Thank you for your kind reviews everyone. ;) Be it old or new ...
This is a collaborative effort of a whole bunch of us - me, Elanor, Finrod, Gilrean, Holly, Lana, Nimbrethil, Witch King and Wizard. Other than the respective characters ie. me (Laurendil, Mas); Elanor (Elanor, Haldarin), Gilrean (Gilrean), Holly (Holly), Lana (Lena), Nimbrethil (Nimbrethil), Witch King (Beomir) and Wizard (Wizard), we do not own any of the other great Tolkien works. This was originally an RPG we played and have put together as a story. Hope you enjoy it.
Just as Laurendil closed the door, however, it was quickly opened again, to reveal Gilrean. She surveyed the scene before her: Nimbrethil, Laurendil, Holly and another she did not recognize but who appeared to be of Rohan.
They were staring at her in silence, and Gilrean was suspicious. Earlier, at the Hall, upon coming back to the table after her dance with Elrohir, she noticed that Nimbrethil was not at the table. She had noticed that her sister had been rather gloomy the whole night, and was worried about her. So she had gone out to look for her. And now, finds her in this strange turn of events.
"May I ask what is going on here?" she began, cutting the silence like a knife.
Laurendil was the first to recover, and quickly ushered Gilrean to come in. Gilrean did so, and as she closed the door, Laurendil added, "Perhaps this is the best time to actually lock the door before anyone else comes in?"
Gilrean raised an eyebrow at that, but did as was bidded. The golden haired stranger, garbed in a Man's clothing, was noticeably shaking. Once everyone was seated, Laurendil explained what was happening. As a habit, she was pacing the room as she thought aloud.
"It will not be easy. Eomer does not like to be disobeyed."
Elanor nodded, knowing that all full well. This in itself impressed Laurendil even more. She is showing enormous strength for one so young and untested (in battle).
"The only way right now is to hide here until Eowyn comes. I will speak with her, and together, we will approach your father. Perhaps, with the both of us, his wrath might not be so dire. Your brothers would have to answer to him too, I believe," suggested Laurendil.
"But it's not their fault! I mean, they couldn't have stopped us – Lossefalme and I … And they took care of me all the time. Though, of course, the King won't be so hard on them anyway....." Elanor trailed off.
She looked around the room. There was the elf maiden Laurendil, the Gondorian girl Holly and two other elf girls she did not know. Sighing and wiping away the last traces of her tears, Elanor attempted a smile.
"Um, I know we're all serious over me … but um, does anyone have a dress I can wear so I can get out of this armor?" she asked tentatively.
The rest of them looked at her in her heavy suit … then Laurendil laughed. "Of course! Come along. We'll find some nice dresses fit for the Princess of Rohan."
Elanor followed Laurendil, filled with relief. As they reached the door, Laurendil turned to bid the others goodnight.
"It has been a night of revelations, and I sincerely hope everyone realizes the importance of secrecy in this matter," started Laurendil when Nimbrethil nodded, agreeing.
"It need not be said. We all swear not to reveal anything to anyone – your secret is safe with us, Lady Elanor."
Elanor gave a grateful smile, and continued to follow Laurendil out. She was glad that her decision was right, and that Laurendil would help. Despite her initial distaste and distrust of elves, she now had placed her secret with three of them! Life was unusual indeed.
Laurendil guided Elanor to her own chambers, and welcomed her in. Elanor took a sweeping glance of the simple decorated room. Just a bed, table and wardrobe, to which Laurendil was opening. Flipping through some of the dresses in there, Laurendil pulled out a long white dress.
"Here you are, Elanor," she said with a smile. "I think the colour suits you best."
Elanor returned the smile as she gingerly fingered the material. It was soft, and flowy, quite unlike the materials she was used to. As she took the dress, Laurendil commented as she listened, "It sounds to me like the feast is winding down. We must find you a place to sleep where you will not be found. I believe Lady Eowyn will be arriving tomorrow, and we will get this whole thing straightened out."