Some quick authors' notes:
Reala: Ah! We're sorry, Lindi and I, that this has taken so long to update. Has it been long…? I'm not sure…sorry, school is ending, I've lost all sense of time. Anyways, it's chapter three, and we hope you enjoy it. By the way people, I know we've mentioned this, but constructive criticism is welcome! Tell us if we're portraying characters correctly, if we're developing well…that sort of stuff. Thank you for reviewing! Reviews are nice little sunshine sparks of magical encouragement!
Lindi: Well, Reala's been taking too much Nyquil again so disregard her last statement there. Anyway, just basically thanks for the encouraging reviews and keep 'em coming! On with the story! ^.~
Disclaimer: I don't own 'em, Reala don't own 'em, blah blah, the point is…we don't own 'em.
Chapter 3: Getting to Know You
Boromir craned his neck and searched the courtyard for a familiar figure besides one of his own kin, and soon spotted the top of Lindi's head. As he moved closer he saw that she was speaking with the elf Legolas, having finally met him in person, and was probably discussing Rivendell and Mirkwood. He quickened his pace and stood over them, politely silent until Lindi acknowledged him.
"Reala will come shortly," he said to Lindi, and the blonde girl smiled and motioned to the elf beside her.
"Boromir, heir to the Stewards of Gondor, this is Prince Legolas of Mirkwood." Lindi exchanged the titles of the two and drew in a satisfied breath when they firmly shook hands.
"Prince of Mirkwood…it is an honor," Boromir said, and Legolas' young, flawless face drew into a polite smile and his green eyes reflected the sky above, making them appear blue.
"Lord Boromir, the honor is mine."
"So what do you all think of this?" Lindi asked after the introduction, and she leaned back into the comfortable wood-weaved chair, straightening her mildly casual brown dress about her lap before folding her legs. "It certainly sounds like it would make a fantastic story…a fellowship of all races, setting out to destroy the same evil – "
"I see it as a noble cause, of course." Gimli interrupted in a gruff drawl, and his keen dark eyes stabbed Legolas with suspicion and distrust. "I am thankful Lord Elrond did not choose the hands of an Elf to carry the evil thing to the Land of Shadows."
"The Elves know their limits, Master Dwarf," Legolas replied mildly in his people's defense. "We often choose good judgment over rash actions."
"Please, if we are to ever complete this quest and fulfill this mission we're all going to have to trust one another," Lindi said sharply, looking between the two. "The road ahead is dangerous, and we have enough enemies to face. We do not need to squabble amongst ourselves!"
"Is that ever right," Frodo murmured, repressing a shudder. He looked over at Lindi, who seemed to be occupied in her weapon now. It was a blade both long and thin, and still shined with the glory of a newly carved sword. It had clearly been seldom used, despite the darkness of the times. Frodo and Sam's eyes lit up.
"That's beautiful," Sam breathed as she turned it over. "Was it made by the Elves, Miss Lindi?"
"Of course. It was given to me by Glorfindel on my fourteenth year." Gimli laughed, loudly.
"Elves with foolish weapons and now women going into battle. What a journey this will be!"
"Have a care, Master Gimli." Boromir scowled at the direct rudeness of the Dwarf and his tone was firm. Pippin, sitting beside Boromir, looked up at the man and smiled silently to himself. He was starting to like this tall chap, and thought that in the future he would definitely be a good man to have around! Lindi's blue eyes glittered in anger for about one second before she regained her composure and her features evened out calmly once more.
"Do not be so quick to judge an untested warrior, Gimli. You have never seen me wield a sword," she warned quietly in a voice dangerous but polite all at once. After a moment of silence, Legolas' clear voice filled the air once more and cut through the dense cloud of silence.
"I am glad to have another kindred of the Elves in this company," Legolas said, directing his comment to Lindi with his eyes. "You will certainly remind me of my home, Tanthor-Lind." Lindi's transformation had ended, and she smiled and returned to her usual friendly self.
"And you will remind me of my home, Legolas, and also of Mirkwood. It has been long since I last saw it." She sighed and crossed her hands over her knees. "It is good to leave home every now and then. To see other places instead of the same walls every day."
"I don't understand. You say you're not Elven?" Pippin asked in sincere curiosity. "If you're not Elven, then why do you look as beautiful as an Elf?" He turned beet red when he realized what he had said, and stammered, "I…I mean, you act like an Elf…graceful and all.."
Gimli and Boromir laughed loudly, and the captain said, "It seems the Took's taken a notice of the Lady's beauty."
The hobbits and Legolas laughed with a good grace, but Gimli said nothing and Pippin did not look up. Lindi simply smiled. After the laughter died down and silence once again over took the circle of companions, Frodo spoke up from his seat,
"You all know why I'm here…but what brought you all to Rivendell?"
"Merry and I followed you and Sam."
"I know that, Pip!" Frodo said to his cousin. "I meant them!"
"Rivendell is my home," Lindi replied simply, and Boromir said in turn,
"My brother and I shared a strange dream that held a riddle. It, in short, told me to seek Imladris, the Sword that was Broken, and the Halfling that bore Isildur's Bane. Despite my father's voice I followed it here." His grey eyes fell onto Frodo intently for a moment, but just as quickly returned to the sky. He said no more on the subject, and another silence fell on them. Sam spoke this time, his voice hesitant.
"Strider was with us the whole way. He never once let us down!"
"So I heard," Boromir said quietly, almost annoyed. Frodo remembered the council, and how Boromir and Strider had stood in silent challenge. He did not like it at all, Boromir's defiance of the man he trusted, but at the same time he wanted to like Boromir. It was difficult.
"Yes, well, my tale is not at all pleasant," Legolas said grimly after a moment, and all the cheer was gone from his voice. He shook his head and his fair eyes were troubled. "I came to report of Gollum's escape from the dungeons of Mirkwood. It is ill news indeed…but that is the extent of my story."
"Bilbo spoke of Gollum," Frodo whispered, and wrapped his arms around him as if the wind had grown cold. But it had not, because Rivendell was a place of goodness and no evil could breach its walls. Should the Dark One take over, Rivendell would be the last good place in Middle Earth. His mouth turned into a smile, and his eyes moved to Legolas, "But even better did he speak of Mirkwood." The Elf's face lightened.
"The Dark Servants offered my father alliance with Mordor." Gimli set his ax down as if just realizing he had been holding it. "I came for council, not," he added ruefully, "To fight alongside women and Elves."
"Those two happen to be taller than you," Boromir said spontaneously in defense of his two new companions, and though he preferred himself not to fight alongside anyone alien to Gondor, he still felt it his duty. But the Took did not agree with the meaning behind the statement, and one of his little legs jerked and kicked Boromir in the knee.
"Don't bring height into this!"
"My apologies Master Peregrin."
"Pippin!"
Boromir blinked at the demand to be informally addressed, and the corner of his mouth curved upward. "Pippin, then."
"Lindi," Sam began in a whisper and leaned closer to the blonde girl so only she could hear him (other than Legolas, of course), and he looked very shy and hesitant. "I've been curious, Miss Lindi, who was that lady with Strider earlier? His wife?"
Lindi broke into a smile that made Sam blush, and she shook her head, the sun catching in her hair. She looked at Samwise directly. "No, not yet. He has been waiting sixty years to wed Arwen Evenstar, but Lord Elrond will not allow it until Aragorn has claimed the throne of Gondor."
Boromir noticeably stiffened in his seat, and the very air around him seemed to grow bitter. Aragorn, as he claimed himself to be, was untested and unproven in his city and Boromir would be damned if he were to let a ranger take the crown; and refused to pledge his allegiance.
Frodo, of course, noticed this sudden change, and was very relieved when the last member of the Fellowship (Strider had wandered off somewhere) walked from inside the dining hall, slowly and without a word. It was Lindi that smiled and greeted her kindly.
"Welcome to the incomplete meeting of the Company," she joked, and Reala gave an uncertain smile.
"The Hobbits are curious to know why we're all here. Want to share your story with us?"
This earned a laugh from Reala, but the dark haired girl did not sit and join them. "I'm afraid there is not much to tell. On my way from Rohan to the Shire I was injured and brought to Imladris by a company of Elves. I am, to say the least, lucky to be alive."
"The Shire?" Further curiosity nipped at Frodo, and he inquired once more, "Why were you headed for the Shire?"
"Just travel, Master Baggins," she replied, eyes once more narrowed in mirth, but he could tell it was only on the surface. "Foolish travel."
Pippin, from beside Lindi, gave Boromir a nudge with his foot, and when he could not get his attention he swatted him. Boromir blinked absurdly and looked at him.
"You've become quiet," Pippin remarked, and Boromir said nothing, but he did excuse himself when Aragorn and Gandalf joined the circle. Pippin sighed, and looked to where Boromir was now a distant figure in the hall.
"Boromir is an interesting fellow. But I don't think he likes Strider at all."
"Pip!" Merry lightly hit Pippin for being so blunt, but the wizard laughed.
"He will learn to accept his king and his duty, young Took. He will learn." His laugh faded into a soft scold. "Until then, watch how and when you say things."
"Yes, mother," Pippin replied in a sulking tone, and Gandalf only laughed harder when the hobbit said this and rolled his eyes. Aragorn glanced at the hobbit in annoyance and admiration, a strange combination, and Lindi noticed. She grinned, and said to the ranger,
"I take it your journeys with this hobbit were quite lively..?" Aragorn could not help but smile back.
"Very lively. These two, the Took and the Brandybuck, have certainly made this journey – " he paused to think of a term that was fitting for the extent of the journey without offending his young friends, and then patted Pippin's head. "Interesting."
Gandalf smiled at his old friend, and his eyes wandered to beyond Aragorn where he saw Lord Elrond. He rose from his chair and touched Aragorn's shoulder. "Come, Aragorn. There is much to speak of with Lord Elrond. You will have to excuse the two of us." Gandalf nodded and smiled to them, and he and Aragorn left the scene.
When the two had gone considerably far, Pippin piped, "May I say something?"
"Certainly," Legolas replied.
"Just because we're smaller than everyone else here does not mean we're any less dignified!" Pippin spoke firmly, and placed his hands on his hips, demanding in a very Tookish tone, "So why does everyone keep petting me?!" Merry shrugged, but the rest of them laughed whole heartedly. Lindi rested her hand on Pippin's soft curls and lowered herself to a crouch before him. Her smile was wide and kind, but not returned by the Took.
"That is just it, Pip," she said. "Smaller people are almost always referred to as the 'cute ones'. People are just drawn to you because of your height. It's nothing to become angry over – we all respect you greatly. At least most of us." She gave Gimli and the retreating wizard a glance, but said nothing to them. "I respect you very much. I should…you're older than me, remember? So try not to get upset, people do not always think about their actions and how they affect others. All right?"
Pippin remained silent for a moment, but his eyes lit up and he smiled widely at her. "Thank you, Lindi," he said very softly.
Lindi nodded and stood, then gave the people around her a look. "Do not pet them from now on. How would you feel if freakishly tall people walked around you constantly and petted you?" This proposal seemed reasonable to the fellowship, and they nodded. But Lindi asked the next question, and it was a tired one, "Where has Reala gone to now?"
--- --- ---
"Is it wise to bring the Reala Firith girl on this journey? She does not wish to join us, it is clear." Aragorn's voice was smooth and firm, but hesitant as he consulted Elrond. The dusk was approaching and darkness was overtaking the sky. The balcony they occupied held a small fireplace, and they sat around it. "Her skills as a fighter are fair, even for a woman, but the rumors I have heard of her and the ring discourage me. Is it healthy for her, as well as the Company, to follow what once brought her to her knees?"
"It is said by the wise that the best way to overcome a fear is to face it," Elrond told him as if he were still Estel, and his clear eyes moved to the calming flames. He spoke once more, "In a way, she is like Gollum. She has been touched by the evil of this world and now loves and fears it, all at once. But at the same time she knows what must be done, and what she must do. When she comes to this realization, she will be a great asset to the company."
Aragorn knew the next question clearly displayed his distrust, but he had no choice but to ask, "A realization, Lord Elrond?"
"The time will come," he replied in vague simplicity, and gazed to the momentary happy faces of the fellowship. Things would change those smiles, very soon, and to Aragorn he could only say, "With the eleven of you united, many great deeds will be accomplished, especially the one. You have my best wishes to bring with you, Aragorn." he stood, and over his shoulder he added quietly, "And as always, my daughter's love."
--- --- ---
Reala. Where was she? Boromir wandered here, wandered there, and contemplated exactly how this 'Fellowship of the Ring' was ever going to work if he had to search for Reala far and wide every time he wanted to speak with her. She had a strange look to her – not at all holding the beauty of the Elven maidens or the White Lady of Rohan, or even the look of a trustworthy shield maiden; also was she very elusive, that girl, and posed a small threat to the wavering, fragile peace of the company. And the Dwarf was not helping the situation.
Somewhere during his web of thoughts did he find the oak haired girl, sitting still next to a beautifully crafted fountain. She was poised on the edge of the marble and letting the cool, clear water run over her pale hand. He gazed at her without her knowing of his presence, but eventually he forced himself to walk up to her.
He tapped her on the shoulder. She jumped in surprise, but then glared at the man before her. He glared back.
"Why did you run off?" he asked harshly.
"I suppose I should be asking you the same question," she replied, looking back at the fountain with no real interest in him.
"Oh here we go again," Boromir groaned wearily, putting his head in his hands.
"Yes, we never did get to finish our conversation, did we?" Reala teased his patience. "What were you going to say, Boromir, son of Denethor?" she mocked him.
"I was going to say I don't trust you," he snapped quickly, and she gave a wry laugh that lacked all humor.
"I know you do not. Neither do the others." Reala leaned back and studied him thoughtfully. "So why did you run off? Do you distrust Aragorn as much as you distrust me?" Her face turned into a nasty leer. "Or are you just jealous of his new authority over you?"
"You do not know what you speak of," he replied testily, and could feel his temper flaring inside his chest. "You're just a woman of Rohan."
"A king's guard of Rohan," she corrected.
"If you are one of Theoden's guards then it would seem customary to guard him, not test the heir of Gondor's patience," he replied in heat, resisting the instinct to finger the handle of his sword and threaten to teach her a lesson in respect.
Reala regarded him lazily under dark lashes, a small smile pulling at the corner of her mouth as she tsked, "But I'm not testing the patience of Gondor's heir." She smiled cruelly. "Aragorn is not here."
Boromir stared her down with more anger in his pale eyes, and once again resisted the strong urge to reach for a sword that was not there. A muscle in his jaw leapt, and he spun on his heel and stalked away.
--- --- ---
"Do you think she would?" Pippin whispered to his other three companions. "Would she if I asked her?"
"Go ahead!" Merry urged. "But don't get too comfortable! I want to dance with her, too." Sam and Frodo laughed at their friends for being so shy. Frodo smiled and said:
"This isn't like you. Usually you're outgoing!"
"Oh be quiet," Merry shot back. "You two, especially Sam, should not talk about being shy."
"Rosie Rosie Rosie!" Pip sing-songed. The night had fallen and now Rivendell was filled with joyous Elven singing, laughing, dancing, and food.
"Lindi Lindi Lindi!" Sam growled back with a flash of rare temper. Pip immediately quieted and blushed while Sam smiled in triumph. The hobbits looked over at Lindi, who was talking to a few elves. Sam recognized the dark-haired one to be Arwen. Pippin had just summoned up the courage to ask Lindi for a dance when Legolas charmingly strode up to the human.
"Legolas." Lindi smiled at him brilliantly and he smiled back, lightly gracing her knuckles with a soft kiss. "Wonderful evening, isn't it?"
"It would be even better if you would share a dance with me," he replied. Lindi, now clad in a loose, pale blue dress with translucent sleeves, nodded with one of her infectious laughs. When Lindi laughed, it made everyone want to laugh with her. Pippin's face twisted into a pouting-frown.
"Sneaky elf."
"Legolas is just being polite." Strider's voice came from behind them, and the hobbits jumped in surprise. He, too, was dressed in Elven clothing, and it made him look more like a valiant knight than a ragged wanderer. "You can steal Lindi for the next dance."
Pippin looked embarrassed. "I don't want to dance with her."
Strider took a seat at their table, his thighs jammed under the top of it while he sat on the hobbit chair. He patted Pip's shoulder. "Right, halfling. Right."
"Why don't you ask the Lady Arwen for a dance?" Sam suddenly suggested with enthusiasm, and all the hobbits agreed happily. Strider's mouth quirked and he gave them all suspicious glances.
"You would like that, wouldn't you?" he asked, and they all nodded. He stood, "If you insist…"
"We do!" they said together in perfect unison. The ranger strode to the Lady Arwen, and she smiled at him with age-old love in her eyes. They seemed to be talking quietly, but eventually moved to the dance floor, and the hobbits cheered. Frodo, however, remained quiet. He looked around the scene, seeing Legolas and Lindi twirling, Boromir sulking in a corner with Gimli, and Gandalf talking with Elrond. Bilbo had joined the wizard and the Elf Lord.
Finally, Pippin summoned courage and marched to the floor. Legolas twirled Lindi once more and she ducked under his arm, then they pulled out and came back in. Lindi smiled brilliantly, but laughed when she nearly tripped over Pippin's little frame.
"May I cut in?" he asked, cheeks pink with annoyance and his shy doubts. Legolas politely nodded and he handed Lindi's hand over to Pippin's. He pecked Lindi's cheek.
"It seems I must surrender you, Maiden Lindi." He began to retreat with a good grace. "Until next time."
Lindi waved. "All right, Legolas, until next time then." She turned to Pippin and curtsied. The hobbit bowed and smiled.
"May I have this dance?" he asked, and held out his small hand. Lindi took it and the two commenced the dance. Lindi found it difficult for her to dance with someone nearly two feet shorter than she, but enjoyed herself nonetheless in the magic of the night.
Meanwhile, Elrond was sitting at a long table with Glorfindel. The Elf lord turned to the warrior beside him. "They've grown quite attached to Tanthor-Lind, haven't they?"
"How could they not?" Glorfindel replied. "I've known her for almost her whole life, and practically raised her. Her personality is friendly, and it's just natural for her to be gentle and kind. People - especially hobbits - are drawn to her optimistic demeanor. I have the feeling that she'll be the one to bring joy and sanity to the fellowship." He laughed at the point he realized he had made. Lindi would have to be, for the Lord Elrond had chosen plenty of stubborn walkers.
Elrond smiled. "Yes, I agree. I believe she has the courage to do this, regardless of the fact that she is a mortal woman. It was right to let her join the Fellowship, as well as Reala. No one seems to think she'll do much good to be a part of this, but I know this is good for her." Glorfindel nodded in agreement.
"I hope you're right," he said to himself, leaning back in his seat and watching the banquet continue. The laughter and dancing and celebration brought a smile to his face, and for one night all thoughts of the Enemy were forgotten.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Lindi: Est-ce que vous aimez (Do you like)? Sorry, I'm on my French kick right now! Anyhoozle, a quick note: all that flattery toward Lindi was written by Reala, so I don't have an ego; and, Legolas is just a friend so all you Leggy fans don't have to worry about that! Lol. Anyway, please review, s'il vous plait? Merci beaucoup, au revoir! (and for all of you poor souls who don't take Francais, that means "please? Thank you very much, goodbye!") ^.~