LDiana - it should be interesting to say the least! Thank you for your review!
everything-is-black-and-white - lol I feel a little sorry for him too.
Thank you for the reviews, as always I appreciate them and I thoroughly enjoy hearing what you think. Hello new followers, thanks for joining me!
- S
- Chapter 52 -
"Care to explain?" asked Elladan cautiously as the three of them walked side by side.
She pressed her lips together firmly and shook her head, then stopped in her tracks and blinked. Here she was, finally in Lothlorien, and it was only now that she was able to take in its true beauty.
"Wow," she gasped, looking up at the mellyrn trees that grew so wide it reminded her of the redwood's in California. Looking up into the boughs, it was as if she were looking up at an actual city. Homes, curving stairways, glowing lanterns, silvery smooth trunks; it was all overwhelmingly beautiful.
"It is a sight I never grow tired of," admitted Elladan as the twins followed her gaze upwards.
"It's incredible," she sighed, and Elrohir took her hand and pulled her along.
At the base of the widest tree, an arched covered staircase wound up around the massive trunk like something out of a fairy garden. Soft glowing lamps hung between the arches as they climbed; the detail of the railing on the outside so intricately carved she could have stared at it all day.
"Where are we going?" she asked, hating to break the peaceful silence that followed them.
Somewhere in the boughs of the trees around the silver city she could hear elves singing softly but she only caught bits and pieces of what they sang, occasionally hearing the name Nimbrethil ring out.
Behind them, two guards followed and she eyed them up warily.
"Worry not," Elladan said quietly to her as if he sensed her troubles. "They are not assigned to us, only escorting us."
She shot her brother a cautious look and he caught onto her thoughts. He could tell she was worried she'd be haunted by guards once more.
"To answer your question," said Elrohir. "We are going to the house of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel."
"I thought you said you were going to show me my room? Unless I'm supposed to meet with them right away?" she asked with confusion.
"They insisted you take tonight to get acclimated and rest, and we are showing you your room," said Elladan. "They will meet with you on the morrow before supper."
"But I thought you said we were going to their house?"
"We are," Elrohir said.
"But, they are your grandparents," she rushed, her eyes widening. "Not mine."
"Nonsense," Elladan smiled. "You are family, and family stays with family."
Her face reddened and when they finally reached the top of the tree they came out to a wide and spacious platform that she would have never guessed had been built in a tree. They led her across the dais and then up another short flight of stairs. The guards flanking either side of the steps didn't move an inch so she guessed it must be alright, while the guards that followed continued to do so until they reached the final step where they turned and took their places on either side of the entry way.
The home was grand and elegant in every way, and they led her down a series of elaborate walkways until they finally reached a silvery wooden door. Upon opening it, she almost gasped. Inside, the large covered balcony opened up to the forest outside; soft, silky white curtains drifting in the gentle breeze. A large, comfortable bed covered in fabrics of silver and light blues sat in the middle of the room, and soft pillows and fabrics were draped over the settee sofa off to the side.
A small, elaborate wooden desk and chair were tucked in a corner, while a walk through closet led straight to the small bathroom and she eyed the tub up instantly.
"Wow," she sighed, and the twins grinned. "You'd never know we were in a tree house."
"It is quite remarkable," Elladan agreed.
"Our rooms are just down a ways, and Arwen's room is across from you," explained Elrohir.
"She's very anxious to meet you, but promised to let you have tonight to yourself," said Elladan with a hint of amusement.
"I can't wait to meet her either," Shyloh said with a smile. "So much I want to ask her about you two."
The twins grinned mischievously at her taunt but then Elrohir's smile faded.
"Did something happen on your trip with the Prince?"
Elladan's face sobered and he turned to her expectantly.
Her face flushed and she looked down at the floor. "No," she said quickly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Shy," Elladan groaned. "We've had enough suspense to last a while, just tell us already?"
Rolling her eyes, she quickly recounted what Legolas said to her the other night but the twins looked almost understanding which made her irritated again.
"You agree with him?" she gaped.
Elladan winced. "Well..."
"He could have probably worded it a little differently."
"I have to agree I would have probably done the same thing Legolas did."
Her eyes widened with disbelief. "Boss is still learning, and so am I."
"Exactly, and I think you two learned a valuable lesson," Elrohir confirmed.
She snapped her mouth shut angrily.
"Look," Elladan raised his hands defensively. "Don't over think this too much. Yes, you and Boss are still learning and I think now that you two have reconnected, it'll be a good opportunity for you to take advantage of training with the Lorien guards while you are here."
Her mouth opened to argue but Elrohir raised a hand to silence her.
"Don't argue," he said quickly. "Just think about it. We don't need to get into anything tonight; you've had a long journey and you need a bath, supper, and rest. We can talk more in the morning."
Folding her arms over her chest, she reluctantly agreed to postpone her argument. They both kissed her on the forehead before closing the door behind them and leaving her alone in her new room.
Sighing in defeat, she hung her head low and groaned out loud. Running her hands over her face, she felt the crusted dirt on her skin and turned on her heel. She walked to the bathroom then cranked the hot water on and drew a bath for herself. To her complete surprise, her clothes from Mirkwood were already hanging in her closet. There were a few new gowns she didn't recognize but she drew them aside and sought out a fresh pair of leggings and a tunic.
The hot water never felt so good, and Shyloh washed her hair twice and scrubbed until she was raw. Traveling in the Wilds reeked havoc on her body, and she refused to get out of the water until it turned cold.
A maid showed up a little while later with her supper and after setting it down on a neat little table, she curtsied low and left Shyloh alone for the remainder of the evening.
Snatching up the glass of wine, she stepped out onto the balcony and breathed in a deep sigh.
"It's going to be okay," she told herself as her eyes scanned the forest around her. Taking a sip of her wine, she let it slide down her throat before turning away from the view. "It's all going to be okay."
Golden sunlight filtered in through the white curtains of Shyloh's room. She curled back up in the sheets; reluctant to pull herself away from the comfort of her new bed. After the long journey from Dale to Lorien, there was no way she was going to easily disentangle herself from the sheets. Sleeping on the rough ground was way overrated. Covering her head, she rolled over and attempted to go back to sleep until a knock on her door forced her eyes open. Stifling a groan, she sat up just as her door opened and a brown head peeked in.
"My Lady?" a feminine voice asked. Without waiting for a reply, the she-elf entered the room silently and closed the door behind her once she saw Shyloh was awake. She turned as Shyloh rubbed the weariness from her eyes. "I am Arinё; I will be your lady's maid."
The tall she-elf curtsied as she balanced the tray in her hands expertly, and the smell of food drifted to Shyloh making her mouth water.
"Mae g'ovannen Arinё," Shyloh said, tucking her arms under the covers.
"I trust you slept well?" she asked as she hurried across the room and set the tray down on the small table. Shyloh blinked at the sudden switch from Sindar to Westron.
"Yes," she said easily, then looked at the assortment of food on the tray. "Although, I'm starting to think it is no longer morning."
A smile swept across Arinё's face. "You are correct my Lady. It is almost midday. My Lady Galadriel insisted you needed your rest, and we were instructed to let you sleep for as long as you desired."
Bowing her head, Shyloh felt a little embarrassed. Her first day in Lorien and she already overslept.
"I see," she sighed. Kicking the covers away from her, she let her feet touch the cool wooden floor boards and she crossed the room to the table. "Thank you for the food."
"Of course, my Lady," said Arinё, and she disappeared into the closet and pulled out a gown for Shyloh to change into, and she laid it out on the unmade bed, then disappeared back into the wash room and started the bath.
Shyloh took that as a sign that she was supposed to wash once more before joining the others, and quickly went to work on her meal.
"Am I late for something?" she asked hesitantly when Arinё appeared with another gown and exchanged it for the one she'd already placed on the bed. Shyloh watched her inquisitively.
"Nay my Lady," the maid said, then she seemed to hesitate and dipped back into the closet. "I am sure you are anxious to see the lay of the city, and your cousins have asked if you were up and about yet."
"Oh."
Once more, Arinё's eyes trailed over the gowns hanging in Shyloh's closet and her delicate brown eyebrows furrowed with indecisiveness.
"I liked the blue one," she offered, and Arinё's face brightened.
"Blue it is then." The blue gown from Mirkwood with the high collar and v-neckline floated behind Arinё and she replaced it with a silver one on the bed. "It is a fine gown," she said softly as her eyes trailed over the delicate silver stitching. "You received this one in the Woodland Realm, yes?"
Shyloh nodded. "How did you know?"
Arinё's smile widened. "They have a similar style to our own, but their material is a bit thicker than ours."
This realization sounded so familiar, and Shyloh was reminded of the council meeting back in Rivendell when she'd first met the Lorien party. Had they not talked about the difference in material between the three elven realms? Shyloh kind of wished she'd paid better attention to the conversation revolving around the fashion differences but she hadn't. She would have preferred to wear a tunic and leggings but perhaps on her first day she should look like a proper lady.
The bath helped ease the tension in her aching muscles, and after Arinё gently massaged the soaps into her hair, she then proceeded to douse Shyloh in heavenly smelling lavender liquids that filled the whole room with its fragrance.
Arinё made quick work of disentangling Shyloh's white hair, and surprisingly didn't complain when the curls started to take over and bounce to life. Stepping into the blue and silver gown, she then made sure her skirts were all neat and orderly before turning Shyloh towards the mirror and placing the silver circlet upon her brow. Delicately she adjusted the white locks around her shoulders and then finally announced Shyloh was ready.
"Afraid we cannot do a thing with that bruise of yours," the maid pouted as she tisked her tongue.
Shyloh's eyes wept over her reflection in the mirror and her eyes came to rest on the black and blue bruise that dotted the middle of her jawbone; placed squarely and expertly she deemed. Her fingers came to rest on the tender skin thoughtfully, and as Arinё watched, she frowned.
"How did you manage to get such a mark my Lady?" she asked gently but hesitantly.
Shyloh's eyes darkened just the slightest at the memory. "A Wildman with a wicked backhand," was all she said.
Arinё's eyes widened and she breathed a gasp. "How fortunate you were then, that the Prince arrived when he did."
Shyloh turned to the maid questioningly. "What do you mean?"
The maid smiled bashfully. "They are only rumors, you understand, but I heard the Prince and his guards came to your rescue."
Shyloh blinked twice before turning back to the mirror. "I killed him just before the Prince arrived," she said steadily, trying hard not to make her voice tremble as the memory came crashing down on her once more.
Arinё's eyes widened even more. "How vary brave of you my Lady," she said quietly, but Shyloh could tell that this information would now spread; possibly like wildfire, and her heart sank. She just escaped two overly chatty maids back in the Woodland Realm, she couldn't have been dealt another one, could she?
Looking at the maid's reflection in the mirror, she pressed her lips together tightly. The concerned look on Arinё's face looked sincere and honest, so she decided to reserve doling out judgment so quickly.
A twang of sadness entered Shyloh's chest when Arinё took her leave of the Princess and left her alone in her room once more. She missed Arossel and Élane now more than anything. Checking her reflection again, she stared at the she-elf before her.
Strangely enough, she looked much like she always had. The tips of her ears stuck out under the curly white locks and her wide blue eyes stared back at her with uncertainty. Without meaning to, she let her mental barrier down and the silvery thread floated across her mind. A strange emotion came off of it and she couldn't quite discern what it really was.
This was the first time since seeing him leave with the she-elf yesterday that she gave the Prince any thought. She'd been rude to him, she knew that, but he hadn't been overly pleasant himself. He came all this way and she should have been more understanding, so why wasn't she?
Boss and her had been through so much. He pulled her through the accident; through her mother's death. He carried her through the rest of high school and was waiting for her during breaks from college. He kept her mind off all the bad thoughts and carried her through show after show on the weekends. Why was now so different? Why was their relationship changed so much? Had she hurt him without realizing it? Either way, she needed to fix Boss.
Legolas on the other hand, she wasn't so sure about. Right now, she just needed space, and as she turned away from the frowning reflection of herself, she decided that maybe Legolas just needed space too.
Elladan and Elrohir, much to her surprise, were not waiting for her like she expected. The brown haired she-elf that stood on the dais had her hands folded gently together in front of her. She was poised and tall, and her rich brown hair rippled in waves down her back. Aside from the guards who stood rigid and silent at their posts, the elleth was the only one there. She faced away from Shyloh, looking out into the canopy of branches before her.
The long, lavender gown flowed off of her shoulders effortlessly in pools of rich, deep fabric that was light and airy, and shifted when the breeze caught the hems. There was a sort of familiarity about her and without even knowing the elleth's name; she knew who she was without asking.
Arwen Undómiel turned her head just then, acknowledging the fact she was no longer alone. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth when she caught Shyloh's eye, and she turned fully to welcome the Princess. Her bright eyes were a wonderful chocolate brown and they shined with excitement.
When Shyloh finally met her, Arwen reached for her immediately and embraced Shyloh in a tight hug. There was nothing but warmth in her embrace, and it made Shyloh flush.
"My sister," sighed Arwen in a melodious voice that held excitement and joy. "I am so happy to meet you finally."
Shyloh couldn't help but smile herself, and for the first time in days she allowed herself to smile honestly. "I am so excited to meet you too," she sighed. "I have looked forward to meeting you for so long."
A soft laugh escaped Arwen's lips and she withdrew, letting her hands clasp Shyloh's with affection. "When I was but an elfling I recall asking my parents if we could exchange my brothers for a sister when they annoyed me. I have to admit I have grown rather fond of them, and am pleased the Valar did not heed my pleas and replace them, but gifted us you instead."
Shyloh laughed in return. "They are pretty great, aren't they?"
Arwen's smile widened and she squeezed Shyloh's hands. "I have been tasked with showing you around, if you do not mind."
Shyloh's eyes widened. Surely they could have found someone else to trouble with this deed, but Arwen looked almost excited at the idea.
"It will give us a chance to talk and get to know each other," she explained.
"I don't think I could have a better tour guide."
"Excellent," Arwen said and she wrapped Shyloh's arm around her own. "Since our brothers are occupied with meetings for the time being, I have you all to myself this afternoon."
"What kind of meetings are they in?" she wondered.
"Oh, this and that. I believe Ernil Legolas is also otherwise occupied with them as well."
"Are the marchwardens attending too?"
At this, Arwen hesitated for only the tiniest moments, but Shyloh caught it. "I believe so."
Shyloh raised her eyebrows. She didn't realize the meetings Haldir spoke of the day before had been moved up, unless something had happened to force them to hold council so quickly.
"I believe a congratulations are in order," Arwen said brightly, and Shyloh could clearly tell she was trying to distract her from her thoughts.
"For what?"
"For finding your soulmate," she said simply, as if it were obvious.
"Oh," Shyloh stammered, completely taken by surprise and her face reddened considerably. "Thank you."
Arwen peered at her out of the corner of her eye again, and gave her hand a reassuring pat. "I believe Legolas had the same expression on his face when I congratulated him earlier. I see now that it is still fairly new and that you are both unsure."
Shyloh took in a deep breath as they descended the winding staircase that would take them to the forest floor. The lamps hanging from the overhang arches were unlit, and the early afternoon sun peeked down at them through the canopy of tree limbs above. She let her breath out slowly, unsure of how to answer.
"I think he's more accepting of it than I am," she admitted, and Arwen hummed softly in reply.
"And do you not accept the bond?" she asked casually.
Shyloh hesitated. "I do, I mean, I think so," then she sighed heavily. "Honestly, I still don't think I understand it completely. I'm trying to, but I think he gets a little agitated with me sometimes."
"How so?"
"Maybe because growing up, we never had things like 'bonds' between two people. Just attraction I guess you could say. Finding your 'soulmate' was more of a fantasy in a sense."
"I see," she mused gently. "I have not seen him for many years. I was rather surprised to hear about his arrival."
Shyloh grimaced a little. "I believe somehow he was asked to come and help find me."
Arwen nodded as they stepped out onto the forest floor together, still arm in arm.
"I think the answers to those questions will be revealed tonight at supper," Arwen hinted but Shyloh frowned. She wasn't overly crazy about Arwen's lack of response to her questions.
The grand city of Lorien was vast and before long, Shyloh was completely lost. Arwen on the other hand knew exactly where she was going. She led Shyloh over bridges and up stairs and down paths that led in all different directions it made her head spin. They talked about almost everything, with Arwen asking most of the questions. The two of them were connecting though, and the restlessness Shyloh felt inside her was steadily growing quieter.
They were stopped so many times and Shyloh was introduced over and over again that at some point she stopped trying to remember the names of those they met. Arwen seemed to know quite a few elves, and Shyloh figured that if you had a hundred years to visit somewhere, that you'd probably get to know a few of them.
Legolas, Sidhel, and Nodron were nowhere in sight, and neither were the twins or marchwardens. Perhaps their meetings were taking up most of their day, hence their continued absence. Arwen didn't seem to know anything about it and avoided answering fully. Arwen didn't try to bring up Legolas' name anymore, sensing the Prince was a touchy subject. They didn't stop at the stables either like Shyloh was hoping, but Arwen assured her that she could be taken there another time.
As the sun began to sink down, they slowly made their way back towards the main house. Once there, they separated and entered their own rooms to wash up and change for supper.
When the door closed behind Shyloh, she leaned against it and sighed. Evening light entered her room through the wide balcony, enriching the colors of her room with pale gold and softness. Mentally, she was exhausted from today, and as her head rested on the smooth wood door she stared up at the vaulted ceiling. Honestly, she was not looking forward to supper. What she really wanted, was to strip down into her shift and crawl back in bed and throw the circlet of silver on her head into a corner and forget about it.
Knowing there was no possibility of that happening, she gently pulled the circlet off of her head and set it down gently on the vanity of her dressing area. It sparkled with tiny little inlaid diamonds and as she ran a finger over the carefully polished silver and twisted strands, she let her mind open up to the thread once more, probing and encouraging it to come forth until it drew itself from the back of her mind.
The bond was so clear in her mind; snaking its way through her thoughts. It frightened her but also made her curious. She would have never paired the two of them together. Before she could dive into those thoughts anymore, a knock on the door startled her, and Arinё's smiling face met her upon entering. It was time to get ready for supper.
A quick bath and a new dress – green and gold per Arinё's encouragement – it wasn't long before the maid declared she was ready for supper. Shyloh adjusted the circlet on her head again with nervous fingers, but Arinё only brushed her hands aside and straightened it herself. Arwen entered her room just as the maid was finishing up. Dressed in a silver gown and golden circlet, Arwen easily ousted her.
It's not a competition, Shyloh told herself as she straightened.
Arwen smiled and came forward to adjust one of Shyloh's skirt one last time.
"I think you are ready," the Evanstar said, and she twisted her fingers around a lock of white hair and drew it over Shyloh's exposed shoulders.
The wide bell sleeves practically trailed on the floor as the two elleths emerged from the room and fell into step next to each other. They walked back out toward the dais and that was when Shyloh felt her nerves kick in.
