A Song of Surprise
Fiondra swallowed the last bite of the roast bird on her plate. She glanced to her right at Gimli who was wiping his face with his auburn beard. Fiondra wrinkled her nose at his manners. She then looked to her left at the still glowering Legolas. He had eaten all of his food, but had remained silent throughout the entire meal. Fiondra lightly touched his arm and asked, "Are you all right, Legolas?"
He turned to her and nodded, his jaw set. "I can't believe my father. He knows that I wasn't looking for a bride. In fact, I had vowed-" Here he stopped short and Fiondra quirked an eyebrow at him.
She prodded him. "Yes? What did you vow?"
Legolas shook his head and glared at Thranduil. "Apparently, it doesn't matter any more. And besides, I didn't know that Ada would be leaving for the Undying Lands so soon. Now, on top of everything else, I have to get married in the next few months."
Fiondra smiled at him in sympathy and put her hand on his to comfort him. She opened her mouth to calm the upset elf further, when the king rose from his chair.
"Attention, my good elves. As entertainment for this evening, I have been informed that we have a group of ellith who will sing for us. Will they come forward?"
Three elf maidens stepped up to the king's table. One started to speak and Fiondra's eyes hardened. 'Twas the blond elleth who had insulted her earlier that day. Legolas sat up next to Fiondra, narrowing his eyes at the maiden. Fiondra frowned when she noticed this and moved forward in her seat to better hear the speaker.
"Majesty, we must beg forgiveness. Our fourth singer, who sang much of the melody alongside me, is not here tonight. We are unable to sing without her, majesty." She hung her head in mock shame.
"Wait," Thranduil said slowly. "What if we found for you another singer? Would that be acceptable to you, Lady Alqua?"
Fiondra started at the name. Alqua... Legolas' Alqua? The same Alqua he had called for in his delirium? This could not be she, the spiteful witch. Legolas was to smart to be involved with her. Fiondra turned, horrified to Legolas, but the elleth wasn't finished.
"Another singer?" Alqua clapped her hands together in fake delight. "Oh yes, majesty, thank you!"
Thranduil surveyed the room until his eyes came to rest on Fiondra. "Lady Fiondra, will you sing for us?" All heads turned to look at Fiondra, who was blushing heavily with all of the attention. She looked up at the king and he smiled kindly. "Come child; I know you can. Your father used to boast of your many talents. Please sing. I am eager to hear your voice."
Legolas nudged Fiondra and whispered, "Go ahead. I'd love to hear you sing as well."
On Fiondra's other side, Gimli voiced his agreement. "Go on, lass. It'll be fun."
Wondering if she was out of her mind, Fiondra stood up and joined the other ellith. "I will sing, highness, if it would please those around me." The king nodded solemnly and sat down.
Alqua quietly berated Fiondra. "You're just doing this to make the Prince notice you. I've news for you: it won't work!"
Fiondra whispered back a threat. "Oh, Eru take your voice! Just tell me what songs we'll be singing. And Lady Alqua, if you feel the need to belittle me again, just know that I have both bow and sword, and I know how to use them well."
Enraged, the other maiden started to speak again, but one of the other two ellith broke in. "We'll sing..." and she proceeded to list the numerous songs.
Fiondra memorized the order quickly and said, "That will be fine. Anything else?"
The elleth nodded. "We shall each sing a solo. You may choose which song as you will." With that she fell silent, and Fiondra and the others formed an arc. They started to sing.
It is well known that all elves have exquisite singing voices. They have since the first age, with the Valar singing praises to Eru. Yet, on this night, the four ellith sang in harmony, forgetting their differences for just a little while. Their voices reached many notes, in different octaves. The songs were sung so sweetly and purely, that even the eldest of elves sat up and paid more attention.
The four maidens sang on and on. It was finally time for their solos, Fiondra's being the last. Her turn came and she froze. The only people she ha ever sung for by herself had been her mother and father. "Go on," one elleth whispered. "Pick any song you'd like."
Fiondra took a deep breath and started to sing the first song that came into her head. The song her mother used to sing to her father when he was troubled about the growing evil in Middle Earth, "May It Be." Her pure voice cascaded around the room, gliding over the smooth notes until the end of the song.
Fiondra felt a single tear slide down her cheek. It was then she noticed that the entire room was encased in silence, save for a few snatched whispers of conversation. Fiondra looked around. Everyone was staring at her as though they were in shock. She turned around and looked to Legolas and Gimli. The latter's mouth had dropped. The elf had something in his eyes that Fiondra could not define: amazement or disgust perhaps?
Suddenly the whole ordeal was too overwhelming. Fiondra turned to the king and said, "Excuse me, highness." She fled the room, too mortified to endure the humiliation any longer.
X X X X X
Legolas stared after Fiondra's disappearing form. She had run not to past all of the elves to her bedroom, but instead out a side door to the gardens. Legolas glanced at his father, who nodded, and Legolas stood up. Gimli did likewise and said to the elf, "You stay. I'll try to calm her first, and in a little while, you can come out and do the same. All right?"
Legolas agreed, returning to his seat. The dwarf sprinted out the door and Legolas sighed. How had he gotten into this mess?
X X X X X
"Lass? Are you out here?" The dwarf's voice was not far off and Fiondra quickly wiped the tears from her face.
She called, "Over here, Master Gimli." The dwarf found her beneath a weeping willow on the banks of the creek. She smiled tentatively. "I thought that since I was upset, a weeping tree would be best to cry under."
Gimli smiled sadly. "Oh lass." Unable to control herself, Fiondra sank to the ground in loud sobs. Gimli sat on the ground next to her and he lent her the use of his shoulder.
"Why did they stare at me so? I thought they would finally accept me. But I was wrong. I'll never be one of them." She choked on these last words and Gimli patted her back consolingly.
"Come lass, it wasn't that bad. We were just surprised, is all. We didn't know that you could sing so prettily. You have a beautiful voice, and a rare one at that. It came as a shock, nothing more. But a good shock, don't mistake me. Now, what else is troubling you?" Concerned, Gimli watched as she brushed at a few straggling teardrops.
Fiondra sighed, a bit calmer than she had been while she was in hysterics. Now to tackle the next problem. "While Legolas was ill, he alternately called for his mother and someone name Alqua. Not till tonight have I known who she is. Now I find out that the elleth who has been acting so hateful to me, at one time meant something to Legolas. Who is she and why does she hate me so?"
Gimli shrugged and another voice spoke. "I believe 'tis only I who can answer that." It was Legolas. He had silently come up behind them from the banquet hall. He asked Gimli to leave him and Fiondra for privacy and the dwarf left.
Legolas sat down beside the flushed elleth. "I believe it is my turn to tell you a story, Lady Fiondra." He began.
X X X X X
May it Be: By Enya – I have no ownership of this song. (I was forced to takethe lyricsoff due to FanFiction's new policy.)
Please review. You have my thanks as always and may the grace of the Valar protect you.