In the time it takes Lord Elrond to write Lady Galadriel and has begun waiting to receive a reply in return Rose has somehow established herself among the elves of Rivendell. Surprisingly, many of the people living within the great elven city take kindly to Rose, and if not kindly no one is outright mean towards her. They know she's magical, a witch, but not magical in the way the Istari are, or so Caladwen has told her. Apparently, what little of Rose's magic has been witnessed has been enough to tell the elves of Rivendell that their red-haired visitor is, perhaps, more dangerous than even the White Wizard. Rose doubts that very much.
Rose rolls her eyes as she settles into a bench in one of the open spaces of Rivendell, curling her feet under her bum a little so that she can rest her book on her thighs more comfortably. The Ancient Rituals: Theory and Execution book she packed before she left for Peru had been for Rose to read during her downtime as there would have been quite a bit of it here and there during the weeks Rose and the others were supposed to be breaking curses. With everything that's happened Rose hasn't really been in a good mindset to be ready new material... She's only attempting to start now because Rivendell is quiet, peaceful really, and Rose needs a better distraction than what she's been able to get so far.
So she reads. Devours pages worth of words like a snake devours a mouse. She rereads sections of information, uses simple wandless magic to mark certain theories she finds interesting, and makes little personal commentaries in the margins. This goes on for hours until the wind carries the scent of ink and parchment to her just before a man lowers himself onto the bench beside her. He's wearing a set of amber robes commonly seen on elf men, pin-straight hair held back by a circlet made of silver. Handsome. But aren't they all?
"Good morning, Lindir." Rose greets before turning back to her book.
Lindir had, perhaps unsurprisingly, been the one Rose had pulled into her friend group the quickest; followed closely by Lady Arwen and her two brothers. Glorfindel has remained too busy for Rose to conveniently corner and it would be weird to just stalk him through the city just to get him to talk to her. So until they can have a proper conversation that doesn't involve swords and umbrellas Rose just has to accept the fact that her and Glorfindel aren't going to be best mates and braid each others hair... But maybe that's for the best. Lindir had attempted to braid Rose's hair once but texture hadn't been something he was used to and eventually Rose had been forced to help him untangle the mess just to teach him how her mother taught her to wrangle the wild mess of corkscrews into something more civilized. Somehow, she doubts Glorfindel would fare any better.
"And to you, Lady Rose, how has your morning treated you?"
"Fine, fine... Yourself?"
"Quite well, I've begun writing another Ballad."
The dark haired elf is a great lover of music. Many of his songs are more instrumental than anything but he singing is lovely. Rose is of the opinion that all elves are just born excellent at singing and don't need practice to make themselves sound competent, whereas the lowly mortals are forced to practice and build up their abilities. Rose smiles as she flips the page of her book.
"Are there any well known ballads where you're from Lady Rose?" Lindir asks, leaning closer so that his hair falls over his shoulder.
Rose looks up from her book, nods, and says, "Bohemian Rhapsody has a ballad segment and if literally one of the best songs in the world. Six minutes of musical genius."
Lindir stares at her, brows slightly furrowed, and Rose knows she's going to have to explain because there is no way in any sort of hell Rose is leaving her friend ignorant to the beauty that is Queen. So she snaps her book shut and places it in Lindir's lap before rising in search of a decent sized rock. She finds one off in the shrubbery to their left and tosses it between her hands a few times to gauge whether or not it's going to work before she pulls her wand out of her jacket pocket. This will be the first time Rose really shows off her magic to Lindir and in true Rose Weasley fashion she goes all out. The rock slowly morphs into a palm-sized, jeweled egg with a base made of delicately braided gold to keep it upright, the jewels and intricate carvings create a nice nature scene, and when it's pulled open a little grand piano will play the opening notes of the song that is going to literally rock Lindir's whole world.
Delighted that her transfiguration worked Rose begins layering all the required charms and spells needed to make the music box actually play music. Rose makes sure to keep the song playing in her head as she works, that way it will linger in the spells and charm work going into making the music portion of the music box. She might not be a singer but Rose is one hell of a good charms student - she should be, it was her favorite class outside of Transfiguration- and a talented witch in her own right. This bit of magic may be difficult and maybe a little uncalled for but Rose doesn't care.
By the time the egg is finished and Rose presents it to her friend Lindir is staring at her with a sort of wide-eyed exuberance most commonly seen in children. With a snort Rose grabs Lindir's hand and presses the egg into it, making sure to press his finger into the carving in the center which makes the egg pop open to reveal the piano which instantly begins turning out the opening notes of the song Rose has spelled it to play.
"Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide.
No escape from reality.
Open your eyes,
Look up to the skies and see,
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy,
Because I'm easy come, easy go,
Little high, little low,
Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter to me, to me."
Brown eyes go impossibly wider, mouth dropping in thrilled surprise. So this is what it's like from an outsider's perspective, this is what magic looks like to someone who doesn't have the luxury of seeing it every day or using it whenever they please. Rose finds herself humbled by the sheer fucking joy that's painted across Lindir's face the longer the song progresses. It becomes decided pretty quickly that this is going to be their thing. Rose will make him little magical music boxes filled with songs from her world and with more practice Rose thinks she'll be able to make them even more complex... Like, maybe she can make it so that when Lindir opens them up the magic projects an image or maybe the little figurines in the middle can become more interactive.
She's got time to practice, it's not like there's any work to be done in Rivendell that any of the elves will let her see to, and if it makes Lindir as happy as he is right now why wouldn't Rose try? He's honestly the second friend Rose has made in this world and she's always held her friends close to her heart.
"This is Bohemian Rhapsody?" Lindir asks as the song comes to a close and the egg snaps shut.
"Yeah. My dad was obsessed with the band after he found out about them." Rose says, smiling as Lindir turns his attention to the egg that he rolls back and forth in his hands.
"I... Rose, I cannot express my appreciation for this." Lindir breathes after he's finished looking at it.
"It's just a bit of transfiguration and charm work. The magic itself isn't all that hard but the layering is more difficult because everything has to be just right for it to work."
"The craftsmanship is stunning."
"Just a little transfiguration. The charms, however, are a different story. I've done this before so it's not so hard to work with now, but back in the day? Merlin, it took me months to get the charms right the first time I tried doing something like this. Literally. I worked on it during most of my free time, became I'm something of a hermit. If it weren't for my flatmates at the the time- Scorpius and Albus- keeping me fed and watered-"
"You've made these before? Is that how you made your living where you're from?" Lindir asks, the pad of his thumb stroking slowly over the jeweled surface of the egg.
"Oh no, I was a Curse Breaker, my job was to remove any curses or dark spells from things and sometimes humans." Rose smiles at Lindir's sudden horrified look, "I made the music box for my cousin Teddy's wedding gift."
Lindir smiles at her before bowing his head, hands moving to hold the music box against his chest.
"Thank you, Lady Rose, you honor me with such a gift."
Rose moves to nudge his foot with her own and says, "It's what friends do, Lindir, make their other friends happy."
"I fear I may not be able to repay this kindness."
"I never expected you to."
"Then you've a kinder heart than most." is all she receives from Lindir before he begins examining his gift with renewed vigor.
With a fond roll of her eyes Rose picks her book back off the bench, flips to the page she left, and begins reading. They lapse into companionable silence, which is only occasionally broken when Lindir pushes the little carving to listen to the song again. At least he's enjoying it, Rose thinks as she watches Lindir over the edge of her book. Maybe the next one she gives him will be something less Rock'n'Roll, though. Rose likes to think of herself as a great lover of music, and with so many family members she's had a long time and a lot of opportunities to build up a rather eclectic taste herself. Lindir might like something a bit softer, something that speaks to his dreamer heart.
Already she's thinking up a list of songs to introduce Lindir to; they'd have to be relatively easy to share with the rest of Rivendell as Lindir is such a well known lover of music and song, but Rose thinks that there are plenty of songs that she could let Lindir make up his own mind about. It's not like he'd have to sing any of them, after all. It would just be a matter of using Rose's music boxes in the presence of others. Still, she'd have to keep the songs as inoffensive as possible and make sure there aren't an overabundance of pop culture references the elves wouldn't understand. Rose wonders if she can get away with introducing Lindir to some of the more risque songs of her world... Well, risque in his opinion at least. Would it even be considered risque? The elves in Rivendell have lived long enough that certain actions wouldn't be unheard of even if they never participated themselves.
Hmm, food for thought.
"Lady Rose?"
"Yes, Lindir?"
"Would you like to accompany me to the Hall of Fire this evening?" Her elf friend asks which causes Rose to furrow her brow at him.
"I don't know what they is." She says to which Lindir blushes a bit.
"Yes, of course, the Hall of Fire is near the main hall, it is where we gather to tell tales and sing our ballads."
"Ah. Bonding experiences. Got it." Rose smiles a bit at her friend. "What does one wear to this Hall of Fire?"
"Whatever you wish, none shall judge you on your choice of clothing."
"No, just my inability to sing." Lindir shoots her a look that makes Rose blush and laugh and say, "Alright! Alright! Sorry! I'd be more than happy to accompany you."
Lindir bows his head and says, "I'm glad that you'll be attending. The Hall of Fire is quite beautiful and there's rich history to be shared there."
"Will you be singing your new ballad?" Rose wonders.
"Perhaps not, I've yet to finish it." Lindir smiles at her, a charming thing that makes his cheek dimple. "Will you be singing for us Lady Rose? Or telling us a tale of your people?"
"Maybe." Rose says.
She's not a singer. The only musical talent Rose really has is playing the piano and even then she's not a great player like Hugo or their mum. While she could probably transfigure herself a working piano Rose isn't sure if she can remember any songs off the top of her head, which makes writing or conjuring sheet music a bit tricky. She could always charm the piano to play on its own but that might defeat the purpose of the Hall of Fire. Really, her best bet is telling stories about her time at Hogwarts or her many adventures as a curse breaker when Lindir inevitably gets her in front of the crowd. She thinks the elves of Rivendell will better appreciate tales of moving staircases, talking portraits, and children learning magic than the darker, more gritty tales of Rose's experiences as a curse breaker.
Sighing, Rose closes her book and rises from the bench.
"Is everything alright, Lady Rose?" Lindir inquires almost as soon as Rose moves to stand.
"Just feeling a bit restless is all."
"Would you like to see the training fields? I know you've yet to visit them." Lindir offers with a bright smile and Rose thinks on it for a moment before nodding hesitantly.
"I don't see why not."
Lindir nods slowly before rising from the bench. Once he's stood and adjusted his outer robes Lindir offers Rose his arm, which she takes with a smile, and then they're off; making their way through Rivendell with unhurried steps as they discuss things like Rose's magic, Lindir's music, and news of the world beyond Rivendell. Neither of them discuss the letter Elrond is expecting from Lady Galadriel but Rose finds a sort of comfort in not discussing such things at the moment. Sometimes it's best to just enjoy the little things and not worry about what's about to come.
~X~
The Hall of Fire isn't as crowded as Rose thought it might have been but it's still rather full. Rose sticks close to Lindir as he guides her through the Hall, smiling and greeting other elves as he goes, it's a slow progress but eventually the two of them make it across the long Hall to where a small cluster of Elves are standing; Rose recognizes Arwen and her brother's easily enough, Glorfindel too, but she is unfamiliar with the other man standing with them. Still, she allows Lindir to lead her up to them and deposit her among the group.
Dressed in the nicest clothes she has Rose stands out obviously among the elegantly dressed elves of Rivendell, who all wear pale silks peppered with shining beads and slivers of jewels. Rose tugs absently at the hem of her sleeve as she allows Arwen to pull her into conversation about a new book she's reading. It's nice talking to Arwen as the older girl doesn't expect Rose to be able to understand all of what she's saying, she's also a very good listener and advice giver. Very kind. Rose genuinely enjoys Arwen's presence.
Which is why she allows herself to be roped into telling their small group a series of rather embarrassing stories about her time as a Curse Breaker in training. All of them are rather tame considering elves are a softer race, while she's certain they've got their own series of bawdy jokes and stories it seems like they're more interested in tales of romance, legendary heroes, and eternal beauty. Telling inappropriate jokes just doesn't seem like something she should be doing. Which is a damn shame because Rose has some seriously hilarious jokes she could tell otherwise. Keeping to lighter topics isn't that bad though, it's actually kind of nice. Rivendell and those living here are kind of like the students that attend Beauxbatons; beautiful, graceful, soft in appearance, and living an aesthetic.
Rose respects the hell out of it.
Eventually Rose is led by Arwen to one of the long tables where she's quickly guided into a seat between the lovely dark haired beauty and Elrohir, who smiles charmingly at her before turning to continue his conversation with Glorfindel. Lindir sits across from her and Arwen next to another unfamiliar elven woman and is quick to pull Rose into conversation.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Lady Rose?" Her dark eyed friend asks.
"Very much so."
"Excellent," he turns to Arwen. "And you, Lady Arwen, are you enjoying yourself?"
"Yes, my friend, I find myself quite entertained."
Conversation flows rather easily as they drink and nibble at the food placed about the table. Rose doesn't have much to say and doesn't speak unless she's spoken too, not because she has to or because she feels uncomfortable, but because she's not entirely sure what anyone is talking about as she isn't a resident of Rivendell. Topics range from what one of the weavers is currently working on- apparently she ran out of red dye and had to put her project on hold until she's able to get more- and how Lembas day has had to be moved up to next week so that the kitchen staff can accommodate the feast that will be held in Lady Galadriel's honor. Arwen seems absolutely delighted that Lady Galadriel is coming to visit, Rose isn't so sure she feels the same way.
With the Elven Lady's arrival comes the news of whether or not Rose will be able to go home and she's pretty sure she already knows the answer to that question without the woman's confirmation. On the off-chance that she can be sent home Rose isn't sure what that would entail. There are so many things that could have happened that would have resulted in her coming to this world; curses, hexes, ancient rituals, hell, Rose isn't too keen on adding divine intervention but it's not impossible at this point. Sometimes things happen, sometimes they just do, and sometimes there's no going back from a certain point in one's live.
Does she want Lady Galadriel to tell her that she's going to have to make a life for herself in this world? Or does she want the Lady to tell her that there's a reason she's here and a way to go home? Which is worse? Rose isn't a soldier, she's not a healer, and from what she's heard there aren't any ancient curses to break. Why would she be needed in a world where no one seems to need her particular skill set? What use is a curse breaker without curses to break? Rose sighs, drumming her fingers against the beautifully carved stem of her wine glass.
"You seem troubled, my friend."
It's Elrohir.
He's got both elbows on the table, his chin is cradled in the palm of his hand, and he's staring at her through truly beautiful silvery eyes. Rose finds herself forced to look away as she clears the lump from her throat and says, "No, not troubled."
"Perhaps it would do you good to discuss your troubles with friends."
"I'm alright, promise."
Looking as if he knows she's lying, Elrohir nods once before he begins talking once more. "Perhaps tomorrow you could show us more of your magic? Glorfindel told us the story of how you turned his sword into, what did he call it? An um-brel-la?"
"Umbrella. It keeps you dry when your forced to walk through the rain."
"Fascinating."
"Eh, they kind of suck." dark brows furrow questioningly but Rose presses on, "I'd love to show you some of my tricks though. Maybe tomorrow after lunch we can all get together and hang out in the gardens or something."
"Hang out? There is no where in the gardens that would be suitable for hanging anything of substantial weight." Elladan remarks, his confusion clear.
Rose laughs, a nice belly-deep sound that draws the attention of elves further down the table.
"It means to get together and relax in each other's company." She explains.
"I see."
"I think it would be lovely," Arwen says with a large smile that showcases her ridiculously perfect teeth, "Father thinks the weather should hold for another few days yet."
Sunny and reasonably warm, she means. Rose doesn't think Rivendell is all that intolerable in terms of its weather patterns, even when it rains it's lovely. Rose is quick to schedule a meeting time for all of them tomorrow after lunch before she excuses herself from the group and makes her way out into the hall. Laughter from the Hall of Fire seems to chase after hear as she makes her way to her own chambers but it's pleasant enough that Rose doesn't mind all that much. Her feet seem to drag across the smooth stone floors and the more she walks the heavier her eyelids gets. By the time she makes it to her chambers, closes the door behind her, and kicks off her shoes she's too tired to do anything more than flop down on her bed and curl around a pillow. Before she goes to sleep Rose places her wand on the finely crafted bedside table so that it doesn't get broken sometime during the night if she accidentally rolls over it. Breaking her wand in this world is the absolute last thing she needs.
