I had Sports Day last Tuesday, and came 3rd in Shot Put! Yet my class still came last… Oh well, at least I did well!
And we had sports ALL DAY today! Double PE first two lessons, then Inter-form Tennis, and THEN Inter-form Rounders! Phew… My legs are now like lead.
Replies are below, and hope you enjoy this chapter.
In The Depp End – I've forgotten as well, never mind! Yeah, good thing your mother DOESN'T pick up on your echoes! ;)
Thanks for reviewing.
DewDrop Sapphire – Hope I updated soon enough for you. Thanks for reviewing.
Rayame325 – 5k? Eww…too far! I mostly do Shot Put and Rounders, but that's about it! I'm rubbish at sports. I think my max has to be 100m, maybe 200m if I absolutely HAVE to! :D
Thanks for reviewing.
Mayrana – Sorry, you were third reviewer! Lothliana and Elerrina beat you to it! At least you did review! I keep improving? That's always a good thing to hear! Thank you for all you lovely compliments, I'm gad you were in a good mood. Hopefully you're still in one, so I can have another nice review! ;)
I don't know about Hally's parents. But he DOES have Rumil and Orophin, younger brothers, so watch out for them! You can be my bridesmaid, and then Leggy will be nice to you! Teehee…
Thanks for reviewing! Wow, long reply…
Elerrina – Yeah, Celille rules! I told you about the whole 'windows in caves thing'. The Elves carved the caves so that they could live there, right? So they wouldn't want to live in complete darkness. Therefore, they carved out windows to let the sunlight in! Flaming torches are ok, but nothing compares to natural light for Elves.
Ok, are we sorted on that one now? Good…
Thanks for reviewing.
Lothliana – I was always gonna pout it up sweety, I just had to finish Farewells May Not Be Forever first! I update every Monday, as you know, so be patient! Thanks for reviewing.
Chapter 2: Conversations.
I was right. The rest of the meal wasn't too bad, once I started talking to Celille.
Although she was rather young, ten in fact, she was very chatty. We talked all the way through the main meal, and then when the adults just made casual conversation over their wine, we carried on regardless. This way, I found out loads about where she had come from.
Her father was the leaders' 'right-hand man'. That was the only way she could describe it. A bit like Maenherdir is to Adar. His name was Connyn. Her mother had died in childbirth. So it was just her and Connyn. Gaenry, the leader, had made sure they were well looked after. He and Connyn were great friends forever more.
Her village was a group of many that was like a mini-kingdom in a way. Gaenry was the overall leader, and he kept all the people in check. He lived in Celille's village, Befret, where he had his main 'base' as he called it. Just a big hall where public meetings were held once a month.
Generally, the way they lived was respectable enough for my father to join forces with them. We already have the wine trade with the men of Lake-town, and these people lived a few miles south of there. It would be a good and strong alliance.
I also discovered Celille's love for animals and nature in general. She thoroughly enjoyed riding, and every day after having a few short lessons on the ways of the world, she would go out onto the borders of Mirkwood with her horse and a few friends, and they would wait to see what animals headed their way. She had seen plenty of creatures such as rabbits, deer, and wild horses. Once, they had carried on down alongside the river, sat on the bank, and she swore she had seen an otter swimming along the river bottom.
"What animals have you seen in the wild?" she had asked me.
"All sorts. Deer, wild horses, rabbits. There are also Wargs in these woods, but they are many miles to the South. I personally, have never seen one, and would not particularly like to meet one."
"Especially if it is hungry," she added. We laughed together. She may have been young, but she had a great sense of humour.
"No, definitely not if it is hungry," I had agreed.
Now I was sat in my room. It was early evening, and the men and women had retired to their rooms for the night. They had had a long journey, and were tired after all the talking and feasting. Personally, I couldn't agree more with that notion. I had managed to slip away quickly, and got changed immediately.
I was wearing my most comfortable brown leggings and green tunic. I had chucked my circlet down on my dresser straight away, and unbraided my hair. I was barefoot, and sat on my bed, reading. The atmosphere in my room was totally relaxed and calm. Peaceful and tranquil. Perfect…
"LEGOLAS!!!"
Uh oh…
My door flew open and my father stormed in. I placed my book down on the bed and rose. "Evening Adar." I could not tell his mood from the look on his face. I didn't know if he was angry or not. I prepared myself for an argument, just in case. Though I had no idea what I done wrong.
"Finally!" He came in and shut the door. He walked over to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. Still, I could not tell if he was angry or pleased with me.
"Legolas," he said in a softer tone. "I just wanted to say…thank you."
Eh?
"For what Adar?"
"For behaving so well tonight. I know you don't like these public feasts and meetings, but tonight was very important. You had to be there, for appearances' sake. How did you find it?" We sat down on the bed together, and he had an arm round me.
"Boring at first. But then I started talking to Celille, and it was ok from then on."
"Good. I was really hoping you wouldn't be too bored. I was glad when I saw Connyn had allowed his daughter to come along. I know you are slightly older than her, but you seemed to be getting along fine when I looked down."
"She was really nice. We have quite a lot in common actually."
"Really?"
"Yes. She likes animals and nature, just like me. She enjoys riding with her friends, and hopes to learn how to wield knives properly when she is older."
"You do have a lot in common. Perhaps, whilst she is staying here, you can go out for a ride or two together."
"Could we?"
"Of course. I don't see why not. But please Legolas, just remember this. She is mortal."
"Of course Adar." Making friends with mortals is a big thing where Elves are concerned. If we become too close to them, our hearts could break when they die. And if we fall in love with them…
"Good boy." He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. "And don't worry about your mother being so snappy recently. She's just going through a bit of a rough patch."
"What's wrong?" I was genuinely concerned.
"Nothing, do not fret. She'll be fine in a few days. Just…be nice to her. Behave and so on."
"Yes Adar."
"Good." He stood up. "Now, you get some sleep tonight. You were up early this morning, seeing to the horses. I saw you." He grinned at me.
I bit my lip and smiled shyly. "Sorry Adar. I just wanted to check on Lissuin. Apparently, she's having a bit of trouble with her new foal. I wanted to check everything was ok with her."
"You worry too much rédnin. I'll see you tomorrow." (My son.) He smiled once more, then left, closing the door behind him.
I smiled to myself and lay back on my bed. Adar was always doing that. He would never say whether he was angry or pleased with me until he actually talked to me about it. It was so I would never have had time to prepare myself for his arrival. And it always worked. Not always in my favour though.
The next day, I was out in the stables once again, checking on Lissuin, when Celille arrived with Connyn. I was dressed as usual, in light brown leggings and dark green tunic. My hair was pulled back into a rough ponytail as I examined the foal, Tingilya, carefully.
"Good morning my Lord," I heard Connyn say cheerfully over the pen gate. I turned round on my heels and smiled at the both of them. "Morning."
"What's wrong with her?" Celille asked, tilting her head towards Tingilya.
"Nothing much. Her mother's just not being very co-operative when it comes to motherhood." I pointed at Lissuin, who was standing on the other side of the pen, seemingly uninterested in her child.
"Oh." Celille frowned. "That's not right."
"No, its not. I just don't understand what's wrong with her. There were no problems during the birth or anything. Tingilya here is only a few weeks old, and needs Lissuin's' milk and care. But she doesn't seem to give a damn!" I stood and went and stroked Lissuin.
"I'll see you later Celille." Connyn smiled at me, and then left, walking out of the stables.
"Mana na roeg tece lecin?" I asked, looking at her. (What is wrong with you?)
"What did you say?" Celille asked.
"I asked what was wrong with her. But I think she's ignoring me. Hey!" I slapped her back gently, just to get her attention. She looked at me. I could see sorrow etched all over her face. "What's wrong girl?" I asked again, my voice lowering to a softer tone. I still stroked her. "Go and see to your baby. She needs you." I leant my head against her strong neck and grinned at Celille. "You can come in you know."
She grinned and opened the gate. Shutting it behind her, she went and looked at Tingilya. "She's beautiful," she whispered. "What's her name?"
"Tingilya. It means Twinkling Star in Quenya, the language of the Rivendell Elves. We thought we had better give her a Quenya name, as her mother is from Rivendell. She was a gift from Lord Elrond to my father."
"Mixing breeds?"
"Only the best."
She laughed. "I love her. How old is she?"
"About four weeks." It was then that Lissuin decided to shove me out of the way, and trotted back to her child. Celille stood and stroked her neck instead. "She's beautiful too. What's her name again?"
"Lissuin. It means Ever-Sweet Flower in Quenya."
"Your horses have lovely names."
"Thank you. What is yours called?"
"Star-mane."
"That's nice."
"She is completely chestnut, and has a white star on her forehead."
"We have a stallion a bit like that. Down here." We left Lissuin's pen and wandered further down the stables.
"Here. This is Rodmín. It means Our Champion. He saved a young Elf-maiden from drowning in the river. He was a wild horse, but when he saw her slip and fall in, he swam after her and pulled her to safety. We've kept him ever since. Well, we did try to set free him again, but he was having none of it. He wanted to stay. So, stay he did."
She laughed. "He's huge!" she exclaimed as he walked over to greet us.
"That's wild horses for you."
"Have you ever ridden him?"
"No. He's too big for me. But Adar says I might be able to one day."
Rodmín was black with white socks and a white star on his forehead. He was a wonderful stallion, and we had bred about three foals out of him.
We talked for a short while longer, and I introduced her to all the horses that were in.
Yeah, bit boring I guess. At least we found out a bit more about Celille. I love her! Don't ask me why, she is just great!
Please R&R. Would be very nice of you.