Disclaimer: I own the new characters and the plot, nothing else.
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I want to thank all of you that read this story, and that have reviewed me until now. And especially to you, JJ-8-4-8-9, for your words of support: and to you Maresia Eterna, for being always there for me.
Chapter 9- The message
"Ouch!" screamed a male voice. Curtains were veiling the sunlight, and as result, the living room was pitching black.
"I'm sorry, lithe fellow!" Milanil exclaimed, carefully making way towards the windows to pull the curtains. The division was at once filled with a golden colour, only to lighten a confusion of blankest. In the middle of all these blankets, two hobbits stood out; one of them was rubbing his left hand.
"I can't believe its morning already" Merry commented, yawning at the same time. Pippin nodded in agreement, his left hand exhibiting a reddened shade in the place where the elf had stepped.
"Sorry about your hand", the grey eyed elf said in an apologetic voice. "Now if you'll excuse me, there's a place I need to go to", Milanil added, leaving the hobbits behind and exiting to the morning.
"I wonder what we're going to have for breakfast" Pippin wondered, his eyes gazing into the kitchen's door, gleaming with hope. The hobbit by his side shook his head and replied: "Then I guess you'll have to wait to find out, because I believe the others are still sleeping."
Looking positively alarmed, Pippin covered his head with the blanket.
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As a brown haired elf come closer of the stables, a female voice reached his accurate ears. An elleth was whispering words of comfort and hope, and so the elf hurried to see what was happening. When he walked inside, his grey eyes fell upon a green eyed elleth. Stepping forward, Milanil placed a hand over a black haired elleth's shoulder and asked: "What is wrong, Inwë?"
"It's Isilme, he's not eating. I'm trying to persuade him, but he simply refuses to touch the food" Inwë explained, her voice revealing the deep concern she was feeling.
"There must be no need for worries. Give him some time and I'm sure Isilme would be fine" the brown haired elf said to calm the elleth. Moving with agility, he walked a few steps and become face to face with a light brown horse. "Hello, Ólor." Ólor was a strong horse, and also a very good friend of Milanil. The elf patted the horse gently on the head, and Ólor responded by nudging Milanil on the arm.
"I can't help thinking what Merry and Pippin have come to do here; I assume that they haven't come just to visit us", Inwë commented, her emerald eyes watching Milanil moving a little further to cuddle another horse. "Estel likes you a lot."
"I like him to", the grey eyed elf replied. "Legolas seems to think that the hobbits have come just to see him, but I must agree with you. They probably have a purpose, though I can't imagine what it could be." Estel's dark eyes were focused on the elf stroking him; he was Eowáthiel's horse, a gorgeous black stallion.
Elves were largely known for their ability with horses, and the Leagallow family was no exception. They were very fond of the ones the owned, and each one was special and unique. Léssien had a horse too and just like the little elleth, he was gentle and pure. His name was Manwa and he was snowy white.
"These horses are such an important part of our lives", Milanil said. "I'll miss all of them when I leave to Valinor." When he saw Inwë raising an eyebrow, the elf added, "I'm not planning my journey to be so soon."
"Brother, I won't tell you to stay if that's not your wish. What tomorrow brings we never know", the black haired elleth said in a soft voice. She did not want him to leave, but she could not control his will.
Milanil nodded as a reply, because words could not demonstrate what he was feeling. Everyday the elf fought a battle within himself; a battle between his heart and his conscience.
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"Good morning, sunshine!" a blonde elleth happily exclaimed. Curtains were pulled and warm sun rays illuminated a once dark room.
"Good morning, Eowá" Léssien said, removing the covers that kept her warm at night. "I'm hungry! What do we have for breakfast?" the red haired elleth inquired, straightening in the bed.
"I guess you'll have to wait to find out, Léssi. Legolas is in charge and Merry and Pippin are obediently following his instructions, and preparing a wonderful meal for us", Eowáthiel informed. She then walked in the direction of the bed and sit; Léssien didn't waste time in lace her head on her sister's lap.
"The hobbits are really nice, don't you think, Onóre?" Léssien asked, but it was clear in her voice that something was concerning her.
"Yes, they are" the brown eyed elleth agreed. "What about if you tell me what's bothering you?" she added. At those words, Léssien raised her blue eyes to Eowáthiel, and widened them in surprise. "Do you think I wouldn't notice? Come on sunshine, I know you too well. You can fool everyone, but not me."
The little elleth stood quiet for a moment, as if she was thinking about her sister's words. Then, she spoke in a low voice: "I can't stop feeling that something is about to happen, Eowá. I don't know what is it, but it makes me sad."
"Darling, why are you suffering already? Mum and Dad used to say that if something is coming, we should embrace it with no fear. Everything has a reason to happen, Léssi, so if something bad or sad is coming, we'll get trough it. And you know why? Because we are a family and nothing can break us apart. Never forget this, alright?" the blonde elleth said.
Léssien stared into her sister's eyes for a few moments, then, as if she couldn't help it, the little elleth throw her arms around Eowáthiel's neck. No more words were spoken, because sometimes actions speak for themselves.
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The Leagallow's kitchen had never been so full of activity: two hobbits and an elf walked from side to side, carrying piles of plates, mugs and many more things. The oak table was completely occupied, and the food in it was enough to feed a whole regiment.
"Heavens, what happened to my kitchen?" an elleth with green eyes inquired, standing at the door. "Are we going to have guests?"
Turning to face Inwë, Legolas indicated a chair with his right hand. Looking suspiciously at him, the black haired elleth headed towards the table and sit on the chair which was pointed by the blue eyed elf. Soon she was followed by the other elves, whose eyes widened at the sight of such feast.
"Who's going to eat all this?" Léssien asked, undoubtedly amused. "It looks like someone is starving!"
At those words, everyone laughed. Pippin raised a hand and declared: "Hobbit's fault. We may be small, but our stomach thinks otherwise. I always forget that elves don't eat much; I'm sorry."
Laughing, they started eating the meal. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it; it was impossible to be in a bad mood if you're with hobbits. Léssien asked them to tell more of their crazy adventures, and the hobbits didn't refuse: "It's always a pleasure to share our stories with such an enthusiastic listener", Merry stated, while Pippin was already opening his mouth to tell a story.
Time went by, but no one seemed to notice. The hobbits were always talking, and when one story was finished, another would soon replace it. Léssien giggled and clapped her hands, so it was really hard not to smile. Eowáthiel and Inwë exchanged looks, happy to see their youngest sister was having fun.
"How much time are you going to stay with us? I'm loving your visit", the blue eyed elleth commented, when the hobbits made a pause.
Merry jumped at this statement, and Pippin slapped a hand on his forehead. Both of them seemed to be startled, and the kitchen fell silent. Every pair of eyes was expectantly fixed on them, waiting for some explanation.
"We're so stupid, Merry. How can we forget to say something like this?" Pippin blurred out.
"Legolas, we brought you a message from Aragorn. Forgive us, we were so happy to be here that we end up forgetting about it", Merry said, turning his eyes to the blonde elf.
"A message from Aragorn? About what?" the blue eyed elf wondered, a thoughtful expression framing his face.
"I'm afraid we don't carry good news", Merry replied.
Eowáthiel's heart skip a beat: what could the king of Gondor want from Legolas?
Note: I'll give you the meanings of the horses' names. Isilme(Moonlight); Manwa(Pure); Estel(Hope); Ólor(Dream).