Chapter 19
A week had passed since the arrival of Prince Legolas and his party from Ithilien, and for that week, Evelyn did her best to avoid the elf prince except when they were in the council room discussing the plans and tactics. Even then she spoke solely to the others of her dreams, which where slowly coming to pass.
"The latest report, sire." Faramir said, face grim, as he passed the parchment over. Aragorn took it and began scanning his eyes across the writing of one of his generals. The king grimaced.
"What does it read?" Glorfindel asked.
"Nothing good I am afraid, A village on the border of our trade route was attack, much as the others, only this time it was set a flame, flames that could not be extinguished." Aragorn looked at Evelyn.
"It has started then. It will not be long before they reach Gondor." Evelyn stated, looking at the maps on the table, studying the battle spots. 'No,' she thought to herself, 'It will come soon.'
"And what would you have us do?" Legolas sneered.
Evelyn took a deep cleansing breath, "Unfortunately, I am only blessed with the dreams of the flames engulfing the village and its inhabitants, not what comes after." She snapped.
"Perhaps if you tried to see more, see how the Haradrim stop them?" Faramir asked in innocence.
"Do not think I have not tried, it is relatively hard to keep myself asleep as I watch a person's flesh be melted off." Evelyn retorted, causing Faramir to wince.
"I am sorry I mentioned it, I know you have tried."
"Forget it," She sighed. Unlike the others, Evelyn knew why the Valar sent her such dreams. She put it together not long after arriving in Gondor. The fire could not be extinguished through water because the fire was not natural. The flames stemmed from the strange black silhouette that always appeared in the dreams. She was the key; she was what could put out the flames.
"We have delayed as long as we can, we must amass the rest of our forces and march to the border. The longer we wait the stronger our foes become and the more innocents are killed, tortured, and enslaved. Our armies have grown and our defenses fortified, but we are still weakened, we cannot risk open war. After the celebration of the coming new year, we shall march."
All those gathered nodded and agreed solemnly, what other choice was there?
"Aragorn, take me with you."
All heads swiveled violently towards Evelyn. All protesting against her proposal.
"You will need me."
"I will not put you in harm's way again, you will stay here." Aragorn argued.
"And how will you extinguished the fires? They are not natural, I can help." Evelyn retorted, her frustration rising. The one time she if offering her help where she could be of assistance, she was being denied. The last time, she openly opposed going with the fellowship and was given no choice.
"No!" Aragorn finally bellowed over the others, silencing them all. Evelyn narrowed her eyes at the King of Gondor.
"Very well, your majesty. As you command." She spat through gritted teeth. Evelyn raised her hand, giving a lazy flick of her wrist, sending out flurries of ice that instantly attacked the lit candles and roaring fire, quickly snuffing them out, causing gasps to echo through the marble room. Then she let her powers go, evaporating into a flurry of her own, leaving a frosting of snow where she stood, before reappearing behind Aragorn. Legolas, Faramir, and the king where all on their feet in amazement. "But my offer remains." Then she vanished from the room, leaving most open mouthed and silent.
The men in room looked at the lords from Rivendell, the only ones that seemed unaffected by her outburst.
Elladan shrugged, stated nonchalantly, "She spent much of her time training with Gandalf before he sailed." They offered no other explanation, and left shortly after.
Evelyn found herself in Arwen's solar, pacing back and forth.
"Evelyn, you will wear a hole in my rug." Arwen's soft voice broke through her revere.
"Sorry," She mumbled, and proceeded to sit in the chair opposite her friend.
"Would you like to tell me what is troubling you?"
Evelyn looked at her friend, knowing that Aragorn had yet to tell her of the council meeting, as she had come straight here after leaving them. She also knew that there was little the King did not tell his wife. Sighing, Evelyn nodded her consent.
"Aragorn spoke of amassing the forces to march on the border." She spoke, watching Arwen's hands still from the needle work in her lap. "The raids have reached into Gondor and the trades routes established between Harad. The enemy is using fire…a fire that cannot be extinguished."
Arwen sat stiff as a statue in her chair, her eyes resting heavily on the woman in front of her. Her mind picking through the information Evelyn just told her and placing in with all that she had previously learned. Her fingers dug into her palm, the pain keeping her focused and from losing her poise. All of this should have ended with the destruction of Sauron's ring, how was it possible that evil still existed with such power to create fire that could not be extinguished? Arwen narrowed her eyes, finally seeing the whole picture the others could not see. Evelyn. She was the answer to the attacks.
"Aye, my friend, I see you figured it out. Unfortunately, the men are to focused on my safety to have pieced it together."
"How long have you known?"
"I am not sure, I think deep in my heart I knew when the dreams started when we first journeyed to Gondor, but I did not want it to be true. It was not until recently that I accepted it. All that I have dreamed has started coming to pass. If this evil is not stopped, it will be the end of our world as we know it."
"What shall you do?" Arwen asked, holding back the tears that threatened to fall.
"I requested to go when they marched. I was refused…quite vehemently."
"I shall ask again, what shall you do?"
Evelyn gave her friend a sad smile, "What I must. I was sent here and sent back for a reason, whether I, or anyone else, like it."
Arwen nodded, "Anything you need, just ask. Now, let us prepare for the ball." Arwen wished no harm on any of her friends and family. With the impending threat of the Haradrim, her heart was in a vice. She had let Aragorn go once, nearly losing him, she did not want to face those odds again, yet she also knew he would not let his army march without him. The King of Gondor would lead his army. Arwen also knew he would not easily let Evelyn travel with them after all she had gone through and neither would her brothers, but like Evelyn, Arwen saw the missing pieces they could not through their prejudice, no matter how well placed. The queen would do what it took to keep her people, her family, and her husband safe.
The two women spent the next hours in the hands of their maids. Both needing time to contemplate all the thoughts running through their minds. While Arwen's drifted towards the departure of her husband, Evelyn's had turned toward the New Year's ball. She was not looking forward to being around all the people, specifically the party from Mirkwood. Of all the elves that could have come, the Lady Corwen had traveled with them and an ellon who introduced himself as Lord Beriadan, a childhood friend of Legolas'. While Lord Beriadan showed ac curious interest in her, the Lady Corwen showed her only disdain in the way she sneered at her if they passed in the halls or at meals, the way if she was with Legolas and saw her to purposefully put them in her path, mouth twisting in repressed glee, clearly attempting to show off her trophy—Prince Legolas. It made her sick, her heart clenching as it started to break little by little all over again.
Evelyn did her best to take it in stride. Finding it much easier to put off Beriadan's questions than Corwen's antics. It was taking a toll on her. Evelyn knew she could not fade, however, she felt the disassociating starting. She had little appetite, stayed exhausted, and she watched her weight drop, the bags come back under her eyes. She felt no more than a puppet being pulled by strings getting through each day. There was very little Evelyn could do to win against either of them without giving away more than she wished. Tonight, however, she planned to make sure to make sure she put the woman to shame. It was petty of her, she knew, but she found a grim satisfaction in it.
Arwen came out dressed in a gorgeous grey velvet gown trimmed in gold. The deep scope neck showing off her elegant neck and garnet necklace. Finding Evelyn still in her robe she walked to the bed where her dress was still in the package. Opening it, she saw a deep burgundy material and jewels, she smiled.
"Planning to make a statement tonight?" she asked, a knowing twinkle in her eyes.
Evelyn gave her friend a sheepish look, "I could not help myself."
Arwen clapped her hands, "Well come, let us get you into this thing"
Evelyn looked at herself in the mirror, compared to what the elves and nobles of Gondor normally wear, she would be making a statement, having the seamstress create a dress more to what she would have worn on Earth. The dark crimson color created a stark contrast against her pale skin and white hair. The bodice hugged her tightly, its sweetheart neckline showing more of her bust than etiquette allowed so she had neutral mesh added to it that covered her but gave the allusion it was not there. From the middle of the bust rose three sets of stringed jewels in an array of reds and blacks. They rose following above the neckline of the dress, going to rest on the top of her shoulders and down the upper portion of her arms, hooking to the back of her dress. At her natural waist, a belt of more black and red jewels sat, sparkling in the candle light. The bottom of the dress was layers upon layers of dark red tulle, that fluttered in the air as she walked or turned, it would create a masterpiece on the dancefloor. On her arms she wore burgundy silk gloves that reached up past her elbows, almost reaching the jewels adorning her arms from the dress.
"Evelyn, you will turn every head in the ball room!" Arwen exclaimed as she looked at the woman before her, "You will be the most gorgeous woman tonight."
"Besides you my friend, but thank you." Evelyn could not help but smile at her reflection. "One last thing, she flicked her wrist, sending out miniscule ice crystals that alighted on her exposed skin, making it shimmer in the candle flames. Looking to the Queen, she did the same, the effect much more pronounced as the cut of her dress revealed more skin. "Perfect."
Soon there were knocks upon the door, their escorts had arrived. Evelyn felt her stomach flip as nerves began eating at her, had she been to bold in her dress? Could she pull off the act of indifference? She was not so sure of herself anymore.
"Evelyn," Arwen interrupted, "You can do this, have courage now."
Smiling, and taking a deep breath, Evelyn reached to answer the door.
The men stood awestruck in the entryway. She had accomplished her goal. Glorfindel was the first to recover, "I believe, I am in the presence of the two most beautiful women I have had the pleasure of having seen." He bowed graciously, extending his arm out to Evelyn. "The twins were too busy arguing over who it would be to escort you, so I took it upon myself to have the pleasure. I am glad I did. Can you imagine their upset at not having such a lovely creature on their arm?" Evelyn burst out laughing as she attached herself to him.
Regaining his composure, Aragorn spoke up, "Aye, Evelyn, you look beautiful, and my wife, you are more radiant than Luthien." Arwen giggled at him like a young school girl, and took his arm.
All too soon, they were at the steps to be announced to those gathered, and once again her nerves returned in full force. Glorfindel covered her hand with his and gave a squeeze, "You will be the envy of the night my dear, take heart." And then their names were called and she was ushered forth and greeted with a sea of faces, mostly unfamiliar. Eyes quickly scanning the crowd she saw Elladan starring at her in wonder, punching Elrohir to get his attention on her. Faramir stood with Lord Celeborn and were both giving her magnificent smiles. Then her eyes hit Legolas. She had planned to avoid it at all cost, but she found he stood in the middle of the crowd, dead center to her. His mouth hung slightly open, his eyes wide. Evelyn's eyes shot to the woman on his arm and her eyes narrowed, as she tried to keep the bile from rising in her throat. Legolas's eyes follow her gaze, and Corwen's expression quickly caused him to refocus his attention, but he found he could not help his eyes straying back to the other woman. He watched as she purposefully lifted her chin and head higher, clearly snubbing him. He growled in his throat, causing Corwen to jump and move aside as he stalked off.
Evelyn spent most of her time conversing with her friends, and would dance occasionally when asked. However, her dancing circle was small, she only knew handful of the elvish dances, and none of the mortal's dances, though they seemed easy enough. Only her friends bothered to ask her, and that was okay with her. Soon she found herself walking around the edges of the ballroom, taking in all the decorations. Evelyn jumped as a throat cleared behind her. Turning she eyed the elf questioningly.
"Lord Beriadan." She greeted with a slight curtsey.
"My Lady," He bowed, and held out a hand, "May I have this dance?"
"I am sorry, I must decline, I have not had the chance to learn many of the dances played here." She replied, starting to turn away to excuse herself from the company.
"Pity! Well, how about a drink and good company?"
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, "I feel that even if I said no, you would do so anyway, My Lord."
Beriadan laughed, "You are quite right, I shall return momentarily." And true to his word, he reappeared by her side silent as the wind. Evelyn could not help but jump, though she took the wine he offered gratefully and took a sip, letting it trickle down her throat. His movements were much to like Legolas'.
"Moving so silently must be a trait of the Woodland elves." She stated, her eyes staying on the dancing couples before her.
"Aye, we have many fell creatures in Mirkwood requiring us to be so." He replied, sobering up at the topic, then he brightened, "Though many have fled our woods now."
"It is good to hear, maybe once again the city could be known as it once was Greenwood the Great." Evelyn peeked at him from the corner of her eye, seeing his surprise, "I did my reading when I came here."
"Aye, and where is it that you hail from?"
Evelyn did look at the Lord this time, taking him in. It was not against any rules to speak of her past, she just chose not to. Part of her wanted to keep her past hidden, but a larger part of her wanted to see how this elf handled the truth. And in truth she found she liked him, even if he did pester her relentlessly trying to get information from her, mainly about Legolas. He was much like the twins.
"In truth?" Beriadan nodded. "Another world." It was clearly not the answer he had anticipated as he spit the wine from his mouth, causing Evelyn to laugh, drawing the attention of Legolas, who was not far away with Corwen. She was not blind to his narrowed eyes, but she paid him no head. "Are you alright Lord Beriadan?"
"Yes, yes, I was just…well…that was not the answer I was expecting."
"Clearly." Evelyn smiled.
"How is that possible?" he asked going to take another swig.
"I would not drink just yet," she stated, watching as his hand stopped mid-way, "I died and the Valar brought me here." His mouth dropped.
"Surely you just?" Evelyn raised her brows at him, choosing not to reply. "But there have been stories." He muttered, almost to himself.
"Stories? Please do tell, I cannot say I have heard stories of me yet."
"It was from the men of Erebor, they spoke of a woman who wiped out an entire army of Easterlings. They say she was a kind of witch, with the power of winter in her hands."
Evelyn contemplated for a moment, then nodded, "Well that is a very condensed version."
Beriadan took a long swig of his wine, not sure if he wanted to believe her or not. He had tried to pry information from Legolas, but he was not forthcoming. He saw the looks his friend sent her way when he thought no one was looking, and knew his feelings ran deeper than he acknowledged. What he wanted to see was if this woman was worth it. Legolas had his faults, but deep down he was one of the best of them.
"And you traveled with the Fellowship?"
"I did, yes since they passed through Lothlorien."
"You must have gotten close with them, traveling so long together and through such perils." He watched her slowly stiffen.
"Aye," Evelyn replied, cutting him a look that warned he was touching on sensitive territory.
"What about with Prince Legolas?"
Turning to face him fulling, her eyes were ice as she regarded him, her face rigid, "That, is none of your concern." He watched as the woman struggled to reign in her emotions and control, Beriadan was not blind to the pain and sorrow he saw in them. He had been right in his assumption that there was more between them than his friend let on. And while he knew the woman before him realized the extent of her loss, he was not sure his friend did.
He bowed his head, "Forgive me, My Lady, my curiosity got the better of me, I should not ask such questions of you."
"No, you should not." Evelyn turned to walk away, when a hand caught her arm. She was tempted to zap him, but thought better of it. Sighing she turned and looked back at the ellon.
"At least let me return you to your friends."
She only nodded in consent.
Sitting at a table close to her friends Evelyn paid little heed to the crowd as she sipped her wine, listening to the music, letting it take her back to her days on Earth at the Olympic parties and dancing with her father as he taught her the basic ballroom dances. She was glad she could look back on these memories now without the pain from before. She did not realize that other than their close group, only a few others remained in the ballroom.
"Lady Evelyn," A voice spoke to her right. She sighed, knowing it was Beriadan, he was the only one who was not close enough to call her by her name only. Opening her eyes, she turned to look at the elf.
"Yes, My Lord?"
"When we spoke earlier, you mentioned you did not know the dance, what if you taught us a dance from your home?"
"Oh! That would be splendid!" Arwen exclaimed, "Please do."
"I do not think that would be a wise decision."
"Come, come, they cannot be that terrible. A dance is a dance." Aragorn chimed in, eager to get Evelyn to join in their festivities.
"You do not understand, even the conservative dances where I am from would not be very suitable for your court."
"Nonsense."
"We would have to touch to the entire dance, much more so than what you are used to, and much closer. It would be uncomfortable." Evelyn tried to argue with Aragorn.
"You know me quite well Evelyn, I shall be your partner, now run tell the musicians what to play." Aragorn countered, not letting her win. He had just enough wine to feel its effects, and was very curious to her dances.
Setting her glass down rather louder she stalked over to the musicians and did her best to described and hum the tune she was going for, and after a few tries they came up with a suitable set and she nodded her thanks.
"Well, come then Aragorn." She huffed, perturbed. Looking at Arwen she said, "Do not say I did not warn you, your husband asked for this when the talk starts."
"Hold out your hand," He did so and she placed hers atop his, "Now lead me to the dancefloor." Once again, he did as he was told, "When I face you, bow and I shall curtsey." They did that and Evelyn raised her arms stepping towards him, and he gave her a confused look. "Put your right arm under mine and rest it on my back, my hand will rest on your shoulder." As she did this she had to pull him closer, making him cough in discomfort. "Now hold my other hand…yes perfect, like that." She looked at his face and had to stifle a laugh, "I did warn you."
"Aye, you did."
"Now follow me." She began to move her feet with the music, and he tried to follow along, but he kept attempting to lead.
"Ouch!" that was about the fifth time he stepped on her toes.
"Sorry, this is much harder than it looks,"
"If you would quit trying to lead and just follow me." She quipped, getting his attention back on his footwork. "Now here we go, count it out one, two, three, four."
"There, that is better." And she was not lying, he was slowing getting the basics as they slowly twirled on the dancefloor, until he stumbled and about took her with him, causing her to laugh.
"I think I should have had less wine and this would be easier." He complained.
"I believe, your majesty, had you had less wine, I would not be teaching you to waltz in the first place." Evelyn teased.
"Very true," he joined in her laughter, "I do find I rather like the dance, even if it is a bit more intimate than what I am accustomed to."
After three rounds with the king, he was finally able to dance through a whole song with the simple steps and did not mess up. As they finished he lead her back to their group who were clapping enthusiastically, they did not pay attention to the others who gathered to watch from the other side, who were not sure what to make of the situation.
Evelyn had hoped that would be all, but as soon as they made it to the others, Elladan was insisting she teach him and Aragorn was pulling Arwen from her chair to waltz her around the room.
Evelyn was not sure how long had passed, but she knew she was exhausted, after teaching all the men gathered to waltz. She had been shocked that even Glorfindel and Celeborn indulged themselves. After they had watched everyone else, of course. But it proved to their benefit, as they only once stepped on her toes right at the begging, and caught on quite quickly after that. She even taught them a few more advanced moves to twist her and twirl her in the air.
About to call it a night, or rather morning, she saw Beriadan still sitting with their group, looking thrilled at the dancing, but also she saw disappointment. Evelyn sighed and walked up to him.
"Would you like to take a turn? It was your idea after all and I did turn you down earlier."
He jumped up and followed her eagerly to the dancefloor.
"Now, my toes cannot take much more, you step on them, we are done." She told him as she reached back for his hand to turn around.
"I will not step on your toes." And she was spun around, forced to grab hold of the ellon behind her. It was not Beriadan's voice that spoke to her, it was not Beriadan that had hold of her. It was the one person she wished to avoid. It was Legolas. "I am a fast learner." He bowed, waiting for her to curtsey. She had a choice, accept or decline. Before she truly had time to think about it, her body seemed to curtsey on its own and Legolas pulled her to him, arm around her waist, and placed her other hand in his larger calloused one. She went to lead, but was taken by surprise when it was Legolas who took the lead, forcing her to follow.
At first the tempo was quite slow, what she had used to teach the others, but soon it sped up as they twirled around the floor. It was a good thing he seemed to know the routine as she could not tear her eyes from his, her breath coming in gasps. Evelyn lost all thought of those around, they had all stopped to watch the couple on the floor. It was just her and Legolas in that moment. She felt him lift her in the air, could hear the tempo of the music reaching its climax as its story was coming to an end. She was not ready for it to end. She wanted it to last forever. Legolas spun her out on last time. As Evelyn came back to him she caught herself with her hand to his chest, her body flush with his, her chest heaving against his own, still she had been unable to break eye contact.
It was only the silence that slowly started to penetrate her thoughts that broke her from her trance, quickly she pushed away from him, watching the myriad of emotions flit across his face. She saw confusion and anger, and many more that she could not comprehend. Pulling herself together she curtsied and fled the dance floor, struggling to keep her composure. No one spoke as she approached, Elladan handed her a full wine goblet which she downed.
"I think I shall call it a night."
This is the inspiration for Evelyn's dress, with a few changes. There is a mesh covering the front under the jewels and the back is not cut out, but would go straight across with mesh once again under the jewels to make it much more modesty for the time period.
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