Disclaimer: I don't own a thing I don't own a thing. Boromir is a pervy
hobbit fancier. I don't own a thing.
A/N Wow, this is going a lot faster then I thought it would. I am really getting into this whole LOTR fan fiction. I'm use to more reviews though. You see over in the HP section of FF.Net the readers review every single little thing. Even an a/n to complement or flame you on that. Well on we go. In this chapter Rory's packing for things, she might need and they set out from Mirkwood with plenty of Rollpa's bread. (lol I know that's pathetic but fic's need little quirks like that)
Title: Gift of Eternity
Author: Under the Moon's Influence
Rating: PG: 13-½ cause Rory has a potty mouth and uses DAMN a whole DAMN lot.
Chapter Title: Beautyberry (yes it's a tree)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Waking in the morning and Rory not knowing where she was becoming a common thing of late. On the morning that her and Legolas were to start their preparations for their mission, Rory was quite sure for a few minutes that she was sleeping under a bridge at Helm's Deep and the noise she heard outside was the children running about over her.
"Blasted children! If you don't quit your running I'll stew every last one of ya and feed ya'll to my meat eating elephant!" it was suppose to be a yell but it came out more like a half whisper and meat eating elephant a little louder. The noise stopped and for a time Rory was content again. "Yeah I'll send Zippo the elephant after ya'lll." and she drifted to sleep again.
Minutes later the noise began again. Rory was flaming. She sat up expecting to see cold gray stone and others sleeping near her but alas, it was her room in Mirkwood. She didn't know when she had started to refer to this room as "her" room but it did seem like hers now. She had learnt many secrets about the room in the short time she was there but still more were hidden and she was anxious to discover them but not right now. Right now, she wanted the noise to stop. Someone was at the door. They weren't knocking now but she felt their presence. Getting up carefully she slipped a dagger into her sleeve. If it had been Green Leaf he would have slipped right in and Rollpa, not another loaf of bread please, he would have knocked timidly and not dare wake her at this hour. Approaching the door, the knocking started again. Wanting to alarm the knocker she didn't answer with voice, rather she opened the door quickly and stepped back giving her best-bewildered look.
It was Brillôas. He wore fine robes of silk as usual and a sword was on his belt. Not a hair on his head was out of place and in the early morning light looked rather handsome but still haughty. He held a package under one arm and looked a little upset that Rory hadn't answered the door a little more politely. He lowered his hand and cleared his throat.
"Trilla my dear lass, I'm sorry to bother you this early but I do have some business that I must speak with you about before you and my dear brother start packing." He stepped into the room, gave it the once over, and flared his nose. Probably not a luxious as his room or rooms but Rory liked it and didn't need anything more.
"And what is it that you want me to know? Its still night and I would like to get some sleep after that hard night of dancing" She wasn't going to let this elf make her feel small and stupid. She was the thief and it was her job. Legolas knew the instructions and from what she had gathered the night before he knew exactly, what they must do to get the isle. She lowered herself on the chair closest to the widow and motioned to Brillôas to do that same. He sat cautiously on the window seat as though it was spiked with poison and daggers.
"Well you must understand that what I want to tell you must be kept fully from my brother. Will you swear?" He looked sincere with his words much as Legolas but then again she could never tell what Green Leaf's plans were.
She sweared anyway. "Yes, I won't breathe a word." She was eyeing the wooden box he had sat next to him in the seat.
"Good. Now how do I say this? Oh yes. In this box, I have an ancient elf ring with immense healing powers. It wasn't one of the rings that Suron used. No, it was forged thousands of years before by the Lady of the Stars."
"And you're trusting it with me? I lost my little sister once at Helm's Deep." She probed. She wanted to make sure he was sure about his decision. She wasn't to keen at carrying an elf ring around.
"Yes I do trust you because if you knew what kind of power and life line this is to middle earth you wouldn't let it out of your site. I want you to take it to protect Legolas. He is my brother and I do love him despite our differences. I fear this journey will be a perilous one and I would feel better if this ring was near him." his voice was low and hoarse.
"Ok is it alright if I put it on my chain?" She pulled out the fine gold chain that was the only thing of value she had taken from home. Undoing it, she pulled it off and took the petite ring that Brillôas held out. It was silver and the only remarkable thing about it was that it was just that. Not remarkable, it held a single light green stone in a three- pronged set but that was it.
"Thank you. I will sleep in ease while Legolas is gone. I must be off. Good day to you." Any of the hoarseness that was in his voice was gone and the worried looked that had haunted his eyes had left. 'Poor fool.' He took her hand and kissed it. 'Ah so Green Leaf picked that one up from big brother.'
"Good day Prince Elf." She watched him depart. Ambling back to her bed she lied down again to rest a few more hours. Humming her mother's song for the second time in two days, she slipped into the white again and when she woke later in the morn, she thought little of the early morning meeting. In fact, a week into their quest Rory forgot completely about the ring existence. She didn't need it now but maybe, just maybe later she would. In fact, it was a certainty as the quest continued. They needed comfort and aid. Either that or death. She wouldn't be sure then which one was better.
A/N ohhh foreshadowing. da da dum! Ok don't forget about the ring but don't focus on it either mmmkay? It's not like THE RING. Ok on we go.. Don't expect the ring to pop up until the end of the story mmmkay? Did you take notes?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next time Rory was woken, it was by a sudden yanking of the covers off her curled body. She grabbed for the quilt but it was held out of her fingers. She wasn't ready to get up yet, she didn't feel well again this morning. Packing could wait, they still had a whole other day to use. She put her shaggy head under the pillows and mumbled vaguely of elephants and having to use the bathroom. As she suspected the pillows were grasped whoever this was tried to throw it aside. She was ready, she, still with closed eyes, held on to the pillow.
"Let go you scoundrel or face Rory's wrath. I have many fearsome elephant friends hiding in the thickets to strike you down. Be off I say, be off." She was still half asleep and was being dragged across the cool silk sheets hanging onto a pillow spilling threats at whomever this was with her eyes never opening. She even let out a 'roar' for effect. The pillow was finally ripped from her; she heard the thump halfway across the room. It didn't matter she could sleep with out a pillow and she did. Seconds after having the pillow taken from her Rory was on her way to unconsciousness that was sleep.
After an undetermined amount of time, she was woken again. She felt something heavy get on her bed and crawl catlike so it was right over her. She didn't move, she was ready to pounce. It shook her once and said something but she didn't listen. She quick as lightening tackled who ever this was so that they were both spilling over the bed. She let out another croaky 'roar. After much swinging of arms or Rory's part she was pinched awake by none other then Green Leaf. He looked annoyed and lethal as an elf could look. She laughed at this.
"Trilla! This is no time to laugh. I have half a mind to ask the king to halt the mission and choose another better fit!" his words were acid but it didn't concern Rory.
"Why didn't you just ask me to get up instead of ripping covers off me, taking my pillow and giving me the chance to tackle you?" She was untangling herself from the mess of blankets and elf legs.
"Trust me my lady I did try. You just kept mumbling about elephants and eggplants." His voice was back to calm and aloof and his blue eyes meet Rory's gray and she saw the twinkle that deceived his words.
"Well then forgive me. Come, let's start packing." She gave him a hand and pulled him up.
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
" I think that's all the weapons two horses can handle. Speaking of horses Green Leaf do you have yours chosen?" Rory was bundling up the third pack of swords, daggers and axes. She wanted a break and she wanted to see Courreurlune. It had been a full day since she last spotted him streaking by as she and Green Leaf strolled about the garden. He was standing about 10 feet away twining a rope around his arm to take along. The rope was at least 75 feet long and looked strong but it was thin and not bulky.
"No" he was binding it together at the end and threw it onto the pile of things they were to take along. 'What an answer. How am I suppose to spend who knows how long with this elf and he doesn't talk?
"Well. I'm feeling well right now and I want to see my horse. Could we go have a look?" She crossed her fingers behind her back.
'Yes" he was straightening the pile of items and seemed to only be listening to her half way.
Abruptly he stood and started towards the horse house. "Come" he called.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"That one is too big and it doesn't match my horse." Green Leaf had brought about every horse out of their pen and showed it Rory and in turn, she had rejected every one of them. She had her eye on one horse in the far back. When she had looked for her, own horse she had in fact looked at her but she had spotted Courreurlune and forgot about her. She was a beauty, pure white and proud. She sensed a strong spirit in her and Rory was set on rejecting every horse in the barn until Green Leaf brought her forward.
Green Leaf merely nodded and returned the horse to his pen. He went on looking for the next. 'He isn't getting this. Time for more direct action.' She quickly moved back to the little beauties pen and leaned against it petting her soft mane. She turned around as she saw Green Leaf emerge from a pen with an old nanny goat following him. He looked up at Rory with a slight smile. She only shook her head. 'No nanny goats will come with.'
After he had returned the goat to her pen, he came around and looked at the horse Rory was stroking. She twisted her face into what she hoped was an innocent smile and turned back to the immaculate white horse.
"Oh what a pretty horse you are, would you like to come with us?" Rory said this loudly as Green Leaf passed her to look at a dappled stallion. 'Maybe I should just put a sign here that says "THIS ONE YOU DENSE ELF". No, I don't think that's direct enough for him. He might overlook it and still wonder what I'm trying to say.'
"Lady, do you think this stallion it fit for the journey? He's strong and quick over open country, I have a slight doubt of his ability in deep forests but he can learn. He's quite young as well. One of the best we have." He turned to face her. She merely glanced at the horse and the elf speaking to her.
"No, his eyes are beady." She was running out of excuses and Green Leaf was right, the stallion was grand to say the least.
"His eyes are beady? Rory, I have a feeling you're making this up. How can horses have beady eyes?" Green Leaf sounded dead serious. Rory almost burst out laughing.
"I just know these things. Why don't you look at some other horses? Perhaps this nice little beauty." She had already unhooked the gate and was leading her out and all but forcing the rope into Green Leaf's hands.
"She quite small if you notice and never been out of Mirkwood in all her years. Her name is Pyp and she is nothing but a common horse that we might give friendly travelers." Green Leaf looked final and moved on to the next pen.
"Was Pyp born here in Mirkwood?" He wasn't going to win this argument without a fight.
"No she was brought here a summer ago when she was but a yearling. She was in the company of the Elves of Lorien." He was studying his stallion again and seemed to have his heart set on this horse.
"Well then how do you know that she hasn't seen danger or other places of great importance? She is not an Elfish horse so that only means she comes from the line of men. Rohan maybe? She has the stature of a horse of Rohan you know." That was maybe pushing it a bit but something inside of Rory told her that this is the horse they sought.
"Do you really have your spirit set on Pyp, Lady Trilla-Rory?" he had turned his head and eyes towards her an asked this very sincerely.
"Yes, this is the one. If it doesn't work out we have miles between here and the sea so we can get you a new one." With that said it was done. Green Leaf approached the girl and the horse, took the reins and led the horse out into the fresh air to prepare it for the long journey to the sea and beyond.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Another dinner? Can't I just have some bread and cheese in my room? I don't belong in the elf hall Rollpa, they all look at me as if I've sprouted an extra head or something. Maybe it's my strange ears. " Rory was irritated when Rollpa had entered her room and informed her that she was to dress again in an elfish gown and attend dinner for the second time while she was here, with the elves.
"It is a leaving feast for the Prince and so his journey is safe and prosperous. He is the second eldest son and most dear to the Queen." Rollpa's eyes were big and kind as he spoke to the girl who sat in the window with arrows strewn about the room. She had been added an extra dose of poison to the arrows and making new arrows with some material, she had lifted from a room on the other side of the west garden.
"Oh, you know Rollpa, he's just showing me how to get there and to make sure I don't run off. Nothing overly heroic, I'm doing the hard parts remembers." Rory rolled her eyes as she stood up and opened the dresser to choose a gown. "Tell the Queen I'll come as long as I can excuse myself after the meal. I have work to do before we leave. I need to think some things through." Rory pulled out a black robe-gown thing of the same watery silk and threw it on the bed.
"What of the dancing? It's tradition for the elves to do the Farewell Dinner and balled." Rollpa looked worried.
"Well none of them said hello to me so a farewell dance and balled isn't for me. It's either that I shall not come at all. What is it Rollpa?" Rory then kicked off her shoes and threw off he quiver and daggers on her belt.
"I shall tell the Queen. Good day to you Trilla." Rollpa backed out of the room with a bow and set off out of the house.
"Ahh bloody hell, more elf food." Murmured Rory as she dressed herself for the dinner.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Rory stepped into the elf hall this time not accompanied by Legolas as the night before she seemed to have found a new pool of courage and pride. She didn't shrink back as she had done the night before. Her gown was fashioned much like the elves this time too rather then Rohan. It was long and sinuous, floating around her like a black cloud that clung to her body freely. She had let her hair down, she had tried her best to keep it straight but she still had visible cow licks here an there but they went unnoticed. Since her gown dragged on the ground Rory had decided to go without shoes because no one would see them and the were a bother.
"You look pleasant tonight Trilla-Rory." Green Leaf said as she approached the high table at the far end of the hall. He was dressed in garments of dark silver, he bore no crown and his hair was still in its braid.
"As do you, I see you've broken the dress code. Welcome to the alliance of dress code rebels. Soon we'll rule the world." It was true; they were the only ones in the hall who did not wear white.
"It's a farewell dinner and they're bidding us farewell. We are to look different from the others to symbolize."
"No, Green Leaf, this is a dinner for you, not me. I only came because at the last minute I was asked to. I'm leaving after the food. I have things to pack and plans I must think through. These elves care nothing of me." A flash of anger swept through her. She didn't know why, it wasn't Green Leafs fault and it wasn't the elves' faults that were slowly gathering in the hall. Rory knew why suddenly. People she had known back when she lived in the village thought little of her. She had returned twice since she had left as a stranger and once had found her younger sister scampering in a field of oats with no remembrance of Rory. When she had asked if any were dead, she had said
"Yes, one of us is dead but that's alright, we didn't love her as much anyway. She was a trouble maker and it was better for us that she left us."
"What was her name?" She had asked
"Rory, she was the third oldest of us seven. She was a tomboy if there ever was one. Looked a bit like you actually. I have to go now. Good Day." And just like that she was gone running over the fields like Rory had done when she was younger.
"The elves bid you farewell too. They are eternally grateful for what you have agreed to do." Green Leaf looked hurt to her surprise, his eyes were strangely bright, and this hall's light caught every detail of his fair face.
"Maybe Green Leaf, but it's you they love. Besides, I have many things to think through before we leave day after tomorrow. Now let's sit down and enjoy this meal if we can." Rory started once again towards that high table with Green Leaf behind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After the meal of richly prepared fish, Rory like she had said excused herself from the high table just as the music started. She was taken aback when she had stood at the table and all of the elf men including Green Leaf stood up beside their chairs as she exited. She touched Green Leaf's shoulder and bid him good night. She gave an awkward smile and a slight nod to the rest as she passed to the right of the main table.
"Thank the stars that I don't have to go through that again. I'm not meant for fancy dinners or special treatment like that." She said to herself as she scurried across the gardens to her room. It was true that Rory had a soft spot for flowers and she had walked through the gardens as often as she could but something about them in the dark worried her. The trees and the plants whispered in the wind with their own voices. They were calling out to the forest that stood ancient and swaying to and fro in front of her. Why the elves choose this place for their home when even a mere human was aware of the magic of the trees around them was beyond her. Maybe they liked it but Rory thought if she had to sleep within hearing distance of some wailing trees she'd go mad.
She finally entered her room and sighed. She was tired and truth be told she didn't feel like planning tonight. She laid down on her bed without taking off the Elvish gown staring at the ceiling. She heard a twitter in outside and bended her head towards the window to look, it was Sarafan.
"Hello Sarafan, come to bid me farewell? I know not where I go or why this bow is so damn important. I agreed because I wanted to prove myself to. well myself." She wasn't aware that she was talking out loud. Her eyes fluttered and then closed. She slipped into darkness and comfort.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~~*~*~*~*~~*~~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~&*
When Rory woke the next morning her room was bathed in a pale yellow light which softened the whole room. She was startled when she turned her head over and saw Green Leaf sitting in a chair next to her bed. His chin resting on his chest sleeping silently he looked youthful but troubled. Rory sat up in bed and touched his arm. He jerked awake and caught her arm.
"It's me Green Leaf." Rory quickly said.
"I know. Come we must go and finish our prepartions." Rory shook her head as she got up. 'How strange he is.'
"Are you coming?" Legolas turned around and said to her.
"I'm still in a dress. If you want me to work let me change." Rory said.
"Well then change." He said but didn't make an effort to move.
"Without being watched."
"Fine, meet me by the stables in ten minutes." He turned and was gone.
"Strange elf." Rory said as she changed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N aghhh I really don't like the way this chappie turned out. Oh well Here it is. nexy chappie to come soon.
A/N Wow, this is going a lot faster then I thought it would. I am really getting into this whole LOTR fan fiction. I'm use to more reviews though. You see over in the HP section of FF.Net the readers review every single little thing. Even an a/n to complement or flame you on that. Well on we go. In this chapter Rory's packing for things, she might need and they set out from Mirkwood with plenty of Rollpa's bread. (lol I know that's pathetic but fic's need little quirks like that)
Title: Gift of Eternity
Author: Under the Moon's Influence
Rating: PG: 13-½ cause Rory has a potty mouth and uses DAMN a whole DAMN lot.
Chapter Title: Beautyberry (yes it's a tree)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Waking in the morning and Rory not knowing where she was becoming a common thing of late. On the morning that her and Legolas were to start their preparations for their mission, Rory was quite sure for a few minutes that she was sleeping under a bridge at Helm's Deep and the noise she heard outside was the children running about over her.
"Blasted children! If you don't quit your running I'll stew every last one of ya and feed ya'll to my meat eating elephant!" it was suppose to be a yell but it came out more like a half whisper and meat eating elephant a little louder. The noise stopped and for a time Rory was content again. "Yeah I'll send Zippo the elephant after ya'lll." and she drifted to sleep again.
Minutes later the noise began again. Rory was flaming. She sat up expecting to see cold gray stone and others sleeping near her but alas, it was her room in Mirkwood. She didn't know when she had started to refer to this room as "her" room but it did seem like hers now. She had learnt many secrets about the room in the short time she was there but still more were hidden and she was anxious to discover them but not right now. Right now, she wanted the noise to stop. Someone was at the door. They weren't knocking now but she felt their presence. Getting up carefully she slipped a dagger into her sleeve. If it had been Green Leaf he would have slipped right in and Rollpa, not another loaf of bread please, he would have knocked timidly and not dare wake her at this hour. Approaching the door, the knocking started again. Wanting to alarm the knocker she didn't answer with voice, rather she opened the door quickly and stepped back giving her best-bewildered look.
It was Brillôas. He wore fine robes of silk as usual and a sword was on his belt. Not a hair on his head was out of place and in the early morning light looked rather handsome but still haughty. He held a package under one arm and looked a little upset that Rory hadn't answered the door a little more politely. He lowered his hand and cleared his throat.
"Trilla my dear lass, I'm sorry to bother you this early but I do have some business that I must speak with you about before you and my dear brother start packing." He stepped into the room, gave it the once over, and flared his nose. Probably not a luxious as his room or rooms but Rory liked it and didn't need anything more.
"And what is it that you want me to know? Its still night and I would like to get some sleep after that hard night of dancing" She wasn't going to let this elf make her feel small and stupid. She was the thief and it was her job. Legolas knew the instructions and from what she had gathered the night before he knew exactly, what they must do to get the isle. She lowered herself on the chair closest to the widow and motioned to Brillôas to do that same. He sat cautiously on the window seat as though it was spiked with poison and daggers.
"Well you must understand that what I want to tell you must be kept fully from my brother. Will you swear?" He looked sincere with his words much as Legolas but then again she could never tell what Green Leaf's plans were.
She sweared anyway. "Yes, I won't breathe a word." She was eyeing the wooden box he had sat next to him in the seat.
"Good. Now how do I say this? Oh yes. In this box, I have an ancient elf ring with immense healing powers. It wasn't one of the rings that Suron used. No, it was forged thousands of years before by the Lady of the Stars."
"And you're trusting it with me? I lost my little sister once at Helm's Deep." She probed. She wanted to make sure he was sure about his decision. She wasn't to keen at carrying an elf ring around.
"Yes I do trust you because if you knew what kind of power and life line this is to middle earth you wouldn't let it out of your site. I want you to take it to protect Legolas. He is my brother and I do love him despite our differences. I fear this journey will be a perilous one and I would feel better if this ring was near him." his voice was low and hoarse.
"Ok is it alright if I put it on my chain?" She pulled out the fine gold chain that was the only thing of value she had taken from home. Undoing it, she pulled it off and took the petite ring that Brillôas held out. It was silver and the only remarkable thing about it was that it was just that. Not remarkable, it held a single light green stone in a three- pronged set but that was it.
"Thank you. I will sleep in ease while Legolas is gone. I must be off. Good day to you." Any of the hoarseness that was in his voice was gone and the worried looked that had haunted his eyes had left. 'Poor fool.' He took her hand and kissed it. 'Ah so Green Leaf picked that one up from big brother.'
"Good day Prince Elf." She watched him depart. Ambling back to her bed she lied down again to rest a few more hours. Humming her mother's song for the second time in two days, she slipped into the white again and when she woke later in the morn, she thought little of the early morning meeting. In fact, a week into their quest Rory forgot completely about the ring existence. She didn't need it now but maybe, just maybe later she would. In fact, it was a certainty as the quest continued. They needed comfort and aid. Either that or death. She wouldn't be sure then which one was better.
A/N ohhh foreshadowing. da da dum! Ok don't forget about the ring but don't focus on it either mmmkay? It's not like THE RING. Ok on we go.. Don't expect the ring to pop up until the end of the story mmmkay? Did you take notes?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The next time Rory was woken, it was by a sudden yanking of the covers off her curled body. She grabbed for the quilt but it was held out of her fingers. She wasn't ready to get up yet, she didn't feel well again this morning. Packing could wait, they still had a whole other day to use. She put her shaggy head under the pillows and mumbled vaguely of elephants and having to use the bathroom. As she suspected the pillows were grasped whoever this was tried to throw it aside. She was ready, she, still with closed eyes, held on to the pillow.
"Let go you scoundrel or face Rory's wrath. I have many fearsome elephant friends hiding in the thickets to strike you down. Be off I say, be off." She was still half asleep and was being dragged across the cool silk sheets hanging onto a pillow spilling threats at whomever this was with her eyes never opening. She even let out a 'roar' for effect. The pillow was finally ripped from her; she heard the thump halfway across the room. It didn't matter she could sleep with out a pillow and she did. Seconds after having the pillow taken from her Rory was on her way to unconsciousness that was sleep.
After an undetermined amount of time, she was woken again. She felt something heavy get on her bed and crawl catlike so it was right over her. She didn't move, she was ready to pounce. It shook her once and said something but she didn't listen. She quick as lightening tackled who ever this was so that they were both spilling over the bed. She let out another croaky 'roar. After much swinging of arms or Rory's part she was pinched awake by none other then Green Leaf. He looked annoyed and lethal as an elf could look. She laughed at this.
"Trilla! This is no time to laugh. I have half a mind to ask the king to halt the mission and choose another better fit!" his words were acid but it didn't concern Rory.
"Why didn't you just ask me to get up instead of ripping covers off me, taking my pillow and giving me the chance to tackle you?" She was untangling herself from the mess of blankets and elf legs.
"Trust me my lady I did try. You just kept mumbling about elephants and eggplants." His voice was back to calm and aloof and his blue eyes meet Rory's gray and she saw the twinkle that deceived his words.
"Well then forgive me. Come, let's start packing." She gave him a hand and pulled him up.
~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
" I think that's all the weapons two horses can handle. Speaking of horses Green Leaf do you have yours chosen?" Rory was bundling up the third pack of swords, daggers and axes. She wanted a break and she wanted to see Courreurlune. It had been a full day since she last spotted him streaking by as she and Green Leaf strolled about the garden. He was standing about 10 feet away twining a rope around his arm to take along. The rope was at least 75 feet long and looked strong but it was thin and not bulky.
"No" he was binding it together at the end and threw it onto the pile of things they were to take along. 'What an answer. How am I suppose to spend who knows how long with this elf and he doesn't talk?
"Well. I'm feeling well right now and I want to see my horse. Could we go have a look?" She crossed her fingers behind her back.
'Yes" he was straightening the pile of items and seemed to only be listening to her half way.
Abruptly he stood and started towards the horse house. "Come" he called.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"That one is too big and it doesn't match my horse." Green Leaf had brought about every horse out of their pen and showed it Rory and in turn, she had rejected every one of them. She had her eye on one horse in the far back. When she had looked for her, own horse she had in fact looked at her but she had spotted Courreurlune and forgot about her. She was a beauty, pure white and proud. She sensed a strong spirit in her and Rory was set on rejecting every horse in the barn until Green Leaf brought her forward.
Green Leaf merely nodded and returned the horse to his pen. He went on looking for the next. 'He isn't getting this. Time for more direct action.' She quickly moved back to the little beauties pen and leaned against it petting her soft mane. She turned around as she saw Green Leaf emerge from a pen with an old nanny goat following him. He looked up at Rory with a slight smile. She only shook her head. 'No nanny goats will come with.'
After he had returned the goat to her pen, he came around and looked at the horse Rory was stroking. She twisted her face into what she hoped was an innocent smile and turned back to the immaculate white horse.
"Oh what a pretty horse you are, would you like to come with us?" Rory said this loudly as Green Leaf passed her to look at a dappled stallion. 'Maybe I should just put a sign here that says "THIS ONE YOU DENSE ELF". No, I don't think that's direct enough for him. He might overlook it and still wonder what I'm trying to say.'
"Lady, do you think this stallion it fit for the journey? He's strong and quick over open country, I have a slight doubt of his ability in deep forests but he can learn. He's quite young as well. One of the best we have." He turned to face her. She merely glanced at the horse and the elf speaking to her.
"No, his eyes are beady." She was running out of excuses and Green Leaf was right, the stallion was grand to say the least.
"His eyes are beady? Rory, I have a feeling you're making this up. How can horses have beady eyes?" Green Leaf sounded dead serious. Rory almost burst out laughing.
"I just know these things. Why don't you look at some other horses? Perhaps this nice little beauty." She had already unhooked the gate and was leading her out and all but forcing the rope into Green Leaf's hands.
"She quite small if you notice and never been out of Mirkwood in all her years. Her name is Pyp and she is nothing but a common horse that we might give friendly travelers." Green Leaf looked final and moved on to the next pen.
"Was Pyp born here in Mirkwood?" He wasn't going to win this argument without a fight.
"No she was brought here a summer ago when she was but a yearling. She was in the company of the Elves of Lorien." He was studying his stallion again and seemed to have his heart set on this horse.
"Well then how do you know that she hasn't seen danger or other places of great importance? She is not an Elfish horse so that only means she comes from the line of men. Rohan maybe? She has the stature of a horse of Rohan you know." That was maybe pushing it a bit but something inside of Rory told her that this is the horse they sought.
"Do you really have your spirit set on Pyp, Lady Trilla-Rory?" he had turned his head and eyes towards her an asked this very sincerely.
"Yes, this is the one. If it doesn't work out we have miles between here and the sea so we can get you a new one." With that said it was done. Green Leaf approached the girl and the horse, took the reins and led the horse out into the fresh air to prepare it for the long journey to the sea and beyond.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Another dinner? Can't I just have some bread and cheese in my room? I don't belong in the elf hall Rollpa, they all look at me as if I've sprouted an extra head or something. Maybe it's my strange ears. " Rory was irritated when Rollpa had entered her room and informed her that she was to dress again in an elfish gown and attend dinner for the second time while she was here, with the elves.
"It is a leaving feast for the Prince and so his journey is safe and prosperous. He is the second eldest son and most dear to the Queen." Rollpa's eyes were big and kind as he spoke to the girl who sat in the window with arrows strewn about the room. She had been added an extra dose of poison to the arrows and making new arrows with some material, she had lifted from a room on the other side of the west garden.
"Oh, you know Rollpa, he's just showing me how to get there and to make sure I don't run off. Nothing overly heroic, I'm doing the hard parts remembers." Rory rolled her eyes as she stood up and opened the dresser to choose a gown. "Tell the Queen I'll come as long as I can excuse myself after the meal. I have work to do before we leave. I need to think some things through." Rory pulled out a black robe-gown thing of the same watery silk and threw it on the bed.
"What of the dancing? It's tradition for the elves to do the Farewell Dinner and balled." Rollpa looked worried.
"Well none of them said hello to me so a farewell dance and balled isn't for me. It's either that I shall not come at all. What is it Rollpa?" Rory then kicked off her shoes and threw off he quiver and daggers on her belt.
"I shall tell the Queen. Good day to you Trilla." Rollpa backed out of the room with a bow and set off out of the house.
"Ahh bloody hell, more elf food." Murmured Rory as she dressed herself for the dinner.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Rory stepped into the elf hall this time not accompanied by Legolas as the night before she seemed to have found a new pool of courage and pride. She didn't shrink back as she had done the night before. Her gown was fashioned much like the elves this time too rather then Rohan. It was long and sinuous, floating around her like a black cloud that clung to her body freely. She had let her hair down, she had tried her best to keep it straight but she still had visible cow licks here an there but they went unnoticed. Since her gown dragged on the ground Rory had decided to go without shoes because no one would see them and the were a bother.
"You look pleasant tonight Trilla-Rory." Green Leaf said as she approached the high table at the far end of the hall. He was dressed in garments of dark silver, he bore no crown and his hair was still in its braid.
"As do you, I see you've broken the dress code. Welcome to the alliance of dress code rebels. Soon we'll rule the world." It was true; they were the only ones in the hall who did not wear white.
"It's a farewell dinner and they're bidding us farewell. We are to look different from the others to symbolize."
"No, Green Leaf, this is a dinner for you, not me. I only came because at the last minute I was asked to. I'm leaving after the food. I have things to pack and plans I must think through. These elves care nothing of me." A flash of anger swept through her. She didn't know why, it wasn't Green Leafs fault and it wasn't the elves' faults that were slowly gathering in the hall. Rory knew why suddenly. People she had known back when she lived in the village thought little of her. She had returned twice since she had left as a stranger and once had found her younger sister scampering in a field of oats with no remembrance of Rory. When she had asked if any were dead, she had said
"Yes, one of us is dead but that's alright, we didn't love her as much anyway. She was a trouble maker and it was better for us that she left us."
"What was her name?" She had asked
"Rory, she was the third oldest of us seven. She was a tomboy if there ever was one. Looked a bit like you actually. I have to go now. Good Day." And just like that she was gone running over the fields like Rory had done when she was younger.
"The elves bid you farewell too. They are eternally grateful for what you have agreed to do." Green Leaf looked hurt to her surprise, his eyes were strangely bright, and this hall's light caught every detail of his fair face.
"Maybe Green Leaf, but it's you they love. Besides, I have many things to think through before we leave day after tomorrow. Now let's sit down and enjoy this meal if we can." Rory started once again towards that high table with Green Leaf behind.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
After the meal of richly prepared fish, Rory like she had said excused herself from the high table just as the music started. She was taken aback when she had stood at the table and all of the elf men including Green Leaf stood up beside their chairs as she exited. She touched Green Leaf's shoulder and bid him good night. She gave an awkward smile and a slight nod to the rest as she passed to the right of the main table.
"Thank the stars that I don't have to go through that again. I'm not meant for fancy dinners or special treatment like that." She said to herself as she scurried across the gardens to her room. It was true that Rory had a soft spot for flowers and she had walked through the gardens as often as she could but something about them in the dark worried her. The trees and the plants whispered in the wind with their own voices. They were calling out to the forest that stood ancient and swaying to and fro in front of her. Why the elves choose this place for their home when even a mere human was aware of the magic of the trees around them was beyond her. Maybe they liked it but Rory thought if she had to sleep within hearing distance of some wailing trees she'd go mad.
She finally entered her room and sighed. She was tired and truth be told she didn't feel like planning tonight. She laid down on her bed without taking off the Elvish gown staring at the ceiling. She heard a twitter in outside and bended her head towards the window to look, it was Sarafan.
"Hello Sarafan, come to bid me farewell? I know not where I go or why this bow is so damn important. I agreed because I wanted to prove myself to. well myself." She wasn't aware that she was talking out loud. Her eyes fluttered and then closed. She slipped into darkness and comfort.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~~*~*~*~*~~*~~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~&*
When Rory woke the next morning her room was bathed in a pale yellow light which softened the whole room. She was startled when she turned her head over and saw Green Leaf sitting in a chair next to her bed. His chin resting on his chest sleeping silently he looked youthful but troubled. Rory sat up in bed and touched his arm. He jerked awake and caught her arm.
"It's me Green Leaf." Rory quickly said.
"I know. Come we must go and finish our prepartions." Rory shook her head as she got up. 'How strange he is.'
"Are you coming?" Legolas turned around and said to her.
"I'm still in a dress. If you want me to work let me change." Rory said.
"Well then change." He said but didn't make an effort to move.
"Without being watched."
"Fine, meet me by the stables in ten minutes." He turned and was gone.
"Strange elf." Rory said as she changed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N aghhh I really don't like the way this chappie turned out. Oh well Here it is. nexy chappie to come soon.