Chapter 2

            "Gentlemen, I would appreciate it if you all would come and stand over here and talk for a few moments.  Gandalf and I must hold a meeting," Elrond commanded pointing to thirty feet away from the farthest girl who happened to be Pagie.

            Gandalf smiled and beckoned the girls to come closer.  He leaned in and Elrond did too.

            "I'd like to tell you girls a secret," he whispered mysteriously.  "Elrond knows you're here and knows everything you said during the meeting.  He can see and hear you."

            Katie blushed, as did Jenny and Paige.  Esther began to laugh.  Ashley looked insulted.

            "Yes, I can see you.  Now, each of you will need to have packs of clothing and such.  I don't know what to do about you humans, hobbits, and dwarfs, but I can take care of Katie's – Is that your name? – clothes," Elrond said.  Then he stopped and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Katie, as an elf you need an elfish name.  I hereby name you Lasselantavanima. "

            "Great! First pointy ears.  Then I get taller and very graceful.  Now, I have an elfish name!" Katie raved jokingly.

            "Lasselatavanima, we elves do not rave.  We behave quite calmly and rationally for the most part," Elrond instructed sternly.

            "Well, I think someone should change Katie to something else.  She gets a bit hyperactive and happy at times.  She can also get very upset," Jenny suggested, sticking out her tongue at Katie.

            "Remember, hobbit, I am taller than you and quicker on my feet.  Besides I will live forever!" Katie retorted, sticking out her tongue also.

            "Jenny! Lasselantavanima!" Elrond exclaimed in mock outrage.

            "Why does he insist on calling me that?" Katie mumbled under her breath.

            Gandalf smiled, "Well at least it means beautiful October, Lasselantavanima."

            "Excuse me, but questions remain.  What about the others?  They also need clothing and names that suit our world," Elrond interrupted.

            Gandalf thought for a moment.  "I can name the hobbits," he boasted.  "Jenny – she's the blonde one, Elrond – can be called Pearl Brandybuck.  Michelle – the one who was with Frodo through the counsel – can be called Azalia Hamwich.  Paige – the one who came in with Sam – shall be named Lara Sandybanks.  Then the other one who came in with Jenny/Pearl – What's your name, dear? – oh yes, Chelli – we'll call her Petunia Bunce."

            Chelli glared at Gandalf with the face to kill.  She marched over to where he was and whispered menacingly, "I'll make sure to get you back for that one, Gandalf the Grey!"

            "What of us?" Esther asked hopefully of Elrond who looked puzzled.

            "I suppose you four will have elfish names, though you are not Elves," he responded rubbing his chin thoughtfully.  "You – human girl with the short hair – I name you Morlaname.  I'm going to call the other human girl Quelavasar.  Dwarf over there is now named Rucimanauko, and Gandalf's companion is going to be called Herendilnolime.

            "Anyway, I shall find some way to get Legolas into Arwen's rooms so we may pack Lasselantavanima some of her clothing for the journey.  The rest I might have in a storeroom where I found the extra hobbit clothes.  I do believe that is all, and the fellowship looks as if they are ready to begin the trip so we must hurry. Go swiftly with Gandalf.  Lasselantavanima, stick closely to me.  I am going to try to talk Legolas into coming right away.

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            "Now why are we here again?" Legolas wondered stepping into Arwen's golden gilded bedchamber behind Elrond.  He looked around in disgust.  Arwen was most definitely meant to marry a king, as long as it wasn't he.  She couldn't survive without her 'beauty' as she called it, but she meant fine things such as gold and mithril.

            "Because Arwen might be coming along, Legolas.  I just wanted you to help me pack her things.  Just go sit on the bed," Elrond told the son of his good friend.

            Elrond threw open Arwen's wardrobe and glanced at what it had to offer. It was piled with dresses made of rich fabrics sewn with jewels.  Not one piece of normal clothing could be found.

            "Lasselantavanima," Elrond muttered under his breath trying to make sure that Legolas did not hear him, but he missed the look Legolas had given him when he heard him muttering, "do you think you should just take some of these clothes?  Can you move in the dress you are wearing now?"

            "Of course I can, Lord Elrond.  Dresses seem easy to move about in now that I'm an Elf," Katie answered.

            "Alright. Hmmmm… Let's see.  I think greens, blues, and autumn colors look the best on you.  That would be this side of the closet," Elrond mumbled running his hands along the fabrics of the dresses.

            The first he pulled out was forest green and as silky as magnolia leaves.  It was long with a sweetheart neckline and peasant sleeves.  Emeralds studded the bodice in a delicate display of dazzling green light. Katie gasped at it beauty.

            "I could never wear something as splendid as this," Katie exclaimed, running her hand along a silky sleeve.

            "Lord Elrond," Legolas piped up, "isn't that dress a little much for a trip to Mordor? I mean she is already engaged and doesn't need to worry about impressing orcs."

            "Legolas, this is one of her least resplendent gowns," Elrond answered.  "Just fold it, and place it into the bag on the bed. Oh, and don't forget to grab some shoes out of the closet on the other side of the room."

            "Wonderful, I always wanted to be a slave to a girly-girl. I'm sure she'll look dazzling fighting orcs in emeralds and mithril. This girl needs to get some normal clothing," Legolas murmured folding the delicate dress up and placing it into the bag.   He continued to pack what Elrond gave him diligently.

            Night had fallen like a shroud upon Rivendell. Lamps of firefly light glowed, illuminating the darkness with orange light. Inside a lavish dining hall, there was a party, a small party, but a party nevertheless.  There were about ten men sitting around the table and one woman.  Further down there were nine empty chairs.  The chairs puzzled almost everyone at the dinner table.  What was even more amazing was that food was being placed down there, and it was disappearing.  Lady Arwen leaned into the arm of her fiancée, and nuzzled against him when she had finished eating.  Aragorn smiled indulgently and played with a bit of her hair.  Elrond and Gandalf were discussing some things, and the hobbits bantered with each other at the end of where the visible people were sitting.  Boromir and Gimli had begun to argue over material for weaponry, and that left Legolas to sit and push his peas around his plate.  

            Unbeknownst to most who were sitting there, then nine chairs held their nine female counterparts. Katie was staring off into the distance, obviously thinking.  Esther and Jennifer were speaking animatedly about how much they hated the gym teacher back home, Mr. Yemmus.  Chelli, Ashley, Erika, and Paige were discussing how time ran at home. Jenny, when not inhaling delicate elfish pastries, was making mooneyes at Legolas.

            Esther happened to glance down the table to where Arwen and Aragorn were snuggling, and she shuddered in dismay and dislike.

            "Ugh! I hate that she-elf! 'Oh, Aragorn, I love you sooo much.' I want to shoot her," Esther wailed.  Her comment made her the proud recipient of an Elrond Death Gaze.

            "Well at least my elf doesn't have a fiancée!" Jenny announced joyfully. Legolas's eyes shifted to where she was sitting.

            "You don't seem to be attached to him do you, Blondie, or should I say Pearl?" Esther snapped at her.

            "But he knows I'm here! He hears my heart calling out to him," Jenny pointed out.

            "No, Jenny, I'm afraid not.  He is glancing through you to the same star that Katie seems to be staring at if you had not yet noticed. It is sitting right above your head," Erika reasoned apologetically.

            Jenny shifted her eyes from Legolas to Katie who was sitting in front of her.  Sure enough, her eyes were glued on a spot above Katie's head. Jenny waved her arms, finally pulling Katie out of her stupor.

            "Whatcha looking at, Lasselanatvanima?" Jenny giggled.

            "Don't call me that.  I am not a true elf, and you know my real name.  I have been watching this star rise in its path throughout dinner in wonder.  It does not seem to be fixed on one course but seems to move from place to place.  I can see it at all times.  It behaves as if it does not want its lovely rays to be blocked from gracing the beauty of someone here is face.  Every now and again, it will twinkle as if in delight in what it sees. Oh to be that star, so that I may watch over all and be wise in my years from my almost constant gaze.  To be able to let my friends know what comes ahead would be a real gift.  This star shall be my guide through our terrible journey and my friend in rough times.  It is as bright as the sun, and as meek as the moon.  How wonderfully beautiful its shining rays are," Katie mused.

            "Not a true elf me foot!" Ashley laughed. "I heard Legolas sprout that kinda stuff earlier today.  You just were not listening.  If we have to put up with that kind of talk the whole trip, I'm going to kill myself."

            "Like you tried to roll down the hill?" Esther quipped.

            Jenny fell out of her seat laughing as servants came up to them carrying bags.  Each of the girls handed them one.  Down the table, Elrond winked to let them know they were from him. 

            Katie set hers aside, and began to yawn.  Esther quickly opened hers to find clothing, shoes, and food.  The others found much of the same thing in theirs, and it was all cut to their size.

            "Why don't you make sure you got the right one?" Paige asked Katie who was rising from her chair.

            "Oh," Katie blushed, "I already know what clothes and such are in there.  Good-bye, girls.  Legolas is leaving the table.  I suppose its time for bed."

            She left the hall following Legolas.  Elrond cocked his head to one side as they left.

            "I think it's time Legolas got a girlfriend.  He's been somewhat sad lately," Elrond suggested.

            The fellowship nodded.  Jenny, who heard this, jumped quickly out of her chair, knocking it over with a loud crash.  She jumped up and down, waving her arms and shouting "Me, Pick Me!"