Drabble 1
Renny saw everything with curiosity. Although it had been at least five months since she had come to Rivendell for some strange reason that no one, not even Lord Elrond, let alone her, knew; there were still several customs of the Elves that she did not understand.
The Elves still saw her as a strange being, and still, with a certain disdain. Maybe it was because she was a female human. Above all the ellith seemed to hold the most aloof. Why? She had no clue, but according to Gilornel it was because she had a close friendship, too close, with Lord Glorfindel, the heart-breaker of many a fair Elven-Lady
Renny wondered again and again what was wrong with it. That is to say, Lord Glorfindel was an Elf of the most kind, chivalrous and nice ... sometimes he was naïve, especially for Renny, who loved joking and teasing people, but he was also intelligent and very understanding. Yes, Glorfindel was what Renny and, most likely, any female or almost any female, she corrected herself, for Gilornel did not seem very much interested in him, wish. He was very famous for his great and heroic feats in his previous life, that of beating a Balrog ... it was not nothing! Nor hold the battles he held with an army much smaller than the enemy! And that increased the chivalry, the charm, the intelligence and how handsome he was ...
But to Renny none of that mattered. She loved to spend time with him and to know him not as the slayer of Balrog or the hero of Gondolin, but simply as Glorfindel, an Elf who was certainly very handsome and intelligent, but an Elf more who lived in Rivendell and who understood her perfectly well.
Renny had come out of her rooms because from an early time she felt an air of difference, of joy, of ... celebration. Though the tread of the Eldar was silent to human ears, a joy and anticipation hung the fresh, cool air of winter dawn, and Renny quickly felt it.
She sought out her only female friend among the Elves, Gilornel. Perhaps she knew what was happening. After going round and round the house of Lord Elrond she found her. The beautiful elleth was very busy preparing the tables for a feast.
"Mae Govannen, Gilornel." Renny greeted her cheerfully. "Ah... what's going on? Why all these preparations? "
The elleth turned to her with a bright, strange look, her rich chestnut hair falling in distracted wisps from her braid. "Do not you remember, Renny?" Renny smiled. To hear her name being said in the liquid-soft Sinda accent always made her feel...good. "Today is the Winter Fest!"
Renny frowned, trying to remember. Yes, indeed, the elleth had told her that the Elves celebrated that feast as the beginning of a new year, and that on that night and on subsequent days there would be gatherings. There would be dances, and songs, and much old lore would be told by minstrels.
Renny had never been in a celebration of the Elves. It was mostly the Noldor that would be singing and telling stories, the lovers of art gathering together, and she had been there before, but this night was different. Gilornel's bright green eyes shone as she said that the Hall of Fire would be opened.
"Yes, I remember. Sorry, my memory is not always good, "Renny said at last.
Gilornel smiled teasingly. "Indeed... I wonder why it will be?" she asked, glancing knowingly, seeing that a tall Elf with long hair that looked like liquid fire-gold and blue eyes was heading towards the office of Lord Elrond with a steady and delicate step.
Renny followed her friend's gaze and saw the Elf coming in. He looked at her and flashed a bright smile. Renny felt her heart begin to beat sweet and fast and her cheeks began to blush, and she realized that if she did not stop, she would end up as blushing as her long, rebellious flushed hair. So, what she did to conceal it as naturally as possible was to take two fingers to her temple and salute him something like a military man.
Gilornel was surprised as the Elf nodded to her and returned the greeting in the same way. It seemed that he was going to go to them, but at that moment another ellon came up and said something. Glorfindel gave them one last smile and walked away with a quick step.
"What is that?" Gilornel asked, her head tilted curiously.
"It's a greeting." replied Renny lightly.
"Greeting?"
"Yes, it is among friends. It is a salutation, you are recognizing them." Renny explained, remembering the first time she had taught Lord Glorfindel.
The Elf had been surprised and did not know what to think. Renny had been amused to see her friend's reaction when he had tried to learn it. Sometimes he was so cute! So naive! And at the same time so intelligent and insightful. She did not know how he was able to do both. Maybe it came with living forever.
She shifted uncomfortably, seeing eyes fastened upon her. "Why do they look at me like that?"
Gilornel sighed. "Well, what's not obvious? You are the closest friend of Lord Glorfindel, you are so close that he has learned the greetings of the Men of your realm! "
Renny raised a surprised eyebrow.
"Come on. We must find you a dress for the Winterfest!" She seized Renny's arm and dashed along.
"Dress?" Renny repeated "I do not want to wear a dress. I can't move easily in them. I stumble in them."
Gilornel looked at her in surprise, and Renny sighed, realizing that no matter how fast Gilornel ran, her garments never impeded her, instead flowing around her. The dresses, she admitted were beautiful and exquisite. Their texture and style, as well as the material with which they were made, made the dresses of the royalty of the Edain look like simple and gross rags.
"At least wear one tonight." the elleth replied determinedly. "And think ... Lord Glorfindel will be at the celebration."
Renny raised an eyebrow. "What does that have to do with anything?"
"Oh! Do not play the fool, Renny! Lord Glorfindel is interested in you and that is why he is determined to learn new things from your realm. The other Elves are not like that. We prefer our own culture because we do not have the same problems as the Edain, who are behind in comparison to ours. But you, Renny, you have made an Elf, and not any Elf, so interested in learning the manners of your realm that he even uses them with you!"
Renny rolled her eyes, but she felt a little jump in her heart beat.
"Come now! Promise me that you are going to wear the dress that I bring you and that you are going to comb your hair. "said Gilornel after a few moments
"Comb?!" Renny repeated "And what else do you want me to do? May I travel to the Sun and Moon and back today? "
Gilornel sighed. "Come on Renny, it's a special occasion."
Renny frowned. She did not like to comb her hair. She would untangle it but no more. Her long, curly, red hair often brought attention to her, and she had whispers she might be a relation of Fëanor.
"Okay, just for a while," Renny said grumpily.
Gilornel smiled and gave her a hug. "In a little while I'll be back with the perfect dress for you! I assure you that Lord Glorfindel will be surprised to see you "
Renny closed the door and dropped into the bed. What a problem it was that Gilornel was determined to play the matchmaker! Lord Glorfindel was not interested in her! She was just his friend, he just saw her and he would see her like that! There was no way it would be any different! Why would he, when he had all of Imladris's fairest maidens?
Renny closed her eyes and pulled her hair as a little girl would do to prove her annoyance. Who did she want to fool? Her heart was beating for the handsome, intelligent, charming, Elf ... but she was simply a female human who was not even from Middle-Earth. Yes, who did she want to fool?
That night was joy among the Elves. Everyone had gathered outside Lord Elrond's in the cool winter air, and clear laughter rise high as white snowflakes came drifting down. Delicate music resounded to the starlit sky.
After a while, when the banquet ended, the dance began.
Renny was entertained and amused, watching the Elves circle. The dances of that race were very different from anything she had ever seen, and she noted some difference to the Sindar and the Noldor Elves in the dances. Noldor were filled with a soft elegance, and they were more like to her race, though far fairer and wiser, but the Sindar Elves danced with a wild, barely suppressed grace. They danced as leaves in the wind, and Renny felt a thrill from watching them. Occasionally she wondered how such swift and sure steps could stay in rhythm with the movement, but Sindar Elves never faltered, as the song beat the soft rhythm of wintry-clear starlight.
After a while, however, she began to feel lonely. There was no one to talk to. Lord Elrond was with Lord Erestor and other Elves while the twins were talking amongst themselves.
She jumped when a clear voice said. "My Lady, why are not you dancing?"
Renny looked back and saw that it was Lord Glorfindel. The Elf was handsome, but dressed in that fine blue linen robe damasked with gold-leaf, and his loose hair silver-gold in the moonlight made him look…She swallowed. His face seem to shine, eyes deep and piercing.
"Because, my Lord Glorfindel, I do not know how to dance." she replied.
"Then allow me the privilege of teaching you, Lady Renny."
Renny smiled.
"Allow me the privilege of telling you that I thank you, but ... no." she replied. "And please, no need to be formal."
Lord Glorfindel sat down beside her and smiled at her. "Why do not you want to dance? It's a night of celebration, of joy"
"I see that." she replied "But the truth is…I cannot dance."
Glorfindel frowned. "Why not?"
" I have some skill for the waltz, but only that."
"Waltz?" He repeated in surprise, the foreign word strange on his tongue, his Noldorin accent less fluid than the Sindar, but it carried something richer, deeper."
"Yes. It's an Earth dance that happened between the little Princess and the little Prince." she replied, and laughed nervously. "It's rather embarrassing, but as a child I wanted to be a Princess. I think it's very common among girls of my race."
"I do not see why this situation is embarrassing." he replied, not ceasing to look at her. "If it is the illusion of a child, it is something very precious, something that is priceless."
Renny shook her head, and grinned. "Buying a new dress: $100; The illusion of a child: priceless. There are somethings that have no price, for there exists the Master Card."
Lord Glorfindel smiled, though he did not quite understand it. Renny looked back down, playing with the emerald dress. She had to admit that Gilornel was right, the material was like water, fluid, beautiful. She looked for her friend and caught a glimpse of dark hair free. She was speaking with Elrohir, and Renny smiled.
"Then teach me how to dance."
Renny frowned, looking back to the golden-haired Elf. "What do you mean?"
"That you teach me to dance that dance that you say you know ... the waltz."
Renny laughed. "Oh, Glorfindel! That will never happen "
"Why not?" asked the Lord of the Golden Flower.
"Well, because ... now is not the time, and I do not know how to teach it to you."
"I'm sure you could teach it to me, after all you're talented."
Renny raised an eyebrow, and Glorfindel continued. "And why is not the time?"
"Well, because ... tell me where I'm going to teach you?" asked Renny. "You cannot simply say 'Elves! Stop your dancing because Lord Glorfindel is going to waltz!'"
"Why not?" he teased. "I am a Lord even among the Kings of Elves.
Renny rolled her eyes but nevertheless smiled. "Come on, Glorfindel, you're not serious."
"I am."
Renny looked at him and turned back to the Elven circle. She felt Glorfindel's eyes upon her, and felt shivers tingling through her body. She played with her red hair and waited. But Glorfindel could wait far longer.
"Oh alright! You win!" she exclaimed at last.
"I told you I would."
Renny made a face at him. "Now, how do you intend to set about it?"
Glorfindel laughed. "Follow me. I know a place." He offered his arm politely, but Renny shook her head.
They walked until they reached a clearing of a forest near a large lake, a sheen of silver.
There was no sound except for the rush of the night wind, bringing the soft scent of pines covered with snow. The moon glowed like a silver disk high in the sky studded with stars that looked like a shower of diamonds. The lake was so limpid and its waters so calm that they looked like a mirror that faithfully portrayed the infinite beauty of the night sky.
Renny approached the lake in wonder at such beauty.
"You do have a miniature paradise!" She exclaimed, "it looks like ... like ... like the 'Lake of the Shooting Stars'!"
Lord Glorfindel, who had lagged behind, looked at her with a smile and a very particular gleam in his blue eyes. "The 'Lake of the Shooting Stars'?" He repeated. "Do you mean the Waters of Awakening?"
Renny frowned. "No…" she replied, turning to him with wide eyes. "I'm sure there's nothing more beautiful than this "
Lord Glorfindel smiled at her with that smile and that particular gleam in his eyes.
"You would be surprised that it is not so." he murmured
Renny tilted her head confused. What did he mean?
"Then there are places more beautiful and wonderful than this?" She asked cheerfully. "Would you take me to meet them?"
Lord Glorfindel just stared at her and smiled the same way, confusing Renny more.
"Um ... Glorfindel, what's wrong?" She asked when he did not respond
For a moment, the Elf did not respond, but at last the strange gleam in his blue eyes diminished and he shook his head slightly. "If I remember correctly, my Lady, you were going to give me waltz lessons?"
Renny frowned. It had been strange, but she decided to ignore it. "Of course, my Lord." she replied. "But we need to get away to have enough space."
She started walking toward the center of the forest clearing, the dress tangled between her legs. With a muffled squeak, she tripped, putting out her hands. Glorfindel caught her waist. "Are you alright?" He asked as the strange glint in his blue eyes appeared
"Hehe ... yes, I'm fine. It's just a new way to walk, "she replied, smiling as she gently let go of him. "You see, this is why I hate wearing these dresses. I do not know how it is that you, that is, the ellith ... you understand me and ... "
She stopped to see that Lord Glorfindel was smiling sweetly at her.
"Sorry, I'm rambling," she replied, smiling sheepishly in return. She cleared her throat. "Very well, you are going to notice in my feet so that you see the rhythm that waltz takes"
Lord Glorfindel stared at her in surprise. Would Renny uncover her feet? That was ... unthinkable!
"Oh, come on! It's just my feet! "She said annoyed. "I have my shoulders uncovered and nobody says anything! "
The Elf took a deep breath and nodded.
Renny lifted her dress to her ankles and began to dancing, marking the rhythm. "One two three; one two three; one two three."
That was the way the Elf was paying attention.
"Okay, do you think you can imitate it?" asked Renny after several minutes.
Glorfindel nodded and was about to do so when he froze. Renny had put a hand on his heart. The Elf felt his heart beat like a hammer, with a speed it had never beaten, not even when he had faced the Balrog, the flame of Udùn, Morgoth's most feared servant. He hoped Renny would not feel it, and apparently his pray was answered.
"Relax, Glorfindel, I will not bite you! I do not bite ... or well, I do bite from time to time." she added with a little laugh. "But I shan't now, because it does not suit my purpose! My student needs to be in full health so he may dance."
Glorfindel nodded.
"If you are nervous, we'll stop." said Renny softly.
He barely could say "No, teach me "
Renny looked at him closely. The Elf was flushed from the tips of his ears and breathing heavily. That was odd. She realized that something had made her friend uncomfortable or ... something he had felt, and she realized that there was something else, but she couldn't put the finger on it. She waited several minutes until the Elf calmed down slowly and his breathing was much less hectic.
"Okay," she said softly when she saw this. "Now you're going to follow the same steps you saw me do. You're not going to get close to me, all the time my hand should be the same distance we're on, okay? "
Glorfindel nodded. Renny looked at him for a moment and began to move.
The Elf turned his gaze downward for fear of trampling her, and also because Renny's blue eyes seemed to hypnotize him. But he could not for long because Renny lifted his chin with her other hand.
"It's rude not to look your partner in the eye, you know."
Glorfindel could only nod as ears grew blush. How was it possible for a female human to do this to him?
After several minutes, during which Renny was counting the time the same way she had done it the first time, she stopped. Glorfindel thought that was all, but it turned out not.
"Now, promise me that you will do as I say." she told him seriously.
"Promise you?" He repeated, confused and still feeling the feel of Renny's small hand on his chest
"Yes, promise me that you will do exactly what I say." Renny sighed "It is not bad, but considering your reaction ... I do not know how you take the following"
Glorfindel could not imagine anything else, but by his desire to learn more and feel closer to him Renny, he promised that he would.
Renny stared at him, but with a certain light mirth in her sky-colored eyes. Then she reached out and took one of his hands that she placed on her waist and then the other on her shoulder, while she placed hers on his shoulder and with the hand that was free took the flight of her dress. Seeing the closeness, Lord Glorfindel could not help but swallow.
"First, I'm going to guide." she said quietly at the Elf's nervousness.
And she began to move, counting aloud the time to help him concentrate. Finally, when she saw that he had already grasped the rhythm, and seeing that the Elf was still very nervous, she began to sing sweetly, with that wonderful voice she had, a melody.
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
At first, Glorfindel was surprised for he never in his both lives had heard such song, but it was sweet and, moreover, when Renny, 'the song bird', sang it. So he listened the song and let her lead and let his heart rest.
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast
Little by little Glorfindel's heart started to fill with an unknown joy and another emotion that, in the moment, he couldn't put the finger on what was, but it certainly brought happiness and relief in his troubled heart.
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
And ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Suddenly Renny forced him to lift her and turn around, and she giggled, seeing his astonished face. Once more she had him lift her and for the last one, she just made a gesture which immediately understood the Elf and lifted her and instead of a half turn, he made a turn complete making her laugh and he smiled broadly. Slowly he realized he was the one leading the dancing while Renny continued singing.
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bitter-sweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
In the end, Renny made a curtsey for a moment, leaving him surprised and not knowing what to do.
"You have to bow to thank with whom you danced." she said smiling.
Glorfindel nodded and did as she told.
There was a moment of silence that was only broken by a gentle breeze from the night wind.
Lord Glorfindel smiled at her. So that was the waltz ... he liked it.
Renny smiled back at him with that cheerful, frank smile he so fondly loved, yet he could read something more at that moment
The wind blew, and Renny's hair covered her face. She brushed it hastily aside. Glorfindel paused, recalling the red hair at the burning of the Teleri ships. And he had followed Fëanor and his fire-haired sons, yes, he had.
He shook his head and gently brushed away the rebellious fire-colored hair, so unique, that made her so different.
Renny watched as he gently brushed the hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, and for a moment Glorfindel could see a light in those sky-colored eyes that was identical to the one illuminating his. It was as if time had stopped, as if nothing else existed than he and she, it was as if a charm had fallen on them because they both looked into each other's eyes and both smiled the same way.
Renny cleared her throat and put a hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations friend Glorfindel, you just danced the most famous waltz on Earth: 'The Waltz of Beauty and the Beast.'"
The Elf's tender smile acquired a faint tinge of sadness, but it immediately disappeared, not without Renny noticing.
"Well, then I can say that I know how to dance the ... waltz." he said, although in his delicious voice there was a slight tone of sadness
Renny laughed. "No doubt." she said "do we come back?"
Glorfindel's Elven-eyes saw a slight sparkle and he picked up the clasp that had held back Renny's hair. It had fallen and he offered it to her now.
"Oh! Thanks." she said" but I will not put it back. I do not know what I was thinking about using it."
Glorfindel looked at her blankly.
"Gilornel asked me to use it." she replied. "Shall we go back?"
The Elf lord offered her his arm again and said smiling. "Please allow me the privilege of taking you by the arm, my lady, especially from this beautiful dance"
Renny rolled her eyes, but nevertheless she took his arm.
As they walked Glorfindel said at last. "Perhaps one day, I may teach the dance of Vanyar."
Renny tilted her head. "That is?"
Glorfindel swallowed. "It is the dance of the moonlight, of the swans, of the Blessed Realms. It is the dance of my kin, a hundred of the Eldar reaching for the stars, and missing only by a hands-breadth. Or even the dance of the Noldor, more sedate."
Renny looked at him, and nodded.
They found the dance over in the courtyard, and the Elves in the Hall of Fire.
"Are you going to stay?" The Elf asked.
"Yes, you know that I love stories." replied Renny. The Hall of Fire held an enchantment for her, a golden haze, a sweet song, everything beautiful, soft clear voices speaking of tales long ago forgotten by all but them.
Glorfindel smiled at her, and turned to go.
"Hey! Where are you going? "She asked, lowering her voice. .
"I'm going to walk for a while," he said. "Soon I'll be back"
"What 'little time' are we talking about? Of the Elves or of the men? "She inquired. ,
Glorfindel smiled. "Of the men." answered
Renny made a gesture. "You are going to miss all these wonderful stories, and-" She pouted. "I cannot understand if no one will explain them."
Glorfindel nodded. "Do not worry. I'll be back in time to explain everything you want."
He barely lost sight of Renny when he heard a well-known voice saying, "I thought you'd be at the dance. Many were the ones who sought you "
Glorfindel turned and saw Lord Elrond emerging from the shadows. The warrior of Gondolin rolled his eyes at the thought that, surely, those 'many' who had sought him were, if not all ellith, the vast majority surely was.
"I was with Lady Renny." he replied.
Lord Elrond inclined his head. "I assumed that."
"She was teaching me to dance."
Lord Elrond raised a skeptical eyebrow. Teaching him to dance? Lord Glorfindel could dance perfectly!
"She was teaching me to dance the... waltz" explained "The waltz is a type of dance on Earth"
Lord Elrond nodded slowly.
"And why was she teaching you?" the Peredhel asked after a moment.
"Because I asked. I saw her, while everyone danced happily, she was sitting just watching and, although she smiled, I realized that she was not enjoying it as much as this celebration should be enjoyed. So, I asked her to teach me an Earth dance and she taught me how to dance the waltz." replied Glorfindel quickly.
Lord Elrond had been watching his companion as he explained what had happened, and realized that when he told her that Renny had taught him to dance waltz and about that strange dance called 'The Waltz of Beauty and the Beast', his eyes had shone with a unique light, and he recognized it. He recognized the light from the eyes of his wife.
"It is dangerous for those of our race to love a female human," he said seriously, "Especially for those who are like you. Love for a fíriel can be our downfall."
Lord Glorfindel, who had been staring at the stars, turned to Lord Elrond upon hearing this. "Then ... I'm already doomed," he said. "Because I love her"
Obviously everybody had recognized the song Renny sings: 'The Waltz of the Beauty and the Beast'