Thank you so much to all of you review chapter 9! Specially Cheryfaerie who
always gives me lots of lovely reviews!(hope I spelt it write.() Pleaasee
review. Btw, I am desperately looking for a new beta, and if anyone would
like the tedious job it would be greatly appreciated! (Kaitlin was too
swamped with her own story.)
El woke to the golden warm rays of the sun tickling her cheek. She turned over to try to get some more sleep, when she noticed someone was looking at her with great amusement and interest. She closed her eyes again, bad tempered at having her sleep rudely interrupted by an onlooker. She groaned when she noticed the onlooker was now snickering and pulled a soft feather pillow over her head. If it were Elladan, she 'would' kill him...slowly. Then she noticed the laughter was not the same as his, or anyone she had heard, although, it still remained vaguely familiar.
"Oh do not mind me Gathiel, you can carry on sleeping if you want to," The voice said softly, "After all you were up half the night, so it does make sense to sleep away half of the day." What? She had already slept away half of the day, and then it hit her. Where was she?
El slowly, lifted the pillow off her head and opened her eyes to get a good look at the person sitting at the side of her bed. Her hair, she thought, must have been a total mess, no wonder there were tears of laughter rolling down his cheeks.
"What Elladan and Elrohir said was, in fact true then. I always knew you hated getting up in the mornings and it seems you still do."
El was extremely surprise to notice a Dryad other then her in her room. She was quite relieved when it was not Riwel, besides, his voice was too cheerful and soft. He had short honey coloured hair, kind green-brown eyes and smooth tanned skin. He smiled cheekily at her with perfect teeth.
He was incredibly handsome in his own way. El was not in the mood for smiling back and lifted the pillow over her head again, causing the Dryad to laugh even harder. The door of El's room opened again, and El heard the familiar voice of Ivy.
"Laerian! Leave the poor girl alone. She has not had a proper sleep for several days. How would you feel waking up to someone you do not know staring at you from the other side of your bed?" El whimpered before taking the pillow off her head, and sat up straight. Ivy had to restrain a smile. El was not a pretty sight in the morning.
"I am sorry Iavas, but I just had to see if she was really back, besides, she may have forgotten me but I am no total stranger to her." It was true, thought El. His voice was a little familiar, and she seemed to enjoy his company.
Ivy handed El the cup of herbal tea she held in her hands. El took it gratefully, and finished the whole lot with only one breath. She was told Laerian had had to stay behind at Mirkwood while Ivy had been able to see her at Lothlorien. It was incredibly unfair, and he had missed her just as much as Ivy.
"Where am I?" She asked vaguely. She could only remember Legolas' voice whisper in her ear, and him carrying her in his arms after she had nearly fallen asleep and hit the ice.
"Well you are in your old room in the city of Ithanal. Legolas carried you here last night. Tell me you remember something of yesterday, or have you forgotten everything, again?" Laerian teased getting up from his chair. "I have been sitting here for approximately fifteen minutes waiting for you to get up. Everyone in your company has been awake since nine 'O' Clock this morning. Except Elladan, and I believe his brother is waking him up now, with an icy cold bucket of water. He volunteered to assist me in waking you. Count yourself lucky Ivy was there." El looked up thankfully at her friend.
Just at that second they heard a loud yell erupt from a room nearby and Elladan burst through the door, totally soaked from head to foot. He was seething with anger.
"Which way did he go?" Elladan asked Ivy politely. She pointed to her right. Elladan flashed a smile at El, pointed enthusiastically to her hair with a grin, and then resumed running down the hallway furiously after his brother. Oh how he wanted to KILL him. El felt her hair, it was a total mess. She concentrated a little and it straightened itself out down her back. Laerian was still smiling cheekily at her.
El stopped to get a good look around the room she was in. It was fairly large, with green walls, and around the edge of the walls were little creepers with tiny blue flowers. She could not tell if they were real or not. The creeper had even wound itself around the posts of her bed. It was a gorgeous room.
"Wow, this is a nice room!" El said still amazed as she looked around.
"Even if you do say so yoursel - OW!" Laerian cried as Ivy dug a sharp elbow into his ribs.
"What Laerian is trying to say is, it is your room and you designed it." Laerian nodded his head while he rubbed his side with a hand. Laerian got up from his chair and offered a strong hand to El. She took it and got out of bed. She was still in yesterday's tunic and it was rather dirty.
"I suppose you will want a clean dress and a nice bath," he said, "I will leave Ivy to do that, and then I will have to leave you in peace. No matter how much I would like to stay while you have your bath," he said cheekily, "First let me introduce myself properly to you Gathiel. I am Laerian, the Dryad of summer," he added dramatically, trying to make himself taller and sterner.
Ivy pushed him towards the door and mumbled something like "Show off." He turned around to grin at El before Ivy slammed the door shut in his face.
"Now that Laerian has finally gone, over here is the bathroom." Ivy opened the door into a large bathroom. In the middle of it was a huge bath. There was also a toilet, a basin, a mirror and a lot of cupboards. This room had the same kind of design as the previous. "The other door leads out into a garden. That one over there leads to you study, lounge and your kitchen. However, we always eat downstairs with the king." Ivy then showed her where the towels and scented oils were, and then left to get her some dresses.
Finally El could have some peace, she had only been up for thirty minutes, and all ready she was tired. She ran herself a hot bath, undressed and got into the water. She proceeded to scrub herself all over with the soap. After spending at least twenty relaxing minutes in the soapy water, whilst washing her hair, she heard some one enter the room next door. El quickly got out and wrapped a fluffy green towel around her, and opened the door.
"Ivy I-..." El stopped when she noticed the guest was not actually Ivy, but Elladan and Legolas were sitting on the bed talking quietly. Legolas stood up immediately, and looked her up and down.
"Oh, hello,"
"Um-sorry-I-umm... Good morning," Legolas said finally pulling himself together. That had been a bit of a surprise. He looked around himself. Then again, he was in HER room, and Ivy had just gone to get her some dresses, so obviously she had nothing clean in there. How else would she get to her wardrobe? He cursed his idiocy.
Elladan sighed and stood up properly. "Honestly Legolas, it is not as though she is walking around naked, the towel nearly even touches her toes," Elladan said. El was laughing gently at Legolas' bemused expression. He shook the thought from his mind and straightened up. Why was he feeling so embarrassed?
"Ivy put the dresses in your wardrobe," Legolas said. Elladan's grin nearly covered his entire face it was so big. El walked quickly to the mahogany wardrobe, opened the doors, and pulled out a silvery dress, before walking back into the bathroom and closing the door quickly behind her. She could hear Elladan laughing at Legolas as she pulled the soft materiel over her head.
The dress fitted well, it must have been hers before. The bells of the sleeves nearly touched the floor and the bottom of the dress trailed a little on the floor behind her. It was definitely not a very practical one for running in. She brushed her hair a few times, it had only been five minutes but it was already dry. She then left it to flow freely down her shoulders and back.
El opened the bathroom door again and stepped outside.
"Nice to see you in a dress for once," Legolas said totally over his previous embarrassment. Elladan nodded and looked her up and down seriously.
"Yes you do look so very elegant," He teased. He had to admit the dress did look good on her.
"You are over your mornings shock then," teased El, "I hear I am not the only late riser." Elladan's eyes narrowed at the thought of his brother's cruel trick.
"Yes, I have had a nice...warm...bath," he answered shivering. That water had been taken from outside, Elrohir had actually had to break the ice on the top of the water, to pour it over him.
"I have to admit, it is nice to be clean again," Legolas said matter-of- factly, "Well, are you ready for lunch?"
"Yes absolutely, I am starving." El found a pair of matching shoes, and then followed the others out of the room.
El looked around as she closed her door behind her. She was now standing in a large hallway with white walls and a mint green carpet. She stepped cautiously in front of the others. She had no idea where to go, and her head was hurting with all the things she had to remember. She began walking to her left and then stopped when she heard no footsteps following. Both Legolas and Elladan were smiling at her. Legolas beckoned for her to lead on, which she then did feeling slightly embarrassed.
"This is so disorientating!" She exclaimed, "I have no idea which direction we are going in, I suggest they put up signs." She walked towards her friends who were still looking at her with amusement.
"I second that suggestion!" Elladan cried cheerfully. He had always found it hard to find his way around, which was mostly due to the sheer size of the city and how the buildings nearly looked all the same. "Really Legolas, I think you should suggest it to your father."
"I find my way around easily," Legolas commented cheerfully.
"Yes, but how long have you lived here? Oh yes, all of your life!" El nodded in agreement with Elladan's wise words. Legolas looked towards his younger friend, who was now staring fixedly on the long hallway still in front of them. Elladan had stayed here for nearly five years and yet he still did not know his way around Ithanal. Then again Legolas was not surprised. Only important things tended to grab Elladan's attention, like where the dining hall was.
"Well you have been here for five years, Elladan, El has an excuse, you do not," Legolas pointed out grinning. Elladan just looked back at him feigning innocence. El was slightly puzzled. He had been here five years?
"You mean to tell me, Elladan, you have been here five years and you do not know your way around this realm?!" El questioned him.
"Well I know my own way to the dining hall, and my room, so really that is all that matters," he said pompously. El looked across Elladan to Legolas, who was looking back at her, and shrugged her shoulders.
They carried on walking down the passageway, El noticed there were a great many other hallways branching off this main one, some of them led into huge decorative halls, and others led into lounge rooms or armouries. She also noticed there were now many other elves walking in and out of doors, and a lot of them were looking at her with interest. She moved in closer to Elladan, she was becoming quite unnerved at the un-wanted attention.
Elladan noticed her closing the gap, and looked down at her. Interested at the looks everyone was giving her. Her eyes were wide and he could tell she was feeling uncomfortable. Legolas was now looking at her with curiosity as well.
"Why is everyone staring at me?" El whispered. Elladan laughed at her question.
"Well you may have forgotten that you have long, green hair and bright green eyes. Not many Elves have green hair," Legolas said.
"None, unless they have not washed their hair for a while, a long while!" Elladan added un-helpfully. El shot him an angry glare, Elladan stuck out his bottom lip and pouted, causing both El and Legolas to burst out laughing, drawing the trio even stranger looks.
"Well, I mean, apart from the obvious reason," El tried again.
"Oh yes, about your hair, if I might add," Elladan started, El did not like where this was going, he tended to mention his opinions often, and he was now becoming quite melodramatic. "Waves around in a non-existent breeze and your eyes shine like 'huge' green bonfires-." El stopped suddenly, closed her eyes and drew a shuddered breath. Green bonfires, the fire had flashed green before the sacrifice.
She felt someone take her hand, pulling her back from the nightmare. She opened her eyes and tried to smile, but just grimaced, then turned her head away so Legolas could not read her expression.
Legolas stopped suddenly, what was wrong with El, what had Elladan said wrong. Green bonfires? Surely that would not have offended her. He took her hand gently in his, it was incredibly cold. She opened her eyes slowly and to his surprise, he noticed that before she turned away, they showed considerable pain giving away her feelings. His concern was not helped by her weak smile.
Meanwhile Elladan had carried on walking for another five meters before he noticed he was just talking to himself. He got quite worried when he saw El's pained face.
"El, you know I was only joking, do you not?" El smiled weakly at him and reassured him with a nod of her head. "Except, well, you do have green hair, and eyes bright like a-." Legolas stopped him before he could mention it again. It did not matter any way, thought El. She had just been so caught up in the present, she had nearly forgotten her past. Why did she have to go and remember it again? Elladan noticed Legolas stop him. What was so bad about bonfires? As an elfling he had always enjoyed the odd one.
"What is wrong?" Legolas questioned. El turned her head to look at him, she could see worry in his blue eyes. She pulled her thoughts together and stood up straight.
"Do not worry Legolas, I am fine. I just felt a little light headed and I am sure I will be better after some food," El lied as she carried on walking. Legolas was not reassured with her answer. She had most definitely lied. He would have to think about this, Elladan had noticed her reluctance to speak the truth too.
They walked further down the hallway, until they reached a large room at the end. It was enormous, and all around the decorative walls hung pictures. There were pictures of trees, rivers and fields. El noticed that each of the four huge landscapes, showed the same place, but at different times of year. She looked towards one of these pictures in particular. It was full of beautiful flowers. Then she realized there was a portrait next to it, and to her surprise she saw the cheerful face of Laerian.
"Absolutely gorgeous picture," El recognised the voice of Laerian next to her, "I have always admired the handsome bloke...Oh yes, it's me!" El rolled her eyes.
Ivy, to Laerian's dismay, who had just come through the door, dug him yet again in the ribs. El noticed the familiar face of Ivy next to the golden one of autumn, Riwel's cold winter one. Her eyes settled on the portrait of herself. It felt incredibly strange to see a portrait of her on the wall of a place she did not even remember ever being in. El felt the presence of Legolas next to her, and turned to meet his gaze.
Legolas was quite surprised to see El's shock at her own picture on the wall, as well as the picture of Ivy and Laerian, though her eyes darkened as she looked upon the portrait of Riwel. "Would you care to sit?" He asked politely, El nodded and followed him to the table.
It was already laden with food, china plates, silver cutlery and crystal glasses. She sat down on the chair next to Legolas. Elladan sat on her other side, while Laerian sat opposite her. Ivy and Elrohir were further down. El could hear him describe to Ivy every detail of Elladan's reaction to the cold water. El felt Elladan stiffen next to her, he was going to kill his brother...And get El back of course, and he could not forget that!
"Well, it is nice to see everyone altogether again," Thranduil said as he sat down at the head of the table with Legolas and Laerian on either side. El glanced down the table. Where was Riwel? There he was, and he was looking straight at her, her eyes darkened and flickered red for a moment. There was something strange about his look though, it showed no sign of hate, some thing else had replaced it.
"Gathiel." She quickly turned her head away from Riwel's piercing gaze and looked towards the king. "How was your sleep?" El looked towards Laerian who was staring back at her, as though nothing had happened.
"I slept wonderfully, thank you my Lord," she replied looking towards the king again, she was still feeling sour towards Laerian.
"That is good news. It seems you have met Laerian then?" Thranduil noticed the mock angry look she was giving Laerian.
"I had the honour of waking her this wonderful morning!" Laerian said smiling evilly. Thranduil now understood. Laerian had funny ways of waking people up.
"Maybe you should lock your door in the mornings, and then you shall have peace, from unwanted Dryads," Legolas laughed, El nodded her head enthusiastically. Why had she not thought of that before? Laerian pouted at El.
"Maybe I should lock my door in the morning as well, giving me peace from unwanted brothers," Elladan said bitterly, looking at his brother who was grinning back at him. Thranduil chuckled, he had heard all about Elladan's wake up call. Elrohir had been quite impressed with his idea, and of course, had mentioned it to everyone.
"It was only a little water, brother," he replied innocently.
"A LITTLE! MORE, like a whole bucket of FREEZING cold water. I shall be in a bad mood for the rest of the day!" He shivered at the memory; he would get him back for THAT! How?
They all began to help themselves to the varied food on the table, and soon the whole table was involved in conversation. Laerian was discussing with El about how they all should have a picnic and go riding in the fields. El was very keen on this idea as she had only seen the fields and gardens at night, and they had horses here. Laerian was also telling her how fantastic he was at riding and how he was always able to beat her in races, no matter which horse he was on.
"Do not listen to that last comment," Legolas said quietly, "You could always beat him at riding. It was one of those things he was very sore about." Laerian shot him a warning glance.
"That is NOT true!" He said again.
"Oh yes it is! I know what you are up to Laerian. You are trying to confuse her." Laerian could hold his straight face no longer.
"Yes well, I can do other things, like beat ANY elf at sword fighting!" El could sense a little challenge in his voice.
"Any elf but me, Lord Laerian," Legolas replied calmly, not even razing his voice, but making sure that Laerian knew he had accepted the challenge. He just hoped Laerian would not cheat with his magic. "But you must promise me, you will resist the temptation of using your magic." Laerian did look a bit sad at this news, so he could not use magic. Who cares? He was so skilful he could do without it easily!
"You are on, Prince Legolas!" Laerian smiled and carried on eating his food. After they had finished lunch they went into the lounge, El noticed even more portraits around the huge room's walls, there were many comfortable armchairs and couches. She felt much better with all the lovely food in her stomach, and was beginning to feel sleepy again. She sat down on a large comfy couch and rested her head on the arm closing her eyes.
"So, Gathiel." Her eyes snapped open when she realized Thranduil was addressing her. "Legolas said they found you with the Haradrim." She nodded her head slowly. Why did they have to talk about this now when she was feeling so calm? "May I ask what you were doing there?" El's eyes darkened at the question, she knew he already knew that, and yet he was making her answer the painful question.
"Oh I decided to go and have a tea party," she added sarcastically, the room quietened, everyone had heard the sarcasm in her voice. Legolas was surprised too. Had she no respect? He turned to look at his father. Thranduil had expected that reply, he should have too, and after all, her time with the Haradrim could not have been pleasant. Actually, quite frankly, his father had asked a stupid question, he knew how she was caught in the hands of the evil ones.
Riwel was sitting on a chair next to Laerian, his throat tightened. He could not help but feel sorry for El. Even though she did not realize it, he could feel a huge amount of pain erupting from somewhere in her subconscious, pain she had, for the moment, forgotten. It would surface sooner or later.
El tried to pull her feelings together, it made her feel sick having to talk about the only bit of her past she really remembered.
"I do not know." Thranduil's concerned frown remained as she answered his question again, he could see a remarkable amount of pain flashing in her green eyes when she turned to look at him once again. He stood up, it was obviously too soon to talk about her past with her.
"I think for the moment, we should leave this matter. We must wait for the wound of your recent past to heal a little first," he said softly to El and smiled at her reassuringly. "I suggest you explore the land you loved, and I am sure still do. First I think Laerian is itching to take you riding, but maybe that should wait until tomorrow when you have regained your strength." El thanked him with a smile, it was true, she was not ready to discuss with everyone the little of her past she did know. Thranduil nodded, then left the room and disappeared out of sight.
"Well, then!" Laerian said rubbing his hands together and looking around at everyone, "What shall we do first?!"
So what did you guys think? Please tell me what you thought of Laerian! (Cos I luv him! ()
El woke to the golden warm rays of the sun tickling her cheek. She turned over to try to get some more sleep, when she noticed someone was looking at her with great amusement and interest. She closed her eyes again, bad tempered at having her sleep rudely interrupted by an onlooker. She groaned when she noticed the onlooker was now snickering and pulled a soft feather pillow over her head. If it were Elladan, she 'would' kill him...slowly. Then she noticed the laughter was not the same as his, or anyone she had heard, although, it still remained vaguely familiar.
"Oh do not mind me Gathiel, you can carry on sleeping if you want to," The voice said softly, "After all you were up half the night, so it does make sense to sleep away half of the day." What? She had already slept away half of the day, and then it hit her. Where was she?
El slowly, lifted the pillow off her head and opened her eyes to get a good look at the person sitting at the side of her bed. Her hair, she thought, must have been a total mess, no wonder there were tears of laughter rolling down his cheeks.
"What Elladan and Elrohir said was, in fact true then. I always knew you hated getting up in the mornings and it seems you still do."
El was extremely surprise to notice a Dryad other then her in her room. She was quite relieved when it was not Riwel, besides, his voice was too cheerful and soft. He had short honey coloured hair, kind green-brown eyes and smooth tanned skin. He smiled cheekily at her with perfect teeth.
He was incredibly handsome in his own way. El was not in the mood for smiling back and lifted the pillow over her head again, causing the Dryad to laugh even harder. The door of El's room opened again, and El heard the familiar voice of Ivy.
"Laerian! Leave the poor girl alone. She has not had a proper sleep for several days. How would you feel waking up to someone you do not know staring at you from the other side of your bed?" El whimpered before taking the pillow off her head, and sat up straight. Ivy had to restrain a smile. El was not a pretty sight in the morning.
"I am sorry Iavas, but I just had to see if she was really back, besides, she may have forgotten me but I am no total stranger to her." It was true, thought El. His voice was a little familiar, and she seemed to enjoy his company.
Ivy handed El the cup of herbal tea she held in her hands. El took it gratefully, and finished the whole lot with only one breath. She was told Laerian had had to stay behind at Mirkwood while Ivy had been able to see her at Lothlorien. It was incredibly unfair, and he had missed her just as much as Ivy.
"Where am I?" She asked vaguely. She could only remember Legolas' voice whisper in her ear, and him carrying her in his arms after she had nearly fallen asleep and hit the ice.
"Well you are in your old room in the city of Ithanal. Legolas carried you here last night. Tell me you remember something of yesterday, or have you forgotten everything, again?" Laerian teased getting up from his chair. "I have been sitting here for approximately fifteen minutes waiting for you to get up. Everyone in your company has been awake since nine 'O' Clock this morning. Except Elladan, and I believe his brother is waking him up now, with an icy cold bucket of water. He volunteered to assist me in waking you. Count yourself lucky Ivy was there." El looked up thankfully at her friend.
Just at that second they heard a loud yell erupt from a room nearby and Elladan burst through the door, totally soaked from head to foot. He was seething with anger.
"Which way did he go?" Elladan asked Ivy politely. She pointed to her right. Elladan flashed a smile at El, pointed enthusiastically to her hair with a grin, and then resumed running down the hallway furiously after his brother. Oh how he wanted to KILL him. El felt her hair, it was a total mess. She concentrated a little and it straightened itself out down her back. Laerian was still smiling cheekily at her.
El stopped to get a good look around the room she was in. It was fairly large, with green walls, and around the edge of the walls were little creepers with tiny blue flowers. She could not tell if they were real or not. The creeper had even wound itself around the posts of her bed. It was a gorgeous room.
"Wow, this is a nice room!" El said still amazed as she looked around.
"Even if you do say so yoursel - OW!" Laerian cried as Ivy dug a sharp elbow into his ribs.
"What Laerian is trying to say is, it is your room and you designed it." Laerian nodded his head while he rubbed his side with a hand. Laerian got up from his chair and offered a strong hand to El. She took it and got out of bed. She was still in yesterday's tunic and it was rather dirty.
"I suppose you will want a clean dress and a nice bath," he said, "I will leave Ivy to do that, and then I will have to leave you in peace. No matter how much I would like to stay while you have your bath," he said cheekily, "First let me introduce myself properly to you Gathiel. I am Laerian, the Dryad of summer," he added dramatically, trying to make himself taller and sterner.
Ivy pushed him towards the door and mumbled something like "Show off." He turned around to grin at El before Ivy slammed the door shut in his face.
"Now that Laerian has finally gone, over here is the bathroom." Ivy opened the door into a large bathroom. In the middle of it was a huge bath. There was also a toilet, a basin, a mirror and a lot of cupboards. This room had the same kind of design as the previous. "The other door leads out into a garden. That one over there leads to you study, lounge and your kitchen. However, we always eat downstairs with the king." Ivy then showed her where the towels and scented oils were, and then left to get her some dresses.
Finally El could have some peace, she had only been up for thirty minutes, and all ready she was tired. She ran herself a hot bath, undressed and got into the water. She proceeded to scrub herself all over with the soap. After spending at least twenty relaxing minutes in the soapy water, whilst washing her hair, she heard some one enter the room next door. El quickly got out and wrapped a fluffy green towel around her, and opened the door.
"Ivy I-..." El stopped when she noticed the guest was not actually Ivy, but Elladan and Legolas were sitting on the bed talking quietly. Legolas stood up immediately, and looked her up and down.
"Oh, hello,"
"Um-sorry-I-umm... Good morning," Legolas said finally pulling himself together. That had been a bit of a surprise. He looked around himself. Then again, he was in HER room, and Ivy had just gone to get her some dresses, so obviously she had nothing clean in there. How else would she get to her wardrobe? He cursed his idiocy.
Elladan sighed and stood up properly. "Honestly Legolas, it is not as though she is walking around naked, the towel nearly even touches her toes," Elladan said. El was laughing gently at Legolas' bemused expression. He shook the thought from his mind and straightened up. Why was he feeling so embarrassed?
"Ivy put the dresses in your wardrobe," Legolas said. Elladan's grin nearly covered his entire face it was so big. El walked quickly to the mahogany wardrobe, opened the doors, and pulled out a silvery dress, before walking back into the bathroom and closing the door quickly behind her. She could hear Elladan laughing at Legolas as she pulled the soft materiel over her head.
The dress fitted well, it must have been hers before. The bells of the sleeves nearly touched the floor and the bottom of the dress trailed a little on the floor behind her. It was definitely not a very practical one for running in. She brushed her hair a few times, it had only been five minutes but it was already dry. She then left it to flow freely down her shoulders and back.
El opened the bathroom door again and stepped outside.
"Nice to see you in a dress for once," Legolas said totally over his previous embarrassment. Elladan nodded and looked her up and down seriously.
"Yes you do look so very elegant," He teased. He had to admit the dress did look good on her.
"You are over your mornings shock then," teased El, "I hear I am not the only late riser." Elladan's eyes narrowed at the thought of his brother's cruel trick.
"Yes, I have had a nice...warm...bath," he answered shivering. That water had been taken from outside, Elrohir had actually had to break the ice on the top of the water, to pour it over him.
"I have to admit, it is nice to be clean again," Legolas said matter-of- factly, "Well, are you ready for lunch?"
"Yes absolutely, I am starving." El found a pair of matching shoes, and then followed the others out of the room.
El looked around as she closed her door behind her. She was now standing in a large hallway with white walls and a mint green carpet. She stepped cautiously in front of the others. She had no idea where to go, and her head was hurting with all the things she had to remember. She began walking to her left and then stopped when she heard no footsteps following. Both Legolas and Elladan were smiling at her. Legolas beckoned for her to lead on, which she then did feeling slightly embarrassed.
"This is so disorientating!" She exclaimed, "I have no idea which direction we are going in, I suggest they put up signs." She walked towards her friends who were still looking at her with amusement.
"I second that suggestion!" Elladan cried cheerfully. He had always found it hard to find his way around, which was mostly due to the sheer size of the city and how the buildings nearly looked all the same. "Really Legolas, I think you should suggest it to your father."
"I find my way around easily," Legolas commented cheerfully.
"Yes, but how long have you lived here? Oh yes, all of your life!" El nodded in agreement with Elladan's wise words. Legolas looked towards his younger friend, who was now staring fixedly on the long hallway still in front of them. Elladan had stayed here for nearly five years and yet he still did not know his way around Ithanal. Then again Legolas was not surprised. Only important things tended to grab Elladan's attention, like where the dining hall was.
"Well you have been here for five years, Elladan, El has an excuse, you do not," Legolas pointed out grinning. Elladan just looked back at him feigning innocence. El was slightly puzzled. He had been here five years?
"You mean to tell me, Elladan, you have been here five years and you do not know your way around this realm?!" El questioned him.
"Well I know my own way to the dining hall, and my room, so really that is all that matters," he said pompously. El looked across Elladan to Legolas, who was looking back at her, and shrugged her shoulders.
They carried on walking down the passageway, El noticed there were a great many other hallways branching off this main one, some of them led into huge decorative halls, and others led into lounge rooms or armouries. She also noticed there were now many other elves walking in and out of doors, and a lot of them were looking at her with interest. She moved in closer to Elladan, she was becoming quite unnerved at the un-wanted attention.
Elladan noticed her closing the gap, and looked down at her. Interested at the looks everyone was giving her. Her eyes were wide and he could tell she was feeling uncomfortable. Legolas was now looking at her with curiosity as well.
"Why is everyone staring at me?" El whispered. Elladan laughed at her question.
"Well you may have forgotten that you have long, green hair and bright green eyes. Not many Elves have green hair," Legolas said.
"None, unless they have not washed their hair for a while, a long while!" Elladan added un-helpfully. El shot him an angry glare, Elladan stuck out his bottom lip and pouted, causing both El and Legolas to burst out laughing, drawing the trio even stranger looks.
"Well, I mean, apart from the obvious reason," El tried again.
"Oh yes, about your hair, if I might add," Elladan started, El did not like where this was going, he tended to mention his opinions often, and he was now becoming quite melodramatic. "Waves around in a non-existent breeze and your eyes shine like 'huge' green bonfires-." El stopped suddenly, closed her eyes and drew a shuddered breath. Green bonfires, the fire had flashed green before the sacrifice.
She felt someone take her hand, pulling her back from the nightmare. She opened her eyes and tried to smile, but just grimaced, then turned her head away so Legolas could not read her expression.
Legolas stopped suddenly, what was wrong with El, what had Elladan said wrong. Green bonfires? Surely that would not have offended her. He took her hand gently in his, it was incredibly cold. She opened her eyes slowly and to his surprise, he noticed that before she turned away, they showed considerable pain giving away her feelings. His concern was not helped by her weak smile.
Meanwhile Elladan had carried on walking for another five meters before he noticed he was just talking to himself. He got quite worried when he saw El's pained face.
"El, you know I was only joking, do you not?" El smiled weakly at him and reassured him with a nod of her head. "Except, well, you do have green hair, and eyes bright like a-." Legolas stopped him before he could mention it again. It did not matter any way, thought El. She had just been so caught up in the present, she had nearly forgotten her past. Why did she have to go and remember it again? Elladan noticed Legolas stop him. What was so bad about bonfires? As an elfling he had always enjoyed the odd one.
"What is wrong?" Legolas questioned. El turned her head to look at him, she could see worry in his blue eyes. She pulled her thoughts together and stood up straight.
"Do not worry Legolas, I am fine. I just felt a little light headed and I am sure I will be better after some food," El lied as she carried on walking. Legolas was not reassured with her answer. She had most definitely lied. He would have to think about this, Elladan had noticed her reluctance to speak the truth too.
They walked further down the hallway, until they reached a large room at the end. It was enormous, and all around the decorative walls hung pictures. There were pictures of trees, rivers and fields. El noticed that each of the four huge landscapes, showed the same place, but at different times of year. She looked towards one of these pictures in particular. It was full of beautiful flowers. Then she realized there was a portrait next to it, and to her surprise she saw the cheerful face of Laerian.
"Absolutely gorgeous picture," El recognised the voice of Laerian next to her, "I have always admired the handsome bloke...Oh yes, it's me!" El rolled her eyes.
Ivy, to Laerian's dismay, who had just come through the door, dug him yet again in the ribs. El noticed the familiar face of Ivy next to the golden one of autumn, Riwel's cold winter one. Her eyes settled on the portrait of herself. It felt incredibly strange to see a portrait of her on the wall of a place she did not even remember ever being in. El felt the presence of Legolas next to her, and turned to meet his gaze.
Legolas was quite surprised to see El's shock at her own picture on the wall, as well as the picture of Ivy and Laerian, though her eyes darkened as she looked upon the portrait of Riwel. "Would you care to sit?" He asked politely, El nodded and followed him to the table.
It was already laden with food, china plates, silver cutlery and crystal glasses. She sat down on the chair next to Legolas. Elladan sat on her other side, while Laerian sat opposite her. Ivy and Elrohir were further down. El could hear him describe to Ivy every detail of Elladan's reaction to the cold water. El felt Elladan stiffen next to her, he was going to kill his brother...And get El back of course, and he could not forget that!
"Well, it is nice to see everyone altogether again," Thranduil said as he sat down at the head of the table with Legolas and Laerian on either side. El glanced down the table. Where was Riwel? There he was, and he was looking straight at her, her eyes darkened and flickered red for a moment. There was something strange about his look though, it showed no sign of hate, some thing else had replaced it.
"Gathiel." She quickly turned her head away from Riwel's piercing gaze and looked towards the king. "How was your sleep?" El looked towards Laerian who was staring back at her, as though nothing had happened.
"I slept wonderfully, thank you my Lord," she replied looking towards the king again, she was still feeling sour towards Laerian.
"That is good news. It seems you have met Laerian then?" Thranduil noticed the mock angry look she was giving Laerian.
"I had the honour of waking her this wonderful morning!" Laerian said smiling evilly. Thranduil now understood. Laerian had funny ways of waking people up.
"Maybe you should lock your door in the mornings, and then you shall have peace, from unwanted Dryads," Legolas laughed, El nodded her head enthusiastically. Why had she not thought of that before? Laerian pouted at El.
"Maybe I should lock my door in the morning as well, giving me peace from unwanted brothers," Elladan said bitterly, looking at his brother who was grinning back at him. Thranduil chuckled, he had heard all about Elladan's wake up call. Elrohir had been quite impressed with his idea, and of course, had mentioned it to everyone.
"It was only a little water, brother," he replied innocently.
"A LITTLE! MORE, like a whole bucket of FREEZING cold water. I shall be in a bad mood for the rest of the day!" He shivered at the memory; he would get him back for THAT! How?
They all began to help themselves to the varied food on the table, and soon the whole table was involved in conversation. Laerian was discussing with El about how they all should have a picnic and go riding in the fields. El was very keen on this idea as she had only seen the fields and gardens at night, and they had horses here. Laerian was also telling her how fantastic he was at riding and how he was always able to beat her in races, no matter which horse he was on.
"Do not listen to that last comment," Legolas said quietly, "You could always beat him at riding. It was one of those things he was very sore about." Laerian shot him a warning glance.
"That is NOT true!" He said again.
"Oh yes it is! I know what you are up to Laerian. You are trying to confuse her." Laerian could hold his straight face no longer.
"Yes well, I can do other things, like beat ANY elf at sword fighting!" El could sense a little challenge in his voice.
"Any elf but me, Lord Laerian," Legolas replied calmly, not even razing his voice, but making sure that Laerian knew he had accepted the challenge. He just hoped Laerian would not cheat with his magic. "But you must promise me, you will resist the temptation of using your magic." Laerian did look a bit sad at this news, so he could not use magic. Who cares? He was so skilful he could do without it easily!
"You are on, Prince Legolas!" Laerian smiled and carried on eating his food. After they had finished lunch they went into the lounge, El noticed even more portraits around the huge room's walls, there were many comfortable armchairs and couches. She felt much better with all the lovely food in her stomach, and was beginning to feel sleepy again. She sat down on a large comfy couch and rested her head on the arm closing her eyes.
"So, Gathiel." Her eyes snapped open when she realized Thranduil was addressing her. "Legolas said they found you with the Haradrim." She nodded her head slowly. Why did they have to talk about this now when she was feeling so calm? "May I ask what you were doing there?" El's eyes darkened at the question, she knew he already knew that, and yet he was making her answer the painful question.
"Oh I decided to go and have a tea party," she added sarcastically, the room quietened, everyone had heard the sarcasm in her voice. Legolas was surprised too. Had she no respect? He turned to look at his father. Thranduil had expected that reply, he should have too, and after all, her time with the Haradrim could not have been pleasant. Actually, quite frankly, his father had asked a stupid question, he knew how she was caught in the hands of the evil ones.
Riwel was sitting on a chair next to Laerian, his throat tightened. He could not help but feel sorry for El. Even though she did not realize it, he could feel a huge amount of pain erupting from somewhere in her subconscious, pain she had, for the moment, forgotten. It would surface sooner or later.
El tried to pull her feelings together, it made her feel sick having to talk about the only bit of her past she really remembered.
"I do not know." Thranduil's concerned frown remained as she answered his question again, he could see a remarkable amount of pain flashing in her green eyes when she turned to look at him once again. He stood up, it was obviously too soon to talk about her past with her.
"I think for the moment, we should leave this matter. We must wait for the wound of your recent past to heal a little first," he said softly to El and smiled at her reassuringly. "I suggest you explore the land you loved, and I am sure still do. First I think Laerian is itching to take you riding, but maybe that should wait until tomorrow when you have regained your strength." El thanked him with a smile, it was true, she was not ready to discuss with everyone the little of her past she did know. Thranduil nodded, then left the room and disappeared out of sight.
"Well, then!" Laerian said rubbing his hands together and looking around at everyone, "What shall we do first?!"
So what did you guys think? Please tell me what you thought of Laerian! (Cos I luv him! ()