DISCLAIMER:I posted this early because I wanted to get the ball rolling. Let me know what you think :)
FALLING LEAVES
Chapter 2: A gathering in the house of Elrond
Amélie awoke to find a dress on her bed; it was a long chiffon gown in ivory with a rose gold band of ribbon under the bust. She stood slowly and walked through an archway to find a large room with a claw foot tub filled with steaming water and flower petals. Beside the bath was a large silver pitcher which was filled with warm water. She soaked in the tub for a long while, listening to the sound of the fountains and rivers outside, the song of evening birds.
No matter how hard she thought she couldn't remember how she got to this place. Thinking about it made her tired so she decided to stop and relax. Wherever she was, it was a place of peace. She rinsed her hair with the water from the pitcher and stepped out of the bath, drying herself with a soft towel. She slipped into the ivory dress, in different lights it shimmered in white gold. Imladrien entered with a tray, Amélie marvelled at the fine-looking food only momentarily before swiftly scoffing it down, she didn't realise how hungry she was. Rosemary potatoes with sweet vegetables, stuffed olives, buttered bread, honey cakes and a glass of water which tasted of sweet ginger.
Imladrien giggled "My! You look like you haven't eaten in days", "I'm sorry" Amélie looked embarrassed "I was so hungry". "I hope I may ask you some questions Amélie…" Imladrien asked, watching as the girl sat and stuffed another honey cake in her mouth, nodding happily. "Why have you come to Rivendell?" Amélie looked at Imladrien with confusion in her green eyes "To be completely honest, I don't know." She wiped her mouth with a serviette "I don't remember anything at all; I don't remember who I am". Imladrien looked at Amélie sympathetically "I know who you are; you are the daughter of Captain Luin Defrise, who is the brother of Hirluin, 'The Lord of Green Hills'." Amélie looked at Imladrien with wide eyes.
Imladrien smiled "You are from Pinnatch Gelin, you are a lady of the Green Hills. What is most curious is how did you come this far alone? And why come during these times?". Amélie felt lost, she put her face into the palms of her hands, none of this felt real. Was she really the daughter of a Captain? Why did this all seem so unfamiliar? She searched deep through her memory; she could only remember a bright beaming light coming towards her in the darkness. This memory gave her shivers. 'I am sorry Miss Imladrien, but I really don't remember anything and I don't remember where I came from or why I am here" she said with distress. "All I know is that my name is Amélie Defrise, and that is all I remember!".
Imladrien placed her hand on Amélie's shoulder "fear not, you will remember eventually" she smiled "but for now enjoy your time here in Rivendell. There will be a banquet tonight which usually follows with dancing and drinks. You can meet many typed of folk there which may prompt your memory". That moment there was a knock on the door, a fair and tall elf walked in. "Hello Amélie, welcome to my house, I am Elrond" he stated in a proud and welcoming manner. "You are invited to join us tonight at the gathering; I hope you will be there. However, if you are not up to a banquet just yet then please feel free to stay here and rest" Amélie nodded "thank you" she replied coyly, and then quickly he left.
"Are you sure you want to come to the banquet" Imladrien asked as she fixed Amélie's hair into an elven braid, and placed a comb of pearls and Silverlight in her hair. "anything to get me to stop thinking about how I got here, maybe taking my mind off things will help me remember again!" Imladrien smiled "Well we rarely see the people of the green hills here. You are tall like us elves, yet your skin has been kissed by the sun and is golden" she beamed "you shant be ignored tonight I dare say! if you would like you can attend with me" "that would be of great comfort to me" Amélie replied. The thought of attending a party with so many people she had never met would be difficult for her. She remembered that she wasn't much of a people person.
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The banquet was much alive, glowing golden lamps and fire places warmed the large room filled with all kinds of folk. Elves, dwarves, hobbits and humans all laughed and ate and sang and danced. Legolas stood with a group of elves by the tall stone fireplace, he wore a tunic of silver and his hair was long and golden, in his hand cup of red wine which he drank from; he did not dance.
The hobbits all danced upon tables and sang tunes they loved and knew like the 'Bath Song'. After their merriment they went to get more ale, and in place of their songs an elvish string quartet filled the quiet with a bittersweet tune. At the same time, Amélie and Imladrien made their way down the stairs. A hundred eyes watched as Amélie descended but she felt only the piercing eyes of Legolas who looked at her in awe. Legolas was momentarily dazzled by her sweet smile and grace. He then saw as Boromir approached her quickly "It is a happy day to see such a fine young lady from my lands in such a faraway place as this" he smiled at her and kissed her hand. Amélie pulled her hand away in shock of Boromir's forwardness.
She looked up in bemusement at him. "I am Boromir, of Gondor, we are neighbours are we not?" he chucked "are we?" Amélie replied, an eyebrow raised. "Well it would be a great pleasure if you would dance with me tonight my lady" he proceeded bashfully. "Let our lady take some food and drink, she had only just awoken" interrupted Imladrien, she took Amélie by the arm and led her to the nearby refreshment table. "Thank you Imladrien, he was such a tool " Amélie said with a wheeze. Legolas smiled in admiration.
After a few glasses of wine Imladrien was pulled away from Amélie to dance, Amélie stood by the table watching everyone as they skipped around the room. She felt jolly for what seemed to be the first time in a long time and felt her cheeks where rosy from the wine. As she took another sip from her cup, she began to feel lightheaded." I better go get some air" she stumbled carefully to a secluded balcony, which was made of marble and wrapped in wisteria. From the balcony you could see the glowing fountains and gardens of Elrond's house. It was truly beautiful. Just then, a drunken Boromir slowly lurched himself beside Amélie. "My dance?" he slurred "come on love!, let's get a dance shall we?" he shook his body imitating a cheesy dance. "I think you are drunk" Amélie sighed. "Nonsense" sniggered Boromir "Just a little dance" he grabbed her by the arm and stumbled falling onto her proceeding to sniff at her hair "I haven't had a woman in ages!" he grunted. "Get off me!" Amélie snapped and tried to push him away, but his forceful hands fumbled around her body grabbing and squeezing. The stench of wine on his breath made her feel faint.
In a flash Boromir was off her, and on the floor "Ouch!" he bawled. "Get your filthy hands off her!" Legolas was standing beside Amélie now. The look in his cold blue eyes was intense, fierce. "Thank you" said Amélie shakily "You should be more careful" Legolas spoke coldly. She watched as the elf walked away and felt a mixture of feelings. Anger at his rudeness, gratitude for his help, and another emotion she could not place.
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On her way back to the party, Amélie bumped into Elrond. "How are you finding the festivities?" he asked "lovely thank you, Sir Elrond, your home is beautiful" Amélie replied gazing at the ceiling and all its intricate decorations. "Very good!" exclaimed Elrond "If you are available I have some business with you." Amélie smiled and followed him to a quiet corner of the hall.
We know that you are to return home to Pinnath Gelin. We have a party setting out this December who can take you there. The road will be dangerous, however I fear sending you out any other way will lead to a worse fate." Elrond began to whisper "there is a darkness brewing in towards the South, they say that orcs have increased in number." He looked around once more "the stars tell me that you may have some purpose, to go with this group. I do not know what will happen, but I feel it is of great importance." Elrond was interrupted by another guest; he winked at Amélie and walked away. "How can I go home?" she thought, "I don't even know where my home is!".