Disclaimer: All names and places that you have heard of belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. Any other names belong to me, Elenya, copyright 2002.
~*~A/N: hey everyone! Thanks for the feedback! I'm so glad that you are enjoying my story and I'm so happy that I have more to put up! I've been trying to write as often as I can, but it's hard! well, enough of me talking… here's the story!~*~
Lina entered the Dining Hall. Elrond was already seated at the head of the table and looked up at her as she walked into the room. Murmuring an apology of being late, Lina sat down in a chair opposite Pippin. She could use a little light-hearted talk at the moment and she knew that Pippin would be willing to supply her with endless chatter about the Shire.
Elrond looked at Lina curiously, about to ask where she had been. But he knew she must have had a good reason, so he kept quiet.
"Now it looks like we have only one other Elf missing! Where is Legolas?" Elrond asked.
Arwen glanced at Lina, hoping her younger cousin would giver her some signal, but Lina looked away. When no one responded to Elrond's question, he said that they should commence the meal without Legolas.
As the group began eating, Pippin started talking to Lina, asking several questions and telling her all of the tales of his home. The other hobbits joined in once they realised that Lina was indeed enjoying their talk. She needed an escape from her problems and the joyful conversation the hobbits kept up was a distraction enough. However, Lina noticed the slight glances Arwen and Aragorn gave each other every now and then. She soon figured out what they were hiding and smiled in spite of herself. Lina knew the couple would not be able to hide it any longer and would tell the whole group shortly. For surely Elrond had agreed, otherwise they would not be so blissful…
~*~
After waiting fifteen minutes by Lina's favorite tree, Legolas had turned back to the House of Elrond. He made his way down the Main Corridor, deciding that he wanted something to eat. He knew the evening meal would probably already have begun and he would be late.
Upon reaching the entrance to the Dining Hall, another thought struck Legolas. Lina would probably be there! What should I do? Should I initiate the conversation? Or should I giver her more time? Legolas asked himself. He decided to play it by ear.
He opened the door and strolled into the Hall. Everyone looked up at him as he quickly glanced around the room for an empty seat. The first thing that caught his eye was Lina, clad in a wistful white gown, and his breath caught in his throat. She looked at him, but soon turned her head away. Legolas found an empty chair by Aragorn's side and took a seat. He then noticed the small smile Arwen gave Aragorn, nodding. Aragorn in turn looked at Elrond and said, "Ahem."
"Oh yes!" Elrond said, beaming. "Well, welcome Legolas. And now, since everyone is present, there is extremely delightful news I, or rather we," he said gesturing to Aragorn and Arwen, "wish to tell you. Aragorn?"
"Yes, thank you. Everyone," he addressed the group, holding Arwen's hand as she rose to stand beside him, "Arwen and I have decided to get married!" The couple gazed at each other lovingly.
The entire Hall burst into applause and cheers. Everyone stood up and clapped for the couple. Lina, forgetting her troubles, ran to Arwen's side and gave her a warm embrace. "Oh, Arwen! I knew it! I knew it! I could tell by the way you and Aragorn were looking at each other tonight. I am so happy for you!" Lina cried. And before Arwen could say any more, she ran off to where Aragorn was. He had been pushed by the excited hobbits into a corner, where they were repeatedly congratulating him and conveying expressions of happiness.
"Aragorn!" Lina said, excitedly. "I am so elated! Now you are even more like a brother to me!" She hugged him. "This is the most wonderful news!"
And then she began to softly sing a song in praise of the love of her cousin and Aragorn.
Legolas, watched her from a distance. She looked like a fairy princess because of her white gown and fair face. Her voice brightened the whole room.
"There will be a feast tomorrow eve to celebrate!" Arwen called above the jubilant din, breaking Legolas's thoughts. He wanted to run to Lina's side and apologise. He wanted to ask her what was wrong. He wanted to tell her he loved her. But most of all, he wanted her to love him back.
But Lina had been avoiding him. After the evening meal was over, the group dispersed, some to bed and others to sit and chat. Aragorn and Arwen sat in the Sitting Room with a group of people, including the hobbits and Gimli. Gandalf wandered out of the House by himself. Legolas, after much contemplation, decided to sit with Arwen and Aragorn with the hope that his spirits would be lifted.
Lina excused herself and left the House, after Gandalf. She found him sitting on the patio swing, smoking his pipe and blowing smoke rings.
"Good evening, my dear," he said to her.
"Good evening, Gandalf," Lina replied, settling herself at his side.
"Now, Elenya, there is something I was meaning to ask you. Why did you seem so forlorn in the Dining Hall?"
"What do you mean?" came Lina's confused reply.
"Well, when you first entered, I felt that your aura was not as it usually is; it was not cheerful and sweet. You seemed preoccupied and I wanted to know if you were alright."
"Oh, Mithrandir! I am alright. I suppose I was only slightly tensed for some unknown reason," Lina lied. But she knew that Gandalf would see right through this.
"Oh, Lória! You do not need to tell me the reason, but please do not lie. I know what tenses you so, as do you!"
Lina was startled at the use of her old name. She had not been called that since her parents died! They had named her Elenya Lórien Tindómiel when she was born, and had often used her nickname of Lória. "What, then, Mithrandir, is tensing me so?" she asked.
"That is for you to say. It is what troubles you, and talking sometimes heals the mind fastest."
"But, Mithrandir! Nothing troubles…" Lina broke off, looking into the deep blue of Gandalf's eyes. They were eyes telling her not to lie and deceive herself. Sighing, she slid back against the swing.
"Lina, I know it is hard, but you have to let go of the past," Gandalf said quietly. He blew a bright blue smoke ring. It formed the shape of a star as it floated off into the sky.
"Thank you, Mithrandir," Lina choked as she embraced the Wizard.
~*~A/N: Will Lina follow Gandalf/Mithrandir's advice or not? By the way, I will only call him Mithrandir if an Elf is addressing him; he will be Gandalf otherwise. Bad news, everyone! I probably won't be able to write more in a while! Because first of all, I have to go out of town this weekend. And then my brother is coming home from college, and he likes to use the computer a lot. In fact, he will probably have the Internet connection moved to his room! And then I cannot get any privacy online! Which means that he will know about my story if I want to upload it form his computer!! Oh no! He would really make fun of me if he knew I was writing a story. What are big brothers for, eh? Wait! Maybe I could do it easier if I typed it on my computer and then used a disk to quickly upload it online… When he's not in the room! Hmmm *smiles slyly* this just might work! Hopefully it will… Otherwise you can expect to read more in like many months! Oh no! Bye everyone, and I hope to write soon! *hugs* elenya~*~