*Disclaimer* I own LotR! Oh wait, I'm lying...
A/N: You've been warned...read on!
Chapter 3-More meetings
After dinner was over, we followed everyone into the Hall of Fire. Another absolutely beautiful room. It was so mysterious, and...and...ethereal. All the singing just added to the whole feeling. I was about to go tearing off to see Bilbo, but Ainaelda pulled me back by the strings of my halter. Then I was forced to perform the same courtesy when she spotted Aragorn by Elrond. That would not look good if she ran up to him, right in front of Arwen. But after talking to Bilbo and Frodo, he began to make a circuit around the room. Ainaelda was shaking in excitement when he finally came around to us. He had a mildly surprised look on his face.
"Oh, guests to the house of Elrond! Pray, what are your names?" Since Ainaelda seemed to be incapable of speech, it was up to me to do the niceties.
"Hello, sir, I'm Vinyaduriel, and this is Ainaelda, at your service." He nodded slowly, like I had just bombarded him with information, and he was trying to take it all in.
"Well met, young ladies. My name is Aragorn, son of Arathorn."
"Isildur's heir!" Ainaelda had finally gotten her voice back. He frowned at her. I could have told her that he didn't like to be reminded about that. Hell, she could have told herself.
"Yes, indeed," he said shortly. Ainaelda's eyes widened, as she evidently realized that she had just said the wrong thing. She doesn't normally have a knack for doing that, but hey. Horomones.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I know...I mean, I guess you don't like that, I'm sorry, I..." Then she realized she was babbling. She straightened and held her head up, looking as, I don't know, Arwen-y as possible. "I sincerely apologize if I have given offense, sir." Wow. Good going, Ainaelda.
"You could not give it, lady." Well, that was very gallant of him. Then it was my turn to make a fool out of myself, and I did so. Admirably. It's always been one of my talents.
"Sir-Aragorn-do you know when, where, Prince Legolas is?" Kill me for asking, but I had to know!!
"The prince...Legolas? He is currently resting, but you may be able to see him tomorrow, around evening time. He will be kept occupied during the day, as will I."
"Yeah, the Council for the Ring!" Ainaelda burst out. I stared at her, open mouthed and astonished. This was my conservative, close-mouthed best friend. In sixteen years of friendship, I have never known her to run her mouth off like that. How could she have been so scatter-brained?! We were just orphaned Elves; we wouldn't know about the One Ring! She apparently realized her mistake too late. She paled and then turned red from a combonation of embarrassment and the stares from the Ranger. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
"How do you know about the Ring?" demanded Aragorn in a harsh voice. "How?" Ainaelda seemed lost for words. I couldn't blame her; that guy was SCARY when he was angry. I had to think of something, something Middle Earth-ish...
"Rumors...I heard it whispered in hushed voices around the corridors. Even as a myth, it creates much fear in Rivendell." Whoa. Where did THAT come from? That was brilliant! I could not believe I had just made that up. Talk about performance under pressure! I tried not to look too shocked with myself, putting on a grave face, like it was all absolutely true. Ainaelda stared at me with frank incredulity, until she realized she should be doing the same. It seemed to placate him, though Aragorn looked extremely serious.
"It does not do talk of it so openly. Are you aware of the One Ring's powers?" We both nodded in unison. Um, duh. "And of who seeks it, and the consequneces of its recapture?" Again, more nods. I had to resist the urge to divulge any more information. You know, Boromir's gonna die and try to take the Ring, don't look into Galadriel's eyes, etc. Aragorn sighed. "It is dangerous to know so much. For now, I will forstall the question as to how you have stumbled upon this information, and request of Elrond two more seats. You will join us at the Council. This is not a request, nor a thing of celebration. Myself, and perhaps the prince, since you seem eager to meet him, will come get you tomorrow when it is time. Do you understand the seriousness of this?" I put on my best serious face and nodded, and Ainaelda did the same. Aragorn sighed again. "Good. I will see you tomorrow." Then he walked away. Ainaelda was fully ready to tear after him, but I nearly choked her as I saw someone coming. A very tall, blonde, sexy-Elf someone. Legolas Greenleaf was coming down the hall.
I nearly died, right then, right there. But unlike Ainaelda, I couldn't run. I was rooted to the spot, yes, rooted, like someone had strapped me down with titanium. I couldn't have moved if my life depended on it. Not that I wanted to, seeing as he was coming towards us. Music and chanting-Bilbo's, I recognized-drifted through from the Hall. Legolas gave a curious frown, like we were a particularly interesting exhibit in a museum.
"Mae govannem! I saw you talking with Aragorn, and my curiousity was aroused. Do you know him, perchance?" I swallowed several times. SAY SOMETHING! my brain screamed. But I couldn't. My throat was way too dry, and if I opened my mouth, my heart-or something stupid-might just leap out. Ainaelda grinned and took a step closer, fluffing her hair away from her neck. Dude, WHAT WAS SHE DOING TRYING TO FLIRT WITH THE LOVE OF MY LIFE???
"Actually, we just met him in the Hall. I noted your absence, though, and the excuse he gave was entirely unsatisfactory. But I'm glad you decided to show," she added, giving this seductive smile. Oh, I hate her, I hate her, I hate her with the fire of a thousand suns!!
"You noted my absence...you are not from Mirkwood, are you? Your coloring does not seem right..." Ainaelda's eyes widened, but she managed to make it look innocent.
"Mm, not me, but I have heard stories of your skills with the bow, your fair looks...why, it's almost legendary..." I hate her, I hate her, I hate her...
"You flatter me, Lady..."
"Ainaelda," she supplied. Then he turned to me, and focused those deep, intense eyes on me.
"And I don't believe I caught your name." Instinct took over, and I answered with a retort.
"I don't believe I threw it." He laughed at that. I made Legolas Greenleaf laugh...wow... "But since you -are- the -legendary- Prince Legolas, I'll make an exception. But only for you, of course. Vinyaduriel, at your service." There. I CAN FLIRT TOO, AINAELDA!
"Well, since it is obvious Aragorn has forgotten his manners, it will be up to me to escort you to your rooms." Is this great, or what? I put on my best solemn face and accepted, disguising a laugh that escaped as a quick cough. "Now, where might you be staying?" Me and Ainaelda exchanged panicked glances. Hell, I didn't know...
"Um..." said Ainaelda intelligently. Legolas shook his head.
"No matter. I will ask someone who does know. It should not be hard to find someone who knows where two such fair visitors are staying." Heeheehee. He called me 'fair'. Fair, as in pretty, not fair as in judgmental. Wow. Kill me now, I'll die happy...
When we reached our rooms, he stopped us before we walked in.
"It would be, ehm, advisable if you would change into some more appropriate clothing. There should be some in the closet."
"What's wrong with our clothes?" I asked stupidly. He grinned and gave us the old eyeball.
"Absolutely nothing. Good night, ladies." And then he left.
A/N: You've been warned...read on!
Chapter 3-More meetings
After dinner was over, we followed everyone into the Hall of Fire. Another absolutely beautiful room. It was so mysterious, and...and...ethereal. All the singing just added to the whole feeling. I was about to go tearing off to see Bilbo, but Ainaelda pulled me back by the strings of my halter. Then I was forced to perform the same courtesy when she spotted Aragorn by Elrond. That would not look good if she ran up to him, right in front of Arwen. But after talking to Bilbo and Frodo, he began to make a circuit around the room. Ainaelda was shaking in excitement when he finally came around to us. He had a mildly surprised look on his face.
"Oh, guests to the house of Elrond! Pray, what are your names?" Since Ainaelda seemed to be incapable of speech, it was up to me to do the niceties.
"Hello, sir, I'm Vinyaduriel, and this is Ainaelda, at your service." He nodded slowly, like I had just bombarded him with information, and he was trying to take it all in.
"Well met, young ladies. My name is Aragorn, son of Arathorn."
"Isildur's heir!" Ainaelda had finally gotten her voice back. He frowned at her. I could have told her that he didn't like to be reminded about that. Hell, she could have told herself.
"Yes, indeed," he said shortly. Ainaelda's eyes widened, as she evidently realized that she had just said the wrong thing. She doesn't normally have a knack for doing that, but hey. Horomones.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I know...I mean, I guess you don't like that, I'm sorry, I..." Then she realized she was babbling. She straightened and held her head up, looking as, I don't know, Arwen-y as possible. "I sincerely apologize if I have given offense, sir." Wow. Good going, Ainaelda.
"You could not give it, lady." Well, that was very gallant of him. Then it was my turn to make a fool out of myself, and I did so. Admirably. It's always been one of my talents.
"Sir-Aragorn-do you know when, where, Prince Legolas is?" Kill me for asking, but I had to know!!
"The prince...Legolas? He is currently resting, but you may be able to see him tomorrow, around evening time. He will be kept occupied during the day, as will I."
"Yeah, the Council for the Ring!" Ainaelda burst out. I stared at her, open mouthed and astonished. This was my conservative, close-mouthed best friend. In sixteen years of friendship, I have never known her to run her mouth off like that. How could she have been so scatter-brained?! We were just orphaned Elves; we wouldn't know about the One Ring! She apparently realized her mistake too late. She paled and then turned red from a combonation of embarrassment and the stares from the Ranger. Stupid, stupid, stupid!
"How do you know about the Ring?" demanded Aragorn in a harsh voice. "How?" Ainaelda seemed lost for words. I couldn't blame her; that guy was SCARY when he was angry. I had to think of something, something Middle Earth-ish...
"Rumors...I heard it whispered in hushed voices around the corridors. Even as a myth, it creates much fear in Rivendell." Whoa. Where did THAT come from? That was brilliant! I could not believe I had just made that up. Talk about performance under pressure! I tried not to look too shocked with myself, putting on a grave face, like it was all absolutely true. Ainaelda stared at me with frank incredulity, until she realized she should be doing the same. It seemed to placate him, though Aragorn looked extremely serious.
"It does not do talk of it so openly. Are you aware of the One Ring's powers?" We both nodded in unison. Um, duh. "And of who seeks it, and the consequneces of its recapture?" Again, more nods. I had to resist the urge to divulge any more information. You know, Boromir's gonna die and try to take the Ring, don't look into Galadriel's eyes, etc. Aragorn sighed. "It is dangerous to know so much. For now, I will forstall the question as to how you have stumbled upon this information, and request of Elrond two more seats. You will join us at the Council. This is not a request, nor a thing of celebration. Myself, and perhaps the prince, since you seem eager to meet him, will come get you tomorrow when it is time. Do you understand the seriousness of this?" I put on my best serious face and nodded, and Ainaelda did the same. Aragorn sighed again. "Good. I will see you tomorrow." Then he walked away. Ainaelda was fully ready to tear after him, but I nearly choked her as I saw someone coming. A very tall, blonde, sexy-Elf someone. Legolas Greenleaf was coming down the hall.
I nearly died, right then, right there. But unlike Ainaelda, I couldn't run. I was rooted to the spot, yes, rooted, like someone had strapped me down with titanium. I couldn't have moved if my life depended on it. Not that I wanted to, seeing as he was coming towards us. Music and chanting-Bilbo's, I recognized-drifted through from the Hall. Legolas gave a curious frown, like we were a particularly interesting exhibit in a museum.
"Mae govannem! I saw you talking with Aragorn, and my curiousity was aroused. Do you know him, perchance?" I swallowed several times. SAY SOMETHING! my brain screamed. But I couldn't. My throat was way too dry, and if I opened my mouth, my heart-or something stupid-might just leap out. Ainaelda grinned and took a step closer, fluffing her hair away from her neck. Dude, WHAT WAS SHE DOING TRYING TO FLIRT WITH THE LOVE OF MY LIFE???
"Actually, we just met him in the Hall. I noted your absence, though, and the excuse he gave was entirely unsatisfactory. But I'm glad you decided to show," she added, giving this seductive smile. Oh, I hate her, I hate her, I hate her with the fire of a thousand suns!!
"You noted my absence...you are not from Mirkwood, are you? Your coloring does not seem right..." Ainaelda's eyes widened, but she managed to make it look innocent.
"Mm, not me, but I have heard stories of your skills with the bow, your fair looks...why, it's almost legendary..." I hate her, I hate her, I hate her...
"You flatter me, Lady..."
"Ainaelda," she supplied. Then he turned to me, and focused those deep, intense eyes on me.
"And I don't believe I caught your name." Instinct took over, and I answered with a retort.
"I don't believe I threw it." He laughed at that. I made Legolas Greenleaf laugh...wow... "But since you -are- the -legendary- Prince Legolas, I'll make an exception. But only for you, of course. Vinyaduriel, at your service." There. I CAN FLIRT TOO, AINAELDA!
"Well, since it is obvious Aragorn has forgotten his manners, it will be up to me to escort you to your rooms." Is this great, or what? I put on my best solemn face and accepted, disguising a laugh that escaped as a quick cough. "Now, where might you be staying?" Me and Ainaelda exchanged panicked glances. Hell, I didn't know...
"Um..." said Ainaelda intelligently. Legolas shook his head.
"No matter. I will ask someone who does know. It should not be hard to find someone who knows where two such fair visitors are staying." Heeheehee. He called me 'fair'. Fair, as in pretty, not fair as in judgmental. Wow. Kill me now, I'll die happy...
When we reached our rooms, he stopped us before we walked in.
"It would be, ehm, advisable if you would change into some more appropriate clothing. There should be some in the closet."
"What's wrong with our clothes?" I asked stupidly. He grinned and gave us the old eyeball.
"Absolutely nothing. Good night, ladies." And then he left.