Chapter 9: How do you know?
A/N: Eep it's been so long since I've updated! Thank you guys so much for being patient! I've been kinda busy… well not really. Shoot me for being lazy. Whatever. And I know you guys don't want Thorontur to die, but you'll just have to wait and see. This story is supposed to be a little tragic, by the way…
I'm feeling nice because of all the reviews I've gotten, so I will reply to each of them.
Nasuada Moon: Yeah, I know Elerina sort of goes along with everything, but I will try to make her a bit more interesting. Thanks for reviewing!
IwishChan: Yes it is very sad at the moment. Now it could get better, and it could get worse. I'm not telling! Hee hee… Thanks for reviewing!
Felicitousmomento: Thanks a bunch! I'm glad you like my story so much!
Fiona McKinnon: He might die, and he might not. You'll just have to wait and see!
Elenial of the Stars: I intended for her to be a Mary-Sue, but not completely. Not everyone in the whole UNIVERSE is in love with her or anything. Thanks for the suggestions!
Elven Bunny and Butterfly Lion: Oops, typo. Well it is fixed now.
Enyamorntuilr: Sorry! I think age does matter, at least in the sense that Erulissë and Alassiel are children and Elladan and Elrohir are adults. At least in body they are, because they definitely aren't in mind. If you notice in the first chapter, I said that Elerina has pointed ears. I haven't said anymore about it, but there's a hint. Thanks for reviewing!
ChirikoFan: Glad you like it! I'll try to update as much as possible, but I'm kinda slow. Thanks for the review!
Lady ElfDragon: Yeah I know 'tis sad, but I wanted this story to be somewhat tragic. Sorry for the shortness! I'm gonna make this chapter longer, to make up for it
Elerina woke with a start. Where was she? Then she saw Erulissë looking up at her.
"I apologize, my Lady, but it is almost time for dinner. Will you be attending?" she said meekly. Elerina thought she saw a tear glisten in her eye.
"Well… I don't think so. Just a small bite in my room would be fine. Erulissë? Are you feeling alright?" Elerina asked, concerned. She climbed out of the tree. She was not hungry at all. 'How late is it?' she wondered. 'Dinner? Have I slept all day?'
"I'm fine…" Erulissë replied.
"You sure? You can talk to me, you know," Elerina said.
"Yes. I'm sure. If you want I can bring you a little dinner in your room later."
"That would be good… thank you," Elerina replied. Erulissë quickly went back inside. Elerina rubbed her head.
'How could I have slept all day? I wonder what's happening with Thorontur…' she thought. She started back inside, but then thought she heard a noise. She strained her ears, and could hear faint musical sound, like that of a tiny fairy's flute. She followed it into the endless garden paths. With each turn the enchanting music got louder.
Suddenly, around one of the bends, she spied Legolas sitting in a tree and playing a mournful song on a small flute. He started at her sudden appearance, and quickly jumped down from the tree.
"Hello, Rina. What are you doing here? I mean- I'm not trying to be rude or anything, it was just a question because, well-" he stuttered.
"It's alright, it's alright. What were you playing? It was beautiful," Elerina replied.
"Oh, just some random thing I was making up as I went along. I've had this little flute for as long as I can remember," Legolas grinned. Elerina thought she saw him blush. "Would you like to come up in the tree?"
"Sure," Elerina replied. "So… what's up?" she asked after they had settled in the branches.
"Um… the sky?" Legolas replied, puzzled.
"No, no. Remember what I told you? 'What's up' is like, 'How are you doing?' or 'What's going on in your life right now?' and things like that," Elerina laughed.
"Ah, yes. Well, right now I'm very sad. Míriel has done nothing but sit on her bed and cry all day. It's a wonder she hasn't made an entire ocean with all that she's cried. And when she's out of tears, she just stares off into space with a glazed look in her eyes. I don't like imagining what my sister will do if Thorontur dies." Legolas stared off sorrowfully.
"I think that we should let life run its course. Thorontur was a great Elf. He was kind, strong, brave and loving. He led a great life. It's a small wonder why the Valar want him with them in the Undying Lands," Elerina said. She covered her mouth at what she said, not knowing where the words came from.
"How do you know about the Valar?" asked Legolas, puzzled.
"I…don't know. It just sort of came out… and yet… I know all about them and Valinor. And lately… I've been able to see and hear much better than I used to. In fact, the past few days I have felt very strange. I can vaguely remember some of this. Rivendell, the Elves, the Hobbits, the Wizard. It all seems so familiar, yet so distant. It reminds me of…" Elerina paused, thinking. Legolas sat staring intently at her.
"Reminds you of what?" he asked.
"I can't put my finger on it, though it's right there. It's right there in the back of my mind, but it refuses to come out. It has something to do with my… mother. Yes, my mother. A very long time ago… my mother and… a book! Yes that's it, a book. A wonderful book my mother once read to me. I don't remember what it was about, though," Elerina replied.
"Push your hair back behind your ear," Legolas said after thinking for a moment. Elerina did as he said, and revealed one of her pointed ears. "Did you ever notice that you look like us? The Elves, I mean," he asked.
"Well, I never really thought about it," she replied.
"Heniach nin?" Legolas asked in Sindarin. (Do you understand me?)
"Mae," she said, knowing perfectly what it meant. (Yes.)
"How do you know Elvish?" asked Legolas.
"I-I don't know! But I just… do. I guess," she replied weakly.
"Well, it's late. I believe we've missed dinner," said Legolas after a moment of thought. He jumped down from the tree and proceeded to help Elerina down.
"Thank you for talking with me. I suppose I have some things to think about," she said.
"And I as well," Legolas replied.
They started back to the Main House in the dark. Legolas gently put an arm around Elerina, and she felt something inside her jump, though she knew not why.