Chapter 11:
AN: Well lookie here! I'm updating again and it hasn't even been two weeks yet! Not much to say today, which might be a relief for some people ;p Enjoy!
Use your imagination. That was the best piece of advice Glorfindel had given her, and the one thing she thoroughly made use of that day. It was because of this bit of knowledge that Emily now sat curled up in her favourite reading nook, snuggled down with a blanket, a book and a cup of tea, instead of trying to evade the twins in the woods.
It was true that she was supposed to be scrambling through the trees now, and that so far, the twins still believed she was out there somewhere. However, her imagination had lead her to a creative way of escape, which brought her right to the library.
She had started the challenge in the way everyone had expected her to. There was to be about an hour of 'get away' time before the twins began to track her. In that time, Emily set up several false trails through the trees before making her way to the edge of the horse field and calling Braigon to her. She was very careful to avoid leaving tracks at this point, and climbed onto the back of the pony barefoot from the fence so that her shoes wouldn't scuff the rails. First she rode him to various places in the field to plant more false trails on the other side of the fence leading away. Then she rode him to the trees in the middle of the field and climbed one until Caldir came to open the gate and fetch a horse.
She had sat comfortably in the lower branches for a while, careful not to go too high for fear of falling, and thinking over her plan. She had sat a long time, wondering if it would work. With luck, her use of the zigzag routes, and loop-backs would keep the twins busy long enough for her to slip into the house.
Estel had told her that she should make for friendly or neutral territory when she was being hunted. Caldir and the keeper of the library, Erestor, were both sympathetic and neutral parties in this endeavour, therefore they could be trusted. Logically, she was doing precisely what she had been taught.
When Caldir appeared at the gate, it was about ten minutes after the horn had been blown to announce that the twins had been 'released'. Emily had cautiously slipped down onto Braigon once more without scuffing the bark, thankful that the pony seemed to understand the urgency of her quest. He took her to Caldir, who was surprised to see her, but once she explained, he had smiled and complied with her request. He let her climb up on the back of the horse he was leading and took her out of the field. It was the best way that Emily could think of for not leaving behind a trail. For one thing, her tracks were already all over the field from playing out there, secondly she had planted false trails and thirdly she was no longer walking, therefore, not more fresh Emily footprints to follow.
Caldir agreed that he would pretend he never saw her unless directly asked, in which case he would respond that he knew were she was, but would not tell unless it was an emergency.
Once she reached the house, Emily was practically dancing with glee and mentally singing the mission impossible theme in her head. She slipped in through the kitchens and the cooks were more than willing to go along with her plan as well, some even laughing at the sheer simplicity of it, yet saying that it just might work.
The only other people she ran into on the way to the library were Lord Elrond, Glorfindel and Thranduil. She had been properly using the quiet stealthy movements that Estel taught her, remembering to stop, look, listen and smell. Unfortunately, she was still not a master at hiding, nor did she anticipate the fact that the elves who heard her coming would be waiting soundlessly from just around the corner. She skidded right into Glorfindel and barely managed to contain a yelp as she tried to back peddle, but failed. Elrond helped to steady her.
A second later, Emily had righted her feet and bounced backwards away from the three with a wild look in her eye.
"Emily! What are you doing!?" Glorfindel asked for the second time that day. He looked very bemused.
Emily smiled sweetly and replied, "Using my imagination? After all, if you're surprised to find me here, how much more will the twins be?"
A vague smile appeared on Elrond's face as he raised an eyebrow and then looked at Glorfindel. Thranduil actually almost looked impressed and a ghost of a smirk appeared on his face. Glorfindel was at a loss for words for several moments and then he laughed.
"Well, this is completely the opposite of what I had in mind, but alright. You do have a point. I will let you have this one, penneth." he said with a smile.
Emily grinned back, then pulled a serious face as she flourished her hand and said, "You didn't see anything!"
With that she scampered away to her nook, leaving behind three rather amused elves.
And that is where she stayed for the better part of the afternoon, drinking in the sweet aroma of tea and enjoying the relaxation of reading.
Erestor had been more than willing to help by letting her stay. He was one of the other elves in the house that Emily had the privilege of interacting with regularly. When he discovered her love of books, he was overjoyed and his seemingly prickly and crusty exterior gave way to show a soft-hearted and kindly elf that kept finding more things for her to read. Today she was reading a book about the history of the elves, which she found fascinating. It was weird reading about events that had happed thousands of years ago, and being able to ask the people involved more specific questions about it.
Just then, a shadow fell on her page, and for a moment Emily thought that the twins had found her. But when she looked up, she was pleasantly surprised to be looking into the face of a young man. He looked to be close to her age, no more than nineteen with flashing green eyes, curly black hair and rather handsome features.
Emily was speechless. She had been so used to living around people centuries older than herself that she forgot what it was like to be around someone closer to her own age, especially a cute boy. It was the eyes that gave his true age away. Emily knew what ancient eyes filled with the wisdom of years looked like, but this boy's were more like her own.
"My apologies, I did not mean to disturb you. I was just wondering if you could point me in the direction of the door? I seem to be lost in here." he said with charming awkwardness.
"No! Not at all, you didn't disturb me!" blurted Emily, faster than she meant to. Then she was lost in his green eyes for a moment before realizing she was staring. Turning a pretty color of pink, Emily stood up hastily and said, "I'm really awful with giving directions, so I had better show you the way out, it would be much faster."
The young man laughed. "Thank you. I do feel terrible about stealing you away from your book though."
"That's all right, it won't take long." said Emily, smiling brightly. "My name's Emily by the way, what's yours?"
"Derfel." replied the boy, wincing as the name rang out in the air.
"Der-fel? Really?" asked Emily, biting back a smile at the sound of it.
"Yes, it's terrible isn't it? It rhymes with all kinds of awful things!" lamented Derfel.
"It isn't that bad, really!" said Emily, trying to sound sincere.
Derfel gave her a knowing look and then said, "You can laugh at it if you like, I do too sometimes."
"Well...it does sound a little funny." agreed Emily with a nervous giggle. "So did you come with the wounded group that was brought back with the patrol a few days ago?"
Instantly, Emily wished she hadn't asked that. It reminded her that Verick was there, and that the others from her first day in the world could also be roaming free in the halls of Imladris.
"Yes. I was unfortunate enough to get caught in the skirmish. Grazed across the ribs with an axe. I'm lucky to be alive."
Emily cringed sympathetically. "That sounds awful. I'm glad you're ok!"
"As am I!" agreed Derfel, smiling a dazzling smile. It took a moment for Emily to notice they had come to the entrance of the library.
"Well, my greatest thanks for your assistance, my lady!" said Derfel, then he bowed slightly, "I hope our paths might cross again soon."
With that, he left Emily once again speechless and walked away whistling a jig.
When Emily turned away, she found herself smiling foolishly and bit her lip. The good feeling was short-lived however when she noticed that another man she didn't recognize was sitting not far way and had witnessed the whole exchange. He appeared rugged, weather-beaten and terribly large. His face was slightly covered by trimmed facial hair which immediately made Emily think of Verick. Quickly she turned away and disappeared further into the library, aware that the man was still watching her.
She felt terribly uneasy as she settled down with her book once more and tried in vain to lose herself in the pages.
"THERE YOU ARE!"
Emily looked up wide-eyed to see the twins marching towards her. They looked irritated, and actually angry.
She closed her book and then sat up as calmly as she could while they approached.
"Just what do you think you are doing?" demanded Elrohir darkly.
"I'm reading?" said Emily with uncertainty. This was not the response she had expected.
"You were supposed to be out in the woods! Practicing evasion! Do you have any idea how long it took to find you!?" Elladan said severely.
Emily shifted and then nearly smiled at the irony of the question.
"Well, wasn't that the point? Glorfindel said it was fine. Besides, I was just using what I was taught!" she said smartly, feeling an indignant heat rise to her face as she grew defensive.
"Do not talk back, penneth!" Elladan growled loudly, his face darkening even more. Emily felt her mind race towards two options. Fight them by getting angry herself, or retreat.
She faltered on the line of indecision.
"You were not within the allotted parameters for the exercise! This is competently the opposite of what you were supposed to do!" joined in Elrohir, matching his brother's tone of voice.
"You never actually specified what those 'allotted parameters' were! There were no actual restrictions given on where I was allowed to go!" Emily cried with frustration. "I did what I was told to!"
Elladan opened his mouth once more, face becoming a rigid mask of stern irritation, but was stopped when Glorfindel's voice sliced sharply through the air.
"Enough!"
All three turned to face him as he strolled towards them with a deadly calm about him.
"Emily, you may go penneth." he said pleasantly to her, then his voice took on a hard edge as he continued. "I need to have a conversation with these elflings who seem to be in need of some council!"
The girl lifted her chin, clenched her jaw tightly, and then without thinking inclined her head in a very elvish way before she walked off.
She went straight for the stables and was happy to find that Braigon had been brought in from the field already. Seizing the tack she usually used and some cleaning supplies, she attacked the leather angrily, cleaning and then oiling it until it shined. It took a long time, and once she was finished, Emily was exhausted by her resentment because of the twins getting mad at her. She put the tack away once more, thankful that there didn't seem to be anyone else in the barn at the moment to see her in such a state. Then she slumped down in the back corner of Braigon's stall to have a good cry.
The pony stood by her with concern, nickering softly and nosing her head comfortingly.
It wasn't fair the way the twins had reacted. Emily knew it wasn't, even before Glorfindel had confirmed it for her by calling them 'elflings'. She felt betrayed, belittled and deeply chastised for something she wasn't even at fault for. And that made her furious, which made her tired, which lead to her just crying and feeling generally sorry for herself.
Whatever. I don't care. They can just be dumb, and I don't have to speak to them again if I don't want to. Seriously, I thought they were supposed to be so mature and stuff like that! They're acting stupid. But I don't care!...I just wanna go home...I miss home so badly right now!
She sobbed soundlessly for a while longer, letting herself feel the homesickness for the time being. Then she carefully bottled it up once more and built up a shaky wall of confidence around herself.
Well, I'm not going to give them the satisfaction of seeing me upset by this. I'll just prove to them that I'm not a child and that nothing they say can hurt me! I just have to be strong and hard. Then nothing can hurt me.
Hastily she wiped away her tears and managed to clear her nose enough so she could breath.
It was about that moment that Braigon shot from her side to lunge through the top of his stall door with his ears pinned and teeth bared. The sound of the twin's voices was heard as they exclaimed words in elvish to the fierce pony. But this only infuriated the loyal steed more. Braigon would not be calmed, somehow knowing that it was their fault his human was upset. He wouldn't even let them get within visual sight of her, moving his body to block her from view, squealing in warning and pounding the floor with a hoof.
"Emily, please tell this beast to stand down? We only wish to speak to you." called one of them pleadingly. Braigon snorted angrily and stomped his foot again.
"Why, so you can yell at me again?" said Emily with an icy edge.
"No, penneth. Please, let us explain?"
Emily was tempted to say no and tell them to leave, but the voices sounded sincere and even a little pained. She sighed heavily and then called to Braigon, telling the pony to let them in.
He wasn't impressed, but reluctantly let the twins into his stall. After snapping his teeth and pinning back his ears at them for good measure, he moved to stand near his food, munching it sulkily.
Elladan and Elrohir moved cautiously to where their young friend sat, their faces etched with regret and remorse. Still incensed by their earlier behaviour, Emily tightened her jaw with determination and willed her face to remain indifferent. She wasn't about to let down her guard just yet.
They settled noiselessly on either side of her, sensing clearly her prickly mood and therefore not crowding her affectionately like they usually did.
"Emily, we have been total and complete fools." started Elladan, voice tight with apologetic feeling.
"We should not have behaved the way we did. It was not fair, nor was it right." said Elrohir, watching her face closely. Emily's lip quivered slightly, and she scowled to keep her true emotions from surfacing.
"There is no excuse, only an explanation. Would you listen to it, please?" asked Elladan, noting with shame the hard wall the girl had around herself as protection from them. She nodded stiffly.
"The truth of the matter is that we were, at first, overly arrogant about our abilities to find you quickly. We made many assumptions, all of which you proved wrong." began Elladan ruefully. "When we began to have trouble finding you, losing one trail, finding another false one, then completely losing it at the field since you walk there so often...we grew worried. It was about the point that the one of the false trails you made ended near the road that we feared something had happened to you since we couldn't find you." Elladan 's voice betrayed how worried they had actually been for her. Emily felt her resolve crumbling and it became increasingly difficult to stay mad.
Elrohir picked up where his brother had left off. "Our prideful minds never even considered that you had actually just managed to outsmart us, and we jumped to the conclusion that you had been taken somehow. We came back swiftly to report, worried sick and ready to hunt down whomever had taken you."
"You can imagine our surprise when Glorfindel just laughed and told us that he knew exactly where you were and wanted to know what took us so long in finding you." continued Elladan. "And so, with wounded pride and self-righteous anger over being so easily fooled by a beginner, we stormed away to find you nestled in a corner reading."
"And from there you know the rest of the story. We behaved badly. You behaved with greater maturity than the both of us collectively. Then Glorfindel had to knock our heads together, giving us the kind of lecture we have not heard for a very long time." said Elrohir. "And we deserved it. Can you forgive us, penneth, for proving that even centuries old creatures such as ourselves still make foolish mistakes and do hurtful things?"
There was a long pause before Emily said softly, "I suppose so."
The tension in the air lessened and the twins seemed to relax with relief. Elrohir edged slightly closer and then leaned in conspiratorially.
"Would you be less mad at us if we told you that Glorfindel really did knock our heads together?"
A smile snuck its way onto Emily's face against her will.
"Really?" she asked, trying to sound neutral but failing.
"Aye. We both have sizable lumps to prove it. I think my head might be lop sided now, and possibly even noticeably swollen!"
"Isn't it kinda counter productive to knock your heads together? I mean, I thought they were swollen enough with ego already?" Emily commented slyly, causing the twins to get rather shocked but simultaneously delighted expressions on their faces at her snide remark.
"Ohhh, I see our young friend has become feisty! Those are getting very close to fighting words, penneth. You don't want to start something you cannot finish." laughed Elladan merrily.
Emily snickered and then said impishly, "Well, you already underestimated me once...maybe you should be more careful."
Elrohir looked at his brother with a sly grin which made Emily's confidence fade. "Do you hear that Elladan? Emily actually has the audacity to challenge us!"
"Well, we really must oblige then, shouldn't we?" replied Elladan, smirking dangerously. Emily immediately regretted her foolish statement.
The shrieks and mad giggling of Emily could be heard loudly in the cool night, joined by the teasing voices and light laughter of the twin lords of Imladris. It was a happy sound, dancing through the air to reach the ears of the two lone figures standing beneath the stars not far away.
Glorfindel smiled with satisfaction and turned to glance at his friend. Thranduil looked strangely unguarded, seemingly lost in thought. Many who did not truly know the elven king would have missed the deep sadness and nostalgic look in his eyes, but it was clear to Glorfindel that something was stirring old memories in his friend's mind. He had his suspicions as to what it was, or rather, who it was.
A loud laughing yelp carried out to them, followed by a tremendous splash and great hilarity from the twins. Moments later Emily was heard to say in a bubbling voice filled with mirth, "Seriously? Again with me getting wet!? WHY!? What is it some kind of cosmic joke!? URGH! And I can't even blame you two!"
The soft smile that appeared on Thranduil's face confirmed Glorfindel's theory.
"So I see our littlest friend has been melting that cold heart of yours. Now why might that be?" He commented, unable to remain silent.
Thranduil froze, his mask of cold indifference returned to it's place.
"Oh come now, mellon nin¸ do not try and hide it from me." continued Glorfindel. "I can see it even through that carefully schooled expression of yours. She's getting to you. I see a light returned in your eyes when you look at her, that tender parental light every good parent has for a child. Do not try to deny it. You're going soft!"
Thranduil just rolled his eyes and shot Glorfindel a warning look, stating clearly that he did not wish to discuss this. But the balrog-slayer was not one to give up easily. He merely met the warning look directly and held it unblinkingly. After a battle of wills, which was a fairly long time give how stubborn both elves were, Thranduil finally sighed and oddly enough gave up.
"Fine." he said with irritation. "I do not deny that she has been reminding me what it felt like to have a daughter. And it hurts beyond what words can tell, yet at the same time, my deepest wounds that seemed impossible to reach have begun to mend. Such a blessing she has been to us Glorfindel, to me. Her timid soul shines with bright light, and I cherish that light."
Glorfindel smiled widely, then clapped his friend heartily on the shoulder, earning another half heartedly irritated look.
"And you said you didn't care about humans...but, Estel managed to worm his way into your heart, and now Emily has chiselled out a spot. Who's next I wonder? Cellissel would be very proud of you." Glorfindel said cheerily. Thranduil smiled ruefully, surprisingly not pained for once at the mention of his wife's name. It was true. She would be, and for once the elven king felt that deepest pain ebb away, leaving only a sweet memory of his past.
Fuelled by the peace he now felt, Thranduil wondered if it wasn't coming time for him to increase his efforts to encourage Emily to be less afraid of him. Cellissel would have scolded him for allowing the girl to remain so nervous of him for so long.
Yes. It was time to remedy that.
AN: Soo, there you have it, the herp derp king is finally going to make friends with Emily and admitted that he cares about her. More coming in the next week or so :) Have fun in the meantime people! And thankyou once again for all the lovely, supportive reviews! It really makes my writing come faster and better :)
