Disclaimer: I do not own anything that you recognize as Tolkien.
Author's Note: For those of you who know that song by Alabama (Christmas in Dixie), it is literally snowing in the pines of my backyard. Unfortunately, it's not exactly snow... it's sleet. Ick! Anyway, Merry Christmas! Here's an extra long chapter for the holidays! And FYI... if you're a guy and are easily embarrassed you might want to skip this chapter. At least the last part anyway! And I do not own the song!
Many thanks to...
LilactheDryad— (Oh! The mysteries of life!)
The better twin— (Aww! Thanks for the awesome review!)
Me And Not You 1001— (Thanks!)
CodenameAgentC— (Thanks! Your review gave me a good chuckle. And yes! That was totally a veggietales reference!)
1 fan of pj . hp. lotrh . con . ra— (Ha ha! I had to look the word allusions up! But thank you for everything!)
Nerdy Awkwardnes— (Thanks! Here's that update!)
Gah, Aubrey! Pay attention! This is important!
"When meeting a Lord or Lady the proper protocol... blah blah blah..."
I zoned out as Muriel began to go through the do's and do not's of meeting royalty. I mean, it's not like I'm ever going to need that... right?
"Aubrey? Are you alright, dear?"
"Huh?"
Cassie elbowed my ribs with a giggle.
"I asked if you are alright.', Muriel repeated.
"Oh. Yeah, why?"
"Your mind is not on the lesson."
I squirmed in the uncomfortable straight-backed chair.
"Muriel? Why do we need to learn this? I mean, it's not like I will ever meet a king or anything."
She sighed, clicking her tongue in admonishment.
"You are a guest of Lord Elrond, and will therefore be expected to attend certain events where there may be important figures. Now, please try not to stray from the lesson. Erestor will be here for your next lesson in a few minutes and I would really like to finish covering a few details."
I tried not to grumble as she began to drone on and on once more.
These lessons are so boring...
I take it back. Seriously. I would much rather have Muriel and her etiquette lessons than sit here with Erestor like I have been doing for the past two hours. Cassie was supposed to be here too, but she managed to skip out, the little booger. I, unfortunate idiot that I am, was caught before I had the chance to sneak off.
"But the alphabet has twenty-six letters!"
"Your alphabet, perhaps. This one, however, has less."
"But... but how? Look! Look at that! Even your equivalent to 'a' is in the wrong place!"
Erestor gave me a weary look before placing the thick tome he had been reading aloud to the side.
"To find knowledge one must study.', he remarked as his gaze became serious.
"Yet to find wisdom one must observe.', I shot back before covering my mouth.
Instead of becoming upset with my snarky attitude, he raised an amused eyebrow as his lips formed a smug grin.
"Ah. Is this saying popular in your world?"
"My dad says it all the time if that is what you're asking."
"Hm." Erestor dipped his quill into the inkwell and quickly jotted something down before handing me the piece of parchment he had been working on. "Copy the letters using a quill again. And this time—', He gave a wry smile. "—this time be sure to use the ink blotter, at least until you are practiced enough not to leave blotches of ink everywhere. When I last had you copy something the ink bled through the paper because it was too thick."
"Oops."
"You may be free of my trying presence.', he chuckled, pushing his chair away from the oaken table we were seated at. "But if you see Cassie... tell her that she has double lessons tomorrow."
"Yikes. I do not want to be her.', I snorted as I carefully took the paper, lightly blowing on the ink to speed the drying practice.
"And I am sure she would say the same to you."
I glanced up sharply to see a knowing look gracing Erestor's features. Narrowing my eyes, I gave him a suspicious frown.
"Glorfindel spoke of something new he wants to try in your training tomorrow.', he explained, his eyes twinkling as I groaned.
"That cannot be a good thing! It's only my second day for goodness sakes! How am I supposed to learn if he keeps changing things up on me?"
The advisor laughed.
"I believe he is trying to find what works best, Aubrey."
As I walked out of the library I had to pause for a moment when the thought hit me.
Erestor and I actually had a conversation without any... creepiness. Maybe I *am* paranoid.
Pressing my ear to the door of the music room, I listened carefully to see if anyone else was inside. Not hearing any movement, I cautiously opened the door, cringing as its hinges squealed.
"Huh. That needs to be oiled.', I mused as I stared at the small pieces of metal that had protested so loudly.
I hadn't gotten another chance to play the violin since the day I first met Erestor, as I now have lessons with Glorfindel in the early mornings, I was itching to play something, whether it was the ever annoying twinkle-twinkle little star or something more difficult.
After glancing around to be sure that no one else was in the room, I scurried over and picked up the instrument, taking the time to truly study it.
It was far more elegant than the violins back home, and lighter too. The wood was smooth and glossy, stained a deep burgundy and carved like a traditional violin, only it looked more... elvish. The instrument also lacked a chin rest, which had been blatantly obvious the first time I had played it. That didn't really come as a surprise though, as chin rests were still considered a modern addition back home.
Humming a tune under my breath, I tapped my foot a couple times to get in rhythm before I began to slowly move the bow over the strings, singing softly to myself as the notes were coaxed from the violin.
"When you find yourself
In some far off place
And it causes you
To rethink somethings
You start to sense
That slowly you're becoming someone else
And then you find yourself
When you make new friends
In a brand new town
And you start to think
About settling down
The things that would have been lost on you
Are now clear as a bell
And you find yourself
That's where you find yourself
Well you go through life
So sure of where you're heading
And you wind up lost
And it's the best thing that could happen
'Cause sometimes when you lose your way
It's really just as well
'Cause you find yourself
That's when you find yourself"
The last notes died off and I sat in thoughtful silence for a few moments.
"I really need to find myself.', I smiled humorlessly. "Sitting around and moping sure isn't going to help anything."
"Perhaps if you listened to your own advice you would be wiser, little one."
"Holy cheese and crackers!', I yelped, clutching my chest as the voice startled me. "What is up with people scaring me while I'm here?"
Soft, tinkling laughter drew my attention to the golden haired elleth who stepped from the shadows.
"Forgive me, Aubrey. I did not mean to startle you."
I ducked my head, a blush coloring my cheeks as I realized who it was.
"My apologies, Lady Celebrian. I did not realize you were here."
"I see Muriel has made a small amount of progress with your lessons.', she observed lightly.
I flushed deeper.
"She had me learn how to apologize properly because I was certain to 'offend someone important'." I pulled a face at the memory of yesterday's lesson. "We practiced for a full hour."
"Muriel is far more lenient with your lessons than she ever was with mine.', Celebrian laughed merrily. "And to be honest, I rather like your odd mannerisms; they are strangely refreshing."
"Muriel taught you?', I blurted, ignoring the last part of her statement.
"Indeed. A rather hopeless endeavor it was too. My mother often despaired that I would never become a lady."
"I guess she had nothing to fear, huh?"
"I'm afraid there is still some unladylike behavior tucked somewhere underneath all of this frippery.', she grinned. "Would you like to walk with me, dear?"
Having nothing better to do, I gave an awkward nod and followed her.
"Do you play often?"
"The violin?', I questioned. Celebrian raised an amused eyebrow at my lack of common sense.
No, stupid! Of course she meant the violin! You certainly can't play anything else!
I mentally berated myself as I nodded dumbly.
"I noticed you did not like to play in front of others."
Of course she would notice that.
"It feels sacrilegious.', I shrugged. "My dad and I always played together before I came here. Playing in front of anyone else... doesn't feel right, especially if I've just met them. It took me forever to even play in front of Cassie, and I would trust her with my life!"
"You play well, though I am sorry I listened if it made you uncomfortable.', she apologized. "Are there many violins where you are from?"
"Thousands, millions maybe."
"Yet here there is only one.', she sighed.
"I meant to ask Lindir about that, actually. Why is there only one?"
"I'm afraid I do not know. Erestor may, perhaps. He was good friends with elf who made it."
"Really?" I perked up at that juicy detail.
"I believe so, anyway. It was back when he and Elrond lived in Lindon, under the rule of Gil-Galad." Celebrian gave a smile of dreamy remembrance. "That was several years before I met Elrond..."
Eww. Cupid has been really, really busy. I haven't seen a face like that since I watched the rom-coms on Hallmark.
"Cassie!" I grabbed my friend's hand and hauled her to one of the less crowded tables that stood against the walls in the Hall of Fire. "Where have you been?"
"Where have you been?', she countered. Rolling my eyes, I pulled out a chair and plopped down.
"I was reenacting a Lindsay Stirling video in the music room. Where were you?"
"Aubrey, you do know that normally the men pull out the chairs?"
She is totally trying to change the subject on me.
"Yeah. But do you see any men in a ten-foot radius? I'm not going to wait on someone to pull my chair out when I can do it just as well myself. That's stupid."
"Actually...', Cassie winced, pointing behind me. I whirled around, almost falling out of the seat from the unbalanced movement. My eyes narrowed on the twins, who both wore sheepish smiles.
"When did you two show up?"
"We followed you in."
"Dang! You're sneaky!"
"And you are as loud as a dwarf."
"I'll take that as a compliment. Fili and Kili are cute."
Cassie slapped her forehead before slumping it onto the table.
"You are an idiot.', she moaned.
"Who are Fili and Kili?', Elrohir asked, his brow furrowed in confusion at the unfamiliar names.
"Not relevant.', I smirked in answer to his question, making the twins exchange a look of mixed amusement and frustration.
"Dwarfs aside, do men not have a sense of decorum in your world?"
"Remind me why we are having this conversation again?"
"You pulled your chair out.', Cassie offered.
"Right. In our world... the best way to put it is that feminism killed chivalry."
"Feminism?"
"The fight for women's rights. But I'm not going to get into that."
Cassie accepted the chair Elladan offered, taking the seat on my left while Elladan took the seat on my right.
"Why aren't you guys with your dad? Isn't he normally here?', Cassie asked.
"Normally yes. But naneth was not feeling good, and ada decided that she needed to rest. He is with her, I believe."
"I thought elves don't get sick.', Cassie muttered.
"They normally do not. Which is why Elladan and I are so worried.', Elrohir replied.
"Hey Cassie!', I whispered in english, hoping she'd get the hint and reply in kind. "What do you call a three humped camel?"
"Pregnant?', she blurted (in english thankfully). She obviously understood what I was saying, her mouth forming an 'oh' as she picked up on the inside joke.
"It is incredibly irritating when you do that.', Elladan scowled.
"Do what?', I asked innocently.
"Speak in a language we cannot understand. What did you say?"
"If I wanted you to know I would have spoken in elvish, wouldn't I?', I beamed cheesily back at him.
He gave a childish pout, making me laugh and swat at him.
"You act like the annoying little brother I've never had. And that's not a good thing!"
"I thought you had a brother."
"I do. Mark's the older twin."
"And he doesn't let her forget it, either.', Cassie sniggered. I rolled my eyes and pinched her, which she promptly returned.
"Ouch!', I hissed, yanking my arm away from her and rubbing it tenderly. "That hurt!"
"It was just a small— oh."
"Yeah. 'Oh' is right.', I growled back, rubbing the sore spot.
Elladan moved forward to grasp my arm.
"What are you doing?"
"The scratch hasn't healed?"
"No!', I muttered trying to push the sleeve of my dress back over the scab. "It's only had since yesterday to heal!"
"It should have healed overnight.', he mulled. "Had ada known it would not he would have stitched it closed."
I barely contained a shudder at the idea of a needle piercing my skin.
"Ugh, I think I'll pass. But thanks."
"Elladan is right: it should have healed long ago.', Elrohir frowned as he leaned across the table to look at the object of his brother's perusal. I squirmed, pulling my arm away as I scooted back in my seat.
"Hey! Person bubble being violated here!', I protested.
"Just let them look at it, Aubrey. It can't hurt.', Cassie suggested as Elladan suddenly prodded the scab. I jumped, glaring at my friend.
"I beg to differ.', I said through clenched teeth. "But that hurts very much!"
The twins didn't even spare me a glance as they continued to examine the injury.
"I don't see why you are all freaking out so much!', I continued. "It's a doggone cut! It's not going to miraculously fix itself overnight because I. AM. NOT. AN. ELF!"
That was something that definitely got their attention.
"What do you mean?"
"Do I look like an elf? No! The only thing I have that remotely resembles you guys is the ears! And they don't even work! I'm clumsy, uncoordinated, I can't hear worth a flip, my face looks like a bomb full of freckles went off on it, and I don't heal quickly!"
"Are you done?', Elrohir laughed. "If you are, I believe you forgot something."
"What would that be?', I snapped, the sarcasm in my voice blatantly obvious.
"You have the ears, yes. But you also carry some talent when it comes to music, which you failed to mention.', he added smugly.
"Cassie!', I howled. "You told them?!"
She shook her head 'no'.
"Cassie is blameless. My mother is the one who mentioned it, only in passing though."
'Sorry', I mouthed to my best friend. She only grinned back at me.
"Naneth said you have a beautiful voice, though she could not understand the language you were singing in."
"Thank God for small miracles.', I scowled half-heartedly.
"If you have a talent you should not hide it.', Elladan commented thoughtfully. "Especially if you play and sing with the harmony my mother praised you for."
"I've been telling her that for years!', Cassie put in oh-so-helpfully.
"Thanks for the deep conversation.', I laughed. "But there is no way I'm playing in front of anyone. Your mother just kind of stumbled in on me while I was singing. Rather embarrassing, actually."
"Good morning, Aubrey.', Erestor greeted without looking up as he sorted through the books and parchments on his desk. "Can I help you with anything?"
It was the two week anniversary of Cassie and I waking up in middle earth, and I had purposefully searched Erestor out after my lesson with Glorfindel early in the morning.
"Who made the violin?"
His busy hands faltered for a moment before he continued to stack the papers, giving me an odd look in the process.
Darn. I thought we were through with the creepy 'I-know-something-you-don't' looks.
"An old friend of mine. Why do you ask?"
"I was wondering why there was only one."
"I wish I knew.', he said with a dour smile.
"Well... do you know where I can find your friend? So I can, I don't know, ask him to help me make a violin so I don't have to be afraid of messing his up?"
"I am afraid I can not help you in that matter. I do not know where he is."
I worried my lip, peeling the chapped skin off with my teeth.
"Do you have the slightest idea? I really don't want to mess his stuff up, even if Lindir said I could play it."
"Amarthan disappeared from Lindon over a thousand years ago, Aubrey. He placed the violin in my care, though I never had any use for the thing. You may have it if you would like, until he returns. If he returns, that is."
"Really?', I squealed, barely containing a giddy hop.
The advisor rolled his eyes.
"I would not have offered if I had not meant it. Now, I believe we have lessons in an hour's time?"
That must be the polite way of saying get the heck out of my study before I kick you out myself.
I beamed at Erestor before bouncing out of his office. Maybe the guy isn't so bad. Key word being maybe.
"Muriel?"
"Yes, little one?"
"Would you please tell Glorfindel I'm not coming today?"
"Is something wrong?"
"Sorta.', I groaned in embarrassment. "I'm having... womanly problems."
The older elleth looked confused for a moment before an understanding look dawned on her face.
"Bless your dear little heart.', she murmured, rubbing my shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Of course I will. Can I do anything else?"
"Um... I don't exactly have anything for... it."
She laughed as the blood rushed to my cheeks.
"Alright. I'll be back in a few minutes."
So I waited. And I waited. And then I waited some more. And then... I don't even want to think about what happened next. I can honestly say that I have never been so mortified in my entire life.
"I honestly don't understand ellyn sometimes! I told you she was not feeling well and you refuse to believe me and insist on seeing her yourself!"
Muriel's slightly angry voice carried through the wooden door of my bedroom. I flopped back onto the pillow with a frustrated growl as Glorfindel's voice was also heard. Whatever this argument was about, I knew it concerned me and with the state I was in now... that was not a good thing.
"Aubrey? May I come in?"
"No!', Muriel shouted. "She is a lady for heavens sakes! You cannot go in there!"
"I only wish to see to her well-being! Muriel, you are being ridiculous!"
"I am not!"
"Yes, you are. Now move."
"No!"
I heard scuffling outside the door.
"Move!"
"I am staying right here!"
"Then I will move you!"
"You will not! Elrond! Elrond! Glorfindel is being... himself again!"
Oh good grief! Muriel sounds like a spoiled three year old!
"I find that highly offensive!', the Balrog slayer grouched.
"You are both acting like elflings. For Valars sake! Just let him see her, Muriel! Then you can throw him off of the waterfall for all I care!', Elrond's voice came from down the hallway.
"It is highly improper! You are unmarried!', she sniffed.
"You are being beyond ridiculous. She is only a mere child! Let me past."
"I have already given you my answer."
"Stop waving that bag in my face! I am older than you, I'll have you know!"
Ha! Glorfindel must be desperate if he just pulled the 'respect the elders' card.
"Only if you count the years before you were reborn!"
"Humph!', Glorfindel huffed before the hall became quiet again. "So... what's in the bag?"
"Something to help Aubrey feel better. If you would only leave I would be able to give it to her."
"If you tell me what is wrong with her I will leave.
"..."
I heard a the unmistakable sound of clasps opening and then there was silence. Weird. Awkward. Silence.
"I do not understand."
"Oh please, Glorfindel! Surely you were given the 'talk' as a child."
A low chuckle rumbled through the air. I face palmed, my hands covering my heated cheeks as I realized just where this conversation was going.
"I don't need you to tell me how I came into the world! My parents muddled that up enough, thank you. What I do not understand is why she needs... those."
Another awkward pause.
I'm sure every elf in Rivendell heard this conversation. I am *never*never* coming out of my room again.
"Surely you know how humans..." Muriel's voice dropped so low even I could not hear the next part of her explanation, thank the powers above.
"But she is not human! She is elven!"
"Half-elven! And she has not made the choice yet, Glorfindel!"
"That would explain much. It is no wonder her senses have not changed; I have struggled for days to find the perfect solution to bring out her elven nature, when it turns out that she has not accepted it yet!"
"You are the densest elf I have ever met!', I heard Muriel retort, followed by the sound of a sharp slap.
"ELROND! MURIEL HIT ME AGAIN!', Glorfindel roared.
"I do not blame her one bit!', the Lord of Rivendell shot back. "Now will you both stop shouting at one another and let the poor girl get some rest? If this is that time of the month, she does not need two bickering elves outside her quarters!"
Yep. I am definitely not coming out now. Even the elves in the undying lands probably heard Elrond shouting. Not to mention everyone else in Rivendell. Which means... Crap. The twins are never going to let me forget this.