-THE GAMES OF THE GODS-
-Disclaimer:-
CS: Not mine in any way, shape or form. Unless you're referring to the plot of the story, the particular way in which the words are put together, or Kari.
...
Rachel: And what about me?
CS: I deny any connection to you whatsoever.
Rachel: *gapes*
Glorfindel: FINALLY the author developed some sense!
Rachel: Hey, don't make me hurt you!
Glorfindel: You couldn't hurt me if you wanted to. You can't even use a sword.
Rachel: I have fists...and booted feet...and teeth...
Glorfindel: *points to self* Balrog slayer, remember? Some fists, booted feet, and teeth don't really worry me all that much.
Rachel: Fine. *leaves*
Glorfindel: *smirks*
Rachel: *reappears with Boromir's shield* *grins evilly*
Glorfindel: Eep.
*WHACK*
CS: *to Rachel* Hey now, why'd you do that?
Erestor: *randomly appearing and peering down at Glorfindel* His nose is never going to look the same...
-45: Next-
I woke the next morning cheery and rested, and spent the day alternately with Glorfindel and Haldir. It was apparently a day off for the Marchwarden, so when Glorfindel became wrapped up in meetings with either Celeborn, Galadriel, or some other important Elf, I usually sought out Haldir. Glorfindel seemed to enjoy my company when I was able to show up, but Haldir kept trying to hand me off to random Lothlórien ladies. I was not going to let him get away with it, however - I hadn't had the chance to get to know and bug Legolas while he and I had both been in Rivendell, but by the Valar I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to drive Haldir insane.
I would have settled for just knowing Haldir, really, but that was pushed out of the way in lieu of the fact that he and I tended to end out trading insults in any conversation we engaged in. We found each other amusing, to be sure, and there was no real vehemence behind our words, but we both found it far too easy to insult the other. Rúmil and Orophin, when I finally met them around mid-afternoon, were positively shocked by how Haldir and I shot insults back and forth. However, as we insulted only each other, and neither of us seemed to mind the insults, Haldir's two brothers simply shook their heads in amusement and let us continue.
"You and Haldir bicker more than we three did when we were younger." Rúmil commented to me at one point, during one of the lulls when Haldir had absorbed himself in a conversation with Orophin, thereby leaving me without a verbal sparring partner.
"Well, I can't help it. He just leaves himself open for it." I said with a shrug. "And besides, it's fun." Rúmil eyed me.
"I dearly hope all Gondorian ladies are not as high-spirited as you. Otherwise the Evenstar shall be in for quite a shock." he said.
"I assure you, I'm the exception to the rule - on everything. I mean, whoever heard of an Elf that barely topped 5'6"?" I asked.
"No one. Which leads to questions about your parentage." Haldir piped up, his conversation with Orophin finished. "There have been a few Naugrim-loving Elves in the past..."
"Only in the past? Then who was that stunted one you disappeared with into the shadows last night?" I asked innocently. (Nevermind that there were no dwarves currently anywhere near Caras Galadhon, or even Lothlórien)
"Your mother." Haldir quipped.
"Which makes you what, my father?" I asked inquisitively. "Now I know where my bad looks come from..." Haldir snorted in a very un-elf-like fashion, but left it at that, apparently unable to come up with a suitable response. I smirked, and the friendly conversations resumed for a short time before Haldir and I were either forced to speak to each other, or said something the other couldn't resist commenting on. Rúmil turned out to be quite interested in Gondorian culture - though that might have just been to stop Haldir and me from squabbling - and so I had plenty to talk about.
Around suppertime, Glorfindel found us and informed me that he and I would be dining with the Lord and Lady of the Wood tonight. So, with a farewell to 'Rúmil, Orophin and Dad', I let myself be led off back to my flet by Glorfindel to change into suitable clothing, having admitted that I had no clue where I was. I had managed to get by during the day by asking random Elves where the person I sought was, but I doubted I would be able to do the same to find my flet. Not to mention asking random elves if they could direct me to my flet was just a little too odd even for me.
"'Dad'?" Glorfindel asked once we were out of Haldir and his brother's earshot, arching an eyebrow at me. "I thought his nickname was 'Hal'?"
"He questioned my parentage." I said with a shrug. Glorfindel blinked, then shook his head in amusement as he got the obviously implied insult. He had had a taste of Haldir and my's squabbling at lunch, which he had managed to eat with me - and Haldir had tagged along to - so he knew to just let it lie.
We made small talk until we reached our flets, and then we separated without a word and disappeared into our flets to change. Glorfindel, when he emerged, seemed to have done nothing more than put on a fresher change of clothes, but a closer look showed a finer cut and slightly better quality of material. I, having had no need to wear fancy dress, had opted for some of my tunics and trousers - which had turned out to be a favorite topic of Haldir's - during the day, and had had to change into the one truly formal dress I had brought with me. It was a deep, dark blue with gold accents, and I was surprised to note that it actually matched Glorfindel's distinctly golden-coloured formal wear. I amusedly wondered by what freak chance that had happened, and then let myself be led off to...wherever we were having supper with Galadriel and Celeborn.
Caras Galadhon was about ten times as confusing as Rivendell, due to the fact that it had several different stories of walkways and such to work through, while Rivendell was, in its highest building, a grand total of three stories. Oh sure, the valley cause some one-story building's floors to be higher than the roof of that three-story building, but it was all connected by sloping hallways and stairs, and far less confusing then Caras Galadhon. I smiled ruefully to myself, amazed that I now found Rivendell to be less confusing than someplace. Elvish architecture was just far to confusing in general.
Finally, Glorfindel stopped in front of a door and knocked, and we were soon admitted inside to find a fairly private dining hall - I say fairly because it was on an open patio, and several flets were within sight. They weren't quite within clear hearing range, but definitely nothing meant to be kept secret would be discussed at dinner.
Galadriel and Celeborn were already waiting for us when we arrived, and they were soon engaging Glorfindel in a conversation about Rivendell, and exchanging inconsequential news. Apparently, with all the official meetings and messages Glorfindel had been going to and giving and receiving, he hadn't had time to give Galadriel and Celeborn any simple news about their grandchildren or son-in-law. I felt a little left out for a while, but then Glorfindel started in talking about some of the things Elladan and Elrohir had gotten up to - which Galadriel claimed no one else from Rivendell would tell her about - and I spent a good while smiling in appreciation for the two twins.
My smile grew wider when I imagined what could have happened if Elladan and Elrohir had showed up in Minas Tirith when Boromir and Faramir had been in their late teens. Gondor would probably be in flaming ruins today, and Mordor well on its way to becoming the Funny Farm of Middle-Earth. I was pulled out of my imaginings by Celeborn, who wanted to know what I found so amusing, and I was obliged to recount some stories of Faramir and Boromir's escapades in Minas Tirith. The fact that I helped the two boys in most of those escapades was completely forgotten.
All in all, it was a surprisingly relaxing meal, showing that Creepy Lady was not always Creepy. They acted just like any married couple, much to my amusement. Of course, once we finished eating, Galadriel decided to be a little nosy and asking Glorfindel and I about our relationship. Covertly, of course, but she did it, and I was tempted to whack her. But I remembered who she was and instead settled on giving her the nickname of 'Gally'. Glorfindel just shook his head when I informed Galadriel of her new nickname, and when Celeborn protested, I informed him that he was now 'Kel'. The two rulers exchanged combined amused and affronted glances, but said no more on the subject, perhaps sensing that any further protests would just cause more trouble for all involved. Galadriel did get the hint and stopped poking into Glorfindel and my's affairs, though.
Eventually, I got bored with the talking, and politely excused myself on the grounds of wanting a walk. Galadriel tried to follow, but with a, "There's no need, Gally," I got her to stay behind. So now I was wandering through Lothlórien again. I considered finding Haldir and driving him insane some more, but I decided to let him be for the rest of today. Of course, once I had decided that, I rounded a corner and just about ran into him as he walked along with some Elf-maiden on his arm. Haldir looked down at me (I hate being short) in surprise, and I could almost see him rallying himself for a round of insults.
"Hiding around corners is a bad habit, Marchwarden." I said, waggling my finger at him, then I stepped around him and continued off down the walkway he and his lady friend had just come up. I could feel his confusion as I walked away, and smiled slightly. I may enjoy trading insults with the Elf, but everybody needs a break from being driven or driving someone insane. And besides, his lady friend would probably be severely weirded out and maybe even truly offended at Haldir and my's insults. So, as I didn't want Haldir poking his nose into MY love life, I wasn't about to poke my nose into HIS. Of course, the maiden could have just been a friend, but I wasn't about to take the chance.
Anyways. My walking continued, and I eventually realized that the flets around me were starting to look a little familiar - at least as much as they could - and a few moments later, I spotted my flet. I made for it, feeling immensely more cheerful at having been able to find my way back to my flet.
When I entered my flet, I almost stepped on a piece of white paper, and when I picked it up, I found it was a formal invitation of some kind - addressed to 'Elenlómë'. I arched an eyebrow and cracked open the seal. I hadn't gone by 'Elenlómë' in ages...and only a few had known me by that name when I had used it.
My other eyebrow shot up to join the first one as I read the invitation - though Haldir had already given an unofficial invitation to Kari's Yuletide feast, I really hadn't expected it to be followed up with an official one now that Kari knew who I was. The addressing, however, was an interesting touch. Kari was obviously saying something with that - probably warning me to be on my best behavior. Which I would be, except for any plans I might concoct on Glorfindel. I grinned mischievously, then skipped over to the table and put the invitation down.
I headed for my things, and quickly found the one book I'd brought with me. It was a journal of sorts, though I didn't often write about things that happened during the day as I usually did. In fact, it was more of a doodle book, with occasional pieces of writing that popped into my head. I didn't use it all that much - it was only an inch or so thick, and I had started it back when Boromir had been born. I was still several dozen pages from the end.
Tonight, though, I didn't plan on filling any of those pages. I simply sat down and absently flicked through what I'd already written and drawn while thinking about how to spend my time in Lothlórien until the Fellowship arrived. I'd need to do something, obviously - not only would I be bored just sitting in my flet or wandering around all day, but it would feel weird to do so. I could probably poke my head into some of the workshops or such things and see if maybe I could learn some sort of craft. Maybe jewellery making? Or maybe I'd get Haldir and Brothers to continue my sword-lessons and try and convince them to take me on border patrols...probably impossible, but if I annoyed enough people, I might end out ordered to do it.
Of course, this would all be aside from driving Haldir crazy, avoiding Kari while making sure she saw me with Glorfindel, and making sure Glorfindel didn't return to Rivendell. I had a sneaking suspicion that I had help from Elrond on that last one, though - Glorfindel had originally been planning on going back to Rivendell within a week or so, but at lunch, he had been talking about finding a messenger to return to Rivendell in his place. Perhaps Elrond had asked him to stay until Kari and I had settled our differences. Or maybe, I though with a smirk, Glorfindel had decided to stay without orders from anyone, due to certain antics of a certain female Elf. He was an Elf-lord in his own right, after all.
I continued thinking up random things I could do in Lothlórien (some of the absolutely outrageous), and eventually my thoughts fuzzed out. Soon I found myself skipping from subject to subject without much coherence, and my last truly coherent thought was that I was falling asleep and really should get up and go to bed. But then I was lost in the world of dreams, where such piddly things like sleeping on beds were of no concern.
I woke the next morning with a start, and my mind took several moments to come into focus. When it finally did, I realized I was still seated, my journal on the floor, and I had an awful crick in my back. More than that, however, my head was telling me that a knock on the door had woken me up, and I pushed myself up out of my chair and went over to the door. Opening it, I found - wonder of wonders - Glorfindel standing there.
"Now THIS is a nice start to a day." I commented, arching an eyebrow. "What's up?"
"The sun." Glorfindel quipped, his eyes determinedly fixed on my face as I stretched sleepily. Inwardly, I smirked. "Far up." Glorfindel added.
"Really?" I asked, and, poking my head out the door, I discovered that yes, indeed, the sun was well up in the sky. At least as far as I could tell from the amount of light and the way the shadows were falling. I couldn't actually SEE the sun, due to the trees and all.
"Yes. And it is high time you got out of bed." Glorfindel said.
"Funny, I don't remember having anything planned to get up FOR." I said somewhat grouchily.
"Well, if you wish to pass on the official tour -" Glorfindel said, starting to turn away, and I grabbed his arm.
"Tour?" I asked, arching an eyebrow, and Glorfindel nodded.
"Apparently Lady Galadriel has heard of how easily you get lost, and suggests that maybe giving you a tour of Lothlórien would, if not stop you from getting lost, then at least introduce you to elves who you can later ask for directions." Glorfindel said innocently.
"I would say I was going to kill Elrond, but the poor peredhil's going through enough." I said with a sigh. "Well, a tour probably WOULD help. Though I need to change before I go." Glorfindel nodded, a small smile twitching at the corner of his mouth, and I turned and went back into my flet, leaving the door open for Glorfindel to come in - it WAS a two-roomed flet, after all. There was the front sitting room, which I assumed Glorfindel now occupied, and then the bedroom, where I now was, finding something comfortable to wear.
I was about to pick a nice green and black dress when my eyes suddenly found my custom-made trousers and tunics. I instantly dismissed the dresses and quickly picked out a set of trousers and a tunic and through them on. I pulled my hair back and tied it in a single ponytail, something I'd seen only rarely among humans, and then returned to the front room. Glorfindel was indeed waiting there - reading the invitation with both eyebrows raised as high as they could go.
"Did you receive this last night?" he asked, looking over at me as I entered.
"Yeah, almost stepped on it coming in my door." I said, and he nodded, frowning slightly as he folded the invitation up again so that 'Elenlómë' could be clearly seen. He shot me a glance, and I shrugged. "I'm taking it as a warning to be good." Glorfindel nodded, and then set the invitation down.
"Shall we go?" he asked, offering his arm, and when I took it, we strolled out of my flet together, off for the grand tour of Lothlórien.
This ought to be fun.
----To be continued...with Kari!----
(And snooping into Haldir's love life!)
-Random notes:-
'Naugrim' is an Elven word for 'Dwarf' - and not a polite one, as I recall. 'Peredhil' means 'Half-Elf'. And yes, I know that since Rachel has an automatic translator, these should appear as 'Dwarf' and 'Half-Elf' in the actual text, but I wanted to put them in there in Elvish, and I am the author, so deal. :P
-Authors Note:-
Hee. The hot springs are going to be coming up soon! *evil grin* Either the next chapter or the one after that, promise! And everybody give Celine Dion a big cheer, because listening to her greatest hits CD disolved the writers block I got after the last chapter...that and caramel pop corn and raspberry iced tea.
Yep, so, thanks to all my reviewers. You're all cool, and the majority of you are strange and insane. Please, though - no more reviews in all caps. *wince* It gives me a headache, and doesn't exactly inspire me to write. I may love reviews, but not THAT much. I will pay much more attention to, and be far more grateful for, reviews that are written either in all lowercase or with correct capitilization, even if they're shorter...
And on that note, thank-you once again to all my reviewers, I hope to see you all again for this chapter, and I'll see you all again on Saturday!
~Crimson Starlight
-Disclaimer:-
CS: Not mine in any way, shape or form. Unless you're referring to the plot of the story, the particular way in which the words are put together, or Kari.
...
Rachel: And what about me?
CS: I deny any connection to you whatsoever.
Rachel: *gapes*
Glorfindel: FINALLY the author developed some sense!
Rachel: Hey, don't make me hurt you!
Glorfindel: You couldn't hurt me if you wanted to. You can't even use a sword.
Rachel: I have fists...and booted feet...and teeth...
Glorfindel: *points to self* Balrog slayer, remember? Some fists, booted feet, and teeth don't really worry me all that much.
Rachel: Fine. *leaves*
Glorfindel: *smirks*
Rachel: *reappears with Boromir's shield* *grins evilly*
Glorfindel: Eep.
*WHACK*
CS: *to Rachel* Hey now, why'd you do that?
Erestor: *randomly appearing and peering down at Glorfindel* His nose is never going to look the same...
-45: Next-
I woke the next morning cheery and rested, and spent the day alternately with Glorfindel and Haldir. It was apparently a day off for the Marchwarden, so when Glorfindel became wrapped up in meetings with either Celeborn, Galadriel, or some other important Elf, I usually sought out Haldir. Glorfindel seemed to enjoy my company when I was able to show up, but Haldir kept trying to hand me off to random Lothlórien ladies. I was not going to let him get away with it, however - I hadn't had the chance to get to know and bug Legolas while he and I had both been in Rivendell, but by the Valar I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to drive Haldir insane.
I would have settled for just knowing Haldir, really, but that was pushed out of the way in lieu of the fact that he and I tended to end out trading insults in any conversation we engaged in. We found each other amusing, to be sure, and there was no real vehemence behind our words, but we both found it far too easy to insult the other. Rúmil and Orophin, when I finally met them around mid-afternoon, were positively shocked by how Haldir and I shot insults back and forth. However, as we insulted only each other, and neither of us seemed to mind the insults, Haldir's two brothers simply shook their heads in amusement and let us continue.
"You and Haldir bicker more than we three did when we were younger." Rúmil commented to me at one point, during one of the lulls when Haldir had absorbed himself in a conversation with Orophin, thereby leaving me without a verbal sparring partner.
"Well, I can't help it. He just leaves himself open for it." I said with a shrug. "And besides, it's fun." Rúmil eyed me.
"I dearly hope all Gondorian ladies are not as high-spirited as you. Otherwise the Evenstar shall be in for quite a shock." he said.
"I assure you, I'm the exception to the rule - on everything. I mean, whoever heard of an Elf that barely topped 5'6"?" I asked.
"No one. Which leads to questions about your parentage." Haldir piped up, his conversation with Orophin finished. "There have been a few Naugrim-loving Elves in the past..."
"Only in the past? Then who was that stunted one you disappeared with into the shadows last night?" I asked innocently. (Nevermind that there were no dwarves currently anywhere near Caras Galadhon, or even Lothlórien)
"Your mother." Haldir quipped.
"Which makes you what, my father?" I asked inquisitively. "Now I know where my bad looks come from..." Haldir snorted in a very un-elf-like fashion, but left it at that, apparently unable to come up with a suitable response. I smirked, and the friendly conversations resumed for a short time before Haldir and I were either forced to speak to each other, or said something the other couldn't resist commenting on. Rúmil turned out to be quite interested in Gondorian culture - though that might have just been to stop Haldir and me from squabbling - and so I had plenty to talk about.
Around suppertime, Glorfindel found us and informed me that he and I would be dining with the Lord and Lady of the Wood tonight. So, with a farewell to 'Rúmil, Orophin and Dad', I let myself be led off back to my flet by Glorfindel to change into suitable clothing, having admitted that I had no clue where I was. I had managed to get by during the day by asking random Elves where the person I sought was, but I doubted I would be able to do the same to find my flet. Not to mention asking random elves if they could direct me to my flet was just a little too odd even for me.
"'Dad'?" Glorfindel asked once we were out of Haldir and his brother's earshot, arching an eyebrow at me. "I thought his nickname was 'Hal'?"
"He questioned my parentage." I said with a shrug. Glorfindel blinked, then shook his head in amusement as he got the obviously implied insult. He had had a taste of Haldir and my's squabbling at lunch, which he had managed to eat with me - and Haldir had tagged along to - so he knew to just let it lie.
We made small talk until we reached our flets, and then we separated without a word and disappeared into our flets to change. Glorfindel, when he emerged, seemed to have done nothing more than put on a fresher change of clothes, but a closer look showed a finer cut and slightly better quality of material. I, having had no need to wear fancy dress, had opted for some of my tunics and trousers - which had turned out to be a favorite topic of Haldir's - during the day, and had had to change into the one truly formal dress I had brought with me. It was a deep, dark blue with gold accents, and I was surprised to note that it actually matched Glorfindel's distinctly golden-coloured formal wear. I amusedly wondered by what freak chance that had happened, and then let myself be led off to...wherever we were having supper with Galadriel and Celeborn.
Caras Galadhon was about ten times as confusing as Rivendell, due to the fact that it had several different stories of walkways and such to work through, while Rivendell was, in its highest building, a grand total of three stories. Oh sure, the valley cause some one-story building's floors to be higher than the roof of that three-story building, but it was all connected by sloping hallways and stairs, and far less confusing then Caras Galadhon. I smiled ruefully to myself, amazed that I now found Rivendell to be less confusing than someplace. Elvish architecture was just far to confusing in general.
Finally, Glorfindel stopped in front of a door and knocked, and we were soon admitted inside to find a fairly private dining hall - I say fairly because it was on an open patio, and several flets were within sight. They weren't quite within clear hearing range, but definitely nothing meant to be kept secret would be discussed at dinner.
Galadriel and Celeborn were already waiting for us when we arrived, and they were soon engaging Glorfindel in a conversation about Rivendell, and exchanging inconsequential news. Apparently, with all the official meetings and messages Glorfindel had been going to and giving and receiving, he hadn't had time to give Galadriel and Celeborn any simple news about their grandchildren or son-in-law. I felt a little left out for a while, but then Glorfindel started in talking about some of the things Elladan and Elrohir had gotten up to - which Galadriel claimed no one else from Rivendell would tell her about - and I spent a good while smiling in appreciation for the two twins.
My smile grew wider when I imagined what could have happened if Elladan and Elrohir had showed up in Minas Tirith when Boromir and Faramir had been in their late teens. Gondor would probably be in flaming ruins today, and Mordor well on its way to becoming the Funny Farm of Middle-Earth. I was pulled out of my imaginings by Celeborn, who wanted to know what I found so amusing, and I was obliged to recount some stories of Faramir and Boromir's escapades in Minas Tirith. The fact that I helped the two boys in most of those escapades was completely forgotten.
All in all, it was a surprisingly relaxing meal, showing that Creepy Lady was not always Creepy. They acted just like any married couple, much to my amusement. Of course, once we finished eating, Galadriel decided to be a little nosy and asking Glorfindel and I about our relationship. Covertly, of course, but she did it, and I was tempted to whack her. But I remembered who she was and instead settled on giving her the nickname of 'Gally'. Glorfindel just shook his head when I informed Galadriel of her new nickname, and when Celeborn protested, I informed him that he was now 'Kel'. The two rulers exchanged combined amused and affronted glances, but said no more on the subject, perhaps sensing that any further protests would just cause more trouble for all involved. Galadriel did get the hint and stopped poking into Glorfindel and my's affairs, though.
Eventually, I got bored with the talking, and politely excused myself on the grounds of wanting a walk. Galadriel tried to follow, but with a, "There's no need, Gally," I got her to stay behind. So now I was wandering through Lothlórien again. I considered finding Haldir and driving him insane some more, but I decided to let him be for the rest of today. Of course, once I had decided that, I rounded a corner and just about ran into him as he walked along with some Elf-maiden on his arm. Haldir looked down at me (I hate being short) in surprise, and I could almost see him rallying himself for a round of insults.
"Hiding around corners is a bad habit, Marchwarden." I said, waggling my finger at him, then I stepped around him and continued off down the walkway he and his lady friend had just come up. I could feel his confusion as I walked away, and smiled slightly. I may enjoy trading insults with the Elf, but everybody needs a break from being driven or driving someone insane. And besides, his lady friend would probably be severely weirded out and maybe even truly offended at Haldir and my's insults. So, as I didn't want Haldir poking his nose into MY love life, I wasn't about to poke my nose into HIS. Of course, the maiden could have just been a friend, but I wasn't about to take the chance.
Anyways. My walking continued, and I eventually realized that the flets around me were starting to look a little familiar - at least as much as they could - and a few moments later, I spotted my flet. I made for it, feeling immensely more cheerful at having been able to find my way back to my flet.
When I entered my flet, I almost stepped on a piece of white paper, and when I picked it up, I found it was a formal invitation of some kind - addressed to 'Elenlómë'. I arched an eyebrow and cracked open the seal. I hadn't gone by 'Elenlómë' in ages...and only a few had known me by that name when I had used it.
My other eyebrow shot up to join the first one as I read the invitation - though Haldir had already given an unofficial invitation to Kari's Yuletide feast, I really hadn't expected it to be followed up with an official one now that Kari knew who I was. The addressing, however, was an interesting touch. Kari was obviously saying something with that - probably warning me to be on my best behavior. Which I would be, except for any plans I might concoct on Glorfindel. I grinned mischievously, then skipped over to the table and put the invitation down.
I headed for my things, and quickly found the one book I'd brought with me. It was a journal of sorts, though I didn't often write about things that happened during the day as I usually did. In fact, it was more of a doodle book, with occasional pieces of writing that popped into my head. I didn't use it all that much - it was only an inch or so thick, and I had started it back when Boromir had been born. I was still several dozen pages from the end.
Tonight, though, I didn't plan on filling any of those pages. I simply sat down and absently flicked through what I'd already written and drawn while thinking about how to spend my time in Lothlórien until the Fellowship arrived. I'd need to do something, obviously - not only would I be bored just sitting in my flet or wandering around all day, but it would feel weird to do so. I could probably poke my head into some of the workshops or such things and see if maybe I could learn some sort of craft. Maybe jewellery making? Or maybe I'd get Haldir and Brothers to continue my sword-lessons and try and convince them to take me on border patrols...probably impossible, but if I annoyed enough people, I might end out ordered to do it.
Of course, this would all be aside from driving Haldir crazy, avoiding Kari while making sure she saw me with Glorfindel, and making sure Glorfindel didn't return to Rivendell. I had a sneaking suspicion that I had help from Elrond on that last one, though - Glorfindel had originally been planning on going back to Rivendell within a week or so, but at lunch, he had been talking about finding a messenger to return to Rivendell in his place. Perhaps Elrond had asked him to stay until Kari and I had settled our differences. Or maybe, I though with a smirk, Glorfindel had decided to stay without orders from anyone, due to certain antics of a certain female Elf. He was an Elf-lord in his own right, after all.
I continued thinking up random things I could do in Lothlórien (some of the absolutely outrageous), and eventually my thoughts fuzzed out. Soon I found myself skipping from subject to subject without much coherence, and my last truly coherent thought was that I was falling asleep and really should get up and go to bed. But then I was lost in the world of dreams, where such piddly things like sleeping on beds were of no concern.
I woke the next morning with a start, and my mind took several moments to come into focus. When it finally did, I realized I was still seated, my journal on the floor, and I had an awful crick in my back. More than that, however, my head was telling me that a knock on the door had woken me up, and I pushed myself up out of my chair and went over to the door. Opening it, I found - wonder of wonders - Glorfindel standing there.
"Now THIS is a nice start to a day." I commented, arching an eyebrow. "What's up?"
"The sun." Glorfindel quipped, his eyes determinedly fixed on my face as I stretched sleepily. Inwardly, I smirked. "Far up." Glorfindel added.
"Really?" I asked, and, poking my head out the door, I discovered that yes, indeed, the sun was well up in the sky. At least as far as I could tell from the amount of light and the way the shadows were falling. I couldn't actually SEE the sun, due to the trees and all.
"Yes. And it is high time you got out of bed." Glorfindel said.
"Funny, I don't remember having anything planned to get up FOR." I said somewhat grouchily.
"Well, if you wish to pass on the official tour -" Glorfindel said, starting to turn away, and I grabbed his arm.
"Tour?" I asked, arching an eyebrow, and Glorfindel nodded.
"Apparently Lady Galadriel has heard of how easily you get lost, and suggests that maybe giving you a tour of Lothlórien would, if not stop you from getting lost, then at least introduce you to elves who you can later ask for directions." Glorfindel said innocently.
"I would say I was going to kill Elrond, but the poor peredhil's going through enough." I said with a sigh. "Well, a tour probably WOULD help. Though I need to change before I go." Glorfindel nodded, a small smile twitching at the corner of his mouth, and I turned and went back into my flet, leaving the door open for Glorfindel to come in - it WAS a two-roomed flet, after all. There was the front sitting room, which I assumed Glorfindel now occupied, and then the bedroom, where I now was, finding something comfortable to wear.
I was about to pick a nice green and black dress when my eyes suddenly found my custom-made trousers and tunics. I instantly dismissed the dresses and quickly picked out a set of trousers and a tunic and through them on. I pulled my hair back and tied it in a single ponytail, something I'd seen only rarely among humans, and then returned to the front room. Glorfindel was indeed waiting there - reading the invitation with both eyebrows raised as high as they could go.
"Did you receive this last night?" he asked, looking over at me as I entered.
"Yeah, almost stepped on it coming in my door." I said, and he nodded, frowning slightly as he folded the invitation up again so that 'Elenlómë' could be clearly seen. He shot me a glance, and I shrugged. "I'm taking it as a warning to be good." Glorfindel nodded, and then set the invitation down.
"Shall we go?" he asked, offering his arm, and when I took it, we strolled out of my flet together, off for the grand tour of Lothlórien.
This ought to be fun.
----To be continued...with Kari!----
(And snooping into Haldir's love life!)
-Random notes:-
'Naugrim' is an Elven word for 'Dwarf' - and not a polite one, as I recall. 'Peredhil' means 'Half-Elf'. And yes, I know that since Rachel has an automatic translator, these should appear as 'Dwarf' and 'Half-Elf' in the actual text, but I wanted to put them in there in Elvish, and I am the author, so deal. :P
-Authors Note:-
Hee. The hot springs are going to be coming up soon! *evil grin* Either the next chapter or the one after that, promise! And everybody give Celine Dion a big cheer, because listening to her greatest hits CD disolved the writers block I got after the last chapter...that and caramel pop corn and raspberry iced tea.
Yep, so, thanks to all my reviewers. You're all cool, and the majority of you are strange and insane. Please, though - no more reviews in all caps. *wince* It gives me a headache, and doesn't exactly inspire me to write. I may love reviews, but not THAT much. I will pay much more attention to, and be far more grateful for, reviews that are written either in all lowercase or with correct capitilization, even if they're shorter...
And on that note, thank-you once again to all my reviewers, I hope to see you all again for this chapter, and I'll see you all again on Saturday!
~Crimson Starlight