Author's note:
Hi, just like to thank everyone who has reviewed so far.
And please continue reviewing - I read each one and take careful notes of all comments.
**********
CHAPTER 5:
Legolas just looked at me, dumbfounded.
'A little guidance here.' I started.
'Well. we. or I should certainly send Galadriel a message. This is beyond my hands. The sooner we send a message, the faster the reply. I believe that dream is an accurate depiction of the Other World; what's happening in your world. But I do not know or understand why Arwen would be dying. after all, it was only a book that hit your head. it wouldn't bring someone on the brink of death.' He had a worried expression on his face. 'Oh I nearly forgot, but the Council of Elrond's meeting was on today. It is decided. A fellowship of the ring will set out in a week's time. However, you'll have to convince Elrond to let you go.'
'Uh. great. And how would I do that?'
'It would be easy enough.' he grinned raising his voice an octave (an attempt at hiding his anxiousness I guess). 'Oh please Father, I just want to be with Aragorn. I have to be sure he will be safe! Mordor is not safe for a 60-year-old man!'
'Oh, shut up,' I grunted, tossing a light punch. 'I was thinking you might have a more EDUCATED technique. Such a pathetic answer for an elf!' He grinned again and shrugged. Idiot, I thought.
'Would you like to know who else is going?' he asked, suddenly.
'Um well I figured you are, Aragorn, the 4 hobbits, the wizard dude. um. ooh is that dwarf guy. that adorable grumpy-looking one.?'
'Gimli, son of Gloin?'
'Yeah him.'
'He's not adorable.'
'Yeah he is. With that cute little beard and axe! Can't decide who's cuter - Frodo or him. Come to that, Merry's cute as well. ooh and Pippin too.'
Legolas rolled his eyes. 'Well anyway, Boromir of Gondor is coming too.'
I thought back to what Ri had said back in grade 9. 'Didn't that guy like die at the end?'
'Pardon?'
'Um, you know, never mind.' I didn't think it was wise to go predicting people's deaths. I quickly changed the subject. 'Hmm... notice there are no other females in the fellowship. Do you find it at all UNUSUAL having nine guys, alone, in the middle of the wilderness, huddling together for warmth? ...Perhaps some temptations maybe?'
Legolas raised an eyebrow, puzzled. 'No, it's not unusual...'
'You know, I'll explain this one day if you ever pop into my world. you're not on the same wavelength obviously.' I hopped out of bed. 'I better go and talk to Elrond.' I glanced at myself. I was wearing a long nightgown.
'How did I get this on?' I wondered, out aloud.
'One of the elves here must had slipped it on for you during the night.'
'Hmm. Where can I get some new clothes, and some food.? Man, I'm hungry!'
'A new dress is lying over there on the chair and you can get something to eat at the Hall.' He got up and picked up a white dress. He strode back, handing it to me. '...I'll meet you back outside to carry you back across the marbled floor.'
'Uh, thanks.' I quickly dressed in the white dress. For such a fair elf, Arwen has very boring fashion taste - white? But then again, 2000 years of thinking what to wear must get pretty irritating, so it must be okay to ease off on the top Paris fashion, but still WHITE? Bleeurgh!
Legolas, as he promised was sauntering nearby. He was casually talking to another elf, a female. It struck me then just how beautiful elves were: so tall and sleek with long blond hair, the whitest of skins, the bluest of eyes. Pity no one at school looked this good. 'Oh, you must be awfully brave to join the fellowship!' the female elf was saying, as I neared them.
'Yeah, well, I am after all an elf from Mirkwood!' Legolas replied, flashing a wide smile. He seemed to sense my presence and turned towards me. 'Lady Arwen, if you shall...'
'Thanks, Legolas,' I said, as he swiftly hoisted me up into his arms. I have not yet become accustom to the elves' way of talking; too polite in my opinion.
'Good afternoon, Lady Arwen!' the elf-girl said, eagerly.
'Uh, hello... Do I know you?' I asked, awkwardly.
'I am Eldaelan, daughter of Lelphonsus of Lorien!' she replied smiling. 'It's an honour to meet you, my Lady!'
'And it's nice to meet you too, Eldaelan...' Legolas turned away then strode down the marbled hall. 'Wow, Arwen's pretty significant around here.' I commented.
'Yes, she is.' Legolas seemed to be absorbed in his own thoughts.
However, I was in a talking mood. It helped take my mind off my scary dream. 'So. Leggy, you have a girlfriend?' I finally asked.
He shook his head. 'I want to find my soul-mate, before I commit to anything.'
Fat chance. I've been looking for it for 15 years, and you've been looking for it for. 2 millenniums? And if you haven't found her yet in 2000 years, what's the chance of finding her in the next 2000 years?
'I see. Well, I'm single at the moment ... and from where I'm standing, it looks like I'll be that way for a long while. My love-life crashed head-on into a petrol tank and blew up into smithereens.'
I knew I was babbling, but it didn't really matter either way: Legolas was only half-listening. To my surprise, he dropped me onto the floor abruptly.
'Elrond's office,' he said. 'I'll be off. Need to send that message. Good luck.'
'Er, thanks.' I muttered. He vanished around a corner. I took a deep breath and knocked.
'Come in,' a deep voice commanded.
I poked my head in cautiously. Elrond was slung in a low chair, a large book propped against a pile of equally large books on his study table. He was bent reading the book carefully. 'Father?' I called.
'Arwen! What is it, my daughter?'
I decided to try to act elf-like. or business-like, like in those Julia Roberts movies where she acts all sophisticated to get a job. or was it to win a court case? Meh. 'I hear that a fellowship is to be sent out to destroy the One Ring,' I started.
'Yes, you heard right.'
'I also hear that dear Aragorn is to go along, to represent man-kind.'
'I see where this is going,' Elrond said, straightening up in his chair. 'I absolutely will not permit you to join him! It is a doomed company! Your life will be at risk!'
'Father, I shall miss him so terribly! I shall die if I do not see what is happening to him on such a perilous journey!' I ploughed ahead. 'He needs me and I need him! He will protect me!'
I was seriously hoping that this how Arwen would act in this situation. It looks doubtful; Elrond was eyeing me, a strange glint in his grey eyes.
To my surprise, Elrond's expression suddenly softened. He smiled. 'Are you quite sure you want to join the fellowship, Arwen?' he asked, gently.
'Yes, of course!'
Elrond sighed. 'Very well, in that case, you shall go if you are that determined,' he said. 'But however, if you happen to be caught in any sort of danger, before it's too late, I want you to return to Rivendell!'
'Of course, my Father.' I bowed. 'Thank you.' I left the room, relieved.
My gloomy mood suddenly soared into the opposite. I started to feel excited.
I was going on an adventure!
I'm joining the Fellowship of the Ring!
Of course, I have a huge risk of dying, but that won't really happen until like the 2nd book or something... and I'll be back into the real world by then!
And besides the other nine companions can protect me if anyone attacks me!
My high spirits shot up another 1000 notches. I skipped down the hall, not exactly knowing where I'm going.
I started singing, 'We're off to see the Wizard. the wonderful Wizard of Oz!' I think I scared everyone who passed me.
Now, everyone is going to think Elrond's daughter is coo-coo. Great.
Oh well!
Me too high to care!
We're off to the see the Wizard, the wonderful - lalalala!
*****
However, eventually I ended up at the Dining Hall. It was quite empty. I sat down and stabbed various types of food that was plopped around the long table. Why there would be so much food when there's no one to enjoy it, I wondered. However, I didn't care as I hungrily chomped into it.
I looked up after 30 minutes and saw Legolas making his way towards me. 'Hey!' I said, with my mouth full of pasta (or what I hope is pasta.).
'Hello. I sent the message. I hope they receive it soon.' Legolas looked more relax than he did 45 minutes ago, and his eyes roamed amused over my large pile of food. 'How about you? Any luck convincing Elrond?'
'Yeah, he agreed quite readily. It was surprisingly easy.'
'Very unlike Elrond.'
'Hmm, I guess.'
'Well, I guess you're now the 10th member of the Fellowship of the Ring. A very honorable position.' he said, vaguely.
'And also the only female. Very honorable indeed.'
'Yeah. Ooh!' He jabbed one of my "pasta" strands, with a fork, and popped into his mouth.
'What should I wear?' I asked, glancing at the white dress.
'Wear? What you're wearing now. It's fine! .And you're not going to wear pants, if that's what you're thinking. Elrond would toss a fit.'
'Arwen wears WHITE! I'll be like a torch, not a very good camouflage, is it?'
'Good point.' Legolas didn't seem very concerned, considering his obvious high knowledge of militarism and fashion tips. He spied a chicken wing and pounced on it.
'Great, great, great! Thank you for your advice, son of Thranduil!' I groaned, aloud. 'So, I'm going to get the Fellowship into deep shit by ILLUMINIATING Sauron and the whole of Mordor to us, since I'm dressed like a fluorescent bulb! No need for ring-wraiths to "sense" out Frodo. No need for Gimli to perform an erotic lap dance to attract attention. Just bring me along and I can just show the ring-wraiths the way! May as well carry a glow-stick sign with "WE HAVE THE RING" written in big letters and save me the trouble of having moths zooming to me! And if that's not enough to make you think, Legolas, Mister Fashion-smart-ass, tell me. since I can't wear pants because of Elrond, how do you suppose I climb a treacherous steep snowy mountain that's freezing wearing just a goddamn dress??!'
I was agitated and my sarcasm was blowing its top. I glared at Legolas, forcing him to answer me.
However, Legolas answered by popping another "pasta" strand into his mouth.
*****
Hi, just like to thank everyone who has reviewed so far.
And please continue reviewing - I read each one and take careful notes of all comments.
**********
CHAPTER 5:
Legolas just looked at me, dumbfounded.
'A little guidance here.' I started.
'Well. we. or I should certainly send Galadriel a message. This is beyond my hands. The sooner we send a message, the faster the reply. I believe that dream is an accurate depiction of the Other World; what's happening in your world. But I do not know or understand why Arwen would be dying. after all, it was only a book that hit your head. it wouldn't bring someone on the brink of death.' He had a worried expression on his face. 'Oh I nearly forgot, but the Council of Elrond's meeting was on today. It is decided. A fellowship of the ring will set out in a week's time. However, you'll have to convince Elrond to let you go.'
'Uh. great. And how would I do that?'
'It would be easy enough.' he grinned raising his voice an octave (an attempt at hiding his anxiousness I guess). 'Oh please Father, I just want to be with Aragorn. I have to be sure he will be safe! Mordor is not safe for a 60-year-old man!'
'Oh, shut up,' I grunted, tossing a light punch. 'I was thinking you might have a more EDUCATED technique. Such a pathetic answer for an elf!' He grinned again and shrugged. Idiot, I thought.
'Would you like to know who else is going?' he asked, suddenly.
'Um well I figured you are, Aragorn, the 4 hobbits, the wizard dude. um. ooh is that dwarf guy. that adorable grumpy-looking one.?'
'Gimli, son of Gloin?'
'Yeah him.'
'He's not adorable.'
'Yeah he is. With that cute little beard and axe! Can't decide who's cuter - Frodo or him. Come to that, Merry's cute as well. ooh and Pippin too.'
Legolas rolled his eyes. 'Well anyway, Boromir of Gondor is coming too.'
I thought back to what Ri had said back in grade 9. 'Didn't that guy like die at the end?'
'Pardon?'
'Um, you know, never mind.' I didn't think it was wise to go predicting people's deaths. I quickly changed the subject. 'Hmm... notice there are no other females in the fellowship. Do you find it at all UNUSUAL having nine guys, alone, in the middle of the wilderness, huddling together for warmth? ...Perhaps some temptations maybe?'
Legolas raised an eyebrow, puzzled. 'No, it's not unusual...'
'You know, I'll explain this one day if you ever pop into my world. you're not on the same wavelength obviously.' I hopped out of bed. 'I better go and talk to Elrond.' I glanced at myself. I was wearing a long nightgown.
'How did I get this on?' I wondered, out aloud.
'One of the elves here must had slipped it on for you during the night.'
'Hmm. Where can I get some new clothes, and some food.? Man, I'm hungry!'
'A new dress is lying over there on the chair and you can get something to eat at the Hall.' He got up and picked up a white dress. He strode back, handing it to me. '...I'll meet you back outside to carry you back across the marbled floor.'
'Uh, thanks.' I quickly dressed in the white dress. For such a fair elf, Arwen has very boring fashion taste - white? But then again, 2000 years of thinking what to wear must get pretty irritating, so it must be okay to ease off on the top Paris fashion, but still WHITE? Bleeurgh!
Legolas, as he promised was sauntering nearby. He was casually talking to another elf, a female. It struck me then just how beautiful elves were: so tall and sleek with long blond hair, the whitest of skins, the bluest of eyes. Pity no one at school looked this good. 'Oh, you must be awfully brave to join the fellowship!' the female elf was saying, as I neared them.
'Yeah, well, I am after all an elf from Mirkwood!' Legolas replied, flashing a wide smile. He seemed to sense my presence and turned towards me. 'Lady Arwen, if you shall...'
'Thanks, Legolas,' I said, as he swiftly hoisted me up into his arms. I have not yet become accustom to the elves' way of talking; too polite in my opinion.
'Good afternoon, Lady Arwen!' the elf-girl said, eagerly.
'Uh, hello... Do I know you?' I asked, awkwardly.
'I am Eldaelan, daughter of Lelphonsus of Lorien!' she replied smiling. 'It's an honour to meet you, my Lady!'
'And it's nice to meet you too, Eldaelan...' Legolas turned away then strode down the marbled hall. 'Wow, Arwen's pretty significant around here.' I commented.
'Yes, she is.' Legolas seemed to be absorbed in his own thoughts.
However, I was in a talking mood. It helped take my mind off my scary dream. 'So. Leggy, you have a girlfriend?' I finally asked.
He shook his head. 'I want to find my soul-mate, before I commit to anything.'
Fat chance. I've been looking for it for 15 years, and you've been looking for it for. 2 millenniums? And if you haven't found her yet in 2000 years, what's the chance of finding her in the next 2000 years?
'I see. Well, I'm single at the moment ... and from where I'm standing, it looks like I'll be that way for a long while. My love-life crashed head-on into a petrol tank and blew up into smithereens.'
I knew I was babbling, but it didn't really matter either way: Legolas was only half-listening. To my surprise, he dropped me onto the floor abruptly.
'Elrond's office,' he said. 'I'll be off. Need to send that message. Good luck.'
'Er, thanks.' I muttered. He vanished around a corner. I took a deep breath and knocked.
'Come in,' a deep voice commanded.
I poked my head in cautiously. Elrond was slung in a low chair, a large book propped against a pile of equally large books on his study table. He was bent reading the book carefully. 'Father?' I called.
'Arwen! What is it, my daughter?'
I decided to try to act elf-like. or business-like, like in those Julia Roberts movies where she acts all sophisticated to get a job. or was it to win a court case? Meh. 'I hear that a fellowship is to be sent out to destroy the One Ring,' I started.
'Yes, you heard right.'
'I also hear that dear Aragorn is to go along, to represent man-kind.'
'I see where this is going,' Elrond said, straightening up in his chair. 'I absolutely will not permit you to join him! It is a doomed company! Your life will be at risk!'
'Father, I shall miss him so terribly! I shall die if I do not see what is happening to him on such a perilous journey!' I ploughed ahead. 'He needs me and I need him! He will protect me!'
I was seriously hoping that this how Arwen would act in this situation. It looks doubtful; Elrond was eyeing me, a strange glint in his grey eyes.
To my surprise, Elrond's expression suddenly softened. He smiled. 'Are you quite sure you want to join the fellowship, Arwen?' he asked, gently.
'Yes, of course!'
Elrond sighed. 'Very well, in that case, you shall go if you are that determined,' he said. 'But however, if you happen to be caught in any sort of danger, before it's too late, I want you to return to Rivendell!'
'Of course, my Father.' I bowed. 'Thank you.' I left the room, relieved.
My gloomy mood suddenly soared into the opposite. I started to feel excited.
I was going on an adventure!
I'm joining the Fellowship of the Ring!
Of course, I have a huge risk of dying, but that won't really happen until like the 2nd book or something... and I'll be back into the real world by then!
And besides the other nine companions can protect me if anyone attacks me!
My high spirits shot up another 1000 notches. I skipped down the hall, not exactly knowing where I'm going.
I started singing, 'We're off to see the Wizard. the wonderful Wizard of Oz!' I think I scared everyone who passed me.
Now, everyone is going to think Elrond's daughter is coo-coo. Great.
Oh well!
Me too high to care!
We're off to the see the Wizard, the wonderful - lalalala!
*****
However, eventually I ended up at the Dining Hall. It was quite empty. I sat down and stabbed various types of food that was plopped around the long table. Why there would be so much food when there's no one to enjoy it, I wondered. However, I didn't care as I hungrily chomped into it.
I looked up after 30 minutes and saw Legolas making his way towards me. 'Hey!' I said, with my mouth full of pasta (or what I hope is pasta.).
'Hello. I sent the message. I hope they receive it soon.' Legolas looked more relax than he did 45 minutes ago, and his eyes roamed amused over my large pile of food. 'How about you? Any luck convincing Elrond?'
'Yeah, he agreed quite readily. It was surprisingly easy.'
'Very unlike Elrond.'
'Hmm, I guess.'
'Well, I guess you're now the 10th member of the Fellowship of the Ring. A very honorable position.' he said, vaguely.
'And also the only female. Very honorable indeed.'
'Yeah. Ooh!' He jabbed one of my "pasta" strands, with a fork, and popped into his mouth.
'What should I wear?' I asked, glancing at the white dress.
'Wear? What you're wearing now. It's fine! .And you're not going to wear pants, if that's what you're thinking. Elrond would toss a fit.'
'Arwen wears WHITE! I'll be like a torch, not a very good camouflage, is it?'
'Good point.' Legolas didn't seem very concerned, considering his obvious high knowledge of militarism and fashion tips. He spied a chicken wing and pounced on it.
'Great, great, great! Thank you for your advice, son of Thranduil!' I groaned, aloud. 'So, I'm going to get the Fellowship into deep shit by ILLUMINIATING Sauron and the whole of Mordor to us, since I'm dressed like a fluorescent bulb! No need for ring-wraiths to "sense" out Frodo. No need for Gimli to perform an erotic lap dance to attract attention. Just bring me along and I can just show the ring-wraiths the way! May as well carry a glow-stick sign with "WE HAVE THE RING" written in big letters and save me the trouble of having moths zooming to me! And if that's not enough to make you think, Legolas, Mister Fashion-smart-ass, tell me. since I can't wear pants because of Elrond, how do you suppose I climb a treacherous steep snowy mountain that's freezing wearing just a goddamn dress??!'
I was agitated and my sarcasm was blowing its top. I glared at Legolas, forcing him to answer me.
However, Legolas answered by popping another "pasta" strand into his mouth.
*****