The Undecided of Earendil
By- Larien
Chapter 6
A/N- Teitho enni! I beg you to continue messaging me on the story. I really only write this in hopes that the readers are enjoying it. That is the true masterpiece; when a writer crafts interest in the readers. So PLEASE message me with thoughts, good, bad or the other. Even if it is to say you've been reading it. I just truly enjoy hearing from you all. And I mean it when I say, "Ae al-dhambeth tôl o le; ú-narn tôl o nin!" Le hannon. (Write to me!) (If no review comes from you; no story comes from me.) (Thank you.)
Legolaslover77- I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading and messaging me this whole time. Because of you I continue writing. I'm glad you enjoy it and I look forward to hearing from you again. Thank you again and enjoy!
Faer nîn veren; narn hen natha ann ( My spirit is joyous, this tale will be long!)
There was a moment of utter silence that followed the nod. Caniel did nothing but stare at the girl in amazement, as did Aragorn and Arwen. Each one more astonished then the other. If a pin had fallen, the sound would have echoed like an explosion. The very air seized to exist and briefly befallen the girls' expression, Caniel swore she saw satisfaction. As if this were how the atmosphere should remain in this small room around her.
"It is well then." Aragorn was the first to break the enchanting moment. With a heavy sigh, weighed with relief and astonishment, he looked to the women who had not yet taken their eyes away from Sirdhem. "You are welcome here when it suits you."
"I am most appreciative." Caniel smiled at last. She looked once more to the girl, half expecting a smile now that she had received a nod, though none shown on the vacant face.
"Things are settled then for now." Arwen said, turning on the group and making her way to the doorframe. "It is late, and Sirdhem must grow weary with our constant presence. We will leave you now to rest, Sirdhem. I thank you for the visit and look forward to the next coming."
Caniel looked to Aragorn, as if for an okay to go. Briefly, she debated staying and going against Arwen's word. But the solid nod from Aragorn assured her it was indeed time to go, so with a final look to the girl, she too turned and followed Arwen out the door. Outside seemed fresh and new. The air was more crisp and alive then it had been in the desolate building. The breeze was inviting and the sounds of water, leaves, and birds were a relief after the many moments of stillness inside the dwelling of Sirdhem.
"I don't understand how one lives in there, with nothing that is alive." Caniel said after a moment, as the three made their way back into the central part of Rivendell.
"It is lonely and bleak." Aragorn agreed.
"The fates are most unpredictable that she should nod to you, Caniel." Arwen mused, her eyes focused on the ground. "I have never received so much as a glance."
"Does this trouble you, my friend?" Caniel asked.
"I only wish that there were some way to figure her. She is so secluded, so surreal that I find myself completely baffled. As if it were one mystery that, unlocked, would only reveal a thousand other mysteries." The elf sighed. "I do not understand her."
"We have toiled long on this matter." Aragorn said, putting a comforting hand on the shoulder of Arwen. "And as evening draws, let us turn our minds to other matters."
"Such as?"
"Such as what we are to consume for dinner." He laughed. "It has been long since I've eaten."
Caniel smiled to herself as they made their way round a corner and up a flight of stairs.
"I do not know as to where my father is eating tonight, nor do I know of what he will eat."
"May I suggest a meal of our own?" Caniel chimed in. "It is a lovely night for relaxation and friend."
"Indeed it is." Aragorn mused. "And a home cooked meal is a meal not readily turned down."
"We can cook together and make a grand feast, as we did when we were young." Arwen laughed. "Remember? Poor father was always subject to enjoying our fine entrées."
"Fine they were. Fine with strange assortments of food that would never, on occasion, go together." Caniel laughed along. "I imagine it was a horrid sight for dear Elrond when we brought him our trays."
"Perhaps the idea is not so grand after all." Aragorn joked.
"We have learned much since then." Arwen tugged at his shoulder playfully. "And you can not deny this meal now. Caniel and I will cook dinner, and you will be in charge of everything other then the food."
"I thought my only job was to eat the food?"
"And to enjoy it." Caniel added.
"Of course." He smiled. " If you will excuse me then, there is much to do. I will gather our friends and expect to see a feast presented at the dawn of this hour. Until then, good fortune and fair cooking!"
With that, Aragorn left Caniel and Arwen and sauntered down the hall in the opposite direction.
"What have we gotten ourselves into?" Arwen laughed quietly.
"Have you no faith in us?"
"In us, yes. But in our food…"
They both shared yet another laugh and eventually found their way to the large home of Arwen. The sun sat low in the sky as they cleared the food from the cabinets and laid it out for further inspection. Sheer windowpanes blew gently with a warming breeze and the house smelt of the many assortments of flowers littering ever inch. Arwen filled a jar full of water and let it boil over a small wood-burning stove. Caniel separated the vegetables onto a marble counter and began slicing each one delicately listening the singing that echoed through the window from the surrounding areas.
"The weather favors us." Arwen smiled taking a spot next to Caniel and grabbing a ripe tomato. "It is a wonderful night for a dinner party."
"Indeed it is." Caniel said.
"I wonder whom Aragorn will invite."
"Not many I would wager. He is a man after all, and his enthusiasm only travels so far as his stomach." Caniel jested. "Therefore, should he be aching for a meal, his company which he would share it with will be few in number."
"How true." Arwen laughed, letting slide the tomato slices into the big bowl that sat shared between them.
"I do hope he invites the visiting elf, Legolas." Caniel mused quietly to herself.
Arwen looked over to her friend, whose gaze remained fixed on the salad being torn. Something familiar was etched onto her face; a look Arwen was accustomed to seeing in the mirror at times. Searching the chiseled blue eyes, Arwen swore she saw a hint of emotion being censored by Caniel's willingness to remain vacant. But it was there, like a fine shell buried along with sand, only visible to those accustomed to its features and whereabouts. It being a certain curiosity; a certain hopefulness. Arwen sensed the wistfulness in those words spoken and in the eyes of the human, it was inevitable.
"You find favor with Legolas?" Arwen asked with a sly grin.
"We met." Caniel mumbled, moving to grab more things to keep her mind on. Wishing to slit her throat with the knife she carried now, the last thing she wanted was for Arwen to think on her last statement. How foolish of her to let something like that slip! Had it even just been the thought of visiting with him simply because she was curious, Caniel knew that Arwen would look past that into something more romantic. It was her way and her jest to hold over Caniel's head.
"You met?" Arwen chided. "I'm glad. I was hoping that perhaps you two would cross paths."
"I more or less crossed his path." Caniel smiled to herself, recalling." I stumbled upon him practicing his archery."
As an after thought she added, "Although it really wasn't practice at all. His aim was perfect. Perfect. With every shot…"
Arwen turned to fetch the water, smiling inwardly at the daydreamed look on Caniel's face. Yes, no doubt she had taken a turn for him like so many others. Arwen had seen it many times. Though, knowing Caniel, the actuality of anything coming from the emotions now stirring within, was slim to none. Arwen knew all too well that the human was nothing short of a free spirit and was most accustomed to hiding her emotions and running her own path. Legolas was a temporary disturbance, but be that as it may, Arwen knew within the week, she would not hear that name from Caniel's lips again.
"He is a very skilled archer. The finest, they say, of all elves." Arwen agreed when she had turned around. "Tea?"
"Yes please."
Caniel handed her a glass, noting the sly smile on her face. Indeed she had thought on it, but to her relief nothing more was said of the archer. In fact, the meal was finished mostly in silence, excluding the small words they exchanged back and forth while they passed around the fruit dishes and meat platters. Within the hour, cakes and rolls, meat and fish, fruits and salads, and the wine were all set out on a long table lit with candles and littered with an array of orange and pink flowers Caniel had picked last minute from the back. The settings matched the tinted sky with its setting sun off in the distance. The trees surrounding the area were turning shades of dark blue and black as their branches settled to the quiet hum of doves and rustling of squirrels, which poked about curiously. No bug was to be found and the grass was soft and moist under Caniel's feet. Arwen had just finished setting the plates along with the silk napkins on the table when Aragorn came round the house, in a seductive silver outfit and his hair hanging brushed against his ears.
Formal as he was, Caniel smiled to herself at the proud sword still hanging by his side. Never would he touch ground without it. And yet, it would appear odd and not like him to have it missing; it completed the look.
"My stomach leaps at the sight of this marvelous dinner!" Aragorn praised opening his arms wide to the table of food. "Along with it my mouth waters, eyes tear, and nose run wild. I can hardly wait to calm them all."
"Hopefully you have brought with you others whom will share in this calming?" Arwen asked, straightening and walking towards the ranger.
"What if I were to say nay?"
"Then so too would I say nay to you're sharing in this meal."
"Well then I have no better answer then yes. Your brothers are on their way, along with Glorfindel and Legolas."
Arwen looked to Caniel when the last name was spoken and was not surprised to see her busy herself inside once again. She shook her head, laughing quietly.
"What is it? Have I not brought enough?" Aragorn questioned.
"You have done well, Aragorn. It was not you at whom I shook my head at." The elf reassured.
"Then who?"
"It is not of importance, only a jest. Now come, sit and await your company. I have still to prepare myself for the arrivals." As Arwen approached the doorframe she turned to him once more. "And the food is not to be disturbed until I return, or your sheath will be stained by the blood your sword will carry."
"From me?" He laughed deeply.
"From you."
Aragorn laughed once more at the warning and Arwen smiled quietly before moving into her bedroom where she found Caniel starring blankly into her closet. Its doors were spread open to reveal a wide assortment of flowing dresses of every style, color, and appeal. She planted herself next to Caniel who failed to notice her new companion.
After a moment of starring into the closet, Arwen turned to her friend.
"It's not all that interesting, you know. The closet."
Caniel turned to her in wide-eyed innocence. "Excuse me?"
Arwen laughed. "My dear Caniel! Do you not admit to gaping at my closet like a dream struck little girl just now? Surly it is not the dresses that cause you to gape, for you have seen this before. Then what is it? What in those clothes do you find worthy of gaping over?"
Caniel smiled sheepishly. "I wasn't gaping, only envisioning. I had hoped to borrow one, and I was simply envisioning myself in the dresses trying to decide which best suits me for the night."
"Since when have you given care to your appearance?" Arwen asked as she descended into her closet picking at the dresses.
"Never." Caniel admitted. "But is it a crime to want to look decent for dinner?"
"For Legolas?"
"Arwen please…"
"I know." Arwen raised her hand to silence the flabbergasted girl. "Forgive me. It was all in fun."
"As long as that is how it remains." Caniel nodded.
"Of course." Arwen pulled out a brown dress that Caniel immediately moved to get a better look at. "What of this one? Brown has always been to your liking. And it looks as though it should fit."
"This will suffice." Caniel took the dress and within no time had slipped it on and wrapped her hair into a loose bun. For extra flair, she wrapped a braided headband through the bun and around her forehead.
The dress itself was simple; long and dark brown. Its sleeves draped to her knees but at the elbow, a gold ribbon tied around her arm and the sleeve opened to reveal a soft gold underneath. The neck was a high collar that slit down the front just below her collarbone. And at the waist another gold ribbon tied and draped down her front. It was very much to her liking, and she found herself wondering why Arwen owned such a dress. It was not her style nor color, but since it was opportune for the moment, Caniel didn't ask questions.
Moving out of Arwen's quarters, the two women found their way back to the garden where the other guests greeted them. Glorfindel was seated next to Aragorn in an outfit of assorted blues. Elrohir stood talking to Legolas at the head of the table in an outfit of greens and Legolas in a jacket extended to his knees of maroon with gold embroidered vines and buttons and maroon leggings that were met with the usual boots. His hair was pulled partly back in the regular fashioned braid and in his hand a glass of wine was being poured by and anxious Elladan who was dressed in a fitting black and silver tunic and leggings.
As they emerged, they were launched into greetings from the twins and Aragon stood to compliment them once again on the looks of the food and their outfits. When she had said her hellos to Glorfindel, Caniel found herself facing Legolas once again who smiled warmly and bowed his head ever so slightly to her.
"Caniel guren linna le cened." Legolas smiled. (My heart sings to see you Caniel.)
"Gen suilon, gen hannon a tholed." Caniel joked. "I seem to remember you from somewhere. Gen iston?" (I greet you. Thank you for coming.) (Do I know you?)
"Indeed you do. We met before, and not all too long ago." Legolas replied smoothly taking a step towards her.
"It was only a short while ago, wasn't it?" She mused. "Manen gen?" (How are you?)
"Fair, as always. Nothing of interest. What of you?"
"I have to admit, I haven't been practicing my archery as of late." She smiled.
"Im dem anle!" (I am sad for you)
"Hopefully that will change with time. Gweston han cerithon." (I swear I will do it.)
"Han aníron." He agreed with a smile. "Le anu vaen cû." (I desire it.) (You are a skillful bowman.)
"Le hannon."
Legolas only smiled then looked to a glass of wine on the table. "Aníral halph?" (Do you care for a drink?)
"Aníron halph." (I would like some drink.)
Legolas handed her the glass before holding his glass to hers. "What shall we drink to?"
"To the meal?"
Legolas shook his head after a moment. "To this friendship. May it last."
"I can drink to that." Caniel smiled slightly before allowing the warming contents to glide down her throat. The fuzz tickled her lips and the taste was bitter sweet yet relaxing. The actually affect of the alcohol did very little just yet, but the drink was enjoyable nonetheless.
Legolas watched her take a swig of the wine. It was not done as gracefully as an elven woman would normally have it. He smiled when he notice that she had taken a large drink indeed and cocked his eyebrow at her.
"You drink as though you've done it as a sport."
Caniel studied him for a second, and Legolas didn't miss the grin that etched at her lips. "Why do you say that?"
Legolas shrugged, leaning back against the table. "You take a rather large drink of such a strong wine, and yet the affect seems little."
"It is little."
"Indeed." Legolas noted. "Hence my notation. Only one accustomed to drinking as a sport would be able to handle it and keep a straight face."
Caniel averted her gaze to the others, who were engaged in their own conversations. Once again, he was reading her like an open book. And try as she may, the grin continued to grow on her face. "Perhaps. Once or twice."
Legolas nodded sharing her grin. "I hold it not against you."
Caniel looked to him again. "What?"
"I find it all rather amusing actually."
"Do you?" Caniel retorted playfully. "And have you partaken in such events, master archer, that you would see this often?"
This time, Legolas thought to play along with her game so he only smiled devilishly. "Perhaps…"
Caniel caught on and they shared a quiet laugh when Arwen turned to get their attention along with her brothers who were busy admiring the food. "Telo, medo, a sogo e-mereth! Baren mar lîn." (Come, eat and drink of the feast! My home is your home.)
Launching himself into the nearest chair, Aragorn was the first to catch a platter of food, while the other company was not far behind; the twins nearly knocking over a candle due to the abrupt sitting next to Aragorn. Once everyone had settled, the food was passed and the feast began.
A/N- Please do message me this time around. The messages were few in number last time and I will not continue if the reviews do not continue. So please, let me in on thoughts! Le hannon! I look forward to speaking with all of you!