Within Dreams [A Legolas love story]

Prologue: Sleep Sweet

"Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleep, my Gianna, evening's come, the day is done, sleep is here at last, good night. Close your eyes, hold me tight, as the moon's light awakens, go to sleep, go to sleep, till the sun's light creeps in..." murmured her mother in a light, lilting tone. The young girl smilled sleepily and finally drifted off to sleep, clutching the large stuffed white tiger she had had since she was three years old. Seven years later, the soft white fur was faded and grey, but the kingly blue eyes still gave Gia the same comfort they always had. "Goodnight, love," said her mother softly, closing the door behind her.

That night, after finally sleeping, Gianna had an odd dream. She was peering through a thick mist which was veiling a thick wood on all sides of the clearing. For some reason, she had the strange notion that there was someone watching her. "Hello?" she said nervoulsy. Her voice vanished into the trees. A twig snapped somewhere, and Gia jumped. Her heart began to speed up, and stopped altogether as through the mist walked a pure white stag. His antlers were silvery, eyes solemn. His pearly coat shone in the dull evening light. She was not afraid, and in awe, reached out to the majestic animal. He bowed his head and allowed the young girl to barely brush his velvet snout with her fingertips before gently snorting and galloping back into the forest. She blinked and stepped back, darkness enveloping her. 

The sun arrived right on schedule the following morning, and Gianna padded out of bed into the warm kitchen where her mother was just putting on the tea kettle.

"Morning," she said cheerfully, sliding a little bit on the floor in her sock feet.

"Well, hello, sunshine," her mother replied, setting down a dish towel. She bent down to hug her daughter.

"Thanks for singing to me last night," Gia whispered into her ear.

"You're welcome," laughed her mother. "You went right to sleep."

"I think it was magical though!" responded the excited ten-year old.

"Magical? Of which sort?" teased her mother. "Witchery? Necromancy? Sorcery?" She tickled Gia affectionately and laughed as her young daughter squirmed.

"No, like nice magic. I had a dream about a white deer with silver antlers!"

"A white deer, really." mused her mother. "What about white bread with yellow butter? Come now, eat your breakfast."

"Ugh mooooooooom," sighed Gia. "I want to go back to sleep."

"Then you will be late for school, love," her mother admonished. "Don't you have a presentation today?" "Oh, I forgot," Gia sheepishly admitted through a mouthful of egg and toast. "I think I finished my project...."

"I'm sure you did, silly goose, don't forget to check before you leave," Her mother winked and went back to making a grocery list. 

Gianna tripped distractedly up the stairs, all the while thinking about her dream. Why had it felt so real?