ATTENTION: I changed the chapter around… a lot. That's
cuz I read it over and I thought it sucked, but I kept in all the
parts that your reviews said you liked… for the most part. I
hope you like it better this way (those of you that read both chapters) and let me know what you think!
*************************************************
DISCLAIMER: (The usual) I don't own anything that isn't mine. Don't sue me on the chance that you who is reading this holds the copyright to Tolkein and needs money, however unlikely that is. Oh yeah- and I don't own Legolas. (On the count of three: One, two, three… Damn!) But I do own Vixilaesia and Elisha and what ever other twisted character dares venture forth from my mind. I don't own Phi, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind visiting my story. Okay, enough rambling, here's the story…
**********
"Lemantia nist istha… lemantia nist istha…"
With her eyes squinted shut, Phi chanted the Rune over once more. Myrindel, the Magess who stood quite a bit taller than the chanting Nymph, looked down at Phi with her arms folded. The long white cloth veil at Myrindel's head draped over her shoulders and fell like the Anduin to her waist, where the white color was interrupted my a decorative blue stripe. The Magess' habit was wrinkled in a few places.
"Phi, 'tis time for tea. Are you finnished with your studies?" Myrindel asked softly, as not to startle the concentrated Nymph. In reply, Phi stood from her kneeling position and nodded in complete silence to the tall Sednun* before her. Phi gazed at the tall hedges surrounding their 'secret garden' so to speak, and tried to remember the last time she had been outside of them. The two of them swept silently over the trimmed grass to the tea-laden table.
They sat silent, nearly motionless as they sipped their tea. Thoughts racing in Phi's mind slowly calmed, as the herbs from the drink took effect on the small Nymph. Phi's long ears laid low against the sides of her head, and her gleaming golden eyes fell nearly shut beneath her golden bangs. A breeze ruffled Phi's short, auburn-brown hair.
*(A/N: Sednuns: I made 'em up. It's a religion in Middle Earth… or at least it is now. They're like nuns sorta, except they believe in the earth and wind and fire and elemental… stuff. Phi is studying with one cuz it's a great way for her to tap into her own magic, even if she isn't Sednuist. Yeah… it's not a real religion tho.)
**********
Elisha brushed back a strand of his white-gold hair. His eyebrows furled in frustration at the note he was reading at hand; he'd have to take the business matter up with the king later. Elisha was King Thranduil's personal advisor, and so in charge of regulations and laws. This meant, in short, his job was to sign papers.
Elisha grunted as one of his attendants pulled his hair while braiding it down the side, but continued working none the less. It was still the early hours of morning; later he'd have to see to the King for signatures and then discuss other plans with the Prince that were forthcoming. Maybe, after he was finished with his business plans, he could spend time with his dear Vixilaesia. Maybe.
He pushed the papers away from him and stood as the attendant finished the small, intricate braids in his hair. With out another word, he turned and didn't tarry down the shallow earthen steps to a particular south-western tree.
**********
Vixilaesia woke quietly at a small sound. Pushing back the soft, silken blankets about her, she turned and saw the bright face of her own melindo, Elisha Whitewater, peeking up at her from the hole in the floor of the talan.
"Elisha! Wh- what are you doing here… so early, and-"
Without invitation, Elisha pulled himself lightly onto the floor, leaving the rope ladder swinging below him.
"-I thought you would be at the Palace… don't you have work to-"
Vixilaesia was cut off by a small kiss on the lips from a hurried Elisha. Pulling Vixia by the wrists, he brought her close to him and held her in a tight embrace before letting her finish.
"…do?"
"I wanted to see you … Vixia?"
Vixilaesia stood silent, mouth slightly agape with an eyebrow raised.
"You… you wanted to see me? O Elbereth, you saw me two mornings ago. You, amin melindo, have the King to attend."
"Ai! It's been two mornings already? This is what I mean. So won't you come with me then?" he said simply. It was hardly a question, and it left Vixia confounded. She reached out her arm and wrapped it half-knowingly around a thick, smooth grey tree limb at her back. A few dark green leaves rustled in the tree at the light wind of the south-eastern edge of Mirkwood. Amid the swaying sound of the leaves in the wind, the babbling of nearby springs and short falls running over smooth rocks could be heard, and was in fact heard by Vixilaesia.
"I'd take a dip in the springs first," said she, grinning, as she turned and slid down the rope to the forest floor. On her way, she picked the fully bloomed nimphredil and lush elanor, bringing their fragrance to the crystal clear water.
Behind her trodded Elisha with a steady, unheard step. Though at the palace he ought to be, he perched himself on the dry, mossy rocks jutting out over the warm pool of water. His gaze fell across the water at Vixilaesia, slipping into the water with a small splash. Her light silky sleep-shirt lay in a heap on the gravel-and-leaf-floored shore behind her. Picked flowers floated at the surface around her. She wrung her long hair just before dipping under the surface again anyway. Silent, Elisha let a small grin play his lips before leaving his melisse and heading for the palace.
**********
Phi's teacup fell with a crash to the copper tray and the still-hot tea puddled over the table. Phi was up and turned around before one could mutter the name of Elbereth and Gilthoniel. A loud call from a voice not her own nor Myrindel's had stirred her. Never before had they had a visitor. Her eyes darted frantically from the vine-covered gate that was swinging wide open, to an ivory fountain whistling with water, to the vine- covered gate that was… swinging wide open…
"Myrindel! Myri! Where've you gotten to? Who's here?" she shouted as her head whipped back and forth in search of from where the voice had come. Her eyes landed on a topple figure of a child rolled up in a heap against one of the hedges. He looked no taller than Phi. Her heart skipped a beat, startled to see anyone except Myri, but she made her way to the child nonetheless.
Phi offered her hand to the toppled child as he scrambled to get up. His curly dark hair fell out of the way of his face, and Phi, surprised at the face, withdrew her hand. It was not the face of a child at all, rather the face of a young man. A very short young man.
The curly-haired intruder stood and dusted himself off. Phi stared with her eyes as wide as dishes half-kneeling and half-sitting on the ground before the stranger. He made a feeble gesture and attempted to introduce himself.
"Ah, the name's Frodo… how do you do?"
Phi stared.
**********
Thranduil paced impatiently before his throne. His thin silky cloak flowed airily behind him. He sat down, and the cloak creased at his back. He stood up again. The cloak followed. He paced…
"Sire, if you keep that up, you're going to walk right through the talan."
At the voice, the King's worried face turned fell, and he said with stirring anger, "Elisha. You've tarried the morning away. Pray where have you been?"
Elisha remained silent and looked away. 'I was spying on my lover as she bathed…' he though in his head, though he didn't dare to say it.
"You've probably been sleeping in again! Up with the dawn, you should be," the King guessed. Wrongly, of course, but still he guessed. At least his tone grew calmer.
**********
Vixilaesia pulled a forest green tunic over her head. She sighed as she laced the neck of it, and chuckled to herself as she sat on the floor to pull on a pair of Elisha's boots.
Passing several Elves on the high platforms on her way, she nodded her head and greeted them a good morning. Taking shortcuts and paths around tree trunks, she was at the King's dwellings in no time. She nodded her head politely to the guards as they stepped aside to let her by.
Walking past several casually loitering Elves, she guided herself to Elisha's usual station, only to find that he was not there. She wandered around, checking in each of his usual workstations. Still having no luck in finding him, she queried a stranger standing nearby.
"Excuse me, sir, would you happen to have seen Elisha Whitewater?" she said without looking up. Not until after the words were spoken did she look to see who the Elf was. Vixia's eyes grew wide in surprise at the face of none other than the infamous Prince Legolas. So he had returned! The last news she had heard of him in the kingdom was some years before, ere he left for some place a great number of leagues west. She hadn't bothered where. Now, however, she wondered where he had taken himself that he should be gone for so long. First, though, she had yet to find Elisha.
"Nay, I haven't seen him, I only just got here though. I haven't seen him for several years now… I was just looking for him. Seems he is a busy Elf, with so many people looking for him!" Legolas answered.
Vixilaesia overlooked that he had spoken of Elisha as though they had been good friends. She said shakily, though, "Who else is looking for him?"
The prince turned his gaze to a tall man, all clad in grey, with a tall, pointy, though droopy, hat on his head. Vixia hadn't noticed him before, odd and stand-outish as he may be.
"Him."
**********
*(A/N: K… hope this goes well. So, how did y'all like this chapter? I think I'll just post it as chapter 2, so people can compare them… I like this one better myself. I think I let the reader get to know the characters a little better in this one, so I'm not too worried about that… but please please please please please please please PLEASE tell me what you think! I NEED reviews… all reviews are accepted! But heed: I'm gonna take 'em all seriously, so if you flame me, at lease tell me what I'm doing wrong! Thankies. -Me)
cuz I read it over and I thought it sucked, but I kept in all the
parts that your reviews said you liked… for the most part. I
hope you like it better this way (those of you that read both chapters) and let me know what you think!
*************************************************
DISCLAIMER: (The usual) I don't own anything that isn't mine. Don't sue me on the chance that you who is reading this holds the copyright to Tolkein and needs money, however unlikely that is. Oh yeah- and I don't own Legolas. (On the count of three: One, two, three… Damn!) But I do own Vixilaesia and Elisha and what ever other twisted character dares venture forth from my mind. I don't own Phi, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind visiting my story. Okay, enough rambling, here's the story…
**********
"Lemantia nist istha… lemantia nist istha…"
With her eyes squinted shut, Phi chanted the Rune over once more. Myrindel, the Magess who stood quite a bit taller than the chanting Nymph, looked down at Phi with her arms folded. The long white cloth veil at Myrindel's head draped over her shoulders and fell like the Anduin to her waist, where the white color was interrupted my a decorative blue stripe. The Magess' habit was wrinkled in a few places.
"Phi, 'tis time for tea. Are you finnished with your studies?" Myrindel asked softly, as not to startle the concentrated Nymph. In reply, Phi stood from her kneeling position and nodded in complete silence to the tall Sednun* before her. Phi gazed at the tall hedges surrounding their 'secret garden' so to speak, and tried to remember the last time she had been outside of them. The two of them swept silently over the trimmed grass to the tea-laden table.
They sat silent, nearly motionless as they sipped their tea. Thoughts racing in Phi's mind slowly calmed, as the herbs from the drink took effect on the small Nymph. Phi's long ears laid low against the sides of her head, and her gleaming golden eyes fell nearly shut beneath her golden bangs. A breeze ruffled Phi's short, auburn-brown hair.
*(A/N: Sednuns: I made 'em up. It's a religion in Middle Earth… or at least it is now. They're like nuns sorta, except they believe in the earth and wind and fire and elemental… stuff. Phi is studying with one cuz it's a great way for her to tap into her own magic, even if she isn't Sednuist. Yeah… it's not a real religion tho.)
**********
Elisha brushed back a strand of his white-gold hair. His eyebrows furled in frustration at the note he was reading at hand; he'd have to take the business matter up with the king later. Elisha was King Thranduil's personal advisor, and so in charge of regulations and laws. This meant, in short, his job was to sign papers.
Elisha grunted as one of his attendants pulled his hair while braiding it down the side, but continued working none the less. It was still the early hours of morning; later he'd have to see to the King for signatures and then discuss other plans with the Prince that were forthcoming. Maybe, after he was finished with his business plans, he could spend time with his dear Vixilaesia. Maybe.
He pushed the papers away from him and stood as the attendant finished the small, intricate braids in his hair. With out another word, he turned and didn't tarry down the shallow earthen steps to a particular south-western tree.
**********
Vixilaesia woke quietly at a small sound. Pushing back the soft, silken blankets about her, she turned and saw the bright face of her own melindo, Elisha Whitewater, peeking up at her from the hole in the floor of the talan.
"Elisha! Wh- what are you doing here… so early, and-"
Without invitation, Elisha pulled himself lightly onto the floor, leaving the rope ladder swinging below him.
"-I thought you would be at the Palace… don't you have work to-"
Vixilaesia was cut off by a small kiss on the lips from a hurried Elisha. Pulling Vixia by the wrists, he brought her close to him and held her in a tight embrace before letting her finish.
"…do?"
"I wanted to see you … Vixia?"
Vixilaesia stood silent, mouth slightly agape with an eyebrow raised.
"You… you wanted to see me? O Elbereth, you saw me two mornings ago. You, amin melindo, have the King to attend."
"Ai! It's been two mornings already? This is what I mean. So won't you come with me then?" he said simply. It was hardly a question, and it left Vixia confounded. She reached out her arm and wrapped it half-knowingly around a thick, smooth grey tree limb at her back. A few dark green leaves rustled in the tree at the light wind of the south-eastern edge of Mirkwood. Amid the swaying sound of the leaves in the wind, the babbling of nearby springs and short falls running over smooth rocks could be heard, and was in fact heard by Vixilaesia.
"I'd take a dip in the springs first," said she, grinning, as she turned and slid down the rope to the forest floor. On her way, she picked the fully bloomed nimphredil and lush elanor, bringing their fragrance to the crystal clear water.
Behind her trodded Elisha with a steady, unheard step. Though at the palace he ought to be, he perched himself on the dry, mossy rocks jutting out over the warm pool of water. His gaze fell across the water at Vixilaesia, slipping into the water with a small splash. Her light silky sleep-shirt lay in a heap on the gravel-and-leaf-floored shore behind her. Picked flowers floated at the surface around her. She wrung her long hair just before dipping under the surface again anyway. Silent, Elisha let a small grin play his lips before leaving his melisse and heading for the palace.
**********
Phi's teacup fell with a crash to the copper tray and the still-hot tea puddled over the table. Phi was up and turned around before one could mutter the name of Elbereth and Gilthoniel. A loud call from a voice not her own nor Myrindel's had stirred her. Never before had they had a visitor. Her eyes darted frantically from the vine-covered gate that was swinging wide open, to an ivory fountain whistling with water, to the vine- covered gate that was… swinging wide open…
"Myrindel! Myri! Where've you gotten to? Who's here?" she shouted as her head whipped back and forth in search of from where the voice had come. Her eyes landed on a topple figure of a child rolled up in a heap against one of the hedges. He looked no taller than Phi. Her heart skipped a beat, startled to see anyone except Myri, but she made her way to the child nonetheless.
Phi offered her hand to the toppled child as he scrambled to get up. His curly dark hair fell out of the way of his face, and Phi, surprised at the face, withdrew her hand. It was not the face of a child at all, rather the face of a young man. A very short young man.
The curly-haired intruder stood and dusted himself off. Phi stared with her eyes as wide as dishes half-kneeling and half-sitting on the ground before the stranger. He made a feeble gesture and attempted to introduce himself.
"Ah, the name's Frodo… how do you do?"
Phi stared.
**********
Thranduil paced impatiently before his throne. His thin silky cloak flowed airily behind him. He sat down, and the cloak creased at his back. He stood up again. The cloak followed. He paced…
"Sire, if you keep that up, you're going to walk right through the talan."
At the voice, the King's worried face turned fell, and he said with stirring anger, "Elisha. You've tarried the morning away. Pray where have you been?"
Elisha remained silent and looked away. 'I was spying on my lover as she bathed…' he though in his head, though he didn't dare to say it.
"You've probably been sleeping in again! Up with the dawn, you should be," the King guessed. Wrongly, of course, but still he guessed. At least his tone grew calmer.
**********
Vixilaesia pulled a forest green tunic over her head. She sighed as she laced the neck of it, and chuckled to herself as she sat on the floor to pull on a pair of Elisha's boots.
Passing several Elves on the high platforms on her way, she nodded her head and greeted them a good morning. Taking shortcuts and paths around tree trunks, she was at the King's dwellings in no time. She nodded her head politely to the guards as they stepped aside to let her by.
Walking past several casually loitering Elves, she guided herself to Elisha's usual station, only to find that he was not there. She wandered around, checking in each of his usual workstations. Still having no luck in finding him, she queried a stranger standing nearby.
"Excuse me, sir, would you happen to have seen Elisha Whitewater?" she said without looking up. Not until after the words were spoken did she look to see who the Elf was. Vixia's eyes grew wide in surprise at the face of none other than the infamous Prince Legolas. So he had returned! The last news she had heard of him in the kingdom was some years before, ere he left for some place a great number of leagues west. She hadn't bothered where. Now, however, she wondered where he had taken himself that he should be gone for so long. First, though, she had yet to find Elisha.
"Nay, I haven't seen him, I only just got here though. I haven't seen him for several years now… I was just looking for him. Seems he is a busy Elf, with so many people looking for him!" Legolas answered.
Vixilaesia overlooked that he had spoken of Elisha as though they had been good friends. She said shakily, though, "Who else is looking for him?"
The prince turned his gaze to a tall man, all clad in grey, with a tall, pointy, though droopy, hat on his head. Vixia hadn't noticed him before, odd and stand-outish as he may be.
"Him."
**********
*(A/N: K… hope this goes well. So, how did y'all like this chapter? I think I'll just post it as chapter 2, so people can compare them… I like this one better myself. I think I let the reader get to know the characters a little better in this one, so I'm not too worried about that… but please please please please please please please PLEASE tell me what you think! I NEED reviews… all reviews are accepted! But heed: I'm gonna take 'em all seriously, so if you flame me, at lease tell me what I'm doing wrong! Thankies. -Me)