Greetings all! Yay! I passed my degree! I'm now a fully fledged animal behaviourist! Which hopefully means I have more time to write longer chapters! Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I love you guys!
The dinner, as Elanor quickly learned, was no small affair. She was brought to a great hall and sat at a long table beside Talin. Bowls of fresh fruits, bread, nuts and meat lined the table and maids stood, wine jug in hand, ready to fill any empty cups.
Lord Elrond sat at the end of the table, Arwen on one side of him and a blond haired elf that Elanor recognised from the river sat on the other. He introduced himself as Glorfindel, a counsellor to Lord Elrond and captain of the guard. Other elves of various importance and stature sat around them talking in common tongue and their own lyrical speech. Beside her Talin was deep in discussion with Gandalf, telling him of their travel to Rivendell. Only Aragorn, who sat across from Arwen, said very little and simply stared ahead of him. Elanor looked about her but saw no sign of these hobbits of which Aragorn had spoke.
After food had been eaten and much wine had been drunk, Lord Elrond thanked his guests and excused himself, his leave swiftly followed by Gandalf and Aragorn. As the other guests moved to leave also, Elanor went to follow Gandalf, having not had the chance to speak with him since her arrival, but was stopped by a hand on her arm. She looked across to find a pair of startling blue eyes looking back at her. Glorfindel removed his hand and smiled, lowering himself into a small bow,
"Forgive me for my rudeness earlier, my lady." He said, "I had not seen a mortal woman in the garb of the north before. I did not know you were friends of Estel."
"There is nothing to forgive," She said, coolly. "I would distrust an elf, if I had never set eyes on one before." Glorfindel looked at her unsure before nodding,
"All the same, I apologise for any offence I may have caused."
Elanor nodded and watch as Glorfindel turned and left in the direction of Elrond,
"You needn't be so rude Elanor" said a voice behind her. Elanor turned to find Talin glaring back at her, "He was only being friendly."
"His kind of friendship I can do without."
Talin sighed loudly, "Very well, but while we're staying with the elves at least try to be polite to them."
Elanor pulled a face at him, folded her arms across her chest and stalked out of the hall and into a small balcony. Talin sighed again and followed her out into a small garden. Above them the stairs shone brightly and the full rounded moon hung high in the cloudless sky. Elanor stood with her back to him when suddenly she let out a heartbreaking sigh,
"I want to go home." She said, looking sadly below them, "I don't fit in here." Talin stepped up beside her and lent forward on the stone wall,
"I've sent word to father. He and the others are to head to Fornost where they can find safety. As soon as a decision has been made we can head back together. With or without Aragorn." He said, stared seriously at her and then broke it a smile,
"I wonder what father would think to see you here among all these elves." Elanor let out a small giggle,
"It is a wonder that I put up with it at all!" she laughed, leaning her back against the stone wall and looking up at Talin,
"I will be glad when this meeting is over."
"But is it over?" Elanor asked, her eyes moving from his face to something in the distance, "If the dark lord truly has returned, will be ever be over?"
The smile fell from Talins face at her words. What she spoke was true, the entire fate of middle-earth was to be decided in the coming days but luckily it was to be done by people far wiser than he. Carefully he regarded her; the dress she wore suited her surprisingly better than he thought it would have perhaps better than the rangers outfit she loved so. Her hair was pulled back with elegant braids. To him, it was like she belonged in that dress and that thought made him uneasy,
"Come." He said softly, "There is nothing we can do about it tonight. You should get some rest, for all we know we may be heading back tomorrow." Elanor nodded and Talin walked her back to her room.
Elanor awoke to bright rays of sun blinding her. She groaned loudly and rolled over pulling the pillow down over her eyes. Unable to go back to sleep, she grunted in annoyance and threw her pillow away from her. Elanor rose from her bed and walked through to the small bathroom where she found bowl of water waiting for her. Dipping her hands in to the bowl she brought handfuls of water up to her face and washed away her tiredness.
She dried herself off and began to pull of the flimsy cotton dress she had worn as a nightgown. Quickly she began to dress, putting on the same dress she had worn the night before as her own clothes had not been returned yet. It was still a few hours before midday but she wanted to find Aragorn before the meeting. Elanor pulled her hair back away from her face and fixed it with a silver clip. Lastly she pulled on her boots and left her room. She walked along the now familiar corridors and out into the open sunlight. The high rising sun paved the realm in golden light and everything seemed much better in the light of day. She followed a path down a small flight of steps and into the courtyard.
Elanor smiled as she spotted Aragorn across the yard, he was smiling also but not at her. Instead his focus was on a group of elves that were riding through the entrance. They each wore riding clothes of green and brown. Their leader had hair of gold and rode upon a white stallion. Upon his back was a full quiver and bow. Aragorn called out in greeting as the elf dismounted and walked over to the ranger, reins in his hand. As Elanor approached them she saw that the elf look quite young, well as young as an elf could look. He was smiling at Aragorn and as Elanor reached Aragorns side his eyes moved to her. They were an astonishing sky blue. She smiled at her and held out his hand. Elanor, although surprised by his forwardness held out her own in greeting only to have heavy leather reins placed in her hand,
"We have come a long way," He said to her sternly, "He will need water and grooming."
Elanor stared back at him surprised. She looked from the reins in her hand back to the elf and frowned angrily,
"Do I look like your maid?" she flared, throwing the reins back at the elf hitting him in the stomach. She glared at him angrily and stormed off leaving the elf looking like he had been slapped and Aragorn laughing loudly at his mistake,
"Forgive me for laughing my friend, but I think you have offended her." Aragorn said, breathing hard from laughing,
"I do not understand Aragorn. She was stable hand…"
"Nay Legolas, she was not. She is Elanor of the dunedain."
Legolas closed his eyes and sighed loudly, staring out after Elanors retreating form,
"I did not know!" he cried, "She wore the dress of a handmaiden and she looks so much like my kind. I should apologise."
"I would leave it till later" Aragorn advised, "Elanor has little love of elves and your mistake has probably lost what little she may have gained while here. Do not look so worried my friend, I shall speak with her. Come, Lord Elrond awaits you and I am eager to hear your news."
Legolas nodded and handed his reins to an elf behind him and followed Aragorn up the steps to Lord Elronds chamber.
Elanor stormed through the empty corridors, not paying attention to which direction she went or who she passed. Her mind seethed in angry. How dare that elf treat her like a maid? Elanor stalked out into an open garden and stopped abruptly and found two startled faces looking back at her. She blinked and stared at the children in front of her, one fair and one dark. Except they weren't children, their size was small but their faces showed the troubles that come with age and wisdom.
Elanor noticed that, strangely, they wore no shoes upon their hairy feet. They both wore similar clothes, dressed in green and brown. They both stood staring at her, the dark haired one fixing her with clear blue eyes. It was a few moments before Elanor realised that neither had spoke,
"I'm sorry, I did not mean to interrupt you," she said, gazing at these unique creatures before her, she smiled brightly, "Are you hobbits?"
The two looked at each other before the dark haired one nodded,
"I am Frodo Baggins of the shire," he said, "and this is Samwise Gamgee." Elanor looked to each of them,
"I have heard much about you Master Frodo and I am glad to see you well. It was no small thing you did, travelling to Rivendell."
"We wouldn't have made it if not for Strider." Sam said with an anxious look on his face. Elanor filled with pride,
"He is a good man, you were lucky to have him with you."
"You know Strider?" Frodo asked,
"Yes, I am Elanor of the north. The man you call Strider is my chieftain."
As she spoke she saw Frodos gaze shift to something behind her. Elanor turned and found Gandalf standing behind her. Gandalf smiled warmly at her and brought out his arm,
"Elanor my dear, it is good to see you once more." Elanor smiled widely and hugged the old man tightly,
"Where have you been Gandalf? I've looked for you since my arrival but you have eluded me somehow."
"Not on purpose I assure you, but there have been many things to discuss." he said looking at Frodo.
The hobbit nodded and spoke briefly to Sam who toddled off into the building. As Elanor watched him go, she realised why he had been sent away,
"It is midday."
Gandalf nodded, "The council are gathered and awaiting Frodo and I. I'm afraid we must take our leave."
Elanor looked at him confused,
"You mean I cannot attend?"
Gandalf shook his head, "It is not something I would wish for you to hear."
"But Gandalf," Elanor began but was cut short by Gandalf raising a hand,
"You will wait for me to find you." he said, with such finality that Elanor knew it fruitless to complain,
"As you wish." She said somewhat bitterly and watched as Gandalf lead Frodo from the gardens.
Enter the hobbits! As much as I love Frodo and Sam they won't have very prominent parts in my story, but all your fave characters will get a mention! Next chapter: Midday Meeting. Please R&R!