Chapter 21

Another two weeks passed before the delegations from Lorien and Greenwood arrived in Imladris. By this time Fall had come out in full swing, the leaves painted in colors of reds, yellows and oranges. Travel beyond this time was also not recommended as early snows had come to the mountains. As such Lord Elrond had procured rooms for all of the visitors for the next few months.

Terrin and Ariel were not able to greet the elves that traveled from the realms they had settled in as Erestor had them busy cleaning the library. Elrond considered this the safest option, and it kept them from getting bored, which equated vast amounts of trouble. Since neither elf protested and actually enjoyed the time they spent in the library everyone won. Almost everyone. Erestor still had his doubts about the two, however even he would find himself sitting entranced as they told stories of their lives in the far east and various events that had occurred there.

Sometimes Dalhier would join them as well, though he mostly worked on his garden, trying to prepare it for the upcoming winter months. His friends would have helped him instead, but the lovely Vanesse had approached him about it, and they kindly relinquished the duty to her. While Dalhier enjoyed spending time with her, he received a lot of teasing from his friends about it in the end. Still, if they could tease him about her, it meant they approved of the elleth of his heart. In fact they had invited her to join them for dinner the evening the visitors arrived.

The afternoon had passed quickly barely allowing Dalhier and Vanesse to finish working in the garden before they had to come in to clean up. Ariel had come home earlier to actually start cooking the meal, politely refusing when Vanesse offered to help, citing that Dalhier needed more help than she did. Though partially true, Dalhier knew it was because Ariel disliked people hanging over her shoulder in the kitchen.

Terrin joined them just before dinner, having gotten stuck in the library longer than he wanted, as Erestor had demanded he retell the story about the Corsair war of 1213 to Glorfindel. While the ellon loved to speak about adventures past, the constant questions the advisor shot at him proved to make the telling longer than necessary. It was only when the Golden Lord remembered that they had to prepare for dinner with their guests that he had found escape.

Of course he retold the whole affair with all the splendor of a whining child, causing his friends to chuckle. Once seated at the table they let Dalhier say a quick prayer, since it was his home, then quickly dug into the meal of chicken, stir fried vegetables and soda bread. Vanesse was very surprised since all the dishes were of an eastern fair, a new experience for the elleth.

"So who are these visitors Glory spoke of," Ariel asked.

"Ariel," sighed Dalhier in exasperation. "I have told you to call him Glorfindel! Not Glory!"

Ariel simply waved him off, the look on her face bringing a giggle to Vanessa's lips.

"Apparently we were missed more than I thought," Terrin continued, popping some chicken into his mouth. "Delegates from Lorien and Greenwood have arrived. All because of our sudden re-appearance in Arda. What's more it's not just any elves in the party, but the rulers of said realms themselves."

"Why," Ariel snorted. "Surely it is not that big of a deal."

"Oh but it is," Vanesse assured them. "All three realms were in a tizzy for months trying to figure out what had happened. Dan and Ro went to Isengard with Glorfindel to consult with Saruman about it. From what the twins said the other two realms did the same thing. They all met up and traveled to Isengard where not only Saruman met them but Mithrandir and the Blue Wizards."

"Pallando and Alatar were there," Dalhier nearly choked on his wine. "They actually traveled out of the east?"

"Yes, they are the ones that told the elves about your…" She paused realizing that she might be overstepping her bounds.

"Go on, we're used to them telling things they probably shouldn't," Terrin encouraged the girl.

"Well, they said that your parents were killed when you were very young and that you were all slaves for a good portion of your youth," the elleth whispered, not meeting their eyes. "Then they mentioned that you three went from battle to battle and have earned the title The Three Dragons."

Ariel shook her head tiredly. "Why do those two find it necessary to divulge our business to everyone? Bad enough they kicked us out of the only home we knew for fifteen hundred years."

"I'm sorry," Vanesse murmured meekly.

"There's nothing for you to be sorry about," Dalhier patted her hand gently, bringing her eyes up to his. "They did not state anything but the truth; it is just not something we generally like to discuss."

"If anything we just dislike the fact those two blue busybodies always find a way to interfere with our lives," Terrin mused dryly. "In fact it was worse when we first met them. It started in Khand…" He proceeded to tell her about their first run in with the blue wizards and their prompt expulsion from the east lands. Dalhier and Ariel would add their observations and opinions from time to time increasing the hilarity of the tale that Terrin wove. By the end of it Vanesse was torn between laughing and crying.

Once dinner had been cleaned up and everything put in its proper place the four sat out on the small patio that Dalhier had off of his home, overlooking the garden. They sat drinking wine and speaking of days past, helping Vanesse understand them all the more. It was during a rather interesting tale about Dalhier and a baby Oliphant that they received more visitors.

"Hello there," Elledan called in greeting as he rounded the side of the house. "We had knocked, but upon hearing rather uproarious laughter we came to investigate."

"We hope you do not mind," Elrohir added as he came into sight followed by four other elves. "We brought friends…and wine," he held up two bottles.

"Then consider yourselves welcome," Terrin grinned broadly, moving to gather more glasses while Dalhier and Ariel pulled out more chairs.

"I do not think I have met your friends," Dalhier cocked his head regarding the four elves. One was obviously from Greenwood while the other three were from Lorien.

"That's right you haven't," Elledan grinned in remembrance. "This is our dear friend Legolas, and these fine warriors are Haldir, Rumil and Orophin. The latter two are great with pranks. Sadly Haldir has yet to learn the joys of troublemaking."

Dalhier rolled his eyes at the introduction but greeted them all in turn before introducing his own friends, though it appeared Terrin and Ariel knew the elves from their realms. In fact Orophin and Rumil had swept Ariel up in a rather painful looking hug, going on and on about how boring it was without her. Thankfully Haldir saved her from them, admonishing his brothers for accosting her when she still had injuries.

Soon the group was situated and talking a bit about various things, learning more about what happened in the absence of the trio than what they had done. The recent additions knew not to ask, as they would learn at the meeting Elrond was planning to hold the following day. This was actually why they had come.

"By the way," Elrohir spoke up suddenly during a lull in the conversation. "I dislike being the barer of bad news, but Ada is planning to hold a meeting tomorrow, which will include you three giving a detailed account of what happened to you when you disappeared."

"I knew we couldn't ignore it forever," Ariel sighed.

"I guess this means you'll need to stock up on wine tomorrow Dal," Terrin joked, yet there was a look in his eyes that hinted at the pain the memories brought.

"Was it that bad," Haldir quarried gently. His hand moved to cover Ariel's, which sat between them on the bench.

"Yes…and no," Terrin frowned. "It is difficult in any battle, but this was different for many reasons." Smirking a bit derisively he waved the subject off. "But that is for tomorrow. I am sure you will all be there."

"Yes, as we witnessed your disappearance we have been allowed to join the council," Legolas smiled sheepishly. "Actually Kien wanted to come, but considering your past, Ada decided it would be best to keep you apart."

Terrin nodded his head in agreement.

"Your past," Dalhier turned to the other, eyebrow raised.

"We had some…disagreements…"

"You fought! Did he lose his temper? Did he," Ariel turned to Legolas, hope in her eyes.

"Um…no, Terrin has never lost his temper to my knowledge," Legolas advised, confused when she pouted and Terrin smirked. "Am I missing something?"

"They have five bottles of eastern wine riding on the bet to who can keep their temper the longest." Dalhier chuckled at the looks this revelation received. "I believe the time frame was 1500 years. To date neither has claimed the prize."

The group laughed into the night as they told various stories and compared bets and pranks each had pulled in the past.