Author's Note: Here is my Christmas gift to my readers, chapter five!

Casey Toh: 1. Letting Angelo (forgot the name, my apologies) have bursts of super-flying speed--Warren can only fly, and Betsy has telekinetic/telepathic powers, so it's unlikely that Angel would have that, unless it's by the random dice of genetic mutation. But for the sake of the story, the extra ability she has makes her feel slightly MSish, but that's just IMHO.

Angela is the daughter of Warren and Betsy. She got mainly Warren's genes, yet part of her mutation is flying at *super speed*. I don't see how this is MSish. If two mutants can't have the same power, why do Emma Frost, Professor Xavier, and Jean Grey all have telepathy? What is IMHO?

2. You made an Elf said "Okay," in one of the chapters. M.E being set in medieval times, none of the races know modern languages. Unless it was something they had learnt and retained from the girl.

I'm not perfect. I'm just a mere mortal, and I make mistakes. It was just a mistake. Don't look to deep into it. Later on, you will see things appear concerning the slang issue.

3. I don't think that Elves place too much emphasis on being formal. Sometimes, a "Lord" or "Master" title might be slipped in, but rarely do I know of Elves (or Men) calling one another that in the presence of others all the time.

I realize I went a little far with this, but each writer writes elves differently, and I seem them as formal. They won't be later on, and if you keep reading, you'll see why.

4. Glorfindel (if we take him to be one of the first to awake at Cuivienen) is much, much older than Elrond, and while he may serve as an advisor to the Peredhil, how you portrayed him as interacting with Elrond gave me the feeling that he was just an acquaintance to Elrond and no more than that. No even friends.

Glorfindel has only appeared oh so many times. When he appears more, he'll have more of a personality and you'll learn more about him.

Europe: Oh, and I knew that hobbits are generally a good aim with throwing stuff. A lot of their childhood games are based on throwing something to hit a target. I guess there is a difference, huh? Silly me!

One more note to Casey Toh: I don't mean to offend you with *my* feedback! I just felt like I needed to explain. To every one else, look for Aragorn in this chapter and Gandalf in the next!

Disclaimer: Faramir shot the disclaimer then BBQ it and served it to his army at Ithilien.

Chapter Five: Yavieba

By Dameon

Three days went by faster then it takes you to pronounce Yavieba (it only took my about four days before I could say Yavieba right). After I met Bilbo, I went and visited him every day, when Eressëa was on guard duty. On the third day, I only stopped by to say hi to Bilbo and Eressëa as Arwen had me help set up things out side, mainly dishes, silverware, and cups.

By the middle of the day, I was hot but exhilarated. Elves were all over the place, setting up things, talking, laughing, even singing! Lots of elves seemed to know me and would call me by my full name. I'd smile and talk to them, eventually asking them to call me Alagi. For some reason they thought that was funny, and when I asked them why, they'd just shake their heads and laugh.

The night before the festival, I was looking at the stars with Eressëa, having mixed feelings about the festival. I was excited, yet really nervous. But at the moment, Eressëa was showing me constellations.

"There is the elven archer, and there is the Grey Ship," Eressëa said, pointing out stars in the sky.

I couldn't see anything. "Eressëa, I can't see anything."

"It's very hard to see unfamiliar star formations," Eressëa admitted. "But eventually, you'll see them."

Eventually… That rose a question in my mind, would I ever get home, wherever home was? I thought about it, silently in the light of the stars with Eressëa, him standing while I sat on the ledge, next to a pillar. I sighed, and leaned against the cold stone pillar, swinging my legs out into the open night air.

Eressëa seemed to read my mind, as he casually asked. "Something on your mind, Alagi?"

I shrugged. "Just wonderin', where I'm from, and if I'll ever get back to where ever that place is."

Eressëa sighed softly. "If I could help, Alagi, I would. But I can't."

"It's just hard, not knowing where home…is…" I regretted saying it as soon as it came out of my mouth. The elves had been really kind to me, and I had no right to complain. "I'm sorry, it was a stupid thing to say. I…"

Eressëa cut me off with a nod of his head. "Alagi, you have ever right to miss your home, wherever in the world it may be. It always hurts to be away from home for a long time. Yet, remember Alagi, until you find what you're looking for, you are welcome to stay in Rivendell for as long as you like."

I smiled. "I might be here for a long time, cause my memory is taking its precious time in coming back!" I yawned, stretching my arms.

"You should be getting along to bed," Eressëa said. "Yavieba is tomorrow, and I believe you will want to be awake for it."

I nodded and slid off the ledge. "Night Eressëa."

"Good night Alagi."

I found my way to my room. I had a new one now, as the other one was a guestroom. Since I would be here awhile, Arwen and Elrond thought it would be better for me to move into a more permanent room. It was easier to find to, which I suspect was a major reason for the move.

I got into bed and looked up at the domed ceiling, wondering what would happen tomorrow. It was going to be a big day.

The next thing I remember after going to sleep was someone waking me up and a voice saying, "Time to get up Alagi."

I woke up and found Arwen, already dressed in a white and pale blue dress. Telling me to go out to the courtyards, I nodded sleepily and watched her leave. Sorely tempted to go back to sleep (it must have been early morning), I sighed and go out of bed. I found new clothes out, made of gold and red fabrics with a little bit of dark orange and yellows in the shape of leaves. It was pretty, but it looked like it was a one-time use kind of outfit.

I changed into it anyway and met a few elves going out to the courtyards, various items of food and utensils in their hands. I helped carry a few things and after setting them down, I found Arwen, who gave me a job.

"Alagi, I believe you would do well as to guide people to this place from the front to here," Arwen said. "Is that okay with you?"

"Very cool!" I said.

Arwen only smiled as if she didn't understand. She showed me were to stand and said that people would start arriving soon. So I stood by the stone archway and waited, and waited, and waited.

Eventually, a few elves came on horses. They smile at me and one of them asked in delicate words where to go. Telling them, they thanked me at moved off, giving their horses to another elf farther down the path, around a corner I couldn't see around.

Fingering the edge of my coat, I leaned against the stone arch and greeted people as they came. Most smiled at me and said something in Elvish. They walked (or rode) by and soon a constant stream of elves were going by, all in robes of rich yellows, reds, and oranges.

After about fifteen minutes, I remember seeing one figure in dark green pass by. They were short, and covered in a dark green hood. Blue eyes glanced out at me quickly, and I felt a cheer go up my spine. The figure was gone before I could do a double take.

I became preoccupied with another elf in rich golden yellow robes saying hello. Soon, the guests coming through became fewer and fewer, and eventually an elf walking alone told me that the feast would start soon and asked me to walk with him.

The elf introduced himself as Falastur. We talked for a while, mainly me asking questions on Yavieba. I learned that it celebrated the end of autumn and that in about two weeks, winter would start.

Soon, we arrived at the feast, and Falastur said he would see me later, and he joined a group of elves he obviously knew. I decided to explore the courtyard.

The courtyard was decorated with red and yellow drapes, and tables were everywhere, laden with food and kegs of drinks. The drapes were hung from the stair wells and balcony ledges of the towers and stairs that made the background of the festival. The white stone of the towers heightened every color that the elves wore and the decorations.

A gong sounded and the main dishes were brought out. I went to help the elves carrying the plates. As I was setting down the plate of fruit and cheese, I saw the figure in the dark green across the courtyard, leaning against a wall. His hood was down now. He had black hair and a regal looking face. I caught a glimpse of his blue eyes again as he looked over at me. I pretended that I as busy rearranging the dishes and soon strolled off.

I found Bilbo, talking brightly with an elf and both laughing. He constantly sipped from his mug and ate from a plate, and was in constant conversation. I was going to slip away when he saw me and said, "Ah Alagi! So glad you could make it! Herendil, this is Alagi. Alagi, this is Herendil…" Soon I was involved in a merry conversation with Bilbo and Herendil.

"So I said to him, "Why don't you shoot an orc? They're much easier to find!" Bilbo said.

I laughed, as did Herendil. Bilbo was staring on another humor story, and as I was getting thirsty, I excused myself and went to get some water. Instead of returning to Bilbo, I wandered off and found a tall tree that I wanted to look at.

While looking at the tree, I noticed Arwen and the guy in dark green move off into the out gardens, unnoticed except by me. They were holding hands and it didn't take a genius to guess what was up.

"Ooo, lovebirds," I said quietly to myself.

The two moved off and I watched them go. With nothing left to see, I went back to listen to Bilbo. Soon, Bilbo lapsed into conversation with another elf, and as I knew nothing of what they were talking about, I walked over to the stairs to watch the dancing that had begun.

A few elves had taken out pipes and had started to play songs. Some elves were dancing; some clapped politely, laughing at their friends. I joined in with the watchers, clapping to one of the upbeat songs.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to look up at Eressëa. He was smiling at me, and I was surprised to see that for once, he didn't have his bow.

"Where's your bow?" I asked.

"Guards have the day off to celebrate Yavieba," Eressëa smiled. "It is a beautiful day."

"Yup," I agreed, and turned back to watch the dancing. "Do the festivals always include dancing?"

"No," Eressëa shook his head. "Only at Ehtele'mele and Sheelala." At the look of non-understanding on my face, Eressëa added. "Vernal Equinox and the Spring Festival."

"Cool," I said. "So, what's up?"

Eressëa laughed, and shook his head as if he didn't understand me. I was confused.

"What did I do?"

"Nothing, Alagi, it is just funny to hear you speak."

"My speaking is funny?"

"Ai. You have a different dialect and vocabulary than anything I have heard before."

"Like what?"

"Hm, you use many words I have little knowledge of. Such as your use of cool, and this word, awesome and okay."

I was stunned. How could someone not know these words? "You don't know what they mean? How could you not know slang?"

Eressëa looked at me with a surprised look on his face. "Should I know what this 'slang' is Alagi? Or are these words something you have made up?"

I didn't know what to say, and looked past Eressëa to all the other elves. All the unexplained looks of brief confusion and puzzlement came clear now. They didn't know what slang was, therefore they wouldn't know what slang meant.

"Alagi are you feeling well?" Eressëa asked.

I nodded my head yes. "I'm just shocked."

"Why?"

"Because I know what slang means, but you don't. Do any of the elves here know slang?"

"Not that I know of Alagi."

"So I could just be making all this up?"

"Very well you could."

We both lapsed into silence for a minute. I was upset. How could I know what these words mean when no one else did? Was I making them up?

"Do not dwell on it Alagi," Eressëa said quietly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "It may be that there is more at plan then is perceivable. Would you like to dance?"

That last line got my attention and I momentarily forgot about previous discussion. "I don't know how."

"Then I'll teach you. This dance is easier then most others. Start like this…"

I was very clumsy at dancing, but after about an hour, I could somewhat get the steps that Eressëa showed me. He was patient though, and would probably go to guard duty with sore feet tomorrow. But I was excited. I was learning how to dance!

"Okay, let us try it all the way through," Eressëa said. "Ready?"

"Let's do it!" I said.

I could not completely describe any dance if my life depended on it. But the dance Eressëa was teaching me started with both people bowing to each other, then circling right, then left, twirling the whole while, and then meeting together and holding their hands out in front of them, move sideways left, then back right, every three steps turning, still holding hands. After that, you would both step back and let a pair go down the middle, the ones on the end following, kind of like a never ending line. After everyone had gone, you would bow, get in a circle, and start over.

"Much better," Eressëa lapped after we completed the dance as best as we could with two people. "In time, it will come easier and you will get better."

I smiled, slightly out of breath from trying so many times. "It's fun, but I'm just so clumsy! You'll probably be sore tomorrow cause I've stepped on your feet so often!"

We both laughed, and I noticed that the sun was sinking. It was now late afternoon.

"How long does the festival go on?" I asked.

"Traditionally through the whole night. Many will stay the next day, then go home during the next three days," Eressëa said.

I nodded, and noticed Arwen coming up to me. "Hi Arwen!"

No one seemed to care anymore if I used proper titles, and I felt like that it was going to stay that way for awhile.

"Greetings Alagi, I hope you have had a good time," Arwen said. "Good afternoon Eressëa."

"Good afternoon Lady Arwen," Eressëa murmured, bowing slightly.

Arwen waved her hand at Eressëa as if telling him it wasn't nessecary. She turned to me and said. "Alagi, please meet me in the dining hall tomorrow at noon."

"Sure," I said, then reminded myself about slang and added. "I mean, yes, I will."

Arwen smiled, and talked to us briefly about the festival and weather, then moved on to some other elves. I looked around and saw that the dancing had stopped and more feasting had begun.

Eressëa said he wanted to talk to some other people, and went off. I went and helped bring out more dishes. While I was taking back empty dishes, the stranger in dark green came up to me and watched me.

I looked up at them and finally said. "Hello."

"Hello," the man nodded back at me. He looked at me closely for a few seconds and said. "You must be Alagiaiel."

"Yeah, I mean, yes, I am," I said slowly. "How do you know my name?"

"I have heard about you," the man said simply. I guessed from Arwen.

"Oh, well, call me Alagi," I said. "I can't pronounce the other name.

This brought a smile on the man's face. "Oh."

"What's your name?" I asked, setting down my dishes.

"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn."

"Well, you already know my name! Enjoying the festival?"

Aragorn nodded. "Yes. How do you like Rivendell?"

"Pretty cool."

"I am sorry, what?"

I blushed at muttered. "I like it."

Aragorn nodded. "I am pleased to know that. I must be off."

He left quietly and quickly, and I thought it was odd that all he wanted to know was if I liked Rivendell. I watched him go, but thought nothing more of it as I helped clear dishes.

For me, the festival ended quietly. I helped wash dishes and clear the tables and set the table again the whole time after the conservation with Aragorn. I went to bed at what the elves considered early. I fell right asleep though, so it didn't seem so early to me.