(a/n) Dreamality- THANK YOU! And I actually did mean Merrin and Pippy. You see, although I know that it's not book accurate, I have decided to give Merry two children and I have named them Merrin and Pippy. My cousin accidentally mixed up the names once so I decided to use that as the names of Merry's children. And here is yet another chappie from my notebook, just a warning, it may be a while before I write more due to the fact that I must put it out on paper first…… And one more thing….Rosie is a real hobbit. She is friendly and jovial and slightly round. I apologize for the total and complete MS. She is a hobbit MS, and everything that goes with being a hobbit.
Ch 11 A Royal Entrance
Netta rode slowly through the forest. Although the magnificence of the lush landscape could inspire even the coldest of Dwarves, she barely saw it. As the vibrant colors of the dawn painted the sky, bathing all of Hobbiton in its peaceful beauty, she began to contemplate why she continued to linger on, as winter's chills and biting wind in early spring.
"Welcome to Hobbiton, milady."
Netta broke out of her depression to study the man standing before her. He was tall, with an air of dignity and respect about him, as abundant as fresh spring air laden with the sweet smells of life in bloom.
She inclined her head respectfully. "And to you, milord. Could you kindly direct me to his lordship, King Elessar?"
Aragorn's eyes twinkled slightly with the morning sun. "May I inquire to your ladyship's name?"
She narrowed her eyes at the handsome man standing before her. His rugged face seemed kind, although to her, he seemed mocking. She raised her head higher and answered, "I and Netta, widow of Lord Boromir son of Denethor, the late steward of Gondor."
Aragorn noticed the woman's pride and smiled inwardly. "Milady, I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn; King Elessar. Welcome, Lady-Gondor, to Hobbiton."
Netta swallowed and lowered her head, dropping her eyes to the ground. "Forgive me highness, I –"
"Don't worry about it, milady." He grabbed her reins and began to lead her horse to the camp site."
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Maris awoke to a gentle sprinkling of icy water on her brow. "That's REALLY COLD!"
Legolas laughed. "I thought it would wake you up. I was…um…." Maris raised an eyebrow. "umm…..Iwaswonderingifyouandrosiewouldwatchthesunrisewithme."
Maris stared at him. "If you want something, it would benefit you to speak in such a way that the one being asked can understand the question."
He laughed again and pulled the blanket off of her. She instinctively curled into a ball and squeezed her eyes shut. Shivering, she finally gave in to the cold and got up. "Fine! You win! Now what exactly did you want?"
Legolas blushed. "I was wondering if you and Rosie wanted to watch the sunrise with me."
Maris stopped digging around for a pair of leggings and suppressed a giggle. "Of course. Why not ask her to watch it with you alone?"
Legolas threw her a tunic and a surprised glance. "I thought you loved to watch the sunrise, or did you just watch it for a lesson afterwards?"
"I love watching the sunrise. I'm just a little surprised that you didn't want to have…'alone time'." She snickered.
Legolas smiled. "How very thoughtful of you! Actually, I'm still nervous. PLEASE come with me?"
Maris smiled at her friend. "Of course." She stepped behind a screen in her tent, dressed quickly, glanced at her reflection in her mirror, and moved towards the tent flap.
A few minutes later she and Legolas stood outside the infamous green door that symbolized Bilbo's adventure and the Baggins family. "I don't think Rosie watches sunrises, Legolas," Maris said softly. "Maybe we should just come back later and go on a picnic or something when she's awake."
"You're probably right, as usual," Legolas heaved a sigh of disappointment and relief. "Do you still want to watch the sunrise?" he asked.
"Absolutely!" Maris grinned. "Race 'ya!" she bolted towards a distant hill, laughing as Legolas pulled a face and followed. Being pure Eldar, he quickly caught up with his fleeing challenger. He reached over and poked her gently in the ribs, causing her to squirm. He grabbed her waist and tickled. Suddenly he stopped and pulled her towards the trees.
"Someone's coming," he whispered. The pair quickly pulled themselves into the shadowed security of the forest canopy. They crouched silently on some overhead branches as a tall man led a cloaked figure on a horse towards the camp site. Legolas let out a low whistle.
Aragorn, who had been conversing quietly with Netta, glanced towards the trees overhead. "Did you hear that?"
Netta nodded, drawing her cloak about her. "Are these woods dangerous?" She questioned nervously.
Aragorn caught a slight giggle in the leaves and shook his head. "The only danger in these parts is that of wild offspring who don't know when to quit." He laughed as his statement brought a wave of laughter from the trees. "Don't worry Lady Netta, our little spies are quite harmless."
Netta suppressed a gasp as two figures dropped to the ground before them, bows drawn and an arrowhead at both hers and Aragorn's throats.
" 'Quite harmless' hmm?" the small figure threatening Aragorn mocked.
Legolas suddenly allowed his bow to go slack, dropping the arrow to the ground. "Forgive me, milady." He turned to his small companion. "It appears that your father invited yet another princess."
Aragorn nodded as he pushed Maris' bow away from his throat. "Lady Netta, it is my honor to present to you Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, and Pr-"
//No! Please adar, just Maris.\\ Maris interrupted.
"Princess Alatariel Maris Telcontar of Gondor, Rivendell, and Lorien." He finished. "She prefers to be called Maris." He watched as Maris fumed silently. "Maris, Legolas, please meet Lady Netta, widow of Lord Boromir, heir to Denethor, late Steward of Gondor."
Legolas bowed low. "Milady, it is a great honor to meet you. Your husband was a great man, courageous and true to the end."
Maris bowed as well. "Welcome to the Shire, milady." She turned to Legolas. "I'll meet you at the hill." She grinned impishly and headed towards Jamiel's tent.
"Maris! Don't you dare!" Aragorn called after her.
"What, me? What would I possibly do?" She gave an innocent look and pressed her palms together.
"Maris…" Legolas warned. //Do you want to be taught by some obnoxious court woman?\\
She grimaced. //Fine, nothing too bad.\\
Legolas sighed, shook his head ruefully, and turned back to Aragorn and Netta. He noticed that she did not look like most Gondorian women. She had rich caramel skin and wavy black hair that was clipped back with an orange flower pin. When she spoke, a soft exotic accent flowed through her words. "Milady, where are you from?" He asked.
A slight blush appeared on her cheeks. "I am from Harad, young lord. When I was young, my father joined Sauron so my mother took me to the White City."
Legolas nodded politely as he glanced at the sky. "Please excuse me, Lady Netta, I must catch up with Maris before the sun is up." He bowed again and headed towards the hill.
"Please allow me to apologize for my friend and daughter." Aragorn began to lead her horse again. "Maris isn't the most…tactful…of Elves and Legolas is just curious. He hasn't really gotten to know many different people."
Netta smiled. "Of course. The little one, Maris, she is your daughter.?"
"She is." He nodded. "And as stubborn and determined as her mother," he laughed.
"Who is her mother?" Netta asked, subconsciously smoothing her long green hunting skirt as they neared the tents.
Aragorn looked mildly surprised. "She is Arwen Undomiel, Evenstar of the Elves and Queen of Gondor."
Netta didn't reply; she simple nodded to show that she understood, then sighed and allowed Aragorn to guide her to a group of tents on a hill overlooking the Shire. She saw Legolas and Maris on another hill watching as the first golden rays of sunlight cast a beautiful glow over Hobbiton, and the last few stars faded in the deep blue of the dawn sky.
"Come milady. Someone will take care of your horse. We will have to get you a tent and bed." Aragorn held out his hand and helped Netta to dismount, calling to Legolas and Maris to take care of her horse.
As Netta watched Aragorn move to find someone to scout of an extra tent and bed, she could only admire the air of dignity and authority that seemed to be all about him.
"Ada," a voice Netta recognized to be Maris' called. "If you cannot find a tent, Lady Netta may have mine."
Aragorn looked slightly surprised. "Where will you sleep?"
Maris smiled. Under the stars, in a beautiful clearing by the lake."
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Translations
Adar-father
Ada-dad
Atara (in last chappie)- mother
Mellonamin-my friend
Melethamin-my love
(a/n)I can understand that when Elves have sex, they are technically married and that there are probably no slutty Elves but I am sure that there is at least one somewhere and Jamiel is it! I apologize for not being exactly accurate but I am not Tolkien and therefore am asking a little poetic license every now and then. Thank you for being understanding. By the way, I will still try to update as fast as I can but I had the first 11 chappies already written when I began posting. I am working on chappie 12 and hope it will be put up soon. If I have messed up with the Elvish, I blame the Elven Translator site that I have had helping me. I am not fluent but am trying so please forgive me.