The calm expanse of Rivendell opened before the travelers as the reached
the gates of the small city. The guards posted at the gate looked at the
group recognizing Aragorn and Legolas but not the two women with them.
"Halt, what business do you have in Rivendell and who are you?" On of them
said, one by the name of Glorfindel that Aragorn refused to look at.
"I am Taurdae and my companion is Avari, I suppose you know our other companions. We have a message to deliver to Lord Elrond from Avaris father." She said as she looked up directly at Glorfindel.
"We shall see." He said as his partner disappeared from view. A moment later the gate was raised and Elrond himself came to greet them. He was followed by another Half-Elf none of the companions had ever seen.
"I am sorry ladies." He said as he greeted each of them in turn. "With all the Orcs running about I have had to heighten security. But I doubt you want to here of this right now, you all must be tired. I am guessing all of you would like to get clean and rest after your long trip."
"Thank you Lord Elrond that would be most welcome." Avari said, her voice warm and friendly. Elrond nodded and had each of them shown to a room and bath.
**************************************************************************** **************** Elrond had left messages in each of the companion's rooms that they were to come to his private overlook as soon as they could. Legolas was the first to arrive and moved over to the wall to look over across the valley.
Taurdae entered next. She stood in the doorway looking about for a moment until her eyes settled on Legolas. He was in a silver shirt, the cuffs flared slightly at the wrist. The collar came up and wrapped gently around his neck. Small crystal beads trailed patterns on the fabric. His legs were wrapped in soft gray leather leggings. Taurdae ran a hand down the side of her moss green dress, the bells around her wrist chiming quietly. Legolas turned his head slowly and me her gaze.
"Hello my Lady, good evening to you." He said as he turned his body to follow his head and smiled at her.
"Hello Lord." She said schooling her features to hide her embarrassment. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to look at Avari, who had walked up behind her. Avari nodded to Legolas and moved to sit on one of the benches. A moment later Elrond entered with Aragorn and the elf woman following. **************************************************************************** **************** Everyone sat quietly waiting for Elrond to start the meeting. Legolas sat with his back to the balcony, Taurdae a little to his left. Aragorn sat facing Elrond and Avari stood close to the wall.
"Well Avari you are the one I need to hear from, so pleas what has you father said?" the Lord of Rivendell said politely and motioned to the space in front of him.
Avari moved to where Elrond had motioned, her simple gray dress swirling at her feet. The color matched the flagstones in the floor. When she stood still it seemed the stoned had come alive and taken the form of a woman. As she began she could feel Aragorn's eyes on her back.
"My father wishes to tell you that my people, the Dark-Elves, will have nothing more to do with the affairs of this land. He wishes to formally apologize but he has no reason to deal with the other races again."
Elrond expression darkened as her spoke. "I hope this odes not mean you shall be leaving us."
"No my Lord. I have no place among my people and shall stay in this land with your leave"
"Yes, yes, please you know you are always welcome in my home." He smiled at her.
A few moments later very one was dismissed. Legolas said was going to take a walk in the gardens and Taurdae was going to retire to her room. Aragorn went to the Hall of Kings to rest his mind. Elrond and the mysterious Lady went into his chambers to discuss the news.
**************************************************************************** **************** Avari had gone to wander the east gardens since it had been many hundreds of years since she had last seen the city. She was walking past the Hall of Kings when Arwen came around the corner and stopped her.
"Well I see the dark child has come to visit us once again." She sneered as she looked at Avari
"Good day Arwen." Avari said keeping her voice calm and even.
"Are you still following you dark ways or have you changed?" "I have not the slightest idea of what you are speaking." Avari said sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Arwen's eyes narrowed "I do not know why you keep coming here. Ones like you should be killed on sight.
"Lady only you seem to dislike." Avari stated calmly.
"You reek of the evil taint of Mordor. I am surprised my father has not banished you yet." As they argued their voices raised until most that came near them left quite quickly.
**************************************************************************** **************** Aragorn had been trying to drown out the increasing noise for quite some time, eventually it got to the point that the sound was echoing of the walls. 'One is Arwen that I can tell but the other I cannot.' He thought to himself
Stepping from the shrine he saw the two women standing on the path yelling back and forth. Avari was standing still as a statue he voice not loud but powerful. Her eyed seemed deeper than usual as she walked up to the pair.
"Arwen, Avari," He shouted causing them both to stop and turned to him. "What is this about and why must you do it right here?"
Arwen glared at him. "Yea Aragorn we must do it here, and it is nothing of your concern." Venom slid from her tongue with each word.
"Arwen it is of my concern if you are going to be like this one of my friends." He said as he looked at her.
"So now you make friends with the tainted ones. Now I know I was right, maybe you are tainted also."
"Neither I nor she is tainted. You have no right to talk to her this way. She has saved my life once and has done more in the last few months than you have done in your life." He said his tone biting.
"Aragorn." Avari snapped. "I do not need you fighting my battles for me. I can handle this my self." She paused and looked over to Arwen. "And you, I do not appreciate you saying these things to me. You do not have to like me but you must be civil. If you do not wish me to be here then do not speak to me." With that she turned and stalked back the way she had come.
"Arwen I think she has a point, you should be more hospitable to others." Aragorn growled as he turned to follow Avari.
**************************************************************************** **************** Avari had stopped in one of the glades that surrounded the last homely house. She stood staring into a spring when Aragorn found her. Before he could say anything she held up a hand to silence him. "If you are going to say I should not worry about her I know. O have known her longer than you." She turned from the spring to look at Aragorn. The now starry sky was reflected in her hair and the deep pools of her eyes. "I need no help with her attitude." With that she turned from him and looked back to the water.
Aragorn watcher her for a moment then turned to go back inside the city. Though he had spent little in her company he guesses that pushing her would only make her close off even more. He hoped one day she would open up to him but he was not going to force her.
**************************************************************************** **************** Legolas was wandering the twisting paths of the gardens singing softly to himself. The last time he had been in Rivendell he had been the council of the ring, he had not had time to look at the gardens. Now he was taking the time to enjoy the lush green plants and the vibrant colors of the flowers.
Silken rose petals brushed his cheeks as he passed under a low arch. The arch opened into a clearing dominated by a large old oak tree and a silver gazing pool.
He found Taurdae standing overt the pool, one hand resting lightly on the rough bark of the tree. She seemed almost an extension of the tree, the soft light of the moon making her hair a soft brown.
"Hello, my Lady, may I join you." He said softly into the night. Taurdae turned to face him slowly her gaze pinning him to the spot.
"Yea you may if you wish, though I may not be much company." She said quietly as she turned back to the silvery water, her hand closing tighter around the tree. Her other hand held a deep blood red rose. To Legolas she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.
Legolas stood for a while looking at her. Something about her had drawn him to her from the beginning, something he could not place. She seemed to be made from the nature around her. Her skin glowed like the silvery moonlight, her dress matched the moss perfectly, and her hair seemed to be made from strands of the oak. He looked at her for a long while until he noticed she was looking back at him. He shook his head and quickly apologized.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to disturb you."
"No it is alright you did not bother me. I was just wondering why you would bother to look at me like that?" She said keeping the blush from her face.
"I would bother because you are beautiful to look at, just like the plants that surround you. I was just admiring how mush like a part of them you look." He said, his face nothing but truthfulness. She looked at him for a moment then hurriedly excused herself to her room. Legolas watched her go, wistfulness coloring his eyes
**************************************************************************** **************** Taurdae entered her room to find Avari sitting next to the small table in the room. She looked at the thoughtful look on her friends face, one she usually did not share.
"Avari what are you doing here, and in such a strange mood?" She asked worriedly.
"Waiting for you, I see you seem to be experiencing the same thing with master Legolas as I with Aragorn." The last was said not spiteful but it came very close.
Taurdae looked confused for a moment before she spoke. "Do you mean in the way Aragorn seems to always be looking at you, and the way Legolas looks at me?"
Avari nodded as she stood, her sword oddly absent from her side. She walked over to a window and gazed out, where the moonlight caught her hair silver specks glinted. Slowly she turned back toward her friend. "I so not know what to make of it, so many strange things have happened as of late and I do not know where to go from here."
Taurdae looked fondly at Avari, she had gotten close to her in the time they had traveled and knew exactly what was going on, and this was scaring her badly. Taurdae walked over to her friend and led her to sit on the bed, there they sat long into the night talking about everything that came to their minds.
**************************************************************************** **************** Aragorn was sitting in front of the former resting place of Anduril when Legolas found him. He had been thinking of Avari, and did not notice Legolas until he was right next to him. The Elf looked down at him with a knowing look in his gray eyes. "May I guess, Avari?" he said with a laugh.
"You know me to well my friend." Aragorn laughed as he stood. "AN I guess that you were thinking of Taurdae."
Legolas smiled "Yes, it is hard not to."
"The same with Avari, but at least you get to hear your lady's voice. Avari only talks in my presence when she needs to." Aragorn sighed as he leaned against the wall, his fingers tracing the carvings beside him. "I think she sees me as threat."
Legolas chuckled softly as Aragorn finished. "Do my ears deceive me or has something escaped the keen senses of the Ranger." He received a sharp glare from Aragorn for his words. "I am sorry, but I think I see the problem, come out of these stuffy halls and we shall talk about it." As he was speaking he pulled Aragorn outside and into the fresh night air. When they were both settled comfortably on the stone benches along the path he spoke again. "I think it has to do with order. Avari has always had control of her life and its path, so with you she does not know where to go or what to do. You have thrown her a, shall we say, a game piece she knows not what to do with."
"Maybe you are right, but what shall I do about it." The man groaned as he slunk to the floor.
"I know not but I will help you in any way I can." Legolas said looking down at Aragorn.
**************************************************************************** **************** The next morning Elrond called his four guests to his chambers to talk. They all arrived about the same time. This time Avari took a seat but it was the one closest to the door, everyone else sat where they had before.
"Good morning, I trust I did not disturb any of you fro your meals." When everyone shook his or her heads he continued. "Good well I wanted to discuss where everyone id going from here," He paused for a moment as if thinking. "Aragorn and you Legolas are going to Bree and I correct." Aragorn nodded gravely. "The I suppose Avari accompany you."
Avari straitened in her seat her whole body had gone tense. She did not relax when Elrond looked at her, his eyes said there would be no questioning him. "I will not go without Taurdae." She said giving Elrond the same look. Elrond sighed, he knew it was pointless to argue with the stubborn elf, and it would not hurt anything.
"So then Taurdae does this fit your plans?"
"Yes Lord, I would have gone even with out your permission. We have become almost sisters in the short time we have been together." The two women exchanged a look then turned back to Elrond as he began to speak again.
"I would wish it if you would take Q'siuua along also, if you would have her."
The woman who had been with Elrond almost constantly stepped forward and bowed. "Hello, yes I would like to come with you. I know my way around the land and am proficient with a bow so I would not hinder you." She smiled as she spoke, her eyes pleading.
"I see no harm in letting her come, and the more we have the better we are against the Orcs." Aragorn said looking at everyone. Avari seemed to want to say something but kept her mouth firmly shut.
"Then it is settled, the five of you shall leave for Bree in three days, there is a storm coming an no point in you leaving until it had passed." Elrond said and dismissed everyone. Aragorn and Legolas stayed to talk to Elrond while Avari and Taurdae left.
**************************************************************************** **************** Avari and Taurdae were walking down one of the gently sloping paths down to the river when Glorfindel hailed them and bid them to stop. "Avari it has been quite some time since I have spoken to you." His face was nothing but kindness but his eyes betrayed him.
"Good day Glorfindel, you may dispense with the pleasantries and tell me what you really want of me, you seem happy but like always your eyes betray you." She stood with one hand on her hip, she had had enough lately and was in no mood to deal with him. "If you are here to bother me about marriage again then I suggest you leave."
"Quite the contrary my Lady, I have found my wife in Arwen.
"I thought she was marring some human." Avari looked puzzled.
"She was, in fact the very one you travel with, but she turned from him not long after he left to destroy the ring." He said smiling. "Well that explains her rudeness to him, but if you are not here about that then what do you want with me?" she said looking at him suspiciously.
As he spoke his expression changed almost to match the one Arwen used on her though his voice was friendly. "I have not gotten to see you in action with your new sword, I was going to challenge you to a friendly match."
She looked at him levelly. "So be it, and I shall use my sword if you wish."
She gave Glorfindel time to get ready and told him to meet her in one of the large open clearings. She had changed into a deep gray tunic and gray leggings. On her feet she had a pair of soft doeskin boots made for tree climbing, she had her sword in hand when Glorfindel entered the clearing.
"Shall we begin?" She said when he had settled himself.
"Yes," The two exchanged blows for a few minuets until Avari hit Glorfindel in the side with the flat of her sword. "It shall not tickle next time I hit you." She laughed as she danced away from his blade.
The clashing of steel had drawn a crowd. Aragorn moved his way next to Taurdae and looked at the two fighters and was surprised to see Avari and Glorfindel and nudged her to get her attention. "What id going on?"
"Glorfindel challenged her to a friendly fight, thought I think it is only friendly in the fact that they wont kill each other." She said over the noise of the blades.
They watched as Glorfindel tripped on a tree root, falling back. Avari knocked the blade from his hand hers coming to rest on his neck, one booted foot on his chest. The blade glowed for a moment then dulled. "Well lord." She bit out "Mayhaps you should stick to a bow, you may have sharp reflexes but you cannot keep up with me." A quick look passed between Avari and Taurdae and both grinned slightly.
Avari let Glorfindel up and walked toward Taurdae without giving him a second glance. As the passed Taurdae her friend joined in step and both left the clearing and headed for Avaris room.
Legolas joined Aragorn from the other side of the field as the two women disappeared from view. Legolas looked at Aragorn, whose eyes were locked on the path the lady's had just vacated. "Aragorn." He said tapping him on the shoulder. Aragorn shook his hear and looked at Legolas.
"I am sorry my friend." He paused for a moment. "She confounds me to no end, everything she does is planed but yet so random." He half smiled as he spoke.
"Well than this journey should be very interesting indeed." Legolas said as he and Aragorn moved off from the field. **************************************************************************** **************** Well, Well, interesting no? yes? Maybe? Well tell me.the review button is calling to you =^.^= Lady
"I am Taurdae and my companion is Avari, I suppose you know our other companions. We have a message to deliver to Lord Elrond from Avaris father." She said as she looked up directly at Glorfindel.
"We shall see." He said as his partner disappeared from view. A moment later the gate was raised and Elrond himself came to greet them. He was followed by another Half-Elf none of the companions had ever seen.
"I am sorry ladies." He said as he greeted each of them in turn. "With all the Orcs running about I have had to heighten security. But I doubt you want to here of this right now, you all must be tired. I am guessing all of you would like to get clean and rest after your long trip."
"Thank you Lord Elrond that would be most welcome." Avari said, her voice warm and friendly. Elrond nodded and had each of them shown to a room and bath.
**************************************************************************** **************** Elrond had left messages in each of the companion's rooms that they were to come to his private overlook as soon as they could. Legolas was the first to arrive and moved over to the wall to look over across the valley.
Taurdae entered next. She stood in the doorway looking about for a moment until her eyes settled on Legolas. He was in a silver shirt, the cuffs flared slightly at the wrist. The collar came up and wrapped gently around his neck. Small crystal beads trailed patterns on the fabric. His legs were wrapped in soft gray leather leggings. Taurdae ran a hand down the side of her moss green dress, the bells around her wrist chiming quietly. Legolas turned his head slowly and me her gaze.
"Hello my Lady, good evening to you." He said as he turned his body to follow his head and smiled at her.
"Hello Lord." She said schooling her features to hide her embarrassment. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to look at Avari, who had walked up behind her. Avari nodded to Legolas and moved to sit on one of the benches. A moment later Elrond entered with Aragorn and the elf woman following. **************************************************************************** **************** Everyone sat quietly waiting for Elrond to start the meeting. Legolas sat with his back to the balcony, Taurdae a little to his left. Aragorn sat facing Elrond and Avari stood close to the wall.
"Well Avari you are the one I need to hear from, so pleas what has you father said?" the Lord of Rivendell said politely and motioned to the space in front of him.
Avari moved to where Elrond had motioned, her simple gray dress swirling at her feet. The color matched the flagstones in the floor. When she stood still it seemed the stoned had come alive and taken the form of a woman. As she began she could feel Aragorn's eyes on her back.
"My father wishes to tell you that my people, the Dark-Elves, will have nothing more to do with the affairs of this land. He wishes to formally apologize but he has no reason to deal with the other races again."
Elrond expression darkened as her spoke. "I hope this odes not mean you shall be leaving us."
"No my Lord. I have no place among my people and shall stay in this land with your leave"
"Yes, yes, please you know you are always welcome in my home." He smiled at her.
A few moments later very one was dismissed. Legolas said was going to take a walk in the gardens and Taurdae was going to retire to her room. Aragorn went to the Hall of Kings to rest his mind. Elrond and the mysterious Lady went into his chambers to discuss the news.
**************************************************************************** **************** Avari had gone to wander the east gardens since it had been many hundreds of years since she had last seen the city. She was walking past the Hall of Kings when Arwen came around the corner and stopped her.
"Well I see the dark child has come to visit us once again." She sneered as she looked at Avari
"Good day Arwen." Avari said keeping her voice calm and even.
"Are you still following you dark ways or have you changed?" "I have not the slightest idea of what you are speaking." Avari said sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Arwen's eyes narrowed "I do not know why you keep coming here. Ones like you should be killed on sight.
"Lady only you seem to dislike." Avari stated calmly.
"You reek of the evil taint of Mordor. I am surprised my father has not banished you yet." As they argued their voices raised until most that came near them left quite quickly.
**************************************************************************** **************** Aragorn had been trying to drown out the increasing noise for quite some time, eventually it got to the point that the sound was echoing of the walls. 'One is Arwen that I can tell but the other I cannot.' He thought to himself
Stepping from the shrine he saw the two women standing on the path yelling back and forth. Avari was standing still as a statue he voice not loud but powerful. Her eyed seemed deeper than usual as she walked up to the pair.
"Arwen, Avari," He shouted causing them both to stop and turned to him. "What is this about and why must you do it right here?"
Arwen glared at him. "Yea Aragorn we must do it here, and it is nothing of your concern." Venom slid from her tongue with each word.
"Arwen it is of my concern if you are going to be like this one of my friends." He said as he looked at her.
"So now you make friends with the tainted ones. Now I know I was right, maybe you are tainted also."
"Neither I nor she is tainted. You have no right to talk to her this way. She has saved my life once and has done more in the last few months than you have done in your life." He said his tone biting.
"Aragorn." Avari snapped. "I do not need you fighting my battles for me. I can handle this my self." She paused and looked over to Arwen. "And you, I do not appreciate you saying these things to me. You do not have to like me but you must be civil. If you do not wish me to be here then do not speak to me." With that she turned and stalked back the way she had come.
"Arwen I think she has a point, you should be more hospitable to others." Aragorn growled as he turned to follow Avari.
**************************************************************************** **************** Avari had stopped in one of the glades that surrounded the last homely house. She stood staring into a spring when Aragorn found her. Before he could say anything she held up a hand to silence him. "If you are going to say I should not worry about her I know. O have known her longer than you." She turned from the spring to look at Aragorn. The now starry sky was reflected in her hair and the deep pools of her eyes. "I need no help with her attitude." With that she turned from him and looked back to the water.
Aragorn watcher her for a moment then turned to go back inside the city. Though he had spent little in her company he guesses that pushing her would only make her close off even more. He hoped one day she would open up to him but he was not going to force her.
**************************************************************************** **************** Legolas was wandering the twisting paths of the gardens singing softly to himself. The last time he had been in Rivendell he had been the council of the ring, he had not had time to look at the gardens. Now he was taking the time to enjoy the lush green plants and the vibrant colors of the flowers.
Silken rose petals brushed his cheeks as he passed under a low arch. The arch opened into a clearing dominated by a large old oak tree and a silver gazing pool.
He found Taurdae standing overt the pool, one hand resting lightly on the rough bark of the tree. She seemed almost an extension of the tree, the soft light of the moon making her hair a soft brown.
"Hello, my Lady, may I join you." He said softly into the night. Taurdae turned to face him slowly her gaze pinning him to the spot.
"Yea you may if you wish, though I may not be much company." She said quietly as she turned back to the silvery water, her hand closing tighter around the tree. Her other hand held a deep blood red rose. To Legolas she seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.
Legolas stood for a while looking at her. Something about her had drawn him to her from the beginning, something he could not place. She seemed to be made from the nature around her. Her skin glowed like the silvery moonlight, her dress matched the moss perfectly, and her hair seemed to be made from strands of the oak. He looked at her for a long while until he noticed she was looking back at him. He shook his head and quickly apologized.
"I am sorry, I did not mean to disturb you."
"No it is alright you did not bother me. I was just wondering why you would bother to look at me like that?" She said keeping the blush from her face.
"I would bother because you are beautiful to look at, just like the plants that surround you. I was just admiring how mush like a part of them you look." He said, his face nothing but truthfulness. She looked at him for a moment then hurriedly excused herself to her room. Legolas watched her go, wistfulness coloring his eyes
**************************************************************************** **************** Taurdae entered her room to find Avari sitting next to the small table in the room. She looked at the thoughtful look on her friends face, one she usually did not share.
"Avari what are you doing here, and in such a strange mood?" She asked worriedly.
"Waiting for you, I see you seem to be experiencing the same thing with master Legolas as I with Aragorn." The last was said not spiteful but it came very close.
Taurdae looked confused for a moment before she spoke. "Do you mean in the way Aragorn seems to always be looking at you, and the way Legolas looks at me?"
Avari nodded as she stood, her sword oddly absent from her side. She walked over to a window and gazed out, where the moonlight caught her hair silver specks glinted. Slowly she turned back toward her friend. "I so not know what to make of it, so many strange things have happened as of late and I do not know where to go from here."
Taurdae looked fondly at Avari, she had gotten close to her in the time they had traveled and knew exactly what was going on, and this was scaring her badly. Taurdae walked over to her friend and led her to sit on the bed, there they sat long into the night talking about everything that came to their minds.
**************************************************************************** **************** Aragorn was sitting in front of the former resting place of Anduril when Legolas found him. He had been thinking of Avari, and did not notice Legolas until he was right next to him. The Elf looked down at him with a knowing look in his gray eyes. "May I guess, Avari?" he said with a laugh.
"You know me to well my friend." Aragorn laughed as he stood. "AN I guess that you were thinking of Taurdae."
Legolas smiled "Yes, it is hard not to."
"The same with Avari, but at least you get to hear your lady's voice. Avari only talks in my presence when she needs to." Aragorn sighed as he leaned against the wall, his fingers tracing the carvings beside him. "I think she sees me as threat."
Legolas chuckled softly as Aragorn finished. "Do my ears deceive me or has something escaped the keen senses of the Ranger." He received a sharp glare from Aragorn for his words. "I am sorry, but I think I see the problem, come out of these stuffy halls and we shall talk about it." As he was speaking he pulled Aragorn outside and into the fresh night air. When they were both settled comfortably on the stone benches along the path he spoke again. "I think it has to do with order. Avari has always had control of her life and its path, so with you she does not know where to go or what to do. You have thrown her a, shall we say, a game piece she knows not what to do with."
"Maybe you are right, but what shall I do about it." The man groaned as he slunk to the floor.
"I know not but I will help you in any way I can." Legolas said looking down at Aragorn.
**************************************************************************** **************** The next morning Elrond called his four guests to his chambers to talk. They all arrived about the same time. This time Avari took a seat but it was the one closest to the door, everyone else sat where they had before.
"Good morning, I trust I did not disturb any of you fro your meals." When everyone shook his or her heads he continued. "Good well I wanted to discuss where everyone id going from here," He paused for a moment as if thinking. "Aragorn and you Legolas are going to Bree and I correct." Aragorn nodded gravely. "The I suppose Avari accompany you."
Avari straitened in her seat her whole body had gone tense. She did not relax when Elrond looked at her, his eyes said there would be no questioning him. "I will not go without Taurdae." She said giving Elrond the same look. Elrond sighed, he knew it was pointless to argue with the stubborn elf, and it would not hurt anything.
"So then Taurdae does this fit your plans?"
"Yes Lord, I would have gone even with out your permission. We have become almost sisters in the short time we have been together." The two women exchanged a look then turned back to Elrond as he began to speak again.
"I would wish it if you would take Q'siuua along also, if you would have her."
The woman who had been with Elrond almost constantly stepped forward and bowed. "Hello, yes I would like to come with you. I know my way around the land and am proficient with a bow so I would not hinder you." She smiled as she spoke, her eyes pleading.
"I see no harm in letting her come, and the more we have the better we are against the Orcs." Aragorn said looking at everyone. Avari seemed to want to say something but kept her mouth firmly shut.
"Then it is settled, the five of you shall leave for Bree in three days, there is a storm coming an no point in you leaving until it had passed." Elrond said and dismissed everyone. Aragorn and Legolas stayed to talk to Elrond while Avari and Taurdae left.
**************************************************************************** **************** Avari and Taurdae were walking down one of the gently sloping paths down to the river when Glorfindel hailed them and bid them to stop. "Avari it has been quite some time since I have spoken to you." His face was nothing but kindness but his eyes betrayed him.
"Good day Glorfindel, you may dispense with the pleasantries and tell me what you really want of me, you seem happy but like always your eyes betray you." She stood with one hand on her hip, she had had enough lately and was in no mood to deal with him. "If you are here to bother me about marriage again then I suggest you leave."
"Quite the contrary my Lady, I have found my wife in Arwen.
"I thought she was marring some human." Avari looked puzzled.
"She was, in fact the very one you travel with, but she turned from him not long after he left to destroy the ring." He said smiling. "Well that explains her rudeness to him, but if you are not here about that then what do you want with me?" she said looking at him suspiciously.
As he spoke his expression changed almost to match the one Arwen used on her though his voice was friendly. "I have not gotten to see you in action with your new sword, I was going to challenge you to a friendly match."
She looked at him levelly. "So be it, and I shall use my sword if you wish."
She gave Glorfindel time to get ready and told him to meet her in one of the large open clearings. She had changed into a deep gray tunic and gray leggings. On her feet she had a pair of soft doeskin boots made for tree climbing, she had her sword in hand when Glorfindel entered the clearing.
"Shall we begin?" She said when he had settled himself.
"Yes," The two exchanged blows for a few minuets until Avari hit Glorfindel in the side with the flat of her sword. "It shall not tickle next time I hit you." She laughed as she danced away from his blade.
The clashing of steel had drawn a crowd. Aragorn moved his way next to Taurdae and looked at the two fighters and was surprised to see Avari and Glorfindel and nudged her to get her attention. "What id going on?"
"Glorfindel challenged her to a friendly fight, thought I think it is only friendly in the fact that they wont kill each other." She said over the noise of the blades.
They watched as Glorfindel tripped on a tree root, falling back. Avari knocked the blade from his hand hers coming to rest on his neck, one booted foot on his chest. The blade glowed for a moment then dulled. "Well lord." She bit out "Mayhaps you should stick to a bow, you may have sharp reflexes but you cannot keep up with me." A quick look passed between Avari and Taurdae and both grinned slightly.
Avari let Glorfindel up and walked toward Taurdae without giving him a second glance. As the passed Taurdae her friend joined in step and both left the clearing and headed for Avaris room.
Legolas joined Aragorn from the other side of the field as the two women disappeared from view. Legolas looked at Aragorn, whose eyes were locked on the path the lady's had just vacated. "Aragorn." He said tapping him on the shoulder. Aragorn shook his hear and looked at Legolas.
"I am sorry my friend." He paused for a moment. "She confounds me to no end, everything she does is planed but yet so random." He half smiled as he spoke.
"Well than this journey should be very interesting indeed." Legolas said as he and Aragorn moved off from the field. **************************************************************************** **************** Well, Well, interesting no? yes? Maybe? Well tell me.the review button is calling to you =^.^= Lady
