Chapter 3 - Old Friends and New Arrivals
Alana awoke early the next morning fully refreshed. She hopped lightly from her huge bed, and walked over to the large wardrobe beside her bookcase. Her eyes widened as she pulled open the doors. She laughed as she caught sight of the dresses that Neera had sneaked into it.
"Trying to turn me into a lady." Alana said to herself. "Well I'll show her." She chuckled as she pulled on her pale, green leggings and tunic from the depths of the wardrobe. She pulled on her boots and headed off to the Great Hall for breakfast. Neera's eyes widened as she saw what Alana was wearing.
"I knew it, I knew it." She muttered.
"Yes Neera." Alana laughed. "You can't fool me that easily. You know I only ever wear a dress on special occasions. They would get in my way if I wore them everyday. Imagine practising my sword skills wearing one."
"It would be rather funny wouldn't it." A familiar voice drawled. Alana turned around.
"It can't be." She said. "Bergil son of Beregond. I never thought I'd see you here." Alana had made friends with the young man, when she had visited Lord Faramir and his wife the Lady Eowyn, in Ithilien. Bergil had also met and made friends with Pippin and Merry during the War of the Ring. He was now a ranger of Ithilien.
"Bergil" Merry cried as he came into the Great Hall. Pippin just looked stunned. They ran up to him smiling.
"Long time, no see." He said. "Alana, has the Lord Aragorn arrived yet? There is news of great importance that I must tell him as soon as possible."
"No not yet." Alana replied "He is expected any day soon. Now Bergil I'm sure that you need to rest after your journey, so Merry, Pippin, would you kindly escort him to the empty room next to yours please."
"Yes of course." Pippin said, finally finding his voice again. "We have a lot of catching up to do." With that they dragged poor Bergil through the southern doors.
"That was a merry meeting." Neera chuckled.
"Yes it was wasn't it." Alana said suddenly thoughtful. "I wonder what his news is. Oh well, I suppose that we shall have to wait until the council. It will certainly be easier seeing Aragorn again with Bergil here." Neera and Bergil had long ago guessed Alana's feelings for the King.
"Yes I believe it will." Neera said looking intently at her friend. "Alana, maybe it's time you got over this. You know that it will never be now. You are young you will find someone else."
"I hardly call 2,936, young Neera." Alana joked.
"You know what I mean." Neera managed to smile. "And anyway, 2,936 is young for an elf." She added after a slight pause.
Alana remained silent. It was all right for Neera to say that she would find someone, she already had her husband, Firoth, waiting for her in the Blessed Land. There were not many elves left to find now, and one of the race of men was out of the question. Unlike the Lady Arwen, Alana did not want to have the choice of her kinswoman, Luthien Tinuviel.
Alana ate in silence, and left without a word. "That girl will land herself in trouble too big for her one day" Thought Neera, as she watched Alana leave.
Alana wandered into the stable. She walked over to the stall, which a kind young elf had put Ithil into the day before. "I'll always have you won't I boy." She said softly. She stroked his long mane, falling into her thoughts. She turned as she heard someone approach. It was Legolas.
"I hope that you didn't forget," He said, "but you promised to introduce me to your horse last night."
"Hmmm..." She murmured. "Bergil arrived this morning. That means that Aragorn cannot be far."
"I saw Bergil. It was surprising to find him here. I haven't seen him since he was a child." Legolas said. "Now how about a ride?"
"Yes." Alana smiled. "That would be nice." She led Ithil outside, and Legolas saddled his horse Arod. "So Eomer gave him to you then?" Alana chuckled. Eomer had been loath to part with such a horse, when Legolas suggested that he take Arod, since the horse would follow him anyway.
They rode bare back through the trees. Talking, catching up with all of their news.
"He loved you once Alana." Legolas said after a particularly long silence. "You know this. If you hadn't argued with him, if you hadn't left, then he would have married you instead."
Tears pricked Alana's eyes. "I know." She whispered. "We haven't spoken properly, since the day that he told me that he loved another. I suppose it is for the best, I would not have stayed as Arwen has done. I would have broken his heart. Neera said that I could find someone else, and she was right, I will."