Note: This doesn't have anything to do with Lord of the Rings, but I just
thought that I'd say it. There's a guy in one of my classes at school
that's a dead ringer for Hugo Weaving (the guy who plays Elrond). He's got
the same hair color, and the same eyes (well, just about). *thinks for a
moment* On second thought, I take it back; this little tidbit of
information *does* have something to do with Lord of the Rings. Clint, if
you're on ff.net and you're reading this story, I really hope that you
don't recognize the author as being the Madrigal bookworm. *covers mouth*
Whoops. I've given away my identity.
Anyhoo...
This fic takes place after the council about the Ring, but before the Fellowship leaves Rivendell.
Chapter 2: Dining With Elves
That evening, Ailonwy stared at herself in the mirror. Ilyanna had brought her another gown, which was very similar to the one she had been wearing earlier, except that it was amber-colored. Her hair had been braided again, but the braid was more complicated and intricate than before, and had tiny beads made of crystal woven into it. They caught the light, and made it appear as though the stars themselves were woven into her hair.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Ailonwy went over to open it. There was an elf standing out there, his long blond hair pulled away from his face.
"I am Vorcalion. Lord Elrond has asked me to escort you to dinner, Lady Ailonwy," he said, smiling at her. Ailonwy smiled back at him, and he held out his arm. "Shall we?"
"Of course," she replied, accepting his arm. He led her downstairs to the dining hall, and Ailonwy gasped. There were more than a hundred elves there, all of them seated at a long table. However, Ailonwy also saw three humans, and five people who looked as though they were half-human and half- dwarf, but without beards. Vorcalion went over to speak with another elf, leaving her alone.
At the head of the table, Ailonwy saw Lord Elrond, and her heart began to beat faster. He wore a tunic of deep scarlet, trimmed with gold, and he had a silver crown on his head that was of an intricate design. He looked completely regal, just as she'd always imagined an elven king would look.
And he looked very handsome.
He was talking with an elf maiden who was sitting next to him. She was very beautiful, with long black hair and deep blue eyes, and wore a dress of lavender silk.
Ailonwy's heart sank. --That must be Liliath-- she thought sadly. --I do not see how I could ever compete with her.--
Suddenly, Ilyanna appeared next to her, a look of concern on her face.
"Lady Ailonwy, are you all right?" she asked.
"I am fine," Ailonwy replied. "Who is that lady talking with Lord Elrond?"
"That is his daughter, Arwen," Ilyanna answered, puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
Ailonwy let out a sigh of relief.
"I thought that might be Liliath," she replied, and Ilyanna shook her head.
"Liliath has red hair and blue-green eyes," Ilyanna said. "Not black hair and blue eyes." She glanced around. "There she is. She's the one in the sapphire blue dress, sitting next to Legolas."
Ailonwy looked. Liliath was very beautiful, but she had the faintest of sneers on her face.
"I do not think that I can do this," she said. "I have no wish to make a fool of myself." She started to walk back upstairs, but Ilyanna grabbed her arm.
"Lady Ailonwy, you will not make a fool of yourself," she said firmly. "I have faith in you." Ailonwy swallowed hard, and nodded.
"You're right," she replied. Ailonwy walked towards the table, holding her head high.
* * *
All conversations suddenly halted, and both Elrond and his daughter, Arwen, looked up to see why. There was a young woman walking towards the table. Her long hair, which was the color of old gold, was pulled into an intricate braid that fell halfway down her back, and there were tiny beads made of crystal woven into her hair. They caught the light from the candles around the dining hall, and looked like the stars themselves were braided into her hair. She wore a long gown of amber-colored silk that made her skin look as though it glowed.
A few feet away, Liliath looked up and saw the young woman approaching the table. She frowned when she saw how lovely she was.
She took a closer look, and her frown deepened when she saw that the young woman was human. She was even lovelier than Liliath herself was. --How dare a mere human outshine me!-- she thought angrily, fuming.
Arwen glanced over at Liliath, and smiled faintly when she saw the frown on her face. --Finally, someone who can put her in her place!-- she thought happily. Liliath looked as though she'd swallowed several gulps of horrible-tasting medicine.
* * *
Ailonwy swallowed hard as she felt the gazes of more than a hundred people upon her as she walked towards the table. --I can do this-- she thought to herself. --Although I've never done anything like this, I can do this. Ilyanna has faith in me, and I refuse to prove her wrong.--
A moment later, she reached the table, and was promptly shown to her seat by one of the elven servants. Her seat was beside one of the halflings, who looked to be quite old, with curly white hair and blue eyes.
"Hello," he said cheerfully. "Might I introduce myself? I am Bilbo Baggins. And who might you be, fair lady?"
Ailonwy blushed when Mr. Baggins called her "fair lady".
"I'm Ailonwy," she replied.
"A lovely name," Bilbo said, smiling. "This is my nephew, Frodo." He indicated to a much younger halfling who was sitting beside him, who had curly brown hair and blue eyes.
"Pleased to meet you," Ailonwy said politely to Frodo.
"I'm Samwise Gamgee," said the third halfling who sat on Frodo's other side. He had blond hair and blue eyes.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck," said the fourth halfling with dark blond hair and blue eyes.
"And I am Peregrin Took," added the fifth halfling. He had light brown hair and pale green eyes filled with mischief.
Ailonwy soon found out who most of the people present at dinner were during the next few moments. There was a Ranger named Strider, who didn't look much like a Ranger, but rather looked more like a nobleman. He was seated next to Arwen, and Ailonwy fought back a giggle when she saw the way that they were looking at each other out of the corners of their eyes.
Ailonwy nearly fell out of her seat when she was introduced to Legolas, prince of Mirkwood, and to Boromir, the Steward of Gondor. --So many noblemen!-- she thought, dazed. --I cannot believe that in one day, I have met the prince of Mirkwood, the Steward of Gondor, *and* the lord of the Last Homely House!--
However, the introductions weren't done yet. Ailonwy also met Gimli, son of Gloin, and Gandalf the Grey. --If I meet any more noblemen or famous wizards, I shall surely fall out of my seat!--
Unfortunately, her thought turned out to be prophetic, as she unfortunately found out near the end of dessert.
"Lady Arwen, why has Lord Elrond invited a Ranger to Rivendell?" asked Ailonwy curiously to the beautiful elven woman sitting across from her, taking the last bite of her cake. She swallowed it, and then looked worried. "If my question is offensive, you need not answer, and I shall keep my mouth shut for the rest of the evening."
Arwen and Strider both gave each other amused looks.
"Strider is not merely a Ranger," Arwen finally said, obviously fighting back a smile. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. The heir to the throne of Gondor."
At those words, Ailonwy did exactly what she had been afraid of doing.
She fell out of her seat.
Arwen, Aragorn, and the halflings all jumped out of their seats to help Ailonwy up. Several feet away, Liliath was snickering, not even making an effort to hide it.
"Lady Ailonwy, are you all right?" asked Frodo anxiously.
"I'm fine," Ailonwy replied, dusting herself off and fighting back the urge to burst into tears. "I think that I'll go to my room now."
Keeping her face emotionless, Ailonwy managed to keep herself composed as she walked upstairs to her room.
However, the moment she shut the door behind herself, she burst into tears, flinging herself down onto her bed.
* * *
Elrond glanced over at Arwen, and she nodded slightly, indicating towards Liliath, who was still laughing at what had happened to Ailonwy. The elven lord felt a surge of anger, but he quickly suppressed it. He got up from his seat, and quickly walked out of the dining hall, heading towards Ailonwy's room.
When he got there, Elrond immediately heard the sound of someone crying on the other side of the door. Without hesitation, he opened the door, and saw that Ailonwy was lying on her bed, sobbing. Her face was buried into her pillow, and her body was shaking with sobs.
Elrond closed the door behind him silently, and walked over to Ailonwy's bed, sitting down on the edge of it.
"Lady Ailonwy?" he said quietly. "Are you all right?"
Ailonwy sat up, her face wet with tears. She swiped at them in a futile attempt to make them disappear.
"I'm fine, Lord Elrond," she replied stiffly. "I just overreacted to falling out of my chair, that's all. I'll be fine." Suddenly, she burst into tears. Before Elrond realized what he was doing, he had pulled Ailonwy into his arms and was hugging her tightly, rocking her back and forth like a small child.
"It's all right, Ailonwy," he whispered soothingly as the young woman sobbed in his arms. "You'll be fine. I'm certain of it."
* * *
Arwen walked past Lady Ailonwy's room, and stopped in her tracks when she saw that her father was in there, sitting on her bed. He had his arms around Ailonwy, and was rocking her back and forth. It was then that Arwen saw that she was crying.
--Poor child-- she thought sympathetically. --She must have been absolutely embarrassed after she fell out of her chair. And it didn't help that Liliath started laughing at her, the witch.--
Feeling a surge of anger towards the princess of Birchwood, Arwen went outside, and saw that Aragorn was out there, standing in their grotto. Her anger at Liliath quickly faded, and was immediately replaced by her love for Aragorn. Lifting her skirts slightly so that she wouldn't trip on them, Arwen walked up the stairs to the grotto.
* * *
A few moments later, Ailonwy's sobbing subsided, and Elrond placed a finger underneath her chin, lifting her head.
"Are you all right?" he asked softly. Ailonwy sniffled, and nodded. "Good. You should probably go to sleep. You've undoubtedly worn yourself out."
Ailonwy nodded again.
"As you wish, L..." She yawned, cutting herself off, and then continued. "...Lord Elrond," she finished, and then yawned again.
Elrond stood up, and Ailonwy lay down on the bed, her golden-blond hair fanning out onto the pillow. Her eyes closed, and in just a moment, she was sound asleep. Elrond pulled the blanket over her, and gently brushed the bangs out of her face.
"Sleep well, Lady Ailonwy," he whispered softly. Then he left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
As he walked down the hallway towards his bedroom, Liliath stepped out of the shadows, a smile on her face.
"Lord Elrond, what a pleasant surprise," she said. "I was hoping I'd run into you. I do hope that you'll accept my apology for acting so childish when the young human female fell out of her chair. Although, you must agree, it *was* very amusing."
"Lady Liliath, I do not *have* to agree, and I *don't* agree," Elrond replied darkly. "And if you think that acting so sweet and repentant will help you to find your way into my bed, you are *quite* mistaken."
Liliath's smile faded, and was almost immediately replaced by a scowl as Elrond walked around her, heading for his bedroom. When he reached it, he went inside, closing the door behind himself. Liliath scowled at the closed door. She turned around and stomped towards her bedroom. On the way, she passed Ailonwy's door, and came to a halt, glaring at it hatefully.
"Do you think to win Lord Elrond's heart, you stupid, worthless little human?" Liliath hissed. "If so, you are sorely mistaken. Lord Elrond is *mine*, and the sooner you learn that, the better."
With that, she went to her bedroom, and slammed the door shut behind her.
to be continued...
* * *
A/N: Whoo-hoo! I finally got chapter 2 finished! It's not as long as chapter 1, but all the same...it's chapter 2! To everyone who begged me to continue the story: I am so sorry that I've kept all of you waiting for so very long. I've had major writer's block when it came to chapter 2 of this story, and it doesn't help that at the same time, I have half a dozen different story ideas for as many tv shows (mainly Mutant X) running through my head, all at once. I'll try not to keep everyone from having to wait for so long for the next chapter.
Anyhoo...
Please R&R, but no flames. Anyone that flames me will get pelted with dungbombs, and then they'll get their sorry arses kicked from here to the Bog of Eternal Stench.
Anyhoo...
This fic takes place after the council about the Ring, but before the Fellowship leaves Rivendell.
Chapter 2: Dining With Elves
That evening, Ailonwy stared at herself in the mirror. Ilyanna had brought her another gown, which was very similar to the one she had been wearing earlier, except that it was amber-colored. Her hair had been braided again, but the braid was more complicated and intricate than before, and had tiny beads made of crystal woven into it. They caught the light, and made it appear as though the stars themselves were woven into her hair.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Ailonwy went over to open it. There was an elf standing out there, his long blond hair pulled away from his face.
"I am Vorcalion. Lord Elrond has asked me to escort you to dinner, Lady Ailonwy," he said, smiling at her. Ailonwy smiled back at him, and he held out his arm. "Shall we?"
"Of course," she replied, accepting his arm. He led her downstairs to the dining hall, and Ailonwy gasped. There were more than a hundred elves there, all of them seated at a long table. However, Ailonwy also saw three humans, and five people who looked as though they were half-human and half- dwarf, but without beards. Vorcalion went over to speak with another elf, leaving her alone.
At the head of the table, Ailonwy saw Lord Elrond, and her heart began to beat faster. He wore a tunic of deep scarlet, trimmed with gold, and he had a silver crown on his head that was of an intricate design. He looked completely regal, just as she'd always imagined an elven king would look.
And he looked very handsome.
He was talking with an elf maiden who was sitting next to him. She was very beautiful, with long black hair and deep blue eyes, and wore a dress of lavender silk.
Ailonwy's heart sank. --That must be Liliath-- she thought sadly. --I do not see how I could ever compete with her.--
Suddenly, Ilyanna appeared next to her, a look of concern on her face.
"Lady Ailonwy, are you all right?" she asked.
"I am fine," Ailonwy replied. "Who is that lady talking with Lord Elrond?"
"That is his daughter, Arwen," Ilyanna answered, puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
Ailonwy let out a sigh of relief.
"I thought that might be Liliath," she replied, and Ilyanna shook her head.
"Liliath has red hair and blue-green eyes," Ilyanna said. "Not black hair and blue eyes." She glanced around. "There she is. She's the one in the sapphire blue dress, sitting next to Legolas."
Ailonwy looked. Liliath was very beautiful, but she had the faintest of sneers on her face.
"I do not think that I can do this," she said. "I have no wish to make a fool of myself." She started to walk back upstairs, but Ilyanna grabbed her arm.
"Lady Ailonwy, you will not make a fool of yourself," she said firmly. "I have faith in you." Ailonwy swallowed hard, and nodded.
"You're right," she replied. Ailonwy walked towards the table, holding her head high.
* * *
All conversations suddenly halted, and both Elrond and his daughter, Arwen, looked up to see why. There was a young woman walking towards the table. Her long hair, which was the color of old gold, was pulled into an intricate braid that fell halfway down her back, and there were tiny beads made of crystal woven into her hair. They caught the light from the candles around the dining hall, and looked like the stars themselves were braided into her hair. She wore a long gown of amber-colored silk that made her skin look as though it glowed.
A few feet away, Liliath looked up and saw the young woman approaching the table. She frowned when she saw how lovely she was.
She took a closer look, and her frown deepened when she saw that the young woman was human. She was even lovelier than Liliath herself was. --How dare a mere human outshine me!-- she thought angrily, fuming.
Arwen glanced over at Liliath, and smiled faintly when she saw the frown on her face. --Finally, someone who can put her in her place!-- she thought happily. Liliath looked as though she'd swallowed several gulps of horrible-tasting medicine.
* * *
Ailonwy swallowed hard as she felt the gazes of more than a hundred people upon her as she walked towards the table. --I can do this-- she thought to herself. --Although I've never done anything like this, I can do this. Ilyanna has faith in me, and I refuse to prove her wrong.--
A moment later, she reached the table, and was promptly shown to her seat by one of the elven servants. Her seat was beside one of the halflings, who looked to be quite old, with curly white hair and blue eyes.
"Hello," he said cheerfully. "Might I introduce myself? I am Bilbo Baggins. And who might you be, fair lady?"
Ailonwy blushed when Mr. Baggins called her "fair lady".
"I'm Ailonwy," she replied.
"A lovely name," Bilbo said, smiling. "This is my nephew, Frodo." He indicated to a much younger halfling who was sitting beside him, who had curly brown hair and blue eyes.
"Pleased to meet you," Ailonwy said politely to Frodo.
"I'm Samwise Gamgee," said the third halfling who sat on Frodo's other side. He had blond hair and blue eyes.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck," said the fourth halfling with dark blond hair and blue eyes.
"And I am Peregrin Took," added the fifth halfling. He had light brown hair and pale green eyes filled with mischief.
Ailonwy soon found out who most of the people present at dinner were during the next few moments. There was a Ranger named Strider, who didn't look much like a Ranger, but rather looked more like a nobleman. He was seated next to Arwen, and Ailonwy fought back a giggle when she saw the way that they were looking at each other out of the corners of their eyes.
Ailonwy nearly fell out of her seat when she was introduced to Legolas, prince of Mirkwood, and to Boromir, the Steward of Gondor. --So many noblemen!-- she thought, dazed. --I cannot believe that in one day, I have met the prince of Mirkwood, the Steward of Gondor, *and* the lord of the Last Homely House!--
However, the introductions weren't done yet. Ailonwy also met Gimli, son of Gloin, and Gandalf the Grey. --If I meet any more noblemen or famous wizards, I shall surely fall out of my seat!--
Unfortunately, her thought turned out to be prophetic, as she unfortunately found out near the end of dessert.
"Lady Arwen, why has Lord Elrond invited a Ranger to Rivendell?" asked Ailonwy curiously to the beautiful elven woman sitting across from her, taking the last bite of her cake. She swallowed it, and then looked worried. "If my question is offensive, you need not answer, and I shall keep my mouth shut for the rest of the evening."
Arwen and Strider both gave each other amused looks.
"Strider is not merely a Ranger," Arwen finally said, obviously fighting back a smile. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. The heir to the throne of Gondor."
At those words, Ailonwy did exactly what she had been afraid of doing.
She fell out of her seat.
Arwen, Aragorn, and the halflings all jumped out of their seats to help Ailonwy up. Several feet away, Liliath was snickering, not even making an effort to hide it.
"Lady Ailonwy, are you all right?" asked Frodo anxiously.
"I'm fine," Ailonwy replied, dusting herself off and fighting back the urge to burst into tears. "I think that I'll go to my room now."
Keeping her face emotionless, Ailonwy managed to keep herself composed as she walked upstairs to her room.
However, the moment she shut the door behind herself, she burst into tears, flinging herself down onto her bed.
* * *
Elrond glanced over at Arwen, and she nodded slightly, indicating towards Liliath, who was still laughing at what had happened to Ailonwy. The elven lord felt a surge of anger, but he quickly suppressed it. He got up from his seat, and quickly walked out of the dining hall, heading towards Ailonwy's room.
When he got there, Elrond immediately heard the sound of someone crying on the other side of the door. Without hesitation, he opened the door, and saw that Ailonwy was lying on her bed, sobbing. Her face was buried into her pillow, and her body was shaking with sobs.
Elrond closed the door behind him silently, and walked over to Ailonwy's bed, sitting down on the edge of it.
"Lady Ailonwy?" he said quietly. "Are you all right?"
Ailonwy sat up, her face wet with tears. She swiped at them in a futile attempt to make them disappear.
"I'm fine, Lord Elrond," she replied stiffly. "I just overreacted to falling out of my chair, that's all. I'll be fine." Suddenly, she burst into tears. Before Elrond realized what he was doing, he had pulled Ailonwy into his arms and was hugging her tightly, rocking her back and forth like a small child.
"It's all right, Ailonwy," he whispered soothingly as the young woman sobbed in his arms. "You'll be fine. I'm certain of it."
* * *
Arwen walked past Lady Ailonwy's room, and stopped in her tracks when she saw that her father was in there, sitting on her bed. He had his arms around Ailonwy, and was rocking her back and forth. It was then that Arwen saw that she was crying.
--Poor child-- she thought sympathetically. --She must have been absolutely embarrassed after she fell out of her chair. And it didn't help that Liliath started laughing at her, the witch.--
Feeling a surge of anger towards the princess of Birchwood, Arwen went outside, and saw that Aragorn was out there, standing in their grotto. Her anger at Liliath quickly faded, and was immediately replaced by her love for Aragorn. Lifting her skirts slightly so that she wouldn't trip on them, Arwen walked up the stairs to the grotto.
* * *
A few moments later, Ailonwy's sobbing subsided, and Elrond placed a finger underneath her chin, lifting her head.
"Are you all right?" he asked softly. Ailonwy sniffled, and nodded. "Good. You should probably go to sleep. You've undoubtedly worn yourself out."
Ailonwy nodded again.
"As you wish, L..." She yawned, cutting herself off, and then continued. "...Lord Elrond," she finished, and then yawned again.
Elrond stood up, and Ailonwy lay down on the bed, her golden-blond hair fanning out onto the pillow. Her eyes closed, and in just a moment, she was sound asleep. Elrond pulled the blanket over her, and gently brushed the bangs out of her face.
"Sleep well, Lady Ailonwy," he whispered softly. Then he left the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.
As he walked down the hallway towards his bedroom, Liliath stepped out of the shadows, a smile on her face.
"Lord Elrond, what a pleasant surprise," she said. "I was hoping I'd run into you. I do hope that you'll accept my apology for acting so childish when the young human female fell out of her chair. Although, you must agree, it *was* very amusing."
"Lady Liliath, I do not *have* to agree, and I *don't* agree," Elrond replied darkly. "And if you think that acting so sweet and repentant will help you to find your way into my bed, you are *quite* mistaken."
Liliath's smile faded, and was almost immediately replaced by a scowl as Elrond walked around her, heading for his bedroom. When he reached it, he went inside, closing the door behind himself. Liliath scowled at the closed door. She turned around and stomped towards her bedroom. On the way, she passed Ailonwy's door, and came to a halt, glaring at it hatefully.
"Do you think to win Lord Elrond's heart, you stupid, worthless little human?" Liliath hissed. "If so, you are sorely mistaken. Lord Elrond is *mine*, and the sooner you learn that, the better."
With that, she went to her bedroom, and slammed the door shut behind her.
to be continued...
* * *
A/N: Whoo-hoo! I finally got chapter 2 finished! It's not as long as chapter 1, but all the same...it's chapter 2! To everyone who begged me to continue the story: I am so sorry that I've kept all of you waiting for so very long. I've had major writer's block when it came to chapter 2 of this story, and it doesn't help that at the same time, I have half a dozen different story ideas for as many tv shows (mainly Mutant X) running through my head, all at once. I'll try not to keep everyone from having to wait for so long for the next chapter.
Anyhoo...
Please R&R, but no flames. Anyone that flames me will get pelted with dungbombs, and then they'll get their sorry arses kicked from here to the Bog of Eternal Stench.