Chapter 9

Ron winced as he sat down for dinner. His body was aching all over from his training and he was so tired, he couldn't decide if his hunger was enough of reason to stay awake.

"Ai Valar, Ron, you look exhausted." said Mornefindon, regarding him with worry.

"I am exhausted!" snapped Ron, leaning heavily on the table. Mornefindon raised his eyebrows at Ron's tone. Ron sighed, and sagged. "Goheno nin." he apologised, "I'm just-"

"Exhausted." finished Maidhion wryly, sitting across from him.

"Exactly."

"You have bee working hard. Maybe you need a rest." said Mornefindon. "We could go to the springs tomorrow."

"Springs?"

"Yes, Rivendell has a hot spring that will help ease your body's aches."

"Um… ok, if Legolas, Glorfindel and Lothiriel will let me."

"Legolas and Glorfindel will say yes I'm sure. Lothiriel…" Mornefindon shrugged, then his hand shot out and seized the wrist of a passing blonde elf Ron knew to see. "Calanon! Excellent timing."

"Yes Mornefindon?" Calanon blushed as he looked down at the brunette.

"Can you convince Lothiriel to let Ron have a day off tomorrow? He needs a rest, we're going to take him to the spring."

"Tomorrow?" repeated Calanon, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. Why?"

"Have you forgotten who is returning tomorrow?" Calanon's tone was a strange mix of amused and annoyed.

Mornefindon frowned in confusion. Then it cleared and he flushed, "Oh… oh yes."

"Indeed." Calanon nodded, slipping his wrist out of Mornefindon's grip. "So I sincerely doubt she would even miss him."

"Hannon le." said Mornefindon, now flushing. His dark eyes met the green ones of Calanon and they stared at each other for a long moment. Ron looked between them in confusion.

"What?" he asked to no one in particular. Maidhion shook his head,

"Haldir is coming back to Rivendell tomorrow. When he's here, Lothiriel forgets anyone else exists. Enjoy it while he's here, she'll be so happy to see him, she'll forget she hates you."

Ron's eyes widened, "Seriously?"

"Mmhm!"

"How come?"

Maidhion smirked, "Don't be naïve mellon nin."

Ron frowned, then blushed, "Oh! You mean they're-"

"Not exactly." said Mornefindon in a clipped tone. Ron glanced around to see Calanon was gone and Mornefindon looked disapproving.

"Hang on… is this the same Haldir that Glorfindel called Legolas' brother in law? But that would mean he's married to one of Legolas' sisters, and Lothiriel is his niece-"

"Haldir, marry? That I'd like to see!" laughed Maidhion.

"I think Glorfindel calls him that to annoy Legolas."

"Why?"

"Because Legolas, like many, does not… well…"

"Like Haldir?"

"No, that's not it." Maidhion looked unsure, "I'm not sure we should-"

"He's going to notice when Haldir arrives, may as well warn him." sighed Mornefindon.

"Very well, but after we've eaten. If Lothiriel hears us…"

"Good point."

Ron ate as fast and as much as he could without throwing up. Elvish food was light and tasty, but he was learning to stay away from their wine. When he was done, he followed Maidhion and Mornefindon out of the grand hall and up to his own bedroom. Once there, the elves sat on his bed, and Ron sat on the chair by his desk.

"Ok, so what is it about this Haldir that's such a problem?"

Mornefindon and Maidhion shared a look and sighed, Mornefindon speaking,

"Very well. Firstly, Haldir is a very respected person in our world, you must remember it, because otherwise his attitude is intolerable."

"In your language you would call him a smug bastard." said Maidhion. Ron chuckled.

"He is a great warrior, he fought in the Last Alliance of Men and Elves that saw the first defeat of Sauron, and he led the defence of Lothlórien as the Marchwarden of the Realm. He was one of the last elves to leave Middle Earth and he was one of the Mentors of the elves born in Valinor in the Art of fighting."

"And that's not even covering the things he has done here since he came back. He's one of our best spies now."

"Ok… so what's the problem? What's this got to do with Lothiriel?" asked Ron.

"Well… tis Lothiriel's tale to tell, but when she came to this world after Legolas… something happened." Maidhion looked deeply uncomfortable.

"Actually more than one thing happened that has hurt her, in her fea or soul, as much as her body."

"Ok…"

"Legolas was ready to send her back to Valinor to heal. But then Haldir arrived and… well they have a very unusual relationship."

"A bad one?"

"Not exactly. Perhaps it is not the healthiest, but it does not do any real harm."

"Right… but it makes others uncomfortable?"

"Yes. Especially Legolas."

"He doesn't like Haldir messing around with his niece?"

"Partly, but he also doesn't approve of how Lothiriel behaves. It's as much about what she has done as Haldir. They are both adults, and Legolas loves them both, and he fears they harm each other more than help. But neither of them have shown any interest in stopping what they do."

"Merlin! What do they do?"

Mornefindon sighed, "All we shall tell you, is that after a while, Lothiriel slips into a darkness that no one else can get her out of except Haldir. But what he does to get her out of it is not very normal for elves."

"What does he do?"

"That really is not our business, but of course, everyone knows about it."

"We're only telling you because things might be uncomfortable for a few days, but at the same time, you'll probably find Lothiriel in the best mood you've ever seen."

"Can't imagine that." sighed Ron.

"She's very beautiful when she is happy." sighed Mornefindon, eyes glazing over with remembrance.

"What happened that was so bad she hates all humans?"

"We cannot tell you. She won't speak of it, so we only know what has been slipped by Legolas and the twins."

"So the twins know, and Legolas knows?"

"Of course, they were the ones who saved her."

"And, she hates wizards more than muggles."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"We don't know."

"But she is your friend?"

"Yes. But remember, we grew up together, but we spent four hundred years apart."

Ron's headache became full blown. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. Mornefindon and Maidhion gave him apologetic smiles and got off the bed.

"You should get some sleep. Don't worry about waking for breakfast or anything like that. We'll come and get you at a nice hour."

"Hannon le mellyn nin."

The two nodded and left Ron alone. Ron wanted to think about what they had said. But the bed called to him like a veela and he found himself falling onto it and drifting to sleep before he could even remove his clothing.


The next day, Ron awoke when Mornefindon, Calanon, Maidhion and Barathan arrived at his bedroom door. With them were two elleths that Ron had seen about, but never actually spoken to. One was a tall blonde, and the other was black haired.

"Mára aurë." said Maidhion, "This is Erulassë, and Vanya."

Vanya was the dark haired one, her fingers linked with Barathan's. Barathan did not seem capable of looking away from her, eyes glazed with adoration. Erulassë was the blonde and she was trying not to laugh as Ron scrambled out of his bed and got tangled in the blankets.

"Sorry! I was just-"

"We told you we would come and get you." said Mornefindon, holding a tray of food.

"I didn't expect a whole troop." sighed Ron, finally managing to sit up and put his feet on the floor.

"Apologies. But we were making an escape as much as fetching you." said Mornefindon, giving him the tray.

"Escape from what?" asked Ron, picking up the glass of juice and sipping.

"Haldir has arrived." muttered Calanon.

"Oh."

"I assume these two have filled you in." said Vanya, smirking.

"Somewhat."

"Good."

"He's also arrived with Revion, and so things are a bit tense downstairs."

"Revion is Legolas' brother, yeah?"

"Exactly."

"What is this?" asked Erulassë, picking up Ron's packet of Exploding Snap.

"Exploding Snap."

"Exploding?" she asked, looking intrigued.

"Yes. The trick is that when you're playing if they explode during your turn, you lose."

Erulassë chuckled, "Easily bored, are you wizards?"

Ron was about to snap 'no'. Then he considered it for a moment, and shrugged,

"Maybe a little."

"Oh! A chess board." said Calanon, picking it up. As he picked up the black queen, she squealed up at him, making the elves jump.

"Put me down heathen!" she shrieked up at him.

"Oi, pipe down." snapped Ron. "You'd better put her down Calanon, she doesn't like being bothered when she's not being played."

Calanon slowly put the queen, looking slightly shocked. The queen shook her tiny fist up at him, then returned to her square and went still.

"… your chess pieces talk to you?" asked Vanya, looking astonished.

"Yeah. Wizards Chess is like that. That lot don't shut up. But that's because they're old and think they know better."

"Are the rules the same?" asked Calanon.

"More or less. If you want we can play a game." said Ron.

"Yes, I'd like that." said Calanon. "I liked learning when Lothiriel taught me."

"Lothiriel plays?"

"She became interested in it when she and Legolas paid a visit to India, where the game originated."

"We can bring it with us if you want."

Calanon nodded, then hesitated, "Erm, maybe you should pick it up."

Ron laughed. Soon after he was changing in his bathroom and brushing his hair, while the elves, curious beyond their control, poked around at his stuff. Ron had never thought that his possessions would interest them, but he supposed they were very unusual to this other species. He wished he had a broom to show them. Shrugging to himself, Ron set down his brush and walked back into his room. Maidhion and Vanya had their noses buried in two of his school books. One was his History of Magic and the other was Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, while Barathan was ignoring Erulassë's attempts to show him one of Ron's Chudley Cannon posters.

"Ready?" asked Mornefindon, who had been standing on the balcony. Ron nodded.

"May I borrow this?" asked Vanya, holding up his Fantastic Beasts book. Ron nodded.

"Sure. I don't read it anymore."

"Really? But it's fascinating! I've never heard of some of these animals."

"Yeah well…" Ron flushed, shrugging his shoulders. He felt embarrassed at his own dismissal of his world, a world he took for granted. He had to admit he found the muggle world and the elvish world far more interesting now.

"Come on! The springs await." said Mornefindon, pushing Ron towards the door. Ron managed to scoop up his chess board and pieces as he went by his desk. The group walked through the house and there was a sense of urgency in their movements, as if they were trying to rush out without being noticed. Then-

"Ah!"

Ron was brought to a halt when Maidhion ahead of him stopped at the voice. They all looked to the right and Ron knew at once that the elf swaggering up to them was the infamous Haldir. Tall, handsome, lips forming a natural smirk on his face, he was dressed in red and blue, with an emblem of a golden tree on his breast. Ron felt his face heating up inexplicably as the Marchwarden reached them, blue eyes resting on his face.

"So this is the adan I've heard all about." Haldir's drawl was smooth and light, reminding Ron of Lucius Malfoy's voice. "I am Haldir."

"Ron Weasley. Mae govannen." Ron gave a small bow to Haldir, who returned the gesture. It was only then that he noticed that Lothiriel was with him. Haldir was such a physical presence in front of him, he had not noticed her, in fact he had only noticed her because Haldir's hand was resting on the back of her neck, like she was an extension of his body. As Haldir straightened up, Lothiriel slid closer to him, a demure smile on her lips. Despite being almost as tall as Haldir, who was the same height as Elrond, she looked smaller standing next to this unusually broad elf.

"Lord Elrond has informed me that when you are prepared, I will be your guide through the non-magical world. He tells me you are unfamiliar with it."

Ron felt his face heating up. But he held his head high, "It's true. I have lived mostly among wizards, and most of my contact with muggles is through my best friends, who grew up among them."

"Your friends are from non-magical families?" asked Haldir, raising an eyebrow.

"Hermione is, her parents have no magical ability. Harry's parents were, but they were killed by Voldemort and he grew up with his muggle relatives."

"Ah, yes. Your friend is Harry Potter. The famous boy." said Haldir. His tone oozed such arrogance that Ron was unsure if Harry was being mocked or if that was just how Haldir always talked.

"Yeah, that's him."

"Well, I'm sure you'll be more aware of the non-magical world by the time you come with me."

"Sure." said Ron, feeling uneasy for a reason he could not place. Haldir nodded, then glanced at Lothiriel, who met his gaze with open adoration. Haldir's smirk widened and Ron noticed his fingers spreading over the back of her neck, as if to hold her tighter.

"Well, we should go. Glorfindel wants a proper debriefing. Garo arad vaer."

"And to you." said Ron, watching as Haldir slid his hand down Lothiriel's back to rest at her waist as he pulled her along with him. At the same time as the couple turned away, Mornefindon grabbed Ron's arm and tugged him away. They did not speak or slow down until they were in the forest.

"Elbereth!" hissed Mornefindon.

"Calm down mellon nin." sighed Erulassë.

"I hate how she behaves around him!"

"As do I. But it is her choice."

Mornefindon sighed and nodded. Ron was torn between asking questions and not wanting to know. He was relieved when they reached the springs. It was in a small area that was surrounded by trees, sheltered in a small valley. The spring smelled of salt and other minerals, and gave off a soft plume of steam. Ron looked around and realised he had not brought any swimming trunks with him.

"Erm… Mornefindon?"

"Yes?" asked Mornefindon, pulling out his ponytail and running his fingers through his brown hair.

"I don't have anything to swim in."

"Hmm?" Mornefindon frowned at him uncomprehendingly as he pulled his tunic off. Ron glanced around and his face went from normal to on fire in a heartbeat as Vanya pulled her dress off, revealing that she wore nothing underneath. "Ron, are you all right?"

"Uh…" Ron looked around at Mornefindon, who was naked from the waist up and undoing his trousers. "I…"

"You're very red penneth." said Maidhion. "Are you ill?"

"N-no." Ron did not know what to do. He found himself surrounded on all sides by naked elves and did not know where to look.

"Oh!" Erulassë laughed, clapping her hands together, "How sweet, he's embarrassed by our naked bodies."

"Oh, goheno nin Ron, I forgot edain were uncomfortable with revealing themselves." said Mornefindon, looking apologetic and now very naked.

"Well, it depends on where they are from." said Legolas' voice behind them. Ron whirled around to find Legolas climbing out of the spring, as naked as the rest of them. "In Britain, where Ron is from, nudity is very embarrassing for them. But in other places, it is not such an issue."

"Why is it so embarrassing for them ernil nin?" asked Vanya, taking the plaits out of her hair. Legolas smirked, eyes fixed on Ron, who was still blushing, as he picked up a towel and started drying himself off.

"It's all about sexuality."

"Ah."

Apparently that explained everything for the elves who proceeded to move towards the water, leaving Ron standing there feeling like he had been hit in the face by a bludger.

"Come on Ron, strip and get in here!" called Mornefindon. "The water will ease your pain."

"Sore from training?" Legolas' tone was knowing as he rubbed his hair with the towel.

"Yeah. But I don't think I can… I just…"

"If you're not comfortable, don't go in." said Legolas kindly. "You're not an elf, we don't expect you to think like one."

"I… I just…" Ron had no idea how to explain that he couldn't even think about taking his clothes off, not after seeing Vanya and Erulassë like that. It was too obvious how much it had affected him. However, Legolas' eyes dropped down and he repressed a smirk as he looked up again.

"Ah. I see."

Ron didn't think he could blush any redder. But Legolas smiled at him with kindness in his eyes and said,

"Don't worry. You can keep the trousers on and get in. They won't tease you."

Ron exhaled with relief and pulled off his outer and inner tunic, boots and socks before walking to the waters edge and climbing in.

"At last!" laughed Maidhion. "We thought you would never get in."

Ron gave a weak smile as he ducked into the water up to his chin and sighed at the warmth. He could actually feel all the tension leaving his body. Then it swooped right back in as Calanon grabbed his shoulders and dug his fingers in, massaging them.

"Gah! What are you doing?"

"Massaging your shoulders, what do you think?" asked Calanon sounding perplexed by his reaction. "You're all tense. Just relax."

Ron sat in the water, stiff as a board as Calanon rubbed his shoulders, feeling so uncomfortable he could not move.

"Is something wrong?" asked Mornefindon, straightening up and stepping closer. "You look… uncomfortable."

"I am." grunted Ron. Calanon took his hands away at once.

"Goheno nin." he apologised, stepping away. "I did not mean to upset you. I was trying to help."

"No! It's ok…" Ron straightened up, "I know. I'm just not used to that sort of thing."

"What? Massages?"

"Yeah. No one does that… I mean, I don't do that."

"So you don't spend much time naked, or being massaged?"

"Nope."

"Sounds… rather lonely."

"Lonely? I have six siblings, and in school I'm surrounded by my friends and classmates. How can that be lonely?" Ron shook his head, smirking at the idea that he was lonely.

"But, how often do they hug you? Kiss you? Touch you?"

Ron's face was beginning to burn again. Vanya raised her eyebrows at him,

"By your expression we can gather that doesn't happen much." she said, sliding into Barathan's lap, her arm slipping around his shoulders. Barathan pressed his lips to her bare shoulder, holding her close. "Have your friends ever kissed you?"

"No! Merlin, why would they? I don't fancy them!" Even as he spoke, Hermione's face flashed across his mind, and he was blushing for a new reason.

"You mean you don't find them attractive?"

"Yeah, exactly."

"So you don't have a kiss of friendship?"

Ron squirmed, wishing they would change the subject.

"British people are very protective of their personal space, now leave the poor adan alone. He looks like he wants the water to swallow him up." called Legolas. Ron had almost forgotten about him. He turned to see Legolas rebraiding his hair, and gave him a grateful look. Legolas smiled and inclined his head.

"I suppose you would know a bit about his people. You've met some of his monarchs." said Calanon, changing the subject rather obviously. Ron did not mind at all.

"I have met two." said Legolas calmly.

"Which ones?" asked Ron.

"Well, I met Queen Elizabeth in 1586. And then I met King James II briefly."

"I know about Queen Elizabeth. She's supposed to have been a Squib. Her mum was a witch."

"So they said. Is it true?"

"Yeah. Actually, Maidhion, did you bring my book with you?"

"Yes, it's by my clothes."

"I think it's mentioned in there. You can take a look."

Legolas hummed and reached out, finding the book and opening it up.

"What was she like?" asked Ron.

"Queen Elizabeth?"

"Yeah."

"Very vain. Very confident." said Legolas, some distaste in his tone.

"You didn't like her?"

Legolas looked up from the book, eyes dark, "No."

"Why not?" Ron winced at the sound of his own voice. He sounded like a child to his own ears. Legolas sighed as he turned the pages of the book, frowning in thought.

"Come Legolas, tell us!" said Maidhion, splashing to the edge of the pool and leaning on it. "Was she too stuffy?"

Legolas sighed again and looked up at them, seeming to take the group of younger people before him, considering them before finally he spoke.

"It's partly her fault Lothiriel is the way she is."

Mornefindon pushed Ron aside slightly as he stepped closer. Ron glanced around and noticed that none of the elves looked like they knew what Legolas was talking about.

"What do you mean?" Mornefindon demanded. Legolas shut the book with one hand and worried his lower lip for a moment.

"I shan't say much. But Lothiriel was one of Queen Elizabeth's ladies-in-waiting and as she got older and Lothiriel stayed fair, she grew jealous. When Lothiriel refused to obey a command, the Queen had her beaten. And then she did worse."

"She never said." muttered Maidhion, sounding upset.

"She never speaks of any of it!" snapped Calanon. Ron found himself becoming quite sick of Lothiriel and hearing about her.

"Well, she is ashamed of it." said Legolas, setting the book down. "Oh, Ron, when you have a moment I would like to introduce you to my brother Revion. He will show you some of the non magical human things he has collected. Some of them seem rather fun."

"What does he have?" asked Erulassë.

"Among other things he has something called a 'Gameboy'. And a game he called Pokémon to play on it."

"Never heard of either."

"They're rather popular at the moment."

"Speaking of games, Ron, you promised to show me wizards chess." said Calanon, looking at Ron hopefully.

"Oh yeah, right. C'mon and we'll set up the board."


Reviews are always appreciated.

Night's Darkness