There and Back Again: A Queen's Tale
Written by: Anime Girl Kim
Disclaimer: I would love to own Thranduil… but I don't, nor anything else in LOTR… or is it the Hobbit?
Short A/N: Greatest apologies for the wait. Terrible writer's block.
Chapter 4
She was in a state of shock when her legs brought her back to her empty quarters. The events that had happened mere minutes ago were a blur to her, and all she could remember was how warm and hard Thranduil's arm had felt when she grabbed him and the wink she had sent him. And that was also the only thing that she was thinking right now, as she stood in front of the closed door leading towards her little land of freedom, free from Thranduil at least.
There was a slight - actually very long - search for the tiny golden key, but in the end, Raina had located it; it was stuck at the deepest most pocket in her right boot, why it had gotten there she had no idea. Inside, the chamber was dark and cold, making her feel quite uneasy as she felt around in the gloominess to find the light switch. But when it finally came on, a sudden figure sitting on the couch made her scream.
"Elvellon!" She jumped back, startled, her hand clutched over her heart while the other grabbed hold of the cabinet placed beside the door. "Do not do that! You almost startled me to my death!" Unclenching her hand from the cabinet, Raina righted herself, trying to ease the fast thumping of her heart. "How did you get in here?"
Elvellon scratched at his head, a look of sheepishness crossing his features, making her feel even more suspicious. "I kind of… snuck in…"
Raina raised an eyebrow, now more curious than angry, since she wanted to know how that sneaky little ellon had got into her home. Surely he couldn't have a spare key, could he? Or did all of the doors in this suite have the same lock. "Go on," she persuaded, trying to keep the eagerness out of her voice. "how did you sneak in without a key?"
"Well…" He fidgeted for a while, looking embarrassed. "My muindor had taught me a few tricks at the time before I started working in the palace. I broke in," Elvellon fished a small sliver thingy out of his pocket, and brandished it in the air proudly. "with this!"
Taking the long silver thing in her hands, Raina inspected it closely, trying to find anything special with it. "You broke in," she said slowly, first looking from the thing to Elvellon. "with a hairpin?"
He nodded brightly with a slightly sadistic smile. "Of course. Mona lent it to me. Sure, she asked me the reason, but as I'm such a skillful liar, she trusts me. More than anything."
"Do I need to know who Mona is?"
"Oh, that's just Amoniel's nickname." Elvellon waved his hand in the air lazily. "Now…" He rubbed his hands together. "Got anything to eat?"
"As far as I see…" Raina checked the tops and bottoms of the kitchen cupboard, squinting in the dark of the shelves. "there are… tons of things you can choose from. Sandwiches, pies, pot roast, cheese- ah yes! Cheese." She balanced the plate of cheese on her free hand, grabbed a platter of fresh veggie sandwiches, and used her shoulder to push the door of the cabinet shut, trying hard not to let the food fall off.
Elvellon was already standing at the doorway leading from the kitchen to the living room, carrying a beautifully baked brown-crusted meat pie; the sight itself was already making her mouth water, as well as the smell. "Is Mona joining us?"
Rolling her eyes, Raina followed her friend to the living room, setting all the food on the small table with three comfy armchairs placed around it. She found Elvellon casting a sad glance at the empty spare chair as they sat down to enjoy their snack, even though elves did not really need to feed themselves so many meals; Elvellon swore that he just liked to chat while eating, but Raina was sure it was because he was born a hungry pig in the form of an elf. An elf that was so obviously seeing someone that he shouldn't be seeing. "How should I know?" She countered, slicing herself a piece of pie and loading it onto her plate. "You are the one that fancies her."
His whole face turned tomato red. "I don't know what you mean," his voice shook slightly, the color still not fading from his cheek; instead, it grew darker as Raina let out a shriek of laughter. "Rai-Rai!" Elvellon whined.
"Rai-Rai?!" It was Raina's turn to flush scarlet. "Are you bloody kidding me, Vellon? Have you lost your mind? What kind of nicknames is that?"
"Ah, just something I came up in my spare time." Elvellon immediately jumped at the chance of changing the topic, grabbing a piece of cheese and stuffing it into his mouth, so that both of his cheeks puffed out. "So," he said, his voice muffled by the chewed-up bits of food. "what happened with you and Thranduil?"
"Rai-Rai!" Amoniel's shriek could be heard from miles away. Raina lifted her head to watch her as she raced past the corridor overhead and stumble down the winding staircase, her hands hoisting up fistfuls of the multi-folded dress she wore . "Guess what, Rai-Rai! Guess what!"
"What?" She set down the pair of knives she had just been polishing carefully onto the stone altar, running a finger happily along the smooth curved blades. Elvellon had accompanied her to the forgery, placing an order for a pair of knives made with the finest elf blades - her knives. The twin weapons were light, beautifully shaped and sharpened to their finest, the handles cool to the touch.
Her thoughts about her new knives were cut off by Amoniel waving something white and rectangular in front of her face. She reached out, plucking it out of the eager elleth's outstretched hand. It was a simple white envelope sealed close with an envelope seal, a seal that looked all too familiar. The Rivendell seal. It was a letter from home. "Na vedui!" Quickly, Raina tore the envelope open, not caring that she had ripped it. Her trembling hands unfolded the piece of parchment within - almost ripping it in the process - and spread it out on the small stone altar at the middle of the lobby.
Sister:
Raina dear! It has been too long!
I apologize for not writing sooner; Lord Elrond has been very busy most of the time. 'Tis boring without you, I miss the times that we pranked on the other lady elves - ah, the glorious days. They are continuing blabbering about how everything is much quieter ever since your departure. Worthless Orc-headed ellyth.
How are your days in the Woodland Realms then? Has anyone hurt you? If they did, tell me, I'll deal with them surely.
"Oh Lindir," Raina sighed, stopping her reading og the letter momentarily to shake her head. "You know very well you're quite useless in combat, don't you?" But still, she kept on reading with Amoniel beside her.
Alas, I do hope they have been treating you well at Greenwood. Nothing would hurt me the most except for you being unhappy. Write to me soon, okay?
Love, Lindir
"Aw," Amoniel sighed when Raina finished reading the letter. "Your brother is so cute!" She squealed happily, dancing around in joyful skips. "Now, after you've finished goggling at your letter and your knives - why do they need to be polished anyway? - don't tell me you've forgotten the feast!"
Her blood turned to ice. "What feast?" She had altogether forgotten any and every schedule Elvellon had so kindly planned for her - wrote down on a long scroll of parchment which she had carelessly tossed aside at that time, and haven't located since.
"Today is Orbelain!" Amoniel had wrapped her fingers around the confused and startled elleth's arm in an iron grip, and started dragging her towards her rooms. "Feast day! You surely haven't forgotten!"
Raina yelped in pain as she stubbed her bare toe on one of the sharp corners of the wall as she was dragged against her will towards her walk-in closet - she had done her best to avoid the room - and pushed forcefully onto one of the chairs, while Amoniel started digging through the large pile of brightly-colored garments. "Mona! Man cerich!" Raina hovered over her, waving her arms dramatically. "Lasto nin! I do not need to dress up! It's just a feast!"
Amoniel ignored her, only muttered a quick "Garo hen enni," and thrust something soft and light into her arms. A quick glance made Raina groan.
To be honest, the dress wasn't so bad. It was long, made of slippery fabric that shone like stars, the color of peaches. The collar was wide, although the sleeves only reached her shoulder blades. From the chest up, the dress was colorless and transparent, gems dotted here and there. The bra cups of the dress were a glittering mixture of silver purple and gold, slowly turning a light peachy color until it flowed down to the hem of the dress. As she examined the dress, she found that it was backless as well, the collar held together with a small golden clasp from behind.
"Sen…" Raina found herself lost for words as she gazed at the shimmering dress. "Bain…" Another series of thunks startled her. Her eyes traveled from the sandals that had fallen on top of each other, to the sturdy band of silver, to the velvet-lined boxes on the floor. "Amoniel, what is that?" She gestured at the mismatched pile.
Amoniel withdrew her head from one of the lower shelves of the wardrobe. "What? Oh, those are the things you're going to wear."
"All of them?"
"Yes, now let's get you ready."
"No, not there, ouch! MONA!" Raina cringed away from the pins Amoniel was holding between her thumb and forefinger, clutching at her scalp in pain. "You must understand that you cannot do that to my hair! My hair!"
A look of confusion etched itself onto her face. "Why not? All I wanted to do was give it an elegant twist! Surely that's acceptable enough."
"Actually, no." With a wince, Raina pulled another pin that was piercing into her skin off of her head, letting some part of her curling hair fall down in waves that framed her face. "I-" pull "do not-" pluck "like-" snap "pins." She let the rest of the bobby pins drop onto the dresser surface, the impact causing them to roll around.
Amoniel shrieked in anger, gathering up the pins right before they rolled off. "Raina! What did you just do?!" She stared in misery at the shining pins in her cupped hand. "I was just finishing!"
Raina felt a pang of regret when she saw how devastated Amoniel was. She struggled to find some comforting words. "Um, Mona," her voice sounded strained and uncertain, trying not to feel guilty. "I think that… maybe just a few swirls is fine? Not a complete updo, so it will not be too tight."
The change in Amoniel's expression was astoundingly instant. Her features instantly lit up, the shine in her blue eyes returning once more. "Really? You would agree with that?" The apprentice nodded with as much serenity as she could muster. "Perfect!" Amoniel squealed in delight and clapped her hands together. "You'll be ready in no time!"
It wasn't too bad, she thought, as she studied her reflection that was blinking back at her from the mirror. Her hair actually looked elegant for once in it's fancy yet messy updo, loose strands of her blond hair falling down her face; it itched, making her blow a sharp breath at it to keep it away from her skin. The bun wasn't too tight, just loose enough to hold her hair up without it falling down.
"There." Her stylist stepped away, smiling in satisfaction and admiration. "I told you that you would look beautiful."
She was unconvinced. "You are an exaggerator, Mona. I am not beautiful." Raina fidgeted with the hem of her tunic sleeve, having not yet changed into her dress; neither, had Amoniel applied makeup on her yet. Deep down, she was praying to Valar that her stylist would just forget that. But, oh no, she would never.
Just as Raina was about to push herself out of the chair, a hand came down sharply on her left shoulder. "Where are you going? I have not finished with you, Raina."
Raina felt her heart contract with fear. "Lasto nin, Amoniel, I think all this is enough, just let me get into my dress-"
"Raina!" Her soft, high-pitched voice suddenly sounded stern. "Ni si le annad dulu, not to mean harm."
"I understand that, but-"
Amoniel shot her another stern look, making her shut her mouth quickly. "You are a new face here, somebody that will symbol our way to victory. Greenwood's troops will look up to you and Thranduil for hope and guidance. Today is the day they will finally meet you, and you must be absolute perfection."
Slowly, Raina's whole face flushed red. "I understand," she mumbled uncertainly, seating herself back onto the chair. "Goheno nin."
The smile returned back on Amoniel's face, causing the other elf to sigh in relief. "Good. Now, don't fidget, or your makeup will be ruined."
"Amoniel! Is Raina ready?" Elvellon poked his fair head into the room, eyes seeking out his two favorite ellyth. He hopped inside, having spotted Amoniel's reflection from a mirror in a separate room that was visible even from this angle. "Dears! It's time to- good Valar…" His voice faltered.
There was Amoniel, standing with a wicked grin directed right at him; and then, there was Raina, whom he had hardly recognized. She had the same hair, the same eyes, the same features, but she was… different.
Her hair was did up in a bun, strands of loose golden hair curving down the sides of her face. She was wearing makeup, her eyes magnified by dark mascara and eyeliner, a slight powdered blush resting on both of her pale cheeks, but no lipstick. Elvellon silently thanked Eru for that.
And the dress… what had Amoniel changed Raina into? The dress was so feminine! It clung to her body tightly, shaping out curves that had been hidden by the tunic and leggings Raina constantly wore. She was… beautiful. Slowly, Elvellon's own lips started to form themselves into a cheeky grin. "Well," he cleared his throat. "I sure am impressed, Rai-Rai."
Translations:
Muindor: Brother
Nan aear ar in elin: By the seas and stars
Na vedui: At last
Orbelain: Powers-Day (a "High Day" of celebration/ceremony, like our Sunday)
Man cerich: What are you doing
Lasto nin: Listen to me
Garo hen enni: Hold this for me
Sen: This is
Bain: Beautiful
Ni si le annad dulu: I am here to support you
Goheno nin: Forgive me
I'm sorry for the shortness of this chapter *cries*. It's just… my pet Chihuahua died yesterday. She didn't make it after performing surgery. She was only three years old. I still remember the day we found her, a stray on the streets. We were only together for two years. It's hard to take in, and I miss him so much, but knowing that she's in doggy heaven makes me feel better.
Anyway… *sigh* I also have writers block, so it'll be some time before I update a new chapter, sorry. So, what do you think of this chapter? What do you think is going to happen in the next chapter? More Thranduil/Raina fluff? Elvellon/Amoniel? Or a mysterious new character…
Rosiethehobbit17, Fudge-Cakesss, muffin'sstar, Rainbor123, Paws-chan65 - thank you
Rosiethehobbit17: Meep, don't be intimidated! I'm not that good! l love your nickname for Amoniel, so as you see, I used it in this chapter. Thanks for your review!
Wunderkind4006: Okay, now I'm taking a deep breath and trying not to be too hard on myself. You're right, of course. But I really am not a talented writer, I'm still learning. Since Raina is an elleth, she will have some twists and turns here and there, and I'm really happy to introduce her as Lindir's sister. I just love Lindir.
DeLacus: Elvellon is my favorite OC by far. I'm sure he and Mona will be quite interesting, although their relationship is… hard to explain. I like to picture Oropher as a stern king/dad, and Thranduil as an slightly ambitious yet soft-hearted prince. I pictured him like that due to his personality in the films. OH GOD! LEE PACE! :3 The tension between Thrandy and Rai-Rai sure will be tough! Cute Lindir, aww, I really love him. Thanks for reviewing!
Well, this is the end of chapter 4. Leave your reviews in that little box below, press the small button to check the follows and favorites, and voila! The next chapter will be finished sooner than you would have thought!