"It is more than that," the guard said. "Please, just come with us, and all will be explained." He could see hints of their heritage in their features, and he knew Thranduil would want to see them.

Vena dug in her heels a bit; a bit of Rory's personality had rubbed off on her over the years.

"Why can't it be explained now?" she asked. "Look, if we're trespassing, we can go, we didn't mean to be here."

"I am not authorized to explain," the guard said solemnly. "Else I would. No harm will come to either of you. I am simply following orders."

Vena watched them warily, and then glanced at Rory. Somehow, she got the feeling that they could trust these people, at least for the moment, so she wanted to see what her friend thought.

Rory crossed her arms over her chest and grumbled, but motioned after a few moments for the guard to lead on. He sketched a short bow and continued.

Vena blinked at the bow, but followed. Everything was all decidedly not normal, and she really wanted an explanation.

The guard didn't say anything else as the group continued out of the Shire again, although it didn't take long to get to the guard house from there. Which was situated up in the trees. Rory immediately made a face.

Vena couldn't help but snicker a bit at her friend.

"See?" she murmured to Rory. "It's not just me."

"Unfortunately." Rory grumbled but she climbed up easily enough, looking around rather curiously. "Interesting place."

Vena climbed up as well and looked around.

"It's amazing," she said. Something about it seemed so familiar that it made her chest tight, but it was in a good way.

The guard smiled a little and moved back farther to an office, which he knocked on, waiting for a reply before he pushed open the door. Thranduil sat behind a desk, raising one impeccable eyebrow.

When she saw him, Vena was hit with a sense of familiarity so strong it nearly threw her for a loop. She felt like there was something just out of reach, something important, and she just couldn't grasp it.

"Sir, these two somehow found their way into the Shire," one of the guards explained.

"Indeed?" Thranduil looked at them. "And how exactly did you manage that?"

Rory wordlessly pointed to Vena, because it was, in essence, all her fault.

Vena bit her lip slightly, a bit embarrassed.

"I was looking for a tree," she admitted.

"A tree?" Thranduil so far looked faintly amused. "There are many trees here, I fail to see how you looking for a tree lead you so far away from civilization."

"It had to be the right tree," Vena protested. "It's not like a treehouse can go into just any tree."

"Ah. For a treehouse. Had you stated your purpose originally, I would have understood." Thranduil nodded. "And in your searching, you stumbled upon the Shire. I see."

"There wasn't supposed to be anything out here," Vena pointed out. "Nothing on any maps." She could hear his patronizing tone, and it made her a bit irritated.

"That is because people are not meant to know about the Shire. The Shire is private and privately owned," Thranduil said. "I don't see any harm coming from you two knowing, however. Not unless you are inclined to talk."

"The Shire?" Vena echoed. Okay, so the village had a name, that was something. Something was still tugging at her, though, and she didn't know what it was. "So it's just... okay that we found it?"

"I suppose that depends on you." Thranduil raised an eyebrow. "If you talk, then no, it is not simply alright. If, however, you can keep this information to yourselves..."

Vena glanced at Rory. Hey, she could keep her mouth shut if she needed to. And this all promised to be very interesting indeed, especially if they got to stick around and explore some more.

Rory nodded her agreement. She wouldn't tell anyone.

"Good." Thranduil finally stood. "For now, I think it best that you return home."

Rory definitely noticed the 'for now', which is why she didn't argue. Yet.

"Home?" Vena couldn't help but be a little disappointed. She never found her perfect tree. "Alright..."

Thranduil nodded to the guard to escort them home again. The guard nodded and led the way back down, walking back towards where they'd come from.