Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings is property of Tolkien and there are many references throughout to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I only own what you do not recognize. The character Chinky is not meant to cause offence and is named after a real horse whose name has been shortened from a Fiat Cinquecento (Chinky – Chento).
Chapter 9: Packing and Dresses
Amy frowned as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. A long-haired, black eyed girl stared back at her with open eyes. Frowning even harder she brought her hand up to her eyes. She had always had black eyes. Well not always, they used to be a very, very dark brown, but since her sixteenth birthday they had gradually gotten darker. And now there was no mistaking it; they were black, as her pupils could no longer be distinguished from her irises. There was a time when she would have welcomed this, she had always wished her eyes were black, she did not know why; it was just one of those things. But now she was far from pleased. For with her black eyes came her black hair and a power she did not want to wield.
Sighing she reached her arm across her chest and scratched her side. Her tanned skin now was starting to gleam with elvish light. She was slowly turning into one of the Eldar. Pulling her stomach in she turned to look at herself side on, in her full length mirror. Liking what she saw she tried to stay like that. Her stomach was now completely flat and gave her a move elven appearance. After a few seconds shooting pains started going through her chest, reminding her of the abuse she was putting her lungs through. Slowly letting out her breath she shrugged. Not that she was fat, far from it. But she was still slightly self conscious of her stomach, which came over the top of her breaches if she had eaten too much. Nevertheless this was almost always cured by pulling her trousers up higher and pulling her top down lower.
It had been a week since she had been told of her history and her father. Her father, the dragon. He had destroyed the first dark lord Morgoth in the first age, but in doing so he had destroyed Beleriand. Her fate was destined to be the same as his; she was destined to destroy the world she had learned to love.
She had been in Rivendell near on a month now, and she was leaving tomorrow before noon. Leaving her only two friends to travel to Lothlorien to train her powers with Galadriel. Her heart plummeted at the thought of not seeing her two best friends again.
Aragorn - he was so sweet to her. He had taken the roll of being the big brother, yet he was the biggest kid at heart. He had shown her all he knew about sword fighting. Sword formations came even easier to her than before and several times she had managed to get him to the floor in a fair fight. She smiled. He used to come off the training grounds dripping and red in the face, yet she was barely breathless, there were some advantages to having an elven father. She thought back to the first time she had seen him in the forest where they had saved her from orcs. She had taken immediate liking to him and Legolas. . .
Sighing again she thought of the blonde haired elf. She lowered herself onto the stool in front of her dressing table. She remembered how shy she was around him to begin with. And she had to admit to herself, she didn't know why. Things had changed though; she was exhausted after a hunting trip in her first week and had nearly fallen asleep on Chinky's back. Seeing what was going to happen the elf had pulled her off her horse's back and in front of him. He had let her sleep there. Not that she could remember much of that. She had woken up with her head nestled into his shoulder feeling more than comfortable. Their friendship had improved from there, but recently she couldn't get him out of her head. When they weren't together she thought about him day and night. How she trembled at his touch and how he shuddered when she played with his hair. And how. . .
She stopped herself there. The realisation finally hit her; she was starting to fall in love with the young prince. A smile spread on her face as she thought about it. Did this mean that he liked her to? A wave of helplessness hit her. She was leaving tomorrow and wouldn't be able to find out anything, and she definitely wasn't brave enough to ask him.
'Ah well,' she thought, 'we will see each other in the future no doubt. Not that I could ever love anyone. I'm going to die, and take the world with me.'
She got up and stumbled her way to her bed. Her final words hit her as she lay on her belly. 'I'm going to die.' Tears racked her body as she sobbed lightly into her pillows.
BREAK
"Galadriel," Elrond asked. "Do you think that it is right to take her away so soon? She has just found friends."
Galadriel looked sadly at Elrond. "Yes, she needs to be trained. We don't have much time left, things must be done soon. She will make new friends in Lothlorien. Do not fear."
"She is young, how will she cope? I have never seen Legolas or Estel take to a girl that way before."
"Yes she is a likable one. She has overcome her past. I am sorry to have to take her; but it is necessary. You know that. Besides, this will not be the last time they see each other, I am sure of that." Galadriel said the last words with a smile and walked out of the room, leaving Elrond to his thoughts.
BREAK
Amy stood up. She had finished crying and scolded herself for being so silly. She wasn't going to die; she was going to make sure of that. Wrapping herself in the power she used branches of air and pulled her bags over to her. Galadriel had already taught her quite a bit about her power and she used every opportunity to use it.
Walking over to her wardrobe she pulled out all the clothes she owned and threw them on her bed. Slowly she started packing, making sure to leave out comfortable riding clothes for tomorrow, singing softly she started folding up her favourite shirts and cloaks.
"You have a beautiful voice Little Warrior," a voice behind her said.
"Thank you Aragorn." Amy said before turning round and hugging him tightly.
"Elrond, told us to help you pack, though it breaks my heart to see you go." Legolas said as he walked through the door and pulling it shut behind him.
"Yes it grieves us deeply, but we know it is best for you." Aragorn said folding up a pair of breaches.
"Yes, but it is our last night together, and after the feast in your honour Elrond has granted to us that we may sleep in here. If you will let us?" Legolas said looking down going rather red.
A smile shone on Amy's face racing from one ear to the other. "Really! Wow, sure. I will miss you two, with all my heart. You have shown me what it is like to have someone care for me."
"Do not worry Little Warrior, you will find other friends. After all you are very likable," Aragorn said winking at Legolas.
Legolas scowled but luckily Amy had turned her back and didn't see. They carried on packing in silence, until Amy's singing broke the silence. Her voice rippled throughout the room making Legolas and Aragorn stop and stare at her. After a few minutes she noticed that folded clothes had stopped being passed to her and wondered why her friends had stopped.
"Your voice is amazing." Legolas said looking at her in awe.
"Oh, it never used to be, before I came here, my mum used to say my singing sounded like a wolf getting strangled. Charming huh!" Amy said grinning.
BREAK
Amy glared at the reflection in the mirror in front of her. She was ready to go to her farewell feast and now all she was waiting for was her escorts. She scowled as she looked at the dress she was wearing. Ever since coming here Elrond had tried with all his mite to get her into one, and now considering it was her leaving feast she had to wear one. If she did not wear the dress she could not have Legolas and Aragorn sleep in her room. She had stormed out of Elrond's study yelling 'Blackmail' over her shoulder, but to no avail. All she could here was his laughing.
She had to admit the dress wasn't too bad. Long lilac sleeves came down to her knees and the low-neck line showed off her tanned neck brilliantly. All she was thankful for was that it was not lacy and frilly.
"Lady Amy, we are your escorts!"
Jumping Amy looked to the door to see both Aragorn and Legolas dressed in their finest waiting for her. Fiddling with the sleeve of her dress once more she walked over to them.
"You look beautiful, our Little Warrior isn't really a warrior now is she my friend?" Aragorn said looking over at Legolas.
Legolas was staring at Amy with what could only be described as longing in his eyes. He took a fleeting look at the low-neck line before scolding himself and offering her his arm.
Amy took his arm and Aragorn's and added one word as she slammed her door.
"PAH!"
