She Was So Normal
Fellowshipping
Author's note: The chapter in which – Renee finds some graffiti and spends some time with the Fellowship. …So, I wanted at least one more chapter before the Fellowship takes off, but I honestly wasn't sure what I wanted to do past this opening scene but I had a few ideas of little things here and there with the Fellowship but I couldn't quite get it all into a singular cohesive chapter so… I decided this chapter is going to be a string of vignettes. Little scenes with Renee and various members of the Fellowship.
Renee woke up with a big yawn and began to stretch but then something caught her eye. "Hello, what's this?" she said to herself as she reached up and ran a finger on the underside of the scrolling , curving piece of the wooden headboard. She wondered if it was a maker's mark of some kind. It was so clear and delicate and the letters seemed to be book ended by two symbols… Looked like leaves to her. She traced her fingers over it and decided she would have Haldir read it for her, just for giggles. She reckoned it probably said, "Made by So-n-so" but she was still curious to see if maybe it was made by someone in the neighborhood. Ooh! Maybe it had a date on it and she'd find out she was sleeping on a two thousand year old elven bed frame. That'd be fun to know!
She got up and got dressed and went out into the kitchen and began getting things around for breakfast until she remembered Haldir said he would be bringing it over for her. Something about Elwen on a baking spree… She made some tea and soon after Haldir showed up with Legolas helping him. Haldir hadn't been kidding… he had a large basket and Legolas another. They came up to the house and Renee opened the door to let them in.
"Suilad mellyn! (Greetings friends)" Renee greeted.
"Suilad Renee!" Haldir returned.
"Suilad mellon," Legolas added.
"Is this the result of Elwen's baking?" Renee asked as Haldir and Legolas set the baskets down on the table.
"Indeed it is. Though it is not as much as it might look," Haldir said.
"I'm glad of that," Renee said, "or I'd need all my dresses let out."
Haldir was setting out a variety of things including several small loaves of bread, pie, cakes, and a variety of small cheese wedges as well as a bottle of wine. "Her instructions were that you are to enjoy the bread with the cheese and wine, and she suggests toasting some of the bread and cheese together."
Renee smiled, "You must send her my thanks, but I'm still a little confused why all this."
Haldir smiled and said, "Sometimes she simply gets bored and starts baking. Usually these things are given to our neighbors, but this time she decided to include you as you are here."
"Aaah, I get it. My grandma would do the same thing with jam," Renee said. "So I take it no Lothril this morning, Legolas?"
"She is with Lady Galadriel," Legolas said.
"Well, I officially have more baked goods than I can eat – could I tempt either of you to join me?" Renee asked.
Haldir laughed and said, "Oh I have had my share already this morning, but if you have tea I shall join you with that."
"I shall join you with both," Legolas said.
"I think the tea might be over brewed by now, but we can see," Renee said. "Oh! Before I forget – Haldir, I found something I'd appreciate you reading for me."
"You did?" Haldir asked. "What is it?"
"It's a – well, this might sound kinda silly, but it's something carved on my headboard on the underside of one of those scrolling branches. It's probably nothing more than a maker's mark, but I'm still curious to know," Renee said.
Haldir looked a little thoughtful, but mostly amused. "It may be, but somewhere visible on the headboard would be a bit odd. Show me where it is on your headboard."
Not having any particular interest in headboards, Legolas began looking at the tea and trying to decide if it was over brewed or not as Renee and Haldir went into her bedroom. Renee went around to the far side of her bed and laid down, Haldir laying down next to it.
"It's right here," she said, pointing it out.
Haldir looked at it and smirked. "Oh Legolas! I think you ought to come read this."
"What does it say?" Renee asked.
"I will let Legolas tell you," Haldir said with a grin as he sat up.
Legolas came in and cocked a brow. "Alright, I am here. What ought I read?"
"Lay down and I will point it out to you," Haldir said as he stood up.
Legolas laid down and Haldir pointed out the neat little line of carved text and Legolas immediately began to laugh and shook his head.
"What does it say?!" Renee asked impatiently.
"Thranduil a Lauríel si lostiel. Thranduil and Lauríel slept here," Legolas answered.
"Thranduil, as in your dad? I take it Lauríel is your mother then," Renee asked.
"Yes, that would be my father and mother," Legolas said as he sat up.
"Not to be nosy or whatever, but uh, how old do you suppose that carving is?" Renee said.
"It is five hundred years old," Legolas said.
"That officially makes this the oldest bed I've slept in… and probably ever will…" Renee mused.
Haldir and Legolas exchanged an amused look. They all headed back out into the living room and Renee asked, "So Legolas, you wouldn't happen to know why your parents were here carving their names in a headboard, would you?"
Legolas got a sad smile and said, "I do. My mother is from here and my grandparents are still here. She was coming here to visit them when she and her party were attacked by warg riders. She survived, but was badly injured. Word was sent to us in Mirkwood and father came down to see her immediately and stayed for a number of weeks as she healed. They determined that given all the things that were happening at the time, it would be best if she sailed West to heal. I stayed behind in Mirkwood while father was gone, so I can only assume they stayed either in this cottage or at the very least this bed while they were here. As for why they felt the need to leave such a carving – that is simply my father's sense of humor."
It was time for afternoon tea and Renee was down with the Fellowship, specifically the hobbits, enjoying tea and what the hobbits considered light afternoon fare but what Renee thought was threatening to destroy her appetite for dinner with Haldir, Elwen, and Aranor later.
"Do you have afternoon tea where you are from, Renee?" Frodo asked after a brief lull in the conversation.
"Well, Not so much in Smithsville Indiana, but across the ocean in a country called England they have it, and from what I've read, it's very similar to this," Renee answered.
"How many meals do you have in Smithsville Indiana?" Merry asked.
"On average – three. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But people often snack in between," she answered.
This was met with a general air of mixed feelings. So few meals but snacks… almost seemed decent.
Then Sam asked, "Do they do a lot of gardenin' where you're from?"
She thought a moment, "I'd say so. Most houses seem to at least have a small flower garden by the porch, and I know quite a few people around there have vegetable and herb gardens."
Sam gave an approving nod. "Lot of gardeners in your town?"
"Not quite gardeners, we call them landscapers. They cut grass, clear leaves, and stuff like that more than tend flower beds," she answered.
Sam gave a thoughtful nod and Renee almost wondered if he wasn't half planning what Gamgee Gardens LLC would look like in Smithsville.
"Alright, enough about Smithsville," Renee said, "I want to know about the Shire."
This resulted in a very long conversation about how the Shire was laid out with the four farthings and what the Mayor does, and before it was all said and done, the low table was cleared and the hobbits had cups, bottles, forks, knives, and plates set out representing various local landmarks of Hobbiton. She had never before seen a map that used half an apple on a tea cup saucer to represent a house, a piece of bread to represent a mill, and a line of knives to represent a river with a cheese bridge over it, but then again she had never had tea with hobbits in Lothlórien before either.
Aragorn and Boromir walked up as the hobbits were bickering over whether or not a cabbage leaf or a slice of green apple should represent the party tree and stared at the map a moment and said, "I thought the Green Dragon was a little further south."
All four hobbits paused and stared at the mug of beer representing the inn and Sam said, "So it is," and gently scooched the mug an inch or two further down the table.
"What do you think of our map, Boromir?" Renee asked.
"I have never seen the like," he replied sounding quite amused. "What is that bowl overturned there with the grapes upon it?"
"That is Bagshot Row," Frodo said.
"This'ere is Bag End, and this is where my Gaffer lives," Sam said, pointing to two of the grapes.
Boromir smiled and tried not to laugh. "So I take it that is a hill your gaffer lives on?"
"Yes sir," Sam replied.
"Let's clear this off and you make a map of your town, Renee," Pippin suggested.
"Yes, let us all see Smithsville!" Merry said enthusiastically.
She started rearranging things and focused on the main streets and not all the residential ones. "Alright, so I live above a clothing shop right here," she said, pointing to an empty tea cup at the intersection of two butter knives and this is the main street and this is the side street and there are about three blocks worth of stores and shops and things and then this whole bit is all houses. And this here, is the park where we have festivals and things."
"Seems like a very nice place," Boromir said, studying the odd map.
"It's just a small town, but it's my small town," Renee said with a soft smile staring down at the table.
It was a fine day and Haldir and Renee decided to do a little fishing, but Renee insisted they stop by the Fellowship on the way to whatever little fishing hole he was going to show her because she was certain at least Legolas might be interested. Poles and tackle in hand, they approached the pavilion and Legolas who just happened to be there, saw the fishing gear and immediately looked very interested.
"Good morning, friends!" Renee greeted. "Haldir and I are going to do a little fishing. Anyone care to join us?"
"I would like to join you," Boromir said as he quickly stood up. Renee smiled.
"As shall I! I have not fished in some months," Legolas said.
"Count me in," Merry said.
"I shall join you as well," Aragorn said.
The others all declined and Haldir was glad because he didn't have quite that much gear. He did explain that he only had four poles, but Boromir said he didn't mind being the guy with the net, and Merry said he was no stranger to making poles out of branches as long as Haldir had enough line, which Haldir said he did.
The fishing hole Haldir led them to was a large pond about fifteen or twenty minute walk from the Fellowship's pavilion. It was in a little meadow of sorts and was fed by a spring. Haldir led them to a particular stretch of the grassy pond edge and but a few moments staring into the water showed there were all sorts of fish swimming and enjoying the morning sunshine in the shallows.
"This may be as easy as picking apples," Legolas said, staring into the water.
"Wanna make this interesting?" Renee asked.
"What are you thinking?" Legolas returned.
"Fishing derby! Let's see who can catch the most," Renee said with a grin. "And as you have volunteered to man the net, you might be busy helping everyone," she added to Boromir.
"That is well with me," Boromir said.
"You may count me in," Aragorn said.
"Let's do it!" Merry said enthusiastically.
"I am game for such sport, but I must warn you all, I fish here frequently," Haldir said with a grin.
"Bring it on," Renee said with a raised brow and a cocky smile.
Boromir smiled and gave a quiet little laugh. "You have thrown down the gauntlet, oh Haldir, and I believe she has accepted it. But what of you Legolas and Merry?"
"I am game also," Merry said.
"I think I shall hold my own," Legolas said with a grin.
Fishing gear was distributed and Haldir was even so gracious as to let everyone have their pick of lures, a three hour time limit was agreed upon, spots were chosen, and upon Haldir's word lines were cast. It did not take very long for the first fish to be caught by Merry followed shortly by one from Haldir then two in succession by Aragorn who was certain to make faces at Legolas who looked mildly vexed until he caught one. They had decided the only fair thing would be no one get to use a net and Boromir volunteered to keep score, but positioned himself near Renee. He also worked out a means of keeping track of the catches (as they were doing catch and release) by piling small pebbles found by the pond's edge on five different mallorn leaves. After about half an hour it was looking like a close contest. Haldir was ahead, but barely. Legolas and Merry were hard on his heels and Renee and Aragorn right behind them.
They had agreed aforetime that they would keep whatever they caught in the last half hour and have a fish fry afterwards. By now, Merry was out as a particularly large trout snapped his improvised pole, but not before he had taken the lead.
"Time is up!" Boromir called.
"And who has won?" Renee asked as she pulled her line out of the water to find a small fish attached. "Oh, of course!"
"That does not count!" Aragorn said as he came striding up.
"Indeed no," Legolas said.
"Who has won?" Haldir asked.
"Obviously it was me," Merry joked.
"It might have been if your pole had not broken, for you were ahead for a long while," Boromir said, "But as it stands, the winner is Haldir by two, then Renee and Legolas tied for second and Aragorn third by only one."
"And how many fish for eating?" Merry asked.
They laid out all their fish they kept and the count was eight.
"Are we gonna share with the others?" Renee asked.
"Absolutely not," Merry said. "Not if you want any, that is."
Everyone had a pretty good laugh and they decided to head back to Renee's house for frying them up. Especially after Renee said something about having a "mouth wateringly amazing" batter for fried fish. Haldir took them a different route back and up that avoided the remaining Fellowship members easily, and as soon as they were in, Renee set about to mixing up her batter while Haldir pulled out some bread and cheese and wine. Merry helped pitch in with dinner preparations saying it was only fair as he contributed no fish, and he immediately set to work frying up some onions and potatoes.
Lunch was met by rave reviews and after Merry, Aragorn, and Legolas left, Haldir casually made an excuse to go, leaving Boromir alone with Renee.
"You are a lady of many talents," Boromir said with a smile. "You can fish, you can cook, and you make it all look effortless."
"Why thank you, Boromir," she grinned. "I'm sorry that you were stuck being score keeper though."
"Think naught of it. I can fish and I enjoy it, but I would have lost miserably. If anything, I must thank you for saving me the embarrassment."
"In that case, you're welcome," she replied with a laugh.