Disclaimer: If you recognize it, then it's not mine. Characters belong to the amazing J.R.R. Tolkien, (Except for Ellen, who is of my mind.) and some of the ideas portrayed probably came from other fanfics and stories I've read.
Notes: ** is the thoughts of our main character Ellen.
Chapter 4 - Progress is made.
"Come out where I can see you." Arwen spoke towards the removable wall, behind which Ellen had been changing.
"Umm… Arwen? I think I've changed my mind. I'll stick with the leggings please."
"I thought only Mary-Sue's wore leggings." Arwen said smartly. She didn't want to hunt down another set of clothes for the guest. This tactic would be most effective.
"Right you are." *I look ridiculous!* Sigh. "Ok. I'm coming out."
Ellen emerged in a pretty gown. It was green with white trim and silver embroidery in the shape of leaves. Arwen had managed to find a gown without puffed sleeves, but the neck was still low for Ellen's taste. There was no mirror to look in, but she knew her hair was messy, especially when Arwen offered to find her a brush.
"No, don't bother. I know its messy now, but if you brush it, it will be ten times worse." She continued when she saw Arwen didn't understand. "My hair is curly. Brushing will make it frizzy. Then there's no hope for me. I just let it go, and it fixes itself eventually."
"Well it is your hair. I guess you know best. I have spoken with my brother and he asks you to be ready to meet with everyone after the noon meal."
"When's that?"
"Well…you missed it. Merry and Pippin were on their was back from it when they came here. Needless to say, after they finished, there was not much left."
"And the meeting…" Ellen trailed off trying to get Arwen back on track.
"As soon as you arrive, it will begin."
"You mean they are waiting for me? Why didn't you say something?" Gandalf was probably the only one who would know how to send her home! Would he be mad if she were late? Ellen spun on her heels and almost ran out of the room without shoes. Arwen pointed this out as she reached the entrance. Ellen uttered a frustrated "Arggg!" and ran back to the bed to slip on the shoes. They were a little large, but there was nothing that could be done at the moment. Speedily shuffling out of the room, Ellen spied some stairs and headed for them. She managed to reach the bottom without breaking her neck, but soon realized that she had no idea where she was to go. She turned and looked back up the stairway. "Arwen!… Arwen!"
Arwen appeared gracefully at the top.
"Which way?!"
Arwen extended her arm and pointed to the other side of the garden. Another staircase was there, leading up to a porch with large carved columns.
"Down the hall to the right." She tried to help the flustered girl.
"Thanks…!" She ran in the direction of the stairs. Arwen watched as the girl paused and came stomping back to the bottom of the stair.
"Something wrong?" She wondered.
The girl bent down and picked up… her shoe. "My shoes. They are a little large. Almost lost it." On a whim, Ellen pulled off her other shoe as well and clutching both in her hands, she hitched up her gown, and broke off in a full run up the other stairs.
Poor Ellen was in such a hurry that she did not see the elf standing at the top of the step and near ran into him. It gave her such a fright she dropped her shoes and nearly tumbled back down the stairs again.
"Slow down! What is your hurry? You race as though the Wargs were after you." He asked her as he picked up her shoes.
"Meeting…Gandalf…very late." She mumbled as she took the shoes from him.
"With no escort?"
*He must be joking.* "No." She looked up and tried to smile nicely. "No escort for me today, I have the need for speed."
"What good is speed if you do not know which way you are to go?"
"I…well…" *Growl!*
He flashed his famous grin and allowed his eyes to light up his face. *Here it comes. Ok. Ellen, whatever you do, don't say yes…don't say yes…*
"Well, please allow me to accompany you to your destination and give you a fitting introduction." He offered his arm. Ellen rolled her eyes as she bent her head down to slip on her shoes and straighten her gown.
"Lovely." She agreed; her teeth slightly clenched. Taking his arm, she allowed herself to be lead. *Great. Now you've shown interest. He'll be all over you like ants on a lollipop.*
"Are you enjoying your stay?"
"Well I have only been here for a morning, but it has been pretty nice so far. Arwen is really helpful. And Merry and Pippin came in to visit for a bit."
His eyebrows raised at this last comment. "The hobbits came to visit you?"
"Uh-huh. Those two sure are…energetic." Ellen's adjectives were failing her. She was busy trying to avoid his gaze without being entirely rude.
"Indeed they are. They seemed to have done well in brightening your spirits." Ellen noted that he looked slightly resentful as he said this.
"Yes. They are funny ones. Its hard not to laugh when they're around." She finished off, glad to see that even elves were capable of human emotion. Legolas had almost seemed jealous at her affirmation of the hobbits. But she still wasn't comfortable with him. They had reached the entrance she was to go through. The room was not difficult to find. *I think I could have managed finding this alone.* She let go of his arm. He turned to her and bowed deeply, then stood expectantly. *What do you want? Oh!* Ellen did her best to curtsy. "Thank you for you help." She added and turned to enter the room.
"Wouldn't you like a proper introduction?" He inquired, starting in after her.
*A what? Oh, he means announcing my arrival.* "No, thank you. I will manage from here. I'm not used to being introduced anyway. Thank you again." Then she entered the room, eager to leave him behind.
"Lady Ellen?" He called her.
*Who told him my name?* "Yes?"
"Until this evening?"
Ellen stuttered. *What's this evening? What are you getting at elf?* She wasn't sure how to reply, but luckily she was interrupted by a voice within the room.
"Lady Ellen! You have arrived! Please come in. We have much to discuss."
Ellen smiled sweetly to Legolas, turned and raised her eyes to heaven and praised whoever was in control up there, and looked to her saviour, the wizard. Gandalf was seated along side a man who was presumably King Elessar. There was also a woman with long, impossible golden, hair. Ellen took a good look at her. *Galadriel! I thought she had passed onto the undying lands!* The realization hit her. *Whoa, some big stuff must be going on here.* Ellen stopped in her tracks. Her feet refused to move. To be in the presence of such a wise and respected woman…or elf… she wasn't sure she could keep her composure. Elessar rose and welcomed her once more.
"Lady Ellen, please come in. Where shall we begin?" Gandalf looked at the man, who apparently had no idea how to begin a meeting. Ellen looked wide eyed at him to see if he was serious, if he really wanted her to start. He seemed to be, so she began.
"How the hell did I get here?" She looked at the wizard, who looked amused at her first question. Then the rambling began. "I know I sure didn't ask to come here. Which one of you did this to me? How can I get back home? Gandalf, you have to know. I don't belong here. Everyone thinks I'm a Mary-Sue! Do you know how degrading that is? I don't want to be here, even if it is the Last Homely House. I've had enough elves *especially blonde ones* to last a lifetime. I'll never read another fanfic as long as I live. If I have to stay here one more day…" Then she stopped to realize how everyone was staring at her. She lowered her head. "I just want to go home." She glanced pleadingly at Gandalf. Elessar sat down, realizing only to late that that was not the best way to have begun a meeting. He shook his head, knowing he should have attended more of his foster-fathers secret counsels. Gandalf took advantage of the awkward silence to speak.
"What leads you to believe that I am the one who brought you here Middle Earth?" A question he was going to wish he hadn't asked.
"Because I didn't wish myself here, I was happy where I was! And I wasn't carrying a bible, and I don't know who else could have… unless it was you!" She determined as she moved her eyes to look at Galadriel. "I've read stories where you've given people powers and then transported them to Middle Earth. Did you bring me here?" No one answered her. They just sat and watched her. Ellen threw her hands up, speaking to no one in particular. "What is the deal?"
"Lady Ellen, please calm yourself. Have a seat." Gandalf ordered. She sat down abruptly, her eyes wide. "There now." He leaned forward in his chair and looked straight at her with his grey eyes. "We have much to discuss, especially if you plan on returning home. I suggest you hold your tongue, speak only when you find the need, and behave."
"I…"
"Only if you find the need." Gandalf reminded.
"Well I have a question!"
"Then by all means please proceed."
"Am I a Mary-Sue? I've been trying to convince everyone all morning that I'm not, and now I think I might need a little convincing myself."
"Now I am asking you. Does it matter?" Ellen was silent. She didn't know now that it did matter. She didn't like the attitude everyone had towards her when they had presumed her to be one. Especially Legolas and Pippin. They made assumptions about her: things that weren't true. Especially when they asked her who she belonged to. They tried to pin her onto someone! She didn't belong to any of them. She belonged to herself. And a part of her belonged to Conrad, although she didn't like to admit it. More than anything, she wanted to be back home again, where she could see him. But she didn't say this to anyone; barely admitted it to herself. But now she saw it didn't matter what other people presumed her to be. As long as she was true to herself.
"It doesn't does it?"
"No. It does not." He ended that issue. She nodded and shut her mouth. Gandalf nodded to Elessar, giving him the ok to begin. Elessar still looked a bit uncomfortable with such a fire-filled youth in his presence, but he bravely spoke his piece: welcoming her to Rivendell and offering any services he could.
"Welcome, my dear Lady Ellen, to Rivendell, the creation of my foster father and good friend, Elrond, who had completed his time here in Middle Earth and moved on to join his wife in the undying lands. During your stay please feel free to enjoy any of the facilities present and feel no hesitance to ask for the things you may need or desire. All the servants are at your command and are aware of your…present situation. *What situation? That I'm being held against my will?* If at any time during the year…" Elessar had said the wrong thing. At the mention of the word year, Ellen erupted from her seat and nearly sent him toppling over with surprise.
"A year?!!! I can't stay here a year! My god, I was supposed to be away at school by then! What am I going to do? I had all these jobs lined up this summer and time to spend with friends… You can't just expect me to put my life on hold like this! Its not fair!" Overcoming his surprise, King Ellesar appeared quite amused, but Gandalf's eyes had turned a murky color. She quickly sat down, ashamed of how she was behaving. Gandalf looked about to speak, but a softer voice spoke. It was that of Galadriel.
"Child. You are frustrated. You are so caught up in your life, you have not taken the time to see what's inside of you…what you really want. It is for this reason that we brought you here. That reason among others. Your part at home will not be missed, do not fear. In the meantime, you will have a part to play here, which will be beneficial to you as well as many others." Galadriel finished without an interruption from Ellen.
*You hear thoughts. What am I missing about myself that you can see?*
Galadriel though-spoke to her. -You will be given time to figure that out for yourself.-
*I knew it. Growl. Couldn't you just tell me and let me go home? I'm sure it would save time and frustration, not to mention cause less stress- for everyone.*
-Time is not your concern now. Please. Let us continue with the meeting.-
Ellen looked at Elessar. "I apologize for my interruption. You caught me off guard. Please continue." Elessar continued, cautiously.
"Uh.. anything you need, let me know personally… and I will see that it is done. Oh yes… this meeting is secret one, so try not to discuss it with anyone. We wouldn't want you getting any unneeded attention." He was fighting a smile. He saw this girl was going to be quite a piece of work. He paused, but said no more. *That was sort of an awkward place to end.* Thought Ellen. Gandalf was giving Elessar a disbelieving look. Elessar didn't seem to notice. Seeing that both men were preoccupied: Gandalf with Elessar, and Elessar with Ellen; Galadriel spoke aloud, gaining everyone's attention.
"The amount of time you spend here, may very well surpass a year." She saw Ellen's face blanch. "But there is equal chance you may not need a year. There are a few people you will be interacting with on a regular basis. Two of these include the hobbits: Merry and Pippin. They have been through much, and need someone to entertain. Another is the elf, Legolas. I am afraid he has gotten caught up in his popularity and has begun to think much of himself. Arwen will be with you often. It has come to my attention that since the fall of Sauron, her brothers have too much extra time on their hands, and they have resorted to torturing their sister once more. She does not have many female friends with which to confide in. The last character you will work with has yet to be revealed. He has a great journey to make and it may be awhile before he arrives."
*Whee. I don't know if I can handle any more surprises.*
"His arrival depends upon your own progress." Galadriel stated.
"You forgot to mention what that is. My progress. Where am I progressing?" Ellen wondered.
"You progress as you learn more about yourself. You will learn what is really important to you."
"I thought I already knew what was important to me. I know how to prioritize my priorities." Ellen huffed.
"You will come to realize what is actually important in the life of a person. Right now your vision of importance is clouded by what your society considers important. Hopefully you will come to see past their expectations."
"And if I do manage to pull that off, you'll send me home?"
"Time will tell." *Oh, well that figures.*
"And one more thing. It is necessary that you fit in. To avoid any questions that may arise from others. You will continue to dress in elf fashion. I am sure my grand-daughter will see to that. Also, please take no offense from this. Your ears will have to be fixed."
"Fixed? You mean pointed? Ok, now how are you going to go about doing that?"
"Its up to you. You do come from another world. Apparently if you just wish for something like that, it will happen."
"You're joking."
"No, I am not - how you say 'joking'."
"Ok. I'll do it before dinner."
"Wonderful."
Gandalf found the need to advise her also. "There are many other things to consider besides returning home, Ellen. You are currently in Rivendell, an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar ways. Follow Arwen, she will show you what is expected and considered normal. You don't wish to draw unwanted attention to yourself. And you will need to learn to control that voice of yours, as well as your temper." Ellen blushed. "Other than that, I believe you will fit in wonderfully."
"Thank you."
"Now about your name…" Gandalf continued.
