Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
Authors Note: First off, I'd like to thank all my reviewers. Not because this is the last chapter - not yet. But because I was seriously stumped after the last chapter, and your reviews (and the threats contained therein. ;) ) helped me get going again. So, thanks!
For all those readers that might have missed it, inbetween the last chapter and this one, I wrote a short little ficlet about Haldir and Eneira called 'Consequences'. As far as I'm concerned, for now its finished. I may continue it, but I wouldn't count on it. It was more of a Haldir-was-on-my-mind-and-I-wanted-a-break-from-writing-No-Eyes-Needed fic than anything else.
ALSO! (last author's note, I promise) FanFiction.Net is seriously starting to annoy me by being slow and such, so this story is now being updated to my website, reachable through my profile - or you can just go to http://users.accesscomm.ca/ottosen/diane/
------------------------------
-No Eyes Needed-
------------------------------
-Chapter XXIII-
-It's Bluuuuue, oh so Bluuuuue!-
------------------------------
Elisandra spent most of the rest of the night thinking over her conversation with Haldir, and wondering if she should really just ask him if she was his daughter. He hadn't told her outright that she was, after all, and Elisandra couldn't help but wonder if there was more to her mother leaving Lothlorien than Haldir was telling. Just as breakfast came around, she decided to ask him, but was then obliged to wait until after breakfast. That, however, ended out getting delayed when Celeborn walked into the dining hall.
The hall, which had been filled with the soft murmur of elvish small talk, suddenly silenced when the Lord entered, all eyes turning to him. He ignored the attention, however, and walked calmly to his seat. There was a long silence as everybody just looked at Celeborn, who sat there, impassively looking out over the hall. Elisandra's curiosity ended out leading her to break the silence, however.
"Lord Celeborn, why is your hair...blue?" she asked carefully. The hall seemed to hold its breath as Celeborn slowly turned to look at Elisandra.
"Ask your uncles." Celeborn replied.
"Hey now, it wasn't just us!" Elrohir protested. Celeborn turned his attention to his grandson and arched an eyebrow.
"Really now." he said. Elrohir squirmed, nodded vigorously, then pointed to the other side of Celeborn where Haldir sat, looking innocent. Celeborn sighed and glanced upwards with a 'why me?' look, and suddenly the murmur returned to the hall. The food was brought out, and Elisandra watched the four on her left with amusement. Elrohir and Elladan seemed to be busy wishing they were on the other side of the world from Celeborn, shooting quick glances in their grandfather's direction before trying to scoot farther away from him, obviously not liking his quiet and resigned accepting of his blue hair. Celeborn himself was steadfastly ignoring everyone around him in favour of his breakfast. Haldir was the only one of the four that acted anywhere near normal, only glancing slightly worriedly at his Lord a few times throughout the meal, and only catching sight of Celeborn's hair and smirking twice.
After the meal, Celeborn was the first to leave, pausing only long enough to say a few quiet words to Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir that caused them all to suddenly gulp and look at each other in fear. Then, before Elisandra could grab Haldir and let him know that she wanted to talk to him, he and her uncles disappeared. Elisandra's considered trying to find them, but at that point, Legolas asked if Elisandra would like to come with him for a ride, as Gimli had found a book in Dwarvish on Dwarven architecture in the library the other day and wanted to read it. Elisandra accepted, and they went and found their horses, who Elisandra hadn't seen since they arrived.
It was getting near lunch time when the sky started to darken, and Legolas suggested they ride back to Rivendell proper, as they could have trouble crossing the river if it rained hard. But Elisandra asked to stay.
"I haven't seen a real thunderstorm in over 15 years, Legolas." she said wistfully, staring up at the clouds.
"What makes you think it is going to be a thunderstorm? It could very well be just a rain storm." Legolas said, arching an eyebrow.
"I don't care, either way." Elisandra replied with a smile. "I used to love rain storms when I was younger. Ranora was always telling me to get in out of the rain before I caught a cold. Even before I lost my sight. The rain was like magic to me, and I loved to run around and try and catch raindrops to look at. I tried to do it after I lost my sight, as well, but it wasn't the same. I couldn't see the rain." Legolas watched Elisandra talk, smiling slightly at the look of eagerness on her face as she watched the clouds gather and darken.
"Then we shall stay and wait for the rain." Legolas said, urging his horse closer to Elisandra's. Arod snorted up at his rider, jerking his head towards the sky as if to say 'shouldn't we be GOING?' Indeed, the sky was getting a little too dark to let Legolas relax completely, but there were guard posts not far away if the river became impassable. He needed to teach Elisandra how to climb a tree, anyways. Suddenly, lightning flashed, followed by a resounding boom, and Elisandra's face burst into a smile.
"SEE! Thunder and lightning. Nyah!" she said, turning away from the storm just long enough to stick her tongue out at Legolas. Legolas laughed.
"Fine, fine. You can predict the weather better than me." he said, shaking his head and grinning. "I never was any good at it, anyways." Elisandra's smile grew a bit, but that was the only reaction that Legolas could see that she had heard him. If it wasn't for her need to calm the prancing horse beneath her, Legolas had no doubt that Elisandra would be still as a statue as she watched the rain. Her attention was riveted on the clouds as they swirled in the wind. Then the rain came, and Elisandra was giggling as she tried to catch raindrops. She was failing miserably, but she didn't really care. More lightning and thunder came, and even Arod started prancing, causing Legolas to frown.
"Elisandra, if we are going to stay out in the rain, I suggest we at least let the horses get under some cover." he said. Elisandra glanced away from her attempts to catch rain drops to the horses. Seeing them prancing, she flicked her eyes closed, then looked at the horses in annoyance when she opened her eyes again.
"Silly horses, there's nothing to be afraid of!" she said crossly, and then sighed. "Come on then. Where can we take them?"
"Into the forest. There is a guard post not too far away where we can leave them." Legolas replied. "Then we can come back and watch the rain." Elisandra nodded.
"Lead the way." she said, and Legolas urged Arod away from the grassy field they'd been standing in and into the trees, Elisandra following on her horse. They went at a slow walk through the forest, as it was extraordinarily dark due to the rain. When they reached the guard post, Legolas shouted up to them and asked if they'd mind if he and Elisandra left their horses there. The guards replied that they wouldn't, and Legolas and Elisandra dismounted, tied up Elisandra's horse - which was a human horse and liable to run away, unlike Arod, who was a Rohirric horse that was not liable to run away - and went back to the field.
Now free to run about on her own two feet, Elisandra was soon dashing throughout the entire field, watching the rain, and sometimes trying to catch it, either in her hands or her mouth. The rain was coming down heavier now, so she was having less trouble, and soon decided to take a break from catching rain to try and pull Legolas out into the rain.
"Oh no, I am staying in here where it is dry." he said when Elisandra told him to come out.
"What does dry matter? It's rain! Beautiful rain! Come on!" Elisandra said, spreading her arms and smiling up at the sky.
"I prefer dry, thank you. I do not really want to have to explain to Elladan and Elrohir why we are both soaking wet when we return to Rivendell, besides." Legolas said.
"So is staying dry your only excuse?" Elisandra asked, arching an eyebrow at Legolas. He looked back warily, but didn't have time to answer, as he suddenly found himself hugged by a very soaking wet Elisandra.
"There! Now you have no excuse!" she said cheerfully, giving him a quick kiss before letting go and skipping off into the rain again. Legolas shook his head and smiled, then followed her out into the rain. He ended out just sitting in the middle of the field, getting wet, while Elisandra scampered around. Occasionally she'd come over to him, sitting in his lap or beside him, and rest for a moment, but a few minutes later, she was off. It really was an interesting sight, and Legolas enjoyed watching her. And the fact that her soaking wet dress was hugging ALL of her form tightly had nothing to do with it.
The rain eventually got a little too heavy, even for Elisandra to stand, and the thunder and lightning was straight over head, hurting both Legolas and Elisandra's ears, so they decided to go back to the guard post and fetch their horses so they could return to Rivendell. When they reached the guard post, however, they found a contingent of horsemen waiting underneath the tree, an extra empty horse indicating that one of their number was in the tree talking to the guards. Legolas and Elisandra stopped when they spotted the horses, and Legolas arched an eyebrow at Elisandra.
"They're from Gondor." Elisandra said in surprise, peering at the horses. Then she let her eyes close again, and when she opened her eyes again she looked even more surprised. "And that's Aragorn's horse."
"How can you tell?" Legolas asked with curiosity - the darkness and rain were making it hard for him to even make out the white tree on the riders uniforms. Elisandra blinked, and then blushed.
"Uh, I can see fëas when I close my eyes." Elisandra said sheepishly.
"Can you now." Legolas said flatly, arching an eyebrow. "And when were you planning on telling me?"
"When I remembered?" Elisandra said, smiling uncertainly. Legolas shook his head and chuckled.
"Very well. Is there anything ELSE you would like to tell me?" he asked, half joking.
"Hmm, yes, but now isn't the time for it." Elisandra said thoughtfully, thinking of her conversation with Haldir. Legolas blinked. "I shall tell you later. For now, let's go see why Aragorn is here." Elisandra went to step forward, but Legolas stopped her.
"Let me go first, hm? You have changed a lot since we left Gondor, and I think it would be best to warn Aragorn." Legolas said. Elisandra paused, and then nodded. So Elisandra stayed in the trees while Legolas approached the trees. The riders from Gondor seemed to be on edge, several drawing their weapons in surprise when Legolas stepped into view. One of the riders quickly recognized Legolas, however, and the weapons were returned to their sheaths. The riders and Legolas exchanged nods of acknowledgement, and then Legolas climbed into the guards' tree, hearing the soft sounds of Elvish being spoken above him even before he reached the base of the tree.
As Legolas climbed, the voices became more distinct, and he heard the guard Elves telling Aragorn that yes, a party from Minas Tirith had come through recently. Aragorn was just readying himself to get back on his horse and continue to Rivendell when Legolas pulled himself onto the guard posts platform.
"Ah, Legolas! I thought I recognized Arod!" Aragorn said in greeting. "Or at least, he recognized me." Aragorn rolled his eyes at that, and the two other Elves on the platform chuckled. Legolas grinned.
"How could he forget you after all the merry chases you have led him on?" he asked.
"I? I may have led them, but I was not the one riding him!" Aragorn said defensively. "If he should remember anyone for the merry chases he has been on, it should be you!"
"He does." Legolas said dryly, and Aragorn chuckled.
"Well met, my friend. Well met." he said, grasping Legolas' hand in a firm grip. Legolas smiled back. "So, tell me, if you are here, then do I dare hope that my foster daughter managed to make it here as well?"
"You do indeed." Legolas replied.
"Wonderful! Is she in Rivendell?" Aragorn asked with a smile.
"Actually, she's down below." Legolas replied.
"Where? I should like to see her again." Aragorn said, moving towards the edge of the platform as if expecting Elisandra to be standing right beneath the tree.
"She is farther out in the woods, my friend, but before you meet her, you should know that she is not the same girl that left Minas Tirith." Legolas said solemnly. Aragorn looked at Legolas with worry.
"What has happened?" he asked.
"She can see, Aragorn." Legolas replied. "And her Elven heritage has emerged."
"What do you mean?" Aragorn asked with a stunned expression on his face.
"Her ears have the points of elvish ears, and her senses have improved tenfold. She also makes no sound when walking." Legolas replied.
"When did this happen?" Aragorn asked, looking very much like he wanted to sit down. The two guard Elves smiled sympathetically.
"On our journey here." Legolas replied. "We shall explain it more later. But now, I believe you wished to see your foster daughter?" Aragorn nodded, still looking slightly dazed, and followed Legolas as he climbed down from the tree, barely remembering to bid the guards goodbye. Once on the ground, Legolas looked at Aragorn with amusement before leading his friend into the forest. The riders seemed a little leery about letting their King go off with a strange Elf into a dark forest, but Aragorn waved them back.
Elisandra met the Elf and ex-ranger halfway, and wrapped her foster father in a huge bear hug. After a surprised moment, Aragorn hugged back, though Legolas noticed the quick glance at Elisandra's ears to confirm what Legolas had told him. When Elisandra pulled back, she was smiling widely.
"It's wonderful to see you!" she said.
"It is wonderful to see you, as well." Aragorn said, then looked at Elisandra's sopping wet clothing and arched an eyebrow. "Why are you soaking wet?" Elisandra glanced at Legolas.
"I told him you can see." Legolas confirmed for her with a nod.
"This is the first thunderstorm I've been able to see in over fifteen years. I decided to stay out and watch it." Elisandra told Aragorn with a smile.
"And you brought Legolas with you?" Aragorn asked, arching an eyebrow as he noticed his friend's soaking wet clothes for the first time.
"Dragged is more like it." Legolas said grumpily. "I was fine under the trees until she decided to hug me and get me soaking wet, as well."
"And now you're soaking wet, too, Aragorn." Elisandra said with a wicked grin. Aragorn pushed the slight twinge he felt at hearing Elisandra call him by his name instead of 'father', and glanced down at himself to discover that, yes, he was indeed now soaked.
"Ah well. I was going to get wet when I continued on to Rivendell, anyways." he said. "Speaking of Rivendell, what say we go there now? Thunderstorms are all fine and interesting when you have had a rest, but I have been riding the entire day."
"Very well then, let us go to Rivendell!" Elisandra said with a smile. "And then you can explain why you're here. I thought you couldn't leave Minas Tirith unless Faramir came from Ithilien?"
"I couldn't. So I called him in from Ithilien." Aragorn said with a slight smirk, and then got a worried look on his face. "Though I think I shall have to avoid Eowyn for quite awhile. She was none to happy when I last saw her in Minas Tirith."
"I am sure Arwen will have managed to calm her down by the time you return." Legolas said with a smile. "Now come, let us go." With that, they returned to the guard post, where Aragorn's guard, as well at the three's horses, were waiting.
\/---Reviews are really nice, and help me write, as my Author's Note says. So please leave one!---\/
Authors Note: First off, I'd like to thank all my reviewers. Not because this is the last chapter - not yet. But because I was seriously stumped after the last chapter, and your reviews (and the threats contained therein. ;) ) helped me get going again. So, thanks!
For all those readers that might have missed it, inbetween the last chapter and this one, I wrote a short little ficlet about Haldir and Eneira called 'Consequences'. As far as I'm concerned, for now its finished. I may continue it, but I wouldn't count on it. It was more of a Haldir-was-on-my-mind-and-I-wanted-a-break-from-writing-No-Eyes-Needed fic than anything else.
ALSO! (last author's note, I promise) FanFiction.Net is seriously starting to annoy me by being slow and such, so this story is now being updated to my website, reachable through my profile - or you can just go to http://users.accesscomm.ca/ottosen/diane/
------------------------------
-No Eyes Needed-
------------------------------
-Chapter XXIII-
-It's Bluuuuue, oh so Bluuuuue!-
------------------------------
Elisandra spent most of the rest of the night thinking over her conversation with Haldir, and wondering if she should really just ask him if she was his daughter. He hadn't told her outright that she was, after all, and Elisandra couldn't help but wonder if there was more to her mother leaving Lothlorien than Haldir was telling. Just as breakfast came around, she decided to ask him, but was then obliged to wait until after breakfast. That, however, ended out getting delayed when Celeborn walked into the dining hall.
The hall, which had been filled with the soft murmur of elvish small talk, suddenly silenced when the Lord entered, all eyes turning to him. He ignored the attention, however, and walked calmly to his seat. There was a long silence as everybody just looked at Celeborn, who sat there, impassively looking out over the hall. Elisandra's curiosity ended out leading her to break the silence, however.
"Lord Celeborn, why is your hair...blue?" she asked carefully. The hall seemed to hold its breath as Celeborn slowly turned to look at Elisandra.
"Ask your uncles." Celeborn replied.
"Hey now, it wasn't just us!" Elrohir protested. Celeborn turned his attention to his grandson and arched an eyebrow.
"Really now." he said. Elrohir squirmed, nodded vigorously, then pointed to the other side of Celeborn where Haldir sat, looking innocent. Celeborn sighed and glanced upwards with a 'why me?' look, and suddenly the murmur returned to the hall. The food was brought out, and Elisandra watched the four on her left with amusement. Elrohir and Elladan seemed to be busy wishing they were on the other side of the world from Celeborn, shooting quick glances in their grandfather's direction before trying to scoot farther away from him, obviously not liking his quiet and resigned accepting of his blue hair. Celeborn himself was steadfastly ignoring everyone around him in favour of his breakfast. Haldir was the only one of the four that acted anywhere near normal, only glancing slightly worriedly at his Lord a few times throughout the meal, and only catching sight of Celeborn's hair and smirking twice.
After the meal, Celeborn was the first to leave, pausing only long enough to say a few quiet words to Elladan, Elrohir and Haldir that caused them all to suddenly gulp and look at each other in fear. Then, before Elisandra could grab Haldir and let him know that she wanted to talk to him, he and her uncles disappeared. Elisandra's considered trying to find them, but at that point, Legolas asked if Elisandra would like to come with him for a ride, as Gimli had found a book in Dwarvish on Dwarven architecture in the library the other day and wanted to read it. Elisandra accepted, and they went and found their horses, who Elisandra hadn't seen since they arrived.
It was getting near lunch time when the sky started to darken, and Legolas suggested they ride back to Rivendell proper, as they could have trouble crossing the river if it rained hard. But Elisandra asked to stay.
"I haven't seen a real thunderstorm in over 15 years, Legolas." she said wistfully, staring up at the clouds.
"What makes you think it is going to be a thunderstorm? It could very well be just a rain storm." Legolas said, arching an eyebrow.
"I don't care, either way." Elisandra replied with a smile. "I used to love rain storms when I was younger. Ranora was always telling me to get in out of the rain before I caught a cold. Even before I lost my sight. The rain was like magic to me, and I loved to run around and try and catch raindrops to look at. I tried to do it after I lost my sight, as well, but it wasn't the same. I couldn't see the rain." Legolas watched Elisandra talk, smiling slightly at the look of eagerness on her face as she watched the clouds gather and darken.
"Then we shall stay and wait for the rain." Legolas said, urging his horse closer to Elisandra's. Arod snorted up at his rider, jerking his head towards the sky as if to say 'shouldn't we be GOING?' Indeed, the sky was getting a little too dark to let Legolas relax completely, but there were guard posts not far away if the river became impassable. He needed to teach Elisandra how to climb a tree, anyways. Suddenly, lightning flashed, followed by a resounding boom, and Elisandra's face burst into a smile.
"SEE! Thunder and lightning. Nyah!" she said, turning away from the storm just long enough to stick her tongue out at Legolas. Legolas laughed.
"Fine, fine. You can predict the weather better than me." he said, shaking his head and grinning. "I never was any good at it, anyways." Elisandra's smile grew a bit, but that was the only reaction that Legolas could see that she had heard him. If it wasn't for her need to calm the prancing horse beneath her, Legolas had no doubt that Elisandra would be still as a statue as she watched the rain. Her attention was riveted on the clouds as they swirled in the wind. Then the rain came, and Elisandra was giggling as she tried to catch raindrops. She was failing miserably, but she didn't really care. More lightning and thunder came, and even Arod started prancing, causing Legolas to frown.
"Elisandra, if we are going to stay out in the rain, I suggest we at least let the horses get under some cover." he said. Elisandra glanced away from her attempts to catch rain drops to the horses. Seeing them prancing, she flicked her eyes closed, then looked at the horses in annoyance when she opened her eyes again.
"Silly horses, there's nothing to be afraid of!" she said crossly, and then sighed. "Come on then. Where can we take them?"
"Into the forest. There is a guard post not too far away where we can leave them." Legolas replied. "Then we can come back and watch the rain." Elisandra nodded.
"Lead the way." she said, and Legolas urged Arod away from the grassy field they'd been standing in and into the trees, Elisandra following on her horse. They went at a slow walk through the forest, as it was extraordinarily dark due to the rain. When they reached the guard post, Legolas shouted up to them and asked if they'd mind if he and Elisandra left their horses there. The guards replied that they wouldn't, and Legolas and Elisandra dismounted, tied up Elisandra's horse - which was a human horse and liable to run away, unlike Arod, who was a Rohirric horse that was not liable to run away - and went back to the field.
Now free to run about on her own two feet, Elisandra was soon dashing throughout the entire field, watching the rain, and sometimes trying to catch it, either in her hands or her mouth. The rain was coming down heavier now, so she was having less trouble, and soon decided to take a break from catching rain to try and pull Legolas out into the rain.
"Oh no, I am staying in here where it is dry." he said when Elisandra told him to come out.
"What does dry matter? It's rain! Beautiful rain! Come on!" Elisandra said, spreading her arms and smiling up at the sky.
"I prefer dry, thank you. I do not really want to have to explain to Elladan and Elrohir why we are both soaking wet when we return to Rivendell, besides." Legolas said.
"So is staying dry your only excuse?" Elisandra asked, arching an eyebrow at Legolas. He looked back warily, but didn't have time to answer, as he suddenly found himself hugged by a very soaking wet Elisandra.
"There! Now you have no excuse!" she said cheerfully, giving him a quick kiss before letting go and skipping off into the rain again. Legolas shook his head and smiled, then followed her out into the rain. He ended out just sitting in the middle of the field, getting wet, while Elisandra scampered around. Occasionally she'd come over to him, sitting in his lap or beside him, and rest for a moment, but a few minutes later, she was off. It really was an interesting sight, and Legolas enjoyed watching her. And the fact that her soaking wet dress was hugging ALL of her form tightly had nothing to do with it.
The rain eventually got a little too heavy, even for Elisandra to stand, and the thunder and lightning was straight over head, hurting both Legolas and Elisandra's ears, so they decided to go back to the guard post and fetch their horses so they could return to Rivendell. When they reached the guard post, however, they found a contingent of horsemen waiting underneath the tree, an extra empty horse indicating that one of their number was in the tree talking to the guards. Legolas and Elisandra stopped when they spotted the horses, and Legolas arched an eyebrow at Elisandra.
"They're from Gondor." Elisandra said in surprise, peering at the horses. Then she let her eyes close again, and when she opened her eyes again she looked even more surprised. "And that's Aragorn's horse."
"How can you tell?" Legolas asked with curiosity - the darkness and rain were making it hard for him to even make out the white tree on the riders uniforms. Elisandra blinked, and then blushed.
"Uh, I can see fëas when I close my eyes." Elisandra said sheepishly.
"Can you now." Legolas said flatly, arching an eyebrow. "And when were you planning on telling me?"
"When I remembered?" Elisandra said, smiling uncertainly. Legolas shook his head and chuckled.
"Very well. Is there anything ELSE you would like to tell me?" he asked, half joking.
"Hmm, yes, but now isn't the time for it." Elisandra said thoughtfully, thinking of her conversation with Haldir. Legolas blinked. "I shall tell you later. For now, let's go see why Aragorn is here." Elisandra went to step forward, but Legolas stopped her.
"Let me go first, hm? You have changed a lot since we left Gondor, and I think it would be best to warn Aragorn." Legolas said. Elisandra paused, and then nodded. So Elisandra stayed in the trees while Legolas approached the trees. The riders from Gondor seemed to be on edge, several drawing their weapons in surprise when Legolas stepped into view. One of the riders quickly recognized Legolas, however, and the weapons were returned to their sheaths. The riders and Legolas exchanged nods of acknowledgement, and then Legolas climbed into the guards' tree, hearing the soft sounds of Elvish being spoken above him even before he reached the base of the tree.
As Legolas climbed, the voices became more distinct, and he heard the guard Elves telling Aragorn that yes, a party from Minas Tirith had come through recently. Aragorn was just readying himself to get back on his horse and continue to Rivendell when Legolas pulled himself onto the guard posts platform.
"Ah, Legolas! I thought I recognized Arod!" Aragorn said in greeting. "Or at least, he recognized me." Aragorn rolled his eyes at that, and the two other Elves on the platform chuckled. Legolas grinned.
"How could he forget you after all the merry chases you have led him on?" he asked.
"I? I may have led them, but I was not the one riding him!" Aragorn said defensively. "If he should remember anyone for the merry chases he has been on, it should be you!"
"He does." Legolas said dryly, and Aragorn chuckled.
"Well met, my friend. Well met." he said, grasping Legolas' hand in a firm grip. Legolas smiled back. "So, tell me, if you are here, then do I dare hope that my foster daughter managed to make it here as well?"
"You do indeed." Legolas replied.
"Wonderful! Is she in Rivendell?" Aragorn asked with a smile.
"Actually, she's down below." Legolas replied.
"Where? I should like to see her again." Aragorn said, moving towards the edge of the platform as if expecting Elisandra to be standing right beneath the tree.
"She is farther out in the woods, my friend, but before you meet her, you should know that she is not the same girl that left Minas Tirith." Legolas said solemnly. Aragorn looked at Legolas with worry.
"What has happened?" he asked.
"She can see, Aragorn." Legolas replied. "And her Elven heritage has emerged."
"What do you mean?" Aragorn asked with a stunned expression on his face.
"Her ears have the points of elvish ears, and her senses have improved tenfold. She also makes no sound when walking." Legolas replied.
"When did this happen?" Aragorn asked, looking very much like he wanted to sit down. The two guard Elves smiled sympathetically.
"On our journey here." Legolas replied. "We shall explain it more later. But now, I believe you wished to see your foster daughter?" Aragorn nodded, still looking slightly dazed, and followed Legolas as he climbed down from the tree, barely remembering to bid the guards goodbye. Once on the ground, Legolas looked at Aragorn with amusement before leading his friend into the forest. The riders seemed a little leery about letting their King go off with a strange Elf into a dark forest, but Aragorn waved them back.
Elisandra met the Elf and ex-ranger halfway, and wrapped her foster father in a huge bear hug. After a surprised moment, Aragorn hugged back, though Legolas noticed the quick glance at Elisandra's ears to confirm what Legolas had told him. When Elisandra pulled back, she was smiling widely.
"It's wonderful to see you!" she said.
"It is wonderful to see you, as well." Aragorn said, then looked at Elisandra's sopping wet clothing and arched an eyebrow. "Why are you soaking wet?" Elisandra glanced at Legolas.
"I told him you can see." Legolas confirmed for her with a nod.
"This is the first thunderstorm I've been able to see in over fifteen years. I decided to stay out and watch it." Elisandra told Aragorn with a smile.
"And you brought Legolas with you?" Aragorn asked, arching an eyebrow as he noticed his friend's soaking wet clothes for the first time.
"Dragged is more like it." Legolas said grumpily. "I was fine under the trees until she decided to hug me and get me soaking wet, as well."
"And now you're soaking wet, too, Aragorn." Elisandra said with a wicked grin. Aragorn pushed the slight twinge he felt at hearing Elisandra call him by his name instead of 'father', and glanced down at himself to discover that, yes, he was indeed now soaked.
"Ah well. I was going to get wet when I continued on to Rivendell, anyways." he said. "Speaking of Rivendell, what say we go there now? Thunderstorms are all fine and interesting when you have had a rest, but I have been riding the entire day."
"Very well then, let us go to Rivendell!" Elisandra said with a smile. "And then you can explain why you're here. I thought you couldn't leave Minas Tirith unless Faramir came from Ithilien?"
"I couldn't. So I called him in from Ithilien." Aragorn said with a slight smirk, and then got a worried look on his face. "Though I think I shall have to avoid Eowyn for quite awhile. She was none to happy when I last saw her in Minas Tirith."
"I am sure Arwen will have managed to calm her down by the time you return." Legolas said with a smile. "Now come, let us go." With that, they returned to the guard post, where Aragorn's guard, as well at the three's horses, were waiting.
\/---Reviews are really nice, and help me write, as my Author's Note says. So please leave one!---\/