Resolutions are a wonderful thing. Sets your feet (so to speak) on a firm path, with no hesitation.
Yep. They are wonderful guidelines for life.
I am not saying my last little declaration about leaving Rivendell was all a lot of hot air. No. That is not the case.
I am just saying, it took me WAY longer to set the last resolution into motion because I was actually sick for about two weeks. It was nasty and I think, even though I had made my resolutions and so was more at peace with myself, my body had just had it, elf lord, Rivendell notwithstanding. Rolled up its eyes and closed down shop.
So. I slept a lot and coughed a lot and even heard Elrond agree when an elf that brought in something for him...I don't know hot water, clean linen, whatever, and commented, "It must be terrible being Edain."
Well honey, it sure is when you have bronchitis.
But finally, after the sun remained out for a few days and a lot of the snow had melted except the little drifts caught in cool dark corners, I was able to get up and sit in the thin warmth for awhile. My feet were healing up nicely (thank goodness for that)...but the bronchitis, as it tends to do, just lingered on.
But since I did not have a lot of energy, doing quiet things like calligraphy and reading were just about my speed. And it was embarrassing because I would frequently nod off in my chair in the library let's say, and wake up later in bed, uncertain how I had gotten there. Felt like a real old woman. Not a fun feeling around the never sick and very rarely tired elves.
One morning late, after breakfast, I was sitting out on the terrace outside Lord Elrond's study (more convenient for him of course) and I was laying back on the chaise there eyes closed just being a sponge and absorbing the sun, when a shadow crossed my face. Figuring it was the head of the house I said without opening my eyes, "Yes my lord?"
"So you are Marie?"
Well, it sure sounded an awful like Elrond. So I sighed and said, "Yes, that's me," I yawned without covering my mouth, "Was there any real doubt?"
I guess he was being silly. He wasn't often, but maybe he was bored?
"This is she Elrohir!" I sat up and almost rammed my head into Lord Elladan's chin. I scrambled against the back of the chaise, my blanket falling to the tiles.
I have never met Lord Elrond's sons (nor Arwen for that matter, but I knew she spent long stretches of time in Lothlorien so did not expect to see her anytime soon) They were always out on "errantry" as Tolkien called it. And though I also knew they went off with Aragorn a lot, he usually showed up in Rivendell without them.
How embarrassing meeting them like this!! (It felt just like the first meeting with their father: me disheveled and dressed funky.) I was just wearing an old dress, easy to get in and out of for easy napping. And my feet were still bare and bandaged.
I made to grab the blanket, but of course it was in a heap on the floor. I looked up at Elladan and swallowed. He looked an awful lot like his father, a bit more youthful and lively around the eyes, less, well, elf lord than his father. Lord Elrohir was a tad shorter than his older brother and had a less angular face. His eyes were very light grey and I assumed immediately he took more after his mother.
The two young elves smiled at me, and Elrohir picked up my blanket and tucked it back around me. I clutched it thankfully, feeling really stupid. Because I was just staring. Its not every day you see a slightly altered version of Lord Elrond.
Elladan, being so polite, took my hand and bowed over it. "I am Elladan, and this is my younger brother, Elrohir."
"Oh yes, so much younger. Eleven minutes is all that separates his great age and mine mistress Marie." He stepped around his brother and took my hand and bowed over it as well.
Elladan looked at his brother and raised an eyebrow (Hey, it's a genetic trait!!) ""That's right little brother, Ada had to practically coax you out of mother." I sat there, mouth open at this revelation. Elladan turned to me and looked skyward. "My little brother was too shy to be born!"
Elrohir, having undoubtedly heard this before, just snorted and shook his head.
I took a deep breath and tried to look intelligent. "Ah, um, it is a pleasure to meet both of you my lords. I, ah, I am sorry, I am just laying here and," I scrambled again and sat up, putting my feet down on the tiles. I was just about to stand, when Elladan put a hand on my shoulder. "Oh no need to stand on our account. We just wished to see you, after all the things Ada has said about you—"
"Good Elladan, embarrass the poor woman. Pay him no heed mistress."
"Elrohir! I was merely saying---"
"My sons, what a pleasure to see you! I am afraid I missed your return." Lord Elrond, in a pale silver robe and looking quite splendid, stepped out onto the terrace. His sons, in dark green riding leathers (Elladan with a very dark forest green cape slung off one shoulder) both bowed simultaneously and then both gave their father big hugs which he returned
in equal measure.
I just smiled. Here was a whole other side to the Lord of Imladris. And watching his beaming face as he listened to both sons tell him of their exploits out in the Wild was delightful to behold.
Dumb ol' me, I had forgotten that Elrond was a father! What an idiot!
Finally, the edge taken off their excitement, all three turned back to me. Ohh, they were so pretty all three of them in the sun: Elrond's hair a deep midnight brown and his sons hair just as long and more chocolate brown than anything, those lovely grey eyes... Well it was enough to make a body swoon. I didn't but had I been perhaps a bit more weak, I could have!!
"I see you have all made your introductions," Elrond said, folding his hands before him, still smiling.
"Yes, ah yes my lord. Your sons. Well, I am delighted to have met them at last. Perhaps, I should go back to my room so that the three of you can talk---" I got up, gathering my blanket and made to go around the trio. Elrond stopped me with a hand to my arm. "A moment Marie." He turned to the younger elves. "I shall rejoin you shortly." Taking me by the elbow, we went back into his study, where I saw a goblet sitting on the edge of his desk, which he gave me and I drank it down. No face making!! (a part of one of my resolutions remember).
Handing it back, I blinked at him and smiled, "Thanks, I'll just go to my room now. The sun has made me sleepy." It was the first thing that came to mind and darn if he didn't go all healer on me and even bring a hand to my forehead which I barely stopped myself from ducking!
"I am fine. Really, just a little tired."
Nodding slowly and frowning slightly, he let me go. And though running was strictly forbidden me, I hurried away as fast as I could go.
I just wanted to think about my meeting with his sons. Wow. They were eyefuls! All right, all right, everyone in Rivendell is an eyeful! But these were the elf lords sons!!
I flung myself on my bed and stared at the ceiling. Wow. Well, just wow. I wondered how long they were going to stay? I was almost better.
Elrond was pleased with the progress of my feet, though as I said the bronchial cough kept lingering. But I was otherwise okay. If you've had bronchitis you know of what I speak. The cough was worst in the morning and sometimes troublesome at night, but otherwise, not that big an issue during the day. Elrond kept giving me a concoction every morning and at night, but I suspect the nighttime one was more sedative than anything.
I yawned at the ceiling and picked up my book. I was almost finished with this section of the tale of the Silmarils and I wanted to find out what happened. I lay back against the pillows and propped the book in front of me. Yawning again, I smiled sleepily at the crawling Tengwar script, the beautiful, elaborate flourishes and illuminations. I was sure glad I was fine now. I rubbed my eyes and stretched my neck. I slouched down further and held the book up. I yawned again and rolled over and went to sleep. I was fine.
I rolled back over and sighed deeply. I had done it again. A "little" nap had turned into hours of sleep. I had to stop doing this! I was never going to be able to go horseback riding or even walk around the grounds at this speed. Maybe I just needed vitamins. No, I needed exercise ! Definitely!
That's what I needed!
I got out of bed and went to my wardrobe and pulled out a cloak and my old comfy boots that fit over the bandages. Boy I couldn't wait for those to come off! My poor pale toes, what were left anyway!
I wiggling my toes experimentally and was delighted to feel they didn't hurt. All righty then! Progress is definitely being made!! I got up, only feeling a little light headed, but hey, I had slept through the mid day meal. I saw a tray on my table by the patio and went and grabbed an apple and a slice of cheese.
I was not going to do anything stupid. Nope. Just going to walk out along the flagstones here, enjoy the day, take a little constitutional.
I walked slowly along the corridor and as it turned north, I stepped onto the other path that led up to the pond where the swans normally lived. I sat on the cold stone bench, folding my cape up to keep away the cold and stared at the now frozen water and the beautiful back drop of the Misty Mountains. Again I wondered about ice skating elves. This little lake would be perfect!
It was nice sitting out here in the sun with a thin icy breeze skirling across my face. I brushed back my hair, which had grown quite long now, almost regulation Elvish length (I could almost sit on it). But no matter what I could do, my hair was still thin, mousy brown and baby fine.
I sighed and once again thought of my resolution. But how was I going to get out of Rivendell? I wondered briefly if I should just ask and then realized that I really did not want to know what Elrond's answer would be! But there must be some way! Maybe I could help the twins with something, provided their next foray into the Wild was not taking on orcs or something equally repulsive. But maybe they never ran just, well for lack of a better word, "quickie" errands for their father?
I mentally went through the House, trying to see things that perhaps they might purchase. Objects d'art? Statues? Rugs? Something that was not produced here.....
I jumped up and clasped my hands: Books!! I knew Elrond was a real bibliophile (you guys should see the library!! Wow!! I wish I could read them all!! And some were really old and in languages no longer spoken in Middle Earth!! Except the elf lord knew them, i.e. Old Dwarvish!). He had to get those books from somewhere and granted a lot of them might be gifts, but surely he liked to acquire new materials? New poems and sagas? Old maps too!! Histories, maybe even medical texts, if there were such a thing here. Well, at least books on herbs and things.
Books. What a simple and elegant solution. And I got another thought!! Didn't elves celebrate birthdays or some kind of personal holiday?? I seem to remember something about that. I wonder when Elrond's birthday was? Surely the twins would want to get something and maybe I could tag along and then, you know, and just stay put, especially if we went somewhere big and bustling like Bree or or Minas Tirith!!
Wouldn't that be cool?? Ooohh, the White City! I bet it had all kinds of neat things. I turned from the lovely landscape and went back down towards the house.
Then stopped in my tracks. What did they do for money here? There must be some medium of exchange, after all, they did get some of their foodstuffs and other things from traveling venders/tinkers/wanderers. And hey, maybe I could take off with some of the travelers instead??
I rubbed my hands briskly together. All right! I was hatching a plan. There would be a way to gracefully bow out of Lord Elrond's life and let him go on being a mighty elf lord in Elvish splendor, pursuing all things Elvish without the bother and interruption of a messy, needy human!!
This was going to be great!
As I walked slowly back down the shaded corridor, I stopped a moment and went over to the nearby balustrade, which at this point overlooked one of the many rushing streams that poured off the high mountains behind me.
If it was such a great idea, why did I feel, well, so unhappy about it?
Sighing, I just shook my head and continued on down the corridor. Perhaps tonight in the dining hall, no maybe it would be better if I waited until after dinner when everyone was on their way to the Hall of Fire. I could pull aside one of the twins (which would probably mean both of them) and ask about their fathers birthday. Then maybe they would suggest a quick trip somewhere!
So that's what I did. When I got back to my room, I went to my wardrobe and looked through the few dresses there and found the fanciest one I had. It was a bit summery (cotton) but it was a nice light blue (a good color for me) and it had nice silver trim on the scoop neckline and on the bell sleeves...It actually made me feel, well, sort of Elvish. (Will you stop snickering out there!! I can't help it now can I!?! I'm in the middle of Elvish Central here!!)
I left my comfy boots on and swirled experimentally in the gown and was delighted at it's swish. I pulled back my hair and was about to braid it, and then decided, no, if I am going to dress Elvish, I might as well BE Elvish (most she elves wore their hair loose with some of it pulled back. I usually braided it all because I was used to keeping it out of my face that way.) Didn't have any circlets or clips. So brushing it a long while, I got it to where it was silky and shiny, just like a TV commercial. I smiled at myself, staring at the handmade brush in my hand. TV?? Did not miss it one bit. Even through this last bout of sickness when I really had the attention span of a gnat. Maybe I WAS getting Elvish, at least in outlook!!
Yawning, I stood up and stretched, and glanced at the sunlight. I went out into the corridor and followed it along to where I found a bench. I knelt on it and looked at the early evening sky. It was getting chilly and it was beginning to cloud up. I wondered if the twins would go out in snowy weather? Well, even if they didn't, hopefully it meant they would stay around for awhile. And maybe I could get to know them a little. (I hear that!! Stop all that giggling!! I know those lads are not for the likes of me, but they are so much easier to fixate on than their father, who's well, an elf lord and all! They were, trust me, a very welcome sight!) Besides, it would be fun to flirt with someone a little closer to my age. (Enough!! I know they are 2300 some odd years old...but heck, that's way closer to my age than...6500 years!! Or is that all relative?? ) (And really, you remember Fingalan? 850 is pretty close to me too...but still for an elf, he was too young. You remember how he acted. A good kisser. Woo. But too young).
I sat out in the crisp air, wrapping my arms around my pulled up knees. And lay my head atop them. Watching the evening sky go soft and grey I smiled and sighed happily. And even though it was cool, okay cold, I was feeling pretty comfortable. It had been a good day. One of the better days I'd had in Rivendell, since, well, before my toes had been...clipped.
Nothing had happened!! And I met Elladan and Elrohir!! What could be better than that??
I'll bet even Lord Elrond was pleased. I had done nothing to disturb him today. He could get his work done and enjoy the company of his boys and I was not getting into trouble. See? I WAS sticking to my resolutions!!
And I was proud of myself!
Now, if I could just talk to the boys (why was I calling them that??? They were elf lords in their own right, and...oh well, let me be honest, the little I had seen of them, they reminded me of a couple of, well human brothers. Hardly elf lord like).
Anyway, noticing elves walking along in groups towards the dining hall, I got up and wiggling my toes to get feeling back into them, I set off for dinner.
All right all you fans of Elrond and Marie: I need a little vox popular here. Do you think at any point in this tale (not soon...I have already written about 70 pages and we're at about 32 here) Elrond and Marie should get...well...affectionate? Okay....more affectionate? This is already an extremely self-indulgent VERY AU tale (I certainly know elves have no sex drive after the first thousand years or so and Elrond is very very married to Celebrian...) I have had a couple of e-mails regarding this ah, step forward in my story....
Let me know at arabella_thorne@juno.com
