Chapter 3

Yet another chapter! Sorry it took so long, I was studying a bunch of elvish stuff online to try and get some information correct, I still think some of it is wrong, but eh, what can you do?

Anyway, On top of that, I've been working on another chapter for my other active story, so basically I've been writing both of them at the same time, so it takes a bit to put new chapters out, just so you guys know.

As for my new followers and the reviews I've gotten: Thank you! I love seeing you guys review, makes my day to see my e-mail have messages about reviews I've gotten. It really does, so please, keep them coming!

For those of you that are following me for the first time: I'll just come forward right off the bat, I am eccentric and have a very... Interesting view on what entertainment is. I enjoy making my OC suffer through embarrassing situations as well as horrible ones, so a heads-up for the future.

Also, I have a facebook page in case you're interested in stuff I post on there, various pictures, explinations and odds I don't talk or post on here. The tag end is /TLS0nya just in case you wanna go look. I don't update or post on it all too often, so I don't blame you if you don't like it or anything.

I think that about covers things, so let's get onto the story!

-I do NOT own LotR or it's characters.

-I DO own Heather and the plot

~TL

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Struggling not to wince with each pull of the comb through her hair, Heather suffered in silence as another pointy-eared woman, Arwen, detangled her hair with that same, gentle expression on her face. After the other woman left, Elrond had disappeared for a few moments only to return with Arwen behind him.

After much gesturing and words she couldn't understand for the life of her, he finally managed to get the point across that Arwen wanted to help her get ready for some reason. With a shrug of her shoulders, Heather relented and let Arwen lead her over to the small desk and chair so she could begin combing her hair.

"Lle naa vanima." (You are beautiful.) Arwen's voice broke through Heather's thoughts, making her twitch slightly in surprise. "Um..." She mumbled, shifting uncomfortably as her companion laughed softly and began combing her fingers through the sides of her hair lightly, separating the strands into three sets and started braiding them together.

Peering at her from the corner of her eye, Heather watched Arwen curiously. When Elrond introduced them, she seemed a bit confused with the way he did it, but after a few words from him, she nodded in understanding and simply smiled gently at Heather while gesturing to her hair.

Much like everyone else she met here, she was gentle, kind and understanding almost to a fault. It was surreal after dealing with people from where she came from to find a city full of people like this, almost like they didn't know what violence was. But that wasn't right was it? Her eyes drifted down to the strong fingers braiding her hair curiously. They weren't just slender, Heather could easily see the strength hidden in her hands.

Just who were these people?


Constant head shakes, changing of clothes and several what she suspected to be denials later, Heather found herself standing outside in a courtyard-like area wearing a silver dress and her hair in a careful updo, the braids on the side of her head itching slightly from being put in an unfamiliar place. Twitching at the various curious stares she received from passing people, she tried to hide behind both Elrond and Strider much to their obvious amusement.

Shooting both of them a glare at their low chuckles, she ducked down when another man passed by, curious eyes drifting over to her red face when he spotted her. "What is with all of the staring, it's like you guys never get visitors here." She muttered, earning curious looks from her companions for it.

Hiding her face, she simply stood behind them in silence, contemplating just what kind of situation she was in this time when Strider straightened up suddenly, breaking her from her thoughts. Peering out from behind him, she spotted a grey-robed figure walking towards them and frowned. This is what they were waiting for? This... Old man?

Elrond's face broke out into a smile as he strode forward to greet the visitor, a hand stretching out to clasp arms with him, words spilling between the two of them while they made their way back to her and human meat-shield.

"You say she has no understanding of either language?" Gandalf questioned with a frown, eyes drifting over to where Aragorn stood, a head of red hair peering out from behind him with curious blue eyes pointed in his direction. "Indeed. We have tried to speak with her in both Elvish and Common with no result. She speaks a language neither I or Aragorn understand." Elrond murmured, his own gaze landing on Heather as she hid back behind Aragorn once more, a small smile tugging at his lips at the sight.

"She seems shy." Gandalf chuckled, coming to a stop in front of Aragorn, head dipping slightly in greeting with the man as he tried to catch sight of the small woman once more. "This is a first, she seems welcoming to all whenever they greet her. However, it is the first time she has been in the open while the others are out. They have been curious ever since her arrival." Elrond explained quietly, earning a quiet 'ah.' from the wizard.

"Heather." Aragorn, looked over his shoulder at the young elleth with a small smile. When she looked up at him in question, he motioned with his head for her to come out from behind him. Frowning at his gesture, she shook her head slightly in response, there was something off about the new man she couldn't quite put her finger on. It made her uneasy in a way she rarely felt before, but living in the city, she learned to trust her gut feeling or be stabbed in the same gut by going down the wrong road at the wrong time.

Elrond stepped forward this time, a hand held out to her as he called the girl's name gently. "Heather." This time, she looked over at him and felt herself relax oh-so-slightly at the calm face he wore and slowly extended her own hand to grasp his, allowing him to pull her out from behind Strider to stand beside him.

Keeping her attention, he brushed a hand over her hair gently then gestured at the wizard. "Gandalf." Blue eyes drifted over to the old man, curiosity sparking in them as she twisted her lips to the side thoughtfully. "Gandorf."

Hearing that, Strider coughed suddenly, trying to hide the loud laugh that had slipped out. Covering his mouth, he turned away and attempted to choke back his amusement. Closing his eyes, Elrond had a better chance at holding back his laughter at the wizard's affronted expression and shook his head. "Gan. Dal .Ph." He sounded it out this time, making Heather blush at her poor attempt.

"Gandalf." She murmured softly, almost worried she'd say it wrong again as she ducked her head in embarrassment. Still trying to bite back his chuckles, Strider turned back around and patted her on the shoulder gently. When she looked up at him, he smiled and nodded his head, making her smile back in return. "Apologies, Gandalf, she is still struggling with the language."

Waving a hand, the wizard chuckled and shook his head. "Pay it no mind, old friend, I was merely surprised." Leaning over slightly, he smiled at Heather when she looked at him, that same guarded look looming in her eyes as she studied him. "Tru nrud yi?" (How are you?) He asked conversationally, earning an exasperated look from her when he spoke.

Looking up at Elrond, she frowned and shook her head, gesturing at Gandalf almost in irritation and back at herself. The elf studied her for a moment then nodded his head ever so slightly when he understood what she was trying to say. Looking back up, he caught the wizard's curious look and smiled wryly. "She has managed to get her point across to us using gestures, after a day, you begin to understand what she means.

"What did she just say?" Gandalf asked, one bushy eyebrow raised upwards when she turned to look at him with a small frown, it appeared she was irritated with him now.

"She wanted to know if I had told you she could not speak the language." Came the elf's reply, his voice amused when she shook a finger at the wizard as if scolding him.

"Ah, well that will explain her sudden vexation with me." He chuckled and straightened back up, hand gripping his staff tight for a moment as he thought. "Perhaps a quieter place to speak in private?" He finally asked, spying several elves loitering around the courtyard.

"Ah." Elrond nodded, spotting the elves the same time Gandalf did and turned to lead the small party away from the prying eyes and into the building behind them. Heather, only ever seeing the healing ward and the city from the outside at night, turned her head from side to side, eyes wide as she took in the different architecture of the hallways they walked down.

Aragorn fell into step beside her, a hand waving at the ivy growing along the handrail beside them with a small grin hovering around his lips. It didn't take long for him to realize her fascination with the plantlife growing here after studying her examine one of the potted plants in the corner of her room with deep concentration.

Heather smiled wide at the sight of the ivy and patted Strider on the arm to get his attention. "I-vy." She said slowly, one finger pointing at the plant, eyes still focused on his face while she spoke.

Strider glanced at the plant then back at her before trying to repeat the word back. "Ivy?" Grinning wide, she nodded her head and patted his arm lightly, completely oblivious to Gandalf's curious gaze as they made their way into a small meeting room.

Breaking away from her new friend, Heather wandered over to the small balcony and rested her hands on the railing, a peaceful look stealing over her face as she felt the wind blow across her face gently.

Settling down in the chairs, the three men studied her in silence for a moment, watching as she leaned against the railing this time, completely unaware of their attention as she studied the city from her new vantage point.

"She cannot speak Elvish or Common, yet is still able to get her thoughts across to you." Gandalf finally spoke up, turning his attention over to Elrond as the elf pulled his gaze away from Heather as well. "Yes. She is very intelligent." He murmured, his eyes drifting over to Strider as he continued studying the elleth. "She has managed to learn two elvish phrases since her arrival and uses them correctly."

"Is that so?" Gandalf leaned back in his chair in surprise, eyes darting over to the elleth and back to Elrond. "How?"

"She studied two of the elves in the room while they spoke and understood one was saying something close to her language's version of 'thank you'. After which she repeated to me." Aragorn spoke up, his eyes moving over to the wizard's thoughtful expression. "She can learn, however with no translation in her language, it will prove difficult."

"Indeed." Resting his chin on his folded hands, Gandalf stared at the table in front of him, deep in thought over what the two had told him, lips pulled in a slight frown.

"There is a book, one I believe may be of use for the first time since I had received it many years ago." He finally spoke up, making both men turn to him at the same time in question. "I will not pretend to know how it works, however, I do know it can be used for translation such as this." He tipped his head towards Heather who had wandered over to where they were and sat down beside Elrond.

"From my understanding, if held by the one wishing to learn a language, it will translate the words within it in their own words, followed by the phrase in the new language they are attempting to learn." He continued on, making Elrond send a thoughtful look at Heather who simply looked confused, eyes locked on the wizard while he spoke.

"It will take some time for me to retrieve it, I have left it in Mirkwood after a quick visit with Thranduil. He requested it's use and I saw no reason to deny him." A small sigh slipped from the wizard as he leaned back in his chair, a hand disappearing into his robe for a moment then reappeared holding a pipe.

"Mayhap Legolas will bring it, it would be quicker." Aragorn spoke up, earning a small nod from Gandalf. "You would be right. However, I have no way to reach him as his father... Requested he help the patrol take care of the spiders within Mirkwood."

"I will go." Aragorn stated, earning a quick look from Elrond. "I can reach Mirkwood within a week* and return with the book in the same amount of time." Looking from Gandalf to Elrond, he rested his hands on the table as he leaned forward, waiting for them to speak.

"It may be the quickest way." Elrond finally stated slowly, his gaze drifting back to Heather beside him with a slight frown, he had hoped to begin teaching her sooner, but without the book, it would prove to be difficult.

"Indeed." Gandalf murmured, chewing on the end of his pipe in thought before blowing a perfect smoke ring to Heather's surprise. Reaching up, she cut through it with a finger and giggled when he blew another one.

"She has such a childish view on things." The wizard chuckled, blowing a row of rings followed by a bird to fly through them for her entertainment. Seeing the bird, her eyes widened in wonder, following the smoke until it dispersed against the ceiling.

"I wonder..." He murmured suddenly, leaning forward with a gleam in his eyes. "How old is she?"

That question brought both Elrond and Aragorn up short, sharing quick looks with each other, they both turned their attention to an increasingly confused Heather as she stared at the three of them in return. "I did not think of that." Reaching over the table, Aragorn rested his hand on top of Heather's, getting her full attention then paused, unsure of how to ask her what her age was.

Humming thoughtfully, Gandalf watched as she quirked an eyebrow at Aragorn's silence, obviously having no idea just why he got her attention before clearing his throat. "Perhaps a visual." Pulling on his pipe again, he blew out a string of numbers and pointed his pipe at her, then at the dispersing numbers in front of her.

Furrowing her brow, Heather shot a questioning look at Gandalf, obviously lost on what he wanted from her. Harrumphing slightly, he blew out another number, then pointed at himself, trying to get his point across in a simpler fashion.

Comprehension dawned and she smiled wryly at the wizard before glancing around the table for something. Pursing her lips, she turned to Elrond and mimed writing on her hand questioningly.

Nodding his head, he stood and peered out the door, speaking quietly with someone for a moment then waited while they hurried off. A few minutes later, they returned with her notebook and pen which he handed off to her when he sat back down. Smiling happily, she murmured a quick 'Hannon lle' and opened it to a blank page and scribbled a quick number on it then slid it across the table to Gandalf.

"Twenty-Four." He read out loud, eyebrows shooting up at the surprisingly young age she was. Looking up, he locked eyes with Elrond before turning to Heather once more. "She is but a child." The elf said in surprise, eyebrows raised as well when she looked up at him in confusion.

"But she seems to be mature." Aragorn frowned, not sure just what to think about her when Heather tossed an ever-increasingly frustrated look at him. "Mayhap they age differently where she came from."

"Perhaps." Gandalf gripped his pipe between his teeth thoughtfully, gaze not wavering from the young woman (Child?) in front of him. "However I am beginning to believe not everything we see as normal is the same with her." He added, gaining curious looks from the two men.

"Why do you believe this?" Elrond frowned at the wizard, getting his attention as he puffed out another round of rings in thought. "There are simply too many differences."

Leaving that curious statement hanging in the air, he stood and tapped his pipe out. "For now, we will focus on teaching her to speak with us, then our many questions will be answered." He cast a look over at Heather as she watched the last of his smoke rings vanish with an air of wonder. "Our curiosity can wait until she can speak."

"Of course." Elrond nodded, standing as well, followed by Aragorn and Heather as she looked up at him in question. "Aragorn, ride fast, I believe our frustration is slight compared to what hers is." Hearing this, Aragorn nodded and turned to Heather with a gentle smile, a hand patting her on the head quickly before he turned and left the room much to her confusion.

"Heather." Elrond gained her attention once more, his usual gentle smile in place when she looked up at him in question. "Arwen will accompany you." He said slowly, only earning a frown of confusion in return. Turning, he waved at the door where he knew his daughter waited and waved her in.

Seeing a familiar face, Heather grinned at the woman then looked up at Elrond, gesturing at herself then his daughter in turn questioningly. Seeing she finally understood, he nodded and waved for her to join Arwen as she left the room.

Once they were out of sight, he turned to Gandalf, a small frown on his face. "I cannot begin to imagine the confusion she must be going through. Being unable to speak with anyone she meets." He murmured to his friend as he joined him at the balcony.

"Yes, it must be very frustrating." The wizard agreed, catching sight of Aragorn as he raced out of Rivendell and towards Mirkwood. "We may rest easy knowing Aragorn will return in two weeks' time, however. It will not be long after that when she will understand."

"A small blessing." Elrond sighed, turning his head to watch his daughter and Heather walking along the edge of the courtyard quietly, hands gesturing from time to time as they tried to speak without words. "I can only hope she learns quickly for her sake."

Staying silent, Gandalf merely nodded, his own gaze drawn to the curious Elleth as well. Question after question hovering in his mind but unable to be answered until she learned the language herself.


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(*I understand it probably takes a lot longer to reach Mirkwood from Rivendell, but I figure two weeks would be plenty long for Heather to wait.)