Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter 13 Returning To Rivendell
The weeks had passed and Hogwarts had just let their students free for the holidays. It turned out Harry, Hermione, and Ron are going too. Harry was planning to stay at school, because he didn't want to go 'home'. Ron's parents were going to visit Charlie again so he was coming with us. Hermione was going to stay with her muggle aunt who despised magic, but it was her only choice. So I invited them all.
We were all boarding the train that would lead them to the portal entering Middle Earth. The seven of us were all excited. Me mostly, I finally would show them my world.
"I can't wait to show you the gardens, my pets, my friends, and relatives, and my world. The garden is filled with the most beautiful flowers. You'll never find any prettier except in the Lothlorien. I have seven horses, three dogs, and a dragon! Don't worry, they won't kill you. I have them trained. You'll love Legolas! He's great. We used to have so much fun. Although I have to tell you a little secret I've been keeping before we get there. And." I thought of other things to tell them.
"Wait! What kind of secret?" Oliver asked looking a little upset.
"It's nothing to worry about. If you truly love me you'll understand." I said a little timidly.
"What? Did you and Legolas date?" George asked excitedly.
"No. Never." I laughed.
"What Darlene?" Oliver stared as if he didn't know me.
"Oliver, calm down! It isn't that bad! It's our, their, my age ok." I said it before I even realized what I was doing. I covered my mouth and almost cried.
"What? What about your age? You're only 16." Fred said like it was no big deal.
"That's just it. I'm not really 16. Guess." I smiled hoping Oliver would be ok with it.
"Twenty." Hermione answered.
"Thirty." I shook my head.
"Fourteen." I still shook my head.
"I've told you all before, elves are immortal. Does that give you a clue." I hinted. I saw all their jaws drop. Oliver seemed a little skeptical, but not mad.
"Are you over a hundred?" Harry asked curiously.
"Yeah." I stared at the floor.
"What are you so afraid of Darlene? It's not like we're going to think of you as an old hag. Tell us." Oliver took my hand and tried to keep me from getting nervous.
"I'm the youngest of my kind. By elvish standards I'm nothing but a child of around fourteen. I got my letter early. Dumbledore thought it would be best to get me in then. In case you haven't noticed, I haven't been aging as quickly as you guys are. I am, but even at 10,000, I won't ever look more then thirty years old. I'm actually 1,199. Tomorrow I turn 1,200. I didn't want to tell you, because I'm afraid of you guys treating me differently. Please don't do that. Really I am about your age in my world. I didn't want you guys to get all freaked out tomorrow when they start to talk about it. I'm sorry for not telling you before." I explained slowly with a sad face hoping they would understand.
"Wow! You're really old! How come we don't get to live that long?" Fred complained making me laugh.
"Yeah. Some of the elves I know are over 130,800. Legolas is one of the youngest of his kind. He's only 2,931. He looks to be only eighteen to twenty. The weird thing about us is we can die of a broken heart. If someone we truly love does not return our love or dies, then depending on how much we love them, we die of sorrow. It happened to my friend. When she was 500, she fell in love with a mortal man and they lived happily for 80 years until he died. She died less then a year later. The poor thing cried all night, never ate, became pale and lean, then she past away." It was a sad memory.
"The other way we can die is being injured in battle. We cannot die of disease, or age. Only sorrow and battle." I glumly explained.
"Cheer up now love! You ain't going to no bloody war, and Wood here ain't gonna break your heart. Will ya Wood?" George smiled at me and gave Oli a warning glance.
"Never. I promise you." He leaned across over and brushed his lips with mine.
"Was that really necessary? I just ate!' Fred complained.
"Awe poor Fred. You're jealous. I'm sure you'll find a girl to do this stuff with. someday." Oliver snickered.
"Hey! That ain't funny! I know exactly who I want, I just haven't asked her out yet." Fred mock-arrogantly replied.
"Oh! We're here. Come on, let's go. I know exactly where the portal is!" I giddily exclaimed.
"'Bout time! We've been on that train for a whole hour." George complained.
"Oh, quit your nagging and grab your bags. I hope you all know how to ride horses." I smiled as I helped carry Hermione's luggage, because I hadn't brought any.
"Ok fallow me! It's. right. over. here!" I pointed to a bluish glowing portal guarded by a friend of mine.
"Hildar! What are you doing here?" I ran up and hugged my old friend.
"No lalaith. Actually I am the portal guard. We found two men from this world in the Lorien and I am here to see to it that no more intruders make it in. Are they all with you?" Hildar asked.
"Why yes they are. This is Ron and the twins Fred and George are his older brothers. These are my friends Hermione and Ron. And this is my boyfriend Oliver." I smiled proudly.
"Nice to meet you all. You'd best be going now. Lord Elrond awaits your arrival." Hildar bowed aside and let us enter.
We landed safely in the woods, about an hour's ride to Rivendell. I smiled seeing my seven horses waiting obediently for me.
"Porter, May, Sammy, Rain, Thunder, Roch, Naur!" I kissed the muzzles of all seven horses while my friends stared, petrified by my largest.
"Ok then, Oliver you will ride Naur." I pointed to a dark brown horse with red eyes.
"That one!" He asked wearily.
"Yes! Her. She won't hurt you. Not unless I order her to. Now hop on. Hermione, you take Sammy." I handed her the reign's of my small white horse.
"Sure. She really is quite lovely." Hermione commented as she looked at her.
"Fred, George, you take Rain and Thunder." I instructed.
"Harry you take Roch, and Ron, you take May." I pointed, while mounting my fastest steed, Porter.
"Now stay close, and fallow me." I smiled, seeing that all my horses were cooperating.
"Darlene, why did Hildar call you lalaith?" He asked.
"Hildar is like and uncle to me. When I was little, for about twenty years I laughed at almost everything I saw. He was taking care of me at the time. So he decided to call me Lalaith. It means laughter in Sindarin." I answered.
"What does Roch and Naur mean?" He questioned.
"Roch means horse. Naur means fire or flame." I happily answered. I loved seeing all the trees and the sky and the smell.
"Is that your favorite horse?" He pointed to Porter.
"In a way yes. You see, Porter is no ordinary horse, not that any of them are. All my horses are immortal. Porter was the steed of the Nazgul King. He fled from them one night and I found him. Unfortunately I was too loud and I scared him off. I found some men trying to shoot him for all the truble he'd caused a week before. I refused to let them hurt him and I took him home. I've kept him all these years. Nobody else trusts him because of his previous owner, but I do. I trust him with my life. I saved him and he saved me numerous times. I love him with all my heart, and I always will. The sad thing is, if anything were to happen while I'm away, they'd kill him. Not even my grandfather trusts him. Because of their lack of trust, he only trusts me. It's kinda sad really, but I don't care, he's mine. And that's all that really matters." I sighed, kissing Porter's head.
"I've never seen this side of you. I know at times you can be fiery, and at other times you can be calm, but I've never seen you this truly gentle and caring." Oliver said with soft eyes.
"You've known me for only six years Oliver. You will always find something new about me that you didn't know. Remember, I have 1,183 years on you." I smirked cockily.
"Darlene, I want you to know that no matter how old you are, I'll always love you. If I'm still alive then, I'll love you when you're 1,000,000. Know that." Oliver kissed my cheek.
"Oliver, I've been thinking a lot lately, you are mortal, and I'm immortal. I know I'll love you when I still look thirty, and you are dying in your nineties, but I've found a way to fix it. I found a way to make you immortal." I quietly told him so the others wouldn't hear.
"Really? What is it? I'll do anything." Oliver gave me the puppy dog eyes.
" When using the knowledge I've built up in potions, and my knowledge of the plants in my surroundings here. I've created a potion for making you immortal and young looking forever. You will look forever no more then thirty. I wrote down the spell and ingredients and I've made just enough for seven people. When we're older, if you're willing, I can give you the potion and we can be together forever." I explained. It was a scary thing. It had been a secret for three years, not even Legolas knew about it. No one until now.
"Yes. I want to take it." Oliver smiled.
"I was hoping you would say that I sighed, relieved.
"Wow! Is that it?" Harry stared at the gates of Rivendell. They gazed at what I'd talked to often about, what I saw in my dreams, Rivendell. It was full of color and life. It was enchanting, elegant, classy, fragile, ancient, and breath taking.
"Welcome to Rivendell." I smiled as the guards at the gates waved and let us through.
"This is amazing Darlene." Oliver said in awe.
"I know nin callon." I kissed his cheek as I saw my grandfather approach us. He smile at me, I knew he heard my nickname for Oliver and smiled. He knew that I truly was in love and was happy for me.
"Welcome Tanrothien. It's good to have you back." He hugged me.
"I missed you. Oh, I d like you to meet a few people." I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards my friends.
"Everyone, this is my grandfather Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. Elrond, these are my friends, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron, Fred, and George Weasley. And this is my boyfriend Oliver Wood." I wrapped an arm around Oliver's shoulder.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Now fallow me to your room. Tanrothien here requested I let the seven of you share a room. I hope that's all right with you. Now be aware that I'm letting you do this, because I trust nothing will happen." He gave me a warning glance, then Oliver.
"Wouldn't dream of it." I smiled.
"Glad to hear it. Now come. I'll have your bags unpacked for you, just relax for a while. We had a small problem with one of our guests. He was attacked by a band of orcs, he killed them all, but he went to patrol the area to make sure everything is ok. The party will be tomorrow night." Elrond informed us.
"Who was it that got attacked?" I asked suddenly worried.
"The young Prince of Mirkwood." Elrond answered.
"Oh no, is he hurt? I don't want him out there!" I yelled, furious that my own grandfather would send my friend to do that.
"Neither do I. There was no stopping him. The only thing to do was lock him in his room, and we did, but he escaped. I can assure you that he is well, and he should return in an hour." Elrond lightly laughed.
"If those orcs don't kill that boy one day, then I will for him getting into trouble all the time." I smirked.
"Now here is your room. Relax for an hour and we will have dinner in three hours. Appropriate clothes have been placed in your closet." Elrond opened the door and left.
"Wow! Your room is amazing! It's the size of a house!" Hermione gapped.
"I love this place. Now let me show you the view! Come, fallow me to the balcony." I called. They all stepped out and we could see all of Rivendell.
"This is amazing! Now I heard Lord Elrond say something about appropriate clothing?" Harry asked curiously.
"Oh yes. You saw what everyone else was wearing. You will be dressed like that too." I pulled out five tunics and pants.
"Oliver is to wear the crimson and gold one. Ron is wearing the green and silver one. Fred and George will wear blue ones. Harry will wear the red one. Hermione and I have special Elven made dresses. I have a crimson and gold dress; you have a green and silver dress. Let's get dressed everyone. I have a boys and a girls dressing room. You five 'll have to share a room. Hermione come with me." I pulled her towards our dressing room.
I handed her the dress. Both our dresses were tight fitting around the upper body and had long flowing sleeves that almost reached the ground. They had many layers of skirts and although they were thin they were warm. The dresses looked beautiful. When I was younger you could never get me to wear one and now I wore them all the time.
"It's beautiful! Simply beautiful. Ron will love it." Hermione twirled in front of the mirror.
"I know. I wonder how the boys will look. I hope they do behave." I whispered.
"Now, fair warning, be careful of what you say, we elves can hear a mile away. I'm still developing my hearing, so I can only hear a few yards from me. The thing is Elrond had stuff put in here so we couldn't hear each other. Pity, I'd like to hear them now." I complained while putting Hermione's hair up in a complicated twist.
"So what exactly are you doing to my hair?" Hermione asked holding still.
"I'm putting it up in a twist and then we're going to sew pearls into it." I explained.
"Really?" She beamed.
"Really." I nodded. I finished her hair and did mine the same way, but I sew rubies into mine.
Chapter 13 Returning To Rivendell
The weeks had passed and Hogwarts had just let their students free for the holidays. It turned out Harry, Hermione, and Ron are going too. Harry was planning to stay at school, because he didn't want to go 'home'. Ron's parents were going to visit Charlie again so he was coming with us. Hermione was going to stay with her muggle aunt who despised magic, but it was her only choice. So I invited them all.
We were all boarding the train that would lead them to the portal entering Middle Earth. The seven of us were all excited. Me mostly, I finally would show them my world.
"I can't wait to show you the gardens, my pets, my friends, and relatives, and my world. The garden is filled with the most beautiful flowers. You'll never find any prettier except in the Lothlorien. I have seven horses, three dogs, and a dragon! Don't worry, they won't kill you. I have them trained. You'll love Legolas! He's great. We used to have so much fun. Although I have to tell you a little secret I've been keeping before we get there. And." I thought of other things to tell them.
"Wait! What kind of secret?" Oliver asked looking a little upset.
"It's nothing to worry about. If you truly love me you'll understand." I said a little timidly.
"What? Did you and Legolas date?" George asked excitedly.
"No. Never." I laughed.
"What Darlene?" Oliver stared as if he didn't know me.
"Oliver, calm down! It isn't that bad! It's our, their, my age ok." I said it before I even realized what I was doing. I covered my mouth and almost cried.
"What? What about your age? You're only 16." Fred said like it was no big deal.
"That's just it. I'm not really 16. Guess." I smiled hoping Oliver would be ok with it.
"Twenty." Hermione answered.
"Thirty." I shook my head.
"Fourteen." I still shook my head.
"I've told you all before, elves are immortal. Does that give you a clue." I hinted. I saw all their jaws drop. Oliver seemed a little skeptical, but not mad.
"Are you over a hundred?" Harry asked curiously.
"Yeah." I stared at the floor.
"What are you so afraid of Darlene? It's not like we're going to think of you as an old hag. Tell us." Oliver took my hand and tried to keep me from getting nervous.
"I'm the youngest of my kind. By elvish standards I'm nothing but a child of around fourteen. I got my letter early. Dumbledore thought it would be best to get me in then. In case you haven't noticed, I haven't been aging as quickly as you guys are. I am, but even at 10,000, I won't ever look more then thirty years old. I'm actually 1,199. Tomorrow I turn 1,200. I didn't want to tell you, because I'm afraid of you guys treating me differently. Please don't do that. Really I am about your age in my world. I didn't want you guys to get all freaked out tomorrow when they start to talk about it. I'm sorry for not telling you before." I explained slowly with a sad face hoping they would understand.
"Wow! You're really old! How come we don't get to live that long?" Fred complained making me laugh.
"Yeah. Some of the elves I know are over 130,800. Legolas is one of the youngest of his kind. He's only 2,931. He looks to be only eighteen to twenty. The weird thing about us is we can die of a broken heart. If someone we truly love does not return our love or dies, then depending on how much we love them, we die of sorrow. It happened to my friend. When she was 500, she fell in love with a mortal man and they lived happily for 80 years until he died. She died less then a year later. The poor thing cried all night, never ate, became pale and lean, then she past away." It was a sad memory.
"The other way we can die is being injured in battle. We cannot die of disease, or age. Only sorrow and battle." I glumly explained.
"Cheer up now love! You ain't going to no bloody war, and Wood here ain't gonna break your heart. Will ya Wood?" George smiled at me and gave Oli a warning glance.
"Never. I promise you." He leaned across over and brushed his lips with mine.
"Was that really necessary? I just ate!' Fred complained.
"Awe poor Fred. You're jealous. I'm sure you'll find a girl to do this stuff with. someday." Oliver snickered.
"Hey! That ain't funny! I know exactly who I want, I just haven't asked her out yet." Fred mock-arrogantly replied.
"Oh! We're here. Come on, let's go. I know exactly where the portal is!" I giddily exclaimed.
"'Bout time! We've been on that train for a whole hour." George complained.
"Oh, quit your nagging and grab your bags. I hope you all know how to ride horses." I smiled as I helped carry Hermione's luggage, because I hadn't brought any.
"Ok fallow me! It's. right. over. here!" I pointed to a bluish glowing portal guarded by a friend of mine.
"Hildar! What are you doing here?" I ran up and hugged my old friend.
"No lalaith. Actually I am the portal guard. We found two men from this world in the Lorien and I am here to see to it that no more intruders make it in. Are they all with you?" Hildar asked.
"Why yes they are. This is Ron and the twins Fred and George are his older brothers. These are my friends Hermione and Ron. And this is my boyfriend Oliver." I smiled proudly.
"Nice to meet you all. You'd best be going now. Lord Elrond awaits your arrival." Hildar bowed aside and let us enter.
We landed safely in the woods, about an hour's ride to Rivendell. I smiled seeing my seven horses waiting obediently for me.
"Porter, May, Sammy, Rain, Thunder, Roch, Naur!" I kissed the muzzles of all seven horses while my friends stared, petrified by my largest.
"Ok then, Oliver you will ride Naur." I pointed to a dark brown horse with red eyes.
"That one!" He asked wearily.
"Yes! Her. She won't hurt you. Not unless I order her to. Now hop on. Hermione, you take Sammy." I handed her the reign's of my small white horse.
"Sure. She really is quite lovely." Hermione commented as she looked at her.
"Fred, George, you take Rain and Thunder." I instructed.
"Harry you take Roch, and Ron, you take May." I pointed, while mounting my fastest steed, Porter.
"Now stay close, and fallow me." I smiled, seeing that all my horses were cooperating.
"Darlene, why did Hildar call you lalaith?" He asked.
"Hildar is like and uncle to me. When I was little, for about twenty years I laughed at almost everything I saw. He was taking care of me at the time. So he decided to call me Lalaith. It means laughter in Sindarin." I answered.
"What does Roch and Naur mean?" He questioned.
"Roch means horse. Naur means fire or flame." I happily answered. I loved seeing all the trees and the sky and the smell.
"Is that your favorite horse?" He pointed to Porter.
"In a way yes. You see, Porter is no ordinary horse, not that any of them are. All my horses are immortal. Porter was the steed of the Nazgul King. He fled from them one night and I found him. Unfortunately I was too loud and I scared him off. I found some men trying to shoot him for all the truble he'd caused a week before. I refused to let them hurt him and I took him home. I've kept him all these years. Nobody else trusts him because of his previous owner, but I do. I trust him with my life. I saved him and he saved me numerous times. I love him with all my heart, and I always will. The sad thing is, if anything were to happen while I'm away, they'd kill him. Not even my grandfather trusts him. Because of their lack of trust, he only trusts me. It's kinda sad really, but I don't care, he's mine. And that's all that really matters." I sighed, kissing Porter's head.
"I've never seen this side of you. I know at times you can be fiery, and at other times you can be calm, but I've never seen you this truly gentle and caring." Oliver said with soft eyes.
"You've known me for only six years Oliver. You will always find something new about me that you didn't know. Remember, I have 1,183 years on you." I smirked cockily.
"Darlene, I want you to know that no matter how old you are, I'll always love you. If I'm still alive then, I'll love you when you're 1,000,000. Know that." Oliver kissed my cheek.
"Oliver, I've been thinking a lot lately, you are mortal, and I'm immortal. I know I'll love you when I still look thirty, and you are dying in your nineties, but I've found a way to fix it. I found a way to make you immortal." I quietly told him so the others wouldn't hear.
"Really? What is it? I'll do anything." Oliver gave me the puppy dog eyes.
" When using the knowledge I've built up in potions, and my knowledge of the plants in my surroundings here. I've created a potion for making you immortal and young looking forever. You will look forever no more then thirty. I wrote down the spell and ingredients and I've made just enough for seven people. When we're older, if you're willing, I can give you the potion and we can be together forever." I explained. It was a scary thing. It had been a secret for three years, not even Legolas knew about it. No one until now.
"Yes. I want to take it." Oliver smiled.
"I was hoping you would say that I sighed, relieved.
"Wow! Is that it?" Harry stared at the gates of Rivendell. They gazed at what I'd talked to often about, what I saw in my dreams, Rivendell. It was full of color and life. It was enchanting, elegant, classy, fragile, ancient, and breath taking.
"Welcome to Rivendell." I smiled as the guards at the gates waved and let us through.
"This is amazing Darlene." Oliver said in awe.
"I know nin callon." I kissed his cheek as I saw my grandfather approach us. He smile at me, I knew he heard my nickname for Oliver and smiled. He knew that I truly was in love and was happy for me.
"Welcome Tanrothien. It's good to have you back." He hugged me.
"I missed you. Oh, I d like you to meet a few people." I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards my friends.
"Everyone, this is my grandfather Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. Elrond, these are my friends, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron, Fred, and George Weasley. And this is my boyfriend Oliver Wood." I wrapped an arm around Oliver's shoulder.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. Now fallow me to your room. Tanrothien here requested I let the seven of you share a room. I hope that's all right with you. Now be aware that I'm letting you do this, because I trust nothing will happen." He gave me a warning glance, then Oliver.
"Wouldn't dream of it." I smiled.
"Glad to hear it. Now come. I'll have your bags unpacked for you, just relax for a while. We had a small problem with one of our guests. He was attacked by a band of orcs, he killed them all, but he went to patrol the area to make sure everything is ok. The party will be tomorrow night." Elrond informed us.
"Who was it that got attacked?" I asked suddenly worried.
"The young Prince of Mirkwood." Elrond answered.
"Oh no, is he hurt? I don't want him out there!" I yelled, furious that my own grandfather would send my friend to do that.
"Neither do I. There was no stopping him. The only thing to do was lock him in his room, and we did, but he escaped. I can assure you that he is well, and he should return in an hour." Elrond lightly laughed.
"If those orcs don't kill that boy one day, then I will for him getting into trouble all the time." I smirked.
"Now here is your room. Relax for an hour and we will have dinner in three hours. Appropriate clothes have been placed in your closet." Elrond opened the door and left.
"Wow! Your room is amazing! It's the size of a house!" Hermione gapped.
"I love this place. Now let me show you the view! Come, fallow me to the balcony." I called. They all stepped out and we could see all of Rivendell.
"This is amazing! Now I heard Lord Elrond say something about appropriate clothing?" Harry asked curiously.
"Oh yes. You saw what everyone else was wearing. You will be dressed like that too." I pulled out five tunics and pants.
"Oliver is to wear the crimson and gold one. Ron is wearing the green and silver one. Fred and George will wear blue ones. Harry will wear the red one. Hermione and I have special Elven made dresses. I have a crimson and gold dress; you have a green and silver dress. Let's get dressed everyone. I have a boys and a girls dressing room. You five 'll have to share a room. Hermione come with me." I pulled her towards our dressing room.
I handed her the dress. Both our dresses were tight fitting around the upper body and had long flowing sleeves that almost reached the ground. They had many layers of skirts and although they were thin they were warm. The dresses looked beautiful. When I was younger you could never get me to wear one and now I wore them all the time.
"It's beautiful! Simply beautiful. Ron will love it." Hermione twirled in front of the mirror.
"I know. I wonder how the boys will look. I hope they do behave." I whispered.
"Now, fair warning, be careful of what you say, we elves can hear a mile away. I'm still developing my hearing, so I can only hear a few yards from me. The thing is Elrond had stuff put in here so we couldn't hear each other. Pity, I'd like to hear them now." I complained while putting Hermione's hair up in a complicated twist.
"So what exactly are you doing to my hair?" Hermione asked holding still.
"I'm putting it up in a twist and then we're going to sew pearls into it." I explained.
"Really?" She beamed.
"Really." I nodded. I finished her hair and did mine the same way, but I sew rubies into mine.