** Sorry for the delay, I had a bit of writer's block and had a rather busy
schedule**
Mornings, Meetings, and Men
As morning's first light peeped into the valley of Rivendell, Elrond was already up and about. He strode here and there around the house, opening windows, arranging flowers, watering gardens, checking on his medicinal herbs, and making sure that the council area was ready. He even danced lightly into the kitchen to sir up the fire and began heating the tea. As he turned to move onto the patio and sit and watch the river rolling by he was startled by Legolas' appearance in the door. They went outside together and Elrond informed Legolas of the messenger in the night and the arrival of Gloin. Then they waited for the rest of the house to awaken and watched the beautiful morning begin.
When Frodo sat up and glanced out his window he was confused for a brief second. The shire's sun was never this bright, and he couldn't see a river and the mountains from Bag-End. Neither was his hobbit hole as high off the ground as he sat then. When he stretched and felt the stinging in his shoulder, however, his memory returned and he wasn't sure whether to be thankful to be in the house of the elves or to be lonely for his home in the Shire.
Sam had much the same experience as he awoke, but the confusion didn't last long. Before he had been awake longer than a minute he was out of bed, dressed and hurrying down the stairs to beat Merry and Pippin to breakfast. If those two got there first there would be nothing left for poor Sam.
After hardly any time at all the whole house was up and about. There were doors opening and closing in the many hallways, footsteps proceeding down the stairs, tea-kettles whistling in the kitchen, silverware rattling at the long table, and chatter echoing everywhere. Gloin had much to say, as did Elrond, about what had happened in the night, and it was decided that the council would meet before noon (just after elevensies by hobbit reasoning). What happened between waking up and the council was not very important, meaning it was only first breakfast, second breakfast, brunch, elevensies, and much conversation. As the sun reached towards the highest point in the summer sky the council gathered in the meeting place. A circle resembling a patio, in the midst of a circle of trees was said meeting place. Stone chairs outlined the circle, each facing in towards each other and this allowed for council members to give each the same amount of respect as the others. The council promptly arrived, and took theirs seats. All were accounted for, Elrond, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Lotesse, Gimli, Groin, Gloin, Legolas, Haldik, Silnaviet, Mithelenion, Bilbo, and Frodo.
The meeting began promptly and after much discussion and argument it was decided that a fellowship would take the ring to Mordor to destroy it. They also decided that Frodo should continue to be the ring bearer. Naturally the fellowship contained nine members. Frodo, Sam, Pippin, Merry, Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, and Gandalf were to leave after one more night in Rivendell. The rest would stay behind, or journey forward on their own, but for different purposes. Arwen immediately met up with Silnaviet and Mithelenion to begin packing food, clothes, and other necessary supplies so the fellowship may leave at sunrise the following day. Frodo and Bilbo disappeared into Bilbo's room where Frodo received the beautiful Mithril chain mail and the elven sword, Sting. The rest of the house was busy with the preparations for the full day.
In the evening there was a beautiful feast once again, followed by the same festivities of the last. Everyone did all they could to ward off the coming dread. While stories were shared the three couples escaped outside to watch the setting sun over the mountains, and enjoy the murmur of the river in the peaceful valley. Arwen and Aragorn as well as Silnaviet and Legolas would part the next morning. Even though they would stay with each other, Haldik and Mithelenion enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, and they felt incredibly restless. Both were sorry that their friends must separate, not only from them but also, from each other.
Mithelenion gazed up at the stars, as she turned to Haldik. "Do you think there is bliss like this anywhere else in Middle-Earth? Are we the only lucky one's left?"
"Dearest, there will always be bliss when you are near, but I am afraid that true happiness is hard to come by in these days. Even here, in the depth of Utopia total peace is not existent. I'm sure you feel it as strongly as I do." Haldik answered as soothingly as he could. He feared that his worry for his brother and his friend would bother the maidens but he did not want his Mithelenion to believe that everything was all right. As much as he wanted to tell her that everything was fine and comfort her, he knew that this was not so, and was sure that she knew too. They had both heard the silenced sobs from Silnaviet and Legolas, as well as the gentle tears of Arwen on Aragorn's shoulder.
As the blood red sun melted from the pale pink sky into the purple mountains the night flowers blossomed. When they opened slowly across the countryside it was an amazing sight to behold, and all forgot their sorrow in the breathtaking view. Silnaviet always loved the flowers, almost as much as her sister loved the stars. Legolas knew this and so he had brought her a glass replica from Lothlorien. He gave her this token for remembering him while he was gone, just as the first flower bloomed. Fireflies lit the hearts of the real flowers while gold glistened inside of the glass. The lights danced across the fields, down to the river, and up the mountains, and everyone sighed deeply, without thinking.
Neither Arwen nor Silnaviet noticed when the door closed signaling the retreat of Haldik and Mithelenion into the house. They had gone to join the rest in the great room for stories and songs. Silnaviet and Legolas had moved to the other landing, on the opposite side of a patch of trees from Arwen and Aragorn. Legolas picked Silnaviet up and placed her on the banister. Even though she had an elf's balance, and could have stood perfectly on her own, he held her hand as she walked, gracefully along the edge. While they strolled back and forth they talked. They spoke of how interesting all the guests were, how lovely the night was, and of times they had spent together in the past, but tried never let their words stray to the parting the next morning. That is not to say that they didn't think of it, which would explain the elven maiden suddenly dropping from the railing to sit with Legolas and cry, not bitter tears, but tears of sorrow. When she did this he once again lifted her, but this time placed her on his lap, and kissed her so tenderly that she forgot all else for the love of him.
"Silnaviet, don't cry. Your face is too beautiful to cover with streaks of tears and red eyes. I will return and will love you as much then as I do now, if not more. I love you forever, and if you will wait and watch for me then I could not be happier. This is something that I must do, though I do dislike leaving Rivendell and you. Please, do not let yourself be upset, and enjoy tonight. There will be plenty of time for tears later." As he said this Legolas wiped a tear off her face and tucked her hair behind her ear. He did love her, and it hurt him much more than he showed to leave her.
"I love you Legolas, and wish you did not have to leave, though I will try to be understanding. I know Elrond picked you for the fellowship so he must have thought it important and I do not mistrust his judgment, I just do not wish to part. I will wait for you, and will not cry anymore tonight at least. I will try to be strong and put on a good face while you are gone, and will not sulk and make everyone else miserable. Just please be careful, and do comeback to me." Silnaviet dried her tears, and tried to smile, although she did not feel like it. She wanted to curl up away from the world and await his return, like an animal awaits the spring during the long winter.
Meanwhile, Arwen and Aragorn embraced tightly, although the night was warm and the breeze was fair. They knew that they too must part when the dawn broke, and wished to make the moment last as long as possible. He gazed into her beautiful eyes, and thought a thousand things, but had no way of expressing them. She didn't need him to speak a word though, she could feel in his tender touch, the way he looked at her, and the way he sighed that he loved her, and never wanted to leave her. "Arwen, I will come back to you. Please, will you promise to wait for me? It would break my heart more than leaving if you lost hope. As long as you care for me I will always be with you." He said this in the most caring tone she could imagine. As tears came into her eyes she opened her mouth to speak and found that all she could manage was a hoarse whisper. She nodded and the tears broke, she fell, sobbing, onto his shoulder, and that was more than enough for Aragorn to know that she would wait for him, and never lose hope.
Both couples stayed in the night for a while longer. They breathed great, deep breaths of the summer air and watched the flowers dance on the hillside. They watched the moon and stars creep across the sky and then finally went inside for the other festivities, however after a few minutes they all thought it useful to go to bed and get a good night's sleep for the labor the coming day.
As morning's first light peeped into the valley of Rivendell, Elrond was already up and about. He strode here and there around the house, opening windows, arranging flowers, watering gardens, checking on his medicinal herbs, and making sure that the council area was ready. He even danced lightly into the kitchen to sir up the fire and began heating the tea. As he turned to move onto the patio and sit and watch the river rolling by he was startled by Legolas' appearance in the door. They went outside together and Elrond informed Legolas of the messenger in the night and the arrival of Gloin. Then they waited for the rest of the house to awaken and watched the beautiful morning begin.
When Frodo sat up and glanced out his window he was confused for a brief second. The shire's sun was never this bright, and he couldn't see a river and the mountains from Bag-End. Neither was his hobbit hole as high off the ground as he sat then. When he stretched and felt the stinging in his shoulder, however, his memory returned and he wasn't sure whether to be thankful to be in the house of the elves or to be lonely for his home in the Shire.
Sam had much the same experience as he awoke, but the confusion didn't last long. Before he had been awake longer than a minute he was out of bed, dressed and hurrying down the stairs to beat Merry and Pippin to breakfast. If those two got there first there would be nothing left for poor Sam.
After hardly any time at all the whole house was up and about. There were doors opening and closing in the many hallways, footsteps proceeding down the stairs, tea-kettles whistling in the kitchen, silverware rattling at the long table, and chatter echoing everywhere. Gloin had much to say, as did Elrond, about what had happened in the night, and it was decided that the council would meet before noon (just after elevensies by hobbit reasoning). What happened between waking up and the council was not very important, meaning it was only first breakfast, second breakfast, brunch, elevensies, and much conversation. As the sun reached towards the highest point in the summer sky the council gathered in the meeting place. A circle resembling a patio, in the midst of a circle of trees was said meeting place. Stone chairs outlined the circle, each facing in towards each other and this allowed for council members to give each the same amount of respect as the others. The council promptly arrived, and took theirs seats. All were accounted for, Elrond, Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Lotesse, Gimli, Groin, Gloin, Legolas, Haldik, Silnaviet, Mithelenion, Bilbo, and Frodo.
The meeting began promptly and after much discussion and argument it was decided that a fellowship would take the ring to Mordor to destroy it. They also decided that Frodo should continue to be the ring bearer. Naturally the fellowship contained nine members. Frodo, Sam, Pippin, Merry, Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, and Gandalf were to leave after one more night in Rivendell. The rest would stay behind, or journey forward on their own, but for different purposes. Arwen immediately met up with Silnaviet and Mithelenion to begin packing food, clothes, and other necessary supplies so the fellowship may leave at sunrise the following day. Frodo and Bilbo disappeared into Bilbo's room where Frodo received the beautiful Mithril chain mail and the elven sword, Sting. The rest of the house was busy with the preparations for the full day.
In the evening there was a beautiful feast once again, followed by the same festivities of the last. Everyone did all they could to ward off the coming dread. While stories were shared the three couples escaped outside to watch the setting sun over the mountains, and enjoy the murmur of the river in the peaceful valley. Arwen and Aragorn as well as Silnaviet and Legolas would part the next morning. Even though they would stay with each other, Haldik and Mithelenion enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, and they felt incredibly restless. Both were sorry that their friends must separate, not only from them but also, from each other.
Mithelenion gazed up at the stars, as she turned to Haldik. "Do you think there is bliss like this anywhere else in Middle-Earth? Are we the only lucky one's left?"
"Dearest, there will always be bliss when you are near, but I am afraid that true happiness is hard to come by in these days. Even here, in the depth of Utopia total peace is not existent. I'm sure you feel it as strongly as I do." Haldik answered as soothingly as he could. He feared that his worry for his brother and his friend would bother the maidens but he did not want his Mithelenion to believe that everything was all right. As much as he wanted to tell her that everything was fine and comfort her, he knew that this was not so, and was sure that she knew too. They had both heard the silenced sobs from Silnaviet and Legolas, as well as the gentle tears of Arwen on Aragorn's shoulder.
As the blood red sun melted from the pale pink sky into the purple mountains the night flowers blossomed. When they opened slowly across the countryside it was an amazing sight to behold, and all forgot their sorrow in the breathtaking view. Silnaviet always loved the flowers, almost as much as her sister loved the stars. Legolas knew this and so he had brought her a glass replica from Lothlorien. He gave her this token for remembering him while he was gone, just as the first flower bloomed. Fireflies lit the hearts of the real flowers while gold glistened inside of the glass. The lights danced across the fields, down to the river, and up the mountains, and everyone sighed deeply, without thinking.
Neither Arwen nor Silnaviet noticed when the door closed signaling the retreat of Haldik and Mithelenion into the house. They had gone to join the rest in the great room for stories and songs. Silnaviet and Legolas had moved to the other landing, on the opposite side of a patch of trees from Arwen and Aragorn. Legolas picked Silnaviet up and placed her on the banister. Even though she had an elf's balance, and could have stood perfectly on her own, he held her hand as she walked, gracefully along the edge. While they strolled back and forth they talked. They spoke of how interesting all the guests were, how lovely the night was, and of times they had spent together in the past, but tried never let their words stray to the parting the next morning. That is not to say that they didn't think of it, which would explain the elven maiden suddenly dropping from the railing to sit with Legolas and cry, not bitter tears, but tears of sorrow. When she did this he once again lifted her, but this time placed her on his lap, and kissed her so tenderly that she forgot all else for the love of him.
"Silnaviet, don't cry. Your face is too beautiful to cover with streaks of tears and red eyes. I will return and will love you as much then as I do now, if not more. I love you forever, and if you will wait and watch for me then I could not be happier. This is something that I must do, though I do dislike leaving Rivendell and you. Please, do not let yourself be upset, and enjoy tonight. There will be plenty of time for tears later." As he said this Legolas wiped a tear off her face and tucked her hair behind her ear. He did love her, and it hurt him much more than he showed to leave her.
"I love you Legolas, and wish you did not have to leave, though I will try to be understanding. I know Elrond picked you for the fellowship so he must have thought it important and I do not mistrust his judgment, I just do not wish to part. I will wait for you, and will not cry anymore tonight at least. I will try to be strong and put on a good face while you are gone, and will not sulk and make everyone else miserable. Just please be careful, and do comeback to me." Silnaviet dried her tears, and tried to smile, although she did not feel like it. She wanted to curl up away from the world and await his return, like an animal awaits the spring during the long winter.
Meanwhile, Arwen and Aragorn embraced tightly, although the night was warm and the breeze was fair. They knew that they too must part when the dawn broke, and wished to make the moment last as long as possible. He gazed into her beautiful eyes, and thought a thousand things, but had no way of expressing them. She didn't need him to speak a word though, she could feel in his tender touch, the way he looked at her, and the way he sighed that he loved her, and never wanted to leave her. "Arwen, I will come back to you. Please, will you promise to wait for me? It would break my heart more than leaving if you lost hope. As long as you care for me I will always be with you." He said this in the most caring tone she could imagine. As tears came into her eyes she opened her mouth to speak and found that all she could manage was a hoarse whisper. She nodded and the tears broke, she fell, sobbing, onto his shoulder, and that was more than enough for Aragorn to know that she would wait for him, and never lose hope.
Both couples stayed in the night for a while longer. They breathed great, deep breaths of the summer air and watched the flowers dance on the hillside. They watched the moon and stars creep across the sky and then finally went inside for the other festivities, however after a few minutes they all thought it useful to go to bed and get a good night's sleep for the labor the coming day.
