Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. Its on my 'to do' list though.
Right after " rid all schools of statistic classes. Especially when its not
a statistic class to begin with and the professor insists on teaching
statistics."
AN: BTW: Some of this is wrote from Lorien's point of view. He's just so cute. I couldn't resist. I'm basing him on the way my dog acted when she was a puppy. And the little signifies thinking because for some reason italics don't work on my comp. *
After Malving buried the mother wolf (with much sniffling coming from the three females) the girls ran off to introduce the wolf cub to his new home. Malving followed behind dreading his wife's reaction to having a beast like that in her home.
He needn't have worried. As soon as Ele walked in with the fuzzy little hairball, (He mentally made a note never to say that out loud) Malquessa let out a squeal of delight and lifted the tiny cub out of Ele's arms. "He's so cute! Where did you get him?" Malving chose this moment to leave the room. When he returned the four females were grouped around a basket. Comfortably ensconced within it was the wolf cub.
Malving laughed. "Well, looks like he's going to be living comfy." He bent down and looked at the little wolf. It whined and tried to lick him. "What are you going to name the little guy?" He immediately received four different answers.
"Midnight"
"Wraith"
"Prince"
"Baby"
Malving laughed as everyone looked at each other in confusion. Before an argument could break out he put forth his own suggestion. "Why not call him Lorien? That's where you found him, and this way, no matter where you go he'll serve as a reminder that you have a home waiting for you when you return."
Ele smiled. "I like that." The others echoed her sentiments and the little wolf became known as Lorien.
Lorien made it clear from the start that Ele was his favorite. He loved all of the girls but Ele was the one he went running to when he was frightened, lonely or just wanted to play. He quickly charmed all of the family. Even Malving was susceptible to a sad puppy face. One night Malquessa discovered him dropping tidbits to the pup that lurked under the table.
"What are you doing?" she asked him. There was a hint of laughter in her voice.
"W-w well, the poor little fellow looks a mite skinny! And, its not hurting anything. He's a growing puppy!" Malving stumbled through feeble excuse after feeble excuse. Each justification was becoming less reasonable then the one before it. When he finally suggested that eating elvish food would make the wolf less likely to become violent the females at the table looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Nare giggled. "Admit it, Uncle, you like the little guy!"
Malving turned bright red and muttered something under his breath. Ele couldn't quite catch the words but it had something to do with adorable puppies and gloating females.
The next few days passed uneventfully. Then Midsummer's Eve arrived. The entire household was running around frantically trying to prepare for the feast that was being given by the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. Ele and Kala were threatening Nare with assorted jewelry and hair ornaments.
"You have to dress up, Nare! You cannot go to the feast in your traveling clothes." Kala scolded.
"Why not? I have to travel to get to the feast!" Nare retorted.
"Across a walkway doesn't count." Ele countered as she waved a hairbrush threateningly. "This is not just any feast. This is a feast given by the Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel!"
Nare sighed. "Fine but I'm bringing a dagger or something to entertain myself with if things get too boring."
Ele and Kala smiled. Each one held out a bag. Stashed within were their daggers. Ele laughed. "We're bringing ours too. Wouldn't want things to get too boring. We are going to leave them at the edge of the clearing. If things get too dull we are heading to the sparring field."
Nare looked at the daggers with a smirk. "How are you going to fight while wearing a dress?"
Kala grinned. "Way ahead of you!" She lifted the edge of her skirts to reveal boots and leggings. "Why do you think we wore dresses with long, full skirts? They hide the sparring clothes."
Nare laughed. "Should have thought of that." She looked at the dress lying across the bed and sighed. "Ok. I guess I really don't have a choice."
"Nope"
"Not really, no"
Nare shooed Ele and Kala out of her room and looked for her bag. It wasn't in her room. She sat down on the bed with a sigh and glared at the dress. "Amin delotha lle!" she whispered at the dress. She hoped they could manage to sneak off to the sparring field soon.
Lorien lay in his basket and looked around in confusion. Everyone was running around in a hurry and no one was paying any attention to him. He whined and put his head down on the edge of the basket. No one noticed. He looked up. He whined louder and laid his head down in an exaggerated manner. Still no response. Lorien stood up and tried to get out of his basket. His little paw caught on the edge and he went sprawling on the floor. He yelped and looked up hopefully. Ele stopped and picked him up. Now he would get some attention! But to his disappointment she only rubbed his head and placed him back in his basket. Lorien sighed and laid his head down on his paws. He felt very left out. He stood up. Darn it! He'd just go play by himself then! He stood up again and attempted to jump out of the basket. This time his foot cleared the edge. He ran off in the direction Ele had gone. After wandering around the huge house for a while he suddenly felt very small. He wanted to just sit down and howl until someone came for him. No, he told himself. Be brave. You are a wolf! You are strong! You are ferocious! Be brave! Lorien looked at the leg of a table. It seemed to go on and on, far above his head. But I'm not ferocious! I'm so little! I want my Ele, or my Kala, or my Nare, or anybody-as long as I don't have to be alone.
Nare finished dressing and began the search for her bag again. Where had she put it? She dug through a trunk, sending things flying. An old wooden sword hit the floor, followed by several more items. Nope, not there. She looked under the bed. Not there either. She mentally condemned the bag to be eaten by a rabid squirrel but realized the likelihood of that was next to impossible. Nare sighed and put her head in her hands. Where was that darn bag?
Lorien sat down under the table and whimpered softly. He wanted his basket. He heard a crash and panicked. It's a monster! It's going to eat me! He turned and tried to run away but instead ran straight into the table leg. He whined softly, not wanting to alert the monster that there was a little wolf cub in the vicinity. Lorien wobbled around, slightly dazed. Had the monster hit him? He tucked his tail between his legs and hunkered down, dreading what might happen next. Suddenly something soft and velvety and slightly heavy landed on his head. He yelped in terror and fled behind a chair as he peered at the strange creature that had tried to attack him. He cautiously crept closer. It was a large leather bag. He sniffed it. The scent was familiar. My Nare! he thought joyfully. He quickly scuttled inside the bag to hide from the monster. There were two daggers at the very bottom. Worn out from his big "adventure" the little wolf quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Ele knocked on Nare's door. "Are you coming?" she hissed. "We need to leave before Aunt Malquessa and Uncle Malving do so they won't ask questions about the bags!"
Nare looked frantic. "I can't find my bag! It was here! I know it was! Help me Ele! If I don't find that bag I won't be able to bring my daggers! I'll have to spend the whole night at that party!"
Kala popped up. Her bag was slung over her shoulder. "Lets go!" she said.
"Nare can't find her bag!" explained Ele,
"So? Just put your daggers in one of our bags." said Kala reasonably.
"MY DAGGERS ARE IN THE BAG!" Nare hissed frantically
"Oh"
"Did you check the parlor?" said a voice from behind them. Nare turned an odd shade of purple and Ele and Kala turned around with a look of dread on their faces. Uncle Malving stood there with a smug grin on his face.
"Ummm, how much of that did you hear?" asked Ele even though she was pretty sure she already knew.
"All of it." Malving was clearly enjoying himself. "Now, if one didn't know you three, one might wonder why you need to take daggers to a feast. But seeing as how I DO know you, I have a theory. May I?" and without waiting for an answer he continued. "My theory is that you are planning to skip out of that feast as soon as possible and head to the sparring field. I'll even go so far as to wager that you have your sparring clothes on under those lovely gowns. Would I win that bet?"
Kala groaned. The whole plan was ruined. Now they had to stay at that dumb feast the whole night.
Malving laughed. "Nare, your bag is in the parlor. If you want to get away with this scheme of yours you three had better leave now. I'll try and stall Malquessa long enough for you to get away. All I ask is that you stay at the party long enough for her to see that you're there." He smiled. "Is that so much to ask?"
The three girls grumbled but all agreed that this was acceptable. Then they turned and fled. Nare scooped up her bag as they passed the parlor. "This is heavy," she gasped.
"Its just your imagination!" Kala told her as they ran down the walkway into the clearing where the feast was being held. They quickly hid the bags and walked sedately into the clearing like good little elven maidens.
Lorien woke up when he felt himself being lifted into the air. Had the monster got him? He huddled in the bag, he felt so alone. Where's my Ele? He wondered. Why hasn't she come to rescue me? She'll come get me soon. So will my Kala and my Nare. Lorien felt slightly better after this but he was still scared. Suddenly he felt the bag drop. He stayed curled up in a little ball for what seemed like forever. Maybe Ele can't find me! Maybe that's why she hasn't came! Maybe I should come out of the bag. That way she would see me! Lorien poked his nose out of the bag. It was dark outside. Where am I? What if that monster's out there? I should stay in here! Its safe in here! But.Ele won't be able to find me in here. Lorien gathered his courage and took a cautious step out of the bag. He stood there for a moment shivering in fear. A breeze blew and the leaves around him stirred. The monster! It's coming to get me! Lorien almost dove back into the bag but the thought of Ele looking for him kept him from hiding in the bag again. A breeze blew again but Lorien faced it defiantly. I'm not scared of you monster! My Ele is coming to look for me and she can't find me if I hide. Did you hear me? I'm not scared of you! Not even one little bit! Lorien faced into the breeze and growled a tiny baby growl. He stopped when his sensitive little nose picked up a familiar scent on the air.
My Ele! She's looking for me! Lorien ran around with his nose held high, sniffing the air. My Kala and my Nare are with her! He raced off trying to follow the scent.
Ele, Kala and Nare were standing on the edges of the crowd. "I am about to die of boredom," Nare whispered. " Can we go to the sparring field now?"
"Aunt Malquessa isn't here yet! We can't leave until she sees us!" Kala said. Nare groaned.
Ele looked around hopefully. "Maybe she's already here. We should walk around and maybe we'll see her!"
Kala and Nare nodded. It was better than just standing there. The three moved off into the crowd.
Lorien was running as fast as his little legs could carry him. Gotta find my Ele he thought. To his surprise he found himself staring at a crowd of Elves. They were talking and singing and laughing. His tummy growled when he saw them walk over to a table of food. Maybe they will know where my Ele is! He ran up to one woman and tugged on the edge of her gown. She looked down at him.
" IT'S A WOLF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The whole place was thrown into chaos. Women screamed and the men drew their bows and glanced around wildly in search of the ravenous beast that dared attack during Midsummer's Eve festivities.
Lorien looked around wildly. Everywhere women and children were fleeing. Men were cutting through the crowds with loaded bows. He whimpered and ran towards a table with the intention of hiding under it. Someone stepped on his paw and he let loose with a loud yowl of pain. Immediately, all the attention was turned in his direction. Lorien cowered and whined in fear. He put on his best "I'm sorry" face. The one that always worked with Ele and the others. It didn't seem to be working with this crowd though. Three men stepped to the front and aimed their bows at him.
Ele, Nare and Kala were standing by the food table listening to three elves talk about what they surely thought were interesting topics to "proper young ladies". "Lady Elenmir," asked the one that had leeched on to her. " Have you done any interesting.er..sewing lately?"
Ele gaped at him. Sewing? That was the best he could come up with? She smiled sweetly at him. "You aren't from LothLorien are you?"
"No Milady. I hail from Mirkwood."
"Then that explains why you do not know that I hate to sew. I prefer sword fighting to sewing any day."
"Sword fighting?" he scoffed. "A woman cannot sword fight! They are not strong enough! Besides, women should stay indoors and attend to the family."
Ele was seething. Don't hit him; he's not from Lothlorien. He has an excuse for such stupidity. Don't hit him. Calm down. Don't hit him. Do not punch him. Its not lady like. You are supposed to be acting like a lady. Don't hit him.
"Milady, you are quite red, perhaps you are embarrassed at being found out in a lie? Do not worry. I forgive you! 'Tis quite natural to want to impress such an Elf as myself."
A rushing noise filled Ele's ears. She was seeing red right now. FORGET BEING A LADY! her mind screamed. HIT HIM! HIT HIM! HE DESRVES IT! She forced herself to smile sweetly at the pig. "Of course Milord. I only wanted to impress you. Why, you are the epitome of masculinity. Who couldn't resist you?" Kala and Nare watched in horror. Ele's voice was practically a purr. She reached behind her and unfastened the clasp of her gown. The Elf's eyes grew wide. Ele let the gown fall revealing her sparring clothes. She smiled at the man again, but this time the smile was not a sweet, demure female smile. This smile was pure evil. With loud howl she launched herself at the Elf. Kala was the best warrior she knew, and she had trained Ele thoroughly in unarmed combat. The elf didn't stand a chance. His buddies waded in to try and help the poor guy. Kala and Nare gave each other feral grins and took off the gowns. They jumped into the fray with a loud cry. The three male elves were hopelessly outmatched.
Those elves not hunting for the "highly dangerous" wolf gathered around. Many began cheering for one side or the other and placing bets. Others attempted to break up the fight. It took six elves each to haul the furious she-elves off their adversaries. The three girls began struggling wildly. Other elves held back the male elves. Oddly enough the males didn't seem too eager to resume the fight. Of course, there were the obligatory taunts.
"COME ON! IS THAT ALL YOU CAN DO? I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN A WOMAN COULDN'T DO ANY BETTER THAN THAT!" shouted the Elf that had been talking to Ele. He had two black eyes and scratches all over his face. A bruise was forming along his jaw.
Ele, who didn't have a mark on her, turned even redder and began spitting elvish curses at the battered elf. She was in the middle of one rather inventive one of her own devising when a loud howl pierced the air. Ele stopped in mid-word. "Lorien," she breathed. She broke free of the restraining arms around her and sped off towards the noise. Those holding back the combatants looked at each other and then ran after the she-elf. Kala and Nare smiled at the three male elves and began to stalk towards them. The formerly brash and bragging elves backed away slowly.
Lorien huddled at the base of the table, completely at the mercy of those that held the bows on him. He whimpered and gazed at the bowmen with fear in his eyes. They drew back the bowstring and aimed for the tiny wolf cub crouched shivering in front of them. Lorien shut his eyes. I want my Ele and my Kala and my Nare. He thought sadly. Suddenly, like music to his ears, he heard her voice. "Lorien!" He looked up as Ele broke through the circle and scooped him into her arms.
Ele hugged Lorien close. "My poor little baby!" she cooed. "How did you get here?" Lorien whined in happiness and licked her chin. She smiled at him and ruffled his fur. "Lets go see Nare and Kala ok?" Ele brushed past the astonished bowmen. She laughed inwardly. She couldn't decide what they looked more shocked about: Her choice of clothing or the fact that she had just picked up a wolf cub. She walked back to the scene of the fight. Nare and Kala were once again being restrained and once again they didn't have a mark on them. On the other hand, the male elves were even more battered and bruised. All three of them were glaring at the she-elves.
"Heathens!" spat one of them.
Kala laughed. "Oh you're just saying that because we beat you!"
Ele giggled. "Look who I found!" she held up the wolf cub. "Lorien!"
"What are you doing here?"
Ele cuddled him. "I don't know what he was doing here. Last time I saw him he was in his basket."
Suddenly Kala laughed, "Nare! Your bag!"
Nare looked confused. "What about my bag?"
Kala grinned. "You said it felt heavy. I'll bet he crawled in there and went to sleep or something. He didn't move or cry out when you picked it up because the motion scared him. And then when you put it down he crawled out and tracked us here!" She walked over to Lorien. "You're such a smart little guy aren't you? Yes you are! You are a smart little baby!"
Al three girls were laughing over this when an icy voice stopped the laughter cold.
"What, may I ask, is going on here?" ]
Ele turned around and found herself face to face with the Lady Galadriel and her husband, Lord Celeborn. Ele gulped and hugged Lorien tighter. "Ummm, I, that is, we.ummm.they..I mean.he.."
Galadriel cut Ele short. "While I am glad to see you have mastered the use of pronouns, you have not answered my question. Why were you three attacking these three and what is that?" her last phrase was aimed at Lorien.
Ele gulped. "We were not 'attacking' the others, they expressed disbelief that a woman could fight. We were merely showing them the error of their ways." She watched in disbelief as Celeborn's mouth quirked up into what might have been a grin. It quickly disappeared, however, and his face went back to a grave countenance. "And this," Ele indicated Lorien "is a wolf cub that my friends and I found a few days ago. He was orphaned and we took him in. He's so little, we can train him! Please milady, don't make us get rid of him! Please don't kill him!" Ele hugged Lorien. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kala step forward as if to speak. Celeborn beat her to it.
"My love, I think no harm will come of letting them keep the cub if they train it as they promised. And as for the fighting, Men are allowed to fight to defend their honor, why can a woman not do the same?" Celeborn smiled at his wife. "Besides, they are a credit to the training of our guard!" He looked at the three bruised elves that were currently glaring at Ele, Nare, and Kala. "Not to mention the fact that they deserved it." The male elves turned and stalked away. Galadriel looked at him. Celeborn shrugged. "I saw the whole thing."
"And you didn't see fit to stop it?"
"No, they were winning, and against elves twice their size. That says something for them."
Galadriel mused over this for a moment. "I suppose it does. Moreover, one day the wolf may have a part in a larger plan. Ladies, you are excused. In addition, from now on keep that wolf under control. We do not want to have a repeat of tonight." Ele could have sworn she saw a twinkle in the Lady's eyes.
"No milady!"
"We don't want that!"
"Last thing in the entire world that we would want!"
Ele and her friends walked away as quickly as they could, but not before they heard a messenger come up to the Lord and Lady.
"Milord, here are your winnings from the fight." Celeborn looked at his wife guiltily. "Umm, there is a very good explanation for this!"
The Lady Galadriel threw back her head and laughed.
Ele, Kala, and Nare ran away from the scene giggling. They headed towards the edge of the woods where they had left their bags. The sight of Uncle Malving and Aunt Malquessa stopped them short. Uncle Malving held in his hand the sodden remnants of three gowns.
"Well, at least we stayed until Aunt Malquessa got here!"
AN: BTW: Some of this is wrote from Lorien's point of view. He's just so cute. I couldn't resist. I'm basing him on the way my dog acted when she was a puppy. And the little signifies thinking because for some reason italics don't work on my comp. *
After Malving buried the mother wolf (with much sniffling coming from the three females) the girls ran off to introduce the wolf cub to his new home. Malving followed behind dreading his wife's reaction to having a beast like that in her home.
He needn't have worried. As soon as Ele walked in with the fuzzy little hairball, (He mentally made a note never to say that out loud) Malquessa let out a squeal of delight and lifted the tiny cub out of Ele's arms. "He's so cute! Where did you get him?" Malving chose this moment to leave the room. When he returned the four females were grouped around a basket. Comfortably ensconced within it was the wolf cub.
Malving laughed. "Well, looks like he's going to be living comfy." He bent down and looked at the little wolf. It whined and tried to lick him. "What are you going to name the little guy?" He immediately received four different answers.
"Midnight"
"Wraith"
"Prince"
"Baby"
Malving laughed as everyone looked at each other in confusion. Before an argument could break out he put forth his own suggestion. "Why not call him Lorien? That's where you found him, and this way, no matter where you go he'll serve as a reminder that you have a home waiting for you when you return."
Ele smiled. "I like that." The others echoed her sentiments and the little wolf became known as Lorien.
Lorien made it clear from the start that Ele was his favorite. He loved all of the girls but Ele was the one he went running to when he was frightened, lonely or just wanted to play. He quickly charmed all of the family. Even Malving was susceptible to a sad puppy face. One night Malquessa discovered him dropping tidbits to the pup that lurked under the table.
"What are you doing?" she asked him. There was a hint of laughter in her voice.
"W-w well, the poor little fellow looks a mite skinny! And, its not hurting anything. He's a growing puppy!" Malving stumbled through feeble excuse after feeble excuse. Each justification was becoming less reasonable then the one before it. When he finally suggested that eating elvish food would make the wolf less likely to become violent the females at the table looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Nare giggled. "Admit it, Uncle, you like the little guy!"
Malving turned bright red and muttered something under his breath. Ele couldn't quite catch the words but it had something to do with adorable puppies and gloating females.
The next few days passed uneventfully. Then Midsummer's Eve arrived. The entire household was running around frantically trying to prepare for the feast that was being given by the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien. Ele and Kala were threatening Nare with assorted jewelry and hair ornaments.
"You have to dress up, Nare! You cannot go to the feast in your traveling clothes." Kala scolded.
"Why not? I have to travel to get to the feast!" Nare retorted.
"Across a walkway doesn't count." Ele countered as she waved a hairbrush threateningly. "This is not just any feast. This is a feast given by the Lord Celeborn and the Lady Galadriel!"
Nare sighed. "Fine but I'm bringing a dagger or something to entertain myself with if things get too boring."
Ele and Kala smiled. Each one held out a bag. Stashed within were their daggers. Ele laughed. "We're bringing ours too. Wouldn't want things to get too boring. We are going to leave them at the edge of the clearing. If things get too dull we are heading to the sparring field."
Nare looked at the daggers with a smirk. "How are you going to fight while wearing a dress?"
Kala grinned. "Way ahead of you!" She lifted the edge of her skirts to reveal boots and leggings. "Why do you think we wore dresses with long, full skirts? They hide the sparring clothes."
Nare laughed. "Should have thought of that." She looked at the dress lying across the bed and sighed. "Ok. I guess I really don't have a choice."
"Nope"
"Not really, no"
Nare shooed Ele and Kala out of her room and looked for her bag. It wasn't in her room. She sat down on the bed with a sigh and glared at the dress. "Amin delotha lle!" she whispered at the dress. She hoped they could manage to sneak off to the sparring field soon.
Lorien lay in his basket and looked around in confusion. Everyone was running around in a hurry and no one was paying any attention to him. He whined and put his head down on the edge of the basket. No one noticed. He looked up. He whined louder and laid his head down in an exaggerated manner. Still no response. Lorien stood up and tried to get out of his basket. His little paw caught on the edge and he went sprawling on the floor. He yelped and looked up hopefully. Ele stopped and picked him up. Now he would get some attention! But to his disappointment she only rubbed his head and placed him back in his basket. Lorien sighed and laid his head down on his paws. He felt very left out. He stood up. Darn it! He'd just go play by himself then! He stood up again and attempted to jump out of the basket. This time his foot cleared the edge. He ran off in the direction Ele had gone. After wandering around the huge house for a while he suddenly felt very small. He wanted to just sit down and howl until someone came for him. No, he told himself. Be brave. You are a wolf! You are strong! You are ferocious! Be brave! Lorien looked at the leg of a table. It seemed to go on and on, far above his head. But I'm not ferocious! I'm so little! I want my Ele, or my Kala, or my Nare, or anybody-as long as I don't have to be alone.
Nare finished dressing and began the search for her bag again. Where had she put it? She dug through a trunk, sending things flying. An old wooden sword hit the floor, followed by several more items. Nope, not there. She looked under the bed. Not there either. She mentally condemned the bag to be eaten by a rabid squirrel but realized the likelihood of that was next to impossible. Nare sighed and put her head in her hands. Where was that darn bag?
Lorien sat down under the table and whimpered softly. He wanted his basket. He heard a crash and panicked. It's a monster! It's going to eat me! He turned and tried to run away but instead ran straight into the table leg. He whined softly, not wanting to alert the monster that there was a little wolf cub in the vicinity. Lorien wobbled around, slightly dazed. Had the monster hit him? He tucked his tail between his legs and hunkered down, dreading what might happen next. Suddenly something soft and velvety and slightly heavy landed on his head. He yelped in terror and fled behind a chair as he peered at the strange creature that had tried to attack him. He cautiously crept closer. It was a large leather bag. He sniffed it. The scent was familiar. My Nare! he thought joyfully. He quickly scuttled inside the bag to hide from the monster. There were two daggers at the very bottom. Worn out from his big "adventure" the little wolf quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Ele knocked on Nare's door. "Are you coming?" she hissed. "We need to leave before Aunt Malquessa and Uncle Malving do so they won't ask questions about the bags!"
Nare looked frantic. "I can't find my bag! It was here! I know it was! Help me Ele! If I don't find that bag I won't be able to bring my daggers! I'll have to spend the whole night at that party!"
Kala popped up. Her bag was slung over her shoulder. "Lets go!" she said.
"Nare can't find her bag!" explained Ele,
"So? Just put your daggers in one of our bags." said Kala reasonably.
"MY DAGGERS ARE IN THE BAG!" Nare hissed frantically
"Oh"
"Did you check the parlor?" said a voice from behind them. Nare turned an odd shade of purple and Ele and Kala turned around with a look of dread on their faces. Uncle Malving stood there with a smug grin on his face.
"Ummm, how much of that did you hear?" asked Ele even though she was pretty sure she already knew.
"All of it." Malving was clearly enjoying himself. "Now, if one didn't know you three, one might wonder why you need to take daggers to a feast. But seeing as how I DO know you, I have a theory. May I?" and without waiting for an answer he continued. "My theory is that you are planning to skip out of that feast as soon as possible and head to the sparring field. I'll even go so far as to wager that you have your sparring clothes on under those lovely gowns. Would I win that bet?"
Kala groaned. The whole plan was ruined. Now they had to stay at that dumb feast the whole night.
Malving laughed. "Nare, your bag is in the parlor. If you want to get away with this scheme of yours you three had better leave now. I'll try and stall Malquessa long enough for you to get away. All I ask is that you stay at the party long enough for her to see that you're there." He smiled. "Is that so much to ask?"
The three girls grumbled but all agreed that this was acceptable. Then they turned and fled. Nare scooped up her bag as they passed the parlor. "This is heavy," she gasped.
"Its just your imagination!" Kala told her as they ran down the walkway into the clearing where the feast was being held. They quickly hid the bags and walked sedately into the clearing like good little elven maidens.
Lorien woke up when he felt himself being lifted into the air. Had the monster got him? He huddled in the bag, he felt so alone. Where's my Ele? He wondered. Why hasn't she come to rescue me? She'll come get me soon. So will my Kala and my Nare. Lorien felt slightly better after this but he was still scared. Suddenly he felt the bag drop. He stayed curled up in a little ball for what seemed like forever. Maybe Ele can't find me! Maybe that's why she hasn't came! Maybe I should come out of the bag. That way she would see me! Lorien poked his nose out of the bag. It was dark outside. Where am I? What if that monster's out there? I should stay in here! Its safe in here! But.Ele won't be able to find me in here. Lorien gathered his courage and took a cautious step out of the bag. He stood there for a moment shivering in fear. A breeze blew and the leaves around him stirred. The monster! It's coming to get me! Lorien almost dove back into the bag but the thought of Ele looking for him kept him from hiding in the bag again. A breeze blew again but Lorien faced it defiantly. I'm not scared of you monster! My Ele is coming to look for me and she can't find me if I hide. Did you hear me? I'm not scared of you! Not even one little bit! Lorien faced into the breeze and growled a tiny baby growl. He stopped when his sensitive little nose picked up a familiar scent on the air.
My Ele! She's looking for me! Lorien ran around with his nose held high, sniffing the air. My Kala and my Nare are with her! He raced off trying to follow the scent.
Ele, Kala and Nare were standing on the edges of the crowd. "I am about to die of boredom," Nare whispered. " Can we go to the sparring field now?"
"Aunt Malquessa isn't here yet! We can't leave until she sees us!" Kala said. Nare groaned.
Ele looked around hopefully. "Maybe she's already here. We should walk around and maybe we'll see her!"
Kala and Nare nodded. It was better than just standing there. The three moved off into the crowd.
Lorien was running as fast as his little legs could carry him. Gotta find my Ele he thought. To his surprise he found himself staring at a crowd of Elves. They were talking and singing and laughing. His tummy growled when he saw them walk over to a table of food. Maybe they will know where my Ele is! He ran up to one woman and tugged on the edge of her gown. She looked down at him.
" IT'S A WOLF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The whole place was thrown into chaos. Women screamed and the men drew their bows and glanced around wildly in search of the ravenous beast that dared attack during Midsummer's Eve festivities.
Lorien looked around wildly. Everywhere women and children were fleeing. Men were cutting through the crowds with loaded bows. He whimpered and ran towards a table with the intention of hiding under it. Someone stepped on his paw and he let loose with a loud yowl of pain. Immediately, all the attention was turned in his direction. Lorien cowered and whined in fear. He put on his best "I'm sorry" face. The one that always worked with Ele and the others. It didn't seem to be working with this crowd though. Three men stepped to the front and aimed their bows at him.
Ele, Nare and Kala were standing by the food table listening to three elves talk about what they surely thought were interesting topics to "proper young ladies". "Lady Elenmir," asked the one that had leeched on to her. " Have you done any interesting.er..sewing lately?"
Ele gaped at him. Sewing? That was the best he could come up with? She smiled sweetly at him. "You aren't from LothLorien are you?"
"No Milady. I hail from Mirkwood."
"Then that explains why you do not know that I hate to sew. I prefer sword fighting to sewing any day."
"Sword fighting?" he scoffed. "A woman cannot sword fight! They are not strong enough! Besides, women should stay indoors and attend to the family."
Ele was seething. Don't hit him; he's not from Lothlorien. He has an excuse for such stupidity. Don't hit him. Calm down. Don't hit him. Do not punch him. Its not lady like. You are supposed to be acting like a lady. Don't hit him.
"Milady, you are quite red, perhaps you are embarrassed at being found out in a lie? Do not worry. I forgive you! 'Tis quite natural to want to impress such an Elf as myself."
A rushing noise filled Ele's ears. She was seeing red right now. FORGET BEING A LADY! her mind screamed. HIT HIM! HIT HIM! HE DESRVES IT! She forced herself to smile sweetly at the pig. "Of course Milord. I only wanted to impress you. Why, you are the epitome of masculinity. Who couldn't resist you?" Kala and Nare watched in horror. Ele's voice was practically a purr. She reached behind her and unfastened the clasp of her gown. The Elf's eyes grew wide. Ele let the gown fall revealing her sparring clothes. She smiled at the man again, but this time the smile was not a sweet, demure female smile. This smile was pure evil. With loud howl she launched herself at the Elf. Kala was the best warrior she knew, and she had trained Ele thoroughly in unarmed combat. The elf didn't stand a chance. His buddies waded in to try and help the poor guy. Kala and Nare gave each other feral grins and took off the gowns. They jumped into the fray with a loud cry. The three male elves were hopelessly outmatched.
Those elves not hunting for the "highly dangerous" wolf gathered around. Many began cheering for one side or the other and placing bets. Others attempted to break up the fight. It took six elves each to haul the furious she-elves off their adversaries. The three girls began struggling wildly. Other elves held back the male elves. Oddly enough the males didn't seem too eager to resume the fight. Of course, there were the obligatory taunts.
"COME ON! IS THAT ALL YOU CAN DO? I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN A WOMAN COULDN'T DO ANY BETTER THAN THAT!" shouted the Elf that had been talking to Ele. He had two black eyes and scratches all over his face. A bruise was forming along his jaw.
Ele, who didn't have a mark on her, turned even redder and began spitting elvish curses at the battered elf. She was in the middle of one rather inventive one of her own devising when a loud howl pierced the air. Ele stopped in mid-word. "Lorien," she breathed. She broke free of the restraining arms around her and sped off towards the noise. Those holding back the combatants looked at each other and then ran after the she-elf. Kala and Nare smiled at the three male elves and began to stalk towards them. The formerly brash and bragging elves backed away slowly.
Lorien huddled at the base of the table, completely at the mercy of those that held the bows on him. He whimpered and gazed at the bowmen with fear in his eyes. They drew back the bowstring and aimed for the tiny wolf cub crouched shivering in front of them. Lorien shut his eyes. I want my Ele and my Kala and my Nare. He thought sadly. Suddenly, like music to his ears, he heard her voice. "Lorien!" He looked up as Ele broke through the circle and scooped him into her arms.
Ele hugged Lorien close. "My poor little baby!" she cooed. "How did you get here?" Lorien whined in happiness and licked her chin. She smiled at him and ruffled his fur. "Lets go see Nare and Kala ok?" Ele brushed past the astonished bowmen. She laughed inwardly. She couldn't decide what they looked more shocked about: Her choice of clothing or the fact that she had just picked up a wolf cub. She walked back to the scene of the fight. Nare and Kala were once again being restrained and once again they didn't have a mark on them. On the other hand, the male elves were even more battered and bruised. All three of them were glaring at the she-elves.
"Heathens!" spat one of them.
Kala laughed. "Oh you're just saying that because we beat you!"
Ele giggled. "Look who I found!" she held up the wolf cub. "Lorien!"
"What are you doing here?"
Ele cuddled him. "I don't know what he was doing here. Last time I saw him he was in his basket."
Suddenly Kala laughed, "Nare! Your bag!"
Nare looked confused. "What about my bag?"
Kala grinned. "You said it felt heavy. I'll bet he crawled in there and went to sleep or something. He didn't move or cry out when you picked it up because the motion scared him. And then when you put it down he crawled out and tracked us here!" She walked over to Lorien. "You're such a smart little guy aren't you? Yes you are! You are a smart little baby!"
Al three girls were laughing over this when an icy voice stopped the laughter cold.
"What, may I ask, is going on here?" ]
Ele turned around and found herself face to face with the Lady Galadriel and her husband, Lord Celeborn. Ele gulped and hugged Lorien tighter. "Ummm, I, that is, we.ummm.they..I mean.he.."
Galadriel cut Ele short. "While I am glad to see you have mastered the use of pronouns, you have not answered my question. Why were you three attacking these three and what is that?" her last phrase was aimed at Lorien.
Ele gulped. "We were not 'attacking' the others, they expressed disbelief that a woman could fight. We were merely showing them the error of their ways." She watched in disbelief as Celeborn's mouth quirked up into what might have been a grin. It quickly disappeared, however, and his face went back to a grave countenance. "And this," Ele indicated Lorien "is a wolf cub that my friends and I found a few days ago. He was orphaned and we took him in. He's so little, we can train him! Please milady, don't make us get rid of him! Please don't kill him!" Ele hugged Lorien. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kala step forward as if to speak. Celeborn beat her to it.
"My love, I think no harm will come of letting them keep the cub if they train it as they promised. And as for the fighting, Men are allowed to fight to defend their honor, why can a woman not do the same?" Celeborn smiled at his wife. "Besides, they are a credit to the training of our guard!" He looked at the three bruised elves that were currently glaring at Ele, Nare, and Kala. "Not to mention the fact that they deserved it." The male elves turned and stalked away. Galadriel looked at him. Celeborn shrugged. "I saw the whole thing."
"And you didn't see fit to stop it?"
"No, they were winning, and against elves twice their size. That says something for them."
Galadriel mused over this for a moment. "I suppose it does. Moreover, one day the wolf may have a part in a larger plan. Ladies, you are excused. In addition, from now on keep that wolf under control. We do not want to have a repeat of tonight." Ele could have sworn she saw a twinkle in the Lady's eyes.
"No milady!"
"We don't want that!"
"Last thing in the entire world that we would want!"
Ele and her friends walked away as quickly as they could, but not before they heard a messenger come up to the Lord and Lady.
"Milord, here are your winnings from the fight." Celeborn looked at his wife guiltily. "Umm, there is a very good explanation for this!"
The Lady Galadriel threw back her head and laughed.
Ele, Kala, and Nare ran away from the scene giggling. They headed towards the edge of the woods where they had left their bags. The sight of Uncle Malving and Aunt Malquessa stopped them short. Uncle Malving held in his hand the sodden remnants of three gowns.
"Well, at least we stayed until Aunt Malquessa got here!"