Chapter 10
Several months had passed since Lorwen was finally accepted to follow regular lessons with the other elflings. These classes mainly consisted of boys, but there were some she-elflings in it, too. It was hard for her to fit in at first, being so young and all, but she quickly made some friends. She worked very hard and became one of the best of her class.
Most teachers tended to treat her differently than they did with the other students because of her age, but Lorwen proved to them that she wanted to learn and would work the same way the others did. Many of the other elflings laughed at her, but she managed to set them straight.
Lorwen never had many friends when she was not allowed to go to school because she didn't want to play with them. Now, all she wanted to do was play with them, but school still came first.
One day, they were playing a game where one girl and one boy elfling had to carry a red cloth. The ones with the red cloth had to try and tag somebody else while the others ran around trying to not be tagged. The person who was unlucky enough to be tagged had to tie the red cloth around their arms and could only start running after the others when the knot was made.
Shrieks were heard all over the area as the elflings dodged the ones with the red cloth. They made a contest of it. The one who wore the cloth the least would be the winner. So far, Lorwen and a boy called Isund were the best ones because Lorwen was the smallest and it was easy for her to escape, and Isund was the fastest runner. At the moment, the boy and the girl who were wearing the cloths were both close friends to Isund, so they went after Lorwen instead.
She saw them both coming for her and started running in a different direction. They gained on her quite fast, but then she started zigzagging between the elves that walked in her path. Seeing her dad standing a few feet away, she decided to look over her shoulder only to see them gaining on her.
Not all of the elves were happy about the fact that these elflings almost ran them over, but most of them just smiled at them.
Lorwen had almost reached Haldir, but she hadn't noticed that he was talking with somebody. She wanted to go around him in a loop and run back the way she had came.
Looking back over her shoulder once more, she saw that the elflings were stopping. Lorwen continued to run, still looking over her shoulder and wondering why they had stopped. Just as she was turning her head to look forward, she ran into somebody and they both tumbled to the ground in a maze of robes and hair.
Lorwen was afraid that she was in so much trouble that she couldn't even move. Then she felt strong arms pulling her off the ground and setting her on her feet again.
Haldir had been so surprised and amazed by what had just transpired that it took him several seconds before he bent over to pick Lorwen off the ground. Setting her down next to him, he continued to help the person he had been talking to, before Lorwen ran into him, back to his feet.
Lorwen was so scared that the elf she ran into was going to be so furious that she quickly stepped behind Haldir and looked up at him. Haldir saw her fear and reassured her with a smile.
When the elf in front of Haldir had recovered from the shock of being run over he looked at her. He didn't seem to be mad, but just the opposite for that matter for he was laughing.
"Now that is something that hasn't happened to me for several years," he laughed. "You don't have to be afraid little one," he continued between breaths. "My sons used to run into me all the time when they were about your age."
Haldir gently pushed Lorwen forward, and she reluctantly stepped forward to greet this elf.
"I'm sorry I ran into you, sir," she said quickly, not daring to look up at him. "I will be more careful next time. I hope I didn't hurt you."
Having said that, she wanted to hide again behind her father's legs but the elf in front of her started laughing and knelt down in front of her.
"Such a polite way to apologize, who could resist it?" he smiled when he took her arms in his hands. "My name is Elrond Peredhil of Imladris, and who might you be little one?"
"Lorwen Haldiriel, sir," she replied.
Elrond tried to hide his surprise. He and his family hadn't been to Lorien for the last 15 years, but they had kept in close contact for those years. They never knew that Haldir had a daughter. None of the messengers must have thought it to be important enough to tell them.
"So Lorwen, how old are you?" he asked.
"I'm 10, sir, almost 11 now," she said proudly as if it was quite an accomplishment. "And you sir?" she asked bluntly, surprising them all by the sudden question. Elrond began laughing once more.
Elrond eyed the child before him, mirth filling his ancient eyes. "Let's just say I've seen many sunrises over this world," he said standing back up.
Lorwen did not reply, but looked at the elf with a sense of respect. If he had refused to tell her his age, then he must be really old.
"Lorwen, why don't you run off and play some more with your friends a little while longer before you do you homework?" Haldir asked her.
"Alright Ada," Lorwen said and began to run off again, but she stopped and turned.
"Nice to meet you Elrond," she said politely and shook his hand. "I hope you'll have a good stay here."
"Thank you, Lorwen, I'm surely will," he answered and watched her run off.
Elrond turned to Haldir, a questioning look in his eyes. Haldir caught his gaze and understood what the other elf wondered.
"It's just the two of us," Haldir explained and watched as Elrond nodded. "I found her in the forest 10 years ago, near a massacre."
"Then how come you are her Ada. Surely there are families here that would have taken her in, why you?"
"It's a long story," Haldir sighed. "I'll tell you later."
"She sure is polite," Elrond remarked, a smile forming on his lips, "I take it she's a handful?"
"No, not really," Haldir answered as they walked through the forest. "She just began playing with the other elflings when she began her fighting lessons."
"She attends fighting lessons?" Elrond asked. Elrond had felt Lorwen's inner strength flow through him when he shook her hand and Haldir's statement only confirmed what he felt.
"She was training on her own, copying my moves for several years. When she saved my life from that orc, I thought it was time she went to school. At least then she would be able to learn to fight a safer way."
"She saved your life from an orc?" Elrond asked baffled. Lorwen's role in Haldir's life was indeed much more than what he had thought.
"Yes," Haldir sighed. He didn't like to think about that event. "I'll tell you about that one later on also,"
"It seems to me like I'll be here for quite a while," Elrond said smilingly.
********************
After the encounter with Elrond, Lorwen had decided to go home and start her homework so she could finish earlier and maybe spend some time with Haldir. She started with her history work. When she finally finished, an hour later, it was still too early for Haldir to return so she climbed onto his chair on the porch, pulled a blanket over her and fell a sleep.
She woke a little while later to somebody was shaking her shoulder. She was surprised to see that it was the two boys from her class that pretended to be the best at everything, and a little girl was with them who was crying.
"What happened?" Lorwen asked, sitting up in the chair.
"Elrond's sons have been teasing us," the eldest admitted. "They stole our weapons and Tinywen's doll and they threw them in the pool."
Tinywen started crying even harder. She was completely wet and in her hand was a soaked doll clutched tightly against her, not willing to ever let it go.
"You've gotten them back didn't you?" Lorwen asked, pulling Tinywen on her lap.
"We swam after them ourselves and they would only laugh at us."
"Why do you come to me with this?" Lorwen asked suspiciously.
"Well, we used to tease you also and you always found a way to make us pay for what we did, so we thought you might help us this time."
"Hmmm, maybe." Lorwen began, thinking about all the possibilities. "Where did you last seen them?"
"They went to change for a dinner they are having this evening with the Lord and Lady."
"I heard them talking about taking a swim before they went," Tinywen said, drying her tears.
Lorwen's face lighted up as if she was getting a present.
"I have an idea," Lorwen said and together they began plotting their scheme.
*****************
Elladan and Elrohir were enjoying the cool water. They were splashing it all around. They were so into the playing that they didn't see Lorwen sneaking up on them. She made sure that neither of them could see her.
A while later Elrond went outside to call his son's in because dinner was about to start. All the youngsters were gathered at the base of the tree, waiting until the twins arrived. They quickly hid, so they wouldn't be suspected of the prank they were pulling on the twins.
************************
"What's this?" Elladan asked when he saw the orange and pink heaps laying where their clothes had been.
"Where are our clothes?" Elrohir asked surprised.
"We must find them! Ada and Naneth will have our hides if we don't."
"They will if we aren't on time either," Elrohir mumbled.
They both started looking around for their clothes but couldn't find them.
"What are we to do?" Elrohir asked after the quick search.
"We can either go like dressed as we are now or we can wear that," Elladan sighed and pointed to the colourful heaps.
Elrohir hung his head. Wearing dresses to dinner with their parents, grandparents and who knew who else wasn't an idea he relished very much. They would be laughed at.
"If I get my hands on whoever took our clothes and put these in their place," Elladan threatened while pulling on the orange dress, "I'm going.I'm going.well I don't know what I'll do, but it won't be his best day."
"Elladan, Elrohir, if you two aren't here before I count to 10." Elrond's voice rang throughout the forest.
Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other and hesitantly made their way to what would most likely be the embarrassment of their lives.
*****************************
Elrond went back inside, smiled at his wife and her mother and sat down next to her.
"I'm afraid those two are up to something again," he whispered in her ear.
"They promised to be good," she whispered back. "Give them some credit."
"I will when this dinner is over," he whispered and looked at the door, waiting for the arrival of his sons.
Soon laughter announced the arrival of the twins. Everybody in the dinning room looked towards the door. Silence fell when the twins finally entered. It was only a brief silence before a deafening laughter filled the room.
Elladan and Elrohir were standing in the door, wearing the bright dresses. Elrond put his hand over his eyes and let his head sink to his chest. Celebrian couldn't help but to laugh at her sons.
"I told you," she heard Elrond sigh, but she could only laugh at the sight and so did everybody else.
The little group of elflings that had planned this were laughing as hard as they could in their hiding places. Haldir, who had been invited to the dinner also, couldn't keep his face straight and started laughing as well.
"Excuse me for a moment, I'm going to dress my sons in their normal clothes again," Celebrian said when she stood and walked towards them.
Both Elladan and Elrohir were relieved to hear that somebody was going to help them out of this ridiculous outfit. They followed their mother, who quickly walked towards the flet they were staying in.
When everything returned back to normal, Galadriel turned to Elrond.
"Your sons really know how to entertain a crowd Lord Elrond," she said smiling.
"They sure do," Elrond sighed, "and that is what troubles me".
The present elves started to talk again amongst themselves and Elrond turned his attention towards Haldir, who was sitting not far from him.
"Do you have as much trouble with your daughter as we have with our sons?" he asked, clearly to start a conversation.
"No my Lord," Haldir replied. "Lorwen is a very calm elfling, luckily."
"I wish mine were too," Elrond muttered under his breath. "I cannot see her here, was she not invited? Surely such a small elfling should not be left alone in the evening."
"I was only asked to come when my shift was over. She wasn't at home when I went to bathe. I take it she's out playing with the other elflings."
"Then we should go and find her," Elrond stated standing up. "I'll tell Galadriel."
"My Lord, Lorwen will not be alone. My brothers look after her when I'm not at home," Haldir quickly spoke.
"It would seem to me that you don't want her to be here," Elrond said softly. "She has never attended such a dinner has she?"
Haldir shook his head and watched as Elrond smiled and walked over to Galadriel. He couldn't hear what they spoke about, but it was clear that they were talking about letting Lorwen join them tonight. Galadriel surely seemed fond of the idea and sent Elrond off to go and get her. Haldir wanted to get up also (,) so he could help her get ready, but Galadriel raised her hand to stop Haldir from going.
"Lord Elrond will get her Haldir," she said quietly. Haldir did not want to go against Galadriel's wishes so he hesitantly sat back down, crossing his arms and waiting impatiently for the return of Elrond.
Several months had passed since Lorwen was finally accepted to follow regular lessons with the other elflings. These classes mainly consisted of boys, but there were some she-elflings in it, too. It was hard for her to fit in at first, being so young and all, but she quickly made some friends. She worked very hard and became one of the best of her class.
Most teachers tended to treat her differently than they did with the other students because of her age, but Lorwen proved to them that she wanted to learn and would work the same way the others did. Many of the other elflings laughed at her, but she managed to set them straight.
Lorwen never had many friends when she was not allowed to go to school because she didn't want to play with them. Now, all she wanted to do was play with them, but school still came first.
One day, they were playing a game where one girl and one boy elfling had to carry a red cloth. The ones with the red cloth had to try and tag somebody else while the others ran around trying to not be tagged. The person who was unlucky enough to be tagged had to tie the red cloth around their arms and could only start running after the others when the knot was made.
Shrieks were heard all over the area as the elflings dodged the ones with the red cloth. They made a contest of it. The one who wore the cloth the least would be the winner. So far, Lorwen and a boy called Isund were the best ones because Lorwen was the smallest and it was easy for her to escape, and Isund was the fastest runner. At the moment, the boy and the girl who were wearing the cloths were both close friends to Isund, so they went after Lorwen instead.
She saw them both coming for her and started running in a different direction. They gained on her quite fast, but then she started zigzagging between the elves that walked in her path. Seeing her dad standing a few feet away, she decided to look over her shoulder only to see them gaining on her.
Not all of the elves were happy about the fact that these elflings almost ran them over, but most of them just smiled at them.
Lorwen had almost reached Haldir, but she hadn't noticed that he was talking with somebody. She wanted to go around him in a loop and run back the way she had came.
Looking back over her shoulder once more, she saw that the elflings were stopping. Lorwen continued to run, still looking over her shoulder and wondering why they had stopped. Just as she was turning her head to look forward, she ran into somebody and they both tumbled to the ground in a maze of robes and hair.
Lorwen was afraid that she was in so much trouble that she couldn't even move. Then she felt strong arms pulling her off the ground and setting her on her feet again.
Haldir had been so surprised and amazed by what had just transpired that it took him several seconds before he bent over to pick Lorwen off the ground. Setting her down next to him, he continued to help the person he had been talking to, before Lorwen ran into him, back to his feet.
Lorwen was so scared that the elf she ran into was going to be so furious that she quickly stepped behind Haldir and looked up at him. Haldir saw her fear and reassured her with a smile.
When the elf in front of Haldir had recovered from the shock of being run over he looked at her. He didn't seem to be mad, but just the opposite for that matter for he was laughing.
"Now that is something that hasn't happened to me for several years," he laughed. "You don't have to be afraid little one," he continued between breaths. "My sons used to run into me all the time when they were about your age."
Haldir gently pushed Lorwen forward, and she reluctantly stepped forward to greet this elf.
"I'm sorry I ran into you, sir," she said quickly, not daring to look up at him. "I will be more careful next time. I hope I didn't hurt you."
Having said that, she wanted to hide again behind her father's legs but the elf in front of her started laughing and knelt down in front of her.
"Such a polite way to apologize, who could resist it?" he smiled when he took her arms in his hands. "My name is Elrond Peredhil of Imladris, and who might you be little one?"
"Lorwen Haldiriel, sir," she replied.
Elrond tried to hide his surprise. He and his family hadn't been to Lorien for the last 15 years, but they had kept in close contact for those years. They never knew that Haldir had a daughter. None of the messengers must have thought it to be important enough to tell them.
"So Lorwen, how old are you?" he asked.
"I'm 10, sir, almost 11 now," she said proudly as if it was quite an accomplishment. "And you sir?" she asked bluntly, surprising them all by the sudden question. Elrond began laughing once more.
Elrond eyed the child before him, mirth filling his ancient eyes. "Let's just say I've seen many sunrises over this world," he said standing back up.
Lorwen did not reply, but looked at the elf with a sense of respect. If he had refused to tell her his age, then he must be really old.
"Lorwen, why don't you run off and play some more with your friends a little while longer before you do you homework?" Haldir asked her.
"Alright Ada," Lorwen said and began to run off again, but she stopped and turned.
"Nice to meet you Elrond," she said politely and shook his hand. "I hope you'll have a good stay here."
"Thank you, Lorwen, I'm surely will," he answered and watched her run off.
Elrond turned to Haldir, a questioning look in his eyes. Haldir caught his gaze and understood what the other elf wondered.
"It's just the two of us," Haldir explained and watched as Elrond nodded. "I found her in the forest 10 years ago, near a massacre."
"Then how come you are her Ada. Surely there are families here that would have taken her in, why you?"
"It's a long story," Haldir sighed. "I'll tell you later."
"She sure is polite," Elrond remarked, a smile forming on his lips, "I take it she's a handful?"
"No, not really," Haldir answered as they walked through the forest. "She just began playing with the other elflings when she began her fighting lessons."
"She attends fighting lessons?" Elrond asked. Elrond had felt Lorwen's inner strength flow through him when he shook her hand and Haldir's statement only confirmed what he felt.
"She was training on her own, copying my moves for several years. When she saved my life from that orc, I thought it was time she went to school. At least then she would be able to learn to fight a safer way."
"She saved your life from an orc?" Elrond asked baffled. Lorwen's role in Haldir's life was indeed much more than what he had thought.
"Yes," Haldir sighed. He didn't like to think about that event. "I'll tell you about that one later on also,"
"It seems to me like I'll be here for quite a while," Elrond said smilingly.
********************
After the encounter with Elrond, Lorwen had decided to go home and start her homework so she could finish earlier and maybe spend some time with Haldir. She started with her history work. When she finally finished, an hour later, it was still too early for Haldir to return so she climbed onto his chair on the porch, pulled a blanket over her and fell a sleep.
She woke a little while later to somebody was shaking her shoulder. She was surprised to see that it was the two boys from her class that pretended to be the best at everything, and a little girl was with them who was crying.
"What happened?" Lorwen asked, sitting up in the chair.
"Elrond's sons have been teasing us," the eldest admitted. "They stole our weapons and Tinywen's doll and they threw them in the pool."
Tinywen started crying even harder. She was completely wet and in her hand was a soaked doll clutched tightly against her, not willing to ever let it go.
"You've gotten them back didn't you?" Lorwen asked, pulling Tinywen on her lap.
"We swam after them ourselves and they would only laugh at us."
"Why do you come to me with this?" Lorwen asked suspiciously.
"Well, we used to tease you also and you always found a way to make us pay for what we did, so we thought you might help us this time."
"Hmmm, maybe." Lorwen began, thinking about all the possibilities. "Where did you last seen them?"
"They went to change for a dinner they are having this evening with the Lord and Lady."
"I heard them talking about taking a swim before they went," Tinywen said, drying her tears.
Lorwen's face lighted up as if she was getting a present.
"I have an idea," Lorwen said and together they began plotting their scheme.
*****************
Elladan and Elrohir were enjoying the cool water. They were splashing it all around. They were so into the playing that they didn't see Lorwen sneaking up on them. She made sure that neither of them could see her.
A while later Elrond went outside to call his son's in because dinner was about to start. All the youngsters were gathered at the base of the tree, waiting until the twins arrived. They quickly hid, so they wouldn't be suspected of the prank they were pulling on the twins.
************************
"What's this?" Elladan asked when he saw the orange and pink heaps laying where their clothes had been.
"Where are our clothes?" Elrohir asked surprised.
"We must find them! Ada and Naneth will have our hides if we don't."
"They will if we aren't on time either," Elrohir mumbled.
They both started looking around for their clothes but couldn't find them.
"What are we to do?" Elrohir asked after the quick search.
"We can either go like dressed as we are now or we can wear that," Elladan sighed and pointed to the colourful heaps.
Elrohir hung his head. Wearing dresses to dinner with their parents, grandparents and who knew who else wasn't an idea he relished very much. They would be laughed at.
"If I get my hands on whoever took our clothes and put these in their place," Elladan threatened while pulling on the orange dress, "I'm going.I'm going.well I don't know what I'll do, but it won't be his best day."
"Elladan, Elrohir, if you two aren't here before I count to 10." Elrond's voice rang throughout the forest.
Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other and hesitantly made their way to what would most likely be the embarrassment of their lives.
*****************************
Elrond went back inside, smiled at his wife and her mother and sat down next to her.
"I'm afraid those two are up to something again," he whispered in her ear.
"They promised to be good," she whispered back. "Give them some credit."
"I will when this dinner is over," he whispered and looked at the door, waiting for the arrival of his sons.
Soon laughter announced the arrival of the twins. Everybody in the dinning room looked towards the door. Silence fell when the twins finally entered. It was only a brief silence before a deafening laughter filled the room.
Elladan and Elrohir were standing in the door, wearing the bright dresses. Elrond put his hand over his eyes and let his head sink to his chest. Celebrian couldn't help but to laugh at her sons.
"I told you," she heard Elrond sigh, but she could only laugh at the sight and so did everybody else.
The little group of elflings that had planned this were laughing as hard as they could in their hiding places. Haldir, who had been invited to the dinner also, couldn't keep his face straight and started laughing as well.
"Excuse me for a moment, I'm going to dress my sons in their normal clothes again," Celebrian said when she stood and walked towards them.
Both Elladan and Elrohir were relieved to hear that somebody was going to help them out of this ridiculous outfit. They followed their mother, who quickly walked towards the flet they were staying in.
When everything returned back to normal, Galadriel turned to Elrond.
"Your sons really know how to entertain a crowd Lord Elrond," she said smiling.
"They sure do," Elrond sighed, "and that is what troubles me".
The present elves started to talk again amongst themselves and Elrond turned his attention towards Haldir, who was sitting not far from him.
"Do you have as much trouble with your daughter as we have with our sons?" he asked, clearly to start a conversation.
"No my Lord," Haldir replied. "Lorwen is a very calm elfling, luckily."
"I wish mine were too," Elrond muttered under his breath. "I cannot see her here, was she not invited? Surely such a small elfling should not be left alone in the evening."
"I was only asked to come when my shift was over. She wasn't at home when I went to bathe. I take it she's out playing with the other elflings."
"Then we should go and find her," Elrond stated standing up. "I'll tell Galadriel."
"My Lord, Lorwen will not be alone. My brothers look after her when I'm not at home," Haldir quickly spoke.
"It would seem to me that you don't want her to be here," Elrond said softly. "She has never attended such a dinner has she?"
Haldir shook his head and watched as Elrond smiled and walked over to Galadriel. He couldn't hear what they spoke about, but it was clear that they were talking about letting Lorwen join them tonight. Galadriel surely seemed fond of the idea and sent Elrond off to go and get her. Haldir wanted to get up also (,) so he could help her get ready, but Galadriel raised her hand to stop Haldir from going.
"Lord Elrond will get her Haldir," she said quietly. Haldir did not want to go against Galadriel's wishes so he hesitantly sat back down, crossing his arms and waiting impatiently for the return of Elrond.