I like to thank all the people who reviewed! So, a big thank you to Just2spooky, Yuki, Celeste Moonstone, hazelhorse, LalaithoftheBruinen, and Lady Beriaron.
I also like to thank Phoenix for the help she gave me this chapter. By the way, can anyone tell me exactly what makes a character a Mary Sue? I'll have to admit that my definition of a Mary Sue is a little hazy.Thanks!!
Now, I'll shut up and let you read.
See ya!
-Lady Healer
Chapter 4: The day the elves forget their grace.
Lillian awoke from her slumber with a
slight smile. Yesterday was one of the most interesting days of her life, but also
the most stressful. The Hobbits were amazing creatures. It seem as if each race
on this strange world was different in their own special way.
It
took her awhile to get use to the different physical characteristic that the
hobbits had, from the hairy feet to the large ears. And from what she
had seen of them thus far, the hobbits were joyous beings with a strong love
for food. Lillian still didn't quite understand how such small beings could eat
so much.
And how they could talk! She was amazed at how long they could speak on one
subject alone. Their favorite topic so far was the proper way to drink ale at
some Green Dragon inn. The love of their home and families showed clearly in
their voice and eyes. And it touched Lillian. It was nice to see people happy
for a change.
And Lillian wished that she could be more
like these fascinating beings. But fear had been deeply implanted in her. She
yearned to be her own person with all her heart; to live life like she choose.
To talk and discuss any and every topic with anyone who would listen.
But her blood father took that dream away. Perhaps, in this world she would
finally get the chance to live as she wished.
But she was afraid. For the last eleven
years she labored to go unnoticed. Being seen in her home world hurt. But as
the days past that old fear was starting to slip away. The nobles in this world
had been nothing but nice to her. But she had only met a few nobles in this
world so far, and just because some were nice didn't mean all them were. And,
she still had to be sure that these nobles meant what they said. Back in her
world, nobles would put up charades to gain what they wanted.
But… Lillian's thoughts continued as she
rose out of bed, ignoring the twinge of pain. These nobles had no reason to do
such a thing, did they? From what she had observed of the Elves she had met,
they were truly caring souls. But, a handful of days was not enough to judge a
race, much less trust them. She was still wary of what these nobles would do to
her. However, with every day she was around this mystical race, that
dread was slowly slipping away.
Lillian stopped before a gown laid across
the dressing table. It was breathtaking. A simple baby blue gown with butterfly
sleeves and navy blue embroidery decorating the v-shape neckline and empire
waistline. Lillian still didn't understand why these people treated her like
they did.
Like she was an equal.
Beside the dress was a note. Lillian was
glad that she had been taught how to read and write. In her blood father's
home, it was forbidden for servants to read or be found writing. Lillian
suspected her blood father feared that if servants communicated through the
written word they would incite one of his enemies to rise against him. Tyrants
always had an enemy. Or perhaps the fear was that the servants themselves
would find a loophole in the laws and overthrow him.
One of those loopholes was her. After all,
she was of blood. And any one of blood was a threat to Kalin's rule. It
was common knowledge that he had ordered to have her killed at birth. Yet, six
years later he merely forced her into servitude. Why? Did he believe that by
breaking her spirit the threat of her Claim would disappear?
Whatever his reasoning, this strange world
elicited a new hope. Lillian's walls had begun to crumble. And the reason
started with Elrohir.
There was no romance between them, Lillian
knew that. They were strangers and people don't fall in love at first glance.
But when she stopped fearing him, she started to feel safe around him. Part of
the reason was that it was getting harder to see him as a noble as the days
passed. But the main reason was he reminded her of Galen. The palace guard; a
flirt, a charlatan, but who did everything that he could to help the servants.
In her blood father's home he was one of the few people she would trust with
her life.
Lillian just prayed that he was all right.
Shaking her head to clear it, Lillian set
the note back on the table before heading to the side room where her bath was
ready.
* * * * *
Two
hours later, Lillian stood dressed in the new gown her waist length hair pulled
back in a loose ponytail, ready to go to breakfast. Well, she looked ready.
Inside she was a nervous wreck. Yesterday had been the first day she was
allowed to get out of her bed to move around, but she still ate her meals in
private.
Today, she was to dine with everyone else,
and she was not sure how she was supposed to act. Back home a servant was never
allowed to dine with the nobles. But it seemed that many bylaws that existed in
Kalin's court, were not enforced. After four days, Lillian still wasn't sure of
the rules in this strange place. And that made her uncomfortable and scared.
A knock at the door interrupted, her
thoughts. Taking a calming breath, Lillian opened the door.
"Good Morning, Lady Lillian."
Elrohir replied cheerfully.
"Good morning, Lord Elrohir."
Lillian replied softly.
"Shall we go to breakfast?"
Seeing her small nod, Elrohir started out. "By the way, Lady Lillian, you
look stunning today." A blush on Lillian's cheeks was her only answer.
* * * *
Ten minutes later, as they approached
the High Table where Elrond and his family dined, Elrohir placed Lillian's hand
in the crook of his arm. She looked up at him with fright, careful to avoid eye
contact, and he squeezed her fingers.
"It is proper and right for a Lady to
be escorted to her seat." She opened her mouth to speak, but was
interrupted by Gandalf still wearing his gray robe.
"It is good to see you again, Lady
Lillian," he rumbled. "We have been eager to talk with you."
"I did not mean to be late."
Lillian dropped her eyes before she could take in the rest of his features.
"You are not late, Child." The
man waved his hand in dismissal. She did not see the amusement that sparkled in
his eyes. "You have been injured, and were not allowed to be tormented by
an Old Fool."
"Elrohir," an agitated voice
said. "Stop monopolizing the human and introduce her." Lillian
glanced at this new voice, and stopped dead. It was another Elrohir. If this
one was anything like the original, she would never have a moment's peace.
"Patience brother, patience."
Elrohir said as he escorted Lillian to the table. The mischief in his eyes
shined brightly as he continued. "I understand that you are jealous of
such beautiful company; but if everyone will sit down, I will introduce this
lovely lady." Elladan rolled his eyes at his brother's antics, but smiled
at the lady while taking his seat. It was obvious that she was scared, and it
warmed his heart to see that his brother was making the effort to help her
relax, even if in his own crazy way of it.
After everyone had taken his or her seat,
Elrohir introduced Lillian. "Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my pleasure to
introduce to you, Lillian, daughter of Lylia." Elrohir pulled out
Lillian's chair and assisted her in sitting down as he continued the
introductions. "Lady Lillian as you already know, the elf at the head of
the table, is my good Father: Elrond Halfelvin, Lord of Rivendell. To his right
is my twin, Elladan. Unfortunately he didn't take after my personality."
Lillian sighed in relief, bringing chuckles to those around. Lillian
cringed at the attention; instead she focused her attention to Elrohir.
"Next to my boring brother, is my
sister Arwen, beside her is the love her life, Aragorn of Gondor." At
Aragorn and Arwen's look of horror he replied in monotone. "Brother,
sister. Father knew since the first time you made eyes at each other."
Lillian bit her lip to keep from laughing while everyone else chuckled at the
couple's blush. "Next to Aragorn is Glorfindel and the love of his life
..." Elrohir trailed off at Glorfindel's glare. Shrugging Elrohir replied,
"Well, no one really knows..." Bending down he whispered in her ear,
"It is his horse, Asfaloth. So far, no maiden has swayed his heart."
Pointedly ignoring Glorfindel's glare, he straightened and continued his
introductions.
"Beside him, is Leggy..."
Elrohir trailed off again at Legolas's glare and then continued with mock
innocence, "I forgot, he doesn't like that nickname. You see he received
that name during his childhood when..."
"Elrohir." Legolas interrupted
sharply, an unsaid warning in his voice.
"Right, shutting up." Elrohir
said quickly, mocking like one in fright. Turning towards Lillian he wink and
said, "I'll tell you the story later, when Leggy is not around to
interrupt."
Rubbing his forehead, Legolas muttered,
"Elrohir ... what did I do to be cursed with a friend like you?"
"You were born," Elrohir replied
without missing a beat, causing chuckles around the table. "Anyway,
Leggy's real name is Legolas Greenleaf. He's the Prince of Mirkwood. He has a
wonderful sense of humor, which is probably the only reason I'm not dead
yet." When Lillian looked up at him in alarm, catching his eyes, Elrohir
winked. "But he is a good friend. One of the best I have, in fact. Even
when he pushed me into a mud hole a hundred years ago and I had to wait three
days before I could get to a stream to wash up." Elrohir crinkled his
noise at the memory while the table irrupted in laughter.
Legolas grinned mirthfully and said,
"Not to mention the time by the lake when I...."
Looking up sharply, Elrohir interrupted
"Don't you dare, Legolas..." Stopping in mid sentence when a thought
struck him. Elrohir grinned. "Never mind. Continue on with your
story..." Looking at him suspiciously, Legolas opened his mouth to
continue when Elrohir interrupted, smiley sweetly, "If you want me to tell
the Ladies about Mirkwood and our seven hundreds." Closing his mouth
Legolas sent Elrohir a glare, before he smiled to himself and muttered,
"I'll let the bout go to you this time, Elrohir. Valar knows you need
it." Elrohir waved his hand in dismissal.
"No, I don't. I'm only ten points
behind. I am catching up and will soon surpass you if you do not keep on your
toes, Leggy."
Glaring, once more, Legolas asked,
"When will you stop calling me by that accursed name?" Plopping into
his seat with grace, Elrohir answered smugly.
"Never." Legolas groaned while
the others chuckled. "Besides it is Aragorn who needs the extra
help." Leaning back in his seat Elrohir asked, "What are the currant
scores?"
Thinking for a moment, Legolas answered,
"I am in the lead with 230 points. As you already stated, Elrohir, you are
10 points behind with 220. Elladan is third, 218, and Aragorn is last with
210."
"You're falling behind, Estel. You
used to lead this competition, little brother. Not losing your touch, now are
we?" Elrohir commented before eating a slice of apple.
"If I am losing my touch,
brother…" Aragorn started with a raise eyebrow, "then why is there a
pink bow in your hair?"
Shaking his head, Elrohir replied,
"Nice try, Estel. You had not the opportunity. I will not fall for your
bluff."
Smiling, Aragorn leaned back, countering
easily, "I am not bluffing? I may not have had the opportunity, but my
allies certainly did."
"Allies?" Looking around the
table, Elrohir noticed two people returning to their seats, Arwen and his
beloved Father. Slowly Elrohir reached up, feeling his head and then with a
swift tug, brought the bow unraveling from his hair.
Nodding to his brother, he said,
"Well done, Estel. Two points I believe are in order. One point for this
little trinket and another for the flowers in Legolas's hair. Who was the
culprit?"
Legolas's eyes widen slightly as he yanked
the white lilies out of his hair.
"Who," he demanded.
"The flowers were mine."
Glorfindel stated.
Sighing, Legolas muttered, "No wonder
I didn't notice. I was too busy watching Lady Arwen and Lord Elrond."
Smirking, Legolas commented, "By the way, Elladan, the bow in your hair
matches your brother's nicely."
Groaning, Elladan swiftly removed the
offending object from his hair, muttering, "Ada, you traitor."
"Which then, leaves Arwen responsible
for my own decoration." Elrohir said. Arwen smiled and nodded while
Elrohir continued talking. "Which is another point for Estel. However,
because of agreement, he gains ten points for each ally. Which means he earned
a total of 33 points, putting him at 243 and back in the lead."
"Brother, just wait until your next
birthday," Elrohir warned. "I will have a new way of waking you at
unearthly hours."
Resting his forehead in his hand, Aragorn
muttered, "Dear Valar, someone save me." Chuckles followed the
statement.
"I would brother…." Elladan
teased "but I'm still trying to save myself."
Holding a hand to his heart, Elrohir mocked,
"Brothers, you wound me so with your words. My heart shall forever hurt
with the pain." Chuckles followed his statement.
"Oh, and I forgot about the old
wizard to your right, Lady Lillian. As you already know, he is Gandalf the
Gray. I would tell you some very interesting things about him, but I do not
feel like becoming a frog today." During the accompanying laughter,
Elrohir leaned towards Lillian and whispered into her ear, "Beside there
are none to be told."
Lillian lips twitched in amusement. She
was amazed at the atmosphere; she had never seen such light heartiness. Back
home, the only conversation among the aristocracy was made of insults and
arguments. Her mental barrier was far from cracking, but she felt contentment
now. She might finally be able to have freedom. She would still have to
learn their rules. Lillian understood that. If she didn't, then the little
freedom she had might be taken away. As nice as these people were, she didn't
know them and had been hurt too many times to trust blindly.
"Lady Lillian, what do you think of
your stay in Rivendell? My brother hasn't been bothering you too much, has
he?" asked Elladan a slight teasing note at the end.
Swallowing a bite a food, Lillian replied,
quietly, "It has been very pleasant, Lord Elladan, and no, Lord Elrohir
has been very helpful." Lillian could feel everyone's eyes on her and she
shifted uncomfortably. She knew they were curious about her, and rightly so.
She was a stranger in their home after all. But she still wished that she could
disappear from sight. Seeing her discomfort, Elrohir decided to step in.
"A bother? Really Elladan, you should
know better than that."
"We do, Elrohir." Interrupted
Glorfindel. "That why we asked."
"I cannot help myself," he said
with great flair. "Whenever I am in the company of a beauteous
woman," he leaned over to Lillian, "I inevitably play the
scoundrel." This statement was followed by the expected blush. If it were
possible, the former servant shrank even further into herself.
"Elrohir," Legolas warned,
dangerously close to uncivil. "*That is enough*," he said in Elvish.
"You needn't be so rough with
me," he laughed, leaning over the table. Elrohir knew he needed help. He
and the Hobbits were helping Lillian to open up, but it was not enough.
Legolas would be one of the best suited.
But Elrohir needed to inform him of the situation and discuss it with him. And
it would be much easier to do without his father's interference. But to have
that happen they needed to speak privately, well, his brother could come along.
So he reached for his wine goblet while locking glances with Legolas trying to
converse with him silently. And then with a silent '*Forgive me*' and a quick
glance to his twin he 'accidentally' knocked the goblet over.
For a moment, time stood still and Legolas
could see the red liquid flying towards him. And then it splashed against his
face. It ran down his neck, and into his fine gray tunic. He noticed absently,
that the wine had been chilled before serving. He pursed his mouth for a
moment. And then, he became almost as angry with Elrohir as he was at himself
for not dodging.
"Elrohir, Elladan. May I speak with
you two, in private?" Legolas said while wiping his face. His tone of
voice revealed that it was a command, not a request.
Without missing a beat, Elrohir replied
cheerfully, "Oh course, my friend." Turning to the side he sent
Lillian a warm smile. His smile widen when he saw her lips twitched from silent
laughter. Grabbing her right hand he raised it to his lips, saying, "My
lady. Please honor me and wait here while I deal with this jealous elf."
Ignoring Legolas's glare, he kissed Lillian's hand. He was pretty sure if looks
could kill that he would be six feet under. 'Ah, the joys of life of having the
son of Thranduil mad at you. He has his father's temper all right.' Elrohir
watched Lillian shake her head before her mouth opened, only to snap shut.
With a soothing voice, Elrohir said,
"You can speak your mind, Lady Lillian. You do not need permission. Now
what were you going to say." From the corner of his eye, Elrohir could see
part of Legolas's anger melting to confusion as the girl bowed her head.
"He is angry with you, not jealous,
my lord," Lillian whispered softly. "I don't want you to be
hurt." Tipping her chin up with a finger, Elrohir looked into her sad,
scared eyes and cursed himself. He should have found another way to get Legolas
to talk to him. Maybe this event will work out for the best. She will discover
that not all people were like her former 'master.'
"Why do you think I will be hurt,
Lady Lillian," he asked, although he already knew the answer. Her eyes
drifted to the side of his face as Lillian focused on his ear.
"I have seen that look upon many a
man's face before, Lord Elrohir." He smiled at her concern.
"Legolas is a Prince of Mirkwood. He
would not sink to blows with me over something so trivial." Not convinced,
but rather trained she nodded.
"I shall await your return, then, my
lord." Raising her hand to his lips once more, he placed a gentle kiss
upon it and replied, "Thank you my lady. And worry not. All will be well,
you will see." Releasing her hand he turned towards his brother and
friends. "Let us go to the library to hold this discussion."
With a slight nod of agreement the trio left the room.
"Lillian, what was your home
like?" Arwen asked in the new silence. She was curious about the new
stranger from the world known as Lindreal.
"Miserable." Lillian replied
softly, as she started to retreat into herself. Though, surprise at her
answered the companions at the table began a conversation, and every once in a
while asked Lillian her opinion. An as the talk lengthen, Lillian stopped
retreating and begin to slowly beginning to the discussion herself.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Twenty minutes later in the library the
trio of elves sat around the table. Leaning back in his chair, Legolas crossed
his arm across his bare chest, his tunic resting in a heap on the table.
"You want me to help you with Lady
Lillian," he mumbled. "To progress her healing? That's fine. But you
do realize that this might have the opposite affect. Instead of helping
she may retreat further."
"I am willing to risk that,"
Elrohir said simply. "Quite frankly, I don't see what damage any of us
could be worse than what her manner tells me she has seen."
"She has not spoken of her
experiences then?" Elladan murmured.
"No." Elrohir said. "I fear
that will be her most difficult obstacle."
Studying his brother, Elladan commented,
"You believe that there is something that in her past that she doesn't
want to admit?" Elrohir nodded.
"I do. I have tried to engage her in
a conversation about her family. She avoids talking about her father, as if she
fears punishment." The three sat in silence, mulling over what they
knew. Finally, a low growl of frustration pierced the air.
"Agh," Elladan grumbled.
"How does one heal the mind? We know how to heal the body, but the mind,
and the soul..." He drifted off, pinching his nose.
"Language," the Prince of
Mirkwood answered after a long pause. "She must unburden her mind through
that. But how can she do so," he continued, "if she fears the very
beings that wish to help her?"
"Perhaps," Elrohir grinned,
"the Hobbits."
Raising an eyebrow, Legolas questioned,
"What about the hobbits?"
Slightly smiling at the memory,
Elrohir answered him. "Yesterday, Lillian met Pippin and Merry. It was
they that made her 'come out of her shell.' "
"How so?" Questioned Elladan.
"She brightened almost immediately
when she discovered that they didn't have the title 'lord.'" Elrohir
answered. Sighing, Legolas uncross his armed and looked to Elrohir.
"If that is true, then I may not be
much use. You already introduced me as a prince. Thus she knows my title and
her ingrained fears might not let me help her. I ask you, Elrohir, what do you
want me to do?"
"Just be your normal self. Only, try
not to let the Lady fall for your youthful charm," a smirk grew across his
face. "We want her to be comfortable around the nobility, not
overcome."
Legolas just rolled his eyes.
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