Thank you to my lovely reviewers amrawo and anon. Rennes is pronounced like the beginning of renaissance, with no S sound at the end. Why will become evident later.
Please review because I need encouragement to keep writing!
In the evening, after Legolas had spent the day resting in the midst of his beautiful surroundings, wandering through the gardens surrounding the house or turning the pages of the old books in the library, he was recalled from his peace by Arwen who led him down to the dining hall. He was placed in an honourable position, but one where he would be afforded entertaining conversation and merriment, next to Elrond's sons.
Rennes sat at Elrond's table, and he was surprised to see that other diners included five halflings, or hobbits as they are known to themselves, only one of which he knew; Bilbo, an old one who had passed through Mirkwood in a company of dwarves, long ago and had retrodden his path recently as well. Legolas remembered him as an entertaining fellow, bright and open and able in conversation, even in elvish. He seemed to be recounting some of his exploits even now, to the other four, who seemed much younger, though one was not as joyful as his youth suggested. Legolas wondered at this one's sombre mood, but was distracted by the sight of two other guests; Elessar and Gandalf, neither of whom he had thought to see.
Elessar was known to him as Aragorn, descendent of Isildur and a true elf friend. He was not surprised to see how close he attended on the Lady Arwen, and she on him. He had long suspected that Elrond's daughter had inherited more traits from her father's human side than she showed, and though her beauty was likened to her Grandmother Galadriel's, Aragorn was a brave man, and with the extra life granted to him by his heritage he could see why she would find him very attractive.
Gandalf however, was a surprise entirely. He had not heard news of the wizard in many months and was concerned by the seemingly serious turn his conversation with Elrond had taken, especially when he saw that Rennes was between them, also looking solemn, and he suspected it was her they were discussing. To interrupt their conversation would be intolerably rude of him though; he could not put himself forward in such a way.
Elrond's son Elrohir was beside him to distract him anyway,
"They eat well don't they?" Legolas was startled, until he saw Elrohir's gaze was still on the Hobbits.
"For their size I am amazed they do not rend their stomachs apart indeed. It is a long time since I saw Bilbo properly, and it seems his companions eat even more than he!" he looked at Elrohir questioningly and the other Elf looked uncomfortable.
"He has come to rest in his old age."
"With four young and boisterous companions? That does not seem relaxing." Elrohir shifted uncomfortably again. Elves did not like to lie at all, but Legolas could see Elrohir was trying to hide something as clearly as he had seen Arwen attempt to.
"Glorfindel brought those four here, with Elessar; the dark haired one, Frodo, was injured and needed my father's healing."
"They have come a long way for healing; it must have been severe indeed."
"He carried something for my father's sight. I am sure you will be told in time, but I do not want to speak of it here." Elrohir leaned over to his brother and changed the conversation to a discussion of archery, which Legolas was quickly drawn into, but he could hardly contain his curiosity into the coinciding mysteries of Rennes and now this hobbit, Frodo.
When the company left the confines of the hall to sing, he went with them but engineered his placing to stand next to Rennes. "My lady" he bowed and took her hand leading her to the edge of the gathering, near where the hobbits had gathered to listen to the singing, still clutching some bread and a fruit bowl. She was content as he was to stand aside and listen to the singing of their fellows, for which Rivendell was famed throughout Middle Earth, but he wished to do more than listen to song, he wanted to listen to answers too.
"My lady, when shall we start your weapons training? Tomorrow perhaps?" he made his voice sound casual, a difficult feat to achieve while battling his curiosity.
"So soon?" she looked slightly perturbed at the suggestion, and had the same closed faced as Elrohir and Arwen had both worn when he had questioned them.
"Why yes; it is never too soon to learn how to protect yourself, in these dangerous times."
She struggled to keep her unease under the surface as she prevaricated.
"I am still very tired from our journey. My wound has not quite healed yet, I don't wish to give myself more immediately." She smiled but distracting as her beauty was he was tenacious in his quest.
"Yes, it would have been better to have allowed yourself rest rather than talking with Elrond and Gandalf for the whole day." She blushed slightly at his cool observation but turned her gaze away from his face, onto the singers.
Her profile was even more beautiful, the long lashed deep blue eyes fixed on the group, the set of her lips and chin determined, but still soft and feminine, and slightly frightened. Legolas felt his heart go out to her, this princess who had been so suddenly plunged into a world or danger, confiding only in the wise, not the compassionate. He reached out a hand and laid it upon her shoulder, offering comfort.
"My lady, what trouble so you hide? Please tell me how I can help you."
She looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and fear.
"You can't help me. No one can. This is something I must do myself. I can't let you help me." She brushed past him, tears beginning to fall as she ran through the arch into the gardens, and Legolas could feel Elrond's accusing eyes on his back as he looked after her.
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