I rubbed my eyes and looked to the west. It was late in the afternoon, the sun was beginning to set, and my group of weary travellers and I were just about to come upon the city of Rivendell.
The hobbit Sam saw it first, even though it was still a mile or two away. "It is even more beautiful than Bilbo described," he said in awe. "I can't believe it...the Last Homely House."
"Mmmhmm," I murmured in agreement.
I was exhausted. When we'd finally stopped for rest, I had volunteered to stay up and watch over the others. And when it had come time to eat, I didn't. Slayers could go days without food, I had explained to the hobbits. I offered them my share to split and eat among themselves. Strider had protested, but I was strong. I could last.
But now, I regretted it. My stomach rumbled loudly, and I pressed my hands against it as I trudged along on foot. Every now and then, Strider shot me a wary glance. My eyes were growing heavier, my head growing lighter. I hadn't eaten, hadn't slept in more than three days. Finally, I could stand it no longer. My legs gave, and I dropped to the ground.
Strider turned around. "Silly!" he exclaimed, kneeling beside me. Amrûn stopped and turned as well, neighing loudly, as if he were worried. Strider helped me sit up. "You're weak."
"I'm not, I'm fine," I protested, trying to stand. It was useless. I felt dizzy and fell to the ground again.
Strider sighed. "Merry, I need you to get up off the horse. Don't give me that look, It's only a few more miles, and she needs it more than you do. Come on, Silly."
Despite my arguing, Strider held me under the arms and helped me to stand. After Merry climbed down from Amrûn, I was lifted up onto his back. I cricled my arms around Pippin's waist, and he patted my hand reassuringly.
"It's my turn to protect you, my lady," he said, trying to cheer me up. It worked a little. I gave a small smile, and rested my chin on the top of his head. I was in a daze for the rest of the journey. About a mile away from the city, Strider urged the horses into a cantar, while he picked up Merry and ran alongside. When we finally reached the gate, it was dusk and I was close to unconscious. I dozed off as we rode under the archway, but was woken by someone's gentle hands lifting me off the horse.
"Careful...she's exhausted," I heard Strider caution. "She hasn't eaten or slept in Valar knows how long."
"It's alright, I know this one," I heard a familiar voice say. "As long as she can make it to her room, she'll be fine."
I opened my eyes and rolled my head over to see the speaker. I smiled when I saw that it was Elrond's son. "Elladen."
"Er..." He chuckled a little. "Actually, I'm Elrohir. And you are one sleepy slayer. I'll help you upstairs. Then in the morning, you can take a bath, eat something..."
"The council..."
"--Is not for a few more days," Elrohir replied. He put my arm around my shoulders and helped me to stand. "The Steward of Gondor has yet to show his face, so my father has postponed it."
"Mmph."
I don't really recall anything else Elrohir said to me that day. I barely remember him leading me up the steps of the Last Homely House and into the room that I had stayed in whenever I was in Rivendell. I do, however, remember him gently laying me down in the softest bed I'd ever slept in. I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.
.........
I woke up late the next morning...well, I assume it was late, as the sun was already high in the sky. My eyes fluttered open, the sunlight piercing my lids. I sat up with a groan, and looked around the room. Next to the bed was a tray of food and a sheet of paper. I scooted over in the bed and picked up the paper. It was a letter from Elrond, written in Elvish.Silly,
I hope you enjoy your breakfast (I picked everything out myself out of the kitchen because I know what you like--you can thank me later). Eat ALL of it. I'm serious, you gave everyone quite a scare yesterday. A bath has been drawn for you when you are ready, and a dress has been laid out for you to wear. Then I want you to come and find me. There is something we need to discuss before the council.
Elrond
I rolled my eyes. With Elrond, there was always something to discuss.
But, I thought, as I ate my food, he is very hospitable. Elrond had always welcomed slayers into his land, his city. In general, elves are wary of us, and for him to be so open makes him sort of an odd duck in Middle Earth. But I loved him. Next to Lauxely, he's like another father to me.
I finished all the food, just like he had instructed, and dropped the fork on the plate with a clank. I got up off the bed and wandered over to the washroom, stripping and leaving my dirty clothes on the floor as I went. I found the tub, and slowly climbed into it. The water was perfectly lukewarm, the way I liked it.
In Rivendell, baths like these are quite public. They're not even really tub-size, more like the size of a small pond. They're made for holding several elves at one time, but whenever I come here, Elrond closes this one off for just me, and the other elves respect my privacy. I really don't understand the appeal of wanting to sit in a bath naked with other people around me who are naked, but I suppose it's some Elf-socializing-culture thing that I don't understand.
After dunking myself underwater and scrubbing all of the dirt and grime off myself and my hair, I leaned back in the tub and let my head rest against the side. I closed my eyes, breathing in the scents of the flowers that seem to follow me everywhere in Rivendell. Birds chirped outside my window, a light breeze blew my hair across my face...and the light sound of footsteps as they made their way towards my washroom.
My eyes flew open, and I sat up just as the intruder walked in. I gasped, and quickly covered my chest with my arms, sinking deeper into the water. He gasped as well, and turned around.
"I apologize, my lady," he said, his back turned. "I didn't realize that this was a private bath."
"It's--It's not, actually," I stammered. "I just did not expect anyone in here this time of day. Er...Sorry. I just...overreacted." Inside, I glowered, angry that Elrond would allow someone to invade my solitude. I couldn't just turn him away, though.
He slowly turned back around, and I got a good look at him. He was an elf, but obviously not a Rivendell elf...at least, not one of Elrond's dark-haired kin. His hair was light, his eyes blue, and his build...well, built. Very built. And somewhat familiar. The elf gave a small smile. "You don't mind me staying, then?"
"No, that's...alright. You can stay." Internally, I smacked myself, not wanting to be nude in the presense of someone else who's...also nude.
I turned my head as he removed the towel that was around his waist and dropped it on the floor. He stepped into the water, and I did not look back at him until he was fully in the tub. He smiled again, and I gave a small smile back.
We sat in silence for awhile. The elf had a perplexed, slightly angered look on his face for the longest time, staring out the window. I leaned back again and shut my eyes, arms still crossed over my chest, trying to make do with the solitude that I had. Suddenly, his voice broke into my thoughts. "Are you from Rohan?"
I had been looking out the window, and snapped my head back to face him when he said it. "Hmm? Oh, uh, no. I'm not from, well, anywhere, really. I live at the northern part of the Weather Hills. Opposite Amon Sûl."
"I haven't been in that part of Middle Earth in many years," he replied. "I'm from Mirkwood. I'm...oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Legolas. What did you say your name was?"
"Uh...I didn't," I replied. "But...People just call me Silly. I'm Silly."
He smiled. "It's a pleasure. Now, if you don't mind me asking...Why are you in Rivendell?"
"Uh. Elrond. He has this...council, meeting...thing. Requested my attendance."
Legolas furrowed his brow. "The same reason brought me here. My father was supposed to be here, but was unable to come. I came in his stead. Who are you representing?"
I stared at him, and it finally dawned on me. This was Thranduil's son, the prince of Mirkwood. His father was the leader of the Woodland Realm.
"Ah...My lady?" His voice interrupted. "Who are you representing?"
"Heh. Um...Just a group of rogue rangers," I lied. Well, it wasn't a total lie. And Legolas's interrogations were beginning to make me nervous. I grabbed my towel from the side of the bath and stood up, covering the front of myself. "Excuse me, my lord, but I have a meeting to go to." I stepped slowly out of the bath, covering myself as I did.
Legolas stood as well, but only so the water level reached his waist. "May I escort you to dinner tonight, then?"
I turned, tucking the corner of my towel in. "I was planning on escorting myself."
"Yes, but then I would be in a position where it would be difficult for me to learn anymore about you."
I shrugged. "There's nothing left to know."
He lifted an amused eyebrow. "You have still not given me an answer."
I had either painted myself into a corner, or didn't have the heart to say no. "Alright."
Saying nothing more, I turned and retreated to my room.