Many Thanks To...
LilactheDryad, Me And Not You, The better twin, and CodenameAgentC.
"The stars are beautiful tonight.', Cassie began as she walked into my room and plopped down on the white quilt that spread over my bed.
"Hm.', I muttered half-heartedly in response as I sat up and leaned against the dark wood of the bed's headboard.
"You should go see them..."
"No."
"But why not, Aubrey?', she whined comically. "You've been cooped up in your room for three days! It'll be good for you!"
"The stars aren't the same anymore, Cassie. They're different, and they—', I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "—they remind me that I can't go home."
"You're going to have to make a choice soon."
"I know that!', I snapped back irritably. "I wish everybody would stop pressuring me! I don't have to become an elf if I don't want to!"
"I wasn't talking about that choice. I was talking about accepting the fact that we are actually here.', Cassie huffed, folding her arms across her chest as she gave me a well-meaning glare. "But if you want to talk about it..."
"I just... I'm struggling. I mean, my dad lied to me for eighteen years!"
"He didn't lie, Aubrey. Sure, he didn't tell you— but he didn't lie either."
"It kinda makes sense though. He loves nature to the point he's the neighborhood hippie and he is kinda... majestic.', I tacked on for Cassie's benefit. She grinned back at me, obviously recalling the conversation in Elrond's study. "But why didn't he tell me?"
"Maybe he figured you wouldn't believe him. Think about it for a minute. If he had randomly walked up to you and was all like 'I'm from the world you know as Middle Earth', would you think he was telling the truth?"
I laughed at Cassie's impersonation of my dad.
"No! I would think he fell into the looney bin!"
"Exactly!" She paused for a moment. "You should go see them, Bree. They really are beautiful tonight.', she whispered softly as she slipped out of the room.
"Star gazing?"
"Yes.', I replied, not even turning to see who it was that had come out onto the veranda. "Cassie thought it would help."
The night air was cool, not to the point where I would be needing warmer clothes, but enough to make me shiver slightly. The moon shone a pale white hue against the sky, while the stars were twinkling lights that danced around it.
"And did it?"
Breathing the twilight air deeply, I slowly looked at Elrond.
"I don't know. I don't exactly feel any different."
"Your friend is worried for you, Aubrey.', he murmured quietly.
"She shouldn't be.', I grumbled. "I'll be fine— I just need some time to process things."
"Cassie only wants what is best for you.', he asserted casually. "And she does have the right to be concerned. You have had quite a few people anxious for your well-being these past few weeks." The elf gazed at me for a few moments. "I think... it would help if you spoke of it?"
"I miss it.', I admitted softly, blinking back the tears that had been held back for so long. "I miss my family, and our house in the mountains... the wind whistling through the Georgia pines... and the smell of southern magnolia flowers."
"Magnolia flowers?"
"Magnolia grandiflora.', I smiled, remembering the flower of the south. "It grows near moist areas where I'm from, and the tree produces these white, waxy flowers— my mom had them for her wedding. I thought I would one day have them too but..." I trailed off and gave my head a shake. "I'm sorry, Lord Elrond. I shouldn't be boring you with my problems."
"I am not annoyed with you in the least, if that is what you are thinking, penneth. Indeed, it is a relief that you have finally opened up to someone."
I hummed thoughtfully in response, toying with the sleeve of my dress as I returned my gaze to the sky.
"I want to feel normal again.', I whispered aloud, finally breaking the awkward silence. "I wish I didn't have to choose which life to live... I wish that someone would take the decision out of my hands." An unbidden tear welled up in my eye and I quickly swiped it away, hating the thought that I was losing it in front of the elf lord.
"That is one of the burdens of growing older, Aubrey. One must learn to make their own decisions, and to do so wisely.', Elrond replied sagely, giving me a polite nod as he retreated back inside, leaving me to ponder over his words.
The music room seemed to be abandoned during the late nights and early mornings, as I found after I returned from viewing the stars. Not being able to fall asleep after an hour or two of tossing and turning, I finally rose from the comfortable mattress and tiptoed to the place I so often sought solitude at.
The violin laid where it normally sat, and I debated on whether or not I should bring it back to my room or simply continue to play where I normally did. Deciding to do neither, I gently picked up the instrument and carried it out to one of the many gardens that surrounded the buildings of Rivendell. Tucking the richly colored wood beneath my chin, I moved the bow with careful precision over the strings.
Feeling my way through the darkness
Guided by a beating heart
I can't know where the journey will end
But I know where to start
They tell me I'm too young to understand
They say I'm caught up in a dream
Life will pass me by if I don't open up my eyes
And that's fine by me
Wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself, and I
Didn't know I was lost
As the tempo increased to a steady thrum, I began to pour my frustrations into the tune, dancing merrily with the music I had created. The leaves of the trees brushed softly against my hair as I danced underneath them, the auburn locks twirling in a dizzying motion behind my back as I spun.
I tried to carry the weight of the world
But I only have two hands
Hope I get to travel the world
But I don't have any plans
Wish I could stay forever this young
Not afraid to close my eyes
Life's a game made for everyone
And love is a prize
So wake me up when it's all over
When I'm wiser and I'm older
All this time I was finding myself
And I didn't even know I was lost.
I skipped the chorus, allowing the song to die on my lips. A tiny grin made the corners of my lips tip upward, and I realized that the music had created an outlet for the onslaught of emotions I had been experiencing, making my mood lighten considerably. Happy with my newly stabilized attitude, I left the garden and went back to my quarters to gain some much needed rest.
Several nights later Elladan laid with his legs crossed at the ankles, his hands clasped on his abdomen as he stared at the ceiling of the room he shared with his twin. Something plagued his mind, something he could not place until he had had some time spent in deep contemplation. Frowning, he mused over the odd thought that had entered his mind the night he noticed Aubrey's scratch had not healed. Her eyes were familiar, like they were something he had seen before. Not the color of her eyes mind you, but the shape of them. It bothered him that he could not place their origin.
"Elrohir?', he whispered into the darkness, receiving no answer from his twin. Sighing, he hurriedly sat up, stretching out his taut muscles as he did so. An image of Aubrey, doubled over in a fit of laughter, flashed briefly through his mind, making him smile slightly before he banished the thought— what was the use when they obviously could not go a single hour without making a jab or jest at one another's expense? Why, only today he had teased her about the 'incident' that had taken place several days ago, making her cheeks flush a bright red. The particular argument which had followed his rather insensitive comments had almost ended in a physical struggle; if Glorfindel had not arrived when he did Aubrey might have done more than spit back harsh retorts to his teasing. The seneschal had quite literally knocked some sense into them— clocking their heads together hard enough to jolt some reason into their adolescent-behaving minds. His father had not been pleased with the situation, having given Elladan a strict chewing out while Aubrey was no doubt receiving the same treatment from Muriel.
Giving a dry chuckle at the memory, Elladan tilted his head to the side, listening for any sign that Aubrey was playing the violin again. He had found that the girl was extremely self-conscious of her ability to coax melodies from the instrument that had long laid abandoned in the music room, and this fact made him painfully aware that if it were brought to her attention that others could hear her playing at night she would most likely refuse to continue with her nightly habit. So he simply kept the matter quite, mentally labeling the subject as a taboo that would not be broached.
As he had expected the soft, lilting notes that Aubrey usually played on the stringed instrument floated pleasantly to his ears, though the language she sang in sounded harsh compared to the tongue of the elves. Listening to the pleasing mix of notes, Elladan slowly drifted back to sleep.
Week Three in Rivendell...
Cassie skipped out on lessons for the third time this week, though it seems like I'm the only one who still notices. Erestor does not seem bothered by it in the slightest, as long as she makes up for the days lost, but he will not tell me where she goes whenever she skips out. In fact, it seems as if everyone evades my question when I inquire where my friend is— which is beyond frustrating sometimes.
Blowing out a breath of exasperated air, I slowly made my way to the training fields where I was to meet Glorfindel. He has decided to continue riding lessons, meaning I recently had to reacquaint myself with his mare, Dúelin. I am not overly fond of the animal but she seems like a sweet creature, as long as I am not on top of her that is.
I had barely reached the outdoor paths when I was unexpectedly picked up and whirled around at a sickeningly fast pace, making my stomach drop and clench.
"Hey!', I squeaked, wriggling from my new perch. "Put me down!"
My wishes were followed, and I watched —dumbstruck— as a giddy Elladan danced down the stone paved trail I was following.
"What the heck is wrong with him?"
"Our mother has informed us of some rather joyous news." I spun around to see Elrohir smirking widely as his sibling continued to dance down the pathway in a ridiculous manner. "It appears we will soon be blessed with a little sister. Sadly, Elladan has gone crazy with the happiness of no longer being the youngest and is currently making a fool of himself."
"Yikes.', I grinned.
"So far you have been the only unfortunate soul to cross his path, but I have no doubt that there will be more than one person complaining of dizziness before the night is over.', he added, nodding in Elladan's direction to prove this valid point. I pivoted around in time to see the the object of our discussion fling his arms around a puzzled Lindir and spin the bard around in an overzealous manner. The poor musician leaned heavily against a tree after he was placed on the ground once more, his lips open slightly in a pant of surprise. I giggled and, after waving good-bye to Elrohir, continued on my way, making sure to steer clear of the elated elf that was driving everyone in Imladris bonkers.
A/N: A little shorter than I would have liked, but at least I updated! Please drop a review, and if you happen to feel like it, I have some other stories up now— including a new Hobbit fic that I have been working on for a while!
—SweetDixie.