A/N: Ok guys, don't make me beg for reviews. I may update faster if I get more reviews, just saying.
Chapter 7
Holly walked naked around her talan. Well, naked was not quite the correct word. She was wrapped in a towel, but her wrinkled, worn, green dress lay at the foot of her bed. She loathed the idea of putting it back on, she would almost rather be naked than put the dress back on. Barring the fact that it vaguely smelled of sweat and was showing signs of wear, she had recently found out that it was not quite appropriate day-wear.
She flopped on her bed and sighed. She lay back and stared at the ceiling, feeling forlorn. Her first social engagement in Caras Galadhon and she couldn't even present herself well. Just as she was coming to terms with the idea that she would have to put the dress back on, and cursing herself for not having thought to wash it earlier, she heard a knock on the door. She pulled up her towel and adjusted it , and walked toward the door.
"Eruana!" Holly exclaimed upon seeing the elleth. Eruana smiled back and raised a basket,
"Clothes!" she smiled, pushing the basket into Holly's hands. Excitedly, Holly took the basket and walked over to the bed, motioning for Eruana to follow her. "I bring for you. You have no dress."
"Oh, thank you, Eruana! I was just sitting here thinking about how horrible I would look at your dinner party in my dirty dress."
Eruana stared back at her blankly and Holly realized that she had perhaps spoken too quickly for her friend to understand. "Le hannon, Eruana. I needed this."
The elleth smiled and sat down as Holly unpacked the basket. Inside, there were two dresses, a tunic and a pair of leather trousers. Holly unfurled the first dress, simple, white, with long trumpet sleeves and a deep neckline. Holly's eyebrows shot up and she looked at Eruana who only smirked back at her. The second dress was a pale blue. The modest neckline was trimmed in silver piping and the sleeves were tight and went three-quarters of the down her arm. With the dresses she had also brought a pair of white slippers, but Holly noticed that they were slightly too big for her.
It was with excitement that Holly pulled out the trousers and tunic. The tunic was simple and grey, much like the uniform of the wardens she had met on the border. The trousers were of a similar material to those she had ordered from Ethiriel, but she noticed that they seemed a little...long...and a little...loose. She looked up at Eruana with a funny expression, "Eruana, where did you get these?"
She held up the breeches by way of demonstration. Eruana looked sheepish for a moment and looked down at the ground casually, "Orophin breeches..."
Holly let out a very un-ladylike snort. She thought about wearing the trousers to dinner and seeing Orophin's face as she waltzed in in his own pants. Eruana shrugged, "You want breeches. Orophin have."
Holly laughed and tried them on for size. They were a bit long, but she could easily roll them up. The tunic fit perfectly and she thought this must have been Eruana's. Eruanna smiled in approval, happy to see that Orophin's old trousers fit Holly. They were always a little snug on him, especially as he got older and more muscular. Little did Holly know, but these trousers were over a hundred years old, but only seldom worn by her husband. They were not his most favoured pair of breeches. Pleased that Holly was happy with the clothes she had brought her, Eruana stood up from her seat at the desk, "I go. Dinner in two hour. My talan close – I send Rúmil."
"You'll send Rúmil to come get me?" Holly asked in confirmation. Eruana nodded. Holly thanked her again for the clothes and Eruana left.
"N'i lû tôl! Novaer!"she said, gliding down the stairs, golden hair billowing behind her.
Holly shut the door and put the two dresses on hangers, storing them away in the armoire in the bathing room. Still in the comfortable trousers, Holly began combing out her hair. Without the benefits of a hairdryer and styling tools, her long, dark hair was a little frizzy but falling in pretty little waves. Not the luxurious waves of Ethiriel, but small ripples.
She brushed it out several times but it continued to frizz. Screwing up her face in dissatisfaction, she looked around the talan for something to use on her hair. She walked to the bathing room and remembered the sweet-smelling floral oil she had used the other day. It carried the same scent as the soap she had used earlier. She stood in front of the mirror and poured the tiniest drop of oil into her palm and rubbed her hands together. She then smoothed out the frizzes in her hair with the oil, pleased at the effect. It was not enough to make her hair look greasy, but enough to give it a lovely smell and a nice sheen. She ran her fingers through her hair and used the rest of the oil on her hands to tame her ends. She had also found, at the bottom of the basket Eruana had brought her, what appeared to be small ribbons and hair ties.
Holly thought about putting her hair in a simple braid and utilizing her only hair elastic, but she felt like wearing her hair down this evening. After all, she was relishing the feeling of being clean and smelling nice, she did not want to hide her hair away. Besides, she had always hated leaving her neck exposed for some reason. The feeling made her uncomfortable, and now with her new ears, she felt doubly conspicuous, despite blending in with the general elven population of the Golden Wood.
She pulled two strands of hair back from her face and fastened them securely behind her head. There, her hair was down but out of her face. Feeling daring, she settled on the simple white dress with the bold neckline. It was none so low as some she had seen back at home, nothing like what a Hollywood celebrity might wear, but it was low for Holly, who was typically conservative with her clothing.
Putting on her slippers, she felt quite satisfied with her appearance. The dress was lovely and comfortable, and she felt very elegant. Despite the general inconvenience of having to look and act graceful while wearing them, there was something to be said for these delicate gowns.
Holly did not think it had been two hours since Eruana left (she must remember to ask Eruana about where she could procure a clock, if such a thing existed here), Holly decided to go out to her balcony and enjoy the evening air. This way, she would see Rúmil coming. There was no chair out there, but she was satisfied to lean on the railing and look out into the lantern-lit trees. The elves had very open homes – she could see couples dining together, lone elves reading on their beds, playing cards with friends, or much like her, enjoying the nighttime air. A few telain had drawn curtains with light shining from behind, and it did not take Holly long to surmise what was likely happening behind the shades.
She was enjoying the silence when she heard the soft footsteps of an approaching visitor. She turned her head to the left and saw Galadriel gliding toward her, barefoot, light steps barely touching the forest floor. The lady smiled at Holly, giving her a soft look that both intimidated and awed her.
"Good evening, Ercassiel." the lady said in greeting. Holly bowed her head slightly,
"Good evening, hiril vuin." she said, adopting the title she noticed Haldir and others use. Galadriel made a face of appreciation, looking very pleased,
"I see you are adopting our ways quickly. I expected as much." she walked up the stairs to Holly's talan and standing before her, glowing dimly in the dusky light of the evening. "I had hoped to run into you. I wish to see how you fair, Ercassiel."
"I am doing well, my lady, thank you." she responded politely, smoothing her skirts with nervousness. "Your people have been very kind, particularly Eruana."
"Ah yes, Orophin found a wonderful elleth in Eruana." Galadriel commented in agreement, "I sense that you are still troubled by recent events."
Holly looked away and braced herself on the railing. Any reminder of 'recent events' was likely to bring tears to her eyes.
"Do not be troubled. I do not wish to speak of it, only to tell you that this, too, will pass. I believe you will come to think of Lothlórien as your home, someday." said Galadriel, resting her elegant hand over Holly's. "It pleases me that you have made friends. Perhaps when the time is right we may find you something to occupy your days."
"The devil finds work for idle hands." Holly stated in agreement. Galadriel smiled at the proverb and laughed mellifluously,
"Yes, indeed." she released Holly's hand moved away from the railing. "Very well, I am satisfied. Enjoy your evening, Ercassiel. Send word if you require anything, anything to make your transition more comfortable."
Galadriel made her way back down the stairs. Holly was about to bid her farewell when a question bubbled up inside her, "Wait, my lady!"
Galadriel stopped walking and turned back toward the Talan, waiting for Holly to speak. Holly took several steps down the stairs, closing the distance between them and dropping her voice to a low whisper, "Who am I?" she began shakily, "That is, who am I to tell people I am? Only yourself, Lord Celeborn and Haldir know my true story."
Galadriel smile sympathetically at the young woman, "Ercassiel, I do not believe you were sent back to Middle-Earth to hide who you truly are. I would advise you to embrace your tale. Let others see you for what you are. Those worthy of your friendship will welcome you, regardless."
Holly breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, my lady."
Galadriel made her way back down the path, her ethereal glow illuminating her way. Holly watched her disappear behind the great trunk of a large mallorn, thinking to herself that she would follow the Lady Galadriel anywhere she went, to the Undying Lands and back again. She could see why her wardens, her sentinels and all the inhabitants of Lothlórien admired her. She was both wise and kind, understanding and sage. She felt grateful to have the sound advice of the Lady of the Golden Wood during these trying times.
Holly was deep in thought, about her future, about her past, when Rúmil approached quietly. She heard his coming but it did not register. She was startled from her reverie when he spoke her name. She faced him a smile, feeling more at peace than she had in her last two days in Lothlórien. Rúmil smiled jovially back at her and outstretched his arm. Holly walked down the stairs of her talan and hooked her own arm into his. After all, he was her dinner escort.
"Beautiful." said Rúmil, looking at her with kind eyes and gesturing to her outfit and hair. Holly beamed at him and spoke the only words of Sindarin she had yet mastered,
"Le hannon, Rúmil!"
"You are welcome." he responded. As they walked, they spoke idly of the forest, Rúmil showed her different buildings and structures, explaining their uses in common where he could, and where he could not, he engaged her in a lively game of charades, miming out words and giving her the elvish terms for things. Holly appreciated his rambunctious lesson. She got the distinct impression that Rúmil was the youngest of the three brothers, and the most carefree. She wondered if he had a partner, like Orophin. She imagined Rúmil's partner to be as lively and cheerful as he seemed to be.
As it turned out, Orophin and Eruana's home was not so far from her talan. It was much larger than her small guest talan. Their talan seemed to wrap completely around the trunk of the tree it was set in. Its large front door was welcoming – carved with motifs of flowers, curls of water and tree branches. Eruana had evidently heard their approach. She was standing in the door, Orophin behind her as they greeted their guests.
Eruana greeted her brother in law with a kiss on the cheek, and Holly with a warm embrace.
"My, what a change this outfit makes from the housecoat you wore earlier." said Orophin with a wink. "My wife's discarded hand-me-downs suit you well, Holly."
Holly rolled her eyes dramatically, "Why, thank you, Orophin. My sole purpose was to impress you."
Eruana looked a bit lost at their exchange, but ushered Holly and Rúmil inside nonetheless. She sat them down at the large, square dining table. Holly sat down happily and Orophin poured her a glass of what called Dorwinion wine. As Holly sipped her wine in silence while the others chatted away in Sindarin, Eruana putting the final touches on their evening meal, she noticed something strange. There were five places set at the table.
Holly's blood ran cold, then it all seemed to rush to her face at once. There was a knock on the door and Holly's fear was realized in the flesh. In strode Haldir, apologizing to Eruana for being late. As he turned to greet his brother Rúmil, his eyes fell on Holly, sitting at the dining table.
His lips curled into a slow smile. She was looking much finer than he had seen her before. Apart from when her naked skin had glistened in the sun this afternoon, he thought wryly. Her white dress contrasted her dark hair, and the neckline left little to the imagination. Her hair hung down her back like a dark curtain, shielding the rest of her from his view. Her eyes flickered upward and met his. He saw something flash across them, but in an instant it was gone and replaced by cool indifference.
"Good evening, Holly. You are looking well." he said politely, taking the seat beside her. Holly groaned inwardly. She had not yet recovered from their semi-embarrassing encounter at the pools earlier. She thought she had managed to cover her surprised well and responded sharply,
"Yes, a lovely, relaxing bath will do that."
Haldir chuckled and smiled, "I couldn't agree more. A good bath is nothing short of invigorating, wouldn't you say?"
Urgh, that philanderer!
"I wouldn't go that far." she responded dryly, taking a sip of her wine in a manner she hoped appeared casual. Haldir, in his many years of experience with the effect that he had on the ellith of Caras Galadhon, was sadly unconvinced by her nonchalant manner.
"Ah, you wound me, Holly. I thought we spent a nice afternoon together." he said with a slow smile, giving Orophin a knowing side-glance. Orophin all but choked on his wine. Eruana patted him lightly on the back and asked him what Haldir had said. Orophin obliged and translated, and Holly saw Eruana's face go from impassive to amused in three seconds flat. Soon enough, Holly's face was on fire.
How DARE he? My first night with friends and he feels the need to embarrass me in front of everyone.
Haldir leaned in closer to her, "Do not worry, I will say no more."
Holly scowled at him and looked away sharply. What had happened to the surly, serious elf she had met a day ago? Who was this bold flirt who sat beside her? Not one to forgo an opportunity to give as good as she got, she turned to face him and graced him with her sweetest smile,
"Nonsense, Haldir. Feel free to tell the others of how you strut about naked and mortified Lothlórien's newest resident." she quipped, batting her long eyelashes at him. Haldir froze, and his eyes hardened. Orophin burst into peals of laughter,
"Oh, brother you didn't!" he exclaimed, then proceeded to tell Eruana and Rúmil of what had transpired. Eruana's eyebrows shot up in surprise and Rúmil released a guffaw of laughter. Still staring Haldir down, Holly saw the tips of his ears redden. Haldir recovered quickly and shot Holly a rueful smile,
"Well played." he said with a small sigh, lifting his glass of wine up to his lips. He tilted the glass at her in recognition of her triumph before taking a rather large gulp. Holly said nothing, gloating silently.
"Well, if there is something you ought to know about Haldir, Holly, is that despite your initial impression of the severity of his character, he is also the most shameless flirt ever to walk the paths of Lórien." said Orophin, raising his glass in a toast, "Off comes the Marchwarden's uniform, off comes the Marchwarden's reserve. Come, let us sit and enjoy tonight's meal. I will not have Haldir scare you away."
Holly shot Haldir a sideways glance. He met her gaze boldly, that infuriating eyebrow raised in interrogation. She narrowed her eyes at him. He looked back to the dinner table, and addressed his brothers in conversation. Holly could not help it, she smirked slightly and bit her lip. She had to admit, maddening though he may be, she was entertained.
Still, the night was not over and she was sure he would find some way of tormenting her again before they were through.
A/N: Let the games begin :) Please review if you'd like more cheeky Haldir.