Well, well, well. Chapter Two and three reviews! I'm loved!
*takes tissue from Regiai and sniffs*
Thank you, everyone!
*Please remember that Hobbits and Elves both refer to the Sun as 'She.'
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Chapter Two: What She KnewMorning came and she rose with the Sun. She* was more beautiful today than She had been yesterday, or the day before that.
Ada's going to KILL Arwen, she mused. Plus, Estel's arriving today. Coincidence? I think not. Arwen can scheme, contrary to a lot of people's opinion of her. She smiled at the thought. Elrohir would tell Ada in a decond. He wouldn't hesitate. Nor would Elladan.
She snorted in a most unlady-like fashion. Then, she heard it.
The sound of loud rushing waters.
The Ford is flooding! she realized with horror.
She ran, in her nightdress, to the highest room in the Hall where she could easily see the Ford of Bruinen.
Indeed, the Ford was flooding. There was the shape of white knights on horseback. Then, she saw Estel, Glorfindel, and several children on one side of the Ford. Another child was on Asfaloth, who was galloping to the city at full speed.
She strained her ears to hear what the child was saying as the Black Riders chased him. He was holding up a sword.
"-to Mordor!"
She didn't hesitate.
"Open the gates of Imladris! Open the gates!" she cried. "Asfaloth returns!!"
The gates opened and Asfaloth galloped through. He ran up the city and straight to Mithrandir.
Legolas heard the call and looked to the highest point of Imladris. There, on the roof of Elrond's Hall, was an Elf woman.
Her hair flew behind her in the wind, gown fluttering almost indecently, but she obviously didn't care. She was straining her senses to see and hear what was going on at the Ford of Bruinen, where the danger was.
He absently stepped out of the way of a galloping white horse.
His heart beat once, and fell without a sound.
She's. beautiful. Fairer than Lúthein Tinuviel herself, I dare say, he mused.
Silver-gold hair, crystal eyes, fair, smooth skin, and impossibly long lashes.
Who. is she? he pondered for a mere second before she jumped off the building and landed in front of him.
"Greetings. I beg your pardon. Imladris is not normally so loud and improper. I am Lórindol Tindómerel, Lord Elrond's daughter."
Silently, he cursed Elladan and Elrohir for not preparing him for their sister.
Wait. They never mentioned a sister besides Arwen Undómiel. Is she lying? Or are Elladan and Elrohir playing another prank?
He sighed.
"Might I have your name, sir?"
"Legolas, son of Tranduil."
"Ah! The Prince of Mirkwood. You are most welcome in Imladris. Would you walk with me? Otherwise," she said, tone turning wry, "I'll be pestered by those stupid, ugly bachelors again."
He grinned. "Certainly, Princess Lórindol."
She smiled. "Thank you, Prince Legolas. I owe you one."
They walked and talked. Finally, they arrived at a door.
"I won't ask what business the Prince of Mirkwood has in Imladris, but I will do this. If your accommodations in Imladris don't meet your needs, tell me and I will have it repaired."
He bowed and watched as she entered the room beyond the door.
A bedchamber, he realized. Her bedchamber?
He shook his head and walked away.
"Ada, what's going on?" she queried at the evening meal.
"You will find out soon enough, my daughter."
"Merel?" asked a high-pitched voice.
"Yes, Túrin?"
"Will you play with us after supper, Me-me?"
She stiffened as Elrond turned to look at her.
"Me-me?"
"The children call me that. It's a nickname," she replied, tone almost defiant.
"I will make sure that Arwen takes over your duties as hostess."
She sighed happily. "Thank you, Ada." She turned to Túrin. "Yes, I will. Make sure to eat, though, Túrin."
"Yes! Thank you, Lord Elrond!!" he cheered, running off.
A few minutes passed before Elrond sat a nice little trap for her.
"So, daughter, what do you think of Prince Legolas?"
She choked. "I beg pardon?" she gasped after having a sip of wine to wash down the food she'd choked on.
"The Prince of Mirkwood, Legolas. What do you think of him?"
She pretended to contemplate the question. Then, continuing the act, she looked down at Legolas.
"He's polite, clean, handsome, and he must be well-mannered. Where he not well-mannered, we would probably have to deal with complaints from the people he's sitting with. Why, Ada?"
He smiled.
Danger sign, number two, she realized.
"You were seen walking with him by Mithrandir."
"I see I have no private life." She turned to Mithrandir. "Snoop!"
Mithrandir grinned. "I'm a wizard. There's absolutely no difference between a snoop and a wizard."
She couldn't help the laughter. "All right, Mithrandir, mellon, you win that one."
"Well, what were you talking about?"
"The child on Asfaloth's back. Prince Legolas and I were merely speculating as to who he could be."
"That 'child' was Frodo Baggins, nephew and heir to Bilbo."
She nodded. "The nephew he's always talking about in Imladris. Bilbo ought to get a nice little shock out of this."
"Respectfully, Lórindel, I already know he's hear," said a small voice.
"Greetings, Bilbo. Finally found time to drag yourself away from your Translations?"
"When Lórindel wishes to see me, she only need ask."
She smiled. "I'll keep that in mind, Bilbo. Indeed, you may regret that open invitation."
He chuckled and walked away.
Through Elrond's eyes, she saw Prince Legolas walking towards her. He tapped her shoulder and she managed to act surprised.
"May I help you, Prince Legolas?"
"Princess Lórindel, are you free after dinner? If you are, would you accompany me on a walk?"
"I'm sorry, Prince Legolas. I'm not free. I promised a group of children I would play with them ere their bedtime."
"And after that, my lady?"
"I am free."
"Then, I will see you then?"
She cast a glance at Elrond, who nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Indeed, my lord, you shall."
He walked away and she glared at Elrond.
She wished that she was less noticeable. The Prince of Mirkwood asking one of the Princesses of Imladris on a walk would surely make the gossip mill start grinding now.
Were that I was a normal Elf-maiden! I'd be able to walk where I please, with whom I please, she thought, sighing again. Legolas is probably just another man out to say that he married one of the most beautiful Elf princesses in all of Middle Earth. Arwen or myself. But, unknown to most, Arwen's betrothed, so that leaves little me.
A third sigh.
"What troubles you, Lórindel?" Mithrandir queried.
"Nothing," she said, smiling for Mithrandir and her father's sake. "Merely a thought. Father, I will go and deal with the children. I bid you fair evening."
She walked away, heart heavy and soul tired.
Legolas waited for two hours before he went looking for Ló- Princess Lórindel. He found her just as she exited one of the houses near the bottom of the city.
"Prince Legolas, you have remarkable timing. I just returned the last child to his parents."
Legolas grinned. He wasn't against using his most powerful weapons, his natural charm and grace. "Are you still up for that walk?"
"I believe so. The children have yet to tire me out overly much," she replied. "Since I always play with the children in male clothing, perhaps you would desire to leave the city to explore the forests beyond?"
"I am not armed, Princess Lórindel."
She smiled. "I would have been offended if you were. However, I am."
"You play with live weapons with the children?" he queried, astonished.
"There are dark times coming, Prince Legolas. They think it a game, but it will help them should Imladris be attacked in the coming days."
Her tone was solemn, eyes dark.
"I see."
She shook her head and cursed as her hair fell out of it's bun.
"Sorry, my lord. Ada keeps telling me that I shouldn't curse so."
He laughed. "Feel free to around me."
She smiled again. "Thank you."
"Tomorrow is the Council. Are you in attendance?" They reached a smaller gate and exited it, eyes alert for any unusual movement. He was armed, but only with a small knife.
"Not officially."
He grinned widely. "I see that Elladan and Elrohir's mischief has rubbed off on their sister."
She suddenly sank into the ground. "Prince Legolas, may I confess something to you? Something to be kept in the utmost confidence?"
He was startled. "Surely I won't betray your confidence."
"Five words. I am not Elrond's daughter."
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Thank you for reading this far with me. Isn't it odd how she automatically trusts Legolas? If you have an idea for a couple (yaoi or not!) e-mail it to me at ivyraineravenwood@hotmail.com or place it in your review, as I do read each and every one.
I follow this phrase: Reviews wasted are reviews not wanted. Therefore, I waste not my reviews!