Chapter 4: When Things Settles…
The days passed all too quickly to Vanille. If she could simply close her eyes and pretend a bit, she could feel the summer breeze slowly fading to autumn, the children's echoing laughter outside, the ruckus Michael and Fang were making…
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. She couldn't pretend. The memories will fade completely. Vanille kept them as the most precious things when everything around her didn't so much concern Cocoon or the Fal'Cie. They were slipping away, starting from when she awoke from crystal stasis and met Lightning, bit by bit.
Cocoon had been a new home. They were a new family, to love and protect. Then when everything seems to be finally over… Vanille let a heavy sigh escape her lips. Fang was right: this is just too much.
"Vanille!"
Vanille looked up as Fang's voice shot just outside her room. She beamed instantly, the brooding mood quickly fading. "Coming!" she replied as she hurriedly slip on her clothes and made her way outside.
Everything fell quickly into a routine. The two women would go down for breakfast along with Legolas' company. Erestor would enter after to pick Vanille up with her apparent regular lessons in Sindarin. Fang never understand why Vanille would even take another language, but left it at that; if that could keep her friend happy then so be it. This went on for hours, deep in conversation and soft laughter thrown at irregular intervals. Sometimes, Elrond would be there to give more advice, though it was always brief since his presence is always asked in the regular councils. Still, the two elf lords grew rather fond on their new foster responsibility.
Fang meanwhile would occupy her mornings with the Prince of Mirkwood sparring, occasionally with Arwen watching the match. The results were even, sometimes Legolas winning and others Fang took. Fang always delivered the hardest blows but Legolas was quicker and attacked more relentlessly.
When Elladan and Elrohir are present, they would join as well, Legolas teaming up with Fang. This, Elrohir and Elladan always wins. Not only had they known each other's tactics so well, but also Legolas and Fang's unending bickering. No way would Fang go to support mode for Legolas and neither was the prince willing as well. They would attack separately, Fang going after Elrohir. This would always end up disastrous. Still, after more match, the partners got better. Legolas learned to coordinate his attacks after Fang's blows and Fang reluctantly let herself switch to her Sentinel to defend both herself and Legolas.
Lunch comes next, this time often accompanied with the whole host of Imladris. At the arrival of the dwarf lords, Fang and Vanille were immediately introduced to them. They were therefore included in the table as well, usually beside Fang and the occasional Rangers coming in and out of patrol. The younger dwarves were particularly interested with Fang as she recounted battle tactics and assaults that happened in Oerba. The older generation, composed mostly of dwarf lords, meanwhile was sat next to Vanille, gallantly retelling the old days and the splendor of their halls glistening with gems and jewels. Vanille intently listened and praised the beautiful structure.
"I wish I could at least see them once," Vanille commented.
"When the dark times pass, you are most welcome," Gloin bowed until his beard almost touched the ground. "Though the splendor of the new would not surmount the glory of the old, to see it still is enough."
"Master dwarf, I see you are smitten by our pupil as well," Erestor came and bowed. "Lady Vanille is a lover of lore." He turned to Vanille and smiled. "Ah, but you have not told of your land child."
"I did too," Vanille replied. "With Elladan and Elrohir when they took me here and–"
"… and I tell you, thirty they killed and fell," Gimli nodded solemnly, sitting next to Fang. "A great battle less accounted than the rest, though its valor should not be overlooked."
"Aye, 'tis is true," another dwarf agreed.
After lunch, the dwarves and Fang were finally introduced to their last acquainted guest, Bilbo Baggins. Vanille met the old hobbit before when she was touring with Erestor. She introduced him to Fang. "So this is your young friend?" Bilbo said as he studied carefully Fang. "Well met indeed my lass. Here, have a cake and tea."
Fang declined the offer, overwhelmed at the food supply.
They spent the afternoon together, simply enjoying each other's company. At times they would have small conversations, about the weather, the elves, and this place. Fang was mostly quiet as Vanille would recount all that she learned from the morning. They never delved the future and even the present. It was too painful and mind boggling, especially for Fang.
Still, her anxiety was never solitary. Vanille was equally curious. So it was one time she voiced this to her teacher. "Will you tell me a story?"
They were having those regular lessons. Erestor glanced back at his pupil and smiled. "What would you like to hear, Lady Vanille?"
"Something about… the first story," she answered. "You know those 'in the beginning' stuff."
Erestor paused, as if gathering his thoughts how to start. "There are many beginnings: Of Eru Illuvatar, of the Ainur, Valar and Maia, of Time, of Arda, Of the Eldar, the Edain, this Age... Ai," he shook his head and looked thoughtful. "Tell me what beginning you would like to hear."
"The first," Vanille said.
"Very well," Erestor sat beside her. "I shall tell the tale, though I fear our lessons will be abandoned for a time. No matter," he smiled reassuringly. "All I said before was not raised interest, given because it is simply appropriate to know. Curiosity of the living will never be completely satisfied but, my lady, let me lessen it considerably." He took a deep breath before starting.
"In the beginning, there was Eru, whom we now call Illuvatar. From him came great spirits, each with their own design, beauty, knowledge, and will. He gathered them and told them to make a Great Music." So then Erestor for four days narrated the beginning years. Each day, Vanille grew more silent in thoughts on her and Fang's walks in the gardens.
It was on the fifth day Vanille and Fang finally caught a glimpse of the other silent guest. Of when he came here, neither knew. They spotted him conversing deeply with Elrond. Fang paused to watch the two before Elrond paused and looked to her direction. Their eyes caught for a moment. The elf lord showed no sign of surprise or acknowledgement. By dinner, the stranger appeared at the table and greeted the two.
"Times are more curious in this Age. Never have I looked upon the eyes of a mortal and felt a calling of a distant land," he said and bowed. "I am Gandalf, well met." He raised and Vanille could swear his eyes twinkled like sparks of fire.
"Fang," Fang said then gestured to her friend. "And this is Vanille."
"You're the elf lord talking to Bilbo earlier," said Vanille. "I saw you before going to lunch."
"Sharp eye I say Lady Vanille. But Master Gandalf is a wizard," Elrond said as he walked towards them, "A master of lore and magic."
"I do admit I have been assumed as such more so than the other," Gandalf smiled gently. "But you must remember my lady Elves do not age and time does them little in appearance."
"You mean they're immortal?" Fang raised her brow. She looked at Elrond in surprise. "How may I ask are you related to Arwen?"
"Her father," Elrond smiled. "Ai, I have forgotten Vanille's impression. Forgive me, I believe I have not introduced myself properly, my lady. It proves most rude to the host in neglecting to formally welcome his guests. I am Elrond, lord of Imladris, father of Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen Undomiel. Well met, I say!"
There was an awkward silence as Fang stood stunned at the revelation. Elrond looked… well, young to father three grown adults. Vanille giggled suddenly. "I know Fang. It's hard to believe."
Fang snorted, recovering her stance. "Tell me about it."
"You didn't know?"
Fang blocked Elladan's assaults and retaliated with two Vendettas and did a Blitz to back up Legolas' unsuccessful attacks at Elrohir.
Legolas frowned and said, "I believe I told you once I am the son of King Thranduil."
"Yeah, but your old man could really pass as your father," Fang replied. "Elrond, however, looks young enough to pass as Elladan's older brother."
The two did a defensive stance, Legolas at her back to handle the brother's simultaneous blows and Fang doing her Steelguard. They were failing miserably again with the dynamic duo (along with Fang's deadpan sarcasm as she says it). Elladan and Elrohir, now noticing Fang and Legolas were finally on terms, got more serious and vicious.
"My father does not look old," Legolas said, "Nor is he a Secondborn."
"Prince… old man means father," Fang rolled her eyes. This guy is hopeless. Everyone knew that term in Pulse.
Elrohir laughed at the two's antics. That, and the fact that Fang always calls Legolas 'Prince' and never his name. Elladan knew how much Legolas disliked being called that. He himself didn't like being addressed as 'my lord' from his close Ellyn friends. Elvish sensibilities, especially at the Homely House of Imladris, always entail endearment. And though he could never really call Fang's relationship anything endearing to Legolas, she still became a close person to the elf.
"You know, Legolas here is quite a young ellon," Elrohir mused while blocking his opponent's incoming arrows with his sword. "He really does pass as the son of Mirkwood's king with his appearance alone. Ai, I remember when he was but a mere elfling…" he trailed and grinned widely.
"Mellon, I am past 700 years," Legolas said, "that is not so much considered as young even on our standards."
"Yes, but I'm well over three thousand years," Elrohir laughed. His eyes glinted at Fang and smiled genuinely this time. "But of course, our lady sees it not so."
Fang took this cue to smirk. "I'm turning 522 if you must know." She jumped high in the air and did Highwind.
Elladan, always at the front of the two in attacks, barely managed to dodge it. He staggered behind while Elrohir took the lead this time. The older lord looked hard at Fang. There was no lie in her eyes. "My lady, where do you hail? Who are you really?"
It was Elrohir who answered his tone with reverence, "Lady Fang, from the village of Oerba, a land of Gran Pulse." Then he laughed lightly, "Surely, such a place would contest to the mystic lands of Valinor itself."
"… I'm still older than you," Legolas whispered behind Fang. Fang laughed, earning her quizzical looks from the other two.
"Fine; But you have to tell me why you guys keep calling each other fruits. I can't see any resemblance of Arwen likened anything to a melon."
It was a week after Fang's arrival when Glorfindel finally returned. A man and four hobbits were with him, one unconscious and deathly still. Gandalf, Elrond, and a good number of ellyth rushed towards them, swiftly tending first the fallen hobbit. One hobbit anxiously followed the host while the remaining two, the man, and the elf stayed. The man and the elf quietly discussed with Gandalf of their tidings and stories. Gandalf's expression grew serious and often he nodded whenever the man paused as if to reassess the wizard's reaction. Gandalf's hard expression did not waver and the man continued with fewer pauses.
Glorfindel quietly dismissed himself. Estel would handle the rest. He gently escorted the two hobbits out. It was this time he saw Vanille and Erestor conversing with each other. Erestor noticed him first and beckoned him to come. Vanille turned sideways and waved at Glorfindel. The three were instantly with the two.
"Well met Lord Glorfindel. Pray tell comforting news," Erestor said, "Elrond and his host of healers were at the infirmary where I and Vanile are conveniently before."
"Someone's carrying a hobbit," Vanille said anxiously. "I hope he's all right."
"He's fighting hard, Mister Frodo that is," piped one hobbit, "he will get better. He just has to."
"They are his friends, loyal and true as they prove with their folk," Glorfindel said answering Vanille's curious glance. "Well met Lady Vanille! May I introduce my company; here is Master Meriadoc Brandybuck and Master Peregrin Took, all respectable gentle hobbits from the Shire."
"Just Merry," the hobbit named Meriadoc bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet an elf lady like yourself, Lady Vanille."
"And Pippin," Peregrin grinned. "We're not much for titles, given with our humble homes compared to this," he looked equally entranced as Vanille first held her eyes at Imladris.
"Well met indeed Master Pippin and Master Merry," Erestor smiled and made a small bowing gesture. "Those are fair words indeed Master Merry, but Lady Vanille here is not an elleth, though she could pass as one," Erestor mused.
Vanille blushed lightly. "Er, thanks." Then she remembered something. "By any chance you know any Bilbo Baggins then? He's a hobbit too."
"Mister Bilbo!" Merry exclaimed, genuinely surprised and pleased at the news. "We should see him quickly! Come Pip," He grabbed Pippin's hand then looked politely at Vanille. "If it's no bother miss–"
"I'd be happy to visit Bilbo," Vanille smiled reassuringly. "He's probably having his late tea time." The hobbits cheered at the prospect of tea and snacks, earning them laughter from the three. Vanille excused herself from the presence of the two elf lords and joined the two hobbits to Bilbo's room.
"It is indeed fortunate you arrive no later," Elrond said as he quickly approached them, "a few more moments would prove fatally ill to our hobbit friend. He was nearly succumbed to the darkness."
"Frodo has an exceptionally strong willpower," Aragorn explained. "For over a week he bore great labor."
"Indeed, hobbits are tough folks," Gandalf nodded, "Valar protect them."
"Estel!" Elrohir's voice rang through the air as he and his brother spotted the man and hurriedly went to greet him.
"Well met Estel," Elladan said laughed grandly. "You look terrible as always."
"Days in the woods do this to a Ranger," Aragorn replied, a bit miffed. There's danger abroad and all his foster brother could say is his appearance?
Elrohir laughed. "Peace Estel, we jest. Forgive us, our scouts had been idler as of late and will not resume regular activity well after three more days."
"Though that partly has been our Fang's involvement," mused Elladan.
"Fang?" Aragorn asked.
"A guest of my house," Elrond replied, "A great warrior as my sons claim and a friend of Legolas."
"That indeed proves fortunate," Aragorn smiled. "I would like to meet this warrior for gaining favor from this lordly hall."
"Our sister is with Fang right now," Elrohir offered, "Though you have to wait for a while. Their talks always tend to be long."
"You would think they're planning for their betrothal," Elladan smiled helplessly. Arwen is certainly occupied with the Pulsian warrior.
Meanwhile, Aragorn got a horrible impression. "Excuse me my lords, I must leave you for my own affairs." He quickly left the company and disappeared from plain sight.
"Estel has more pressing matters than worrying for Arwen," Elrond sighed at his sons.
Elladan grinned. "Forgive me Ada, but I cannot help but jest my young mortal brother." He looked at his brother and they shared in with their laughter.
Elrond shook his head albeit amused. The four walked back to the halls of Imladris to discuss further with Glorfindel and Erestor.
Aragorn was never really the type of man to get overprotective with his loved ones. He commands respect and prove himself to be a very respectable Ranger and Dunadain to his people. He's a complete gentleman on councils and sees most things with a clear head.
He just didn't like how Elladan phrased Arwen's contact with this new elf. Apparently, this Legolas' friend never heard Arwen and his tale, or simply he ignored it. He wasn't the first one though. Many past suitors of his beloved were quite surprised at Arwen decision. He had, admittedly, been not the most beloved on the eyes of Arwen's many Galadhrim suitors, no matter how much they treat him nicely.
And now…
Aragorn knew all of Arwen's spots since they themselves conversed there intimately. He arrived at one and surely enough saw Arwen heading back to her room, probably finished with her conversation with this Fang.
"Oh, excuse me," a woman brushed passed him.
Aragorn nodded disinterestedly at her and continued to Arwen's direction. Not long after, he caught up with Arwen. "Undomiel?"
"Estel!" Arwen looked equally surprised and pleased to see him. She warmly embraced him and kissed his brow. "Well met Mellon nin. When did you arrive?"
"Not long ago. Glorfindel was with me," Aragorn looked strained. He wanted to skip this formality and directly ask her who this friend of Legolas is.
Arwen seemed too distracted to notice his anxiety. "I see. That is fortunate." She smiled lovingly at him and stayed in his arms. "Come and have rest. Your journey must be weary." She made a motion to go.
But Aragorn would not have it pass. "Undomiel, there is something I must ask about you."
"What is it Estel?"
"I trust your love Mellon nin," Aragorn said, "We plighted our troth and exchanged our vows. But ah, how shall I put this mellon nin? You're beautiful beyond compare and past suitors were not entirely pleased with–" he paused and examined her face. She was smiling.
"It seems I have offended my love to you," Arwen said. "Tell me what upsets you, for I have not met any elf lord or noble man to sway me."
Yes, but then there's Legolas' friend… "What of this warrior named Fang then? Your brothers claim he has gained your favor of utmost terms." Aragorn left Elladan's quote of betrothal later. He certainly didn't want to look desperate.
Arwen laughed. "Ai Estel, most beloved of my life! What you heard is true, for indeed Fang gained my highest favor. But it seems my brothers forgot something to mention to you," Her eyes twinkled in amusement. "Fang is a she Estel, a most accomplished warrior and dragon tamer I met. I believe you must have passed her when you went here. She is dark skinned and wore a blue cloth around her body." Arwen continued to smile and waited for his answer.
Aragorn's mind reeled a few minutes back. It was that time he finally remembered the woman he bumped into earlier fit the same description.
"… Oh," Aragorn barely managed to say. Arwen laughed again.
"They're quite a sight, are they?"
"These kinds also grow at Oerba."
"Oerba must be fair indeed. These flowers only grow on elven halls."
"It was fair."
"Was?"
"It was destroyed along with its people."
"… I'm sorry."
Fang didn't reply and continued to stare at the garden patch. These were wild flowers in her world, and they all lead to her village. To see it planted and held in place with no direction seemed all too unnatural. These will not lead her home, not in a million leagues as she could spare.
Legolas sat beside her, humming a faint tune that recalls the tales of Beleriand. However, his mind was not entirely occupied with the song. A part of it wonders how the destruction of Oerba came about. Was she and Lady Vanille only survived? They must have been kept away by their gods, preserved for five centuries, explaining this woman's age.
'And then she tells me she waged war with their gods, the Fal'Cie, and won?' Legolas thought.
"You're thinking about me, aren't you?" Fang turned her attention to him.
"You did not tell me everything."
"I'm not obligated to, Prince."
Legolas sighed. "My lady, these are dangerous times and those who hail from foreign and distant lands are taken with utmost caution. King Thranduil gave me leave to know you fully and truly so that fair judgment will be passed."
"Or else?"
"You shall be treated like any trespasser, a threat to one's borders."
Fang scoffed. "Like that stopped me. Listen, there's a really good reason for that so you just have to trust me. Will you?"
They looked at each other and held each other's gaze to test the other's will. Legolas didn't answer but the look he gave to her was well enough. The dinner bell rang throughout the halls. They went together.
They were all there, eating and conversing with each other casually. Vanille sat beside Elrohir and Erestor as the two argued about the correct detailed story about the Last Alliance of Men and Elves.
Pippin, Merry and Bilbo were next to Erestor and were telling Bilbo the tales as they reached here. They had another new company who was introduced as Samwise Gamgee of simply Sam. He was noticeably quiet and ate less compared to his hobbit friends. Gandalf sat opposite beside Sam, gently encouraging him to eat and be at ease for Frodo who have not joined their supper, still bed ridden and unconscious.
The company of dwarves sat beside Gandalf and they were recounting their journey and tales once more to the Rangers present.
Fang sat next to these men and were arguing with Elladan about battle tactics. Legolas sat next to them and tried to avoid their conversation, not very pleased with the prospect of having to argue with them both. He disagreed with both of their points but he didn't want to suffer the wrath of either elf lord of this woman.
Elrond sat at the head of the table, flanked by Arwen who sat beside the host of elves along with Elrohir, and Aragorn on the other side. The two were talking quietly and every now and then, Elrond would join in the conversation.
Had Fang or Vanille would exit there and watch the scene as a whole, they would have cried. It was very much like Oerba and their people. It was a one big happy family.
Night came.
"Do you think we could have another new family?"
Vanille watched the night sky by her room. Fang was with her, lying on Vanille's bed and staring at the ceiling. Fang didn't answer her. "I'm heading back," Fang said as she got out the sheets and headed for the door. "Good night."
Vanille nodded. "See you tomorrow Fang."