Here is the third chapter! Hope you enjoy it! Please, please review!
Chapter 3.
Aelin loved this place. She had been given a big room, her alone and noManon, with a lot of clothes, hairbrushes and other things a female needs. But most importantly, a bath! She had spent there at least a few hours. When she got out, she searched the dresser for something proper. Everything there was of a soft material and was very beautiful. In the end, Aelin chose a light blue silken dress and a pair of white shoes. She combed her hair and looked in a mirror.
"Beautiful as always!" she told herself. "Let's go look for that elf Lord Elrond-what's-his-name. Oh, and I'll need the witch, right, can't forget her."
Aelin walked out of her chambers and started down the hall. When she came to the door of Manon's room she knocked and shouted:
"Hey! Blackbeak! Open the door!"
When she received no reply she shouted again, a little louder this time:
"Open! If you don't want me to burn down your door of course."
That seemed to work since a minute later the door was opened by a very irritated and annoyed Manon. She now wore a black tunic and pants and had re-braided her hair.
"What do you want?"
"Well I thought about going to Lord Elrond and ask him some questions, what about you?"
"Fine, I'm coming. Do you know where we can find him?"
"No, I suppose we'll have to ask."
They left Manon's room and walked down the corridor. They discussed what they would reveal to that Lord Elrond and decided to tell him everything excluding the fact that Aelin and Manon were queens and the fact that Aelin was "promised" to the gods. On their way, Aelin noticed the same female that took Frodo here, Arwen was her name if she remembered right. She would be a perfect person to ask about Lord Elrond.
"I'll do the talking," Aelin whispered to the witch. "Good morning!"
"Good morning, my ladies!" Arwen stood from where she was reading a book. "Is there anything that troubles you?"
"Well, you see... I and my companion have some questions that need answering and we were told Lord Elrond could help us. Thing is, we don't know where to find him," Aelin told the elleth.
"Ah, I see. I can lead you to him if you wish. After all, he is my father," Arwen said.
Aelin and Manon followed Arwen for quite some time. At first, the air was filled with a slightly tense silence, but Aelin decided it was annoying so she started a small talk with the elleth.
"So, how did you manage to deal with all those Ringwraiths? No offense, but they seemed quite dangerous and you were very much outnumbered."
"No offense taken, but you see, I was able to outrun them, Asfaloth is a mighty steed, there are very few horses faster than him. When I came to the river Bruinen I made the Ringwraiths follow me into the water and then enchanted the river. It washed the Ringwraiths away, killing their horses and making their riders flee back to their master in spirit-form."
Aelin had no idea what the witch was thinking, but she herself was quite shocked. Apparently, Arwen was quite powerful if she could enchant the river like that. This earned her a little more respect and admiration from Aelin.
"Impressive," she told Arwen.
They walked the rest of the way in silence.
Soon enough they came to a stop. They stood before a big wooden door, carved with beautiful images of trees and flowers. Arwen knocked on the door and said something in Elvish. The door was opened by a tall elf. While he did not look old at all, Aelin could sense that he was much older. She could feel the power radiating off him.
"Father, these are the ladies that came with Lord Aragorn. They wished to speak with you," Arwen said.
"Yes, come in. Thank you, Arwen. You may leave now," Elrond replied in a deep calm voice that spoke of authority.
Aelin and Manon stepped into the room. The door behind them closed as Arwen left. After a minute of silence, Elrond slowly turned to the females and asked:
"Well, what may your names be, and would you want to ask?"
"I am Elentiya and she is Manon. We come from a land called Erilea."
Aelin explained everything to him about the war, the Valg, the witches, the fae and Maeve, only leaving out some bits and the fact that both she and Manon were queens. She told him about her fire magic and Fae form, although she did not shift to show him. Aelin made it sound like she and the witch were some sorts of commanders and that they were the only ones who volunteered to step through the mirror. She then told him everything that happened since the moment they landed in Middle-Earth until now.
There was a long silence.
"Your tale is the most unheard of, yet I see no lie in your eyes," Elrond slowly said at last.
"Yes, I believe what the girl said is true," came another voice from a corner.
Both females instantly whirled on their feet, coming face to face with an old man in grey robes with a pointy hat.
"Who are you?" Manon snarled.
"There is no need to be hostile, I assure you," he calmly replied while Elrond watched with an amused expression. "I believe I did not introduce myself. My name is Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey. I am one of the Istari, though the people of Middle-Earth know me as a wizard."
Reluctantly Aelin and Manon let go of their weapons.
"A wizard, you say? Interesting," Manon said.
"I suppose so, witch" Gandalf chuckled. "Although my powers are quite not like yours."
"And what are your powers like then?" Aelin interrupted.
"I know and understand many things. Well, I suppose I also have some tricks up my sleeve," he said with a mischievous smile.
Aelin snorted very un-ladylike in response.
"And, my current knowledge is that you two were brought here for a reason. A purpose. I do not doubt that you will return to your home, although I can assure you, it won't be before you discover the reason why you're here and fulfill your mission."
"Hmpf! Of course!" Manon exclaimed, annoyed.
They silently regarded each other for a moment before Lord Elrond spoke up:
"I suppose there is nothing more to be said about the matter. Do you have any more questions?"
"I suppose not..." Aelin said slowly, thinking. "Actually, there is one thing. Arwen said we came here with Lord Aragorn. I suppose she meant Strider. I never actually believed it was his true name, so this doesn't shock me, but who is he really?"
"Ah about that. Soon there will be a council with people from all countries and races of Middle-Earth. I would like for you to come there. You would get to know more about Middle-Earth and what is going on there. And, just so you know, these are dark times. I think it would be wise if we kept your story and abilities a secret."
"Alright. Since there is nothing else to talk about, I suppose we shall take our leave," Aelin tried to sound polite. "Thank you for your help Lord Elrond, Gandalf."
She bowed slightly poking the witch trying to tell her to do the same.
"Go now and take your rest. Do not let your hearts be troubled!" Elrond said as the females walked out the door.
Aelin and Manon walked a few minutes pondering on the wizard's words. What purpose? It was clear to them that there was something big going on, probably some kind of war. Maybe their purpose would be in helping these people fight in that war. Anyways, Aelin did not want to thank about that now, so she decided to break the silence:
"Well, that went better than I had imagined."
"Yes. Now we only have to wait for that council."
"Pity we can't use our abilities."
"I agree."
They walked the rest of the way not uttering a single word. They did not say anything before going separate ways into their rooms.
Aelin sighed as she sat down on her bed.
'Well, this could take a while. Rowan, if you dare die there before I come back I will personally bring you back from the dead so that I can kill you myself.'
With such thoughts, Aelin lied back and soon fell asleep.
Well? Thoughts? Comments? Please review!
I'll try to post the next chapter tomorrow.
