Block italics = Elvish.
Chapter 4
Many weeks passed, and they had fallen into a routine in Rivendell. Kirsty would train with Haldir all day, or until he got fed up of her and let her go early, which was happening more frequently. After dinner, she would spend every other day with Legolas, catching up on her Elvish. The other girls would have Elvish and History lessons in the Library with Erestor in the day and spent their evenings exploring Rivendell or helping some of the Elves in their daily business.
After annoying Haldir particularly well one day and getting kicked off the training ground, Kirsty decided to get as far away from him as possible. She felt there would be safety in numbers and went looking for the other girls. Unfortunately, she had been running without looking where she was going and could not remember how to get to the Library from where she was. She tried to retrace her steps and went smack into a body coming round the corner.
"I'm so sorry... oh my days, you're Strider!" She gasped.
"You must be Kirsty." he said with a warm smile.
"How'd you know?" she asked, impressed.
"Haldir said you were a bit of a handful." her replied, gesturing to the warden uniform she currently wore.
"Oh." she said, disappointed.
"I believe Legolas has been teaching you Elvish." Aragorn said.
"Yes. It is...strange." she replied stiltedly.
"Why are you here?" he asked, taking pity on her. It was clear that learning Elvish on top of physical training was hard for her and she struggled with the language.
"I'm lost." she replied sheepishly.
"You're lost?" Aragorn laughed.
"Yeah. I'm looking for the Library." she told him
"Well, you are in the wrong place. I will show you the way." He offered.
When they arrived near the Library, Aragorn left her to her business. Legolas was stood at the entrance impatiently.
"You're late!" he said.
"No shit!" Kirsty replied cheekily. They walked in and sat down at one of the desks provided for scholars of the many books and scrolls. Legolas was trying to teach her to read Elvish as well as speak it. She was struggling with the Elvish script as it was so very different from what she was used to. The sound of Lou's giggles from behind a corner made her even more frustrated.
"How come they don't have to study?" she asked petulantly.
"Because they don't have extra-curricular activities." Legolas said.
Haldir made his way into the Library with a serious frown on his face.
"Legolas, I need to speak with you." he said. Legolas nodded, concerned. He turned to Kirsty.
"Don't go anywhere." He warned her.
Soon as Legolas and Haldir left, Kirsty bolted to where Millie and Lou were sat, reading and talking.
"How's your 'one-on-one' going Kirsty?" Lou asked with a dirty wink. "Get in there!"
"Shut up knobhead." Kirsty mumbled. "What're you doing?"
"Never mind what they're doing, what're you doing here? I told you not to go anywhere." Legolas said crossly.
"Oh shit! I'm in trouble!" Kirsty said, blushing. The girls started laughing. "Shit, didn't see you there." she said to Legolas who looked stern.
"Legolas, calm down. She is clearly still not used to our ways." Aragorn defended, coming to join them.
"Aragorn, old friend! What brings you here?" Legolas said with a smile, pulling him into a hug.
"Uhh, I wanna hug him!" Millie muttered jealously.
"He is a married man." Legolas chided quietly.
"Your return is a cause for celebration!" Elrond said, coming in from his study to greet his son-in-law. "Your studies are cancelled tonight while preparations are made."
"Yes!" Kirsty pumped her fist in the air.
"But you will have to catch it up tomorrow." Elrond said with a smirk.
"Aw no!" Kirsty said crestfallen. The others laughed. "Elrond can I please not wear a dress this time? Please?"
"Very well, I'm sure we can come up with something acceptable." he agreed.
Later that evening, the girls made their way to the hall where the celebration would be held. The Ellyth had made fine dresses for their guests. Marion was dressed in a gown of soft green, similar to the dress Arwen wore for Aragorn's coronation, and she looked like an earth goddess with her big bump. Millie had chosen a pale yellow dress that made the red in her hair look brighter and more fiery. Lou was wearing a dress of dark blue that made her skin look paler and her hair darker in the moonlight. Kirsty had been plotting with her dressmakers. Instead of a traditional dress, she wore a red cropped top and a short white skirt.
Millie was not best pleased with Elrond that evening. He had just informed her that, instead of the casual classes that Lou and Marion had with Erestor, she would have to attend formal schooling with Melpomaen because they classed her as a child. To do this, he had to have the agreement of all her guardians, and he had blackmailed Kirsty into agreeing with the threat of more lessons.
As they ate their dinner, Haldir tried to stop Kirsty drinking so much of the strong Elvish wine. Every time she filled a glass, he would slip it away from her but Marion kept giving her more. Suddenly she began burping loudly.
"I told you not to drink! You will suffer for it tomorrow." Haldir warned, annoyed.
"No, I'll be fine." she assured him drunkenly.
An unfamiliar handsome Elf with golden blond hair approached the girls sat all together.
"My name is Cugedhion Thranduilion, brother of Legolas. May I have this dance Lady Camilla?" He asked Millie, bowing low. Millie looked at Lou and Kirsty.
"Of course, go on." Lou encouraged with a smile, right before Kirsty was about to refuse.
"What'd you say yes for? I don't want her dancing with no pretty boy elf!" Kirsty complained
"Oh let her have her fun. It's only a dance, I trust my sister." Lou said, before Haldir asked her to dance.
They left Marion and Kirsty on their own. Marion wanted to go to bed as baby was making her feel tired, but Kirsty convinced her to stay up and keep her company. One of Elrond's sons came to sit with Marion and ask how she was feeling. Legolas used the opportunity to ask Kirsty to dance, but she stubbornly refused.
"You can't say no, I'm a prince." He said with a grin.
"And?" Kirsty said unimpressed.
"Do you know the punishment for refusing royalty? That's treason you know." he teased evilly.
"Oh alright." she gave in, taking his hand.
"Aw, bless!" Marion said with a smile. "Bob-bob's dancing." She accepted Elladan's hand to help her to her room.
"Shuddup." Kirsty grumbled, embarrassed.
As they twirled around the floor, Kirsty noticed that, with the exception of her friends, people were staring at her.
"Why's everyone watching me?" she whispered to Lou as they danced beside one another.
"Erm, let me think. Maybe because you're dancing with a prince?" Lou said sarcastically.
"I'll poke their eyes out! What's that all about?" Kirsty said defensively.
"Jealousy dear, " Lou purred casually, returning to Haldir's side and slipping her hand in his, "Just take it in your stride" she drawled over her shoulder."
"Are you having a good time?" Legolas asked.
"Yeah." Kirsty said flatly.
"You don't sound very convincing." Legolas said concerned.
"Yeah, well, this formal stuff isn't really my scene. I'm more used to loud thumping music and taking shots off people's bodies... yeah, you wouldn't like it." She explained.
"Isn't it every girl's dream to meet a handsome prince, and be treated like a princess?" Legolas asked, with a charming smile, though there was confusion in his eyes.
'I couldn't be a princess, I'm too much of a bitch.' Kirsty thought to herself.
"I was thinking the same thing." Gandalf told her as he walked past. Kirsty's mouth shot open.
"What were you thinking about?" Legolas asked, curious.
"Never mind." she snapped. 'So Gandalf, have you been reading all my dirty thoughts as well then?' she thought cheekily.
"Don't bother." Gandalf growled making her laugh. People gave them funny looks.
When the party began to wind down, Kirsty began to make her way to her room. Gimli was helping her to stay upright, because Legolas was spending time with his brother. She stumbled towards what she thought looked like her door and opened it to discover she had the wrong one. She saw Haldir and Lou in a very compromising, and quite gymnastic, position in the bed.
"Oh my eyes!" she shrieked, slamming the door in shock. Gimli wondered what was wrong and opened the door to look, quickly shutting it again.
"Oh. Oh dear." he said gob-smacked, his eyes wide and his mouth set in an O.