EmberRose: Please, please, please, review!
Disclaimer: XxEmberRosexX doesn't own Lord of the Rings.
"Are you sure you're fine?" Pippin asked me as we made our way to Rivendell. For the past four days, we've been slowly, but surely, traveling to Rivendell. It's been a long journey.
"I am fine, Pippin." I snapped, sending a glare his way. He shrunk back under my gaze, making me sigh. Strider looked at me out of the corner of his eye. "I am sorry, friend. My head hurts, but I'm fine. Nothing I haven't dealt with before."
"We are only a few hours away!" Talia chirped happily. Her black curls were dirty and messy, but the excitement in her eyes made up for that. Strider continued to look back at me, making me sigh again. Since I was so small, I was looked down upon as someone most people would want to protect. Like a younger sister, or a dear friend. I was jealous of Talia sometimes, but she was still my best friend. She was small because she was a Hobbit, but she had perfect curves, and the eyes that made boys stare in wonder. We walked mostly in silence, with scattered conversation here and there.
"Rivendell." Merry breathed in wonder as the elven city came into view. I looked upon the cascading waterfalls and soaring cliffs fondly. I nodded in silent agreement as we stumbled over the bridge and through the gates. What a sight we must have been. Four Hobbits, a Ranger, and what looked like a young elf, all dirty and disgruntled. Guards greeted us as we walked closer to the palace with spears and swords.
"We're here to see Lord Elrond." He explained as the guards simply. They nodded and lead us into the grand palace. It was a very airy palace, relaxed and peaceful. A view of a waterfall could be seen through one of the windows, and it was a breathtaking view. I was swept away to a healer for my head, with me arguing that it wasn't that bad. I sat on the soft chair and grumbled about how I healed it myself.
"Not very well." The healer commented, brushing my hair aside with her long finger tips. I scowled and glared at the wall. After being told to go strait to my temporary room and rest, I was dismissed with a wave of her hand. I wondered down the crystalline halls, curiously gazing at the beautiful scenes before me. After a while I decided to listen to my healer and go rest, because quite frankly, a bed sounded delightful at the moment. I had to ask multiple guards and officials to direct me to my room, but eventually I found it. I ignored the silky nightgown lying on the oak dresser and flopped down onto the silky green sheets. The sound of running water filled the silence, slowly lulling me to sleep. I closed my eyes and succumbed to the darkness.
Sunlight poured into my room and filled my eyelids with red light. I yawned and stretched out my arms. I groaned at the sound of my muscles popping, but was content. I crawled out from the cocoon of my covers and stood on my shaky legs. I shook them vigorously to wake them up before venturing to the bathroom.
"Lady Gwenavire." Someone greeted behind me. I gave a small shriek before grabbing for my dagger which was no longer at my waist. A tall elven girl was standing at the door with a small smile on her face. She had long blond hair that seemed to shimmer in the morning light and twinkling grey eyes. She had to be at least a century older than me.
"Just Gwen if you wouldn't mind." I said, letting out the breath I had held in.
"Alright, Gwen." She smiled at me in a friendly way. "I am Glanien. I'm here to help you prepare for the day, and no offence intended my lady, you need it desperately."
"I like you already." I laughed while beaming broadly.
"First of all, let's get you cleaned up." She said, pulling me into the bathroom. I blushed slightly, but not as much as I would if wasn't comfortable with Glanien, as I stripped down to nothing and stepped into the hot water. She poured oils and soaps into my hair, washing and scrubbing it clean of the muck and grim in it. I insisted on washing my body by myself and dismissed her to the other room. When I finished washing myself, I stepped out of the tub and wrapped myself in the thick towel she left on the floor next to the porcelain tub. Glanien came back in with a bundle in her hands which she set on the small table.
"Change into this and then come back out." She commanded, smiling at me. I smiled back and turned to the bundle. I bit my lip at the elven dress, before hastily putting it on.
"Could you button it?" I called to Glanien. She came in and buttoned up the back to silky dress. I looked into the mirror and really saw the dress for the first time. It was a light blue that complimented my pale skin nicely with a white sash around the waist. The sleeves ended at my elbows, but they hung down to my waist line. "This is really beautiful."
"I knew it would be." Glanien said confidently. She sat me down in front of the vanity and used a towel to dry my hair. After brushing my wild curls, she braided the two front parts of my hair and pulled the braids to the back of my head. I liked how it was simple, but it looked nice all the same.
"Thank you." I said to her after she bowed and was about to leave the room.
"Any time." She responded before leaving. I looked in the full length mirror, looked around for a moment before decided nobody was looking. I gave a quick twirl in my dress, giggling loudly as it flared out around my ankles. That's the thing I missed about wearing dresses. A deep laughter came from my doorway and I turned to see Gandalf standing there in his wonderful grey hat and matching cloak.
"Gandalf!" I yelped, running over to my mentor and throwing my arms around his waist. "Where were you?"
"Alas, my dear. Saruman is in alliance with Sauron." Gandalf sighed. I gasped in shock.
"No! Is it really true?" I asked as we started down the halls.
"I'm afraid it is." He said sadly. I shook my head in shock and disappointment. He helped mentor me. "But I have two gifts for you."
"Really? What are they?!" I asked eagerly. We walked to Gandalf's room, and I took a seat on his bed. He brought over two things from his desk. The first was a slim cherry wood staff with a white diamond on the top. "My staff! Thank you, Gandalf!"
"You ought to bring that with you more often." He chided, setting a box next to me.
"What is this?" I asked in confusion.
"Something I need for you to keep safe." Gandalf said, pushing the box closer to me. "I trust you."
"What is inside?" I asked, picking it up. The silver key lock glittered faintly.
"It is your destiny." He whispered, handing me a chain. On the end was a silver key that matched the lock. "I cannot deny you to open it, I just caution you to open it at the right time."
"M-my dest-tiny?" I stuttered in shock. The box seemed to get so much heavier all of a sudden.
"Yes. Now let us go down to the dinning room. I believe there is a grand breakfast waiting for us." Gandalf declared, standing up. We made our way to the dinning room, dropping my things off at my room. I felt something tugging at me as I walked away from the box, a want to open it. No. Not a want. A need.