Anne was so angry with Kimberly and Alicia that she wasn't even watching where she was going; she was just stalking toward the door angrily. Someone from the main table had watched the rather humorous encounter and was now headed to sooth Lady Anne…so there wouldn't be too many hardships on the journey. Legolas hopped down from his seat, and in seconds gracefully stood directly in front of Anne. "Hello." Legolas said, smiling down at her. He was a good six inches taller then she was.
Even though Anne was seeing red, she had to admit, she was waiting for a chance like this. She smiled up at the elf; her smile was like honey. "Hello."
"It looks like you've had a bit of an accident there." Legolas said, motioning toward her dress.
Anne's eyes clouded over, and she practically growled to herself. "It was no accident." She started to push her way past Legolas. "If you'll excuse me."
Legolas moved to stand in her way. "Perhaps I could escort you toward your room?" He asked, smiling down at her. Elrond hadn't mentioned anything about the young woman's 'attitude' problem. Legolas found her very attractive, and was going to try and make the most of the situation. Already he was starting to feel the girl's coldness toward him. He wondered if that was how she reacted to everyone. Before Anne could answer, a friendly brawl was being taken place between a couple of elves. They started pushing and shoving each other back and forth. The final result ended with a momentary lapse in gracefulness for one particular elf. He stumbled backward, and bumped into Anne, and all of his food smashed into the middle of her dress. Before Legolas or the other elf could say anything, she let out another scream and ran from the room, the whole hall pausing to watch.
*_*
"Did you see the look on her face?!" Alicia gloated to Kim. "That was priceless!"
"I know!" Kim laughed loudly. Then her laughter slowly dwindled down, and she got a serious expression on her face. "I'm going to miss times like these. Plotting against Anne together…pulling off a prank seamlessly." She looked at the elf sadly. "Who knows when or if I'll be back…"
"Don't talk like that." Alicia said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You'll be back. And things will be exactly like they were before!"
"Excuse me…Lady Kimberly?" A voice interrupted them. "If I may, can I please have a word with you?" Both girls glanced behind them, to see the handsome man, known as Aragorn standing there. His expression didn't give away what he was thinking, but his eyes looked a bit angry. Kim noticed this right away, and suddenly realized that she didn't know this man at all. She glanced at Alicia, silently begging her with her eyes not to leave. Alicia hesitated, looking up at the man, then down to the sword that hung at his hip. "I assure you, no harm will come to your friend. I just wish to discuss the coming journey." Alicia shrugged, and looked to Kim. Kim was starting to look a little bit tense. Aragorn glanced behind him, then back to Alicia…knowing the correct tactic to use. "I believe the elf Legolas wanted to speak with you." He said, hoping that Legolas would at least play along when Alicia went to him. Just looking at her, Aragorn could tell she was smitten with the elf. He had noticed it in her eyes the very first time he had seen her in the hall. When he had introduced himself, Legolas and Gimli toward her. That was when Elrond had asked where Kim was. "He is yet in the dining hall, I think. I told him I'd tell you right away."
Alicia's eyes lit up excitedly, and she nodded at Aragorn. She looked to Kim. "I'll meet up with you later, alright?" Kim could barely nod nervously before Alicia sprinted toward the dining hall excitedly.
Kim swallowed nervously, and moved to follow her, but Aragorn moved to stand in her path. "That was a very immature incident that happened at the table a few minutes ago, Lady Kimberly." He said, his voice just a little more then a whisper, as he looked down at her. Looking into his eyes, Kim could tell that he wasn't very happy with her. She quickly broke eye contact and looked toward the ground. She always liked to think that she was good at avoiding what she didn't want to do, see or hear. Mainly because Elrond had let her get away with more then her fair share of things when she had gotten in trouble. Now was no exception…except Aragorn would have none of that.
"She deserved it." Kim said, and moved to walk around him.
Aragorn grabbed her arm and halted her in her steps. "We have not yet started this journey, and already trouble ensues." He looked down at her arm, as if just realizing that he was holding it, and then released her. "I have made a promise to Lord Elrond that I would protect you with my life on the journey." He watched her expression. She was trying hard to guard what she was feeling, but Aragorn was good at reading people. He could tell that she was nervous around him. He wanted to be her friend, and get along with her, but if she didn't fear him enough to at least listen to him, especially when it counted the most, she would be in danger when they left the confines of Rivendell. "And if I am to protect you, you are to stay by me, and obey my orders in every aspect of this journey. Are we understood?" Kim nodded slightly, looking down at the ground, not wanting to meet his eyes. He tucked his fingers underneath her chin, and raised her face to meet his eyes. She averted her eyes so that she was staring at his ear instead. "I do not know how long this journey will take us, or how many hardships we will have to face. But whatever happens along the way, I want your solemn promise that you will refer to me in all things." He paused for emphasis, and let his hand drop. "Are we clear?"
"Yes milord." Kim squeaked out.
"Good." Aragorn said with a smile. His serious face seemed to melt away from his features with a snap of a finger. His eyes brightened, and he put his hand on her shoulder. Noticing the change in him, Kim finally met his eyes. "I believe that Lord Elrond wanted to speak with us about the upcoming journey. Could I escort you there?" Kim nodded, and the two of them made their way to Elrond's study. Kim glanced over at Aragorn once without him realizing it. She wondered if his mood swings were always like that. Silently she made a note to herself to never intentionally make Aragorn mad…if she could help it.
*_*
Alicia sprinted across the small yard toward the dining hall. Legolas wanted to see her? Did he, by chance, feel the same bond just by looking at her that she had by looking at him when they first had met? She did recall the smile he had given her, and when he had kissed her hand in meeting. When she was near the outside door, she came to a halt, and immediately started fixing her hair and dress. When she felt that she was presentable enough, she slowly opened the door and went in. She immediately found Legolas sitting at the head table, in the same spot that he had when she left. Only the dwarf was left sitting by him now. She took a deep breath and made her way up to Legolas. Stopping in front of him, she smiled at him. "Milord?"
Legolas, who had been in a deep conversation with Gimli about their upcoming journey, turned to the side and saw a very pretty elf maiden standing there, waiting for his attention. Legolas didn't recognize her from earlier, because his mind was propelling in different directions. He smiled at her, turning away from Gimli in mid-sentence. "Milady?"
Alicia froze; he was even more beautiful up close! What should she say now?! "I…I heard you wanted to see me?"
Just a few minutes earlier, Legolas had asked one of the waiter-elves for more ale for him and Gimli. Mistaking the beautiful maiden in front of him for the waiter, he smiled warmly at her. "Yes, would you bring us two ales please?"
Alicia stared at him in confusion, yet he didn't retract his statement. He smiled at her politely, waiting for her to say something. Finally…crestfallen, Alicia muttered. "Yes, milord. Right away."
Legolas stared at her retreating figure, a little confused. What had he seen in her eyes…disappointment? Had he done something wrong? Elrond had said to call on the waiters if he needed anything, so he had done just that. Shrugging it off, he turned back to Gimli, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't dismiss the maiden from his mind.
Alicia, meanwhile, had caught a waiter and told him to bring two ales to the elf and dwarf at the head table. She didn't want to head back there she was too embarrassed. With her head hanging low, she left the dining hall.
*_*
A few minutes later, Elrond, Arwen, Anne (in a new dress), Aragorn, Elladan, Elrohir & Kimberly were all in Elrond's study, waiting for Legolas and Gimli. "Perhaps they have taken too many cups." Elladan joked. "And now they are passed out at the table?" Elrond sat at his desk, while Kimberly, Arwen and Aragorn sat on a couch. Anne sat in a high chair near the wall glaring daggers at Kim, Kim not meeting her gaze. Elladan and Elrohir were both standing near Elrond; Elladan to his left, and Elrohir to his right.
They waited for a few more minutes in silence, with just the occasional 'polite' chatting between everyone now and then. "Elladan, would you summon Legolas and Gimli?" Elrond finally asked. "The hour grows late, and we have much to discuss yet this night." Elladan nodded and moved toward the door. Right as he put his hand on the knob, it swung open and Legolas and Gimli stood there.
"Sorry we are late, Lord Elrond." Legolas bowed deeply to the ancient elf. "Gimli and I were having a friendly wager on who was the strongest at arm wrestling. And things just happened to get a bit carried away." Elrond nodded toward the elf, and Gimli and the two found their spots amongst the crowded room, next to Aragorn leaning against the wall.
"Next time you will experience no barriers held by this dwarf!" Gimli hissed in Legolas' ear. "No more going easy on you, because you're an elf."
"Is that why I beat you seven times in a row?" Legolas asked with a smirk towards Gimli. Aragorn reached over and lightly hit the elf on the arm to get him to be quiet as Elrond started to speak.
"Now that we are all gathered here." Elrond began. "I want to make sure that everyone knows the danger involved in completing such a task. We do not yet know what it is you will be doing to stop this new evil arising in Middle-Earth, but we do know it will take all four of you to complete the task." Anne was still glaring at Kim, started to point to herself and mouthed the words 'me…not you, me.' Elrond raised an eyebrow at her, and she quickly stopped. "The journey will be started in two weeks. Gimli, Legolas, Aragorn, Kimberly and Anne will all be going. We do not yet know who the orphaned child is, that is written in the prophecy. Kimberly and Anne will both be going until one of them sports the mark. The other will stay with whatever kingdom is closest at hand, with my leave, until the task is completed." He looked around the small group, and in turn looked everyone going on the journey in the eye. "Is this understood?" He received nods, and voiced agreements. "Good. Now, as you all know…there are not many remaining orcs roaming the lands of Middle-Earth anymore…but they are still out there. Lady Anne and Lady Kimberly will need the remaining time they have here to learn how to fight." Anne rolled her eyes, and Kim kept her eyes lowered, letting everything soak in. "Since we only have two weeks until the group departs, we must take the weapons that are more easily learned. The sword and the axe are picked up much easier then the bow and arrow. Aragorn, with your leave, will teach Kimberly to use her sword. And Gimli, with your leave, will teach Anne the proper use of an axe."
"Lord Elrond." Legolas said before the elder elf could continue. "While they train with their weapons, what shall I do?"
"I had planned on you helping me to decipher the prophecy." Elrond nodded to Legolas. "Archery is a great weapon…but not one that can be properly learned in the time we have." He looked around at the group once more. "Are there any questions?"
"Father?" Arwen asked. "How long will they be gone?" She glanced over at Aragorn, and he took her hand in his lovingly.
"That I cannot say." Elrond said. "It could be from a week to a month…maybe longer." He solemnly looked around the group once more. "Now, I insist that you all go to your rooms, and rest. Tomorrow will be a long day. If any of you have any more questions, come talk to me right away." Saying that the group departed and went off to their rooms for a good night's sleep.
A/N: Well…I hope that this story is still going all right. I promise in the next chapter, it will start to move along more. It kind of seems like we're in a rut right now. Thank you to all of my reviewers! You guys totally rock, and are giving me inspiration for the story! I was thinking maybe a dream would answer most of their questions in the next chapter. Anyway…please review if you like what you see! =)