Chapter 10: Small Bird
I am sitting at a long dinnertable made of dark wood - it looks like mahogany, and besides me is Legolas. He hasn't left my side all evening. On the table is big plates and dishes with the most incredible-looking food. All the colors of the rainbow is here on this table, and it all smell delicious. I have no idea what anything of it is, except from carrots and apples. I just know that it is all vegetables, which suits me fine. On my other side Elrond is sitting. I think the elves see me like a royal or something. The all bow to me and now I'm sitting next to the big chief. That must be something! But i don't want to be a royal. I really don't.
"This is dula." Legolas says with a smile sneaking out from the edge of his lips, as he puts a few pieces on my plate. "They are fried." It looks like potatoes. I look down at my pate. It looks delicious.
"Thank you. I'm so lucky to have you helping me right now." I say with an awkward smile. Legolas grabs another dish. On this are the apples.
"Well, that's why I'm sitting next to you, Jenna. This is celarta. Raw." He says.
"That is the only reason you're sitting next to me?" I say it as a joke and hide that it did hurt a little. I like Legolas. He looks confused at me.
"I am helping you fit in, Jenna. Teaching you what it's like here. But of course, you are quite fun sometimes." The last part was said really vaguely, but I heard it, and my smile get real again.
"You too, Legolas. But mostly because you seem to have no idea what fun is." He shakes his head, smiling, as he continues to fill up my plate with all different kinds of food. I remember to thank him before we both start to eat. It really tastes good. Light but good. They don't seem to eat much here, but that's allright. I prefer it that way.
After the dinner, I am definitely full. I have had the best dinner of my life. We sitting on a bench down by the water, Legolas and I. In my hand I am holding a glass of wine and Legolas has one too. They seem to really like wine here, and trust me: I'm not complaining. This wine is so delicious.
"So you finally got to meet Gandalf." Legolas says, his eyes pointing out on the horizont, where the sun is setting. The sky is red like a great fire, and the water is like a mirror to it. It is so pretty that I can't help but looking at it too.
"Without getting captured by orcs." I point out.
"It must be your lucky day," he says.
"You made a joke?" I'm so surprised I turn towards him, and he is - believe it or not, laughing!
"Yes a bad one."
"Are you drunk or something?" I ask, looking suspicious at him. He looks at me with liftes eyebrows.
"Drunk? Elves don't get drunk, Jenna."
"So that's why I don't feel a thing! What a great quality!" No more hangovers! I really love it here!
"We are just lovers to wine. Especially the wine from this area."
"What's the elven parallel for my name?" Is ask. Change of subject, but I really want to know. I've been wondering since Mahran told me that there even was one. What if it's ugly? I need to know!
"Your name? Why would you want to know that? How do you even..."
"Mahran told me there is one for each name. I'm just curious. I can't help it."
"Well don't remember, but I can find out for you, if you really want to know?" He says, kind of apologizing.
"No, don't do that. And don't tell Mahran I asked! He would just make fun of me!" Legolas laughs shortly.
"Mahran makes fun of everyone. But don't worry, I won't tell if you don't want me to. But I can go ask Elrond, if you want?"
"No, you really don't have to. I can wait. That's fine."
We look at each other for a while.
"I'm gonna go ask Elrond, Jenna. I top want to know."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, will you wait here?" I nod with a smile. Excited. He gets up at walks up the hill towards the castle where everybody is dancing once again. I look down at my dress. I can't believe how lucky I am.
"Filegedhiel. It means small bird." I turn around, scared of the sudden voice behind me. It is Mahran. He walks up in front of the bench and sits down on it beside me.
"Filegedhiel." I'm feeling the word with my tongue. It's pretty. Small bird. Is that me?
"Yes, and it fits you perfectly." He says, smiling.
"You can't just walk in on people like that." I say, looking suspiciously at him.
"No I'm sorry, but I want you to know who you are." He says, not serious about his apology, but still kind and friendly.
"I know perfectly who I am. I'm Jenna White. Born i Boston, now living in Rivendell."
"No, you're Filegedhiel. And I actually think you know that too. You're just afraid to admit it."
"You're crazy."
"No, I'm just honest with you Jenna. You deserve nothing less than that."
"Well, I don't think I could get used to that name."
"I know you can." You're wrong. Maybe. God, this is difficult. This guy just seems to know me better than I know myself.
"We'll see about that." I answer. I'm too confused to think about other things to say.
"Do you want to dance?" Excuse me?
"Legolas is coming back here in a minute."
"Who said anything about leaving? We can dance here?" He stands up, elegant and politely and reaches out his hand for me to put mine in. Well, well.