Well, it's Friday and as I promised here is an update. I'll be updating on
Friday only for a few weeks since the next 8 weeks are really important to
my future. Exams are drawing closer and closer and since I want to
graduate. . . well I'm sure you guys will understand right???? I have over
500 reviews!!!!! Thank you guys so much for all your support, I love each
and every one of you.
MG: Another book freak. . yay you understand me. I am very giddy cause I ordered some books from bol.com, you know the Tolkien books, and they arrived yesterday. I was literally bouncing!! It'll be a few chapters until Elrond and co arrive so be patient.
Kate: Wow, and I thought I was good at rambling ;) Just joking, hope you like this chapter as well. Good luck with the dancing, I wish I could dance. Oh and your name is really cool!
Sailorverystupid: Oops, I made that many mistakes huh, sorry. It was late and I was tired so I guess the mistakes slipped by. I promise to pay more attention now.
Rangishran: Thanks for the encouragement, I really needed that. Happy you understand why I won't be updating so often, I will continue this fic no worries there.
Aislin: Happy you liked the chapter, it always feels good when people say this. I love what you are doing with your fic so keep it up.
Nimblerodden: Yep, you nailed it. They have been avoiding the subject but don't worry, that talk will be coming up in the next few chapters, when Elrond arrives. . . mhuahahaha
Dancingfae: All those compliments, now you made me blush and happy and also giddy, see what you have done!!!! ;) No really I loved it (who in their right mind wouldn't love compliments???)
D-Chan: Thanks for reviewing again, it makes me feel all loved.
Musicgrl: You liked the chapter? That's good since it was your present ;) Now read this one and let me know what you think about it.
Blahblah: Happy you liked, and I love it too that Aragorn isn't a boring king. And studying. . . fun???? How can you put those two words in the same sentence??? I do not want to know how you think.
Elvish princess: Wow, only 14, that's so sad :-( On a lighter note: a muse is a being that inspires artists, writers and all people who have to make up stuff.
Shinigami29: Sorry I haven't been mailing you lately but I've been swamped in schoolwork, you forgive me right?????
Aurumlupi: Thanks for you review, I'm happy you agreed with the time loop, I was running out of ideas what to do in Ithilien.
Passion Lover: *sniffles* You made me cry, that review was so sweet!!! *gives bone crushing hug* THANK YOU!!!! Now I'm gonna type this chapter as good as I can and it's dedicated to you because you are SO nice and sweet!!!!!!!!!
Anacalime1283: Hey I'm not mad, I can see this is constructive criticism and I can take that. I can see you reached chapter 33 by now, so you will see the plot as you reach here. As for now, I have a story in my head but I'm not sure how it'll come out. I'll try to watch out for Mary Suishness
The Story Weaver: Yep school does come first, thanks for understanding though.
Guardian Storm Demon: I don't know what to say, I cannot begin to understand what it must be like but I hope you are okay now. Hope you like this chapter.
THEwriter Lioncub: I know everything about school being annoying so no apologies necessary.
Lady of Legolas: Thanks for your understanding, and keep on to that mob cause my muse is a very fickle girl ;)
Meggers: Oooh a nickname, I like that :-) I will try to update every Friday but I am going to check ff.net daily just to see who updated. When will you post your new fic?? It's good you know, trust me and post it.
Corinna: Not crappy, your sure? Thanks I needed that. Hope you will like this chapter as well.
LanierShazar: Hmmm, I think I'll skip the advisor meeting, sorry. Though it would seem like a good idea, I don't think Rita would actually be there to witness it. hope you enjoy.
Sugar-is-sweet: Aaaah, that's my little secret. Honestly I have no idea if I will let Elladan and Rita marry, I make things up as I type.
DISCLAIMER: Not in the mood sorry
Rita lay in her bed and was thinking about all that had happened the day before. First she and Aragorn had their fun and after that the stupid advisor came along to actually scold Aragorn. And then all hell broke loose, not literally of course.
She hadn't been there but Aragorn told her later that he had fired all advisors but three. Those three were actually smart and sensible according to him.
Anyway, he took her advice. Rita smiled as she remembered this. He did not only make Eminor, Biron and Edrahir as his advisors, he chose 9 other soldiers as well. All of them had served Aragorn well during battle and had shown smarts and courage.
Now with a new council formed, Aragorn hoped to rule more efficiently and, most important, as pleasant as possible.
Though not everyone was happy with the power switch (not the old advisors) a great feast was held that night and at the feast, some news was told.
It was Éomer who started it actually. The newfound king needed to return to his country to arrange many things. This was like a cue for all others to say that they needed to leave as well.
Rita frowned in her bed as she turned once again. They were all leaving for their homelands. The elves were returning to either Rivendell, Lothlorien or Mirkwood and the Rohirrim would ride with their king.
Though the idea of her friends leaving, especially Haldir and his brothers, was a little painful, it was nothing compared to what she felt when Elladan had announced that he too needed to return to Rivendell. He had some things to take care of he said.
They had been separated before and logically Rita knew she would survive a few months without Elladan. But subconsciously Rita cringed at the thought of being without him. She would feel so empty.
Not being able to bear thinking about these things Rita jumped out of bed and got dressed in comfortable pants and a shirt. She quickly pulled her hair in a tail as she walked as quietly as she could towards the kitchen.
When she got there she fixed herself a cup of tea and drank it before she walked through the halls. She hadn't met any guards yet so there wasn't anyone who had interrupted her thoughts.
She found a library, a huge one with nice fluffy chairs, and she settled in one of these chairs. She propped her head on her hands as she stared through the window. The sky was very clear that night and the stars shone brighter than ever.
When she was comfortable again Rita let her mind drift to the conversation se had with Elladan that night.
~Flashback~
After dinner Rita walked to her room as quickly as she could and it took all of her willpower not to slam the door. Why hadn't he told her he was going to leave, that way she could have prepared or something.
A knock on the door interrupted her pacing and Rita pulled herself together before she opened the door. On the other end stood Elladan and his eyes shone with worry and an apology. When she opened the door he walked past her into the room.
"Come in why don't you." Rita mumbled but she knew he was able to hear her. Avoiding to look at him she closed the door and walked to the vanity table and started to brush her hair while looking at herself in the mirror.
Elladan watched for a few minutes before he couldn't take it any longer. "For the Valar's sake Rita, look at me. Don't ignore me and hear me out. We need to talk Rita."
Inwardly the elf was worried sick. He couldn't gauge her reaction because she had pulled back behind the walls of her mind and if she wouldn't speak with him he had no idea what to do. Her emotionless reaction worried him even more.
"You want to talk? Okay talk, I'm listening."
He realized that she wasn't going to say more so he started to explain why he was leaving. "I need to return home for a while Rita, I have important things to take care of."
"That much you told me already Elladan and it's fine. Go and take care of your business."
Still her tone was cold and Elladan wondered if he would ever get a more emotional response. "You are not fine with it Rita, that much is obvious but I cannot understand you if you do not explain why you are upset with me."
"Why should I explain Elladan, after all what do I matter? It didn't even come to your mind to warn me about your departure so why on earth would you want to understand me now?"
"Is that it, this is why you're angry with me? Because I didn't tell you about me leaving?"
Rita turned to him and looked him straight in his eyes before she answered him. "No Elladan, not angry, never angry. Frustrated and slightly hurt. . . yes, but not angry."
She lowered her walls enough for him to see that he had really hurt her and he regretted not discussing it with her earlier. He opened his mouth to say something but she cut him off.
"Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get ready for bed."
He took that as a direct order, get out. . . now! With a last look at her he made his way back to his chambers, kicking himself for hurting the woman he loved.
Rita leaned against the door as she closed it behind him. *This is not how it's supposed to be* She thought before she slipped into her bed.
~End flashback~
She sighed. She hadn't been able to sleep at all, she had only been tossing and turning and doubting every word she said.
*Maybe I should've let him explain, maybe I should've listened to him. but why didn't he tell me this sooner, why so abrupt?*
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't noticed the figure that entered the room and crouched beside her.
"Couldn't sleep either?"
Hearing his voice next to her made her jump, and she looked at him immediately. When her eyes met his she could feel a spark go through her.
"No, no I couldn't sleep."
"Me neither, I kept thinking and pondering. Can I sit here?" Elladan motioned to the chair next to her and when Rita nodded he let himself fall into it.
They sat in silence for awhile until Elladan spoke.
"What is happening to us Rita? This is not supposed to happen, we should be happy since the war is over and we can be together without worrying about danger and death."
Rita sighed deeply. "I don't know Elladan, I mean, I've never been in love before so this is all new to me. Isn't this something we should have expected? We have been more apart than we have been together and the war gave us a goal. Now we have the time to focus on each other and. . . why do you love me?"
That wasn't a question Elladan had expected. "What. . . What do you mean???"
"Simple, why do you love me? Or better yet, why did you fall in love with me? I'm not the prettiest or smartest girl nor can I be a perfect Lady. The shadow of my past still looms over me, suffocating me at times. What is it in me that appealed to you? I don't understand?"
"I cannot explain to you what it exactly was that attracted me to you in the beginning. I was intrigued by you, curious about the maiden that fell from another world. As time past I could see the pain in your eyes and I wanted to help you, wanted to protect you."
He thought for a few seconds before continuing. "The first time I realized I had fallen for you was when you were beaten by Andor. The rage I felt as I saw you lying motionless in your bed, covered with bruises. I was so angry that anyone would hurt you. It took you to be severely hurt before I realized it."
"When you opened up to me the next day, I could no longer contain my feelings. I gave you a chaste kiss and darted from the room."
Rita smiled. "I remember that. I was so confused, I was like. . . Did he just kiss me? And then I fell asleep."
"Those were my thoughts exactly. . . Did I just kiss her? I thought. That night I did a lot of thinking and decided that I would not force myself on you. I didn't want to break the trust you had placed in me. But you. . . you just wouldn't let me."
"Let you, what did I do? As far as I know I didn't do anything special, no flirting, no nothing."
"That was just it, you didn't know what you were doing. The day I asked you about your sister and you told me what she was like, do you remember how you cried?"
She nodded and he continued. He turned to watch the stars as he spoke.
"Then you looked up at me with those beautiful eyes of yours, and you looked at me and asked me what I was doing to you to make you feel so weak and confused. And at that moment I couldn't take it any longer and I kissed you. When I kissed you I felt a shock go through me, though it was a pleasant one, and I just knew that this was it, that I had found the love of my life and that I wouldn't let you get away from me."
When he looked at her again he could see that a few tears streamed down her face. He cupped her cheek and wiped them away.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, I. . . "
Rita interrupted him. "I'm not crying because I'm upset you silly elf, that was just one of the most beautiful things anyone has ever said to me."
He gave her a shy smile, the kind where he looked like he doubted what he was doing. "So that is a good thing?"
"Yes you idiot, that is a great thing. I can't believe I doubted the way you felt about me. It just hurt me when you made a decision without even warning me about it. if only you would have given me some time to adjust."
"Alright, maybe I should have told you but I was afraid I'd hurt you too much. Now I can see I hurt you with not telling you as well. This really was a no-win situation for me."
When Rita looked at him and saw the frustration mixed with anxiety and also love, she melted. The feelings that upset her so much before all disappeared and all she could see was the man she loved so bad it mad her feel all gooey inside.
Without warning she pushed herself from her seat and landed on his lap, arms around his neck and face buried in his chest.
"I'm going to miss you." she muttered.
Elladan quickly adjusted to the new seating arrangement and held her as tight as he could. "I will miss you as well Rita, but I will return to you."
"You better."
He smiled and held her even tighter. The two sat in silence for an hour when Elladan asked her a question.
"Why do you love me?"
This time it was Rita's turn to look surprised. "Huh, how do you mean why do I love you?"
"The same as you asked me, why do you love me? Because I'm an elf or because I'm the first one you could trust in Middle Earth? Sometimes I wonder about that."
Rita was quiet for a few seconds. "I don't know why Elladan, I just do. I liked you but didn't want you to come too close to me, I was afraid you'd hurt me. That day you kissed me, I realized that I cared more about you than I thought I had and that spooked me a lot."
"I remember you were shaking like a leaf." Elladan kissed the side of her head and Rita closed her eyes to listen to his rumbling heartbeat as she spoke.
"Then you had to leave and I had time to think and I just knew I cared about you, a lot, but when you returned. . . the first thing I thought as I saw you was 'I love him' and you picked me up and my stomach went all flip floppy."
She opened her eyes and searched to catch his gaze. When she caught it she spoke again. "The night before my departure, the first time we. . . I never imagined that would happen to me. I pushed so many people away and you just cut through all my defenses. I never let anyone so close to me. That night was the final straw, the last piece of me I gave you. You hold my heart, body and soul. And that is a scary thought."
"The same goes for me. You are the holder of not only my heart and body, but my soul is linked to yours for eternity."
Rita kissed him softly, letting the kiss speak for her. When it broke she wiped the fresh tears from her face and chuckled.
"Listen to us, we're talking so sappy right now. How do you mean major fluff."
This made Elladan chuckle as well and the two just held on to each other until the sun started to rise again.
Finally they both stood up and got ready for the departure. Rita took a quick bath and put one of the pants and shirt she was given by the Lothlorien elves.
First she went to find Haldir, she had neglected her best friend the night before but when she saw him she could see that there were no hard feelings. He looked deep into her eyes and Rita squirmed under his gaze.
He pulled her in a hug and whispered in her ear. "Everything alright between the two of you now?"
Surprised she pulled back and muttered. "How did you. . . wait I don't want to know. Everything is fine Haldir, no need to worry."
She saw his brothers walking towards them and hugged him hard once again. "Ugh, I'll miss you. What am I going to do without my best friend?"
"You'll manage." He let her go and as soon as he did this Rumil and Orophin engulfed her in a tight embrace.
They squeezed so hard that Rita had to croak 'air needed for survival' before they let her go, both looking a bit embarrassed.
She said goodbye to the two of them and started to mingle with the others as well. After many hugs and good-byes, it was finally time for the departing to leave.
Elladan walked to Rita and Rita felt like she was trapped in a cheesy love story. It was like time slowed down as he neared her.
He lowered his head and kissed her. . . in front of an army of elves and the Rohirrim and all that were watching them depart.
Not just any kiss but the soul-touching kind of kiss.
Rita could vaguely hear some catcalls and whistles but had no idea where they came from. All too soon he let her go and after hugging her tight and whispering 'I love you' to her, he mounted his horse and started to trot to the front of the company.
As they left Rita put her fingers on her lip, a goofy smile on her face. "He really loves me" she whispered and then she started to walk back into the castle, still daydreaming about the man she loved.
A/N: Ugh this was so fluffy I almost killed myself but hey it came out like this so I'm not complaining. Anyway, do you guys think this was too much fluff??? Just let me know what you think okay!
MG: Another book freak. . yay you understand me. I am very giddy cause I ordered some books from bol.com, you know the Tolkien books, and they arrived yesterday. I was literally bouncing!! It'll be a few chapters until Elrond and co arrive so be patient.
Kate: Wow, and I thought I was good at rambling ;) Just joking, hope you like this chapter as well. Good luck with the dancing, I wish I could dance. Oh and your name is really cool!
Sailorverystupid: Oops, I made that many mistakes huh, sorry. It was late and I was tired so I guess the mistakes slipped by. I promise to pay more attention now.
Rangishran: Thanks for the encouragement, I really needed that. Happy you understand why I won't be updating so often, I will continue this fic no worries there.
Aislin: Happy you liked the chapter, it always feels good when people say this. I love what you are doing with your fic so keep it up.
Nimblerodden: Yep, you nailed it. They have been avoiding the subject but don't worry, that talk will be coming up in the next few chapters, when Elrond arrives. . . mhuahahaha
Dancingfae: All those compliments, now you made me blush and happy and also giddy, see what you have done!!!! ;) No really I loved it (who in their right mind wouldn't love compliments???)
D-Chan: Thanks for reviewing again, it makes me feel all loved.
Musicgrl: You liked the chapter? That's good since it was your present ;) Now read this one and let me know what you think about it.
Blahblah: Happy you liked, and I love it too that Aragorn isn't a boring king. And studying. . . fun???? How can you put those two words in the same sentence??? I do not want to know how you think.
Elvish princess: Wow, only 14, that's so sad :-( On a lighter note: a muse is a being that inspires artists, writers and all people who have to make up stuff.
Shinigami29: Sorry I haven't been mailing you lately but I've been swamped in schoolwork, you forgive me right?????
Aurumlupi: Thanks for you review, I'm happy you agreed with the time loop, I was running out of ideas what to do in Ithilien.
Passion Lover: *sniffles* You made me cry, that review was so sweet!!! *gives bone crushing hug* THANK YOU!!!! Now I'm gonna type this chapter as good as I can and it's dedicated to you because you are SO nice and sweet!!!!!!!!!
Anacalime1283: Hey I'm not mad, I can see this is constructive criticism and I can take that. I can see you reached chapter 33 by now, so you will see the plot as you reach here. As for now, I have a story in my head but I'm not sure how it'll come out. I'll try to watch out for Mary Suishness
The Story Weaver: Yep school does come first, thanks for understanding though.
Guardian Storm Demon: I don't know what to say, I cannot begin to understand what it must be like but I hope you are okay now. Hope you like this chapter.
THEwriter Lioncub: I know everything about school being annoying so no apologies necessary.
Lady of Legolas: Thanks for your understanding, and keep on to that mob cause my muse is a very fickle girl ;)
Meggers: Oooh a nickname, I like that :-) I will try to update every Friday but I am going to check ff.net daily just to see who updated. When will you post your new fic?? It's good you know, trust me and post it.
Corinna: Not crappy, your sure? Thanks I needed that. Hope you will like this chapter as well.
LanierShazar: Hmmm, I think I'll skip the advisor meeting, sorry. Though it would seem like a good idea, I don't think Rita would actually be there to witness it. hope you enjoy.
Sugar-is-sweet: Aaaah, that's my little secret. Honestly I have no idea if I will let Elladan and Rita marry, I make things up as I type.
DISCLAIMER: Not in the mood sorry
Rita lay in her bed and was thinking about all that had happened the day before. First she and Aragorn had their fun and after that the stupid advisor came along to actually scold Aragorn. And then all hell broke loose, not literally of course.
She hadn't been there but Aragorn told her later that he had fired all advisors but three. Those three were actually smart and sensible according to him.
Anyway, he took her advice. Rita smiled as she remembered this. He did not only make Eminor, Biron and Edrahir as his advisors, he chose 9 other soldiers as well. All of them had served Aragorn well during battle and had shown smarts and courage.
Now with a new council formed, Aragorn hoped to rule more efficiently and, most important, as pleasant as possible.
Though not everyone was happy with the power switch (not the old advisors) a great feast was held that night and at the feast, some news was told.
It was Éomer who started it actually. The newfound king needed to return to his country to arrange many things. This was like a cue for all others to say that they needed to leave as well.
Rita frowned in her bed as she turned once again. They were all leaving for their homelands. The elves were returning to either Rivendell, Lothlorien or Mirkwood and the Rohirrim would ride with their king.
Though the idea of her friends leaving, especially Haldir and his brothers, was a little painful, it was nothing compared to what she felt when Elladan had announced that he too needed to return to Rivendell. He had some things to take care of he said.
They had been separated before and logically Rita knew she would survive a few months without Elladan. But subconsciously Rita cringed at the thought of being without him. She would feel so empty.
Not being able to bear thinking about these things Rita jumped out of bed and got dressed in comfortable pants and a shirt. She quickly pulled her hair in a tail as she walked as quietly as she could towards the kitchen.
When she got there she fixed herself a cup of tea and drank it before she walked through the halls. She hadn't met any guards yet so there wasn't anyone who had interrupted her thoughts.
She found a library, a huge one with nice fluffy chairs, and she settled in one of these chairs. She propped her head on her hands as she stared through the window. The sky was very clear that night and the stars shone brighter than ever.
When she was comfortable again Rita let her mind drift to the conversation se had with Elladan that night.
~Flashback~
After dinner Rita walked to her room as quickly as she could and it took all of her willpower not to slam the door. Why hadn't he told her he was going to leave, that way she could have prepared or something.
A knock on the door interrupted her pacing and Rita pulled herself together before she opened the door. On the other end stood Elladan and his eyes shone with worry and an apology. When she opened the door he walked past her into the room.
"Come in why don't you." Rita mumbled but she knew he was able to hear her. Avoiding to look at him she closed the door and walked to the vanity table and started to brush her hair while looking at herself in the mirror.
Elladan watched for a few minutes before he couldn't take it any longer. "For the Valar's sake Rita, look at me. Don't ignore me and hear me out. We need to talk Rita."
Inwardly the elf was worried sick. He couldn't gauge her reaction because she had pulled back behind the walls of her mind and if she wouldn't speak with him he had no idea what to do. Her emotionless reaction worried him even more.
"You want to talk? Okay talk, I'm listening."
He realized that she wasn't going to say more so he started to explain why he was leaving. "I need to return home for a while Rita, I have important things to take care of."
"That much you told me already Elladan and it's fine. Go and take care of your business."
Still her tone was cold and Elladan wondered if he would ever get a more emotional response. "You are not fine with it Rita, that much is obvious but I cannot understand you if you do not explain why you are upset with me."
"Why should I explain Elladan, after all what do I matter? It didn't even come to your mind to warn me about your departure so why on earth would you want to understand me now?"
"Is that it, this is why you're angry with me? Because I didn't tell you about me leaving?"
Rita turned to him and looked him straight in his eyes before she answered him. "No Elladan, not angry, never angry. Frustrated and slightly hurt. . . yes, but not angry."
She lowered her walls enough for him to see that he had really hurt her and he regretted not discussing it with her earlier. He opened his mouth to say something but she cut him off.
"Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get ready for bed."
He took that as a direct order, get out. . . now! With a last look at her he made his way back to his chambers, kicking himself for hurting the woman he loved.
Rita leaned against the door as she closed it behind him. *This is not how it's supposed to be* She thought before she slipped into her bed.
~End flashback~
She sighed. She hadn't been able to sleep at all, she had only been tossing and turning and doubting every word she said.
*Maybe I should've let him explain, maybe I should've listened to him. but why didn't he tell me this sooner, why so abrupt?*
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't noticed the figure that entered the room and crouched beside her.
"Couldn't sleep either?"
Hearing his voice next to her made her jump, and she looked at him immediately. When her eyes met his she could feel a spark go through her.
"No, no I couldn't sleep."
"Me neither, I kept thinking and pondering. Can I sit here?" Elladan motioned to the chair next to her and when Rita nodded he let himself fall into it.
They sat in silence for awhile until Elladan spoke.
"What is happening to us Rita? This is not supposed to happen, we should be happy since the war is over and we can be together without worrying about danger and death."
Rita sighed deeply. "I don't know Elladan, I mean, I've never been in love before so this is all new to me. Isn't this something we should have expected? We have been more apart than we have been together and the war gave us a goal. Now we have the time to focus on each other and. . . why do you love me?"
That wasn't a question Elladan had expected. "What. . . What do you mean???"
"Simple, why do you love me? Or better yet, why did you fall in love with me? I'm not the prettiest or smartest girl nor can I be a perfect Lady. The shadow of my past still looms over me, suffocating me at times. What is it in me that appealed to you? I don't understand?"
"I cannot explain to you what it exactly was that attracted me to you in the beginning. I was intrigued by you, curious about the maiden that fell from another world. As time past I could see the pain in your eyes and I wanted to help you, wanted to protect you."
He thought for a few seconds before continuing. "The first time I realized I had fallen for you was when you were beaten by Andor. The rage I felt as I saw you lying motionless in your bed, covered with bruises. I was so angry that anyone would hurt you. It took you to be severely hurt before I realized it."
"When you opened up to me the next day, I could no longer contain my feelings. I gave you a chaste kiss and darted from the room."
Rita smiled. "I remember that. I was so confused, I was like. . . Did he just kiss me? And then I fell asleep."
"Those were my thoughts exactly. . . Did I just kiss her? I thought. That night I did a lot of thinking and decided that I would not force myself on you. I didn't want to break the trust you had placed in me. But you. . . you just wouldn't let me."
"Let you, what did I do? As far as I know I didn't do anything special, no flirting, no nothing."
"That was just it, you didn't know what you were doing. The day I asked you about your sister and you told me what she was like, do you remember how you cried?"
She nodded and he continued. He turned to watch the stars as he spoke.
"Then you looked up at me with those beautiful eyes of yours, and you looked at me and asked me what I was doing to you to make you feel so weak and confused. And at that moment I couldn't take it any longer and I kissed you. When I kissed you I felt a shock go through me, though it was a pleasant one, and I just knew that this was it, that I had found the love of my life and that I wouldn't let you get away from me."
When he looked at her again he could see that a few tears streamed down her face. He cupped her cheek and wiped them away.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, I. . . "
Rita interrupted him. "I'm not crying because I'm upset you silly elf, that was just one of the most beautiful things anyone has ever said to me."
He gave her a shy smile, the kind where he looked like he doubted what he was doing. "So that is a good thing?"
"Yes you idiot, that is a great thing. I can't believe I doubted the way you felt about me. It just hurt me when you made a decision without even warning me about it. if only you would have given me some time to adjust."
"Alright, maybe I should have told you but I was afraid I'd hurt you too much. Now I can see I hurt you with not telling you as well. This really was a no-win situation for me."
When Rita looked at him and saw the frustration mixed with anxiety and also love, she melted. The feelings that upset her so much before all disappeared and all she could see was the man she loved so bad it mad her feel all gooey inside.
Without warning she pushed herself from her seat and landed on his lap, arms around his neck and face buried in his chest.
"I'm going to miss you." she muttered.
Elladan quickly adjusted to the new seating arrangement and held her as tight as he could. "I will miss you as well Rita, but I will return to you."
"You better."
He smiled and held her even tighter. The two sat in silence for an hour when Elladan asked her a question.
"Why do you love me?"
This time it was Rita's turn to look surprised. "Huh, how do you mean why do I love you?"
"The same as you asked me, why do you love me? Because I'm an elf or because I'm the first one you could trust in Middle Earth? Sometimes I wonder about that."
Rita was quiet for a few seconds. "I don't know why Elladan, I just do. I liked you but didn't want you to come too close to me, I was afraid you'd hurt me. That day you kissed me, I realized that I cared more about you than I thought I had and that spooked me a lot."
"I remember you were shaking like a leaf." Elladan kissed the side of her head and Rita closed her eyes to listen to his rumbling heartbeat as she spoke.
"Then you had to leave and I had time to think and I just knew I cared about you, a lot, but when you returned. . . the first thing I thought as I saw you was 'I love him' and you picked me up and my stomach went all flip floppy."
She opened her eyes and searched to catch his gaze. When she caught it she spoke again. "The night before my departure, the first time we. . . I never imagined that would happen to me. I pushed so many people away and you just cut through all my defenses. I never let anyone so close to me. That night was the final straw, the last piece of me I gave you. You hold my heart, body and soul. And that is a scary thought."
"The same goes for me. You are the holder of not only my heart and body, but my soul is linked to yours for eternity."
Rita kissed him softly, letting the kiss speak for her. When it broke she wiped the fresh tears from her face and chuckled.
"Listen to us, we're talking so sappy right now. How do you mean major fluff."
This made Elladan chuckle as well and the two just held on to each other until the sun started to rise again.
Finally they both stood up and got ready for the departure. Rita took a quick bath and put one of the pants and shirt she was given by the Lothlorien elves.
First she went to find Haldir, she had neglected her best friend the night before but when she saw him she could see that there were no hard feelings. He looked deep into her eyes and Rita squirmed under his gaze.
He pulled her in a hug and whispered in her ear. "Everything alright between the two of you now?"
Surprised she pulled back and muttered. "How did you. . . wait I don't want to know. Everything is fine Haldir, no need to worry."
She saw his brothers walking towards them and hugged him hard once again. "Ugh, I'll miss you. What am I going to do without my best friend?"
"You'll manage." He let her go and as soon as he did this Rumil and Orophin engulfed her in a tight embrace.
They squeezed so hard that Rita had to croak 'air needed for survival' before they let her go, both looking a bit embarrassed.
She said goodbye to the two of them and started to mingle with the others as well. After many hugs and good-byes, it was finally time for the departing to leave.
Elladan walked to Rita and Rita felt like she was trapped in a cheesy love story. It was like time slowed down as he neared her.
He lowered his head and kissed her. . . in front of an army of elves and the Rohirrim and all that were watching them depart.
Not just any kiss but the soul-touching kind of kiss.
Rita could vaguely hear some catcalls and whistles but had no idea where they came from. All too soon he let her go and after hugging her tight and whispering 'I love you' to her, he mounted his horse and started to trot to the front of the company.
As they left Rita put her fingers on her lip, a goofy smile on her face. "He really loves me" she whispered and then she started to walk back into the castle, still daydreaming about the man she loved.
A/N: Ugh this was so fluffy I almost killed myself but hey it came out like this so I'm not complaining. Anyway, do you guys think this was too much fluff??? Just let me know what you think okay!