Otaku: Don't own don't sue.
Yamiko: …Hey, what's wrong with you?
Otaku: …nothing. Quatre, it's your turn.
Quatre: On with the story!!! Looks at Otaku and Yamiko worridly
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"I see…Please go back to your original activities and I shall call you back sometime before supper. I hope that you will tell me who told you this and why when I call you back," Elrond ordered and Vanima nodded in consent before she stood up and curtsied deeply.
"I thank you, Milord. I shall try to tell you all I can," commented Vanima before she left quickly and shut the door with a slightly relieved look before she turned around and walked back to her quarters. Elrond was deeply musing the situation before he turned to the elf concealed in the shadows cast by the bookshelf.
"What do you think of this, Erestor?" Elrond inquired and the elf stepped out with a bow and stood up stiffly before replying.
"I think what she says is false. There is something…'off,' as Sakura would say, about her." Elrond nodded and gestured for Erestor to sit and he obliged before nodding. "Perhaps, we should let Glorfindel know about this. We can use his opinion." Elrond nodded and called for a maid to summon Glorfindel. The maid curtsied before scurrying away. They sat in silence, contemplating the events that had occurred and what they had learned before they heard very light, almost nonexistent footsteps walking to the door followed by another set of footsteps, lighter than the previous one.
"What is it you need of me, Lord Elrond?" A soft, gentle voice asked as he entered the room. He had golden hair with the front tied back and was wearing a red tunic and blue legging, earthy brown books, and had a sword dangling from the right side of his waist. His bright, ethereal blue eyes were lit in curiosity; he had high and defined cheekbones, a lean frame, and had a small frown gracing his lips.
"We need your opinion on what you think of Vanima. And her story," answered Elrond and Glorfindel stared at him with confusion before he strode to a chair and sat down with dignity.
"Yes, milord, but I do not understand why you need my opinion and what exactly is her story?"
"Well, she claims that she had sent Sakura away on purpose, but that she had been given false information on Sakura and did not realize that the information she has supplied with was false until this evening. She had also said that she had intentionally tried to kill Pen-dithen, but again, she said she was ordered to. She did not say who told her and why," explained Elrond and Glorfindel nodded as he tried to hide the anger he felt but it could not be hidden.
"I understand your anger, but tell me what you think." Glorfindel nodded before trying to relax and after a few moments of silence, he was once again, calm and collected.
"I suggest you to punish her in some way, shape or form, but not to make it severe. When she comes back, if she tells you who told her this, I suggest we track them down and hurt them," replied Glorfindel and Elrond nodded thoughtfully while Erestor smirked a bit, but was quickly wiped away when Elrond looked at him and then at Glorfindel.
"When it comes time for the meeting, I shall call you here so you could see how she answers. Maybe you will detect something I do not," ordered Elrond and the other elves nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Lord Elrond. Yet, you are far too modest. I hardly think that you will miss something that we will catch," commented Erestor.
"Maybe, but it is much safer this way," replied Elrond as he went back to his paper work. The two elves stood up and bowed before leaving, for they knew that when a discussion has ended, Elrond would start on his work. Once they were outside, Erestor and Glorfindel chatted for a small time before they parted ways.
Meanwhile, in Lothlorien, Celebrian and Sakura's company were being escorted to Galadriel. Many of the elves were listening to Sakura and Celebrian talk and some were adding some comments here and there. It was getting on Haldir's nerves. He couldn't believe that Lord Elrond would take in ANOTHER human. It was disgusting…to him at least, even if she was not as…undignified as other humans. He winced when he heard a round of laughter coming from the group behind him when Sakura had made a mistake and blushed when Celebrian lightly reprimanded her.
"Hey! It's not that funny! No one is perfect…besides you baka elves. Hmph! Laugh it up, why don't you?" Sakura retorted to the laughs, which created another round of laughs. She frowned when she noticed the indifferent elf leading them walk in a tense silence. She slowly opened her heart, for it was a painful practice, and winced when it was opened all the way.
"Are you alright, Pen-dithen? You winced in pain," Celebrian asked quietly, but the other elves heard her and sent worried looks her way, but she smiled reassuringly.
"I am fine. Thank you for your concern, Naneth," replied Sakura and the elves smiled at her and left her to her business. She went back to business and tuned out the hearts of the other elves, and concentrated on Haldir. She felt, what she thought to be, disgust, anger, the want of revenge, and mostly indifference. She then closed her heart and sighed in relief when all she felt was her own heart and feelings. Then, Sakura looked up at Haldir, deep in thought and her eyes started to glaze over. Soon enough, she had fallen asleep causing the elves to smile…that it, all except Haldir had smiled. He just threw a glance over his shoulders when he heard her breathing even out, and frowned. Hmph! Weak human girl! She is not fit to be traveling in the company of-
Now Haldir, you shouldn't be so closed minded to humans. You are talking about my granddaughter, too. A beautiful and light voice lightly scolded, half amused and half serious.
I apologize Lady Galadriel, yet I cannot help my dislike for the race of men.
I understand, but try to be polite to my granddaughter.
I will try to be polite to the child.
Thank you. I shall be seeing you in a while, Haldir. Until then.
Until then, Milady.
They had been walking for a few more minutes when the elves heard the sound of rushing waters and many grew excited at the prospect of finally getting closer to the heart of Lothlorien and seeing the beauty of it. As they got closer to the river, Celebrian shook Sakura up. The girl looked around with blurry eyes in confusion. "Okaa-san…Where are we?"
"We are nearing the heart of Lothlorien, but first, we must cross the river," answered Celebrian, pointing to the rushing rapids and the elves throwing rope across to another elf on the other side. The elf on their side tied the rope to the trunk of a tree while the other elf held onto it. One by one, the elves started walking across to the other side, and all Sakura was doing was gape at how easy they made it look. When it was her turn, she looked up at Celebrian, who was behind her and she smiled down at the frightened girl. Finally, mustering up the courage, she walked across with her mother right behind. When they made it to the other side, Sakura sighed in relief and almost collapsed, but Celebrian picked her up while she went to sleep. Haldir glanced behind him and sneered when he saw Sakura fall asleep in Celebrian's arms, but then he remembered what Galadriel had said, and shook it off.
When they finally reached the Heart of Lothlorien, it was dusk and the setting sun made Lothlorien look even more beautiful and mystical. They walked up the steps and onto the platform where Galadriel and Celeborn were seen sitting on some chairs and waiting. They stood up and as they did so, the couple seemed to radiate a magnificent light. The two elves walked towards the company of elves protecting their daughter and granddaughter. Everyone bowed down for a moment except for Celebrian who could not do so because of the burden she carried.
She walked up to them, gave them a big hug, put Sakura in Celeborn's arms and said, "Suilannad Naneth, Adar. It is a pleasure to see you again, but would you please stop glowing. It might wake Sakura up and you know how she gets when she wakes up to a disturbance." The two elves chuckled lightly, their voices enchanting everyone who wasn't really all that use to it, but even to them it sounded so…beautiful and melodious.
"Yes…we remember well the incident that had happened on the day of her birth. It was…amusing, shall we say, to see her chase Glorfindel around Imladris for waking her up by pouring a bucket of cold water on her," commented Celeborn lightly as their glowing went down a few notches, but even then, they were a most magnificent sight.
If only that human child was not present, it would be much more magnificent. Haldir thought grumpily and Celeborn shot him an amused look as if he had heard what he said and knew something he did not. …I forgot the Lord and Lady's powers…sigh I hope what the Lord seems to know is not something amusing at my expense, but knowing them…it is. Haldir mentally sighed as Celeborn smirked a bit and as Galadriel sent Haldir a glance before turning back to her company.
"We welcome you to our humble domain. May you enjoy your stay and I am sure you remember the way back to the guest talons from the last time you visited," welcomed Galadriel and many elves nodded and the new ones were just told to follow the older ones to the talons. Celebrian hugged her parents once more and took Sakura from Celeborn's arms before she gave one last look to Haldir and left, gliding down the stairs to her old talon. As she was walking away, Haldir sent a confused look to Galadriel and Celeborn and they sent him a serious look.
"She also has the ability to pick up thoughts," Galadriel explained and Haldir gave them a horrified look at being caught at insulting a mother's child. Who knows what an angry mom could do!
"That is why it would be best to not think anything negative around her," continued Celeborn, slightly amused by the look on Haldir's face. Galadriel hid a smile behind her hand, before trying to make a serious face and succeeding and turning to Haldir.
"I think it would be best if you are to take care of Sakura while Celebrian is with us and when she is not able to," she said, snickering in her mind as Haldir looked her like she was crazy and Celeborn looked her with a slightly confused look, but then it turned into another amused look.
"Yes. I think that is a brilliant idea my dear wife has thought of. You might benefit from it," stated Celeborn and he just had to chuckle at the look on the March warden's face.
"I mean no disrespect, but I do not think I will benefit from this in any way, shape, or form," said Haldir and he almost slumped in defeat when they just sent him, "The Look." He nodded and left. While he was going down the stairs, he grimaced at the horrible time he will probably have with the human child.
Back at Imladris, Vanima was pacing her room trying to make up a story that would seem realistic. Maybe she could blame it on a dream…no. That won't work. She already told him that someone had told her that the human child was evil. Hmm…maybe…yes! That's it! Vanima smiled triumphantly! She would say that…
"Excuse me Lady Vanima, but Lord Elrond calls you to his study," an elleth said as she stepped into the room. Vanima nodded, stood up, and let the maid lead her to the study.
"Thank you," she said and knocked on the door. The maid nodded and walked away. As she turned the corner, she ran into Merenwen, Falisse, and Merileth who put their index finger up to their lips indicating her to be quiet. The maid nodded and left them, acting like she was oblivious to their presence. The girls smiled at her back before sneaking up to the door, listening in like before.
"Vanima. Will you please tell me who told you the lies about Sakura and where they are at the moment?" Elrond questioned Vanima as she sat down and she nodded.
"Yes. The ones who told me that Sakura was evil was…" Vanima started and Elrond nodded at her. Meanwhile, behind the door, the girls held their breath as they awaited the answer.
"It was…
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Otaku: I'm getting better at writing cliffies! Grins evilly
Yamiko: I am so proud of my Hikari!
Quatre: Here are the review responses!
IwishChan: Yep! I'll be updating faster now that it's Winter Break!
Magicians of the Yami: Sorry, but Cliffies are so much fun! And I'll be updating faster, so yea…
Yamiko: Only two reviews?!
Otaku: Yep! Why?
Yamiko: Well, we need more!!!
Otaku: No we don't! The more reviews we get, the bigger our ego. Dur!
Yamiko: Whatever. I still say we need more reviews…
