Chapter 13
Tally spent many of the next few days sitting with Elrond or Gandalf learning lore and learning all they knew about the Enemy. It wasn't very much and she already knew much of the details about the orcs. In the afternoons she would go riding with Ghilad. She was learning to jump things and to ride with one hand so she could hold a sword at the same time. Tally came to love the feeling of the wind whipping through her hair as she galloped along. She lost her fear, knowing Mahril loved her too much to let her fall. She felt a true connection with the horse. It was as if they could to each other as they rode. Tally learnt it was a partnership riding, not just a commanding role over an obedient animal. She did not see much of Legolas, he kept himself to himself, busy with some new project and in council with Elrond frequently
About a week later, Tally had made great progress that afternoon, jumping with only one hand on the reins holding a sword as she went. Tally went back into the Sanctuary smiling to herself. As she walked into her room Malia was there laying out a new dress for her to wear. It was more beautiful than the first one she had worn. The pink silk was long and flowing with a low back and a low cut front as well. The dress was strapless. The edges were trimmed with tiny glass beading. Tally gasped at the dress. Malia spoke,
"You are to wear this tonight, my lady. You must bathe quickly as there is little time. You have been out riding long."
Tally changed quickly as instructed. She was going to just leave her hair down, but Malia emerges and pulled it into an elfin French pleat. She then went to a small box on the dresser. She opened it to reveal a beautiful tiara which she placed on Tally's head solemnly. She took a step and bowed at her in the mirror and then her face cracked into a grin,
"Oh my lady, you are so beautiful, it is a wonder all the elves aren't in love with you." Tally had little time to ponder that comment when there was a knock at the door. Tally went to answer it while Malia cleared up. It was Elrond and Gandalf. They looked grave.
"Elrond? Gandalf? What is wrong? What has happened?"
"It is Legolas, Natalia," said Gandalf, "Something has happened. I fear things will never be the same. You must talk to him."
"Where is he, I will go straight there."
"He was last seen pacing the corridor outside the Great Hall. Please, be quick."
Tally rushed off, Gandalf and Elrond exchanged very uncharacteristic boyish grins behind her back as they followed her. Tally caught up with Legolas, his back was turned to her. She touched him on the shoulder and he spun around. He looked at her strangely.
"Tally you promised me you would listen if I ever had to talk to you. Will you come in here now?" He motioned to the hall,
"Of course Legolas, you needn't ask." She said with her voice full of concern. Tally walked into the Hall and it erupted with noise. It had been decorated lavishly and there was a great feast on the table, "What's going on?"
Tally spent many of the next few days sitting with Elrond or Gandalf learning lore and learning all they knew about the Enemy. It wasn't very much and she already knew much of the details about the orcs. In the afternoons she would go riding with Ghilad. She was learning to jump things and to ride with one hand so she could hold a sword at the same time. Tally came to love the feeling of the wind whipping through her hair as she galloped along. She lost her fear, knowing Mahril loved her too much to let her fall. She felt a true connection with the horse. It was as if they could to each other as they rode. Tally learnt it was a partnership riding, not just a commanding role over an obedient animal. She did not see much of Legolas, he kept himself to himself, busy with some new project and in council with Elrond frequently
About a week later, Tally had made great progress that afternoon, jumping with only one hand on the reins holding a sword as she went. Tally went back into the Sanctuary smiling to herself. As she walked into her room Malia was there laying out a new dress for her to wear. It was more beautiful than the first one she had worn. The pink silk was long and flowing with a low back and a low cut front as well. The dress was strapless. The edges were trimmed with tiny glass beading. Tally gasped at the dress. Malia spoke,
"You are to wear this tonight, my lady. You must bathe quickly as there is little time. You have been out riding long."
Tally changed quickly as instructed. She was going to just leave her hair down, but Malia emerges and pulled it into an elfin French pleat. She then went to a small box on the dresser. She opened it to reveal a beautiful tiara which she placed on Tally's head solemnly. She took a step and bowed at her in the mirror and then her face cracked into a grin,
"Oh my lady, you are so beautiful, it is a wonder all the elves aren't in love with you." Tally had little time to ponder that comment when there was a knock at the door. Tally went to answer it while Malia cleared up. It was Elrond and Gandalf. They looked grave.
"Elrond? Gandalf? What is wrong? What has happened?"
"It is Legolas, Natalia," said Gandalf, "Something has happened. I fear things will never be the same. You must talk to him."
"Where is he, I will go straight there."
"He was last seen pacing the corridor outside the Great Hall. Please, be quick."
Tally rushed off, Gandalf and Elrond exchanged very uncharacteristic boyish grins behind her back as they followed her. Tally caught up with Legolas, his back was turned to her. She touched him on the shoulder and he spun around. He looked at her strangely.
"Tally you promised me you would listen if I ever had to talk to you. Will you come in here now?" He motioned to the hall,
"Of course Legolas, you needn't ask." She said with her voice full of concern. Tally walked into the Hall and it erupted with noise. It had been decorated lavishly and there was a great feast on the table, "What's going on?"
