Chapter 7
Happy Valentine's Day yesterday!
Yes, just because I feel much loved today and yesterday, I thought I'll share it with you as well.
Legolas surprised me with a box of heart-shaped chocolates! Aawww
Purple Pepper – I don't think I know how he looks in the game, but I will Google him. Thanks for the review.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of LOTR
Ava walked behind Haldir as he escorted her through the big wooden doors of the palace. Once inside, Ava was mesmerised by the architecture and detailed carvings of the building. The ceiling rose high with big grey pillars supporting it. Golden, gossamer groves were carved into the pillars and soft glowing lanterns hung from each of them. Big windows looked out into the morning garden and Ava could see some of the tree tallens nearby. The floor was smooth and polished and detailed pictures were painted on them. Ava wanted to look at them, but Haldir moved them onwards. In the distance Ava could hear soft elven-voices sing and the melody was heart-moving. Melancholic was a good way to describe it. Ava gave a wishful sighed.
Who could have ever thought that a beautiful place like this could exist?
A line of elves stood on either side of the hall and further ahead Ava saw two Elves clothed in pearl, whites sitting on golden thrones. The male elf looked young and old at once. Ava knew not how that was possible, but it was a strange sight. She knew elves lived for ever, but how old could this elf be? How old do elves even get? His long pale strands reach below his shoulder blades, tied into intricate knots and braids at the sides. He wore a golden circlet on his brow and his face was accentuated with high cheekbones and a roundish chin. His eyes were silver and warm. Next to him sat Galadriel. Ava knew that it could only be her. She was even more beautiful than Lorien itself. Her long curls matched the colour of the wood's leaves and her pale, soft skin looked like cream. Her eyes! Her eyes were a blue Ava had never seen before. It seemed to shift continually into different shades of blue every time she looked.
"Lord Celeborn and fair Lady Galadriel" Haldir rang out. His voice was laced with admiration for his rulers. "I present to you; Lady Ava Fairlin" he waved his hand out to her, palm up and fingers pressed tight. Ava did not know what to do, must she bow? Curtsey? Just stand there? Speak?
Relax, Child
Ava blinked shocked at the voice in her head. Where did that come from? Her head was still sore from the mead, but did it also result into hearing voices now?
Haldir bowed his head and retreated to the side of the Hall; leaving Ava alone to stand it the middle.
"Welcome, Lady Ava, to our Wood" Lord Celeborn spoke "Word reached us that you have travelled from faraway and in haste in search of my mate, Galadriel. They say you bring a message from – "
He paused, Ava was not sure if it was for a dramatic effect or just uncertainty.
" - From the Grey Havens" he finished.
There were a few gasps from the line of elves. A soft murmur filled the hall and once again Ava was wondering what the big deal was with these elves and the Grey Havens.
"Yes" Ava cleared her throat and repeated "Yes, it is more of a… request than a message"
She looked up warily at the elf lord, but his warm eyes had a stiff glint in them. Ava swallowed hard.
"Why would our kindred who passed on through the Halls of Mandos request anything from us and then send a human girl to deliver the message?" he asked, his tone polite, but unfriendly.
Ava looked with a blank expression at the elf lord in front of her.
Wait, what? Halls of Mandos? What was that? Passed kindred? Did that mean the Grey Havens was like a Heaven for the elves? Ava thought nervously. That's why the people of Gondor never reacted to the place's name. They did not know what it was?
The penetrating gaze from the elves made her feel uncomfortable and her face became hot. Crap, what must I tell them? She shifted from one foot to another.
"She is not from the Havens" a clear musical voice spoke. Ava looked up to see Galadriel looking at her, but when their eyes met a sudden presence seem to enter her mind. It was not a threatening or possessed feeling, but it was not a pleasant one either.
Ava felt Galadriel accessing her memories. It was like a box of photos being dragged forward. Galadriel would flick though the photos and when one intrigued her, she would pause at it and the photo memory would jump to life. Ava was forced to watch some of the good memories with her father, her friends, her childhood life, school, college, the work she did with her father in Gondor. She also watched as Galadriel focused on memories of her world. Simple things like a telephone, fridge, cars, buildings, TVs, types of food, plumbing and more dramatic ones like guns, pollution, animal cruelty, hunger, poverty …etc. None of which the latter really involved her. More like stories she read in newspapers or saw on the television.
Then there came the personal unpleasant memories. Her relationship with William. The night she found her father dead in front of the portal, the note she found in his pocket, the betrayal of William, his quest in search of an evil weapon he wanted to return to earth. Galadriel seemed to linger for a moment on the face of her father the last day Ava saw him alive. The memory froze like a photo again and Ava stared at her father's face what seemed like an eternity.
Suddenly the presence released her mind and Ava felt cold and alone. She opened her eyes, not realising she closed it in the first place and looked up at Galadriel. Ava could feel her cheeks and eyes were wet with spilled tears and she lifted a hand to wipe at them, suddenly angry with herself for showing such weakness in front of these superior beings. Her heart felt squeezed and painful.
"No, she is not from the Grey Havens" Galadriel repeated again.
The murmur increased and Ava could hear some distinctive words like; liar, spy, deceiver, enemy…
She looked to her side and saw Haldir look at her. His face was like stone. No emotion reflected in it. Just a passive, expressionless face.
Galadriel raised her hands and the place quieted down. The images she saw in the girl's mind were unsettling. Galadriel has live for thousands of years. She has seen things many have never seen before. Experienced things others have never even heard of, but this! This was unfamiliar.
How long has it been since she encountered something new to her?
She knew the girl told a lie about coming from the Havens, but she could sense her heart was pure. Galadriel could understand why she sought an alternative explanation as to where she could be from. She was placing her life in danger to save her world, Earth, from harm. Such a brave thing to do for someone so young. She knew nothing of this world, not even what she was up against. An overwhelming feeling came over Galadriel to help this woman, this Ava Fairlin from Earth.
"Ava Fairlin, a request you bring and though you are not even aware of the gravity you are dealing with, I will hear your wish and assist where I can"
"How can we trust her if she deceived us?" an elf from the lines spoke up. He wore purple robes hemmed with gold. To Ava he looked like some kind of advisor.
A number of supportive voices rose in the air. They approved of the elf's words.
Some talked animatedly between each other; others just stood and watched her with sceptical eyes. Ava wished she could just melt into the floor.
"She has not deceived us" Galadriel addressed the whole hall, not only the one elf that asked the question.
"She could not…and will not…reveal where she is from, but that does not make her request less urgent or worrisome"
She sent her gaze over the gathering of elves before setting them on Ava again.
"Lady Ava, I know the nature of what you ask for and will provide answers in due time, but first tell me; does anyone else know about this message?"
"No, Lady Galadriel" Ava answered truthfully.
"Good, do not under any circumstance reveal anything to anyone. I will come to you when the time is right." With those parting words she nodded at Haldir.
A silent message seemed to transpire between them and Haldir's stone face melted into the friendly one Ava was familiar with. He bowed his head in respect towards his lord and lady and stepped closer to Ava again.
"Come, I will escort you to your tallen. You must be weary"
Ava felt the urge to make a curtsey and before she could completely think the idea through, she placed her one foot behind the other and bent her knees slightly. A few snickers could be heard from the elves and a tiny smile grace Galadriel's lips.
Ava blushed again. What is it with me and these stupid curtsies?
Outside the sun was shining and the rays filtered through the trees.
This is going to be a hot day again; Ava thought and glanced out of habit down towards her hand where to stone, no doubt would be glinting a yellowish-green.
"NO!" she shrieked when she realised that her ring was missing.
A startled Haldir next to her grabbed her hand she was looking at with concern "What is the matter? Are you hurt?" he examined the hand with careful eyes in search of her distress.
Ava shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. My ring! The only thing I have left from my father! Gone! It must have fallen off in the river! How come I have not notice it before?
"Lady Ava" Haldir pleaded with her when there came no response. Both his hands clasped over hers now and he turned her to face him.
"It's nothing, Haldir. I…I just realised that the ring my father gave me is missing" she shrugged "it's the only thing I have left of him"
Haldir, lost for words, gave a comforting squeeze of his hands on hers and a sad smile graced his lips.
"At least you still have your memories of him. Be assured that you could always treasure that with you. It is one of the greatest gifts. "
Ava smiled weakly and nodded.
"Come"
Legolas watched as Ava descended the grey stairs of the palace. Her head hung low, probably indicating that she received ill news. Her feet dragged in a very un-lady like way over the cobble stones. Haldir was walking beside her and his lips were moving, possibly offering her some comforting words. Draped across her shoulder was the flask attached to the leather string.
His flask!
With brisk, quick moves Legolas moved closer to them. Haldir noticed his approach and halted. Ava followed his example, but still did not notice the other elf.
"I believe you have something of mine" Legolas said and stretched out his pale palm towards her when he reached them.
Ava just gave him a blank look like it was the first time she saw him.
"What?"
"My flask…."
"Oh…" Ava reached for the leather string and removed it from her shoulder. She handed the flask to Legolas and moved to walk on. She really did not want to be in the presence of this rude elf…
She was a couple of feet away from him when he suddenly called out.
"Wait!"
Ava turned and lifted an eyebrow at his call. What now?
"If you are going to complain about the empty state of your flask is in… it is your own fault!"
"No I was just…what? It's empty?" Legolas asked shocked. He brought the leather flagon to his ear and shook it a little. Empty…
"Rhaich"
Haldir lifted a brow at Legolas' curse. Even though Ava did not understand Sinadrin, it was still impolite of Legolas to say it in front of a lady.
"That's the second time I've heard you say that…" Ava observed. "What does it mean?"
She was curious, as always. It was a family curse…
"It's nothing, Lady Ava. Come let us go…" Haldir tried to steer her away. He placed his slender hand on her arm and tried to get her moving, but Ava did not budge.
"Oh, I get it! It's a swear word, right? Like shit or fu-"
"You really have a foul mouth for a lady" Legolas cut in distastefully. His nose was slightly wrinkled up like he smelled something horrid. She shrugged and then an idea came to mind.
Ava gave a sly smile "Rhaich"
Even though the pronunciation was terrible, Ava could feel it had the same effect as an English swear-word. Satisfying…
Haldir on the other-hand clasped his hand to his head and sighed dramatically "Why, with all the fair words we have in our language, you decide to teach her a vulgar one first, Legolas?
"I did not teach her anything!" the blond elf objected "Some creatures just seemed to take a particular liking into profaner things…"
"What? So, then I should be all over you, Legolas? Considering I like foul things!"
Haldir made a choking sound and covered his mouth with his hand to hide a grin. Has anyone ever stood up to the prince like that?
"I am not foul and certainly not a thing!" he scoffed "I'm an elf!"
A couple of elves nearby looked at the commotion happening between the woman and the prince. Some even shook their heads disapproving of Ava's behaviour.
"Whatever" she dismissed "Look, I'm tired and hungry. I've lost something dear to me and I feel like crap. So if you will please excuse me"
Ava turned to walk away and Legolas could see that she really did look sad. He then remembered why he called her back in the first place.
"I have your ring" he announced.
"Really?"
"Yes"
Ava gave a cry of joy and leaped at the elf! Her arms flung across his neck and she squeezed him tightly against herself. Legolas was so startled that he did not even try to pry himself loose from her.
Her sent washed over him. Vanilla.
The smell took him of guard as well and he was unwantedly reminded of his home. The trees and vanilla flowers he loved. His friends, mother and sister. The archery range where he used to practise his skill. The fair maidens and the feasts….all the good and happy things.
The contact was just as quickly removed as it came and a flushed Ava stood before him. Her blue eyes sparkled and a smile graced her lips.
"Can I have it?"
Legolas shook the déjà vu of his home from his thoughts and blinked confusedly at her "What?" he asked stupidly.
"My ring"
Oh
Legolas reached inside his pocket and withdrew the silver ring. He opened his hand palm facing up with the ring resting in the middle. Before Ava snatched the ring away, Legolas' eye caught the colour of the stone.
Green!
What? That stone was positively black when I picked it up, he thought baffled.
He watched as Ava slipped the ring on her finger. The stone still glinting a light green.
"Thank you so much, Legolas" Ava thanked in earnest, completely forgetting their previous argument "You have no idea how much this ring means to me!"
Legolas said nothing and just stared at the ring. Was it a magical ring? Did Ava have some magical powers? His doubts of this woman suddenly increased again. Something about Ava was suspicious.
Haldir seemed to notice the sudden change in Legolas' face though he knew not why. For a moment there he saw the old Legolas, his friend, the easy and happy prince of Mirkwood. But once again his jaw was clenched and his eyes hard. Haldir placed a hand on Ava's shoulder.
"Come, you are in need of rest. I will show you to your tallen" Haldir steered Ava away before the prince could lash out again at their guest. "I have asked one of the servants to place your effects that were strapped to your horse in your room. I must say, you do not travel light!"
"Orion! I must see him!" Ava gasped not commenting on the last part of the Haldir's words.
"I assure you that he is perfectly taken care of –"
"No, I need to see him, please Haldir" Ava begged. She loved that horse!
Haldir sighed "Alright, Lady Ava"
They walked in silence to the stables, Ava looking at the lovely surroundings. She was feeling sort of giddy after being reunited with her ring. The city was so different to how the human race lived. Here the elves used nature to build their homes. The way their city was build was complimenting nature's features, not destroying it like the humans did. Humans want to concur; it did not matter if it was over nature, animals, other races, or themselves. A fleeting image of William shot through her mind and Ava felt a flood of anger and heartache coarse through her. He is such a prick. A horrible, lying, deceitful bastard! Ava thought. She unconsciously clenched her fists at her side and grinded her teeth.
"Lady Ava"
"Huh?" Ava snapped out of her hatred filled thoughts and noticed that they were at the stables.
"I said that your steed is at the last stall on your right. I will wait for you here" Haldir gestured with his hand to the stable doors.
Ava stepped inside and greeted her horse.
Elvish Translation:
Rhaich-Curse
So there we go. Another chapter done. I think I'm quite a fast updater, hey?
Please let me know what you think of the story!
Love ,
The Poet