AN: So, yeah, I've been busy. And I'm having trouble deciding what to do with this story, but I'm figuring it out. I hope y'all enjoy this new chapter!
Andray: Me neither, I love the idea of castles, pretty dresses, swords and what not, but I could never live like that!
WeasleyTwinsLover1112: I'm trying to come up with some original pranks for Verdi to try out, so if you have any ideas, let me know! I've got a few in mind so far, though...
Someone Freaky: A little slashy, yes, but nothing explicit and not a major part of the story.
kurleyhawk2: I'm doing my best!
padawan_jinx: The guy was definitely male, but I don't plan on having the relationship being a major part of the story. I don't know yet if it will even ever come up again, I'm just trying to make it a realistic story. I hope you continue to read my story, but if not, I understand.
saiyan-girl-cheetah: Cool! Thanks a bunch, I am definitely putting the site to use!
HalandLeg4ever: Thanks!
Ryoki: It's not Haldir and Annael, sorry if I didn't make that clear. It's someone from Anneal's party. Verdi's okay at cooking, mostly what she will be doing in the kitchens is following orders. Maybe later she'll introduce the elves to pizza or something, I dunno yet.
deedee23: Don't worry, nothing too major in the way of slash. Verdi/Haldir would have been horrible, they'll just be friends, I think. I'm not going to confirm or deny who the other dude is. I do like the H/L pair, but I haven't decided if that'll be in this story or not.
"English talking"
'thinking'
~Galadriel mind-speaking~
*Elvish talking*
Nienna woke Verdi up early, so early sunlight was only beginning to filter through the windows into her room. Grumbling softly, Verdi put on the new pants and tunic that Nienna provided and followed the she-elf to the kitchens. Fully awake by the time she arrived, Verdi was put to work stirring, slicing, pouring and whatever else needed to be done. Apparently the elves started to make all meals early in the morning, for Verdi found herself chopping vegetables that she was sure weren't going to be eaten at breakfast. 'Why anyone would want to eat spinach or tomatoes at any time of the day is beyond me. Carrots and celery are okay, but other veggies can be a little sketchy.'
Once she was dismissed, she made her way back to her room, where she cleaned up before heading to her own breakfast. She found Enelya and Gildur arguing over whose turn it was to wash the dishes.
*I did it yesterday,* insisted Gildur.
*Yeah, but you owe me for last week,* reminded Enelya.
*That's what you always say, I made that up a few days ago!*
*No, that was for when I washed dishes after the feast a few months ago!*
Verdi coughed loudly and the two turned to look at her. *How old are you?* Verdi asked, smiling slightly.
*Good morning, my dearest lady! Did you sleep well?* Gildur bowed low before pulling up a chair for her to sit on, ignoring the question. Enelya rolled her eyes, but Verdi played along.
*Why thank you, my good sir. I slept well, dreaming of your splendid company.*
*Why, then, I hope you will grace us with your presence again today. I myself was kept awake, remembering your beauty and poise.*
*More like he still hurts from the bruise you gave him when he tried to steal the ball from you yesterday.* Enelya poked the elf sitting next to her. *You will join us at Mácorne this afternoon, won't you? We need more players and you might become good at it eventually.*
*You mean I'm not now?* Verdi joked, *What is that anyway?*
*Mácorne? That's the game we played yesterday.*
*It's the most popular game among the elves. The humans, not including you, of course, think it's stupid, but there you have it. Humans, what do they know?* Verdi punched Gildor lightly.
*We're not that bad!*
*You're different, you're not like any other human I've ever met.*
*Oh, and you know so many humans, don't you Gildor. How many have you met, three?* Enelya asked.
*More than you, and it's true. Humans are stuffy, and they let their women do even less than we let our she-elves do.*
*Not by much.*
*Come on, you know that's not true. Sure, you're expected to wear dresses and cook, but if you really wanted to, you could fight or something.*
*Not with my mother, I can't believe she even lets me play Mácorne.*
*Do you want to fight?* Verdi interrupted, wondering what war was like for elves.
*Sure, well not really join an army, but I want to learn to shoot, join a patrol. I'd love to be a guardian! But my mother keeps saying it's not proper.* Verdi imagined a prissy she-elf, and older version of Nienna, and sighed.
*Have you talked to anyone, any of the guardians, about joining? Maybe if they knew you were serious, they'd talk to your mom.*
*I don't know...* Enelya mumbled.
*I say go for it, but be careful who you talk to. Haldir's so arrogant he'd probably think you were just trying to get into his bed.* Gildor joked.
*Hey, Haldir's not so bad. I mean, he's a little snotty but he can be nice.* 'As long as he isn't tossing you into cold water,' Verdi thought, but felt she should defend him anyway.
*Oooh, does somebody like little Haldirkins?* Gildor teased, fluttering his eyelashes.
*No way, are you joking? Ew, he's, like, a thousand years older than me. EWWWW!* Verdi grimaced at the thought, *Besides, I don't think I'm quite his taste.*
*How do you know what his tastes are?* Enelya questioned, a sly grin on her face.
Verdi paused, as she remembered last night and wondered how much they knew. *I don't know, just a feeling I got. So, refresh my memory on Mácorne, what are you supposed to do when...*
The three talked about the finer points of the ball game, and the different elvish teams in Lothlorien and the other Elven lands. Apparently it was pretty popular, and Verdi decided it was the Elvish version of football, without the beer. Elu joined them right before Gildor went to wash the dishes and, after Gildor finished, the four went out into the city. For awhile they watched the archers practice, trying to get Enelya to go talk to one, but she wimped out. As they walked away, Verdi told Enelya she should at least talk to her mom again. Elu, who had been filled in previously, said they'd try again tomorrow, giving Enelya a full 24 hours to gather up her courage. They had lunch and talked some more, before heading out to the Mácorne field.
It was almost time for supper when they finally made their way home, breaking apart as they went to their own residencies. Verdi found Nienna waiting for her in her room, and got a scolding for her dirty clothing. 'I thought I was away from this, but apparently not.' Reluctantly, Verdi put on a dress.
*If you will not wear proper clothing during the day, you must at least look nice for supper. Especially since we have visitors, it wouldn't do for them to think we don't care for you.*
*I'll tell them I chose to wear pants.* Verdi insisted, but Nienna looked even more horrified at that idea and hurried off to supper.
Verdi grabbed her violin, so she could learn from the musicians after the meal, hoping that it would really be shorter than last night. 'They said it would be, but if the Murky people are still here, who knows? A song for a song, they said...' Verdi thought of the various songs she would play as she followed Nienna, wishing once again she'd brought more music home from school. 'I can't think about it, I got to stay focused on here, now.' Verdi mentally shook herself, but she found her mind wondering if her family was still looking for her. 'Maybe they don't even know I'm gone, maybe time passes differently here and it's only been a few minutes there. I gotta find a way home.'
Dinner was short and uneventful; Verdi sat next to Elu and another Mácorne player. Verdi found her mind drifting, as she absently stroked her violin case. The elves began to leave and Verdi bade farewell to her companions and walked over to the musicians. She stood shyly to the side, waiting for the others to leave.
*You are Verdi, no? I see you brought your instrument, good.* The one who had spoken yesterday addressed her. *I am Golradir, may I see it?* He gestured to her violin. Verdi opened the case and gently handed over her beloved violin, then she took out her bow and tightened it. Golradir plucked the strings and turned it over, looking at it from all angles.
*What do you call it?* He asked, handing it back.
*Violin.*
*Play something.* Verdi nodded and lifted Lady Amber up to her chin. She pulled the bow across the strings and stopped.
*I need to tune it first.* The elf nodded. All the musicians were watching her, and Verdi was a little stressed, but she was an old hand at tuning and it didn't take long. She lifted the violin once more and began to play Beethoven's Für Elise. When she finished the elves clapped and asked to look at the violin again. It was passed around and Verdi showed them the basics of playing the instrument. In return, they showed her how to play one of their stringed instruments. Then they began to play, teaching her not only their songs, but how to read their sheet music as well. Late into the night they played, learning new songs, teaching old ones and just having a good time.
Verdi went to bed tired but happy. On her desk lay three pieces of Elvish music, which was easy to read as their notation was similar to that back home. Before she fell asleep, Verdi promised she would try to write up as many songs as she could for the Golradir.
AN: Well, what do ya think? Short chapter, I know, but hey, at least I wrote a little! About Mácorne, I might decide to have a Mácorne World Cup type thing. Good idea or no? It would bring in more known characters, but I'm not sure it is something the elves would have. Thoughts?