"Come back home soon, onónë!" Mairon said, looking a bit sad as I bent to kiss his forehead.
"I'll be back before you notice, Mairon." I winked, and then with a final farewell to everyone, climbed into the car with Dan and Roy as we headed off for school.
"Wow I feel like I'm fourteen again, going to high school." I chuckled, leaning back on the seat. "So what's the schedule, doctors? Do I get the million dollar tour?" I grinned, and the twins shook their heads as I laughed.
"I guess Elrohir will give you the tour before classes start while I prepare. First class for today is tourist etiquette. You haven't really missed much of the first term, as this is only the first week. You'll catch on fast to the stuff we've already discussed I think. Then after that is woodland classes, then you can take the fencing and martial arts class." Elladan began hesitantly.
"Alright then, Drs. Ronaldson." I said cheerily, and they shifted. "Oh come on now, what else am I supposed to call you? Grand-nephews? Rather incongruous for a student, wouldn't you think?" I asked with a wicked grin, enjoying the chance to tease them. They grinned wryly at the thought.
"No, but you could just call us Dan and Roy." Elladan replied dryly, and I snickered.
"Alright then, will do." I replied, and we arrived at the academy.
I climbed out of the car, looking around interestedly. I wasn't really nervous, because I knew this was only going to be one of many experiences in my rather long life. Live and learn, as we say you know. I followed Roy as he and Dan split to go different ways once we entered the main building, and I saw a couple other people at a counter that seemed to be newbies like me. Elrohir saw my questioning look and nodded, and I nodded back and went to the counter to stand in line.
Once it was my turn, I smiled at the male behind the counter who looked up from his desk and promptly gaped. "Hello." I said amusedly, and he blinked.
"O-oh, yes... Hello... Um, n-name?" he managed, and I smiled before answering.
"Celine DelaFiore." I answered, and he shuffled through the papers before handing an envelope to me.
"Welcome to the Ohtar en Oionaaru." He said, and to my immense amusement gave a brief bow. I curtsied in reply with a light laugh.
"Why thank you." I said, and went to join Elrohir who was grinning.
"Same thing happened when Dan and I joined." He snickered, and I smirked.
So I was first shown around the classrooms and building before it was time for the first class- tourist etiquette. Going into the classroom, I found an empty desk and claimed it, ignoring the awed looks from the other students. Roy went to the front of the class and began to lecture, while I pulled out a notebook and pencil and began to take notes.
"So, our first agenda of the day will be to discuss the proper way to greet your guests..."
...
I came out of the first class feeling very appreciative of the work that I was going to have to do to become a good tour guide. I really hadn't realized how intensive it was. The next class was taught by Gordon Phillips, and I took a deep breath before entering in. Elrohir had told me that he would see me at lunch break, which I appreciated as I did have some questions about the lessons I'd missed.
The classroom had lab desks like a chemistry class would, and I chose an empty spot before pulling out my notes and looking around the classroom as other students entered. There was a projector on the circling and a white board on the front wall along with a screen, so I guessed that this must be a science class of sorts as well. Just then, someone stepped up beside me.
"E-excuse m-m-me, but is a-anyone sitting he-ere?" Someone stuttered, and I looked up in surprise to see a blushing young man shifting and clutching a book bag. I almost melted in my seat from his cute stutter that reminded me of my own hanno. He was really a normal looking guy, with dirty blonde hair and bright blue eyes and not much to make him particularly stand out in a crowd. His nose was slightly crooked, but it struck me as probably rather attractive to girls in my opinion.
I smiled. "Not at all. Please, sit." I answered, scooting my chair over a bit to give him more room.
"Th-thanks." He replied shyly, nearly stumbling over his own shoes and blushing painfully at my smile. He was adorable.
And also very important, judging by the way my senses were on such a hypersensitive level that I could feel his every movement. I'll bet you anything he's one of the humans lord Manwë had warned us of. Although to be honest, I couldn't think of anything that this awkward, insecure young man might possibly do to be disturbing.
*Because he's the only one who doesn't, although he is a very important candidate for the forces for good.* Was the whisper in my ear, and if I had wolf ears I'd guarantee they'd be twitching.
*Of course uncle Irmo* I took a flying guess, and the slight laugh I received was enough proof.
"So, who's my desk mate for this year?" I asked, looking to him. He started and looked at me as though he was surprised I'd talked to him.
"M-me? Oh, my n-name is Zach McScott." He answered bashfully, and I smiled, holding out my hand.
"Nice to meet you, Zach. My name is Celine DelaFiore." I said, and he shook my hand awkwardly with a shy smile. Then there was no more time to talk, because the teacher came in. He was dressed in a Rangers uniform, green and white, with a smart walk, no-nonsense attitude, and a brown crew cut. Maybe he was older, but he still hadn't lost his identity. I could clearly see him as the boy that had teased me in school.
"Hello class. My name is Gordon Phillips, and I will be your woodland guide teacher. First off, let's start with your names. Please stand up and state your name to the class." He said in a clipped accent, and the students stood up one by one. Finally, it came to me.
I stood. "Hello, everyone. My name is Celine Ravid DelaFiore, and I am happy to meet you all." I said with a smile, and then sat down.
Zach stood up to introduce himself, but the teacher was obviously not paying attention. He was looking at me with a decidedly pale face. I looked back kindly with a friendly smile on my face as I inclined my head and mouthed to him "hello" with a wink. I looked back down and wrote in my notebook a quick note that I slipped into his desk after class was over.
Long time no see, old classmate. Meet me in president Roy's office at 3:00. -Celine
"Would you like to join me for lunch, Zach, or did you have another plan?" I asked as I gathered up my books, and he nodded.
"Oh, t-thanks. I would l-like that." He answered, and we headed off to lunch at the cafeteria, where I was happy to meet the head cook Grace, who was an avid Elf supporter as her name tag 'Eruanna' clearly declared.
...
I was in Roy's office by 2:30, looking on the computer as Roy peered over my shoulder.
"So you think Zach is important?" He asked, and I nodded absently.
"I know he is. The question is, whose throwback is he? He's obviously of the Rohirrim by his blonde hair and blue eyes, but who in particular would be important? His name should tell us." I said, almost speaking to myself more than anything.
"Zach- Remembered by God." Elrohir muttered. "So obviously that means he's important."
"I know that Mac is Scottish for 'son of,' but what does Scott mean? It originally means Scottish I know, but there has to be another meaning. Oh wait, here-" I stared at the screen.
"Wanderer?" Elrohir sounded confused. My mind flew back to the appendixes of the Lord of the Rings and everything I had ever read.
"I know this." I muttered. "I know I know this... Wait a minute." I grabbed my phone and quickly dialed Glorfindel.
"Loren." The voice came over the speakerphone.
"Hey Loren. I have a question." I said absently, still racking my brains.
"Then ask, melda." Was the somewhat harried answer.
"You busy?" I frowned at the phone.
"It's fine, just looking over last minute plans." Came the reply.
"What were the names of Aragorn's best friends among the Rohirrim?" I asked. There was a pause.
Elrohir gave me a quizzical look, and I jotted him a note. Has to be related to Aragorn somehow during his time as Thorongil, else it wouldn't be important enough. He nodded in understanding.
"Well, there was Grammund, Hamfast, Hildebrand, Isenbert, Ælfwine, Theoden, Thengel and his wife Morwen, and Wídfara." Came the somewhat puzzled answer.
"Thanks Loren. You're a lifesaver." I said, and blew him a kiss over the phone.
"Love you too, Míleth." Came the amused answer, and I hung up with a grin as Elrohir pretended to gag.
"So, we've got quite a list." I sighed.
"No, we don't." Elrohir suddenly said. "He mentioned most of these names Thengel, Morwen, Hildebrand, Theoden, and Wídfara most." He pointed out, and I looked at it thoughtfully, a memory stirring.
"Wait." I grabbed the list with dawning understanding. "I remember. I read once that Aragorn named only one of the Rohirrim his gwador, and that he was some sort of minor lord's son that was honored by the king by his deeds after the war for Edoras. Morwen and Thengel are out of the question, and so is Hildebrand, as I know his name as the commander of one of the best éored's of Rohan." My fingers flew over the keyboard. "Wídfara would be considered an Anglo-Saxon name now..."
"There!" Elrohir fairly yelped, and I stared at the screen.
"Wīdfara- far traveller." I murmured. "Bingo."
The door opened. "Sir?"
Both of us looked up, startled, to see Gordon standing there. "Come in, Gordon." Elrohir said warmly.
I stood after closing the page, and held out my hand. "Hello Mr. Phillips." I said with a smile, and he took my hand politely.
"Gordon." He said quietly, and I nodded.
"Celine." I replied.
"I know." He blurted, and made me laugh. "Sorry. I don't know what's come over me..." He gave me a chagrined look as I shook my head.
"Natural reaction to my kind, don't worry." I winked. "Nice to see you again, Gordon. I'm so happy you're on our side." I said warmly, and he relaxed visibly.
"And I am as well." He answered genuinely, and I nodded.
"So Gordon, what have I missed in the past study week?" I asked, and a new relationship was forged for the better.
...
"You're right. You definitely need... Help." I said with a grimace, watching the martial arts instructor demonstrate the basics of karate.
"I know." Elladan replied morosely. "So, can you help?" He asked, and I nodded.
"Mind if I take over?" I asked, and he stepped forwards.
"Class." He called, and everyone paused to look at Elrohir with bows. He shot me a glance, and I nodded. So, they were the ones aware of the Elves. "I know that this class has been poorly lacking in good instructors, but that is changed from now on. I'm introducing your new teacher, who is also a new student here at the academy." He said smoothly, and the current instructor stepped into the ranks of the students with clear relief on his face. "I thank John for being willing to teach what he knows."
The previous instructor nodded politely and said thanks in Sindarin, which made me arch an eyebrow. Then I stepped forwards with a bow. "Mae Govennan. My name is Celine DelaFiore, and I am here to be your new instructor, if you are willing." I said, and the class bowed with murmured assent.
"First of all, I'd like there to be a line made at the blue mat so that I can assess your skills as individuals to determine what level we should start at." I said briskly, stepping up to the mat. The people, most of them young adults and a few middle aged, stepped into a line, with Elladan joining at the end to my faint surprise. The first student suddenly raised a hand, and I inclined my head.
"Yes-?"
"Matt Harris." The young man supplied, and then went on. "Are you one of the Eldar?" He asked, giving me a querying look. I smiled wryly.
"Well. I suppose I should introduce myself first as well. I expect to be called Celine, but that is only one of my names." I started, and there were knowing titters. "First of all, may I ask how many of you are firm believers in elves?" I asked, and all hands were raised. "Now, may I ask how many of you have only seen the movies?" Not a hand. "How many of you are familiar with the Silmarillion?" I went on, and about half of the hands went up. "And finally, how many of you are aware of a higher sect of beings than the Elves?" A quarter of hands. I hummed.
"Well then, it looks like Dan will have to start teaching you all history." I said dryly.
"We are, it's just that we haven't gotten to the First Age yet. We've started from the Third Age." Dan replied, and I nodded.
"Makes sense, considering all things. Well then, in answer to your question Mr. Harris, I am neither elf nor man. However, what I truly am called you might learn better in the future. Suffice it to say that I am on the side of good." I said, and there were murmurs. Matt nodded.
"Now, please step up." I motioned, and Matt did so. "Now, attack." I said blandly.
He hesitated. "Aren't you going to ask what I know?" He asked, confused, and I shook my head.
"Your opponent in an open battle is most certainly not going to ask if you're a black belt, much less play fair. So- attack." I said, and several girls giggled at the dry joke.
He grinned before lashing out. He lasted for about three seconds before I had him pinned to the floor. "Very good. You're at a good level, Matt. I'm impressed." I said approvingly, and sent him off to take a short break. There were eight more men and five women, with John Reginald lasting longer than anyone else before him. He had an unpredictable style that was a nice challenge for me to predict. Then came Elladan.
"Well Dan. Let's see how you do." I winked, and he grinned.
"Sure thing, m'lady." He teased as I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Oh? Should I rub our relationship in your face?" I asked archly, and he snorted.
"Please don't. It's still too foreign a concept." He groaned, and I smirked before unexpectedly making the first move. Barely caught off guard, he bent back and the match began.
I was thoroughly enjoying myself as we danced around the mat. Dan looked utterly concentrated, while I was grinning like some demented loon and making teasing comments. The students seemed enraptured, openly gaping at the match. After a good five minutes, I finally weaseled my hand in and snagged him, pinning him to the mat for five seconds.
I stood, brushing myself off. "Nice match. You've got good training from Loren." I said off-handedly.
He grinned, slightly out of breath. "Thanks. Where'd you learn?" He asked.
I gave him a sardonic look. "Strangely, from wrestling with errant feär in the halls of Mandos who decided they didn't want to be judged." I drawled, and several of the students who were familiar with the Silmarillion looked bewildered. Elladan shook his head.
"I don't want to know." He decided, and I snorted in agreement before turning to the rest.
"Now, don't feel discouraged by your seeming incompetence. It's possible for anyone to reach the level you have just seen, and Dan and I have had years of practice. So don't worry about your own skills. You'll eventually get there if you practice hard enough and truly devote yourself to it. Now, I'd like to see John, Matt, and Evelyn here on the mat..."
...
The fencing class was of great interest to me. I was given a simple foil to use, and I gently swung it to get a feeling for its balance. Roy and Dan were the teachers for the class, and there were significantly more students for the fencing class than the martial arts.
Dan began the class without ado by inviting everyone to choose a partner, and Roy chose me so that he could fill me on what I had missed before. He taught me how to properly hold it, and gave me a quick discourse.
"I know you already know it's history as far as Arda, so I'm just going to tell you that this sort of foil was used by the French Musketeers, and Dan and I enjoyed our time as Musketeers and made use of their teaching tactics." He said quickly, and my eyebrows shot up.
"Interesting." I replied, immediately thinking about the books I'd read about the style of the Musketeers. Very flashy actually, not too practical compared to the Elven style. Much less the Valarin and Maiarin style, which made me squash my giggles at the thought.
We began with a light combat form usually used with the French rapier, and seeing that I was already proficient in that, Roy moved me on to another style that was more aggressive and required more force. By now we had already progressed past the level that Dan was teaching the others, so he took me aside a little ways and handed me a weighted wooden sword.
By then, he had already began making advanced attacks which I handled just fine though not necessarily in complete ease. I was used to fighting other Maiar with my Maiarin levels, not in this limited form, and Roy was forcing me to adapt. It was a challenge and I enjoyed it.
"You didn't tell me you were proficient." Elrohir said, pausing, and I shook my head.
"I'm not. I can fight in my Maiarin form against other Maiar with ease, but that's because my strength is unlimited and I have some other benefits. I've never fought like this in a limited form, and you're forcing me to adapt and accustom myself. I want to learn to be better. The better I am with this form, the better I can work with Glorfindel, knowing his weaknesses and strengths and how they work." I explained, and he nodded thoughtfully.
"Neither Elladan or I are even close to Glorfindel in skill, but he did teach us. Mind if I use my sword and you borrow Elladan's?" He asked, and I shook my head with a smile.
"If you'll teach me to be better, I'd be happy." I answered humbly, and he nodded before loping over to his brother.
Elladan listened and shot me a surprised look before nodding and pausing the class. "Looks like we have a treat today, guys. Celine and Roy will have a face-off. Celine wants Roy to teach her to do better." He said, and the class looked thrilled as they filed to bleachers to watch. I went over to the twins, and Roy handed me a sword he'd picked up from a corner.
I picked it up and hefted it experimentally, doing a few simple katas to get a feel for the weight. I shook my head, walking over to Elladan. "I can't use this, Elladan. It's no good for me. The balance is strange in my hands."
He nodded in understanding. "I worried about that." He frowned, but I cut in.
"I'll use my own." I said, and he gave me a look. "Don't worry, I'll make sure it doesn't look too... Suspicious." I said, and he nodded before turning to the class.
"This duel is not choreographed, and is with live steel, so please do not try this at home." He said with a wry smile as the class laughed and I quickly made my way to my bags and discreetly thought the sword given to me by Tulkas into my hands. Then, making my way back over to Roy, I handed the sword to him for inspection as he handed his to me.
His was a little more balanced by my standards, although still strange under my fingers. I handed it back and he handed me mine. "It's weighted?" He queried, nodding to the hilt. I nodded. He shrugged, and we took our places across from each other. The room was silent, and Roy lunged first. We met in a clash of steel, and from then on it escalated rapidly. I was clumsy at first from disuse and trying to get into a comfortable center of balance in my current Elven form, but slowly I began to even out as Roy barked instructions at me.
I balanced on the balls of my feet, making it easier for me to leap and move lightly and quickly. Roy managed to nick my leg, but I ignored the stinging pain and the small trickle of blood, keeping on in concentration. The students groaned in dismay at the wound, but I knew it was superficial and unavoidable in a duel.
It got even fiercer, and by now Roy was going at a pace that I was finally feeling immensely challenged to follow. Tulkas had taught me much, but what was applicable as a Maia wasn't necessarily applicable or even practical as an elf or human. I had to predict Elrohir's movements milliseconds before he executed them, and in order to do that I had to notice subtle shifts in stance and small nuances that would show me his next move. Our faces were impossible to read for emotions or any clue to our next moves, though both he and I had the light of battle in our eyes.
But I finally lost, though I was pleased that I had lasted for a whole twenty minutes of fierce and fast battle. It was over quickly. I overcompensated my weight and he got me in the shoulder, barely managing to reverse his force so that the only damage was a finger-width gash that would normally need stitches if I were a human. There were a few moans as the blood quickly pooled on the floor, but Dan was there in a flash with a roll of bandage and first aid kit.
He pressed gauze to the wound and put the necessary antiseptics and creams on it, wrapping it tightly enough to staunch the blood while still allowing circulation, earning nothing more than a hiss from me in reply.
"Thanks, Dan." I said with a somewhat pained smile, and he smiled thinly in reply.
"Impressive." Was his only reply, and I chuckled.
"I'm suitably ashamed of my performance as an elf, and in awe of Elrohir." I replied good-naturedly, and Roy chuckled as he cleaned both of our blades and thanked me.
...
We finally made it home after the last class, and I dropped my bag by the door as the family wandered into the living room to see us, some of them from the second floor of the living room, which had several rooms used for various purposes. There was a bathroom and three other rooms used as either smaller offices or small parlors.
I yawned widely and winced as a twinge ran through my shoulder. It had already healed rapidly owing to my race, although I still had the blood-stained bandage on it to prevent infection. Elíl immediately rushed to me and insisted on checking my shoulder while the rest demanded explanation as I laughed.
"It's fine! I promise." I said after explaining, and they looked relieved.
"It is fine." Elíl declared in relief. "Healing normally for a Maia in Elven form." She sighed, and I grinned.
"See there? Don't worry about it. I missed you too, Mairon." I said, flopping on the couch as Mairon attached himself to my waist in a hug. Esgal bounded around my feet as Maeglin and Beleg crawled up beside me.
"And you too, hanno, yonya." I smiled, and they grinned.
We exchanged accounts of the day as everyone gathered around, and finally got to news of the café, which was declared to be ready in two days. There were cheers, and Maedhros went to prepare dinner since it was his turn, promising a cake for dessert. The huge pantry was full, as was the fridge, and dinner was very pleasant. I finally was able to get rid of the bandage after dinner to find that a white scar was all that was left after three hours.
"So, what should we do?" Lir asked as the dishes were washed and put away.
"Elil, Lir, meet me in the library." I said, and headed upstairs as they followed. No one was foolish enough to follow or ask what we were doing, and as soon as the door was closed, I lit the fire to drive out the slight draft as they sat on the couches or, in Lir's case, the lush carpeted floor. I sat on the floor as well.
"Spill." Elíl demanded, and I shook my head.
"I met a young man in one of my classes today, and we became good friends." I said, and Lir frowned.
"So?" She asked in a confused tone.
"His name is Zach McScott." I said, ignoring their bewildered looks. "When I looked up his name later, Zach means 'remembered by God,' and Mac means 'son of,' while Scott means both 'Scottish' and 'wanderer.' So his name means 'son of the wanderer remembered by Eru.'" I looked at them sharply, and they suddenly got it.
"Wait, he's one of them?" Elíl asked. "Which throwback is he?" She asked.
"Wídfara, gwador of Aragorn when he was known as Thorongil, highly respected warrior of the Rohirrim during the time of Thengel and the Ring Wars." I said flatly.
They sat in silence. Finally, Lir spoke. "I read about Wídfara." She murmured. "This is... Not coincidence."
I gave her a thin smile. "You think?" I asked dryly, and she snorted in agreement as Elíl rolled her eyes.
"Well, I guess we'll have to see how it turns out." She shrugged, and I nodded.
"We'll see. Anyways- let's go and make ourselves useful." I grinned, and we laughed, heading back downstairs and forgetting the rigors of being a Maia for a while.