LOVE'S CHANCE AT FATE



PLEASE REVIEW SO I CAN POST THE NEXT CHAPTER!! I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT ^_^



**AHEM** Please don't sue me for changes in plot lines, the use of Tolkien's world, or Elvish translations. Word translations made possible by:

So please don't sue me. I CITED!



Chapter 15: Onward Ho



The coming days were filled with turmoil for Vilisse. She had avoided anyone and everyone who knew her at all costs, even Butterbur, who had been kind enough to give her the next few nights off work. Bree was more home to her than anywhere else she had stayed. People, she realized painfully, that she had depended on and grew attached to now had to be left behind. They couldn't know, they couldn't see her now. She hoped that she wouldn't run into any of them on her way out. But where she would go, she hadn't the slightest idea.

Lucky enough for her that morning, Butterbur was out on some business run, and the day employees merely smiled at her in recognition when she walked in to pack her belongings she had left in the loft upstairs. There wasn't much, but still most had to be left behind. She rubbed the blue stone that hung around her neck when she was finished emptying her home of a year and a half. She would miss the place, and the friends she had made. Sighing heavily, she began to put her life at the Inn behind her as she walked through the front door, leaving the employees with curious expressions.

Vilisse set out intending to stop at the General Market on her way out. She made her way out of the busy streets and into the small store. She would browse the market afterwards, and find what she would need for her journey. She entered the small shop, and it's owner sat perched behind the service desk, reading a book. His grey hair flopped messily atop his head, he looked at her through his nose-rimmed glasses with a curious glance.

"Something I can help you with?" He asked.

"No, I'll just take a look around, if you don't mind." She went back to gazing at the shelves and their contents while the clerk eyed her.

"Say, where you off to?" She turned sharply.

"That's my business."

"All right, all right. I was just curious. I've got plenty of travel tack, if that's what you're looking for."

"Actually, do you have any water jugs?"

"Yeah, what size you looking for?" The old man moved from behind his desk and he lead her to a box.

"Have any two-quarts?" She asked, looking at the dented canteens. He bent over, pawing through the mess until he found one.

"Here ya are. This what you're looking for?"

"Yeah... are these used?" She asked looking over the dents and scratches.

"Yeah, explains the price," she followed his gaze towards the sign, which was relatively cheap.

"This will be good, thanks." She exchanged her money for his canteen and headed out the door when something he said stopped her.

"Why do you hide?" She turned around, and faced him.

"What?"

"You heard me. Why do you hide?" She wasn't taking his hints. "You think I don't know? I know an elf when I see one, I'm no idiot. My brother knew when you came to him that you weren't just a normal girl."

"Mr. Butterbur is your brother?" She asked surprised.

"Yes, my little brother. I'm Stan Butterbur."

"Oh, I had no idea. I am pleased to make your acquaintance," she held out her hand, and he shook it warmly.

"You know, it's a hard thing, to find dedication and fidelity in someone these days..."

"Yes, I know-"

"I don't think you do. See, you have been running from something, it's evident now especially, the way you're all geared up. I met that old friend of yours the other day, Legolas, he called himself. He said he was your old friend anyway. Even the little things in this town don't go unnoticed. My brother told me some things that made me have absolute pity for you."

"Excuse me? Shouldn't you-"

"Yes, excuse you. That friend of yours sat by you all night long, and through the next day spent time by your side. I can guess what happened when he left. The one thing about you elves is you tend to wear your emotions on your sleeves. Now, I know none of this is my business, but-"

"That's right, none of this is your business, and I'd appreciate it if you'd stay out of this. Goodbye Stan Butterbur-" as she turned to leave, he caught her arm.

"I had to learn this the hard way, please don't you do the same. Friendships walk in and out, but love never leaves." He released her arm from his firm hold, and he couldn't help but noticed how weary she looked.

"I know." Vilisse walked out of his door, leaving the old man to his thoughts.




Translations:

Vilisse: (meaning in Quenya) a person's "spirit", meaning his or her general personality and attitude.



Huore: Heart-vigor, aggressive in the ways of the heart (traditional spelled with two dots above the e, however my computer doesn't know the codes).



Istima: Knowledge, learned.



Elwen: Hearted- to have heart.



Arandur: A King's servant, Steward.



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