Chapter 12- "In Which Niari Hangs Out With Some Elflings"
"Rise and shine Sleeping Beauty. Come on its time to get up. Get up, get up, get up, Shy Dye." I sang at her. She tried to push me off but I wasn't giving up that easily. I kept pulling she kept sleeping.
"Fine then you grump." I thought. "But remember, you asked for it." Grinning wickedly I went back to my room and got my lifeguard whistle from the dresser. My dad had given it to me when Shy and I passed the lifeguard test two years ago. I always carried it with me, which was pretty smart as it was perfect for occasions such as this.
I snuck back into Shy's room as quietly as possible. I was going to blow her lazy butt right out of that bed. Bringing the whistle up to my mouth I took a deep breath, ready to blow.
"WHIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed and promptly fell backwards off her bed. I clutched at my heart which was threatening to pound out of my chest.
"Shiana you freak!" I yelled at her. She was laughing so hard her face was actually turning purple.
"Freak? Niari you forget. I know you too well to fall for stuff like that. You're just the type to pull a trick like that on me but guess who gets the last laugh." For effect she leaned over and went "HA, HA, HA!" right in my face.
I just sat there on the floor feeling sorry for myself. "Geez, did you have to blow it so loud?" I asked rubbing my ears.
She just shrugged, a triumphant smile plastered on her face. "What time is it anyway?"
If you must know its about five o'clock." I grinned as if it were the most natural thing in the world for her to wake up at five every morning.
"Oh hell. I'm going back to sleep." She pulled the covers back over her head and turned away from me.
"Oh no you don't." I pulled them back off. She turned to glare at me.
"Niari, have you lost your mind. Since when do I get up at five o'clock? You crazy girl, no stop, get away from me." She protested as I began to pull her out of the bed.
"Come on, Shy, you've got to get up. Legolas wanted to show us something today. Or more precisely he 'requested our presence this morning' so your sleep time is officially over." Shy just kept fighting me.
"No, your sleep time is over. Why should I have to get up?" That's when another idea hit me. (one that wouldn't blow up in my face)
"Rínon will be there." She suddenly stopped fighting.
"Really? Rínon too? (pause while she assimilates this new piece of information) Well stupid, why didn't you say so before!?" She jumped up. "Go run some hot water or something. Unzip my bag. Pull out that hair stuff for me? Hurry up slowpoke. You know my rule. Never keep a good one waiting." She began scurrying about the room trying to get ready, a big grin on her face. That's why I love my best friend. She's so predictable it's scary. An army can't get her out of bed before ten o'clock but you mention a guy that she likes and she'll be up at the crack of dawn singing up the sun.
"Slow down Shy." I laughed after her. "They're not going anywhere."
She was too busy digging frantically through her suitcase to hear me. The night before the Elves had brought our suitcases to us. Some scouts had found them lying in the forest. Apparently they had landed in Middle Earth when we did. Probably because at the time of our uh, transportation- we'd been using them as foot rests. We were both really glad though. Shiana because she had access to her hair gel and other accessories. Me, because I preferred my own clothes to those overdone gowns lining my closet. And I'm sorry but modern shoes beat those delicate looking slippers any day. Still, I tried to keep up a lady like appearance. Didn't want to scare these Elves out of their illusion that all women wore dresses and skirts. So I had chosen to wear a long jean skirt; two slits up the sides, plain white Nikes, and a cute white baby T-shirt, with a jean jacket to match the skirt. The night before Shy and I had braided each other's hair. We both now sported tiny box braids all over held by rubber bands on the end. Hers would last much longer, but she was used to touching mine up for me. Shy had rolled hers up and now pulled them into a high ponytail so that the curly braids cascaded down her back and ended a few inches past her shoulders. I left mine straight and wore them out because they looked cute falling around the collar of my jacket. Shy put on her black Tim's, a tight long sleeve black shirt that showed her midriff ( I tried to advise against that but.), kaki hip huggers, and a half cut sleeveless matching hooded vest.
An hour and a half later found us walked through the halls of the caves toward the entrance.
"Why does it always take you so long to get ready?" I asked Shiana exasperated.
"Hey, you need to be glad I didn't take longer. I always tell you, it takes time to create a masterpiece. See how cute we look?" She twirled around a bit.
"They've probably been waiting for us." I pointed out ignoring her melodrama.
"Well good for them, patience is a virtue."
"A virtue that we have all but mastered Lady Shy. Elves are extremely patient creatures." Rínon's voice came from behind us.
We turned to see he and Legolas coming towards us. They were back in their outdoors garb, a sharp change from the clothes they had worn to that weird gathering the other day. Legolas came up to me and gave a light bow. He looked good enough to eat.
"I trust you rested well. How was your practice?" I asked him.
"Practice was better than expected." He definitely looked happy about something: it was if his eyes were twinkling. It reminded me of a starry- eyed anime character, just a very handsome one.
"I actually did more training than practicing. I look forward to our archery lessons together." He smiled at me.
Oh great, there was that smile again. I felt like he was breaking a law with those gorgeous cheekbones. I felt like I was breaking a law every time he smiled and my thoughts began to wander. Wait, was he flirting with me? No way! Get real Niari.
"Sorry, we kept you guys waiting." Shy addressed Rínon effectively breaking into my thoughts. (Good thing too it was getting pretty steamy in there)
"Do not worry Lady Shy, it was no inconvenience." He smiled down at her and she grinned back. I could see why. Rínon had a great smile too. It was just different from Legolas'. Rinon's was more a quick flash of pure delight, while his cousins was a slow unleashing of charm and joy mixed together.
"You're garments are quite unique." Legolas commented, looking us up and down. "I have never seen their like before."
"Do you like?" Now I was the one to twirl for effect.
"Yes, my lady. I like very much." I didn't even bother to tell him not to call me lady. He was just too cute.
Rínon just stared at Shy.
"Do you like as well my Lord?" she asked him formally, stepping back and showing him her best model stance. I watched as he carefully averted his eyes from her stomach and chest and came to rest on her face. (he seemed uncomfortable but not unhappy) He finally managed to choke out.
"Yes, it is very er, stylish Lady Shy." Shy smiled, satisfied.
Legolas offered me his arm. "Hey, Legolas. Where are we going?"
"You'll see." Was his reply and I frowned. Don't get me wrong I like surprises. I just don't like it when people won't tell me what I want to know when I want to know it. Call me spoiled but whatever. I heard Shy behind me trying to get Rínon to stop calling her Lady and I smiled again, remembering Legolas and my similar conversation yesterday.
Finally we came to a small door. Legolas opened it motioning for me to precede him inside. It was a classroom. A long room full of desks and chairs and the most darling little children I had ever seen. They all turned to look at the new comers.
"Prince Legolas!" All those little voices chimed as one. They immediately jumped out of their seats and surrounded him in a hug. He laughed and patted their heads. It was such a Kodak moment I had to smile. "He must be a wonderful person for the children to love him so." I thought to myself.
"'Quel amrun. Good morning Legolas. Ah, and Rínon as well." Said a male Elf coming over to us from the front of the room. He had long hair like Legolas but of a darker blonde and he wore a long green tunic. He had nice gray eyes and he held a knowing expression on his face as he looked around at us. The Elflings went immediately back to their seats but kept casting curious glances in our direction.
"The two of you I know, but I have not yet had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of your company." The Elf said.
Legolas introduced us. This new Elf's name was Tarar and he taught history to this group of Elflings. (They were so cute)
"Nae saian luume' Legolas Thranduilion (It has been too long)."
"It has. Would you allow us to sit in on part of your class Tarar? I would like Niari and Lady Shiana to see one lesson."
"I don't see how it would be a problem. Try not to distract the little ones though. They're already too excited to see you. You visit so infrequently." He winked at us.
Legolas just smiled and led us to the back of the classroom where we each found a chair. Shy and I sat between Legolas and Rínon. Tarar resumed his place at the front and started the class back up.
"For what reason did Lord Elrond choose nine companions to go on the quest to destroy the One Ring?" Quite a few hands immediately flew up. I leaned over and whispered to Legolas.
"Sharp class eh?" He nodded, and whispered back. They are all well learned. At home as well as school. I nodded. I could just imagine Legolas being that small and raising his hand to answer questions. He was probably a teachers pet. I turned back to the lesson. A little girl had been called on.
"Go ahead Tindome" Tarar prompted. She called out in a clear voice, "To counterbalance the Nine Ring wraiths."
"Very good, and who were the Ring wraiths originally?"
A little boy answered this time. "Nine kings of men."
"And who was the curucuar, skillful bowman (he amended remembering Shiana and myself), that became part of the Fellowship as representative of the Elves?" He asked this last question with a smile.
In unison the children all belted out "Prince Legolas son of King Thranduilion of the wooded realm Eryn Lasgalen!" All those little heads turned around to look at Legolas. He beamed back at them and I just stared at him in shock. I mean I had no idea exactly what it was he had done but it had to be important for these children to be learning about it in history class.
"Wait a minute, what did he do?" Shy asked impatiently.
The little girl Tindome answered her smiling all the while at Legolas. Well, well. Somebody's got a crush.
"Prince Legolas accompanied the Fellowship as the only Elda among Peredhil (Haflings), Edan (Humans), and a Naugrim (Dwarf). The quest was long and very dangerous. The Dark Lord Sauron and the evil wizard Sauromon sought to destroy all the free lands of Middle Earth but they did not succeed because of that quest. Now Middle Earth is once again safe. Prince Legolas and his bow are now a legend among Tel'Quessir. Hon naa belegohtar (he is a skillful warrior)."
"I only caught part of what she said because she lapsed a little into her language. Especially that last sentence, but whatever she said made the Prince next to me blush. "Would ya look at that." I thought to myself. "Charmed by a ten year old."
"Rise and shine Sleeping Beauty. Come on its time to get up. Get up, get up, get up, Shy Dye." I sang at her. She tried to push me off but I wasn't giving up that easily. I kept pulling she kept sleeping.
"Fine then you grump." I thought. "But remember, you asked for it." Grinning wickedly I went back to my room and got my lifeguard whistle from the dresser. My dad had given it to me when Shy and I passed the lifeguard test two years ago. I always carried it with me, which was pretty smart as it was perfect for occasions such as this.
I snuck back into Shy's room as quietly as possible. I was going to blow her lazy butt right out of that bed. Bringing the whistle up to my mouth I took a deep breath, ready to blow.
"WHIIIIIIIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed and promptly fell backwards off her bed. I clutched at my heart which was threatening to pound out of my chest.
"Shiana you freak!" I yelled at her. She was laughing so hard her face was actually turning purple.
"Freak? Niari you forget. I know you too well to fall for stuff like that. You're just the type to pull a trick like that on me but guess who gets the last laugh." For effect she leaned over and went "HA, HA, HA!" right in my face.
I just sat there on the floor feeling sorry for myself. "Geez, did you have to blow it so loud?" I asked rubbing my ears.
She just shrugged, a triumphant smile plastered on her face. "What time is it anyway?"
If you must know its about five o'clock." I grinned as if it were the most natural thing in the world for her to wake up at five every morning.
"Oh hell. I'm going back to sleep." She pulled the covers back over her head and turned away from me.
"Oh no you don't." I pulled them back off. She turned to glare at me.
"Niari, have you lost your mind. Since when do I get up at five o'clock? You crazy girl, no stop, get away from me." She protested as I began to pull her out of the bed.
"Come on, Shy, you've got to get up. Legolas wanted to show us something today. Or more precisely he 'requested our presence this morning' so your sleep time is officially over." Shy just kept fighting me.
"No, your sleep time is over. Why should I have to get up?" That's when another idea hit me. (one that wouldn't blow up in my face)
"Rínon will be there." She suddenly stopped fighting.
"Really? Rínon too? (pause while she assimilates this new piece of information) Well stupid, why didn't you say so before!?" She jumped up. "Go run some hot water or something. Unzip my bag. Pull out that hair stuff for me? Hurry up slowpoke. You know my rule. Never keep a good one waiting." She began scurrying about the room trying to get ready, a big grin on her face. That's why I love my best friend. She's so predictable it's scary. An army can't get her out of bed before ten o'clock but you mention a guy that she likes and she'll be up at the crack of dawn singing up the sun.
"Slow down Shy." I laughed after her. "They're not going anywhere."
She was too busy digging frantically through her suitcase to hear me. The night before the Elves had brought our suitcases to us. Some scouts had found them lying in the forest. Apparently they had landed in Middle Earth when we did. Probably because at the time of our uh, transportation- we'd been using them as foot rests. We were both really glad though. Shiana because she had access to her hair gel and other accessories. Me, because I preferred my own clothes to those overdone gowns lining my closet. And I'm sorry but modern shoes beat those delicate looking slippers any day. Still, I tried to keep up a lady like appearance. Didn't want to scare these Elves out of their illusion that all women wore dresses and skirts. So I had chosen to wear a long jean skirt; two slits up the sides, plain white Nikes, and a cute white baby T-shirt, with a jean jacket to match the skirt. The night before Shy and I had braided each other's hair. We both now sported tiny box braids all over held by rubber bands on the end. Hers would last much longer, but she was used to touching mine up for me. Shy had rolled hers up and now pulled them into a high ponytail so that the curly braids cascaded down her back and ended a few inches past her shoulders. I left mine straight and wore them out because they looked cute falling around the collar of my jacket. Shy put on her black Tim's, a tight long sleeve black shirt that showed her midriff ( I tried to advise against that but.), kaki hip huggers, and a half cut sleeveless matching hooded vest.
An hour and a half later found us walked through the halls of the caves toward the entrance.
"Why does it always take you so long to get ready?" I asked Shiana exasperated.
"Hey, you need to be glad I didn't take longer. I always tell you, it takes time to create a masterpiece. See how cute we look?" She twirled around a bit.
"They've probably been waiting for us." I pointed out ignoring her melodrama.
"Well good for them, patience is a virtue."
"A virtue that we have all but mastered Lady Shy. Elves are extremely patient creatures." Rínon's voice came from behind us.
We turned to see he and Legolas coming towards us. They were back in their outdoors garb, a sharp change from the clothes they had worn to that weird gathering the other day. Legolas came up to me and gave a light bow. He looked good enough to eat.
"I trust you rested well. How was your practice?" I asked him.
"Practice was better than expected." He definitely looked happy about something: it was if his eyes were twinkling. It reminded me of a starry- eyed anime character, just a very handsome one.
"I actually did more training than practicing. I look forward to our archery lessons together." He smiled at me.
Oh great, there was that smile again. I felt like he was breaking a law with those gorgeous cheekbones. I felt like I was breaking a law every time he smiled and my thoughts began to wander. Wait, was he flirting with me? No way! Get real Niari.
"Sorry, we kept you guys waiting." Shy addressed Rínon effectively breaking into my thoughts. (Good thing too it was getting pretty steamy in there)
"Do not worry Lady Shy, it was no inconvenience." He smiled down at her and she grinned back. I could see why. Rínon had a great smile too. It was just different from Legolas'. Rinon's was more a quick flash of pure delight, while his cousins was a slow unleashing of charm and joy mixed together.
"You're garments are quite unique." Legolas commented, looking us up and down. "I have never seen their like before."
"Do you like?" Now I was the one to twirl for effect.
"Yes, my lady. I like very much." I didn't even bother to tell him not to call me lady. He was just too cute.
Rínon just stared at Shy.
"Do you like as well my Lord?" she asked him formally, stepping back and showing him her best model stance. I watched as he carefully averted his eyes from her stomach and chest and came to rest on her face. (he seemed uncomfortable but not unhappy) He finally managed to choke out.
"Yes, it is very er, stylish Lady Shy." Shy smiled, satisfied.
Legolas offered me his arm. "Hey, Legolas. Where are we going?"
"You'll see." Was his reply and I frowned. Don't get me wrong I like surprises. I just don't like it when people won't tell me what I want to know when I want to know it. Call me spoiled but whatever. I heard Shy behind me trying to get Rínon to stop calling her Lady and I smiled again, remembering Legolas and my similar conversation yesterday.
Finally we came to a small door. Legolas opened it motioning for me to precede him inside. It was a classroom. A long room full of desks and chairs and the most darling little children I had ever seen. They all turned to look at the new comers.
"Prince Legolas!" All those little voices chimed as one. They immediately jumped out of their seats and surrounded him in a hug. He laughed and patted their heads. It was such a Kodak moment I had to smile. "He must be a wonderful person for the children to love him so." I thought to myself.
"'Quel amrun. Good morning Legolas. Ah, and Rínon as well." Said a male Elf coming over to us from the front of the room. He had long hair like Legolas but of a darker blonde and he wore a long green tunic. He had nice gray eyes and he held a knowing expression on his face as he looked around at us. The Elflings went immediately back to their seats but kept casting curious glances in our direction.
"The two of you I know, but I have not yet had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of your company." The Elf said.
Legolas introduced us. This new Elf's name was Tarar and he taught history to this group of Elflings. (They were so cute)
"Nae saian luume' Legolas Thranduilion (It has been too long)."
"It has. Would you allow us to sit in on part of your class Tarar? I would like Niari and Lady Shiana to see one lesson."
"I don't see how it would be a problem. Try not to distract the little ones though. They're already too excited to see you. You visit so infrequently." He winked at us.
Legolas just smiled and led us to the back of the classroom where we each found a chair. Shy and I sat between Legolas and Rínon. Tarar resumed his place at the front and started the class back up.
"For what reason did Lord Elrond choose nine companions to go on the quest to destroy the One Ring?" Quite a few hands immediately flew up. I leaned over and whispered to Legolas.
"Sharp class eh?" He nodded, and whispered back. They are all well learned. At home as well as school. I nodded. I could just imagine Legolas being that small and raising his hand to answer questions. He was probably a teachers pet. I turned back to the lesson. A little girl had been called on.
"Go ahead Tindome" Tarar prompted. She called out in a clear voice, "To counterbalance the Nine Ring wraiths."
"Very good, and who were the Ring wraiths originally?"
A little boy answered this time. "Nine kings of men."
"And who was the curucuar, skillful bowman (he amended remembering Shiana and myself), that became part of the Fellowship as representative of the Elves?" He asked this last question with a smile.
In unison the children all belted out "Prince Legolas son of King Thranduilion of the wooded realm Eryn Lasgalen!" All those little heads turned around to look at Legolas. He beamed back at them and I just stared at him in shock. I mean I had no idea exactly what it was he had done but it had to be important for these children to be learning about it in history class.
"Wait a minute, what did he do?" Shy asked impatiently.
The little girl Tindome answered her smiling all the while at Legolas. Well, well. Somebody's got a crush.
"Prince Legolas accompanied the Fellowship as the only Elda among Peredhil (Haflings), Edan (Humans), and a Naugrim (Dwarf). The quest was long and very dangerous. The Dark Lord Sauron and the evil wizard Sauromon sought to destroy all the free lands of Middle Earth but they did not succeed because of that quest. Now Middle Earth is once again safe. Prince Legolas and his bow are now a legend among Tel'Quessir. Hon naa belegohtar (he is a skillful warrior)."
"I only caught part of what she said because she lapsed a little into her language. Especially that last sentence, but whatever she said made the Prince next to me blush. "Would ya look at that." I thought to myself. "Charmed by a ten year old."