Ice
Disclaimer: I know nothing, I see nothing, I hear nothing!
Summary: A mystery begins to unfold.
Please read and review.
This story can be read on it's own, but it does make reference to several things that happened in my previous stories, "Fin" and "Bridges". Reading these may help you understand. I hope everyone enjoys this. Please read and review.
Ice
Chapter One
The fire burned low on the hearth projecting a glowing warmth onto the figure in front of it. Shadows danced on the wall all around the room. The figure sat with legs crossed, staring absentmindedly into the flames, mesmerized by their movement. In front lay an open book and an empty teacup, both forgotten.
Fin had been in Rivendell for a month. Lord Elrond had truly welcomed her to his home, as Estel and Legolas had said he would. He said it was the least he could do as she had saved his son's life more than once. To her delight, he had agreed to share his healing knowledge with her, and he had begun training her. Many of the herbs he used she already knew of, but early on they had hit a major stumbling block. Fin did not know how to read. She had never been taught, and much of the knowledge that she desired was to be found in books.
So, with the help of Elrond, Estel, and Elrond's twin sons Elrohir and Ellandan, she had begun to learn how. The process was slow at first, she had to learn and remember all the symbols, but once she had unlocked the code, she found it easier and easier. They had concentrated on elvish and common mostly, as these were the two languages that were most commonly used. She was usually pleased at her own progress, but the book before her had been the most difficult yet, as it switched back and forth from elvish to the common tongue. She found it confusing, and it had given her a headache.
She had been given a small room of her own with her own bathing chamber next to it. This type of luxury was so foreign to her; she was still not completely comfortable. Having food whenever she was hungry, and more than one change of clothing also left her feeling very much in debt to the elven lord.
She found herself trying very hard to please him, and she worked very hard to help in any way that she could. She helped him gather and maintain the medicines and herbs he kept on hand. She ensured that the healing rooms were impeccably clean at all times, so much so, that the rest of the healers and aids found that there was not much left to do. In her spare time, she would read. She had barely left the estate since her arrival, and then only to forage and gather plants that were used for healing.
Legolas and Tan had stayed only a few days before returning to Mirkwood with the promise that they would see her soon. Estel stayed longer to ensure that she was comfortable with her surroundings before taking up his ranger duties once again.
Most of the time she was comfortable, but she could not shake the feeling that she did not quite fit in. She rarely spoke unless spoken to first, and she was constantly on alert in case she did something inappropriate. She watched others in order to know how to properly behave, but this was also wrong as she had been caught staring one too many times. For the most part, the other elves around her understood, but she was not aware of that fact. She felt inadequate, as if she did not belong in this world, although she knew this was where she should be, and if circumstances had been different, there would be no question about her place here.
So lost was she in thought, that she failed to notice the approaching footsteps behind her. An elf approached and sat in a chair to her side, studying her.
"You are very much lost in thought, are you not, Fin?"
"Lord Elrond," she replied as she reached to push a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Are you enjoying your book?"
Fin stared at the forgotten book and then looked back at the elf seated next to her.
"Nay, I am very confused. I do not think I will ever find this easy. It switches back and forth from elvish to common, it is most difficult."
"It will come, give it time. You have made remarkable progress. I know all this is very hard for you. I have watched you very carefully. Do not feel as if you have something to prove here. And do not feel as if all must be accomplished in a fortnight. I do not care about your past, Fin. That a creature as bright and brave as you has been alone for so long is a crime. Please know that I want you here with us."
Fin felt her face flush. She averted her eyes, glancing down to her hands, which were currently twisting together in her lap.
"My lord, I owe you so much. You have been so kind."
"It is we who owe you, elfling. You will find your place. You must listen to me on this, for I am very wise," he finished with a smile.
She looked back at the book, sighing, and closed it. She would get no further with it this night.
"I am feeling restless, my lord. I am not used to being in one place for so long. I do not want you to think I do not appreciate your kindness and generosity, but I feel unsettled."
"Perhaps you need a bit of adventure?"
She looked at him in surprise. What did he mean?
"Elrohir and Ellandan are planning a hunt for tomorrow. I believe they would welcome you along if you desired to go."
She looked up at him and smiled, and he smiled back. She liked the twins very much. Elrond looked at the delight that now graced her face. His face was so kind and wise. She felt safe by him, and had begun to feel her respect for him growing into a true affection.
"I believe they are in the armory preparing weapons. You might be able to catch them there!"
She quickly leapt to her feet, and before she could stop herself, leaned over and quickly kissed him on the cheek before running swiftly toward the armory.
He laughed lightly, his fingers brushing against his cheeks. "I believe I may have found myself another daughter," he thought.
Disclaimer: I know nothing, I see nothing, I hear nothing!
Summary: A mystery begins to unfold.
Please read and review.
This story can be read on it's own, but it does make reference to several things that happened in my previous stories, "Fin" and "Bridges". Reading these may help you understand. I hope everyone enjoys this. Please read and review.
Ice
Chapter One
The fire burned low on the hearth projecting a glowing warmth onto the figure in front of it. Shadows danced on the wall all around the room. The figure sat with legs crossed, staring absentmindedly into the flames, mesmerized by their movement. In front lay an open book and an empty teacup, both forgotten.
Fin had been in Rivendell for a month. Lord Elrond had truly welcomed her to his home, as Estel and Legolas had said he would. He said it was the least he could do as she had saved his son's life more than once. To her delight, he had agreed to share his healing knowledge with her, and he had begun training her. Many of the herbs he used she already knew of, but early on they had hit a major stumbling block. Fin did not know how to read. She had never been taught, and much of the knowledge that she desired was to be found in books.
So, with the help of Elrond, Estel, and Elrond's twin sons Elrohir and Ellandan, she had begun to learn how. The process was slow at first, she had to learn and remember all the symbols, but once she had unlocked the code, she found it easier and easier. They had concentrated on elvish and common mostly, as these were the two languages that were most commonly used. She was usually pleased at her own progress, but the book before her had been the most difficult yet, as it switched back and forth from elvish to the common tongue. She found it confusing, and it had given her a headache.
She had been given a small room of her own with her own bathing chamber next to it. This type of luxury was so foreign to her; she was still not completely comfortable. Having food whenever she was hungry, and more than one change of clothing also left her feeling very much in debt to the elven lord.
She found herself trying very hard to please him, and she worked very hard to help in any way that she could. She helped him gather and maintain the medicines and herbs he kept on hand. She ensured that the healing rooms were impeccably clean at all times, so much so, that the rest of the healers and aids found that there was not much left to do. In her spare time, she would read. She had barely left the estate since her arrival, and then only to forage and gather plants that were used for healing.
Legolas and Tan had stayed only a few days before returning to Mirkwood with the promise that they would see her soon. Estel stayed longer to ensure that she was comfortable with her surroundings before taking up his ranger duties once again.
Most of the time she was comfortable, but she could not shake the feeling that she did not quite fit in. She rarely spoke unless spoken to first, and she was constantly on alert in case she did something inappropriate. She watched others in order to know how to properly behave, but this was also wrong as she had been caught staring one too many times. For the most part, the other elves around her understood, but she was not aware of that fact. She felt inadequate, as if she did not belong in this world, although she knew this was where she should be, and if circumstances had been different, there would be no question about her place here.
So lost was she in thought, that she failed to notice the approaching footsteps behind her. An elf approached and sat in a chair to her side, studying her.
"You are very much lost in thought, are you not, Fin?"
"Lord Elrond," she replied as she reached to push a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Are you enjoying your book?"
Fin stared at the forgotten book and then looked back at the elf seated next to her.
"Nay, I am very confused. I do not think I will ever find this easy. It switches back and forth from elvish to common, it is most difficult."
"It will come, give it time. You have made remarkable progress. I know all this is very hard for you. I have watched you very carefully. Do not feel as if you have something to prove here. And do not feel as if all must be accomplished in a fortnight. I do not care about your past, Fin. That a creature as bright and brave as you has been alone for so long is a crime. Please know that I want you here with us."
Fin felt her face flush. She averted her eyes, glancing down to her hands, which were currently twisting together in her lap.
"My lord, I owe you so much. You have been so kind."
"It is we who owe you, elfling. You will find your place. You must listen to me on this, for I am very wise," he finished with a smile.
She looked back at the book, sighing, and closed it. She would get no further with it this night.
"I am feeling restless, my lord. I am not used to being in one place for so long. I do not want you to think I do not appreciate your kindness and generosity, but I feel unsettled."
"Perhaps you need a bit of adventure?"
She looked at him in surprise. What did he mean?
"Elrohir and Ellandan are planning a hunt for tomorrow. I believe they would welcome you along if you desired to go."
She looked up at him and smiled, and he smiled back. She liked the twins very much. Elrond looked at the delight that now graced her face. His face was so kind and wise. She felt safe by him, and had begun to feel her respect for him growing into a true affection.
"I believe they are in the armory preparing weapons. You might be able to catch them there!"
She quickly leapt to her feet, and before she could stop herself, leaned over and quickly kissed him on the cheek before running swiftly toward the armory.
He laughed lightly, his fingers brushing against his cheeks. "I believe I may have found myself another daughter," he thought.