So another chapter coming. this one is a bit shorter than expected...but at least I'm updating early so I hope you're happy ;) Nothing exeptional happens in this one but I just wanted to write some more interactions between Ari and Legolas...So this chapter one is mostly about this. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Lord of The Rings but I do own Arianwen and the ideas she decides to use.
Ari woke up hearing a quiet insistent knocking on the door of her room. She yawned and flipped to the other side feeling weirdly rested even though the sun has just risen and she was not used to waking up that early. She jumped out of bed realizing she was still wearing the clothes from yesterday as she couldn't find anything to change into. She combed her hand through short hair straightening them while observing her own reflection in the nearby window.
She suddenly remembered it was knocking at her door that woke her up and rushed to open the door. Legolas was standing outside looking quite impatient. His blonde hair was falling perfectly combed onto his arms and along his back. Ari smirked to herself. And she used to think that the mathematical law proving that entropy was always increasing was quite reliable. He seemed to defy that law in every way possible. Legolas shifted from one leg to the other as if disapprovingly commenting on her slow reactions. He kept his expressionless face not letting his emotions get a hold of himself and smiled politely instead.
"Good morning Lady Arianwen" she noticed he called her lady again but made no comment about that. "I see that you awoken. I brought a change of clothes. If you could change and come downstairs I would like to depart as soon as we can." he handed her a perfectly folded pile of clothing.
She smiled at him sincerely "Thank you. I will be down in three minutes twenty...I'll be there in a while" she corrected herself instantly and closed the door in his face quickly pulling off her shirt and trousers. She changed very fast later brushing her face with piece of clothing she wet in a bucket full of water standing by the door. The clothes were really loose and most probably belonged to a male much larger than she was, loosely hanging around her shoulders and hips. Ari quickly rolled up the legs so she could walk without tripping on the long fabric. She turned towards the door and wanted to leave but her reflection in the window caught her attention.
"Great, now I look like a scarecrow." her face saddened when she felt self-conscious once again. You fool just get over it. You will never be pretty and you have to deal with it. She slammed the door open and stormed outside and down the stairs.
Legolas was sitting downstairs all his belongings gathered in a small bag next to his feet and enjoying his breakfast. He must have heard her walk down the stairs because he raised his head as soon as she walked into the hall. His reaction was far from what she has expected. His eyes trailed along her posture focusing around her feet buried deeply in many layers of thick fabric and a laugh escaped his mouth.
"You look extremely lovely today lady Arianwen" he stated his voice soaked with amusement. Somehow having him say it made it even worse for Ari and she tried to hold in tears that started gathering in her eyes. She said nothing and just approached the table sitting next to him and started nibbling at the food on her plate. He must have felt he stepped over the line because he remained silent for the next minutes trying to find a way to apologise. Slight blush had taken over his face while they sat together eating silently both consumed by their own feelings.
Ari finished eating quickly and glanced at Legolas who just opened his mouth to apologise but she didn't give him the chance to do so.
"How far are we form Rivendell?" she asked quickly before any words managed to escape his mouth. Legolas looked at best confused not to say pitiful when he processed her words.
"Half a day ride from here. We should reach it before midday if all goes well. Lady Arianwen before I didn't mean to..." she cut him off again her voice rigid "Thats good. I hope lord Elrond will be able to tell me what to do with my knowledge." Legolas sighed and decided to let go of the apologies as she let him know quite clearly she wasn't going to accept it. Not now.
"I'm sure he will. If there is a person in Middle Earth that can be of any advice to you, it will be him. Nobody else possesses that extensive knowledge of this land and its mysteries" he looked at her studying her reaction.
"The problem is I am not from this land, Legolas." she said it so quietly he barely heard her words. Ari stared intensely at the floor her hands in the air drawing invisible patterns known only to her mind. Legolas for the first time realised how much pain was visible on her face. She collected herself quickly and stood up walking towards the door.
"We should go now. We don't want to get caught by rain again right?" this small remark made him smile as he followed after her. He has gotten the horse ready for their journey long before and Ari wondered how he found any time for sleep last night.
"Shall we?" he grabbed the reins and glanced at her searching for approval in her eyes. Ari nodded slightly and ignoring Legolas's outstretched hand assessed the horse with her eyes. One meter fifty three centimeters up, twenty to her right. So she will need a force of around twenty Newtons? She backed up slightly, took a run-up shooting into the air and landed face down on the other side of the horse.
Her hands were still aching after the fall as she sat up on the ground trying to get wipe a layer of dust from her face. Legolas hurried to the other side of the horse with a worried expression on his face. However as soon as he saw her sitting on the ground unharmed he burst into laughter.
"What happened?" his voice was shaky as his efforts at talking were disturbed by constant outbreaks of amusement. She also giggled slightly still struggling to restore her appearance to its previous condition. Finally she got up from the ground making clouds of white dust fly into the air.
"I forgot about gravity. The gravity is different." He obviously didn't understand what she meant by that but that didn't stop him for laughing for another while.
He reclaimed the control of himself twenty seconds later and in that time Ari managed to get rid of another two septillion or so sand particles from her clothing.
"I am extremely sorry lady Arianwen for my outburst. Once again I shouldn't have..."
"It was justified." she interrupted him smiling reassuringly at him "I got what I deserved. Maybe it will teach me not to trust science with everything next time"
He nodded but added "You shouldn't change your beliefs. They have served you well so far." This words felt surprisingly reassuring to her.
"Shall we go?" He extended his hand again. This time she took it gracefully as he helped her onto the horse later jumping and placing himself in front of her with one swift move.
She turned around taking one last look at the inn now bathing in the first rays of morning sun rising from among the horse quickened the pace as they rode towards Rivendell.
So I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I know it was short but I just wanted to develop the relationship between Ari and Legolas a little bit more before they come to Rivendell and give them something that will bring them closer as future friends In the next one they will surely get to Rivendell and some interesting things are going to happen. I promise :)