Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings it belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris and any other character outside of Middle Earth
Number 4: Dinner and Tears
After her bath Amaris came out from the bathroom wrapped in a robe made of the most soft material she had ever felt and her hair wrapped up in a towel. She unfolded the bundle and it revealed a beautiful deep green gown with a scoop neckline and a silver embroidered pattern at the bottom of the skirt. Its sleeves were long and flowing. There were two layers to the skirt and the under layer was a beautiful white. While she was admiring the dress Tari had walked back into the room carrying the same green color slippers.
"Amaris, are you ready to be dressed?" Tari asked and Amaris turned around facing her.
"You elves really are quiet. I didn't even hear you coming." Tari laughed and nodded her head. "I am ready." Tari walks over and takes the dress from Amaris.
"We'll dry your hair first and I'll fix it. It shouldn't take too long." Amaris smiled and nodded her head and Tari went to work fixing her hair. Once she finished towel drying her hair, she swooped up half of her hair and somehow did a twist design that was really pretty. "There. You have lovely hair. It's very easy to manage." Amaris smiled as Tari examined her handy work.
"Thank you Tari. You did an amazing job." Tari bows her head slightly and turns to get the dress.
"Let's put your dress on. Lady Arwen gave this gown to you. She said it would go beautiful with your hair and eyes." Amaris smiled thinking how kind it was of Arwen to loan her the dress. Amaris looked into the mirror and studied her face. She looked as she always did. Her dark chestnut hair was still thick and full, her green eyes were still large surrounded by thick black lashes. She blushed when Tari caught her looking at herself. "The gown nearly matches the color of your eyes." Amaris nodded and got up from the vanity stool. She grabbed a pair of panties from her bag and her bra.
"I will be right back. I just need to put my underclothes on." Tari nods and Amaris goes into the bathroom and quickly puts her bra and panties on. She wraps the robe around her again, and walks out into the bedroom. Tari had the dress waiting and Amaris walks over to her.
"Remove your robe and we'll finish getting you ready." Amaris hesitated. "Do not be afraid. Nudity does not bother my people and I will not judge you." Tari gave Amaris a kind smile and Amaris removed the robe and stepped into the soft material. Once the dress was on, Tari tied up the back and Amaris was amazed at how comfortable the dress was. Tari looked Amaris over and smiled. "Lle naa vanima." Amaris looked at Tari and shook her head. You are beautiful.>
"Mellonamin, you are wrong." It was Tari's turn to be surprised. My friend>
"I forgot you spoke Elvish and I'm afraid I am correct. If it wasn't for your ears I could swear to Valar that you are an elf." Amaris blushed and shook her head once more.
"I am no where near as beautiful as the elves." Tari just smiled at the woman. There was a knock at the door and Tari walked over and answered the door. When the door opened Gandalf stood on the other side. He smiled at Tari and she bowed her head and opened the door further. Gandalf stepped inside and smiled when he saw Amaris standing there.
"You look lovely my child," he said as he walked over to her. Tari slipped out unnoticed by either Amaris or Gandalf.
"Thank you Gandalf." Amaris said with a smile. "By the way, my name is Amaris." Gandalf smiled and extended his arm for the young woman to take. She smiled and linked her arm with his as he led her to the dinning hall. She became nervous as they made their way and she wanted to turn back. "Gandalf, is Frodo awake?"
"Yes, he awoke shortly before you did." Gandalf keeps his eyes on the path ahead smiling to himself about the young woman's nervousness.
"Has everyone arrived? I mean, has everyone arrived that will be attending the council?" Amaris' voice is a little shaky and she was doing her best to keep it steady. She's normally not a nervous person around people, after all she is a teacher, but she isn't certain how to act and she doesn't want to offend anyone.
"Yes, they all arrived not long ago."
"They all will be at dinner?" Gandalf laughs slightly and Amaris looks at him.
"They will and I am certain that you will lighten the mood considering our circumstances."
"What do you mean?" She raises an eyebrow at the wizard as he pats her hand on his arm with his left hand.
"Instead of talking about the ring this evening, they all will be trying to figure out who the beautiful young woman is at the table." Amaris blushes and turns her gaze to the stone path in front of her. Soon they arrive at two large doors. The guards outside the doors look at Gandalf and nod their heads but they gaze at Amaris with questioning eyes. Amaris blushes under their gaze. They look at one another then open the doors to the dinning hall.
There are several people standing around the room chatting and discussing different subjects. Amaris spots Aragorn, Lord Elrond and Arwen first. She smiles at them and they smile at her. She then sees the hobbits who are eagerly discussing something except for Frodo who seems lost. Before she can look around anymore the hall grows quiet and she feels many pairs of eyes on her. She focuses her eyes at Lord Elrond, Aragorn and Arwen determined to push her nervousness away. Gandalf and her walk over to the three and smile. Amaris gives a small curtsy and stands tall. She looks at Arwen and smiles.
"Lady Arwen, thank you for loaning me the dress. It is absolutely beautiful," Amaris says as she removes her arm from Gandalf. Arwen smiles kindly at her and Amaris understands why she is the Evenstar of her people. She is incredibly beautiful and has a kind heart. Amaris turns her attention to Lord Elrond. "I never got the chance to properly thank you Lord Elrond for taking care of me and healing my wounds. I am most grateful." Lord Elrond smiles at her and bows his head. Amaris then turns to Aragorn. "And thank you Aragorn for finding me and bringing me here." He smiles and brings his hand over his heart and bows his head.
The servants bring the dishes of food out and place them on the table. Once everything is complete, a bell rings and everyone takes their seats at the table. Amaris sits between Lord Elrond and Gandalf and she focuses her eyes on the empty plate before her. She is too nervous to eat but she doesn't want to be rude.
"You need to eat Lady Amaris if you want to gain your full strength," Lord Elrond says as he hands her a bowl of different fruits. She smiles and nods her head as she takes the bowl from him.
"Diola lle." Lord Elrond smiles at her. Thank you>
"You speak the language of my people well Lady Amaris. Tell me, where did you learn it?" Lord Elrond asked as he took a bite of his meal. Amaris places several pieces of fruit on her plate then sets the bowl down.
"I wanted to learn the language. It fascinated me so I purchased materials and taught myself the language." Amaris smiled at him and he nodded his head. Gandalf hands her a plate with some kind of meat on it and Amaris smiles and takes a small piece. "Thank you Gandalf." He smiles at her and she begins to eat her meal. She looks up and sees Arwen smiling at her. Amaris smiles back.
"Lady Amaris, what is it like where you come from? Is it much like here or is it very different?" Amaris smiles but it falters slightly. She hasn't thought of home since she woke up and how worried her parents and friends may be.
"Where I am from is much different than it is here. There are too many differences to name during dinner." She laughs lightly and smiles at Arwen. Arwen smiles back.
"What did you do Lady Amaris?" Aragorn asked as he took a drink of his wine.
"I am a teacher. I teach young children the age of 6 to 7. I'm also an archery instructor." At her last sentence the hall goes quiet. She looks around the table and sees all eyes on her. Most seem interested except for the dwarves. She turns to look back at her plate when a pair of blue eyes catches hers. She stops at them and sees that they belong to whom she believes to be the Prince of Mirkwood, Legolas Greenleaf. She smiles at him and nods her head then she quickly turns her attention back to her plate. Amaris quickly finishes her meal and looks to Lord Elrond. "Excuse me, Lord Elrond. I will take my leave. I am tired and would like to rest. Thank you for the lovely meal." He smiles at her as she stands.
"Rest well, Lady Amaris." She nods and leaves the dining hall. She feels everyone's eyes on her as she exits the doors and quickly makes her way down the corridors. She loses her way because she didn't pay attention where her and Gandalf came from. She sighs and sees that she came across a small garden. She smiles at the beautiful flowers and steps out into the moonlit garden. She smells them and walks in the garden until she comes across a bench. She sits down and looks at the stars.
Amaris sits there and thinks of home. She thinks of the home she can never go back to. She'll never get to see her family again. Her mom and dad are probably grieving uncontrollably for the loss of their only child and what of her students? How will they understand that they won't see Ms. Grant next year? Or the young students she teaches archery to, what of them? Amaris' eyes well with tears and her vision becomes blurry. She puts her face in her hands and sobs quietly. I'll never see any of them again. Suddenly, she feels a hand on her shoulder. Amaris looks up and through blurry vision she makes out a man with dark hair.
"Are you well Lady Amaris?" asked Aragorn. "Arwen and I were passing through the garden and heard your cries." Amaris wiped away her tears.
"I'm alright. I was just thinking." She forces a smile and Aragorn sighs.
"Were you thinking of your home?" Amaris nods her head and wipes away a stray tear that escaped her eye.
"I'm fine. However, could you and Arwen escort me to my room? I somehow managed to get myself lost." Aragorn smiles and nods.
"We will gladly escort you." Amaris stands and walks over to see Arwen looking at her concerned.
"Are you alright?" Arwen asks as she takes her hand.
"I am fine. I was just thinking of home that's all." Arwen smiles kindly at her. "If you don't mind Aragorn agreed that both of you would show me to my room. I got myself lost." Arwen smiles.
"Certainly, just follow us." She laces her arm with Aragorn's and they lead Amaris out of the garden and down the corridors. Amaris wipes away tears that roll from her eyes as they walk in silence. Soon the silence is broken by Arwen. "Lady Amaris, Aragorn tells me that your name means 'child of the moon' where you are from, is that true?" Amaris quickens her pace and walks next to Arwen.
"Yes, that is true. As I told Aragorn, I was born on the night of a full moon." Arwen smiles.
"It is a beautiful name."
"Thank you." Soon they both stop and open the door to your room. Amaris smiles at them. "Thank you for showing me the way. I'll try and be more careful next time." They smile at Amaris as she goes inside. "I have one request of you though. Please just call me Amaris. I'm not very comfortable with the 'lady' thing." They smile and nod their heads at her.
"Rest Amaris and do not let your heart be troubled with loss. Tomorrow is the council and my father would like for you to attend. Tari will be in to help you dress for the council in the morning." Amaris nods her head.
"Thank you again." They smile and take their leave as Amaris closes the door. Amaris walks inside but then goes out to the balcony of her room. She sighs as she leans on the banister and looks up at the stars once again.
