Disclaimer - Again, only Rhian, minor OC's and plot changes are mine. Everything else belongs to the amazing Tolkien
AN- Sorry about the delay, will hopefully get another chapter up by next weekend.
Chapter Ten
Chapter ten
Arwen and Aragorn had watched over Rhian, from the shadows, as she sat.
"Who is she, Arwen?"
"Father doesn't know, but she seems to have had an effect on all of us. Elrohir, Elladan and Glorfindel have come to treat her as a sister, and Gandalf and Ada both treat her as family, after only a few days, although they were the same with another once. Young humans seem to have a soft spot in our hearts." She smiled softly, as did he.
"And what of you, My Lady Arwen? What do you think of this strange human?"
"She is my sister; even though I've only known her a few hours, it feels like I've known her for years. I fear she will soon leave Imladris, as I fear will you. And you, Lord Aragorn, are going to keep her safe, or you will face the wrath of the me and no doubt my brothers; you know what they are like." Arwen warned him.
Then they both felt it. A dark presence; which made them cold and frightened; chilling them to the bone.
Rhian ran to Frodo's side; she had sensed that he needed her, no matter how weird it sounded. He was tossing and turning, clawing at his bandages, but still unconscious. Unfortunately, as he flung an arm out, it collided with the side of Rhian's head. Momentarily stunned, she shook herself, and went to his side, carefully avoiding his flailing arms.
"Frodo, stop it, you're going to hurt yourself." She pinned his arms down, and he struggled a little longer, before once again settling.
She felt the darkness recede, and his breathing returned to normal. His shoulder was now bleeding, through the bandages. A bit queasy at the sight of so much blood, she found a clean bandage, and applied pressure, all the while trying not to breathe in through her nose. She felt gentle hands on her arms, and Elrond eased her away from Frodo. Suddenly, she felt an immense pressure in her head, her vision blurring to black and fiery orange. This blackness was not that of a comfortable oblivion, but that of a most evil being. She lost consciousness, but she still couldn't escape the blackness. It consumed her, and she heard the evil voice in her head, whispering, calling to her.
"Come to me! I am the Lord of Middle Earth, and you will do as I say... Come to me."
It frightened her, more than anything else ever had. She felt as if something had erupted in her head, and suddenly, it was all calm, and she slipped into the peaceful blackness she much preferred.
You certainly don't make this easy for yourself, do you little one? You are the Lady Galadriel Yes, Rhian, I am. I have been asked to watch over you. I suspect you know we will meet eventually, but until then, know this; you have more power than you know. But I don't know how to use this alleged power .I don't even know if I'm human. You will eventually know what to do, and as for bring human, I have some answers. Now, there are some people there who want to talk to you.
"Look Merry, she's waking up. Look Frodo, that's her, who we were telling you about."
Rhian woke up to the sounds of four Hobbits, and Gandalf the grey.
"How are you this morning, little one?" Elrond stepped into her line of sight.
"I am...all right, Lord Elrond, although my face is a little stiff." She felt cool fingers touch the skin on her cheek, and around her right eye.
"There is bruising, although you have no broken bones." Rhian decided not to let Frodo know it was his doing.
"Lady Rhian. My cousins have told me all about you." Frodo bowed his head.
"Same here, young Frodo. I think they forgot to tell you to just call me Rhian." She smiled at him, and both immediately decided they liked the other.
"Well now. Rhian, Elladan is here, to take you back to Arwen." As Elrond spoke, Elrohir bounded in, followed by his brother.
"Good morning, little doll."
"Little doll?"
"Yes. That's my new name for you. Blame Glorfindel, he said you were like a little doll."
"Oh did he indeed?" Glorfindel came in, and glared at Elrohir.
"Okay fine, I said it, but he never disagreed."
"I'm sorry for the intrusion, my lady." Apologized Glorfindel
"S'alright, I expected as much." Elladan helped her out of bed, while Elrohir messed around with Merry and Pippin…wouldn't be like him, Rhian thought.
Glorfindel spoke quickly with Elrond and Gandalf, before the three ellons led Rhian to see Arwen.
"Rhian. Good to see you. You three, out." She shoved the three out the door.
"Fine, but we want to take her shooting later!" Elrohir shouted through the door. Arwen smirked.
"You, young lady, are my new project. Father wants you to be treated as a Lady while you are here. So I said I'd assist you." She grinned, and opened the large closet, and Rhian gasped.
Not only where the pair of jeans, sweats, tank top and cardigan she'd had in her show bag in the closet, there were also about ten of the most fabulous dresses she could ever imagine.
"Arwen, they're beautiful. I could never accept that."
"Nonsense. You're my sister; get over it."
"Okay." She agreed hesitantly; this was still too much, but if she insisted...
"I had them all done for your size, and I also had some breeches, shirts and tunics done for you. There is a cloak and boots as well."
"Thank you, Arwen." Rhian gave the slender elf a huge hug, before she had a bath. Arwen was to change her dressings after.
Rhian really preferred showers, but this bath was heaven. She scrubbed her body, and washed her hair, relaxing in the heat. Arwen had found her wash bag, as all her shampoo, conditioner and even her razor were already in the bath room.
When she'd had enough, she climbed out of the now tepid bath, and wrapped herself in the warm robe Arwen had left for her. She also did her own physical check. She hadn't properly inspected her body; in Rohan, she'd been rushing because Mairead was always there. She was shocked to find it was identical to her previous body; tattoo low on her left hip which she hoped no-one had noticed yet, 5 piercings in one ear, four in the other, and belly button ring.
None of the elves had piercings…no-one she had seen did. She left the bathroom, and went to find Arwen; her rooms where huge. Arwen was in Rhian's bedroom, picking out an outfit.
A long, as usual, red dress, with gold embroidery, and red slipper like shoes. Rhian had always been a bit of a girly girl, but the whole full length dress thing was going to take a while to get used to.
"Come over here, Rhian, so I can see your wound." Arwen pursed her lips as she looked at the almost healed wound; the benefits of Elven healing, and perhaps a little something else.
"What is this?" Arwen's slim finger traced the many pointed star on Rhian's left hip.
"A tattoo, you don't have them here?"
"Slaves of humans are branded with burns, but this is different. I have never seen it before." Arwen was curious.
"Well, in my world, ink is put on a needle, and put into the skin, permanently staining it. I had this done when I was 16, about two years ago. It covers a burn from when I was little. Not the cleverest thing I did, but I like it."
"It must have hurt a lot. You are very brave to have this done to yourself."
"It did. I'm not brave; just stupid." Arwen hugged her tightly.
"I do not think it was stupid. It is very beautiful."
As she pulled the dress on over her head, Rhian answered.
"That's what my mom thought." she laughed.
Arwen continued to question her as she fixed Rhian's hair. She was especially curious about the earrings. They were all silver and gold studs, with diamonds in each one. Three in each lobe, one at the top of one, side in the other, and one in the tragus.
"It's common to have your ears pierced where I'm from. Maybe not so many times, but people have it."
"How curious." Laughed Arwen; how strange these humans were. She hadn't seen the belly button piercing then.
"Are you finished yet?" a voice came from outside. Both women laughed at the whining voice of Elrohir.
"Yes, El, we're done." Arwen had decided to just leave Rhian's waist length blonde hair down, but she had pulled the front of it back, into a braid.
Elrohir burst in, and pulled Rhian out without any warning. He pulled herthe whole way out to the training fields, where Elladan and Glorfindel were waiting.
"Ready for some more lessons, my Lady?" asked Glorfindel, smirking as she hit Elrohir on the arm.
"I'll give it a go." She groaned, taking the sword she was offered.