Dedicated to 'Hope and Love' as well as Fern, for reviewing! You both get a really big Cookie and a hug!

Chapter 9: Reunions and Velvet-Clad Disasters

"Oh my God!" Susan squealed as they rode up river, nearing the entrance to Rivendell. "I can see her, I can see her!" she said, standing up in her stirrups.

"Careful Susan," Tydd said, watching her nervously. Susan stayed upright and seemed very balanced as she squeaked.

"Ferny!" Jackie yelled, joyously, as she saw Fern standing at a gap in the long line of trees, amongst a large group of people, wearing a long simple flowing gown of warm earth red. Jackie attempted a quick dismount, wanting to rush up to Fern, but she didn't seem to have the skills Susan seemed to possess on the horse and fell flat on her face after catching her foot in the stirrup. Susan laughed heartily.

"Jackie!" Mel groaned.

"Bugger…" Jackie said, pulling herself up. She paused, "Ferny!" she said, sprinting towards Fern, arms outstretched.

"Oh goody!" Susan said, dismounting skilfully and running up to Fern.

"Hey guys!" Fern said, smiling and running out to greet them. Jackie threw her arms around Fern, pulling her into a tight embrace, crushing her ribs.

"You're not dead!" Jackie exclaimed, attempting to hug her tighter.

"Aahh, Jackie, almost dead at the moment," Fern said.

"Oh crap," Jackie said, loosening her death hold.

"Fern!" Susan said, practically crash tackling Fern, throwing her arms around both of them.

"Hey Fern," Jess said, coming over whilst guiding the horses abandoned by Susan and Jackie.

"Fernykins!" Mel called, still astride her horse, waiting for someone to assist her off said horse, not wanting to repeat Jackie's dismount experiences.

"I've missed you all so much!" Fern said, when a girl behind her coughed. "Oh, sorry. Jackie, Mel, Susan, Jess, this is my new friend Daniella. Daniella, this is everyone,"

Elladan kindly helped Mel off her horse and they walked over together, Mel going up to Fern and Elladan to the man standing behind her.

"Father," he said to the man, in greeting.

"Elladan, son," the man replied before embracing him.

"Fern? Should you not introduce us to…?" Mel said, gesturing to the group assembled behind Fern.

"Oh, this is Lord Elrond, he's the twin's dad,"

"Lord?" Mel said, "Well this is quite a first impression," she indicated their travel worn clothes, all riding gear to make the trip easier. The clothes they had first appeared in had not survived their captivity well and most hoped to never see them ever again. 'I'm over flowy,' Mel had said. 'At least, that flowy. Made me look short anyway.'

"We must appear quite a shambles. Forgive us for the moment, Master Elrond," she said, without knowing he also took that title, to her it just seemed to fit. "The road was long and hard. We had felt the need for some haste to determine Fern's wellbeing. My presumption at the moment, however, is that she appears quite well. She even seems to be glowing more then usual,"

"It is no matter; we have rooms prepared for you. Fern can lead you there and Daniella, if she so wishes. They are all in the same wing,"

………………………………………

As they walked, laughing and happy to finally be back together, Fern watched her friends. She noticed some changes in them that they themselves may not have detected.

Jess brimmed with confidence, was no longer shy, though she still remained quiet. It seemed to Fern that with the loss of her shyness she may have gained courage, perhaps she would find herself too brave, too careless.

Jackie laughed as much as ever, though her eyes shone of secrets, inner turmoil and a hint of deep thought, she appeared to be loosing a lot of the carelessness she had previously possessed.

Mel seemed to have unexpected strength and wisdom, not physical strength, but more a mental one. She strode taller and more confidently, choosing her words much more carefully then she once had.

Susan was interesting to Fern. She was still rather loud, yet her mind seemed to not really be there, as if she was subconsciously wishing to be away.

Yet they were still the same people, all laughing happily. Their experiences had changed them, Fern wanted to say, yet she knew that it was something else as well.

Would they detect a change in her?

………………………………………

"This place is breathtaking," Mel said as they walked along a corridor that was similar to an outdoor terrace, yet was inside as well. Mel surmised that they liked nature quite a bit. She felt as if she were outside, yet the roof and one continuous wall, and another which was a roof to floor wall, except with large sections missing, kept trying to say she was inside. To simplify her thoughts she decided that she would could it an outside terrace, leading to rooms and extending along like a hallway.

"Isn't it?" Fern said, agreeing. "And this is only where we are, you should see the healing halls and…" Fern continued on about her wonderful time in Rivendell, and all the wonderful people.

The group had broken off into two smaller ones, which were still partly combined, as they walked. Fern strode, leading the way, walking in step with Susan and Jackie, whilst the other three had fallen just behind.

"Is that the forth time she's mentioned James?" Mel asked.

"Yes," Jess said, watching Fern. "Fifth,"

"Who is he?"

Daniella replied, being the only one who knew. "'e is a Ranger that got injured some time back, just before Fern arrived. He saw her when they rushed 'er in, and they spoke to each other every day. Then 'e got better and moved out, but the Ranger's stayed around – they do that a lot. So when she finally got out of bed they kept bumping into each other. The other day…"

"You kissed someone!" Jackie suddenly exclaimed, loudly, turning to Fern who had been talking about the kitchens.

"How'd 'ya know I was gonna say that?" Daniella demanded.

"What, she did?" Susan exclaimed. "You kissed someone!" she said, her voice reaching impossible octave levels.

In the calamity that followed, Jackie's strange thought was forgotten. At least, for the moment.

……………………………………………..

They all gathered in what, due to previous experiences, would have been called a common room, but instead Mel thought it was more a private sitting room for that wing. All were freshly bathed, 'thank God,' Fern had said, 'you people stink,' and in new clothes that suited them. Clean lines were the way to go.

"I think this is better then those other clothes we had," Mel said, unconsciously smoothing the front of her forest green gown. "More practical, less 'imagined whilst drinking',"

Daniella laughed and Jess grinned, as the others remained silent.

"What are we going to do now?" Susan whined, quietly, referring to their current predicament and the want to remove themselves from this strange place.

Jess looked at Fern and then Daniella, trying to indicate she didn't think they should discuss that in front of her.

"Well I," Mel said, seeming to get the point, "plan to lavish myself in luxury then discover what they do for fun around here,"

"Do you think…" 'they'd have basketball?' Jackie began.

"I highly doubt," Mel said, her voice intoning over Jackie's, "that they'd have many of the activities we used to casually involve ourselves in. They seem to be more a 'sit and contemplate the flower' community,"

There was polite knock on the door.

"Come in," Fern said.

A messenger appeared. "Lord Elrond has requested that you are informed of the forthcoming ball to be held in preface of thee,"

"A ball? When shall such an occasion be held?" Mel asked.

"It is tradition that once an elfling reaches a certain age a celebration is to be planned as a way of introducing them to society, it is tradition that this occurs two months after the person is introduced to the Lord,"

"WHAT AM I GOING TO WEAR?" Susan cried once the man had left.

"Clothes," Jess muttered.

"Always a good idea," Mel concurred.

Susan glared at the two of them before flicking her hair back and looking in the long mirror which was against one of the walls. She twirled in her dress as if to choose colour and style.

"The elves 'ave a good seamstress," Daniella said. "'S'not like I can get any of it though, but I already 'ave somethin',"

"Oh goody!" Susan said, still twirling. "We must go now," she walked towards the door.

"Today?" Daniella asked.

"Yes, of course," Susan said.

"We have a lot to do," Fern added.

"So much to do…" Jackie said.

"So little time," Mel said, sighing.

"Bloody hell," Jess muttered, flopping back onto the couch.

'Jess, get up, idiot. Or I'll…' "Come on Jess, or I'll get you an orange dress," Mel said.

"What's wrong with orange?" Susan asked as Jess stared strangely at Mel.

"Oh, I just don't think it suits me…" Jess said, after a long pause.

…………………………………………..

The dressmaker was frustrated. Very frustrated. Six girls had pilled into her rooms, five of whom wanted some sort of ball gown. Full ball gowns. And they didn't seem to know who would be paying for it either. One of them was screaming so much she was amazed that the entire city hadn't run in, afraid that someone had been killed. Another was pouting in the corner, refusing to wear a dress. 'If she didn't want a dress, why on earth did she come then?' the dressmaker wondered. Another had gone through half her designs already and was saying no to every single one. Apparently, there was just something 'not quite right' about every one. One, the only one whom she seemed to recognise, looked at patterns and asked 'Does it come in pink?' The dress maker was trying very hard not to yell back 'Of course they come in pink! See the pink material? I am a dressmaker, I can make them out of any bloody material I want!' The last one who wanted a dress was standing very quietly in the corner, frequently rolling her eyes at her friends. The dress maker decided this may be the one to speak to.

"They always do this, to varying degrees," the girl said as she approached. "I'm Jess. Want some advice? Susan over there," she said, pointing, "likes poofy things, and her hair, anything in style she'll have an interest in," the dressmaker began to take notes. "Now Fern, she adores pink, minor obsession there, nothing too revealing, but she'll still want to seem 'sexy'…"

"Pardon?"

"She still wants to be impressive, to impress what's-his-name. Jackie, doesn't really like dresses, actually she hates them, more then I do, not bright colours or anything, no fancy trim."

"No trim?" the dressmaker gasped.

"No,"

"Oh dear,"

"And then there's Mel," she said, sighing, "she's complicated. She likes elegant, sophisticated dresses. She likes greens and reds. Takes a long time to make up her mind, so as soon as she tells you what dress she wants, start making it straight away so she can't change her mind, cause she'll feel too guilty making you change it,"

"Ok," the dressmaker said, looking down at her notes. "What about you?"

"Something simple, probably blue. No poof, clean lines,"

"For a ball?

"Make it simple ball,"

"Does that even exist?" Mel said, appearing next to Jess.

"It does now,"

"Alright," Mel said, disappearing back among the material samples.

"So, do you think you can do that?" Jess asked.

The dressmaker sat down and watched the girls, and began to draw.

……………………………………….

Elrond, Lord of all the realm and Master of Healing, and Glorfindel, Balrog slayer, were discussing wardrobes.

"I find that a light blue suits my complexion marvellously," Glorfindel said.

"You seem to wear it often,"

"Now that we're on the topic," Glorfindel said, "I must discuss with you Erestors' clothing choice for the forth coming ball,"

"Are you quite serious?" Elrond said, raising an eyebrow.

"Not really, though it is horrible,"

"I heard that!" Erestor said marching into the room.

"And what do you want?" Glorfindel said, addressing the Chief Councillor.

"I'm here to discuss our guests,"

"What about them?" Elrond asked.

………………………………………………

Jackie was reading a message from Elrond aloud to the group.

"It has come to the attention of the Chief Councillor and I that thee may not be well versed in our culture and we have concluded that; if thou were so inclined to familiarise oneself with said culture, Lord Glorfindel puts himself at your disposal if you wish to learn about traditions associated with formal gatherings, such as the forthcoming ball, in thy honour. These include; formal dancing with partner, first and foremost our traditional dances; formal dining and the customs associated with such; presentation (introduction); traditional songs and poems as voiced after the main celebration. However, if thou so wishes, Chief Councillor Erestor is available for the teaching of history and such.

Sincerely,

Master Elrond of Rivendell"

Jackie looked up from what she had been reading, her eyes wide. "Does that say…?

"Formal dancing?" Mel exclaimed.

"I love dancing! Let's get jiggy with it!" Susan said.

"This, I fear, is mildly different," Mel replied.

"We've done formal dancing before, hello, for formal," Susan droned.

"I highly doubt dancing for formal, which was taken largely not seriously, is of the same calibre of that danced here,"

"Then, we have a problem," Jess said.

"What problem?" Fern asked.

"Can any of us really dance?"

"I don't think so,"

"Thus, the problem,"

………………………………………………

The library at Rivendell was gloriously empty as Glorfindel began to immerse himself in a book entitled 'There and back again', which, according to some friends it was a must read.

As he tilted the book to investigate the map provided in more detail, he heard footsteps, loud for an elf, yet quiet for a human. He felt someone sit down next to him and wait, what appeared patiently, for him to notice them. He looked up slowly, making sure to absorb all the information possible in preparation for his next attempt at reading.

Sitting next to him he saw one of the mysterious elflings. He had been introduced to them and he tried to recall her name. He'd perceived this one as more of a talker then a fighter, yet she possessed some skill in that area.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, and he saw her smooth the front of her dress down in what he supposed to be an unconscious gesture, perhaps to sooth nerves. "We, meaning myself and those others with whom I associate, have just received a message from Master Elrond where he states that you…"

"Oh, so you wish to learn how to dance," he said, interrupting.

"Yes," she replied, "since we are sure our styles are much different,"

………………………………………………

"So what type of dancing can you do?" Glorfindel asked the girls later that same day as they stood in an empty room.

"Tons," Susan said, and began to nut-bush, easily transitioning into the jive, partnerless, which changed to some head bopping type dance. Behind her; Jackie and Mel were doing a miniature version of the 'Staying Alive' dance; Fern twirled and Jess stood there awkwardly, refusing to do any sort of movement.

"We're screwed," Jess observed.

"I don't want to hear that defeatist attitude. I want to hear you upbeat," Fern said, turning to Jess.

"We're screwed!" Jess said, feigning cheerfulness.

"That's much better," Mel drawled.

"Alright, pair up and we shall start at the beginning. Now I have brought along some men to assist, as you are not meant to lead, and they may need the help if they plan to stay,"

The door to the room opened and in walked five men. Fern identified very easily as Rangers. One of whom was none other then James. She sighed, blushed and refused to meet his eyes as they stood in two lines facing each other.

Glorfindel began the music and pushed the two groups together. The rangers had some sort of rhythm, and knew the steps. Luckily, being Rangers, they knew how to lead, so the girls found themselves dancing quite easily as they were guided. That, however, doesn't mean feet weren't stood on. The Rangers were frequently wincing, though were much too tough to say anything. Though, after awhile one did react.

"Bloody hell girl! You're doing that on purpose!"

"So?" Jackie giggled.

"Stop! Stop! Stop!" Glorfindel demanded. "You must take this seriously! As the guests of honour you are expected to open the ball!"

"As in?" Fern inquired.

"The five of you are the first to dance!"

"Wait," Fern said suddenly realising what that implied, "Does that mean we are expected to have partners?"

"Of course,"

"What! A date!" Jackie squealed. Glorfindel nodded.

Jess paled considerably. Susan looked apprehensive. Fern was eyeing off one of the Rangers. Mel seemed to be going through some eternal struggle; she bit her lip, deep in thought. Jackie stared at Glorfindel, not sure how to react.

………………………………………

"Do it," Mel whispered, pushing Fern forwards.

"Go on then," Daniella said.

Fern discreetly looked around her, to determine if anyone else was there. There were only four people in the hallway. Mel and Daniella were pushing Fern towards James.

"Have some guts woman," Mel muttered.

"Mel," Fern warned, angry.

"Hello, James is it?" Mel said, ignoring her friend and walking up to the Ranger, pulling Fern behind her. "I'm Fern's friend, Melinda, you may call me Mel,"

"Hello Mel, Fern, Daniella," he said, smiling.

"Are you going to the ball next week?"

"Looking forward to it," he said, sounding very suggestive.

"Good, as Fern here…"

…………………………………………

"Hail, Prince Legolas of Mirkwood," King Aragorn of Gondor said as he lead the representatives of Gondor to the entrance of Rivendell, where a contingent of representatives from the realm of Mirkwood where approaching from the north.

"Hail Lord Aragorn of Gondor, and thy mighty Queen, Arwen of Gondor and Rivendell," Legolas said, returning his formal greeting.

"Hail brother," an elf, who resembled Legolas very closely, said from his place next to Legolas, to Aragorn.

"Hail brother," Aragorn replied.

They dismounted as they arrived at the entrance to Rivendell and exchanged greetings and embraces.

"And where is Gimli?" Aragorn asked his friend.

"Off digging some hole somewhere. He will be here shortly," Legolas replied. He laughed, hearing something the humans did not. "The twins are here,"

"Arwen! We…" Elrohir began.

"…missed you!" Elladan finished.

"What have these dreadful humans been doing to you?"

"They are a horrible influence on you, dear sister!"

"You should snatch her away," Legolas suggested.

"Oh indeed, take her off my hands," Aragorn said.

"I think father heard that," Arwen told him.

………………………………………

Music floated up the stairway, its calm sounds entering the loud antechamber which was filled with panic. Previously hidden and forgotten about insecurities were arising.

"Do I look alright?" Mel asked for the millionth time.

"No Mel, you look absolutely horrendous!" Jess snapped sarcastically.

"How kind," Mel muttered.

"Is my hair alright? I don't think it's poofy enough," Susan asked.

"I look crap," Jackie whined.

"You do not Jackie!" Fern insisted. "You all look perfectly fine," she was immediately assaulted with cries of 'No I don't'. "Oh would you all shut the hell up!" she bellowed. The others immediately went quiet. "Now we are going to go out there, descend those damn stairs, do a bloody dance and you're going to freaking enjoy it whether you like it or not!" she commanded.

"You tell 'em Fern!" Jess cheered.

"Oh shut up!"

"Well don't blame me then if you mysteriously get stabbed in your sleep," she muttered.

"Et tu Brutus?" Mel said, startled.

………………………………………

The doors loomed ominously in front of them. Next to them a herald stood in full finery, standing tall and clearing his throat, preparing. Torches burned slowly, crackling and creating small shadows. Susan shifted nervously, trying to calm her breathing. She looked around at the others. Jess was leaning against the wall muttering something under her breath. Jackie was sitting was on the floor, staring intently at the door, suddenly she smiled and visibly relaxed. Fern stood near Jess, trying not to bite her manicured nails, with little success. Mel was standing next to the herald, speaking extremely quickly and ultimately confusing the poor man.

"It's time," he said, breaking away from Mel.

The girls huddled together near the door.

"How do we…stand?" Mel asked.

"Any position,"

"Shotgun banister," Mel announced.

"Ditto," Jess added.

They immediately arranged themselves in some sort of order, with Mel and Jess on either side. Fern clasped Jackie's hand nervously.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes," Fern said after a moment.

The two great doors were pulled open…

A/N: Sorry for the long wait but Mel and I have been really busy with our last year at high school. The next chapter has been started but I'm not sure when we will have time to complete it as we have Exams coming up then schoolies and then get a job and then starting Uni…etc.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you could, Please review and give us some encouragement in writing some more!