A/N: Thank you, my sole reviewer! I was working on another story, and I didn't see your review, so I figured I could wait a bit before writing more. Yes, I plan to keep writing on this. Oh, by the way, this is not a romance fic; I didn't realize until after that there were two and two.
Chapter three
"Um, come in," Selena called.
An elleth came in and dropped a small courtesy. "King Thranduil has heard of your arrival, and wishes for you to come to tonight's banquet. I am Laucamiluiel. I will help you get ready."
"Aren't we ready right now?" asked Raeann.
The elleth- Laucamiluiel- shook her head and smiled. "You look nice, but the banquet is formal. Those gowns will work on other nights, but you may wish to look slightly fancier. I have some other dresses, and I'll re-braid your hair."
Selena laughed. Their hair had been more then mussed by the trees.
Laucamiluiel braided Raeann's long black hair into one long braid. She wound it around Raeann's head while Selena took off the brown dress and changed into a grey dress. Selena's hair was brushed out while Raeann changed into a white dress. While she brushed and braided their hair, Laucamiluiel told them that they had decided to leave off the questioning for a few days.
Now dressed and ready, the two girls thanked Laucamiluiel then followed her instructions to the banquet.
The minor problem was that they had no idea how to act.
When they
found the right roon, King Thranduil (for who else could look so
impressive?) introduced them. "These are Selena and Raeann. They
somehow found their way into the woods, and Celefin found them on his
patrol.
"Heru Elrond, his sons, Heru Elladan and Heru
Elrohir, and his daughter, Heri Arwen have come for a visit."
Arwen, (the most beautiful person in history since Luthien Tinuviel) sat down. An elf who was serving food motioned that they sit next to her. Selena slid in next to Arwen, and flashed her a small smile. To her surprise, Arwen smiled back.
Raeann sat next to Selena, and Elrohir and Elladan (impossible to tell apart except by what clothes they were wearing) sat next to her. They grinned, and Raeann felt relieved. At least she knew two people who obviously had a sense of humor!
The banquet started, and the food was passed. Raeann put very little on her plate. She was nervous about what they might put in their food.
"Don't worry, it's not poisoned," said Elladan (or Elrohir). She smiled, and started eating. She was surprised to find everything delicious, but then remembered that she was eating among elves. Of course it was delivious
Elrohir (or Elladan) started tossing grapes into his mouth. The other twin nudged him in the ribs, causing him to swallow without chewing. Elrohir turned to glare at his brother. Raeann couldn't help a small giggle.
Selena was liking Arwen more and more. At first, she seemed like someone spoiled, but when you actually talked to her she was quite interesting.
"So, where do you come from?" asked Arwen. Selena shook her head. "I come from Texas." (Yes, there are woods in Texas!)
"'Texas'? I have never heard of it."
"I'm not surprised. I don't even know how we got here."
"What do you think of Mirkwood?" said Arwen, daintily sipping from her wine glass. Selena tried some and almost choked. (I've had dry wine once- disgusting! Probably just plain wine would taste better, but it still would be hard to get used to.) "The forests are very pretty, but I wish it were a little bit more sunny."
Arwen nodded. "Indeed, I pine for the bright sunlight in Rivendell. My brothers are glad that we're here, however, as Legolas is one of their dearest friends."
"Friend in mischief, eh?" commented Raeann to Selena.
Elrohir and Elladan were flinging peas across the table at Legolas. Selena stifled a giggle. "Don't they ever get in trouble?"
"Oh yes, all the time," assured Arwen. "Elrohir broke his arm once when he over-elaborated a trap he was setting for Erestor. The ironic thing is Erestor was the one who tended to his arm all that time."
"Sort of heaping coals on his head," commented Selena.
Elladan (or Elrohir) threw a grape across the table into Legolas's mouth. Legolas coughed, and glared at him. Elladan pointed at Raeann. She glared at him and tucked a stick of celery in his hair.
"I do not think your new hairstyle will catch on," said Arwen dryly. Elrohir pulled out the celery and ate it.
"Maybe, dearest of all sisters," said Elladan, and carefully emptied the salt onto a pie. Elrohir followed his example and emptied the pepper onto Elladan's plate. When Elladan took a bite, his face started turning red, and he gulped down some wine. Unfortunately, Raeann had poured hot sauce into it. Elrohir watched as Elladan's face turned tomato red, before offering him some of his drink.
"Why did you put hot sauce in my brother's wine?" asked Arwen. Raeann bit off a piece of pie. "Because he put cream on my beans."
"I don't suppose you'll be staying here long?" asked Selena. Arwen nodded. "Actually, we- Elrohir, Elladan and I- are planning to stay for a few months."
"That'll be fun," mumbled Raeann through a mouthful of pie. Selena sighed and leaned back. "If I eat another bite I'm sure I'll burst. How do you do it, Arwen?"
Arwen looked nonplussed. "Do what?"
"Eat all that and stay so skinny."
"I do not know. Perhaps it comes from chasing my brothers down the halls so often. Just last night they dug a pit in the pond. When I stepped in, I sank into the mud, thoroughly ruining my swimming clothes."
"Silence, please," called King Thranduil. Raeann and Selena self-consciously sat up.
"Tomorrow night we are having our annual celebration of the first day of summer. I suggest we all leave now, and rest, for tomorrow everyone's help will be needed to set it up."
Several elves began to clear away the dishes. Raeann stifled a yawn. "Come on, let's go to sleep. I'm tired."
The two girls wandered back to their bedroom. Nightgowns were hanging on the beds, and they gladly changed into them.
"Well, today has certainly been eventful," said Selena. Raeann mumbled something in reply from deep under the covers.
Later that night, Selena woke up. She sighed and
stared at the ceiling. Even though her family had kicked her out, it
had all been for her own good. She needed to go to boarding school.
They would have taken her back in if she didn't make it. Her friends
at school wouldn't see her again either. None of them were as close
to her as Raeann, which was something to be thankful for, but she
would miss them anyway.
And what about school? Life? Would she
just disappear, or would they think of some excuse for her being
gone? As these thoughts raced through her mind, she heard crying from
Raeann's bed. She sighed, and fell asleep.
