Chapter 3: Dinner

A/N: This chappie is a little longer than the first two. Please review with comments and suggestions!

Thanks to all my reviewers!

Felicitousmomento: Thanks so much! I'm really glad you like it. I was afraid everyone would be all "EVIL MARY SUE WE HATES IT PRECIOUS" or something to that sort.

ElvenBunnyandButterflyLion: My dearest person, thank you for reviewing. Yesh I know I forgot to fix it but now it is fixed.

Disclaimer: -sigh- I don't own Middle-Earth or any of the characters. DUH! Blah.

Míriel finished braiding Elerina's hair, dressed into her gown, and braided her own hair with surprising skill. As she finished, there was a small tap on the door.

"Come in," said Míriel. The door opened and two elves stepped in. The first was Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, and the second, Thorontur, Míriel's husband. Legolas was tall and handsome, clad in white. His belt was green with gold leaves, and his cloak a deep forest green. His long, gold, neatly combed hair hung loose, except for two small braids going around his head and coming together in the back. He smiled at Elerina.

"I see you are feeling better," he said.

"Y-yes," Elerina said, almost trembling. She regained herself. "Yes, I am feeling much better."

"That's good. We wouldn't want you feeling poorly at one of Master Elrond's dinners, now would we?" he said, his eyes laughing.

Elerina and Míriel walked to the door and Legolas offered Elerina his arm, which she accepted gladly. Thorontur made the same gesture to Míriel, who also accepted. Thorontur was tall, with long black hair, combed straight and lying loose. He was clad in grey, and his cloak was of light blue.

"Elerina, this is Thorontur, my husband," said Míriel. Thorontur smiled at her.

"Pleased to meet you, Thorontur. I am Elerina," she replied, returning his smile.

"The pleasure is mine. So, how did you come toarrive in Rivendell?" Thorontur asked.

"Well… I don't really know…" Elerina started.

"After dinner Elrond has requested some of us to the gardens, and I suppose we will clear things up there," said Legolas.

"Very well, I can wait. In the meantime, let's eat," Thorontur said as they came up to a set of large double doors. As the doors opened the wonderful fragrance of roasted chicken and fried fish, boiled vegetables, fruit pies, rice puddings, soups of all kinds, and the smell of fresh wine came to them in such a rush of excitement that Elerina almost froze. Only the reassuring arm around hers kept her walking.

"Over there are Elladan and Elrohir, the sons of Elrond. They are twins, impossible to tell apart." He pointed to two identical figures with long black hair. "And there is Arwen Evenstar, their sister. And across from her is Aragorn, son of Arathorn; next to him is Boromir of Gondor. Over there are the five Halflings, Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, and Samwise Gamgee. And there is the wizard, Gandalf the Grey. And there are Gimli the Dwarf and his father, Glóin. They will be staying here for a few weeks before we have a Council, about things that I am not allowed to speak of."

Elerina had by now figured out that she had no idea where she was, and that these people were nothing like anyone she had ever seen. But she oddly felt at home here, and she also noticed that everyone except for the Halflings, the Dwarves, the wizard, and the two Men had pointed ears like hers, so she thought it didn't matter where she was. At least this was better than the orphanage.

"Welcome, Heru Thorontur and Heri Míriel. And welcome, Prince Legolas and Heri Elerina," said a loud voice. Elerina wondered what Heru and Heri meant. She was about to ask Legolas when she spotted someone getting up to cone speak to them.

(A/N: For any of you who who don't know, Heru means Lord, and Heri means Lady)

A tall figure strode up to them. He had long black hair, and looked much like Elladan and Elrohir, but older and wiser. He greeted them warmly. He turned to Elerina. "I am Lord Elrond. I am very glad to have a guest. How long to you suspect you will be staying?" he asked kindly.

"Well, I don't really have anywhere else to go. I'm an orphan you see," Elerina said a little sadly. Elrond's kind features changed to concern and sympathy.

"You can stay here as long as you like, or until other arrangements are made," he replied.

"Thank you kindly, sir."

"Come with me, and I will show you to your seats," he said. He led them to the long table, and sat Elerina next to Arwen, with Legolas next to her. Míriel and Thorontur were across from them, next to Aragorn.

Almost immediately after they sat down, servants began pouring through an open door at the end of the room. They brought trays and trays of the delicacies that they had smelled earlier. Dinner proceded, and Elerina said little, speaking only when spoken to.

Since she was not engrossed in conversation, she got a chance to look around and study each different person. She noticed that Arwen was very beautiful, and that Aragorn thought so also, with the looks he always gave her. Arwen seemed to return the looks as well. It seemed to Elerina that throughout the entire dinner, Gimli was arguing with Elladan and Elrohir. Gandalf was discussing what seemed to be matters of importance with Elrond.

She started wondering when dinner would be over. She had finished her food quickly, eating little. She was just thinking about asking Legolas when suddenly the door at the other end of the room opened again and servants again started pouring out with all sorts of desert dishes. She began to think she would be forced to eat more, but then realized that some of the people began to excuse themselves.

"Do you wish for anymore food?" Legolas asked her.

"Well, I don't want to be rude…" she began.

"Oh don't worry.Elves do not eat many sweet things after a large dinner, but since we have many guests who do, our cooks made deserts. We may leave if you like," he replied. Elerina smiled as they stood up. Míriel and Thorontur also stood to leave.

"We best change out of our dinner clothes. We still have a little while before we are to meet Elrond in the gardens. Would you like me to show you to your chambers, or do you remember?" asked Míriel.

"Uh… I don't think I remember," said Elerina a little shyly.

"No matter. Just follow me," Míriel said.

"I will see you in a while," said Legolas with a smile. Elerina returned the smile and continued behind Míriel.

"Lovely girl," said Thorontur.

"Yes, she is," replied Legolas, watching them go down the hallway. Thorontur gave him a nudge and a wink and started down a different hallway.

"Really, I just met her today! I hardly know her," he said following Thorontur.

"Well, there is such thing as love at first sight, you know," Thorontur replied teasingly.

"The thought never crossed my mind," Legolas said matter-of-factly

"Really…" said Thorontur. Making sure they were out of sight down the hallway, Legolas punched his brother-in-law hard on the shoulder. "What? I'm just stating the obvious!" he said, sarcastically rubbing his shoulder.

"The obvious? Yes, she's kind and gentle, and I intendto make friends with her. I did not say I loved her. I have known her for a few hours! She can't have said more than ten words to me," Legolas cried.

"Sometimes you don't need words," Thorontur said.

"I assure you, there is nothing there," said Legolas.