Disclaimer: Tolkien owns LOTR and all things Middle Earth, blah blah blah…
A/N: Apologies for taking so long with this chapter. I got caught up with a couple of other authors' fictions and couldn't find the time to get to my own. But at least I had a really good time procrastinating. Thanks for waiting for it!
Chapter 22 – In The White City
As the travelers passed the gates to the city, Alania and Roxy were overwhelmed with the sheer size of the walls surrounding the city. All either of them could think to mention was that human hands had built them and all that they housed inside. They had spent so much of their time recently in the company of elves, they had almost forgotten what humans were capable of when they put their minds to it.
Though the city was not as ornate or elegant as Rivendell, it was vastly more populated and thus more lively. To Alania it was like a breath of fresh air and she enjoyed watching the people bustling about their daily grind as they neared the center of the city.
Their presence did not go unnoticed, for it wasn't very often that the people of this city saw elves. As they neared Aerdin's abode, they were stopped several times and questioned. Thankfully Elladan was known well by some of these guards and they took his word that his fellow travelers were trustworthy and expected. It was near dark when finally they were brought in to a large hall to await Aerdin. They weren't kept waiting very long.
"Elladan! How wonderful to see you again. It has been far too long. How long has it been?" asked Aerdin welcoming them all with a sweeping gaze.
"I believe that last time we saw you, you were just a child. And now you are grown to a man, the very likeness of your grandfather. My sister would have been proud to see her grandchild now. Come, let me introduce you to my fellow travelers" replied Elladan and made the introductions.
As Aerdin was introduced to their group and politely paid special attention to each one in turn, Alania took the time to observe him as she had taken to waiting behind the group. He stood about the height of Legolas, perhaps even a little taller, broad shouldered, with dark hair falling to just below his shoulders. His face was angular and defined. It was a face that one wouldn't call handsome on first glance, but was one which grew on a person the longer they looked at it. He was one of those men who would be devastating to look at once you got to know him, and you would wonder how it was you ever thought him plain. His face held stunning and perceptive green eyes that Alania knew instinctively would give nothing away unless he chose to show you his thoughts, and as he was introduced to her last of the group she did her best to veil her own thoughts without being rude and still meeting his gaze.
Aerdin had politely spoken with each person Elladan had introduced him to, but had noticed the red haired woman from the moment he had walked into the hall. He had taken his time, curiously watching her from the corner of his eye until at last they were introduced. He noticed her caution with him and that she said very little but paid attention to everything. She intrigued him, and from the letters he had received from Gandalf she was someone worth knowing and making a trusted advisor. He would follow Gandalf's advice and see to it that he invited her for a game of chess as soon as the opportunity opened as a method to know her.
He personally escorted them to their rooms, making sure Alania was last and as she assured him the lodgings were more than sufficient he found himself inviting her for a game that evening. A little surprised at the request, Alania said "I apologize highness. I am a little tired this evening and overwhelmed with your city. Perhaps another evening." And so it went for two weeks, with Aerdin inviting her for a game and Alania politely refusing.
She had just spent the first week in the city settling into a routine with Roxy and Teleris for practice. They had found a space in the center gardens of the city, and they had even noticed an audience growing with each of their sessions. It seemed that two women learning to do battle, and learning well, were quite unusual for the men of Gondor. But Teleris was glad for the viewers as it put pressure on the women to perform well, and he had every intention of utilizing those who made the most disparaging remarks later on in their training.
It was on their third morning that Alania had noticed Aerdin watching them from a distance. He seemed to wish to remain unnoticed and so Alania said nothing about it. After that he was there every morning, watching and, Alania guessed, assessing them. And every evening after their meal, Aerdin would politely make conversation with Elladan or Georn and Roxy, who were rarely apart, or Teleris and carefully avoided all conversation with Alania until she got up to leave the room. Aerdin would watch her leave and shortly follow. The two found silence comfortable, made very little but polite conversation and walked the keep's hallways almost aimlessly. Then they would walk to Alania's room, where every night Aerdin would request a game by her door and Alania would say no. And every night, Aerdin would smile at her and inform her that he would ask her again the next evening and bid her a good night.
If the truth was to be told, Alania feared getting familiar with the king. He was intelligent, charming, just, fair and terribly attractive. He seemed to understand her need for distance from him, but it would not keep him for making at least the smallest of attempts to get closer to her. When they walked together, Alania found it easier to not think of Legolas and that alone made her feel guilty and then angry at herself for feeling guilty. She had not heard from him in many weeks and though she knew he would keep his promise, she began to feel unsure if she wanted him to.
Her confusion increased daily with Aerdin's simple attention and charm. Her love for the elf was as strong as it had ever been, but lately she found herself wondering what possible future the two of them could have. He was immortal and she would grow old and bent and then die. He would remain young and beautiful and strong and she would become gray and weak. Would he still find her lovely to look at in 30 years? Would he still want to bed her when her skin wrinkled? Would he regret staying with her? And would she resent herself for keeping him close to her in her old age? Yet, she had always believed that the greatest love was found in old couples who still held hands and made each other laugh. She wanted to grow old with someone, and Legolas would never grow old. These thoughts running through her head and the absence of the elf made Alania grow despondent.
Roxy noticed and finally sat her friend down to speak with her. After much arguing, she was able to get Alania to admit her fears. After hearing Alania admit the thoughts Roxy knew she was having, she said "Look, I can't claim to know what you're going through. I think I got real lucky with Georn and you, with you're strangely perfect record of odd relationships, got 'stuck' with an immortal, gorgeous, wonderful elf who loves you like mad. Chica, if you love Legolas then you have nothing to fear by being friends with Aerdin. And perhaps Legolas will choose a mortal life as Aerdin's grandmother Arwen did for you."
"That's just it Roxy. He can't choose a mortal life. It was a gift given by the Valar to Elrond's line and no other. And even if he could I would never allow him to do that" replied Alania.
"What?! What do you mean he can't choose a mortal life? What kind of crap is that? You mean to tell me that the gods gave Elrond's lineage this crazy so-called 'gift' of choice and no other elven family? How are Elrond's kids any better than, oh I don't know, Celeborn's? Nope, sorry. There's gotta be a loophole there somewhere. We just have to find it."
"Don't you dare! Even if there was a way I would never ever ask Legolas to essentially commit suicide for me. I would never be able to live with myself" Alania said.
The two sat silently, each thinking their own thoughts. Roxy already formulating a plan of action to find out about Legolas being able to chose a mortal life, and to have Georn talk to the elf about making that choice for his love. Looking at Roxy, Alania realized that it didn't matter that she had asked her friend not to stir up trouble, she would do it anyway because she thought it would make Alania happy. Smiling at Roxy, knowing that she only acted because she loved her, Alania said "I will tell Aerdin that we will have ourselves a game tomorrow night. And Roxy, thanks for being the sister I never had."
Smiling and hugging Alania, Roxy said "Right back at ya, chica."
When Roxy left, Alania contemplated what to do if there was a chance that Legolas could choose a mortal life. She knew the elf loved her and it warmed her heart to know it, but she would not allow it. She was determined to prevent it at all costs, even if it meant losing his love.
*******
Right then – review time! Then you may limbo.
A/N: Apologies for taking so long with this chapter. I got caught up with a couple of other authors' fictions and couldn't find the time to get to my own. But at least I had a really good time procrastinating. Thanks for waiting for it!
Chapter 22 – In The White City
As the travelers passed the gates to the city, Alania and Roxy were overwhelmed with the sheer size of the walls surrounding the city. All either of them could think to mention was that human hands had built them and all that they housed inside. They had spent so much of their time recently in the company of elves, they had almost forgotten what humans were capable of when they put their minds to it.
Though the city was not as ornate or elegant as Rivendell, it was vastly more populated and thus more lively. To Alania it was like a breath of fresh air and she enjoyed watching the people bustling about their daily grind as they neared the center of the city.
Their presence did not go unnoticed, for it wasn't very often that the people of this city saw elves. As they neared Aerdin's abode, they were stopped several times and questioned. Thankfully Elladan was known well by some of these guards and they took his word that his fellow travelers were trustworthy and expected. It was near dark when finally they were brought in to a large hall to await Aerdin. They weren't kept waiting very long.
"Elladan! How wonderful to see you again. It has been far too long. How long has it been?" asked Aerdin welcoming them all with a sweeping gaze.
"I believe that last time we saw you, you were just a child. And now you are grown to a man, the very likeness of your grandfather. My sister would have been proud to see her grandchild now. Come, let me introduce you to my fellow travelers" replied Elladan and made the introductions.
As Aerdin was introduced to their group and politely paid special attention to each one in turn, Alania took the time to observe him as she had taken to waiting behind the group. He stood about the height of Legolas, perhaps even a little taller, broad shouldered, with dark hair falling to just below his shoulders. His face was angular and defined. It was a face that one wouldn't call handsome on first glance, but was one which grew on a person the longer they looked at it. He was one of those men who would be devastating to look at once you got to know him, and you would wonder how it was you ever thought him plain. His face held stunning and perceptive green eyes that Alania knew instinctively would give nothing away unless he chose to show you his thoughts, and as he was introduced to her last of the group she did her best to veil her own thoughts without being rude and still meeting his gaze.
Aerdin had politely spoken with each person Elladan had introduced him to, but had noticed the red haired woman from the moment he had walked into the hall. He had taken his time, curiously watching her from the corner of his eye until at last they were introduced. He noticed her caution with him and that she said very little but paid attention to everything. She intrigued him, and from the letters he had received from Gandalf she was someone worth knowing and making a trusted advisor. He would follow Gandalf's advice and see to it that he invited her for a game of chess as soon as the opportunity opened as a method to know her.
He personally escorted them to their rooms, making sure Alania was last and as she assured him the lodgings were more than sufficient he found himself inviting her for a game that evening. A little surprised at the request, Alania said "I apologize highness. I am a little tired this evening and overwhelmed with your city. Perhaps another evening." And so it went for two weeks, with Aerdin inviting her for a game and Alania politely refusing.
She had just spent the first week in the city settling into a routine with Roxy and Teleris for practice. They had found a space in the center gardens of the city, and they had even noticed an audience growing with each of their sessions. It seemed that two women learning to do battle, and learning well, were quite unusual for the men of Gondor. But Teleris was glad for the viewers as it put pressure on the women to perform well, and he had every intention of utilizing those who made the most disparaging remarks later on in their training.
It was on their third morning that Alania had noticed Aerdin watching them from a distance. He seemed to wish to remain unnoticed and so Alania said nothing about it. After that he was there every morning, watching and, Alania guessed, assessing them. And every evening after their meal, Aerdin would politely make conversation with Elladan or Georn and Roxy, who were rarely apart, or Teleris and carefully avoided all conversation with Alania until she got up to leave the room. Aerdin would watch her leave and shortly follow. The two found silence comfortable, made very little but polite conversation and walked the keep's hallways almost aimlessly. Then they would walk to Alania's room, where every night Aerdin would request a game by her door and Alania would say no. And every night, Aerdin would smile at her and inform her that he would ask her again the next evening and bid her a good night.
If the truth was to be told, Alania feared getting familiar with the king. He was intelligent, charming, just, fair and terribly attractive. He seemed to understand her need for distance from him, but it would not keep him for making at least the smallest of attempts to get closer to her. When they walked together, Alania found it easier to not think of Legolas and that alone made her feel guilty and then angry at herself for feeling guilty. She had not heard from him in many weeks and though she knew he would keep his promise, she began to feel unsure if she wanted him to.
Her confusion increased daily with Aerdin's simple attention and charm. Her love for the elf was as strong as it had ever been, but lately she found herself wondering what possible future the two of them could have. He was immortal and she would grow old and bent and then die. He would remain young and beautiful and strong and she would become gray and weak. Would he still find her lovely to look at in 30 years? Would he still want to bed her when her skin wrinkled? Would he regret staying with her? And would she resent herself for keeping him close to her in her old age? Yet, she had always believed that the greatest love was found in old couples who still held hands and made each other laugh. She wanted to grow old with someone, and Legolas would never grow old. These thoughts running through her head and the absence of the elf made Alania grow despondent.
Roxy noticed and finally sat her friend down to speak with her. After much arguing, she was able to get Alania to admit her fears. After hearing Alania admit the thoughts Roxy knew she was having, she said "Look, I can't claim to know what you're going through. I think I got real lucky with Georn and you, with you're strangely perfect record of odd relationships, got 'stuck' with an immortal, gorgeous, wonderful elf who loves you like mad. Chica, if you love Legolas then you have nothing to fear by being friends with Aerdin. And perhaps Legolas will choose a mortal life as Aerdin's grandmother Arwen did for you."
"That's just it Roxy. He can't choose a mortal life. It was a gift given by the Valar to Elrond's line and no other. And even if he could I would never allow him to do that" replied Alania.
"What?! What do you mean he can't choose a mortal life? What kind of crap is that? You mean to tell me that the gods gave Elrond's lineage this crazy so-called 'gift' of choice and no other elven family? How are Elrond's kids any better than, oh I don't know, Celeborn's? Nope, sorry. There's gotta be a loophole there somewhere. We just have to find it."
"Don't you dare! Even if there was a way I would never ever ask Legolas to essentially commit suicide for me. I would never be able to live with myself" Alania said.
The two sat silently, each thinking their own thoughts. Roxy already formulating a plan of action to find out about Legolas being able to chose a mortal life, and to have Georn talk to the elf about making that choice for his love. Looking at Roxy, Alania realized that it didn't matter that she had asked her friend not to stir up trouble, she would do it anyway because she thought it would make Alania happy. Smiling at Roxy, knowing that she only acted because she loved her, Alania said "I will tell Aerdin that we will have ourselves a game tomorrow night. And Roxy, thanks for being the sister I never had."
Smiling and hugging Alania, Roxy said "Right back at ya, chica."
When Roxy left, Alania contemplated what to do if there was a chance that Legolas could choose a mortal life. She knew the elf loved her and it warmed her heart to know it, but she would not allow it. She was determined to prevent it at all costs, even if it meant losing his love.
*******
Right then – review time! Then you may limbo.