*****

" You guys? I don't think this is such I good idea." Xander announced. The forest they were in was seriously giving him the creeps. The trees were dark and gnarled and no sunlight reached the clearing they had entered.

The two girls ahead of Xander turned around and glared. " And why not Xander? We're just looking for the demon-lily flower. We need it for a spell you know that. Stop being such a wussy." Willow remarked. Tara took Willow by the arm and tried to calm her.

Xander sighed exasperatedly and shrugged. " All I'm saying Willow is that these woods don't look very friendly. It's like they're evil."

Willow gave him a look. " How would you know anything Xander? You can't even walk five feet without tripping over your feet."

As predicted by Willow (only she didn't know she was predicting it) Xander went to take one step forward and tripped over a rock. Before he knew it the ground was rushing up to meet him. He closed his eyes and braced himself for the pain that he knew would come and waited. Only he felt no pain.

He felt around him and touched solid ground underneath him. He rolled over onto his back and opened his eyes. Above him was the sky, only how was he seeing the sky when the forest he and the other two women had been in had been dark.

He got up and started to look around. He called for Willow and Tara but never received an answer. Giving up looking for them for now he set off north. Maybe he could find someplace with a phone so he could call Willow.

~

Willow screamed as Xander disappeared. She turned to her girlfriend. " Where did he go?"

" I don't know honey. Why don't we go tell Mr. Giles? He might know where Xander went." Tara answered.

Willow nodded her head. " Your right. Let's go tell Giles."

~

Xander sat down on a log tiredly. He had been walking for hours and couldn't find anything. Now he was sore, hungry, and tired.

" I wonder how I can contact Willow?" He asked himself aloud. The next thing he knew there was an arrow through his shoulder.

"OWWW!" He screamed and fell off the log.

" Who are you and what are you doing in the Greenwood?' A melodious voice asked from behind him.

Xander gritted his teeth and turned around. Whatever he had been going to say flew out of his head when he saw the vision of perfection before him. It was a tall man. He was a man right? Xander asked himself. The lovely creature before him had long blonde hair and a bow in his hand.

" I asked who are you and what are you doing here?" The creature asked again.

Xander opened his mouth to answer but fainted from the blood loss before he could answer.

*****
Part 2:

Xander groaned. His whole body was sore but pain seemed to center in his shoulder. Feeling a slight case of d�j� vu he reached out his hand expecting to feel hard ground. He sat up in shock as his hand touched something soft.

Xander looked around and found himself in a spacious room. It was light and airy and had many beautifully woven tapestries on the walls. He shifted and saw that the window the light was coming from was actually a door.

He slowly made his way to the door and opened it to reveal a balcony. He stepped out onto it carefully as to not jar his shoulder and gasped at the beauty that surrounded him.

He seemed to be standing in the bowl of a valley. The greenness and peace that this place exuded put him at ease. He didn't know why he was here but it would have been lovely to stay. But he knew that he couldn't. He needed to find a way home or at least to Willow.

He was so deep in thought that he never heard a person come up behind him until he spoke. (A/N: Not that he would have heard the footsteps because you know.. elf.) " Are you enjoying the view?"

Xander turned around startled. " Oww. I didn't hear you come in."

The brunette before him smiled. " Men do not often hear an elf's presence until it is too late."

A puzzled smile crept across Xander's face. " Oh, is that what you are?"

The elf looked at him quizzically. " Yes. I am an elf. My name is Elrond and I am the lord of this valley. Have you never seen an elf?"

Xander groaned. It was just his luck. " I seriously don't think I'm in Kansas anymore."

Elrond frowned. " Where is Kansas? Is that where you come from?"

Xander shook his head. " No. My name is Xander Harris. I come from Sunnydale, California."

" I do not know of a Sunnydale, California so I do not think you are from around here." Elrond stated.

Xander smiled sardonically. " Noooo really? I thought I lived around the block."

" Why would you live around the block?" Elrond asked confused.

Xander grinned for real this time. " It's just a figure of speech Elrond."

" Oh. Well would you like to join me and a few others for dinner?"

" Sure."

Xander accepted the arm that was offered to him and they strode back through the room and into the hall.

Xander looked around fascinated at all the different elves they passed in the halls. They were all so graceful and beautiful ( I must look like a bear compared to them.) He thought to himself.

" This is the dining hall. This is where we eat." Elrond said stopping in front of a door. Xander nodded his head and they walked in. Xander looked around and his eyes stopped on a familiar figure.

" Hey! You're the one who shot me!"

*****
Part 3:

Legolas looked calmly at the Man before him. " I shot you?" He asked amused.

" Yes! Why did you shoot me?" Xander frowned.

" Now Xander, why don't you sit down so we can eat. You may talk to Legolas after the meal." Elrond interjected commandingly. He nodded his head towards the other people in the room.

Xander nodded his head and sat down in the seat in front of him. " Sorry." He mumbles.

Elrond nodded. " Everyone, this is Xander Harris. He seems to have gotten lost. Xander, to my right is my daughter Arwen. My sons would be here had you awakened a few days earlier. You know Legolas apparently. He is an elf from Greenwood forest."

Xander nodded. " How long was I unconscious?"

" You were unconscious for five days." Legolas answered for Elrond. Xander frowned not liking the smug smile on his face.

" I was talking to Lord Elrond," he stressed, " not you."

" Oh really?"

" Yes! This is an A-B conversation so see your way out!"

Legolas frowned quizzically. " What?"

" You heard me you rude-shoot-peopler!" Xander shouted. He hears Arwen giggle.

" Calm down Xander and eat." Elrond interjects. " And as for you Legolas, rudeness and smugness are unbecoming an elf of your age."

Xander flushes with embarrassment, then smiles at Elrond, and begins to eat. Legolas feels a flash of jealousy at that smile. He frowns to himself.

" You are right Lord Elrond." He says contrite.

~~

As the last dishes were cleared from the table Xander excused himself. As his shoulder had started aching he started for his room. He made it out into the hall before he was intercepted.

" Xander!" Legolas yelled to get the man to stop.

" Yes?" Xander asked politely but underneath his polite exterior he was seething.

" May I speak with you? Just for I few minutes, maybe?"

Xander frowned as he thought it over. Looking at the elf's expectant face he agreed.

" All right. But only for a few minutes."

Legolas nodded and led Xander out a door into a garden. He grabbed Xander's arm and brought himover to a bench and sat down.

Xander sat down next to him. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally he got fed up with the silence.

" I'm sorry about dinner."

Legolas turned to him. He grinned. " I'm sorry about shooting you."

Xander smiled at him. Legolas caught his breath. " So, why did you shoot me?" Xander asked.

Legolas gave a small laugh. " You startled me with your voice. I wasn't expecting anyone." He looks a little abashed.

( He looks kinda cute like that.) Xander thought to himself. ( What an I thinking! He probably already has someone.)

" So Xander, how old are you?" Legolas asked wanting to get to know the man beside him.

" I'm 19. Why? How old are you?"

" I am one thousand."

Xander looked at him shocked. " No way!"

" Yes. Why is that so shocking? Elves are immortal you know."

" Right. Okay why don't you tell me about yourself?"

Legolas smiled and they started to talk about everything under the moon.

~

Elrond smiled as he watched the two beings from his study window. Seemed like they were getting along well. Really well. Whistleing to himself he sat at his desk to ponder a way to get the two together. It would be tough but Elrond knew he could do it.

*****
Part 4:

Xander knocked nervously on the door that led to Elrond's study. He didn't know why he had been summoned, he hadn't done anything wrong in the month he had been in Rivendell.

" Come." Elrond's voice came through the door. Xander opened it, stepped into the room, and closed the door behind him.

" You wanted to see me Elrond?" he asked. Elrond smiled pleasantly at him.

" Ah, yes I did. Legolas must go back to Greenwood for his father has summoned him, and I thought that you might like to go with him considering how close the two of you have gotten." He answered still smiling.

Xander felt himself blush. There was no way that Elrond knew his feelings for his friend. Right? He started to stutter and make excuses for the closeness he felt with the blonde. Elrond waved his excuses away with a smile.

" It is quite alright Xander. He is your friend. Maybe more right?" He asked grinning slyly.

Xander felt his face get hotter. " It's really not like that Elrond. We're just good friends."

" I'm sure." Elrond stated plainly.

" We are!"

" All right. You are just good friends. Now, as for going to Greenwood, would you like to go?"

Xander thought it over for a minute and then said, " Sure. It sounds like fun."

" All right. You leave in the morning. Pack your things and you will meet Legolas in the stables tomorrow at sunrise." Elrond explained.

Xander nodded and turned to go. Elrond's voice stopped him from leaving just quite yet.

" Xander? It would be all right if you and Legolas were more than friends. It is certainly not uncommon here."

Xander nodded sadly. " I know. But Legolas doesn't like me like that." With that he left.

Elrond shook his head sadly. ( If only you knew Xander. If only you knew.)

~

The next morning Xander picked up his pack and headed down to the stables to meet Legolas. As he got close he could see that Legolas was standing in front of the stables with two beautiful horses. One was a burnt red; the other pure white.

Legolas looked up as he heard Xander approach, " Good morning Xander how are you?"

Xander smiled, " I'm fine Legolas. Are these," he asked, " our horses?"

Legolas nodded, " Yes Andulin, the white one, is mine. While, Arro, the burnt red one, is yours."

" Mine?" he asked.

" Yes. Lord Elrond thought it would be prudent for you to have a horse of your own in case you stayed." Legolas answered. He could see tears well up in Xander's eyes. " Why are you crying Xander?"

" I am," he replied, " just not use to people giving things to me."

" Ahh. That must be it. Dry your eyes for we must be going if we are to make it to Greenwood by tonight." The elf pronounced. He fastened his pack to his horse and proceeded to do the same for Xander. Then, they both got on their horses and rode to wards the road that would take them to Greenwood.

~

They were halfway to Greenwood when the pains hit Xander. The pains were so sharp and agonizing that he doubled over in the saddle. He stomachs muscles clenched and he made a grab for the pommel of the saddle so that he wouldn't fall.

Legolas would never have known that his friend was hurting if Xander hadn't been moaning as much as he was. He turned Andulin around just in time to see Xander fall from the horse he was on.

He rushed over and jumped off Andulin to land by Xander. He pulled Xander into his lab and began looking him over for injuries. Finding none he tried to awaken the mortal.

Xander's head lolled to the side and Legolas could see the tips of his ears. They were growing into a point like that of an elf's. Not giving himself time to think, only knowing that if he did not get Xander to a healer soon that he would die, hr scooped his friend up, got on Andulin, gave Arro orders to follow him, and set out for Greenwood as fast as he could.

*****
Part 5:

Going as fast as he could it still took Legolas three days to reach his home. In that time, Xander's condition had not improved and if anything had deteriorated. He sweated all the time and seemed to have nightmares. Almost all the time while he was unconscious he screamed for a person named Amor causing an ache to form in Legolas' chest.

It was dusk when Legolas rode into Greenwood with Xander laying in front of him. He was spotted by the sentinels in the watch tower and word was sent to the palace. When he arrived in the palace court yard he was met by his father and his fathers personal healer.

He had Andulin slow to a stop in front of his father and dismounted taking extra caution with the leaden body in his arms.

King Thranduil stepped froward to greet his wayward son. " Legolas, it is wonderful that you have come home. Who is this Man?"

" I'll explain about him later father. He needs help immediately." Legolas said walking past his father briskly. Thranduil followed behind him and the healer, Strommlin, ran ahead of the prince to prepare a room for his prince's companion.

egolas headed for the healer's hall and stepped into the first available room, pleased to note that it was the room that Strommlin was preparing for Xander. He laid Xander down on the bed and stepped back to allow the healer to look over his friend.

After several silent minutes, the healer looked to Legolas. " What happened?"

Legolas sighed. " I don't know exactly." He proceeded to tell the healer and his father the full story. When he was down he asked the healer, " Do you know what's happening to him?"

The healer shook his head. " It's terribly complicated but it makes sense now. Your mortal friend has elf blood in him."

Thranduil looked at the healer puzzled. " How can that be? He's not even from our world!"

" I know. Like I said, it doesn't make much sense now does it?" Strommlin answered. " He's caught a fever now and if it doesn't go away soon he may likely die. Of course, that could happen anyway if his body rejects the change. It's peculiar, I have never in all my thousands of years heard of a mortal changing into an elf."

Legolas tenderly swept Xander's bangs from his face. " When do you expect him to awake?"

The healer shrugged gracefully. " Three maybe for days. That's if the fever goes away. I'm sorry there's not much more I could do."

Legolas nodded. " That is alright I know you did your best."

The healer left and after a careful glance to his son Thranduil followed behind him.

Legolas laid his head next to Xander's and whispered in his ear, " Get better Xander. There is so much I want to show you and tell you. You must wake soon for if you don't and you pass on I too think I shall die.

~

Three days passed slowly and Legolas watched as Xander's body changed but he never awoke. His hair lengthened and changed from its bland dull brown to a reddish brown. His ears changed further becoming that of an elf's. His build slimmed and the bulky muscle he had carried changed to a muscle that was streamlined.

He never awoke though. Legolas sat by his side for those three days praying to the heavens for Xander to wake. His prayers went unanswered. Another week went by until thirteen days after he had fallen unconscious Xander started to stir.

Legolas had been talking to him of all the wonderful things he would show him when he noticed Xander's hand twitch. He looked up to Xander's face and saw his eyes fluttering.

" Xander! Are you waking?" Legolas asked with excitement.

*****
Part 6:

Xander�s eyes fluttered and then opened. Legolas gasped at the never ending green the man�s eyes had become. He smiled gloriously.

" You are awake!" he said happily.

Xander nodded. He smiled and reached for Legolas. He wrapped his arms around the stunned elf and pulled him into a hug. " I saw it all." He whispered.

" What do you mean you saw it all?" Legolas pulled away as far as Xander would let him. Of course that wasn�t much seeing as how he had a death grip on Legolas. " What are you talking about?"

Xander looked wondrously around the room he was in. " I was in a gold room, much like this one. A women came to me and showed me everything. From the dawn of time of this world to now I saw all the past events. I saw myself changing, my dormant elfish blood coming to life in this world." Xander smiled at Legolas, tears pricking his eyes. " I saw you, " he said with amazement coloring his voice, " everyday you sat here by my side never leaving me. She told me you were falling in love with me. Is it true?"

Legolas closed his eyes and nodded. " It is. I know almost nothing about you but I love you." He shook his head smiling. " Do you...love me?" Suddenly insecure he turned his head away.

Xander pulled his head back towards him and smiled gently. " I don�t know Legolas. I don�t. I do know that I�d love" he giggled, " to get to know you and maybe fall in love with you."

Legolas grinned happily. " That�s all I can ask for." He squinted and looked at Xander�s eyes. " You know, when you first woke up your eyes were green, but now they are a light brown."

" Really?" Xander asked with a teasing lilt to his voice.

Legolas nodded seriously. " Yes. They were the most amazing shade of green."

Xander laughed. " Silly my eyes are hazel. They change colors at different times."

Legolas giggled then turned wide eyes at the other elf. " Did I just giggle?"

Xander nodded. " It sounded good on you too."

" Ahem."

The two elves turned to the door eyes wide as King Thranduil stepped into the room. " So this is Xander. I must say young man that you look much different as an elf. I am Thranduil, Legolas� father and the king of this woodland realm that we call home."

Xander nodded bowing his head slightly remembering some of the etiquette that the golden woman had taught him. " It is a pleasure to meet you your highness."

Thranduil turned to Legolas. " I like this one son. Keep him around."

Legolas nodded and allowed Xander to pull him back in to a hug. " I plan to Father."

" I plan on staying around for awhile." Xander said smiling.

Legolas slapped him and then pulled him in for a kiss. He kept the kiss chaste for a few seconds and then decided to up the heat. As first kisses went, this one was one of the best. Legolas felt like he was in heaven when Xander requested entrance into his mouth. He obliged and fell back on the bed bringing the other elf with him.

" Ahem. I�m still here you know." Thranduil said smiling at the pair.

Legolas drew away from Xander and blushed. Xander buried his head in Legolas� neck. Thranduil just chuckled. " I just wanted to invite you both to dinner. I will let you get rearranged and then I expect to see you in the dining hall." He left to go back to his chambers.

" That was nice." Xander said after a few moments.

Legolas nodded. " It was. Oh, I guess we should get you moved out of the healers hall. You can stay in my chambers if you like." He blushed.

Xander grinned. " I�d like that."

Legolas helped him up and they made they�re way to the royal family hall and into Legolas� rooms. Xander looked around in awe.

He turned to Legolas. " These rooms are amazing. I love all the artwork and the� the bed is gorgeous.." The rooms that were Legolas� were done in greens and blues that all complemented each other. It was beautiful to look at and it reminded Legolas of the woods which was why he had picked them.

Legolas smiled. " Come on. Let�s go to dinner. My father will be the only one in attendance since I am an only child and my mother has already gone west."

Xander nodded and threaded his arm through Legolas�. " Lead the way dear."

Legolas snorted. " Dear?"

" Let�s just go. Wouldn�t want to keep your father waiting."

Legolas just shook his head in wonder.

*****
Part 7:

They walked into the royal families personal dining hall only a few minutes late. Like Legolas had said the only person in there was Thranduil. They both bowed their heads slightly at the king and then sat down side by side.

" So, Xander I must say I have never heard of a mortal changing into an elf. You must tell me what you know of how it happened." Thranduil said as a salad was placed on the table.

Xander nodded. " From what I learned while I was unconscious, in my world elves had all but died out. Somewhere in my family lineage an elf married a mortal. Even though this was several generations back the blood never died out in our family. When I entered this world unexpectedly my elfish blood reacted to the environment and the fact that there were so many elves here that it.decided would be a good word. It decided that I too should be an elf. That's when the pains came and the change started."

Thranduil nodded in understanding. " That would make sense." He smiled mischievously. " I couldn't help but notice the kiss while we were in the healer's hall. Would you like to tell me what that is about?"

Legolas blushed. " You see Father, I have fallen in love with Xander. He cares for me and we would like to see where this could go. Before we decide anything though I need the permission of Lord Elrond to court Xander."

" Why?" Xander asked puzzled.

" He has taken you in and will likely adopt you into his family. It is only right that a respectable suitor ask permission of the father before courting their beloved." Legolas answered.

" Oh." Xander frowned. " What does it mean that you want to court me?"

Legolas laughed. " We have, in the elfish world, a thing called bonding. It is like mortal marriage except that it binds our souls together for eternity and we can never be separated. It is used for those who are soulmates or are truly in love."

Xander ducked his head shyly. " You want to be bonded to me?" He looked up with tears glistening in his hazel eyes. " No one has ever cared that much about me before."

Legolas took Xander's hand in his own and squeezed it. " Yes I want to bond with you. I love you Xander and I know that soon you too will love me." He placed a gentle kiss on Xander's cheek.

Xander smiled happily and started to eat. Thranduil smiled at the picture his only son made with this shy elf. " If that is the case Legolas, " he said breaking the peaceful silence, " you need to go see Elrond as soon as possible, so that you can make arrangements."

" We'll do that. Is that okay with you Xander?" Legolas asked pausing in his eating.

Xander nodded happily and the three elves finished their meal in silence. When the were finished with their food Xander and Legolas excused themselves from the table and went to Legolas' rooms. They undressed shyly and slipped into the bed keeping a little distance between them.

" Oh to hell with it." Xander said rolling over and laying himself on top of Legolas. They shared a kiss and then fell into sleep dreaming of the things to come.

~

Sunnydale

~

" Ah ha!" Willow yelled catching everyone's attention. It had been almost nine months since Xander had disappeared and his friends had never stopped looking for him.

Buffy rushed over to the witch. " What did you find Willow?"

" It's a simple retrieval spell. You use it to get things that have been lost and you don't know where they are. Anya and I did one a few years ago to try to retrieve her necklace. Why didn't I think of this earlier?" Willow said as started to cry.

" Well we've been so worried about Xander we haven't thought of much else. We were looking for something complicated and this seems really easy Willow." Buffy said trying to cheer up her friend.

Willow sniffled but looked a little cheerier. " It says you have to wait for the full moon if you want to retrieve a person. When's the next full moon?"

Buffy looked at the calendar over the counter in the shop. " It's in three weeks. That's not very long."

Willow nodded. " Yeah I mean what's a few days when Xander will soon be back with us. I wonder if he's alright."

Buffy grinned. " I'm sure he is."

They sat and made plans not even thinking that Xander might not want to come home. All they cared about was getting their friend back.

Oh what a shock they were going to receive when Xander came home.

*****
TBC