She Was So Normal
Pipeweed and Cake
Author's Note: Not much new to say. Still don't own Lord of the Rings. Review and let me know what you think! Con-crit welcome, flames belong in Mount Doom. And remember- elvish in italics! This chapter also intersects and shares a scene with chapter 15 of "The Forgotten". So in case you are reading both, this will look familiar. If you're wondering who the heck Lothril is, check out my other fic "The Forgotten". Also – this chapter contains depictions of smoking pipeweed. And I'm of the opinion it's probably more or less a tobacco, so nobody is getting high. Sorry.
It had been so peaceful in the city that she had forgotten there was a war on. Or the prelude to one. However, she was reminded that things were afoot when a messenger came one morning for Haldir.
"I am afraid I must leave you on your own for a couple days," Haldir said, turning to Renee. "There are wounded soldiers that need brought back and I am to take up replacements and bring back the wounded. Do you think you shall be able to manage two or three days on your own?"
"I should be fine. I have a handful of words down and between Aranor, Legolas, and Lothril I should get by," Renee replied.
Haldir nodded. "I know my wife does not speak your language, but if you find you are wanting company, you may go to her. When I told her I was leaving for a few days, she said she would be happy to come sit with you and play music or teach you our speech."
"Where do you live?" She asked.
"I will take you there now, if you like. I am not to leave until tomorrow, but I would like you to be as set as you can be before I leave," Haldir said.
"Yes, let's go," Renee said. They grabbed their cloaks and headed out. "Haldir, do you know if Aranor will be busy before you get back with the wounded?"
"He is a little busy already," Haldir answered. "There were some who were less wounded with things like broken arms or lesser wounds that came back yesterday and gave the report which is sending me out. Aranor is treating wounds and readying everything for the wounded I shall be bringing back."
She nodded. "I wish I could help out, but I think I'd be more of a hindrance. I don't really know much about treating wounds. Though, I suppose I could help roll bandages."
"After we go to my house, we can go to him and ask if you can help," Haldir said.
"Let's do that," Renee said, a little smile teasing her mouth.
Haldir had said he lived close, but Renee hadn't realized just how close. They were practically in the same neighborhood. She reckoned by Smithsville standards, they were roughly two blocks down and a street over from each other. In Lothlórien terms, If she took the path that led straight from her front door, she would go three trees down, left at the white pillared gazebo looking platform, and down to the next elven round about and take the second right hand path which led to what would be a wide sidewalk that connected several tree houses both to the left and right of the junction. His was the first house left of the junction, and Haldir informed her Aranor's was the one on the right.
Both houses were bigger than hers, or so she reckoned, it was hard to tell because Galadhrim architecture could get pretty creative. Haldir's house looked like a tri-level that spiraled gently up the side of the tree facing Aranor's house. Aranor's house looked like it was a deeper and more like a two story house, but the stories were stacked like like stair steps and on the roof of each it looked like there was a veranda.
Haldir opened his front door and let her inside first and showed her to a beautiful bright little sitting room and asked her to wait while he fetched Elwen. Renee's gut instinct told her Haldir was doing decently well for himself. All the furniture was very pretty and had Art Nouveau vibes (though everything seemed to here), and most of it was either upholstered or cushioned. The rug in the room was a woven number with a gorgeous leaf and flower pattern and ignoring the fact it had to be hand woven, she figured even a cheap knock off version of it back home would set one back quite a bit. The fact it was handwoven though – she knew full darn well nobody, but nobody in Smithsville could afford that unless they inherited it. There were lovely jacquard curtains, the fireplace was cut stone, there were even a couple painted portraits on the mantle, a few more on the walls, and a very pretty landscape painting. She wondered briefly if one of them painted until she realized that the portraits of Haldir and Elwen were different than the others, and the style of the other portraits was different than the landscape. So she reckoned there had to be several different painters represented in the room. She almost hated to say it, but the portraits of Haldir and Elwen seemed to be the best ones. The others were all very, very nice but his and hers almost looked like pictures.
Haldir wasn't gone more than a minute before he returned with Elwen.
"Greetings friend Renee!" Elwen said with a smile.
"Greetings friend Elwen," Renee replied.
"Haldir told me his orders. You are very welcome here if you desire it," Elwen replied.
Renee held up her hand to Haldir to wait before translating while she tried to work out what she said. "She said you told her your orders and I'm welcome here if I want, correct?"
"Yes," Haldir replied with a smile.
Renee's face split into a grin. She was really starting to get somewhere with this. "Thank you, Elwen. I…." her brows scrunched together and she frowned as she couldn't quite figure out how to say what she wanted so she changed course and said, "I will come here."
Elwen nodded. "Would you like to join me for tea? I was getting ready to make myself some when you came in."
Renee looked at Haldir, "She is inviting me to have some tea, right?"
Haldir nodded. "Yes, she is."
"How would I say I would love to join her tea?" Renee asked.
Tea came with some elven conversation that Renee simultaneously realized was basically toddler level Elvish, complete with Elwen keeping conversation revolving around things she could either easily point to or pantomime. She appreciated it though, because she was sure to speak very clearly and a little more slowly. Renee started to get a suspicion that if the Elves started offering Elvish as a Second Language courses, Elwen would be a great teacher. She seemed to have a very natural knack for it. Afterwards, they headed to the healer's where they found Aranor directing other healers and ticking things off a list.
He noticed them come in and handed the list and pencil off to an elf woman standing beside him and came over to them. "Do you need something, Renee?" he asked, voice pleasant, but it was clear he was busy and cutting straight to the point.
"I want to help, if I can," she said, cutting straight to the point herself.
Aranor gave a small nod and a smile. "Do you have any experience with healing or medicine?"
"My aunt was an army nurse and taught me to how to do stitches. She also taught me how to wrap wounds and stuff like that. However, I'm willing to just roll bandages and fetch and carry if you need it," Renee replied.
"Unless our forces get overwhelmed in the next day or two, I do not think I shall need extra hands for wrapping wounds and stitches, though I shall remember you if we do. Mostly right now we are counting supplies and making sure we have sufficient amounts."
"Oh, well I imagine I wouldn't be very helpful with inventory. I don't know how to read elvish and I don't know the vocabulary," she replied.
"I do not think I shall need you today, but I will let you know if I think we can use you later," Aranor said. "And thank you for offering."
With that they left and Haldir was insistent they do their own inventory at her house to make sure she would be fine for the next few days without him. She reckoned he was worrying and fussing a bit, as she figured between the cute little bakery and the Golden Acorn she could get by for a couple days, but he seemed concerned and insistent and she knew full well whenever a guy gets worried about a girl, there's nothing for it but to let him fuss until he thinks he's taken care of everything. When she had gone off to college, even though she was living with her aunt and uncle, it was her father who got nervous and went on a shopping spree to make sure she was had everything from new tires on her car, to a full tool set in the trunk in case of a breakdown, to a survival pack in case she got stranded, to a full new set of snow gear. Her mother asked her if she wanted a new bed spread and sheets because she thought her sister's guest bedroom had a bigger bed, and took her to get some new clothes so she'd look cute and warm going between classes. So, instead of 'Yes, Dad. I'll be fine! Don't worry!' it was 'Yes Haldir, I'll be fine. Thank you! I promise.'
Once he was quite satisfied she had enough food for at least a fortnight (though he kept promising he would be back in three days, four tops), he made sure she knew a handful of phrases like, 'I need help, please take me to Aranor/fetch Aranor to me'. He even went so far as to write a couple of them down and then made her write the translation underneath so she could read it and show it to someone if necessary. Part of her thought this was all a bit overkill, but simultaneously, she was touched by his concern and she had to admit, if something really crazy did happen, this would be very helpful. It was obvious he was trying to make sure she was taken care of in as many situations as he could think of while he was gone.
After a couple hours even he reckoned she would be fine and she told Haldir he should go home and spend time with his wife before heading out the next day, and he flatly refused, claiming it would be him shirking his duties, so instead she suggested he go get Elwen and bring her over for dinner.
"Very well, I will go fetch her for supper. If I may, can we have pizza again?" he asked.
Renee grinned, "You liked that, eh? Yes, I can definitely make pizza again."
"Will you wait to start it though until I return? Elwen wishes to learn how to make it," Haldir said.
"Yes, I will wait."
Dinner was fun and Elwen taught her several more food words along with some cooking and baking terms. She really liked Elwen and wished she could talk to her better. She seemed very sweet and very patient, and she was very communicative given the huge language barrier. Haldir sat with them in the kitchen to lend his aid mostly as a translator as his wife kept smacking his hand if he tried to help. Renee wasn't sure, but she got a feeling she either kept telling him, 'too many cooks spoil the soup' or else 'we're big girls and can do it ourselves'. Of course, she really couldn't be sure, but the way they her eyes glittered and the way he kept pretending to be hurt and then chuckling suggested a playful reprimand.
Renee couldn't help but think those two were adorable together. It was clear they were both head over heels for each other and she decided then and there she wouldn't marry anyone who didn't look at her like Haldir looked Elwen. Even in casual sounding comments, the looks he would give her were loving. Not ooey, gooey sappy, but full of love that spoke of many long and happy years together. It weirdly reminded her of her grandparents, even though they both looked roughly her age. Being surrounded by elves was just weird like that, but she was getting used to it.
After dinner they sang again and Elwen taught her a couple songs, but this time Renee decided to she'd make them say the words slowly she could write them down and then make Haldir tell her what each word was. So she could start figuring out grammar. When Elwen saw what she was doing, she looked over Renee's shoulder very curious. She was intrigued by the strange looking letters and paid very careful attention as Renee and Haldir went back and forth between the two languages. There was a while yet before she would leave… she would have to have Haldir teach her a few phrases in Westron so she could at least greet Renee… Before it was all said and done, she told Haldir to tell Renee she was leaving her lute for her so she could play it if she wanted.
It grew late and Haldir and Elwen said goodnight after Haldir asked Renee if she was sure she would be fine and Renee promised him she would. As they walked back home arm in arm Elwen said, "It is adorable watching you fuss over someone again, but really Haldir, she is a grown woman."
He shot her a look and replied, "I know, but I have been charged with making sure she is well while she is here and those orders are not rescinded while I am at the border."
"About that, surely there is another who could do this," Elwen replied. "It seems odd to me you would be given charge of the guest and then sent to do fetch and carry a week later."
"It is simply how I came up in the rotation," he replied.
"Which also seems odd given you are supposed to be at the front still."
He sighed. "I imagine about the time I reach the front, my commanding officers will realize what happened and have to send apologies to everyone from the Lord and Lady to Renee." He chuckled suddenly. "Almost makes it worth it. I hate to ask it of you, but you will check in on her for me please?"
Elwen laughed and briefly leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked and she replied, "Of course, dearest! I like her! And I think we may get on fairly well even without you. She is a very smart woman."
"Thank you, Elwen."
The next morning Renee awoke and threw a robe on and wandered out into the living room. She stirred up the fire again from the hot ashes and threw on more wood and sat down and stared at the flames that slowly began licking the new log.
"Oh, what to do today," she muttered to herself. There was a slice or two of left over pizza that she figured she shouldn't let sit any longer. She didn't mind eating pizza left out all night for breakfast, but she reckoned much past that was probably a bad idea. So after a breakfast of cold pizza and a weird flash back to the first day in her apartment back home, she decided she wanted something a little more breakfast proper and considered her options. As far as she could tell, there wasn't a cup of coffee in the entire land of Lothlórien, which sucked because she really wanted a nice medium roast. Something with a little growl on the front but a smooth finish… She thought of a coffee she had at home. It was rapidly reaching the top of the 'things she would do first when she got home' list.
She dressed and puttered about a little before deciding a cup of tea and one of those tasty little fruit tarts from that little bakery sounded nice. So, in case Elwen or anybody else came by looking for her, she pulled out the little notebook she had copied song lyrics in last night and a pencil and sketched out a picture of a tea cup, a little bird, and a muffin. It was simple but recognizable and she reckoned anyone who stopped by should be able to at least take a guess at where she was. She put a log on the table and propped the book up against it and then took a larger piece of kindling and set it front of the book to keep it from sliding. She took a step back, reckoned that would do, grabbed her cloak and headed out.
She was not too far away from the bakery when suddenly she heard someone call her name.
"Hello, Renee!"
She spun around and saw right away who had called to her. "Oh, hello Lothril, Legolas," Renee greeted with a smile.
"What brings you out on such a fine morning?" Legolas asked.
"Well, Aranor has wounded soldiers to attend to and more to prepare for, and Haldir was sent back to the northern border with some troops. Something about him being a ranking officer and the other one for their platoon or squad or whatever it's called is already up at the front. He said he should only be gone a couple days as he's basically dropping off soldiers then returning with some wounded. Anyway, all that to say – I'm alone for a couple days and I'm hungry, and I fancy one of those fruit tarts they sell over there," she said, pointing to a shop maybe thirty feet away. "They've also got a fantastic tea that's kind of fruity and herbal that I am absolutely in love with!"
"We are on our way to breakfast ourselves. Would you mind if we joined you?" Legolas asked.
"Not at all! I'd be grateful, actually. I'm starting to get some elvish words and phrases down, and goodness knows everyone here has been very helpful, but it's still a struggle," she answered.
"Then we shall be more than happy to help you," Lothril said.
"What's this place called, anyway?" Renee asked.
"Seed and Sparrow," Legolas replied.
"That explains the cute little bird on the sign," she commented. "And the menu, now that I think of it."
They went inside and found it was busy, but not particularly so. They found a table near the window and sat down in full view of the treed city. A server came up to them and spoke and Renee asked her companions what he said.
"He said this morning they have apple and raisin tarts, sweet spice bread with honey, jam, and butter, eggs, toast, seed cakes, and cold ham," Legolas said.
"That's what I thought he said," Renee said with a smile. She looked at the server and said carefully, "Basgorn orf, len hannon. Oh yeah! A suithlas. Len hannon." She looked at Lothril and Legolas and said, "Did I say it right?"
"If you wish for the apple tart and tea, yes," Lothril answered.
Renee smiled. "Oh good!"
"You are improving. Soon you shall not need someone to aid you," the server said to her.
Renee's brows knit together and she half muttered what she heard back to herself, trying to figure out what he said. After a second she turned to her companions and asked, "What did he say? I only caught 'You are – Soon-not-need-aid you.'"
They looked impressed. "He said you are improving and soon you shall not need someone to aid you," Legolas said.
She looked at the server and said, "Thank you, but I am sure I shouldn't get on so well if you all weren't so patient."
Legolas translated it for her and the server assured her it was a delight to hear even broken elvish from the lips of strangers. Swiftly he took the orders of Legolas and Lothril and then hurried off."
"Thank you for translating for me," Renee said. "I'm getting there, but it's still a fair amount of charades we have to play when I reach the end of my limited vocabulary. And I'm still a bit hazy on elven sentence structure."
"What is charades?" Legolas asked.
"It's a game where one person acts out something like a word, phrase, emotion, or so forth without speaking and the other players have to guess what they're trying to say," Renee answered.
Legolas smiled, "We play that!"
"I had a suspicion," Renee said. "The first time I tried it I was surprised at how well we got on." She rubbed her forehead. "You know, my brain hasn't been this tired since my linguistics classes in college. Working on another language is hard work."
"Yes, I remember when we first moved north and began trading with the peoples of Dale and Lake Town," Legolas said. "I had not ever heard the tongues of men before and it took me some time to speak comfortably in it. At least by that age though, I had learned Silvan and Sindarin and some Quenya, so I had some practice. They are nothing like this language, but it still was helpful," Legolas said.
Renee nodded. "I studied – well, another language in college, and even though this and that are nothing alike, I know what you mean by it being helpful. Once you have practice learning another language, it gets easier the next time you try it."
"What level is college?" Legolas asked. "Is that what you were in at school when I fetched you?"
Lothril shook her head. "I was in high school. College comes after that if one wishes to pursue it."
The server came with their drinks then returned a couple minutes later with what they ordered.
"It still amazes me that there are elven cafes and restaurants," Renee said after the server left. "Well, tea shops, taverns and inns, I guess."
Lothril commented, "That is because the books did not go into the commerce of elven kingdoms. It surprised me as well when I learned of it here. Though, I did not travel much within Thranduil's realm, and Rivendell is but a single estate."
"It was more common when kingdoms like Beleriand and Gondolin still stood. We have a few in my father's realm. In the days when our kingdom covered the whole of the forest, there were more of these things, but it is no longer safe to travel far and our people live mostly within our protected borders," Legolas said. "Here though, the city is the center of trade within the realm, and anything brought in from beyond the borders come into the city first and then goes out from here."
"Truly, you have these things in Mirkwood?" Lothril asked.
Legolas nodded. "If there had been more time between your arrival and our departure, I should have taken you out to show you more of my father's realm. As it was, you did not leave the palace grounds until you left."
They fell into a companionable silence as they ate. After a little while Lothril asked, "Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?"
Renee took a sip of her tea then answered, "Nothing in particular. I play guitar back home, and Haldir's wife was kind enough to loan me her lute, so I thought I might spend some time figuring it out. I figure if I get painfully bored or lonely, I could wander down towards where the Fellowship is staying and see if they would mind some company."
"They would welcome your company, I am sure," Legolas said.
"Then I might. Will you two be there?" she asked.
"No, actually. I have family here and we are going to go visit them. I have not seen them in a very long time," Legolas said.
"We? So you are going too, Lothril?"
"Yes, I am," she answered.
Renee gave her a smile and said, "I wondered the other day if you two were an item."
"An item?" Legolas asked, looking from Renee to Lothril.
"If we are two people who are romantically interested in each other," Lothril clarified.
"Then yes, I suppose we are," Legolas replied with a grin.
"How far is your family from here?" Renee asked.
"I have not been there, but as I understand it, they are more towards the edge of the city. We shall probably spend a couple days there. If we had known you would be without your translator these few days, we should have stayed here, but I have already sent word to them and they are expecting us by this evening," Legolas answered.
Renee shook her head and waved her hand dismissively. "Think nothing of it. The best way to learn a language is to dive in and try using it. And as for any potential boredom – I can always go visit the Fellowship, and there's an inn not far from here where there's always music and I can go spend some time. I remember vaguely reading something about elven minstrels, but I must say, it's a pretty fantastic experience."
"We saw them as we headed over and they are all up and about," Lothril said. "If you wished to go see them this morning, I am sure they would be happy to see you."
"I think I shall," she said.
After they finished they parted ways and Renee made her way back towards her cottage, but bypassed it and headed down and towards the pavilion where the Fellowship was staying.
"Good morning, Renee!" Boromir greeted. He was sitting on a low wooden chair that reminded Renee of a Adirondack chair but with Art Nouveau vibes. As soon as he saw her he stood and greeted her.
"Good morning, Boromir! How are you today?" she asked.
"I am doing well. If you are in search of Lothril, I am afraid you have missed her. She and Legolas passed by some time ago," he replied.
"I know, I ran into them at a little bakery over…" she turned around and looked back and up then pointed, "that way. I guess it's called Seed and Sparrow. Have you been there?"
Boromir shook his head and said with a smile, "No, I am afraid I have not much explored this strange place. Buildings in the tree tops make me nervous, to be honest."
Renee nodded, "The heights definitely make my head swim, but at least there is a railing. The worst part though is going up and down the ladders."
The hobbits came up and after a chorus of 'Good morning, Renee' she returned greetings then Merry said, "Did I hear you say you saw Legolas and Lothril this morning?"
"I did," she replied.
"Did they tell you the news?" Merry asked.
Renee's brows knit together slightly. "No, can't say they did."
"They are planning on becoming betrothed," Merry said, sounding rather excited.
"Oooh! That. I thought it was obvious."
"See Frodo, even see she saw it," Pippin said to Frodo.
"Yes, yes," Frodo replied, shaking his head.
"Aye, but it is official now," Merry said.
"It wasn't before?" Renee asked, feeling confused.
"Oh no, it certainly was not," Boromir said with exaggerated enthusiasm. "They had not come to an understanding until the last couple days, and then this morning they stopped by and mercifully put an end to our speculations."
"I see," Renee said stifling a laugh. "I take it you have no vested interest in the love lives our elven friends?"
"I wish them happiness of course, but their affairs are their own. I do not think I should wish to make a declaration of love to one of my companions while on a dangerous quest, but I am a Man and they are Elves. Perhaps they care not so much for circumstances," Boromir replied.
"Well I can't say I would pick to do it now either," Merry chimed in, "But I'm not sure they have too much choice."
"Eh, love is weird," Renee said dismissively.
"What brings you here this morning, Renee?" Frodo asked.
"Well, long story short, Haldir is away a couple days and I don't know very much elvish, so I decided to see if you all would mind my company," she answered.
"I am sure we welcome it," he said. "Come in and make yourself comfortable!"
She followed Frodo into the pavilion and said good morning to Aragorn, Gimli, and Sam who were sitting and smoking together and chatting.
"Mmm! What are you smoking? It smells nice," Renee said.
"Longbottom leaf," Sam replied.
"Old Toby," Aragorn added.
"I am smoking the last of a blend I brought from home," Gimli said.
"Would you like a pipeful?" Pippin asked.
"Oof, I don't know. It has been a couple years since I tried smoking a pipe, and I couldn't keep the thing lit more than a few seconds. I would hate to waste your pipeweed," she answered.
"It's all in how you pack it," Pippin said.
"And of course you must have a good draw," Merry said.
"And a good pipe," Sam added.
"We'd be happy to spare a pipe and some leaf if you want to try again," Pippin said.
"Eh, why not?" she said. She figured she was in Middle-earth with a chance to smoke with the hobbits and she'd probably kick herself for the rest of her life for passing up this kind of opportunity. Besides, attempting to smoke pure pipeweed all of once in her life was likely to leave her with less lasting damage than all the pinewood derby car spray painting she had done growing up. How many years did she do those cars? Six? Seven?
Pippin pulled a pipe out of his coat breast pocket and handed it to her and Merry produced a rather full looking bag of pipeweed and so launched a very detailed tutorial on how to pack and light a pipe. After several attempts at packing it properly, Pippin finally declared her ready to light up and that also took a bit longer than it did for the more practiced smokers in the room.
"Aw nuts. I think it went out again," Renee said after getting carried away in conversation again.
"Would you like me to light it for you?" Pippin asked.
"I'm going to pass, but thank you for offering. The flavor was definitely a lot nicer than I thought it would be, but I think I'm good," Renee said.
"As you like," Pippin said.
She stayed with them through elevensies, which she passed on, lunch, which she joined them for, and afternoon tea, which she also indulged in, but only the tea part as she was still quite full from lunch. After afternoon tea she decided she wanted a nap and so headed back to her house. When she got inside she saw that Elwen had been by as below her drawing there was a drawing of a lute and a star. Renee smiled and for a moment dithered about whether or not she should pop by Haldir's place. Well, it wasn't like she had anything better to do.
She grabbed the notebook and pencil in case her and Elwen had to resort to Pictionary and headed out the door. Walking by herself verses with Haldir was a bit more of an unnerving experience than she cared to admit. The Seed and Sparrow was alright, but it was basically a straight shot from her cottage and she could almost see it from her door. Haldir's house though was slightly more complicated thanks to the weird branching tree top paths. Fortunately, she did have a good head for direction, so she made it alright but was still very relieved when she saw his house. As she approached the door she looked to see if there was a bell or if she should just knock and she saw a grey cord and when she pulled it, she realized he didn't have a door bell, he had door bells that chimed out a sweet rippling chord of music.
Elwen answered the door with a bright smile and said, "Greetings Renee!"
"Greetings Elwen!"
"Come in!" she said, gesturing into the house.
"Thank you," Renee said and went inside.
"I am making a cake," Elwen said, making very sure to slowly and clearly say each words. "Would you like to help?"
Of course, what Renee heard was more along the lines of "I am make- making? A cake. Would you want to help?" Aranor had informed her Elvish didn't have a word for 'yes' as such, and that the way one would say yes is to repeat the sentence, but Renee was only sort of aware of how elvish conjugations worded. As she always told her students though – if you don't try, you'll never figure out if you're right or wrong. So she went for it. "I want to help." Though, she used the wrong verb stem conjugation.
Elwen smiled and said, "Anirog û anirin."
"Thank you. Aniron nathad."
Elwen led her into the kitchen which was a neat and tidy as a pin, despite her being in the middle of a baking project. So far, everything she had seen of the house was very neat, orderly and nice looking. Elwen set Renee to mixing the cake batter while she got out and put things away, giving her pertinent verbs and nouns as they went. As was natural with someone else in the room, Elwen began just chatting with her, and Renee found she was keeping up moderately well, but she was still losing words here and there. Regardless, they seemed to carry on okay and Renee kept feeling a weird mix of thrilled at her progress and isolation knowing she still couldn't hold much more than a very basic conversation. But she was making progress and that's what she focused on. Elwen was making a double layer round cake, and as soon as it was in the oven, she sat down with Renee at the kitchen table and they made a concerted effort at chatting.
"Do you have a husband or lover waiting back home?" Elwen asked.
"No, I have no husband or lover," Renee answered. Well, either she was just trying to make small talk, or Haldir wasn't a gossip.
"Then the men there are fools. You are a very nice woman," Elwen replied.
"Thank you," Renee said, really not sure how to respond. Well, the consensus amongst the elves was that she was a catch anyway. Not a great consolation, but it was very flattering. They talked a while more and then Renee hit the afternoon slump where one either needs a cup of coffee or a nap. She politely covered a yawn then said, "Excuse me, I am tired."
At those words Elwen went into full mom mode and quickly ushered her into a spare bedroom and insisted she sleep and then when she awoke, they would have cake and then she would walk Renee back to her house. Renee honestly wasn't sure how to react, but the room was very cozy and off in another room Elwen started playing a harp and singing and the next thing Renee knew, she was dreaming of elvish starlight and fair places.
In the meantime though, maybe twenty minutes after Renee fell asleep, Elwen saw the kitchen door open and to her surprise, her husband Haldir come in.
"And what are you doing here?" Elwen said by way of greeting. "Surely, you are not shirking your responsibilities!"
"We got almost to the city gate when the error was realized and we were halted until Rúmil arrived and assumed command," Haldir explained. "Is Renee here? She was not with the Fellowship or at her house."
"She is sleeping," Elwen answered. "She came over and we put a cake in the oven and after some speech she grew tired so I let her borrow the extra bedroom."
Haldir smiled. "That is very kind of you. I suppose then we ought to keep quiet."
"I have a cake in the oven anyway and it shall be done soon and I know how you hate to be interrupted," Elwen said with a grin.
"I could make an exception for cake," Haldir teased.
"But could you keep quiet?" She asked with an arched brow.
Haldir looked like he was weighing out the question before answering, "That is far more doubtful."
Elwen gave a soft laugh. "That is what I thought."
"How did the two of you get on without me?"
"Very well. She is a very intelligent woman and she is learning our tongue very quickly. Give her a few more weeks and she shall hardly need you to aid her," Elwen replied.
"I enjoy spending time with her, but it would be nice if I could introduce her to more elves, just so she had more friends to speak with," Haldir said. "I am sure she feels very lonely."
Elwen nodded. "There is definitely an air of loneliness around her, but she is bearing up well under such strange circumstances."
"She is. Remind me later to thank you properly for being so friendly to her today," Haldir with a mischievous grin.
"It was my pleasure, but I shall surely remind you," Elwen said. "Oh, I best check the cake!" She went over to the oven and slid a knife in the center of the cake and it came out clean, so she pulled the two pans out of the oven and set them on the kitchen table.
"What kind of cake did you make?" Haldir asked, eyeing the pans.
"I decided on a nice spice cake with icing which I will start in a moment," Elwen answered.
"I see how it is – you think I am gone for a few days so you make indulgent desserts so you do not have to share with me," Haldir teased.
"I knew you would not make it past the city gate," Elwen said casually as she got out sugar and eggs from the pantry.
"And how did you know that?" Haldir asked.
"Your commanding officer came by some twenty minutes after you left, hoping against hope you were still here. When I told him you were not, he sped off, and I imagine nearly chased you to gate," Elwen answered.
Haldir laughed. "That will teach me to leave early!"
As Haldir seemed insistent on loitering in the kitchen, Elwen handed him the bowl and whisk and had him stir while she added ingredients for a royal icing, smacking his hand every time he tried to sneak a taste.
Not quite an hour later, Haldir and Elwen were in the sitting room talking when Elwen heard the bedroom door open. Elwen motioned for Haldir to stay put as she got up and went to see Renee. She found the woman standing in the doorway between the hallway and the living room looking around like she was trying to get her bearings.
"Did you sleep well, friend?" Elwen asked, drawing Renee's attention to herself.
"I slept well, thank you," Renee replied. "I want some water, please." That wasn't quite as politely as she wanted to ask for some water, but she hoped Elwen would understand.
Elwen very much understood and smiled and drew Renee into the kitchen and fetched her a cup of water. "There, are you feeling better?"
"I am feeling better," Renee replied.
"Good. I have good news – Haldir is home!" Elwen said.
Renee didn't know the word 'siniath', but she caught the rest of it and looked up at her host rather surprised.
Just then, Haldir came into the kitchen and said, "It seems an error was made and I was not to be sent to the front after all. I was stopped at the gate and told to come back."
"Oh! Well, I can't say I'm upset at this turn of events," Renee said. "Though Elwen and I were getting along rather well, I think. That said, what does siniath mean?"
"It means news or tidings," Haldir replied.
Renee nodded.
"I am glad you are awake, for the cake is done and Elwen had me make the icing but would not let me taste it," Haldir said.
Elwen might not speak the common tongue, but she knew her husband and his gaze kept flickering towards the cake.
"You can be such an elfling, Haldir," Elwen teased.
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Haldir said innocently.
"So you were not talking about me not letting you eat all the icing before she awoke?" Elwen said, arching a brow as she began getting out plates, forks, and knives.
"What made you think I was?" Haldir asked in return, maintaining an innocent air.
"She has been teaching me words too," Elwen answered. "Like cake, icing, and taste."
Haldir couldn't help but laugh and Renee had picked up on just enough of their conversation to realize they were bantering back and forth and she thought it pretty funny. How many times had she seen this scene play out growing up? There was a certain amount of comfort to be found in seeing some things are true regardless of where you are.