Author's note: Hey, I'm still here! Just got through watching the special edition DVD, and I love the new scenes with Boromir in them. The ones with Legolas in them are great as well. The whole thing is awesome! It shows in great detail their costumes, and it was entertaining to see them all talk about one another. What was really funny was seeing Viggo fishing dressed as Aragorn. What a sight!
Anyway, here's the next chapter as promised! Enjoy!
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER SIX
She turned around in front of the mirror, inspecting every bit of her appearance and finding she was pleased with how everything had turned out. She wore a green silken dress to match her eyes and the same color slippers which felt strange on her feet after having traveled so long in boots. Her hair had been left loose for the most part, except for two strands that started out as braids on either side of her head and joined as one in the back with green ribbon threaded throughout. Her necklace was uncovered for once and felt cold against her skin.
Taking a deep breath, she walked out into the passages that led to the Upper Halls where the feast was to take place, and when she entered through the doors a plethora of sounds and sights greeted her. Even though it was underground, the chamber was distinctly elven with the various carvings along the walls and the elegant tapestries that hung upon them, lit by the torches nearby. The usual hum of conversation reached her ears, offset by the fluid elven music which played in the background.
She quickly melted into the throng of elves, feeling oddly strange amongst them as she was the only human here with the exception of Aragorn, whom she didn't see. The first pang of disappointment crept upon her as she wondered if maybe he wasn't coming. But then someone else caught her eye, and she eased her way over to him, making sure not to knock any drinks from anyone's hands.
She found him standing amongst a circle of elven females, and he looked decidedly uncomfortable as he constantly found himself in this situation, but it was no surprise being he was the Prince of Mirkwood. Sneaking up behind him, she reached up to cover his eyes with her hands, earning a shocked look from his admirers. "Guess who?" she asked.
Legolas was stunned and caught off guard that someone would surprise him in such a manner, but welcomed the intrusion as long as it wasn't another fawning young female after his hand in marriage. But apparently it wasn't as none of them would dare such a thing, and the only person who would even do so was..."Rhiannon?" he guessed. Her hands fell from his eyes, and he forgot everyone else around them as he quickly spun around to see her, a burst of welcome laughter escaping as he embraced her tightly. "It is good to see you! It has been many years since I last saw you!"
She joined in his laughter, snickering a little when his circle of ladies, seeing his attention caught elsewhere, walked away. "I think I scared them away," she chuckled.
"And thanks be to the gods for that," he replied, his laughter still coloring his voice. "I grow weary of their attentions, but do this for my father. I had no idea you were even here! When did you arrive?"
"Just today," she answered, thinking about how little he had changed over the years, but then again he was much older than her and elves change very little during the courses of their lives. "Need I say that you still look the same as always?"
"And you have changed so much," he mused. "Although it is in the nature of elves to remain as they are for all eternity while humans change often during the brief flame of their lives."
She giggled a little. "I still remember when I was young and was first told that you would live far longer than me. I told you that if you lived forever then I would, too, since we were going to be friends forever."
He smiled fondly as he remembered her from when she was just a baby. "And that we will, Rhiannon. Do not forget that," he added as he tapped his finger at her nose, which she swiped at playfully. Then her attention was diverted as she saw someone approaching them, and she forgot to breathe as she looked upon a very handsome sight. Aragorn had cleaned himself up as well and now wore a dark blue velvet tunic and dark breeches, the color complimenting his eyes very nicely.
Aragorn himself had slowed to a stop once he realized who the beauty was that stood next to Legolas, and he had to admit that she was stunning and for a moment almost forgot Arwen's beauty when compared to hers. Truly she had outdone herself and could almost be mistaken for one of the elven females if not for her ears and the spark of life in her green eyes.
Legolas noticed things had become quiet between them, and the silence was thick with undisguised attraction. "I see that you both have met one another already," he said to ease the tension between them.
The ranger snapped out of his thoughts and turned towards Legolas. "Yes, as a matter of fact we came here together. She was of some assistance to me during my search for Gollum. I couldn't have asked for better help, for if not for her I would still be wandering around Mordor," he added with a smile which she returned.
"Aragorn gives me way too much credit," she countered. "I merely followed him like extra baggage."
At that point, it was made known that the feasting was about to begin, and everyone took their seats at the tables which were arranged in a U shape with the space between used for entertainment purposes while everyone ate. To her surprise, she and Aragorn were asked to sit at the head table along with King Thranduil and his son, Aragorn sitting beside the King and she beside Legolas.
While they ate, the musicians played their haunting melodies while a number of elves flowed to the music. As soon as the feasting wound down, competitions with the bow and arrow were brought up between some of the elves, and targets were quickly set up at the opposite end of the hall. Those who wished to compete took their turns, and soon Legolas was challenging Aragorn to a contest. As they stepped up, the hall became hushed as everyone there knew that their prince was the best archer among them, seconded only by Aragorn, and as a result it would prove to be an interesting contest.
It was a very close contest at first, but nothing prepared them for the real test as Aragorn hit the target dead center, and Legolas was forced to bring all his skill to bear. But he had nothing to worry about as he managed to split Aragorn's arrow in two and joyous cheers deafened everyone there as Legolas proved once more why he was the best.
Knowing nothing could top their performance, the King called for the dancing to begin and the tables were moved aside to allow better room for everyone to move around. Legolas requested the first dance from Rhiannon, disappointing all the ladies there which had hoped for a first chance with him.
"Legolas, I hope you realize that I have many enemies right now in this very room," she told him with a hint of laughter. "The jealousy is running rampant among them, especially since I am human."
"Do not talk that way, Rhiannon," he lightly scolded her. "I care not if you are human, you are still my friend and I care about you. But I also wished to speak with you on a matter of great importance. It concerns Aragorn."
She gazed up into his eyes, her own questioning and a little shocked that he might've noticed something. "What about him?" she asked casually.
"I see the way you look at him," he pointed out softly. "I think you may have fallen in love with him, and I wish to tell you of something before things go any further. You know I would never do anything to hurt you, but I am afraid that I may have to this one time."
She steeled herself for whatever news he would tell her, wondering how bad it could possibly be. "Legolas, please tell me and stop trying to soften the blow. I'm not some delicate maiden that needs to be coddled," she added a little defensively.
"I know you are not, but it does not matter where the heart is concerned," he replied. "Aragorn is betrothed, Rhiannon. To Galadriel's granddaughter."
Her beating heart suddenly faltered, and she looked up at him, searching his eyes for some sign that maybe he wasn't telling the truth. But she knew well enough that elves do not lie, and she fought down the pain that threatened to choke her heart. "I'm happy for him then," she said, her voice breaking a little as she tried to fight the moisture that welled up in her eyes. "Please excuse me."
Legolas watched as she pushed her way through the crowd of dancers, his own heart hurting for her as he had hated to dash her hopes like that, especially after seeing for himself how she had felt about him. But it was for the best that it was ended now instead of later when the pain would've been much worse.
*****************
Poor Rhiannon. But wait and see what happens when she finds out they're related! Yes, they're cousins many times removed. Thanks for reading! C-ya!
Anyway, here's the next chapter as promised! Enjoy!
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER SIX
She turned around in front of the mirror, inspecting every bit of her appearance and finding she was pleased with how everything had turned out. She wore a green silken dress to match her eyes and the same color slippers which felt strange on her feet after having traveled so long in boots. Her hair had been left loose for the most part, except for two strands that started out as braids on either side of her head and joined as one in the back with green ribbon threaded throughout. Her necklace was uncovered for once and felt cold against her skin.
Taking a deep breath, she walked out into the passages that led to the Upper Halls where the feast was to take place, and when she entered through the doors a plethora of sounds and sights greeted her. Even though it was underground, the chamber was distinctly elven with the various carvings along the walls and the elegant tapestries that hung upon them, lit by the torches nearby. The usual hum of conversation reached her ears, offset by the fluid elven music which played in the background.
She quickly melted into the throng of elves, feeling oddly strange amongst them as she was the only human here with the exception of Aragorn, whom she didn't see. The first pang of disappointment crept upon her as she wondered if maybe he wasn't coming. But then someone else caught her eye, and she eased her way over to him, making sure not to knock any drinks from anyone's hands.
She found him standing amongst a circle of elven females, and he looked decidedly uncomfortable as he constantly found himself in this situation, but it was no surprise being he was the Prince of Mirkwood. Sneaking up behind him, she reached up to cover his eyes with her hands, earning a shocked look from his admirers. "Guess who?" she asked.
Legolas was stunned and caught off guard that someone would surprise him in such a manner, but welcomed the intrusion as long as it wasn't another fawning young female after his hand in marriage. But apparently it wasn't as none of them would dare such a thing, and the only person who would even do so was..."Rhiannon?" he guessed. Her hands fell from his eyes, and he forgot everyone else around them as he quickly spun around to see her, a burst of welcome laughter escaping as he embraced her tightly. "It is good to see you! It has been many years since I last saw you!"
She joined in his laughter, snickering a little when his circle of ladies, seeing his attention caught elsewhere, walked away. "I think I scared them away," she chuckled.
"And thanks be to the gods for that," he replied, his laughter still coloring his voice. "I grow weary of their attentions, but do this for my father. I had no idea you were even here! When did you arrive?"
"Just today," she answered, thinking about how little he had changed over the years, but then again he was much older than her and elves change very little during the courses of their lives. "Need I say that you still look the same as always?"
"And you have changed so much," he mused. "Although it is in the nature of elves to remain as they are for all eternity while humans change often during the brief flame of their lives."
She giggled a little. "I still remember when I was young and was first told that you would live far longer than me. I told you that if you lived forever then I would, too, since we were going to be friends forever."
He smiled fondly as he remembered her from when she was just a baby. "And that we will, Rhiannon. Do not forget that," he added as he tapped his finger at her nose, which she swiped at playfully. Then her attention was diverted as she saw someone approaching them, and she forgot to breathe as she looked upon a very handsome sight. Aragorn had cleaned himself up as well and now wore a dark blue velvet tunic and dark breeches, the color complimenting his eyes very nicely.
Aragorn himself had slowed to a stop once he realized who the beauty was that stood next to Legolas, and he had to admit that she was stunning and for a moment almost forgot Arwen's beauty when compared to hers. Truly she had outdone herself and could almost be mistaken for one of the elven females if not for her ears and the spark of life in her green eyes.
Legolas noticed things had become quiet between them, and the silence was thick with undisguised attraction. "I see that you both have met one another already," he said to ease the tension between them.
The ranger snapped out of his thoughts and turned towards Legolas. "Yes, as a matter of fact we came here together. She was of some assistance to me during my search for Gollum. I couldn't have asked for better help, for if not for her I would still be wandering around Mordor," he added with a smile which she returned.
"Aragorn gives me way too much credit," she countered. "I merely followed him like extra baggage."
At that point, it was made known that the feasting was about to begin, and everyone took their seats at the tables which were arranged in a U shape with the space between used for entertainment purposes while everyone ate. To her surprise, she and Aragorn were asked to sit at the head table along with King Thranduil and his son, Aragorn sitting beside the King and she beside Legolas.
While they ate, the musicians played their haunting melodies while a number of elves flowed to the music. As soon as the feasting wound down, competitions with the bow and arrow were brought up between some of the elves, and targets were quickly set up at the opposite end of the hall. Those who wished to compete took their turns, and soon Legolas was challenging Aragorn to a contest. As they stepped up, the hall became hushed as everyone there knew that their prince was the best archer among them, seconded only by Aragorn, and as a result it would prove to be an interesting contest.
It was a very close contest at first, but nothing prepared them for the real test as Aragorn hit the target dead center, and Legolas was forced to bring all his skill to bear. But he had nothing to worry about as he managed to split Aragorn's arrow in two and joyous cheers deafened everyone there as Legolas proved once more why he was the best.
Knowing nothing could top their performance, the King called for the dancing to begin and the tables were moved aside to allow better room for everyone to move around. Legolas requested the first dance from Rhiannon, disappointing all the ladies there which had hoped for a first chance with him.
"Legolas, I hope you realize that I have many enemies right now in this very room," she told him with a hint of laughter. "The jealousy is running rampant among them, especially since I am human."
"Do not talk that way, Rhiannon," he lightly scolded her. "I care not if you are human, you are still my friend and I care about you. But I also wished to speak with you on a matter of great importance. It concerns Aragorn."
She gazed up into his eyes, her own questioning and a little shocked that he might've noticed something. "What about him?" she asked casually.
"I see the way you look at him," he pointed out softly. "I think you may have fallen in love with him, and I wish to tell you of something before things go any further. You know I would never do anything to hurt you, but I am afraid that I may have to this one time."
She steeled herself for whatever news he would tell her, wondering how bad it could possibly be. "Legolas, please tell me and stop trying to soften the blow. I'm not some delicate maiden that needs to be coddled," she added a little defensively.
"I know you are not, but it does not matter where the heart is concerned," he replied. "Aragorn is betrothed, Rhiannon. To Galadriel's granddaughter."
Her beating heart suddenly faltered, and she looked up at him, searching his eyes for some sign that maybe he wasn't telling the truth. But she knew well enough that elves do not lie, and she fought down the pain that threatened to choke her heart. "I'm happy for him then," she said, her voice breaking a little as she tried to fight the moisture that welled up in her eyes. "Please excuse me."
Legolas watched as she pushed her way through the crowd of dancers, his own heart hurting for her as he had hated to dash her hopes like that, especially after seeing for himself how she had felt about him. But it was for the best that it was ended now instead of later when the pain would've been much worse.
*****************
Poor Rhiannon. But wait and see what happens when she finds out they're related! Yes, they're cousins many times removed. Thanks for reading! C-ya!