Two Souls to Intertwine~

Chapter Two: In Rivendell

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Author's Note: Any Elvish seen here is either from a Sindarin dictionary that I found on line or from an LOTR fan site.

I don't own LOTR or POTC, sadly. =(

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It was late in the evening by the time we reached Rivendell. It took an extra three or four days to travel there on foot. I was in awe when we reached the hidden valley. It was like a palace out of a fairy tale…only far more beautiful. The air was chilled and we were greeted by an Elf.

"Gîl síla erin lû e-govaded vín. Lord Elrond is waiting for you in his solar."

"Mae govannen, Lindir," Aragorn responded.

"If you will follow me," Lindir led us up several steps and down a few corridors before coming to an open room. It looked like Father's study with all his books and things but much more open. There was a chill with the breeze coming through the valley.

"Accommodations have been prepared for you during your stay in Imladris. You will all be tended to. However, I would like a word with you, Miss Swann."

The Hobbits were all led by maids to their rooms I imagined and I remained in Lord Elrond's solar.

"You are not from Middle-earth. You are a long way from home." He said, glancing at me.

"You know why I was brought here?"

"I have never questioned the actions of the Valar and what their reasoning might yet be. You must choose your own path from here once the time comes. Until the time comes, you are most welcome to stay here. Maerwen will show you to your rooms and have you dressed in more suitable attire for Middle-earth."

"Thank you, my lord," I said. Maerwen appeared at the foot of the stairs as I left Lord Elrond's solar and she led me to the bathing rooms. She was a few inches taller than me. Her flaming red hair fell to her waist in curls and on top of her head was a coronet made of silver. "Your name was Maerwen?"

"Yes, my lady—if you do not mind my correction...your pronunciation is a little off. It is like this: Mire-wehn."

I smiled at Maerwen. I could faintly see her smiling back before she began to untie the strings on the back of my dress.

"Have you lived here long?" I asked. "If you don't mind my asking,"

"I have never left Imladris once. It is quite safe here and I should not ever imagine leaving, my lady."

"Please, there is no need for that. You may call me Elizabeth. It is just us girls here." I exclaimed. I sighed in relief once my corset had been removed. I dipped my toes into the bath and slowly waded in, loving the feeling of the hot water relaxing my aching muscles.

"Do you need anything else, my lady?" Maerwen asked.

"No, but I would like it if you stayed. It has been a while since I have spoken to other girls. There isn't really much to talk about while travelling with five men." I begged. "Please, stay!"

Maerwen smiled and sat down beside me as I scrubbed away dirt and grime from my face and neck. She helped wash my back with some kind of sponge and scented oils.

"Do you have anyone you fancy, Maerwen? If it is not too bold to ask,"

"Well," I glanced at her and could see the red in her cheeks. "There is one elf who I have fancied for some time now. I have kept it secret as of now. You met him upon your arrival. Lindir,"

I smiled at her and we both giggled.

"He would be very fine for you, Maerwen. When are you going to tell him?"

"I have not decided. Do you have anyone you fancy, my lady?"

My smile faded as I thought of Will. He was worlds away now.

"He is back at home...it feels like worlds away. You are fortunate that you and Lindir live in the same place." I said, sighing.

"I apologise if it was too bold, my lady."

"No, no, it's alright. I'm happy to be able to talk to you about it. I doubt the Hobbits or Aragorn would want to hear of feminine talk throughout the journey."

We laughed again and I finished rinsing off before getting out of the bath. Maerwen wrapped a towel around me and brushed out my curls. I could feel her braiding my hair and tying it back with a string.

"Here is your dress, my lady."

I slipped into the silk gown that fell to my ankles. Maerwen tied the laces in the back but it wasn't as tight as my corset had been. I was then brought to a room so I could catch up on some sleep. As soon as I hid under the silk covers I had drifted off to sleep.

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I woke up in the morning to find a breakfast already beside me. There was an assortment of fruits and some sort of herbal tea. It was an odd feeling still waking up in Middle-earth. I had been here a week almost and I still not adjusted to the change. Maerwen stepped in with two other maids with dresses as I sat up in bed.

"Good morning, my lady, Lord Elrond has asked me that you attend a council meeting this afternoon. I will bring you there once you have eaten and dressed." she said.

"Do you have any news on the Hobbit who was injured? Just a moment ago I remembered his name but it must have slipped again." I inquired, a little frustrated.

"Master Baggins is quite well, my lady. He woke just hours before you did." Maerwen answered.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"It is nearly noon."

"My father would never let me sleep that long." I mumbled, pushing the covers off of me.

"Which dress would you like to wear?"

"That green one looks lovely." I said. Maerwen and the two other maids wrapped bindings around my chest before slipping the dress on over my head. It was a beautiful emerald green dress that fell to my ankles with gold embroidery on my elbows and along the front. The sleeves hugged around my arms comfortably and flared out. I tied the bow in front after I tightened the laces. Maerwen tied the laces in the back. I let my braid loose and ran my fingers through my hair. I decided I would let it fall naturally down my back for once. I always had it in curls...my maids back at home made me sleep in curlers. It was not comfortable I can say that at least.

"At least you look more like us now—not that there was anything wrong with your other gown. But it looked rather odd."

"It is the latest fashion where I am from apparently. You may do with them whatever you like. I will certainly not be wearing that horrid corset again. I could scarcely breathe."

"As you wish, my lady," Maerwen said, with a small nod. "Try not to wander off before the council meeting, please,"

I smiled and watched as Maerwen left with the other two maids. I managed to eat a handful of fruits before going to wander around a little bit. I found three of the Hobbits on a veranda all chatting excitedly about Rivendell.

"Miss Swann! We thought you'd left Rivendell." Sam said.

"I just slept in longer than I intended to. Where's Frodo?"

"He's visiting his Uncle Bilbo. He should be back soon." Merry answered. "And if I may say, you look very pretty in that dress."

"Thank you," I said, smiling.

"I like it much better than the other one." Pippin agreed.

"Pip," Merry said, nudging the other.

"Have you walked around at all?"

"A little," Sam answered. "We'll be leaving home soon...back to the Shire."

"So soon?" I asked, rather shocked.

"Well, Frodo did come to Rivendell just as Mr. Gandalf asked him to." Sam continued.

"I see," I nodded, understandingly. I gave the Hobbits a small smile. "I think I'll go and talk a walk... and look around a bit."

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I sighed as I came across a little bridge in the forest. There was a lovely clear stream running underneath it. The sun was hidden by the massive trees but I could still see the bottom of the stream. I sat down in the middle with my feet dangling over the edge. If the Hobbits chose to return to the Shire as Sam had told me (where ever that was) I thought that maybe I would stay here then with Maerwen.

"Man eneth lín, híril-nîn?"

The unfamiliar voice made me jump in fright.

"Sorry?" I asked. I could see almost immediately because of his ears that he was an Elf. I had to hold in my surprise seeing that his almost white-blonde hair was longer than mine.

"You do not speak Sindarin?"

"No," I responded, rather awkwardly.

"You are Human then?"

"Yes,"

"Forgive me, my lady, you appeared as an elleth. My eyes deceived me. I am Legolas, son of Thranduil."

"Elizabeth Swann,"

"You have an odd name...lovely, but odd."

I honestly did not know whether to feel flustered or awkward.

"Thank you, I suppose."

"May I join you?" Legolas asked.

"By all means,"

"What brings you to Imladris, my lady?" he asked, sitting down beside me on the bridge.

"I travelled with the Hobbits and Aragorn. I, erm, this is my only way that I can get back home I suppose."

"Is your home far from here?"

"It seems so yes." I answered, my smile quickly turned into a frown.

"I meant no offense, Miss Swann...forgive me."

"No, it's fine. It's just I've been away from home for a little while and I tend to get homesick." I faked a smile but he probably saw straight through that. "It is just my father and I back home. My mother died when I was young. But my father and I have a close bond; I suppose you could call it that. What about you?"

"I have two brothers at home and my father is King of the Woodland Realm in Mirkwood."

I blinked in surprise.

"What?" I exclaimed. "So you—,"

"Yes," he answered, with a nod. "If something should happen to my brothers or my father, we would become king."

I had no words to say to that. In Middle-earth I was just basically a lowly peasant girl and an elf prince was sitting next to me and talking to me — and, I was also human. I shifted uncomfortably and bit at my lower lip.

"Legolas, it is time. Lord Elrond has summoned the council. He says for you to attend as well, Miss Swann." Aragorn came up the path towards us. I watched as he gracefully got up and held his hand out to me. I stared at his hand for a moment before realising he was offering to help me up. I bit my lip as he pulled me up. As Aragorn and Legolas turned, I clumsily tripped on the hem of my dress, nearly losing balance. Legolas glanced back and I could see a faint look of amusement on his face. I raised my brow at him and clenched my jaw before brushing swiftly past him, still seeing his amusement on his handsome features.

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Author's Note 2: I hope this wasn't too rushed. It was kind of a filler for the next chapter. Coming up: the council meeting and the journey begins! What will Elizabeth decide to do? Well, I think you can pretty much guess that. ;) Haha!

Elvish Translations ~

Gîl síla erin lû e-govaded vín: A star shines upon the hour of our meeting.

Mae govannen: Well met.

Man eneth lín, híril-nîn: What is your name, my lady?

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