Get Outta My Room!

            Joari gasped. The council room was definitely something she had never expected.

            The décor was gorgeous and homey at the same time; giving her a somewhat used feeling, yet it still retained its splendor. The air was warmer, although not oppressive, and even the fire in the fireplace seemed more controlled. What'd you expect? Stonewalls and a round table? Wake up darl, this is no King Arthur. She snapped out of her admiration mood, albeit a little miffed at the mind intrusion. Do you mind? She demanded, but the voice had fallen silent.

            To speak of the sitting, she could see that she'd better take one of the seats at the end, due to the three options she had:  A) It was out of respect for the elder elves that were coming in. B) Legolas is MIA, and assumed to be at the higher end, what with him being a prince and all. C) Just in case she needed to make a quick escape.

            She quickly plonked down on a chair, relieved that it was the nearest to the door. Then she could pretend to be one of the servant and quietly take her leave if things got too stuffy. At most she'll ask for a toilet break or something. Yeah, the never-ending toilet break, she giggled at the remembrance. But the giggled made her realize how quiet it really was, for a gathering of so many. The table could sit around (her estimate) of 40, and most had already taken their seats, with a few still standing up. Yet she could sense an air of intrigue and expectancy. Clearly, no one had any concrete idea what this was all about.

No one, except, maybe, her.

The doors opened once again, and Gandolf the White, stepped through. Many of the elves bowed their heads in a gesture of respect, but she stared a moment before doing so, a little startled. I thought he'd already come in? From the corner of her eye, she could see him coming her way. Oh oh… I have a bad feeling about this Gandolf went up to her. "Child, would you rather go up front? There is another to take your seat." She looked around and saw an elf nearby. "Omigosh! I'm sorry! I really didn't know!" The elf smiled kindly at her, before taking his seat. Penitently she walked behind the wizard, and took the seat he had motioned her to.

She was seated next to Legolas, and as soon as she sat down, she turned her huge eyes towards him, "Ahhh! I didn't know! I'd lost you guys and figured that I'll just sit anywhere! How terrible! I really didn't know…" she whispered, agitated. He looked at her for a second, before quietly laughing. He couldn't help it –she looked so comical. She was surprised that he would laugh at her, but soon realized how ridiculous she must have been and laughed along with him as well.

Elrond looked at the two young'uns (A/N: lol) and shook his head bemusedly. When Gandolf had seated himself at his right, he called the meeting to order. "My fellow elves, many of whom I am sure are wondering at the purpose of this meeting. The ring has been destroyed, and it would seem that it is over –evil has been destroyed. Yet anyone who is wise enough would realize that this is not the case. Orcs sighting have increased, and even more foreboding news has reached us. I will now invited upon Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, to share with us his tale."

Legolas stood up and recounted the tale much the same way he had told Aragorn. Joari noted that he had left out much of their personal interactions, in fact had only mentioned her presence with him in passing and when she had thrown the dagger. When he had concluded, the hush that had descended upon the room abruptly changed into an uproar. Gandolf stood and motioned for silence. "First, we would like to thank the Lady Joari for her quick thinking that saved both their lives. I would also like to mention that I believe that she is the key to all of these incidents." The noise started up again, and even Legolas stood half-protesting. Joari shrank even further down her seat…Oh-oh… I have a feeling I know what is coming next… Again Gandolf motioned for silence, "Firstly, the orcs have never been able to penetrate the boundaries of Rivendell. Yet the incident yesterday proves that this has happened. To simple think that it is a mere coincidence with Lady Joari's arrival is an option that we cannot take. I feel that my theory is right, is that not so, Lady Joari?" Joari was completely taken unawares by his last, pointed question. She desperately tried to construct an answer, but in the end decided to lay bare whatever she could remember from the night before. Iwillstaycalm,Iwillstaycalm…

She sighed, half apologetically at Legolas, before standing up. "To begin with, Gandolf is right. I am the cause of whatever's happening, though honestly, I have no intention of doing so." She paused, waiting for the noise to die down once again. "It seems that I'm like an orc magnet, attracting them. And I think I'm supposed to destroy them too." She tried to continue, but floundered. She really had no clue about this kind of mythical business. Facts she could handle, but this? "Er, any questions?" The room was in an uproar, and she could hear people discussing how to get her out of Rivendell already. Legolas was quiet, wondering if she knew half the implications of what she had just said. Sensing her anxiety, he took her hand and held it, hoping to provide some comfort.

She'd had barely notice before someone asked, "And what are you going to do to destroy them?" Uh-uh… she felt like she was in hot soup, and unconsciously gripped Legolas' hand harder. The room slowly became quieter, and soon everyone was looking to her for an answer. Help dammit! She sent out her thoughts. Clue me along, give me some note cards, or draft me a speech! I don't care! You got me into this so get me out! Hello???? The silence around her was getting oppressive. Say something! I'm going to take over your body for a moment "What the hell! You can't do that! It's a violation of my rights!" she was so distraught she didn't realize (or care) that she had spoken aloud. I'm sorry, but I'm going to do so. Don't worry, you'll still be able to tune in. Then she was thrust into a corner of her mind.

She felt her hand loosen it's grip, and was aware that something must have changed, evident from the alarm she felt from the elves. Only Gandolf, and perhaps Elrond, were nonplussed. "Gandolf," she felt her lips moves, her head nod and heard the words come out. Yet they were not her doing. He stood and bowed. "It is true. All that she has said is the truth" Though I would have said it better, myself. Oh shut up Suit yourself. "In order that she may complete what she has to do, she will need the three elven rings of power – The Ring of Adamant, The Ring of Fire, and The Ring of Healing. Lord Elrond," she felt her body turn to face the elf king. "Will you accept the task of helping me to gather the three guardians of the Rings?" He looked gravely at Joari, "I will undertake this task you set before me." Cree–py She would have shivered; but then again, she wasn't herself at the moment. "Gandolf," Could she detect a touch of warmth in her voice? "Search the archives of the elves. I have left your instructions there." Then she turned to address the entire room. "This is only the very tip of the beginning. It will be years before things will be set right again. Therefore my words to you are: Do not turn complacent. Heed the words of the Lady, for I will commute through her."

With that, Joari got her body back.

And collapsed. Straight into Legolas' arms.

"Lady Joari! Are you alright?" dimly, she could hear Legolas' voice against a dull roar. The hell I am she thought, as she struggled to breathe. Slowly, she gasped back to life. "I'm going to kill him!" she sputtered, furious. "What happened, Joari?" Legolas asked, not realizing he had left out the usual 'Lady'. "He/She/It just left me without warning! So I couldn't gain motor control of my muscles. If paralysis isn't bad enough, I'd somehow 'forgotten' to breath! That idiot! If I were to die now…" She was so pissed she couldn't even finish. Luckily, before she lapsed into CLC (A/N: Creative Language Cursing), she realized that the whole room was looking at her.

Blushing under the scrutiny, she whispered to Legolas, "Hey, can I leave? Like now?" Looking at her red face, Legolas could barely suppress his laughter. He stood up and announced, "The Lady is feeling somewhat weakened after what has just happened, and she requests for leave. Lord Elrond, if I may?" Elrond inclined his head in affirmative.

Before Joari could protest, Legolas had lifted her up and was carrying her out of the ornate doors. Instinctively, she grabbed onto the elf prince, "Put me down Legolas'! I can walk… I think." But Legolas just went on, only pausing to send one of the serving elves ahead of them, until they reached her room. Araya opened the door for them, and Legolas laid her on the bed. Araya took of her shoes whilst Legolas rinsed a towel in the basin of warm water near the bed. "Really, I don't need this," she protested, as Legolas patted her forehead. But as she attempted to sit up, Araya, who had finished the shoes, took the cloth from Legolas and sternly pushed her down. "Joari, you will rest. I'll not hear of anything else, you hear me?" she barreled. Meekly, Joari submitted to her administrations.

To put it bluntly, Legolas was astonished. His astonishment changed into amusement, and in the end, he couldn't control it; he just started laughing. "What are you laughing at?" She asked, with a stab of fear for his sanity. "You," he chuckled. "I can't believe how instantly and drastically your mood and manner can change." She scowled, "Well I'm going to get real mad unless you get outta this room! Now!" Legolas quickly ducked out, his laughter subsiding.

But as Joari fell asleep, Araya couldn't help but hear her mumble, "But I'll forgive you anyway."

***~~~~~***

Well, it's another chap done. Hope you guys like it… Review please. Lol, anyone realize that in the room, Joari would have been the 'baby' of the council? Hehe…