Dreamality- I will try to update at least once a week. I am working on both stories so it may take a while. I know that this isn't up to my usual standards but I wanted to get it up, please forgive me.
Ch 12 Lady Netta
Netta shook her head. "Thank you for your kind offer, Maris, but I'm sure that an extra tent will turn up."
Maris nodded. "OK but if it doesn't, please feel free to use mine. I don't mind."
Aragorn was shocked by his daughter's sudden kindness to the proud young woman. Maris usually didn't like anyone. "What are you plotting?" he asked suspiciously.
Maris pulled a look of mock horror and indignation. "What? Me plot? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about." She winked and spun on her heel, heading back to Netta's horse, Jewel.
"Wait just a moment, young lady." Aragorn gently grabbed Maris' wrist to prevent her from leaving.
"Yes….."
"I just wanted to know what you were planning to do today." Aragorn asked.
"Well…..I was planning on going swimming in the lake and possibly going on a picnic with Rosie."
"I see. If you don't mind too much, I was hoping that you would show Lady Netta around and introduce her to everyone. And please find your mother afterwards as I'm sure that they will get along quite well."
"But adar….."
"Please?"
Maris glanced at Legolas, who shrugged and said simply, "Have fun."
Her jaw dropped. "You're abandoning me?"
"That's harsh. No, I'm simply bowing to the King's decision."
"A fine lot of help you are!" She muttered. "Fine!" She nodded curtly. "Follow me please, milady."
Netta curtsied to the king and Legolas, then followed the distant form of Maris leading her horse.
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Maris slowed as she reached the stable, allowing Netta to catch up to her. "So, where are you from?" she asked, trying to start a friendly conversation.
"Harad." Netta responded. "You don't look much like your father." She observed.
Maris nodded. "I am one of the peredhil, half-Elven. My mother has forsaken the twilight, but Elven blood still flows in my veins. I am told that I resemble her but neither of us think so."
"Your mother must be very beautiful." Netta remarked, almost wistfully. "What is she like? Your father seems to think that we will get along well."
Maris nodded as she removed Jewel's tack and put her into an empty stall. "I think you will as well. You are both strong woman of the court and I'm sure that you have interest in such matters?"
Netta removed her traveling cloak and placed it near her tack. "I do. Boromir –" She stopped, wincing in obvious pain.
"I'm sorry. From what I have heard, he was a great man. My father and the rest of the fellowship were very lucky to have met him."
Netta nodded. "He was a great man, and husband, and lover." She whispered, more to herself than to Maris.
Maris smiled gently and escorted Netta out of the barn. "Where would you like to go first, milady?"
"Please, it's Netta. We are equals. It does not matter. Wherever you see fit to take me is fine."
Maris smiled. "Well, in that case, it would be my honor to escort your ladyship to my mother."
Netta bit back a smile. She remembered the first time she met Boromir. She had gotten lost and had wandered up to the 7th tier of the great city. Boromir, who had been a young man at the time, found her gazing at the White Tree in amazement. He and his brother Faramir were listening to a courtier give them their history lesson. Boromir had seized the opportunity to get away and had taken her home. He was just as eager to ditch the lesson as Maris was to end the tour.
She followed Maris, so lost in her memory that she didn't notice that they were back where they had started. Maris knocked on the tent flap and a woman's voice drifted out. //Yes?\\
//Aeye atara. I have a guest.\\
Arwen pulled aside the tent flap, inviting the pair into the tent. "Welcome."
Netta curtsied. "Thank you, highness."
Arwen smiled. "Lady Netta, I presume."
"Mother, may I please be excused?"
"Yes, you may." Arwen nodded. "But don't get into any mischief! Or else I have found a perfect teacher replacement!"
Maris nodded hurriedly and backed out of the tent.
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Translations
Aeye-Hail
Atara-Mother
//…..\\ -Sindarian. The few words that are in Quenya are for formalities and so please don't hold that against me. Although any tips would be much appreciated. I apologize again for taking so long. The plot bunnies don't want to loosen their grip on my mind yet. L Oh well……