She Was So Normal
Wingman
Author's note: The chapter in which – Renee plays wingman for Lothril with roughly half the Fellowship. …Here's a new one for you – elvish in italics, Dwarvish in bold! …Quick note – generally, if one studies a language and is trying to denote a given letter's sound verses the letter itself, you do so by putting the letter between slashes like this /a/. So when you see that in this chapter, know that she is making the vowel sound not saying the letter. Because Legolas wouldn't know the letter name, but he would know the sound. … This should be read between chapters 15 and 16 of "The Forgotten".
Time was a very tricky thing to keep track of in the fair realm of Lothlórien, and though Renee was certain she had been there more than a week, she honestly couldn't tell if it was eight days or eighteen. In reality, she had been there about two weeks and it was the very beginning part of February. However, she really wasn't sure and she really didn't care because she was finding she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
And so it was, one fine morning Renee awoke just before the sun. She couldn't see and had forgotten to light her little lamp before bed, so she worked her way by dim vision and feeling to the wardrobe, threw a robe over her underdress (which she reckoned wasn't exactly how this was supposed to work, but that's all the better she was doing at that hour), and carefully shuffled out into the living room to stir up the fire. The coals were still hot and it didn't make much kindling or stirring up to get a flame going. She threw a couple logs on and as it looked like they were going to catch, she used a long, thin wooden stick she thought resembled a shish kebab skewer to light a couple candles and a small oil lamp so she could see a little better. Lamp in hand, she made her way into the dark kitchen to fetch the kettle and make some tea. As she filled the kettle, she looked out the window over the sink and a small smile crept across her face. It was so peaceful and quiet and contemplative in the pre-dawn light that was slowly growing beneath the trees.
Once the kettle was on the fire and the sun risen just enough to bring a dim blue morning twilight in through her windows, Renee returned to her room to dress for the day. Since she arrived, her wardrobe had grown from one to three dresses, the more recent two being ones that were made for her and at suggestion of Lothril (though Renee didn't know it), one could be pulled on over the head and had laces at the sides she could adjust easily, and one closed in the front with some very pretty little frog closures. This morning Renee opted for the over the head with side laces dress that was a very lovely pine green color and looked very smart with her silvery under dress peeking out here and there on the sides, around the neck, and at the sleeves. The sleeves on it were still larger than what she was accustomed to, but only an eighteen inch bell and she thought them quite manageable. Especially as they had this pretty little ribbon and button set up where if she wanted them out of the way more, all she had to do was pull on this pretty little decorative ribbon and attach it to the decorative button up on the trim just above her elbow and the sleeves neatly cinched up and voila! Practicality and pretty rolled together.
Why weren't clothes back home this fun and accommodating?
The sun was only just up and Renee had only been sitting for a couple minutes with her tea in front of the fire when she heard a knock on her door. She set down her tea and answered it to find Lothril standing there.
"Good morning! Come in," Renee said, opening the door wide and standing aside.
"Good morning, and thank you," Lothril said.
"Would you like some tea?" Renee asked.
"Best not, I cannot stay long," Lothril replied. "Renee, may I ask a favor of you?"
Renee blinked in surprise but answered, "Sure, what do you need?" she asked as she shut the door.
"Tomorrow morning Gimli and I are going to a jeweler to get a betrothal ring made for Legolas, only I need him distracted. I have a pretext to be away from him, but he often is with Gimli if he is not with me and this is where I need you. After breakfast, come down to where the Fellowship is staying and both or he will be there and mention that you want to explore a little. I have it arranged with Merry and Pippin also that they shall also wish to go exploring and get mead or beer or something, but need someone to translate. I think if the three of you at least ply him to go with you, he shall go without protest and not much mind that Gimli is not going also. Gimli has said he reckons it will take some hours, so if you can keep him preoccupied until it is past noon, I would be grateful. Is Haldir still away?"
"No, actually. He came back the same day he left. There was some confusion with orders and duty rosters or something like that," Renee answered.
"There goes my carefully laid plans," Lothril said with a frown.
"Oooh, I think something can be arranged. I'm sure between me, Haldir, Elwin, and Aranor we can cook up some plausible excuse for Haldir to be busy tomorrow," Renee said with a smile.
"Are you certain you can?" Lothril asked, looking hopeful again.
Renee smiled, "Sure thing, Lothril. I'll be your wingman. I used to do this sort of thing for my girlfriends in college. Making up a plausible excuse for Haldir to be gone and keeping Legolas busy for a couple hours shouldn't be a problem. One thing I'm confused about though – why is it so important Gimli stays behind?"
"He knows Legolas' ring size. Thranduil it seems, commissions jewelry from the mountain every so often, and so they keep records of things they are measured for. I guess Gimli or Gloin made a ring for Legolas not too terribly long ago, and it was for the finger I need, so he is going to give the correct measurements and then lay in the design I want," she explained.
"You sound organized."
Lothril grinned, "I try. I also try to be sneaky, so I must away ere he starts wandering and sees me out and about."
"Then you better hurry. When he's not with you, he usually stops in and says hello right around now."
Without a word Lothril crept over to the door and looked out and saw nothing. "It looks clear. Thank you so much, Renee! I shall remember this! Goodbye!" With that she carefully made her way out and at the first chance she had, she went up a level and then hastily made her way to Galadriel.
Renee couldn't help but grin. "That girl is so in love it hurts," she said to herself. She immediately put more water in the kettle and then sat down at the kitchen table so she could keep an eye on the path and quietly resumed sipping her tea as she plotted exactly what she would do to keep Legolas busy for a couple hours. It absolutely had to be something time consuming, and preferably something enjoyable. Nothing worse than trying to distract somebody with something they hated. If her excursions into Lothlórien had given her any clues, it was that Elves were universally music nuts and enjoyed dancing. She wasn't sure if there would be much dancing to be had mid-morning, but she would figure that out. Haldir would show up sooner or later and then she could bounce some ideas off of him and work out his excuse to be gone tomorrow. If she knew where the jeweler was, she might know where to avoid, otherwise she wouldn't be able to suggest just exploring around. Maybe after Legolas left she would go down to the others and see if any of them knew. She said Merry and Pippin were in on it. The more she thought about it, the more she figured she probably ought to speak with Merry and Pippin anyway so they were on the same page, generally.
Sure enough, Legolas showed up not five minutes after Lothril dashed out, and with Gimli in tow. Renee saw him coming and quickly drank some tea and took a deep breath. It certainly wouldn't do to be grinning like the Cheshire Cat when he came in. There was a loud knock and she knew right away it must be Gimli because Legolas would always give a quick, sharp rap with his knuckles. This sounded like a friendly battering ram. Quickly she got up and answered the door before a second knock was required and she invited them in.
"Good morning! How are you both today?" she said, as she stood aside to let them in, pleasant smile devoid of mischief gracing her face.
Gimli bowed as usual and said, "Good morning, I am very well. How are you this morning?" and then entered.
"I'm doing well," she replied as she shut the door behind Legolas. "I was just sitting down with a cup of tea. Would either you of you like some?"
"Good morning," Legolas greeted, "And yes, please. Thank you. And I am quite well"
Renee smiled and gave a nod in reply.
"I will have some tea also, thank you," Gimli added.
She pulled the kettle off the fire and added more of the hot water to her tea pot and pulled out another pair of cups and saucers. "Lothril off with Galadriel again, I take it?" she asked casually.
"She is," Legolas replied.
"Legolas, I'm curious about something, but if I'm asking about state secrets and you can't answer, I understand," Renee prefaced.
"What would you like to know?" he asked.
"What is the relationship between Mirkwood and Lothlórien? Are you both friendly?"
"Officially, we are friends and allies. Practically though, we have very little to do with each other because the road between our two kingdoms is often dangerous. There used to be a more commerce and communication between us but then the Necromancer grew in power and the road more dangerous and we moved further north. There is now only occasional messages sent at need," he answered.
"What about between you and Rivendell?" she asked.
"We are quite friendly. I have been to Rivendell many times," he answered. "Why do you ask?"
"More or less idle curiosity," she answered. "I mean, Lothril is friendly with Galadriel, you're friendly with Lothril, and Aragorn told me the other day that she was adopted by Elrond so I was wondering how this would work out."
"Quite amicably," he answered. "Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel are Lord Elrond's father and mother by marriage. He married their daughter Celebrian. King Thranduil is on friendly terms with both Lord Celeborn and Lord Elrond, and so Lothril and I marrying shall only reinforce the friendly relations we already enjoy."
Renee nodded. "That's convenient."
"Very much so," Legolas replied.
"So, are you two off on any adventures this morning or are you only out and about to keep me company?" she asked casually before sipping some more tea.
"We came to see if you would like to explore with us this morning," Gimli answered.
"Oh? Well, I would love to, but actually I have some plans today," she replied.
"Plans?" Legolas asked looking impressed and amused. "Good for you! What are your plans then today?"
"I think Haldir's wife, Elwen, has adopted me as their third child. She invited me over to do some baking and she seems to enjoy teaching me elvish. She is actually the one who helped me straighten out your verb conjugations," Renee said.
"Truly?" Legolas asked with a smile.
"Yes, you elves seem to have your verbs sorted into ones that end in 'a' and ones that end with any other vowel sound. I had the person right, but I kept getting the ending wrong until one day she looked at me and recited a couple verbs with the respective endings and then it all made sense. I actually started writing everything down in a notebook and that has been helpful too," Renee said.
"May I see it?" Legolas asked.
Renee gave a half shrug and went into the living room to fetch the book from the couch where she left it and brought it in. "You might not be able to read it though. I used a mix of my native language and letters and what is called the International Phonetic Alphabet, so the characters are strange. I doubt even Lothril could read some of this," she said as she handed it to him.
Legolas opened it and paused only briefly at a pretty little drawing of a sparrow on a tea cup before moving on to a page that was clearly covered in characters. "Hmm, are these your native letters or the International Phonetic Alphabet you told me about?"
"This is all English written in our alphabet. This is actually a recipe for a vegetable tart I had Aranor give to me," Renee said. "And this may mean nothing to you, but this is all written in cursive. See how all the characters are connected?"
Legolas studied it and nodded. He might not know what the characters were, but they all looked very neat and well formed. Gimli looked over his arm and briefly thought the letters looked more like some sort of scrolling vine design than proper characters, but to each their own.
"If you look over on this page," Renee said as she gingerly turned the page, "you'll see a mix of printed characters, IPA, that international alphabet that is, and cursive. This is a bunch of notes I made on sentence structure."
He nodded, easily differentiating between cursive and the other two, but the other two seemed to share a more runic look and he couldn't really tell which was which. Gimli thought the IPA characters and printed Latin alphabet looked far more like proper characters to write with.
"Legolas, do you mind if I ask you a question about your letters?" Renee asked.
"Not at all," he said, looking up at her.
She turned back to the recipe page and at the bottom he saw "Aranor" written out and given how perfectly formed the letters were, he guessed it was written by the healer. "So, I only see three letters, and given how short his name is, I'm going to guess these letters are the /r/, /n/, /r/ sounds, right?"
Legolas nodded. "You are right."
"So where are the /a/ and /o/ characters?" she asked.
"Above," Legolas said, pointing to what looked to her more like accent marks than letters.
"So vowels go above consonants?"
"Yes," he answered.
"I see. So do they go on the preceding or following sound?"
"It is going to vary depending on how old the elf is and where they are from," Legolas replied.
"Doesn't that cause a bit of confusion?" she asked.
"Not as much as you might think," Legolas said. "How do your characters work?"
"We just put the vowels in next to the consonants where the sound occurs.," she replied. "See this word?" she asked, pointing to the word "Put" at the beginning of a sentence. "These letters are P, U, T. The P and the T are consonants, and the U is the vowel sound. So it's said 'put'." She slowly broke down the sounds, pointing to the letters in turn with her pencil and then repeated it at normal speed.
"Interesting," Legolas said. "That is more how Westron runes run. Are both words and sentences formed left to right?"
Renee nodded. "Yes. What about Elvish?"
"We can all write with both hands equally well, so if we are writing with our right hands, we write left to right as you, and if with our left hands, right to left," Legolas explained.
"That seems like it would be very confusing," she said.
"Not particularly," Legolas said. "May I?" he asked, reaching for her notebook. She slid it to him and he turned back to a blank page. She handed him the pencil which he took with his left hand and wrote out 'mîdh erin glae' (there is dew on the grass) then switched the pencil to his right hand and wrote it out again beside it, creating essentially a mirror image of the sentence. He slid the notebook back towards her and said, "Depending on which hand we are writing with, we will change the direction our letters face."
Renee studied the letters carefully. "I see. I suppose it would be rather obvious then, wouldn't it."
"Indeed it is," Legolas said.
"Though we who are not elves do appreciate it when the elf writes the whole letter with the same hand," Gimli chimed in. "Dwarves and Men pick one direction for their letters and runes, and it makes us dizzy when elves change direction mid letter." He shot Legolas a look.
"That's just mean," Renee agreed.
"I shall sure to inform the pertinent elves that such would be appreciated," Legolas said. The glint in his eyes however made Renee wonder if the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain, or at least one dwarf anyway, wouldn't be receiving letters where he switched hands every line.
"It would be most appreciated," Gimli said, sounding quite earnest.
Eh, maybe she was wrong.
As was usual with Legolas and Gimli visits, it lasted about two hours, during which time Haldir arrived and he and Legolas chatted briefly in elvish, which Gimli was fairly conversational in, but neither he nor Renee could follow it because they both decided to opt for Silvan and not Sindarin.
Gimli looked at Renee and drew her off a little ways into the kitchen and away from the elves who were sitting and chatting in front of the fire. "Let us have our revenge of them leaving us out of the conversation," he whispered.
"How do we do that?" she whispered back.
"Repeat after me," Gimli said and taught her two phrases in Dwarvish. "Now, say the first words I taught you first, and then each time I speak, reply with the second."
"Okay," she said. "But what am I saying?"
"We do not teach others our tongue," Gimli said.
"It's not rude is it?" she asked, suddenly suspicious.
"Of course not!" Gimli replied. Though it had crossed his mind… but he was friends with Legolas now and that wouldn't do. "And remember to speak loudly!" He took her by the elbow and pulled her back into the living room where the elves didn't seem to notice their coming or going at all and seemed to be having a grand time chit-chatting.
Gimli nodded and she said with reasonable volume, "Dwarvish is better to speak than elvish."
"You are right, for it is not spoken before strangers," Gimli replied with gusto then quickly added, "That makes dwarves more courteous, do you agree?"
"I agree!"Renee said, sensing that was her cue.
"And what maiden in her right mind would want a smooth faced, pointy eared elf when she could have a bearded dwarf?" Gimli said, noticing right well that the elves conversation had paused and they were now staring at them.
"I agree!" Renee said.
"I think we best speak in words all can understand before she mars her fair voice with such harsh sounds," Haldir said in Silvan to Legolas.
Legolas laughed and said, "You are right, I think!" then he switched to the common tongue and said to Gimli and Renee, "We apologize for leaving you out of the conversation. We were but speaking of idle things and fell into our native tongue."
"You're quite forgiven," Renee said. "And not a moment too soon. My jaw hurts." She stretched her mouth a bit and rubbed her jaw. Sam Gamgee hadn't been kidding when he called it a real jaw-cracker of a language.
Gimli laughed and said, "That is because you are not a dwarf-woman! But I hold it not against you!"
"And what exactly did we say?" Renee asked.
"We teach our tongue to none but Dwarves," Gimli repeated a little stubbornly.
"It is very true," Legolas said.
"You ought to consider yourself most fortunate that he even taught you a few words to say, even without the meaning," Haldir added.
"I suppose I'll have to content myself with that," she said.
Soon after, Legolas and Gimli took their leave and went out to explore the city. Renee watched them leave, and when they seemed to be a ways away, she went over to Haldir who was throwing a few more logs on the fire and said, "I need your help."
He immediately stood up and brushed off his hands. "What do you need?"
"Now you know nothing of this but, tomorrow Lothril is going to get an engagement, er, betrothal ring made for Legolas and she's taking Gimli with her because he knows Legolas' ring size and he is going to help with putting in the design on it she wants. I told her I would help distract Legolas for a few hours and keep him away from the pavilion where the Fellowship is staying and the jeweler so he doesn't realize Gimli is with her. I need to know where the jeweler is and where some good places to distract an Elf might be. I also need you to be very busy and unable to come see me tomorrow," Renee explained.
"The last part is easy. My youngest grandson received a new bow for his birthday several weeks ago and he has been waiting for me to go hunting with him," Haldir said.
Renee stared at him a minute and then blinked and shook her head a little in disbelief. "Do you know how utterly strange it is to hear someone who looks about my age say he has a grandson?"
Haldir laughed. "Then this shall also sound even stranger to your ears: he is five hundred years old and he and his intended are hoping to become betrothed this summer."
"And I bet he looks about your age too," she said.
Haldir smiled, "Perhaps to your eyes."
Renee turned that response over in her head briefly before getting back to the sneaky plan at hand. "Perhaps. So, about the jeweler and places that might prove to be good distractions for an elf…"
"There are many jewelers in the city, but my guess is the Lady Galadriel gave her a recommendation and that would be Aranor's son. His shop is actually near the cobbler I took you to for your shoes on your first day waking," Haldir answered.
Renee nodded. "That was..." she closed her eyes and thought a minute then pointed off towards the corner of the house. "That way, right?"
"Good memory," Haldir said, impressed. "As for where to entertain the prince – I would say anything in the direction of the Golden Acorn and further on. There is all manner of things in that direction and surely something that way will distract him."
Renee nodded with a smile. "Excellent! Well, in that case, tomorrow might be rather easy."
"I should think so," Haldir said.
The next morning Renee woke early, dressed, ate, and then casually made her way down to the Fellowship where they were all stirring and getting ready to sit down to breakfast. Conspicuously absent were both of the elves.
"Good morning," Merry greeted as she came up, followed by a chorus of good mornings from the others.
"Good morning, all," she said. "Mind if I join you this morning?"
"They are not here," Aragorn said plainly.
"Oh? Where are they?" Renee asked.
Aragorn answered, "The Lord and Lady have given Lothril a cottage to stay in so she may have some privacy, and she has invited Legolas to stay with her. They usually breakfast there and then come down."
Renee raised an eyebrow. "They are staying alone in the same house?"
"It is a little unusual, but they are elves so it matters little," Aragorn said.
Renee gave a little shrug. Lothril didn't seem like the type of girl that would go in for living with a guy, but what did she know? Then something Aranor said flitted through her mind. That mixed with the comment 'they are elves so it matters little' caused her to make a note to self to ask Aranor about it next time she saw him. "When do you suppose they'll be down?" she asked, changing the topic a little.
"Fairly shortly," Merry said then added quietly, "I take it Lothril spoke with you?"
Renee gave a wink and a nod. "I know where the jeweler is and asked Haldir which direction we should head, generally."
Merry and Pippin both nodded and began tending their breakfast.
"You should join us for breakfast," Pippin said.
"Indeed, you are most welcome to it," Frodo added.
"Thank you, I already ate, but I think I will have some tea," Renee said as she sat down.
"I take Lothril has pulled you in on her scheming?" Boromir asked.
Renee gave a nod and a grin, "She did. I'm honestly looking forward to this. I think it'll be fun. Haldir is good company and a good guide because he knows where everything is, but I think it will be fun wandering around with someone who doesn't know the city like the back of his hand. Are any of the rest of you joining us?"
"Just Merry and I," Pippin said.
"I would like to join you all, if you would not mind my company," Boromir said to Renee.
This garnered him surprised looks from all the rest of the Fellowship, but a friendly smile from Renee. "Sure, I don't see why not. Just don't let on this all a diversion to keep him from wondering why Gimli isn't going with us. Speaking of, do you have a good reason for supposedly staying behind?" Renee asked the dwarf.
"I do, never fear," Gimli reassured her.
Renee was a little doubtful, but she thought it best not to pry too much. "So Boromir, I am glad you wish you come along with us, but I thought you don't like heights," she said, returning her attention to the man of Gondor.
"I do not, but this is a strange city and a strange land and I think I ought to take advantage of such a chance at exploration. My brother at first volunteered to seek out Rivendell and he would have doubtless come on this trip if our father the Steward of Gondor had permitted him leave, but he did not and in the end I was sent. He is more the one for lore and elves and things, I am more of a soldier. I reckon for his sake I ought to bring back some report of this place to him," Boromir answered.
Renee gave a genuine smile, though her eyes were tinged with sadness. "You are a very thoughtful brother."
Boromir gave a roguish grin and replied, "He might have other opinions."
Renee laughed and then turned her attention to food and the conversation turned to other things. Around the time they were all finishing their breakfast, Legolas came up alone and assumed an empty seat at the end of the table.
"Good morning all," he greeted and a chorus of good mornings were returned. "I was wondering if you would like to go out again with me today, Gimli."
"I am afraid I must decline," Gimli said. "I am tired and had a little more to drink than what was good for me."
"That is a pity," Legolas said, sounding rather disappointed.
"Um, Legolas – I actually came down here hoping I would bump into you today," Renee said. "Haldir is gone all day and I really don't want to stay alone in that little house, but I'm still not good enough with my elvish to get around very easily. Would you mind playing translator for me today?"
"Not at all," Legolas said with a smile.
"Do you mind if we come with you?" Pippin asked. "Merry and I were talking just yesterday how we would very much like to see more of the city."
"Most of it is in the trees, you know," Legolas warned.
"Oh, we know," Merry said. "But neither Pip nor I or so afraid of heights as to let that stop us."
"Anyone else want to come?" Renee asked, giving Boromir a look that said, 'speak now or stay home'.
"I would like to see more of this place also," Boromir said, turning his eyes from Renee to Legolas.
"We welcome your company," Legolas said with a polite smile.
With that all sorted, the distraction party stood and Renee made a comment about seeing some interesting things around the Golden Acorn but not having a chance to explore them yet. Legolas asked her which direction the Golden Acorn was and that was the general bearing they set out at. This was perfect! They did not talk much as they climbed the stairs, but once they reached the desired level, everyone stopped and looked about, and clung to the railing with varying degrees of nervousness, except Legolas who was quite comfortable.
"You know, I don't think I would ever get tired of this view," Renee said, looking out through the trees.
"It is certainly a unique one," Boromir said.
"Renee, you mentioned a place called the Golden Acorn like you had been there," Pippin said. "What is it?"
"Umm… An inn, I think," she answered then added with a shamefaced grin, "I honestly am not certain about the differences between inns and taverns and such. Where I am from, the terms are all kind of mixed and used mostly for aesthetic."
"Do they brew their own beer?" Merry asked.
"I think so," Renee asked. "I'm not sure. I had wine and hard cider and some fish so good I nearly cried."
That sentence caught the attention of all and Legolas said, "I think today we may all need to indulge in a second breakfast."
"That is my thought also," Boromir added.
"Lead on," Legolas said.
"Alright, but give me a minute to get my bearings," Renee said as she carefully looked around for something familiar. She frowned as everything in the immediate vicinity was basically tree trunks, and shops on talans with signs in elvish that were all similar. "Would it kill the Galadhrim to put up a street sign?" she muttered.
"Street sign?" Boromir asked.
"Yeah, usually signs on a post at an intersection to tell you the names of the streets," she explained.
"Aah, we usually call them sign posts," he said.
"Please tell me the rest of you are sensible enough to have them too," Renee said, feeling increasingly frustrated that she couldn't reckon where she was.
"Of course we do!" Pippin said.
"What about you Mirkwood elves?" Renee asked.
"We do not have a city," Legolas answered. "The layout of our kingdom is a bit different from this and places like Laketown or Dale. We do have some signs though to give some general directions."
"Well that's… Oh! I know where we are now!" she said as something about the layout of the place just clicked in her head. "That way," she pointed and began striding off down the suspended pathway. From her little cottage, the Golden Acorn was about a seven minute walk away and where the Fellowship was staying was about five minutes in the opposite direction. So, from where they ascended, it was a roughly fifteen minute walk to the Golden Acorn.
The entered and the host at the door looked slightly shocked to see an elf, two humans, and two hobbits. Then he recognized Renee and smiled and said, "Greetings, Renee firiel (mortal maiden), it is good to see you again! And you have brought friends!"
"Greetings! It is good to see you also. I have brought friends. Legolas, Boromir, and Meriadoc, and Peregrin periannath (halflings)," she replied.
The host looked rather surprised. He had supposed the elf with her would have to translate, but it seems her vocabulary had grown from one or two words to full on sentences. He was absolutely delighted to hear elvish (even if it did have a bit of a strange accent) from a stranger. The accent just made it kind of adorable. At the name Legolas though, he realized that this wasn't just another elf assigned to her, it was the Woodland prince that he had heard was visiting. He immediately turned his attentions to the prince to whom he apologized for not recognizing him sooner, and was given a very gracious reply by the prince. That Renee seemed to be friends with him and the marchwarden Haldir and the head healer Aranor (both of whom, with their wives, were good patrons) ensured that he saw her and her companions seated very promptly and at an excellent table with a magnificent view of the city and in full view of the musicians who were playing nice bright and gentle music for mid-morning.
Being mid-morning and this being a city of elves, the place was not particularly busy, but busy enough to not look desolate, though most there were enjoying little more than drinks and bread and cheese or fruit. They were very promptly attended by a waiter who seemed to have been briefed on who was sat at his table, for he immediately came up and bowed to Legolas and showed a fair amount of respect towards Renee. He also made sure to address her and speak Sindarin and more slowly so she might keep up better. After a bit of translating from Legolas, orders were placed and the companions left to wait for their order.
"This place is certainly homey enough," Pippin said. "Reminds me a bit of the Golden Perch, just a bit more elven."
"Indeed it does," Merry agreed. "If the music were a bit livelier, it would be more like the Green Dragon."
"It was plenty lively the other night when I was here. I think they're just keeping it quieter because it's morning and everyone is still waking up," Renee said.
Legolas' face twitched into an amused smile, but he didn't say anything.
"Renee," Boromir said, "you have told us some of your home, but not much. This place is more elven, but not very different I deem than many places we have in my city. Do you have such places as this in your homeland?"
"We do. Though usually places that have food, drink, and live music only have live music certain nights of the week," she answered.
"Do you go to such places often?" Boromir asked.
"Not really. Most of my friends are married and have children or work odd hours so it's hard to find a time where we can get together and go somewhere," she answered.
"That is the way of things I fear," Boromir said.
The waiter returned just then with two more waiters in two. One carried their drinks, one the rather large meal the hobbits ordered, and the third a variety of things that as soon as it began being laid out Renee said, "Oh! A smorgasbord!"
Legolas laughed and thought that word sounded hilarious and referred to it as such the rest of the meal. It had been Legolas' pick, as the hobbits decidedly wanted full meals and Renee and Boromir said they weren't very hungry but drink without food that early was a bit much, so Legolas suggested he order for them and they had agreed. It was a perfect pick because there was a little bit of everything both sweet and savory, and being the hour of the morning it was, the fare was all light.
Renee paid some particular attention to what everyone gravitated towards. The hobbits had picked more comfort food: bread, cheese, boiled eggs, sausage, and apple tart. Of the smorgasbord, Legolas seemed to take a little bit of everything but only made particular comment about these little fruit and nut filed things Renee thought were like the love child of baklava and a turnover. Boromir surprised her a little though as he seemed to be particularly enjoying the delicate little fancy little raspberry meringues and eating bread and cheese with fruit preserves on it.
After second breakfast, which managed to merge with elevensies and the hobbits spent enough to keep the wait staff from being annoyed at their long occupation of the table, they left and began exploring the city a little more. Their wandering took a decidedly practical turn as they came upon what Renee guessed was either a tailor's shop that also sold fabric, closures, laces, and so forth, or it was a mini fabric store. Either way, everyone seemed more than happy to find such a place as it seemed most of them had some minor repairs to make in their clothes, be it tightening loose buttons, mending small holes in seams, or what have you. After several more shops, finding a poetry recitation, and some sort of treehouse gazebo where a minstrel was singing tales of Amroth, according to Legolas, Lothril found them.
"Ah! There you are! I went down to the pavilion to look for you, and was told you went wandering," she said as she approached them.
Everyone greeted her and suddenly had an excuse as to why they wished to return to the pavilion all the sudden, so as to leave the two elves to themselves. Though in truth, the hobbits had had quite enough of tree top adventures for one day, and Boromir was more than happy to return to solid ground himself, though he could see himself being persuaded to go up again if agreeable company was to be had. Renee still knew generally where she was, so offered to lead everyone back. Legolas thanked her, and everyone thanked him for playing their tour guide and with that they began to head back.
"Do you have any plans for the rest of the day?" Boromir asked as they walked along.
"Can't say that I do," she replied.
"Would you perhaps like to go on a walk with me on the ground? These pathways are sure enough, but I still prefer earth beneath me, I think," Boromir said with a charming little half grin.
"Sure, I'd like that," Renee answered.
They reached the pavilion and the hobbits decided to join Frodo and Sam in smoking their pipes and Boromir and Renee wandered off, Aragorn's gaze following them. If naught else, she seemed to make Boromir less ill at ease in Lothlórien. The Ranger kept his thoughts to himself though. Not every Man was as comfortable around elves as he and his kindred, and she was thoroughly human. And very much a woman.
For a while they walked and talked and suddenly Boromir asked, "Is there anyone awaiting you at home?"
"My mother and father and my siblings and a few friends, but that's all," Renee answered.
"No husband or intended?" Boromir asked, sounding a bit surprised.
She shook her head. "Nope. What about you? Anyone waiting for you back home?"
"I have been too busy playing soldier," he answered. "Much to the unending chagrin of my father and the disappointment of more than a few lords of the city, I am sure."
"Oooo, I bet that's been a bit miserable for you. I mean, all that pressure. Everyone wants you to marry, you want to marry for love but feel you like you might have to settle for less out of duty… It's bad enough having my mom dropping hints about me finding someone and giving her grandchildren. We don't have a title and future of a realm resting on it," Renee said sympathetically.
"Then you understand my plight," Boromir said with a small smile.
"A little," she replied.
"So what has kept you from finding a husband?" he asked.
She shrugged. "No idea. Not for lack of male of friends, but none of them ever asked."
"May I speak frankly with you?" Boromir asked.
Renee got a funny feeling about where this was going. "You may," she replied slowly.
"If Lothril had not said you shall return soon to the strange world you come from, I would have pursued you and asked you find me in Minas Tirith once our task is done and this war over," Boromir confessed.
She stared at him for a few seconds truly not sure how to respond – especially since she knew he would never return home. At least he was telling her he wasn't about to start something he knew would never work out. Simultaneously, she almost wished he would. He was pretty darn handsome, seemed in possession of a good sense of humor, and really seemed like a great guy. She'd hung out with the Fellowship enough by now to get a pretty good feel for everyone and he honestly… he seemed like the sort of man any dad would be thrilled to have a son in law. She wasn't sure if they would have worked out or not, but in a different world, in a different life… He would have been well worth a shot.
"I – I'm flattered, Boromir. I truly am, but she's right. I will be going home sooner or later. At least we both know how it would have ended and have avoided the heartbreak," she replied, trying to convey both how very deeply flattered she was and still make it seem like things could still be cool between them.
"Perhaps in the end it is best after all," he said, with a melancholy little smile. "I have likely bungled things between us, but can we yet be friends while we are here together?"
Renee smiled, "Sure, we can be friends."
They walked and talked a little while longer and after a while the light began to turn golden and Renee realized she needed to get back and light a few candles before it was pitch black in her cottage. They said good night and parted ways at her customary stair.
Boromir returned to the Fellowship and found it lacking any elven folk which was about as surprising as the sun setting in the West. Aragorn though was sitting just outside the pavilion in one of the low chairs, smoking a pipe with an empty chair beside him. He saw Boromir approach and waved him over.
Boromir came and sat down in the empty chair and Aragorn said, "I need not know your private affairs, but I do need to know if I must alter my plans to either accommodate another lady or be a shy a man when I depart?"
For a split second Boromir was a bit peeved but quickly realized if things were reversed, he would be asking the same. Aragorn was the leader of this company and he must know. "Neither. We are friends and naught more. I shall depart with the Fellowship and she shall linger until it is her time to return home."
Aragorn nodded and gave a thoughtful draw on his pipe. "I apologize then for misreading things between you."
Boromir looked down for a moment then stared off into the distance and said, "You were not wholly wrong, but she is a noble and honorable woman we both agreed there is little point in causing needless heartache when we both know there is no other end."
Renee climbed the ladder and practically ran back to her cottage, tears streaming down her face, drawing the attention of the handful of elves that passed, each of them following her with their gaze and some concern. If she had to live out a song, why did it have to be "Separate Ways" by Journey? She freaking loved that song, though as it started pounding through her head she began to hate it.
She flew into the cottage, slammed the door behind her, and flung herself on her bed and let herself sob. Just another what if and might have been. Another almost. One of three. Boromir, her friend Matt in college that was two years ahead and another almost but not quite, and freaking Craig Woods. Junior year, Spring Fling… she had been all but certain he was going to ask her. Craig even said those magical words 'I want to talk to you after the game and ask you something' but then his coach called him over to the dugout because the championship game was about to start… and they had won of course and afterwards there were so many people surrounding him and singing his praises because he really was the reason they won and… she had to head home. She had ridden over with Danielle and her folks and they had to leave, so she left. And he never asked. Then he started going out with Lindsey. She figured they were married with kids by now, but she never had the heart to find out. He was the first guy she ever honestly thought she could love. He was basically the last. One of the reasons she had half fallen for Matt was because he reminded her so much of Craig.
Stupid freaking Craig! Stupid Matt! Stupid Boromir! Couldn't he at least have had the decency to be a creep about the whole thing?! At least then she could have told him to go screw himself! But no! He had to be courtly and a gentleman and considerate and honest and realistic! Yeah, they could still be friends… Just add him to the list about as long as her arm of guys she can be 'just friends' with.
Her sobs had downgraded to tears and sniffles when she heard a rather worried sounding Haldir calling her name as the front door banged open. Before she could even wipe the tears off her face he had followed the sound of her sniffles into her open bedroom.
"Renee! Renee! Are you hurt? What has happened? I was told you ran back here crying," he said, as he knelt in front of her.
She shook her head and tried to compose herself. "Oh! I'm not hurt. I'm fine. I promise," she said very thickly.
Poor Haldir looked dreadfully confused. "Then why were you seen crying and running back here?"
Renee looked at Haldir who was nearly level with her as he knelt there and saw concerned deeply etched on his face, along with that look that says, 'Say the word and I will kill the man that made you cry'. She chose her next words very carefully. "I am fine. Really. You could almost call it a pity party for myself."
He took one of her hands between his. "What happened?" he asked, softly but sternly.
She took a deep breath and gathered her composure before replying, "Haldir, I promise you I am fine, nothing happened that you or anyone else needs to worry about. I had a long day, I felt sorry for myself, and I lost my composure and let myself cry like a little girl. There is nothing wrong, nothing to fix, and nothing to be done. I'm fine."
"You do not feel fine. Something is on your heart. If you will not speak of it to me, then perhaps you would feel more at ease speaking of it to Lothril or –" he was cut off by a voice from the other room.
"Haldir, is Renee here? Is she hurt?"
"-Aranor," Haldir finished. "We are in here and she is unhurt."
Aranor came into the room and saw in the darkening room her tear stained face looking upset and mildly perturbed, Haldir kneeling in front of her with her hand between his. "What troubles her?" he asked.
"I do not know," Haldir replied.
"I will go stir up the fire and light some candles. Bring her out when she is ready," Aranor said.
Renee had caught bits of it, but they were speaking so low and so quickly she really only caught a couple words. Aranor left the room and Haldir returned his full attention to Renee. "Speak friend, and be comforted, or else tell me whom I ought to fetch so you may ease your heart," Haldir coaxed.
Even in the dim room she could see and hear the concern on his face. "Ooooh, let me get something to drink and then I'll tell you the whole, long, stupid story so you're not fussing all night," she said at length. Haldir stood and helped her up and then he made her relax in front of the fire Aranor was working on restarting while he went into the kitchen and fetched her some water and some wine. He returned with both and she took a long drink of water and then a sip of wine. Aranor, who had the fire started, was now busying himself with lighting a couple lamps in both the living room and the kitchen, putting the cottage in a cozy glow.
"If you are settled, speak now and share your sorrows," Haldir said gently.
"No, first – when did you last eat?" Aranor asked her.
"I don't know. Lunch I think," she answered.
"Lunch! You must eat then before tales," Aranor said and immediately went to the pantry to see what she had on hand. It was fairly bare and the odds and ends she had on hand were not the sort of things one could make a meal out of. He returned to the living room and said, "I hope you were planning on going to market soon, for your pantry is nearly empty."
"I was going to go today until Lothril asked me to do her a favor," Renee said.
"Hmm… and you are in no state to go anywhere," Aranor said half to himself. "Stay here and relax and I will return within the hour." With that the healer turned and left.
"What do you suppose he's up to?" Renee asked Haldir.
Haldir smiled and said, "I am certain I do not know, save that he is doing something to help tend to your needs. But beyond that I cannot guess."
Renee shook her head a little and slouched down into the couch. Maybe this little side quest would get them distracted enough to let the whole thing drop. She didn't particularly want to detail her frustrations over her anemic love life, nor her short string of almost dates, but at least Haldir no longer seemed bent on wrecking anyone.
As was the elven habit, Haldir fell into quietly singing to himself. Catching the words in singing is always a little bit trickier than in plain speech, and after a while, Renee's tired and overwrought brain just gave up trying to discern speech and she let the tune form whatever pictures in her head that it did.
True to his word, Aranor returned within the hour and with two more elves with him, each of them carrying large trays covered in a cloth. The trays were laid out on the table under direction of Aranor, they were uncovered and the other two elves quickly left. Renee had heard them come in and went into the kitchen to see what was going on and nearly laughed when it dawned on her – Aranor went and got carry out from the Golden Acorn. She almost laughed! Who on earth would ever believe this if she told them? It was really a very impressive feat though, especially since carryout boxes clearly didn't exist here and everything was brought over in plates and bowls and bottles and jugs. It was also quite a fair amount of food too. The more they set things out, the more shocked she became that it all fit on three trays, large though they were.
Once everything was out Aranor looked at Renee and said, "I was not sure what you might want, so I brought back a little bit of everything, and you get first choice."
"Thank you Aranor, this is really very kind of you," Renee replied with a smile.
"You are welcome," he replied.
She grabbed a plate and began piling on little bits of this and that as it struck her fancy and then sat down and the elves followed suit. They all sat down at one end of the table and were able to shift things to make room for their plates and cups. Aranor and Haldir saw to it that conversation was kept light and frequent for a little while until the mead she was drinking had a chance to kick in. Somewhere towards the beginning of dessert the mead loosened her tongue enough for her to start talking a bit freely.
"You know, this reminds me of college," she said with a grin, leaning back in her chair. "One of my friends had an apartment and we would all go over there on Friday nights, get take out like you did tonight, Aranor, and sit around playing games, listening to music, and whatever. Almost always a mix of guys and girls, most of them dating either each other or someone out doing an internship. For a while I thought my friend Matt and I might start dating or courting or whatever you call it, but then over winter break he went home and started dating some girl he met at a wedding. Can't blame him either. He showed me a picture – she is freaking gorgeous." She gave a derisive little snort of a laugh and muttered, "Two of three failures to launch."
"Do not think yourself plain because he chose another," Aranor said. "You are fair of face and sweet of spirit."
"Yeah, yeah… I know. But clearly I lack something because I've lost out on two great guys in favor of another girl. At least Boromir had a practical and tangible reason for not pursuing me," she replied.
"Boromir?" Haldir repeated, sitting up a little straighter and more alert.
"Yeah… that's why I was a wreck this afternoon. I have somewhat suspected he at least viewed me as a friend for a little while now. Each time I go visit the Fellowship, he always makes a point to speak with me and pay extra attention to me. Earlier today when the hobbits and I went out to explore with Legolas, Boromir asked if he could tag along and then after we returned to the pavilion, he and I went for a walk and he told me if he didn't know I was going back home sooner or later, he would have asked me to come find him in Minas Tirith after the war is over," Renee explained. "Obviously we don't know each other very well, but I appreciated the compliment that he thought I was worth the effort. I also appreciate that he has enough good sense to not start something he knows is doomed to unnecessary heart break, but… It just reminded me of Craig and Matt and – like I said, Haldir. I was having a pity party for myself. I was being a bit silly."
Haldir relaxed a little at her explanation. Good, because otherwise there would have been words in every tongue he knew with intent not even a dwarf could miss. "You have told us of Matt and Boromir, but you mentioned a third named Craig. I take it his reasons for leading you on to no result are less reasonable than Boromir's or Matt's?"
She heaved a sigh. "Oh Craig… Well, Craig was the first. Seven years ago when I was seventeen and so was Craig, we were in our second to last year of high school. Children where I'm from go to elementary school until they're about eleven or twelve years old, then middle school until they are about fourteen or so, then high school until they are eighteen and then after that either trade school to learn a trade or college to continue studies. We were towards the end of our second to last year of high school and there was a spring dance that was coming up at the end of spring baseball season, baseball being a sport played back home, and Craig played baseball for our high school. Before the championship game he said he wanted to ask me something but before he could, he was called away because the game was about to start. Our team won the game, and largely thanks to Craig, and afterwards he was swamped by teammates and family and friends all wanting to celebrate the win and how well he did, and I had gone there with a friend of mine and her family and they had to leave so I did too before he could break away and talk to me. Afterwards I was busy with the dance committee and studying for finals and I dunno… I guess he never got a chance or something because he never found me to ask me anything. Then that summer we were both busy with different things and somehow by the fall he and Lindsey were dating and Lindsey seemed to think they were quite serious, so I steered clear. Though what he saw in her is beyond me."
"Why do you say that? What kind of person was she?" Haldir asked.
"The manipulative, controlling, self-serving, popularity seeking kind," Renee replied. "Best I can reckon is that Craig was too naïve to see her for what she was. I'm just hoping he had a good influence on her and mellowed her out some."
The elves both looked at each other then Aranor said, "Perhaps, but perhaps things were not as they appeared. If she is the sort that wishes to exert control over others, there is every chance she lied to you."
"If it was a lie, it was a thorough one. I can't tell you how many times I saw her kissing him in the school hallway, before a game, after a game… They went to prom together at the end of the year! Like, THE biggest dance of the year at the end of Homecoming week and another championship year for our baseball team. I don't know how many people I heard talking about how they looked together afterwards. If they did break up after that, literally no one said anything to me," Renee replied.
"Did you ask him the truth of things?" Aranor asked.
"Didn't bother. I was too busy getting ready for finals, college in the fall, and getting scholarships so I could afford it better. To say nothing of how many crazy hours I worked that summer," Renee said.
"Ah, so you do not know the truth of things, you are only guessing. You do not know why he courted her, nor how things ended up between him and that Lindsey. Perhaps he saw through her deceits in time and ended things," Aranor said.
"My question though is this – what sort of man is this Craig if you thought his decision so foolish and yet it still haunts you and you lament not securing his affections?" Haldir asked.
The little smile that crossed her face and the soft look in her eyes told them both everything they needed to know – she had been in love with him, she was still in love with him, and seven years and two interested fellows later, she still thought the most of Craig.
"He is a really sweet guy. I've known him and his family my whole life. They're wonderful people and I've never seen him be anything besides kind and caring and compassionate. He's always willing to help others and I've never heard him say an unkind thing to or about anyone. I mean, he's honest, and he'll call out someone if they're being a jerk or doing wrong, but he never slanders or gossips or puts anyone down. We were friends, or at least, we were pretty friendly. We were thrown together a lot growing up so I saw a lot of him. All junior year we were hanging out and studying together and I really thought he was going to ask me out and then – Lindsey," Renee said before taking a large swig of mead. Why was she telling ridiculous details of her anemic love life to two elves?
"Do you know if he is now married?" Haldir asked.
"I- no. I don't. I always just assumed if he didn't marry Lindsey, he'd find someone else pretty quickly. I mean, he's a great guy, he's handsome, athletic, and I'm pretty sure there was a string of girls at school down the hallway and out the door who would have said yes to him if he had asked. In fact, I know there was because all junior year I kept having girls come up to me and tell me I was so lucky for having dibs on him and half of them were cheerleaders," she answered.
Of course, Aranor and Haldir had no idea what a cheerleader was, but the way she emphasized it made them reckon it was of some significance. At least in the world of high school. They weren't so old that they couldn't remember their youth. What elfling hadn't been a little foolish in their youth in matters of the heart? Fëa and will do not govern even elves from birth. It still takes time for a little sense and reason to develop even in the first born.
"I think when you return you ought to see if he is wed or not. If naught else, you need to learn the truth of things, I think," Aranor said. "It is plain to me that this is a thing that still troubles your heart, and for your own sake, if naught else, you need to learn the truth of things. Who knows! Perhaps he is yet unmarried and repented of his folly in choosing one such as Lindsey over you. I think it a thing you need to learn, and from his lips if possible. Do you agree, Haldir?"
Haldir did not respond. He had a strange, faraway look in his eye before he blinked and said, "I am sorry my friend. My vision was elsewhere." He then looked at Renee and asked, "Out of curiosity, what does Craig look like?"
Renee had just enough mead in her to not really think about why he would suddenly ask such a question, and so simply answered, "Oh, about your height, dark hair, dark eyes, athletic and trim build, disarming smile that always makes my heart sing. Man, I miss that smile."
Haldir changed the topic and without Renee even blinking. They chatted through dessert, played a little music, and then Renee declared they were welcome to stay, but she was going to bed. They bade her goodnight, put leftovers on her plates and washed up everything and then stacked all the dishes on two trays and the pair of them brought them back to the Golden Acorn, much to the delight of the shift manager who had allowed the unconventional carryout upon recommendation of Nemirdir.
As they were walking home Aranor asked, "Why did you ask what Craig looked like?"
"I saw Renee sitting at a table with books and papers spread before her and she was writing and consulting a small red book. Sitting across from her working on some papers also was a man with short dark hair, dark eyes, that very well fit the description of her Craig," Haldir answered.
"Oh?"
Haldir nodded. "And it looked as if they were trying to translate letters written in elvish, and I would swear to it that one was in your hand and the other in mine."
Aranor got a strangely amused look on his face. "Well then, I wonder what we wrote? I suppose this means we ought to write letters for her to take back."
"Indeed, I think we ought to, but let us wait a little while until we are surer of the hour of her departure," Haldir said.
"Yes, I quite agree. We have known her but a short time, but she is a dear thing and I would send her home with some tokens of our friendship," Aranor said.
"What if we had your son make something for her? Something unique to our fair home?" Haldir suggested. "Like a ring with elanor or nimphredil?"
"That is a very good idea. I shall speak with him on the morrow," Aranor said.