AN: Sorry this took so long, the usual busy-ness along with a bit of writer's block tried to bring me down, but, in the end, I prevailed!
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Disclaimer: See previous chapters.
"English talking"
'thinking'
~Galadriel mind-speaking~
*Elvish talking*
As Verdi ate she contemplated the strange company she was keeping. 'Elves, they call themselves; how many times have I read about elves? I wonder which type of elves they are; they're obviously not the short, jolly Christmas elves, nor are they the hardworking, unassuming House elves of Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling). There are so many varieties, created by thousands of fantasy authors over thousands of years. Are they the noble elves of Shannara (Terry Brooks), or the haughty elves of Norse mythology? Perhaps they are the secretive elves of Midkemia (Raymond Feist), the mischievous, spiteful elves of German stories, or the proud, music-loving elves of Alanda (Mercedes Lackey)? Or maybe they...' Verdi's thoughts were interrupted by the return of Galadriel.
*Are you finished?* The elflady asked, coming to stand in front of the table. Verdi nodded and stood up, starting to put all the dishes back onto the tray they came in. *Don't bother dear, come, I will show you to your room.*
Verdi followed Galadriel through a series of halls, along multiple pathways, and up and down various stairs. Presently they came to what Verdi decided must be the section of trees that served as the living quarters of the various elves. She looked around her in wonder, admiring the decor of the rooms: elegant carving defined each talan, graceful curves that added to the grandeur of the luxurious fabrics and colorful paintings that decorated each suite. The Lady of Light led Verdi into one such room.
*Does this please you?* She asked, checking to make sure everything was in order of the guest.
*More than you can ever imagine,* Verdi said softly, entranced by the thought that this magnificent room was to be hers, for the time being. She gently set her stuff down, and made a full 360° turn, slowly, taking in the place. Galadriel smiled, and turned to leave.
*I will leave you to settle in, feel free to use everything in the room, and if you need anything, just call.* She pointed to a little red rope with a fringe at the end hanging in one corner. *I have arranged for one of our younger girls to assist you, she will come and get you when it is time for supper, and take care of your needs.* Galadriel looked Verdi up and down, *I shall make sure she arranges for you to receive some clothing soon.*
*I don't know why you are doing this, but thank you very much.* Verdi said softly, not liking her dependency on the elves, but grateful for their apparent kindness.
*There is hot water in the bath in there,* Galadriel motioned to a little room off to the side, *I suggest you use it before it cools. I will see you at supper.* With a pointed look to the bathroom, the elf sailed out and Verdi sighed with relief. The lady was nice, but quite intimidating.
Verdi glanced around the room once more, before deciding she had better bathe first, then she could explore her new haunt. She went into the bathroom and found the water was indeed hot; gladly stripping of her dirty clothes, Verdi climbed in and relaxed into the tub. The water smelled sweet, like the lilies that decorated the bathroom. The walls were a soft, creamy orange-yellow, and the tub and sink were off-white. The elves had rigged some sort of water piping system, apparently, for the sink, but the toilet was a hole that fed into a large tube that disappeared through the floor. No nice plumbing like back home, 'well, you can't have everything, even in wonderland.'
After washing her hair and cleaning the rest of her body thoroughly, Verdi got out, dried off and put on the blue robe that was on the bed. She brushed out her dirty-blond hair that fell half way down her back and rinsed out her mouth, it felt really gross that she had not brushed her teeth in twenty-four hours. With herself as refreshed as possible, Verdi began prowling around, opening all doors, cabinets, drawers, closets; she even peered underneath the bed. Unfortunately the was nothing interesting in the room, except for the room itself. It was a spacious arrangement, a bedroom that contained not only a bed but a desk as well, a bathroom, and a walk-in closet. The walls were blue and there were plants in many of the corners, the furniture was made from a peculiar wood that seemed to change color depending on the angle from which one looked at it, the coverings were of a light, soft fabric with intricate leaf and vine designs. It was all beautiful.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door, pulling her back to reality. *Come in.* An elf maiden drifted in, smiling a little shyly, with an armful of clothing.
*Hello, I am Nienna,* her voice was soft and musical, *I am to help you get ready.*
Verdi nodded, *My name's Verdi, nice to meet you,* she held out her hand hesitantly. Nienna seemed a bit confused for a moment, but then clasped Verdi's hand with her own.
*Galadriel said for me to bring you some clothing, and make sure you are all right.* Nienna laid out the clothing on the bed: some underthings (thankfully, it is not pleasant wearing the same underwear for two days) and three very nice dresses. Verdi opened her mouth, but then closed it, deciding the elves must want her to look nice for her first meal with them.
Nienna helped Verdi try on the various garmets, something Verdi felt very awkward with (changing in front of a stranger is not fun). Nienna didn't seem to notice, so Verdi gritted her teeth and tried not to be too self-conscious. Eventually they decided on a green dress (it fit the best) and Nienna braided Verdi's hair. Verdi didn't enjoy all the get-up just for some dinner, but was pleased with herself when she looked in the mirror. She wasn't gorgeous, but she looked nice and presentable.
*There, you are ready, now we must hurry for it is almost time to eat.* Nienna led Verdi to the dining area (it was outside), the elf walked quickly, saying very little. In fact, she hadn't said more than was necessary the entire time she'd been with the girl; Verdi wondered if she was always so quiet, but decided she preferred the silence to the endless jabber she was sentenced to at school everyday. 'I wonder if they miss me. What are they doing right now? Do they have a search party out?' She didn't think her parents would give up so soon, but the police weren't always so hopeful. She didn't have much more time for contemplation as they made their way to their seats.
Dinner was interesting. Verdi didn't say much, she answered the questions addressed to her, but occupied herself primarily with listening to the conversations around her, most of which left her utterly bewildered. She wasn't particularly hungry, picking at her food rather than eating it, but dessert was good. There weren't many elves there, but she recognized the three that found her, as well as Galadriel and Celeborn. The dinner wasn't long, but Verdi soon found herself wishing she was back at her room.
After supper, Galadriel stopped Verdi, complementing her on her appearance and asking her if she was all right. Verdi said, *Thanks, and yes I'm fine, just a bit tired.* A bit later, however, Verdi found herself sitting on her bed, not tired any longer.
Verdi sighed for about the hundredth time that day, still perplexed by her situation. She sat down and opened up her violin case, taking out Lady Amber and tuning her. She made an impromptu stand using the sill of one of the many windows and began to play. She absorbed herself in her music, relaxing and letting the songs consume her. She played with little thought to what she was playing, her mind and body seemed separated.
About half an hour later she looked out into the dark forest, and found herself playing a sad love song. A tear trickled down her cheek and she bit back a sob that threatened to escape. 'I want to go home.' Verdi put away her violin and climbed into the soft bed; as she lay down her walls crumbled and she began crying uncontrollably. She wished she was home, she wished she had her own clothing, was lying in her own bed, filled with normal food. She fell asleep, miserable and discouraged.
Verdi woke up the next morning, light streaming into her eyes. She groaned and turned on her other side, burying her head in her pillow. She tried to go back to sleep.
Two hours later she was still in bed, still awake.
An hour later Nienna came to check on her; Verdi said she wasn't feeling well and the elf left to bring her some light breakfast. Galadriel returned with Nienna to check on Verdi, but Verdi was asleep when they arrived. The elves left her the breakfast, murmuring softly about weak humans.
Verdi stayed in bed all day, alternating sleeping and staring at the ceiling, feeling glum. She ate nothing, drank little, and said only a few words to the elves. She had no fever, but her face was pale and her skin clammy.
The next day began the same, but Galadriel urged Verdi to get up.
*You'll feel better once you bathe and eat.* But Verdi refused, her melancholy face turned away, facing the wall. She didn't want to move, all she could think about was home. Visions flashed before her eyes, she saw her parents, her brother, Caroline, her cats, her room, her school. Tears ran down her face, her pillow was damp and her sheets in disarray. Still, she lay there, ignoring the increasingly irritated elves.
Yes, the elves; Galadriel knew that Verdi wasn't physically sick, but worried that Verdi's depression would make her so. If only the stubborn girl would get up! Yet Verdi wouldn't and another day passed.
The third morning arrived and once again Galadriel and Nienna urged Verdi to get out of the bed. And once again Verdi refused. Galadriel's eyes were cold and she whispered something to Nienna. The younger elf nodded, her face grim, and left the room. Verdi ignored it all, her thoughts plagued by memories.
Not long later, Nienna entered the room, followed by Haldir.
*Verdi, I'm asking you one more time, will you get out of bed?* Galadriel asked, trying to keep her voice soft. Verdi made no reply but turned away. Galadriel nodded to Haldir.
The Guardian of Lothlorien threw back the covers and picked up the girl. Verdi struggled, but she was weak from her lack of food and excess bedrest. Haldir held her firmly, but gently, strode from the room, walked down the stairs, and tossed Verdi into a pool of cold water.