I know I said that it might take me a while to get these chapters typed out and uploaded, but I can't seem to put this one on hold. I'm really excited for this story now that I have a better idea of what I'm going to do with it. We will see how long I can put off my work to do this. As always, I love the feedback so if you have any unanswered questions or anything, send me a message! Thanks again!
As the band of travelers entered the gates and rode their horses through the streets, Indilwen felt the eyes of everyone she passed. Not used to this sort of attention, she kept her eyes focused on the road just in front of her horse. When they reached the citadel, King Ellesar and Lady Arwen were there to meet them. As Voronwë helped Indilwen off of her horse, she watched the king smile and embrace Legolas warmly. When the company had all dismounted, a young man came and led their horses to the stables. The elves all bowed to the king and queen. Indilwen was surprised when the king welcomed them in perfect elvish; she had not known he had been raised in Rivendell. Legolas introduced Indilwen to the king by name and summoned her forward. She nodded politely. Ellesar placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke in elvish.
"You are most welcome here, Indilwen, daughter of Thranduil. Feel free to wander the city and my home as you please," Indilwen smiled and nodded again. The king beckoned them all to come inside. As they neared the heavy wooden doors, Indilwen eyed the white tree of Gondor in wonder. Voronwë put an arm around Indilwen's shoulder to stop her from pausing. Indilwen began to smile at herself, shaking her head, as though someone had told her a funny story. He looked at her inquiringly. She caught his gaze and smiled again before explaining the joke.
"I just had the strangest desire to climb it," She whispered to him. He chuckled quietly, hiding a flicker of concern behind a smile. A quick glance to his right found Thandion glaring at him. Voronwë did not understand what he had done to earn his distaste, but he imagined it had something to do with Indilwen. Instinctively, the arm around her shoulder tightened. She looked up to him curiously, noting the worried look on his face. He glanced down at her and smiled weakly.
"It's nothing. I'm just deep in thought," Indilwen sighed. So he is using my words against me. I get it. Clever trick. She shook the thought from her head, focusing on the fact that she had finally left her home behind her.
That evening, Indilwen sat at a long table with at least twenty others. Many were men, but there was a dwarf and a wizard present, as well as her own kin. She had been introduced to the dwarf and the wizard by Legolas and had decided she liked them both. The dwarf, Gimli, had turned a deep shade of red when she gushed excitedly at the name she had become so familiar with through her half-brother's stories. Gandalf, the wizard, though not as talkative, had greeted her cordially. She was amazed at how wisdom seemed to flow off him like a stream over a stone. As the doors to a side room opened, all at the table fell quiet and stood. The king and queen entered, a child swaddled in Lady Arwen's arms. The king welcomed all that were there. Gandalf stepped forward and offered a blessing to the infant and to the royal family as a whole. He then turned and addressed all at the table.
"Lords and Ladies, I present to you Eldarion, son of Ellesar and prince of Gondor," All at the table held up their goblets and mugs.
"Hail Eldarion!" they cheered. When the feast was over, Indilwen went out into the cool night air to collect her thoughts. When she gazed upon the white tree again, she found that same impulse tug at her heart. Looking around and seeing no one, Indilwen walked to the base of the tree. Looking up at its frail branches, she began to shake her head. Control yourself she thought. Instead, she placed her hand upon the bark, then the other. Feeling the history of the tree flow through her fingertips made Indilwen sigh. She leaned in closer, putting her cheek to the cool wood. She closed her eyes, losing herself in the moment. Falling into an elven sleep, she stood there for a few minutes. Her eyes flew open at the sound of a small voice.
"Excuse me milady, but what are you doing?" Indilwen was surprised to find that she actually had to look down to meet the gaze of the asker. At first she thought she was looking at a child, but a moment later she noticed the pair of hairy feet that belonged to the figure and determined that, for the first time in her life, she was meeting a hobbit. She looked up to the curly head of hair he had, and to his curious green eyes. The figure spoke again. "Milady? I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you. I was just curious, is all," Indilwen, coming to her senses, finally spoke.
"No I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare. It's just, I've never seen a Perian before," she said softly.
"A what?" he replied.
"A halfling," she said, stepping away from the tree. "And I was feeling the past through the tree. I know now that that must sound like nonsense to you but we elves have a history with nature,"
"You are an elf?" he said, a hint of surprise in his voice. Indilwen tucked her hair behind her pointed ear and shrugged.
"That's what I've been told," she teased. The figure smiled back.
"Forgive me; it's just that I have yet to meet one of your kind so…," His voice trailed off as he suddenly felt that his comment seemed impolite. "But I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Peregrin Took," Indilwen smiled at the familiar name.
"I am Indilwen of the Woodland Realm. I came here with my half-brother, Legolas. You were a member of the Fellowship of the ring, were you not?" she replied excitedly. The hobbit nodded his head, shocked that this stranger already seemed to know him. Indilwen looked down towards the pipe in the hobbit's hand. "Oh, I see that you came out here for a reason. I don't want to disturb your evening. It was a pleasure meeting you Peregrin," she said turning away.
"Pippin," he said. Indilwen turned back, confused. "Most call me Pippin. You may if you like," he replied, shy all of a sudden. "And you aren't disturbing me. I mean, I was the one that approached you," he said, looking down at his pipe as he turned it in his hands. "I was just about to meet up with my kin. Would you like to join me?" Indilwen smiled and nodded. The two walked along the cool grass of the citadel.
"I did not see you at the presentation of the prince. Were you there?" Indilwen asked, her voice soft, not wanting to interrupt the stillness of the night.
"Yes, my kin and I were placed not far from you but you many at the table are, well, taller than us," he chuckled. Indilwen smiled.
"Yes I supposed that could explain it," A distant laugh broke the quiet. Indilwen looked up to three small shapes over by a small stone wall. She could see the embers of their pipes glowing in the dark. As they neared the other hobbits, she could hear them chatting quietly. One looked over and called out to Pippin, then another. Suddenly Indilwen felt out of place. She paused a moment, and Pippin stopped too.
"Milady?" he said. Noticing the unsure look on her face, he smiled. "Don't worry. They will like you," He extended a hand. Indilwen took it cautiously.
"Alright. But I insist you call me Indilwen. I never liked formalities," she said with a quick grin. Pippin returned the smile.
"It's a deal" he replied.
As the two walked toward the other three, a tall figure stood at a distance, watching them. Thandion glowered at the halfling that now held the hand of the elven princess. He had been watching Indilwen when she was by the white tree of Gondor and was about to approach her when the hobbit had come out of nowhere and beat him to it. He didn't like the halfling, but he would worry about him later. His main focus was on Indilwen. She can't evade me forever he thought, turning his back on the pair.
