Disclaimer: I own Vasha and Falda. That's about it.
Oh... This is someone speaking in elvish.
Vasha rode happily astride Falda, dressed more like a hobbit lad than a hobbit lass. She had almost been adamant on that point, and, Gandalf agreed that it would be easier for her to ride astride in pants than in a skirt.
Much to the horror of Bilbo and the good hobbit seamstress who had made Vasha's traveling clothes.
Dark green pants and a loose white shirt, and a cheerful red vest consisted of the main part of her ensemble. A heavy, hooded cloak that was a darker green than her pants helped keep her warm and dry, and small, supple riding gloves adorned her hands. There had been little they could do in the shire about shoes, however, so Vasha happily traveled barefoot. Much to Gandalf's infinite amusement, really.
"Are we there yet?" Vasha asked excitedly as they rode down a beautiful yet faint path, the edges of it marked in what had once been white stones.
"Almost. We merely have to cross the ford and-"
"Hold."
"Who goes there?"
The voices were similar, quite teasing. Gandalf reined in Deor with a smile, and Vasha reined Falda in, a bit awkwardly.
"Show yourselves, you two rapscallions."
Two elves stepped from the trees, both identical in appearance, with long, dark brown hair and grey eyes. Vasha was staring at them in amazement.
"Mithrandir. Is this another perian you bring to Imladris?" The first asked with a slight smile.
"Or merely a dwarf who has shaved her beard?" The second teased.
"I'm Vasha." The little girl said proudly. Then, a trifle confused, "What's a pair-an?" Her words caused the twin elves to laugh, and Gandalf to chuckle. She looked confused, and affronted. "What's funny?"
"Merely your words, my dear." Gandalf finally replied, his grin broad, "Perian is the elvish word for Bilbo's people, the hobbits. Halflings."
"Oh... Why?"
"She is curious indeed for one so small." The second elf approached her, and to her surprise, lifted her off of Falda easily. She stared at him in wide-eyed surprise.
"Down, please?" She finally asked after holding her own in an impromptu staring contest. He had been peering into her eyes intently, studying her.
Her smiled kindly, yet almost sadly, and set her on her feet gently. She ran to hide behind Falda, staring at him curiously, and his brother behind him.
There is much pain in her eyes, much pain and much sorrow. He sighed, both to Gandalf and his brother.
There is indeed, Elladan. Gandalf agreed in the same language, the words sounding soft and fluid to Vasha's ears. She listened intently, unable to discern what they were saying. She had never heard anything so beautiful. I brought her here in hope that she would find some healing here, a balm for her pain... And that she could find a measure of joy, no matter how small, as well. Introduce yourselves. I believe you are intimidating her more than just a bit.
The first elf laughed, the sound light and airy, almost causing Vasha to smile. She liked that laugh; she wanted to hear it again. He stepped forward, and knelt down, motioning for her to come out from behind Falda and approach him. She did so with some shy reluctance.
"Little one, I am Elladan. This is my brother, Elrohir." He said, with a kind, knowing smile.
"I'm Vasha." She resisted the urge to bite her fingernails or put her thumb in her mouth, though she wanted to hide her face quite desperately. These people, these elves, were more fantastic than anything she had ever thought of. Without it being explained, she knew the meaning of the word majestic, and that it truly did apply to elves. As did many other words, most of which she did not have names for. Just the feelings behind them.
"Lady Vasha, welcome to Imladris." Elrohir smiled down at her. She looked confused a moment.
"But... But Gandalf said we were goin' to be in Rivdell tonight..."
The twins laughed once more. There was no end of amusement in the innocence and the mistakes of a young mortal child.
"Imladris is another name for Rivendell." Elrohir grinned.
"You have too many names for things." Her words caused another peal of elvish laughter.
"I wanna walk too..." Vasha pouted, protesting Gandalf's hold on her as she struggled, twisting and squirming as children do, to get out of his arms.
"Your legs are too short to keep pace with us, little one." Elrohir smiled at her as they rounded a bend in the path and a beautiful structure came into view. Vasha had no eyes for the place, though, too intent on getting down and stretching her legs.
"But I can make them longer and run faster than you!" She protested, becoming more than a mite angry.
Elladan, Elrohir, and Gandalf exchanged knowing glances. They thought she merely meant pretending, for Gandalf hadn't yet been introduced to the aspect of Vasha's talents that caused her the most trouble.
Skin changing.
Remember when Estel used to pretend to be a dragon? Elladan asked the two with a chuckle. And that everyone else who approached him was his prey?
Quite amusing, that was. Gandalf chuckled, He jumped out of a tree at me once, roaring quite foolishly. He was about the same age Vasha is now, if I remember correctly...
He jumped out of trees at all of us, until ada took him aside and scolded him, telling him that dragons couldn't climb trees to surprise their prey, they were much too large. Elrohir smiled, remembering how Estel had pouted after that scolding.
Remembering Estel's early years makes me think that perhaps it would not be amiss if we did let her walk with us for a short while instead of letting her ride or carrying her. It might work to settle her down.
"Very well." Gandalf set Vasha gently down on the ground. "Stretch your legs a bit, Vasha. We'll try and slow our pace to match- blessed Illuvitar!"
For Vasha had taken the words "stretch your legs" at face value, and, as soon as Gandalf had set her on the ground, had shifted from squirming little girl, to squirming fleet hound.
What is this? Elladan demanded suspiciously, whirling on Gandalf. Why did you change her shape?
I had nothing to do with this. Gandalf replied stonily, The girl is full of power, this is most likely a mere facet that I was unaware of.
You bring a skin changer to Imladris with no warning? Elrohir's eyes flashed the fire of the stars, Did you take her from Beorn, then? Is that why you seek to hide her away here?
As the words grew harsher and escalated in pitch, Vasha whimpered, turning back into her normal form, revealing the tears of alarm in her eyes as she tried to crouch down, make herself small. She had her arms up, trying to protect her head, as though she expected violent blows at any moment.
"I didn't mean to do anything bad, I promise!" She sobbed out; eyes clenched shut, tears rolling down her cheeks. "I didn't know it was bad! I thought it was okay! I'm sorry, I won't ever do it again! Please! Don't be mad at me, please!"
Her words caused the old wizard and the two elves to fall silent almost immediately, as they looked at her. Confusion was written across Elladan and Elrohir's features, mixed with concern, while Gandalf's features held only concern as he picked her up, trying to calm her down.
"No, no... You did nothing wrong, my dear. Merely surprised three people who are not used to such surprises. We are not mad at you at all, are we?" He glared at the two elves, who hurried to assure her that they were, indeed, not mad at her. Merely arguing amongst themselves.
"There is nothing for you to fear in this place, little one." Elladan assured in a soothing tone.
"Our borders are well guarded." Elrohir agreed.
It is not some monster or animal she fears. Gandalf sighed as Vasha's sobs subsided, turning into hiccoughs instead, In that moment, it was us she feared.
Us? Elladan was incredulous.
Yes. I shall tell you more later. When I speak to your father.
Very well, Mithrandir. You seem to know what is for the best, with her...
Author's Note: Well... She certainly surprised them, hm? And yes, I mentioned that facet of her powers in the first chapter, so please don't jump down my throat about it. Or else I'll sic my mini-balrog upon you.