Disclaimer: This is a non-profit fan based fiction, all rights belong to Tolkien enterprises and J.R.R. Tolkien. Except for Anna as she is my original character. Sorry for the long wait for an update I have been so busy I haven't had a chance to write. Any way here it is, enjoy. :D
Chapter 7
My face was all hot when I said goodbye to Legolas. The thoughts of the events earlier, with that straggly handsome man flashed before my eyes. I couldn't get him out of my head. The rippling muscles, his pale blue grey eyes, the dark tan skin. All of him. I so wish to run into him again. Sigh.
Thinking about it now I probably might, with the welcoming dinner party tonight in the great hall.
But before I get ready for that I have to see how Frodo is doing, I'm so worried for the little guy. He's gone through so much in the last few weeks. Thinking about his ordeals makes my hair stand on end. And knowing what will come kills me inside, I can't tell anyone about it.
I walked down a long corridor, trying to remember my way to his room. I always get lost in Rivendel, it's like a hedge maze. Turning down all the different corridors, then boom, a dead end. Trying to recap on the path that was taken. Although if I had to go to my room or to the great hall that's a different story altogether, and maybe for another time. I think about an hour had passed, and I was completely lost. Sigh. I guess I will sit down and think about the path ahead of me.
I look down into my hands and sigh again. I'm so flustered to think. The images of earlier this morning are still fresh in my brain, and they are making me more lost than I already am. "SLAP", snap out of it Anna, you are not a hormonal teenager anymore. I wince in pain. I slapped my cheeks harder than I intended. I bet they're red now.
"What are you doing miss Anna." Spouted a voice to the left of me. I look over to the left with one eye open holding my cheeks and saw Pippin staring at me with a grin. He looks as if he will break out into laughter at any moment. "So what are you doing holding your cheeks?" He asked again. It took me a moment to realize what was going on, and where I was. I remove my hands from my face. As soon as I did he cracked into laughter. Pointing at my face. I could feel my face warm up from embarrassment. I laughed as well hiding my embarrassment as best I could. I just got caught thinking about inappropriate thoughts. "So what brings you out here this time of the morning?" Biting into a juicy red apple. I looked blankly at him for a second.
"Oh... I'm on my way to see Frodo, but I kinda lost my way." I look down into my lap. My face heating up once again. Pippin started to laugh again, but harder. To the point that he started snorting. "Hey, it's not that funny." I said with a smile.
We were laughing at each other for a good ten minutes before we were interrupted by another passer by. "What is going on here?" We both look towards the voice, stare blankly at Merry who had a crack of a smile on his face and laugh even harder. He joined in. I told him the story and he seemed to find it amusing. I don't think they will ever let me live it down.
We finally reached Frodo's room. I could hear voices inside. Laughter in fact. Merry and Pippin pushed open the door, barging their way in. Running to Frodo's bedside. "Good to see you up, cousin." Spouted merry. Pippin just ran and jumped onto the bed, like you would if you were trying to wake up your parents. Bouncing as he landed. Sam and Gandalf gave him a distasteful look. But left it at that.
"Careful now Pippin, Frodo has only just recovered. You don't want his injury to get bad again." I said. He sort of looked at me sad just as a child would look if they got into trouble. I forget sometimes, that he is the youngest. "How are you feeling my little friend?" He groaned a bit. Then smiled at me as his sat up.
"Much better now, my lady." Frodo remarked. I smiled and walked over to the bed. Which was extravagant might I add. Vines and leaves engraved into the woodwork with a gold trim throughout the design. Just looking at the sheets I could tell it was the finest silk I have ever seen. The elves never cease to impress me.
"I'm glad to see that you are feeling and looking much better. I hope to see you at the feast tonight, if you are feeling up to it. Maybe even escort me there." I winked and walked back towards the door. Trying to be as graceful as I can. I stepped on my dress and fell to the ground with a loud thump. "Ow. Well that didn't go well." I laughed so hard that my cheeks and belly were hurting. Through the sound of my own laughter, I could hear Merry, Pippin, Sam, Gandalf and Frodo laughing at me. I quickly get myself up, trying not to fall over my dress again. That's twice today that I've fallen on this dress, maybe I shouldn't wear dresses. Well at least this dress anyway.
I picked myself up and continued to the door. I turned my head to look at the hobbits. Who where crying from laughter. They all waved. I winked and left the room. I was only a few meters down the corridor. When I heard Gandalf call out to me. "Meril. I will walk you back to your room. I know how you can get lost here." I nodded and waited for him to catch up. He looped his arm under mine and we walked at a slow but steady pace. It was nice. But I ultimately think he only did that so I wouldn't fall again. We walked silently through the different corridors and gardens till we reached the door way to my room.
He let my arm go. I turned to him and curtsey. "Thank you for the escort, Gandalf. I would of gotten myself lost without you." He just smiled at me and pattered my head. The action reminded me when I first arrived here in middle earth. The comfort it gave me, that I had never felt before. I looked up towards his sorrowful eyes. The pain and sorrow in his eyes then, is the same as they are now. When he looks at me it's as if he knows something horrible will happen to me, but does not wish it upon me.
Thoughts of the conversation I had with him and Lord Elrond just a few nights ago had resurfaced. Swept over me like a terrorizing storm. The look in his eyes made me wonder. What if this wasn't the first time he had heard of me being a child of the Nazgul. No that can't be. It's too preposterous to assume that, I must be imagining it. But then again, I don't know what was said to Aragon during his fight with the nazgul when I first arrived here. I'll keep these thoughts to myself for the time being.
"What seems to be on your mind, little Meril." He had asked me with a giggle. "Your face made so many different expressions." Shit, my whole train of thought was showing and I didn't even realise. Well that is a bit embarrassing. Well maybe if I ask him what I am thinking, he might shed some light on the matter.
"Gandalf, I do have something I need to ask you... when I told you and the others about what the witch king had said to me. You knew it already, didn't you?" He stared at me for a second or two. Clearly thinking of the right way to answer, without making me upset. His wrinkly face went from a smile to a grim look in almost an instant. He seemed very serious. Then his face softened as he looked into my eyes. I believe he wanted to keep the information away from my ears, but he knows I will not stop questioning till someone tells me. His mouth opened, and he took a deep breath.
"Anna, I do not wish to lie to you, but I do not wish to tell you the truth either." His eyes looked sad for a moment. "But no it is not the first time I have heard this. Do not worry though, only a very select few know of this." He said with a serious look. Well that's surprising a bit. Though I don't feel shocked and sad, almost depressed. I guess that would be the best way to describe my feelings. I hate the fact that they knew, but never told me, I'm also thankful they never did even if I feel this way. I think if they told me when I was younger, I wouldn't understand and might have done seriously something stupid. At least he was honest with me now. I hate secrets.
"Thank you for being honest." I took a deep breath, "well that's one less stressful thing I no longer need to worry about." I smiled at him and entered my room. "I will see you tonight." And closed the door behind me. Tears filled my eyes. I lent back onto the door and slumped to the floor. I can't hold in the fear or the pain anymore. The last few weeks has been an eye opener to this harsh world. But I have to be braver from now on. For my sake and everyone else's. I have become such a whiner in the past few weeks. I slap my face to stop the crying. Wipe the tears from my eyes and get my self up.
I walk towards the mirror. I need to make myself look sexy for tonight if I want to impress that guy I met today and maybe some more. As I looked at myself in the mirror I could see all the damage the crying had done to my green eyes. Made them all puffy. Well It looks like I have my work cut out for me.
Several hours had passed. And I was finally finished with my makeup. Time to get dressed. What to wear. I open the box at the end of the bed and pull out the dress I am wearing tonight. A low cut red velvet one with a beautiful gold design embroidered on the bottom of the dress, working its way up to the chest. I slipped it on. The dress was a tight fit showing curves in all the right places, exposing the shoulders and long sleeves. Clinging to my body, pushing my chest up. To finish off the look with a gold rope belt slightly hanging off my hips. Time for the hair. I decided to go with a simple braid. With gold sparkling throughout the braid. I think I'm all ready.
Knock, knock, knock came from the door. I get up from the mirror and glide to the door. Thankful this time as the dress is shorter then the one I wore earlier. So no falling over for me tonight. I open the door to see four small hobbits looking very casual. As they looked at me, their faces all turned red. "You look beautiful, Miss Anna." Announced Pippin. Well at least I know my beautification worked. For the hobbits anyway. Now to test it out on the world. The thought makes me laugh. I grab the hobbits hands and we walk onto the grand hall for a feast. Tonight is going to be a night to remember.
Thanks for reading please review and sorry again for the late update. I will try to write more frequently I hope you enjoy what I have written so far. Next chapter will have or the start of the council of elrond I reckon maybe can't make any promises. Please review.