1.) When I said Twenty-Four Years a couple of chapters ago…I meant that he would not know what is going on for 24 years.
2.) This was written with "Frodo Baggins of Bag End". He wrote the part of "Frodo" as we were building the scene.
3.) This takes place when Frodo is 19, and when Gailethil is almost 200.
4.) Gailethil ages about 50 years for every 5 Frodo does.
5.) NOTE : They had more encounters closer to their young ages when Gailethil was younger, but as she aged, time is longer. Okay class, that's enough Quantum Physics for the day.
6.) This chapter takes place really BEFORE the last chapter.J Are we all clear now? Yes, I'm
Jumping around a bit. I'm sorry, I keep getting ideas.
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Dance Lessons
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They were having a celebration in the middle of summer, everything was wonderful as it always was. Glorfindel had asked Gailethil to dance a long set, and she had responded favorably. The song was light…and a little foreign, one of the tunes that was not entirely elvish. Elrond was watching from his seat, frowning slightly at the site of Gailethil with Glorfindel. He glanced over to Legolas who was also watching. He then looked at Arwen who did not seem altogether pleased either but she shook her head to the lord of Rivendell as though advising him not to interfere. Gailethil had been happy the last few weeks. Things had been going very well…and she had not had any nightmares or visions. She had spent them with her friends Legolas and Glorfindel as they were trying to teach her how to use a bow. He was holding her…a little closely than she at first thought he should…and was looking at her strangely. Perhaps it was the music, perhaps the air. He was rather handsome, really…but he was not…Frodo. She found herself smiling when she thought of the one of her dreams. The smile…was mistaken for an invitation, from her partner, who often caught her eyes when she thought of her dreams and liked to believe it was for him.
"Is it not a lovely evening, Gailethil?"
Glorfindel took it as such, as he nodded up toward the stars. "Just look. . .there is Earendil. . .though I do not think at this distance the Silmaril he bears can be called the fairest of all things tonight. . . ."
She stares in surprise, her cheeks pinking slightly. "Oh..." she smiles shyly, and what a beautiful smile it is...but as he coaxes her to look at the stars she feels something clutch at her heart. From somewhere...someone is watching, calling her...calling her into the shadow realm. "Ah...!" she cries out in pain as she staggers...her hands bracing themselves on her partners shoulders as the world begins to spin around her and she falls...her eyes open wide with terror at the realm that opens up before her...and then they see no more of current times as they close as she collapses into the Elf's arms. Elrond rises from his chair in a flash...moving over to the couple, passing through the surprised elves on the floor, to help Glorfindel as he tried to steady Gailethil.
"Gailethil!" Glorfindel cried out her name anxiously.
And the world around her spinned quicker and quicker. She almost felt as though she was going to faint….and soon it began to slow down…she could hear voices…she could not feel anyone holding her….these voices were not elvish…and certain one far harsher than it needed to be.
"And *one*-two-three, *one*-two-three! Frodo Baggins, just what do you call that step? I don't know what you expect that is, but it's no dancing-step I've taught you!"
"I'm sorry, Mistress Goldworthy. It was an accident - "
Frodo swallowed nervously, standing before the dancing-mistress, who rested her hands on her hips. The two other couples, his cousins, stood in perfect little pairs, like storybook-dolls, close by; not far from them, little five-year old Merry played contentedly nearby with an assortment of brightly coloured blocks.
"Honestly! I thought perhaps you just needed a bit of extra help, but this is appalling. . . ."
Frodo winced, looking very small as he shuddered. "I'm sorry, Mistress. . .it's only I slipped because I felt dizzy. . .please, mayn't I go lie down for a while?"
Surely had Primula been there, he'd have already been lying down: the boy looked paler than even his usually light complexion, with a faint flush at his high cheekbones. . .enough that Primula, even his Aunt would have tucked him into bed and fussed over him. But they were not there, and so he stood quietly before the teacher, blue eyes wide with anxiety as he begged her leave.
She steadied herself by the windowsill, trying to will the dizzy feeling away as she gasped as though for breath. The room finally began to come into focus and she blinked as she sees Frodo. He had not seen her yet, and seemed quite miserable. She glanced around and looked very surprised when the child playing with blocks claps his hands, "Pretty!" he points at the window excitedly.
Mistress Goldworthy did not look impressed. A matronly spinster it was her job to keep the young children in Buckland Hall under control, and she had very little patience for those who seemed to want to skip lessons or draw attention to themselves. "Don't be absurd." she shook her head firmly. "Come children, we shall have a break for 30 minutes, but you. You will stay here and learn that step. Your Aunty trusted in me to teach you and that I will, no matter what is done. Look after your cousin while we are in the kitchen. When you have learned it, you may leave, and not before. Hop to it now." she slapped her hands together and the others obediently followed her out of the room, leaving Frodo and Merry alone, or so they thought..
Frodo sank to the floor, sitting in a small heap, looking positively forlorn. He seemed feverish, and the thought of mastering the step is sufficiently daunting to bring tears to his eyes. As yet, he does not seem to notice what so amuses his smaller cousin.
"Frodo...Pretty!" Merry laughs excitedly as Gailethil made her way towards the poor hobbit. She bent down...and touched his chin, lifting it up so that he sees her...Just then light illuminates the room as the elleth came into full view...in all her finery...looking quite the angel for she was wearing a dress picked properly for a celebration, blue silk with jewels that sparkled in the tiara on her head, and about her throat. The elleth is still young, but there is a certain timeless beauty in her appearance.
He tilted his head up as someone touched his chin. . .cool, comfortable hands. . .and at once his blue eyes widened in stunned delight.
"Gailethil?" he breathed, looking frightened. . .as if she might disappear were he to even blink. At closer range, the truth was even more evident and more concerning: he felt too warm, hot to the touch, and seems listless, . . .
She kneels down and draws him into her arms in an embrace. "Frodo…it is me." she smiled...and she smelt wonderful…like a combination of apples and honey.
Merry tried to crawl out of his playpen, but is quite prevented. The young child was entranced by the elf.
Gailethil put her hand to Frodo's forehead. "Why are you not in bed?…" she wondered, as she glanced about in confusion.
He shivered, trembling as if burning up.
"They won't let me. . .Mistress Goldworthy says I must master my dancing-steps first. . .but I'm cold. . .and I want to lie down. . . ."
She looked around and noticed a tray with water and five glasses for the students. She smiled at the child still watched them with excitement. "Let me give you some water…and what dance is it…maybe I know of it? If…I helped you…in time, she would let you go back to your room…wouldn't she?"
"I think so - "
Shivering still, Frodo nodded eagerly, and he too offered a slight smile to little Merry. "It's just a little waltz; it's very pretty, just that I'm tired and everything. . .my back and limbs ache. . . ."
Gailethil was quick to pour him some water and bring it over.
Merry watches, "Want to Play too!" he cries a bit desperately.
She carefully let Frodo take a drink, on the tray she found a napkin and had poured water on it to make it cool. "I know that one!" her eyes brightened, "I was just dancing the waltz with Glorfindel." she spoke the name as one might speak of a brother, or a very good friend. "I can teach you. Its easy…you just…have to have the right partner." She dabbed the napkin against his forehead and cheeks. "Do you have the strength…though?"
He closed his eyes with relief, sipping eager gulps from the glass while she patted his flushed face with the napkin. At her querie though, he shook his head.
"I'm not sure. . .but if I don't manage it, Mistress Goldworthy will. . .I don't want to think what she'll do; she'll be furious. . . ."
She smiled, "I believe in you, Frodo. Lets try..." she rose when he was done with the drink and helped him to his feet. Her warmth...and her spirit...and strength, was there for him. Her look, as she gazed down at him was as though the stars themselves were shining their light. "You can do it. Well go slow...Its works in sets of three steps..." She explained as she began to hum the tune a little with her silky voice.
Merry heard the sound and starts to beat a rhythm with his blocks quite excitedly.
The tune was slow...less harsh than the one the dance mistress was forcing. She wa quite taller than him already, but that was not stopping her, nor does she seem to pay any attention to it.
He seemed a little awkward at first. . .but her touch appeared to infuse him with fresh energy, and he managed to master the little step, moving with deft gracefulness. Actually, he is quite an excellent dancer with work, only a bit fatigued. . .the fever pressed him a little off balance, but otherwise he really is doing well. . . .
Gailethil took him about slowly..one-two-three, one-two-three. It was like a dream…only in perfect harmony. Soon the pair seemed to be lost in their own little world.
And this was the site that greeted the class as they enter the room, back from their break.
Frodo moving about the room, looking up at something…and as though he is dancing…with a partner…his arms holding her…lifted up just slightly because she is taller than he, yet there is no one there that they can see.
Several giggles errupted from the girls, but yet….he's learned the steps…and was demonstrating that he knows them. It was an awfully odd site…for he did not notice them right away, until Mistress Goldworthy cleared her throat.
At once Frodo stopped, nearly falling in the abruptness of his pause.
"Mistress Goldworthy! I-I-I'm sorry. . .forgive me. . . ."
Anxiously he dropped a quick bow, keeping his head down.
Gailethil stood behind him, her hands on his shoulders keeping him steady. The Dance Mistress walked up to the young Baggins, and peered at him. "Well." she grunts, "You seem to know more than you let on." she turned. "You -do- know the steps. Right." she snaps her fingers to the other children. "You can go. But I expect you here -on time- tomorrow. You were late today…again." she glances over to very happy child who was busy spelling things out with his blocks.
Not that the dancing-mistress would notice, but Frodo smiled. . .it seems Merry was somewhere in the process of spelling a name: G-A-I. . . .
With a prompt bow and a grateful thank-you, Frodo hurried out, quickly cutting into the hall by his room. . .and nearly collapsed, his face terribly flushed and damp with sweat.
Gailethil half-carried him to his bed, worry in her eyes as she lay him down. "Frodo..." she whispered gently...her eyes filled with worry. "Frodo what's wrong?" she brushed the hair from his forehead as he gazed at her.
He clung to her as he blinked back tears: obviously he considered himself too old to cry in front of a lady, but his resolve was weakening. As she eased him down, he sighed with relief, seeming exceedingly glad to be back in his room.
"I. . .I don't know. . .I started feeling too tired yesterday, and then I woke up during the night feeling all cold and hot. . . . I wanted Auntie, but she's away at least until tomorrow. . .and everyone else thinks I make it up, to get attention. . . ."
A slight cough escaped him, tightening the frail chest.
And so the elleth cared for him throughout the night until he was well again for there was no one to do so that day. In the morning, the music from the dance mistress could be heard and once again when he woke she was gone….and his Aunt was there to take care of him. Maybe it had been a dream…but his ears perked up as he heard his Aunt Emerald speaking.
"The funniest thing." he heard his Aunt talking to his doctor. "Young Merry spelt the oddest word yesterday, sure as certain it ain't anything we'd call a word. *Gailethil*. What an odd name. He kept saying it meant pretty. My word, Doctor, but if you have any idea what to do. Please…"
Back in Rivendell, Gailethil was lying down in her bed, Glorfindel and Arwen were watching over her when she awoke. A smile was soft on her lips as she turned to them. "He'll be alright now."
Glorfindel sighed, Gailethil was in his heart and soul as she ever would be…but she was tied to someone else. There must be some way to break that tie, he thought to himself, surprised a little at the desperation in his heart. Arwen then sharply glanced at him…as though she might have seen the look in his eyes. Glorfindel rose and leaned over to touch Gailethil's cheek. "I'll be back later. You rest now, Arwen will look after you." he longed to get away from Arwen's gaze and was soon walking hurriedly down the hall.
"Glorfindel!" Legolas' voice could be heard. "There's something that Hir Elrond wants us both to check into."
Distraction…he definitely needed that.
2.) This was written with "Frodo Baggins of Bag End". He wrote the part of "Frodo" as we were building the scene.
3.) This takes place when Frodo is 19, and when Gailethil is almost 200.
4.) Gailethil ages about 50 years for every 5 Frodo does.
5.) NOTE : They had more encounters closer to their young ages when Gailethil was younger, but as she aged, time is longer. Okay class, that's enough Quantum Physics for the day.
6.) This chapter takes place really BEFORE the last chapter.J Are we all clear now? Yes, I'm
Jumping around a bit. I'm sorry, I keep getting ideas.
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Dance Lessons
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They were having a celebration in the middle of summer, everything was wonderful as it always was. Glorfindel had asked Gailethil to dance a long set, and she had responded favorably. The song was light…and a little foreign, one of the tunes that was not entirely elvish. Elrond was watching from his seat, frowning slightly at the site of Gailethil with Glorfindel. He glanced over to Legolas who was also watching. He then looked at Arwen who did not seem altogether pleased either but she shook her head to the lord of Rivendell as though advising him not to interfere. Gailethil had been happy the last few weeks. Things had been going very well…and she had not had any nightmares or visions. She had spent them with her friends Legolas and Glorfindel as they were trying to teach her how to use a bow. He was holding her…a little closely than she at first thought he should…and was looking at her strangely. Perhaps it was the music, perhaps the air. He was rather handsome, really…but he was not…Frodo. She found herself smiling when she thought of the one of her dreams. The smile…was mistaken for an invitation, from her partner, who often caught her eyes when she thought of her dreams and liked to believe it was for him.
"Is it not a lovely evening, Gailethil?"
Glorfindel took it as such, as he nodded up toward the stars. "Just look. . .there is Earendil. . .though I do not think at this distance the Silmaril he bears can be called the fairest of all things tonight. . . ."
She stares in surprise, her cheeks pinking slightly. "Oh..." she smiles shyly, and what a beautiful smile it is...but as he coaxes her to look at the stars she feels something clutch at her heart. From somewhere...someone is watching, calling her...calling her into the shadow realm. "Ah...!" she cries out in pain as she staggers...her hands bracing themselves on her partners shoulders as the world begins to spin around her and she falls...her eyes open wide with terror at the realm that opens up before her...and then they see no more of current times as they close as she collapses into the Elf's arms. Elrond rises from his chair in a flash...moving over to the couple, passing through the surprised elves on the floor, to help Glorfindel as he tried to steady Gailethil.
"Gailethil!" Glorfindel cried out her name anxiously.
And the world around her spinned quicker and quicker. She almost felt as though she was going to faint….and soon it began to slow down…she could hear voices…she could not feel anyone holding her….these voices were not elvish…and certain one far harsher than it needed to be.
"And *one*-two-three, *one*-two-three! Frodo Baggins, just what do you call that step? I don't know what you expect that is, but it's no dancing-step I've taught you!"
"I'm sorry, Mistress Goldworthy. It was an accident - "
Frodo swallowed nervously, standing before the dancing-mistress, who rested her hands on her hips. The two other couples, his cousins, stood in perfect little pairs, like storybook-dolls, close by; not far from them, little five-year old Merry played contentedly nearby with an assortment of brightly coloured blocks.
"Honestly! I thought perhaps you just needed a bit of extra help, but this is appalling. . . ."
Frodo winced, looking very small as he shuddered. "I'm sorry, Mistress. . .it's only I slipped because I felt dizzy. . .please, mayn't I go lie down for a while?"
Surely had Primula been there, he'd have already been lying down: the boy looked paler than even his usually light complexion, with a faint flush at his high cheekbones. . .enough that Primula, even his Aunt would have tucked him into bed and fussed over him. But they were not there, and so he stood quietly before the teacher, blue eyes wide with anxiety as he begged her leave.
She steadied herself by the windowsill, trying to will the dizzy feeling away as she gasped as though for breath. The room finally began to come into focus and she blinked as she sees Frodo. He had not seen her yet, and seemed quite miserable. She glanced around and looked very surprised when the child playing with blocks claps his hands, "Pretty!" he points at the window excitedly.
Mistress Goldworthy did not look impressed. A matronly spinster it was her job to keep the young children in Buckland Hall under control, and she had very little patience for those who seemed to want to skip lessons or draw attention to themselves. "Don't be absurd." she shook her head firmly. "Come children, we shall have a break for 30 minutes, but you. You will stay here and learn that step. Your Aunty trusted in me to teach you and that I will, no matter what is done. Look after your cousin while we are in the kitchen. When you have learned it, you may leave, and not before. Hop to it now." she slapped her hands together and the others obediently followed her out of the room, leaving Frodo and Merry alone, or so they thought..
Frodo sank to the floor, sitting in a small heap, looking positively forlorn. He seemed feverish, and the thought of mastering the step is sufficiently daunting to bring tears to his eyes. As yet, he does not seem to notice what so amuses his smaller cousin.
"Frodo...Pretty!" Merry laughs excitedly as Gailethil made her way towards the poor hobbit. She bent down...and touched his chin, lifting it up so that he sees her...Just then light illuminates the room as the elleth came into full view...in all her finery...looking quite the angel for she was wearing a dress picked properly for a celebration, blue silk with jewels that sparkled in the tiara on her head, and about her throat. The elleth is still young, but there is a certain timeless beauty in her appearance.
He tilted his head up as someone touched his chin. . .cool, comfortable hands. . .and at once his blue eyes widened in stunned delight.
"Gailethil?" he breathed, looking frightened. . .as if she might disappear were he to even blink. At closer range, the truth was even more evident and more concerning: he felt too warm, hot to the touch, and seems listless, . . .
She kneels down and draws him into her arms in an embrace. "Frodo…it is me." she smiled...and she smelt wonderful…like a combination of apples and honey.
Merry tried to crawl out of his playpen, but is quite prevented. The young child was entranced by the elf.
Gailethil put her hand to Frodo's forehead. "Why are you not in bed?…" she wondered, as she glanced about in confusion.
He shivered, trembling as if burning up.
"They won't let me. . .Mistress Goldworthy says I must master my dancing-steps first. . .but I'm cold. . .and I want to lie down. . . ."
She looked around and noticed a tray with water and five glasses for the students. She smiled at the child still watched them with excitement. "Let me give you some water…and what dance is it…maybe I know of it? If…I helped you…in time, she would let you go back to your room…wouldn't she?"
"I think so - "
Shivering still, Frodo nodded eagerly, and he too offered a slight smile to little Merry. "It's just a little waltz; it's very pretty, just that I'm tired and everything. . .my back and limbs ache. . . ."
Gailethil was quick to pour him some water and bring it over.
Merry watches, "Want to Play too!" he cries a bit desperately.
She carefully let Frodo take a drink, on the tray she found a napkin and had poured water on it to make it cool. "I know that one!" her eyes brightened, "I was just dancing the waltz with Glorfindel." she spoke the name as one might speak of a brother, or a very good friend. "I can teach you. Its easy…you just…have to have the right partner." She dabbed the napkin against his forehead and cheeks. "Do you have the strength…though?"
He closed his eyes with relief, sipping eager gulps from the glass while she patted his flushed face with the napkin. At her querie though, he shook his head.
"I'm not sure. . .but if I don't manage it, Mistress Goldworthy will. . .I don't want to think what she'll do; she'll be furious. . . ."
She smiled, "I believe in you, Frodo. Lets try..." she rose when he was done with the drink and helped him to his feet. Her warmth...and her spirit...and strength, was there for him. Her look, as she gazed down at him was as though the stars themselves were shining their light. "You can do it. Well go slow...Its works in sets of three steps..." She explained as she began to hum the tune a little with her silky voice.
Merry heard the sound and starts to beat a rhythm with his blocks quite excitedly.
The tune was slow...less harsh than the one the dance mistress was forcing. She wa quite taller than him already, but that was not stopping her, nor does she seem to pay any attention to it.
He seemed a little awkward at first. . .but her touch appeared to infuse him with fresh energy, and he managed to master the little step, moving with deft gracefulness. Actually, he is quite an excellent dancer with work, only a bit fatigued. . .the fever pressed him a little off balance, but otherwise he really is doing well. . . .
Gailethil took him about slowly..one-two-three, one-two-three. It was like a dream…only in perfect harmony. Soon the pair seemed to be lost in their own little world.
And this was the site that greeted the class as they enter the room, back from their break.
Frodo moving about the room, looking up at something…and as though he is dancing…with a partner…his arms holding her…lifted up just slightly because she is taller than he, yet there is no one there that they can see.
Several giggles errupted from the girls, but yet….he's learned the steps…and was demonstrating that he knows them. It was an awfully odd site…for he did not notice them right away, until Mistress Goldworthy cleared her throat.
At once Frodo stopped, nearly falling in the abruptness of his pause.
"Mistress Goldworthy! I-I-I'm sorry. . .forgive me. . . ."
Anxiously he dropped a quick bow, keeping his head down.
Gailethil stood behind him, her hands on his shoulders keeping him steady. The Dance Mistress walked up to the young Baggins, and peered at him. "Well." she grunts, "You seem to know more than you let on." she turned. "You -do- know the steps. Right." she snaps her fingers to the other children. "You can go. But I expect you here -on time- tomorrow. You were late today…again." she glances over to very happy child who was busy spelling things out with his blocks.
Not that the dancing-mistress would notice, but Frodo smiled. . .it seems Merry was somewhere in the process of spelling a name: G-A-I. . . .
With a prompt bow and a grateful thank-you, Frodo hurried out, quickly cutting into the hall by his room. . .and nearly collapsed, his face terribly flushed and damp with sweat.
Gailethil half-carried him to his bed, worry in her eyes as she lay him down. "Frodo..." she whispered gently...her eyes filled with worry. "Frodo what's wrong?" she brushed the hair from his forehead as he gazed at her.
He clung to her as he blinked back tears: obviously he considered himself too old to cry in front of a lady, but his resolve was weakening. As she eased him down, he sighed with relief, seeming exceedingly glad to be back in his room.
"I. . .I don't know. . .I started feeling too tired yesterday, and then I woke up during the night feeling all cold and hot. . . . I wanted Auntie, but she's away at least until tomorrow. . .and everyone else thinks I make it up, to get attention. . . ."
A slight cough escaped him, tightening the frail chest.
And so the elleth cared for him throughout the night until he was well again for there was no one to do so that day. In the morning, the music from the dance mistress could be heard and once again when he woke she was gone….and his Aunt was there to take care of him. Maybe it had been a dream…but his ears perked up as he heard his Aunt Emerald speaking.
"The funniest thing." he heard his Aunt talking to his doctor. "Young Merry spelt the oddest word yesterday, sure as certain it ain't anything we'd call a word. *Gailethil*. What an odd name. He kept saying it meant pretty. My word, Doctor, but if you have any idea what to do. Please…"
Back in Rivendell, Gailethil was lying down in her bed, Glorfindel and Arwen were watching over her when she awoke. A smile was soft on her lips as she turned to them. "He'll be alright now."
Glorfindel sighed, Gailethil was in his heart and soul as she ever would be…but she was tied to someone else. There must be some way to break that tie, he thought to himself, surprised a little at the desperation in his heart. Arwen then sharply glanced at him…as though she might have seen the look in his eyes. Glorfindel rose and leaned over to touch Gailethil's cheek. "I'll be back later. You rest now, Arwen will look after you." he longed to get away from Arwen's gaze and was soon walking hurriedly down the hall.
"Glorfindel!" Legolas' voice could be heard. "There's something that Hir Elrond wants us both to check into."
Distraction…he definitely needed that.