Chapter Two
Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while,
Till we can clear these ambiguities.
-Romeo and Juliet act 5, sc. 3.
Her first thought was of fear. She tried to sit up, but a firm hand on her shoulder pushed her down gently. The owner of the eyes was standing by her bedside, looking at her with a frown on his face. He had long dark hair which was braided and, she noticed, pointed ears. He was tall and slim and yet well built and strong looking. There was a gentleness in those eyes, but it was almost masked behind a veneer of steel. She looked round the room and saw that - Hang on, pointed ears?
"Please," the owner-of-the-eyes said, "Lie still. You are not well and need to rest."
"Who are you?" She asked.
"I am Elrond Half-elven, lord of Rivendell. And may I ask who you are?"
"I... I don't know." She stared round at the strange people in the room. "Why don't I know who I am? Let go of me!" She tried to shake off the hand that held her down gently.
"You are in the Healing Houses of Rivendell. You are not in any danger."
She began to panic. She looked quickly around the room and saw many other pointy-eared people all busily working. The room was light and spacious, bathed in beautiful sunlight, and the mere sound of the birds outside let her know that it was no longer night.
"I don't understand." She gasped. "I-I was in Paris..."
"Paris? Is that the kingdom from whence you came?" Another pointy-eared person stepped forward and spoke, this time with long blonde hair.
"There is no kingdom in Middle Earth of the name Paris." Elrond said, before she had a chance to speak.
"Then where did she come from?" The blonde one asked. "She was not dressed in the manner of any race I know of."
"I do not know. But rest easy, she is not dangerous." Elrond turned back to her, as did the other elf.
"Why did you come to this land?" The other elf asked.
She looked at them for a moment, before gasping, her voice cracking, "I don't know... I d-don't understand!" She felt tears slip down her face and tried to wipe them away, but her shoulder twinged painfully and she dropped her hand with a small whimper. She felt fear, despair and panic descend and began to cry.
Elrond spoke softly to the other elf, "Leave her. Let her rest and then try again later."
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
A little later that day, she woke once more. She opened her eyes and slowly struggled into a sitting position, watching the blonde female elf who was busily preparing a pleasant-smelling poultice in a pestle and mortar. The elf turned and, on seeing she was awake, started towards the door.
"You are awake." The elf said, "I will fetch Lord Elrond."
"No!" She said suddenly, "Wait... please." The elf looked nervous and unsure, but stayed where she was. "I want to know, could you please tell me, where am I?"
"You are in Rivendell."
"I know, they told me that." She said, frowning, "Where's Rivendell?"
"Have you never heard of the home of Lord Elrond?"
"No. Never." She frowned even deeper, "Where am I?"
"Rivendell is in Middle Earth." The elf looked worried and began to back towards the door, "I shall go and fetch Lord Elrond. You are not well."
"Please!" She cried, "Tell me! What's my name? Who am I? Where am I?!"
"I will go -" The elf turned and fled out of the room.
She sat still and glared at the luxurious bedspread.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
Some time later, Elrond walked gracefully into the room, looking out from the window before turning calmly to her.
"Do you feel rested?"
"Much better thank you." She replied.
"And do you remember anything?"
"No." She said shortly. "Please, I've asked everybody else but they won't tell me. Where am I?"
"I am to understand that you are not aware of where Rivendell is?"
"Yes. I mean no. I mean... oh hell." Elrond raised an eyebrow. "Look," she said, "I understand that I'm safe here, and I know that wherever 'Rivendell' is, it's a really cool place. But I can't remember my own name, I don't know what happened to me, and I don't know how I got here. Can't you give me some answers?"
"I cannot give you answers to questions which I myself must ask." Elrond stepped closer and stood by the end of the bed. "Can you not tell me, Nameless One, from whence you came?"
"Paris." She said with no hesitation, being able to remember that.
"I have never heard of this City."
"Paris. The capital of France, in Europe... France, you know, big place full of french people...." She trailed of, seeing that Elrond didn't know what she meant.
"Where in Middle Earth is Europe? Neither I nor any of my advisors have heard of such a place."
"It isn't in 'Middle Earth', wherever the hell that is, it's on Earth. Just Earth." She glared at Elrond, "How the hell did I get here and why are your ears pointy?"
"I," Elrond replied, "am an elf. As are all my people." He saw the look of disbelief on her face, "Have you never heard of elves?"
"Yeah, sure I've heard of them. In fairytales. Elves don't exist."
"I think you'll find that we do. We were once a great race in Middle Earth."
She shook her head, and said to herself loudly enough for Elrond to hear, "Oh my god. I've been taken hostage in an insane asylum. They're all insane."
"Is it usual for all people from 'Paris' to be so ungrateful?" Elrond asked her.
She glared at him, "When they've been told that elves exist and that they're not even on Earth any more, yes."
"Very well." Elrond said, turning towards the door. "I will have some food prepared for you, you have not eaten for three days."
"No, wait!" She said, slightly regretting being so horrible. He turned round.
"Yes?"
"How long have I been here?"
"You were found four nights ago."
"Found? Where?"
"You were unconcious by the banks of the river that runs through this valley. You were brought directly to these Healing Houses." Elrond informed her.
"Oh." She said. He waited for a moment to see if she would say anything else, but she was deep in thought, so he turned again and left.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
It was around noon when Elrond next entered the room to see the dark- haired, strong-willed girl squirming out of the way of an elf who was trying to get her to drink a mixture resembling herbal tea.
"Get off me!" She protested. The drink was once again thrust towards her and she twisted away, flapping her hands at the poor put-upon elf. "Please, leave me alone!"
Elrond stepped forward, not having been seen by either the girl or the elf. "You may go, Glianel."
Both the elf and the girl span round. The elf cursteyed, "Lord Elrond." She left.
"Thank you." The girl said, "I really don't think I could've drunk that. It smelt foul."
"But it will help you regain your strength." He smiled slightly at her. "Do you feel better now you have eaten?"
"Yes thank you, the food was very good." She replied.
"And has it helped you remember anything?"
She shook her head. "Not a thing. It's so frustrating. I know what my name isn't, but I can't think what it is. I don't know how I got here... all I remember is walking along the Seine, then I went dizzy and I fell in. Next thing I knew, I was here."
"The Seine? A river?" Elrond asked.
"Mm-hmm." She nodded and took a sip from the glass of water that had been placed next to her bed.
"How old are you?" He asked suddenly.
She paused thoughtfully, frowning. "Twenty-one. I think."
Elrond was silent for a moment before walking over to the balcony, gazing out over the view. "There are some among my advisors who think you are dangerous."
"Dangerous? Moi?" She grinned and began to giggle, but he frowned and the giggle quickly turned into a cough.
He turned back to her and sat down in a chair, looking straight at her. She was startled by the feeling that he was looking through her eyes into her soul, trying to read her mind. He seemed to give up and look at her normally. "These are dangerous times." He said, "The remainders of an evil force that was defeated years ago are massing in the dark lands and unrest throughout Middle Earth is growing. Spies are rare, but not unheard of."
"Spies?" She echoed. "For who?"
"The dark forces, led by a wizard who lost his power when the Dark Lord fell. He is regaining power and threatening the peace that has reigned here for three hundred years."
"Wizards? Dark Lords?" She said faintly. "Have you been reading Harry Potter?" She saw his puzzled look, "Never mind."
"I must stress to you how serious your situation is. If you are a spy, I warn you-"
"But I don't even know where I am! How can I be a spy?!" She protested.
"I know that. Yet some of the council are doubtful." He leaned forward and spoke quietly to her, "There are some that would have you imprisoned to keep you from escaping."
"What about you?" She asked quietly, "What do you think of me?"
"I believe that you are neither dangerous nor a spy."
"Then what will you do with me?"
"Don't worry. While you are here I shall see that you will not be harmed. I must warn you, though, not to speak to too many of my people. Do not answer questions unless they are asked by me. I will do my best to protect you, but you must understand that I will not be able to go against the will of my people."
She looked at him, now thoroughly scared. "I just want to go home." She said quietly.
He smiled faintly at her, "I know. But for now you must be content with being safe, warm and well-fed. Is there anything else you would like?"
"No thank you. How long will I be here?" She asked.
"Until you are strong enough to leave your bed."
"And then?"
"Then you may dine with us at the council and you may live in Rivendell for as long as you wish."
"Just one more thing." She said. "I'd like a name."
Elrond thought for a moment. "Anhuil." He finally said.
"Anhuil." She repeated softly, "What does it mean?"
"Many things." Elrond answered mysteriously before leaving the room.
To be continued....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's note: After killing off any potential interest in this series with a mind-numbingly boring first chapter, I was going to make it more interesting. Methinks I failed on that plan. Well, all can do is beg that you stick with it until the later chapters which WILL BE MORE INTERESTING with an actual plot.
Thank you to my lovely reviewers Lady Adyra and AngelsFall, your comments were really encouraging. And to Lady Harlequin: Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, ne? And the Seine? Ah, what a wonderful sight at night with the reflections of the lamps in the water! *goes off into ramblings about cities by moonlight*
To any readers; please review with suggestions and criticisms!
Seal up the mouth of outrage for a while,
Till we can clear these ambiguities.
-Romeo and Juliet act 5, sc. 3.
Her first thought was of fear. She tried to sit up, but a firm hand on her shoulder pushed her down gently. The owner of the eyes was standing by her bedside, looking at her with a frown on his face. He had long dark hair which was braided and, she noticed, pointed ears. He was tall and slim and yet well built and strong looking. There was a gentleness in those eyes, but it was almost masked behind a veneer of steel. She looked round the room and saw that - Hang on, pointed ears?
"Please," the owner-of-the-eyes said, "Lie still. You are not well and need to rest."
"Who are you?" She asked.
"I am Elrond Half-elven, lord of Rivendell. And may I ask who you are?"
"I... I don't know." She stared round at the strange people in the room. "Why don't I know who I am? Let go of me!" She tried to shake off the hand that held her down gently.
"You are in the Healing Houses of Rivendell. You are not in any danger."
She began to panic. She looked quickly around the room and saw many other pointy-eared people all busily working. The room was light and spacious, bathed in beautiful sunlight, and the mere sound of the birds outside let her know that it was no longer night.
"I don't understand." She gasped. "I-I was in Paris..."
"Paris? Is that the kingdom from whence you came?" Another pointy-eared person stepped forward and spoke, this time with long blonde hair.
"There is no kingdom in Middle Earth of the name Paris." Elrond said, before she had a chance to speak.
"Then where did she come from?" The blonde one asked. "She was not dressed in the manner of any race I know of."
"I do not know. But rest easy, she is not dangerous." Elrond turned back to her, as did the other elf.
"Why did you come to this land?" The other elf asked.
She looked at them for a moment, before gasping, her voice cracking, "I don't know... I d-don't understand!" She felt tears slip down her face and tried to wipe them away, but her shoulder twinged painfully and she dropped her hand with a small whimper. She felt fear, despair and panic descend and began to cry.
Elrond spoke softly to the other elf, "Leave her. Let her rest and then try again later."
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
A little later that day, she woke once more. She opened her eyes and slowly struggled into a sitting position, watching the blonde female elf who was busily preparing a pleasant-smelling poultice in a pestle and mortar. The elf turned and, on seeing she was awake, started towards the door.
"You are awake." The elf said, "I will fetch Lord Elrond."
"No!" She said suddenly, "Wait... please." The elf looked nervous and unsure, but stayed where she was. "I want to know, could you please tell me, where am I?"
"You are in Rivendell."
"I know, they told me that." She said, frowning, "Where's Rivendell?"
"Have you never heard of the home of Lord Elrond?"
"No. Never." She frowned even deeper, "Where am I?"
"Rivendell is in Middle Earth." The elf looked worried and began to back towards the door, "I shall go and fetch Lord Elrond. You are not well."
"Please!" She cried, "Tell me! What's my name? Who am I? Where am I?!"
"I will go -" The elf turned and fled out of the room.
She sat still and glared at the luxurious bedspread.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
Some time later, Elrond walked gracefully into the room, looking out from the window before turning calmly to her.
"Do you feel rested?"
"Much better thank you." She replied.
"And do you remember anything?"
"No." She said shortly. "Please, I've asked everybody else but they won't tell me. Where am I?"
"I am to understand that you are not aware of where Rivendell is?"
"Yes. I mean no. I mean... oh hell." Elrond raised an eyebrow. "Look," she said, "I understand that I'm safe here, and I know that wherever 'Rivendell' is, it's a really cool place. But I can't remember my own name, I don't know what happened to me, and I don't know how I got here. Can't you give me some answers?"
"I cannot give you answers to questions which I myself must ask." Elrond stepped closer and stood by the end of the bed. "Can you not tell me, Nameless One, from whence you came?"
"Paris." She said with no hesitation, being able to remember that.
"I have never heard of this City."
"Paris. The capital of France, in Europe... France, you know, big place full of french people...." She trailed of, seeing that Elrond didn't know what she meant.
"Where in Middle Earth is Europe? Neither I nor any of my advisors have heard of such a place."
"It isn't in 'Middle Earth', wherever the hell that is, it's on Earth. Just Earth." She glared at Elrond, "How the hell did I get here and why are your ears pointy?"
"I," Elrond replied, "am an elf. As are all my people." He saw the look of disbelief on her face, "Have you never heard of elves?"
"Yeah, sure I've heard of them. In fairytales. Elves don't exist."
"I think you'll find that we do. We were once a great race in Middle Earth."
She shook her head, and said to herself loudly enough for Elrond to hear, "Oh my god. I've been taken hostage in an insane asylum. They're all insane."
"Is it usual for all people from 'Paris' to be so ungrateful?" Elrond asked her.
She glared at him, "When they've been told that elves exist and that they're not even on Earth any more, yes."
"Very well." Elrond said, turning towards the door. "I will have some food prepared for you, you have not eaten for three days."
"No, wait!" She said, slightly regretting being so horrible. He turned round.
"Yes?"
"How long have I been here?"
"You were found four nights ago."
"Found? Where?"
"You were unconcious by the banks of the river that runs through this valley. You were brought directly to these Healing Houses." Elrond informed her.
"Oh." She said. He waited for a moment to see if she would say anything else, but she was deep in thought, so he turned again and left.
~~~~*~*~*~~~~
It was around noon when Elrond next entered the room to see the dark- haired, strong-willed girl squirming out of the way of an elf who was trying to get her to drink a mixture resembling herbal tea.
"Get off me!" She protested. The drink was once again thrust towards her and she twisted away, flapping her hands at the poor put-upon elf. "Please, leave me alone!"
Elrond stepped forward, not having been seen by either the girl or the elf. "You may go, Glianel."
Both the elf and the girl span round. The elf cursteyed, "Lord Elrond." She left.
"Thank you." The girl said, "I really don't think I could've drunk that. It smelt foul."
"But it will help you regain your strength." He smiled slightly at her. "Do you feel better now you have eaten?"
"Yes thank you, the food was very good." She replied.
"And has it helped you remember anything?"
She shook her head. "Not a thing. It's so frustrating. I know what my name isn't, but I can't think what it is. I don't know how I got here... all I remember is walking along the Seine, then I went dizzy and I fell in. Next thing I knew, I was here."
"The Seine? A river?" Elrond asked.
"Mm-hmm." She nodded and took a sip from the glass of water that had been placed next to her bed.
"How old are you?" He asked suddenly.
She paused thoughtfully, frowning. "Twenty-one. I think."
Elrond was silent for a moment before walking over to the balcony, gazing out over the view. "There are some among my advisors who think you are dangerous."
"Dangerous? Moi?" She grinned and began to giggle, but he frowned and the giggle quickly turned into a cough.
He turned back to her and sat down in a chair, looking straight at her. She was startled by the feeling that he was looking through her eyes into her soul, trying to read her mind. He seemed to give up and look at her normally. "These are dangerous times." He said, "The remainders of an evil force that was defeated years ago are massing in the dark lands and unrest throughout Middle Earth is growing. Spies are rare, but not unheard of."
"Spies?" She echoed. "For who?"
"The dark forces, led by a wizard who lost his power when the Dark Lord fell. He is regaining power and threatening the peace that has reigned here for three hundred years."
"Wizards? Dark Lords?" She said faintly. "Have you been reading Harry Potter?" She saw his puzzled look, "Never mind."
"I must stress to you how serious your situation is. If you are a spy, I warn you-"
"But I don't even know where I am! How can I be a spy?!" She protested.
"I know that. Yet some of the council are doubtful." He leaned forward and spoke quietly to her, "There are some that would have you imprisoned to keep you from escaping."
"What about you?" She asked quietly, "What do you think of me?"
"I believe that you are neither dangerous nor a spy."
"Then what will you do with me?"
"Don't worry. While you are here I shall see that you will not be harmed. I must warn you, though, not to speak to too many of my people. Do not answer questions unless they are asked by me. I will do my best to protect you, but you must understand that I will not be able to go against the will of my people."
She looked at him, now thoroughly scared. "I just want to go home." She said quietly.
He smiled faintly at her, "I know. But for now you must be content with being safe, warm and well-fed. Is there anything else you would like?"
"No thank you. How long will I be here?" She asked.
"Until you are strong enough to leave your bed."
"And then?"
"Then you may dine with us at the council and you may live in Rivendell for as long as you wish."
"Just one more thing." She said. "I'd like a name."
Elrond thought for a moment. "Anhuil." He finally said.
"Anhuil." She repeated softly, "What does it mean?"
"Many things." Elrond answered mysteriously before leaving the room.
To be continued....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's note: After killing off any potential interest in this series with a mind-numbingly boring first chapter, I was going to make it more interesting. Methinks I failed on that plan. Well, all can do is beg that you stick with it until the later chapters which WILL BE MORE INTERESTING with an actual plot.
Thank you to my lovely reviewers Lady Adyra and AngelsFall, your comments were really encouraging. And to Lady Harlequin: Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, ne? And the Seine? Ah, what a wonderful sight at night with the reflections of the lamps in the water! *goes off into ramblings about cities by moonlight*
To any readers; please review with suggestions and criticisms!