Well here is Chapter six everyone. Once again disclaimer is in Chapter 1, in case you want to be bored. This chapter has been a while coming, but it is here now, so start the party!!!!
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Some eyes cannot be fooled
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*Elenya's POV*
I didn't actually find Legolas that day, and since I didn't want to disturb Boromir when he was resting, I spent the whole day with Miriel, wandering Rivendell and pausing to read some elvish poetry. She told me that night there was a special dinner to be held, in honour of Frodo being awake and well again. We had a lot of time that day, and between us, we cooked up a brilliant plan.
At six o'clock she arrived at my room, with a brown paper package. Firstly, she washed my hair, making extra sure it was perfectly clean, even though I had washed it the night before.
She then did my hair, taking a piece from my temple on either side and plaiting it around the back of my head, joining them together and letting them drop down. She then handed me the brown paper package and when I opened it I was amazed. Inside was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.
It was mid-toned pink velvet, embroidered on the bodice with gold, like climbing vines. It has a large scoop neck that was very close to completely revealing my shoulders and fluted sleeves, but not as long as my old dress had, which I was grateful for ( my other sleeves were really starting to annoy me).
"It's quite daring! But it's so beautiful! Thank you!" I exclaimed as I slipped it on.
"I thought you would like it" she smiled meekly. Then she put some make-up on me and let me look at myself in the mirror.
I didn't recognise myself at first. I looked so beautiful! I hadn't had my hair down in years, except to wash it, and at first I couldn't believe how long it had gotten. My face looked so different with the make-up.
My eyes looked bigger and my cheeks looked a little flushed. My lips were bee stung and soft pink and then the candlelight! The candlelight was making my hair look golden and my face seemed to glow as though with some other-worldly light. I was so amazed at what I saw in front of me. I turned to Miriel and held both her hands.
"Thank you so much," I whispered. Just then my door was pushed open and Arwen came in, if she was surprised, she didn't show it.
"Miriel, you were right, she does suit the pink better than the green." Miriel nodded.
"Hold on . . . you knew?" I exclaimed loudly. Miriel and Arwen giggled.
"Of course, you don't think Miriel would keep this from me, now do you?" I couldn't help but giggle at myself for being so blissfully ignorant.
"Now remember," Arwen said, "act like a lady! Keep your eyes down most of the time, and be quiet and don't speak out of turn. We'll see if anyone can recognise
you!"
I nodded, willing myself to follow those rules. I was going to prove that I could be a perfect lady but not because I wanted to be all lady-like, I was doing this to see the look on everyone's face when they found it was me in this dress. But I had taken care to make sure no-one else knew that!
"Be down there in about 30 minutes, we need to go and get ready. We need to look our best," Arwen said in worried way, and both she and Miriel hugged me before leaving the room.
I knew why she was taking so much care, and why she seemed worried, I called Arwen back, and said, "He will love you, no matter what you look like Arwen." She smiled grimly.
"So you know then," it wasn't a question, it was a statement. "What do you think about it, about us?" She asked very seriously.
"Well, it's not my place, but I do think love, whoever it finds and how, and whatever form it takes, should be valued and appreciated." I answered also gravely.
"Thank you," She said, hugging me again, "If only more were as wise as you" She turned and left, leaving me to my thoughts. Me? Wise?
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Even though I had 30 minutes warning, I still managed to be late. When I got down to the hall where we were to be eating, mostly everyone was there already. I strode in, careful to keep my eyes down and I made sure to resist the urge to call out to the people I knew. However, everyone in the room stopped to stare at me, probably because I was late, even if only by five minutes.
When I did look up quickly, I saw at one end of the room, there was a little raised platform where Elrond, Gandalf, Arwen, Frodo and two others elves were sat. Frodo looked so out of place, mainly because he was propped up on several cushions so he could eat properly.
He saw me looking at him and smiled at me, but only out of politeness, which puzzled me. Ignoring this, I gracefully took a seat opposite Miriel, and tried to take no notice of the eyes which were upon me from all over the room.
"Well?" I asked softly, "How was that?" She smiled at me,
"Aside form being late, very well done, are your friends here?" I looked around.
At a small table near Frodo's, Merry, Pippin and Sam and Bilbo were sat and they were looking over in my direction in a very interested way. Across the room, Legolas, Ethion and Ondion were sat at a table with some other Mirkwood elves, and Ethion and Ondion said something softly to Legolas and he looked again at me, but I looked down at the cutlery in front of me, remembering what Arwen had told me.
Boromir was closest to my table, seated with the other men, including Strider, yet he was looking around the room, maybe searching for me. I had to suppress a giggle- if only he knew I was right here, and that I was being such a lady, just like he wanted!
The dinner that night was delicious, completely surpassing anything I had ever tasted before, even in Rivendell. Everything seemed to have more taste than I knew, and there wasn't enough of anything to eat.
I talked politely to Miriel and her friends, some of whom talked about me, saying I was nice, but very odd (I had to turn my laugh hastily into a cough at that point). The only thing which annoyed me was the fact that, although everyone else had stopped staring, every time I looked up, I saw Merry and Pippin blatantly staring at me, sometimes nudging Sam.
After a good hour of this, I got so sick of them that I stuck my tongue out when no-one else was looking. At once they both grinned at each other and bent their heads down to whisper to Bilbo and Sam. I suddenly realised that my plan of not being recognised had gone terribly wrong, but that didn't matter too much now, I was having such a good time, I didn't care about not being myself anymore.
At the end of the meal the men stood up to leave first and Miriel told me they were going across the corridor to another great hall where many songs would be sung and many tales told.
A few minutes after all the men had gone, all the women followed them through and at first I was unsure who I should go to, so I stood with Miriel and the other elven-maidens feeling completely out of place.
On the other side of the hall, there were some elves playing harps and flutes and many different instruments. Before long, many voices around the room had begun to sing a low mournful song and there were other elves dancing in the middle of the hall.
Looking around, I saw Ondion dancing with a red haired elf with brown eyes, while Ethion stood at the side, talking to Legolas and laughing merrily. Near the balcony sat the hobbits.
I was quite sure Bilbo was telling a tale; everyone nearby was listening intently, and smiling. Boromir was sitting with some other men, also deep in conversation, but he was starting straight at me, lost in thought. I quickly lowered my eyes and joined in the conversation more.
A few minutes had gone by when Ethion came over to us, bowing low;
"Would one of you graceful maidens grant me the pleasure of a dance?" As he bowed he looked up, seeing us all smile and begin to preen ourselves, well apart from me!
He looked at each of us, and then turned to me. All the others, including Miriel were standing tall, presenting themselves at their best, as I shrunk and tried to blend in with the wall behind me.
I didn't know why, I had known Ethion for years, and had been much more open than this before, but all the same I kept my eyes down. Perhaps he didn't recognise me- had I really been that good? He took my hand and asked softly;
"Would you be willing to dance m'lady?" I blushed and nodded, and he led me out onto the floor.
I looked back at Miriel, who seemed to be caught between jealousy and
happiness, on my part. This song was slightly faster, the eleven voices rising around us. I didn't look up at him, just looked down in silence.
"What's the matter?" he asked, "cat got your tongue?" I was getting ready to be outraged (of course, in the most lady-like way) when he laughed at me delicately and added,
"Oh come on Elenya, it's normally all I can do to get you to stop talking!" I laughed too, realising I wouldn't be able to fool everyone, especially not him.
"Was I that obvious? I though I had done quite well!" he twirled me round.
"Well we weren't sure at first, and Legolas really did take some convincing. But I must say, you do look a million times more beautiful than usual!" He looked down at me proudly and I saw across the room Ondion was doing the same.
"Than usual?" I grinned.
"Well we have to accept, you're a lady now, a woman-aren't you?" I looked down.
"Well I have come of age, now I'm 19 and all."
"I don't understand why in Gwendil, they think 19 is old and wise enough to be considered 'grown-up'. Less than twenty years upon this earth is not enough." Ethion pondered out loud.
"Well, men have much less time than elves. We have to hurry, no matter how much we wish it wasn't so." I sighed despondently.
I hated bringing this up, because I knew one day soon, both Ethion and Ondion would depart for the Grey Havens with all their kin, and leave Middle-Earth behind forever, along with me. He gently lifted my chin and looked into my eyes and said, as though reading my mind;
"We are not leaving. You have to understand that, we will always be here for as long as we can be. Middle-Earth is where we lay, so Middle-Earth is where we stay. You won't ever be alone, no matter where you are. Ondion will not leave without me, or I without him, and neither of us wants to leave our home. "
I met his eyes and smiled. The song ended and the couples began to split up. We walked over to where Legolas and Ondion were standing with some other Mirkwood elves. Ondion came swiftly over to me and grinned;
"Look at you! Legolas would not believe it was you, but we knew better."
"Personally I think you should be angry, I mean, I know I would be if someone hadn't thought enough of me to known I could present myself like this!" Ethion added, leaning on his twins shoulder and looking very grave.
I caught on and turned to, pretending to look furious. Legolas, who looked as though he didn't know whether this was a joke or not backed away. But just as he was waiting for the blow to fall, waiting for me to start screaming or have a go at him.
I curtsied low, keeping my eyes down and succeeding in being the perfect lady. Legolas breathed again; I HEARD HIM!
I spent a good while conversing with Legolas, Ondion and Ethion as most of the other elves drifted away, not caring to hear our little stories. I had never known that Legolas was in fact a prince of Mirkwood, and that Ondion and Ethion were the sons of a high minister in the king's court, or that the three had known each other for hundreds of years, before I had even been thought of.
I wanted to hear more about them, because now all the little stories in my 19 years didn't seem enough to compare. They had been mischievous, sneaking away from all he places they were meant to be, to places they wanted to be. I loved it all!
After hearing many songs, and listening to many tales, I decided to get a bit of air, and so I excused myself and went out onto the balcony. Rivendell was just beautiful by night as by day. Every light was on, but seemed tiny next to the brightly lit hall behind me. I sat sideways on the railing and stretched my legs out, taking it all in. Suddenly there was a movement behind me, and there stood Boromir. Before I could speak, he did.
"Excuse me m'lady. I don't mean to interrupt, but I was wondering if you might know where lady Elenya is?" He was being overly polite, and I could tell he didn't know it was me, so I decided to play along just for fun.
"Lady Elenya?" I asked, "Is she that young lady I often see you wandering with? I remember she was very upset a while ago, was that when you and the others left for a while?" He looked down; I could tell he was embarrassed.
Eventually he answered; "Uh, yes, but do you know where she is tonight? You two keep the same company and I haven't been able to find her."
"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen her tonight, and the others have not spoken of her. I'm afraid it isn't my place to ask, but you two are very good friends, are you not?"
I don't know why I asked, it just came out of its own accord. He looked more embarrassed but made an effort and answered.
"Yes, I don't know why, but ever since I found her, I have been very protective of her; I would never want to see her harmed. She is such a kind person, but I cannot see what is different about her, I know there is something, but I don't know what it is, if you understand me."
I nodded and made a neutral sound. Bless Boromir, he was so sweet, now I felt awful for having made him say that, imagine if he found out that I had heard all that; he would be so embarrassed! I knew if I were in his position I would be furious, even if I knew this wasn't intended. I swung off the railing and just as I was about to say something- to try and somehow show myself and apologise, a voice came from behind us,
"Elenya! There you are! We knew it was you! Why haven't you come over to talk to us yet?" Pippin ran over to me and made to pull me inside, but paused.
"You look really beautiful tonight; you should wear your hair down all the time!" I realised now why he paused; it didn't seem appropriate for him to be pulling around a lady like myself. I smiled warmly at him, trying to ignore the look of shock on Boromir's face.
"Thank you Pippin, but I-" I wanted to stay, and as much as I liked him, I wanted Pippin to leave so I could apologise to Bormir, but Pippin was already pulling me inside. I turned round to at least say something, anything to Boromir, but he was leaning over the railing with his back to me.
We went inside and Pippin led me over to where Merry, Frodo, Sam, Bilbo and Gandalf were sitting, all smoking their pipes. As we paused in front of them I dropped a curtsey. They all looked half suspiciously at me.
"Oh as if you didn't know!" I cried, sitting down on the floor. We all burst out laughing, and Gandalf leaned forward, saying softly;
"You did a very good job of fooling everyone, but some eyes you just can't fool". I giggled looking around at my friends.
"You look so different like this!" Merry exclaimed. I frowned;
"Is that good different, or bad different?"
"The thing is," said Bilbo, "You look very pretty either way, but I think you prefer dressing the other way, don't you?" I began looking down and fiddling with my fingers; this was something I couldn't really explain properly.
"I do like dressing like this, its lovely, but I don't think I could do it everyday, I like the way I normally dress and acting the way I normally do."
"Well there are some eyes that can never be fooled." Mused Bilbo thoughtfully
"You look very, very pretty; I thought you were an elf at first" I looked up; that was Sam who was mumbling into his chest! He was bright red when he said, so I decided just to smile and move the conversation on, and save him any more embarrassment.
We all soon began to talk, firstly about the food and how delicious it was, but then moved onto all sorts of other things. I talked a lot more with Frodo who was quite serious, but was trying his best to join in with everyone else's good mood.
It took me an hour to realise Boromir hadn't come back in yet. I excused myself quickly and went out onto the balcony. Boromir was still standing there, just as I had left him, leaning over the balcony and looking down.
I walked quietly over to him, and lent on the railing, exactly like he was. He didn't say anything, and I was about to say how sorry I was but he broke in first.
"You have to now." He said simply. What on earth did he mean?
"What are you talking about?" I blurted out. He looked at me quickly, and he was deadly serious. I couldn't hold his gaze for long.
"I don't mind, and I won't hold it against you, but you have to act as thought you were in my position before; what would you have said? Go on."
I gulped, and decided that I owed him this after I had accidentally embarrassed him.
"Well, of course I am good friends with Boromir. If anything, I owe him. He saved my life, and while he is a gentleman and makes nothing of it, I know it is a big deal and I'm very grateful, but it's more than that. He's such a kind person, and he never talks down to me, even after all the things he's seen and done, and he always treats me like an equal even though I'm not as old or wise or great as him. He's always kind and willing to listen to me, and I'm sure he'd always look after me if I needed it, maybe even if I didn't; I'm just lucky to have met him."
I carried on looking down as if I hadn't just thought aloud for him to hear. After a while, when the silence had dragged on too long, I spoke;
"So are we even then?" I looked up and he was smiling at me.
"More than." He took my arm and turned to lead me inside. "I must say, you are a proper lady aren't you? Even if you don't show it often." He stopped as we were almost at the door. "But I must say I do prefer you normally; you have a lot more to say."
I smiled and gently slapped him in the arm, before we went inside to join the hobbits and Gandalf again.
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I decided to leave quite early, in fact I was one of the first to l go, even though it was nearing the middle of the night. I didn't want the night to end, but I knew (for some reason) that I needed to get back to my room and get to bed.
I got changed and put on my nightdress and was standing admiring my pink dress when I heard the softest movement in the path I knew was under my window. And then I heard low voices.
I shifted over to the window, as quietly as possible, but the voices stopped. I held my breath, not moving, barely even thinking until they started again. I didn't know why I needed to hear this conversation, but I knelt down next to the open balcony door and waited.
". . . Well then where do you think it will be?" Said the first voice, low and smooth.
"I'm not sure, I think it may be, you know, the one past Elrond's main study?" This voice was a man's also, but more stronger and sly almost.
"They are discussing the outsiders, aren't they? And what is to be done about-"
"Shush!" The second hissed. "Do you want to be heard? We are not meant to know, we are only servants! You know that!!" They paused, probably listening for sounds. I
willed my heart to stop beating so loudly.
"But," the first one said "Will she not be going, are they not to discuss about her?" I knew at once that I was she and I desperately wanted to hear more.
"I don't know!!" Hissed the other impatiently. "Everyone knows she is different, but I don't think even Gandalf and Elrond together are sure what it is, or where her purpose lies. We should get back to the hall; we will be missed." He whispered, almost although he knew someone was listening, and almost too low for me to hear. I heard the light sound of them moving away from my room.
I didn't move for a good while, I was confused. How was I different? What Elrond think my 'purpose' was? I felt like the way those two had been speaking, it was dangerous and too big a matter for them to deal with.
I knew it must be the dreams, but I thought it must be more than that; dreams weren't that big a matter, were they? But I wasn't even sure if it had anything to do with my dreams!
And I didn't like the way that Elrond and Gandalf were trying to figure me out behind my back. Right then I made my descion; I was going to that meeting tomorrow; and I was going to see what they were discussing.
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Well thats this chapter over and done with. . . at last! I will see you soon with Chapter seven, and I want you to remember. . . Radish IS a meat!!
And don't worry, the Company WILL leave Rivendell, i swear it!
Carla
x-x-x
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Some eyes cannot be fooled
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*Elenya's POV*
I didn't actually find Legolas that day, and since I didn't want to disturb Boromir when he was resting, I spent the whole day with Miriel, wandering Rivendell and pausing to read some elvish poetry. She told me that night there was a special dinner to be held, in honour of Frodo being awake and well again. We had a lot of time that day, and between us, we cooked up a brilliant plan.
At six o'clock she arrived at my room, with a brown paper package. Firstly, she washed my hair, making extra sure it was perfectly clean, even though I had washed it the night before.
She then did my hair, taking a piece from my temple on either side and plaiting it around the back of my head, joining them together and letting them drop down. She then handed me the brown paper package and when I opened it I was amazed. Inside was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen.
It was mid-toned pink velvet, embroidered on the bodice with gold, like climbing vines. It has a large scoop neck that was very close to completely revealing my shoulders and fluted sleeves, but not as long as my old dress had, which I was grateful for ( my other sleeves were really starting to annoy me).
"It's quite daring! But it's so beautiful! Thank you!" I exclaimed as I slipped it on.
"I thought you would like it" she smiled meekly. Then she put some make-up on me and let me look at myself in the mirror.
I didn't recognise myself at first. I looked so beautiful! I hadn't had my hair down in years, except to wash it, and at first I couldn't believe how long it had gotten. My face looked so different with the make-up.
My eyes looked bigger and my cheeks looked a little flushed. My lips were bee stung and soft pink and then the candlelight! The candlelight was making my hair look golden and my face seemed to glow as though with some other-worldly light. I was so amazed at what I saw in front of me. I turned to Miriel and held both her hands.
"Thank you so much," I whispered. Just then my door was pushed open and Arwen came in, if she was surprised, she didn't show it.
"Miriel, you were right, she does suit the pink better than the green." Miriel nodded.
"Hold on . . . you knew?" I exclaimed loudly. Miriel and Arwen giggled.
"Of course, you don't think Miriel would keep this from me, now do you?" I couldn't help but giggle at myself for being so blissfully ignorant.
"Now remember," Arwen said, "act like a lady! Keep your eyes down most of the time, and be quiet and don't speak out of turn. We'll see if anyone can recognise
you!"
I nodded, willing myself to follow those rules. I was going to prove that I could be a perfect lady but not because I wanted to be all lady-like, I was doing this to see the look on everyone's face when they found it was me in this dress. But I had taken care to make sure no-one else knew that!
"Be down there in about 30 minutes, we need to go and get ready. We need to look our best," Arwen said in worried way, and both she and Miriel hugged me before leaving the room.
I knew why she was taking so much care, and why she seemed worried, I called Arwen back, and said, "He will love you, no matter what you look like Arwen." She smiled grimly.
"So you know then," it wasn't a question, it was a statement. "What do you think about it, about us?" She asked very seriously.
"Well, it's not my place, but I do think love, whoever it finds and how, and whatever form it takes, should be valued and appreciated." I answered also gravely.
"Thank you," She said, hugging me again, "If only more were as wise as you" She turned and left, leaving me to my thoughts. Me? Wise?
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Even though I had 30 minutes warning, I still managed to be late. When I got down to the hall where we were to be eating, mostly everyone was there already. I strode in, careful to keep my eyes down and I made sure to resist the urge to call out to the people I knew. However, everyone in the room stopped to stare at me, probably because I was late, even if only by five minutes.
When I did look up quickly, I saw at one end of the room, there was a little raised platform where Elrond, Gandalf, Arwen, Frodo and two others elves were sat. Frodo looked so out of place, mainly because he was propped up on several cushions so he could eat properly.
He saw me looking at him and smiled at me, but only out of politeness, which puzzled me. Ignoring this, I gracefully took a seat opposite Miriel, and tried to take no notice of the eyes which were upon me from all over the room.
"Well?" I asked softly, "How was that?" She smiled at me,
"Aside form being late, very well done, are your friends here?" I looked around.
At a small table near Frodo's, Merry, Pippin and Sam and Bilbo were sat and they were looking over in my direction in a very interested way. Across the room, Legolas, Ethion and Ondion were sat at a table with some other Mirkwood elves, and Ethion and Ondion said something softly to Legolas and he looked again at me, but I looked down at the cutlery in front of me, remembering what Arwen had told me.
Boromir was closest to my table, seated with the other men, including Strider, yet he was looking around the room, maybe searching for me. I had to suppress a giggle- if only he knew I was right here, and that I was being such a lady, just like he wanted!
The dinner that night was delicious, completely surpassing anything I had ever tasted before, even in Rivendell. Everything seemed to have more taste than I knew, and there wasn't enough of anything to eat.
I talked politely to Miriel and her friends, some of whom talked about me, saying I was nice, but very odd (I had to turn my laugh hastily into a cough at that point). The only thing which annoyed me was the fact that, although everyone else had stopped staring, every time I looked up, I saw Merry and Pippin blatantly staring at me, sometimes nudging Sam.
After a good hour of this, I got so sick of them that I stuck my tongue out when no-one else was looking. At once they both grinned at each other and bent their heads down to whisper to Bilbo and Sam. I suddenly realised that my plan of not being recognised had gone terribly wrong, but that didn't matter too much now, I was having such a good time, I didn't care about not being myself anymore.
At the end of the meal the men stood up to leave first and Miriel told me they were going across the corridor to another great hall where many songs would be sung and many tales told.
A few minutes after all the men had gone, all the women followed them through and at first I was unsure who I should go to, so I stood with Miriel and the other elven-maidens feeling completely out of place.
On the other side of the hall, there were some elves playing harps and flutes and many different instruments. Before long, many voices around the room had begun to sing a low mournful song and there were other elves dancing in the middle of the hall.
Looking around, I saw Ondion dancing with a red haired elf with brown eyes, while Ethion stood at the side, talking to Legolas and laughing merrily. Near the balcony sat the hobbits.
I was quite sure Bilbo was telling a tale; everyone nearby was listening intently, and smiling. Boromir was sitting with some other men, also deep in conversation, but he was starting straight at me, lost in thought. I quickly lowered my eyes and joined in the conversation more.
A few minutes had gone by when Ethion came over to us, bowing low;
"Would one of you graceful maidens grant me the pleasure of a dance?" As he bowed he looked up, seeing us all smile and begin to preen ourselves, well apart from me!
He looked at each of us, and then turned to me. All the others, including Miriel were standing tall, presenting themselves at their best, as I shrunk and tried to blend in with the wall behind me.
I didn't know why, I had known Ethion for years, and had been much more open than this before, but all the same I kept my eyes down. Perhaps he didn't recognise me- had I really been that good? He took my hand and asked softly;
"Would you be willing to dance m'lady?" I blushed and nodded, and he led me out onto the floor.
I looked back at Miriel, who seemed to be caught between jealousy and
happiness, on my part. This song was slightly faster, the eleven voices rising around us. I didn't look up at him, just looked down in silence.
"What's the matter?" he asked, "cat got your tongue?" I was getting ready to be outraged (of course, in the most lady-like way) when he laughed at me delicately and added,
"Oh come on Elenya, it's normally all I can do to get you to stop talking!" I laughed too, realising I wouldn't be able to fool everyone, especially not him.
"Was I that obvious? I though I had done quite well!" he twirled me round.
"Well we weren't sure at first, and Legolas really did take some convincing. But I must say, you do look a million times more beautiful than usual!" He looked down at me proudly and I saw across the room Ondion was doing the same.
"Than usual?" I grinned.
"Well we have to accept, you're a lady now, a woman-aren't you?" I looked down.
"Well I have come of age, now I'm 19 and all."
"I don't understand why in Gwendil, they think 19 is old and wise enough to be considered 'grown-up'. Less than twenty years upon this earth is not enough." Ethion pondered out loud.
"Well, men have much less time than elves. We have to hurry, no matter how much we wish it wasn't so." I sighed despondently.
I hated bringing this up, because I knew one day soon, both Ethion and Ondion would depart for the Grey Havens with all their kin, and leave Middle-Earth behind forever, along with me. He gently lifted my chin and looked into my eyes and said, as though reading my mind;
"We are not leaving. You have to understand that, we will always be here for as long as we can be. Middle-Earth is where we lay, so Middle-Earth is where we stay. You won't ever be alone, no matter where you are. Ondion will not leave without me, or I without him, and neither of us wants to leave our home. "
I met his eyes and smiled. The song ended and the couples began to split up. We walked over to where Legolas and Ondion were standing with some other Mirkwood elves. Ondion came swiftly over to me and grinned;
"Look at you! Legolas would not believe it was you, but we knew better."
"Personally I think you should be angry, I mean, I know I would be if someone hadn't thought enough of me to known I could present myself like this!" Ethion added, leaning on his twins shoulder and looking very grave.
I caught on and turned to, pretending to look furious. Legolas, who looked as though he didn't know whether this was a joke or not backed away. But just as he was waiting for the blow to fall, waiting for me to start screaming or have a go at him.
I curtsied low, keeping my eyes down and succeeding in being the perfect lady. Legolas breathed again; I HEARD HIM!
I spent a good while conversing with Legolas, Ondion and Ethion as most of the other elves drifted away, not caring to hear our little stories. I had never known that Legolas was in fact a prince of Mirkwood, and that Ondion and Ethion were the sons of a high minister in the king's court, or that the three had known each other for hundreds of years, before I had even been thought of.
I wanted to hear more about them, because now all the little stories in my 19 years didn't seem enough to compare. They had been mischievous, sneaking away from all he places they were meant to be, to places they wanted to be. I loved it all!
After hearing many songs, and listening to many tales, I decided to get a bit of air, and so I excused myself and went out onto the balcony. Rivendell was just beautiful by night as by day. Every light was on, but seemed tiny next to the brightly lit hall behind me. I sat sideways on the railing and stretched my legs out, taking it all in. Suddenly there was a movement behind me, and there stood Boromir. Before I could speak, he did.
"Excuse me m'lady. I don't mean to interrupt, but I was wondering if you might know where lady Elenya is?" He was being overly polite, and I could tell he didn't know it was me, so I decided to play along just for fun.
"Lady Elenya?" I asked, "Is she that young lady I often see you wandering with? I remember she was very upset a while ago, was that when you and the others left for a while?" He looked down; I could tell he was embarrassed.
Eventually he answered; "Uh, yes, but do you know where she is tonight? You two keep the same company and I haven't been able to find her."
"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen her tonight, and the others have not spoken of her. I'm afraid it isn't my place to ask, but you two are very good friends, are you not?"
I don't know why I asked, it just came out of its own accord. He looked more embarrassed but made an effort and answered.
"Yes, I don't know why, but ever since I found her, I have been very protective of her; I would never want to see her harmed. She is such a kind person, but I cannot see what is different about her, I know there is something, but I don't know what it is, if you understand me."
I nodded and made a neutral sound. Bless Boromir, he was so sweet, now I felt awful for having made him say that, imagine if he found out that I had heard all that; he would be so embarrassed! I knew if I were in his position I would be furious, even if I knew this wasn't intended. I swung off the railing and just as I was about to say something- to try and somehow show myself and apologise, a voice came from behind us,
"Elenya! There you are! We knew it was you! Why haven't you come over to talk to us yet?" Pippin ran over to me and made to pull me inside, but paused.
"You look really beautiful tonight; you should wear your hair down all the time!" I realised now why he paused; it didn't seem appropriate for him to be pulling around a lady like myself. I smiled warmly at him, trying to ignore the look of shock on Boromir's face.
"Thank you Pippin, but I-" I wanted to stay, and as much as I liked him, I wanted Pippin to leave so I could apologise to Bormir, but Pippin was already pulling me inside. I turned round to at least say something, anything to Boromir, but he was leaning over the railing with his back to me.
We went inside and Pippin led me over to where Merry, Frodo, Sam, Bilbo and Gandalf were sitting, all smoking their pipes. As we paused in front of them I dropped a curtsey. They all looked half suspiciously at me.
"Oh as if you didn't know!" I cried, sitting down on the floor. We all burst out laughing, and Gandalf leaned forward, saying softly;
"You did a very good job of fooling everyone, but some eyes you just can't fool". I giggled looking around at my friends.
"You look so different like this!" Merry exclaimed. I frowned;
"Is that good different, or bad different?"
"The thing is," said Bilbo, "You look very pretty either way, but I think you prefer dressing the other way, don't you?" I began looking down and fiddling with my fingers; this was something I couldn't really explain properly.
"I do like dressing like this, its lovely, but I don't think I could do it everyday, I like the way I normally dress and acting the way I normally do."
"Well there are some eyes that can never be fooled." Mused Bilbo thoughtfully
"You look very, very pretty; I thought you were an elf at first" I looked up; that was Sam who was mumbling into his chest! He was bright red when he said, so I decided just to smile and move the conversation on, and save him any more embarrassment.
We all soon began to talk, firstly about the food and how delicious it was, but then moved onto all sorts of other things. I talked a lot more with Frodo who was quite serious, but was trying his best to join in with everyone else's good mood.
It took me an hour to realise Boromir hadn't come back in yet. I excused myself quickly and went out onto the balcony. Boromir was still standing there, just as I had left him, leaning over the balcony and looking down.
I walked quietly over to him, and lent on the railing, exactly like he was. He didn't say anything, and I was about to say how sorry I was but he broke in first.
"You have to now." He said simply. What on earth did he mean?
"What are you talking about?" I blurted out. He looked at me quickly, and he was deadly serious. I couldn't hold his gaze for long.
"I don't mind, and I won't hold it against you, but you have to act as thought you were in my position before; what would you have said? Go on."
I gulped, and decided that I owed him this after I had accidentally embarrassed him.
"Well, of course I am good friends with Boromir. If anything, I owe him. He saved my life, and while he is a gentleman and makes nothing of it, I know it is a big deal and I'm very grateful, but it's more than that. He's such a kind person, and he never talks down to me, even after all the things he's seen and done, and he always treats me like an equal even though I'm not as old or wise or great as him. He's always kind and willing to listen to me, and I'm sure he'd always look after me if I needed it, maybe even if I didn't; I'm just lucky to have met him."
I carried on looking down as if I hadn't just thought aloud for him to hear. After a while, when the silence had dragged on too long, I spoke;
"So are we even then?" I looked up and he was smiling at me.
"More than." He took my arm and turned to lead me inside. "I must say, you are a proper lady aren't you? Even if you don't show it often." He stopped as we were almost at the door. "But I must say I do prefer you normally; you have a lot more to say."
I smiled and gently slapped him in the arm, before we went inside to join the hobbits and Gandalf again.
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I decided to leave quite early, in fact I was one of the first to l go, even though it was nearing the middle of the night. I didn't want the night to end, but I knew (for some reason) that I needed to get back to my room and get to bed.
I got changed and put on my nightdress and was standing admiring my pink dress when I heard the softest movement in the path I knew was under my window. And then I heard low voices.
I shifted over to the window, as quietly as possible, but the voices stopped. I held my breath, not moving, barely even thinking until they started again. I didn't know why I needed to hear this conversation, but I knelt down next to the open balcony door and waited.
". . . Well then where do you think it will be?" Said the first voice, low and smooth.
"I'm not sure, I think it may be, you know, the one past Elrond's main study?" This voice was a man's also, but more stronger and sly almost.
"They are discussing the outsiders, aren't they? And what is to be done about-"
"Shush!" The second hissed. "Do you want to be heard? We are not meant to know, we are only servants! You know that!!" They paused, probably listening for sounds. I
willed my heart to stop beating so loudly.
"But," the first one said "Will she not be going, are they not to discuss about her?" I knew at once that I was she and I desperately wanted to hear more.
"I don't know!!" Hissed the other impatiently. "Everyone knows she is different, but I don't think even Gandalf and Elrond together are sure what it is, or where her purpose lies. We should get back to the hall; we will be missed." He whispered, almost although he knew someone was listening, and almost too low for me to hear. I heard the light sound of them moving away from my room.
I didn't move for a good while, I was confused. How was I different? What Elrond think my 'purpose' was? I felt like the way those two had been speaking, it was dangerous and too big a matter for them to deal with.
I knew it must be the dreams, but I thought it must be more than that; dreams weren't that big a matter, were they? But I wasn't even sure if it had anything to do with my dreams!
And I didn't like the way that Elrond and Gandalf were trying to figure me out behind my back. Right then I made my descion; I was going to that meeting tomorrow; and I was going to see what they were discussing.
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Well thats this chapter over and done with. . . at last! I will see you soon with Chapter seven, and I want you to remember. . . Radish IS a meat!!
And don't worry, the Company WILL leave Rivendell, i swear it!
Carla
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