Don't look up, I warned myself quickly as I heard the drops of water splash
on the stone cold floor. I hear Elladan's breathing quicken as he sat next
to me at the private dining room where Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond and I had
been sitting and discussing, waiting for Estel and Legolas to arrive so we
could start dinner. Another drop splashed and I bit my lip, my eyed dancing
as I cracked up inside. Just don't look.
It was a few hours later, and Elladan, and Elrohir had made a little expedition to the river, while I took a tiny little tour of Aragorn and Legolas's rooms. I felt a *tab* bit guilty as I stuffed every single article of the Prince's, and Aragorn's clothes into a bag and threw it in Elrohir's closet like I was instructed to do. When I opened his closet, I understood why Elladan had told me to put it in there, declaring no one ever goes in there. At the time I was bewildered, but when the pile of clothes toppled on my head as I opened the closet door, I understood. Guess Elrohir didn't like to clean his room either. I also felt a bit guilty as I threw all of there brushes under Elladan's bed, but then I thought of something.
Hey- they did tie me to a tree.
When the deeds had been done, the three of us dressed for dinner. I mercifully, was finally given something new to wear. It was stark white, with an elegant skirt, extended sleeves and a fitted bodice. I left my hair down after washing it, letting it dry naturally - as if I had a choice - so the curls and waves framed my face. Elladan and Elrohir both had exquisite tunics, Elladan's a deep gray and Elrohir's a royal blue, along with leggings- that they donned before they escorted me downstairs. There was supposed to have been a feast that night, but it was rescheduled to the next, so that they could also have the pleasure of that Dumbledore dude's company. So instead, Elrond had invited me to dine with the small group of us so I could get to better know them, and they better know me. The three of us had arrived on time for dinner, as was expected of us. Aragorn and Legolas-- well, not so much.
I had been having a spirited conversation with Elladan about archery, barely noticing my food as I listened to him talk. He was promising to teach me how to hold a bow, and Elrohir, joining into the conversation, had promised me fencing lessons. Elrond was in the middle of telling me some of Middle Earth's history and I was just about to laugh at something the eldest twin had said, when the room suddenly became awkwardly quiet.
I didn't look, but I knew what was going on. I let my eyes stray to the floor, and they fell upon drenched boots that were swiftly giving shape to puddles on the marble floor.
I bit my lip energetically as I felt the color rise in my cheeks as a laugh fought to escape from my tightly clasped lips. I took a deep breath, and Elrohir elbowed me to be quiet.
When I did look up, I tried to look innocent, keeping a look naïve on my face. I kept my eyes conveniently on Elrond, who studied his adopted son and the elven prince with ill concealed enjoyment. The water from their boots was beginning to lap quietly at the rich cranberry colored table cloth of our small table.
"What seems to be the problem, Estel?" the elven lord asked calmly.
My eyes couldn't help it- they strayed to Aragorn's face and I burst out laughing.
His dark, sinewy hair was plastered to his face, in front of his forehead and sticking up strangely in the back. I couldn't see his dark eyes, and his clothing was fusing to him, so it seemed. As he took a step towards the table, his eyes pointedly ignoring my laughing face, his boots made a squashy noise. Water streamed down his arms and legs and lapped sympathetically at his boots. Elrohir, his dark eyes laughing, elbowed me again as another wave of giggles erupted from my mouth, and I took my napkin to my mouth under the pretense of having coughed.
Yeah, I'm sure that fooled everybody. Elrond caught my eye, and though his mouth was pressed in a line, his eyes smiled.
I dared not to look at Legolas. "It seems father," Aragorn began bitterly, throwing a glance at my direction where I sat in between the twins.
"That mysterious beings popped out of the woods today with the sole intent of shoving, rather violently I might add, Legolas and myself into the Brunien."
Elrond paused for a moment, and his eyes widened innocently. "You were attacked by orcs?" He surmised, his eyes raking over his son.
Elladan couldn't contain himself at the exasperated look on Estel's face and began to chuckle. He soon turned it, taking his cue from me, into a cough and reached for the water sitting near his plate.
Aragorn shot him a nasty look and he raised his brows innocently, his gray eyes wide. "What? My throats dry...you certainly don't have that problem, Estel. I don't see any *part* of you that is dry."
Elrohir raised his eyes desperately to the ceiling in hopes of controlling himself, taking deep calming breaths.
"You'd never make a spy," I muttered giggling to Elladan, who shot me a look. "And you would?" He whispered back.
"Estel, why didn't you change out of your clothes after this Orc attack? Especially you, you could catch cold!" Elrond pressed further, smiling now. His eyes strayed to the drenched elf next to the bristling human. "I see Legolas, you too were attacked?"
A muscle in the elven prince's face jumped, but he managed to nod. "Yes, my lord. Though I don't believe Rivendell is suffering from Orc problems. I believed they looked *a lot* like trolls." He finished spitefully, with a pointed glance at the twins, who bristled.
Elladan scowled, his brows furrowing as his eyes darkened to match the deep gray of his tunic. "At least these trolls didn't look like drowned rats." He fired at the prince, who at that moment, did indeed look like a drown rat. His long blonde hair stuck to every part of his torso, especially his face, and the delicate fabric of his olive colored vest was beginning to tear.
Elrond rolled his eyes at his end of the table, putting his cream colored napkin into his lap where it stood out against the rich emerald of his tunic. "Peace, Elladan." He said dryly. "Why haven't you changed?" he asked again, this time to Legolas, fixing him with his gaze, genuinely confused. Unfortunately, the stupid elf fixed his beady little eyes - okay, gorgeous blue eyes- on me before saying pointedly, barely containing his loathing for me, "It appears a thief, or a spy, masquerading as a lady, has gone through my closets and, true to my first impression of her, has stolen all of my clothes, and my brush. I guess old habits die hard, wouldn't you agree my lady?"
Did I say barely containing? I meant UNABLE to contain. Learn a little self control. I glared at him, too shaken to utter any sort of retort that would sever him as profoundly as his did me. My mouth dropped for a second, then shut as I tried to think of something to say. I couldn't.
Legolas's eyes fastened victoriously on mine for a second, before darting towards the stairs. "If you'll excuse me," he said, bowing shortly. He walked away from the table, heading directly towards the stairs that led to the twin's room.
I glanced down at my napkin, unwilling to meet the eyes of anyone. Pushing away from the table, I gently placed my napkin on my still full plate. I barely remembered to mutter "excuse me" as I stood up quickly, my chair screeching back as I tossed down my napkin and walked as fast as I could in the opposite direction.
---------------------
Aragorn's POV
I rolled my eyes as Krystal escaped the table, as I still stood standing their dripping. Legolas had absolutely over reacted- again. We had both been laughing as we walked in from the lake, and agreed to act as though we were coldly furiously. It was a game we played with the twins; they played tricks on us, we were livid for a few hours, we played tricks on them, they were fuming for a few hours. It was a beautiful thing that worked fine and good. Until he had to go and be nasty.
I shrugged it off, but I knew Elrond would have a few words with him later for making a guest feel so unwelcome. Glancing at Elladan, I hid my smirk. I had a feeling so would my brother.
I took a glimpse at my brothers, both of whom were staring worriedly in the direction Krystal had gone off in. I then took a fleeting look at Elrond, who shook his head decisively.
"Change first; then go after both of them." He ordered firmly, with a knowing smile. I sighed, but agreed reluctantly. The cold was beginning to seep into my bones, and I could think of nothing better right now than a new change of clothes.
"Speaking of which-- where are my clothes?" I questioned Elrohir, remembering how my drawers had been bare. "Usual spot." He answered casually. I nodded. "Brushes too?"
"Mmhmm." Elladan muttered distractedly.
Elrond sighed and shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "Fine, Elladan. Go after her."
He nodded at Elrond with a grin, before rushing out in the direction after her.
Shivering, I left the table I began to walk upstairs leaving Elrohir and Elrond at the tiny table alone, staring at each other.
"More bread?" I heard Elrohir ask. I shook my head with a smile.
----------------------- Legolas's POV
It was dark when I finally finished getting dressed and my hair was finally dry. I sat on my bed, staring into nothingness as the sun began to set. I couldn't see the stars from my position, and it bothered me. I got up and perched in my windowsill, having a complete view of the gardens of Rivendell. Glancing down into one of the more secluded gardens, I noticed a white heap crumpled on the ground and frowned. Krystal.
I could hear her heavy breaths from my perch many feet away, and knew she was battling back tears. Something tugged at my heart then. I didn't know *why* I was so mean to this girl. I got a rush out of doing it, but immediately felt about two feet tall afterwards. As I watched, I recognized a shape that could only be Elladan enter the garden slowly and my breath quickened.
--------------------- Elladan's POV
If Krystal had been trying to hide, I thought wryly, she hadn't done a good job. It seemed she had gone as far as she could on this particular path, which led into the rose garden. It was one of our smaller gardens, but this season it had bloomed in full splendor and the fragrance gently perfumed the early night air.
I crouched down next to her, and she still didn't look up. I was being purposely loud, so I knew she was aware someone was there. Reaching over, I gently tugged on her hair. She looked up after a moment, a look of surprise crossing her face before she smiled sadly.
"Ayy El, whaddup man?" She said softly, but smirking. I laughed, and fell backwards so I was sitting with my knees bent in front of me, my weight on my palms as I leaned back. After hearing some of her phrases, and since she was repeatedly exposed to the Middle Earth dialect, we had made an agreement. She would teach me to speak like her, and vice versa.
If nothing else, it could be something else to annoy people with.
"Lady Krystal," I said sincerely, a laughing smile on my face, my gray eyes latched on hers. "Are you alright?"
She looked away. "Why wouldn't I be?"
My brow furrowed. I knew she was upset; was she seriously going to play games?
"Do you enjoy doing that?"
She looked taken aback. "Doing what?" she countered.
"Deflecting the question so you don't have to answer it."
Her eyes widened. "I do not." She snapped defensively. I nodded patiently. "Okay- let's try again. Lady Krystal, are you aright?"
She eyed me warily. "Don't I look alright?"
I shoot her a look. "You're doing it."
"I am not!" she objected, meeting my eyes with a fierce gaze. I did not look away and after a moment, she sighed.
"I'm fine." She said, her voice low.
I eyed her suspiciously. "What do you consider fine?"
She stared at me, exasperated. "Elladan- what do you expect me to say?"
I gazed at her like it was obvious. "The truth."
She rolled her eyes. "No one ever answers truthfully to that question."
I stared at her, waiting until her eyes met mine.
"You're not no one."
She rolled her eyes again. "If you say so."
I sighed, and let my gaze wander away, glancing around the garden. I reached for one of the roses in full bloom, gently picking around the thorns to pluck it from the stem. I held it up. "See this rose--" I began, but she stopped me with a dubious look.
"Look, if your gunna give me a whole metaphorical speech where you compare me to the flower, or the flower to something involved in my life, save it. It's stupid."
I rolled my eyes. "I was going to say Estel planted it when he first came here." I told her bluntly.
She looked a little sheepish. "Oh."
"He hated it you know."
She looked up. "What?"
"Rivendell. He hated it. Missed his father. I used to hear him cry out for him at night."
She watched me warily but nodded. "Really?"
I nodded. "He shut everyone out; wouldn't talk, wouldn't eat, just sat in his room. Toys, games, food, nothing worked. I was afraid he'd starve."
She nodded, prompting me to continue, her eyes sparkling in the dying light.
"Eventually though, he realized that he had to live. He wanted to live, I guess. He didn't want to be here, but had to make the best of it...and look how he turned out."
Finally realizing there was a secret lesson hidden in my speech, something flickered in her eyes. Some nameless emotion skittered across her face, and she heaved a sigh.
"Thank you, Dr. Phil." She said with a sigh. I knew better than to ask who Dr. Phil was.
"Another movie?" I ventured. She shook her head.
"Oprah," she explained, like it clarified it all. I nodded wisely. "Riight."
When she didn't say anything, I nudged her with my shoulder. "You okay?"
She looked at me for a long time. "No...but maybe I will be." She answered openly, her voice wavering as she let down her guard for the briefest of instants.
I glanced up at her eyes, and hesitated before I reached over. Grabbing her shoulder, I tilted foward, wrapping my arms around her in a hug. She was stiff in my arms for a moment, before her arm quietly snuck up from its stiff position at her side to hug me back closely, and I smiled.
Opening my eyes when I began to pull away, they latched on to a pair of cold blue eyes, looking down on us from a windowsill up in the palace. As I watched, he turned and walked away.
It was a few hours later, and Elladan, and Elrohir had made a little expedition to the river, while I took a tiny little tour of Aragorn and Legolas's rooms. I felt a *tab* bit guilty as I stuffed every single article of the Prince's, and Aragorn's clothes into a bag and threw it in Elrohir's closet like I was instructed to do. When I opened his closet, I understood why Elladan had told me to put it in there, declaring no one ever goes in there. At the time I was bewildered, but when the pile of clothes toppled on my head as I opened the closet door, I understood. Guess Elrohir didn't like to clean his room either. I also felt a bit guilty as I threw all of there brushes under Elladan's bed, but then I thought of something.
Hey- they did tie me to a tree.
When the deeds had been done, the three of us dressed for dinner. I mercifully, was finally given something new to wear. It was stark white, with an elegant skirt, extended sleeves and a fitted bodice. I left my hair down after washing it, letting it dry naturally - as if I had a choice - so the curls and waves framed my face. Elladan and Elrohir both had exquisite tunics, Elladan's a deep gray and Elrohir's a royal blue, along with leggings- that they donned before they escorted me downstairs. There was supposed to have been a feast that night, but it was rescheduled to the next, so that they could also have the pleasure of that Dumbledore dude's company. So instead, Elrond had invited me to dine with the small group of us so I could get to better know them, and they better know me. The three of us had arrived on time for dinner, as was expected of us. Aragorn and Legolas-- well, not so much.
I had been having a spirited conversation with Elladan about archery, barely noticing my food as I listened to him talk. He was promising to teach me how to hold a bow, and Elrohir, joining into the conversation, had promised me fencing lessons. Elrond was in the middle of telling me some of Middle Earth's history and I was just about to laugh at something the eldest twin had said, when the room suddenly became awkwardly quiet.
I didn't look, but I knew what was going on. I let my eyes stray to the floor, and they fell upon drenched boots that were swiftly giving shape to puddles on the marble floor.
I bit my lip energetically as I felt the color rise in my cheeks as a laugh fought to escape from my tightly clasped lips. I took a deep breath, and Elrohir elbowed me to be quiet.
When I did look up, I tried to look innocent, keeping a look naïve on my face. I kept my eyes conveniently on Elrond, who studied his adopted son and the elven prince with ill concealed enjoyment. The water from their boots was beginning to lap quietly at the rich cranberry colored table cloth of our small table.
"What seems to be the problem, Estel?" the elven lord asked calmly.
My eyes couldn't help it- they strayed to Aragorn's face and I burst out laughing.
His dark, sinewy hair was plastered to his face, in front of his forehead and sticking up strangely in the back. I couldn't see his dark eyes, and his clothing was fusing to him, so it seemed. As he took a step towards the table, his eyes pointedly ignoring my laughing face, his boots made a squashy noise. Water streamed down his arms and legs and lapped sympathetically at his boots. Elrohir, his dark eyes laughing, elbowed me again as another wave of giggles erupted from my mouth, and I took my napkin to my mouth under the pretense of having coughed.
Yeah, I'm sure that fooled everybody. Elrond caught my eye, and though his mouth was pressed in a line, his eyes smiled.
I dared not to look at Legolas. "It seems father," Aragorn began bitterly, throwing a glance at my direction where I sat in between the twins.
"That mysterious beings popped out of the woods today with the sole intent of shoving, rather violently I might add, Legolas and myself into the Brunien."
Elrond paused for a moment, and his eyes widened innocently. "You were attacked by orcs?" He surmised, his eyes raking over his son.
Elladan couldn't contain himself at the exasperated look on Estel's face and began to chuckle. He soon turned it, taking his cue from me, into a cough and reached for the water sitting near his plate.
Aragorn shot him a nasty look and he raised his brows innocently, his gray eyes wide. "What? My throats dry...you certainly don't have that problem, Estel. I don't see any *part* of you that is dry."
Elrohir raised his eyes desperately to the ceiling in hopes of controlling himself, taking deep calming breaths.
"You'd never make a spy," I muttered giggling to Elladan, who shot me a look. "And you would?" He whispered back.
"Estel, why didn't you change out of your clothes after this Orc attack? Especially you, you could catch cold!" Elrond pressed further, smiling now. His eyes strayed to the drenched elf next to the bristling human. "I see Legolas, you too were attacked?"
A muscle in the elven prince's face jumped, but he managed to nod. "Yes, my lord. Though I don't believe Rivendell is suffering from Orc problems. I believed they looked *a lot* like trolls." He finished spitefully, with a pointed glance at the twins, who bristled.
Elladan scowled, his brows furrowing as his eyes darkened to match the deep gray of his tunic. "At least these trolls didn't look like drowned rats." He fired at the prince, who at that moment, did indeed look like a drown rat. His long blonde hair stuck to every part of his torso, especially his face, and the delicate fabric of his olive colored vest was beginning to tear.
Elrond rolled his eyes at his end of the table, putting his cream colored napkin into his lap where it stood out against the rich emerald of his tunic. "Peace, Elladan." He said dryly. "Why haven't you changed?" he asked again, this time to Legolas, fixing him with his gaze, genuinely confused. Unfortunately, the stupid elf fixed his beady little eyes - okay, gorgeous blue eyes- on me before saying pointedly, barely containing his loathing for me, "It appears a thief, or a spy, masquerading as a lady, has gone through my closets and, true to my first impression of her, has stolen all of my clothes, and my brush. I guess old habits die hard, wouldn't you agree my lady?"
Did I say barely containing? I meant UNABLE to contain. Learn a little self control. I glared at him, too shaken to utter any sort of retort that would sever him as profoundly as his did me. My mouth dropped for a second, then shut as I tried to think of something to say. I couldn't.
Legolas's eyes fastened victoriously on mine for a second, before darting towards the stairs. "If you'll excuse me," he said, bowing shortly. He walked away from the table, heading directly towards the stairs that led to the twin's room.
I glanced down at my napkin, unwilling to meet the eyes of anyone. Pushing away from the table, I gently placed my napkin on my still full plate. I barely remembered to mutter "excuse me" as I stood up quickly, my chair screeching back as I tossed down my napkin and walked as fast as I could in the opposite direction.
---------------------
Aragorn's POV
I rolled my eyes as Krystal escaped the table, as I still stood standing their dripping. Legolas had absolutely over reacted- again. We had both been laughing as we walked in from the lake, and agreed to act as though we were coldly furiously. It was a game we played with the twins; they played tricks on us, we were livid for a few hours, we played tricks on them, they were fuming for a few hours. It was a beautiful thing that worked fine and good. Until he had to go and be nasty.
I shrugged it off, but I knew Elrond would have a few words with him later for making a guest feel so unwelcome. Glancing at Elladan, I hid my smirk. I had a feeling so would my brother.
I took a glimpse at my brothers, both of whom were staring worriedly in the direction Krystal had gone off in. I then took a fleeting look at Elrond, who shook his head decisively.
"Change first; then go after both of them." He ordered firmly, with a knowing smile. I sighed, but agreed reluctantly. The cold was beginning to seep into my bones, and I could think of nothing better right now than a new change of clothes.
"Speaking of which-- where are my clothes?" I questioned Elrohir, remembering how my drawers had been bare. "Usual spot." He answered casually. I nodded. "Brushes too?"
"Mmhmm." Elladan muttered distractedly.
Elrond sighed and shrugged his shoulders in defeat. "Fine, Elladan. Go after her."
He nodded at Elrond with a grin, before rushing out in the direction after her.
Shivering, I left the table I began to walk upstairs leaving Elrohir and Elrond at the tiny table alone, staring at each other.
"More bread?" I heard Elrohir ask. I shook my head with a smile.
----------------------- Legolas's POV
It was dark when I finally finished getting dressed and my hair was finally dry. I sat on my bed, staring into nothingness as the sun began to set. I couldn't see the stars from my position, and it bothered me. I got up and perched in my windowsill, having a complete view of the gardens of Rivendell. Glancing down into one of the more secluded gardens, I noticed a white heap crumpled on the ground and frowned. Krystal.
I could hear her heavy breaths from my perch many feet away, and knew she was battling back tears. Something tugged at my heart then. I didn't know *why* I was so mean to this girl. I got a rush out of doing it, but immediately felt about two feet tall afterwards. As I watched, I recognized a shape that could only be Elladan enter the garden slowly and my breath quickened.
--------------------- Elladan's POV
If Krystal had been trying to hide, I thought wryly, she hadn't done a good job. It seemed she had gone as far as she could on this particular path, which led into the rose garden. It was one of our smaller gardens, but this season it had bloomed in full splendor and the fragrance gently perfumed the early night air.
I crouched down next to her, and she still didn't look up. I was being purposely loud, so I knew she was aware someone was there. Reaching over, I gently tugged on her hair. She looked up after a moment, a look of surprise crossing her face before she smiled sadly.
"Ayy El, whaddup man?" She said softly, but smirking. I laughed, and fell backwards so I was sitting with my knees bent in front of me, my weight on my palms as I leaned back. After hearing some of her phrases, and since she was repeatedly exposed to the Middle Earth dialect, we had made an agreement. She would teach me to speak like her, and vice versa.
If nothing else, it could be something else to annoy people with.
"Lady Krystal," I said sincerely, a laughing smile on my face, my gray eyes latched on hers. "Are you alright?"
She looked away. "Why wouldn't I be?"
My brow furrowed. I knew she was upset; was she seriously going to play games?
"Do you enjoy doing that?"
She looked taken aback. "Doing what?" she countered.
"Deflecting the question so you don't have to answer it."
Her eyes widened. "I do not." She snapped defensively. I nodded patiently. "Okay- let's try again. Lady Krystal, are you aright?"
She eyed me warily. "Don't I look alright?"
I shoot her a look. "You're doing it."
"I am not!" she objected, meeting my eyes with a fierce gaze. I did not look away and after a moment, she sighed.
"I'm fine." She said, her voice low.
I eyed her suspiciously. "What do you consider fine?"
She stared at me, exasperated. "Elladan- what do you expect me to say?"
I gazed at her like it was obvious. "The truth."
She rolled her eyes. "No one ever answers truthfully to that question."
I stared at her, waiting until her eyes met mine.
"You're not no one."
She rolled her eyes again. "If you say so."
I sighed, and let my gaze wander away, glancing around the garden. I reached for one of the roses in full bloom, gently picking around the thorns to pluck it from the stem. I held it up. "See this rose--" I began, but she stopped me with a dubious look.
"Look, if your gunna give me a whole metaphorical speech where you compare me to the flower, or the flower to something involved in my life, save it. It's stupid."
I rolled my eyes. "I was going to say Estel planted it when he first came here." I told her bluntly.
She looked a little sheepish. "Oh."
"He hated it you know."
She looked up. "What?"
"Rivendell. He hated it. Missed his father. I used to hear him cry out for him at night."
She watched me warily but nodded. "Really?"
I nodded. "He shut everyone out; wouldn't talk, wouldn't eat, just sat in his room. Toys, games, food, nothing worked. I was afraid he'd starve."
She nodded, prompting me to continue, her eyes sparkling in the dying light.
"Eventually though, he realized that he had to live. He wanted to live, I guess. He didn't want to be here, but had to make the best of it...and look how he turned out."
Finally realizing there was a secret lesson hidden in my speech, something flickered in her eyes. Some nameless emotion skittered across her face, and she heaved a sigh.
"Thank you, Dr. Phil." She said with a sigh. I knew better than to ask who Dr. Phil was.
"Another movie?" I ventured. She shook her head.
"Oprah," she explained, like it clarified it all. I nodded wisely. "Riight."
When she didn't say anything, I nudged her with my shoulder. "You okay?"
She looked at me for a long time. "No...but maybe I will be." She answered openly, her voice wavering as she let down her guard for the briefest of instants.
I glanced up at her eyes, and hesitated before I reached over. Grabbing her shoulder, I tilted foward, wrapping my arms around her in a hug. She was stiff in my arms for a moment, before her arm quietly snuck up from its stiff position at her side to hug me back closely, and I smiled.
Opening my eyes when I began to pull away, they latched on to a pair of cold blue eyes, looking down on us from a windowsill up in the palace. As I watched, he turned and walked away.