*Disclaimer* The only thing I own is the computer on which I write this story. Nothing else.
A/N: Wow, reviews keep coming in...I've already addressed the block paragraph issue; I apologize. I didn't realize it was so hard to read. (I'm blinded by a mother's love for her brainchild. That's why I need reviewers like you!) As to the confusion about Silmarillion...Confession time, in which I realize I might lose some readers: I haven't read the Silmarillion. I'm sorry! I just wanted this story to be strictly about the Lord of the Rings trilogy, about Legolas's teenage years. But about The Hobbit: those pesky spiders will appear later. So, that being said, and if you haven't left in disgust at my faux pax, read on!
Chapter 17- A Rift in Friendships
They made good time. The predawn light was just beginning to filter through the trees when they sighted the valley. Not caring about keeping a bold front in front of Legolas, Delaney flopped onto the grass under the first tree she saw with a sigh. She was just tired, and if Rose didn't like that, she could just faint next time she was in control. ~Which will be now, if you don't mind~ Delaney sighed and mentally lapsed, letting Rose shove her, somewhat harder than necessary, into the recesses of her mind.
Rosellyn twitched her fingers slightly, as she always did when she came into control. She missed having the ability to do things as simple as wiggle her fingers. Legolas sat next to her and drew out parchment, a bottle of ink, and a quill. She immediately snatched them from him.
"Oh, no you don't. I've learned my lesson about letting your sloppy handwriting rule the day. I'll write the numbers down." He looked a touch annoyed. "Come on, admit it. Three hundred year old children have better handwriting than you."
"What can I say? It never seemed all that important to me. Besides, when I turned in papers like this, the teacher never knew what exactly I was trying to write, and gave me full credit just in case. The second camp had fifty, by the way." She scratched out the number she had written before and wrote '50' in her own neater handwriting.
"I always wondered how you kept your marks up. By rights, she should have caught you and made you do it again until someone over the age of four hundred could read it."
"Here, now, I thought you said three hundred."
"Oops. Oh look, it's dawn." She was right. The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, its light filtering through valleys in the mountains and creeping across the ground, reflecting in brilliant colors off the lake water, filling the air with small rainbows. She loved dawn, being a morning person. She already knew Della was more of a night person, favoring the moon over the sun. How could anyone rate the sun as only second best? It was so bright, and always made people feel so cheerful. ~Keep your cheerfulness. The moon has mystery, and it's sort of an unearthly beauty. Sort of like Elves, now that I come to think of it. I like the dark, thank you very much.~ She thought about that, then gave a mental shrug. -To each his own. I still like the sun better- Della sent forth a wave of skepticism, then resided.
"Hey, are you alive? The third camp had seventy five, according to that sentry, and we might as well believe him; he had no reason to lie to us." She shook herself slightly.
"They very often don't need one; but you're right, what can we do, except believe him?" She wrote, just below the second camp, Third Camp-75.
"Well, that's done. Now all we have to do is go wait for Tracie." She paused. "Better yet, why wait? If I get woken up in my bedroom by you two, the least I can do is return the favor." He shook his head, turning slightly pink.
"I'm so glad we thought of this after you two went out on your own..." he muttered. Then he straightened, the familiar glint in his eye. "No use waiting. Let's go give her a wake up call." She stood up and dusted herself off.
"But we have to be quiet. Forest's bedroom is connected to her's." He rolled his eyes and spoke with restrained patience.
"Go teach your grandmother to knit, Rose. I know what I'm doing."
"And what would that be?" They both jumped. The voice had come from nowhere. Inwardly, Rosellyn sighed. That made it three times; when would it end? As she had guessed, Benvenue stepped out from behind a house. Legolas relaxed ever so slightly, putting the arrow he had drawn on instinct back into his quiver. She knew what he was thinking; at least it wasn't Awaren or Linka. They could deal with Benvenue. "Were you thinking to shoot me, master Greenleaf? I didn't mean for you to get so worried. I was merely taking a morning stroll through the woods. My, you two look tired. Where have you been?" Rosellyn wasn't fooled. It was plain as anything that Benvenue had been waiting for them to return, and she could see that he was very tense, a slight sheen of sweat forming on his brow.
"Our business is our own, master Haltier. We meet again," said Legolas, agitatedly courteous. Benvenue smiled.
"Ah, so cynical for a young one. Well, young in your terms." He smiled, inviting them to share in the small joke. They didn't. "Well, I was just wondering if I could pull miss Rosellyn aside for a moment." She started to move forward, but Legolas grabbed her upper arm and pulled her back.
"Sorry, we're in a bit of a hurry. Maybe later. Good day, master Haltier." And with that, he halfway dragged her off, and she could feel Benvenue's eyes following them until they were out of site. She wrenched her arm away.
"I could have just talked with him for a moment," she said, a touch exasperated.
"No, you couldn't. He's going to try to turn us in, I just know it. Do you want to go to Tracie's or not?" She stopped. He stopped as well, and turned to face her.
"What do you have against him, anyway?" she cried, "He's never done anything to you! He seems perfectly trustworthy; I bet he'd help, if we asked!"
"But we're not going to! Men are weak, everyone knows that! You, me, and Tracie can do this by ourselves, and we don't need him!" There was a ringing silence for a moment. Then, she slung off her knapsack and threw it at him. Surprised, he caught it.
"Fine. You can go to Tracie's. You can all be close-minded together. I always thought you gave people chances, but I guess I was wrong. I'm going back to Damita's. I'll see you later." With that, she started in the opposite direction, away from Benvenue and away from Legolas Greenleaf. He made no attempt to follow her; she didn't know if she was disappointed or grateful. She heard a slight rustle of leaves on her left, on the forest side. She blew a sigh and stopped. "Come out." Benvenue emerged, looking a bit surprised.
"Not bad, miss Rosellyn."
"Save it. What do you want?"
"To apologize for any strain I've caused in your...friendship...with Legolas." First Tracie and Forest, now Benvenue. When would people just be satisfied with friendship?
"We're just friends. I accept your apology. If you'll excuse me, I really just want to go to sleep." He backed off with a slight bow.
"As you say. I hope to see you again this afternoon."
"That would be...pleasant. Good day." She pivoted on her right heel and took off running. He might have been able to catch her if he really tried, but she didn't think he would try. Unhindered by her knapsack, which would bounce around in an annoying manner, she felt like she was flying, her hair streaming behind her like a banner. The dawn air was slightly cool, whipping against her face. She arrived at the house steps somewhat winded, but feeling a lot better for the fresh air. She paused at the threshold, regaining her breath, before she began upwards.
Climbing the steps, she saw the last face she ever wanted to see when she was sneaking home, even last among the list of Linka, Awaren, or Forest. Meira was getting a glass of water when she happened to look out the window and see her foster sister climb up the stairs. Rosellyn blew a sigh, knowing she had a lot of explaining to do. Meira looked so young and innocent, standing at the head of the stairs, clutching a little rag doll to her chest, empty cup dangling by her side.
"Rosie...Rosie...what're you doing out at night?" She gave a little smile.
"Not to worry, May-May. I was just going out for a little air. Nothing's wrong."
"You were gone the whole night," she said petulantly. Then, she knew she was good and caught. If Meira knew she was out all night, no amount of lying could save her now. "What were you doing? I'm gonna tell Mother!"
"No, Meira, please don't tell Dam! I know I'm not supposed to be out, but I had to. You wouldn't understand."
"You were out with Legolas," she said. She looked at the little girl with amazement. Sometimes, Meira really surprised her.
"Was that just a really good guess?" Meira shook her head.
"No. I went over to Tracie's house and she was still there. I mean, I didn't go to the door or anything, I just looked in the window. And Forest was still there, too. So I figured that you went with Legolas." Rosellyn shook her head in amazement.
"I think I'm rubbing off on you, May-May. Since when do you spy on anyone?" Meira looked shame-faced.
"It just seemed like the right thing to do. Ellie doesn't know," she added.
"I didn't think Ellie would."
"Can I come with you next time?" She looked at her little friend sharply.
"Absolutely not," she said without hesitation. Meira looked hurt. Her lip began to tremble, and her eyes filled bright, unshed tears. Rosellyn, however, was impervious to her foster-sister's pitiful antics.
"Come on. I've lived with you too long to be influenced by that." Meira sighed and swallowed her tears.
"Why can't I come, then?"
"Because what we're doing is too dangerous and too important. Stay here. You don't know anything about what's going on, and you aren't going to tell Dam what's going on or where I've been. Right?" Meira downcast her eyes.
"Right. I promise on Dimberaidiel that I won't tell Mommy." Dimberaidiel was the doll, and Meira's most prized possesion. Her father had made it for her before he died, and she never let it out of her sight. It was the strongest promise she could make. Rosellyn hugged her and kissed her on the forehead.
"Thank you, May-May. I knew you'd understand, and I know you'll stick to your promise." Meira nodded. "Now, let's go back to bed." Meira nodded again, and snuck her little hand into Rosellyn's. She walked her to her room and tucked her in. Then she went to her own room, changed, and fell into bed herself. She thought about what Legolas must be telling Tracie right now, and what Benvenue was doing, waiting for her. With only these thoughts to keep her company, she drifted into an uneasy and far-from-restful doze.
A/N: Poor Rosellyn, poor Legolas...and what is Benvenue up to? I guess you'll just have to wait and see.
A/N: Wow, reviews keep coming in...I've already addressed the block paragraph issue; I apologize. I didn't realize it was so hard to read. (I'm blinded by a mother's love for her brainchild. That's why I need reviewers like you!) As to the confusion about Silmarillion...Confession time, in which I realize I might lose some readers: I haven't read the Silmarillion. I'm sorry! I just wanted this story to be strictly about the Lord of the Rings trilogy, about Legolas's teenage years. But about The Hobbit: those pesky spiders will appear later. So, that being said, and if you haven't left in disgust at my faux pax, read on!
Chapter 17- A Rift in Friendships
They made good time. The predawn light was just beginning to filter through the trees when they sighted the valley. Not caring about keeping a bold front in front of Legolas, Delaney flopped onto the grass under the first tree she saw with a sigh. She was just tired, and if Rose didn't like that, she could just faint next time she was in control. ~Which will be now, if you don't mind~ Delaney sighed and mentally lapsed, letting Rose shove her, somewhat harder than necessary, into the recesses of her mind.
Rosellyn twitched her fingers slightly, as she always did when she came into control. She missed having the ability to do things as simple as wiggle her fingers. Legolas sat next to her and drew out parchment, a bottle of ink, and a quill. She immediately snatched them from him.
"Oh, no you don't. I've learned my lesson about letting your sloppy handwriting rule the day. I'll write the numbers down." He looked a touch annoyed. "Come on, admit it. Three hundred year old children have better handwriting than you."
"What can I say? It never seemed all that important to me. Besides, when I turned in papers like this, the teacher never knew what exactly I was trying to write, and gave me full credit just in case. The second camp had fifty, by the way." She scratched out the number she had written before and wrote '50' in her own neater handwriting.
"I always wondered how you kept your marks up. By rights, she should have caught you and made you do it again until someone over the age of four hundred could read it."
"Here, now, I thought you said three hundred."
"Oops. Oh look, it's dawn." She was right. The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, its light filtering through valleys in the mountains and creeping across the ground, reflecting in brilliant colors off the lake water, filling the air with small rainbows. She loved dawn, being a morning person. She already knew Della was more of a night person, favoring the moon over the sun. How could anyone rate the sun as only second best? It was so bright, and always made people feel so cheerful. ~Keep your cheerfulness. The moon has mystery, and it's sort of an unearthly beauty. Sort of like Elves, now that I come to think of it. I like the dark, thank you very much.~ She thought about that, then gave a mental shrug. -To each his own. I still like the sun better- Della sent forth a wave of skepticism, then resided.
"Hey, are you alive? The third camp had seventy five, according to that sentry, and we might as well believe him; he had no reason to lie to us." She shook herself slightly.
"They very often don't need one; but you're right, what can we do, except believe him?" She wrote, just below the second camp, Third Camp-75.
"Well, that's done. Now all we have to do is go wait for Tracie." She paused. "Better yet, why wait? If I get woken up in my bedroom by you two, the least I can do is return the favor." He shook his head, turning slightly pink.
"I'm so glad we thought of this after you two went out on your own..." he muttered. Then he straightened, the familiar glint in his eye. "No use waiting. Let's go give her a wake up call." She stood up and dusted herself off.
"But we have to be quiet. Forest's bedroom is connected to her's." He rolled his eyes and spoke with restrained patience.
"Go teach your grandmother to knit, Rose. I know what I'm doing."
"And what would that be?" They both jumped. The voice had come from nowhere. Inwardly, Rosellyn sighed. That made it three times; when would it end? As she had guessed, Benvenue stepped out from behind a house. Legolas relaxed ever so slightly, putting the arrow he had drawn on instinct back into his quiver. She knew what he was thinking; at least it wasn't Awaren or Linka. They could deal with Benvenue. "Were you thinking to shoot me, master Greenleaf? I didn't mean for you to get so worried. I was merely taking a morning stroll through the woods. My, you two look tired. Where have you been?" Rosellyn wasn't fooled. It was plain as anything that Benvenue had been waiting for them to return, and she could see that he was very tense, a slight sheen of sweat forming on his brow.
"Our business is our own, master Haltier. We meet again," said Legolas, agitatedly courteous. Benvenue smiled.
"Ah, so cynical for a young one. Well, young in your terms." He smiled, inviting them to share in the small joke. They didn't. "Well, I was just wondering if I could pull miss Rosellyn aside for a moment." She started to move forward, but Legolas grabbed her upper arm and pulled her back.
"Sorry, we're in a bit of a hurry. Maybe later. Good day, master Haltier." And with that, he halfway dragged her off, and she could feel Benvenue's eyes following them until they were out of site. She wrenched her arm away.
"I could have just talked with him for a moment," she said, a touch exasperated.
"No, you couldn't. He's going to try to turn us in, I just know it. Do you want to go to Tracie's or not?" She stopped. He stopped as well, and turned to face her.
"What do you have against him, anyway?" she cried, "He's never done anything to you! He seems perfectly trustworthy; I bet he'd help, if we asked!"
"But we're not going to! Men are weak, everyone knows that! You, me, and Tracie can do this by ourselves, and we don't need him!" There was a ringing silence for a moment. Then, she slung off her knapsack and threw it at him. Surprised, he caught it.
"Fine. You can go to Tracie's. You can all be close-minded together. I always thought you gave people chances, but I guess I was wrong. I'm going back to Damita's. I'll see you later." With that, she started in the opposite direction, away from Benvenue and away from Legolas Greenleaf. He made no attempt to follow her; she didn't know if she was disappointed or grateful. She heard a slight rustle of leaves on her left, on the forest side. She blew a sigh and stopped. "Come out." Benvenue emerged, looking a bit surprised.
"Not bad, miss Rosellyn."
"Save it. What do you want?"
"To apologize for any strain I've caused in your...friendship...with Legolas." First Tracie and Forest, now Benvenue. When would people just be satisfied with friendship?
"We're just friends. I accept your apology. If you'll excuse me, I really just want to go to sleep." He backed off with a slight bow.
"As you say. I hope to see you again this afternoon."
"That would be...pleasant. Good day." She pivoted on her right heel and took off running. He might have been able to catch her if he really tried, but she didn't think he would try. Unhindered by her knapsack, which would bounce around in an annoying manner, she felt like she was flying, her hair streaming behind her like a banner. The dawn air was slightly cool, whipping against her face. She arrived at the house steps somewhat winded, but feeling a lot better for the fresh air. She paused at the threshold, regaining her breath, before she began upwards.
Climbing the steps, she saw the last face she ever wanted to see when she was sneaking home, even last among the list of Linka, Awaren, or Forest. Meira was getting a glass of water when she happened to look out the window and see her foster sister climb up the stairs. Rosellyn blew a sigh, knowing she had a lot of explaining to do. Meira looked so young and innocent, standing at the head of the stairs, clutching a little rag doll to her chest, empty cup dangling by her side.
"Rosie...Rosie...what're you doing out at night?" She gave a little smile.
"Not to worry, May-May. I was just going out for a little air. Nothing's wrong."
"You were gone the whole night," she said petulantly. Then, she knew she was good and caught. If Meira knew she was out all night, no amount of lying could save her now. "What were you doing? I'm gonna tell Mother!"
"No, Meira, please don't tell Dam! I know I'm not supposed to be out, but I had to. You wouldn't understand."
"You were out with Legolas," she said. She looked at the little girl with amazement. Sometimes, Meira really surprised her.
"Was that just a really good guess?" Meira shook her head.
"No. I went over to Tracie's house and she was still there. I mean, I didn't go to the door or anything, I just looked in the window. And Forest was still there, too. So I figured that you went with Legolas." Rosellyn shook her head in amazement.
"I think I'm rubbing off on you, May-May. Since when do you spy on anyone?" Meira looked shame-faced.
"It just seemed like the right thing to do. Ellie doesn't know," she added.
"I didn't think Ellie would."
"Can I come with you next time?" She looked at her little friend sharply.
"Absolutely not," she said without hesitation. Meira looked hurt. Her lip began to tremble, and her eyes filled bright, unshed tears. Rosellyn, however, was impervious to her foster-sister's pitiful antics.
"Come on. I've lived with you too long to be influenced by that." Meira sighed and swallowed her tears.
"Why can't I come, then?"
"Because what we're doing is too dangerous and too important. Stay here. You don't know anything about what's going on, and you aren't going to tell Dam what's going on or where I've been. Right?" Meira downcast her eyes.
"Right. I promise on Dimberaidiel that I won't tell Mommy." Dimberaidiel was the doll, and Meira's most prized possesion. Her father had made it for her before he died, and she never let it out of her sight. It was the strongest promise she could make. Rosellyn hugged her and kissed her on the forehead.
"Thank you, May-May. I knew you'd understand, and I know you'll stick to your promise." Meira nodded. "Now, let's go back to bed." Meira nodded again, and snuck her little hand into Rosellyn's. She walked her to her room and tucked her in. Then she went to her own room, changed, and fell into bed herself. She thought about what Legolas must be telling Tracie right now, and what Benvenue was doing, waiting for her. With only these thoughts to keep her company, she drifted into an uneasy and far-from-restful doze.
A/N: Poor Rosellyn, poor Legolas...and what is Benvenue up to? I guess you'll just have to wait and see.