kissed him softly. Then she shifted up to lean back against the headboard of the bed. Legolas moved to sit next to her, his arm wrapped around her and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Caran?"

"Mmhmm?" She answered, not moving from her comfortable spot.

"You said at the meal that you would explain why you did not wish to have wine," Legolas reminded her.

Eilish sighed and closed her eyes. "Yeah, I did, didn't I? Well, to make a rather long story short, I don't drink alcohol because in my family there have been many people who have a problem with alcohol, namely my father."

"A problem?"

"Yes. Most people don't drink so much that they become drunk, but my father does it often. He can't help himself. He's addicted and it's made my life and my mother and sister's lives very difficult at times. And since this problem is common in my family, I would rather not tempt fate, so I don't drink."

"That is a very wise decision," Legolas said, kissing her forehead. "I am sorry you have had difficult times as a result of your father's problem."

"Thanks," She whispered, fighting not to give in to the tears that were threatening.

"We should take our rest now, melui," Legolas said regretfully, hugging her comfortingly.

"I suppose you're right," Eilish admitted, stiffling a yawn. Legolas slipped off the bed and folded down the edge of the coverlet for her. She slid under the covers, weariness catching up with her all at once. She lay down and closed her eyes, unable to keep them open any longer.

"Good night, Calenlass," She said softly.

Legolas bent his head and pressed his lips to hers. She returned the kiss sleepily. After a moment he straightened. "Maer du, meleth," He whispered as he reluctantly made his way to the door. He opened it and stepped into the hallway, taking one last longing look back at the woman asleep in the bed, before closing the door quietly behind him.