Chapter Four: Elvish Match-Making
"Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely"
A few days later the Fellowship was preparing for their leave the next fortnight. Rhiannon observed all of them during different times from perches in the trees. All had strength and weakness and wisdom, even Mr. Pippin. All had folly, even Gandalf. They represented their respective peoples well and yet differed from their respective stereotypes. Gimli was a dwarf, but she was quite sure when exposed to all the beauty of this world, he would not take all the treasures outside of the beautiful caves for granted. Aragorn was a man, even if he was an elven friend, but he had managed for some time to turn away from the temptation of power. Well, that wasn't totally correct, unlike most men he seemed to fear his own power. Hobbits, from what she had learned here and knew from her homeland, were usually calm, happy creatures that never went on adventures. Yet these four hobbits had volunteered for the journey, and the three companions of Mr. Frodo insisted they had to go. The two young ones even issuing a challenge to Lord Elrond. Gandalf was not far removed from all the people, unlike most Istari, he did not look down his nose at others with less power. Boromir was like most men, he craved power but he had the heart of a true warrior, a true defender of his people. Lastly, Legolas, the archetype of elven-beauty and grace with less arrogance, haughtiness, and selfishness than many of the other elves she knew. Legolas, while he usual had a passive face, would reveal his emotions to others. To the good majority of elves you could run around naked with a bulls-eye painted on your behind and you'd be lucky if the response was more than a bat of an eyelash. Legolas would probably laugh or threaten the streaker with an arrow for fun. He seemed to understand immortality: What was the point of living forever if you did not enjoy all that the world had to offer?
Assuredly, an elf had their good and bad centuries, and Legolas had gone through an awkward phase, but he was rarely a snotty elf anymore. It made one wonder what his mother was. Was she full-elf, half-elven? Why had their never been a mention of his mother? Now that she thought more about it, she had never heard of a Queen of Mirkwood. But, surely there had to have been one once. Quite a little question to ponder.
Rhiannon went in search of Gandalf, wanting to ask the questions that had been brewing in her mind about Legolas' mother. She found dear old Mithrandir sitting with Elrond. In her life there had always been one constant, and that was Gandalf. Although in her lands he was known by one of his other alias, Sophus Amicus, the wise friend. He had not ventured much into her homeland, a land only reached by going farther north and east than any Ranger ever traveled.
Rhiannon found herself drifting into memories of her homeland. Her people were not of one single, unifying race like Men, Elves, Hobbits, and Dwarves. They were not demi-gods like the Istari; though some like herself did contain a small portion of what would be called in Middle Earth, Istari blood. They were given many powers, but all powers can also be curses. Rhiannon knew this, none of her powers ever stayed constant. Some days she could read another's mind, then the next day she could not. In certain times, such as times of fear, she could perform telepathy, but not all the time. When she teased Legolas she had done it purely to get a rise out of him; quite precious how his jaw dropped and his cheeks got all pink like that. Her, what had been termed "second sight," was always with her; but the future could never truly be predicted. The smallest acts dictated the future of one's life. Trying to figure out the future, something Rhiannon believed no one should have access to, was often found to be a waste of energy and time that could be valuable. She knew her people would stay in contact with Middle Earth until the day Men could truly rule and advise themselves. She never saw that day coming.
"What is on your mind, Rhiannon? You've been standing out there for quite some time." Gandalf's voice rang out.
If Rhiannon was the blushing kind, she would've been quite pink now. Instead she allowed the embarrassment to show in her green eyes, just to see a smile come to Gandalf's worry-worn face.
"I have jus been pondering about how the ability of second sight is quite futile." She answered the wizard. Lord Elrond made a sound akin to choking, something along the line of shock showed in his blue eyes. "Lord Elrond, that is quite a human reaction you just had."
"Well, my dear Rhiannon, since I know you did not pay attention to your lessons years ago."
"Blame your sons for that." Rhiannon mumbled, rolling her eyes.
Elrond gave her the look he would have given a small child, "You seem to forget I was once give the choice to be a man."
"Yes, back before the first ring was even created you were what could be described as mortal. I know. I honored my mother's wishes to learn the history and ways of her people."
Elrond gave her a small smile, "She intended for you to wed an elf."
Rhiannon tried to stop the hurt and darkness from entering her eyes, "As did I. I was quite in love, as if you didn't remember."
Elrond gave a small nod, "I will apologize for my son's behavior once again. He was quite foolish then, but Elladan has never been and never will be the marrying kind. That does not mean you shall never wed another elf. Legolas seems to think that you and Lostladion have mutual attraction. I know he could convince his father to consent to the marriage of one of Mirkwood's great warriors."
Rhiannon let out an exasperated sound, "Legolas should stay out of matters of the heart unless they concern his own."
"Did Elrond say that this matter did not?" Gandalf asked.
Rhiannon once again rolled her eyes and shook her head, "I did not come here for Elven match-making and riddles of an old wizard."
"No, you came here for protection. But this darkness seems to follow you. Two types of darkness settle around you. One is the great evil that has come to re-awaken in this world; a land you, yourself admit you love so much. The other is continued heart break you will feel if you do not now take a chance and make a decision."
Rhiannon rubbed her temples, "You confuse me, Mithrandir."
"You have many questions that should not be asked until much later. You should go now and seek solace from your worries in the arms of a new found friend."
"I told you I am not attracted to Lostladion!"
"I do not speak of him. Honestly look into your mind and heart. First impressions aren't always forever."
Elrond stopped the smile that came to his face from Gandalf's words, "And yet, they are."
Rhiannon shook her head once again, an ache starting to form between her eyes, "You two are so very confusing and infuriating." Rhiannon turned and left the two elders.
Elrond and Gandalf watched the young girl walk away. Mithrandir spoke to Elrond, "I believe a greater adventure of the heart and mind will be performed between our little half-elven and her 'pretty-boy elf'."
Elrond gave a ghost of a smile, "With their pride and foolishness of youth, it will be quite an entertaining game to watch."
"Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely"
A few days later the Fellowship was preparing for their leave the next fortnight. Rhiannon observed all of them during different times from perches in the trees. All had strength and weakness and wisdom, even Mr. Pippin. All had folly, even Gandalf. They represented their respective peoples well and yet differed from their respective stereotypes. Gimli was a dwarf, but she was quite sure when exposed to all the beauty of this world, he would not take all the treasures outside of the beautiful caves for granted. Aragorn was a man, even if he was an elven friend, but he had managed for some time to turn away from the temptation of power. Well, that wasn't totally correct, unlike most men he seemed to fear his own power. Hobbits, from what she had learned here and knew from her homeland, were usually calm, happy creatures that never went on adventures. Yet these four hobbits had volunteered for the journey, and the three companions of Mr. Frodo insisted they had to go. The two young ones even issuing a challenge to Lord Elrond. Gandalf was not far removed from all the people, unlike most Istari, he did not look down his nose at others with less power. Boromir was like most men, he craved power but he had the heart of a true warrior, a true defender of his people. Lastly, Legolas, the archetype of elven-beauty and grace with less arrogance, haughtiness, and selfishness than many of the other elves she knew. Legolas, while he usual had a passive face, would reveal his emotions to others. To the good majority of elves you could run around naked with a bulls-eye painted on your behind and you'd be lucky if the response was more than a bat of an eyelash. Legolas would probably laugh or threaten the streaker with an arrow for fun. He seemed to understand immortality: What was the point of living forever if you did not enjoy all that the world had to offer?
Assuredly, an elf had their good and bad centuries, and Legolas had gone through an awkward phase, but he was rarely a snotty elf anymore. It made one wonder what his mother was. Was she full-elf, half-elven? Why had their never been a mention of his mother? Now that she thought more about it, she had never heard of a Queen of Mirkwood. But, surely there had to have been one once. Quite a little question to ponder.
Rhiannon went in search of Gandalf, wanting to ask the questions that had been brewing in her mind about Legolas' mother. She found dear old Mithrandir sitting with Elrond. In her life there had always been one constant, and that was Gandalf. Although in her lands he was known by one of his other alias, Sophus Amicus, the wise friend. He had not ventured much into her homeland, a land only reached by going farther north and east than any Ranger ever traveled.
Rhiannon found herself drifting into memories of her homeland. Her people were not of one single, unifying race like Men, Elves, Hobbits, and Dwarves. They were not demi-gods like the Istari; though some like herself did contain a small portion of what would be called in Middle Earth, Istari blood. They were given many powers, but all powers can also be curses. Rhiannon knew this, none of her powers ever stayed constant. Some days she could read another's mind, then the next day she could not. In certain times, such as times of fear, she could perform telepathy, but not all the time. When she teased Legolas she had done it purely to get a rise out of him; quite precious how his jaw dropped and his cheeks got all pink like that. Her, what had been termed "second sight," was always with her; but the future could never truly be predicted. The smallest acts dictated the future of one's life. Trying to figure out the future, something Rhiannon believed no one should have access to, was often found to be a waste of energy and time that could be valuable. She knew her people would stay in contact with Middle Earth until the day Men could truly rule and advise themselves. She never saw that day coming.
"What is on your mind, Rhiannon? You've been standing out there for quite some time." Gandalf's voice rang out.
If Rhiannon was the blushing kind, she would've been quite pink now. Instead she allowed the embarrassment to show in her green eyes, just to see a smile come to Gandalf's worry-worn face.
"I have jus been pondering about how the ability of second sight is quite futile." She answered the wizard. Lord Elrond made a sound akin to choking, something along the line of shock showed in his blue eyes. "Lord Elrond, that is quite a human reaction you just had."
"Well, my dear Rhiannon, since I know you did not pay attention to your lessons years ago."
"Blame your sons for that." Rhiannon mumbled, rolling her eyes.
Elrond gave her the look he would have given a small child, "You seem to forget I was once give the choice to be a man."
"Yes, back before the first ring was even created you were what could be described as mortal. I know. I honored my mother's wishes to learn the history and ways of her people."
Elrond gave her a small smile, "She intended for you to wed an elf."
Rhiannon tried to stop the hurt and darkness from entering her eyes, "As did I. I was quite in love, as if you didn't remember."
Elrond gave a small nod, "I will apologize for my son's behavior once again. He was quite foolish then, but Elladan has never been and never will be the marrying kind. That does not mean you shall never wed another elf. Legolas seems to think that you and Lostladion have mutual attraction. I know he could convince his father to consent to the marriage of one of Mirkwood's great warriors."
Rhiannon let out an exasperated sound, "Legolas should stay out of matters of the heart unless they concern his own."
"Did Elrond say that this matter did not?" Gandalf asked.
Rhiannon once again rolled her eyes and shook her head, "I did not come here for Elven match-making and riddles of an old wizard."
"No, you came here for protection. But this darkness seems to follow you. Two types of darkness settle around you. One is the great evil that has come to re-awaken in this world; a land you, yourself admit you love so much. The other is continued heart break you will feel if you do not now take a chance and make a decision."
Rhiannon rubbed her temples, "You confuse me, Mithrandir."
"You have many questions that should not be asked until much later. You should go now and seek solace from your worries in the arms of a new found friend."
"I told you I am not attracted to Lostladion!"
"I do not speak of him. Honestly look into your mind and heart. First impressions aren't always forever."
Elrond stopped the smile that came to his face from Gandalf's words, "And yet, they are."
Rhiannon shook her head once again, an ache starting to form between her eyes, "You two are so very confusing and infuriating." Rhiannon turned and left the two elders.
Elrond and Gandalf watched the young girl walk away. Mithrandir spoke to Elrond, "I believe a greater adventure of the heart and mind will be performed between our little half-elven and her 'pretty-boy elf'."
Elrond gave a ghost of a smile, "With their pride and foolishness of youth, it will be quite an entertaining game to watch."