Chapter 2
Elven_Princess_2005
Thanks to:
Luindae: I'm glad you like it. Besides someone has to keep them in line.
Tara6: Here the update you were hoping to see.
Gothamin: I'm pleased you find it funny.
thaurer: I plan to keep writing. You are quite welcome for the Elvish Translator.
Angelmaiden132: I glad you like it.
Elenawen-Nelinalus: Here's the continuation.
Arien Halfelven: I'm happy that you find it interesting...here's more.
Requien Euphoria: As you can see, I HAVE updated this.
Lady Melanie2: Thank you.
Mansje: You're review has got to be one of the longest I've seen!!! Ever story needs improvement, seeing as every story is far from perfect, and mine is no different.
"Emotionally shallow and fast paced"...what do you mean by that? The house explodes, for a second time I might add, and her parents are still inside there is little chance that they are still alive. I don't mean to be rude, but I believe you missed a part. It was the part where the house collapses to the ground. If you've just seen your house explode and collapse, right in front of you, you're not going to stand there and watch the fire die down. You're going to run away from your problems.
You ask how can she not panic, and it's very simple. For some people the grief of losing a loved one, the sadness that you're whole world as you know it has been destroyed, figuratively, and the confusion from suddenly seeing fictional character in real life might not set in for a few hours. Their brain is still processing everything that has been going on.
You ask why would Elladan and Elrohir treat a woman like they did and again it's simple. She insulted them. If you were insulted, would you just stand there an take it? No man, or Elf in this case, would.
The reason they don't say anything about her CD-player is because no on wants to disturb her. I mean come on, would you disturb a woman with a question like that while she is infuriated??
Who said that I was trying to change the character of the book just so I could get my way??? You are right, writing fanfiction is not that easy and I will agree with you when the challenging part is to stay true to the way the characters act. HOWEVER, there is a little thing that concerns me....you saw the way that Legolas acted throughout the movie/movies. You can't sit at your computer and type to me that a character cannot change. War changes everyone. This is true in real life as well as fiction. We cannot guess how Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir would act before the council and the war of The One Ring. So therefore, before and after movie/books you have to sort of reinvent the character, for lack of a better term.
I am thankful for your suggestions and I have listened. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story and please, I beg of you, keep your suggestions and ideas coming. I welcome them with open arms.
Crystal Snowflakes: I'm grateful you say it has potential, especially coming from such a talented author. I happen you love your stories Elves are not Perfect and Until we meet again. They've got to be on my top five favorite stories.
Lady Knight19: Thank you for saying I'm a good writer. Especially since I'm not on the platform of some other authors. Unfortunately, I can only give you the translation. You guess about pronouncing them is as good as mine. My guess would be to say it just like you see it, pronouncing each syllable. The only word that actually boggles my mind is "lle".
Kelli: I'm pleased to see that you like my story.
I woke up the next morning to see that it wasn't quiet dawn yet. I sat up, my back killing me. I took my headphones off and hit the "stop" button. Shoving it back into her back, I stood up, and grabbed my bag. I started off and didn't get ten feet before a voice stopped me. "Where are you going?" Legolas asked.
"I told you last night, I would be leaving at first light," I told him.
"It's not first light yet"
"I sooner I leave the better. I don't want nor do I need another run in with the twins" I told him.
"They're weary of humans. They don't trust them," Legolas said.
"That's no excuse for treating me like they did!" I almost shouted.
"You're right. That is no excuse for their actions. However, I have done nothing to betray your trust. They will not harm you. Will you please stay? At least until we arrive at Rivendell? Then you may do as you please" Legolas said.
I smiled. "You're right, you've done nothing to betray my trust. And they will not harm me as long as you're by my side"
"No, they will not harm you at all. They know better. Their father would have their heads if they would hurt a mortal let alone a woman," Legolas said.
"As tempting as your offer sounds, I'm afraid I have to refuse"
"Please?" He asked.
Something about his blue eyes started pulling me in. I closed her eyes and moved my head to the side. "I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I really must get going" I responded.
As I turned around, I saw some bushes move. Releasing my bag, I walked over to the bush without making a sound. "Lady Katherine?" Legolas asked.
"Something is out here. I don't know what though" I said warning him.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" a nasal sounding voice asked.
I jumped back a few feet and watched an Orc emerge from the bushed. I shouted and stumbled back a few feet. "Three Elves and a human girl. How interesting" He said.
"This is bad," I muttered.
"Only for your friends. I won't hurt you much" The orc responded.
"Ew gross" I said.
The orc tried to grab me but I moved farther away from him. Within seconds an arrow was lodged in his throat. I turned back and looked at the Mirkwood Prince. He had another arrow strung and pulled back, waiting. "Wake the twins," He told me.
I walked over to Elladan and Elrohir and shook them awake. "We have company in a form of Orcs" I told them.
They shot up with their bows in hand. "We need to get out of here. It's too dangerous to stay" Legolas said.
"Does that mean Lady Katherine as well?" Elrohir asked.
"We cannot coerce her to follow us if she does not wish too" Legolas said.
Guilt trip. I thought. "Do you mind?" I asked.
"Not at all" Legolas said.
I grabbed my bag and waited for them to pack up, quickly. We were off a few minutes later, leaving the dead Orc on the ground.
"That was only a scout. We need to move quickly. They'll come looking for him, if he doesn't return soon. Once we get into father's realm, we'll be safe, but until then I don't think it wise to stop" Elladan said.
"How long until we reach your father's realm?" I asked.
"If we continue at this pace, we should reach Rivendell by mid-day" Elrohir said.
I groaned. Mid-day? At the rate I'm going I'll be lucky if I make it to mid-morning. I thought.
And by mid-morning, I was about ready to collapse. "Can't we stop and take a break?" I asked.
"We'll stop at the next stream," Elrohir said.
"That could be miles from here," I said.
"Actually there's one about five minutes from here" Legolas announced.
And sure enough five minutes later, they came to a small stream. The water was ice cold and to me, it felt like heaven against my neck and forehead. "Here" Legolas offered me something that looked like a large cracker. "It's lembas. It'll give you some energy"
"No thank you. I'm not hungry," I told him.
"You must eat something. You're beginning to weaken. I see it in every step you take" He told me.
"Legolas, if she doesn't want it, don't force her," Elladan said.
"Why the sudden change in opinion about me?" I asked.
"I don't feel like people should force other people," Elladan said.
That doesn't answer my question, but I guess I'll ask later. I thought.
A few minutes later, we were back on the road again. Sure enough by mid-day they reached Rivendell. I stood on top of the hill that overlooked the city. It was breathtaking. I couldn't think of anything words to describe it. Gorgeous wasn't even enough to begin. "Come on" Legolas pulled me along. We walked down the hill towards the city. Waterfalls surrounded us, making a tranquil sound echo throughout my mind. The grass was a lush green and the trees were a mix of light and dark foliage. They reached towards the sky. I had never seen anything like it.
The city gates opened as we came closer. An older elf was there to greet us; well I should say the twins and Legolas. "What took you three so long? Legolas, your father send a letter ahead of you. It said that you would arrive sooner than this" the elf said.
"My apologies Lord Elrond. We meet up with Orcs on the way here and had to take a longer way around" Legolas explained.
I should thank the group of Orcs that made them move. I wouldn't have met them if the two parties hadn't met one another. I thought.
"Who is your companion?" Lord Elrond asked.
"This is Katherine. I found her in the woods alone and injured. I brought her back to the camp and tended to her wound. Elladan and Elrohir weren't the greatest of hosts," Legolas said.
"It was well deserved. We didn't know who she was working for" Elladan said.
"That's no reason to point arrows in my face after a small comment" I muttered under my breath.
"Would you care to say that a little bit louder, my dear?" Lord Elrond.
"I made a small comment that they took offense to and in turn they pointed arrows in my face" I said.
"Please forgive my sons' actions. They were rash. You must understand these are troubling times. People need took take caution" Lord Elrond said.
"I hold nothing against them. I probably would have done the same thing in their position," I told him.
"Well, now that that is settled, come. I will set a servant to draw a bath and get some clothes for you" Elrond said.
"I do not wish to put you out"
"You are not putting anyone out young one" Elrond said.
"Okay" I said, though I didn't believe a word.
I followed him to a guest room. It was large with an open balcony that overlooked forest that surrounded them. The four-post bed was against a wall, the posts carved and etched out with what reminded me of Celtic designs. There was a desk in right corner; candles accented the area. There was a vanity and a dresser. "Is it to your approval?" Elrond asked.
"Very much so. Thank you" I said.
"Good. Arwen, my daughter, should be up in a few minutes to take care of your dress. I'm hoping to see you at dinner" Elrond said.
"Of course" I said. I'm not that hungry, but who knows by dinner, I might be.I thought.
"I'll see you later, then" Elrond stepped out of the room, closing the door with a small click. I laid my bag down by the desk and walked out to the balcony. I looked around and saw birds sitting on branches, some feeding their young while others were chirping away. Seeing smaller animals like chipmunks and squirrels, nibbling away she smiled. I always loved nature, hence why I was always out in the woods.
"My lady?" a soft voice came from the door.
I turned to see a young woman, standing in the door. She had ivory skin and hard brown almost black hair. "Arwen, right?" I asked.
The maiden smiled. "Yes. My father asked me to get you ready. First you need a bath. One has already been drawn for you. Follow me" She said.
I walked out of the room and down the hall a bit. She stopped at a door and I followed the Elven Princess inside the room. In the center was a tub filled with hot water. "Everything's ready. I'll be back later with your dress"
I hoped by dress, she meant clothes and not a regular dress. I didn't mind wearing one, but being forced to was another story. There was a soft click, meaning the door had been closed and Arwen had left. I stripped down and got into the tub.
Thirty minutes later I had shampooed all of the dirt and grime out of my hair and washed it off of my body. I had removed the bandage that Legolas had placed on my wound the night before. It was still in a little bit of pain. When I gently glided the washcloth over it, the soap made it sting. The plant, whatever it was, disappeared. I stood up and wrapped a towel around my body just as Arwen entered with a dress. It was white in color and looked like it would fit tightly around my body. "Here you are. You look like my size, so I think this will fit you" Arwen said.
"Thank you" I told her.
Again Arwen left. I sighed. Oh well, it could be worse. I thought.
I slipped the dress over my head, which to my surprise was stretchy, but also tight. A little too tight for my liking, but it would have to do. The neckline was scooped and the sleeves split down the middle to the elbow, then they were tied and it was split down the middle again and was tied at the wrist. It stopped at my ankles and unlike the rest of the dress, was free-flowing and moved with my body.
I wrapped a towel around my hair and cleaned up the room to the best of my ability and walked down to my room. At my vanity I found a brush. After working the tangles out of my chestnut hair, I pulled it back in my normal ponytail. I found shoes that I guessed Arwen had set out for me and slipped them on. I didn't hear anyone enter my room and was shocked to find Legolas in the doorway.
"Would you be so kind as to not scare the shit out of me," I said.
He frowned. "A lady should not have that kind of colorful language," Legolas said.
Oh damn! I forgot it's like mid-evil England. The women were basically oppressed and were "housewives". I thought.
"Sorry, it's a habit more than anything else"
"You make it a habit to say such vivid words?" he asked.
I laughed. "It is where I hail from"
"I must say, I would mistake you for an Elf maiden if not for the fact you do not have pointed ears" he said.
"Thank you. Did you come here for a reason?"
"Aye, I came to check and redress your wound" He said.
"You aren't going to put anymore of that plant stuff on it are you?"
He laughed. "No, I placed it there last night to make sure that it would get rid of any infection" He said.
"Oh, well, in that case, come on in" I said.
He walked into the room and guided me to the bed. I sat down on it, while he united the sleeve of my injured arm. "You removed the bandage?" he asked.
"Yeah. I did it while I was taking a bath"
He placed some sort of creamy, white ointment on my arm. I yelped when it came in contact with my skin. It was freezing! "You don't take surprise very well, do you?" he asked.
"Not like that" I said, as he put on a new bandage on my arm.
He tied my sleeve back up and I stood in front of him. He towered over me by at least a foot. "Thank you" I said.
"It was nothing, Lady Katherine" He said.
"Ah Legolas, my father is looking for you" Arwen said, entering the room.
He groaned. "I know that the council meeting is in a few days, but can't he give me a break?" Legolas asked.
Arwen chuckled. "You know how it is being a royal," Arwen said.
"You needn't remind me"
Legolas took off, and Arwen looked at me like I had done something wrong. "What?" I asked.
"Your hair for one" Arwen said.
"Ah, come one. Can't you leave it be?"
"No, you're hair will be done perfectly" She said.
"Elves and their perfection" I muttered.
"What?" Arwen asked.
"Nothing" I lied.
"Come. Sit" Arwen commanded me.
I sat down on the vanity stool and crossed my arms over my chest. "Come on now, you mustn't look so glum. I'm doing this for your benefit. After all, you have to look your best for dinner tonight. We have many guests," Arwen said.
"Really? Whom?" I asked.
"Well, we have Boromir, son of Denethor, who is also the Steward of Gondor; we have Legolas; Gimli, son of Glóin, as well as Glóin; four halflings; Gandalf The Grey; and Aragorn, son of Arathorn" Arwen said.
So everyone has arrived for the council meeting. This should be interesting. I wonder if I can sneak and listen to the meeting. I might as well; I've got nothing better to do. I thought.
"There we are finished" Arwen said.
I looked in the mirror. My hair was parted in the middle and brushed straight down. "Thank you" I said.
"You are welcome" Arwen said.
"Do you think anyone will mind if I take a look around?" I asked.
"Not at all" she commented.
"Good" I said, standing up.
"Dinner will be in a few hours. If you need help finding the dining area, just ask someone"
"I will, thank you," I said, exiting my room to explore Rivendell.
Author's Note: Here you go! I hope you enoyed Chapter 2 of A Silver Lining. Please Review! Chapter 3 should be out by Friday of this week. Tenna' san', Melloneamin. Namaarie. (Until then, my friends. Farewell)