Chapter 12: Mock Fights
Okay first off sorry for such the long wait, but after break softball season started up. It's not over yet only half way through so hopefully I can put out at least one more chapter before the season ends. But summers almost here so don't fret.
So I stopped and started this chapter about four or five times so I hope it's all right. Anyway, it's all up to you, so I hope you like it.
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"Anna?"
The young girl nodded her head not wishing to use her voice at the moment.
"Do you like him?"
Annadîn's head snapped up and she glared at Serina. "Yes, but not in the way that you are thinking. We are but friends, it is not difficult to understand."
"Oh…alright."
The two young women were walking around the top circle. Serina had to go to the market and Annadîn went with her.
"Why do you ask?" Annadîn questioned as they stopped at a stall.
"Simply because anyone who comes in contact with him has fallen in love...I just think all the girls here fall for looks and nothing else."
Annadîn laughed. "I know exactly what you mean."
Serina cocked her head to the side and looked at her friend. "Pray tell."
"There is nothing for me to tell, only that I have lived in a place where people looked for beauty and forgot about the soul."
"Then, you have not."
"No I have not. Besides if I did do you think I would be hanging around you." Annadîn turned to Serina with an eyebrow raised. As soon as they made eye contact Annadîn took off running towards her new home.
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"How is she doing?" Aragorn asked.
"She is fairing much better then she has."
"That is good news to my ears."
"Anything is good news to your ears Estel…especially when Arwen has been nagging in them." Legolas said with a chuckle.
After glancing around Aragorn hit Legolas, "To you my friend life is but a joke."
"And why should it not be, when I have all time to live for?" The two sobered then.
At a short distance, they heard shouts, which were coming closer. "Move…hurry!"
Then Annadîn appeared. She was running quickly. When she saw them, she slid to a spot right in front of the two.
"Hide me." She pleaded glancing behind her.
"What did you do?" Aragorn questioned an eyebrow raised.
"Please!"
Legolas heard someone else clamoring around the corner. He smirked when he heard the voice. "Very nice Annadîn." He commented.
Annadîn shrugged. "Please?" She begged this time.
"Oh alright, if I have to look at those eyes any longer I think I will break down."
"You would break down if any girl with pretty eyes looks at you." Legolas commented.
"You, Elf, make yourself useful." Aragorn threatened.
Legolas chuckled and led Annadîn to a nook in the hallway. He placed her in it, and stood before it so that no one could see her. Estel came and stood before him and they resumed a conversation from the morning.
"What news of Rohan?" Estel questioned.
"Nothing of late, Aragorn." Legolas said his tone all business.
"Will you…."
At that moment, Serina came down the hall a murderous glint in her eye. When she saw the King and Prince she quickly curtsied and looked around. "Sires," she mumbled.
"Ah, Serina how nice it is to see you."
"Yourself as well." Serina muttered continuing to look around the hall.
"Is something preoccupying you m'lady?" Legolas inferred.
"Have you seen Anna?" The maid asked bluntly.
Legolas and Aragorn looked at each other putting on a nice show. Both contemplated the question for a second and then shook their heads. "As a matter of fact we have not, but perhaps you should check the library." Legolas mentioned.
"Of course!" exclaimed Serina. "Thank you my Lords." She said bowing. Then, she quickly scampered off in the direction of the library.
Once Aragorn and Legolas knew that Serina was gone, Legolas stepped away from the nook revealing Annadîn. Both stared down at in her with a bemused yet questioning air. Annadîn, in turn, looked up innocently at them. When that occurred, both men looked at her sternly with an eyebrow raised.
"Annadîn?" Aragorn questioned in his regal tone.
"What I did not do anything." She replied.
"Is that right?" Legolas commented.
The young woman rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine, if you call childish banter anything, then I did not do anything."
Legolas chuckled. "The race of Men is all alike, no matter where they come from."
"What makes you say that, Elf?" Annadîn asked stepping forward.
This only caused Legolas's chuckles to turn into laughs. "Simply the fact that you do nothing when everything has happened."
Annadîn shrugged. "So, you have yet to make a point."
"Are you two quite finished?" Aragorn asked.
For a second or so Annadîn looked thoughtful. "Yes, I believe I am. You may want to consult the Elf on his half though."
"On the contrary I believe I was the one trying to end it Estel."
"However you did not, rather you instigated an additional topic for conversation."
Aragorn shook his head and began to walk away. The two noticed this and stopped their ridicule for but a moment. Aragorn saw the question in their eyes and stopped for a second. "She has not spoken in four years. I am not going to wait around and be at the butt of the grunt that she has held within herself. Legolas, you have ignited the conversation and now you have years to finish it. I shall see you both tonight" He then quickly walked away. Seconds afterward, he heard them begin their conversation once more.
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Legolas and Annadîn sat in the library hours later when a lull was finally brought to their conversation. It was here that Legolas decided that it would be a good idea to tell Annadîn of the feast that night.
"Annadîn."
She nodded her head not looking in Legolas direction.
"You will come to dinner tonight?"
Again, she nodded.
"Good." Legolas said, pleased with himself. But he neglected the fact that it was a feast. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that she would never agree to it. So, he believed that if she did not know, then she would have no reason not to come.
"Come we must depart." Legolas rose and offered his arm to Annadîn. She rose, questions brimming in her eyes, and placed her hand on his arm. The two traveled away from the library neither uttering a word. This silence continued until they reached Annadîn's room.
"I shall pick you up tonight then milady."
"What are you up to?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
Annadîn shook her head in annoyance and muttered under her breath. "Stupid Elf."
"I would not be calling people such names, human."
"If I must denounce unbefitting words then so must you."
Legolas gave a mock bow and walked away, leaving Annadîn in front of her room. She rolled her eyes and entered. Here she only found disarray. Serina was clamoring around the room with another servant in tow. More than half of Annadîn's dresses were scattered across the room making it into a type of jungle. For a long while she just stood in the doorway staring at the hysteria. Then, gathering her wits together, she entered into the room.
"Anna! Finally, I've been waiting for you all afternoon."
"Why?" Annadîn asked meekly.
"So you can get ready for tonight of course."
Annadîn looked at her friend in a slightly untrusting manner. Something specific was happening, but what she did not know. But before she could ask, Serina pulled her further into the room to begin preparations for the night. Soon, she found herself alone in the washroom with bath in front of her.
She undressed and slowly lowered herself into the inviting water. With her eyes closed, she deeply inhaled the intoxicating scent of the water. Annadîn did not want to leave this solitude. However, before she knew it, Serina had pulled her out of the tub. She now stood in her chamber, wrapped in nothing but a towel.
Annadîn rolled her eyes not caring who saw it.
"Do not start that yet Anna." Serina murmured. "I have not even begun the torture." She added sardonically.
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A knock rang throughout the chamber. Annadîn's eyes opened wide looking for who had come to whisk her away from her deranged friend. She watched as Serina scurried to the door and smoothed her skirt out before opening it. As soon as her friend opened the door, she froze. Annadîn did not know what to do other than stare at her friend quizzically. However, all that Serina could do was stare at the door her mouth agape.
Annadîn arose from her seat at the vanity and walked to the door an eyebrow raised. When she neared Serina, the maid was pulled out of her stupor. She bowed. "Come in."
Still, Annadîn stared at her friend. She had never acted like this before. But she did not move foreword, rather Annadîn stood concealed behind the door with an eyebrow raised. However, she did not have to wait long. Legolas soon appeared around the door smiling. He stopped when he saw her and let his eyes roam over her. Annadîn did not notice for she was busy inspecting the Prince.
Annadîn wore a white dress with dark blue trim around the bodice and neckline. There was also a sheer lining over the gown that split at the middle of the bodice. There was dark blue lining down each of the two split sides. The sleeves were loose and the same sheer lining and it flared slightly at the forearm. Her hair was half up, braided intricately; the rest was down and had been dried straight. Earrings of dark blue crystal dangled from her ear. It also lay at her throat. And as Legolas looked at her he thought that perhaps, she could rival the beauty of Arwen this night.
Annadîn was astonished to see Legolas. He wore not the plan garb of a hunter but fine Elvish clothing. His skin glowed next to dark green. Annadîn could see the Prince that Legolas usually hid. But before she could inspect his clothing, any closer she looked away for she noticed that Legolas was almost done with his inspection of her.
"Good evening Annadîn" Legolas said in a low voice.
Annadîn nodded her head as a reply. She took the arm that was out stretched to her and the two left the chambers.
"Legolas?" Annadîn questioned when they were at the end of the corridor.
"Yes?"
"What is going to happen tonight?"
"What do you mean?" Legolas questioned looking down at her.
Annadîn shook her head looking away from Legolas down the next hall. "I am not naïve, Legolas."
"I have never said that."
"No, you have not said it. Rather you and Aragorn have implied it." She said a little more loudly then she would have liked.
"Why would you say that?" Legolas asked coming to a halt.
Frustrated Annadîn began to play with her earring, on the top of her ear. "Never mind." She mumbled.
However, Legolas would not take that as an answer. Gently he reached up and took her hand away from her earring causing Annadîn to look up at him.
"I am not daft. I know what goes on around me, just because I don't say much does not mean I am unintelligent." She whispered tears coming to her eyes. "I know something happens tonight, why did you try and hide it from me?"
"I am sorry. Aragorn or myself should have told you, but we were afraid that if you knew what was occurring you would not come. Tonight is a feast for the Hobbits and also of Aragorn's return so long ago."
Annadîn nodded her head. "Alright."
"Please, I beg you, do not be mad with us."
She nodded closing her eyes smiling slightly.
"Good, let's go." Legolas again placed her hand on the crock of his arm. The two walked to the dining hall in a lighter mood then it had been in the hall. Before they entered, Legolas bent down to whisper in Annadîn's ear. "I will be there if you need me." And with that said the two went into the hall.
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Please review and tell me what you think. It's been awhile and I hope you can forgive me by reviewing. And sorry no mention of who reviewed last time, I am short on time.