Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Lady Tolwen: Sorry for the error in your name in the last chapter. I already made the corrections. Thanks for pointing it out.
Note:
Like last chapter, not much change in this chapter. For this and the next chapter, I am mainly get rid of the head hopping problem and adding details.
Why didn't he punish her? Lillian wondered, her hunger forgotten as her thoughts raced. She had broken the rules, more than once. Yet, this strange noble didn't hit her or even yell. She stared at the spot where Elrohir had stood just minutes earlier, confused about his actions.
He was different and not just because of his ears either. He ignored her mistakes; he brought her food and encouraged her to eat. He even allowed her to speak freely. No noble had ever done that. Why did he?
A grumble from her stomach drew Lillian out of her thoughts. Alarmed, she scanned the room for people. Finding herself alone, she breathed a sigh of relief. If no one was around, she could not be punished for her error. After a quick glare at her stomach, Lillian's eyes focused on the tray.
It was wrong to eat food given by a noble. There were punishments for such. In her blood father's home, the upper class enjoyed tormenting the servants with their twisted humors. They would offer food and if the servant accepted the food, they were beaten until near death. But if they declined, they were locked in the dungeons for a week to starve.
The only way out of that situation was to go unnoticed by the nobles. That in it's self was no easy task, for the aristocrats often looked for reasons to punish those below them. And if they could not find a reason they often made up one, using the servants as a way to curb their own boredom.
This new noble seemed different. He projected of aura of kindness and sincerity. One she had not seen since her foster father. But the Father of her heart was not a noble. From her hazy memories, Lillian could recall that her foster parents did things because they were right. But she learned later that nobles did not have the same attitude. They were greedy, uncaring, and only wanted more power.
Except, for a select few; her mother's family among them. Rena and Liz, her only friends, whose families had served the crown since before her grandfather's time, told her. Her mother had been the true heiress to the throne of Rolian. Her blood father-a low ranking noble-had married into the royal family. She was told that when everyone first met Kalin, he played the part of a sweet, caring person. It was only after the marriage and the mysterious deaths of the king and queen that his true colors showed through.
Her mother's father, King Thildern, didn't want his daughter burdened with the duties of ruling, and gave the mantle of power to his new son-in-law. The next month, the King and Queen were found dead. They were both old and it had been assumed that they died in their sleep. However, once Kalin started ruling with a marked lack of concern for his wife's grief, the people began to wonder at the death of their beloved monarchs.
By that time, it was too late. The new king had already placed his allies in the position to stop any rebellion. Those who questioned Kalin's rule or took a stand against him were killed on the spot.
Shaking her head to free it of the past, Lillian focused on the food. Perhaps, this once, she would risk the punishment of her actions. She was hungry and a week of starvation would kill her anyway. Slowly, wincing at the pain in her stomach, she sat up and the covers fell down.
Lillian's eyes widened in shock at the clothes she wore. The nightgown was too big for her malnourished body and sagged in many places. But it was beautiful. An elegant white nightdress with silver embroidery stitched along the round neckline. Lillian was almost positive that it was made out of silk. But why would nobles waste such material on a servant?
Once more Lillian shook her head, deciding to ponder it later. Reaching out towards the tray of food, the young woman didn't notice the three beings that silently walked through the door as she brought the tray to her lap. She cursed herself, when the goblet of water fell to the floor, because of her shaking hands. She just hoped she wouldn't be punished to harshly.
She had just gotten the tray onto her lap and quickly devoured the food. There was no time to waste on spoons, so she tilted the bowl and slurped the broth, scraping the vegetable from the bottom with her fingers. She had only started the first slice of bread when her stomach rebelled. She hunched over the tray, and fought to keep a few precious morsels in her gullet. When the gag reflex seceded, she lifted her torso back into a sitting position.
She was tired. Her body was still weak from the wound she inflicted on herself. That was another thing she didn't understand. Why did they waste the time and effort to save her? She started to return the tray to the table, when two hands took the tray from her. Looking up in alarm she locked glazes with the elf from before.
She wasn't sure what these nobles were going to do to her; she just prayed that the punishment wouldn't be too harsh.
- - - - - - -
Her tensed back and shoulders and the darting glances at the entranceway told of fear. It saddened the trio to see that she was so afraid of the rules that her old 'lord' had set that she feared to be caught eating.
Elrohir started forward when a hand stopped him. Elrohir looked at his father, the question showing clearly in his eyes. Elrond just shook his head in reply. The elf lord motioned to the side of the room. Taking the subtle suggestion, the trio moved to the left side of the room away from the doorway, and watched the lady.
She ate too fast, and her body reacted to the food as it would a poison. Her face turned green, and with a look that spoke of experience, she fought her own body. With the pain retreating, Lillian glanced at the door again, fear darkening her eyes.
"Here, let me help, Lady Lillian." Elrohir whispered softly as he took the tray from her and set it onto the table. Closing her eyes and bowing her head, she stiffened.
Sorrowful eyes studied her, before taking her left hand and ignoring the way she was tensed; Elrohir placed a light kiss upon it.
"I hope you enjoyed your meal, Lady Lillian. But I see your water was spilled. And as you must thirst after such a hearty meal, I shall go get you more."
- - - - - - -
Lillian's eyes snapped open, reverting to a stormy gray. Noble don't do such things for servants.
Elrohir kissed her hand again before he bent down and picked up the fallen goblet, setting it on the tray. Gently smiling at Lillian, he said, "I will be back, my Lady, with your water." And with that he left the room. Nodding to his father at his pointed gaze.
She watched him leave and was more confused then she was before. He was so insistent about doing the work of servants. He knew she was a servant and yet he waited on her. He acted nothing like the nobles back home. Of all the rules she had broken thus far, she had received no punishment. She wasn't sure how she was meant to act around him and it scared her.
"Hello, Lady Lillian," a different voice said to her right. Lillian head snapped to the side, staring at the two figures in shock. Why didn't she hear them come in? How long had they been there? The one who spoke was a 'man' who looked similar to Elrohir, with chestnut hair and brown eyes.
'Perhaps a brother?' was the thought that came to the girl's frozen mind. The stranger had a golden circlet upon his brow and wore a light gray robe with white embroidery, with a midnight blue over-robe. Like Elrohir, the stranger had fair skin and a youthful appearance. But the powerful aura that surrounded him projected not only kindness but also years of wisdom. It gave the impression that he was older then he looked. The other stranger was an elderly man with a long gray hair and beard. The old man wore a simple gray robe and leaned heavily upon a staff.
"Lady Lillian, allow us to introduce ourselves." The seemly younger person said, waking Lillian from her shock. Mentally cursing herself she cast her eyes to her hands. "My name is Elrond Halfelvin. I'm am the Lord of Rivendell." Lillian's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. That was Elrohir's father!? But he looked so young!
Elrond smiled at the lady's reaction. Motioning towards the old man he continued, "This is Gandalf the Gray." Walking towards the young lady, the Elven lord asked, "My lady, would it be all right if I asked you a few questions?"
He was asking permission to question her? He was a noble. A high raking one at that! He didn't need her consent to question her! So why was he asking? Keeping her head bowed, she nodded.
Nodding, Elrond continued, "Thank you. However, if you have any questions feel free to speak."
For what had to be the fourteenth time that day, Lillian felt shock enter her system. Why were the nobles here so different from the ones at home? Why would they care about some lowly servant's feelings? Was this a cruel trick? Or were they really this kind? They seemed sincere…
Elrond waited a couple seconds to let Lillian adjust, before asking, "Where do you hail from, Lady Lillian?"
"Rolian" Lillian replied quietly.
After a quick glanced at Elrond, Gandalf said, "Rolian? Do you mean Rohan?"
"No. I mean Rolian." Lillian answered softly, confusion plainly in her voice. "I never heard of Rohan before."
The elven lord pondered that answer before acting on a hunch. "Have you ever heard of Middle-Earth?"
"No," was her scared reply.
Nodding his head slightly, he asked, "What is your world called, Lady Lillian?"
Her world? Confusion clouded her eyes again, but she answered quickly. "Lindreal."
"Well then, my child, " Elrond said gently, "you are no longer in your world. You are in the lands of Middle-Earth."
"This will help with the pain, my Lady." He showed her a small vile of brownish powder. "Add these to your drink in the evening," he flashed a handful of crumpled leaves, "and it will allow you better sleep. But this," he pulled a blooming rose from behind his back, "will make you fall in love with me."
In the background, Elrond pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "It has to be the human in him."
"Or," Gandalf interrupted, "it could be his way of socializing the girl." He turned from his old friend and looked at the bed's blushing occupant. "She has long lived with no positive attention, and here, she will be subject to intense curiosity."
"Regardless, of his intent," the elf lord strode over to the bed. "The Lady has had a trying evening. She must rest and recover."
"Oh, you never let me have any fun," Elrohir whined. One stern glare later: "Very well." He added the appropriate herbs to Lillian's water, and handed it to her. "Drink now, and sleep well."
Still confused about these strange noble's actions, Lillian nodded. She didn't understand why they wasted such things on her, but had a feeling that they were not taking no for an answer. And slowly, she drank. After the last drop was gone, Lillian could feel her eyes become heavy and the world faded into darkness.
Walking down the halls, Elrohir hummed a merry tune, holding an overflowing tray in his hands. Today, his father agreed that Lillian was well enough for small walks, and Elrohir decided to show her around after they had their breakfast. And today will be the first day they would dine together.
Lillian was afraid to eat in front of a noble, because of the maxims she had ingrained into her. Elrohir understood this. But he was determined to help her overcome that fear. The first day after she had woken, he just brought her food and left, allowing her to eat alone. But yesterday, he did not. A small smile graced Elrohir's lips as he recalled the day's events.
-----Flashback-----
"Good morning, Lady Lillian," Elrohir said cheerfully as he sat the tray of food across Lillian's lap.
Keeping her head bowed, she replied, "Thank you, Lord Elrohir." From the corner of her eyes she watched the strange 'man'; her hands remained resting on the bed. She was waiting for him to leave. Elrohir knew she still feared eating before a noble, but had decided that today he was going to help break that fear. Pulling a chair to her bedside, he gracefully sat.
"It is all right, Lillian. You are allowed to eat in anyone's presence here." She shook her head slowly, hands staying where they were. Elrohir could see the fear and mistrust in her eyes and it saddened him, but knew she would react this way. It was understandable, if he was right, then her past was a dark one. It would take time for her to step out of the boundaries that she had been forced into.
A slight smile crossed his lips. He'll just have to prove that he was nothing like those nobles, and he had a good idea of how to do that. Picking up the spoon Elrohir dipped it into the porridge. And, mimicking an up and down pattern, brought it to Lillian's lips cooing, "Open up, horsey coming through."
His childish speech was so unexpected and so bizarre that Lillian opened her mouth to laugh...only to have the spoon shoved in. She almost choked. Instead, she puffed her cheeks, put both hands over her pursed lips, and concentrated on swallowing.
"Too hot?" her tormentor asked. Lillian's eyes narrowed as she regained her breath, glaring at the hand holding the spoon before she promptly turned her faced away.
Elrohir smiled slightly. In her eyes, for a brief moment, he had seen the start of her healing. Slowly, as he spent more time with her, barriers that she hid behind were crumbling and a spark of her spirit was beginning to shine through, or at least her temper.
She had wanted to snap at him. And at that moment he thought she would have if he didn't have another spoonful ready. Slapping the hand that held the spoon lightly, Elrohir continued with his charade. "Bad horsey. You made Lady Lillian mad. Back to the sables with you."
Her mouth twitched.
Elrohir's smile grew as he set the spoon down and picked up an apple slice to hold at her lips. Study her face; Elrohir realized that she was slowly losing her fear of him, though confusion seemed to swirl within her blue-gray eyes. The progress was slow, but knowing that he was helping this child warmed his heart.
"Perhaps little birdie would make Lady Lillian feel better." Her lips twitched, but the girl kept her mouth shut. Pouting, Elrohir continued, "Little birdie just wants to help. Let birdie help. Birdie not like horsey. Birdie will be good."
He watched the muscles in her throat jump. She was trying not to laugh, and succeeding. The most natural action the children of Iluvatar were capable of, and she mostly controlled it. If he had not known the circumstances of her reserved nature, he would have thought her the best-trained warrior in Middle-earth.
"Lady Lillian no like birdie? Birdie sad." Elrohir continued cooing, fighting back the urge to laugh, himself. "Birdie just want to help" Elrohir made a diving motion with his hand snatching up a small piece of toast. Waving it in front her in face in flying motions, saying. "Birdie found mousey. Mousey wanted to give you gift. So, good birdie brought nice mousey, which brought you gift. Lady Lillian like nice mousey gift, yes? Birdie was right to bring mousey? Please say birdie did well. Birdie wants to be good."
"Please, Lord Elrohir," she exclaimed her face still turned. "Do not act so! You are a grown man of Blood, not a child."
"But I am not a grown man, I am an elf with countless millennia ahead of me." He picked up the spoon again. "So horsey will be here until the food grows cold."
"An Elf?" Lillian questioned, confusion coloring her voice.
"Ah... There are no elves in your old world, are there?" Elrohir asked as he set the food back on the tray. At Lillian's nod, he continued, "I, my brother, and my father, are all Elves, though there is some human blood in our line." Elrohir raised the spoon to her lips once more, continuing his explanation. "Elves are an immortal race. We do not grow old, we do not become ill. In fact there is only two ways we can die, of a fatal wound or grief."
"But how can griephm!" He put the spoon in her mouth again. As she swallowed, with less fanfare than last time, he gathered his words.
"Elves feel, more, than most humans do. Sometimes when we lose a lover or close relation, we find ways to destroy ourselves."
Deep in thought Lillian failed to notice when Elrohir shoved more porridge into her mouth.
Lillian didn't really trust him, but she had stopped fearing him like she first did. It would take more then three days to heal from a lifetime, but it was a start. The first time he had met her, she was afraid of doing anything against her noble's rules. But now, after much coaxing she was slowly becoming her own person.
After setting the trays on the table, Elrohir walked to the bed, pulling the blankets off, saying, "No time to hide today! It's time to get up. We have many things to do." Ignoring her unintelligible mumblings, Elrohir scooped her into his arms, effectively waking her.
She buried her head in her hands. "Please, Lord Elrohir. Do not trouble yourself."
"Trouble?" Elrohir repeated, while walking toward the table. "It is no trouble. I quite enjoy carrying such a lovely lady around."
"My Lord," she almost whined. "Do you not have more important duties as the son of the regional Lord?" Elrohir smiled at her reply. That was another thing that had changed. She was losing her fear of speaking to him, though she often chose to remain in silence.
"None that Elladan cannot perform," he sang smugly.
Lillian groaned as Elrohir sat her in a chair. Grinning, he sat in his own seat and said; "Now I suggest we eat up. Father finally consented that you were healed enough to be walking around and I plan on giving you a tour of my home."
She looked up, her eyes locking with those of Elrohir's in shock and fear, before bowing her head and dropping her eyes to the table in shame.
Yet despite the progressed they had made he stilled failed in trying to get her to understand that she would not be punished for making eye contact. But her healing would take time before she overcame her history. He would have to be patient.
Sighing, Elrohir said soothingly, "It is all right Lillian." Tipping her chin upward he looked in her eyes, slightly disappointed that she kept her gaze on the table, "And you can meet my eyes if you so wish."
He sighed again as he spotted Lillian's shocked eyes. It may take more then him to reassure her that she was allowed to be herself and to leave the rules of her world behind.
His home was beautiful. Lillian had not seen anything like it before in her life. Rivendell was very different from her old home. The city itself truly blended with its surroundings; as if it had been here for ages and would always remain so.
'And it very well could,' Lillian reflected. 'It's inhabits are immortal creatures.'
That was another concept that she had trouble grasping. Back in her world there had been no immortal beings. People lived and people died, that was the way of life. The one all encompassing law. Not even the King could escape it, yet these elves did.
No, they could die Elrohir had explained that. But … the thought of living forever without aging or illnesses still sent her mind reeling. She couldn't image living such a life. Yes, the prospect was appealing, the thought of having the time to do everything one wanted too, but in the end it seemed like a curse to her. To be the same while everything else changed around them. Lillian didn't understand how they could live such a life without becoming bitter.
And yet, from what she as seen, the elves did manage to do just that. They seemed to be happy, caring souls bearing many years of wisdom. Though, in Elrohir's case, retaining a degree of childishness even into the adult years.
That was another topic that Lillian was curious about. How old was Elrohir? And how do elves age? Did they reach a point where they stopped aging? How long do elves stay children?
But she would not question Elrohir. It was not her place to do so. Back home, questioning a noble was punishable by death. This place may not have the same restrictions, but she didn't know where these new boundaries lay.
Elrohir smiled at Lillian's reaction to his home. Looking out towards the garden Elrohir spotted two hobbits walking towards them and an idea struck him. Walking towards the hobbits, he called out to them. "Good morning Masters Merry and Pippin. How are you this fair day?"
"Good morning, Lord Elrohir. We're heading inside to see if we get some second breakfast." Replied one of the hobbits happily. He jerked his companion around to look at Lillian, exclaiming, "Look, Merry. It the girl we found outside of Rivendell."
"I know, Pippin." The other hobbit said, before he turned to Lillian and bowed. "Hello miss. I am Meriadoc Brandybuck, but please called me Merry. The diminutive orc to by right is Peregin Took…"
"Call me Pippin," he said hitting Merry in the head. "What's your name?"
"Lillian." She answered softly as her thoughts raced. Orc? What was an Orc? How many races existed in this strange world?
Elrohir could see the confusion in her eyes and explained, "They are hobbits. Hobbits are an agricultural people from the West. They are also known as halflings and shire-folk." Turning to them he continued to explain. "Lady Lillian is not from this world. She is from a land called Lindreal. She is still adjusting to the cultural differences." Seeing Pippin was about to ask a question, the elf interrupted, "And no, we do not know how to return her to her world yet."
Pippin looked up at Elrohir in surprise. "How did you know I was going to ask that?"
Shrugging, Elrohir smiled. "A hunch."
Turning his attention back to Lillian, Pippin exclaimed, "You can have second breakfast with us! We can tell you all about hobbits and the Shire!"
Lillian was overwhelmed. Ever since she had arrived in this place she had been confused. Nothing was the same here and all the contradictions were giving her a headache. She didn't know what to make of these halflings, though they seemed friendly. But appearances could be deceiving…
"What is a second breakfast?" Lillian questioned softly.
Pippin stared at her in horror, "You don't know about second breakfast?" At Lillian shook her head no he continued, "What about elevenses?" Again Lillian shook her head, more confused then before. "Luncheon?"
"No." Lillian replied.
If it was possible, more shock entered Pippin face as he continued questioning. "Afternoon tea?"
Lillian, again, shook her head.
"Dinner? Supper?"
Shaking her head, Lillian explained, "No. Back home I was accustomed to one, maybe two, meals a day."
The three males stared at her, and again, Elrohir's eyes narrowed briefly in anger before he blanked his emotions once more opening his mouth. But before he could comment on it, Pippin exclaimed, "Merry, she doesn't know how to eat! How can anybody live on one meal a day?"
"I don't know Pip." Stepping towards Lillian, Merry requested, "Allow us to introduce you to Hobbit culture." Not wanting to upset these beings, Lillian nodded.
"Great. Off to the kitchens we go," Pippin exclaimed, before asking, "Um ... where are the kitchens?"
Entering her room, Elrohir laid her down on the bed before exiting the room to call a maid. Standing outside the room he waited patently while she prepared Lillian for bed. After a couple of minutes the maid left, giving the OK to enter.
As he reentered the room, he smiled at the sleeping figure dressed in white. She must have been exhausted. But he half expected that, she had had a tiring day and was still recovering from her past wounds.
Tomorrow, she would dine with everyone else at breakfast. She was afraid of doing so, he saw it in her eyes when she told him, but she would be all right. No one here would hurt her. And deep inside her there laid a strength that had long since been buried. He could feel it.
Gently, he tucked the sleeping woman in with a kiss on the forehead and a whispered, "Goodnight."
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Till next time.