DISCLAIMER: Same as before. Don't own anything from the books, but I do
own Zuri and the storyline. So don't take 'em.
A/N: In response to Christina - First of all, thank you for all compliments. Also, I am aware that Zuri is not an elven name, however, I planned on explaining its meaning in a future chapter. Zuri, meaning "beautiful", and Riva, meaning "dreamer". As far as the peach-colored lips. Well, I'm from Georgia [the Peach "State" *rolls eyes*] and I suppose I was thinking of the reddish-pink coloring they get when being well beyond ripeness. I should have clarified, however. I do plan on taking this in a more original direction, however, as a short story writer [this is my first fanfic, though], prologues are not my strongest point. But never fear, her background shall remain consistent, as I am very picky when it comes to detail.
***
"You mean Estel is coming home?" Zuri asked excitedly of the man whom she thought of as her brother.
She had missed Aragorn so, and had not been able to bid him a proper farewell before the Fellowship had set out on their quest to destroy the One Ring. She had hurried home from her visit in Lothlorien as soon as she heard the news, only to miss him by a matter of a few hours. She became quite frustrated with herself when she found out they were set upon arriving in the very place she had just come from.
Elrond smiled at the young maiden before him, whom he had come to think of as his very own daughter. It warmed his heart to see Zuri excited about this matter, as she very seldom showed emotion of any kind, other than melancholy and frustration.
"Yes, child. He and the Fellowship are now in route to Rivendell as we speak, after a short rest in Mirkwood by the King's request. They will arrive just in time for the ball to be held in honor of their homecoming tomorrow's eve."
"Oh, this is wonderful news indeed! I have missed Estel so, and would be honored to meet those that accompanied him on this journey. I should like to thank them each personally."
"Oh, as would I," Arwen stepped forward, a wide smile on her face. "Thank you, Father, for this wonderful news. We must go now, to prepare."
With that, the two maidens hurried out of the hall. Smiles remained on their faces for the remainder of the day.
***
"Legolas! Legolas, wake up!"
Legolas shook himself awake, not even realizing he had been sleeping. He silently cursed his Father for insisting that they journey by carriage instead of horseback. He knew it would be best for the little ones, however, as he glanced over to where they all lay, sound asleep, snores protruding from all of their mouths. He cleared his throat, then looked to his left, where the voice had come from.
Aragorn looked at his friend, concern filling his eyes, "Are you all right, my friend? You were looking about in your sleep. As if searching for someone."
Legolas nodded, and then, knowing that he could trust this man with his life, opened his mouth to speak.
"Aragorn, might I confide something in you?"
"Of course, Legolas. You should know by now that you can trust me."
Legolas nodded, "Of course. It's just...I've been having these dreams..."
"Nightmares?"
"Oh, no. Anything but. They're wonderful. There's a maiden, she's always present in my dreams nowadays, it seems. She comes to me while I sit by one of the ponds in the forests of Rivendell. Strikingly beautiful, she is. But that's not the reason I feel so drawn to her. What that reason is, I do not know, however. I follow her each time, but just as we go to finally make contact, she begins to fade, all things going black, and I wake up."
Aragorn sat there, a smile on his face, "Ah, I see. I have those kind of dreams as well. Of course, mine are due to a certain someone who waits for me upon our return to Rivendell."
Legolas smiled, "Of course, my friend."
"Tell me, Legolas, what does she look like? This maiden of your dreams."
"She's quite gorgeous, Aragorn. Her eyes are the clearest green, and glitter when she smiles. She doesn't smile very often, though. Her skin is some of the fairest I've seen, even for an elven maiden. And her hair the deepest red, hanging in loose curls to her waist. She taller than most she- elfs, and moves with such grace..." Legolas stopped, a bit embarrassed by the fact that he had gotten so carried away with his description. Upon noticing the look of concentration on his friend's face, he spoke again. "Aragorn? Is there something wrong?"
"Oh, no. No, Legolas. It's just...your description. It reminded me very much of my sister. I cannot wait to see her again."
"A sister? You have never mentioned having sister," Legolas replied, glad to have the subject matter changed from that of his dream.
"Well, you see, she's not my sister by blood. She was taken in, just as I was, by Lord Elrond, after the death of her Father. Zuri and I have grown close over the years. She's a truly wonderful being, though I worry for her a great deal."
"Oh? Why is it that you worry?"
Aragorn looked over at Legolas, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You see, Legolas, just as the maiden in your dreams, Zuri does not smile very often."
A/N: In response to Christina - First of all, thank you for all compliments. Also, I am aware that Zuri is not an elven name, however, I planned on explaining its meaning in a future chapter. Zuri, meaning "beautiful", and Riva, meaning "dreamer". As far as the peach-colored lips. Well, I'm from Georgia [the Peach "State" *rolls eyes*] and I suppose I was thinking of the reddish-pink coloring they get when being well beyond ripeness. I should have clarified, however. I do plan on taking this in a more original direction, however, as a short story writer [this is my first fanfic, though], prologues are not my strongest point. But never fear, her background shall remain consistent, as I am very picky when it comes to detail.
***
"You mean Estel is coming home?" Zuri asked excitedly of the man whom she thought of as her brother.
She had missed Aragorn so, and had not been able to bid him a proper farewell before the Fellowship had set out on their quest to destroy the One Ring. She had hurried home from her visit in Lothlorien as soon as she heard the news, only to miss him by a matter of a few hours. She became quite frustrated with herself when she found out they were set upon arriving in the very place she had just come from.
Elrond smiled at the young maiden before him, whom he had come to think of as his very own daughter. It warmed his heart to see Zuri excited about this matter, as she very seldom showed emotion of any kind, other than melancholy and frustration.
"Yes, child. He and the Fellowship are now in route to Rivendell as we speak, after a short rest in Mirkwood by the King's request. They will arrive just in time for the ball to be held in honor of their homecoming tomorrow's eve."
"Oh, this is wonderful news indeed! I have missed Estel so, and would be honored to meet those that accompanied him on this journey. I should like to thank them each personally."
"Oh, as would I," Arwen stepped forward, a wide smile on her face. "Thank you, Father, for this wonderful news. We must go now, to prepare."
With that, the two maidens hurried out of the hall. Smiles remained on their faces for the remainder of the day.
***
"Legolas! Legolas, wake up!"
Legolas shook himself awake, not even realizing he had been sleeping. He silently cursed his Father for insisting that they journey by carriage instead of horseback. He knew it would be best for the little ones, however, as he glanced over to where they all lay, sound asleep, snores protruding from all of their mouths. He cleared his throat, then looked to his left, where the voice had come from.
Aragorn looked at his friend, concern filling his eyes, "Are you all right, my friend? You were looking about in your sleep. As if searching for someone."
Legolas nodded, and then, knowing that he could trust this man with his life, opened his mouth to speak.
"Aragorn, might I confide something in you?"
"Of course, Legolas. You should know by now that you can trust me."
Legolas nodded, "Of course. It's just...I've been having these dreams..."
"Nightmares?"
"Oh, no. Anything but. They're wonderful. There's a maiden, she's always present in my dreams nowadays, it seems. She comes to me while I sit by one of the ponds in the forests of Rivendell. Strikingly beautiful, she is. But that's not the reason I feel so drawn to her. What that reason is, I do not know, however. I follow her each time, but just as we go to finally make contact, she begins to fade, all things going black, and I wake up."
Aragorn sat there, a smile on his face, "Ah, I see. I have those kind of dreams as well. Of course, mine are due to a certain someone who waits for me upon our return to Rivendell."
Legolas smiled, "Of course, my friend."
"Tell me, Legolas, what does she look like? This maiden of your dreams."
"She's quite gorgeous, Aragorn. Her eyes are the clearest green, and glitter when she smiles. She doesn't smile very often, though. Her skin is some of the fairest I've seen, even for an elven maiden. And her hair the deepest red, hanging in loose curls to her waist. She taller than most she- elfs, and moves with such grace..." Legolas stopped, a bit embarrassed by the fact that he had gotten so carried away with his description. Upon noticing the look of concentration on his friend's face, he spoke again. "Aragorn? Is there something wrong?"
"Oh, no. No, Legolas. It's just...your description. It reminded me very much of my sister. I cannot wait to see her again."
"A sister? You have never mentioned having sister," Legolas replied, glad to have the subject matter changed from that of his dream.
"Well, you see, she's not my sister by blood. She was taken in, just as I was, by Lord Elrond, after the death of her Father. Zuri and I have grown close over the years. She's a truly wonderful being, though I worry for her a great deal."
"Oh? Why is it that you worry?"
Aragorn looked over at Legolas, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You see, Legolas, just as the maiden in your dreams, Zuri does not smile very often."
