AN: Well, Happy December 19th to you all! :) For those of you interested, the baby bump has me feeling like a hippo. My husband regularly sings 'hungry hungry hippo' to me, the dear soul that he is, and has taken pains to remind me that the term fits so well. Hippos are cute but dangerous. So supportive, dear. Thanks. LOL. He is the best. Anyway, this hungry hippo is off to eat more snacks because baby wants them. I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Chapter 17
The leather binding of the pages Emily had thrust into his hands was smooth and cool to the touch. Despite the numerous years sitting hidden, there was little evidence to suggest as much and the pages inside were immaculately preserved.
Slowly, Thranduil moved to the window ledge once more and seated himself in the light of the moon as his hands moved with a slight tremor to break the seal of the letter sitting on top of the mass of pages. It was addressed to him and he recognized the elegant writing of his wife anywhere.
The letter had one page and only a few lines of writing.
Dear Thranduil,
Stop being an idiot and ruining the Winter season for everyone, you big turd of an ellon! Here is some incentive to better behave yourself in my absence.
Love,
Cellissel
The elf king blinked in surprise, unsure if he should laugh or be disappointed. Quickly, he turned the page over and looked for more that might be hiding somewhere.
There was.
Almost had you there, didn't I! Check your bundle of pages, my love. I promise I left you more than this measly little note.
His eyes narrowed and he snorted.
Setting aside the note, he opened the bundle and found yet another letter at the top of the pages, which turned out to be musical scores written in her hand. The first piece was entitled 'Remember Us'.
A small smile of relief played at his mouth as he opened the next letter, gently setting aside the pages of music.
My beloved Thranduil,
I can only imagine what must be going through your head right now...if I were to guess my first instinct would be that you are wondering at how I managed to keep such a huge secret from you when it is so well known that I am, in fact, atrocious at keeping secrets, especially from you.
Well, it just goes to show you can't pry everything from me, and I am not so terrible at it when I have the motivation. Where did that come from, you might ask? Honestly, partly it was the thought of your face being so utterly shocked when you found out. It was a satisfying change from that smug grin you give me every time I prove yet again I am terrible at keeping a secret.
Forgive me, my love. I can not resist but to attempt to tease you at least just a little. I would imagine it is not being well received, though I beg of you to accept it as you would if I were sitting next to you and all of this was but a terrible dream we have just woken from.
You are angry, no doubt, in some manner. I know this because you have every right to be. Had the roles been reversed, I would be. My only prayer is that you have not become cold and distant once more. This is what it is, Thranduil...fair or not, tragic or not...we are parted and it breaks my heart to even think it. Those long nights I spent thinking of what to write in this letter...oh how I cried upon realizing the reality of our broken future. I will leave you, our children, our kingdom behind. I will not be there to laugh with you, to cry with you, to yell at you when you are being an utter ass, to be teased and infuriated by you, to kiss you, to love you, and share in all the joys and sorrows of life.
I will never meet any of my grandchildren, save our dear Emily who brought about this final chance at saying goodbye.
All that aside (for I have gone on a rather depressing spiral), I must come back to the matter at hand.
Thranduil, what are you doing, you idiot!? You know full well the tone of voice I am using right now as I write these words.
My FAVOURITE time of year! And you what? Become a reclusive crank who won't even venture out and honour the happiness we shared by celebrating the BEST festivities in all the seasons!? Shame on you, my dear husband. I know you miss me, but really...this just won't do at all. I am roaring and raging from the halls of Mandos at you as we speak...in the most loving way, of course.
I know, I know, you would still argue that the first days of spring are more beautiful, however, I am your queen and your wife. Even if I am dead, that age old phrase still applies, miserable ellon. Happy wife, happy life. Now, go make the season perfect for me, there's a good king.
Thranduil stared at the end of the first page, face composed and masked for a second before he burst out laughing. He could hear it all, see it all and picture every detail of her face as she scolded him. It was with teasing irritation, and gentle remorse, for she would never be so harsh as to hurt him intentionally. The banter of her words warmed him and he blinked the suspicious moister from his eyes as he moved on the next page of the letter.
In all seriousness, Thranduil, I am sorry.
I'm sorry to leave you, and I am sorry I can't tell you.
You will be strong and firm without me, as I well know, though I worry for the state of your heart. You wound deeply and hide from it in your coldness towards the world. I hope, somewhere along the way you find healing and return to that kind, gentle and utterly devoted ellon I know and love so well.
My fears are already somewhat eased by the fact that Emily is so attached to you and willing to brave being sent back in time just to find you a Winters Yuletide gift. She would see you happy again, Thranduil, and as would I. Pain or no pain, do not let our perfect time of year become only a frozen wasteland of bitter memories. Let me come back to you, through the memories of what was and in the beauty of this time. I'll be waiting in the music for you.
All my love,
Cellissel
Ps. Make sure someone competent conducts the music. I am such a snob, but I cannot stand the thought of it being played by someone like...well...I promised to behave and not complain about that poor elleth anymore, but you know who I mean, even it has been an age since I last spoke to her.
And so ended the letter.
A long while later, Thranduil stirred from the quiet trance he had been sitting in. Thoughtfully, he gathered up the bundle and then retrieved the rest of the treasures from the vault, sorting through them lovingly.
As the past touched present through the written words of his wife, Thranduil became aware of the distinct sense of renewal flooding his weary bones. It sparked motivation and chased away the melancholy of a life long gone, replacing it instead with a deep love that spurred him forwards.
With haste, he gathered up the precious cargo and left the study, smiling at idea that the spirit of his wife lingered near by and approved of the change in him.
For the remainder of that night, Thranduil worked tirelessly at his desk making notes and plans that he would set into motion at the break of the new day.
This winter, things would be as they should.
Upon waking that next day, Emily found the entire kingdom had been transformed with a new air and energy that had been lacking thus far. The change was not unwelcome, for it served as fuel to get her up and moving that morning. Her sleep had been restless, filled with vague and nonsensical dreams that lurked ever on the edges of her half awake state. Everything was stiff and sore to move, not unlike when Glorfindel had trained her especially hard. The only problem was that she had been given a few days off and therefore had no real reason she should be so tired or sore.
Shrugging her tight shoulders and rationalizing that she would feel better the more she moved about, Emily hurried to find Merenith. They had some grand plans to design today in pre-emptive preparation for whatever they faced as consequences of their last poorly executed prank.
Speaking of which, Emily slowed her pace and peer quietly around the corner as she listened to the conversation happening near by.
"And you are absolutely CERTAIN you have no idea how we got...stuck?" Elladan was saying in his best stern voice. Emily supposed at one point in time she would have been intimidated by it. Merenith, who was on the receiving end of this voice looked about as intimidated as one would expect from her, which was not even slightly. She just smile sweetly at him and shook her head wordlessly.
"I'm not sure I believe you." Elrohir stated frankly, crossing his arms and frowning down at her.
"Well, I cannot change that, my lord." Merenith said with a shrug. "It is your choice if you do or not."
"You do realize, do you not, that by coming clean you could make of us allies instead of enemies?" Elrohir tried again, changing tactics.
"And in what way would I need you to be my ally?" Merenith wanted to know, her interest sparking somewhat at the intriguing idea of the Infamous Sons of Elrond being on her side instead of the Four Dull Ones.
The twins exchanged a look that made Emily's radar go haywire, alerting her to their lack of trustworthiness at this time. Hastily she moved to intervene.
"In no way whatsoever, my dear cousin." Emily said cheerily. "For you have nothing to hide."
"This is true, but if I did have something to hide, would it not be better to have allies such as these?" Merenith replied, not at all phased by the sudden appearance Emily.
"Yes, indeed!" Elladan broke in, grey eyes flashing with dangerous mirth. "We would be the finest of allies, if you were to just confirm who was responsible for our...mishap the other day."
"Say nothing." Emily whispered, quickly stopping her cousin from speaking further. "They aren't trustworthy."
"Why, Emily! You wound us deeply!" Elladan cried, his hand clasping at his heart dramatically.
Emily rolled her eyes. "Oh, I am not. You and I both know what you are doing."
Elrohir leaned forwards so he was almost at face height with her. "And what might that be?"
"Trying to get us to admit to or share information with you that is not available at this time." Emily answered calmly.
"Ohhhh." The twins nodded and had another wordless exchange with each other before coming to flank her and each place an arm around her shoulders amiably. "Is that your final answer?"
"Yes." Emily said quickly before Merenith had the chance to say otherwise.
They both sighed, shaking their heads as though terribly disappointed.
"Emily, Emily, Emily..." Said Elladan.
"You really should be more careful..." Continued Elrohir.
"Of what offers you turn down. You may regret it deeply." Elladan finished.
"Is that a threat?" Emily asked, unimpressed and doing an admirable job of not being nervous or wary of the fact they could easily toss her into the river at that moment in time.
"Nay, dear penneth!" Elrohir exclaimed. "Just a friendly word of caution! Goodness...do you really think so little of us?"
"Are we but young, reckless and headstrong ellons with no sense of honour?" Elladan asked.
Emily made a face and looked up at him, half smile on her face as she shook her head at him. "Do you honestly want me to answer that?"
"Yes." They said together, big toothy grins spreading across their faces.
"Fine. You aren't young, reckless and headstrong ellons with no sense of honour. You are old reckless, headstrong ellons with a minor sense of honour, and yes, I know you are about to toss me in the river." Emily told them seriously.
The smiles left their faces and were replaced with disappointment.
"That just takes the fun out it." Elrohir dropped his arm.
His brother followed suit while saying almost huffily, "And we aren't old. I can't believe you think we have so little honour."
"Don't sulk." Emily yawned, feeling a little smug. "It doesn't look good on either of you."
Identical expressions narrowed at her and the next thing Emily knew, both had advanced with every intention of tossing her off the bridge they stood on into the water close below.
"Hey!" Merenith launched forwards, grappling the nearest twin fiercely. "Stay away from my cousin!"
"Elladan! Stay back!" Emily warned.
"Oh come, you look parched. A drink would do you good!"
"Elladan! Help me with this warg!"
"I am not a WARG!"
A yelp rang into the halls. "YOU BIT ME! YOU ARE TOO A WARG! ELLADAN GET IT OFF ME! GET IT OFF!"
"I am BUSY Elrohir! She's just a little elleth! Deal with it yourself."
"I'm NOT getting wet today."
"Oh, yes you are, Emily dear."
"Am not!"
"AGHHH! REISA! STOP IT! EMILY CALL THIS MUTT OFF! SHE'LL PUT HOLES IN MY TROUSERS!"
"Goodness knows that no one wants to see that." A mild voice said then, bringing them all to a pause and painting a rather amusing picture as they stared sheepishly at the towering figure of Estel. Emily was in a headlock and in the midst of kicking Elladan in the shins while Reisa had come to her mistress's aid by taking hold of the elf's rear end in her teeth. It was just hard enough to be uncomfortable and warned of what could happen next if he didn't release Emily. Merenith was latched onto Elrohir's back, one handful of hair and braids while the other was half choking him with little mercy.
"I leave you alone for ten minutes..." Estel sighed, though a smile played at his mouth. "And you call me a child."
"They started it!" All four chorused, each pointing a finger at the others.
Glancing over his shoulder, Estel said calmly, "Then might I suggest we all finish it before Faervel arrives? He did not look happy when as he was heading this way."
There was a pause, then all parties hurried to detach themselves and straighten their rumpled clothing, trying to look innocent and nonchalant as a cranky looking Faervel rounded the bend.
His brisk movements slowed as he stared hard at each of them, brain working furiously.
"What is going on here?" He asked sharply. "I thought I heard a disturbance during the guard change."
"Nothing going on here!" Emily said with a cheery smile. It faltered somewhat when that keen stare fell on her like a hawk. "How are you today?"
"Yes, indeed! How do you fair? You look weary!" Elrohir tried sounding concerned.
Faervel scowled as he turned on his heel to stalk off. "It's little wonder that I am, what with the endless silliness and shenanigans happening! I have better things to do with my time than to keep you in line. Behave yourself, for once in your lives! Or I shall send you both back to Imladris in a sack!"
The twins looked at one another in mock confusion. "Now, why would he automatically assume it's us causing trouble and not these two wargs?"
Later that day, Thranduil was sitting comfortably in his own quarters working on a few more details for the coming days of merriment. He had long since given a great many orders and instructions to his palace staff, all which were received with delighted surprise and joyful enthusiasm that their king was taking such an interest. Surely it had not happened for many a long year.
With specifications concerning the lanterns, activities, decorations, special food, musicians (properly selected) now practicing the new treasured compositions of Cellissel, and other carefully thought out requirements for this occasion, Thranduil was content to work on some secondary ideas. His advisors had been wise to leave him alone once they noted his sudden interest in the season, some even volunteering to take over some of the less pressing duties that he himself usually cared for. For once, he accepted and retreated happily to his own space.
A knock at the door disturbed his concentration and he lifted his head, biding the intruder to enter. A smile broke his stern demeanour when he saw who it was. She hesitated on the threshold of the room, gauging his mood carefully and a little shyly.
"My dear indyo, what bring you here on this fine day?" Thranduil greeted warmly, leaving her little doubt that he was not upset or angry in anyway from the previous nights revelations.
Emily relaxed with a grin, entered and proceeded to flop herself dramatically on the warm rug near the hearth. She let out a very horsy sound as she blew air through her lips and announced mournfully, "Hello. I've been banished."
Judging by her tone of voice, Thranduil knew without a doubt that she wasn't that torn up about it. Smirking lightly he replied without looking up from the page before him,
"Banished? By who's authority?"
"Clare's. And mum's."
"Ah. And what was your offence?" he enquired, rubbing away a part of the drawing that he wasn't happy with. Emily drew a deep breath in preparation of her explanation.
"Well, first I was late for meeting with them, which wasn't entirely my fault. Merenith and I were...busy...anyway, I lost track of the time and they were cranky at me. Anyway, the meeting was about helping with festive preparations. Actually, really it was just them telling me what I would be in charge of helping with, along with the other 'young elves' as Mom put it. I didn't even get to suggest anything, which is lame...I mean, I know this isn't Earth and some of our traditions don't fit but still...I kinda miss our version of Christmas." Emily scuffed the rug with her heel, frowning. "Now Clare's frustrated because I 'won't' pick a dress for the big feast, and is mad because I don't feel like wearing of ones she tries to get me to try on. She was like, 'You have to pick something, Emily. It's not like you can wear your jeans or anything you usually insist on wearing!' Then I said, 'Hey, that's not a bad idea! Then I can be sure no one else wear the same thing as me! Maybe I should wear a panda onesie.' And she didn't think that was funny and accused me of not taking it seriously, which I wasn't. She asked again what I was planning to wear, since I didn't like what she was suggesting, and I told her that I was thinking about waiting for something to appear in my magic wardrobe since anything I've ever found in there was exactly what I liked..." Emily came to the end of her breath and gasped for another one while Thranduil's smirk widened at her last comment about the wardrobe. "And then she told mum she couldn't deal with me anymore and mum told me to leave, which I happily did! I mean, really, is it just me, or are they going a bit overboard with this whole thing? The festival isn't for days...what are you doing?"
Emily craned her neck round to look up at him from the floor and squinted at the book in his hands.
"Drawing." Thranduil stated as his hand moved with expert precision.
"Can I see?" Emily asked, curiosity glowing in her eyes.
"Not yet. It isn't finished"
Emily huffed. "Artists."
Unable to suppress the mirth, Thranduil laughed, "You may see some of the others, however."
Instantly Emily was up off the floor and perched cosily against his shoulder as she sat on the arm of the chair, waiting eagerly. Thranduil turned back the beginning of the book and waited to see Emily's reaction to the first picture. Her mouth fell open and she gave a delighted sort of laugh.
"That's...Is that...?" she stopped, unable to find the words.
"You on the first day you rode Braigon and he threw you? Yes."
The drawing captured the scene perfectly. Emily was standing with her hands on her hips, glaring sternly at the remorseless pony. Emily could practically hear the cheeky squeal of the beast as he looked at her innocently and pranced about.
"That's amazing!" Emily laughed, utterly thrilled by the detail and perfection. "Can I see another?!"
Her grandfather turned the pages, showing her one by one each scene he had captured so flawlessly. Most were from their first encounters during her visit to Imladris. There was one of her, Estel and the twins wrestling in the water fountains. Another was of Glorfindel and her sitting side by side laughing. Yet another depicted, almost comic book style, the events of the prank war he had engineered. The final ones were of their great snow frolic just before she left, and finally, the departing figure of Emily through a portal back to her own world.
She expected them to end there, and was shocked to find that they did not.
Thranduil turned the next page and low and behold, Emily saw a drawing of her mother sitting in the sunroom on Earth, reading a book with Hobbes on her lap.
"How did..." Emily looked at him quickly, face filled with question.
"I may have mentioned once that the Valar were...unique in their gifts to me after your departure. In my dreams, I was allowed to witness your lives from time to time. I drew a fair amount from those dreams."
"Ohhh yeahh..." Emily breathed. "You did tell me that, I just...I don't know...I believed you...sort of?"
Thranduil gave her a look that made the girl squirm, as intended. "You believed I would lie to you about such a thing?"
"No! I just...I don't know...never mind. Can I see more?"
They went through them together, Emily going very quiet as she gazed almost longingly at each shard of her old life, held in a captured moment on each page. Those moments were she was seated doing homework, unaware her grandfather had been watching over her while she did so. Her brother always seemed to have his nose in a computer, tablet or book. Her sister in her ever fluid and flighty way of life, rushing from one thing to the next, never really satisfied. Her mother taking charge of any given chaotic situation at work or home and her father facing down bad people, protecting and serving the community. Each small or large moment made Emily's heart ach.
"I know you miss it dearly." Thranduil said quietly. "And I am sorry for that. If I could take this pain from you, I would happily."
"I know." Emily sniffed and rubbed at her eyes. "It's ok. It's good to see it all. I knew you were artsy like Clare but I didn't know you were...well...I didn't know about this."
"Some people keep journals. I keep several sketching journals, recording events that I have seen or experienced. Things that brought me joy, sorrow, pain, entertainment, all and everything. It brings healing and closure to some things I cannot reconcile, clarity to things I could not fathom and remembrance to things I wish never to forget."
"That's beautiful." Emily whispered, dragging her eyes away from the last picture of her old home to look into the fire. "I would love to see more, but...I think I need to stop for a bit...it's...alot seeing home like that. So much easier to forget I miss the familiarity of it all when I can't see it."
Nodding, Thranduil said gently, "That is understandable."
Giving herself a little shake, Emily forced a smile while rubbing at her neck muscles. "Well, I guess I should really go and actually help with everything Mum told me I needed to do. Merenith and the Four Dull Ones are going to assist me in the polishing of hundreds of wine glasses. Sooooo much fun. I don't see why I can't help do something else. It's like they are purposely trying to keep me away from anything interesting and keep locking me away from all the areas the festivities will be taking place."
Eyes sparkling with mirth, Thranduil inclined his head gently. "I am sure that you will survive. Off you go."
With a small grumble, Emily left, clearly having been hoping her grandfather would help ease her burden and give her something else to do.
Shaking his head, Thranduil turned back to the page he had been originally working on before she entered. It was a design for a dress, not that one would ever suspect he like to dabble in such things. More specifically, it was a dress being designed for Emily and it would 'magically' appear in her wardrobe, just like all the other things he had had made for her.
If he was clever, which often he prided himself in being, then Emily would be well pleased with not only the dress, but some of the new additions to the Winter Season that Thranduil had ordered.
Cleaning wine glasses was not as bad as Emily had fear it would be. The Four Dull Ones and the two girls called a temporary truce so that they might work together in the big room housing the glasses. It was a pleasant afternoon, filled with laughter, joking and no end of stories.
Presently, Tirnel was telling a story about one of their first patrols. It was a very amusing telling of how their first time out was on disaster after another. Rusgon had been an absolute mess, spooking at every small sound and nearly stabbing his fellow patrol comrades in his fright. Sidhel had fallen into a great pit of mud, Tirnel got lost going to the washroom and Gurador accidentally got himself poisoned by a plant he was researching. The whole rotation was so bad that the captain of their troop begged Faervel to place them in a different group, crying and laughing hysterically as he did so and prompting the prince to order leave for that particular captain. It was obvious the stress had gotten to him. All mishaps aside, the retelling was hysterical and had them all laughing.
Contentment settled over Emily as she smiled down at her work. The stories had been helping keep her distracted from her sore muscles and it was nice to be in harmony with her friends rather than in a war against over half of them.
All of the sudden, Emily's grin was replaced with a sudden look of alarm before her face contorted into pain. She whimpered softly.
The others straightened, watching her with uncertainty. Everyone but Sidhel that is. He took one look at her and was already moving towards her in the same moments that the crystal cup in her now shaking hands slipped from her slackened grip and smashed to the floor.
Merenith gave a shout of surprise and concern.
Next Emily was tipping forwards, threatening to join the broken pieces on the ground as she crumpled downwards in agony, a silent, gasping cry frozen on her lips as she gulped for air. She was barely caught by Sidhel as he reached her. He easily tipped her in a different direction, supporting her back against himself as his free hand flew to her forehead and he channelled his talents to try an assess what was going on.
Seconds later his own features wrinkled sharply in pain and his eyes clamped shut as he struggled to control it.
"Sidhel!?" Merenith cried, only to be shushed by her brother.
"Let him work, Merenith!"
The other four stood in a shocked silence as seconds ticked by, watching the scene unfolding and taking in the picture of Sidhel holding Emily against his chest in the crook of his arm, hand on her glistening brow as her limbs trembled pitifully. Grimacing, he stirred a little, causing the beads of sweat on his own face to roll down off his chin. Never once opening his eyes or loosening his hold, he turned his head towards them and said in a tight voice, "She's begun the transformation. Help me get her to Medlinor. We need to keep the pain at bay. It's excruciating. Worse than the others. Help me. NOW!"
The others jolted into action, moving as one to come around their friends and lift Emily up while ensuring Sidhel didn't loss contact with her. With this accomplished, Gurador worked to guide and support Sidhel as they made the journey to the halls of healing.
Emily was only just vaguely aware of this journey. The feeling of her body burning with such violent energy had hit so suddenly it took her off guard completely, leaving no time to even cry out for help. The fire surrounded her consciousness, devouring all reason and thought until all that remained was pain beyond anything she had experienced.
The time it took for Sidhel to reach her had felt like an age trapped in that place. She feared she may have been driven mad in a short space of time had his presence not crashed through like a wave, quenching the flames and numbing the pain.
She drifted there, barely comprehending what was happening to her as her body was taken to Medlinor. What she did know was that she wasn't alone. Sidhel was there, his presence washing through the hot pain with reassurance and keeping it from becoming too overwhelming. It was a life line she clung too tightly, letting it wrap her in closer the more freedom she gave it. Together they weathered the storm, balanced between peace and chaos.
"Sidhel! Let go!" Another presence entered and Emily recognized it as Medlinor. Others suddenly joined. She hazily watched as one by one, threads of light she knew snaked in and came round her. "You've done enough, elfling. Let go. We have her now."
The soothing light of Sidhel withdrew slowly and consciously ensuring his song was being replaced with another before he left so she wouldn't feel that full force of pain again. It was replaced with the song of Medlinor, mixed with her dear Vede Legolas and those of the other assisting healers in the room she had arrived in. In addition, though still further away in terms of vicinity, she became aware of the reaching bonds of her mother, her grandfather, Glorfindel, her Vede Faervel, the twins and even her sister to a limited extent, all touching her song with concern and love. They made things more bearable.
"Penneth, we can work to minimize this fire, but to block it from you indefinitely like this is not sustainable. Would that this could be another way, but child...you must face this storm." Medlinor was gentle as he spoke, but it did not soften the blow.
Panic swelled as Emily stared at the raging currents around her. How was she supposed to survived this alone?
"Not alone." Legolas's voice came calmly. "Never alone, penneth. We will be right here with you."
When Sidhel withdrew, he was neatly caught by Gurador as he collapsed and practically carried away from Emily's side.
"You are going to get an earful from Medlinor." The tall, lanky elf commented as he made his friend lay down on a cot in another room. "Even without being a healer, I know you went too deep. You took too much of her pain on yourself and spent too much of your magic speeding the process along."
Shivering violently, Sidhel curled with a moan onto his side and let Gurador cover him with a blanket.
"I need the-" He began weakly, then stopped with a small smile when he noticed that Rusgon had already retrieved the potion from a cabinet and was bringing it to him. "Yes. That. Thank you."
"You have done this too many times, mellon nin. One would think you would learn." Rusgon chirped, though his face remained serious. "I am, after all, supposed to be the slow one of the group, not you."
Swallowing the vile tasting mixture in one gulp, Sidhel lay back into the cot. He struggled in vain to control the shaking. All the same he smiled a little.
"Having done it so many times has it's advantages." He said. "For example, I now knew exactly how far I can push it before it truly is too much and Medlinor would truly tear me to pieces. As such, I did not go too terribly close to that line. Just close enough."
"He is still going to give you a good lecture." Gurador grunted as he sat down on the floor next to his friend. "Blocking pain, or easing pain is one thing. Taking it for your own, healing the patient AND speeding up a process such as this is another. It was foolish."
"I don't care." Sidhel murmured, falling into a healing sleep. "Means she won't suffer as long. That's worth any lecture from old Medlinor."
As promised, Emily was not alone in her trial. A constant vigil was kept around her, easing her pain so she could bare it. Despite this, she still slipped in and out of consciousness as her body laboured to adjust to the changes it was undergoing.
Her mother stayed nearly every second, singing to her and holding her. Her father, feeling helpless, paced the halls near by and found comfort with Clare, who joined him for his sake rather than her own. The twins and Estel took it upon themselves to keep Merenith from tearing her hair out and eventually got all four of them kicked out of the wards for being too rambunctious. Both uncles took turns sitting with their sister, lending what they could to helping the young elf laying in a fitful state. Joel was even permitted to sit with her from time to time, taking a break from his labours in order to just talk to his mother and to her when she spoke in a delirious state. Oddly enough, out of all of them, Joel seemed the best at keeping her calm when she got rambling about something that seemed nonsensical to anyone else. Spaceships, lightsabers, warp travel, stargates, a place called Hogwarts and interdimensional beings were not something the average elf could keep up with.
Thranduil, rubbed his temple at the thought of his last odd conversation with Emily and then strolled back over to Medlinor who had just finished checking on his patient.
"How is she?" The king asked, knowing in part the answer already as his bond remained stubbornly tied to his granddaughter, staying ever with her in the labyrinth in which she wandered.
"She is strong, though weakened. That is unsurprising given how swiftly and violently this change has taken place." Medlinor sighed. "I have hope that she should break through the worst by the morning. Sidhel may be a foolish ellon, but he was successful in his attempts to bring her through the worst of it at the beginning. I would give the boy a good tongue lashing this minute if it weren't for that fact...and the fact he is so weakened himself. Idiot."
Shaking his head with tiny smirk, Thranduil glanced over his shoulder at the sleeping form of Sidhel. "I know you too well, mellon nin. You are secretly proud of him."
"Proud of a healer who incapacitates himself so badly that he is of no further use to his patient?!" Medlinor squawked. "Are you out of your mind!?"
"Yes. And you would be a hypocrite to lecture him." Thranduil stated coolly as he eyed the shorter elf. "Unless I am mistaken, you have been doing something similar over this past day and a half."
The healer glared at him and went a shade of pink.
"Indeed! I would be willing to believe that is the truth." A placid, baritone voice commented from the doorway. "It has always been a weakness I have noted in you, my dear friend. Nothing to be ashamed of, however, for in this context we are able to trade off with other healers. For example, if you would allow it I could take over while you take some rest?"
A wide smile graced Thranduil's stern features as he took in the newest visitor.
"My dear Lord Elrond! Once more you come at a much needed time!" The king swept forwards to clasp elbows with the other. "You are most welcome here! I had heard rumours you were arriving sooner than expected."
"Call it intuition." Elrond said with mild amusement. "I sensed my presence might be of use."
"Ahh! You see, Medlinor, now it is your turn to go rest." Thranduil said, his smug face turning back to his old friend who glared in return.
"I am just as well as I can be, thank you very much!" Medlinor growled.
"However, you would not want to set a bad example to your staff, would you?" Thranduil answered with smile.
The healer froze and grit his teeth before turning and leaving the wards without a word.
Elrond merely raised his eyebrows at the king and then moved calmly to Emily, smiling in greeting to those who sat with her and gracefully placing a hand on Emily's brow. She stirred a little and blearily opened her eyes.
A frown crossed her white features as she puzzled up at him and Elrond chuckled gently.
"Sleep, penneth. All is well. You are almost there."
"You...here?" Emily weezed through cracked lips, her throat dry from lack of use.
"Yes. I am here. Rest."
Peace settled over her and she seemed to 'shrug' as she breathed, "Ok." And slipped into a less fitful sleep than before.
Aewnith sat at her post by her youngest child, just as she had the past three days. Farland had long since been sent to bed. Sick children had never been something he excelled at dealing with and his pacing had begun to wear holes in his shoes.
Her worry and tension had eased significantly late the previous night when the girl passed through the final stages of the change and finally showed signs of improving. Now, she slept deeply and peacefully, her skin a comfortable cool and the color of her cheeks a healthy tone that now held the subtle glow that was typical of Elven kind.
Affection and relief flooded the mother's heart once more and she reached out to card through the head of wavy hair and tuck it behind now pointed ears, letting her fingers gently trace their shape. They were the sweetest ears. The point was not dramatic, but visible all the same, marking her distinctly as an elf. All other changes where subtle and to an untrained eye, she did not look that drastically different than she had before.
Aewnith nodded with satisfaction. Yes. Her child was just as beautiful as she had always been.
"I would have thought that Medlinor or my dear friend, Elrond, would have chased you off to rest by now." The pleasant arrival of Glorfindel brought a smile to Aewnith's tired face.
"I will go soon enough." Aewnith promised, making room for the elder elf on her bench beside the bed. "As soon as she has awoken."
Glorfindel snorted a laugh. "This is Emily we speak of. She will sleep as long as we will allow her to and thus it could be days before she decides to think about waking up."
Aewnith laughed. "She does like her sleep. Always has."
"It is good to see she has not changed too much from her old self...although..." Glorfindel trailed off, frowning a little at the sleeping face and taking in the ears and the way her chin length hair framed her face. She looked so young in that moment, stirring memories he could not yet place.
"Although?"
Glorfindel stirred, coming to himself after a long silence and stern consideration of the sleeping elleth. "Though there is just something...something about her I can't put my finger on...she reminds me of something, or someone, however I cannot for the life of me remember who. I feel as though it should be obvious."
Tilting her head in thought, Aewnith also studied her daughter. "It's difficult to say. She is a mix of so many that I love."
"Perhaps that is it. She likely just looks like you or one of your rascal brothers in their younger years. I wonder if she will ever sleep with her eyes open, or if she will always sleep as she has done, eyes closed."
"Time will tell, I suppose. Clare has learned to already and Joel always has done so. I do hope she learns to, for that is the only way she can fully walk in elvish dreams."
They talked easily for some time, enjoying the company and even singing a few songs before Emily surprised her mentor and stirred from her slumber.
She grumbled a little as she moved her hands to her face, rubbing at her eyes and then lowering them to reveal her very groggy, squinting and scrunched up face.
"Mum?" She croaked. "What...what's going on...what time is it!? Why are you in my room?"
"You're in the healing wards, my dear." Aewnith told her gently, reaching for some water as she spoke.
Coming more awake, Emily jolted a little. "AGAIN!?"
Glorfindel laughed long and hard while Aewnith pressed the water to Emily's lips, making her take a good long drink. It was welcomed with eagerness once the girl realized just how thirsty she was. Who knew such a clean, pure liquid could taste so good?
"Your change came about very suddenly, about three days ago." Aewnith explained. "Thankfully you seem to have been blessed with a quick transformation, unlike the rest of us. Ours took nearly a week."
Trying to move, Emily grimaced. "I feel like I've been hit by a truck!"
"That was the only down side to the speed in which you changed." Glorfindel said. "You are fortunate Sidhel was with you when it started. His talents were much needed and he kept you stable until you reached the wards."
Memories slowly began to trickle back and Emily looked around worriedly. "Where is he? Is he ok?"
Elrond appeared then, carrying a bowl of soup and a tea that smelled wonderful. "He is recovering well, do not fret."
A big smile broke over Emily's face and she tried again in vain to get upright when she took in the healer, her worries for Sidhel momentarily forgotten. "I wasn't imagining! You are here!"
"Indeed!" The elf lord laughed softly as he pushed her back and returned the gentle embrace she was trying to give him. "Based off the reports from Medlinor, you seem to have been keeping him busy these past months! I thought it only wise to give him a break before the festive season. Trouble will undoubtedly find you as it always does."
"Why does everyone think I go LOOKING for trouble!?" Emily exclaimed.
"No, no, penneth." Glorfindel wagged a finger at her, grinning all the while. "He did not say you look for trouble, he said you attract it like moths to flame. There is a difference."
A grumble was the only response as the girl had already happily accepted the food presented to her and devoured it quickly. It was a convenient excuse to not answer the cheeky warrior.
In the days following, Emily found her recovery to be swift. That being said it was not without minor incident.
First, she was disappointed to some extent when she finally saw her own reflection. It was different, yes, but still the same somehow. Somewhere deep inside her, she supposed she had just assumed that when she finally underwent the transformation that she would come out the other side looking, well, more like Clare. Looking stunningly gorgeous and no longer her old self that she felt was so plain looking.
Not only was the lack of 'major' change in her appearance a disenchantment, she also found great frustration in the way her 'new' body seemed to fight her every step and movement she made. She felt like a gangly young colt, clumsy, all arms and legs, constantly running amok. The embarrassment was great. One moment she was fine, the next she was breaking something due to her lack of control over herself. She ran into things constantly, teetering sideways like a drunkard into walls and people. It was so bad that Medlinor and Elrond refused to let her out of the safety of the healing wards unless she had someone with her or she had learned to control her movements to their satisfaction.
Thus, in the final days leading up to the arrival of all the guests and the beginning of the feasting and celebrating, Emily was penned up.
Her saving grace was that Merenith spent the majority of her time with her and the two of them sat in a corner together, plotting their next move in the exacting revenge against Rusgon. Apparently he had taken advantage of Merenith being on her own for several days and pulled numerous pranks on her that left the girl fuming.
"How is Sidhel?" Emily asked casually during a break in their planning.
The last time she had seen him was shortly after she had woken up. Guilt still prickled up in her gut anytime she replayed the conversation in her head.
Mostly it was because of how ghastly the ellon looked, despite his tired smile and keen eyes that rarely missed anything.
'Do I look so terrible?' He had asked with a laugh when all she had been able to do was stare up at him, mouth slightly open in a transfixed kind of dismay. The healthy skin on his face was pale as pale could be, the circles under his eyes were dark as one who had not slept in weeks, and his hands a tremor in them as he lowered himself to sit next to her.
'You look awful! I'm so sorry.' She had blurted. Only in actually seeing him did she realize what extent he had spent himself for her sake.
Sidhel had laughed again and shook his head at her. 'I am fairly certain that you didn't do this to me. How are you feeling?'
'I'm fine.' She had answered quickly. Too quickly, for the other had just given her this amused look and waited silently until she amended her statement to the truth. 'I mean, I feel like I got run over by herd of ill behaved ponies, but it's not bad. I should be asking you the same thing...I'm so sorry...I shouldn't have...I mean, you didn't have to-'
'Emily.' The other had taken her hand as if on impulse, staring down at it as though surprised by his own actions. He had run a thumb across the back of it, gazing at it thoughtfully before he looked up into her face. 'You did not do anything. You have nothing to apologize for, and there is nothing you could have done to persuade me to do otherwise. You were in pain, you needed help. I am more than grateful I was there and able to give it. So, do not look at me like that. I am well and easily recovering. There is nothing to fret about. Alright?'
Emily had nodded, blinking moisture from her eyes and swallowing a thick lump in her throat.
'Thank you.' Was the only thing she could trust herself to say. The words were enough to make him smile again, squeeze her hand gently and rise with the easy but sincere, 'Anytime. I am at your service, Lady Emily.'
A blush rose as Emily tried to scowl at the giddy, silly feeling the memory gave her and failed to do so. Merenith caught the color change instantly and her eyes brightened into a wicked gleam.
"Oh...He isn't too bad, all things considered." She said, finding it difficult to stay serious as she watched Emily's face crinkle with concern. Her grin widened when Emily noticed this and whacked her in the arm. "He was wrestling Tirnel in the snow earlier today and winning, so I would guess he has recovered."
"Well, that's good." Emily muttered, avoiding her cousin's snickering and going back to staring into the fireplace.
"Shall we practice your movements again?" Merenith suggested, sensing the grumpy cloud that was descending over Emily. "We want you to be set free before the delegations arrive so we can execute this last plan. The last thing we need is for our timing to be off and take out some dignitaries or something like that!"
Emily shivered at the thought. "No kidding. That would be awful. Ok...let practice again. Maybe Medlinor will release me today."
After much practice, Emily felt she was greatly improved. Still, she was awkward and gangly feeling, unaccustomed to everything. Somehow it had been so much easier when she time-traveled and was an elfling instead of a nearly full grown elf.
Medlinor did not let her go that day, however he promised to set her loose the following, thus Emily made no complaints and waited a patiently as possible to leave the rooms so she could help Merenith with their next prank.
The plan was relatively simple. Rig a bundle of water bombs using a carefully designed material, wait for their quarry to come into view, and dump it on them from a safe distance. They would remain well hidden, thus making it hard to prove it was them and Rusgon along with his partners in crime would be soaking wet. Perfect! Right?
Perhaps too perfect.
As it happened, the girls relied too heavily on the predictability of their friends daily routine and it once again lead them into trouble.
Emily had slipped away from their spot in order to spy out the ellons. She saw them, as expected and got so excited to spring the trap she failed to observe that the males were marching in a careful, formal formation.
The second she gave the signal for Merenith to start releasing the trap, the ellons halted and stepped back at attention while a dazzling group of fair elves appeared, walking past them gracefully into the line of fire. Based off the descriptions Merenith had given her about the difference in their kin from other realms, and the unmistakable grandness of one particular Lady dressed in white with a river of fair hair down her back, this was the group come from Lothlorien.
Eyes growing to the size of dinner plates, Emily leapt back, scrambled clumsily around the corner and hissing, "No! Stop! Abort! Abortabortabort!"
But it was too late.
The cord was cut, and the balloons sailed down from the ceiling. The stoic elves of Lothlorien leaped out of their graceful lines with cries of surprise as the water bombs burst in a chaotic frenzy around them. The Lady Galadriel alone remained unfazed and had somehow stepped out of the circle of assault before it began, drawing a confused Lord Celeborn with her. From where Emily was watching in growing horror, she took a tiny amount of comfort in the fact that lady looked as though she was about to burst out laughing at the spectacle before her.
Still...
"Mer!" Emily hissed. "We need to get out of here! NOW! This is a disaster! WE are SO DEAD!"
"I couldn't agree more!" Her cousin breathed with delighted horror as she peeked at the soaking wet delegation. "I really hope they don't figure out it was us. I've heard those guys don't have any sense of humour."
"I thought they weren't arriving till tomorrow! That's what you said!" Emily wailed in a frightened whisper as they slipped through passage ways.
Merenith didn't answer and when Emily turned round she found that her cousin was leaning against a wall giggling so hard and silently that it looked like it hurt.
"YOU'RE LAUGHING!? HOW IS THIS FUNNY!?" Emily demanded.
"It just...hehe...ahaha...it just is. Did you SEE their faces!? That was so worth being wrong about what day they were coming...I should never have trusted Tirnel to tell me the right day...heheheheee!"
"Tirnel told you the wrong day on purpose!?"
"It looks that way! Hahahahaa!"
"Merenith! That means they pranked US! Not the other way around! This should not be making you laugh, you should be mad!" Emily cried in frustration, though her own voice began to wobble with laughter as well. Very nervous and terrified laughter, but laughter all the same.
Wiping her eyes, Merenith gasped for air and sighed. "I suppose it does, doesn't it. We really should have taken that alliance with the twins."
"That is the least of my concerns right now!" Emily moaned, hands raking through her hair. "If the delegation is here then that means more are arriving and that means my mother will be looking for me to dress me up and put me in front of them! How can I face them now?! And daerada...oh man, he is going to know instantly I had something to do with water bombing his guest! Worse yet, if Vede Faervel discovers it was us..."
"On the plus side-" Merenith cut off, staring thoughtfully at the wall. "Nevermind. I can't find a plus side. Let's go eat cake. It will make us both feel better."
"Oh my gosh, you and Rusgon were MADE for each other." Emily muttered darkly as she followed Merenith towards the kitchens.
AN: Hehe...I have waited SO long to put that last scene in. Like, years ago I saw that little gem of water bombs dropping on these dignified elves from Lothlorien, and Galadriel being the only one to not get wet while trying not to laugh at her people scattering all directions...hehehe...ah. So fun. Anyway, I enjoyed it. Hope you did too :)