Disclaimer: I do not own any of Tolkien's material.
A/N: I'm not very creative at the moment So... yeah. Short chapter until I figure somethings out.
Many thanks to...
1 fan of pj. hp. lotr . con . ra— (Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!)
LilactheDryad— (:-D)
CodenameAgentC— (Ha ha! Thanks for reviewing!)
Me And Not You— (Your welcome! No offense taken! And I just used the Wikipedia version of Elladan, so I hope it's right!)
Izzy bug— (Thanks!)
This morning is officially called Aubrey's-Horrible-Terrible-No-Good-Very-Bad-Morning. The past few days haven't been too terrible, but I wouldn't exactly know as I am currently holed up inside my room. Muriel, who had finally decided that she had had enough of my moping, forcibly pushed me out the door and ordered me to go to breakfast.
I could give you a really good excuse for hiding away from the world, but in all honesty it isn't because I was sucked into another world— it's my hair. The red tresses have declared independence and are currently defying gravity as they stick out in all directions. I looked like I was wearing a red circus afro on steroids. Not a pretty sight either.
Huffing, I entered the dining hall and plopped into a seat at a table in the far corner of the room, isolated from the rest of Imladris. Sunlight was peeking through the windows, warming the polished marble floors. A giggle from the left made me turn to glare at Cassie, who had followed me. She quirked an eyebrow and nodded her head, signaling me to turn around.
"Gah!', I howled as I swatted the hands away. "Why are you touching my hair?"
"It's fluffy."
"Because of the humidity and lack of frizz ease.', I growled as I twisted away from the twins poking fingers. "Stop. Touching. My. Hair."
"I hope you are not pestering these sweet young ladies while they eat, Elladan and Elrohir.', a sweet voice said. "I know I raised my sons better than that."
The twins exchanged a guilty look as they quickly shoved their hands into their pockets.
"Nay, naneth. We were only inquiring about how they slept last night."
"Sure you were.', I grumbled. Elladan shot me a warning look.
Cassie's eyes were as wide as saucers and I looked in the direction of her gaping stare. My forehead wrinkled in confusion.
"Are you Lord Elrond's wife?', Cassie inquired politely.
"Yes. I am Lady Celebrian."
"What year is it?', I asked weakly as I nervously swallowed and rubbed my head.
"Year 240 in the Third Age, little one. Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering, my lady. Thank you."
I paced my bedroom while Cassie watched.
"I still don't get how the year made you so upset.', she complained as she sat on my bed.
"Cassie.', I began. "It's the year 240. Arwen hasn't been born yet, Rohan hasn't been established yet, and the Istari haven't arrived yet. And they will not arrive until the year 1000. Which means any hope that Gandalf will be able to help us has just gone through the window."
"So we have to wait that long to meet Gandalf?"
"Cassie, we can't wait that long. That's over 700 years from now. You'll be—', I gulped at the realization. "You'll be dead."
"Oh yeah!', she grinned. "That makes sense. Aubrey? Aubrey what's wrong?"
"Cassie, if I choose the fate of the elves, I will watch you grow old and die. I can't do that. I can't be here all alone."
"Well you aren't going to give up the chance to live forever either.', she scolded playfully.
"How are you okay with that? If I choose the way of the Eldar, I will watch you grow old and die."
"Relax, Aubrey. That's years from now. Just take it a step at a time."
"Ugh. Why can't things be simpler?', I groaned, my voice muffled by my hands as I covered my face.
"Because then we would be Mary-Sues.', she oh-so-helpfully offered.
"Of course. If we aren't those evil creatures already."
"Hey Aubrey?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you want to find the music room?"
"NO! I am not going to serenade a bunch of elves. That is totally something a Mary-Sue would do."
Cassie laughed as she hung upside-down off of the bed, her cheeks turning red as the blood rushed to her head.
"No, silly! I don't want you to sing. I just want you to come with me! I want to see what kind of instruments they have."
"Oh. Whatever."
Whoa. Like everything else in Rivendell, just WHOA. There were instruments everywhere in the music room, and all of them looked to be polished and well-cared for.
Glancing around, I frowned as I only recognized a few of the items scattered around the room. There was of course, several flutes and a harp. Those were easy to pick out, but the others were a bit more difficult.
"Aubrey! Look!"
"Huh. Well that's weird.', I muttered as I carefully took the instrument from my friend and studied it. "I didn't think Middle Earth had violins."
The bow laid nearby and I cautiously looked it over before picking it up also. Soon I was coaxing out several notes to a little ditty my father had taught me, and my brow puckered in concentration as I listened to the notes.
"What are you doing?', Cassie wondered from where she stood beside me.
"Fixing it. The tune is off.', I murmured as I gently adjusted the pegs.
"Can I help you ladies?"
I yelped and grasped the violin tightly as I spun around.
"Sorry! I was tuning it.', I mumbled apologetically as I gently set the violin down where Cassie had first picked it up.
The dark-haired elf's eyes strayed to the instrument before trailing back to me.
"You were tuning it?', he drawled.
"Yup. The uh, third string didn't give off the correct sound.', I stammered as his eyebrows rose slightly.
"Interesting. So you have seen this type of instrument before?"
"Yes."
"And do you play it?"
"Yes, she does.', Cassie grinned. "And she's really good at it, too."
"I just don't play it in front of people.', I hurriedly added, giving my friend a glare. That little stinker! I know exactly what she is doing.
"What a pity. You are free to play it, if you wish. This room is often empty in the early mornings.', he offered as he swept his arm towards the room.
"Oh. Okay then. Thank you...?"
"Lindir. And may I inquire your names?"
"Whoops. Sorry about that. I'm Aubrey McQuary, and my friend here is Cassie Seabolt."
"Well met. I am afraid I must excuse myself from this conversation to finish my task. Erestor has me running errands this morning."
He hurried off and I dragged Cassie from the room.
"Never, I repeat, never tell anyone that I can play an instrument.', I growled as I tugged on her hand.
"Whew. Touchy aren't we?', she sniggered as she poked me in the ribs.
"Cassie..."
"Fine. I don't see why you are so embarrassed about playing though. You're really good!"
"And I'm also not talking about this anymore. Just drop it okay? Playing in front of people makes me self-conscious."
People who write fanfiction never think about certain things. Example: Elves don't have sugar. Heck, I doubt sugar has even been invented yet. Hence the reason Cassie and I are both showing symptoms of sugar withdrawal. Thankfully, since elves supposedly don't get sick, my symptoms are a lot less worse than my friend's.
"Ouch. Shut the curtains, Aubrey."
"The curtains aren't even open.', I grouched as I watched Cassie curl up into a ball and clutch her aching head. She had several of the worst symptoms: headache, dizziness, fatigue, the shakes... the list goes on. I was lucky— sort of. My head was killing me, but at least I didn't get nauseated and throw up every time I moved.
Someone knocked on the door and we both groaned as Muriel stepped in. She was sure to notice something was wrong. We had been here for scarcely a week and she already knew most of the ins and outs of our personalities. Stupid perceptive elves.
Muriel took one look at us before turning around and leaving.
"Is she gone?', Cassie groaned.
"Yep. But I have the feeling she'll be back. And with company."
"Cassie? Aubrey?"
"Go 'way.', I growled.
"It is not polite to greet your host in such a way.', I heard Elrond playfully scold.
Great. Just Great. Muriel could have just found a normal healer, but noooo! She had decided to bring in the big guns.
"What is wrong with you two? I have barely seen you for the past few days, and when I finally do it's because Muriel insists that you are sick.', he said, fishing for information.
"Sugar withdrawal. That's what I think it is, anyway."
"Sugar? Is it a type of drug?"
"Nope. Well, maybe. It's a sweetener, and apparently it can be counted as a drug, but our government decided to stop researching it so they could continue to sell it. They're twisted, dude."
"Aubrey?', Cassie whispered quietly.
"What?"
"Please shut up. You're hurting my head." She shoved her head into a pillow and curled even tighter into her little cocoon of warm blankets.
"What are your ailments?', Elrond asked worriedly. "Withdrawals can be serious things."
"I know that now— I have a massive headache. As for Cassie... she probably has a list longer than Santa's naughty list."
Elrond had no idea what I was talking about, but I wasn't going to elaborate.
He quickly felt our foreheads and looked at our pupils, accessing us, before sighing.
"I'll be back in a few moments. Muriel, keep an eye on them, please."
"Why?', I asked as he left.
"So you won't cause yourself bodily harm.', he tossed back over his shoulder.
Oh. He thinks it's that kind of withdrawal. Oh geez. He probably thinks we are addicts or something. I mean really? It's not like I'm going to commit suicide over the lack of gummy bears and sweet tea. Although, darn it, I really miss some good sweet tea. Where is a gallon of Milo's when you need it?
"Why on earth did you start taking that horrid substance, whatever it may be?', Muriel admonished.
"Because our world is so freaking twisted!', Cassie bemoaned. "Everything in our diet is probably horrible. Even the vegetables are bad for you now!"
"GMO and pesticides can be thanked for that. Though, some things are still good for you. Not everything has been scientifically ruined, Cassie."
"Pretty darn close. No wonder my mom hated sugar so much."
"And rightly so.', Muriel acquiesced, already having been explained to just what a mom was. "After all, look what it has done to you two."
"No need to scold us, Muriel. I think we've been punished enough.', Cassie said through the fluffy down.
"I believe the worst punishment is still to come."
If my head had not been throbbing I would have face-palmed.
"Leave the poor girls alone, boys."
"Shouldn't you be making someone else's life miserable?', I huffed.
"They have already made mine almost unbearable.', Elrond quipped as he walked through the door, holding two cups filled with a concoction that I instantly dreaded. "It is wonderful to have their attention directed elsewhere for once."
"You wound us, Ada!', Elrohir stumbled back theatrically.
"Cut it out, Elrohir.', I snapped.
The Twin Terrors blinked at me for a moment.
"She can tell us apart.', Elladan uttered incredulously. "Even Glorfindel has trouble with that."
"Of course I can tell you apart! And even better, I know your secret language.', I smirked.
"Secret language?', Muriel asked curiously.
"Uh-huh. They can read one another's body language and tell their emotions. Example: Elladan just shifted slightly to the left, drawing closer to Elrohir. This means he is slightly unnerved by my knowledge."
"How?', Elrohir tilted his head to the side in wonder.
"I can read minds.', I whispered spookily, making my hands do the creepy crawly spider motions.
"Then what am I thinking?', Elrohir challenged.
"That I'm a liar."
His mouth dropped open and I laughed.
"I was kidding! Errr... jesting.', I added, seeing their confused looks.
"You're a twin.', Elrond rightly guessed.
"It takes one to know one!', I grinned, a sharp ache in my head reminding me of why Elrond was here in the first place.
He saw me grimace and gave a knowing smile before handing me a cup of the foul looking liquid.
"Ick. What's in this?" I sniffed the brown fluid and almost gagged.
"It is probably best that you do not know.', Elrond replied evenly.
I drew a sip from the cup and moved to spit out when I tasted the awful brew. Elrond was by my side in a heartbeat, pinching my nose shut and commanding me to swallow.
Shuddering, I choked the stuff down and wrinkled my nose. Muriel dragged Cassie out of her hiding place and used the same method for her.
"What was that?', I gasped as I tried to get the aftertaste out of my mouth.
"Ada's famous healing tea. Many use it for headaches caused by overconsumption of Dorwinion wine.', Elladan explained in a monotone.
"Ugh. It tastes horrible.', I complained, even though I felt my headache quickly dissipating.
"So... You're a twin?', Elrohir changed the subject. He seems to be the more talkative of the two. But then again, maybe Elladan just doesn't like talking to me. We didn't exactly get off on the right foot.
"Yes. And a creepily rare twin too. My brother and I are one of the few pairs of twins that are different genders and still identical. I did a study on it a few years ago. We're called boy-girl monozygotics. Something about mixed up chromosomes? I forgot."
"What is a chromo- How did you say that?', Muriel inquired.
"Chromosomes.', I corrected. "A chromosome is a packaged and organized structure containing most of the DNA of a living organism."
That definition led onto a more difficult discussion, which was somewhat confusing but absolutely fascinating to Lord Elrond.
"So this DNA is how I look like my father?', Elladan asked slowly.
"Ding-Ding-Ding! We have a winner!', I applauded.
"See!', Cassie grunted from where she had crawled back under the blankets. "I told you she was scarily smart!"
"Erestor would certainly be interested in this. Perhaps you should meet him?"
I watched Elrohir's lips tilt slightly upwards.
"Is he the quiet, bookish guy I saw at dinner yesterday?"
"Yes, that would be him.', Elrond chuckled.
"As long as he doesn't grill me for answers constantly."
A knowing glance passed between the twins and I wagged my finger at them.
"I saw that! That is exactly what he is going to do, isn't it?', I growled playfully.
Important Dates...
—The Twins were born in T.A 130.
—Arwen was born in T.A 241
—Celebrian's capture was in T.A 2510