A work in Progress
Chapter 23
By Candyfloss
POV: Laingalad
Almost a week had past since Haldir had returned from the borders, and we were now on speaking terms. I had been to the orchestra twice, during which time Dolenmir had offered to play for the wedding, even though we were still practicing for Haldir's appointment ball, seeing as on his return he had ask her to do so.
At the same time she had asked me to come shopping with her. I agreed on the account that I needed new clothes, and this would be the perfect time to sort out my wedding dress. She would be meeting me in the talan later this morning.
I sat down to breakfast with Haldir sitting opposite me, and told him that I would be going out.
"Where to?" he asked, whilst taking a bite out of his apple.
"To the tailors..." I trailed off.
"That's nice, enjoy yourself," he simply said. When I said speaking terms, I meant the bear minimal. This will not do, with us getting married in more then a week; there was still not a sign of my family or friends. I was beginning to wonder if they would come at all.
Almost everything was in place, everything bar my dress...and the ring, I had to go and pick that up later this afternoon whilst I shopped for my dress as well.
"Though I must wonder; do you enjoy shopping or is it merely a necessity?" Haldir suddenly asked.
"Both, I am going with Dolenmir, and to order my dress," I replied.
"Speaking of other necessities," He suddenly said sitting up in his chair. Why did I have a feeling I wouldn't like where this conversation was going?
"Yes?" I questioned wondering if he would decide on a direct approach or not, and to make sure I wasn't mistaken.
"You are to buy your dress, have you thought what else you must prepare for...for the wedding?" He asked.
I knew it, a topic that had long been niggling at me from the back of my mind. I wasn't sure whether I should be glad that I would finally get it over and done with, or dread having to go through with this. Sighing I replied,
"Must we talk about this?"
He finished his apple before leaning back and crossing his arms, "Yes."
I looked across the room, breaking eye contact with him, having his undivided attention when talking about such things as this unnerved me.
"Very well then," I replied.
"I don't think that wall will give you any answers Laingalad," he said still watching me. I gave him a sarcastic smile and replied,
"Funny, neither did I." Pulling back a stray strand of hair I turned to face him again. He sighed before saying to me,
"This is complicated, I do not.....I do not want to feel as if I am stepping on your toes, and I know I am already in dangerous waters with you as it is. But I feel that this must be discussed to reduce as much embarrassment as possible on the night."
I took in a deep breath, replying,
"What is there to discuss Haldir? What has to be done, must be done, there is hardly more to it." I began to play with my goblet.
"You must know of what I speak." He must think I am extremely naïve not to know of what he speaks.
"Indeed I do."
"And you have nothing more to say about it?" He asked, what more could be said on such a subject? Bar the fact I was feeling highly uncomfortable!
"Erm...well...do you?" I asked. Without hesitation he replied,
"Not really, I have partaken in such an event before."
"I'm sure you have," I replied blushing, "...I on the other hand...am a different matter."
"I could show you the rudiments if you would like." He said smirking, causing me to abruptly stop with my fiddling, I snarled at him saying,
"Watch your mouth Haldir" swiftly giving him a kick from beneath the table.
"Ow! I was just being considerate."
"You were being bold."
"And what is wrong with being bold? If it wasn't so nothing would ever get done or decided."
"There is a time and place for it Haldir, and that was not it." I stated.
Shrugging as if it were nothing he replied, "I've heard worse, usually coming out of my younger brothers' mouth." Oh how people here are....so different. Or perhaps it was just me? I was beginning to wonder just exactly how sheltered my life in Imladris was.
"And who allowed for such tings to emit from his mouth?" I asked.
He simply replied, "He is over two millennia, it is not my role to correct him." Well....he did have a point.
"So long as it is not within my hearing range, I care not." Picking up a piece of bread I began to tear at it taking out small chunks, and popping them into my mouth.
"You are digressing," He said interlinking his fingers and propping them on the table, leaning on them.
"And you wonder why after that comment of yours?" I asked, finishing my tea.
He rose and eyebrow before saying, "I didn't think you were so prudish."
"You didn't think at all!" I snapped back at him.
"That's quite an assumption, especially as I'm the one thinking of your feelings having brought this topic up. I could, instead have left you to brood by yourself. By the Valar you would deserve it."
It had been almost two months living with this elf, and yet I still could not for the majority of the time, prevent him from getting the better of me, nor winding me up,
"Is this a sport for you? Winding me up?" I asked.
He simply replied, "No."
In lieu of finishing the conversation I picked up my cup and plates and brought them over to the basin.
"You're evading the conversation," He chanted in a sing song voice.
I glared at him, as I ran the water over the dirty dishes, and replied, "You're being annoying."
"Not so much as you my dear," He said turning his back on me, as he began to wipe down the table.
"Is that so?" I asked, filling a cup with water.
"Yes it is."
Cup in hand I tiptoed over to him, before emptying its contents on his head, causing him to gasp, before turning round to face me.
"That was un-called for!" He said, water dripping from him he comes over to the sink and dropped the towel in. On turning to leave he ran his hand under the water before quickly bringing it out, splashing me down the front. Hurriedly he left and entered the bedroom.
I shook my head and finished the dishes, before drying my hands and going over to his book shelf to grab a book.
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Being so absorbed in the scroll before me I hardly noticed the gentle knocking on the door, though when I eventually did, I hurriedly got up and rushed to open it.
In opening the door, Dolemir's smile greeted me,
"Good Evening Laingalad, ready?" She asked.
"Give me a moment," I said mindlessly inviting her in whilst going to the bedroom, grabbing the bag of coins my mother had given me before I left.
I re-entered the living quarters to find Dolenmir, admiring a small plant by the window.
"Shall we?" I asked opening the door for her, she nodded before exiting; I followed her shutting the door behind me.
One of the first things we did was to go to the jewelers to pick up Haldir's ring. As the jeweler handed it to me I wondered if he would even like the thing. Made from Mithril it was a simple yet elegant design and well obviously if he didn't like it he'd be stuck with the thing for eternity anyway, so either way I don't think he had much of a choice.
Dolenmir came in after me, in her hand a basket full of fruits and vegetable, she took one look at the ring in the palm of my hand and smiled, was that a look of approval? Or was she perhaps being polite?
"I had to pick up a few things for dinner tonight," She said to me as I pocketed the ring.
"Did you get everything?" I asked as I followed her out.
"Do you want to go and sort your dress now?" She asked me. I nodded fumbling with the ring in my pocket.
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"So what did you order last time you were here?" I asked out of curiosity.
"I gown for the Celumereth" She replied as we rounded the corner.
"Really? And do you recommend them for all occasions? As well as every day clothes?" I asked, wondering if they were any good at fulfilling the customers' needs.
"I believe so, but there are a variety of different tailors in Caras Galadhon, and indeed other dwellings in Lothlorien. They all have different styles, some which you may like and others that you will not." She replied as she pushed open the doors to the tailors. "Though worry not Anoreirien, Auraglar do not get their clothes here."
I laughed at her comment "Thank the Valar for that, for I would be worried if they did." I replied, cringing for a second as I remembered what they said they would be wearing to Haldir's appointment ball. It was then that a tall elleth came over and asked us,
"How may I help you ladies?" I looked up and said to the elleth, trying to remember how my mother went about doing this, it was at times like these that you regret not paying as much attention as you should have.
"Well....I'd like to sort out my wedding dress if possible, and oh yes, I'd like to get some gowns for wear on normal days, as well as a few tunics."
"Would you like to do it in that order?"
Hesitantly I replied, "Erm...whichever order is easiest for you."
"We shall start with day to day dresses; it will help me to decide which type of wedding dress you would like." Well she made sense there.
"Ok then, I'll go and pick out the materials....I want about three dresses," I said counting them off the top of my head.
The tailor stood beside Dolenmir and watched me as I went through the pile of coloured fabric.
"Is there any particular colour you would like? We do not have a variety of colours in some of the materials."
"Well I was looking for a subtle colour, green perhaps," There was no way anyone would catch me in such colours as pink and yellow, I believe those colours should not be seen on clothes.
"Green?" She asked, "We have a variety of shades in most materials appropriate for dresses. Have you narrowed down your choices?"
"Forest green would be nice." I replied, turning around to face the two.
"We have forest green in a variety of silks and velvets....and knits for that matter, my sisters' new venture." Knits? Interesting.....
"I think I'd prefer silk" I replied.
"Well I will need to measure you," She said looking around the room.
"Of course, where would you like me to stand?" I asked.
"That stall would be most appropriate. Just let me go and fetch my sister," She said as I went over to the stall. Turning to Dolenmir I asked, "What style do you think I should have it made in?"
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After many measurements had been taken we went back to Dolenmir.
"And now we get to move onto the wedding dresses" She said clapping her hands together excitedly, it was at that point that I realized she would be the first to see my dress, or rather have a vague idea of what it was to look like.
"Oh my, you will really need to help me on this. I have no clue on this subject," I said, hoping that having been married she'd be able to give me a bit of help.
"You are marrying Haldir." The tailor stated rather then asked.
"Yes she is," Dolenmir answered in a matter of fact tone, before I could open my mouth.
"Do you know what he will be wearing?" She asked me, causing me to frown.
"As I matter of fact...I don't."
"Worry not," The tailor said reassuringly, "Have you had any thoughts as to what style of dress you would like? I take it you would prefer white."
"Well the style, I don't want any frills for sure," I said happily, it would be the only formal dress that I have with no frills, no thanks to my mother. "And white would be nice if not then a light shade of blue," I tried imagining the picture in my head like a painting.
"Well I suppose we should decide on the cut and fitting of the gown first," She said going to a rack and pulling out many dresses. "Could you tell me what parts you like and which you do not?" She said showing me the first dress.
I frowned again as I studied the dress before replying, "I like the bottom of this one....though could you bring the tail in, so it's not as long?" I asked looking at the extremely long tail.
"Yes of course," She replied, before Dolenmir suddenly said:
"What about this neck line?"
"Hmm......well, I don't want it too high...nor do I want it too low. I think just about here," I said lifting my hand to show both of them where about. And so the evening continued like this, with me picking out various parts of my gown and hoping it would fit together well.
After an extremely long day we both said farewell before departing for our talans.
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A few days later I was told that my family and friends were finally arriving in Lorien later that afternoon. I couldn't wait. Though it was only a short period of time, I still missed them so.
One thing I didn't quite like was the idea that I had to put on an act all over again, even for them. It was not fair, then again life was never fair.
"Have you decided upon the dress that you shall wear tonight?" Haldir asked as we walked down to greet the arriving company.
"I have a fair idea, though like someone reminded me. We can not clash. So what colour tunic are you wearing today?" I asked thinking back to the first time Dolenmir spoke to me.
"Blue I suppose," He replied making me have an image of my wardrobe, slowly I scanned through and found a blue dress.
"Do you like the colour blue?" I asked absentminded, the dress was a two piece. The top half lighter then the bottom half. It had a tail which dragged out a bit at the back and did a cross at my neck, acting almost like a ribbon necklace.
Haldir quirked and eyebrow and replied, "As much as any other elf I suppose. Why such a maudlin question? Surely my colour preference would not effect what you would wear. You have never dress to please me before."
Too right I didn't, though he did seem to wear blue a lot.
"Just random questions out of my curiosity, seeing as for the majority of the time you seem to wear blue."
"Blue and silver are part of my uniform as a Galadhrim soldier. I suppose I subconsciously choose blue as I know it suits me. Can you hear that? The drum of horses!" He exclaimed.
"So it is," I said excitedly. "They're finally here!"
At this point Elladan and Elrohir came careering forward, hastily dismounting before coming over to hug me. "My friends, so nice to see you both again" I said hugging them, hiding and toning down my excitement. I couldn't believe it, they were really here!!
"What has he done to you? Nice? You haven't seen us in ages!" Elladan exclaimed looking at me.
"It's to be expected, she has been Haldir-ised" Elrohir added, causing me to laugh at his phrasing.
"I have not!" I exclaimed, before whispering to them, "Thanks for the ideas" A huge grin appeared on my face as I said it.
"Ahem," Haldir interrupted as though they had forgotten about him, trust him to ruin the moment.
"Don't be so possessive Haldir! Starting next week you'll have her for eternity!" Elladan exclaimed, causing me to pull away from their hug.
"Thanks for reminding me El, so where are the rest of the company? Or were you so anxious to see me that you are days ahead?" I asked looking behind them trying to see if there was anyone there.
"Nay, they will be here soon. We left the company they were riding slowly," Elrohir said looking at something behind me. Suddenly the twins burst out,
"Daernaneth! Daeradar! Suillad."
I turned around to see Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, curtseying I greeted, "My Lord and Lady."
Galadriel returned the greeting and asked the twins, "How was your journey?"
"Why ask?" Elrohir replied grinning, "You already know."
"As impertinent as ever I see. So you didn't run into any trouble?" Lord Celeborn said looking around at us all.
"Our journey was fine, quite leisurely apart from the tears." Elrohir said causing me to wonder and Haldir to ask,
"Tears?"
"Yes, it appears Laingalad's mother is getting pre-wedding jitters." Elrohir informed us.
I quirked an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Trust my naneth to be so, what of Ada?" I asked.
"He as been as stoic as ever." Elladan simply replied causing me to sigh.
"They're here," Galadriel said. I turned around, a smile suddenly on my face.
"Nana! Ada!" I exclaimed going over to hug my Ada, "How faired your journey?" I asked.
"As good as can be expected from a weeks riding, you look well." He replied.
"Aye you do. Lothlorien suits you," My Nana suddenly said. I wondered what they meant, I felt as I always did, did I somehow in a short period of time change in physical appearance? Or did they expect less of me? Slightly confused I replied,
"Thank you both, what joy it brings me to see you both again." I then went to hug my nana, during which time I could hear my Ada ask Haldir,
"She as been good to you?"
"Of course, she will be an excellent wife" He said smiling as he put his arm around me, the nerve of him!
I smiled back and replied, "Glad you think so," before going back to the twins, leaving Haldir free to talk to Arwen.
"So, did you use our suggestions or did you come up with some ingenious ideas of your own?" Elrohir asked, throwing a cautious look at Haldir, who looked as though he was beginning a deep conversation with Arwen. I grinned and replied,
"You like slightly tinted coloured berries don't you Elrohir?"
"He doesn't seem to have pink hair," Elladan interjected throwing another look at Haldir who now had his back to us.
"Obviously, El, you seriously think that I'm dumb enough to allow my parents to see I'm still my immature self?" I asked.
"Very clever L, We did indeed teach you much," Just because they were slightly older then me, didn't mean they taught me everything I know. Laughing I asked,
"How goes life without me?"
"Utterly boring," Elladan stated.
"Especially as Erestor has had us cleaning the stables." Elrohir finished, I was glad to see some things still hasn't changed about the two, though his saying caused me to wonder what they had done now.
"Awwww...poor twins" I said winking, "Or perhaps I should say poor Erestor?" I prompted wanting to know more.
Elrohir laughed and replied, "Poor Erestor. We gave everyone sour milk, that's why we we're in the stables, we thought the kitchens were a great place to execute another prank."
I continued to laugh, and managed to say, "Trust you two to take advantage of the situation."
"Of course!" Elladan exclaimed, "We had to make up for your leaving and this trip."
"Glad to hear you're coping so well without me," I said with a positive note, which thanks to these two, were taken otherwise.
"Coping? No!" Elrohir exclaimed.
"Compensating for you. Life will never be the same without you." Elladan said, making me think a numerous amount of things.
"Nor you my friends," I said pulling both of them into a tight embrace. "Life has definitely taken a turn for all of us," I muttered.
"We shall not be so somber, this is a celebratory time, for Galadriel's grandchildren are back in Caras Galadhon, I'm sure they're counting the days." Elladan started making me smile.
"Until we leave," Elrohir added, a grin managing to sneak it's way onto my face at this moment, seeing that they were still the unique people I had left two months ago, still being their old self, which for some reason made me extremely happy inside.
"I bet they are, how long do you plan to stay?" I asked.
"Ada says that we'll stay for a month, Imladris will not be able to cope without him." Elladan informed me, So why can't they stay... I thought to myself, before shaking the thoughts from my head, now was not the time to be selfish.
"Only a month...what are we wasting time for? Come!" I exclaimed, pulling on their sleeves, and excusing us from the rest of the company, before running off.
A/N I supoose I should start with huge apologies all round for the humungous wait for this chapter. The main reason for this is because it was the summer holidays and we were all busy doing other things to meet up and write this. After our exams there was general chaos and disorganization.
The three of us our now starting college, (that's British College mind you, not University) separately, but we will finish this story.
Now the next chapter hasn't even been started yet, my fault to bust being with family and being on holiday when I'd scheduled to write the chapter, so it won't be up until the 26th, maybe the 27th as the 26th is my dads and my aunts birthdaysâ€.if it's not up by then you have permission to banish me to Pluto.
Now I would reply to reviews now but I have a large piece of maths homework, a large pile of ironing and about 10 chapters of Stalking the Fellowship to beta, so I don't think I can fit that in.
Suffice to say we love reading your reviews, it's great to know that our writing is appreciated, so to:
Soccer Bitch, The Maltese Mouse, angel13, Everdawn, Angela, Haldir's heart and soul, Maria and Chibi06 and all of you who don't review
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