Short Men and Dinner
His eyes were so captivating and his hold on her was powerful. One look made her succumb to his every will. She felt so weak. Ryder had so many questions she wanted to ask but she couldn't get the words out. All she could do was stare at him while he returned the same curiosity in his features.
She had the courage to ask the questions circling in her mind. If only she could will herself to speak. But she couldn't, knowing he had all the power.
That night was the first night she dreamed about the man in the mask. Ryder blinked awake on Saturday morning, letting her thoughts linger with her in bed. Emi was already off somewhere so she had time to recap what she remembered without any interruptions.
Asking the questions she wanted in real life was inconceivable—mortifying—even if it was just a question of having met before. Closing her eyes again, Ryder touched her cheek. The feather light caress he gave was still warm in her memories.
It felt so real that she longed to feel his touch again. Something about this mystery man also brought an old familiar feeling. In fact, a lot of things here did, like the people, but she couldn't place where or when in her life. It kept nagging at her and one day she hoped to shed some light on the strange feelings in the pit of her stomach.
Returning Aragorn's call last night, he inquired if she wanted to come home for the weekend. It was nice of him to offer but she wasn't up for a visit. With still a lot of studying to do, she preferred to stay on campus and avoid his servants waiting on her hand and foot. They were only doing their jobs but still, Ryder didn't like the awkward distraction. Studying at the library was a place best suited to fit her needs.
Thinking back to the coffee shop incident, the event that took place still bothered her, made her angrier the more she thought about it. What the hell was their problem? She said angrily to herself.
The blue-eyed girl didn't tell her roommate about it because she was still shaken when she got back to their room. Maybe she'll mention it later and see if Emi could tell her something about Sard's friends. He didn't seem the type to send his lackeys to do his dirty work. So why were they harassing her?
Even with the odds against her, Ryder knew she could have taken the three boys. Her dad taught her how to defend herself against those bigger in built and to look for weaknesses in an opponent's posture or technique. To her, they didn't appear that skilled in the art of fighting. An attempted swing here or there looked like was all they were capable of, which was a form of amateur bullying to her.
During sparring practice with her dad, Ryder hated when he threw her down on a mat. Hard. Being a girl didn't make him take it any easier on her either. If anything, it was because she was a girl that he was tough on her in the small private gym they'd go to for training.
In the beginning, Ryder came out sore and with bruises after their match. But over time, she got used to it and it didn't bother her as much. Her dad was all about her learning to protect herself so she just went with it.
What she enjoyed was the feeling of getting the best of him. It made her feel strong even though it was hard getting the upper hand on him most of the time. He'd laugh while she helped him to his feet, patting her on the back with a proud look in his eyes.
The thought of her dad suddenly brought a lump to her throat.
x x x
Because she got some other studying out of the way last night, she wasn't in the mood to dive in head first into more assignments. Instead, she put on her cross trainers and went running like she told herself she would to balance out the carbs she consumed since her first day at Mirkwood University. Not knowing anyone or where anything was seemed like ages ago, although a week's barely passed.
Sticking to the trails close to the school, she steered clear of the forest as instructed by the Headmaster. It didn't look so scary during the day or scary at all as most people portrayed it to be. There was a sort of calmness today around the woods that made her wonder if it had always been forbidden to students?
What about the school's faculty? Were they allowed inside? Where did they go or what did they do when they weren't teaching a class? Did they all live on campus or go home for the weekend? Seeing a teacher around the hallways or even around the quad was a rare occurrence, except for in the Village.
The surrounding property of the school was quiet, but that was probably because it was still early in the day.
Sprinting on the last lap she took, Ryder leaned against a tree to catch her breath. Running felt good. It felt productive and made her feel accomplished like she could tackle the rest of the day, whatever it might bring. It sounded a little too optimistic for her, but she needed to keep her spirits up. Frustrating thoughts of last night began to slowly fade and told herself she would deal with the boys in her own way if it ever came down to that.
x x x
"Welcome back!"
"Thanks," she gave the short man a puzzling look.
"I remember all my customers. Even the new ones," he smiled proudly, answering her wondering thoughts.
"That's a great trait to have."
"Thank you," he gave a short nod and another smile. "Peregrin Took's the name. But everyone just calls me Pippin." He flashed the name on his apron. "What can I get for you today, dearie?"
Pippin? Was he the owner of Pippin's? She wondered.
After her run, she stopped by the Village for brunch and the restaurant Emi introduced her to happen to be close by. Pippin was a short fellow with childlike eyes and light-brown curly hair that was a cute mess on his head.
He also appeared too young to be the owner. She thought perhaps the restaurant was handed down to him by his father. Whatever the case, the apron he wore was brown and the rest of the staff's was tan so Ryder assumed he had seniority over them.
"You're very pretty," he commented. "Your eyes looks just like—"
"Pippin!" someone cut him off. She spun around to see another short man with wavy locks, almost the same height as Pippin, walking to the counter. He didn't look very pleased. Pippin averted his eyes to the ground with a worrisome look. "Meriadoc Brandybuck. But everyone just calls me Merry," he extended his hand to her.
Ryder hesitantly shook it. "Merry? As in Merry's Cup O'Coffee?" she asked.
"The very same. I'm a few doors down on the other side."
"Erm...I remembered what you ordered last time. Chicken burger, right? Would you like the same thing?" Pippin asked as if he was in a rush to get rid of her.
Before Merry showed up, Pippin was more vibrant and wasn't in a hurry to get her out of the queue since there weren't that many customers in the restaurant. The discreet look in Merry's eyes gave the impression that he had control over Pippin.
"Yeah, that sounds great. Thanks." She paid for her meal, not wanting to read too much into it.
After giving back her change, Pippin genuinely smiled at her. "I'll have someone bring it over to your table."
Ryder chose a seat close to the counter so she could maybe pick up on their hushed conversation. Merry was quietly scolding Pippin while he kept apologizing and shrugging his shoulders.
"You know what he said," Merry whispered. "What were you thinking?"
"I know, I'm sorry! I...I forgot. It's just her eyes...she looks so much like—"
"Never mind that!" Merry glanced in Ryder's direction. She pretended to play with her phone so they wouldn't suspect her for listening in. He slowly turned back to Pippin, "Just be careful next time. It's better hearing an earful from me than from him."
"I know," Pippin frowned. "I'm sorry."
"Look, why don't you come by the café later and I'll make us some of my famous Shire mushroom tea?" he said.
Pippin's eyes lit up. "Thanks, Merry."
With a weary smile, Merry squeezed his shoulder and turned to leave. Ryder's food arrived just before he reached her table. "You were in my coffee shop yesterday, weren't you? With Declan Finn."
"Yes...I was," she answered, surprised that he recognized her. Then again, they were in there for a while and Declan's known by many people.
"Drinks on me the next time you stop by. And I know it isn't my place to tell you this, but...don't let your guard down that easily with that boy. You don't know him."
Before she could process his words or even get anything out for a response, he was out the door with the small bell tied around a hook jingling at the top.
So many confused questions suddenly popped in her head. Who did Pippin remind her of? And why was Merry against him telling her? What did Merry also mean about Declan and what did he have against him?
Ryder knew she still has a lot to learn about her new study partner but he's never done anything to offend her and his intentions were always clear. She started to get the distinct feeling that her uncle wasn't telling her the entire truth about bringing her here.
There wasn't much she could ask him at the moment since Aragorn left on a small business trip when she decided not to come home. Her questions for him would have to wait until the next time they met…with any luck, sooner rather than later.
x x x
"Hey, Ryder!" Emi waved to her. She was on her way back to their dorm when Emi spotted her near the entrance.
"Where were you so early this morning?" she asked her roommate.
"Sorry, I should have left a note. I had an early breakfast with someone."
"Oh?" Ryder arched an eyebrow.
Emi rolled her eyes with a smile. "He's a close friend."
"A close friend you've never mentioned," she crossed her arms, thinking this person was more than that.
"He just recently came back to England. I'll introduce you later this evening. He wants to have dinner with us."
"Dinner? He doesn't even know me. Wouldn't it be awkward being the third wheel?"
"Don't be silly!" Emi rolled her eyes again. "I told you, it's not like that between us. Besides, I've already told him a little about you and how you're Lord Aragorn's niece. He knows your uncle and he's interested in meeting you."
"And who exactly is he?" she asked inquisitively. And how does he know my uncle? She wondered.
The ginger-haired girl was too cryptic for her liking. It didn't seem fair that Emi's friend knew something about her when she knew nothing about him. Was he someone she met in the Village? He couldn't be a student if he just got back to town, unless he was a former classmate who re-enrolled as a senior this year.
"Well…I guess I can tell you. I don't think he would mind." Ryder hung on her next words. Who is this friend of hers? The smirk Emi had told her this was no ordinary friend. "But, try not to make it a big deal."
"Will you just tell me?" Ryder sighed wearily.
"Legolas Green. Lord Thranduil's son."
"Wait—who?"
"His family owns this land. Remember?"
"Yes, I know that," she shook her head, "But how do you know him?"
"My father knows his father. We sort of grew up together. He was the one who actually helped convince my father to let me attend Mirkwood University."
"You didn't tell me that."
"Yes, well," Emi shrugged, "telling most people how we're acquainted doesn't always come up in conversation. He's very well-known on campus because of his family and being friends with the son of Thranduil isn't as easy as it seems."
"What do you mean?"
"People who I thought were my friends were only my friends to get closer to him. They thought if I introduced them to Legolas, they could win higher favors with his family and the teachers here. Even random girls would come up to me asking me if I could help set up a date with him." Emi didn't look very happy with the old memories.
"I'm so sorry, Emi," Ryder placed a sympathetic hand on her arm. "I hope you don't think I'm like that." Using people was something that upset Ryder. Emi befriended her and made her feel comfortable on her first day. She was such a sweet and genuine person that she didn't deserve to be treated like her friendship didn't matter.
"Of course, I don't," she smiled back. "That's why I want you to meet him. He's a real gentleman and I know he'll be happy to meet you."
"Where is he staying? I thought you said he graduated a couple of years ago?"
"There's a section of the school that are his private quarters, blocked off by a gate. He never stayed in the dorms when he was here as a student. When he comes to visit for business matters on behalf of his father that's where he still lives."
"I guess having the last name Green has its perks."
Emi chuckled, "Yes, it does."
"Hey...I was wondering how well you know Sard's friends."
"Sard's friends?" she raised a curiously eyebrow.
They sat down by a nearby bench. "Do you know much about them?"
"What exactly did you want to know?" Emi cocked her head to one side.
Ryder looked around the area before continuing. "Last night when I was studying with Declan, three of them were there at the coffee shop. One had shoulder-length hair with bangs, one with platinum-tipped hair, and the last boy had a buzz cut."
"Were they giving you trouble?" Emi asked concerned. "Did Declan or Merry, the owner, do anything?"
"No. Declan left already and this happened outside."
"What happened outside?" Emi's features looked more worrisome.
She didn't want to scare her roommate about the small chase she was involved in and using someone to pose as her fake boyfriend to get rid of them, so she tweaked her story. "Nothing…they were just being pigs, trying to intimidate me when I left. I'm wondering if Sard maybe told them to scare me."
"Ryder, you shouldn't have left by yourself," Emi replied, almost sounding like an overprotective mother. "No wonder why you looked frazzled when you got back. Call me next time so you have someone to walk back with you."
"I was fine," she tried to assure her, although it was a nerve-wracking experience. "They didn't do much and eventually left me alone."
"Those three are loyal to Sard. I don't think he sent them after you. They barely go to class and kind of do whatever they want. The next time they bother you, bring it up to Sir Gandalf. He doesn't tolerate harassment on campus or in the Village."
Involving him was the last thing Ryder wanted to do. Their previous interaction was, for a lack of a better word, strange. It was like he was willing her to tell him everything he wanted to know and she'd rather not have that same experience again. But, Ryder agreed to do so to put Emi's mind at ease.
x x x
For the remainder of the day, the two girls put in some study time in their room and headed down to the Village for a late lunch. Because dinner with Legolas Green was only a few hours away, they shared an appetizer at Lórien's Lair. It was a smaller restaurant across the way from Merry's with smaller portions.
"Do you and Declan know the owner of that café across the street?" Ryder asked.
"Merry Brandybuck?" Emi looked in the same direction out the window.
"Yeah, him. How well does he know his customers?"
"I have no idea," Emi shrugged. "He knows me and Declan and likes to make small talk with us but we've never gone into our life stories or anything like that. I think Merry is like that with a lot of his regular customers though."
"I saw him at Pippin's this morning." Ryder wasn't sure if she should bring up what he said about Declan so she left that part out. Emi would warn her if Declan was up to no good and so far, she seemed to approve of their friendship with all the teasing she did.
"Oh, yes. Pippin and Merry often visit each other when business is slow. They're close friends. Merry is the more serious one. Pippin, on the other hand, has a more carefree and innocent take on life than Merry. That's probably why Merry likes to lecture him all the time."
"I see." Ryder couldn't really ask more questions without Emi getting suspicious about her inquiry on the café owner. The only way her questions were going to get answered is if she asked one of them directly.
"They're friendly people for the most part, especially Pippin."
x x x
"Are you really sure about this?" Ryder looked in her floor length mirror, her eyes focused on Emi moving around behind her.
"Yes," Emi replied without looking at her. Her own focus was finding her other shoe. "I like that dress on you. And your hair looks perfect like always. Now, relax."
Ryder gave her reflection another good glance over. Sighing, she tucked her hair behind her ear. Her brown hair always had a slight wave to it, falling in long soft curls down her back. Remembering as a small child, her mom liked her hair long and told her when she grew up to never cut it shorter than her elbows and she hasn't to this day.
Emi also took the liberty of putting on some makeup on her since she never really cared much for eyeliner or other makeup products besides a little mascara and lip gloss. People who saw Ryder often said she was naturally beautiful, which reminded her of the way people used to talk about her mother.
"You're not changing."
"What makes you think I'm going to change?" Ryder faced her roommate who just strapped on her shoe.
"Because you have that uncertain look in your eyes every time you look down at your dress," she replied.
"I'm just a little nervous, okay?" she finally admitted.
"About what?" Emi stood up with a smile. "He's not as intimidating as you might think just because his family owns this school and land. It'll be fine. Just think of him as another person…our age."
"Sure. Sounds easy enough."
x x x
Pushing the unlocked gates open, Emi motioned for Ryder to follow her inside. It looked like a small mansion rather than a dormitory room for one person. The wooden door had beautiful carvings on it with a brass knocker in the front. Emi swung it twice against the door and waited for someone to answer. Ryder's heartbeat sped up.
Confused on why she was so nervous about meeting him, she couldn't stand still while they waited for their welcome. She knew nothing about this person except for what Emi told her and what little information she dug up from the Internet on his family.
Apparently, the name Thranduil is a traditional name in the Green family. At least one son is always named after the founder of the University and the surrounding land called Greenwood. Ryder assumed that over the decades they shortened their surname from Greenleaf to Green to keep with the modern times.
Thranduil Green wasn't fond of having his picture taken but in the one picture Ryder found, she didn't realize how handsome he was. She could only imagine what his son might look like.
He had long, platinum blonde hair, a sharp nose, thick eyebrows, and clear blue eyes that had a look of authority in them. He also didn't look that old at all. Lord Green appeared to be around Aragorn's age if she had to guess. The expensive suit he wore in the picture reminded her much of her uncle as well. It was tailored perfectly for his slim figure.
"Lady Emilia Luna, please come in," someone finally answered the door. Ryder didn't see who the female was because she was too busy calming down her nerves. Whoever it was moved from the door to let them in.
"Come on," Emi smiled at her roommate.
"Who's that?" Ryder mouthed to her as she followed behind.
"One of his servants," she whispered, ushering her to hurry.
A servant in his quarters? Really? Ryder raised an eyebrow. She found that a little…unusual. "Lady?" she arched another eyebrow at Emi. Emi smirked and put an index finger to her lips like it was some kind of secret.
"Sir Green, your guests have arrived," said the servant. She was wearing a white buttoned-up shirt, bodice, and an apron with a skirt in small ruffles around the bottom.
"Thank you, Madeline," he said. His back was still facing them, staring out the window with a glass of red wine in his hand. "You may go for the evening."
"Very good, sir." She bowed and left the room.
Ryder couldn't help but subtly hide behind Emi. She had that strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. Slowly, he turned and smiled at them, but his eyes were focused on her. The blue-eyed girl suppressed a gasped, her eyes big at the realization that this was not the first time she's met Legolas Green.
"Welcome to my humble quarters," he said to her.
"Humble quarters?" Emi lightly scoffed. "Yes, and I'm the Red Queen of Hearts. Come now Legolas, you know there is no one else living as lavish as you on campus." Ryder was surprised on how at ease her roommate was around him, but they did grow up together. Emi turned to face her, "This is Ryder Grayson, my roommate, and the niece of Lord Aragorn. Ryder, this is Legolas Green, son of Lord Thranduil Green."
Legolas placed his wine down on the nearby table and walked closer to her. Something about his proximity was intoxicating, just like in her dream. "A pleasure, my lady," he took her hand and gently kissed it. His touch gave her shivers. There was a fleeting smirk on his lips that she thought she saw but wasn't sure was ever really there.
"Hello," she replied, which sounded like a lame response but she didn't know what else to say. Why he hadn't told Emi that they've met before was beyond her. Did he perhaps think that she already told her roommate about their encounter? From the way it looked, Emi had no clue.
"I'm glad you could make it tonight," Legolas smiled at her then at Emi. "Both of you. Please, join me in the dining room."
A feast was laid out on the long table for the three of them, more than enough food to feed the entire school. There was also a bottle of wine in the center. Near the food table was a rounder table where they would actually be sitting with three place mats, napkins and silverware.
As they got comfortable with their meal, Legolas asked Ryder what she thought of the school and if she was adjusting well to her new environment. All the attention seemed to be focused on her. Emi kept quiet for most of the time, smiling and nodding when appropriate. Ryder would glance at her from time to time to try to guess what she was thinking, but Emi gave nothing away. However, there was a sparkle in her emerald eyes that made her curious to know what it meant.
"So, Legolas, how long will you be here this time?" Emi finally joined in the conversation.
"For a while, I think," he answered, taking a sip of his wine. "As you know, I'm the new fencing instructor."
"I'm sure you've been practicing." Emi arched an eyebrow at Ryder who blushed and averted her eyes away. She took a large gulp of her wine hoping Legolas didn't notice.
"Yes, well…I'm a bit rusty."
"Does your real skill still lay with the bow?"
"Yes. But because there were so many students still interested in the sport of fencing, we couldn't just let it drop off from the curriculum. And so, I volunteered until a suitable replacement for Mr. Radagast was found."
"Well, that's very kind of you," said Emi. She then turned to Ryder, "Legolas is a master bowman."
"That's…impressive." If what she saw in the boys' gymnasium and how perfect his form was with the sword, she could only imagine how well he handled a bow.
"Learning the art of archery has been passed down within my family for centuries. It's not really something you can run away from," he answered humbly.
For the rest of the evening, they moved into Legolas's living room while Emi told embarrassing stories of Thranduil's son. He let her, knowing she had one too many glasses of wine, and it was a nice change to seem normal around others.
Ryder laughed and felt bad for doing so because of who he was but he seemed good-humored about it. Letting Emi talk also gave her the chance to stare at her masked man who finally had a name but still remained a mystery.
"Oh, wow, look at the time!" Emi finally glanced at her watch, giggling a little in the process. "I should get going. I have a study group thing tomorrow." Standing up on wobbly feet, Ryder rushed to her side to steady her. "I'm fine, don't worry," she smiled at her, pinching her cheek. "Stay here and chat with Legolas. You hardly know each other, right?"
Ryder apologetically smiled at Legolas. "I should take her back to our room."
Legolas stood up. "Let me walk you ladies."
"Oh, stop it, Legolas," Emi lightly hit him in the arm. "We are two, very capable young women who can ward off monsters. We don't need your assistance, good sir."
"I know you don't, Emilia, but I insist."
"Tell him, Ryder. Tell him you'll paralyze him if he follows us!" she burst out in a fit of giggles, covering her mouth to quiet herself.
"We'll be fine, really," Ryder smiled at Legolas, feeling embarrassed for her roommate's behavior. The last thing she wanted was him knowing her paralyzing abilities as Emi put it. She ushered her drunken roommate toward the entrance before she said something else she should keep to herself.
"I need some fresh air," Emi walked ahead and out the door, sitting on the front steps and resting her head on her lap.
"Sorry about that," Ryder turned back to Legolas after knowing Emi was okay outside.
"Nothing to apologize for," he softly laughed at Emi's current condition. "I've known Emilia for quite some time and this behavior needs no apologies. She's actually a lot worse."
"Really?" Ryder laughed disbelievingly.
"Yes," he grinned.
"Remind me get more dirt on her from you next time," she smiled.
"I would love to see you again."
"Huh?" His words caught her off guard. The pace of her heart picked up again and her lips went dry.
"I'd like to know more about you." He had a serious look in his eyes just like in her dream. He had complete control over her and she couldn't speak. "As Emilia said, we still hardly know each other."
"Well, doesn't becoming the new fencing instructor make you a staff member now? Isn't there something in the school guidelines prohibiting students and teachers…getting to know each other better?"
"Yes, however…I was a former student not that long ago and I'm not one of your instructors," he countered with a smirk. "I'm also in line to inherit this school and the surrounding land so…I'm allowed to bend the rules a little."
"Oh, just say yes and let's be off!" Emi suddenly hollered from the front steps. She looked to be half asleep.
Ryder's cheeks felt even warmer. "Thanks again for dinner," she half-smiled and walked quickly to the door. She helped Emi to her feet and headed back to their dorm, trying to resist the urge to turn around and glance at him knowing he was still watching her.
x x x
Author's note: Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Please review!
