Chapter 7

Two months have gone and I'm still noticing how different I have become; my hair has grown out and there's even a touch of gray showing up much to the amusement of Laineth who has been helping me since I first came here. Tonight, was the dinner before the famed council tomorrow morning. I was happy knowing the Aegnor would be free to come which meant we could continue out our usual banter; which Bilbo seemed amused by. Some Elves that caught us together always sent questioning looks to the nature of our relationship but I tried to not let it bother me.

For tonight Laineth selected a deep red dress and gold stitching at the hems with the elvish fashion of long sleeves, that I finally learned how to control. Lastly the dress had a gold belt that hit my waist where the dress hugged my hips before flaring out.

I called out to the knock at the door and waited nervously for Aegnor to walk in. Oh my…. someone is behind this; in front of me Aegnor had a dark grey pants that hinted at his muscled thighs and a tunic of the same color, all of which had a hint of red and gold in the hems. He looked so good…god this will be a long night!

'I hope you are - ' he stopped mid-sentence as his eyes roamed my body before smiling, 'you look very beautiful.'

'Thank you.' I smile and try to keep a blush from forming 'you don't look too bad yourself.' I reply not shying away from looking him over.

'You are bad. Come we must get going before we are the last to show up for the dinner.' he murmurs deeply before grabbing my arm.

'Yes, I really don't want to make an entrance especially with so many people visiting for tomorrow.'

'Do not fret, although you must know that you are very curious to people and your looks makes them even more curious.' Aegnor teases by nudging me in the ribs as we passed a couple who were glancing our way.

Entering the hall, we did receive quite a few stares and a wave from the Hobbits. I smiled and seated myself next to Aegnor and waited for the meal as we chatted quietly. I was glad that the conversations stayed to a minimum when the food was brought out and everyone was engrossed in eating and wine flowed like crazy. I slowed down on the wine and when dinner ended Lord Elrond took guests to the lounge room if they wished to go, I waited for Aegnor to come around the table.

'You really do look absolutely stunning.' he whispered in my ear as he took my arm.

Goosebumps broke out and I shivered, nodding with a smile in response. No words would form from his whisper and he smirked in triumph from my current lack of communication. We followed everyone else into the hall allowing my eyes to adjust to the dimed lights. Servants went around with glasses of wine for those who wished to snack and drink longer into the night.

Aegnor made a bee line for two glasses of wine and smiled devilishly as he handed me mine, 'You must try this one. I think you'll enjoy it more than what was served at dinner.' he states

'Ah thanks.' I took a sip and wow; it was very smooth. It was sure to be deadly for me.

'Lady Samantha you look stunning!' a voice calls out from behind me

The voice belonged to Bilbo who was also dressed to the nines and behind him stood Frodo. 'Thank you, Bilbo and hello Frodo. Did you enjoy dinner?'

'Excellent as always, the wine selection went perfectly with each course I must say. Now Frodo my lad we need to find a corned to huddle in. I'm not quite done with a verse if you could help me.' Bilbo stated cheerfully.

Bilbo and Frodo smiled a goodbye and zig zaged their way through the crowd. I turn and smile up at Aegnor, 'should we find a place to sit as well. With all this wine, I really don't want to keep standing all night long.'

'Of course. There are some cushions in the corner here.' Aegnor remarks leading me through people.

'Lady Samantha!' Arwen calls when she sees me coming closer to where her and Aragorn were talking quietly.

'Lady Arwen, you look beautiful. You look like a whole new person Aragorn.' I tease with a smile. They did make a beautiful couple and standing next to each other showed just how much they loved each other.

'Thank you, Samantha, and Aegnor it's good to see you enjoying yourself for a change.'

We talked with them for a while but eventually we sat down and people watched. My glass was empty and things could only look up when you drink as much wine as me. I contemplated glancing at the empty cup in my hand. Aegnor chuckles to himself noticing of course that the wine was affecting me.

'I think it could be time for a refresher. You are very relaxed when you've drunk as much as you have.' he teases as he reached for the empty glass. His hand brushes mine softly and I couldn't stop the wave of electricity that rushed through me.

'Shut up. You are a bad influence you know. You're like a college roommate who harasses you to take another shot.' I mumble back after I playfully smacked him on the arm.

'A college roommate?' He states looking at me confused

'College is a place where people continue their studies and you usually live with other people to save money because it's expensive to continue learning as an adult.' I state hoping it makes sense.

'Ah well, you sit right there I'm going to get us another glass of wine.' He states getting up and walking away. What a nice ass…I think, tilting my head slightly as I continue to watch him walk. Damn wine.

After he disappears in the crowd I begin to people watch. If I squint I can see Frodo and Bilbo huddled in the corner and not far from him Sam watches over Frodo protectively. The other two hobbits were chatting with the Dwarves about their ale and drinking songs. Aragorn and Arwen were standing in a conversation with her father. The Mirkwood Elves were talking to each other and observing the Elves of Rivendell.

'I see that you are quite content observing everyone here.' a voice states softly. Looking up I find Gandalf smiling down at me. 'May I join you before you friend comes back.'

'Of course, please sit.' I state with a smile.

'I've always found the hall to be great for conversations just as much for naps.' he states with a smile; he was dressed in formal grey robes that touched the floor.

'I have to agree with you there. Although I still feel as the odd person out in here, so I usually do not stay long.'

'Yes, it must be quite the adjustment to be among the Elves. They are a unique race but for humans they seem almost ethereal.' he states still staring around the room.

'It is but I try to keep myself busy and Lord Elrond has been nothing but gracious to me and he was the first to suggest I start to learn Middle Earths history so that I may integrate better into society here.' I reply focusing on him rather than people watching.

'Yes, he mentioned this to me as well. I heard you have taken an interest in gardening and cooking. Ah! Here he comes. ' Gandalf spots Aegnor walking towards us with of course two wine glasses in his hand, 'you must tread lightly when it comes to Aegnor. Rumors are already taking place by your close relationship with him. Hm, but what would an old person like me know. He was of course the first person you met in Middle Earth was it not?' he remarks before he stands up and greets Aegnor and says farewell to me.

'Well that was very odd.' I murmur as Aegnor hands me my drink and takes his spot next to me and I realized this time around that we are sitting quite close to each other. Our shoulders are brushing up against one another and he seems to be leaning closer than normal.

'What did he say?' Aegnor whispers into my ear so that I could hear him over the music.

'Not much and much of it was in riddles.' I state taking a sip of wine.

'It is the tendency of Gandalf to speak to all in riddles and then leave before you can ask more. Come look Bilbo is about to give us a speech.' Aegnor exclaims breaking me out of my thoughts.

By the time Bilbo finishes his take on the tale of Beren and Luthien I had finished my glass and felt it was time to retire before the wine began to take an affect in a negative way. Aegnor was happy enough to show me back to my room and we soon were walking through empty hallways and back to my room. Most of it was in silence until we stopped at my door.

'Well, I thank you for showing me back to my room.' I state with a lopsided grin.

'Of course.' he states and glances at the ground.

'You should see the plants!' I blurt out in haze of wine, opening the door and walking in.

'Perhaps it's not wise for me to come into your room this late at night.' Aegnor states quietly glancing at me long and hard.

'Nonsense. I can have whoever I want in my room. If people want to gossip fine, I am not doing anything wrong' I exclaim glancing at him confused.

He starts chuckling to himself before he replies, 'you truly are from another world.'

I close the door with a click as he walks in, 'make yourself at home. But you really must see the plants.'

He chuckles but follows behind me to the patio, the evening breeze felt nice and helped make me more alert. I sit down enjoying the breeze as he walks past me to look at the plants.

'Ah yes, you have done well with the plants!' Aegnor states happily as he goes and inspects each plant and murmuring to them in Elvish. 'they are very pleased with your care of them.'

'I'm glad I'm making the plants happy and that they trust me.' I smirk; I still had not gotten used to the fact that Elves can or has some type of communication with living things. If I was honest, it freaked me out a bit.

'Can I ask you something?' Aegnor states leaning his back on the rail.

'Sure.'

'In your world, did you have family or anyone that would be wondering about you?' he spoke so softly I almost couldn't hear him.

'I have family that would be worried, I wasn't seeing...or rather courting as you guys call it here.' I reply thinking about my parents and how worried everyone must be.

'I'm sorry to hear, I hope your family are doing okay but I am surprised that you are not spoken for' Aegnor replies

'Yes, sometimes I still wonder what they are doing or how they are dealing with my sudden disappearance. I'm sure they think I was abducted or murdered. Perhaps it would seem shocking here but many people are not married or wait longer to get married.'

Not wanting to sit any longer I stood up and looked at him expectantly, 'you are being very mysterious right now. Tonight, is a good night no more of this talk. We are looking good and the world is at our fingertips' I tease him a bit leaning closer to him.

'So, you think I look good huh?'

'Yes.' I glance at him and all the emotions fills me up.

Here is this very attractive male that I have been casually flirting with. The combination of the alcohol and nerves make all concerns go out the window. Ah fuck it! I lean in with a hand placed on his arm I feel him tense but it melts away the minute our lips meet. I realize he relaxed and returns a quick kiss back, resting his hands on my hips.

All of this felt right and couldn't help but glance up at him. He's eyes were dark but alive with emotion as he snaked his arms around me, pulling me flush against his chest. I look up at him and we stayed locked in each other's gaze.

'Let's go inside by the fire place.' I murmur and turn; in the idea, his hands would drop from the movement.

However, I felt his hands grip my hips more to get me to turn around once more. I feel his lips crash into mine and I lean up on my tip toes, wrapping my arms around his neck. This was surly heaven! I return the kiss once again inhaling the smell of pine and the musky odor of him mingled together. He tastes like sweet wine, tempting and promising.

With one last passionate kiss he pulls away to look down at me, 'this was unexpected. Very pleasant but unexpected.'

'If I would have known any better I would say there is satisfaction in that tone.' I state looking back up at him again.

He smiled in response and no comment was uttered. He didn't stay much longer, stating that for Elves he was already pushing propriety being in my room this late at night. Changing but too awake to sleep, I stepped back onto the patio. Closing my eyes I let the night embrace me as I replayed our kisses and how the feel of his arms around me drove me to wanting so much more than a kiss.